No change in the weather.

Ah, the joys of being soaking wet on a driech, winter's day!  Gaucho seems unimpressed by our latest spell of wet and windy weather.

Wee Eck with Fidget behind and Faro and Rufus in the background.  Eck's only bit of non-black colour is the white patch behind his left front foot.

Gully always manages to have a roll in the mud, although he doesn't look too happy about the conditions.   Behind the fence is the veg garden with the Keder polytunnel and in the background is the north gable end of Tigh Mhor (the house hasn't sold yet - anyone out there interested?)

Rufus -a little nervous and  always on the lookout.

Fyta boy - he's also been rolling around getting dirty.

And finally............a shot of the dripping wet Monkey Puzzle tree.  It's about 20 years old now, spent a couple of years in a large pot before we planted it in a corner when we moved here 18 years ago.  The leaves are extremely sharp and hard so it's in a corner where we won't brush against it.  On the left is a 'mile-a-minute' plant (Polygonum Baldschuanicum) which covers a garden seat and pergola and during the summer completely covers the Monkey Puzzle in white flowers.  It has to be drastically pruned back every year otherwise it would take over the complete garden I think!  The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of garden plants says, "it is frequently rampant and may be difficult to control!"  No kidding?!

Heads down

Following all the rain we've had in recent weeks the water had started bubbling up through the ground in places.  Then last weekend and for a couple of days heavy frost set in turning parts of the paddocks into skating rinks.  Trying to get the boys to avoid these areas is hopeless - perhaps they enjoy sliding around!

I'm always surprised when I see the boys eating frozen grass - must be harsh on their lips and mouths, although they don't seem to mind at all.

The other thing which is surprising is the amount of time they take over nibbling the tiniest shoots and blades of grass when longer grass is available.  Thats what they are all doing in this set of photos.

The boys have been having their monthly quota of Verm-X granules mixed with their supplement this week and whilst one or two of them initially turn their noses up when they smell the granules, they all usually manage to finish it all off.  Then it's back to nibbling tiny green bits!

I don't suppose we should expect Fidget to keep his head down when there is a camera in the vicinity - what a poseur!

And finally..........although frosty, we've had some lovely sunny days this week.  This is the steading for storing the hay etc with the open shelter in the bottom paddock, with the field shelter next to it.  On the extreme left are the chicken compounds, home to  Hunkey Dunkey and his hens.  They like it when the boys are in the bottom paddocks, not only for the company but because they get thrown a handful (or two) of alpaca supplement. It makes a change from the Digestive biscuits!

Boys will be boys.

Boys will be boys!  Rufus (left) and Fergus giving each other the audible and visual warnings to get out of their respective personal space!  Plenty of huffing and puffing going on here, but that was it, no aggression.

At this time of year when the paddocks are pretty bare of grass the boys are always looking out for something to eat.  There is always hay on offer, daily haylage plus daily supplements and sugar beet when it's really cold but that doesn't stop them looking at humans in that doleful manner trying to get more food.

Gaucho (back), Faro and Fyta's rear end in front!

Fyta, front, with Fidget.  Weather wise it's been a much better week and the boys have been able to dry off in the wind and occasional sunshine.  It's back to a more 'normal' winter now with frost and snow showers.

And finally...................down in the chicken compound Hunkey Dunkey is looking 'the business' with his new set of feathers ready for the Spring.  I think we're all ready for a bit of Spring, don't you?

Squelch, squelch!

Fyta looks as fed up as all animals and humans with the present weather conditions.  Squelching about in muddy paddocks is no fun.

Earlier in the week we decided to change the boys from the top to the bottom paddocks, to give them fresh grass but also to give them drier shelters.  This is Faro waiting for the gate to open so that he can lead the charge, with Fergus looking on from the left.

There they go with Faro in front and Wee Eck dancing around behind him!

They need no second bidding to run and certainly don't need a map to find their way around the paddocks!

A wet looking herd, but at least there is some fresh grass to nibble.

