The goose pond and it’s surroundings got a good “haircut” this afternoon and J repaired the floating duck/goose house and relaunched it onto the water. The geese have moved back to their pond and got straight in for a bracing swim.

We took the brambles and tree thinnings to the goats. A treat indeed.

And it was time to go inside and light the fire

And there are, thankfully, only minor casualties here. A feed bin lid – probably blown into the pond

The sky is calm and there is the promise of sun later

I don’t know what we have done to deserve this but the presents have made us very happy. They will make the “little birds” happy too when spring and nesting time arrives

Thinking of everyone here and around the world who plans for, and looks forward to, this day and is unable to be with their friends and family.

J is pruning the fruit trees this week and the goats pick over the branches. Goats need forage as well as hay and concentrated and grass.

The chooks like being warm and dry and are laying plenty of eggs in spite of the season. They will remain under cover until DEFRA announces that the danger from Avian Flu has passed. We humans will remain in semi lockdown until our authorities give us the all clear. I suspect the birds will be able to mix sooner than their owners!

What’s to do but bake (and eat)

Yesterday was J’s birthday and I had ordered four gifts online from various sources. One is a pair of snuggly slippers, another a well reviewed book about cricket

The third gift is an apple press that needs to be assembled and won’t be used until next autumn. J says he will make cider and my plan is for fresh apple juice. We could make both. The third gift took me thirty seconds to assemble and three minutes to use and will enhance home movies on the TV on Saturday nights.