I am thrilled to be hosting Sally today as she tells us another of her great life stories, this one is particularly loved by me as I grew up on a farm and have helped in rounding up sheep, cows and goats, yes goats. Please enjoy and pop over to Sally’s blog for more wonderful stories.
Thank you so much, Adele, for hosting one of my stories from this series and I hope your readers enjoy.
Odd Jobs and Characters – The Sheep Farm – Indignant Rams and Black Sheep by Sally Cronin.
When my husband and I were first married, we had to stay in Wales for another six months, whilst he completed a research project in the mountains. We needed somewhere to live and being November and out of season, he managed to find us a flat to move into on the hillside above Dolgellau. The flat was part of an old farmhouse owned by a couple who I knew as regular dinner guests to the hotel, and it was a great arrangement.
After a few weeks of idleness and enjoying being a new wife, I decided that perhaps there might be a way to pay our rent and get some exercise. The rent we saved would be put towards a deposit of our own home; very high on our priority list. I approached my friend and landlady, asking if I might help out on their hill farm, where they kept a flock of several hundred sheep. She was more accustomed to seeing me in long dresses and heels, showing guests to their tables in the hotel, than walking up Cader Idris, but after she stopped laughing, she agreed to give me a trial run.
I went out and bought suitable clothing, which bearing in mind the time of year, involved waterproof boots and fleeced wet weather gear. It was early December and snow was not unexpected, and you did not want to be caught up at altitude inadequately dressed. I will admit that the first two or three days left me breathless, resulting in me giving up cigarettes (no bad thing). It also served to remind me how unfit I was. However, by the second week, I was hitting my stride.
We could take the Land Rover almost as far as the sheep who had moved down from the top grazing to avoid the worst of the weather. By this time, and with some snow on the ground, they needed some additional feed, and we would carry the bales of hay from the vehicle up to them, spreading it out on the frozen ground. It was time nearly time to bring the flock down for a very important event.
The rams in the flock were fitted with a special device that marked the backs of the female sheep as they impregnated them, each with its own specific colour. This told you which sheep had been covered and was likely to be pregnant, and also if a ram was disinclined to breed and therefore needed replacing (mutton). But now it was time to separate the rams from the flock as their job was done. To do this the entire herd was brought down the mountain with the help of one sheepdog, to a large barn which was separated into two areas. A large one and then a smaller part that was fenced off where the rams would be penned away from the rest of the flock. They having done sterling service they would be taken to another part of the farm, to a field where they would have to amuse themselves for the next six months.
My boss said she would head back to the main farm to collect the two other sheepdogs so they could help separating the rams from the flock, which numbered a couple of hundred sheep. I was left to twiddle my thumbs, but being keen to help and save time, I spotted the rams as they jostled amongst the ewes, and decided that I might as well get started. I did have the benefit of watching some Australian sheep shearing documentaries and using a technique I had observed, I managed to manhandle the rams out of the flock using their horns and a helping hand up their backsides (I was wearing gloves). In about an hour, rather sweaty and not a little exhausted, I had the rams safely barricaded in their own bachelor quarters.
A little while later my boss arrived with two very eager sheepdogs that stood with their owner, completely bemused by the fact that they were now redundant. Apparently, this was not the traditional way to split the rams from the flock, but by the look on the faces of the watching ewes, they found the spectacle more than satisfying.
I discovered a great deal more about sheep during the winter months and their tough lives on the Welsh mountainsides. With the snow down even on the lower slopes where the sheep remained, it was difficult to find them against the white ground covering. This is where the black sheep of the flock comes in handy. Not only is she an older and wiser matriarch who knows where the best grazing is to be found, she is also a beacon to locate her flock who always stayed close to her.
In the spring came the life-affirming task of lambing, and it certainly is a miracle of nature. To protect the newborn lambs from crows and foxes, we would mark their foreheads with a smear of tar; hoping its offensive smell would deter predators. This odd job of mine created some lovely memories and I used my experience in one of my short stories in my first collection.
