It’s looking like the arm ailment might be a long job. Certainly not an overnight fix anyway. Bugger.
I’ve seen a physio, am doing the exercises recommended to stretch the tendons, resting the arm as much as possible and applying a little massage now and then. With an over-use/RSI type injury, that I apparently have, that’s the way it is. And Google agrees, so it must be true.
The left hand/arm is being employed as often as possible/when I remember and I’m managing to keep working/on top of things (sort of) albeit in a cack-handed kind of fashion. Very frustrating. There’s much I need and want to be doing but it is all taking so much longer than normal, if I attempt it at all. I will have to be patient. Hmmm.
On the up-side, the grill has started to behave again just as mysteriously as it stopped so I am all cheesed up instead of cheesed off and negotiations re the damage to my car seem to be going well. I’ll say no more on that just now – don’t want to jinx it.
Lucky for me, John is here working on the farm so can help with the heavy and awkward stuff. I’m getting better at accepting help these days but I’d much prefer to be able to just get on with it, in my own time/under my own steam/my way.
Enough of my woes, I’m sure you are much more interested in what’s going on down on the funny farm, so let me introduce you to some of the animals that John is getting to know and feeding pictures of to me.
The Highlands are bred for showing and win many, many prizes; show after show, year on year. The farm office is full of rosettes.
They are treated as pets (and with much respect) and all have a name. As have all the other animals, which we are gradually learning.
Here’s Callum…
A much sought after and multi prize-winning bull, a very handsome, naughty and ferocious beast. Check out that evil eye!
Here again with Fredrica who was named after Dianne’s father as born the year he died…
And farm owner, Marlene, with one of Stansted’s finest on finals in the background.
Back home is Ben…
With mother and daughter team, Dianne and Chloe -17 yrs old and a super kid – great girls both.
And here is Carina…
Careening around. John must have nerves of steel to stand in front of her with nothing but a camera. I’d have been long gone! And not even a hint of camera shake.
And two young bulls, Denzil and Dylan, lending a head…
While Marlene decrees it will fit in there…
And of course it does. Nothing wrong with Marlene’s judgement.
Back off Carina, I’m driving says Zola…
Know your place – my horns are bigger than yours.
It’s pretty wet and muddy around here just now…
But the dinkey donkeys don’t seem to mind.
They come and visit sometimes…
But only because they want to eat my garden…
They don’t fool me.
But if there’s just one picture that captures Fun on the Farm, for me this is it…
But it’s all smiles on this farm…
Even when ankle deep in pig shit. Not sure of this baby Highland’s name.
Ten heifers have been grazing at the Thorley Wash nature reserve over the summer and these now have to be transported back here. They fetched the first two yesterday – quite an operation – and I’ll be covering the highlights here soon.
I’ll have to do a separate post on the dogs. There’s so many of them – again, all named – that even Marlene has lost count. They have been known to growl a bit and nip an ankle of the unwary here and there, and can certainly make a racket at feeding time but, on the whole, we get along fine.
John has the right idea and walks around with a pocketful of dog treats. No flies (or teeth marks) on him.
But here’s Marlene’s constant companion, Dolly…
Cue for a song surely: Well hello Dolly, looking swell Dolly – enough already.
I may have mentioned the mud, which almost scuppered this chappie…
As he manoeuvred…
And soon became stuck…
Men and old machines to the rescue then…
And with chains, not so gentle persuasion, a little know-how and much expert (?) supervision…
Eventually delivered its cargo to the slipway where this feller took over…
What a big un!
The 70ft widebeam was successfully lifted in…
And soon after chugged its way downstream, passing Hobo on the way to wherever it was going.
STOP PRESS: I have just picked up a cheque re the accident damage so am now a few hundred quid better off/a bit less into the overdraft than when I started this post. That has to be good.
And the car won’t be going to hospital for bumper amputation, prosthetic attachment and posh paintwork. Instead will live on to fight another day, looking more and more the fearsome farm vehicle she has morphed into, and sporting her battle scars with pride and personality.
We are both in the wars it seems but will get through these tough times together.
Boatbird
Boatbird 
Hope your arm gets better soon. Not a good place to be when you want to do writing, have you looked at your keyboard position? A wrist rest might relieve some of the pressure when you type.
Having lived in Scotland for several years it was good to see the Highland Coos (as they call them up there). Had a scary experience with them once near Applecross. They were on the road and I tried to drive by them very slowly, but one just stood in the road and would not move. Within a couple of minutes my car was surrounded. I was convinced I was going to get the car damaged with one of their horns, fortunately they finally made way and let me out unscathed.
Thank you. So do I – it’s a real bummer when you live as we do. John is making a desk to my spec which should help, though I think the damage has been done by all the Mrs. Mopping I do to make ends meet till the writing fully supports me.My physio now recommends a strap to help till I start to feel the benefits of the exercises he has given me.
The Highlands are something aren’t they? Looking forward to next spring when the calfing starts and the fields are full of little teddy bears!