Lambing Weekd

[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.