Lambing Weekd

[gloria townsin]

I'm looking forward to the programme coming up Lambing Week ......having kept sheep it will be interested to watch. However, I found Shetland Sheep just lambed themselves with no help or intervention. All I did was make sure the umbilical site was sprayed and that was it. The babies were on their feet in no time and were quickly feeding. I think it's the bigger meat breeds that seem to have difficulties. Look forward to discovering next week.

[jane jackson]

I'm looking forward to that programme too Gloria. It'll be lovely to see everything happening without the responsibility! Our Jacobs didn't often need assistance, we only had a few instances of legs tucked under which required sorting out. Any problems we had were mostly with the lambs after being born but nothing too drastic although we had one ewe who had quads and overnight she suffocated one of them which was very sad ~ nothing worse than a lifeless young animal. It was such a joyous time with all the new born lambs playing together. Our only completely non Jacob, a Texel cross, called Chloe was wonderful, very sedate and used to let about 4 lambs jump on her back when she was lying in the sun and somethimes they used to go to sleep on her. I loved watching the lambs inside at night (mine came in every night until the weather was too warm as I just loved to see them there and know they were safe) as they used to climb into the solid wooden hayracks and go to sleep alltogether while the ewes stood munching their hay from the wire holders on the other side of the shed.

[adesmith]

I saw this program advertised and thought I might enjoy it. Do you know what day it starts? I will set the Sky planner to record it, so that we dont miss it! I love the idea of keeping some sheep but I am not sure that it is something that we will ever have the opportunity to do.

[jane jackson]

I believe it starts on Sunday but don't quote me on that! It's with Kate Humble who I like very much as a presenter. You never know what may happen in the future Adrian ~ I never thought I'd be able to have sheep.

[gloria townsin]

Don't know how I managed to type a d in the heading, sorry. Adrian that is quite right never think you know just how your life will pann out. I didn't ever consider I would have horses and even less so sheep. But I did and it all gives you another insight into life. I need to check when it starts but the trailer is on all the time so must be soon. I think she is doing this at Adam's farm, the chap who lives in the Cotswolds and is featured on Countryfile each week. I have to say I felt very sorry for him last week when he had cattle test positive to tuberculosis, one of his oxen they have trained to the yoke has to be slaughtered and another that is a rare breed. I can understand how dispirited he must feel when he has put his all into breeding and rearing healthy stock and then they have to be destroyed. There must be a way to stop the badger/tuberculosis link without slaughtering any animals. Cattle are obviously getting the disease from somewhere so if they think it's badgers then they need to get down to sorting out how to prevent it in them.

[jane jackson]

I saw the trailer again this morning and it starts on Sunday, didn't say what time but it continues on BBC2 at 8pm all next week. It's coming from a Welsh farm with 300 ewes due to lamb and Kate Humble has been at the farm since September being taught how to be a shepherd so I suppose when nothing is actually happening in real time they can show her exploits over that period. She's apparently a natural which doesn't surprise me as she always seems very hands on with animals. Adam Henson is there for the lambing too and will then go home to lamb his own ewes but not on the programme, perhaps for Countryfile though. It must be devastating to have to have your animals destroyed through TB. We have a friend who is now retired but she was a MinistyVet testing for TB for years and she is absolutely convinced that the TB in cattle comes from the badgers.

[gloria townsin]

There doesn't seem to be any positive link and yet it's all they can come up with re TB.

I think it should be a good programme, Kate Humble has a small holding I seem to recall so has a few animals of her own. An old farmer I used to know when I first had the ponies crippled his back over years of lambing out in all weathers and at all times of the day and night. A hard working time.

Did you see 'Animal 24/7' today Jane?? Oh the condition of the ponies rescued........makes you want to weep. The little chestnut mare, Flo, actually looked quite a quality pony once she had been cared for and her foal looked as though it might make a nice child's pony. How they survived in those conditions for so long heavens knows. There was a cruelty case a couple of years ago with someone in Amersham keeping ponies and horses in terrible conditions. But it seems very long winded to get these animals out of the grip of their keepers.