My thanks again Adele for your generosity in sharing this post.
All the previous posts in the series can be found in this directory with links to my host’s blog https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-odd-jobs-and-characters/
About Sally Cronin
My name is Sally Cronin and after working in a number of industries for over 25 years, I decided that I wanted to pursue a completely different career, one that I had always been fascinated with. I began studying Nutrition and the human body twenty years ago and I opened my first diet advisory centre in Ireland in 1998. Over the last 18 years, I have practiced in Ireland and the UK as well as written columns, articles and radio programmes on health and nutrition.
I published my first book with a Canadian self-publisher in the late 90s and since then have republished that book and released ten others as part of our own self-publishing company. Apart from health I also enjoy writing fiction in the form of novels and short stories.
My latest book โ Whatโs in a Name? – Volume Two.
Our legacy is not always about money or fame, but rather in the way that people remember our name after we have gone. In these sixteen short stories we discover the reasons why special men and women will stay in the hearts and minds of those who have met them. Romance, revenge and sacrifice all play their part in the lives of these characters.Kenneth watches the love of his life dance on New Year’s Eve while Lily plants very special flowers every spring for her father. Martha helps out a work colleague as Norman steps back out into the world to make a difference. Owen brings light into a house and Patrick risks his life in the skies over Britain and holds back from telling a beautiful redhead that he loves her.
My other books
All books are available Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Cronin/e/B0096REZM2
You can connect to Sally
Blog: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgc58
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sally.cronin
Thank you for dropping in.
I’m sure it was quite “life affirming.” Marvelous post Adele and Sally. An amazing story. Hugs to you both.
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Thanks Teagan.. glad you enjoyed.. hugs xx
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Thank you, Teagan, hugs to you and Crystal too. xxx
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Wonderful post Sally. I do love when you share your memories. Adele, thank you xxxxxx
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Thanks Shey… glad you enjoyed.. hugs xx
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I did I loved it and the idea of you taking charge of these rams xxxxxxx
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They probably never bred again! xxxxxxx
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โค
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Loved it xxxxxx
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I am sure they did. They prob did not dare disobey xxxxx
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My pleasure to host Sally and her wonderful adventures. xxx
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Sorry that response the loved it one was to you. Such a snippet, not just of a time but a person. x
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โค
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Thank you so much Adele.. you are very kind to host and I will do a formal reblog with your details later in the week.. hugs xxx
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Thank you, Sally. I love reading about your adventures. Hugs. xxx
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Adele, a great host xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Cheers, Shehanne. xxx
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
this week’s episode of Odd Jobs and Characters is being hosted by Adele Marie Park and is set in the mountains of Snowdonia where I turned my hand to sheep farming for several months…. some interesting encounters!
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Great story, Sally. I’d love to read more about your shepherd’s life ๐
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Thank you Mary… never been so fit walking up Cader once a day five times a week… hugs xx
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What a charming memory and I can picture you in your wellies separating those rams from the ewes ๐
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I must have been mad Carol..as they were! hugs
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I learn so much from reading about Sally’s adventures. So, I can tick this off my “bucket list” as I have lived it vicariously. (thank goodness, eh)
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Thank you Annette.. so pleased to have done that one for you… hugs xxx
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Thanks, Annette. xxx
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lol, I done the sheep herding bit and don’t believe it when people say sheep are silly, no they are not. xxx
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Super post, Adele. I am always amazed by Sally’s adventures. Thanks too to Sally for sharing her experiences.
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Thank you John.. not many sheep in Texas if I recall.. we have a guy up the road who borrows 6 from a farm every year to keep the lawn down… only in Ireland.. xx
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Thank you, John ๐
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Ha ha ha. Thans, Sally.
