When I got home Di and I fed Lambikin his bottle and then gave the flock their concentrates

There are two “owl” boxes attached to two sides of the stable block. I’ve never seen an owl on or in either box but every year pairs of Stock doves eye them up and nest in them.

I put lots of fresh straw into the poly tunnel as the chickens really enjoy scratching around. No one escaped this afternoon

The chooks are fed up with being “cooped up” all winter because of the avian flu restrictions. For the past week we have found hens and cockerels that have made their way out of the polytunnel and into the run. Fair play to them. However, just now I found a hen in the sheep field

Unusually I visited mum this morning (not Tuesday) and she was on great form. Her nails are long and painted red – how my dad would have loved that look!

The children met me at the window and that gave mum great pleasure

My son and his grandma talked about horse racing and the times when mum and dad attended Royal Ascot on Ladies Day – guests of their close friend who owned a racehorse. One weekend dad accompanied his friend to Paris to watch the annual L’Arc de Triomphe horse race. The brilliant horse, Nijinsky, was being ridden by Lester Piggot and was the favourite in the race. My dad’s friend played Chemin de fer at the prestigious casino, Le Circle, the night before the big race. Dad sat next to his friend who lost £100,000 that night! The next day they lunched at the best restaurant in Longchamps. Dad’s friend had a large bet on the favourite, Nijinsky. Sadly the great horse and rider lost by a head at the winning post. It was a very expensive weekend yet dad said that, as always, his friend was as calm and relaxed as if he had won on the big day. My son and his grandma talked about this on the phone this morning. Extraordinary amounts of money won or lost in minutes. My dad loved the glitz and the glamour that he watched and if he ever had a bet on a horse his maximum was £1!

Their first night (with their mothers) away from the optional cover of the barn. All survived!

Children helping with animals and gardening

As grandson plays with his extended marble run before bath time