Kinloch Farm Blog

December 29, 2007: If the Queen can, so can we.
* Fair Warning: This is a long blog!

Our Year End Message: It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since we said goodbye to our home, farm, friends, jobs, and lives in Canada and headed to the U.K.

Our farm in Canada, and some of our sheep.

.

Motivating us was our love of border collies and a burning desire for a new adventure. We dreamt of Scotland – rugged, remote, and rare – and, what we thought as the holy grail of sheep dog trialling (sorry Wales). Perhaps this was a bit romantic but idealism has always been an Achilles' heel.

Our friends told us we were "inspiring" and “brave” (although some, no doubt, thought we were raving mad) to up and leave a comfortable existence for the unknown. Perhaps had we had any inkling about what the unknown had in store for us, we might have had second thoughts. But as Goethe (a famous German writer) once said:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back - Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

And so we did.

We left behind the snow and bitterly cold winters of Canada. Although, as we look outside as we write, there is a fine blanket of snow all around...and it is still coming down!

The year has not been short of adventure: drama even - both comical and tragic! Starting anew in an unfamiliar land is, for the most part, very exciting, invigorating, and restorative. It's like being a kid in a new candy store/sweet shop - everyday! Sometimes you pick a new candy/sweet and it is simply so delicious that you want the taste to linger as long as possible; other times you pick one that looks nice on the outside but which doesn't taste nearly as good as it promised. Thankfully, those ones are few and far between.

Scotland is all that we imagined…and more! The country is indeed rugged, remote and rare. The Scots have been stereotyped as being thrifty, cautious, and careful of detail but we have found them to be generous, warm-hearted and friendly. The third verse of the Scottish National Anthem refers to Scots as ‘seditious, rebellious characters who should be crushed by British forces with the assistance of God Almighty’ – rebellious, perhaps, but crushed by British forces and God Almighty – surely not! Although the national emblem of Scotland is the thistle, Scots are by no means prickly! They eat porridge and drink whisky – and a heck of a lot of tea - so they can’t be all that bad, eh?

We work with really amazing people - Hugh, Richard, Gwen and Stewart are simply the best! Richard is unbelievably patient; Hugh and Stewart each have a wicked sense of humour - and they are forever having each other on; and Gwen is a not only a shepherdess extraordinaire but she is a whizz in the kitchen (gingerbread and lemon curd are just some of her specialities, although her Baileys cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding are to die for). We have not laughed so hard, nor eaten so well, as we have since arriving in Scotland.

We LOVE Scotland. It is very much like New Zealand. We feel right at home when we can drive around the countryside and see sheep everywhere. In Canada, it was all about cattle and our little farm filled with sheep stuck out like a sore thumb. But, we do miss our Canadian friends and think of them often - Anne, Mark, Bianca, Eric, Mia (OK, she's a border collie), Jim, Barbara, Alec, Bonnie, Scott, Jenny G., Donna S., Donna M., Brian, Jan, George, Hetty, Ian, Tom, Bob (border collie), Jim, Terri, Dave, Jenny I-H., Roger, Nancy, Rowen (Aussie/border collie), and Joanne. We are blessed to have wonderful friends around the globe to nourish our souls. Alec, if you are reading this, you are simply the very best!

If you've been following our blog since July, you'll know that we are living on an awesome farm - 5,500 acres of hill farm, 2,200 purebred Scottish Blackface sheep, a few cattle, some chickens, a couple of resident barn owls, a fox, plenty of pheasants, and 11 sheepdogs. Well, 10 sheepdogs and one pretend one in the form of our pet dog, Bailey (who'd rather run, jump, and chase rabbits than herd sheep).

We've thrown away the corporate suits (and paycheques) for a pair of wellies and a shepherd's crook, and dispensed with motorized forms of transportation in favour of walking (OK, we confess to occassionally using a quad bike - but only infrequently). Our days are mostly spent wandering around the hills with sheep and dogs, tending sheep, and playing with dogs, with the occasional foray inside to do 'other' computer-based work (one has to do something to pay the bills). Although it might not sound like it, we do work hard! You try being 110 and 140 pounds in a race with 200lb+ sheep wanting nothing better than to get the heck out of there! So far no injurious accidents...only lots of bruises (and the occasional bruised ego).

Kelvin gets to do double duty with his University work. He is still teaching on-line courses for the University of Calgary in Canada, and Northern Arizona University in the USA. He spends endless hours each day, 7 days a week designing and teaching courses, grading papers and conversing with students via email and talking 'live' with his students over the internet (using VOIP). Kelvin LOVES his teaching, and with his students coming from all over, it certainly is testament to the power of the internet in taking education to the far reaches of the globe.

