J just sent me this picture.

He planted some catnip amongst the herbs

Nigel went straight for it this afternoon
Mabel was curled up on a windowsill
And she has also taken to sleeping in the “in tray” in J’s study or…
Sitting on a rocking snail (and even managing to sleep in the seat).

I’m taking a chance

These cosmos seedling started life upstairs on a windowsill in a seed tray. They were then transplanted into individual pots which later moved to the unheated greenhouse. Today I put eight of them outdoors and sprinkled organic slug pellets around them. Will they survive? Here’s hoping.

These nasturtiums have self seeded

Plenty of action before 8 am

Wild mallards were eating the goose food
A goose had got into the vineyard click below
A hen pleasant was lurking and ran away

In the barn one lamb had jumped onto a bale of hay and was eating from the hay feeder

A hen that we thought had “gone broody” got off a clutch of eggs. It’s all happening outside and … it’s raining again 😢

Another delightfully busy day

I gave a talk in Welwyn Garden City at lunchtime
About the book of course

My late mother’s cousin was there and she had brought a wedding photo proof with her taken in 1966 when I was 10

Yes, I was her bridesmaid
I was a bit podgy methinks! Our cousin said that my grandma ( her aunt) spoilt me with too much chocolate!
Came home to find a stock dove nesting and Mabel
Snuggling in a feed bucket.

We had visitors today. One of the guests is a phenomenal photographer. Who knew?

Here is a selection of photographs taken here today. I’m blown away by the quality. All photos credited to Jeremy Lawrence. If you want to contact him for photography I can put you in touch (with his permission). Tomorrow I’ll be using my iPhone photos again!

A blue tit in flight
Which lamb?
Mr and Mrs Pheasant
Hop little bunny
Spread your wings goosey and ducky
Who else but Willow?
A slug emerging from a cowslip
Even the rhubarb flowers look good