Greetings all

[Helen380]

oh yes,Heidi, you are right - husband said the same thing - but "carts" are a bit harder to find than a horse these days! especially the old ones in reasonable condition.
We have a lead now on an ex trotter = sounds good, just need a few more details on her history and she may be the one.
Never tasted sheep milk cheese myself and I will have to like it to persist. Some of our ewes are quiet - especially since the drought and all the hand feeding. I plan to "share" with the lamb, and may end up hand milking. I had a Jersey last year - it became difficult to milk her once the space behind the bales( where the cow could see the calf) became too small, she could cunningly hold her milk from us!
Cheers
Helen

[Helen380]

Well all great with the Buggy - went and got it last weekend and the horse " kitty" will have been here for 2 weeks tomorrow. She is a four year old black extrotter. What a lovely nature she has - we have harnessed her up to the buggy the last 2 nights and toured the back roads! What an absolute joy! Luckily my husband is quite experienced with this mode of transport and I have the L plates on The cheese making day is on Wednesday ( St Pats day) so its off to Lancefield. 2 Weeks until the Stud ewes start lambing, then the milking challenge will be on! All for now
Cheers
Helen

[BJTJ]

HI Helen
that just sounds great - will be interested to see how you go with your milking sheep. Our Ewes don't lamb until end of May so we are planning how and where we will do the milking. Did you say you had the cups for sheep milking? BJ

[minnie]

Hi Helen,

I can picture that buggy ride... sounds lovely.

Vicki

[Heidi]

yes...buggy ride sounds wonderful. Pack a picnic lunch sometimes and enjoy it!!!
Heidi

[Mojojo]

Oh wow, the buggy and horse sounds fantastic. I can just imagine it, would have been quite a sight for any passing traffic! Not something I can say I've ever seen on the road.
I have a dream of a cart + saddle trained shire horse. Sigh. I'm sure it will stay just that, a dream.

[Helen380]

I don't know what happened to the last 2 posts I put here!!! I hope it goes ok this time. The cheesemaking class was brilliant - I made Parmesan, only problem is it takes 12 months to ripen. My sister made Haloume and cottage cheese - the next class is late April where the penicillium Candida and Rochfort moulds will be used. The ewes a couple of days off lambing now, then the milk supply begins.
We have had Kitty the 4yo ex trotter for 5 weeks now and the Box Piano Buggy for 4 weeks, I am learning the art of driving from my hubby and I find the whole experience just as enjoyable as I had imagined.
Happy Easter all
Helen

[minnie]

Hi Helen,

I think the cheesemaking course sounds brilliant.

Still picturing that horse and buggy, and it makes me feel all peaceful.

Vicki

[childoftheearth]

Hi Helen

When I was a child we didn't exactly live in the country, but we did live in a waaaay outer suburb of Melbourne. Town still had a real weekly market with cattle and sheep auctions, and there was an older man who drove his horse and buggy to market every week.

Now "civilzation" has caught up and the market is long gone, but the thought of you and kitty has brought back many lovely memories.

I hope you have a long and happy partnership.

Regards
Elaine

[minnie]

Hi Elaine,

You've just given me an old memory... of the Penfolds Delivery man in Sydney when I first starting working.

He drove for many years (don't think he does anymore) a Clydesdale and wagon to delivery the stationary all over the CBD.

Vicki

[mallee11]

Clydesdale !!!lovely horses ,We took four foster children on a wagon holiday for seven days ,touring the old homesteads of the Yorke peninsula sitting around campfires with other families ,definitely a relaxing holiday

[childoftheearth]

I have to admit to being old enough to remember the steady clink of milk bottles and the voice of the milkman chivvying his horse along in the predawn hours. Happy days!

Elaine

[Helen380]

Hi there, I'm glad your minds and memories are enjoying the horse and cart days! It is a relaxing thing to do and any visitors enjoy it as well - havn't qiute done the picnic thing yet but have a couple of long distance friends booked in when thbusy lambing the ey visit. Easter was the last little tour - since then we have been busy lambing the dorset ewes down - this involves checking on them, bringing the twins and mums in to pens to make sure they are feeding well, drifting single lambs and mothers from lambing paddockto better feed padock. As yet I havn't milked any ewes - next cheese making class - for mould cheese ison the 28th of this month, maybe then be able to get some milking done !
Till next time, smile your best smile
Helen

[dggoatlover]

Wow Helen sounds wonderful! I would love to train a couple of my goats into harness. Apparently goat racing is enjoying a surge of popularity again up this way!

Good luck with the cheese can't wait to hear how your first batch goes when you time to put some up!
Des