716

Christmas Morning cuddle. This was before dinner mind you. Anything could have happened later!

Mum and Dad crofter waiting for dinner to be served. Don't be fooled by the mugs, it looked like they were half empty of Gin ! Happy days

715

Yeah, I don't want none.

Yeah, happy whatever.

Now clear off.

714

Ooh, this looks a bit urgent!

A brisk trot up behind Dad 'Triumph Trophy' Crofter on the quad to see the sheeps that escaped the other day. I followed behind.

713

Why did the sheeps cross the road?

No idea since you ask but there was a bit of a blow the other night and, the coows had been walkabout in the village the other morning so perhaps they thought it was their turn.

The temporary crossing the road person came and saved the day with a brisk shaking of the food bag and soon the three escapee sheeps were nestling next to their pals.

Meanwhile, one of bulls jumped [nearly] over a fence. He's limping now but still, I'm told he's going to that great freezer in the barn soon so not to worry :-(

712

 There's no rest for the wicked - or The Crofter. In the dying light of the day The Crofter tootled up to the apportionment to feed the coows a bit of 'snap' - out in the dark damp 'field'.
I tootled along too, cadging a lift in his shiny big blue four wheel drive toy.

Aye, the coows were there all right waiting for a bit of attention. So the good Crofter lifts the bag of food, climbs over the fence, trudges wearily through the soft ground and fills the coows' trough. Nice eh?

I think they probably all lived happily ever after but we have to wait and see won't we boys and girls?

711

The sheeps hunt.

There's Gemmima waiting to see if Dad Crofter can remember how to drive the quad. He used to have a Triumph Trophy [ the American model] so he should ok.

The sun was shining  - just before the hail came in.

Ah yes, it all comes back to Dad Crofter even though he couldn't find his leathers like what he used to have.

710

They are behind you!

No, didn't go and get them. We, The Crofter and I, were on the local closest beach, walking the mutts. They, Rob [mutt 1], Gemma and David, have been out on the hill behind today looking for the rest of the sheeps. Actually, that's not them. It could have been- same number of legs each, same coulour sort of thing. But it wasn't.

I have no idea as to whether they found the sheeps escapees as it's been hailing outside and I'm not about to go down the road to find out.

709

The barrow was awaiting.
It is not painted pink. Yet.

708

There he is. That's The Great Man feeding up the two legged ones. The four legged ones got their scoff soon after while Gemima was going into town to do tooth deliveries. A busy afternoon.

707

These here birdies seemed at odds today. I think it was being fed by The Crofter instead of the lovely Gemima. Or maybe it was last nights high winds that ruffled them.

705

Yes, that's the wonderful Hector coming down to see The Barking Dog and Roy the intelligent dog. I think he saw The Crofter too. Not so keen on my camera though. Pity.

700

Yes, you have missed loads of posts. But then so have I. Life eh?

Still The Crofter is still doing well and more beings have moved into the wee house.
There's Gemmima of course; the wife2b busily painting everything pink, sorting out The Wedding and leaving the PoR to further deteriorate in the rain.

Then there's Jill, the barking dog and Roy the quiet and intelligent dog.

Dogs you say?

Yep, two of the things. Only, one barks it's head off when you arrive and sets off the whole village canine inhabitants. That's Jill, the supposed house dog - on account of it's, it's .... no idea actually since I prefer Roy, the 'working' dog who was meant to live in a specially constructed housey in the 'garden' but seems to spend most of it's life curled up on a chair by the stove. No doubt when there is work to be done, Gemmina will get The Crofter out of the dog-house where she had sent him and Roy will spring into life. Jill meanwhile will be barking!

Roy, The Crofter and Jill, the barking dog

608

Widdle was waiting when arrived. Arrived to invite Mr Crofter an Mrs 2b up for a spot of scram as The Crofter might say.

They came. We had a lovely time thank you very much. I expect Widdle was waiting when they got home too.

607

Don't forget what happened in August 2010 Eh?

606

Now, ducks I don't mind.

Gooses I do.

605

Mrs2b has had a promotion.
Mucking out-er supreme.

604

Student.
That's what one looks like. With a hand oop the back end anyway!

603

Yes, yes, Mr Vet turned up - with the rain and a nice student in tow. Lovely people these vet people - asked about Her Highness Hentrietta Cartier-Bresson too [she's fine since you ask.]

Ooh, looks like that might smart a bit.

I've heard people pay to be trussed up like this.

The student. From Frazerborough or somewhere. The clipboard was because I mentioned which being was the coow and she was writing it down. I think she was anyway.

602

It wasn't all easy you know, getting them coows into the corral. Lots of arm waving, dancing, entertaining them holiday kids sat on the wall ["get off and milk it mate !"], coows going in, out, through and pooing. Mr Crofter cursing, running, smiling and complaining. I've heard it all before mind. A few times and all that.

