The long awaited arrival of our first calf - a short extract from 'The Ladies of Low Arvie'

The cows were now obviously heavily pregnant and their gait around the fields was even more ponderous than usual. Looking at them from in front or the rear, we could see huge bulges at either side of their flanks and Richard began to look for signs of their udders filling. We had Roddy’s predictions of the first ten to calve and so he knew which cows to keep the closest eye on. It was still a surprise however, when, on September 29th, I went out to feed the cats early in the morning and on the way back into the house I cast a glance over to far Brookfield and saw in the middle of the large black shapes, one small black dot being tended by one of the Ladies. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but there was no mistake, there in the morning sunshine lay our first born calf. Excitedly I rushed into the house shouting to Richard, ‘We’ve got one, come and see’. Never one to show strong emotions, Richard continued chewing his toast and marmalade and looked at me quizzically as I entered the kitchen. His expression did not alter as I told him that there definitely was a new arrival in the field. I could tell however, that there was a quicker pace to his stride as he rose from the table and put on his boots.