FROM THESE QUIET HILLS

  Here in the quiet of the morning, it can become easy to forget there is a world of turmoil and change out there, as world leaders are overthrown, global weather patterns are causing disruption and chaos and were it not for the modern inventions of super-fast world wide and satellite communications we would be blissfully unaware of it all, just plodding along in comparative ignorance of all but that which is close to us in our daily interaction with our surroundings. Looking carefully, there is just so much to be noticed.
 Compared to the world chaos, the visitor may see scenes of rural idyll, peace and harmony here on these wonderful Welsh hills ... not much seemingly happening ... 

as sheep quietly graze the days away ...

  Here on the mountain it's deceptively active, it's tupping time. Most of the sheep have been gathered in from the commons where they've run free all over the summer months and the rams who have been in the in-bye fields are starting to swagger and sway in anticipation of fathering the next generation. The farmers markets have been hectic over the last months with ram, ewe and lamb sales as they prepare to improve their flocks with new breeding lines. All the ewes are being checked over for their health and treated against pests and diseases, it's a busy time of year because next years income depends on good animal husbandry now and in all the many months to come. 

  It's been reported in the news that meat and wool market prices are high, which they are, but following on from a poor arable harvest year, feed as well as hay and straw prices have also risen like the tide to re-balance the market advantages.
  The moorland now has time to recover from months of grazing. The heather now past it's best is fading into the autumnal back ground after a brilliant blaze of purple display and without the white french-knots of sheep on the patchwork of the heath it looks rather bare.   The trees in their autumnal glory are rapidly losing their leaves which swirl in kaleidoscope craziness like battered butterflies. It's all beginning to look rather bare as the now biting icy winds whip across the tops; winter is approaching at speed it seems.
  And across the seas in another sheep producing land, New Zealand ... yes sadly our Rugby team was only just beaten into fourth place by the Australians, 21 - 18. Hence the hills are hushed as disappointed fans quietly resume their day with much post match discussion.
  Still "Always look on the bright side of life" we have the Six Nations ahead next year!