Billy Goes to Delamont Country Park

Billy had his first outing of the year at Delamont Country Park. It was such a lovely day.

Lots of hedges to nibble on.

It had been months and months since Billy was out and about, but you wouldn't know it to look at him. He was cool as a cucumber.

The special thing about this park is its fields that are often full of sheep.

The "normal" sheep were confused when Billy wandered into view.

He was keen to say hello.

After some staring, we went on our way.

This field Billy would happily have grazed in for hours.

More sheep.

At this point, a lady walking her dog called out to me, "What are you doing!?" I, with my usual offhandedness, told her I was taking my sheep for a walk. After a moment's confusion, she realised that Billy was with me, and not, as she then told me, a sheep she thought I'd stolen out of this field and put on a lead.

The day was getting warmer - I was worried for Billy with his big fleece. We stood in this shady spot to cool off for a few minutes.

Nearly back at the car park.

I loved getting rides on this miniature train as a child (and with Susan as an adult once), but this was one thing that I didn't think Billy would be quite suited to!

I treated myself to a delicious strawberry milkshake to finish the day.

This is a great sheep walking spot, I'll have to get back sometime soon.

Esther

Recently, I said goodbye to Esther. It was unexpected, but I can comfort myself by knowing she had a wonderful, carefree life with her sheep friends for eight years.

She was born in 2018, a young Texel/Mule. She was so tiny, and ended up coming down with E. coli which left her very weak. But she never gave up on her milk, and she lived in our kitchen for the first two weeks of her life until she was fit enough to live in the lambing shed.

Once she was over her E. coli troubles, she didn't look behind her (except in this photo, I suppose!).

She stayed small, but she was full of courage.

She loved a cuddle session too.

And relaxing was a favourite.

Here she is with Flora, a lamb born at the same time. Quite the size difference!

When baby Susan arrived, it was Esther I trusted to meet her first.

Heather, another Texel/Mule. She was bigger too, of course.

My favourite photo of Esther, I think - she's so cute!

After her first haircut.

Playing with Tilly in the yard.

A beautiful lady.

Blowing her audition to be one of Santa's helpers.

All of that wool made for good insulation.

Clipped again.

Her wool was amazing - it grew so fast and was so fun to bury your hands in.

One of Esther's favourite places to chew her cud was up on this wall.

The smallest and the biggest, Titch.

She was always greedy for treats.

"More wool than woman", a nonsense phrase I think of when I see this photo!

So sweet, so adorably round.

Chillin'.

As impressive as her fleece was, she was happy to be rid of it come the summer. She knew exactly where to get a good scratch the moment her fleece was clipped.

The last photo I took of Esther, not too long ago. 

Esther

9th April 2018 — 7th July 2026

 Goodbye, my woolly little round friend.