And finally.........normally this is a sand pit, with this weather it looks more like a paddling pool.  Stay dry and safe wherever you are in these conditions.

All about ewe!

Another stormy week weather-wise, although we haven't fared too badly and haven't lost our electricity during recent storms.  Candles and torches were at the ready around Christmas day but weren't needed, thankfully.  Hope you are all OK in your particular 'neck of the woods' and haven't been affected by the dreadful flooding.  This is a long range shot of the boys, bunched together with Faro in front, all facing the 'threat.' Click on the photo for enlargement.  Tigh Mhor is behind the hedge.

Well, more of a 'flock' than a 'threat' but in fact it was the sheepdogs, all 5 of them which were causing the boys to be on guard.  Our neighbouring farmer is presently training two young dogs under the guidance of three older ones so this causes a bit of commotion in the fields and keeps the boys alert.

A shot of a rather scary looking Gully as he watches the sheepdogs through the fence!

Fidget is interested but unperturbed by the goings on in the nearby field.  I think a nail clipping session is on the cards for you, Fidgey boy!

Some of the other boys look pretty wet after the rain with Fyta and Fergus beginning their heads in the air, grunting and posturing camel-routine in the background.

And finally...............The completed Christmas jigsaw, all 1000 pieces.   Have a great Hogmanay everyone when it comes, mid week.

Winter Solstice has passed!

The Winter Solstice has been and gone - deep joy, the daylight will start to lengthen again shortly!  These photos were all taken at 3.00pm feed time so you can see how dark it becomes.  Add to this a bit of cloud cover or shower of rain and it just adds to the gloom. It's been a stormy old week here, not helped by the fact that 'himself' has been under the weather too with 'man-flu.'  But Gaucho is doing his best to give everyone a nice Christmassy smile and cheer everyone up!

Rufus front with Fyta behind.  Rufus is not keen on gales or strong winds.  Most of the boys put their backsides to the wind and when they get pushed by the wind Rufus often jumps in the air and kicks out as if someone/something has touched him unexpectedly.  He turns around and there is nobody there and I swear, looks puzzled! Silly boy.

Just as feed time finishes a heavy shower of rain and sleet descends, sending the boys scurrying en-masse to the nearby shelters.

Looks like an 'Away in a Manger' moment with Faro (left), Fyta and Fergus! The 'red-eye' effect from the camera at least shows where Faro is in the dark.

The boys get organised to get out of the sleet and make themselves comfortable for the night.  Spot 'red-eye' Faro in this shot.  Extreme right - scary eh?

And finally............we have two of the non-prickly variety of Hollies in the garden and the one on the left is a variegated type.  Around end of Nov/early Dec they are covered in berries but by the time we would like a few for decorations the Blackbirds have made sure that they have gorged the lot!  Ah well, their needs are greater than ours, for sure.  I feel a Christmas jigsaw coming on now, better clear the table!  Robbie and I and all the boys wish all our blog readers a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Bunny girls and hippies

Problems with blogger.com this weekend so couldn't get the blog organised yesterday.  Sorry if you missed your 'Sunday Post!'  This photo shows Fidget at the far end of the paddock away from the rest of the boys.  He does this from time to time, wanders off to be on his own for a while before returning to the herd.  There are lots of rabbits in the rough ground at that end so he probably has a bunny-girl lined up!

Fergus has taken to being a hippy with a flower in his hair (well, it's a beech leaf actually!) It's been on there for days and he resists all attempts to dislodge it. The Grumpy Gardener says to leaf it alone as he is clearly branching out and  barking up the wrong tree!!  He always gets to the root of the problem.......

More gales in the last week accompanied by driving rain.  The boys get in behind the high hedge for protection when the strong winds start.

The stormy weather at least gives us some spectacular sunsets - this was taken about 3.45pm on Tuesday.

And finally.......... a layer of snow adds interest when we try to work out which animal or bird leaves tracks.   These are the boys' tracks but we have lots of rabbit tracks everywhere and a fox when he comes calling. Have a nice week.