Phew One Of Each

Sunday 7th April

Paige is settling well, very relaxed and very playful.

 In the poly tunnel, strawberries are flowering

 The citrus trees are coming back into flower

 and lots of lovely new growth.

 and last years fruit is almost ripe

 

Monday 8th April

We were back at Pembrey Sands with both dogs

 They had a great time exploring the beach and Tess tried her best to keep up with Paige who loved digging up shells

 and when her legs gave out she was int her princess carriage

 to continue the journey in style.

 after a rest she was back out enjoying herself, having a paddle with her new friend.

 There was one very tired dog who snuggled down to sleep on the way back to the car.

Tuesday 9th April

A day spent in the poly tunnel, the beds have been topped off with well rotted manure and covered over with Silage Sheets. To try and retain moisture, heat up the beds and as I plan to plant through reduce weeding

 climbing frames made from stock fencing have been put all along one side.

 and wrapped over the top of the bars

 The grape vines have been tied in along the bars.

the other side also had the sheets put down and the ropes weighed down with scaffold tubes are being put in place for the tomatoes.

Wednesday 10th April

We have some rain forecast the first in two weeks, so I headed up to the top field that was torn apart by badgers

 and did some re seeding, we got a sack of mixed pasture seed from the feed suppliers.

 I had to hand broadcast it, but hopefully it will take.

The rain was just starting as I finished, by the time I got back to the house it had stopped, the downpour never happened.

Thursday 11th April

Trimming goat feet Wednesday morning and I pulled my back, as the day progressed my back got worse so it has been lots of rest me for a chance to start organising some computer files 

and getting stuff on usbs that I use all the time save me time going through files on the computer.

The sun was out and its time to start hardening off the ducklings

They had a great time exploring grass for the first time.

 Friday 12th April

Martin has gone to Bristol, he had something special to collect, 

still having back issues but it is improving,

 so spent the day baking 

 Chocolate Chip cookies.

Tortilla wraps  and a loaf that over rose and collapsed on me, but sill edible.

Martin got back late afternoon 

and here is the special collection.

Mia, it has been in the planning stage for several weeks Mia coming here to retire, she turns 9 this year and she as placed with a young boy who was Autistic but situations change and Mia had to be removed.

Saturday  13th April

 Its been a day of adjustment and getting to know you day, with three dogs in the house we only ever planned two, 

 Paige and Mia similar age like to play tug of war.

 All three like treats

 A trio of labs one of each crashed out in front of the fire.

 Paige has had her fist weigh in week 1 and she has lost 1kg

Well done Paige.

 

 

 

A Very Sad Week with Highlights

Sunday 31st March 

Clocks changing and Mothers Day rolled into one, the clock changing always throws me out  for a couple of weeks, really don't see why we have to go though this ritual twice a year as we are very much a 24hr society now.

The Cheese got waxed a few weeks then it can be tasted and decided if its worth doing any more.

Monday 1st  April

Oh my such a sad sad day.

This is Maggie, We have been best friends for 14 years, Maggie lived in Hull and I lived in Milton Keynes when we first encountered each other, we met through a crafting forum and hit it off instantly, 

Maggie was disabled with a genetic disease Vascular Ehlers Danlos  she also had other complications, She had a fantastic sense of humour and out look on life, our relationship was constant phone calls lasting hours, we did manage to meet on several occasions too.

Maggie passed away early morning aged 53. I am devastated and still cant believe she is gone.

With all the sadness of the day we took Tess to Pembery sands, it gave me chance to  blow away the cobwebs and remember Maggie.

 The old wreck on the sands

It is unnamed 

and believed to be from the 18th Century

 

This photo was taken in 1950.

Tuesday 2nd April 

After the sad news of Maggie, good news was just around the corner, Maggie had an assistance dog from Dogs For Good (formerly Dogs for the Disabled) it was were Sol and Kara came from when they retired, We got a phone call to say Paige who was Maggie's dog was ours, we put in the request on Monday as many a time Maggie had said when Paige retires she would be coming to our little farm, her family followed up on her wishes as Paige is too old to be retrained now.  She was being boarded in Manchester and Martin would be collecting her later in he week.

Wednesday April 3rd

Martin is away at work,  and I got up to this

Snow and it was bitterly cold after the spring sunshine days we had, 

Still muddling through the days and making arrangements to travel to Hull for Maggie's funeral.

Thursday 4th April  

Yet more white stuff what is going on with the weather 

A short video of the new lambs in the snow.

Friday 5th April

Yeah the snow has gone and the sun has come out, spring has come back.

Martin came back today and brought Paige home.

 She settle in straight away

 and made herself at home, she is a bit on the chunky side so this young lady, who we think is 7 we don't have her paperwork yet, is on a diet, the last few months of Maggie's life she wasn't able to exercise Paige and her waist line has expanded. It wont take long to get her in shape, her coat is like velvet so soft and in fantastic condition.

Saturday 6th April

Another sad start to the day, one of the lambs was taken by a fox overnight. It was one of a twin born a few days ago. So now we are waging war on the fox population around here.

Paige has been running around the fields like a lunatic at this rate she will be slim in no time.

She has introduced herself to all the livestock and the ducks were not impressed and saw her off. 

Tess had a lovely present today

As you have seen on the blog, Tess is not good on long walks her back legs are just not up to it. We end up cutting walks short and having to carry her.

 Tess now has her own princess carriage

 So now when her legs give out she can hitch a lift and enjoy the rest of the outing in style.

Its was an exciting day for the buffalo too

here is another short video

After being confined over winter they are now back on grass, and they were so excited.

So all in all a very up and down week, with life comes death, with sadness comes happiness its all one big circle that balances itself out.