At the end of February, after some halter training around the yard, I thought Ida was ready for a walk out and about - I know I certainly was, having kept the sheep at home during the Bluetongue scare in December, and then Dad's injury and poor weather leaving me far too busy to walk sheep anywhere in January. The weather was mild on this day, and I thought that a wee walk in Tollymore would be good fun.
We headed for the path that runs alongside the river.
Ida enjoyed looking around. It was very quiet so we didn't run into many people. It was almost like we had the forest to ourselves.
We came across the first bridge. I didn't want us to cross just yet, but I thought it would do no harm for Ida to experience crossing anyway.
Ida wasn't phased.
On the path after our back and forth on the bridge.
Ida was very cute. Here she's stopped to watch some people and a dog walking past.
We went into the Hermitage.
And then we kept going.
I was hoping to find another bridge so we could actually cross the river, but all we came across were the stepping stones. I've walked past these my whole life.
We had a look at the bank.
Something came over me - I thought the stepping stones didn't seem so scary this time. I could get us across.
Camera around my neck and Ida tucked under one arm, across we went. Halfway across, I thought I must've gone mad, but we didn't fall in, and we made it across safely! I was so pleased.
Now on the other side of the river, we had some more walking to do.
Posing.
And more walking.
We crossed that wooden bridge again.
Ida was very good and we had a lovely time. It felt great to be out with a sheep again.
