1020

The coows were causing a stir in the village shouting and hollering for food after they'd eaten the croft bare near enough so, the kind crofter took off with his trusty [sometimes] tractor with a roll of grassy allsorts. The tractor merely needed a little tlc, a kick up the *rse and a bit of string to get going.

The kind crofter and his everso kind Dad got the roll of grassy goodness off the tractor thing and started it off rolling down the slope - like a oversize cheese-rolling contest - only, they were the only ones there and it wasn't cheese. Or the Cotswolds.

The kind crofter chased after the roll but then couldn't, despite his immense strength and guile get the thing on it's end as the coows prefer. So, I got me boots on - along with dearest Eve and we set off to help. I have no snaps of that. We got it the right way and got back too - despite wearing red !

1019

G'dad Crofter, Emily and The Barking dog.

1018

A very happy whateverthistimeofyearmeanstoyou and wishing you all a fine 2019

1017

1016

1015

Dagging and drenching. Tidying up the sheeps rear end and giving them a tonic - or something.

1014

1013

A coow surveying all before her.

She liked what she saw

1012

The Crofter and Emily check the coows are fine. They were

1011

A weary Dad Crofter makes his way back to his car to go home after a day chasing sheeps

1010

Yes, he's ok. Coping while his dear wife is away on the mainland.

1009

Do we get a ride in that box then Crofter Man, back to the warm shed?

"Not the shed but the croft as Hector is paying a visit tomorrow and you like Hector don't you?" replied the good Crofter.

Not especially but since we get more food we will oblige.

1008

Ok, I get it, we have to come in here to get the food.

1007

For fleeks sake Crofter man, we're behind you, where's the food the coows seem to saying.

1005

Where are the little darlings? [ I paraphrase here].

Oh, they were there alright as you have seen and soon came up to see what the Crofter was shouting about.

1004

It was cold  tell you. I was well wrapped up sporting fingerless cycling gloves so I could play with my camera - an old Soviet model.
Mr Crofter Sir was well wrapped up too as he descended in the Glen to see where his coows were.

1003

Yes, Dad Crofter was there in the hail and sun keeping Emily entertained in the jeep-thing as the Kind Crofter braved the elements to get the coows in.

1002

Hyacinth and her pals awaiting transportation down in t'Glen - although it's true Hyacinth was less keen than her pals.

1001

The sun was shining between the heavy showers of hail. The kind Crofter was down in the Glen to pick up his wee coows who'd been holidaying down there for a while. We tootled down the muddy track a bit and the Crofter hollered. Almost immediately, well, eventually anyway, Hyacinth and her pals came up to see who was there for them, grins appearing on their little faces as they realised it was back to the croft time. Soon the coows were standing in the hastily erected pen on the road turning bit awaiting loading into the trailer.

1000

Oh look, Mr Four Tractors putting one his toys to good use digging out the mess in the big shed for the Crofter., Lovely to see the fine fellow again.

999

He is still there, back in the unexpected sunshine after a wet weekend in Skye delivering the lamb kits.  He is rightly very pleased with himself.

998

It moves !

997

Dad Crofter inspects the mobile sheeps house to  be.

996

I have been a bit lazy of late and as such had no new snaps of the Great Kind Crofter to show you. So I sauntered off down the road this morning whilst the sun was playing - as were the midges. I found himself knitting a new fence adjacent to a neighbouring croft so as to try and keep his sheeps from a-wandering. I think he needs to stop them teaching each other how to jump.

Anywa, the good Crofter was fine and dandy.

995

With apologies to James Ravilious.

994

Eric and his girls enjoying a snack on the apportionment

993

Emily and her baby-sitter Grandad

992

In the afternoon, the animal physician had arrived already dressed in his best rubber wear for a look see at the sheeps tongue, taking their pulse and tickling their toes - or something.

The weather thankfully had got somewhat cooler.

991

The last scorchio hot morning for the moment and the Great Crofter is out getting ready to give this bunch of sheeps a haircut. And some of them look like they could do with it.
I ventured out - over the road from home - for this shot. Nothing quite like making an effort.

990

These are sheeps - just in case you have forgotten.
Yes, one is white and fluffy. I think it might belong to Mr Four Tractors.

989

It took a while

988

The barking dog didn't the other day although she did snarl at me when I left the premises.

987

I notice The Crofter was sporting quite the latest trouser fashion the other day as David and he moved the tyres from there to there.

986

The Crofter winds his way home after negotiating a gate with the help of the sheeps whisperer.

985

The Crofter with Murdo the Tolsta sheeps whisperer getting the black sheeps to go through a gate. Witchcraft I tell you :-)

984

I poked my head out the door of our wee housy this morning and took a stroll down to t'crofter's shack - only to find he was not there. The snarling dog was guarding the place so I came home only to find the kind crofter and David his lovely father in the croft opposite home talking over a box of water. The water was for Eric and his ladies who were between the Crofter and I. I snapped them all up and went home again

983

Ms Emily Crofter and her Mum enjoy the exceptionally sunny days

982

He's still there - earning a crust.

Haven't seen him much recently though I did see him out the corner of my unexpectedly up early walking to see his coows - hopefully to shut them up. They are residing in a croft o'er the road from where I write and come feeding time ...........

981

Another newbi but this one won't fit on your mantelpiece. Not yet anyway.

980

Best not ask too much but its dad was an incomer :-)

979

It's ok, Dad knows what he's doing.

978

The lovely Donald four tractors doffs his second best woolly hat as he comes over to greet me on the croft next door to The Crofter's. Donald was beginning the ploughing of the croft in this spot to put the potatoes in for this year. They are on a five year rotation apparently. Not sure if that means he rotates the ground on a five year rotation or just plants the blimin things every five years.

But there you are, a gentleman.

977

But will it start?

976

Eric and pals

975

It's all go with the new sheeplettes

974

Emily sees Eric and ladies with The Crofter.

973

Ah yes, all is well.