October06

Friday, 6th October 2006

I'm somewhat shocked to realize that I haven't made an entry into these diaries since Sarah's birthday on 26th September. No, don't worry, nothing drastic has happened; I've just been so busy that I haven't noticed time flying by.

For a little while now I've been trying to get a photo of Primmie running. She just looks gorgeous on the move, the perfect runner duck - I wouldn't mind breeding of her if I could guarantee to get ducks and not more drakes! I thought I'd got her through the window day before yesterday when she and Rellchen ran back from having seen off a pidgeon, but I was too slow, see:
Another fawn duck I'm very fond of is Anabelle down by the duck pond. I feel a bit sorry for her because all the other ducks there are white, and lots of the time she is on her own away from the other 7. She also shows deference to the Campbells when it comes to feeding - I don't know if she's been bullied. Might see about getting another fawn runner duck to keep her company......

Can you remember how lush the planting looked around the newly re-lined frog pond in June? It's changed a bit now as the little tykes have eaten everything within reach of their beaks. There's not a single reed left in it nor oxygenators, and they've even eaten

the Zantedeschia I planted in front of that log in this second picture above. Luckily the one Annie brought me and I planted in the middle section is thriving again and even shot up another white flower - can you see it on the right?

Another plant that has pleased me recently is the arbutus (strawberry tree) just above the frog pond, it's just started flowering for the first time (the arrow points to it).

There's something else going on in this photo: Sweetie and Decibels are under the potentilla and pieris on the left. They were ages under there. Sweetie used to lay there, and I wonder if the youngster was trying to pick up some tips from her!

Gerd and Maria are coming tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to seeing them. Hope they have better weather for the travelling than we did here yesterday and today - it's been chucking it down.

Monday, 9th October 2006

We had a most enjoyable time with Gerd and Maria. The weather kept fine, if windy, they were able to admire the new (to them) ducks, inspect the electric fence,
and they even made it to the top of our field to see where we've been hacking down the "jungle" recently.

Yesterday late afternoon we had a surprise visit from Carl and his family to introduce their new family member: Alfie the Springer Spaniel pup. He is absolutely delightful, as you can see.

Harlequin didn't know what to think of him though and kept out of the way. And he didn't get to meet the ducks - that'll come later.

Sunday, 22nd October 2006

I am not getting any more regular with my entries, am I. Alan and Frances rang up a couple of days ago to find out if any disaster had befallen the ducks or us. John was able to reassure them, and thank you, you two, it was really nice of you to worry on our account. I've been hacking my way through another "jungle", in between the two fields, behind the donkey shelter. It had been almost impenetrable, but I'm making progress, see, there's light at the back of the tunnel!


Gerd and Maria sent me some photos of their visit which I liked better than mine. There was one of us picking damsons

and a really nice line-up of ducks with Primmie leading - pity they weren't a little closer:





I liked this one of us about to go apple picking, as well,


and then I thought it only fair to insert one of Gerd and Harlequin - the sun came from the wrong direction, sorry!



I've just come in from shutting the ducks in for the night, and it's not quite half past 6. This must have been the third time I've managed to get them in without the aid of the dummy while John is out, it makes the job a lot easier. It would be quicker still if Pinky didn't feel she had to "have a go" before going into the hut last, and if the 9-er mob would stop their current little game of going in and out of their hut 3 times before stopping in!

Tuesday, 31st October 2006

I've had wonderful birthday celebrations again, been overwhelmed with cards, flowers and presents, and I can just get one entry in before October is finished. Annie, the girls and Ollie the chocolate labrador went back home yesterday after a really lovely visit. I asked to have a photo taken with them before they went, in front of two of their presents - 2 gorgeous stone owls - but only Eleanor and Ollie agreed:

While she was packing up the car Annie noticed that the Campbells had turned up at the frog pond. That was only the second time this had happened, and it was nowhere near as noisy as the first, in fact I hardly noticed.

The invadors were soon repelled and the 9 "residents" needed a rest:


It didn't last long, though, as you might suspect. Sitting in the front room I could hear the "quack, quack, quack" going past the window, and for the first time we had Campbells and the other duck pond 4 on the front lawn - they're not all on this photo:

The apple pond 9 were a bit bemused and didn't quite know what to do. 6 kept looking from the drive
and Donald and Fanny were having a serious discussion as to tactics:


Did our 9 manage to repel the invading 8? Yes, they did. But the batteries in my camera needed to be replaced just as the duck pond crowd were being escorted back home - sorry!

Halloween tonight, and I'm reminded of our splendid collection of pumpkins last year. We planted them in a different location this year with absolutely miserable results. Just 2 small ones, not worth a picture, Caroline!!