Blackie has gone broody

the hot sun will ripen the fruits this year

Having a break in the shade of a tree

Started the day by handing over two pails of gooseberries to the farm shop owner and then picking three punnets of raspberries to take to her shop later

Then it was a walk with grandson – the shortened version due to the heat. First through a field of wheat

And then through a field of barley

Came home to find the goslings cooling off in their drinking water bowls. Sensible babies!

On the day when lockdown is eased again, the grandchildren, son and I spoke with mum through a partially opened window.

Mum was on excellent form and enjoyed seeing her great grandchildren.

When the children had gone I stayed to talk and reminisce with mum. Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of dad’s death. I had recently been looking through old photo albums and put some of the photos onto my phone to show mum. They were, indeed, a “stylish couple” and they always looked the part on their annual visits to the Cannes Film Festival. They knew how to make the most of their lives. Work, rest and lots of play!

There’s been some trouble with one mother hen and the three chicks. Mother hen has started laying again, the chicks are quite big now and Mother has took against the black chick. Yesterday Jeremy saw her pecking the little one, this morning his back has two non accidental injury marks. Jeremy has moved Mother back to her original flock. We

I hope the sunshine, fresh air, clean water and good food will help the little bird to heal quickly. The psychological scars might remain. Poor chick.

And giving them away to tai chi pals