Cards all posted.
Presents all bought (including Henry's)
First batch of presents wrapped ready for delivery this weekend.
Christmas cake made (just come out of the oven and it smells wonderful!)
Tree lights tested - four sets working, one set not working, one set missing presumed dead.
Bedroom trees on windowsills ready for the Switch On on Saturday.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Herd Competition
Last night the North West Association of Shorthorn Breeders held their annual dinner. The main event, after the food, was the announcement of the results of the 2013 Herd Competition, and presentation of trophies and certificates.
These were the results - I have copied and pasted them from another document, so they may or may not display and be formatted correctly. (Saves retyping)
These were the results - I have copied and pasted them from another document, so they may or may not display and be formatted correctly. (Saves retyping)
NORTH
WEST REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHORTHORN BREEDERS
HERD
COMPETITION 2013
JUDGE
- MARTIN JACKSON
Class 1 Large Herds
1st Winbrook Herd G A & D W Dent
2nd Whitchester Herd C Hall
3rd Strickley Herd Messrs Robinson
=3rd Kirkbryde Herd M
Robinson
Class 2 Small Herds
1st Beaconview J Handley
2nd Briscoll Mrs Coulthard
3rd Moorriggs P Armstrong
4th Newpark D Craig
Class 3 Young Stock Large
Herds
1st Whitchester Herd C
Hall
2nd Strickley Herd Messrs
Robinson
3rd Winbrook Herd G
A & D W Dent
4th Brafell Herd J
Teasdale
Class 4 Young Stock Small
Herds
1st Beaconview J
Handley
2nd Moorriggs P
Armstrong
3rd Briscoll Herd Mrs
Coulthard
4th Tahuna Herd D
Jackson
Class 5 Heifer in Calf
1st Strickley Oak Barrington
2nd Newpark Jean 22nd D
Craig
3rd Moorriggs Swell 2nd P
Armstrong
4th Mossrigg Poppy Barrington
Class 6 Heifer in Milk
1st Strickley Lily 15th Messrs
Robinson
2nd Winbrook Foggathorpe Lass 5th G
A & D W Dent
3rd Beaconview Lady Rose 2nd J
Handley
4th Oxton Foggathorpe 677th T
Moscrop
Class 7 Cow to Have Calved
Twice
1st Beaconview Fillpail J
Handley
2nd Strickley Goldie 198th Messrs
Robinson
3rd Whitchester Lucky Lady C
Hall
4th Winbrook Peeress Rose 12th G
A & D W Dent
Class 8 Progeny of One Bull
1st Marleycote Lucky Man C
Hall
2nd Llandovery Jinnys Empire Messrs
Robinson
3rd Winbrook King Henry Mrs
Coulthard
4th Winbrook Marmaduke G
A & D W Dent
Class 9a Bull on Inspection
Only
1st Marleycote Gold Blend G
A & D W Dent
2nd Middlebankend Digger N
Barker
3rd Briscol Laird Mrs
Coulthard
4th Winbrook Pedro G
A & D W Dent
Class 9b Bull on Inspection
and Production
1st Marleycote Gold Blend G
A & D W Dent
2nd Strickley Maximus Messrs
Robinson
3rd Briscol Laird Mrs
Coulthard
4th Middlebankend Digger N
Barker
Class 10a Cow on Inspection
Only
1st Winbrook Peeress Rose G
A & D W Dent
2nd Marleycote Barrington Iris 15th J
Fisher
=2nd Strickley Starlet 94th Messrs
Robinson
4th Briscol Graceful Lady 4th Mrs
Coulthard
Class 10b Cow on Inspection
and Production
1st Marleycote Barrington Iris 15th J Fisher
2nd Briscol Graceful Lady 4th Mrs
Coulthard
3rd Strickley Starlet 94th Messrs
Robinson
4th Winbrook Peeress Rose G
A & D W Dent
Class 11 Best Pure Bred
Animal
1st Parton Perry Pansy 6th J
Hewson
2nd Oxton Foggathorpe 677th T
Moscrop
3rd Kenprest Lady Hermione 10th J
Teasdale
=3rd Tahuna Dewdrop D
Jackson
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Live Music
There's nothing like live music. It doesn't have to be in a grand concert hall or massive arena. And maybe it's better in a small venue where the band and/or singers are near to the audience. There's nowhere to hide - no backing tracks, no session players or singers. And definitely no dancing girls. With the Brewery theatre sold out to an audience who seemed to be avid knowledgeable fans, the Show of Hands gig last night was a memorable end to our season of concerts.
There was no support as such - but each member did three songs on there own, giving us a chance to admire their individual skills - especially Miranda.
As usual there was interaction with the audience and a chance of joining in with songs. There were songs from old albums, favourites which are even more appropriate now (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed, and Katrina) as well as a Springsteen song and No Woman No Cry. An acoustic version of "Don't be a Stranger" brought a wonderful evening to a close.
There was no support as such - but each member did three songs on there own, giving us a chance to admire their individual skills - especially Miranda.
As usual there was interaction with the audience and a chance of joining in with songs. There were songs from old albums, favourites which are even more appropriate now (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed, and Katrina) as well as a Springsteen song and No Woman No Cry. An acoustic version of "Don't be a Stranger" brought a wonderful evening to a close.
