Once a week I drive up onto the ridge above the Priory to visit Margaret.
In her large, warm kitchen we have a natter, exchanging gossip about the Priory and the village, and a cup of tea. Afterwards, I might have a nosey about the farmyard. Go and see her chickens and guinea fowl or, at this time of year, go into her cattle shed and visit her cows.
Margaret's farm through the trees and up on the hill above the Priory.
A heifer which she bought a few months ago at market, recently gave birth. Or at least she tried to; the calf, which tragically was still-born, got stuck. Poor Margaret had to tie a rope about the corpse and pull it out – all by herself. I was a little annoyed at her for not phoning me to come and help. I could have jumped on the quad bike and been up at the farm in minutes. Though truthfully I was a little relieved as well. As much as I always wanted to be James Herriott, the thought of pulling a dead calf from it’s Mum did turn me a little green about the gills.
The replacement calf
Margaret rushed over to a dairy farmer friend and bought a baby calf off him to replace the still-born. Smearing the new arrival with the cow’s placenta (sorry, you’re not eating, I hope) she managed to fool the mother into believing this replacement was actually her own baby.
Hoorah – don’t you love a happy outcome? This is the new arrival with her new mum.
There are several other baby calves in the sheds at the moment including this one, which we’ve decided has as much teddy bear blood in it as cow.
And this white one which was born a day before this photo was taken.
Here she is again a few days later.
The cattle shed, freshly cleaned out and heaped high with fresh straw, is a warm, sweet smelling place to be.
Though the thought of Margaret physically forking in the amount of hay and silage that she does every day is humbling.
Trojan (not his real name).
Opposite the cows and calves are the big boys. As well as raising beef cattle, Margaret leases out bulls to other farmers. They go out into surrounding farms to do what bulls do best; make babies.
Mr Grumpy with Proud Crosby behind (their real names).
Sadly, one of Margaret’s favourites, Elgin, recently had to be sold off as beef. Though she had had him for several years and was very fond of him, he had developed a kink in his bullhood. Unable to hit his target and consequently unable to do his duty he, very sadly, had to go. Let that be a lesson to you, boys.
Mr Grumpy
The bulls are massive. Truly massive, with heads the size of armchairs. When I first met them, Margaret hurriedly warned me not to stroked their enormous heads through the bars. Not because they’re aggressive but because if they suddenly raise or shake their heads they can easily snap an arm against the railings.
Mr Grumpy
All the cattle will remain in the sheds now until the ground is firm and the grass starts growing again. It’s a huge amount of work for Margaret as they obviously need to be fed, watered and cleaned out. That many cows, bulls and calves produce a vast amount of manure. But, hey! A vast amount of manure is a good thing. There are an awful lot of Priory roses.
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The Anxious Gardener 
Thanks Barbara, and a very Merry Christmas to you too!
Hi Jason, Mr Grumpy actually doesn't like me very much and pasticularly didn't like me taking his photo. He got his name for a reason! Happy Christmas to you and Katherine!
Dave
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A sad story to begin but a happy ending; I love the close up of Mr. Grumpy, looks quite a character! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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A brave woman, your friend Margaret. Glad that there was a happy end with the “wrong” calf.
I wish you Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012. Stay happy in your garden!
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Making merry and keeping calm! You too, Elaine. You too.
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Lovely post. Lovely pictures. Keep calm and make merry. Have a good Christmas.
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Hi Boys, yes very hands on. Often I get very tired just watching her, and I need to go and lie
down.
Thanks WW, luckily I have a manure pile down at the Priory the size of a small mountain. Very useful. Thanks for the seasons greetings – and to you!
Hi Helen, I think running a farm by yourself is an amazing feat for anyone. So I do doff my hat to Margaret. Repeatedly.
Hi Stacy, yeah it is from OIRDC – you clever old thing you. One more AG pre-Christmas post to come but a very Merry Christmas to you too.
I do too, Esther, which is why I try and make a point of dropping by and visiting them when I'm up at the farm. I was very, very brave a couple of weeks ago and went into the stalls with them (we had to reunite a calf with her Mum). With a brave and booming voice I was able to order them out of my way. But I got a little jumpy especially when they started running around me.
Reminds me of Regenholz too, Margaret, though sadly no pigs.
Ha! Jane, you've been watching Carry On's I take it. Very funny though – made me laugh. (We never did work out how he suddenly developed a kink). Merry Christmas to you!
Dave
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Oh Blub! Sniffle! Sob! Wipes tear from eye! WHat a sad story…how on earth does a bull develop a kink? Suddenly my fondness for beef has gone. I'll never be able to look at a slice without the image of a wonky doo-dar!
On that note…Merry Christmas & Happy New Year oh Anxious One…try not to fret this festive season xx
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Reminds me of Regenholz x
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I love cows. I love the smell of winter quarters.
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I always love the stories about Margaret's farm. You never sugar-coat them, but they're always very warming nonetheless. It's just good to know that even someone with a face like Mr. Grumpy's can find a safe home. Merry Christmas, Dave!
(Isn't your title from “Once in Royal David's City”…?)
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Your friend Margaret sounds like a tough person. However, I reckon if she had rung you to help the adrenalin would have kicked in and you wouldnt have felt ill.
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Those calves are gorgeous. I have to admit I don't have a very strong stomach for farmyard smells. Margaret sounds like an amazing woman and all that manure, those are pretty lucky roses. Have a great Christmas. Best wishes, Wellywoman.
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Sounds like Margaret's a very hands on lady 🙂
Hurray for a happy ending! Glad to know the foster mum has bonded successfully with the replacement calf!
And looking forward to seeing those manure fed Priory roses in the summer 🙂
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