Inside the old cow barn, two sheep stand together penned in since yesterday afternoon. They had been limping for several days so we brought all the flock in and trimmed their hooves and sprayed their feet with bright purple antiseptic. These two need to rest and recover and allow their hooves to heal.
I spied the Bushmead Buzzard, indicated that I was pulling over and said to my friend, “excuse me for a second but I just need to photograph a buzzard!” She laughed and waited for thirty seconds as my trusty iPhone did its best through the open car window.
After getting goat milk on my clothes and jacket, every time I milk Willow, it was time for different morning attire
In a room, warmed by the wood burner, the cats doze all evening.
Although I grew up in a council flat it was located in fashionable St Johns Wood near Lords Cricket Ground. My father had an eclectic range of clients and many of them became friends. One of them, Laslo Hoenig, was a Hungarian architect, interior designer and cabinet maker who studied at the Bauhaus in the 1920’s and practised in Berlin until 1933 when he fled to England as Hitler rose to power. He opened a showroom in Mayfair and ran a successful business as an interior designer and bespoke furniture maker. In the 1960’s Laslo turned his design attentions to our small council flat, incorporating these stylish side tables into our living room. There was a matching coffee table that my parents gave away when they moved from their council homevto a private flat in Hendon 20 years ago. I’m so pleased that I brought the tables to The Gables and saved them from being dumped.
Black turnips, celeriac, parsnips and carrots
One of them is a “foster dog” brought here via a Romanian animal charity.
My friend thinks she might have found a permanent home for him in the village. He is a treasure and I am sure he will prove to be a loyal companion.
A perfect gift to savour today and also to toast in the New Year
After an early dash to Tesco (how can we possibly need all this shopping?) it was on to Borehamwood and a “masked up” walk with the oldest grandson. No cuddling or kissing or hugging but at least I saw him for a few previous minutes. Then I picked up some Poundland toys and met up with the other grandchildren outside mum’s care home window
There was great excitement at the home. The first batch of vaccines arrived there late last night and this morning mum, and her pals, got their first shots.
The staff will get their shots today after the residents. Everyone was smiling and I confess that as I walked back to my car I shed a tear.
Back home I was pleased to see the new bird box in place on the annex wall.
Arrived on these shores from Poland at the turn of the century. Penniless immigrants, they worked hard selling tailor’s trimmings – buttons, thread and the like. They eventually took a shop and lived above it with their growing family. 13 children were born but only 8 survived. They prospered and moved to a big house in Willesden and my grandmother, the oldest of the five daughters (who had wanted to study but had to work in the business) was married from there in grand style
Grandma and grandpa received a dowry and went into business but it failed as grandpa was too sweet and gentle to run his own shop and eventually they both went to work for a cousin which they did together for many years. Their only child married my father (also an only child) and they had 65 wonderful years together. Celebrating their 65th (and final) wedding anniversary with a party at The Gables.
Today we celebrate 46 years of marriage. I was 18 and Jeremy had turned 22 the week before the nuptials. We made the decision to wed on a Thursday and were married two weeks later! We had a luncheon for 60 family and friends on the day, then flew off to America for a road trip honeymoon
Returning to attend a cocktail party that our parents had arranged – for 350 of their friends and family. Who knew it would last? So far, so good! The grandchildren are the icing on the cake. Bless them in these difficult days. Bless all of us right now. Party postponed but maybe next year?
