Sean's Our Scotland

My latest painting 'Sailors take warning'

2011-12-04T13:05:00.001Z

StenaLine Opening

2011-11-25T16:05:00.001Z

What a great day out, the new Superfast ferry is like a small cruise ship, the food and wine was very good and even the speeches were interesting and funny.

One of the new cows....

2011-11-05T09:18:00.000Z

Now that's what I call a jet washer!

2011-10-06T12:20:00.000+01:00

2011-09-28T07:20:00.001+01:00

Enjoying the sun with the 'chucks'.

2011-09-20T15:44:00.000+01:00

This deer had no fear this morning...

2011-09-04T12:07:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Camping in the wilderness.....

2011-08-31T13:32:00.001+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Camping in the wilderness

2011-08-21T14:35:00.000+01:00

The very wild camp

A tent with a view

Looking towards the tent

Today I have mainly been mixing 200000 gallons of slurry.....

2011-07-21T17:23:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Today's Stock Check

2011-07-17T15:34:00.000+01:00

As things go the 'stock check' was the same as any other day, lambs on the wrong side of the fence, lambs with their heads stuck through the fence and a great way to spend a couple of hours riding around on a quad bike and being paid but today we had the added wildlife.....
Before I even started, while walking Troy in the field next to the house, a fledgling Buzzard was found waiting for it's mum, the biggest 'chick' I have ever seen.
Checking the fence along the cliff tops is one of the best bits, I always stop to see what I can see and just to listen to the waves but today was even better, there were 'Choughs' ( I didn't think they lived around here ) and a seal swimming around near the cave, great.
After spending a little more time than I should watching the seal I set of to check the cattle down in 'Bottoms' and there, swooping across the rearing field (not good) was a Red Kite.
All in all a fantastic way to start a day.....

Time to move into a field I think.....

2011-07-07T17:47:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

I hope we have enough gas.....

2011-07-02T15:16:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Last Week of June

2011-07-01T23:34:00.000+01:00

Monday
Started the week by sorting out which lambs were going to market, putting nets on the bird runs and getting the first release pen ready.
Tuesday
Lambs went to market and averaged £83, a bit down on last week but still pretty good. Started to cut the fields, lined one of the pits and finished the first pen.
Wedensday
Brought the Hoggs and Tups in to drench and split then lined the second pit. Filled and covered the first pit.
Thursday
Moved all the sheep and cattle to new fields, filled and covered the second pit.
Friday
Started to sort out the second release pen until about 2pm then at 6pm crated up the first 1000 birds ready to take to their new home in the Highlands.

The weather has put all the farm work back by 2 to 3 weeks this year.

3 fields of grass....

2011-06-29T23:40:00.000+01:00

It might not look much here but it's a big tractor on top and there's another 3 to do in the morning...... More tyres.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Looking for mum after 'clipping'.

2011-06-24T19:56:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

I don't belive it....

2011-06-07T18:23:00.000+01:00

25 quid.....
It wouldn't be so bad if the little sweet hearts layed their eggs in the box.....

Sent from my Nokia phone

Checking the stock in cave field.

2011-06-06T13:06:00.001+01:00

A plesant way to spend the morning on a sunny day.

Sent from my Nokia phone

A Sad Day

2011-06-04T12:57:00.000+01:00

What a rotten start to the day, went outside to feed the two pet lambs I keep in the field to find one dead.... The other one, 'Q' is wandering around the field wondering where 'P' has gone, poor little thing. I'm going to catch her when she comes for her afternoon milk and put her in the back garden with our other lamb 'Katie', at least she will have a new friend....
Well as they say 'If you don't want dead stock don't keep live stock'.

Just started my new health course. looking forward to the results.....

2011-05-26T19:29:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Rob's chicken and camera art work...

2011-05-24T22:21:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

A touch windy

2011-05-23T18:48:00.000+01:00

I got soaked today while checking the sheep along the cliff tops.... It wasn't the rain, that had stopped, it was the spray from the breaking waves below... 35m below!
I tried to take a photo but the spray, foam and the fact I had to hang onto the quad to stay on my feet proved too much.... What FUN!!!!

Katie is has come on wonders.

2011-05-08T16:34:00.000+01:00

Sun, sleep and plenty of milk..... All little one needs.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Playing out in the garden...

2011-05-01T11:27:00.000+01:00

Troy playing with the pet lambs.

A great way to end the day.....

2011-04-26T21:51:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Our kitchen is starting to get a little crowded...

