Royal Highland Show

Way back in early Spring we discussed taking some cows to The Royal Highland Show. It's a big commitment both in time and preparation. The cows have to be in their stalls by 4pm on Wednesday, and exhibitors cannot leave until 5pm on Sunday. We put off the decision until James was back from New Zealand, and then almost on the day that entries closed we clicked on the website and entered online.

During weeks of Spring Work and silaging it was always at the back of our minds. We picked out the cows we wanted to take and began to get them ready. Scotland is committed to eradicating BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) so the cows had to have blood tests and the results sent off before the end of June. And of course they had to have a pre-movement test for TB. During the week before the show the chosen ones were clipped and trimmed and given practise in walking with a leather halter. Then on Wednesday morning James headed north with four of Strickley's finest and all the supplies they would need for five days at the show.

By mid afternoon they were settled in their new temporary home.

The show opened to the public on Thursday, but the Dairy classes were not until yesterday (Friday). James was up before 5 am getting the cows ready and judging started at 10 am. In these days of social media we didn't need to wait for a phone call to find out how they were doing - The Dairy Shorthorn Society posted regular updates and photos on their Facebook page. If you follow the link you'll see where most of these photos come from. And a few from James's Twitter - why not follow him?

The first update we saw had Strickley Goldie 223rd standing first in the Heifer in Calf class.

Then Strickley Lily 13th second in the Cow in Calf class. After that there was a long period with no updates. Then all at once Strickley Barrington Dot 21st was first in the cow in milk class.

And Strickley Lily 12th won the older cow in milk class.

And hot on the heels of that update was a photo of James and Strickley Barrington Dot 21st winning the Overall Dairy Shorthorn Championship.

So a good day out all round (including Reserve Junior Champion and Best Exhibitor Bred). Pus two cups that are far too valuable to bring home.

Well done to all the exhibitors for such a good turnout, to especially to James and the Strickley Shorthorns.

And finally, a few more photos from the Shorthorn Facebook page taken when everyone seemed to be a bit more relaxed,

And has Damian travelled the farthest? Look at his jacket logo.

Silaging Part 2

The last Blog post left off with  us awaiting the arrival of our contractor. Meanwhile Henry was out Rowing Up

 and after afternoon milking we finally started to see the grass come in.

At the silage pit James was champing at the bit waiting for the first loads (and finding time to Tweet  - all the photos on these last two Blogs are are taken and Tweeted on his phone).

If everything is running smoothly with no breakdowns there's usually time to stop and get out the tractors for meals (ice cream boxes packed with homemade goodness!), sit down and admire the view.

But, if there's a rush to get done before the rain, meals are eaten on the go - apparently these sausage rolls made a bit of a mess in tractor cabs.

We knew there was a very small window of fine weather, so only cut 60 acres. By Wednesday night it was back to rain and checking the BBC weather. And on Friday afternoon we started it all again - mowing and scaling late into the night.

All day we could see the weather moving round us - sometimes two systems at once - but it never really touched us.

And that's it for First Cut - 70 acres yesterday in 12 hours. Time for a rest - but no time - sheeting up tomorrow then onwards and upwards!

Green green grass - ready and waiting (and wilting)

At last the mower has moved out into the field. We had hoped - and expected - to have started silaging a few days ago, but for some reason we were moved down the contractor's running order. So now it's a race to get as much in the pit before the weather changes. It's a stressful time for farmers - poised and ready to go, but waiting for the weather. And then knowing when to start mowing - and how much to mow - so the grass is just nicely wilted when the contractor's forage harvester arrives in the yard.

But despite the stress, or maybe because of it, James has not given up Tweeting. Do you follow him? His tweets are one of the reasons I don't write as much on the Blog. By the time my fingers hit the keyboard, it's old news. So log on to Twitter and search for James Robinson (@JRfromStrickley). Or if Twitter is new to you - click on this link

Because James is so handy with his camera phone, I haven't been out in the fields. Here's a few photos from his Tweets - for the accompanying text you'll need to look on Twitter.

The Strickley Robinsons Travel the World

While James and family have been travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand (and those of you that follow him on Twitter will have heard about it - and if not why not?), Henry and I have been a little more modest in our expeditions.

