The fire left our fields bare and our animals without grazing. With fences destroyed and hay stores gone, we’ve had to move the sheep and goats into a smaller pen while we slowly rebuild.
When the fire passed through, the first thing we noticed wasn’t just the blackened earth, it was the silence. The fields that once buzzed with life were bare, the grazing gone, the fences twisted and broken. Our sheep and goats, though safe, suddenly had nowhere to roam, although they did at first, they had full freedom and we lost them a couple of times.
We’ve had to move them into a smaller pen while we assess the damage. It’s far from ideal, the animals are used to space and fresh forage, but with the fencing burnt, it’s the only secure area we have left. The fire took not only their grazing land but also the hay stores we’d put aside for winter.
Now every day brings new challenges. Buying in feed is expensive, and with the prices of hay and grain rising after the fires across the region, it’s becoming harder to keep up. The money we’ve raised so far has gone directly towards feed and fencing, both essential for keeping the animals safe and healthy as we recover. We've had some donations of feed from local associations but it's not enough.
Our priority now is to build a larger, secure pen where the sheep and goats can move freely again. Refencing all the land will take time and funds we simply don’t have yet, but we’re doing what we can, piece by piece.
Still, we’re grateful. The animals are alive. The house was spared. And while the landscape looks harsh and empty today, we know the land will heal in time, just as we will.
If you’d like to help us rebuild the animals’ grazing area, even a small contribution goes directly towards fencing and feed. Every bit helps us get back to normal, one fence post at a time.
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