2011-04-26T18:30:00.001+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Today I have mainly been rolling the front lawn...

2011-04-25T17:24:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Spring has sprung...

2011-04-17T16:19:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

An afternoons work by myself and Rob.....

2011-04-11T23:09:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Not bad for a 37 year old....

2011-04-10T18:19:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

From the sheds to the fields.... I think the lambs may like it.

2011-04-06T23:09:00.001+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Zoe helping feed

2011-04-02T09:04:00.001+01:00

A little practice, next week is for real at the vets in Sedbergh...

Sent from my Nokia phone

Some of the 300 cattle that get hand fed everyday.... They will be leaving for the fields soon...

2011-03-31T14:01:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

When I grow up I want to be a 'Gimmer'

2011-03-30T18:17:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

The third escape attempt....

2011-03-28T12:23:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

The first lamb of the year....

2011-03-12T11:04:00.000Z

Sent from my Nokia phone

Stoat Attack

2011-02-07T14:12:00.000Z

Stoat attack in the Hen hut last night, 3 killed outright, 3 I had to take into the woods 1 at a time and shoot, 1 nipped (she may make it). Leaves 2 cockerels and 4 very traumatized hens plus 1 hen in the kitchen with a broken leg.... Oh and I had to pick up 2 dead sheep from the field...crap start to the week.
We've popped some eggs under the hen in the kitchen.... You never know

Gary Moore

2011-02-06T18:22:00.000Z

Another great guitarist leaves the world....

A very cold start to the day -14 here.

2010-12-19T08:57:00.000Z

Sent from my Nokia phone

A distant I.O.M.

2010-12-14T14:17:00.000Z

Taken while out 'muck' spreading.

Sent from my Nokia phone

From our kitchen window

2010-12-07T13:22:00.000Z

We never get snow like this....
The kids love it.

Sent from my Nokia phone

This should keep us going for a while...

2010-11-29T11:31:00.000Z

Sent from my Nokia phone

Heston Island

2010-11-26T11:51:00.000Z

Taken from the shore road in Auchencairn

Sent from my Nokia phone

Clearing the field is such fun....

2010-11-23T10:31:00.000Z

Sent from my Nokia phone

My Top Is Missing

2010-11-17T16:45:00.000Z

An email sent to Pukka Pies and their response...

Well done Pukka Pies

ARGGGGGGH can you imagine our dispair,

When the boxes were opened and one lid wasn't there,

My Pukka Pies wrong, it's body incompleat,

With shock and pure anguish I fell off my seat,

With menacing looks we stared at each other,

My wife said 'sorry love we don't have another!'.

Then suddenly silence fell on the room,

Darkness, forboding a vision of DOOM,

As you will guess my wife got the top,

I only pray these mistakes they will stop.

A very hungry and sad

Sean.

Dear Sean

I thank you so much,

For your well thought out verse,

And would like to say sorry,

And of course reimburse.

Please forward your address,

Just as soon as you can,

Then a letter and cheque,

I will send by post man.

Thank you again,

You have quite made my day.

And I wish all complaints,

Could be made in this way!

Kind Regards

Ms Kerry Dickens

Customer Services Manager

November 5th GCUSA auction shoot

2010-11-06T13:30:00.000Z

What a day we had, every drive worked like a dream with good 'flushes' and high flying birds.
Total tally for the day worked out as 171 birds for 783 shots over 6 drives with a very even ratio of 4.57 shots per bird.
Our American 'guns' were over the moon saying it had been the best day of their trip! (the 'tip' would support this).
A great way to start the season!
We are Lot 18 on page 12 of the catalogue with an estimated value of $70,000 - $ 90,000, the lot went for something in the region of £75,000.

True or False

2010-11-03T21:33:00.001Z

A.... A child who's mum is in hospital gets a taxi to their school ?
B..... A registered alchoholic gets a taxi to make a 12 mile round trip to deliver a bottle of whisky to their house everyday ?
C..... A registered alchoholic gets a daily cash allowance to buy their drink and a free bus pass to get to the off license ?
D.... .A cat will be boarded at council expence if it's owner can not look after it ?

B, C and D are all true but we now know that A is not.
The child (A) has now had to start in a new school..... short term we hope.
B, C and D are happy, or seem to be.
I do believe that everyone should be looked after if needed, but could there be any chance of common sense?
Sorry for the 'rant' but as we are all being told to save money I'm starting to wonder why !

