The past week has been eventful for sure, mainly sheep keeping us busy of course. We are keeping a close eye on them after losing our biggest lamb and this morning (Sunday) after days of care another lamb has finally been moved to the sick bay. Its poisoned foot/hoof is not getting any better even after a course of antibiotics and cleaning.

Invalid with Mother in the Barn

With the rain forecast for the next couple of days and the underfoot conditions in the field going wet, it was the only decision. Fingers crossed.

Cat’ Orca’s Annual Visit

The weather is grim to-day but not much better last week when Steve and Fiona arrived on their early spring/summer trip. Always good to see them arriving and to catch up. Steve knows a thing or two about mechanics so I was doing some quick thinking for a job for him to pass the time!!!!!!

Last Push At The New fence

We were in the middle of hanging gates to keep the sheep out of the new fenced area when our new guests arrived, so after they walked their two dogs they got to the house just as I finished hanging the last gate.

Secure Now

That should keep our ‘depositors’ out!!

Eda Frantzen’s Guests

Although we have had some great days later in this week there has been a few wet ones too and the Eda Frantzen arrived in one, pouring rain their guests came ashore for a walk, telling us the skipper was unsure what to do because the forecast was so bad. I guess it is very much pot luck when you book a sailing holiday. As it happened the weather got better rather than worse as the week progressed so we hope they had a good end to the week.

Now Where Does The Water Go?

Steve was on the go early and stripped the tractor brakes, serviced as much as he could then we discovered that a bolt had come loose on the master cylinder and that is how the brake fluid escaped. Well it was good to get the tractor’s annual service done. The rain had stopped but it was still pretty grey.

A Grey Scene

I headed over to Dry Harbour with L and on the way back the Eda Frantzen had already left for Portree. Next morning I was fed up of the weather and needed a walk, I headed South to look for deer and to have a wee count, always a good plan before the vegetation gets too thick. I was not disappointed, I saw plenty hinds and quite a few stags.

They Saw Me First

I was bumbling along minding my own business when 4 stags without their antlers popped up. They had a good look before taking off up to the East side of Rona. I took a walk up that way and followed the deer path and there in front of me was a set of beautiful antlers, off our master stag. Eric’s replacement. Quite amazing to find that the two had fallen off in exactly the same spot. Another couple of weeks and the grass would have hidden them for a year.

Now There’s a Thing

One of the antlers has a distinct take on Eric’s, so he may be a son, who knows. Hopefully we will see him this rut coming.

Hinds in Winter Coats

The weather got progressively better as the day progressed and I came onto some good hinds, but this lot were looking pretty ‘scabby’ in their late winter coats, their hair coming out in lumps. In a few weeks they will have their new coats and look pretty slick, I hope. Back to business and we have to dose the sheep every year with various nasty chemicals but if we did not then they would suffer from all the nasties out there, tick, fluke, worms, etc, etc. We got most of the flock done and dealt with the poisoned hoof. The bag of Sheep First Aid was getting run down and the antibiotics were getting pretty old so a phone call to our Vet Rhona (who has never been to Rona) and Kevin has now picked up the order.

Annual Jag

Next day we had to catch the sick lamb, but he was getting a bit too quick despite his bad hoof. When I fed the ewes in the morning he came a bit too close and I made a grab for him and put him in the kennel until I got his daily dose of anti biotic.

In Jail

I guess he doesn’t like me much, everytime I catch him I give him jags. But it is for his own good. Off he went after the treatment but to-day (Sunday) he is limping pretty badly.

After the tractor service where we were shifting everything about I decided to have a spring clean.

The Famous Rona Fish Box

Amongst other things I  decided to move the fish boxes down to the house ‘For Sale’. Now is the time to sell one or two. The shed was tidy but after starting fencing again, it seems ‘stuff’ is everywhere.

Going North To The Sea End

I finished the South end of this fence a couple of weeks ago so now I need to finish the North end. The sea ends will be tricky but up till now only a few of the sheep have wandered round the very loose end of the fence. It is just a case of getting going.

It is a great view

It is quite a nice spot to work in, it is where I saw the Northern Diver although they were not there yesterday, just cuckoos and swallows. I got the posts out and line wire, if it dries up tomorrow I will get a bit more done but we hope to get off on Wednesday morning so if it is pouring I’ll be packing and preparing for Calum coming.

Checking traps

Last thing yesterday was to check the mink traps at Dry Harbour, no luck for a while but I don’t think for one minute the mink have disappeared.