Where Sheep do Roam (on Roads)

With my NZ sheep farming background, I like sheep and have been thinking today of things Ovine. My recent trip to the Peak District had me wandering around the Chatsworth grounds on a beautiful sunny (if crisp) winters day. Sheep were happily grazing in the sunshine.  It also happened that they were thronging on the estate roads like drunken youths on a Friday night.

It soon became clear that the estate team had been assiduously salting/gritting the roads against ice, perhaps not realising that sheep love nothing more than a good salt lick... It was hilarious to see them all with their heads down licking the roads en masse while traffic backed up in both directions. Fearless, they were.

It contrasted with my recent mid summer NZ trip and the hot dusty Hawkes Bay country roads. A lot of sheep being moved on roads shimmering in 32 degree heat. A lot of slow, patient driving following dogs, quad bikes and flocks of bobbing sheeps bums. I could almost see my 14 yr old self following on foot, flapping her arms and going Shooossshhh shooossshhh til they were though the gates. Sigh....

Loving the Lonely Ones...

I realise it's been a looooonnnnngggg time since I signed on and wrote a blog.  Not sure why - I got busy, got out of the habit etc etc.  But Valentines day seemes to be a propitious time to pick it up again.

I've been pondering on love this morning.  How it can be so hard to find, and sometimes, so hard to hang on to. But love comes in many guises and we should throw that love out there, regardless. Friends, family, children, pets, gardens, favourite books - what's not to love?

But I also spare a special thought for those without love in their lives - the lost, the lonely, the isolated and the aged or ill. Or just those who can't feel the love around them.  These are the people who need it most.

Valentines Day can be bittersweet. While the lucky celebrate it with their loved ones, for others it only highlights the hole in their lives. Lets make it less Commercial (with a capital C), and focus on more tender and loving kindness in the world...