Firstly I can now say that I have seen three moose together, which is apparently quite rare!! I didn't manage to get a photo but it was quite exciting to see them.

My second week has definitely been more hectic than the first. The cows were due to calve last Friday and they have definitely reached their due date!! Anywhere between 20 and 30 calves are been born each day so there is lots of tagging and calf saving going on.

For some reason they don't name their paddocks so they just refer to each one by the mob of cows or something i.e. the red cows, the black cows or Bob's cows. In the heifers paddock they have a little shed where they can put calves if it is too cold. It is quite funny to see the little calves sitting in some straw inside a small house!!!

I did my first solo save the other day and I would have to say that was quite stressful!! I went out a little late for the check and found a heifer just starting at around 8:30. I decided to go back to the house to see if Perry was home but he was still at a meeting. I went back to the paddock at about 9:15 and had to run the heifer into the yards in the dark. Then fumbled around with the calf puller (which I had only seen used once) but eventually got it all sorted. I thought the calf was dead but luckily he was still breathing. Was quite exhausting by myself as he was quite a big calf but eventually he came out. I sat out there for about half an hour in the rain making sure the heifer mothered him. By that time I was ready to go to sleep in the shed with an orphan calf but the coyote's howling soon sent me home pretty quick!! Got in at 10:30pm but it was definitely worth the effort.

Since this calf we have pulled another 5 heifers as well as some older cows so I am pretty much a pro now. The main problem with the older cows is either backwards calves or twins. I have also developed my own style for tagging. When they are still pretty fresh they are relatively easy to tag as long as the mum isn't too protective. However, when they are a little older and faster, I ride up behind them on the Quad then jump off and run them down…let's just say I am getting plenty of exercise!!

I also went horse riding the other day and that was fun. It is interesting to ride in the western style which is quite different. They are extremely proud of the horns on their saddles and constantly remind me of all the benefits they provide (hanging things on, holding onto etc.). I would have to say that I agree and Perry has told me that it is likely I will buy my own western saddle to take home!!

At the start of the week the weather had improved with some sunshine and warm days. However yesterday and today have been quite windy and that makes it pretty cold. I am definitely looking forward to it being warm on a regular basis!!!

Photos to come…..