Albert Einstein was not off the mark when he said that in order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep one must above all be a sheep oneself. I had a sheep-like personality in the growing years of my life – till I reached Delhi and the city decided to do me a favour and rip it off. Naturally you would forgive me for thinking that I stood a chance of bonding with those precious bundles of wool.
Now, I have tried to be friends with all shapes and sizes of them. I have talked to them, I have cajoled them to come closer and then I have chased them to be friends with me. In all my time of roving the English countryside, I have to admit sheepishly that I have been an utter failure. Here are some close encounters with the Swaledale sheep that roam around the northern dales of the Yorkshire with their curved horns, healthy frames (they are not fat, they will let you in baa notes) and black faces. I deemed them the J J Ramsbottoms, just because they looked like J J Ramsbottoms.
This is also peak lambing time in the Blighty. Everywhere you look there are tiny lambs in duos and trios, innocence and curiosity in their eyes, and a skip in their steps. A lamb gambolling around green pastures in the wake of a busy ewe (why with chomping on grass which they do even through snow) is one of those sights in life that is bound to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. But before that you gotta contend with the mother looking around the corner, watching out for her wee ones.
And now I shall sign off my sheep-laden weekend with bitter ales brewed in the Yorkshire dales that we have brought home with us. We never leave bottles of beauty behind. Hic hic.
Goodness the little ones are adorable! I can imagine your frustration at not being able to just wrap your arms around one of those fluffy babies. I’d be lurking around the barn or pen at night. 🙂
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We are kindred souls. If and when we meet, the barn it is, girl!
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It’s a date!
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Baaaaaaah…hiccup…burp….excuse me…I’m feeling a little sheepish now. ??
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Tee hee hee. I feel so Most of the time 😀 😀
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They are pretty adorable…
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I thank you on their behalf. I am sure they would bleat out with happiness 😉
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Don’t you just love spring, 😀
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Oh yes! With all my heart. When I can go out on such beautiful walks and climbs in the dales with such pretty companions all around 😉
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Great post! I love sheep! And these pictures–be still my bleating heart! ❤ (oh no, can’t believe I just said that! I’ve stooped to an all time low of puns!) ?
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Thank you but am trying not to fall out of my seat 😀 Ha ha ha ha. I am glad they reach across to bleating hearts and yours especially. I shall give them your love next time I meet (chase) them. The power of puns – not to be underrated 😛
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Ha!! ? Thank you!! Not many sweet-faced sheep for me to chase around here, and I have been trying to be patient until I get to Scotland in 2018 (where surely the sheep are eagerly awaiting my arrival!). But I’m glad to know you’ll chase them in my stead til then. ?
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Yes the thing is that those snotty woollen bundles are way more agile than you. Even with all their girth they can run down slopes way faster than you. Unless you were a goat in your previous birth with the memories of your agility stored in the grey cells. Which I am discounting that for the time being, I suggest you start running up and down slopes to make sure catch them for me 🙂 I have given up x
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Darn it! I would be lying if I didn’t admit I lose more and more of my goat agility every day! It may be a lost cause. Sigh… ?
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Or better still you have two wee guinea pigs at hand 😉 I bet they would not complain!
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Probably a more attainable goal… ?
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Way to go!
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Great post and photos. Those sheep look so cuddly.
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Thank you 🙂 I could not find out unfortunately. I bet they are as soft as massive balls of cotton.
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These are so cute – and I find your writing hilarious! x
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Aw thanks 🙂 I am mighty chuffed by that.
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Toll,., !!! einfach toll ohne worte.
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Thank you for those few words even then 🙂
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Just great, thank you very much, much success with the blog
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Success for you too 🙂 Cheers.
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Thank you very much, -“- 😦
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🙂
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Toll !!!!!!!!!!!!! :(_“_
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Love it!
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Thank you 🙂
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In my backyard we got a few wobbling around. Though the ones similar to the those in the pictures are nothing more than decaying bodies underground now.
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Ha ha ha. Hmm. I am not questioning the authenticity of those underground.
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Good call! You would not want to know what all lies down there
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Thanks for the vote of confidence. Always helps to know where I should not go routing around.
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I mean, it might be fun. Dig up and I’ll tell you the tales of every bone we find 😉
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I know. I think I shall leave you to it. My aching bones, I fear, might not be able to bear the delight of what lies beneath 🙂
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I think my bones will be fine, however it might be the tummy that will turn digging up such delights
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Dig on then 😛 Let the bones bear the brunt of it. I am not even contemplating the fragrance and sight that awaits you. But I shall definitely send some hartshorn to revive you if you do faint.
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Oh my oh my. “Bear the brunt”. I am just getting smarter talking with you. I shall leave the shovel today and crawl warm into my cozy blanket holding a wine as the death continue to rest.
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The cheekiness has certainly gotta be toned down with wine 😉
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[…] jumble. We walked past working farm sheds, met curious, frolicking lambs, flocks of poker-faced Swaledale sheep and a handful of other walkers. We did sit down once in a while to stare at the River Swale […]
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That’s quite a relation-sheep you have there with these adorable creatures! 😉
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Ooh word play. I am in 🙂
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Ewe are too kind! I’m am a total pun addict! ha, ignore me, please. trust me!
Seriously, your blog rocks. You write so well. Enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to read more!
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Thank ewe 🙂 I am not a good ignorer. That is lovely of you! May you have cupcakes rain down upon you.
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Yes!!!! Thank you! I’ve been WAITING for that wish since I was 9! Sheesh! NO one else gets this!
willing fountains of chocolate your way
Take care. Have a wonderful day/night… 🙂
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I shall try and not drown in the fountain. May that 9-year-old’s cupcake/cake shower dreams come true. I have foretelling genes in me body and they are not going anywhere. So you wait and watch.
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