5 #3
Bixente: “Very good contacts, we have customers who may be interested in our two regions. The same ocean, the same type of climate even if we may have a few degrees warmer and essentially the same mentality. When I have clients who cannot find my place,
I often have a Breton alternative to offer them and we try to select clients who really like our territories. In any case, we will not be able to prevent locals from selling their houses, as long as the new owners are not unpleasant.”
The guests dined early to allow Bixente not to stay up too late. He has the green light for two new cows if he has opportunities to offer to his Breton friends.
The next day, Ma?lle comes to the farm to learn how to take care of Alma.
She comes at 5:00 p.m. after teaching her class.
She has been a teacher for ten years now.
She has done several levels since her beginnings from the biggest to the smallest.
Currently she teaches second year middle classes, 10 year old students.
Nolwenn will take care of it and the two women go straight down to the stable.
They find Alma in her stall because she was in the meadow this morning.
Nolwenn will show her how to change Alma and Ma?lle will do it alone under Nolwenn's control on her next visit.
The school teacher is very attentive to the midwife's instructions and follows her and Alma to the changing room. She has seen it done before but here she memorizes Nolwenn's gestures, aware that next time it will be she who changes Alma. She explains to Nolwenn who puts Alma on the changing table.
Ma?lle: “I’m not used to it, and for good reason, I don’t have a child yet. When I was a first grade kindergarten teacher, our 3 or 4 year old children put on diapers for naptime. It was basically my assistant who helped them put on their own diapers that fit like pants.
I saw during my first visit that this is not the case for Alma.”
Nolwenn tied Alma on her back to the changing table which she raised to be at the right level. She places her hand on Alma's suit at the front of her diaper.
Nolwenn: “Indeed Ma?lle here we use anatomical diapers held in place by plastic pants with snaps. This allows the layers to remain tight and snug on the crotch and rump of our cows who move a lot when walking or galloping in the meadow.”
Nolwenn rolls Alma onto her side and shows Ma?lle how to pull the zipper on her back up slightly, allowing them to shift the suit away from her hind legs and rump to access the diaper. When Nolwenn opens the diaper, Ma?lle sees that it is quite wet. She speaks to Alma.
Ma?lle: "You did a big pee in your diaper, my baby. We’re going to change that so you’re nice and dry again, sweetheart."
Louane, who has just come down to start rounding up the cows from the pasture, peeks through the open door of the changing room.
She notes with amusement that Ma?lle possesses the same maternal side that Nolwenn does.
She is glad she entrusted Ma?lle’s training in caring for Alma to Nolwenn; she is very good at it, and the two women clearly share the same sensitivity.
Alma’s diaper change continues, accompanied by Nolwenn’s commentary and advice, with Ma?lle remaining very attentive and focused.
The two women then lead Alma to the milking parlor.
Ma?lle stays there with her cow while Nolwenn tends to the other cows, leading them one by one to the parlor.
Once all five stalls are occupied, she starts the milking process.
Ma?lle isn't expected to know how to milk Alma; she is simply there as an observer, watched curiously by the other cows.
Once milking is finished, she is the one who sets up the cereal bottle for Alma and puts her kibble in the trough.
Before coming down to the barn, she had handed over some fresh fish from Quentin’s catch to Louane—both for their own meals and to experiment with making fish-based kibble for Alma.
She returns from the barn delighted, more convinced than ever that Alma is the perfect cow for her and Quentin.
She will return three more times leading up to the mating scheduled for next Tuesday.
Thursday, October 4th: Nolwenn has an appointment in Vannes with Erel and Judica?l in the mid-afternoon, at 4:00 PM.
The meeting goes very well, and the matter is settled in less than an hour and a half.
The visit to the farm is scheduled, and the couple has chosen Hilda—our short-haired brown Holstein who looks quite a bit like Erel (though hopefully without the attitude!)
. Nolwenn has timed the appointment early enough to be back at the farm before 7:00 PM, as they are hosting Morgane and Yann that evening.
The young couple was invited to arrive the day before the mating with Abbie, so they could settle into the chalet and get their bearings; they happily accepted.
They are due to arrive at 7:00 PM to get settled in; Nolwenn has prepared a gourmet picnic basket for them so they can eat in the meadow right in front of their chalet.
They will spend the night on-site, and after breakfast, it will be time for the test mating with Abbie.
Having prepared everything in advance, Nolwenn can help Louane tend to the herd, adjusting the schedule slightly so that all the cows are milked and fed by the time the couple arrives.
The cows, who can see the clock in the milking parlor, know something is up as soon as their strict routine is altered.
They have no doubt at all when halters with bits are put on them while they are in their stalls rather than out in the pasture.
It signals a "no mooing" rule for the herd: we have visitors.
Nolwenn greets Morgane and Yann as they step out of the car they’ve just parked in the yard in front of the barn.
She kisses the young couple, then they each grab their bags, and Nolwenn leads them toward the barn.
They walk past the stalls but pause at Abbie’s to admire the beautiful redhead before continuing down the aisle.
Nolwenn walks ahead and opens the door to the chalet for them.
She leaves them to settle in, then points out a picnic spot at the edge of the meadow, in the shade of a tree, complete with a blanket and cushions.
There, they’ll find a cooler stocked with glasses and drinks for pre-dinner cocktails.
She then asks what time they’d like their meal basket; the couple replies that 8:00 PM would be perfect.
After unhaltering the cows, Nolwenn heads back up and finds Louane in the living room, eyes glued to her computer.
She is watching the young couple settle in via cameras discreetly hidden within the chalet’s décor.
Nolwenn: "Anything juicy?"
Louane: "Nothing—not even Yann in his boxers while changing."