Another quick update

Below are a few photos from the farm, plus the last two, one is a Woodpecker on my living room window peanut feeder, lousy I know through the net curtains, but wow, I was 2 feet away from him and he didn't see me! Erm, last is for Emma fans.

Okay so here's the bad news, mum was taken into hospital at 1am Saturday, had fallen over again, having had the doctor out to her during the daytime and who didn't think she was ill enough, yeah right, so much for having any faith in the NHS, just a locum doing the rounds, never seen my mum before or knew the slightest thing about her. She then fell and couldn't get up off the floor in the night and had to bang on the neighbours wall. So I have had to arrange someone else to do the farm and my animals and am going up on Wednesday to try and sort things out. It's a nightmare. Something that I knew would happen one day I suppose but just tried not to think about. She can't look after herself, her house is freezing cold, and I've got my work cut out I think trying to get things sorted as quickly as possible. Sod's law that this should happen now, the only month of the year when I'm tied up with looking after the farm, plus I have a cold myself and don't feel brilliant. Shit.

Update on the hoggy

Sad news, the lady from the hospital phoned, the little man didn't make it through the night. :(

At least he died in a warm place with his little tummy full of nice food, instead of out in the garden somewhere.

No hogs came last night again, I think they've moved on or also been killed, too early to have hibernated, especially with the mild weather. I'm actually wondering now if a rat could have bitten the little fella, although it would have had to had a very wide jaw, maybe not, only I put my webcam on last night just to see, and the rats were having a field day eating all the food bar the mealworms. I don't want to do anything about them though, as poison is not an option in my book, apart from the horrible way the rats die, it can poison other things too, so a complete no-no.

Apart from that, someone up there has got it in for me I think. I'd been trying to pick the right day to do some washing for ages. This morning, got back from the farm, it was warm, sunny, windy, so went for it. I honestly had only just hung it out, came back indoors and it started to chuck down. Can't bloody believe it. The first time its rained for about 9 days I think.

Oh yeah, and the wind turbines. Nearly forgot to mention the fact that the noise is just bloody awful up at the farm, and I can hear them slightly here in my garden, which is about 1 and a half miles away. The noise can only be described like that of a high-flying jet passing over, but it's constant. And there is also the non-stop che-donk che-donk che-donk in time with the blades rotating, like giant tumble-driers going round and round times ten. Great eh? They sent a survey form to fill in this week, I hope they like my replies, which were polite btw. They say that modern ones are silent and can't be heard against normal background noises. Fine if you live alongside a motorway or in a city, but what background noises are there in a rural farm, half a mile from the nearest road? Sheep, Cows, Birds, and just maybe the occasional tractor in the distance. I wonder how these government officials who are pro on-shore windfarms covering half of Wales would like them in their back garden? It's all about money sadly. The farmers are rubbing their hands with glee at the money they are getting for them on their land. And we are supposed to be beside ourselves with joy at the local community getting a £75,000 grant. Whoopee.

Sitting here very despondent about things, I need to sort something out about my mum, but apart from phoning a few people, I just can't do it from here, but I can't be in two places at once, and although there is the person who can stand in for a couple of days, I would need to get someone to do my animals too, and I doubt she could do that, she has a farm of her own to look after. Sigh. I've just got so much to do here too, I need to go to the docs and dentist myself, stuff needs to be done on the car, the house is filthy, and I just feel like going to bed and forgetting it all, hoping it will go away. :(

Not a good day...

Been one thing after another, firstly, I put the uneaten hedgehog food dish out under the bush by the kitchen window, so that Jakey the Blackbird could eat it. Looked out about 11.30am to see a small hedgehog in the dish. Oh no. For those who don't know about hoggies, if you see one out in daylight, it means it's probably not at all well. So I went out and could see before I even got there that he was shaking and wobbly. Picked him up and he didn't even attempt to curl up, his eyes were only just open, and he was very cold. Brought him indoors, out with the heat pad, put in carry box with towels and food. I weighed him, 350gms, and he measured only 19cms. Couldn't see anything actually wrong with him though but did seem a bit dehydrated.

Anyway to cut a long story a bit shorter, phoned the lovely lady who is my nearest hedgehog rescue, I took one to her about 3 years ago, and she said to bring him over. Was 34 miles door to door, but it was in his best interests, as she has all the facilities there and medicines etc. After examining him and getting some fluids down him, she was checking to see if he had any ticks, and found a wound by his ear, looked the other side, and there was an even bigger one on the other side. Poor little bugger, something had obviously tried to pick him up by the head, and bitten him. We suspect cat or maybe next door's dog, I have my suspicions about both possibilities. Prospects of him making it not bright, but she promised to let me know, if he hadn't improved overnight, she would take him to the vets tomorrow.

Next, on the way home, an imbecile farmer-type in his land rover hit a beautiful cock pheasant on the edge of the road. He only had to brake slightly or turn his wheel about an inch to avoid, but made no attempt to do so, the poor thing was practically on the grass verge, but just got caught. I stopped and got out and he was still alive, couldn't see any breakages in legs or wings, and I held him to me and tried to soothe him, but after about 3 or 4 minutes, he did the death-flap and died in my arms, I was bloody distraught, lots of cars passed by whilst I was there and gave me looks as if I shouldn't have stopped where I did. Well tough shit. I can't just ignore things like that I'm afraid. I carried him over the bank and buried him under some leaves in a wood, to stop anything else being run over whilst they preyed on his poor body.

