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.
 


Tuesday 3 November 2015

Rush Hour at Pry House Farm

 
Sheep in't road!
Bet that lorry got a shock when it rounded the corner!

 
1 x pick up & trailer
1 x white van
1 x quad bike
80 x hoggs
= Traffic chaos in Upper Swaledale!


The Three Amigos Take A Bath

 
The Three Amigos are unceremoniously dunked in the dipping tub!

 
Dipping is essential for the health of all sheep keeping their skin and fleece free of disease, 
lice, mites and other nasties.
 
Shaken not stirred?  No, a quick stir and good shake and its all over.



The Mists of Time

 
 
After another glorious sunny morning, out of nowhere, a bank of mist swept up the dale. 
By afternoon everywhere was shrouded in thick, grey, damp fog.
Suddenly it is feeling very like Bonfire Night.   


Tuesday 27 October 2015

Autumn Glory

 
The vibrant autumn tints brightens even the greyest of October days
 


 
Or to quote Countryfile 'Nature has opened her treasure box of colours'.


Wednesday 21 October 2015

Tup Sales 2015

 

Last minute preparation for Kirkby Stephen tup sales tomorrow.
 
 

Nerves are frayed and the menfolk are jittery....
 
We have a bad ballot - 4th tup in the ring in the morning - not a good place to be.
You can cut the atmosphere with a knife down in our buildings at the moment!



Monday 19 October 2015

Cute Calves

 
The calves born on the open moor at the end of August ....
 
 
are enjoying a lazy time in the lush meadows .....
 
 
 next to Wainswath Falls.

Sunday 18 October 2015

Autumn Days and a Great Big Thank You

Autumn Days
My version of my favourite school song for Harvest Festival
(sing along if you remember the tune)
 

Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
 

 
And the sky's ablaze o'er the western fell.
 
 
Logs stacked neatly and the oil tank's been re-fuelled
All the things I love so well.
 
So I mustn't forget
No I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn't forget.
 
 
A million stars in a midnight sky
And the moon hung up all round and bright
 
 
The smell of bacon as I sit in my pyjamas
NOT A B&B IN SIGHT!
 
So I mustn't forget
No I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn't forget.
 
Thank you to everyone who has stayed at Pry House Farm.  It has been a great year but now that winter creeps ever closer it is nice to have the house back to ourselves however by next spring, when the days begin to lengthen , we will be ready to welcome you all back again.
Looking forward to it already.
 


Saturday 17 October 2015

Monday 12 October 2015

Rainbow's End

Tup shearings on Pry House home field.
 

 
Will they become our 'pot of gold' at the Tup Sales this year?

Sunday 20 September 2015

Hill Sheep or Mountain Goat?

 
The Three Amigos have discovered that the view is better from the wall top!
 
The trouble with these orphan lambs is they have no mum to keep them in line and like all youngsters, left to their own devices, get into allsorts of mischief.
 
 
 Follow the Leader!

Thursday 17 September 2015

Muker Show 2015


The sun shone on Muker Show this year and as ever the show was a great success.
 
For many the community singing outside the Farmers Arms at the end of the day is the highlight of the show. 

 
Song sheets are handed out, Muker Silver Band plays and everyone sings.
 

 Its a time to meet up with friends before the day is over.
 
 
The setting is magical and the atmosphere is charged with emotion 
as the crowd sings the dale's anthem 'Swaledale'.

Morning has Broken


Beautiful September morning as the sun lights up the dale and lifts the early mist.
 


Thursday 10 September 2015

The Three Amigos!

 
The three lambs that have been hand reared all year have discovered a novel way of grabbing my attention ......
 
 

... by climbing onto the outhouse roof and watching and waiting
until I come into the yard to remind me that it is ....
 
 
 
.... TEA TIME!