[colleen]

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[jane jackson]

Yes Gloria I did see the programme with all those poor ponies. Wasn't Flo lovely and her foal just delightful? It was great to see how well they turned out after being looked after properly. I just don't understand how people can keep animals in such conditions. I remember reading about the Amersham case too.

[adesmith]

Oh dear, it is sad about TB in cattle. There was a story line on the Archers about it and it really portrayed how devastating and frustrating it is for the farmer. The Welsh Assembly have ordered a cull of badgers (I think in Pembrokeshire) and there has been much discussion about it.

You are right, we may find ourselves keeping sheep one day. I always fancy keeping goats as well and we often visit the Goat Tent at the Usk Show. I am going to go and set the Sky+ now to record lambing week, in case I dont get chance to sit down and watch it. I wonder where it is in Wales?

[Kath Mulligan]

The discussions and disagreements about whether or not badgers are responsible for TB in cattle have been raging for many years now and no-one really seems to have a definitive answer. When I worked at the NFU there was a pretty even split amongst the farming community in our area as to whether or not there should be a cull.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Kath did you have anything to do with British Freisan Cattle Socy when you worked for NFU? Their offices are just down the road from me at the bottom of Scots Hill. They have been there for years and keep records on the herds.

I wish they could either prove or disprove the link between Badgers and TB because if they could they would probably set out a programme of treating badgers and reducing the incidence of it if not wiping it out. To lose an animal is devastating and those that had to go for slaughter didn't even look ill. Tragic!

[gloria townsin]

Did anyone see 'Escape to the Country' yesterday? It was about a couple who were looking for somewhere to run a B&B and they wanted to be able to have a Yert(sp?) or two to do 'Tent and Breakfast.' They found a place at St Martin's and they made an offer on the spot which was accepted. I think it might have been the 'Sunnyside Alpaca's' place as the vendors had Alpacas in the fields. Although there are several Alpaca breeders in Cornwall now, much to my delight!!

[Kath Mulligan]

Did anyone see 'Escape to the Country' yesterday? It was about a couple who were looking for somewhere to run a B&B and they wanted to be able to have a Yert(sp?) or two to do 'Tent and Breakfast.' They found a place at St Martin's and they made an offer on the spot which was accepted. I think it might have been the 'Sunnyside Alpaca's' place as the vendors had Alpacas in the fields. Although there are several Alpaca breeders in Cornwall now, much to my delight!!

Yes, we watched it Gloria. I'm not surprised they put in an immediate offer, that place was stunning and just perfect for what they wanted to do. I'm sure there is already somewhere in Cornwall that rent out Yurts - seem to remember reading an article about it in one of the Cornwall mags some time ago, but I can't remember exactly where it was. At the back of my mind the Padstow area is ringing bells. I shall have to trawl back through my old copies now to satisfy my curiosity.

I had to laugh at Alastair's face when the couple came out and said they had made an offer and it had been accepted! You could see him thinking, "oh heck I still have the mystery property to show them yet, how are we going to pad out the rest of the programme" - especially when you saw the dereliction that was the mystery property!! I was a bit puzzled as to why they were shown that place, since the projected renovation costs would have taken the total to over £200k more than their maximum budget.

I do love that programme and like most of the presenters, but I must confess that Alastair is my favourite; I just love his gently teasing, laid-back approach.

Kath

[Liz]

I'm looking forward to the programme coming up Lambing Week ......having kept sheep it will be interested to watch. However, I found Shetland Sheep just lambed themselves with no help or intervention. All I did was make sure the umbilical site was sprayed and that was it. The babies were on their feet in no time and were quickly feeding. I think it's the bigger meat breeds that seem to have difficulties. Look forward to discovering next week.

I find it really worrying that we have 'genetically interfered' so much with our sheep and cows to produce larger carcasses/ profits that we are now in a situation where human intervention seems to be the norm during lambing and calving. It will be interesting to see how many 'normal' births occur during Lambing Week

I was reading an article yesterday in Radio Times about the hill farm where they are filming, as with all farming Jim and Kate work horrifically long hours for little return. It was interesting that the farm is worth around £4 . 5million and if that amount of money was invested wisely you would expect an income of at least £200.000 a year. That's without lifting a finger. However they chose to stay put and often their profits are very minimal - true dedication!