My mum not been doing too well. She's not eating, not drinking, and has been sleeping in the living room chair for two days by the sound of it. She really needs some care and help but it's like bashing your head against a brick wall trying to get anything done by her council, the doctors don't want to know, nor do the carers. I am going to ring Age Concern tomorrow and see if they can help. Why did this have to happen when I have the farm to do, another 20 days yet. I have the number of someone else who can step in to do a couple of days but I need to go up there for a couple of weeks by the seems of it and start chucking my weight about a bit, maybe they will take notice then. Grrrrr. Bloody authorities.

Anyway, pics of the little hoggy, fingers crossed for him. and a bit gruesome, the poor dead pheasant. :(

OMG!

I was just sitting watching the telly, and I saw something out of the corner of my eye, small and dark scuttle along the skirting board and go under my display cabinet. Mouse I thought. WRONG! Toad! Bloody Nora. How on earth, how long has it been here that is the question. Thinking back, have heard a few strange noises from various places for a few days now, thought it was coming from outside, hedgehog normally, but I've a feeling he's been in here a few days at least. I've been finding water droplets on my kitchen worktop in the morning for instance.

I had to get a broom and chivvy him out from under the cabinet, and then remove a few cobwebs and bird feathers lol. Put him out the back garden near my greenhouse and the little pond I've got up there. Hope he will be okay.



Emma was petrified lol

The Farm, Day 2

Photos below taken this morning, it was beautiful up there and I was walking round marvelling at the wonderful surroundings. Amazing weather which made it so pleasurable. Fed the cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, walked and drank coffee outside.

The most amazing thing that happened was that as I was walking round my favourite field (the one with the two oak trees pictured below) between that field and the one with the horses, there is a wide, fenced ditch. The dogs had been running up and down excited and sniffing and then calmed down, they have a habit of chasing squirrels so guessed it was that. However, I picked up my camera (well my mobile phone which I use all the time now) to photograph the horses, and a beautiful fox jumped up in front of me and ran like hell, he was literally only 5 or 6 feet away, the closest I've ever been to a live one. I had seen one up the farm twice recently, but not that close, wow, it was fantastic. Good job the fence was there else I would have lost Skye and Barra (Emma didn't come, she is too lazy lately, and stays with the cats in the yard)

Apart from that, had a great weekend with Alan, we went to New Quay Saturday and had the best fish and chips in Wales and nice ice cream, Emma had a walk on the sands and in the sea now dogs are allowed on the beaches again, it was like being at Crufts, the place was full of people with dogs having a great time. We then came back and sat and watched our fave night on the telly, Merlin (fantastic best thing ever on tv, love it to bits) then Strictly, and then the X Factor, shame they clash a bit but thankfully I have Sky+.

Yesterday we did farm together and I did us Sunday lunch up there, was a nice change. Will take me a while to adapt to the clocks altering as usual. Hate it with a vengence, wish they would leave it until December and alter them, it's horrible being dark at 5.30 now, makes such a long evening, and I'm hungry too early, tired too early, grrrrrr!

Mum still not too well, had another couple of dizzy spells, and is such a worry to me, I still hope to get her up here to stay, if she has any more near misses or falls, she wont have a say in it I'm afraid, I shall just go get her and fetch her up whether she likes it or not. I just know once she is here and sees all the lovely scenery etc she will want to live here (well I'm hoping anyway, I would love it.)

Enough for now, time to go up the farm again now, it's looking grim outside now, clouded up and will soon be dark, how depressing...

Beautiful golden colours of the trees, I love looking at them against a blue sky like today :-






















The little Dexter bulls (and Emma, showing how brave she is..) : -

















Lots of unusual fungi around at the moment -



























Emma and her fellow cats... (I'm sure they think she is one of them, so funny at times, seeing as she chases them out of my garden, but accepts these like her best friends...)

An update

Photos below from the farm last weekend. Was beautiful weather, a real indian summer here thank god, which makes up for the rubbish proper one we had. From this coming Sunday, I have 25 days to do in a row. Hope the weather will be as kind. It was great getting back to feeding my Daisy again now they are back on the feed. The new additions which I haven't photographed as yet are 4 little Dexter bulls, very cute and getting tamer. Trying not to get to like them too much as I know what their ultimate fate will be. :(

My mum is improving. Long story now but she had a fall during the night on Sunday,and couldn't get up in the bedroom and had to call an ambulance. She insists that she wasn't dizzy, just stumbled/tripped. She has banged her head and cut her knee but didn't have to go to hospital. The doctor came out to her yesterday and was satisfied, and today she had to go to the surgery to find out the blood test results from last week, and it shows she has a very low B12 count, which is what I have suffered from for about 30 years, I don't retain it and have had to have injections ever since. I wouldn't be at all surprised if my mum has had it this long too, she just would never go to the doctors and its taken something like what has now happened to her to make her realise she is human and elderly. She doesn't eat properly, and lives on sweets and cakes! Anyway she has to go and have injections every two days for the immediate future and her lovely neighbour is running her back and forth as the surgery is about 2 miles from her. She has to keep up the pills for the labyrinthitis and high blood pressure, but she sounded very perky on the phone, I'm ringing her every night to check on her. She hasn't had a sick or dizzy spell since Saturday now so am very hopeful she's over the worst. I'm determined to get her up here to visit soon and she is at last warming to the idea. I'm sure she will love it up here and hope to persuade her that maybe she would like to live near me and see the seaside regularly at least!