The Season Starts

2010-10-30T18:06:00.000+01:00

Monday 1st November
The season starts, over the last few weeks things have changed quite a lot, about 5 weeks ago our gamekeeper decided enough was enough and changed career.....
That's left myself and another the task of trying to get everything ready, hopefully this is now done.
Our first 'Shoot' is on Friday the 5th... it's not just any shoot though, it's part of an auction lot that sold for over £75,000 in New York and they bought a 200 bird day!
Well here's hoping everything is going to be OK....
I'll let you know

I just had to share this...

2010-10-18T15:08:00.001+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Made for two by Fen

2010-09-28T21:51:00.000+01:00

It's great when you hear from friends, but when their daughters are creating music like this it's even better....
The only problem is it makes one feel very old, please have a listen...
Thanks
Made for two by Fen

Feeding

2010-09-25T08:47:00.001+01:00

Up bright and early bird feeding on one of the drives...it's rather chilly this morning.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Sea Fishing

2010-09-04T17:01:00.000+01:00

Didn't catch anything but the waves were fantastic....
Great fun!

Sent from my Nokia phone

Frank and Zappa

2010-08-31T18:07:00.000+01:00

Meet Frank and Zappa our two new cockerels.

Sent from my Nokia phone

My first stick

2010-08-19T15:47:00.000+01:00

This is my first attempt at a walking stick, I wonder if it will survive the first 'beat'....

Sent from my Nokia phone

Two very content sheep

2010-08-18T09:44:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Before the storm

2010-08-13T08:47:00.000+01:00

About 30 seconds after this photo was taken the house was struck by lightning....
I now have a very ill 'laptop'...
Any ideas?

Sent from my Nokia phone

2010-08-02T14:23:00.000+01:00

Sent from my Nokia phone

Creating up

2010-07-23T08:29:00.000+01:00

It was 10.30 by the time the birds were loaded, hard work but then again, what a way to end the day...
For the next 3 nights I'm on collection duty, picking up kids from the 'Wickerman' festival, that's going to make me feel old.

Just a photo

2010-07-21T22:40:00.000+01:00

First day without rain for ages, 1500 Phesant and 4500 Partridge are being shipped out tomorrow so I hope it lasts...

Mini Tornado ?

2010-07-16T09:10:00.000+01:00

This is just one of the sheds destroyed by the winds last night...
Even though the field looks like the footprint left by a tornado the death toll was low thank goodness.
Now for the repairs, a busy weekend ahead...

Fox visit

2010-07-08T23:27:00.000+01:00

So after days of work making the release pens safe for the birds, strimming, patching holes, putting up electric fences and so on, to keep them in and the cunning fox out, the first 1200 are spending their first night in the real world. What a great sight to see them perching in the trees and rooting for grubs.
Things have not gone so well at home though, while we were all out it seems a fox has paid us a visit and has taken 2 of our chickens, Olive and Bessie, 2 out of 1200 I can live with but 2 out of 6 has left the hen house looking very empty, not good.

Looking East

2010-07-06T04:40:00.000+01:00

Starting feeding early today as things have fallen behind due to the weekend weather. Just had to take this photo, what a start to the day.

Great waves

2010-07-04T19:16:00.000+01:00

The strong winds make for a good sea but they have also blown the sheds around and washed away the Lobster pot...
Tomorrow is clean up day.

The end of the longest day.

2010-06-21T21:48:00.000+01:00

Just caught this, been on the beach and had to drive up a very steep hill to 'catch up with the Sun'

The longest day starts

2010-06-21T05:08:00.000+01:00

Looking out over Heston Island,

A very good BBQ... With no Lanb or Chicken

2010-06-19T18:52:00.000+01:00

These better not be 'lamb burgers'

2010-06-19T18:09:00.000+01:00

What a way to spend an evening...

2010-06-11T20:17:00.000+01:00

Not a sound except for the sea,, I should have posted a video but nothing is happening.

On top of the World

2010-06-02T20:02:00.000+01:00

Looking over the Solway.... Fantastic sea mist.

Checking the pot

2010-05-28T20:32:00.000+01:00

I think we will leave it for today, the tides far to fast.

The Layers

2010-05-23T17:36:00.000+01:00

Bessie, Lizzy, Fanny, Gladis, Dorris and Olive enjoying a few grubs....

The first batch

2010-05-15T14:32:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the first batch of 'home hatched' Phesant.
Only another 8000 to go....
This group all hatched yesterday.

