Now don't go expecting anything soppy from Ol' Dafad here. it's not my style. Also the observant amongst you may have noticed that yesterdays post was dated February 14th.
You didn't? Well no matter because I didn't realise until today that this old pooter was a day ahead of it's time, a problem hopefully just sorted, so it really is Valentines Day today.
As for my sheep back home ... methinks it's a bit late for the old ovine chat up lines.
The tups were doing all that back last October/November and are now well rested and as for the ewes, who were scanned quite a while back, they will be starting to lamb soon,
with the main lot being born over March and April when the hills will become alive with sounds of tremulous young voices as the next generation starts springing over the fields.
Dafad here will be back home by then and ... apart from the worry about how the Schmallenburg virus will effect the lambing rate, I'm looking forward to being home.
Now ... for those who are not Welsh "Hiraeth" is a unique word in the language. Put at it's simplest it means homesickness, but it means far more than that, it is a sense of belonging to the land, feeling firmly rooted in Wales. Also nostalgia for the people, and obviously things like supporting the rugby teams either national or local and of course the wonderful sound of the Welsh male voice choirs. Wales is a land of poetry and song and the feelings of loyalty are strong but ... one can only really appreciate the meaning of the word once one has moved away from the home country and feel pulled magnetically to return ... home. And that is where Dafad will be heading shortly. Unlike me, the mad mutt is Welsh born and his excitement as we reach the border into Wales and increases as we travel over Bleanavon's bleak hills and head up the steep, windy mountain road towards home.
<<< Well at least the ducks may miss the dog or the other way round maybe and much as he has enjoyed the new scents in the fenland around here and has seen deer and hares running wild in the wide open, local fields. I just know that like me ... he would rather be back in mountain sheep country.
A border collie who knows which side of the border he would rather be. I'm looking forward to days on the mountain again, catching up with the farmers.
As for my sheep back home ... methinks it's a bit late for the old ovine chat up lines.
Dafad here will be back home by then and ... apart from the worry about how the Schmallenburg virus will effect the lambing rate, I'm looking forward to being home.
Now ... for those who are not Welsh "Hiraeth" is a unique word in the language. Put at it's simplest it means homesickness, but it means far more than that, it is a sense of belonging to the land, feeling firmly rooted in Wales. Also nostalgia for the people, and obviously things like supporting the rugby teams either national or local and of course the wonderful sound of the Welsh male voice choirs. Wales is a land of poetry and song and the feelings of loyalty are strong but ... one can only really appreciate the meaning of the word once one has moved away from the home country and feel pulled magnetically to return ... home. And that is where Dafad will be heading shortly. Unlike me, the mad mutt is Welsh born and his excitement as we reach the border into Wales and increases as we travel over Bleanavon's bleak hills and head up the steep, windy mountain road towards home.
A border collie who knows which side of the border he would rather be. I'm looking forward to days on the mountain again, catching up with the farmers.
As the old, weather-wise country lore saying goes "Red sky at night ... shepherds delight!
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