Lastly, Alan and I are having another last ditch attempt to save our relationship. I am determined this time to make a go of it, I truly hope we have a future together, I want it very badly and will do all that I can, as will he.

Many thanks for all your lovely comments previously, I will try to keep up the blog from now on, I promise, with as many photos as poss, including Emma of course!

Few Pictures

Heron at Sandy Water Park

Slow Worm in Alan's Garden

The first Wind Turbine on the hillside above our village appeared about 3 weeks back


... and then there were 6, 4 to go (for now, plans are for about a hundred eventually...) Taken today. My home is in direct line with the one second in from the right, about a mile away. My friends farm, where I look after the animals, has one about 200 metres away in a field next to theirs. We are all praying they don't make the awful noise that we have been warned about.

Emma at Dogs Trust Fun Day recently

Yuck Yuck Yuck!

Well not really, you see I am one of those weird people who actually think slugs are quite cute. But this monster had to be seen to be believed. Every night before dark I check my greenhouse for the little darlings, otherwise I don't think I would have many tomatoes, cucumbers or beans come the morning. Sometimes I have taken away about 16 of them to the far end of the garden. Last night, I couldn't believe this one, I think it's probably the biggest I've ever seen. Brought him in to measure and he was over 5 inches OMG!

Hmmm, well been a busy few days but today not done much at all, lots that needs doing but can't get motivated, not helped by the fact I've had a splitting headache all day, taken two of my migraine pills now but still not feeling bright. Weather not helping, one minute quite sunny, but gale force wind all day and horrendous sudden downpours, hailstones at one time, unbelievable, it's August isn't it, not April????

Still here

Just another quick blog, want to try and do this at least weekly.

Mealworms arrived for Frank and he was sitting outside the bedroom window as I drew back the curtains on Sunday morning lol. Didn't see him yesterday though because I was away until teatime, and no sign, so start to worry again. In fact no birds at all then I saw why - bloody Sparrowhawk, sitting as bold as brass in the tree. Grrrr.

Anyway, had a lovely weekend, we went to the Gower on Sunday, and yesterday just popped into Llanelli and walked round Parc Howard. Been there before a couple of times last year, but not seen it with all the flowers in bloom, it was beautiful. Took a couple of pics anyway to show off my Emma for a change. *cough*

Was expecting a heatwave today - the forecast on Sunday said it was going to be a scorcher, 24c for here and 29c for London. Well I guess I should've known better. Pulled back the curtains and its grey grey grey. Instant depression. :(

Oh well at least it's not raining for a change I suppose. Yet.

Frank at last!

Well no fainting please, I know I have been away for a long time, and probably will be again, just never have the time or inclination to do this anymore but a wonderful event happened yesterday and today, and because I took so many photos, just had to do a quick blog. I should actually be outside now cutting the grass which is about 8 inches high in places, sigh.

Anyhow, the event is that my little Frank the Robin had disappeared without trace for around 6 weeks or more, along with all robins actually. I was convinced something had happened this time, but yesterday when I opened the front door he flew at me like he wanted to kiss me, and I felt the same. Moved me to tears, so relieved. Anyway, I was virtually out of mealworms, so hastily ordered some more which may come tomorrow hopefully, and took the chance that he would come back today, and he did. Found me round the back garden this morning and spent most of the morning with me, sunbathing, panting on the windowsill because he was too hot, then going in the holly to cool off, then back again. So much for the bird scarers on the window too, which I put to stop birds flying into the window, he wasn't at all bothered, and laid there so cute whilst I sat next to him with my coffee.

He also came again this afternoon and landed in my little apple tree and I had to explain that I didn't have any worms left and he took a few suet pellets from my hand instead, and some more round the front porch at teatime. It's so rewarding remembering what he was like last summer at this time, a spotty little baby, and that he has retained his trust in me all this time even though there's been months without seeing each other.

Oh well, that's about it for now, I will try to start doing this again more regularly, will be easier once the nights start drawing in a bit again, but theres just so much else to do this time of year.

Something for Emma's fans

Just a very quicky to try and keep this blog going. Still so busy at this time of year, if I don't make an effort to come on here in the morning before I start, I don't seem to get round to it. Done loads and loads since last time I blogged, best thing was going to the opening of the first new racecourse in the UK for over 80 years, last Thursday, called Ffos Las, about 2 miles from Alan's house, which is handy! Did take a few pics but not gotten round to downloading them off the camera yet, oh dear. Oh and I came home quids up, (and a little hoarse, forgive the pun, screaming your horse on up the straight is something else, along with about 6,000 other people) I won £30 on the last race which quite made my night on a 25/1 outsider! (Have a look here, it's brill - http://www.ffoslasracecourse.com/index.php )

With the light evenings now, I am not even putting the tv on let alone the computer, normally outside doing something in the garden, shutting up the greenhouse, gardening, watering the tubs and borders, shutting in the birds, or just gazing upwards watching the swifts and swallows hunting. Then come in time for Alan's phone call about 10 pm.

