We’ve been on holiday, staying at the wonderful Coombe Mill in Cornwall. It’s been a holiday packed full of adventures, explorations and fun. The children have absolutely adored it, and I’ve so much about it to share with you, that I’m breaking it down, bit by bit!
The first story that comes to mind is a special one. We were out on the morning feed run on Tuesday, when we spotted that one of the sheep had had a little lamb over night. We all went on up to see how mother and baby were doing, and Farmer Nick informed us that by the looks of things, the lamb could only have been born in the last few hours. It was lovely watching them there together, with the little lamb wobbling about on her legs. Nick suggested we move them both down to the lower field, where it was safer from foxes, and he felt there may still be another lamb due to be born. So, a fellow holiday-maker grabbed the sheep and we all made to walk down to the field with the little lamb following along.
As we started to walk, there was a shout of ‘oh, look, she’s just had another one’, and there was another little white and black lamb right there on the floor in front of us! I have to say I was impressed that the mum was just about to be man-handled down to another field whilst in the final throes of labour, and made no sound or protestations at all! So we all backed away a little and gave the new little family some space.
It was amazing, seeing how mum knew just what to do, clearing her lamb’s airways first, then licking him clean and nurturing him. We left them to bond, and continued on to feed the goats and donkeys, and as we were riding back, little one was already up on his feet – animals are so much more impressive than humans!
Sadly, the following day when we went back, the mother had rejected her first born, and was refusing to allow her to feed and kept nudging her out of the shelter and away from her. She is thriving, though, in the warmth of Coombe Mill’s farmhouse, so hopefully she will be fine.
We’re assured that the feed run has never seen a live birth before, so we felt very privileged and were so fortunate with our timing. It was a special moment.
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Yes I have seen so many animal births (mostly our dogs and cats, and 1 human birth courtesy of my cousin who gave birth at home) and its amazing how straight forward the process is. Its really beautiful to witness, seeing new life come out before your eyes.
It is beautiful and a moment to treasure, I think.
What a coincidence! The goat who gave birth at Miller’s Ark was very vocal though I have to say! Animals are more impressive than humans for about ten minutes then we take over I feel 😉
Mm, you do make a good point!
What an experience, I wonder if the mother welcomed the lamb after the initial rejection?
No, she hasn’t. Fiona is still sharing the tales over on the Coombe Mill blog – the lamb is enjoying lots of cuddles from the family there!
Oh I love animals! So much. My #whatsthestory this week is goats trying to attack me. Looks beautiful. Sigh wish I had land and goats and sheep. Would be amazing xxx
It would be, though hard work, too!
Snap on our stories this week! It was the highlight of the week on the farm and lovely to hear the same tale from your perspective. You will be pleased to know Ebony is very much thriving and spend much of yesterday in the sunshine with the other sheep who she has learned not to try and drink from. They children bring her back late afternoon and dote on her till bed time.
Ah, lovely to hear she’s thriving and having a little time out there in the sun, too 🙂
I love lamps. Love the birth story. You’ve said it so well. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Oh how very lovely, what added magic to your stay. I’m sure Fiona and her family will do a fantastic job of taking care of the rejected lamb too.
Oh yes, no doubt at all x
That really is a very special moment to enjoy and I think the lamb is in a good place to get all the love her mummy isn’t able to give her x
Definitely. Lovely to see x
Wow, what an amazing and beautiful thing to witness!
It was brilliant timing!
Oh wow Jocelyn, what great timing. That must have been absolutely amazing, quite special I would have thought. A gorgeous photo although I’m sure you have many of those from Coombe Mill. I hope you had the most fantastic time. Thank you so much for sharing #whatsthestory
We had a brilliant time, thank you, though this was a particularly special moment. Thanks for hosting x
What an exciting thing to witness, especially for the little ones! I wonder though why animals do that, reject their new born and refuse to feed them? Weird, albeit disturbing and yet at the same time fascinating to watch. #WhatsTheStory.
I don’t know, it’s just fortunate that this lamb was born at Coombe Mill, so she’ll be well looked after. Bless her x
aww how fantastic, what a truly memorable trip!
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
It was fab! Thanks for hosting x
This little lamb has become a little celebrity 🙂 Hope you’re having a really fantastic time!
I know! We’re back now, and it was lovely, thanks x
wow what a magical experience to see and so lovely and unexpected! Animals are incredible aren’t they, they really do seem to have much stronger natural instincts around birth than we do! Sad that the first one was rejected though I am sure it’ll be well looked after at Coombe Farm! Can’t wait to read more about your week away! xx #magicmoments xx
No doubt it’ll be we’ll looked after. They do have amazing instincts, and it was lovely to see them at their best x
What an amazing thing to see! It’s sad that the mum rejected the first lamb though.
Yes, though they guys at Coombe Mill are looking after her, of course 🙂
Poor thing! At least she is being looked after. Hopefully her mother will want her back soon. x
Very well looked after. I don’t think the mother will take her back, from what I understand. She’s been out there playing with the other lambs, though 🙂
Just glad the little lamb is thriving, animals do reject their young, as do humans. Keep hearing such good things about Coombe Mill.
#MagicMoments
Oh yes, it’s a great place to visit. We loved it 🙂
That really must have been an amazing experience. I’ve just been reading all about little Ebony; glad to hear she’s doing well x
It was lovely to see, and Boo’s being telling everyone, of course!
What a lovely moment to be a part of. Hope you had a wonderful stay x
Yes, it was great, thank you x
How amazing! What a thing to experience! Definitely an unforgettable moment x
Definitely. It was just the best timing! X
Oh how wonderful. What an amazing experience for you all!
It was lovely x
What a lovely moment to witness and capture. Sounds like a wonderful holiday x
It was great, as was the whole week 🙂
What a beautiful thing to witness!! Super cute photo of the little newborns too. #magicmoments
It was, thanks!
It’s such a wonderful reminder of nature and life to see and experience. Long ago I witnessed a birth of a lamb while on a walk in Yorkshire and still remember it to this day (well I was a Londoner so it really was quite special!). Look forward to hearing more of your stay.
It was wonderful, and yes, if you’re not used to it, it’ll stay with you, I think x
What a lovely experience for you all! It’s sad when they reject their lambs, I’ve always wondered why mother nature lets it happen…but I am sure there’s lots love love for the firstborn in the Coombe Mill farmhouse! #magicmoments
Oh, yes, plenty of love there! Thanks x
How wonderful, we were lucky to see a birth at Cotswold Farm Park this time last year – magical #MagicMoments
It is magical. Lovely memory to treasure x
What an amazing thing to see and experience. Lovely post. #magicmoments
It really was. Thank you x
Wow, I’ve never seen a real-life animal birth. Coombe Mill looks and sounds lovely. #magicmoments
It was so beautiful and fun there x
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That sounds so special, what a privileged!
Thank you, it was x
Beautiful moment, we are so lucky to live by a Farm, its a magical breathtaking and sometimes heartstopping sight!
It does seem almost magical, yet it’s so natural x
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