Herdys and Belties

We drove down to the Lake District to visit James Rebanks' farm - the invitation was due to having contributed a modest sum to a crowdfunder for his small herd of Belted Galloway cattle, now established. This happened a couple of years ago, but previous plans for open days had to be shelved due to the pandemic. We found the farm easily and were treated to cups of tea and pieces of gingerbread while JR told us about what had been going on on the farm (a lot of 're-wilding' including re-wiggling the river) with contributions from his missus Helen and a couple of environmentalists who'd been working with them on the various schemes. Really very impressive. Then we were taken to meet the Belties - he'd kept some hay for us to feed them with so they were very keen. I'll put a series of photos in the extras, but the main blip had to be the little Herdwick lamb we saw in the barn as we were leaving - apparently she's been poorly and so isn't allowed back out on the hill with her family yet.

Then we drove down to Tebay services where we stayed at the hotel overnight and had a truly delicious meal (this is my early birthday treat).

Extras: JR walking up from his house to meet us at the barn, with his wee boy Tom: DH getting a shot of the ladies: young calf 'Dolly Parton': a general hurly-burly: JR watching his beasts.