I start the farm today for 4 days, so expect some more pics of cats, dogs and sheep, they have some newborn lambs popping out from all directions, the mistake of the two rams from last year that weren't castrated properly! Oh and expect the weather to change I suppose....

Anyway, a few pics I took yesterday of Emma on a walk down by the river, my favourite place. Needed to cool off, lovin' this heat, long may it continue.

More cats and dogs

All taken today, fun in the sun...









Fight!



















Doing a "Pete" here, the sun was a bit too bright on the colour version, so thought I'd try this

Just cats.... (mainly Little)

The remaining farm cats (Bigley has sadly disappeared...)











Little and Shorty

Just dogs ...

At the farm....

Another quicky

So much happened since the last one I did, can't even begin to put it all down now, but I had to post some of the wonderful shots I got yesterday up at the farm. Doing this for 8 days this time, and loving it with this superb weather, hot hot hot! The field alongside the ones I take the dogs for walks in is smothered in meadow buttercups, and I had taken a photo or two of it the other day, but yesterday was thrilled to see the mares and their gorgeous little foals too, so it set it off so well.

Will try and update with some other stuff I've done soon, have taken photos but just been too busy to do this, I didn't even touch my laptop for two whole days last week (shock, horror) Blame it on the weather and the fact that it's light until nearly 11pm at the moment, the only television I have watched in two weeks is Springwatch Hour!

Watch this space.

Few more...

Let Emma out for last wee about 11.30 last night and there were two hoggies at the front dish. Dashed back to get the camera quickly, but by the time I'd got back the little one had legged it and hidden by my mower! Then the damn battery had gone flat in the camera, grrr. Anyway quick change and by then Biggy had started to vacate the premises too, but stood and listened to my conversation for a few minutes, sniffing the air and considering her best move, then suddenly lifted her skirts and ran like hell and also hid by my mower, lol. Was very funny to witness. By this time it was getting on for midnight.

I wonder what the neighbours think of me having convos in the porch and flashing camera lights at that time of night? Not to mention that the porch is becoming a latrine. Must get the poop scoop in action today I think. (Well I'm sure the neighbours think they live next door to a very eccentric person to put it politely. Who else stands outside in their dressing gown calling "Thierry, Frank or Gitty" at 7 am in the morning? ......

Birds and Hog/s

Well what can I say? Well for the sake of trying to be polite, (for a change) Fed Up would be the best way of putting it. I'm sick and tired of this godawful weather. Grey skies, drizzle, torrential rain, 10c most of the time highest temps, wind, and central heating still on. 'Nuff said. Grrrrrr.

Okay so I took some photos of the birds in my aviary the other day cos I had been given a new budgie, who has been living indoors in a cage. Long story short, she wouldn't tame down with the owner, I had a try, and she is completely mental, in fact I have called her Psycho! So anyway, she's now gone out into the aviary with my others and has settled well so I took some pics to show the previous owner when I see her (Alan's sister's neighbour) Also took some of a few of my cockatiels.

Frank been back a couple of times this week for the mealworms. Eaten three or four then flown off with just one. He'd disappeared for about 2 weeks again. I say "he" lightly now. I have a theory. I think Frank may, after all, be female. Its the only explanation I can come up with for the pattern of appearing/disappearing. I think when s/he was coming and taking zillions of worms a few weeks ago, obviously feeding chicks, which I think both male and female do. When s/he disappears for a couple of weeks, could be sitting on a nest of eggs, and just turning up for a few to eat on her lunch/tea break? Obviously if I'm not around at those times, I wouldn't see her. Dunno, could be anyway I think.

Also now got a lovely male blackbird named Thierry, after the gorgeous male black man, swoon, erm, yes he is at the window looking in at me all the time, I'm having to throw him 8 or so mealworms at a time. There's also another Robin who is becoming bolder, taking lots, both of these are nesting really close by because they literally are gone and back within about 1 minute! Costing me a fortune.

Took a couple of proper shots of the hoggy in front porch last night, very cute, the unmarked one. Will have to think of some names for these this year. Hum.

Dunno what's in store for the weekend, if the weather stays the same as now not very much I think. Got the farm next week for three days, then the following week for eight days, so hope maybe we may have an end to this wet and miserable bloody cold. Everyone is saying it's more like March. Well I was warmer in February.

Aviary

Smudge Jo Boy

Psycho

Thierry



Hoggy

There's more...

These two are in lurvve! The one in the dish is female, pretty sure. She sat and ate and ate, whilst the other one circled round and round for about 25 minutes. No aggression at all. Then they went off together hand in hand... no not really lol, but anyway, it was cute to watch. Later, there were two again, but definitely one of them was different, back to the pushing and shoving, was about 11.30 pm.

