Forgive us our trespasses

[foxy mars]

I remember some 20 yeara ago, going across this rather muddy field near Ingleby Cross, being lost in the middle of nowhere. When this farmer came across the field from nowhere, told me I was way off the right of way, so he kindly directed me to nearest r.o.w. I always remembering him calling his dog Boo, it's really funny, that if I ever hear that song "Me and You and a Dog named Boo" by Lobo.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by ron1863

The only time I have been asked to get off of land was last Spring when I was out on the hills with the dog and the local farmer approached me and asked me to leave. We knew each other fairly well and he explained that he doesn't allow dogs on his land during the lambing season, even on a leash, as the sight of a dog can scare the sheep causing miscarriages. I had no problem with this and left.....with my Yorkie.

I had quite the opposite experience a few years back on South Uist. I was walking across an area of machair with my two dogs - both on leads. A farmer on a tractor took a deliberate detour to approach me and stopped. Being fairly used to being "told off my farmers" I expected the worst but was pleasantly surprised when he said "it's alright you can let your dogs of the lead here there are no stock around at the moment let them have a run around". He then proceeded to recommend a couple of places I could set up my tent and we had a very pleasant conversation for a few minutes.

Conversely on Skye, on the same trip, another farmer came screeching to a halt to loudly berate me and tell me to put my dogs on a lead. There were no sheep for miles around and they were actually already on leads and when I pointed this out he came out with something along the lines of "well you know now".

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

I trespass all the time, though usually for short distances to avoid big detours.

Yes, that's my excuse too! The rebellious side of my Aquarian nature kicks in when I'm told I can't do something.....

[treecreeper]

Not quite trespassing, but I've just thought of another story about Brian, the eccentric botanist I mentioned in an earlier post. Brian had noticed an orchid in the garden of a large private house so he took a party of botanists to see it. They were looking over the hedge with binoculars when they were spotted by the lady of the house, a notoriously formidable female. She came storming out of the house and across the lawn. One of the botanists was from Finland and hardly knew any English, so Brian got him to say to her 'Yes, we'd love a cup of tea!'

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by treecreeper

One of the botanists was from Finland and hardly knew any English, so Brian got him to say to her 'Yes, we'd love a cup of tea!'

Nice one - but a pity he didn't get the Fin to say to the woman 'You, me, jig-a-jig?'
;^)

Jim

[tcvarlh]

Not here but back home I was having a wander when I was accosted by an irate chap ranting at me, I presumed about deviating from the way. Half true, the path actually went thru' his farm courtyard and he was warning me that my choice of path would eventually lead me to some very dangerous Karst landscape. Basically he was saying if I fell down into one of these immense sinkholes I could damned well get myself out as he was too busy for tom-fool tourists. Odd way of warning me but I took his message to heart and am still here.
h

[treecreeper]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Nice one - but a pity he didn't get the Fin to say to the woman 'You, me, jig-a-jig?'
;^)

Jim

Brian would have loved this, and made sure he captured her reaction photographically.

I have a plan ready for my next encounter with a farmer. Equipment is ready in the rucksack, just awaiting the opportunity. Here's the script. Farmer says, What are you doing on my land. I say, Shooting your livestock. Pause for maximum effect, then.....I bring out the camera