here they are, prior to tail docking and dew claw removal this morning. very traumatic, not for the pups, but for us - it was truly awful. Pups sailed through and hardly seemed to notice.
In absence of mother who was out on a pee-stop, youngest steps in (not very reluctantly) to make sure tiny dogs feel safe and warm!
And here are our other lodgers. In the tiny front porch of the house (where the main front door that we never use is) perched precariously upon a 1930's triple light fitting is a nest absolutely bulging with house-martin babes, not yet ready to fledge, but coming closer every day. Think there are about 5 or 6 of them crushed in here, daren't get any closer for fear of wobbling them out of their nest. We are happy to clear up the mess below them in exchange for watching their parents practically fly into the house through the open porch doors to feed them.
And here they are in all their cliff-edge glory. Of course, we are not switching the light on! Don't want baked fledglings on our conscience as well as docked puppy tails....Baby boy 18 tomorrow (how can that be? where did the time go?). Doesn't want any kind of party, as he is preparing for his departure to Budapest imminently on his first solo holiday. Can't believe that both of my tiny babies have turned into hulking great big youths who are ready to fledge from their home just like the housemartins. Sad and happy as I am, its a difficult time for a Mum! Counting the weeks now until both depart and each day seems to flash by. Expecting 7 young men to stay in our house tomorrow night (birthday celebration, but NOT a party), some of whom are staying over the weekend. Biggest boy also having a sociable weekend, so have pulled up the tourer near the outside loo for his friends. House full and I'm tired but happy. Will miss all this when they go!
On Friday night its the 5 mile midnight walk in aid of Macmillan Nurses. I have a number and a tee shirt, just hoping will also have the energy. Saturday night thinking about a bottle of fizz, a large glass, and a night on the sofa with the tv. Sounds lovely. So long as its not full of great big youths!!!!!
The farmer has 'got in the hay' which has resulted in an owl feeding frenzy. Owls absolutely having a ball picking out all the small, furry things which have been hiding in the long grass of the established meadows. Its a joy.
5 comments:
The house martins seem to be thriving which is good news. Now what really caught my eye was that neat stained-glass Fresian window in the background, is that an original feature?
It was made for the space by a local leaded window fella 20 years ago. It replaced a sheet of 1960s frosted plastic. It was inspired by a set of windows in the local butcher's window, which have now been removed in the interest of cleanliness. (A sad loss, and I tried to buy them butthe butcher took them home). If you look terribly carefully you will see a football shape pressed into one side of the cow window, with one or two broken pieces, which happened a few years ago. A neighbour's son was a bit over-enthusiastic..... such is life. If I could find the artisan I would have it repaired, but he has disappeared.
I noticed that window, too!
Seems you have life bursting at the seams, how wonderful! We had a bird attempt to build a nest over the porch light which is right next to the door, we didn't want to get attacked so after repeated removals, I put a funnel pointy-side-up over it and duct taped it to the light. Felt bad, but didn't want to deal with an angry mama bird every time we came and went.
Luckily the house martins don't do the swooping attack thing. The worst problem is the little pile of poop underneath the nest. But they are so lovely I can forgive them. The funnel idea was inspired!
I was searching for something that I could put on top of the light that didn't have a flat top. Grabbed the funnel and was happy it worked. Probably people who see it and haven't had the delight of birds trying to build nests in inconvenient places think we're odd.
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