大象传媒

Happy Memories - Hay Making.

Despite the weariness of working from dawn to dusk, the immense satisfaction of a huge barn crammed full of sweet smelling hay. Especially if rain had been forecast and we were happy in the knowledge that 'all was safely gathered in'. The joy mixed with trepidation, when I was detailed to drive the two huge shire horses, pulling a wagon filled high with hay, from the field to the farm. Having had no previous experience of working with them, I was fearful that we might collide with the gateposts and bring the load crashing to earth. my fears were groundless, those two wonderful gentle giants knew exactly how to position themselves to safely negotiate the gateway. I arrived at the farm triumphant, having done absolutely nothing but hold the reins!

Not So Happy Memories.
My first interview with a very grumpy farmer, who was obviously anti-land-girls from the start.
Farmer: "You're not afraid of cows are you?"

Me (brightly): "oh no, I have cows."

Farmer (growling): "I don't want you to love'em, I want you to milk 'em."

This slightly sadistic old man, knowing I had a fear of heights, sent me up on the high roof of the cow shed to sweep moss off the tiles!

hrashing time was a bit of an ordeal as the young owner of the threshing machine fancied himself as a practical joker. He would delight (on finding nests of mice, of which there were plenty) in filling the pockets of my discarded jacket with baby mice, Once, horror, of horrors, he even dropped a live mouse down my back and I was forced to flee to a secluded spot and disrobe.

On one occasion when the cattle were indoors for winter, I was cleaning the mangers and one cow became annoyed at this interference and deftly upended me into he forestall. Fortunately she had been de-horned so the only injury was to my dignity!

Having started this reminiscing I could go on and on, but I would just like to say that I wouldn't have missed those four years in the Land Army for the world!

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