25 February, 2009
We’re being buffeted by a fresh gale* tonight, which made driving into the village to collect the Big Lad from Cubs somewhat exciting.
When we arrived home, he darted inside with his sausage supper (takeaway is his post-Cubs treat every few weeks) while I went out to the hill to check the animals.
I had to lean hard into the back door of byre to open it out into the wind—and the doorway is in a sheltered spot set at the bottom of a bank.
The chicken huts were still in position but I added a few boulders to their roofs to help them stay in place.
After that, I had to battle my way up the hill, leaning forward into the wind and being knocked back every few steps.
Gus and his hut were fine. Graham and Delilah in their hut were fine. Daisy and Daphne in theirs were fine.
The final challenge was to reach the top of the hill where Doris and her litter are living.
It’s completed exposed to the wind, but as the hut has a floor, is lined and insulated, and is very heavy they should have been fine.
Some people would be tempted to take it for granted that they were safe but not me.
I struggled up the hill, crawled under the gate (no way was I going try swinging it open or climb over it) and crabbed my way cross wind to the hut.
I managed to get over the electric fencing without getting zapped and looked inside the hut.
One sow, 10 piglets—all snoozing in a warm, cosy hut.
I bent over and worked my way around the hut, making sure the shackles that hold the upper part to the floor were secure.
Job done, I straightened up.
Thump!
The wind smacked into my chest, lifted me a couple of feet off the ground and hurled me a good 15 feet across the pen, straight into the electric netting.
Zap. *&*^^%/!
Zap. *&^%^&*($!
Zap. *(^£$£%@!
I finally managed to free myself, fixed the fence (with a few more zaps), and made my way back down the hill. At a flying run with the wind now behind me.
I think the Other Half thought I’d finally lost it when I came staggering through the door, zapped, stunned, wind blown and looking even more demented than usual.
Ah, the joys of the crofting life.
* According to the UK Wind Map we’re experiencing a 30-40mph westerly. It feels a lot stronger than that!
I bet you said
‘That smarts!’
“Shocking, positively shocking.”
One could say you got a
real buzz out of it………..
snigger, snigger!
Ah now I see you are practising to join your fellow ‘flyers’
http://www.rense.com/general66/humsan.htm
did you gain any superhuman powers after the event?
ROFLMAO dedication always hurts if it doesn’t hurt you are not dedicated ROFLMAO
Stoney went to see his pigs one day
But a gust of wind blew him away!
It was on the electric fence he landed
But luckily he was zapped not branded.
Stoney cursed and Stoney swore;
The piggies rolled with laughter on the floor
Thanks. I know exactly where to turn for sympathy…
And Vetnurse, I hope you’re really, really, really dedicated!
gee thanks Stoney hehehe
I hope Doris didn’t hear you teaching her piglets words like that!