Wednesday 23 December 2015

What a Difference a Dry Day Makes


These are the same ewes that were huddled behind the walls,
sheltering from the storm, in the previous blog post and as you can see
they are none the worse for the super soaking they got yesterday.
 
 
Today they have been dozed and checked over ready to go away
 to lowland farms for winter.
 
 
Their colourful bottoms are a give-a-way sign that they are successfully in lamb.

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Another Storm and More Flooding

 
Conditions at the top of Swaledale this morning have to be seen to be believed.
 

The river has broken its banks at Hoggarths bridge, the camping field is under water
and the road is flooded at the parking place.
 Old House - the site of the big flood in 1899. 
This building is all that remains of the original Hoggarths farmhouse.
 
 
Our sheep seek shelter where they can. 
The Swaledale is not called 'hardy' for nothing.

The land can take no more. 
The sheep can take a bit more but how much more of this can we take?
Its depressing, disheartening and downright miserable.
 


Saturday 12 December 2015

Snowy Saturday

 
 Moving sheep to safety requires ...
 
 
A good shepherd, four sturdy wheels and ....
 
 
a faithful, willing dog.


Sunday 6 December 2015

After the Storm

 
The road between Gunnerside and Low Row has been closed for several weeks whilst major repairs have been carried out to due subsidence.  Much to the relief of all who travel regularly up and down the dale the road opened again this weekend however .......
 
 
 
..... Storm Desmond had other ideas and left in its wake a large landside of earth and trees that now covers half the road east of Low Row.
 
 
A public bridle path washed away where the Swale broke its banks.
 
 
Meadow fields up to the wall tops in water now resemble a boating lake.
.
Dozens of spectacular water features gush down fell sides and steep wooded hillsides depositing  thousands of gallons of water into the already swollen river.
    
 


Saturday 5 December 2015

Who'd be a Hill Farmer?

 
 
 
Whatever the weather throws at them farming goes on.


Storm Desmond

 
Storm Desmond has been raging for almost 24 hours and is forecast to continue for another 18 hours.
 
 The savage wind is driving the rain under the stone flags on the house roof.
We now have an interesting pattern on my bedroom ceiling!
 
Probably too little too late
however my cup is always half full rather than half empty so 
better late than never. 
 
 The river is higher than ever.
I have been reduced to taking photos out of the bedroom windows as it is not fit to be outside.  Having said that Chris & Raymond are out there!
 


Earlier today Carrie the caravan was in serious danger of blowing over
By parking a tractor and slurry spreader on the side that is taking the worst of the battering
 has helped enormously and may save her.