The Waiting Game

Things to note:

1. I should know better by now. 
2. I should also be careful what I wish for. 

It's been a couple of weeks since I last wrote a blog. The truth is, I've been waiting to report on lambing. It's underway at the Spittal but I've yet to see any lambs being born or to do anything useful. So I thought I'd wait. 

Number One*

I should know better. As I may have mentioned once or twice in previous blogs, things rarely go to plan in farming. This week, for example, there's been so much water pouring off the hills that it's had to be diverted to avoid the cycle track turning into a swimming lane. 

I've got a few days off coming up and I'm in a bit of a quandary about them. Do I spend the days walking the dog, making soup and reading in my shed or do I make myself available as a willing (but not particularly able) worker? 

I hate the idea of getting in the way or, worse still, actually causing harm. I know that the only way to learn something is to do it but there's not usually so much at stake. It's not just that there are animals' lives at risk but there's a financial element, too. 

Before I started seeing Ivie, I didn't give that side of things any thought, although it seems obvious now. I'd drive along the A75 noticing lambs in the fields and feel optimistic about spring on its way or I'd see an article about sheep worrying and think how awful for a ewe to lose its lambs. 

4 & 5*

So, I'll keep hanging around the lambing shed with Ivie, hands in pockets, not volunteering but secretly hoping he does ask me to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in. As it were. 

I'd suggest you await the next instalment but, you know, don't hold your breath. 

[* I've secretly given them proper names but I hear it's not the done thing.]

I Like Driving in my Car

What I've been thinking about this week:

1. Driving
2. Loopholes

I've not talked about lockdown much in my blogs. We're all managing it in our way and missing different things. I do feel it's the young 'uns that are missing out the most in some ways, though. This is the time they should be getting out into the world, gaining more independence and spending time with friends. 

Ivie's nephew turned 17 a couple of weeks ago and, like all farm kids, can drive better than most. But theory tests have been cancelled, driving lessons are on hold and that independence is a little bit further away than it should be.

On the plus side, he can now drive a tractor on the road unaccompanied (as long as he has L plates on show) and he's making the most of it. 

It seems ridiculous but my driving licence would allow me to drive a tractor on the road unaccompanied without L plates. I have enough trouble opening the door on Ivie's tractor, never mind figuring out how to drive it without flattening gate posts and soft verges. Besides, I wouldn't know when it needs serviced.... 

As close as I'll get

When I first started seeing Ivie, my mum asked if I'd had a 'wee shot' driving the tractor. I had to explain that it was worth more than the house I was living in at the time and had a dashboard more complicated than NASA control. 

I might be allowed to drive this one

I'll stick to my wee car, although it'll be no surprise to anyone that it hasn't had much action recently. I took it for its MOT last week and I've done less than 3,500 miles in the last 12 months. We were discussing that we've barely needed one car lately, never mind two. I wonder if I could learn to park the tractor in the Aldi car park after all.