And I like cows because... ummmm

The vet came out this morning to blood test and vaccinate Jack the bull. The plan went slightly awry as the little begger had broken out during the night along with the red cow Aurora and while he wasn't an issue to round up again he was feeling less than cheerful about being told where to go and was standing in the yards growling at us. So the vet showed and sorted her stuff out and we put him in the crush. All was well and we thought he would behave (he's a placid lad usually) until she offended his dignity by grasping him firmly by the tail so he practiced his showjumping and left (great scope Jack - you really should have been a horse, you'd be Olympic level for sure). So we had to do what we should have done in the first place which was grab him by the nose ring. Once that was done he behaved and it was all over in less than a minute (maybe he listened to the pep talk I gave him - "It's like this Jack - have the test, get to meet more cows, on the other hand if you don't have the test, you'll be upside down on a hook")

The rain held off until that was over.

I have been keeping an eye on the neighbours heifers who I feel are closer to calving than the neighbours do (they reckoned they weren't in calf and put them back with the bull two months later). So this morning from my window I noticed one girl flat out in their paddock. An hour later she hadn't moved and was still completely prone. I decide to investigate so out I go in the rain, over a couple of fences (complete with hotwires so needing careful negotiation) towards the heifer who hadn't moved. She waited until I was within 5 metres before leaping up and running off. Definitely springing but not calving... At least I know now.

Time flies...

This time of year is always flat out at work and this year has four deadlines spaced out over two months and all of them seem a couple of weeks too early. Still three have passed now and it is sort of downhill until Christmas (which seems to be getting rather close) after which the next round of what has to be done by when will be issued.

I was still putting the finishing touches (and the long hours) into the third deadline when husband decided he would live no longer without an ensuite so he started moving furniture out of the master bedroom and demolished the wardrobe. Leaving me no choice really but to sort through the clothes that were previously contained within and find that I am unlikely to wear most of them again. This morning we have the builder in and they are building a wall (or two as there will be a walk in wardrobe to replace the departed model) which appears to be progressing very well. My clothing collection is now so sparse that a walk in wardrobe appears overkill. Must go shopping...

We are banished to what I always considered the most unappealing room in the house - a cavernous space in the basement with ugly concrete block walls and a single set of french doors providing the only natural light. The room doesn't even have a door to close. However as it was doing nothing else at the time it seemed like the best room to move into. And now set up as a bedroom it is so cosy I may just stay there. Just goes to show furniture always helps.

Topaz the January mini foal went to a lovely new home a few weeks ago too. They report that they are delighted with her which is great as really as homes go it doesn't come much better. However due to a change in circumstances we'll be getting her mother Gemma back soon so thinking we were actually a horse down was fairly shortlived.