In most years a small herd of cows graze on Croft Hill to control the thistles and encourage wildflowers. They also deposit tasty snacks for our passing dogs, who quickly scoop a sneaky mouthful, knowing that they are about to be told to “Leave It!”
I thought that this was going to be one of the occasional “cow free” years until we were taken by surprise by several heifers (for the townies among you, these are young cows yet to have a calf) as we went to cross the stile onto the Hill. That night we (well Chantal) were disturbed by the cows on the Hill bellowing to a herd across the fields in front of the house – presumably the Hill heifers had been taken from this herd.
Having met the cows, we took an alternative route, however Croft Hill is a very convenient early morning walk before work, with grassy paths cropped by rabbits when the paths around fields behind us are overgrown with tall, and, in the early morning, very wet, wild grasses, and so the following morning found me and two dogs peering inquisitively over the stile.
An initial assessment indicated a heifer free zone, but then the herd came trotting across in front of us, fortunately heading at a reasonable pace for the gate in the far corner of the hillside. Once they were out of sight, at least as far as the dogs were concerned, I let the dogs through the small dog gate in the stile, and we headed up the Hill. It became clear that one cow had enjoyed a lie in, and we met her as she emerged out of the woods, on the trail of the rest of the herd. Lesia came close to me on command, but Tia decided to investigate further, and ran after the cow, who was not in the slightest bit bothered, and after a brief run, Tia returned to me, to my relief – even a young heifer can deliver a sharp kick.
Since then the herd has always been together, and we have avoided them on our morning walk.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
