Diary of a Dick Vet

Today started another round of exams. I’m already terribly bored with studying, and I won’t be done with exams until early June! Dear, dear. I’m slightly more concerned with finding a flat to live in when my lease ends on June 5th, so I’m balancing the flat hunt with flashcards.

I’m spending time at a pig farm this week. Pigs are a species I’ve never had much interest in, and even though many people come away from their pig EMS proclaiming their new-found love of porcines, I’m still very positive that I want to spend as little time on a pig farm as possible.

But I’m here, and I do take it very seriously to use the time to consider the pros and cons of rearing pigs in indoor intensive situations. This blog is not the place to comment on my opinions of certain welfare issues, so let’s just say that I appreciate having the oppurtunity to witness pig farming first-hand, and to make up my own mind. The staff at the farm are very open to discussion, and will defend their positions while allowing you to sometimes questions those positions.

What I do not appreciate is constantly smelling like pig. The first day wasn’t terrible, especially since we leave our work clothes at the farm overnight, but the stench has crept into my backpack, tee-shirts, and hair, and I DO NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT. I am so grateful that we are required to do only one week with pigs, and furthermore that this farm only asks the students to come out Monday through Friday, so hopefully the damage done by the end of my time there won’t be irreversible.

Fun fact: I’ve had a ham sandwich every day of this week so far. Was not thinking ahead when I went shopping Sunday evening.

I have a few pictures from Ireland to share. They’ve all been taken around the little stud I’m getting my experience from. Strangely I don’t have many pictures of actual horses (AKA the reason I’m here), but I have a few days to remedy the situation.

One block of stables

Mare and foal enjoying the sun (they're the little dots in the centre)

Unbelievable

I’m in Ireland until Saturday, spending my time with a small stud farm. Today, the weather was absolutely incredible, so the Irish countryside looked like it could be scouted for a Merchant Ivory production. I definitely got a chance to put my new camera to use.

It’s not terribly hard work, either. I move horses out to fields, help feed, muck some stalls, lunge, and then catch some free time in the afternoon to study. I took a drive today when the manager went to pick up some hay, and because she’s from England, she could understand what it’s like to be a tourist, rather than a native, to the area. We had a good chat comparing Ireland and England, and while I always knew that they’re different countries, it’s still surprising to see the little ways that they differ. There are several Irish students in my program, so it’s also quite nice to have a better idea of where they’re coming from.

It’s not a terribly exciting placement, unlike the sheep, but it’s very pleasant.

I’m back in Edinburgh for a few days. I’ve finished my lambing placement, and already I miss it so much! I wasn’t ready to leave that beautiful little corner of the world, full of giddy baby lambs, for the heavy air of the city. I am keeping fingers crossed that they’ll have me back next year!

There are a few benefits of being home. For a start, I no longer have to alternate between pasta or baked beans with toast and microwave potatoes for dinner every night: I made a curry tonight and was well pleased by being able to walk to the store and buy ingredients. I also no longer have to walk in the rain to wash my dishes or shower.  Plus, I’m fairly confident that my flat will not rock back and forth in the wind like my caravan did for the past few days. Finally, even though I liked subscribing to such a strict schedule everyday (honestly!) it will be nice to sleep past 5:40am, if so desired.

Still, I miss the people, the place, the sheep. I made off like a bandit: had my own caravan to lay my head, fed a full lunch everyday, tea and scones with Granny every morning, and a cheque at the end. Personally, I would have been content with just the place to stay! I’m lucky to have had such generous hosts for my EMS so far.

Just now, I’m trying to motivate myself to do some laundry, or something else productive, like study. I have until Monday evening to pack before I fly to Ireland, so I will have plenty of time to defrag before I start another week of EMS - this time with horses!

Hello. I’ve been lambing since Saturday. When the weather is nice, this is what I see all day:

When I come down from the hill for dinner, this is the view from my camper:

I’m also near the beach:

It’s pretty nice. Most of the time it’s just me, the famer, and the dogs.

That’s Tam sitting in the back of ATV. He’s absolutely filthy, but a real prince.