Partly in. Mrs2b patiently waiting her orders from The Great Man.

The wondering what to do after an exodus on animules from the corral, bucket of tempting food in hand, dancing stick ready.

Some in, some out, Mr Crofter 'throwing a shape' as another coow or three look on from down the croft. "The vet'll be here in half an hour, then they'll be trouble" Mr Crofter warned.

The coows came in and the vet came  a couple of hours later!

601.

It's that time of year again - the Tolsta Rodeo. The Crofter was in fine form with Mrs2b as they chased the huge animal round the croft, putting their kneecaps at grave risks of getting a nasty nudge. Luckily, Mrs2b has seen the videos an was ready with her Morris dancing stick an the little thing jumped for its life.Oh what fun they had. Got the steps down on paper too for next year I shouldn't wonder.

Not all the coows wanted to play or watch The Crofter's new dance.

600.

Don't tell me I forgot you. Just giving a bit of space to the newcomer - the fiancée and everything. The One who paints things pink.
I took a snap or three just for old times sake and came up with a near masterpeice! If this what's in store I shall keep the camera on the crofter some more.

Mrs 2be was found hard at work dismantling the whatever-it-is no doubt to aid the application of the pink gloss paint.

Looks handy with a spanner - must get her started on the Pile of Rust before the year is out.

Love is - sharing the dismantling of the cow thing!

599

Summer

598

Low level sheeps related stuff here. Shh, I can't tell you.....

597

Go and look at The Crofter's own blog while I sleep! It may not be 'truth' and it is d*g*tal but, hey, I'll be back.

596

There.
I stayed safe behind the bars

595

This is a sheeplette.
A whitish one.

594

For some reason, since the cull of the incomers that are mink, the rat population has exploded. Now, if you ask me, I'd rather have mink than rats but then I'm not in charge.

My pal William had a spate of them a while back down in Cromor and now they have taken up residence in the yard of The Croft. So Dad Crofter is setting the requisite traps in the unused pig hutch.

593

Dad Gemmima has been up recently. Came up as chaperone to the very lovely Gemmima who was visiting her fiancée. Turns out he is a dab hand at semaphore or something like that so soon he was sending signals across the island from the unpolyed poly-tunnel. And I have no reason why. Still, seems a nice chap.

592

While The Crofter has his feet on the mantelpiece with Gemmima stroking his brow and whispering sweet nothings into his ear as they watch Euroviosion song contest for the seventh time, Dad Crofter is moving feed from the Pimpmobile [now with recharged battery] to the place where the feed is put.

591

Not that keen on these two. Always shouting at me and everything. Turn your back for a moment and the flippin things are biting your leg.

May I suggest Ms Gemmima, who is currently on the island look here. Just saying.

590

Oh, I'm loving this snap. Very JR don't you think? Anyone who wasn't in the know would think the kind Crofter has placed the junk there just for me. He hadn't, he was too busy in the Tooth Factory for that.

589

Have you ever heard of the term "everything but the kitchen sink"?

Here the kitchen sink is here as well.

588

Of course The Croft is still working. Dad Crofter was there today mucking about with this and that while The Crofter watched Liverpool FC on TV lose yet again.

There was a thing full of sprouting potatoes ready to put in the ground on the off chance that the temperature rises a little this year.

The lamblettes that had been bouncing around the garden in the sun a few days before were hiding in their lair warmed by a kindly placed lamp.

587

Yes, ahhh. He's ok. Had triple man-flu / double Pneumonia [aka a cold] for the last few days but he is pulling through you'll be pleased to hear.
Found enough time and energy to pose for a snap for me though. I mean, I didn't ask him to pose he just does - sort of unconsciously. Just in case his fiancée looks in here perhaps!

586

I know there's been a break. My nose started running, a cough racked my lungs so I took to my bed - which was just dandy as my dearest Eve was away. And I didn't want to give my snivels to the sheeps anyway. Mr Crofter already had double man-flue so there were no worries on that part.

The other calflette - whose name escapes me on account of my ageing self, was looking expecting me to play whilst Mum lurked behind. I didn't play. I didn't feel like to be honest.

585

When I snook down to the Big Shed yesterday in the sunshine, The Crofter et all were just sorting the place out after the recent lambing. Little sheeps all over the croft, in the small barn, in the house and still, three mummy to be sheeps in The Big Shed. There's over thirty of the little Hebridean- guinea-pig crosses this year. How's that for nooky eh?

Meanwhile Doonray/Doograe/little coow was running all over the shoppe like an oversize strange sounding lambette. Not surprising really since twas his first day in the big world. Not sure what he thinks about the world today as the rain hoofs down.

At least Mum was calm although I don't think that's the same Mum who tries to take my arm off. At least I hope not.