DS Forums

 
 

This Farming Life BBC2


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 22-03-2016, 21:53
Doghouse Riley
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North-West England
Posts: 25,843
This programme with a voice-over commentary, continues to engage.

I can't help thinking how much less it would have been with a "celebrity presenter, like Kate Humble, say, helping with the lambing,"

We must be thankful for such good fortune.

Let's have more presented this way.
Doghouse Riley is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 23-03-2016, 06:17
Mr Oleo Strut
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,311
Just about the best farming programme I have ever seen. Real farmers in real conditions doing a very difficult job to put food on our table. No Countryfile/PC/Blue Peter hobby farmers, just honest-to-goodness hard-working people in spectacular locations doing their best for their livestock. The tenderness with which that gruff young shepherd cared for those orphaned lambs was heart-warming. Keep it up!
Mr Oleo Strut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-03-2016, 07:32
Heston Veston
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,063
This programme with a voice-over commentary, continues to engage.

I can't help thinking how much less it would have been with a "celebrity presenter, like Kate Humble, say, helping with the lambing,"

We must be thankful for such good fortune.

Let's have more presented this way.
That sequence with collecting the semen sample was a hoot.

The cattle breeder's father made an interesting point about the use of modern technology possibly leading to the loss of a natural understanding of cattle breeding.
Heston Veston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-03-2016, 15:28
Glawster2002
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
Posts: 10,402
Just about the best farming programme I have ever seen. Real farmers in real conditions doing a very difficult job to put food on our table. No Countryfile/PC/Blue Peter hobby farmers, just honest-to-goodness hard-working people in spectacular locations doing their best for their livestock. The tenderness with which that gruff young shepherd cared for those orphaned lambs was heart-warming. Keep it up!
To be fair I would put the two former London barristers on Lewis in that catagory, no matter how passionate they are about their new lifestyle.

I doubt there are many crofter's wives on Lewis who get a former thoroughbred racehorse for a present...

Apart from that the series is brilliant and they certainly don't pull their punches.
Glawster2002 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-03-2016, 22:56
Heston Veston
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,063
To be fair I would put the two former London barristers on Lewis in that catagory, no matter how passionate they are about their new lifestyle.

I doubt there are many crofter's wives on Lewis who get a former thoroughbred racehorse for a present...

Apart from that the series is brilliant and they certainly don't pull their punches.
Hobbyist maybe, but Mr Barrister certainly puts in the graft, raising cattle and sheep (and making curtains!) and has gone to the bother of learning to work with a sheepdog.
Heston Veston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-03-2016, 10:26
Mr Oleo Strut
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,311
To be fair I would put the two former London barristers on Lewis in that catagory, no matter how passionate they are about their new lifestyle.

I doubt there are many crofter's wives on Lewis who get a former thoroughbred racehorse for a present...

Apart from that the series is brilliant and they certainly don't pull their punches.
You're right, Glawster, I just ignore them. They must be a laughing stock up there. More money than sense. But the real farmers are brilliant, and the scenery ...
Mr Oleo Strut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-03-2016, 11:17
Doghouse Riley
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North-West England
Posts: 25,843
The orphaned lamb sequence was quite endearing. The engaged couple worked extremely hard. I was laughing at her trying to hang on to the pregnant ewe and being dragged round the pen.
I liked the fact that he considered her choice of looking after some of the orphans was not cost effective, both in the cost of the milk and her time in feeding them every four hours, but he was happy for her to do it, "that's love for you."
She still "scrubbed up well" when trying on her wedding dress, didn't she?

The barrister and his wife were just a diversion. You can bet they are pretty much "financially insulated" and their farming is just a retirement hobby that pays some of the bills.
Doghouse Riley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-03-2016, 11:43
Hamlet77
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Liverpool. Champions of Europe
Posts: 15,515
I just wish more people would see the hard work these farmers do all so we can enjoy a steak and lamb chops.
Hamlet77 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 24-03-2016, 11:44
Glaston
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,885
You're right, Glawster, I just ignore them. They must be a laughing stock up there. More money than sense. But the real farmers are brilliant, and the scenery ...
He said he was actually farming next door to his Grandfathers croft and his mother was born on the island.
So as someone from a local family I very much doubt he would be considered anything but a prodigal son returned.
Glaston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-03-2016, 21:18
BellaRosa
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: OP is a murderer!!
Posts: 27,200
The orphaned lamb sequence was quite endearing. The engaged couple worked extremely hard. I was laughing at her trying to hang on to the pregnant ewe and being dragged round the pen.
I liked the fact that he considered her choice of looking after some of the orphans was not cost effective, both in the cost of the milk and her time in feeding them every four hours, but he was happy for her to do it, "that's love for you."
She still "scrubbed up well" when trying on her wedding dress, didn't she?

The barrister and his wife were just a diversion. You can bet they are pretty much "financially insulated" and their farming is just a retirement hobby that pays some of the bills.

