132

Sometimes, it all feels too much

CJ- trapped at last

In but not fast and those horns are sharp!

CJ the bull needed a little care and attention the other day. I'd wandered down to the Croft to say hello and do a spot of mutual whinging and noticed the boys and girls hemmed up in the coral. Apparently, CJ had the runs and needed some medication. Now, CJ is not the most compliant bull I have had the pleasure to meet. He almost had my arm off when I'd ventured to close to the fence one day.

The Crofter has a crush - its a machine that traps beasts within its confines that allows the aforesaid crofter to get close without losing his life. The only thing was, on a previous occasion, the beasts had managed to run right through when the thing that falls down and lets the doors close to trap the beasts didn't. Dad Crofter and the Crofter imself got to work with some oil and a spanner and soon the thing seemed to be working better. Probably. I was warned to be on my guard but, determined to get a good snap of CJ charging me without use of a red rag and with full confidence in the Crofters mechanical abilities I stayed put. CJ came and came and came and then, with my heart beating a tad faster, the doors closed around his neck. He wasn't happy. bucking and shaking the crush, Mr Crofter got a little closer and with a handy piece of wood, locked the crush so CJ could not move. Much.

To get Cj to take the medicine , the Crofter then had to tie CJ's head to one side and administer the stuff forcibly with an over-large syringe thing.

All was soon done, CJ let out to play and the Crofter retired into the house for a well-earned cuppa!

131

It's not us. It's not us.

130

Last week.

"Have I got an orange spot on my back?"

No

"Baaa, thank goodness for that. You can take my picture now"

129

Sometimes just being on the Croft is enough. Sadly, the lambs with the orange spots aren't there to see this now .

128

Pinky and Perky came out to play only to find that the outside world is cold and wet. So they went back inside with their brothers and sisters; Dozy, Beaky, Sneezy, Porky, Scratchings, Sour, Sweet and Nigel. PigPig stayed asleep.

Here we are, the world exclusive of Mr Crofter's saddleback piglettes. Nice eh? Mum Crofter celebrated with some flashy star-spangled boots!

127

Yay! We have piglettes! We have piglettes.

Well, I say 'we' but in reality PigPig belongs to The Crofter and the piglettes to PigPig and Maclaren. All 10, yes ten little piggies are doing fine although I won't be seeing them today on account of Mrs PigPig being protective and a bit on edge plus the rain is pouring down.

Congratulation to PigPig and Maclaren, may your piglettes bring you months of happiness.

No flowers please.

126

PigPig is imminent. Just been down to The Crofter and the anxious Crofter is there hot towels at the ready - or something like that. PigPig is a panting and feeling rather sorry for herself. Hopefully, the night will pass well and in the morning we might see some pigletts :-)

125

I'm back from the south and the piglettes have still not arrived. Still, I find The Crofters doing a spot of pedicure on the sheeps who, since they have been lording it up on the croft on the lush grass and need a little care. They got it - in a wonderful contraption rather like the London Eye - only smaller, and different. The sheeps are feeling much better thank you for asking but, some have acquired an orange spot which means they will be going somewhere soon and not coming back. Ooh er