Thursday, 5 December 2013
A day of two halves
If you have been looking at our weather page, you will have seen the wind speeds today - up to 76 mph. As far as we can tell there's no damage at Strickley, but James had to nip up New Hutton Lane to saw up a fallen branch, and Henry was diverted on his way back from the auction (fallen tree on Oxenholme Brow).
Back home I was getting a bit wound up as the stove struggled to get going. There seemed to be a malicious force putting it out every time there was a glimmer of a flame. It probably didn't help that the wind was blowing down the chimney.
Meanwhile the computer was having a bad day. Not exactly not working, but a fan was making excessive noise. Even with some music turned up high I knew it was not quite right. I do backup regularly (half a lifetime in IT taught me that), but if it was about to expire I wanted copies of the work I had done yesterday (certificates for the North West Regional Herd Competition).
But all has calmed down now (even me). After dinner we removed the cover of the PC tower and saw what I expected - a very large quantity of dust. Judicious use of a vacuum cleaner (I remembered not to say "Hoover"), and twice as long trying to get the side back on the runners, and it's running smoothly and silently.
The wind has shifted direction and calmed down and the fire is burning brightly. Panic over.
P.S. - this morning we brought in the last of our stock - 12 heifers and a bull. So everything is warm and dry inside now for Winter) but not too warm, as that can lead to problems).
Back home I was getting a bit wound up as the stove struggled to get going. There seemed to be a malicious force putting it out every time there was a glimmer of a flame. It probably didn't help that the wind was blowing down the chimney.
Meanwhile the computer was having a bad day. Not exactly not working, but a fan was making excessive noise. Even with some music turned up high I knew it was not quite right. I do backup regularly (half a lifetime in IT taught me that), but if it was about to expire I wanted copies of the work I had done yesterday (certificates for the North West Regional Herd Competition).
But all has calmed down now (even me). After dinner we removed the cover of the PC tower and saw what I expected - a very large quantity of dust. Judicious use of a vacuum cleaner (I remembered not to say "Hoover"), and twice as long trying to get the side back on the runners, and it's running smoothly and silently.
The wind has shifted direction and calmed down and the fire is burning brightly. Panic over.
P.S. - this morning we brought in the last of our stock - 12 heifers and a bull. So everything is warm and dry inside now for Winter) but not too warm, as that can lead to problems).
Monday, 2 December 2013
How would you like your books to be delivered?
Drones
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25180906
or Owls?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agpB5FVMkOg
Edit - Tuesday am - sorry, the Owls' video seems to be unavailable now
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Monday, 25 November 2013
The name's the same . .
. . . but -
Once a building has gained a name, it tends to stay with it for ever. For example - the "New Building" is a secondhand hen hut that we bought from near Preston in 1965. Never mind that there has been more than one new building since then.
Once upon a time kept sheep. Just before they were due to lamb we brought them inside - to a Poly Building, which became known as the "Sheep Building". But the last lambs were born in there in the spring of 2005, and the building became more multi-purpose. We have housed calves in there (though it's not ideally placed for carrying buckets of milk etc), and lately it's just been used to store "stuff". Everyone needs somewhere to put all the stuff that doesn't go anywhere else. The bigger stuff includes our caravan and a classic Mini Van. There's a saw bench and wood (sawn and ready too saw). Drainage pipes, old bikes, ride on garden mower, out of season garden chairs and much more besides. But it's still the "Sheep Building". Even Robert and Chris who don't remember the sheep, call it the Sheep Building.
The plastic sheet has been showing it's age. There were a few gaps and tears, but it was more or less weather proof. But we decided we had to either renew the sheet, or consider other (more expensive and complicated) options. We reckoned that we still needed a building for all this Stuff, so ordered a new sheet (from the original supplier). The new sheet may have still been waiting in a corner, but the strong winds last week sounded the death knell for the old plastic. By morning there was not much left. So since then we've been clearing a way down the sides (inside and out) in preparation for a fine still day. Today's the day and new sheet is going on. The Sheep Building still lives.
Once a building has gained a name, it tends to stay with it for ever. For example - the "New Building" is a secondhand hen hut that we bought from near Preston in 1965. Never mind that there has been more than one new building since then.
Once upon a time kept sheep. Just before they were due to lamb we brought them inside - to a Poly Building, which became known as the "Sheep Building". But the last lambs were born in there in the spring of 2005, and the building became more multi-purpose. We have housed calves in there (though it's not ideally placed for carrying buckets of milk etc), and lately it's just been used to store "stuff". Everyone needs somewhere to put all the stuff that doesn't go anywhere else. The bigger stuff includes our caravan and a classic Mini Van. There's a saw bench and wood (sawn and ready too saw). Drainage pipes, old bikes, ride on garden mower, out of season garden chairs and much more besides. But it's still the "Sheep Building". Even Robert and Chris who don't remember the sheep, call it the Sheep Building.
The plastic sheet has been showing it's age. There were a few gaps and tears, but it was more or less weather proof. But we decided we had to either renew the sheet, or consider other (more expensive and complicated) options. We reckoned that we still needed a building for all this Stuff, so ordered a new sheet (from the original supplier). The new sheet may have still been waiting in a corner, but the strong winds last week sounded the death knell for the old plastic. By morning there was not much left. So since then we've been clearing a way down the sides (inside and out) in preparation for a fine still day. Today's the day and new sheet is going on. The Sheep Building still lives.
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