My grandson and I left The Gables at 5.30 am on Monday morning. In the darkness, along the country lane, we searched for owls and were disappointed.  However, just before Chawston, my headlights caught a pair of eyes in the hedge and the eyes looked at us.  Then the creature rose, showed herself to be a deer, turned her back and fled into the field.

30 hours later I am back at The Gables where the following is happening.  Kim and Steve are painting the outside of the house and are taking advantage of the beautiful sunshine.

A large mobile field shelter is being erected in the field to provide cover for the sheep and cows in the rain and snow.

Chris is planning to modify the tractor so that the trailer will attach to the front of the machine and, inside the main house in our bedroom, the frame of new bedroom wardrobes has been fitted and should be finished on Friday.

I think I should go away more often and leave the gaffer to organize the homestead and make tea for all the workers.  It seems as though a lot more gets done when I am not at home than when I stay on site!