Spring!

The first sign of Spring for me is seeing my neighbour Lucy's lambs in her front field. The field is right outside my house so I have a good view of them and of their antics! Everyday about 3pm they perform what is known in our household as 'lamby races!' A whole bunch of them race around the parameter of the field and always at the same time. It's the same year in, year out with all the different lambs that are born next door! It is really funny to watch.

This is Lucy with one of her new-born lambs. He will go outside after a couple of days, weather permitting! The mothers are very protective of their lambs and will stamp a foot if you get too close especially if they are a first time mother. My husband's family have been in farming for many years and my mother-in-law Jennie always had a 'sock' lamb to look after when she was a girl. Sock lambs are lambs that need feeding either because they are orphaned or because they are one of a multiple birth and the mother needs a helping hand. Jennie has always kept sheep as did her Father. I thought I would leave you with one of Jennie's poems which is about him. I find this poem very moving...

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The Shepherd

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With every new born lamb

I see his hands

Gnarled, weathered

Yet so able to deliver

That yellow squirming mass

Of unfolding anxious limbs.

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In every smothered bleat

Uttered by those mothering

Their freshly suckled young,

I hear his voice,

Gruff, confident and hushed,

Words for sheep alone.

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On every bud-burnt night

I hear his tread,

The rasp of boots on frozen grass

and see those misty mounds

He tends

Where the land lies sheltered.

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With every flower and frond

I lay upon this marble

I see a man

Who cleaves the burrs and briars

And tells of warmth and calm

In Spring to come.

Comments

[Beachy]

What a beautiful poem! There is something so ancient, pure, and gentle in shepherding! It's one of the things I've always associated with England! I love their sweet faces. And the thought of that little lamb dance just makes me smile!

[Andrea]

I adore these pictures! It makes me want to march right out and get me some lambs! Ah well - we have goats which is very entertaining but they aren't as sweet as those little faces.

You have a very lovely blog and a very lovely home. Thank you for sharing pictures.

[Cherry Menlove]

It is my dream to see lambs born and I will search for a working farm when we finally move to our new house. I love them so much and have had a lamb named after me. You are so lucky to have such a lovely neighbour, and the poem is wonderful. I have loved reading this post.

Cherry xxx

[Sue]

What a lovely post. Takes me right back to my childhood. And what a poignant poem. Lovely ...

[debbie]

awww, that little lamb is SO sweet!!!!! debbie =)

[tracy]

How wonderful to have a view like that x
The poem is lovely - thank you for sharing.
Tracy x

[Clare]

Oh those beautiful little lambs - a real sign of Spring! It's probably best not to think where they'll be going...

Clare x

[Soleil]

That lamb is so delicious I want to kiss him. Now my children want to get a lamb. Told them we need to move to a farm first. Thank you for sharing. I grew up down the road from a sheep farm.

Sheila from Michigan, USA

[Marion]

I'm not a particularly sentimental soul but your beautiful poem reduced me to tears thinking of my own father. My parents separated when I was eleven and I so missed my dad when he was no longer around. Thank you for your beautiful words.