There were feathers on the ground and one of the ducks was missing. I think she might have been nesting outside in the run overnight snd an opportunist badger came and found her. Now there are 14 ducks and, as of yesterday afternoon, the sitting duck in the house decided to get off her eggs. Meanwhile the two wild drakes were exploring the garden

And when I walked down to the goose pond they slipped off into the field but didn’t fly away

The wild duck has not been seen for a while and I hope that she is nesting in the banks of the goose pond.

Nigel, the opportunist, waits until they finish and hopes that there’s a drop left for him

Click below

It was a perfect start to another beautiful day

An hour later

It’s 21 days for a hen eggs, 28 days for duck eggs and 35 days for goose eggs (all approximate)

Two days ago I noticed this duck sitting in the far corner of the duck house on a clutch of eggs that I had watched growing in number for over a week. She has pulled in straw from outside and “feathered” her nest. She started sitting two days ago but don’t count your chickens until they hatch – nor your ducks!

He took it with his phone after waiting for mum to leave the nest box to go and fetch food. He made the nest box with a hinged lid so he climbed on a ladder, lifted the top and snapped this fabulous photo.

We sent the grandchildren home with eggs and lots of rhubarb last Sunday. This morning granddaughter sent me a photo of rhubarb cruffins that she had made. I looked up a recipe and then made up my own

I mixed an egg with 3/4 of a cup of sunflower oil and slightly more than half a cup of golden caster sugar a pinch of salt a couple of handfuls of oats and about a cup and a bit of self raising flour and about a cup or two of finely chopped red rhubarb. It’s all approximate. Then into cake cases and an oven at about 160 degrees for approx 10/15 minutes until done.

It’s been a long time but at last we’re delighted to announce the release of new material from The Fabulous Micky C.

The new EP, “Stars” was beautifully recorded by Michael Tauben (Many Worlds Music), who also played piano and organ. The EP was produced by the same Michael Tauben and TFMC.

You can find the EP in all the usual online places – Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc. Search “The Fabulous Micky C” – “Stars”.

There’s a bit of funk, a bit of power pop, some high energy rock….and a deeply soulful rumination on the messianic prophecy from a secular sinner. Here’s links to a couple of tunes to get you started:

https://youtu.be/9UVIjZ3j2U8?si=6qV3vzJ9_vB6Qc7e

https://youtu.be/t773CgpnrS8?si=0BfUV8VfjtbdjXiC

Thanks to The Mighty Heartache, Rafi Bloom, Jamie Gordon and Mark Warren.  And of course to the truly inspiring and long suffering Michael Tauben.

Enjoy and please feel free to leave comments, share with friends, dance, send money, explore the rest of The Fabulous Micky C and The Mighty Heartache catalogue.

STOP PRESS The Mighty Heartache will be playing at The Water Rats  on May 12th

Always a welcome visitor and longstanding friend. She knows us well and brought a single malt with her – one I’ve never tasted before