box of eggs

thought you might be interested to see half a dozen eggs produced by eldest boy's chickens, which he sells to help with his finances - pretty I think. The funny thing is, it doesn't matter what colour the shell is, the contents ALL TASTE THE SAME! Whatever anyone else tells you.

whiskery question

How hot! Marvellous. Just thinking about the horse ear thing, and moved on to horse whisker question. When Skipper came to me he was, as is customary in this country for show horses, completely clean shaven. Now, I don't believe in cutting whiskers, be they horse, cat or dog, so Skipper now sporting full set of whiskers, eyelashes, eyebrows etc. Someone told me its illegal in Germany to shave horse muzzles. Hoping Skipper enjoying the 'hairy chin' look, helping him not bump his nose on feed bucket, stable wall, fencing etc. Thinking it should be outlawed here too.

new fly mask

photos of old fly mask (repaired) being modelled, Skipper trying to eat old fly mask so he never has to wear the stupid ears again, and, a big cheer now, a new fly mask with no stupid ears! How cool is it? And only £4.65 instead of £13.00 for the stupid ear thingy.

how hot is it?

I can't believe how very hot the last two days have been! What absolute luxury. Killing to work in, but fabulous with the leisure to enjoy. Had to 'let go' a cleaner at the salt mines yesterday, only got one speed (dead slow), but hoping to set on new one this week. Yella horse had a few days off with all party work, but got up really early this morning to gallop over 20 acres new baled meadowland. Oh, great fun! Cool enough to be really heart-stopping excitement. Wearing flip-flops, elastic waist trackies, and a man's huge white cotton shirt to keep cool looked like a gypsy horse dealer. No photo, thank goodness. Have sewn a new lot of tassles on the fly screen/horse ears thingy, and he's wearing it again. He is really cheesed about that. Salt mines visitors obviously super-happy with turn in the weather - keeping them on the beach and out of reception - excellent...

another night, another party

Oldest boy partied on down 'til dawn with 30 or so friends last night. The sick guest was returned to parents after midnight (there's always one...). Good time had by all the rest as far as I can tell, and a nicer bunch of polite, well mannered, considerate and cheery young men and women would be difficult to find and I'm very proud to know them all.

kindness of strangers

At builder's merchant counter, being advised that its impossible to buy old-fashioned hemp rope any more (for party tug of war) when local builder interrupted to say he had one in his garage if I would like it. I duly went to his home, and he dragged out the perfect tug of war rope. Upon enquiry of the price he said he had no wish to sell it, he very fond of rope, but very happy to lend it to me for party! Never met the man before!! I took rope, and promised bottle of wine to rope owner, to return after the party, hopefully no worse for its experience. Just overwhelmed by the kindness of his act, and timely reminder that despite media assurances to the contrary, people on whole not such a bad lot after all...

party preparation & funeral

Hugh went to the little child's funeral this morning, all I can say is at least its over. Terrible. On a much lighter note big boy preparing for outdoor party of his own later in week...now have gazebo, big BBQ, better catering, piles of beer & cider, childish party games, and a request for a rope for tug of war (drunken & sober), and two large empty oil barrels for barrel racing (standing on top of cylinder and attempting to 'run the barrel' in a parallel race). Hoping very much for a fair weather evening for him, fingers crossed. Yella horse Mr Relaxed today,, but the hat's back on, fly spray losing efficacy and flies crowding eyes. Yuk.