High And Dry

It's not everyday that you come across a life saving ring in the middle of the countryside. But this one is  at the farmed at Beauvale Priory.

Maybe it is used for something different other than saving people from drowning. There is a lake on the farm which I think has fish in it. But it's quite a distance away, so hopefully it may never be needed.

You Can Call Me Al

It was Open Farm Sunday around the country today and so I popped up to Beauvale Priory Farm near Eastwood.

I've been there many times, both as a visitor and as an actor, where I dressed up as a monk and we told the story of the people that lived in the priory during the 14th century and how the monastery was closed by Henry the Eighth in about 1537.

Besides the usual chickens that really are free range, as they have the run of the farm, and are often seen hassling the visitors who sit outside the cafe, they have now taken delivery of a couple of alpacas.

Related to llamas, but a bit smaller and a lot more cuter. Just look at this fellow, isn't he adorable?

The Cat With Eight Lives Left

I heard a rather sad story today while I was up at Beauvale Priory, giving guided tours whilst dressed up as a monk.

It concerns this little kitten, and a black one that were happily sitting in cage together. Anne the farmers wife said that the owner was going to drown them, as he didn't want them. But she managed to rescue them before they met their fate. Anne said that she had found the black one a new home, but this little mite was still homeless.

Anne continued to say that they she couldn't keep him, as obviously on a farm he would keep chasing the chickens that roam freely around the place.

He's so adorable, just like a tiny version of Oscar. If we didn't have two cats already, I would be tempted to adopt him.

It's upsetting to know that someone decided that this little cat had no value and was not therefore entitled to lead a life. How cruel and heartless is that.

What should have happened of course is that the kitten's father should have been taken to the vet for a little op so that there's no opportunity for unwanted kittens.

But now that he is here, I hope that he finds a loving home soon, and is looked after as part of someone's family.

A Close Shave

I was up at Beauvale Priory this evening to do some rehearsals, as part of the Eastwood Festival.

I am once again going to be dressing up as a monk and giving guided tours of the former Carthusian monastery.

There was a bit of fun going on when I got there. A load of sheep had escaped as they were being rounded up for sheering. The farmhands and some of my fellow actors were running around a field and waving their arms about, in trying to get the sheep to go into a pen. I was disappointed in a way that I arrived too late to help.

So when the fun was over, we got down to some work, while the farm workers could get on with theirs.

After we had finished the rehearsal, I grabbed my OMD and was lucky enough to capture the last sheep of the night getting their regimental short back and sides for the summer.

There were quite a few sheep still to be done. But the shearer opened the pen gate and let them out. It was like a stampede as they all ran out and up the field to be out of the way.

Yes, you looking sheepish, don't worry, you have a date with the barber tomorrow.

Out In The Country

A bit of an arty shot today. This was taken up at the farm on which stands the remains of Beauvale Priory.

I used one of the art filters in the OMD, and just did a little tweak or two in iPhoto.