Angie has been doing some freelance writing and photography work, in addition to trying to keep her head above water with the websites she is designing at the moment. She is currently working on a site for a medical services company in New Zealand, two US based websites, and is about to start a design for the 2009 Scottish National.

We both recently joined the organizing committee for the 2009 Scottish National. And, we're both trying to squeeze in some running around the hills here. Kelvin is thinking of running the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge to be held on the Three Peaks course in Yorkshire at the end of April. Goodness only knows when we are ever going to sleep!

Kelvin, in training.

We have learned a lot this year - about sheep, about dogs, about people. Our dogs went through as fast a learning curve as ourselves when they each went gathering for the first time. It has been hugely satisfying to see their progress, even if at times it has been frustrating not having the requisite skills ourselves to be able to teach our dogs what they need to know. Still, we have all muddled through - and that is all part of the fun of having sheepdogs. There have been many times out in the fields we have had Scott Glen's and Bobby Dalziel's sage advice bouncing around our heads. Now if only we could do what they have told us to!

We've managed to get to many trials including several 'nationals' and, of course, the International in Ireland. One is spoilt for choice when it comes to trials here. We hope to be trialling more in 2008 as our dogs are now getting of the age to run in the Open class. Already we have signed up to run in 28 trials - that's just in March and May. We can't wait.

Living in such a magnicent place has not seen us shy of visitors. From New Zealand we hosted Angie's sister, brother-in-law and nephew (Kerry, Dave and Alex). We had a terrific time doing some catching-up, sight-seeing, eating, and playing with dogs. Their stay was all too short but they left behind the Edmonds 'Classics ' Cookbook (a 'bible' for all kiwis abroad) and a brand spanking new Kenwood food mixer so we are constantly reminded of, and surrounded by, New Zealand cuisine. They loved our dogs so much they went right back home and bought a wonderful little border collie called Maisie.

One of our best friends from New Zealand and a person we have known for over 25 years (each), Bill Kenny also came to visit. Bill is an incredible person. He oozes goodness and humility, and is what we would call a 'salt of the earth' person. At over 70 years of age, he is a world class runner. Originally from Scotland, Bill had come back to visit his family and run in the Scottish Masters Championships. After that, he was going onto the US to run in the US Masters Championships. He not only competed - he won and placed in his events! Bill is a true champion in every sense of the word. We managed to get a few runs in with Bill (Bailey ever-present).

From Canada came our good friend, Donna, who is some big-wig government brainiac. Donna has visited us in almost every home we have ever lived in (except one, if memory serves). We dragged Donna off to some trials at Bobby Dalziel's place so at least she got to see us making fools of ourselves (again!).

From the USA, we had Diane, Susan, David, and Kim (not all at the same time). Diane took home two border collies from Wales which are probably two of the most well travelled pups in the world. She even tried to buy Bobby Dalziel's dog, Jamie! That would have been the steal of the century had she been able to pull that one off! Watch for Jamie at the 2008 World Trial.

Susan actually visited us twice - first with Kim (a Shetland Sheep guru - click here to see Kim's Shetland sheep project) and then with David. All three are some of the nicest, most generous and compassionate people you will ever have the pleasure to meet. Both of Susan's trips were far too short. We managed to get in some dog time, and we got to show them some of the terrain over which we gather. Our next visitors will have to book their travel around Susan's itinerary. We loved every bit of each person's stay - although no-one could ever be accused of overstaying their welcome.

It has been very enjoyable having visitors - so book early folks to avoid sleeping in the tent! Or if you'd rather the tent, let us know. You have to put up with our quirky work hours. And, dog-stuff is mandatory. Bring your camera!

Congratulations for getting to the end of the longest (and probably most boring) blog we have ever written. Now toast the New Year (responsibly, please!) and enjoy 2008. We will. We are fit, healthy, alive, and living life with huge grins on our face every day. Sophocles once said” “Look and you will find it - what is unsought will go undetected.” Dream big, folks!

Health and happiness to you all, and Happy New Year.

From the crew at Kinloch sheepdogs: (Left to right) Sioux, Tui (front), Jet, Tuque, Roy (sitting), Blade, Tina, Ace (front) and Kenny. Missing: Meg (out working) and Bailey (politely declined to be photographed with the riff-raff).

Archives: