It was, nevertheless, a sociable stroll as I stopped at a friend’s gate to give her some eggs. We had a socially distanced al fresco chin wag before I resumed the walk. A few minutes later I stopped for another chat with C and her dogs

Then daughter called and I walked and chatted to her as I took a different route at the side of a field. Probably not a designated footpath but I kept to the edge and didn’t trample on anybcrops. Back over a tiny stream

into the country park snd back to the car and home. A lovely walk with Me, Myself and I.

The winter visitors have arrived from Scandinavia, the winter thrushes. They are most welcome (but a bit camera shy)

The goats are looking very sweet today.

Continue to take a daily walk and to take pleasure

in everyday sights and sounds. Such as the robin that “owns” the territory in the front garden and sings so beautifully.

Two days running Willow has been well behaved and hasn’t tried to put her hoof in the milk bucket. I think it’s because she likes me singing her Patsy Cline medleys. Or maybe she just wants to get the milking over as quickly as possible to get away from my singing!

Ordered online and put together last night, it was time to begin rearranging the library (and ordering two more bookshelves). Look what’s on one of the shelves!

He also sits at the head of the dining room table surveying the work

Now Nigel is sitting by the fire and watching, with interest, David Attenborough’s “A Perfect Planet” on BBC 1.

Our support bubble arrives and the day falls into its usual, comforting Sunday pattern.

We always have a lunch of oven cooked Gables chips and tomato ketchup (which I call sauce!) and some cucumber. This week it was followed by yet another cake to belatedly celebrate grandpa’s birthday, again. Any excuse for cake! Not much left.

Outside Pinky is also hobbling so we may have to bring her in later. When we trimmed Perky’s hooves we noticed that she was “bagging up” – her udders were beginning to get ready for lambing. It could begin at the end of this month but most likely in February. My favourite time of year with the animals (and some sleepless nights). Does anyone remember the “poddy lamb”, Wiggle? We hand reared him and he followed us around like a puppy until he became a boisterous ram and a menace. To see an old video of Wiggle click on

My friend and neighbour see them often but they are rare visitors to The Gables. In the off breeding season (July to February) they flock together to roost and keep warm at night during the winter months. In the breeding season they pair off and make nests and raise their young. The young often do not survive and the birds will help other pairs raise their young if their own efforts fail.