[Kath Mulligan]

That is very true, Liz, farmers do work incredibly long hours and the financial returns often mean that in effect they are working for well under the minimum wage. The BSE outbreak was at its height when I was at the NFU and several local farmers saw their income plummet to almost zero. Some lost heart and gave up farming altogether, lots more were forced to diversify into offering livery facilities for horses, or doing up barns and sheds for holiday lets, with the result that we ended up with many fewer dairy and beef farms in the neighbourhood than ever before. It was a very sad and hard time for them all.

Gloria, I didn't have anything to do with the British Friesian Society at the NFU but my main job was dealing with the insurance side of the business. It was my boss, Roger, who dealt with most of the farming aspects, along with our Regional Office in Skelmersdale.

Kath

[jane jackson]

I think for hill farmers and probably lowland ones too, farming is a way of life they just don't want to give up. Even with the small incomes they love the life despite all the long hours and hard work. It seems to come very hard, if through financial circumstances they have to give up on a farm that has been in the family for generations and seem to see it as a failure on their part whereas there's nothing else that they could do about it. It must be even more of a guilt trip if you're a son who doesn't want to continue with the farm. One farmer I know has still managed to keep the family farm but gets contractors in for the harvest and has a full time job as well ~ the farm is totally arable so easier to do and I don't think his children will continue.

[gloria townsin]

If farming and animal husbandry is in your blood then I think it would be very, very hard to give it up, even if common sense told you to. The farmer I mentioned who had such a bad back made, if not caused, by long hours lambing, eventually did sell up and, as Jane has said, the farm became a livery yard. It was sad as we used to go and get our hay and straw from him, enjoy a chat about his animals, his children were Pony Club members and the PC used to hold shows and events on his fields. All that went when Bill moved away. One of our Croxley farmers who's family has farmed for generations to the point he has grazing rights on The Green and on Common Moor, is selling, or trying to, much of his land for development. It began with the milk cows going some years ago, the farm had been my Aunt's then our milk suppliers with their own Croxley round. Then they had the farm shop where I had a part time job that I loved when the boys were small, sold their own eggs with a little old farm worker grading and washing them. It was lovely. First the milk round went as the cows were sold, then the farm shop closed down because of other rules and regs coming into being and now the whole farm is a ghost of what it was. The old farmer I worked for has long since passed away as has his sweet wife, his son took the farm over and I know him very well, but his son has no interest in continuing the farm, which is probably just as well as I can't think where there would be an adequate income. We used to buy hay and straw 'off the field' when we had horses and worked like Derek and Jeannie to get it off and loaded then unloaded and stacked all in the heat of late summer. Now that field is just laying there bare and it's history will be lost as it's for sale as well. Sad for the locals and sad for the family.

[adesmith]

It is so very sad! Farming and the land was our way of life for so long and now for many people its a world that they know nothing about. Rupert was playing with his farm the other day and I joined in for a few minutes. We had a little talk about the reasons why the different animals were on the farm and that there would be a time when they would be sold to be turned into food - pigs into sausages etc etc. Also that we get milk from the cows. He took it all on board (as he always does) and its really important to me that he knows where his food comes from and that he appreciates and respects it. It makes me so angry when you hear how the supermarkets treat the farmers and the prices that they get for what they produce. Unfortunately we have little choice these days other than to use the supermarkets. Its a shame but our local Farmers Market isnt really about farmers. There are a few stalls with different meats, an apple juice stall (from a local orchard), a cheese stall selling Double and Single Gloucester and a couple of stalls selling very expensive organic vegetables. Apart from that there are curry stalls, patisserie stalls and even handmade cards. It is really nice there and we enjoy going but its not about real farmers.

Anyway I have plugged the Lambing Week into record and we are looking forward to it. Might not be able to watch it tomorrow night because I have to get up at 4.15am to go to the Houses of Parliament! I am intending on having a very early night!!!

[jane jackson]

You can't just drop that in and not say any more Adrian! Is the visit to do with school?

[gloria townsin]

Have you noticed they've put Lambing programme on at the same time as 'Lark Rise......?' Why do they do that? So annoying, when Eddie is so bad at recording things......I'll have to get our Jeff to run me through the how to do bit tomorrow.

