the creative croftLambing nearly finished – just one ewe left – so far we have 14 lambs from the 9 that have lambed. Had one problem ewe who had mastitis and didn’t have enough milk for both lambs, so we’ve had to start bottle feeding one of them. Lamb is now in the byre with another lamb from a friend as we didn’t want her to be on her own. They’ve taken to the bottle fairly well and are doing OK.
I’m just about to continue working in my little BeadBod making jewellery, yarn and felt after its ‘re-arrangement’. Previously I sat by a beautiful sunny window overlooking the voe and fields but found the sunlight too strong a light. Direct sunlight has a draining effect on colour so you’re never quite sure how the blends are going to look. So now I’ve moved my desk into the back and rearranged the shelving and storage and I’m almost ready to go.
Fourth lamb of the season – a ram lamb born to Crunchie
All tatties now planted on the rigs, lots of varieties – Red Duke of York, Sharpes Express, Anya, Charlotte, Yukon Gold, Rooster, Cara and Roseval – should be enough to last the year if the blight doesn’t get too bad.
First lambs of the year born today – Ebony, a gimmer, had twins, think one ram and one ewe but will need to check for sure, ram is pure black and the ewe lamb is panda like!
Another gimmer, Spudulika, produced a white ewe lamb
Only 8 more to go!
Any there’s plenty to be done on the croft. Waiting for the ewes to lamb – thought one had lambed earlier today but turned out to be a rock! Have put muck on the rigs for kale and leeks and rotovated it in, just need to mulch it with a layer of silage and it’ll be ready for planting.
Sunny cloudless skies to say goodbye to April, and I’m on holiday for 2 weeks!
Planted out early peas and broad beans onto the rigs, late peas are not quite ready for planting out yet
Start planting prairie garden, day lilies which have been growing on in the polytunnel for the last year will now have to survive in the great oudoors. Also started clearing the mud and grass from the old well/spring but it will need to drain for a bit before continuing.
Wild flowers starting to bloom in the parks – here’s a picture of a violet