I really like Mel and Martin (?) lovely couple and I wish I lived near them I would have been helping with the orphan lambs like a shot.

I also think Cybil and George are a lovely couple.

I will be sad when this ends. We need more shows like this imo.
BellaRosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-03-2016, 18:21
notlurkingnow
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 405
I love this programme although I am a latecomer to it - will have to catch up when I can.
I felt sorry for the clearly disinterested niece last night who was being groomed to take over the farm. Can't see that happening.
It's a hard life but the sheer dedication of the farmers and shepherds is incredible, especially in such unforgiving weather.
I was amused to see it is narrated by James Thornton, sadly deceased Emmerdale farmer John Barton. You can't keep a good farmer down.
Looking forward to Mel and Martin's wedding tonight. Loved Mel's reaction to the lamb she saved in the caravan. I cheered with her.
notlurkingnow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-03-2016, 22:13
BellaRosa
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: OP is a murderer!!
Posts: 27,200
I have missed the last 2 episodes so will have a catch up.

I don't want this to finish as it has been brilliant and will miss all the farmers.
BellaRosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-03-2016, 22:42
Doghouse Riley
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North-West England
Posts: 25,843
Sadly this has finished, one of the best documentaries I've seen in years.

Hopefully the BBC will repeat it in the future, for those unable to have seen it
Doghouse Riley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-03-2016, 23:06
Imperial
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 305
It was a great series, just shows what a hard and sometimes brutal job it is. You need to be a hardy soul but I think farmers are a breed apart.
Imperial is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-03-2016, 14:35
farmer bob
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: The United Kingdom
Posts: 14,997
A highly watchable series, Mel was great, really passionate about what she does, as were all the others, she stood out though.
Hope there's another series.
farmer bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-03-2016, 14:49
BellaRosa
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: OP is a murderer!!
Posts: 27,200
A highly watchable series, Mel was great, really passionate about what she does, as were all the others, she stood out though.
Hope there's another series.
Agree. As was Martin. You could see how in love they were with each other.

Loved Cybil and George but can see Lucy will not be taking over the farm when they retire.

They were all hard working lovely people. I to hope there is a 2nd series. Going to miss this.
BellaRosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2016, 15:23
notlurkingnow
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 405
Sadly this has finished, one of the best documentaries I've seen in years.

Hopefully the BBC will repeat it in the future, for those unable to have seen it
It is being repeated in a mixed up order in the early hours on BBC2. I have it set on series link for two separate settings as they are shown on Wednesday and Sunday.

Episode 2 0f 12 was shown at 1.15am today (Wednesday 6th April)
Next episode is 3 of 12 on Wednesday 13th April at 2.05am so I think these are being repeated from the start.

Episode 4 of 12 was shown at 6.45am on Sunday 3rd April and episode 5 will be on Sunday at 7.15am so I don't know if they will overlap or merge in time. Just have to watch and see.
notlurkingnow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2016, 14:57
BellaRosa
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: OP is a murderer!!
Posts: 27,200
For those that missed this the first time round it's being repeated on BBC 2.

A lovely series.
BellaRosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-12-2016, 18:00
Hackney1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
this has been one of the highlights of my xmas tv watching. caught the second repeated episode by chance and enjoyed it so much I watched the first episode on catch up and the rest on series record.
I too will miss the farmers and hope this series returns.
The stunning scenery, hard work of the passionate farmers, life and death of the animals, show auctions, a wedding .. I feel guilty that this is escapism for me - I feel tired just watching what they go through every day. But I do envy them being in a job/lifestyle they love so much.
Came on here to see if there was a thread as I wanted to sing it's praises.

It seems that Mel and Martin now have a baby daughter

Last edited by Hackney1 : 30-12-2016 at 18:14. Reason: update
Hackney1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-12-2016, 20:41
BellaRosa
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: OP is a murderer!!
Posts: 27,200
this has been one of the highlights of my xmas tv watching. caught the second repeated episode by chance and enjoyed it so much I watched the first episode on catch up and the rest on series record.
I too will miss the farmers and hope this series returns.
The stunning scenery, hard work of the passionate farmers, life and death of the animals, show auctions, a wedding .. I feel guilty that this is escapism for me - I feel tired just watching what they go through every day. But I do envy them being in a job/lifestyle they love so much.
Came on here to see if there was a thread as I wanted to sing it's praises.

It seems that Mel and Martin now have a baby daughter

Have they? I will have to have a Google.

Think I will have a day of watching all episodes again before they disappear from the Iplayer. Fingers crossed for a 2nd series.

I love at the start of the programme where Mel say's "Look at the nuts on this one" Then the ram turns to camera with that look on his face


Edit:

From Sybil Macpherson's FB page ...... Sybil Macpherson Yes, filming of 5 new farms is in progress. Really looking forward to seeing the next series.

Yipeeee!!!!
BellaRosa is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:58.