Look forward to hearing your trip explanation Adrian. You'll be tired for School on Monday.

[jane jackson]

Yes I noticed that and we also like Wild at Heart which usually clashes but not so bad tomorrow, only the final 15 minutes, so I always record Lark Rise as Bryan's not keen. When I've missed Lark Rise in the past I have managed to watch it on i-player so there is that option if all else fails. Have you noticed there's a programme on about race horses in Ireland? ~ can't remember the details offhand, sorry, I'll look again tomorrow.

[adesmith]

Its Monday when I am off to Parliament, so the early night tonight. I think with a long day like that I shall be catching up and tired all week! Should be interesting though, we are having a tour of the Houses of Parliament (Lords and Commons) and then we are meeting some MPs. After that we are off to the London Dungeon for the afternoon.

[jane jackson]

:ballchain:Hope they don't keep you in the dungeon Adrian! Have a great day.

[jane jackson]

Gloria and anyone else who enjoys horsey programmes: Thursday 11th March BBC4 9pm Storeyville: Racehorses - following 3 horses over one racing year in Ireland.

[gloria townsin]

Thanks Jane, Annette might well be interested as well ........ hadn't noticed that so glad you mentioned it.
Jeff discovered today that Eddie did record the last 'Island Parish' so have been able to watch it. Wonder if there will be a new series and if so will it be on The Scillies or will they locate somewhere else? For my money as long as it's either there or Cornwall I will be happy, but on the other hand I'm sure there are lots of places that would be just as interesting.
Will be recording the Lambing and watching Lark Rise, don't think Eddie is as keen on this series as the last but I like it's gentle pace .... also recording Dancing on Ice, I didn't watch last years but have drifted in and out of this series. I think the phone in programmes are beginning to get overworked, everything is 'The lines are Open Now!' It can pall somewhat.

[jane jackson]

I haven't got into Dancing on Ice this year for the first time as I knew so few of the celebs and it was clashing with other things. I believe I've heard/read that there will be no more programmes from the Scillies. I think there will be something similar but from a completely different area. It all started with the vicar in Herefordshire and they showed Rex Hancock from near Porlock, Exmoor who is a real character ~ a hunting vicar of the old tradition. Bryan says he often used to take a marriage service with his breeches and boots on underneath his cassock ready for the hunting field. The programme moved to Boscastle when the Herefordshire vicar either left the church or just didn't want to be on the show ~ can't quite remember now.

I love Lark Rise and it's being performed at The Minack the week starting 23rd August so perhaps you ought to get tickets for that! You'll surely be well and truely esconced at Bryher by then.

[gloria townsin]

Will keep the Minnack 'Lark Rise' in mind Jane. I did wonder if they would leave the Scillies alone now. Sad really as we will lose touch with Hieke....she could almost do a programme on her own, in fact I do wonder if she will pop up again somewhere.

I agree the 'Celebrity' programmes are a bit of a stretch of the imagination at times.......as you have little or no idea who most of them are. Unless you follow the soaps they could be anyone...........

[Kath Mulligan]

I think Island Parish has run its course now, but tell you what I would like to see - a series following David Easton in his new parish in Aberystwyth.

I have been dipping in and out of DOI this series too, but watched tonight and was completely blown away by Hayley's routine. It was stunning and very deserving of its top scores across the board. To get a spontaneous standing ovation from all the judges was something I have never seen before either. Sad to read today though that Christopher Dean has split up from his wife, Jill Trenery.

Kath

PS. And since this is a thread about Lambing, just wanted to share that the girls and I have been out and about in Derbyshire today enjoying the sunshine and were thrilled to see a field full of gambolling little lambs. Quite surprising, cos they don't usually lamb until a few weeks later up here. We also went to the Chestnut Centre in Chapel-en-le-Frith and had a wonderful time watching fallow deer, some gorgeous little otters and some very imperious and beautiful owls. For those of you also on Facebook, Elizabeth has taken some gorgeous photos of the animals which are on my profile page. We did try also to visit the Donkey Sanctuary near us but it doesn't re-open until 21 March so shall be paying another visit there later on.

