Return to Hillsborough Forest Park

When Susan was very young, we went to Hillsborough Forest Park. Almost six years later, we returned. We had a lovely walk around the lake. Susan did some posing along the way, naturally.

Two Visits to Bannon's Land

I hoped to get some photos of the ewes wintering at Bannon's Land, so I took myself down with the camera one afternoon before Christmas. This mound of soil has been at the top of this field for many years and has become part of the landscape, but for some reason I have struggled to get decent photos of sheep standing on top of it... until this day! I was super pleased to get this photo, and I hadn't even driven down the lane or entered the field yet.

Some ewes on the rock.

At the bottom of the hill and in the field at last, I waited by the silage feeders for my subjects to come to me.

 

Despite there being a good handful of pet sheep in this flock, no one was particularly interested in me on this day. Poppy the sheep eventually came partway over.

Rude.

A nice Suffolk ewe.

Margot didn't bother coming near me either.

I wasn't having much luck with my photos or enthusiasm from my subjects, so I decided to leave them to their silage.

I got a treat once I'd reversed back to the top of the hill - none other than Bridget, Penny's daughter, standing on the pile of soil.

A few days after Christmas, I returned to Bannon's Land with the camera again. I hoped this time that some of my pets would like to see me. At the top of the hill I was in luck again - in fact, the very same sheep was standing on top of the soil again.

She was joined by a few friends.

One of them was Minnie.

Snow was forecast for the following day (which didn't arrive in the end) so we thought it best to leave a couple of fresh bales for the ewes now, just in case the steep lane became too treacherous.

Lifting the feeders. The old bales were almost done, so that made the job a bit easier.

Unwrapping the fresh bale.

Tasty stuff!

The size of the feeders makes access to the centre of the bales difficult, so once a feeder is lifted, ewes with go straight for the middle.

A yummy new bale always draws a crowd.

Once again, the pets in the flock didn't bother with me, but at least they're well-fed!

A Spot of T.L.C.

Spot has been lagging behind the other pet lambs - he was born big but hasn't got as big as I thought he would. He was also a bit on the thin side. I made the decision to bring him indoors for a while for some extra feeding. By indoors, I meant a shed, rather than my house!

He was unsure about going down the steps, so he just stood there - perfect selfie opportunity.

In the run-up to Christmas, Spot had lots of wee walks around the yard.

 

 

He had the odd visit to the house too.

 

He also got a treat after every walk for being a good boy.

On Christmas Eve, I set up the tripod and got this photo of us. I was trilled with how it turned out!

Today I put Spot back out in the field with the other pet sheep. He has put on some weight, so hopefully that will see him through the last of the winter. I'll be keeping an eye on him.

Twice in a (Christmas) Week

Over the Christmas week, the pets received two visits from me. There was a special visitor for Christmas Day too. I've condensed both visits into one post for speed.

Nora, Patricia and Petal on the hill. As they age, Patricia and Petal are starting to look more and more alike.

Frida coming over.

Primrose and Astrid (and Vera).

 

 

Olive.

Titch.

 

Dad joined us on Christmas Day.

Astrid came over to check for treats.

 

Frida getting those cuddles.

Ginnie came over too.

Greta and friends.

She didn't want to be left out.

Astrid.

Rosie.

Olive.

 

A few of the retired ladies - Rosie, Olive and Penny.

 

 

 

 

Titch and Tilly.

 

 

 

Primrose watching.

 

 

Penny.

 

 

 

Primrose.

 

 

And Esther, more wool than woman, as I like to say!