Hello from Sunny Suffolk

[Kimbo]

Thought I'd say hi, I live in Ipswich and came across this site a few days ago.

Although I live in the town, I'm a country girl at heart, I ride horses and am a qualified shepherdess.

any other suffolk folk on here?

Kim

[The Chili Monster]

Hi Kimbo
Welcome to the site.
Sheep ... don't get me started - I must be the only owner of a Border collie that's scared of sheep?!

[Andy Hamilton]

You could be our first shepherdess it is an honour.

Welcome to the forum.

[Chickpea]

Hi Kimbo, welcome. How does one become a qualified shepherdess?

[ina]

Hiya Kimbo, welcome to the SSishers!

Be prepared - I'll be picking your brains... I'm probably the only one here on the forum who actually works with sheep - although I'm not a shepherdess! And I don't work with dogs, either.

[chadspad]

Hi Kimbo,

Its a great site!!

I used to live in Thetford, not so far away from u.

Chili Monster - I have a border collie thats frightened of everything!!

[Kimbo]

thanks for the nice welcome! I studied Agriculture a few years back, and when my course finished I run the college sheep flock along with milking the goat herd! Goats are my fave, such characters I had to give it all up when I hurt my back I know work in an office

However getting a couple of jacobs of my own in the near future, so all is not lost!

[Shirley]

Hi Kimbo

Welcome to the site.

We used to have sheep but we've now got goats... not that there is anything wrong with sheep of course... our ryelands were lovely.

[ina]

Hi Kimbo

Which college did you go to? I did a postgrad degree at the SAC in Aberdeen a few years back - I know you weren't there, because they don't have goats! I've done a lot of milking in my life, too; cows as well as goats. But you are right, it's back breaking work; in fact, I know hardly anybody who works in farming, especially with livestock, and doesn't develop a backproblem over the years. I have to watch it; most of my colleagues have problems (either with their backs, or with a shoulder that keeps popping out of joint...). The days I used to lift a 50kg sack of calf feed are definitely over! I've done a shearing course, but I know I'll never be able to do it - well, maybe some time in future, for a couple of sheep of my own - but it's just too hard on my back and knees.

They say that 20% of the British dairy herd is lame; nobody ever mentions that about 80% of the British farmers are lame, too! (My guesstimate - don't quote me on that!)

Can't you get a job in a farm office? I was thinking of that some years back. That way you can stay in contact with farming, use your knowledge, and let the others do the hard work... I'm quite lucky with my job, it's a mix of "physical" and desk work, so it doesn't get too bad.

[Millymollymandy]

any other suffolk folk on here?

Kim

My great grandfather came from Suffolk. Will that do?

Hi and welcome to the forum!