Byre

Needed a break from spreadsheets and mailing lists so took Ollie for a good long walk down to Sandwick.  We saw seals, lots of widgeon and a short eared owl, but not the buzzard which has been hanging around recently, unfortunately.

We had an explore of the old byre, where this cow tie caught my eye.  Because of the weather in Orkney cattle spend more than half their lives inside.  These days they are generally loose in big slatted courts, but when folk just kept a few they were chained by the neck, so quite restricted in their movement.  They are still used on some smaller farms today.  

When I was working for the vets I remember visiting one farm where the kind-hearted farmer had lined the chains with old sacking to stop them rubbing on the cows' necks.  There were also some pretty grim sights . . . 

I love the way the wood have been worn by animals rubbing against it, and by the weather over the years.