[gloria townsin]

Yes I saw Elizabeth's photos very good. Love the Owl......but then I am partial to them.

We recorded DOI so will look forward to seeing it, Hayley is far and away the strongest contender - has been from the start really. Didn't like Sharon at all either as a personality or skater and her costumes were bizarre.......all of them glorified swimsuits and doing little for her. Why they kept up the homage to her swimming days I have no idea as this was skating and not swimming. She seemed a right stroppy contestant as well and what with a poor routine and her attitude to Torville and Dean's advice on choice of music I think she signed her own 'goodbye Sharon' notice. Although Emily isn't good I did think she was hard done by last week as Mike (?) didn't put up a good show, though to be fair he wasn't in the skate off and Danielle is better than Emily. Same old thing the public keep in some that should go, but that's the programme.

[jane jackson]

I think Island Parish has run its course now, but tell you what I would like to see - a series following David Easton in his new parish in Aberystwyth.


.

I agree Kath but Bryan thinks the Island Parish programme is moving to the islands on the NW coast of Scotland. You never know though they might just follow David Easton as well.

I just saw the clips at the end of DOI so saw part of Hayley's performance which was stunning. Who is she? She looks familiar but I can't place her.

I loved the lambing programme ~ so many memories ~ I was right there with them especially bottle feeding. I loved the smile in the farmer's voice as he said all the lambs this year have names, after twins had been called Scarlett and O'Hara! All ours had names and Jane's (friend who's house hunting down here) husband who was a lifelong sheep farmer used to roll his eyes and smile to himself................

[gloria townsin]

Watched DOI recording and Hayle's routine......A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I hope she can keep the standard going as she deserves to win.

A friend of mine was a professional skater and used to perform in the days when Ice Shows were a bit 'old hat' I used to take the boys to Wembley to see the show with a fried and her two children. I viewed it much more as a show for the children and not so much for us at all. But once Torville and Dean came on the skating scene it took the art to a whole different level and it changed right across the board and not just in competative skating. Jane Torville still has that 'something' that makes her skating so unique and entertaining. Christopher Dean of course is brilliant as well, it always surprises me that although she is small and he is quite tall they are step for step in time with each other as though they are one person.......could watch them for hours.
Have yet to watch Lambing Live........we have the last of the agents coming today to advise us about a price for our bungalow.

[Annette]

Gloria and anyone else who enjoys horsey programmes: Thursday 11th March BBC4 9pm Storeyville: Racehorses - following 3 horses over one racing year in Ireland.

Thanks for posting the link !.I really enjoyed the lambing programme last night but then who can help but love little lambs .I decided not to have any orphan lambs this spring as we have a new labrador puppy and the lambs certainly take a fair bit of time. However last week my Sister bought an in-foal mare. The previous owners had bought her not knowing she is 7 months in foal. We should be looking forward to the patter of tiny hooves around the end of June. She is in pretty poor condition so she is getting lots of tlc at the moment.

[jane jackson]

Oh wonderful and exciting! I'll look forward to the updates and the photos when she or he is born.

[adesmith]

I am just about to jump into bed after a very early start (4am) for our rip to London but had a great time. I have got a cold and didnt want to go with it being such a long day. But the Houses of Parliament were amazing, we got to go into both chambers and our two local MPs came down to meet us and took us to Portcullis House for a talk. We then went to the London Dungeon which was absolutely awful. It was so bad that it was hysterically funny and we laughed and talked about it all of the way home. It was tacky, historically inaccurate and the atmosphere horrid. It was gruesome and bloody just for the sake of it and the actors/staff are agressive. I got picked on to be tortured and have old fashioned medical treatments twice and not only was it gory, they were crude! I am too embarrassed to say on here what they said and did but it wasnt very nice to be put in that position, as a professional, in front of my classes. Actually the classes were as horrified as I was and kept asking if I was alright. Looking back though it was funny and my Head of Dept said, as have so many people over the years - 'why does it always happen to you!' If you are tempted to visit - I wouldnt! But we will be laughing about it for a long time to come (Rachel thought it was funny when I told her).