Troy and Molly

2010-05-12T22:53:00.001+01:00

A rather confused Troy is wondering why this creature keeps head-butting him.

From small things.....

2010-04-15T23:33:00.001+01:00

The main event of the week without any doubt has been the arrival of these two, the kids have called them 'Molly' and 'Cuddles'.
Both rejected by their mum's they have now come to live with us and with a bit of care and attention I hope they will become the backbone of our 'flock'. At the same time the chicken run has been built and we are now awaiting the delivery of six ex-battery hens, a happy retirement for them and some great eggs for us!

The game farm has now kicked into gear and in the last week we have set up the main indoor shed ready for the Pheasant chicks that will soon be emerging from the eggs we are collecting, at the same time we have set up the first 45 sheds on the 'field', ready for the Partridge that are due to arrive on the 20th, all we have to do now is connect the water and the gas. It's starting to get busy!

A Lucky Lamb

2010-04-11T00:15:00.000+01:00

So this is how the story goes.....
Out in the fields, early morning, checking for new lambs.
Find a sheep that has just lambed but no lamb in sight, after taking a good look around and still not finding anything it's time to get on and put the missing lamb down to a Fox, but the sheep knows better!

Mum (no longer Sheep) pesters and leads to a Rabbit hole, set in one of those 'Horseshoe' shaped things, I'd say 'bunkers' you get on steep fields
All that could be seen was a little nose and two eyes deep down the hole, the 'mum' had used the shelter of the land and when the lamb had touched down on Earth it's back legs had gone straight down the hole, the more it wriggled the deeper it got!

'Trog' is now doing very well as can be seen, (little black face in the middle of the photo)

Beach Camping

2010-03-06T16:59:00.004Z

All this for only £5 a night... Even in March

I shouldn't really be showing this but if you want to camp in SW Scotland you need to know.
This is 'Newton Beach' near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, if you want to camp the way it was done before showers, toilet blocks, swimming pools and laid on entertainment, then this is the best place to go in SW Scotland.
As you can see, here the tent is pitched on the beach (check the tide hight) and open fires are a must. If you like it quiet then go any month except for July and August, but even when it's busy it's fun. In the busy months the 'locals', mainly from NE England, have a huge communal fire on the beach at night and take all the kids out on their boats during the day fishing.

Lobster pots

2010-02-20T11:11:00.004Z

That's the first pot in, the top photo shows where the pot is (at the entrance to the cave mentioned in the last post), the second is looking along the coast towards the Dundrennan fireing range and the last shows the cliff I had to crawl down to get to the sea... not fun, I hate hights!
I'll be checking it on Monday, so fingures crossed!

17th Feb 2010 'Plumdally'

2010-02-17T14:46:00.003Z

Spent today erecting a deer fence in preparation for the planting of about 500 Beach trees, it was so warm, so close to the bay and not a breath of wind. I must admit, I am really pleased with the photo of the Sun, it's looking SW across 'Barlocco Bay' and the 'Solway', you can see the famous 'Solway Mist' that used to enable the smugglers to disappear like ghosts. Just over the headland on this photo is a cave that is tall enough to hide a small sailing rigg and was used by the smugglers, it's also where we are placing our Lobster pots (keep an eye out for the pics) I'm looking forward to the rewards!

12th Feb 2010

2010-02-12T17:27:00.012Z

Started to build the 'laying pens' today but due to the fantastic weather it was decided to go and do something else... Not only was it great fun but it will encourage loads of new growth, kill a lot of the 'ticks' and also help to get rid of 'Myxi' by killing the fleas.

We are building 50 small laying pens with 9 hens in each plus another 500 hens in the main pen, giving a total of 950 hens that now need to be caught over the next 4 weeks... here we go!

9th Feb 2010

2010-02-09T16:14:00.005Z

Nice sunrise this morning, it's starting to feel 'Springy'
The bird rearing season is upon us again next week, bird catching, egg collecting, hatching, pen building and all the other things that need to be done. I'm looking to post regular photos, so keep taking a quick look to see how it's going, I wonder when the first one day old chick will appear!

A Great Video 8th Feb 2010

2010-02-08T17:40:00.003Z

This video was created by a young girl from the village.... not what I was expecting but I think it's brilliant!

Today's shoot in photos 30th Jan 2010

2010-01-30T16:26:00.005Z

A few photos taken on today's shoot, only a small rough shoot but the last of the season here. Very cold first thing but by the afternoon it was fantastic.

