November has been a very mixed month for me in terms of work! Here at home I’ve been on the hill working with the herd, taking lots of people up to meet the reindeer on Hill Trips, and spending most afternoons sleigh training or working though the gazillions of adoptions that are coming in ahead of Christmas. I’ve also been on road with Christmas teams doing parades in Dumfries and as far south as Wilmslow. The reindeer were super and made me incredibly proud. Biggest shout out to Akubra who pulled the sleigh like an old pro in his first public events!
31st of October: I had to cheat a little as turns out I was rubbish at taking photos during the first week of November so here’s Feta and her calf Earl Grey from the last day of October!31st of October: Another one from October for good measure – here’s Helsinki and her son Irish!7th of November: Juniper! The only ‘polled’ reindeer in our herd (meaning she doesn’t grow antlers).7th of November: Vanilla looking beautiful. One of three pure white reindeer in the herd.8th of November: If there’s a white bag on the hill, Beanie is never too far away!9th of November: Mel and I took this handsome bunch to a primary school for the day. They did a super job. In the team was Dr Seuss, Clouseau, Akubra, Magnum, Espresso and Irish.12th of November: Lisette feeding a lovely bunch of free rangers. 16th of November: Dr Seuss back on tour! Here he is gently resting his chin on the sleigh before a parade. Clearly trying to impress the crowds as he is usually known for causing mild havoc by wrecking our decorations!17th of November: The boys resting in Dunfermline with Magnum at the front. They were back on the hill in the evening.19th of November: Akubra back on the hill after a weekend away! He was a total star and pulled the sleigh in two parades.19th of November: Feeding the calves out of the bags. Earl Grey on the left and Pukka on the right both with a foot in the air!20th of November: Adzuki looking very smart in the snow!21st of November: Turtle enjoying the snow!21st of November: Christie alongside a snow bunting! I love these incredibly hardy birds! A flock of around 40 came and joined us on the Hill Trip.25th of November: The snow had mostly gone after Storm Bert but Scully and Feta found a patch.25th of November: Pip proving that reindeer can’t bite! Look at the small row of bottom teeth and the hard palate at the top of her mouth. 27th of November: Latte coming in for a close up. What a funny face!
Caddis on the right and Christie as a calf with big antlers already – September 2017.
Christie is a wonderful reindeer for many reasons. She was born in 2017 making her seven years old. I’m particularly fond of all that cohort as they were all born the year I first became a reindeer herder and so I’ve had the privilege of watching them grow up.
She’s a beautiful lass and very distinctive with her gorgeous freckly nose and back legs. She comes from a wonderful family line, her mum Caddis was also big and beautiful, and her younger brother is Sherlock, perhaps one of the most ‘famous’ reindeer in our current herd due to his enormous antlers. Christie has now had a calf every year for the past four years and all four have been male, dark, and very similar looking.
We rarely breed the same female on the trot year-on-year but Christie is just such a good mum and always comes back after a summer out free ranging in great condition, with a cracking set of antlers, and a stonking big calf by her side. Often mothers with a calf at foot may grow smaller antlers or look a little bit lean as they have diverted their energy to their wee calf, but not our Christie! This of course might change as Christie gets older and I’m sure she’ll enjoy a year off from motherhood before too long.
Gelato, Espresso, and Christie feeding next to each together – October 2024.
Below is a load of photos of her four lovely sons. They look so alike that for some of pics I only know which is which due to the date taken!
Akubra – born 2021
Christie and new born son in May 2021 – we later named him Akubra.Finding a bunch of free rangers in August 2021 including lovely Akubra! What a big lad, now 3 months old.Akubra in August 2024. He’s now a trained ‘Christmas reindeer’ and can pull a sleigh like a pro!
Gelato – born 2022
She’s done it again! Christie with new calf in 2022, we later called this little lad Gelato.Gelato in August 2022, aged 3 months.Christie and Gelato – September 2022.Christie and Gelato in February 2023 – not sure that Gelato is too impressed with his mum’s attention!Christie and Gelato in April 2023 right before Christie calved again. Christie reunited with her yearling son Gelato in August 2023 – practicing their synchronised dance moves!
Colorado – born 2023
Another stonking male calf for Christie in May 2023, we later called this lad Colorado.Christie and Colorado posing beautifully – November 2023.Christie and Colorado adopting the same sleeping pose!Colorado and Christie in Feb 2024 – both with broken antlers!
Espresso – born 2024
Another one! Newborn Espresso in May 2024.Espresso with Christie behind – May 2024.Christie and Espresso free ranging in July 2024 looking very scruffy as they go through the moult.Espresso and mum in September 2024 after returning from the free range!Espresso and Christie in October 2024.