All the food from the front porch dish had gone by then, so I put out a lot more. At least I know it's the hogs eating it though, I did wonder if they were leaving lots and the early birds were clearing the dish. So they ate dried mealworms, raisins, peanut halves, sunflower hearts, suet pellets and broken up bits of Rich Tea. Eat better than me! Costing me a small fortune actually, the tub of mealworms only lasts about 2 days!

Hog News!

I think there must be a whole army of them out there at night. The garden is covered, and I mean covered, with hog poo! I picked up about a sack load from the back path and front porch yesterday, and there's dollops all over the grass everywhere I look. Sorry if that's too much info!

Anyway, I know for sure I have three. One is marked with white on rear end, one has marks between front shoulders, and last night, a little cutey in front porch, very small, no marks, too early to be this years of course, but I guess one of last years babies that made it through the winter.

Few shots from the webcam, last night for the first time there were two at once, and much bumping and barging going on.

Went to collect the dish from front porch just now and one of them had wee'd in it. Lovely creatures aren't they?

Anyway, cam is not an option for you early-to-bed merchants, they aren't appearing till gone 10pm, captures from last night were about 11-ish. Sowwy! (You know who you are) ;o)

So much to catch up on AGAIN!

Never seems to be enough time to do this any more. Such a shame cos I'm still taking a few photos with good intentions, and then end up with a huge backlog stored either on the phone still or on the laptop, and I keep thinking I must do my blog, I must do my blog..... Well it's raining, I'm still in bed (yes it's 10am but I was up at 7.30 to let Emma out, put out the bird feed, uncover the budgies, give the guinea pigs their cucumber, then I got back in bed with my coffee to do my quizzes on here YAWN, yes very boring I know.

Anyway, here's some photos and a brief bit about some of the stuff I've done over the past couple of weeks.

The first two are of a wonderful night out with a dear old friend of mine from the past - John Mann. I'd been back in contact with him again recently via email and was thrilled to find out he was doing the opening night concert of a newly installed Wurlitzer organ (originally in the Gaumont Theatre, Manchester) only down the road here at Folly Farm. http://www.folly-farm.co.uk/events.aspx?PageID=35 (Sorry don't know how to do the links that you click on) I used to be very into the organ world of concerts and travelled to USA a couple of times with the ATOS London chapter way back when. Anyhow I'd not seen the lovely John for over 25 years! Had a great night of music and brought back some wonderful memories for me, and then the following day Alan and I were invited to join him and some pals for lunch at a superb restaurant,highly recommended - http://www.cwm-deri.co.uk/ Great scenery looking out across Pembrokeshire, and super food and staff.





The next day was Bank Holiday and we went to a Classic Car event at Swansea, which was great, and then onto the Mumbles for tea and sat looking out at the sea. Had to stay inside the cafe though as it was a bit breezy and chilly. Would be great on a nice day though.







Okay fast forward now to last weekend, can't remember what I did during the week only usual stuff oh been working my socks off on the garden and getting it looking the best it's done for a few years even though I say it myself. Lots of tubs full of bedding plants, and loads of small seedlings coming along in the greenhouse, together with tomatoes, cues, beans, sweet peas. Oh hell yes, one day in the week we went to Sandy Water Park with Emma, been there lots of times, but did a different walk this time and found this in the woods ....

Its a sculptured wild boar made out of recycled metal.

Was very windy that day lol, as you can see from Emma's dumbo ears. Also was a swan nesting, very close to the bank, hope she will be safe.






Right now onto last Saturday, stayed local and went to the Woodland Trust woods near here in the afternoon, and saw all the superb bluebells everywhere, it was really magical, we did a very long walk this time, over 2 hours, and it's so steep there, but felt quite chuffed that I did it ok, I'm certainly a lot fitter than I was a couple of years back, would have been huffing and puffing more than Emma then. Surprising really being as I've put a bit of weight back on ....













Got back to the car park and saw this rabbit, seemed to tame, got very close before it hopped away, we think it may have been elderly though, def didn't have the dreaded lurgy.





Sunday we went to http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/attractions/parks_and_gardens/cosmeston.aspx Great time again, lots of lovely walks, Medieval village, lots of water birds, nice cafe (a major necessity...) Only saw a small bit of it, definitely want to go there again, but we were going to Alan's sisters later so not enough time, needs a full day there with a picnic would be good.

Monday I was up the farm, helping with the shearing which was great like last year. Weather has changed now though so I bet they are feeling cold and miserable, poor things. I was folding the fleeces and the lanolin was great for my dry old hands, I love the smell too. Tim the Shearer reckons there are another 4 ewes due to lamb - I expect they will wait until I am doing the farm for the week again next month.....

Anyway that's all now. Just nearly had a heart attack because I'd done all this and then went to publish and it said Blogger was unavailable for 10 mins (which was actually over half an hour in the end) but luckily it had saved most of it, I only had to do the last bit again, phew. I was about to vent and say that was the end of blogging for me if I'd lost all that lot!

Watch this space...