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Thank you, John ๐ ๐
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๐
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Goodness Sally you are a woman of many talents. I have very fond memories of visiting a friend who was helping with the lambing on a farm in the Scottish borders. It was hard work but so heartwarming. ๐ผ
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it is so beautiful to see the lambs.
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I still love watching them and look forward to seeing them every spring ๐ผ
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We had a pettie lamb once at my friend’s farm. It was so hungry and gorgeous, it slept inside beside the fire on its own little bed.
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What a joy. We had a little orphan lamb for a few days but sadly it died. We were all so upset.
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so sad. xx
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I loved it and I gained a whole new respect for sheep.. thanks Brigid.. hugs
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Oofta! I got tired just reading about all you exercise with the sheep. No doubt because I’m sooo out of shape.
Your method of convincing those rams to move gave me the giggles. Very inventive!
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Thanks Lyn… glad you enjoyed and I think it gave the Rams the giggles too.. hugs xx
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Enjoyed reading this.And I once sheared a sheep!
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I helped but didn’t actually shear, how did you manage? xxx
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With difficulty, Adele. It was like a wrestling match but once I got the hang of it, it was fine. And the sheep wasn’t hurt, which was my worst worry.x
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Nor were you hurt either. xxx
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Thanks Judith and I would have paid money to see that….hugs xx
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I must be honest, Sally, rather you than me with those sheep [smile]. Lovely to see Sally over here, Adele.
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Thanks Robbie..I would rather herd cats! hugs xx
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Thanks, Robbie, I hope she visits again soon. xxx
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This is a fantastic story by Sally the Shepherdess. Lovely to read it here.That woman can turn her hand to anything… actually after reading where her hand had been I think I need to rephrase that!
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That’s what the rams said. It wasn’t quite what I expected either, trust me….. xx
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LOL!!!! XXXX
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lol
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Your method for separating the rams from the ewes might come in handy in a few political arenas, Sally ๐ An amusing and somewhat educational story. Lovely of you to host Sally, Adele. Hugs to both of you โฅโฅ
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Thank you Tina.. and I will stress that no rams were harmed in the making of this story… their pride perhaps.. and now I know why they have horns… โฅโฅ
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Hugs to you too, Tina. xxx
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I love your stories Sal. Glad to read this one as I don’t recall it? I think I would have remembered the part about ‘the glove’ LOL ๐ <3xx Great to see Sally here Adele โค
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This was one that didn’t make it into the book Debby.. I thought at the time Imogen had enough to contend with.. the same with the selling of bull semen … just didn’t fit into the romantic thread to the book! hugs xxxโฅ
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I knew it didn’t sound familiar! Now I know you’re a sheep rustler too. There’s no stopping you. Lol ๐ โค
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They have to catch you first! xxxโฅ
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Lol ๐ xxx
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Wow! Your experiences always astounded Sally!! Great post Sally and Adele!
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Thanks, Ritu. xxx
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๐
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Thanks Ritu.. I think they call it a misspent youth! hugsxx
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Lol!!!well you spent it Well!!!
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Amazing, going from a hotel to a sheep farm. Versatile is an understatement. Another great story, Sally!
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Thanks Jennie.. I think it was more needs must.. in those days you took jobs where you could find them. There were not many going in the town out of season but I certainly would not have missed this experience for the world. And it made me give up cigarettes.. hugs
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What a great story! I thought you were all about long dresses and heels. And I’m glad that you were wearing gloves.
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Reblogged this on Andrew Joyce and commented:
A wonderful story from a wonderful lady.
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Ewe never cease to amaze me Sally! Lovely to find out about your adventures via Adele’s blog. Sounds like very hard physical work but great it helped you give up cigarettes. I’ve never worked on a farm in my life you certainly have worked in many different environments.
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Thank ewe Marje… it was just what I needed after working in the hotel for long hours, indoors… I used to go up the mountains on my day off a week but this really got my legs working..hugs xx
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Lovely. I can’t remember having read about this before. Thanks, Sally. You’ve done most everything for sure!
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