Today is most definitely THE most unusual and unconventional way I have spent a day of my Christmas holidays. As I finished dressing this morning, my husband, who had been up for hours, came in and glanced at the circle dress, cardigan and tights I wore and said, "No, you need to dress warmly in old clothing!". Intrigued? So was I!
I put on alternative garments and he bustled me into the car.
"Where are we going?" I asked in query as we zoomed along the Roman Road.
"Let's just say that today's Christmas treat is going to be an experience!" he smirked which made me more than a little apprehensive.
Some twenty minutes later, we drew up in front of what looked like a farm- well in Northumerland lots of places look like farms to the untrained eye such as mine. We got out and a lady dressed in wellies and brown-waxed jacket came over to us and exclaimed, "Welcome to Allendale farm and welcome to your days-gone-by farm experience. If you'd like to follow me..."
She led us into a barn where I was greeted by the sight of seven other ladies and girls ranging from teen to late twenties. Oh, and eight cows!
She invited each of us to crowd round one of the cows and explained that we'd be learning the traditional style of milking a cow! Ok, so I am remarkably cack-handed at anything remotely practical of this kind and as I watched her demonstrating, I was reminded of being shown how to saddle a pony in the Wye valley, aged 12 and what a mess I made of that!
Suddenly aware that I'd been lost in thought throughout most of the demonstration, no doubt gawping absentmindedly into the distance, I shook myself and tried to catch the rest of the demonstration. Oh heck, I didn't have a clue! She invited each of us to take our place on a small stool under our cow which definitely didn't look big or stable enough for my own modest-sized derriere. The other seven of the girls walked confidently over to their bovine ladies, chatting and laughing. I walked slowly over to my own lady moo, who I am absolutely certain turned and fixed me with the evil eye as I came towards her. How do animals just KNOW when you fear them? Her name was Sunshine. I think not. I have not met a more grumpy animal. Wet weekend with hurricane and tornado whilst shivering in a tent would suit her better. As I sat on my stool and attempted to ring in the new year on her udders, she leaned suddenly against me, causing me to overbalance on my stool. Grumpy cow!
I won't bore you with the details of the whole sordid process but eventually, I managed to succeed in producing some milk which I was ecstatic about after a few more incidents with Sunshine.
I glanced around the room as the sweat on my brow accumulated and thought of how funny it was that eight of us girls were here milking cows on New Year's Day!
We thanked our hosts who effusively handed us leaflets listing the various short farming experiences they offered and we headed back home.
I had told my husband that I wanted to learn some new skills but I think I got slightly more than I bargained for!
I put on alternative garments and he bustled me into the car.
"Where are we going?" I asked in query as we zoomed along the Roman Road.
"Let's just say that today's Christmas treat is going to be an experience!" he smirked which made me more than a little apprehensive.
Some twenty minutes later, we drew up in front of what looked like a farm- well in Northumerland lots of places look like farms to the untrained eye such as mine. We got out and a lady dressed in wellies and brown-waxed jacket came over to us and exclaimed, "Welcome to Allendale farm and welcome to your days-gone-by farm experience. If you'd like to follow me..."
She led us into a barn where I was greeted by the sight of seven other ladies and girls ranging from teen to late twenties. Oh, and eight cows!
She invited each of us to crowd round one of the cows and explained that we'd be learning the traditional style of milking a cow! Ok, so I am remarkably cack-handed at anything remotely practical of this kind and as I watched her demonstrating, I was reminded of being shown how to saddle a pony in the Wye valley, aged 12 and what a mess I made of that!
Suddenly aware that I'd been lost in thought throughout most of the demonstration, no doubt gawping absentmindedly into the distance, I shook myself and tried to catch the rest of the demonstration. Oh heck, I didn't have a clue! She invited each of us to take our place on a small stool under our cow which definitely didn't look big or stable enough for my own modest-sized derriere. The other seven of the girls walked confidently over to their bovine ladies, chatting and laughing. I walked slowly over to my own lady moo, who I am absolutely certain turned and fixed me with the evil eye as I came towards her. How do animals just KNOW when you fear them? Her name was Sunshine. I think not. I have not met a more grumpy animal. Wet weekend with hurricane and tornado whilst shivering in a tent would suit her better. As I sat on my stool and attempted to ring in the new year on her udders, she leaned suddenly against me, causing me to overbalance on my stool. Grumpy cow!
I won't bore you with the details of the whole sordid process but eventually, I managed to succeed in producing some milk which I was ecstatic about after a few more incidents with Sunshine.
I glanced around the room as the sweat on my brow accumulated and thought of how funny it was that eight of us girls were here milking cows on New Year's Day!
We thanked our hosts who effusively handed us leaflets listing the various short farming experiences they offered and we headed back home.
I had told my husband that I wanted to learn some new skills but I think I got slightly more than I bargained for!