Short Video of the Red Kites Feeding

Worth a visit purely because of the number of kites involved, and you can get quite close to them. Only a hide to go in though, you can actually view them from the road without paying but we thought that would be really mean, the guy has to buy the food after all. (There is a pub at the end of the road where you have to park the car, but it wasn't open when we went, under new ownership - they do snacks and teas Pete!)

http://www.redkiteswales.co.uk/location.html

Trying to catch up a bit

Well, hopeless task to go right back to Easter with this, seems like ages ago now, I had a nice weekend, went to some good places, the weather was fab, and I took some photos, but other than that can't really remember what or where until I sort through them for this!

At present, am doing the farm, only four days this time, and of course the weather changed in my honour, turned wet and a lot colder but still.

Bird stuff, well a first, a pair of Redpolls on my niger seed feeder, been coming a few days now. Not a very good photo cos it's only through the glass window, didn't dare open, they would have been off, but it's a proof shot more than anything!

Frank still coming and taking plenty of worms, had to buy another £3.50 on Saturday in the Pet shop, his babies must be at least 11 days old now so due to fledge shortly I would think. Mrs Frank getting a bit bolder but still won't come too near.

Had an upset this morning, a pair of blackbirds have been nesting in a large bush out the back, I checked the nest last week and she had 4 lovely eggs. Had another look this morning as I noticed she wasn't sitting, and all that remained were the shells, perfectly broken in half. I wonder if a hedgehog would have climbed up in there or maybe a rat, grrrrr. I suppose could even have been a magpie, have noticed one around a bit more lately. Thank goodness the babies weren't being formed properly, that would have been awful. Only hope the hen is ok, not seen her today but no feathers around.

Emma still doing good, been lively and happy. Her last blood tests show her albumen levels still slightly low, but Damien says to keep her on the same diet for now and re-test again in about another 2 months. Her weight is staying stable so that was a relief, wasn't sure if I was giving her too much or not enough. Oh, she is on some other heart pills now too in addition to the Fortekor that she's been on for a couple of years, wonder how much they are going to set me back. Still haven't received any insurance money for this lot, but that seems to be Damien's fault slightly, he promised to get the forms sent off last week, and the week before that and .....bless! (No comments...) He said it was his next job when I saw him at 4.35 last Tuesday, as he glanced at the clock (they shut at 5)

I've been really busy getting stuck into doing some gardening again, last year it all got left apart from basics like grass cutting, but have got the bug again and bought a new greenhouse cover a few weeks ago, and have got cucumbers tomatoes and strawberries on the go in there now, going to buy some bedding plants this week and get my tubs and hanging baskets sorted out. Done a new rockery in the front garden, and a new border near the aviary with Sunflowers, Lupins,Red Hot Pokers and asters coming along, and the steep grassy bank round the back which has always been a nightmare to look after I've planted out with lots of wild flowers, bluebells, primroses, violets, forget-me-nots and chucked a lot of wild seeds in which may or may not come up.

Can't think of anything else much to catch up on really, so will post all the photos that I can find out from the phone and memory card and put what they were beneath if I can remember!

Redpolls

Unwelcome visitor from a couple of weeks back

Mouse in the shed, inside a polythene bag, they think you can't see them lol



New Rockery

New Passion Flower with trellis, Flowering Currant and Teasels

The bank with wild plants

Emma at Easter, Teifi marshes Nature Reserve, Cilgerran




Walk along the coastal cliff path at Aberaeron Easter weekend









Walk along the coastal path at Llansteffan, Sunday 19th April























Visit to Red Kite Feeding Station, near Llandeilo, Sat 18th - Great close ups of the Kites, better than at Gigrin Pete, not such a nice set up though, no tea room!

















And finally.....

Emma had a bath! I'm fed up with people saying she is fat. She isn't. She has a wide ribcage and is stocky. You can feel her ribs and her spine. The fur makes her look tubby. When she is wet all is revealed. So there.

Okay, I know I have lost the plot....

It's about Frank. Again. Well to cut a long story short, I ran out of mealworms on Tuesday lunchtime. 100gms gone since late Friday (and that's a lot of worms) As I was out a lot on Saturday and Sunday, I hid some and showed him where the pot was so am pretty sure it was mainly him taking them.

I had to go to the Vets at 4-ish on Tuesday so I thought he'd have to wait till about 5 when I would have some more, wouldn't do him any harm, he must be finding other things to eat anyway, or will have to at some stage. So I go in Pet Shop and she's sold out! None till Friday. Not in the least bit sympathetic or helpful, which upset me a bit, I spend lots and lots of money in there. She didn't know where else I could buy any.

So I came home and got out the phone book. It's 5.15pm by then. I knew which shops didn't sell them, and started to go through the list of next nearest ones which might. No luck with the first, struck lucky with the second. Woo hoo. The good news is he had 8 tubs at £2.20 a tub (cheaper than my normal one), the very good news was he was open until 8pm, but the bad was it meant a 72 mile round trip to get them. Oh well, what else was I going to do all evening! (Well actually I was going to go to Tesco, so it worked out okay)

I got 4 tubs, and he's now gone through one and a half of them. He's also now bringing Mrs Frank with him. I thought at first it was a rival, but the Git is still here chasing him off each time but this one is actually taking three worms as well from the pot with Frank at the same time and they fly off in convoy. She is terrified of me though which is a shame. He will come on the windowsill and she is staying back on the wall, and if I throw out a worm for her, she flies off, so I've got another pot in the flower border alongside the wall.

