Sheep Week

It's been a bit sheepish in our household in more ways than one this week.  Munchkin discovered that she could get out of bed and open her door in the middle of the night.  She'd woken up coughing for the second night in a row and decided to take matters into her own hands.  We think the remedy is Sam the Sheep but this is still a work in progress.  Sam is a sleep training clock.  He shuts his eyes at bedtime and Munchkin has been told that she has to stay in bed until Sam opens his eyes.  He is also an alarm clock and a night light.  His screen colour changes depending on whether it's bed time, nearly time to get up or time to get up, and stars also appear on his screen at night.  Sam is more expensive than the market leading sleep trainer, Gro Clock, but he has a number of advantages over Gro Clock.  We think he's more fun and Munchkin can use him long after she would have outgrown a Gro Clock.  Since Sam has analogue and digital time displays, she can learn to tell the time with him and use him as conventional clock in the future.  I bought him from Cheeky Rascals, whom I hadn't heard of before.  This was because they had free next day delivery but I think they're actually the UK importer - I believe Sam is Dutch.

Today we went to Open Lambing at Gaston Farm in Slindon.  We've been before, but this is the first year Munchkin has really appreciated what it's all about.  Gaston Farm is one of two farms local to us that does open lambing.  The other is Coombes Farm, near Lancing College.  We've been to Coombes in the past, but much prefer Gaston Farm.  Coombes has the advantage of starting lambing earlier than Gaston Farm and they used to be cheaper, but looking at their website, I think Coombes have put their prices up whereas Gaston seem to have dropped theirs.  Whenever we've been to Coombes, it's been a mud bath.  Gaston is less muddy and is generally more geared up for visitors.  I first went to Coombes on a school trip in the 1980s and doubt it has changed much since then.

Entry to Gaston Farm cost us £10 (£5 per adult and Munchkin went free).  They have a large, clean barn, decked out with stalls and displays including refreshments, a gift shop and the oportunity to hold ducklings and chicks.  There were plenty of staff and volunteers on hand if we had questions.  As always, the "Grumpy Shepherd" had his name printed on the back of his sweatshirt, as did "The Other Shepherd".  There was no sign of the "Tolerant Wife" this year, perhaps she has become less tolerant?  We were lucky enough to see a lamb being born.  For the first time, we went on the tractor and trailer ride this year.  There was a very professional commentary on the local area, and all for an optional charity donation.  When it comes to lambing, Gaston Farm gets my vote every time.