What MISERABLE weather! Uploaded a photo (taken today) of yellow horse's field, so that you can admire the awesome scale of the mud hazard around the gate. When fetching him in after lunch today ( he can't stay out any longer in the howling gale, and driving rain) the mud right across the paddock is ankle deep. I don't know how its going to dry up enough to be usable. If you enlarge the photo you can just see yellow horse doing excellent impression of mud covered hippo, sheltering under far hedge. He was most unhappy to be dragged from this relatively sheltered spot until he realised that he was being invited to exchange it for a warm and straw filled barn. When the flash of realisation hit him he accelerated swiftly to the gate, dashed through and hurried into the shed. Dry and warm. What could be better. Oh yes, the large bucket of carrots and feed that were also waiting.
Also showing a photo of the backyard. I can't call it a lawn, as over the years the kids, dogs, chickens et al have given the green stuff so much wear its just a patch of scrubby grass really. However, it has now been taken over by one of my favourite creatures, he of the velvety coat, and huge front paws and claws. I like moles, indeed, I think they do a terrific job. I have, over the years, even handled a few, rescuing them from cats and dogs to dig another day. They bite like fury, and have loads of sharp, sharp teeth and I bear the scars. This fellow in the back garden is not showing his whiskery nose above ground, and I am extremely reluctant to deploy the metal mole killer trap that lurks in the porch, but I do wish he would push off so that we can repair some of his damage. He's throwing up two or three molehills every night and its only a tiny garden space, which currently resembles a moonscape.
Egg production has recommenced, despite the desperate weather, and there are at least a couple of blue eggs, and a couple of my favourite dark brown eggs every day, as well as the usual egg coloured eggs! Selling well in the pub, so big boy lining his pockets once more with proceeds of sales. He has set 50 eggs in the largest incubator, which is now clicking and whirring in his bedroom. Therefore, in a week or two the kitchen will be filled, once again, with the deafening sounds of 50 chicks desperate to be fed! I can hardly wait.....
The Aga has died, soot has appeared in the burner chamber, and its not looking good. Aga engineer coming in a week or so, but in the meantime the kitchen has changed from the warm heart of the house to a cavernous, freezing space which takes no prisoners. It is almost necessary to 'fleece up' prior to entering, and meals are being taken by diners wearing full outdoor winter wear (just some slight exaggeration going on here, not much though.)
Went to see Julian Clary last night at the local theatre. Sadly only half tickets sold. It was, however, a wonderful show, a gentle, chatty evening of wit and wisdom, with not one swear-word. Much fun had by all who made the effort to attend.
Dining our with The Ladies tonight. Talk, talk talk. Yippee!
High tides forecast for this weekend, along with this howling gale, which MIGHT mean some coastal flooding. Preparing rowing boat just in case!
