Saturday 16 March 2013

IS IT SPRING YET ?


I think it's supposed to be Spring, but, up here in The North, there are very few signs - just a few sickly snowdrops and crocuses (croci?) Barely a green shoot has appeared on the hawthorn, though I'm frequently fooled by the  Dayglo lichen that abounds in our persistently damp climate.


And where are the lambs? The disturbing lack of cuddly, wee things in our area reminded me of a shocking incident that occurred some twenty years ago, when we were dining at G's. Our nephew stood up and announced "I am going to cannon lambs!" He was an Oxford undergraduate at the time and we knew he was partial to a bit of beagling, but still we shrieked in shocked unison, "How cruel!!!!"
" No," he said, with solemn superiority, "I'm going to Canon Lamb's - he lives nearby and enjoys a bit of elevated conversation."

So far this year we've heard hardly a bleat from the fields around us so the other day, during a brief respite from the wind and rain, I suggested to Mr N that we might walk around some local bridleways in search of reassurance that we aren't stuck in eternal British Winter Time - and that a secret lamb cull hasn't taken place.


This doesn't look promising...


...but here's a farm!


Aaaaah!


Don't be afraid, we won't harm you. 


Though we have been known to Canon lambs occasionally!
(All stories from Nilly Hall are true, even the silly bits.)

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20 comments:

  1. Oh chuckling and cooing noises have been provoked at this end. Axxx

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    1. Honestly, it gets worse here - icy winds and snow. I'm trying to convince Mr N that it could be worse, but it's not working.

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  2. This post made me smile nilly, you investigating the rack - sorry lack of lambs in your area. The British countryside does look very bleak in winter mode. Spring has got to be on its way surely, I have seen snowdrops and the daffs are peeking through. Jayne x

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    1. The daffs may be peeking, but they're refusing to open here!

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  3. Awww This is perfect....Baby lambs and all..We will be taking a walk later after lunch to see our own local lambs...This is my most favourite thing to do!...Spring has sprung here today Nilly! With bright sunshine.... Don't forget to have that jig....My friend..hehe..Love Maria x

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    1. Brrr! It's even worse now - I think you are knee-deep in snow in Cumbria. I hope the lambs are inside!

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  4. Bleak it looks Nilly, no less so in the softy South. Imagine the lambs surprise at arriving from a warm and cosy nest of a tum into the harsh cold world.

    I'm with you on telling the truth in blogland, as in lonely hearts columns and in life.

    LLX

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    1. Hope you didn't get my last comment which was A MISTAKE and meant for Maria (above)! It's so cold my brain has frozen.

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  5. Only you Nilly, could raise a smile about the lack of spring up north. However, I am so pleased that you did find some lambs - aaaah, they are adorable.

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    1. Hoe you are having an adventure somewhere comfortably warm!

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  6. I like your story very much, wordplay is such fun.

    I saw lambs last week in South Buckinghamshire so there will be more up your way soon.

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    1. I love wordplay too, though it can get silly!

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  7. So glad you found some lambs! I always like to see them standing on their moms backs. It might say spring on the calendar but the icy breeze here today says otherwise. Spring is taking it's own sweet time this year.

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    1. Yes, I've noticed that some American states seem to be getting chilly weather too - surely those Scandinavian winds aren't blowing that far!

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  8. oh Nilly, I loooove the silly bits!
    I sit here reading this with snow falling, so its not just cold and grim Ooop North. I was going to ride Bruce but decided I may have just become a Fair Weather Rider!
    Many lambs still indoors here this year- they need close supervision with the Schmallenberg virus so prevelant, many here have been delivered deformed and stillborn and I think its all the farmers can do sometimes to save the mother.
    Such a worry. We've had some cattle affected too and I'm wondering if it will ultimately affect the deer population, which will at least provide a natural cull, however horrible that sounds we do need it.
    Oh, on to brighter things! Soon be Spring properly, the sun will shine, all will feel better.
    have a good week, stay warm
    xx

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    1. Yes, I've heard about that virus and have been wondering if that's the reason we've seen so few young farm animals this Spring.
      Mr N has, sadly, decided that he's a Fair Weather Decorator & given up on a major job - but it's an indoor one!

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  9. Love to read the silly bits too! Always makes me chuckle, and that is a good way to start the week. x

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    1. Hope the weather isn't affecting events down your way. It's less than two weeks until Newark & arctic conditions are still in the forecast!

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  10. We had Spring yesterday but back to Winter and two pairs of socks today! Very few lambs spotted here so far :( M x

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    1. Thank goodness for layers - woolly tights, leggings, two silk skirts, two thermal polos, one woolly polo, one fine wool smock, one wool coat and one wool shawl kept me warm when we left the house at 5.30 am. today!

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