Sheep Dogs and Farmers
A day out in the snow.
Laden down,
as usual,
with backpacks full of ‘stuff’
just in case.
Poles to hike up the hills, food, warm clothes
and other paraphernalia.
So, trudge up.
Admiring the white world unfolding,
enjoying the quite of a weekday walk.
When whistles, and shouts began to pervade the silence.
Looking back down Corra Breast striding towards us, a farmer and an unusual looking sheepdog.
Not the usual collie. This big friendly dog called Bruce was a New Zealand Huntaway. Bred to bark on command and gather the sheep this way.
Thirlmere from Steel Fell
They soon went striding off up the hill at a pace I had no chance of keeping up with. Unadorned or hindered by any backpacks.
Steel Fell
From Steel Fell to Calf Crag they disappeared, conspicuous only by tracks of sheep and dog.
We eventually spotted them down in Greenburn Bottom as we dropped down of Rough Crag. Ideas of continuing to Helm Crag abandoned with increasing wind and grey clouds approaching.
Greenburn
Needless to say, dogs, sheep and farmer soon disappeared from view and by the time we reached the end of the valley the sheep with safely penned with not a farmer or dog to be seen.
