When we first moved to The Gables 11 years ago we saw plenty of chaffinches. Over the past few years I have hardly seen any in our garden. This morning, outside the kitchen door in the silver birch tree, I heard the distinctive song and saw a chaffinch. Welcome back.

And a bag of presents

The August lambs have moved to a new home a few fields away with new owners

33 children plus parents and grandparents. Over 70 participants. No wonder my throat is dry.

I’ve fixed the wire netting and hope that will keep the geese around the pond

In the garden several trees are in blossom including the apricot tree

We pruned the tree hard in the autumn. I hope we get a few apricots this summer