A Day of Hope

The days between Christmas and New Year have been pretty wild here. Violent storms, 80mph gusts, drenching squalls have been the way of it. Fiona's calf was due to be born on the worst of the days. We have been stationed at the windows, binoculars at the ready, constantly - obsessively watching her for signs of imminent labour. Every time she lay down or moved slightly apart from the herd, had us calling out to each other in rising panic. Not only was it Fiona's first calf - it was ours too, and we were pretty nervous. Fiona, however, seemed oblivious to our silly alarums. She sailed about the field as gracefully as ever, finding sheltered places - enduring the elements in the way cows do. The rest of the herd were with her, of course. Was it our imagination, or were they just a bit more attentive to her? During the worst of the gales, the older cows lay down at her back, bearing the brunt of the blasts from the West. I am convinced they were protecting her. 

 But the days and nights wore on with no let up in the weather or change in Fiona's condition.

Hogmanay, though, was a beautifully calm night. The herd, conveniently, lay down on the grassy plateau outside our bedroom window, basking in the still moonlight. We went to bed early, although we were up several times checking her by torchlight - thankful that we only had to open the window and look out.

And then - by first light of the New Year's morn, we thought we saw... could it be - was that a shadow, or a ...?

Yes - it was a tiny little black calf. A wee beauty!

We kept back, - watching anxiously, as the dawn grew pink, but they knew what to do!

And, of course, all the Aunties had to visit first.

But, it was bitterly cold, the ground was soaking wet and there were a few ravens hovering around, so we decided to bring them into the big trailer we had ready - just for a day or so.

Well done Fiona - are you going to introduce your baby?

She is a beautiful black Dexter heifer calf. 

Her name is Hope.

New Year - New Life - A Wonderful Beginning.

Sending you all wishes of Hope for the year ahead. xxx


Linking in with Friday's Nature Table.