We are now approaching the two-month mark since I embarked on my new Irish life. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun!
Before I left Scotland, I remember an underlying feeling of anxiety that I wouldn’t manage to keep myself busy enough once I’d moved – it is a fate worse than most for someone with a chronic inability to sit still.
It’s funny looking back now, given the lack of hours there seem to be in the day on this side of the Irish Sea.
However, self-employed life instills a mindset that time sat still is time not earning money and once this is the way you think, it’s hard to escape from it.
This allows me a perfect opportunity to mention my old friend, the side hustle.
At home, sheep farming was always my bread and butter. I contract shepherded two flocks (around 1,200 breeding ewes) and this kept me busy, but, in the quieter winter months, I rode out at the local horse racing yard every morning.
I manage to fit in riding out at a local racing yard most days, alongside the sheep work.
I had been in Ireland for one week before a friend introduced me to a local horse racing trainer. Now I ride out for him most days.
It works in perfectly with sheep work at home, because I can fit it around whatever we are busy with that day.
It also gives me a good excuse to escape when the bosses are discussing management plans in depth, occasionally with expletives – not that this happens too often, but it’s good to have a premeditated exit strategy for the rare occasion it does!
Milking
This week, I have also started milking a few days a week at a nearby dairy farm. This is a bit of a change from my usual routine of sheep and horses.
I am really enjoying it so far. I love a job where you can work methodically and see yourself making progress. Much like dosing a pen of sheep, milking cows ticks all of these boxes.
Working with sheep and dogs has always been my bread and butter.
All the same, my shampoo and washing powder bill seem to have increased significantly since I’ve taken on the milking.
I dare say we might get used to the smell of slurry that clings to your clothes and hair, but there have been threats of compulsory power washing at the back door before entering the house on milking mornings.
We are now approaching the two-month mark since I embarked on my new Irish life. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun!
Before I left Scotland, I remember an underlying feeling of anxiety that I wouldn’t manage to keep myself busy enough once I’d moved – it is a fate worse than most for someone with a chronic inability to sit still.
It’s funny looking back now, given the lack of hours there seem to be in the day on this side of the Irish Sea.
However, self-employed life instills a mindset that time sat still is time not earning money and once this is the way you think, it’s hard to escape from it.
This allows me a perfect opportunity to mention my old friend, the side hustle.
At home, sheep farming was always my bread and butter. I contract shepherded two flocks (around 1,200 breeding ewes) and this kept me busy, but, in the quieter winter months, I rode out at the local horse racing yard every morning.
I manage to fit in riding out at a local racing yard most days, alongside the sheep work.
I had been in Ireland for one week before a friend introduced me to a local horse racing trainer. Now I ride out for him most days.
It works in perfectly with sheep work at home, because I can fit it around whatever we are busy with that day.
It also gives me a good excuse to escape when the bosses are discussing management plans in depth, occasionally with expletives – not that this happens too often, but it’s good to have a premeditated exit strategy for the rare occasion it does!
Milking
This week, I have also started milking a few days a week at a nearby dairy farm. This is a bit of a change from my usual routine of sheep and horses.
I am really enjoying it so far. I love a job where you can work methodically and see yourself making progress. Much like dosing a pen of sheep, milking cows ticks all of these boxes.
Working with sheep and dogs has always been my bread and butter.
All the same, my shampoo and washing powder bill seem to have increased significantly since I’ve taken on the milking.
I dare say we might get used to the smell of slurry that clings to your clothes and hair, but there have been threats of compulsory power washing at the back door before entering the house on milking mornings.
SHARING OPTIONS