At milking time, Daisy sees TonTon appear in the field and then walks to the gate and up into the yards.
For a little munch.
She hears the pump go on and off as I rinse the lines and the bucket and comes to her door to watch. She is very calm, and just chews her cud as she watches me get all the feeds ready for the other animals. I line up all the buckets. Clean bits and pieces and get the house in order. Waiting for her to be ready.
As she watches she will pee and poo. Always. She will never make a mess in the milking parlour. She likes to have this all done before milking. And once I have heard the noises of her toilet then I know she is ready.
I put her feed (last night it was peeled apples) into her tray and fill her bower with the good hay as a treat. 
Then I ring her bell. Often she will ring it herself while she is waiting, but by accident I am sure. Once I have rung the bell she takes two steps back and to the side so that I can open the door and then in she goes. At this point it is important not to be in her way. She is eager to get in there. She is still milking 30 pounds in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. This is about 7 gallons in a day. I have fat pigs and a well fed happy calf. And cheese and yoghurt, butter and icecream on the go almost every day. Not to mention the huge glasses of cold raw milk with dinner. And an old dog with renewed vigor as his arthritis is subdued. 
After the milking I walk her to a new field. She just walks along behind me. She is on a go slow lately. I do hope she is pregnant. We will know in a few weeks. 
Everything is done the same way twice a day and everything we do has the company of two dogs and two cats. Daisy ignores them all. She and I walk gently to and fro. Both Daisy and I like the rhythms of the routine.
Sometimes if I am having a quiet day I take the horse brush out into the field and brush her coat. She loves to have the brush on her neck and behind her ear. So if I am brushing her considerable belly she will often slowly, slowly with the tiniest of steps, move her entire body backwards under the brush so that soon I am brushing behind her ears. Then she will stop. She will lower her head so the brush is perfectly positioned and lean her face on my thigh. There, she will say, that’s the spot. Right there.
But I have to brush you all over I tell her, as after a while I move back to her haunches. She just waits until I am settled then starts again, and ever so slowly will move herself backwards shuffling her cow feet softly so I don’t notice, until she has me positioned correctly again.
Good morning. There is the dawn and out I go. Ton is already out in the field waiting with her. I should train him to turn on the lights and flush the lines as well!
Have a lovely day.
celi
What I was making on this day a year ago.. Shepherds Pie!
The Kitchen's Garden 
83 responses to “Time for milking”
Your words are always so melodic and peaceful. I anticipate them every morning in my inbox. Cheers from Guam.
You are in guam! Wow, I had no idea.. how fantastic, what is the weather like over there.. c
The weather is tropically-rainy and sunny everyday with a temperature of 85 degrees year round.
That is amazing, you must be able to grow just about anything, but maybe more bugs and mildew problems?
I love the shadow photo of the kitty in the sunset.
I have a sweet mare who does the ‘backwards glide’. We sometimes end up at the other end of the horseyard! Winston, my mini donk does ‘butts to you’ for a good tail scratch.
Too funny, I hope Fat Queenie does not start that, her bottom is not something I want aimed at me!! c
If there’s any dog that could learn to turn on lights and flush lines, it would be Ton. 🙂 I love how well Daisy knows the routine. What a smart cow!
Beautiful photos of your daily life—
The sky, oh, the sky. Beautiful to behold.
[With soft laughter!]: now just who has whom trained twixt Daisy and you 🙂 ! Lovely photos throughout . . .
Yes I rather think Daisy has me well trained! Morning Eha! c
Beautiful photos…lovely blog! Daisy has some cute-i-tude! 🙂
Oh the photos of the sky! My goodness! D
Someone said this already, but it also made me think of wow! cows can behave like giant cats with the brushing etc :). What a wonderful calming and nurturing routine.
Your photos have an intensity of colour, as if you have a new camera. I’m impressed with how well trained Daisy is (peeing and pooing before entering, now that’s impressive), and how well trained she has you as well (brushing in the right spots). There’s a peaceful rhythm to this post.
No just my old lens back and the air seems brighter now that we have cooled down a bit. the old camera is still chugging along. Spitting and snarling and going dead whenever it feel like it! c
Loved the post before this one c and this one too and the glory of your skies – in my mind’s eye you lived under big skies just like that, beautiful back lit clouds and Daisy and Tonton keeping everything in scale – you might just spin off into the universe otherwise – love big skies, just love ’em xx
Oh joanna, I sometimes feel quite untethered here too! it is glorious on a lovely clear day like the ones we are having! c
Magical pics C! What a lovely time you and our Daisy have – so in sync.
Have a lovely week.
🙂 Mandy xo
This is fantastic! It makes me wish I had my own farm! What a great cow! AND such a great looking pup and kitty! Cheers!
A beautiful, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable read complimented with a lovely collection of images. Somewhere in your busy lifestyle I can see a book crying out to be produced. I just love your updates on life and all of its trial and tribulations. Kind regards, James
Morning james and thank you for your kind comments. I also long for just another hour in the day so i can concentrate on the books.. but winter is coming.. c
Good Morning Cecilia, I hope you are well and you deserve such comments on your wonderful blog…hoping for an up date on the books soon, so no pressure ..lol