Crowning

All Swaledale Tups have to be registered with the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association.  Every year the tup shearlings are inspected as being correct and tagged.  This is known as Crowning. 

Remember Goliath, the giant tup lamb, born two years ago?  Well this is him being looked over by the crowners at Hoggarths today.  He is still a bigger than the rest.  He will be sold at the Tup Sales in October and I have high hopes for him.

Crowning goes on all over North Yorkshire, Cumbria & Co Durham but it is only here at the very top of Swaledale that the tradition of 'following on' still happens.  Farmers go from farm to farm following the crowners.  It gives those that follow a sneak preview of the standard of tups that will be coming up for sale in the autumn. It is also an opportunity to do a bit of marketing, explaining the tups breeding and pointing out its strengths.  Good head, good legs, good bone, good sort, no sweat - in other words they have to be GOOD!   

As you can see from the number of vehicles in the yard, there was a good following today.

Make Silage While the Sun Shines

We have taken a crop of silage from some land we take in Teesdale.  It was baled on site and then transported by lorry back to Pry House Farm.

Because our loader tractor was over in Teesdale, our neighbour came to get the bales off the wagon for us.

When it is wrapped in several layers of silage wrap (keeping it air tight) it can be stacked outside until it is needed for the sheep and cows during the winter.

Road Sign of the Year Award

Somewhere In Swaledale

I wouldn't normally condone graffiti but for 'smile value' alone this gets my vote every time!

What a place for a tractor puncture!

Not the most convenient place in the world to get a puncture on the tractor!

In a close community like ours, we can always rely on good neighbours to lend a hand and Gary from Little Birkdale came straight away to help remove the punctured wheel.

Here comes the cavalry!

Reeth Young Farmers Tractor Run

 This is the third tractor run Chris has taken part in this year.  Reeth Young Farmers organised today's tractor rally and a number of old and new tractors set off from Reeth village green this morning in glorious sunshine and excellent spirits.

 Man & machine both ready for a good day out.

Have tractor - will travel!

 

Shadows

Beautiful evening in Upper Swaledale and the gill opposite Pry House Farm is in sharp shadow.

When the Tour de France came to Swaledale

Our day started early with the first car arriving to park at the farm at 5 30 a.m.

 

 

Family & farming friends (six quad bikes in total!) joined us for a memorable ride over the moors to the Buttertubs Pass.

 

There were tens of thousands of people in the dale and a carnival atmosphere prevailed throughout the weekend



A parade of floats, cars and motorbikes came first .....

and then the cyclists (pelaton)

 



They simply flew past and so close together, it was all over in a flash!



 



Throughout the TdF weekend a rota of volunteers manned the Countryside & Heritage Centre in Keld.

Chris took his vintage Massey 35 as an added attraction.



Scilla demonstrated weaving on her hand loom and Majorie demonstrated hand spinning.

It was a busy time for everyone but a truly memorable one and will go down in Swaledale's history as a great success.