[adesmith]

PS My Head of Dept is actually going to complain about it, although I am not that fussed.

[gloria townsin]

Good you can laugh about it Adrian, but I would have to say, even though it might sound stuffy, in this day and age of difficulties with getting students to respect their tutors I think anything that put you in an embarrising position is not only wrong but unprofessional of them as a place of interest to visit. I actually think a complaint should be made. On the other hand it does sound as though your students have a good sense of loyalty and how their tutor should or shouldn't be treated so good on them and shame on the staff of London Dungeons.

[Kath Mulligan]

I'm inclined to agree with Gloria, Adrian. It is difficult enough for teachers these days to command the respect of their pupils without you being subjected to ridicule in front of them. The fact that they were horrified by it shows just how much respect they do have for you, which is greatly to your credit, but the London Dungeon people should know better.

On a lighter note and going back to the subject topic, I missed the first of the Lambing Live programmes, but watched last night's and what a lovely programme it was too. The Beavans seem like a lovely couple and so well-suited to the jobs they do, and the friendship that they have obviously struck up with Kate Humble was good to see too. I shared Kate's tears last night when that lamb with the underdeveloped lungs died. I don't think the BBC could have chosen better presenters than Kate and Adam Henson for these programmes.

Kath

[Janet Swan]

It's a shame your day was a bit overshadowed by the London Dungeon experience, Adrian, although fortunately you've been able to laugh about it - I've never wanted to go to these tacky tourist attractions and just don't understand those who do! Last Summer, the guides at a couple of the castles I visited in Northumberland insisted on dwelling on absolutely barbaric practices in dungeons and torture chambers, and I actually found it deeply distressing to listen to. I walked away at the first opportunities and recovered in the coffee shops! In contrast, the Houses of Parliament are absolutely awesome - I went a while ago on a trip organised by our local MP, Peter Lilley, and it was so interesting and I found it so exciting to actually be there. The sense of history, architecture and brilliant colours in the chambers is just wonderful.

I was in London myself last Saturday, with a group from church, and the outing was called "Lent with Steam". We visited several major stations, found some pretty canals, called in at The British Library, studied some war memorials, and somehow this was all linked in with our own Lent "journeys". It was very interesting, moving at times, quite chilly, but very worthwhile. I can highly recommend 'Paul's Patisserie' at St Pancras Station and 'Zizzi's' in Paddington Basin!

Regret I missed the lambing programme as I watched the one about David Cameron - guess I should find that sofa to hide behind now!!!

Janet

[jane jackson]

Definitely you need that sofa Janet ~ fancy putting politics before lovely little lambs! We saw some very young ones today out in the fields around Nancledra, they looked wonderfully happy in the glorious sunshine.

[jane jackson]

Adrian, I agree with everything that everyone has commented on re the London Dungeon ~ just as well you can laugh about it. Well done you.

[colleen]

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[adesmith]

Thanks all - I think that laughing about it was the only way to deal with it! You are right Colleen, all of my memories of school (I went to Bournside which I think must be quite close to you) are of the funny things that we used to get up to! The pupils enjoyed themselves and thats the main thing. I really would have thought that the actors in the London Dungeon should have been more careful about what is appropriate with schools. It was very tacky Janet and I would say in places a bit distasteful. At one point there was a bit about Jack the Ripper and they had big pictures of the victim's bodies. I have seen them in books before but for them to be part of what was basically a glorified theme park made me feel a bit sad. Still, the pupils enjoyed it and we did laugh about it again today. The Houses of Parliament were fascinating and I loved the architecture. It was amazing to actually be standing in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Best of all I liked Westminster Hall, the oldest bit, with the roof from the time of Richard II and plaques marking the places of the trial of Charles I, Sir Thomas More and the Earl of Strafford. There was also plaques for all of the people that have lain in state there and one for the Queen Mother. Rachel and I went to pay our respects when the Queen Mother was lying in state and so seeing the palque made me feel part of history! Your trips sounded interesting Janet. I love London and all of the hidden history. I think we will have to take Rupert sometime soon.

[colleen]

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[jane jackson]

Really lovely programme. The 2 Kates seem to get on very well together as do the 2 men. Kate Beavan would make a very good presenter in her own right too.

