The chooks are out in the sunshine at last

We woke to the sight of two hares on the far side of the field, just to the right of the oak tree. Their huge sticky up ears and long limbs distinguish them from bunny rabbits which we see very often by the far fence. I grabbed a pair of binoculars and sat by the window to get a better view. Mr Hare then stood on his hind legs and, as if on cue, started boxing. I handed Jeremy the bins and he also watched this bizarre sight which is only seen in spring and is a mating ritual related to a build up of testosterone in the buck and a pushback by a harassed doe. Below is a YouTube video of said behaviour. I feel privileged to have seen this today.

The boy lambs got their ears tagged and all the sheep were sprayed against blow flies

Today is special, too, because it’s the birthday of our first born who came into the world 41 years ago

Mrs Silkie has been sitting on two goose eggs. Slightly earlier than we thought (by two days) the goslings have hatched.

Although mum’s present day mind wobbles a bit her recall of the past is almost perfect. So we talked about when she was an evacuee during the Second World War. We also talked about the family as some of the exceptional nurses and Carers popped in and out of mum’s room. They let me overstay my visit until it was almost lunch time. I felt quite emotional when I was leaving, triggered by seeing some of the other ladies and staff who I hadn’t seen for such a very long time. I used to really enjoy spending Tuesday mornings at the home, in the lounge, with mum and her pals. Maybe we will all be able to meet up again in the garden when the summer arrives.

Whilst I was taking part in group Tai chi at the Riverside Park in St Neots my brother and my niece were meeting for lunch in Golders Green, North London. My niece saw a lot of cameras and reporters milling around and then understood the reason. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was out canvassing for the forthcoming mayoral elections. Good luck Sadiq – especially as he is up against a truly bizarre assortment of candidates, Count Binface, Piers Corbin and Laurence Fox just to name three.

Pinky’s twin girls, who we helped deliver, are the friendliest of the lambs. When I fed Lambikin this morning they ran over to me and, after he had finished his bottle, they rubbed noses with me. We have decided to keep them both and sell the other lambs

In the garden the sunshine is working it’s magic