The tree creeper has been much in evidence recently, tree-creeping (obviously) and wall-creeping
but today it decided to try out some garden bird behaviour, using the ground feeder
We asked Bert if he would like to visit Dinah again
he seemed keen.
We led them to the common ground
they had tea together and then went home to (seperate) beds
We have been a bit preoccupied during January, but as another moon reaches fruition
life has been trundling along.
Today Bert trundled for a tryst
Nearby the new duck and hen colony is bedding down
The straw delivery creates a lot of interest
and the ducks take a lot of interest in the construction of their self-draining pond
just a question of where to drain it to
James has been (sort of) tamed
We have had a little sun, glimpsed through the rain, mist, drizzle and fog which have predominated
and signs of new growth are visible
We have seen our first outdoor rat – after three years here. Tend to look on it differently to our inherited indoor rat who is now feeling comfortable enough to venture from her cage and take up residence on the armchair
and thanks to this
these pictures are now leaving us slightly faster
Washing is a serious business for ducks
those feathers have to be kept in perfect shape if water is going to run off a duck’s back
Down in the new hen and duck run the temporary arrangements have not been approved of
too much queuing
So work begins on new facilities
Hopefully the built in tap on a cut down IBC will make flushing out easy.
Ian is the first to take the plunge
But Mr James Muscovy sees feathers in water as a signal of only one thing
Ian tries to recover his dignity
Yesterday morning the three Muscovies (who had arrived as companions for Solo – now integrated with his Cayuga peers) woke up to find the sky had fallen in – or, more prosaically, the heavy wet snow had brought down the netting and broken the supporting poles
These ducks were due to move to a new run, shared with the young hens, so they were just evacuated a little sooner than planned
They introduced themselves to the hens
(or the hen’s food at least)
The female was happy as she had a new (higher) stump on which to stand to be worshipped
and they settled down to enjoy their wheat
Come bedtime, Ian was about to settle down with his buddies St John when he was snatched away to join his Muscovy peers
A new day this morning – temperatures up, snow gone, and treecreeper wall-creeping
Ian was not happy
while his peers were enjoying green under their feet (not white, not brown)
he had to hide from their hostility
St John were not happy either
without their leader they were directionless.
The only thing to do was to take them to join the others
With Ian having protection the lead Muscovy had to take out his dominance on us
He is handsome though
White mist, fog, and wet snow
The feeders are busy
Ducks are content as long as water is liquid
A bright dawn yesterday
as we take Muriel over the Pennines
The previous evening we spent preparing for the journey
Inside – our lemon, bay, rosemary, yew, fennel seeds and ferns plus hay and lemongrass oil
Outside:
Family assist the last journey
While the youngest descendant looks on
I kiss the wall’s hole, not your lips at all
We do need Dinah in pig but have not got the time to facilitate that right now
Bert – mark for calendar for 21 days from now
Elsewhere in the sun today…
Through last year’s detritus
New life thrusts
The sun shines through
A new poultry enclosure takes shape – with fox-proof (?) electrification
It is a bit of a conundrum when you wake up in the morning and go for your wash and brush up
and find what should be liquid is now solid
It is enough to make you want to to go straight back to bed
Three years ago, four of us left the city for a new adventure.
Muriel was the senior adventurer – 91 years old at the time
Since arriving at Gribin Isaf she has often talked about the peace and tranquility she found here, the freedom from close neighbours, the pleasure she has gained from being close to animals and watching the every changing view to the distant mountains.
In the Autumn she welcomed Robin, her latest great-grandchild, to Gribin Isaf.
During the first hours of the new year Muriel died peacefully here at home, between the Christmas tree and the log-fire. Robin was there and his call was the last sound she heard.
We are running fast tonight
Nearly 2 Mbps is quite unusual.
We have tried DIY
but rope and tin cans didn’t seem to work
we thought of carrier starlings
But now, after a long wait
things are a-foot
Two weeks ago:
and now today:
So, soon we hope to be:
Gribin Isaf 