And so it continues . .

Third Cut underway - tractors and machines coming and going through the yard. The sun is shining and the temperature's rising - you might almost think it was summer!

100 Years Ago

In 1875 Henry and Abigail Robinson moved into Strickley with their young family. Henry's Dad has written about how it came about that they got he tenancy of the farm - see here on our website. The family grew to eleven children and many grandchildren.

In September of 1914 they all gathered at Strickley to celebrate Henry and Abigail's Golden Wedding. All the children and their wives were present, and three of the grandchildren. The occasion was marked by a formal photograph in front of the porch. They all look remarkedley composed - no one is pulling silly faces, and even the dog is looking at the camera! The names in bold below are Henry and Abigail's children

Earlier this month we managed to get all of the present Strickley family together and thought we would recreate the photo.

There are obvious similarities and differences!
The house and porch, and even the drain pipes are unchanged, and although the barn is in the same place it has been altered. There are less cobbles and more weeds.
But the main difference is the size of the family. As parents of three children we are never going to fill the porch. And I know it's a colour photo - but I bet the 1914 Robinsons weren't all wearing blue. The colour wasn't meant to be coordinating - everyone just came downstairs in blue!

Left to right -
Elliot, Victoria, James, Michelle, Robert, Claire
Chris, Fletcher, Henry, Maisie the dog, Kathleen, Quinn, Isabella

It will be our Golden Wedding in six years, so maybe we'll do it all again then!

Comings and goings

It's been a while since the last Blog post, but there's been plenty going on at Strickley. Second Cut was piled high in the pits and sheeted up (covered by what sounded like - to me - Cling Film). Hundreds of big bales were wrapped and carted down from The Lots to the compounds at Strickley.
We're well into our main calving season cow, with most cows seeming to prefer calving at night. The dry cows spend their last few weeks inside, so we can manage their diet etc (mustn't get too fat), and when they start "bagging up" they are moved to calving pens. These are right opposite our bedroom window, so it's usually me who hears the telltale moaning sounds about 2 in the morning. A quick nudge and Henry is up and out to see what's happening.

There have been much comings and goings round the house as well. Cousins camping in the Paddock, cousins camping near the pond. Children and grandchildren staying on the way to and from Scotland and Dorset. Sudden influxes of family visitors so I had to do a minor miracle and turn supper for 10 into supper for 16.

But tonight Henry and I get a bit of a respite as were off in the caravan for a couple of days. No getting up in the night for calving cows! No feeding a multitude! We're leaving Strickley - and the Aga - in the capable hands of Victoria. Elliot has had a crash course in filling and riddling.

So, Au Revoir till  the next time.

Penrith Show

Yesterday was Penrith Show - one of the highlights of the North West Dairy Shorthorn's year. There is always a good turnout of stock - not just because we have such good stock up here, but also because The North of England Calf and Showmanship competition is held at the same time. It's been held in various locations, on farm and at Auction Marts, but for several years has settled into it's slot at Penrith.

For our readers who don't know - the Calf Show has two parts - classes for the calves, and classes for the handlers. For the past few weeks Robert and Chris have been preparing; leading their chosen (by Henry and James) calves round the yard after milking, getting the calves used to being on a halter, learning how to encourage the calves to do what the handler wants and how to handle the calves and watch the judge. The day before the show the calves were washed and clipped, and by 06:15 on Show Day were loaded into the trailer with three show cows.

An early start meant there was plenty of time to unload, wash and brush up (the cows), and sit and relax.

Then a few last minutes touches - the Vice President of the Shorthorn Society fluffs up a cow's tail.

Bedded, fed and watered.

And it's not just the cows and calves that are looking their best!

Ready to go

Concentrating and remembering all the practice.

Three smart boys now

Controlling the calf

First in class!

Robert and Starbud 60th

Champion Junior Handler (and Goldie 229th)

A happy boy and calf

So, well done to Robert and Starbud 60th - Champion Junior Calf, and Reserve Overall Calf.
And to Chris and Goldie 229th - Champion Junior Handler.

And as an extra bonus to the joy of winning, the boys also got some little brown envelopes with prize money - to put away into their New Zealand holiday fund.

And what of the Strickley cows? It was not our day, the honours went to Jonathan Fisher's Mossrigg Barrington Iris, who not only won the Champion Dairy Shorthorn, but also Supreme Champion Dairy animal

Good things coming in threes?

Is it true that good things come in three's?

Maybe it is.
Last week James found out that he had won a trip to New Zealand ("Study Trip" not a holiday!, though all the family are going).
And then on Saturday I found out I had won an Ipad case from a local farm shop.
We wondered what would be next -
Then last night night both James and myself won in the New Hutton 200 Club monthly draw - only £10 each but every little helps!

Here we go again

Second cut for clamp silage has started - James is mowing, while Henry and David are opening up the big bit, where we hope to squeeze a few more loads on top. The second smaller pit is ready and waiting. We've our fingers cross that this is a start of a few good days weather wise. Pickup will start tomorrow

Deja vu

We came back yesterday from 9 nights in sunny Scotland, but it's as if we've never been away.
Grass is growing.
Cows are calving.
James was mowing.
Baler due this afternoon.

But it was a relaxing break.

There was a little bit of rain

Quite a lot of sun



A lot of Al Fresco cooking, from breakfast



to supper



And a lot of sleeping, inside and out



Then it was wagons roll and off back to Strickley