Shepherding
As not included in the
rolodeck on careers day at school
i never thought that my cv would
include this job!
Walking out on the mountain
with the sheep and goats appeals to a
large number of our visitors; the early rising in the summer, the
stillness, the birds holding a competition for our attention, the dog
is eager and the light so sharp. you sit on top of a mountain (ok,
foothill, and we dont go to the top every day either!) and watch the
animals scoff away, some mornings, man's intervention in the landscape
is hidden by the mist in the valleys below, Bugarech seen in the
distance, floating.
Allowing for my maltese exaggeration, we have had about a hundred
visitors pass through in the past two years,on their seperate paths,
great fun, many of them have spent time with the sheep on the mountain,
training them to go where we want them to. We learn many skills living
in cities, but nothing to prepare you for running around a mountainside
chasing animals! we dont recommend that, of course, and its a very
peaceful job now that the animals are trained.
Walking out with the animals is mainly pleasure now, i admit to having
fallen asleep on the job... the colours, the small flowers that survive
in this
unforgiving climate, the 'garrigue' landscape, vast expanses of rocky
surface reflecting the sun, broken only be ground hugging tenacious
plants. Transformed in march for a fleeting season to a carpet of wild
daffodils, whole hectares. The garrigue is often referred to by our
guests as a moonscape.
The remarkable fauna, including the beautiful sheep and goats, who seem
so happy here, picking their way over mother nature's offerings. In the
right seasons you can see the kids and lambs bumping their mother's
udders, squeezing the last drip of life-nourishing milk.
You are welcome to visit and experience the ancient vocation of
shepherding :)
We will try to cater for all and sundry...
walks can be arranged with or without guides, easy to middling walks
possible (we can always find a sheer slope for those that like a
challenge - the goats and sheep love that!) lots or no rests possible,
we take picnics and all kinds of lovely tit bits and lots of water....