The things we do eh?

Frank's a Daddy!

I've got so much to catch up on since I last blogged, can't even remember it all so will probably resort to posting a few pics with a brief note on what I did and when etc, but the most exciting thing of all that's happened is my little Frank is a proud dad! No idea how many, only a rough idea of where, but oh boy is he working hard to provide for his family. He heads off with the mealworms I am supplying, taking three at a time, right down to the end of my road, across the next and then into a garden where I lose sight, he could be in that garden or beyond, but it's around 200 yards away at least. Since Friday when he caught me out gardening, he has been back and forth countless times, around every 5 minutes, sometimes even quicker. Having to dodge the three other resident robins at times too and I have been protecting him. Most times, I am leaving him a pot full which is hidden, only he knows where it is, well that was the general idea, but one of the others has found it now too, lol. Mainly though he still prefers to come to me and take from my hand, must feel safer, knowing that the other gits can't get him there! It's a bit of a worry with him crossing the road at high speed, would be preoccupied, and not see a car I think, but it is a cul-de-sac so not that much traffic but still enough if he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can't wait to see if he brings his babies up to feed after, but think it unlikely due to the territorial thing with the other ones here. So proud of him though and so privileged to be part of it.

Bought him 100gms (£3.30 worth) of live worms on Friday, and they've nearly all gone. He won't be fobbed off with the dried version either, even though I've tried soaking them. I've got to go get some more tomorrow now. I wonder how long till the chicks fledge, lol. He may well have been looking for me before Friday, that was the first day I was around much last week, so perhaps they are getting on a bit hopefully.

He is catching the odd thing himself, arrived with a fly once, and a spider yesterday morning. Not in the least bit interested in earth worms though, took one and spat it back out. Charming. ;o)

Latest news

Well I'm sure you've all been waiting with baited breath, but good news about little Frank. He appeared in the front porch one day last week, but I didn't report then because I wasn't 100% sure it was him, he hid from me at first (or so I thought) then he came on the wall, took ages to decided whether he would take the worm from me, and then when he did, he flew off with it in his beak like a rocket, so I was half convinced it was an untame one, and he was just plucking up the courage.

Anyway, there was repeat performance on Saturday morning, but this time he was more laid-back, took three worms, but on the third one, another robin appeared from the junk stored in next door's porch and chased Frank off across the gardens, so maybe that was what was freaking him out before.

So anyhow, today, was in the kitchen earlier and looked across to my bird feeders up the garden, and a robin was there - he saw me and flew over instantly to the windowsill, took 5 mealworms, two suet pellets and then went! Relief. He's fine. :)

Okay so other stuff, been really busy, had a great weekend with the weather. Saturday we went to Lampeter, had lunch and then took Emma for a nice walk along the Peterwell forestry, haven't been there since about last May, no bluebells out yet but they won't be long by the looks of things.

Sunday we went to the big car boot sale at the Showground and then onto Laugharne another place not been to since about Easter last year or maybe the first Bank Holiday Monday, can't remember. The place was absolutely packed, it could have been mid-summer and height of the tourist season. Nowhere to park, all the cafes full, anyway had a lovely walk, lunch out, ice creams etc.

Photos below are of two of the lovely Camelia's in Alan's garden, and Laugharne Castle, Emma in the moat, and a view across the estuary.

Today it's been raining. Been trying to get something done in the garden but had to give up at 2-ish and come in for lunch. Bored stiff ever since!

Frank

Well little Frank has been back and forth lately. He went missing for almost 2 weeks and I was fearing the worst, the mealworms were down to the last few and I wasn't going to get anymore, then suddenly on Tuesday morning, he appeared at the kitchen window, and devoured the lot, good timing as I was about to go to the pet shop that day when I could buy some more.

Anyway, he's been around every day since and twice today. Was at the living room first thing, and then when I went up to do my aviary about 10.30 he was there too, so I had to traipse back indoors in my wellies to get the worms, so took the camera too, and he posed nicely for me.

However, had an awful shock, I can't be sure but just after I'd given him his 5th worm, my cockatiels all went barmy and screaming, and this bird flashed past my face between me and Frank, and shot up behind the aviary. It was all so fast I didn't get to see, but I think it was a Sparrowhawk, and I can't be 100% sure it didn't get Frank! I am now worried to death. I don't think it did, and not even sure it was a hawk, because all the other birds didn't appear to be phased by it, the Chaffs were still in the tree nearby and Goldfinches on the feeder at the back, everything normally disappears for ages after a hawk has been about.

Just hoping upon hope now that he's ok. Will update as soon as I have any news.

Now better get on and do something I suppose. Sigh.

Back to normal

Well my three week stint at the farm has finished and as usual, now feeling down in the dumps. I can only dream that one day my life will be to have my own smallholding with a few sheep, chickens, goats and maybe a donkey and Shetland pony to care for (not forgetting a dog of course, maybe even a couple of cats.....!!)

