Haying with horses

August in the Cariboo-Chilcotin means haying time. Our 20 acres of hay meadows have been hayed for more than 100 years. The old timers in the area know these meadows well as do their children and many of their grandkids.

This year, as in years past, our friend and closest neighbour; Gordon Woods brought in his team of horses to hay the meadows the old fashioned way.

One of his Belgians; Jerry, is an old hand at haying ~ the mare is new to the task this year and Gord is quite pleased with how well she's taken to it.

Friends and family pitch in at different stages of the haying ritual.

A lunch break; and Gord's sister Vi from Kamloops tucks herself into the little log cabin and puts out an awesome spread for the crew including her own incredibly delicious smoked salmon.

It was a good crop of hay this year and it will help keep Gordon's livestock well fed this winter.

August on the meadow

We awoke to a very frosty world this morning. Summer is not long here. Here are a few pics to capture August on the meadow.

The main hay fields looking toward the house and cabin.

And, the first of the hay laid down :)

Our three little robins on their last day in the nest. And the tree; no more than 5 feet tall where mama robin built her nest. Right next to the horseshoe pits too !!

Lovely pastoral scenes.

The sheep enjoying their green pasture and the blue skies.

Below, 'Mister' our 4 year old ram watches a deer up on the ridge. Look at all those beetle killed pines!! So much to do. All of it enjoyable.

Early August days

Today is overcast with light showers.

These are beautiful summer days, made especially nice by our cool meadow nights.

Here are a few photographs David took the other day. One of the 'Standing People'; a gigantic spruce tree ( David's brother Vinny can be seen at the base of the tree), an old corral and some pretty summer thistles.