[gloria townsin]

Ah...Jane I agree with you......I thought myself what a good presenter Kate Beavan would make, she has a nice tone to her voice and is obviously a very able teacher. Very practical too which is a great asset not just one who can do the theory but can't manage the practical. I loved their traditional family Christmas, assuming it wasn't just for the programme, good on them!! A bit more of that and less of the waiting to be entertained would do us all a lot of good. My childhood Christmasses couldn't rely on TV because there wasn't any as a result we had a huge family gathering, an Aunt who played the piano, a good sing-song, party games and good old fashioned London East End dancing, i.e. The Hokey Cokey, Lambeth Walk and Knees up Mother Brown........corny and definitely unrefined but caused lots of fun and laughter....and no-one got drunk or saw the need to everything was good natured fun and we revelled in being together. I love my Memory Box I dip into it often if I'm feeling a bit down.
Back to the programme, have been really interested in the explanation of the breeding of 'mules' hybrid vigour is something that's being lost in dog breeding - often because too much in-breeding is taking place, so this makes a lot of sense. I love the little Herdwick's think it was this breed that was James Herriott's favourite breed of sheep, either that or Swaledale. And wasn't it the Herdwick breed that Beatrice Potter rescued? They had all but died out and she became an expert on the breed. The swinging of the lamb to clear it's lungs sometimes has to be done to new-born puppies. Of course they are smaller and on the occasions I've had to do it I've wrapped the pup in a small towel, even a face cloth is good for a littlie. Then holding the pup facing the floor give several strong shakes downwards holding tightly to the pup of course. In fact the delivery of the lambs reminds me so much of whelping a bitch.......I've had to see where a pup is in the birth canal and in the main had to take the bag off the pup and separate the cord, Shih Tzu aren't brilliant at doing that as they have short faces.

[Kath Mulligan]

How odd because I too watched last night's programme thinking what an excellent presenter Kate Beavan would make. It is so lovely too to see what an obviously very close couple she and Jim are and a great working team. I loved their family Christmas and got the impression that it was how they usually celebrate, it didn't seem staged for the cameras. It reminded me of many of our past Christmases when all Vin's sisters were alive and their children were small. There were often about 40 - 50 of us crammed into a 3 bed semi on Christmas night, with games and carol singing etc. We still do it nowadays but there are nowhere near as many of us unfortunately, but we do play daft party games!

I shall be really sorry when Lambing Live finishes on Friday because it has been real feel-good television but at the same time it has given ordinary viewers an insight into just how hard farmers and their families have to work to make a living.

Kath

[colleen]

Look at Jim and his beard and wonder if he rides a Harley motorcycle.

[gloria townsin]

Great memories aren't they Kath?

[jane jackson]

Kath it finishes on thursday !!!!!!! I'll really miss it too.

I've just made tea and coffee to go with the biscuits for Bryan's Coastwatch committee meeting who are all seated around our table so the dogs and I are banned to the kitchen where I shall be very shortly ready for LL on the small telly.

[jane jackson]

Really enjoyed Lambing Live again this evening. When they were talking about the lambs and ewes talking to each other with gurgling sort of noises, I remembered how I would get up through the night and go to the sheep shed and if I heard that sound as I approached, I just knew a ewe had lambed. It's a truly magical moment ~ they're such lovely Mums.

[Kath Mulligan]

Have recorded tonight's Lambing Live to watch tomorrow as we have been watching Man Utd trouncing AC Milan instead.

Kath

[jane jackson]

Football over lambing - no! no! no! no! no! Just as well Man U won then. It'll be Rugby in our house this weekend and the final on Memorial Saturday so Bryan will be occupied that day with 3 matches.

[Kath Mulligan]

Now wall to wall rugby would drive me absolutely insane, Jane! Each to their own but I have never had the slightest interest in that I'm afraid.

Watched the final Lambing Live programme tonight. Awww, bless Kate Humble, she is so sweet. I thought it was so funny when she announced to Adam that she had bought Humble, the black lamb she delivered, and that Adam was going to be allowed to look after it for her! I somehow think we shall be seeing more of the Beavan family farm in future programmes (I know there is a highlights prog this weekend), if only incorporated into Countryfile - as a diary slot maybe. They all seemed so comfortable in front of the cameras and are such a lovely family that it would be nice to keep up to date with their progress.