Regular readers (and I'm sorry that there's not been much to read lately) will know that I'm a bit of a Folkie. I always have been in some shape or form, but it used to be just manifested in the music I listened  to and the records and CD's I bought. But over the past few years we've been going to more and more gigs, some local (we're lucky that The Brewery Arts Centre is such a good venue) and some farther away. If we have to travel, we usually stay at a Premier Inn (other budget chains are available), but last week we threw caution and our budget to the winds and stayed in a rather swish hotel in Nottingham. I knew Henry would have been working non stop for three weeks while James was away so it was by way of a bit of a treat for him (and me of course). After hours of searching the Internet and reading reviews I took the plunge and booked two nights at Harts Hotel, I even bought some new luggage to swagger in with. There was only one problem with the hotel - finding it. I had been warned that Nottingham is not the best place to drive round so was  prepared. We used a combination of Sat Nav and the hotel's directions and still went round and round the streets till we found it. But once we were parked up and looking out of our room above the treetops of Nottingham all the worry was behind us.

We ate in Harts Restaurant at night - simply presented but amazing tasting food. My favourite dish of our stay was the Morel and Broad Bean Fricassee. I wish I could produce flavours like that.

Next morning after a leisurely Full English we ventured down the hill into Town, As a frequent shopper on the John Lewis website I had a £5 voucher and Coffee & Cake voucher burning a hole in my pocket. But despite wandering past handbags and scarves I kept wallet firmly closed. For once there was not only nothing I needed, but nothing I wanted. I did relent a bit and bought Henry some socks, and then splashed out on a bottle of Elderflower presse while he used my voucher.

By now I had decided I was not meant for City Life and we jumped onto a taxi to take us back up the hill. £3.60 well spent!

After such an exerting time we just relaxed in the afternoon and following a wallow in the full size bath (not as good as the Strickley one, but I could lie down), and another amazing meal, we headed down the hill again (this time in a taxi - £2.80), to the main event. Months earlier I had booked tickets for Bellowhead. I was poised at the keyboard the second booking opened and was lucky to get two front row seats.

I had my phone with me, so I could have taken some amazing photos, being so close to the band, but this is all I'm posting. I took a couple more, but I think it's better to enjoy the moment and not keep looking at the action through a lens. But if you want to see some incredible shots look at these  or these 

But seeing these images can only give a tiny inkling of the Bellowhead experience. Look them up on their website, buy the CD's or best of all go and see them live! This review is for the Nottingham concert and seems to capture the atmosphere. Even a 66 year old grandmother with dodgy legs and feet was leaping up and down, bouncing, waving and clapping - albeit sometimes holding onto the stage in front.

Worn out but still dancing inside we taxied back up the hill (£10 this time).

And I must mention the support - Kings of the South Seas. Powerful songs of when British ships went whaling. Another CD to stack on my shelf!

Next morning it was a leisurely breakfast and back home to reality. Roll on July 17th when we see Bellowhead again. But this time staying in a Premier Inn. I'm only a poor pensioner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

to our young daughter Victoria

Warm sun, green grass - so . . .

. . . the cows are out!

Catch the action on Twitter (@StrickleyFarm) and @JRfromStrickley)

The sun keeps on shining . .

. .  and the grass is growing. And farmers are busy working hard to make the most of the weather.

And living the high life.

And on Saturday, despite it being sunny and warm the farmers had a day off.
So, we went  into town (a rare occurrence). Kendal was buzzing with people sat outside cafes and buskers on the corners. 
We both collected our new glasses (Henry looks a bit cool in his tinted ones) and I managed to spend a bit off money.
It was Record Store Day so we popped into Replay in the shopping centre and I bought two "pre-owned" records (your actual vinyl) - Simon and Garfunkel, and Steeleye Span.
Then we happened to go into Todds lovely smart and tempting shop and somehow I bought a new Barbour handbag - Barbourish but with flowers on!
Via the market for some shrimps and lunch at Farrers Coffee Shop.
Then back home  and Henry checked his mole traps and I potted  shrimps and prepared the meat for supper (Beef Wellington - I said we were living the high life!)
Remember - you can't have too many bags or potted shrimps!

But out of the mouths of babes (well, eleven year olds) - 

"Grandma, why do need more than one handbag?"

Answers on a postcard please