'Apache' 26th Jan 2010

2010-01-26T22:58:00.002Z

Out all day beating, what a day...
The Stats
Beaters 4
Guns 7
Phesant 57
Shots 247

Not that bad for the end of the season and with all the walking involved a fantastic way to see the land starting to live again...
All of this set to the backdrop of a group of 'Apache' helecopters unleashing 1000's of rounds of machine gun fire about 2 miles away on the local range... I do not lie, you could feel it!
As dusk fell I made my way back home to the tune of the 'Apache', at low level and hugging the cliffs, then turning South across the sea.

Higher Ground - New Video 24th Jan 2010

2010-01-24T12:55:00.002Z

Just finished a new video for one of my songs 'Higher Ground', I love stars

22nd Jan 2010

2010-01-22T17:49:00.007Z

Having spent all day yesterday cutting wood down near the beach I have to say my back is killing me, anyway tomorrow is another day... Tomorrow's jobs, stop the lane from being washed away in 'Glen Brea', chop up another fallen branch, fix the fence it fell on and start work on the deer fence at 'Plumdally' (right next to the beach).

The gang and a great close up of my mate 'Troy'

Well I Never 19th Jan 2010

2010-01-19T17:48:00.007Z

Number 1 in the rock charts for the whole of Scotland on 'Reverbnation', after a day spent with my head down a flooded hole in the middle of a 50 acre bog I'm not quite sure which road to take!
One thing was proved today though, a 1910 trig compass & map = about 3ft accuracy, a 2009 handheld 'GPS' thingy = about 30ft accuracy.. oh well.

Our House..... 18th Jan 2010

2010-01-18T13:53:00.010Z

So this is where we live

A couple of photos taken from outside our kitchen, we get some fantastic sunrises.

Here we go... 17th Jan 2010

2010-01-17T16:53:00.001Z

It's almost a year since I thought about setting up the 'Our Scotland' website, a place for all to share their love of all things scottish.
This blog is a place for me to share my love of the everyday things I do, both on my own and with my fantastic family here in Our Scotland.

In other words, welcome to my online diary, be prepared for riveting stories about ditch digging, bird feeding, egg collecting, tree felling, beach combing, fishing, picture painting, guitar playing and all the other things that fill my day and seem to make me very tired.

Sean's Our Scotland

My latest painting 'Sailors take warning'

StenaLine Opening

One of the new cows....

Now that's what I call a jet washer!

Enjoying the sun with the 'chucks'.

This deer had no fear this morning...

Camping in the wilderness.....

Camping in the wilderness

Today I have mainly been mixing 200000 gallons of slurry.....

Today's Stock Check

Time to move into a field I think.....

I hope we have enough gas.....

Last Week of June

3 fields of grass....

Looking for mum after 'clipping'.

I don't belive it....

Checking the stock in cave field.

A Sad Day

Just started my new health course. looking forward to the results.....

Rob's chicken and camera art work...

A touch windy

Katie is has come on wonders.

Playing out in the garden...

A great way to end the day.....

Our kitchen is starting to get a little crowded...

Today I have mainly been rolling the front lawn...

Spring has sprung...

An afternoons work by myself and Rob.....

Not bad for a 37 year old....

From the sheds to the fields.... I think the lambs may like it.

Zoe helping feed

Some of the 300 cattle that get hand fed everyday.... They will be leaving for the fields soon...

When I grow up I want to be a 'Gimmer'

The third escape attempt....

The first lamb of the year....

Stoat Attack

Gary Moore

A very cold start to the day -14 here.

A distant I.O.M.

From our kitchen window

This should keep us going for a while...

Heston Island

Clearing the field is such fun....

My Top Is Missing

November 5th GCUSA auction shoot

True or False

The Season Starts

I just had to share this...

Made for two by Fen

Feeding

Sea Fishing

Frank and Zappa

My first stick

Two very content sheep

Before the storm

Creating up

Just a photo

Mini Tornado ?

Fox visit

Looking East

Great waves

The end of the longest day.

The longest day starts

A very good BBQ... With no Lanb or Chicken

These better not be 'lamb burgers'

What a way to spend an evening...

On top of the World

Checking the pot

The Layers

The first batch

Troy and Molly

From small things.....

A Lucky Lamb

Beach Camping

Lobster pots

17th Feb 2010 'Plumdally'

12th Feb 2010

9th Feb 2010

A Great Video 8th Feb 2010

Just started my new health course. looking forward to the results.....

A very good BBQ... With no Lanb or Chicken