As much as I loved the walking exercise with the dogs including Emma, my best times and the most fun were with the sheep, particularly Daisy, the little one I helped to raise with the bottle feeding last year. She is so dear and affectionate, and I confess I was spoiling her rotten by saving her some of the sheep feed in the bucket so she didn't get squashed at the troughs in the mad scramble with the other 21. She became attached to my leg most of the time I spent in the field and barn, and tried desperately to follow me out of the gate most days. I used to tickle her ears and hug her, and she gave me a few kisses on the nose. Awwww.

Anyhow a couple of pics from my last day up there yesterday. Will be popping up later this afternoon to see Kate, they got back safe last night, but I won't be interacting with the sheep of course, and with summer coming along and they don't need the feed, just eat grass, well I guess I wouldn't be seeing so much of her anyway.

I wouldn't want the commitment of doing it as a permanent job, twice daily, but I would be happy to do three or four mornings a week, but it would be awkward for Kate I think, not sure whether to suggest it or not. I just need a reason to get up and do stuff, otherwise I just sit around here in the morning waiting for lunchtime, nothing to do apart from housework which doesn't interest me in the slightest. Doing my own birds etc only takes about half an hour. If Alan lived a bit nearer it would be ok but 35 min drive down and I can't stay there all day and evening that often in the week, completely impractical and unfair to my pets. I am seriously wondering if I should look for a little part time job. I mentioned it to him though and he wasn't very happy, thought that I would be spending more time with him and helping with his garden once the farm was over. Oh gawd. Can't win.

Barra

My Daisy



Cats in the cradle, well hayrack...

Busy at the farm

At last have a few minutes to spare to do an update. Have been looking after my friend's farm for just over two weeks now, and trying to fit in all the normal life things that I always do, and am afraid the internet and blogging etc has had to take a back seat. The weather has been fabulous so that's meant every available second has been spent outdoors, making the most of it. Alan has been here a lot of the time too so not fair on him for me to be online all the time like I would normally when I'm stuck here on my own. As it is, I still found a bit of time each day to do my online quizzes, to which I am well and truly hooked!

Everything has been going okay at the farm apart from a shock the second day. Went up to find one of the ewes had produced twins! Well nothing unusual in that I suppose, but for the fact that the young last year's rams (Frank and BeBop) were castrated last year. Apparently it's not always 100% successful, and they needed to be rechecked in October, but this wasn't done. So mass panic set in, as I wasn't sure whether the mum could feed them, how many more were due to drop etc. Phone calls back and forth and a chap came up and checked and said that at least 6 of the ewes were in lamb. Oh gawd!

Anyway, long story short, another chap who has been doing some work up there for my friends came and took the ewe, her two lambs, and two other ewes who were about to drop in the very near future, away to his farm after the first week, and I let out a big sigh of relief!

The Red Kites are building their nest in the tree in the lane same place as last year, the nest that blew down and left a chick for Kate to rescue. Seems they haven't learned their lesson sadly, just have to hope it doesn't happen again this year.

One of my hedgehogs from last year is back, been around for over two weeks, due to the mild weather I guess. Been feeding him in the front porch, but he hasn't shown up early on the webcam now for ages, never been before I go to bed.

Today I had my record number of Goldfinches at one time on the feeders outside the living room window - 10 of them. Fabulous sight. Also have 6 Siskins coming regularly.

Apart from that, everything else in life going well, relationship-wise, and Emma- wise, so not really much else to say, so I won't!

Just a few photos I've taken up there over the past fortnight then.



















The Place of the Skull lol

Sunday - National Botanical Gardens

Well finally gotten round to posting some of the photos I took on Sunday at the above. Had a nice day out, a repeat of last March 1st of course except I wasn't alone this year. Still didn't feel all that well though like last year, and still haven't done since either. Just can't seem to get warm, or at least I am either too hot and sweating or shivering with cold. It's like I have a cold that won't come out. Been a bit achy too. And now I have to brace myself and get motivated because as of tomorrow evening I have the farm to do for the next three weeks. Not at all enthusiastic about it really this time, but I always say that then when I start doing it, soon get into the routine. Not sure if I will be staying up there this time, doesn't seem worth the hassle really, feel more comfortable here, Kate doesn't mind either way.

Other news, Emma is doing well. First photo here was taken in Alan's garden one day last week. She had one morning with a bit of runny poo but otherwise no problems at all, and is still very lively.

Was getting worried about Little Frank. Hadn't seen him since last Friday morning, but then I was away for the weekend, and thought maybe he'd been round and had no luck so had given up, but he came today twice, much to my relief. I had a horrible shock yesterday when I came in at teatime to find a huge area of the grass by the bird table covered in feathers and a leg, claw and a bit of intestines. I could see it wasn't a Sparrow, too big, looks like a poor female Blackbird has been killed, I had a feeling there was a hawk around again, the feeders aren't getting emptied very fast just lately.

Weather turned back to winter after a lovely February, had snow yesterday morning, hailstones and minus 5c overnight. Previously two days of rain, so back to squelching around in wellies after a lovely dry few weeks. Roll on May. Unless it's like last year's of course, then forget it.