Kath

[jane jackson]

Has everybody noticed that Lambing Live with Kate Humble is starting again on Monday 8.30pm on I think BBC2. This year it's from a farm in Cumbria. I'll miss the family we watched last year as they were great but I suppose it would have been too much the same. I love lambs, I do miss them but not the problems and worries that went with the lambing.

[Kath Mulligan]

I had noticed earlier in the week Jane, but thanks for the reminder, I shall set my Sky+ to record it just in case I forget to watch.

I shall miss the Welsh family too, they were so lovely.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Hate to say this but although I enjoyed last years programmes I doubt I will watch this year.........to tell the truth Kate Humble irritates me.......what a confession.......but she does. Maybe I have become a bit immune to these programmes.

[Kath Mulligan]

Crikey, something we disagree on at last, Gloria! :girl_wink: I really like Kate Humble, both on the lambing programme and on Springwatch/Autumnwatch.

Kath

[jane jackson]

Me too Kath. Did you watch her programmes on The Spice Trails ~ very interesting. I've always liked her (sorry Gloria!) since she did the programmes from Longleat with Ben Fogle. Funny how we like some people as presenters and others irritate ~ just shows how varied we all our in our likes and dislikes ~ can't always agree.

[gloria townsin]

Loved her when she did the programmes with Ben Fogle.........was fine with early Springwatch but she did begin to wear thin towards the end of last years lambing live for me.........

[Kath Mulligan]

No I missed the Spice Trails, Jane, meant to tape them but forgot. No doubt they will be repeated at some point.

Kath

[jane jackson]

I've been really enjoying Lambing Live this week and the new family in Cumbria are really interesting. I especially enjoy Rachel with her lovely accent and Cumbrian words, a very capable lady with all her knowledge of lambing and training the sheepdogs as well as looking after her 3 daughters with one being only a year old. We did get a brief update on the Bevan family which was good to see and Humble the lamb!

[Kath Mulligan]

Me too, Jane. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching all week, even if the horrendous weather up there did keep interrupting the transmission earlier in the week. I wasn't too sure about Andrew at first, he mumbled a bit too much, but he's grown into it as the week has progressed and, like you, I am enjoying Rachel very much. In fact, they seem a lovely family altogether.

I also enjoyed watching Neil Oliver's new series on Celtic Britain and the bronze and iron ages which immediately followed tonight's episode.

Kath

[jane jackson]

I haven't watched this evening's episode of LL as I record it and had a 'phone call when I was about to watch so went on watch Three in a Bed which I do enjoy having been in the B&B business! I'll catch up with LL with my breakfast while Bryan's in his Tower watching the boats go by. I agree about Andew, suppose he just wasn't so comfortable in front of the camera to begin with. I really thought all the transmission problems on the first programme was our Freeview Recorder so I was very happy when the apology notice came on the screen. Recording really helped with that on the 2nd evening as I could zoom through the bad bits whereas Penny got fed up with it and turned off. I'm not sure I'm particularly keen on those Beltex sheep, very square heads and bodies. I had a lovely Texel X (not sure what the X was) called Chloe, she was such a lovely Mum and used to let her lambs plus their friends jump on and off her back then sometimes they'd fall asleep on her. I used to love watching the lambs in their lamb gangs frolicking around the fields in the evenings.

[gloria townsin]

Very much enjoyed Celtic Britain, Patricia rang a bit before and we chatted up to the last five minutes before it came on when she took Monty out for a walk down the road before settling to watch it herself. Eddie had New Tricks on the TV........though it was a repeat, so more Old Tricks......but we turned over to C.B. Having done the Ancient Walks with John it was all the more interesting I felt although I have always been interested in ancient times. We had a school radio programme when it was a completely new thing to do, all about the Stone Age - I was hooked from then on.
Was interested to hear that they have been training a sheep dog in L.L. and thought I might watch after all, but have no idea what has happened this week as I have barely watched any TV........have read a good bit, but not much watching.