salt mine sightings

One of the buddleias at the salt mines was, yesterday, absolutely covered in butterflies of all types. You could put out your hand and touch 10 or 20. It was absolutely beautiful. Even the campers were entranced. Just goes to show, even the darkest places have hidden delights. Yella horse excited, has been introduced to apple trees, and has learned to pick his own! Its okay, there are none in his field, he must be accompanied to reach the trees. Don't want him with tummy ache after all his other troubles! But he loves them! One filthy unit today, an inch of dingy brown fat in the grill pan, absolutely disgusting toilet and shower. Yuk.

nest of elusive & temperamental teenager bird

I discovered this nest today, stumbled upon it without realising, and recognised it immediately as the nest or 'bedroom' of lesser spotted teenager bird. Many characteristics shared with teenager birds worldwide, but this particular nest made more obvious by loud calling (shouting) of female, or mother, lesser spotted bird upon discovery. Much fuss and botheration between teenager and mother resulting in nest reformation into what can only be described as a 'tidy' condition. Barely natural environment for lesser spotted teenager bird, but its okay, don't worry, well known to return nest to more natural environment as soon as mother's back is turned.

mud-skipper, rainy resort, people allergy

Its a bit wet then. Here's the yella horse wearing his fine mud coating, and his mud bathing area. Also, typical English holiday resort in less than clement weather today, and, as its my day away from the salt mines, a view, or two of my proper environment. as I was buffetted by the massed ranks of holidaymakers in the rain in town today I had an overwhelming urge to hold out my arms and bop them all out of the way. A bit too much exposure to them perhaps, more time out needed I fear.

yella horse ambling out

Yella horse went for another walk today, with me riding, and even managed a bit of a canter/gallop down a field. Not absolutely sound I would say, but much, much better, and so pleased to be out and about in the countryside again. No road trotting. By end of week will have formal 'trot up' on hard surface and make decision whether vet needed again or not. He looking so cheerful and chilled think he must still be improving. He so relaxed and laid-back its hard to think its the same horse as: A) I bought, and B)was in such a frenzy 10 days ago. Hooray. Eldest boy passed a one day emergency Red Cross first aid course today - suitably scared at the actual prospect of resuscitating someone. Both boys hoping to do a 6 day pool life-guard course next Spring so that their summer jobs can involve lots of girls in bikinis and whistle blowing. Soon they will have flown the nest themselves, trying not to think about that too much. National exam results this week and next week - a bit of tension developing. Fingers crossed. No pictures today, a bit short on ideas - keep watching.

light relief

chook communal bathing - look at the state of the lawn! This is the price of living with a poultry keeping son.

Holiday resort pyjamas

8am and a small English holiday resort awakens to a multitude of sights similar to my photograph. On the plus side, the man with the bin bag and litter pickers was on his way down the road, but it was a long, slow journey! Yella horse is improving. Walked him out last night with saddle on and my bum on saddle. A tiny bit lame, only walking, no trotting. He very pleased to be out of field. He relaxed and happy, even with traffic and dogs. Looks promising. Drugs run out on Friday. Quiet at salt mines, except for guest who came in to complain that he was very disappointed as he and his wife wanted 2 bedrooms in their unit. I showed him his own reservation form upon which he had carefully placed a tick under the box for ONE BEDROOM UNIT. Hard to know how to make some people happy. Also he arrived last Saturday, and now its Thursday, he's leaving tomorrow morning, so not sure what his expectation of a happy resolution might be. Obviously, he is sure he didn't make a mistake.

its happening fast!

THe husband has just bravely been and said how very, very sorry he is....they have both been laid off (though there was money for fireworks) and he just 'never thought'. His apology seemed sincere. I have asked for a donation towards the £120 excess, though I don't know if they will send any. I have accepted the apology. The horse is, thank god, insured. Oh dear, I feel really churned up now.