The Escape Artist

The tips are currently living in the Bog, a field we rent that has a small stream, a stone wall, and a tiny gate between us... and yet, this young Texel was out when I got there.



My dad bought him as a lamb early last autumn, for the grand sum of £101. (We rarely spend more on a sheep because they have this annoying habit of trying to die all the time.) He's a nice boy, and by nature he's very calm and relaxed. I had planned to take photos of the tips but a sudden change of plans meant I had only around fifteen minutes to check on them so I had no time to put on the telephoto lens I had brought with me. I even had a bucket of meal to shake to try and get their attention. As you can see, there was absolutely no need for the telephoto lens as he was right beside me and not a bit scared. I was able to keep him occupied with the nuts while I opened the gate.



Once the tiny gate was open, I picked the bucket up and took it with me as I stepped gracefully over the stream. I expected him to follow, but he didn't. Instead he stood and stared at me.



To my surprise I turned around and there were Sunny and Jim, also lured by the sound of the rattling bucket.





When he saw his friends were closer to the bucket than he was, the Texel decided that he should follow me after all.





A pause at the stream to check for crocodiles.









One big leap over the stream later, he claimed his prize.



...And then was immediately pushed around by everyone else.





Even the chunky, older, Texel Lleyn joined in.





It was every man for himself.





Sunny may be the smallest but he puts up a good fight.



Jim lost a whole lot of condition over the breeding season - that either means that he was too busy to eat much, or he's rubbish. We'll know the answer in the next few months...



He's good at the photobombing.





In the meantime, I hope he puts on some weight. Eat lots of grass, Jim!



Good boy!



Nuts hoovered up, the tips still didn't run away. I was amazed - usually when I visit a field full of tips, they run to the opposite end. These boys are the quietest tips I've ever seen.



Sunny, what are you doing?



Same question applies here.



Sunny is very sweet, though.



I have a soft spot for the little guy.



I still like this chap even though he escaped.



The red heads are just in case they escape in the opposite direction, onto more fields or the road.



This is the only tip here that's of our own breeding - that's why you can't really tell what breed he is. Keeps things interesting.



I crossed the stream and left the Bog, and they kept staring expectantly at me.







Handsome Sunny.



We fixed the place where we think the Texel climbed the wall the following day. Hopefully no more great escapes.

Wordless Wednesday #99: Fly's Dad

Windswept Twilight on the Hill

Sometimes I go out to take photos and things go brilliantly. Other times, not! This Sunday evening I took Teddy, Fly and Sue up the hill on the quad to get a three-quarters-of-the-family photo. The light was great, at first, but the dogs weren't playing ball (or posing).



Sue still has to be chained to the quad for her own safety. Until she learns not to jump or fall off all the time and hurt herself, the chain stays.



Three dogs!



Teddy, backlit by the sun as it slipped behind the clouds.



I let Sue down to run around and Fly and Teddy showed her how it's done.



I gave both Fly and Teddy a haircut and it doesn't really look great until it grows out a bit...



Little Sue watching the grown-ups.



It was so windy I was tempted to tether them all down to stop them blowing away.



Sue is trying to learn to jump onto the quad. I'm not encouraging this as her joints aren't fully formed yet. Teddy agrees with me and was there to stop her.



And throughout, Fly was an angel who could do no wrong.



Maybe next time I'll get a family photo I like.

The Horses of Mullahead

Yesterday, finally, I managed to make it to Mullahead. Mullahead is a ploughing match that takes place on the final Saturday of every February near Portadown. Started up by my grandfather's uncle, Sandy McCracken, I've always wanted to visit - and so has my dad, who had never been either. We were always flat-out lambing sheep at this time of the year, but this year, since we've held everything back, we had the opportunity to go.

I've heard it said that it always rains on Mullahead but the forecast was promising for yesterday. Halfway there, tiny spits of rain appeared on the windscreen of the Land Rover but we ignored them as it was to be a good afternoon. Shortly after our arrival the rain got a little heavier and stayed on. By the time I made it to the far end of the field and the horses that I had come to see, I was soaked. I took my camera out and snapped a picture...



But the rain was too heavy and my camera was already soaking wet. Thankfully I had a see through plastic bag in my backpack so I could repeat the experiment that I did a few weeks ago and waterproofed my camera.



Despite the rain, the ploughing was in full swing. With the rattle of the tractors in the background, the silent, hardworking horses had their competition.



Even though this photo is slightly blurry, I still like it. The rain was heavy enough to confuse my autofocus into focusing on rain droplets sometimes.



I also had to keep wiping the water droplets off my lens or I'd get this misty look.





A pair of Cobs executing a turn at the end of a furrow. Thanks to their nameplates I know one is Sam and one is called Bob.









At the far edge of the horse ploughing area was this absolutely beautiful pair of grey Shires. I had never seen grey Shires in person before but I fell in love, judging by how many pictures I took of them.





Discussing a plan of action for the next furrow.



A gorgeous pair of Clydesdales.









Those Shires again...





Waiting patiently while adjustments are made.











Getting in line.



By now the rain had gotten even heavier and yes, I had worn wellies, but I also had turned up in a fleece. I was a sponge. The horse teams kept going but you can see the rain drops in the photographs now.











The competing horses get a good look at each other on the turns.



It was warm, damp work for everyone.





Some people hadn't bothered to dress their horses up, but these two looked show stopping.





I love the black sock on this Clydesdale.



The eventual fourth place winners finishing a furrow.







A close-up of one of the Cobs.



After the rain got even heavier I decided to leave. I had one last look over my shoulder at the horses.



And on my way back to the Land Rover I saw a lady and her donkey.





I also thought that I better not leave without taking at least one picture of a tractor, so here you are!



I would have loved to chat to the people with the horses but they all were so busy, I didn't want to bother them. Congratulations to the winners!