I went down to the goose pond with a bucket of fresh water for the geese. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a creature move from the bank into the water. Yes – it was mother duck and her duckling. They swam over to an ash tree at the water’s edge and nestled into the hollow at its base.

I moved slowly towards the tree and mother, alert to my footsteps, left her hiding place with duck in tow.

A sight to gladden my heart.