Mrs Silkie has been sitting on 16 eggs for over three weeks. There was a difference of opinion in our house. One of us thought they would hatch, the other was doubtful. Yesterday I heard a faint cheeping. This morning there was a sighting of at least four little chicks.

We moved the house and run to the safety of the pergola to prevent rats from burrowing under the earth and attacking the vulnerable babies. Let’s hope that does the trick.

The visitors accompanied me on a short, afternoon stroll. We admired Minnie, the Dale Pony and the girls were invited to meet her by her owner

On the way home the sun was shining and it started to rain and a bow appeared in the sky