The morning ritual consists of feeding the cats and then opening up and feeding all the poultry, ducks and goats and checking water troughs in the field. Then, in these days of drought, watering every pot and hanging baskets and even some of the roses and flower beds. Of particular importance are the many tubs of tomatoes at the back of the house. No water, no crop.

For some weeks we have seen pied wagtails in the field and more recently flying into and out of the cow barn.

The birds sense my presence and won’t show me their nest. I can’t blame them. Little grandson went to see the cows this afternoon and he was very taken with grandpa’s old ex army defender

First visit for nearly 12 weeks

Thanks to the actions of this courageous Guernsey woman, the Golden Guernsey breed was saved and revived after nearly all of the goats were killed by the Germans during the occupation if the island in the Second World War. Miss Milbourne managed to hide a few of the animals and breed with them after the island was free again. Today Golden Guernseys are rare but not endangered. Bless her (and thanks to my friend Kate for the link to the Rare Breed Survival Trust website).

Last summer Jeremy took some cuttings of this Blue Passion flower vine from a prolific specimen in a London garden. The cuttings overwintered in the poly tunnel and were planted in tubs this year. Now they have been placed in the courtyard where they are doing brilliantly and flowering. Dr Google suggests, on several sites, that the plant flowers from July to September but it’s only May! Global warming?

Both hens gather their chicks to them whenever we, or the cats, get too close.

The strawberry poly tunnel has been producing a fair number of berries. Outside we don’t expect strawbs until June. I was thinking of watering all the tubs and hanging baskets when I felt something unusual – a drop of rain. It’s not due to last for more than a few minutes – more’s the pity. I unwound the hose and a flash of red caught my eye …..

Are they chinooks ? Anyone know? Loud noise in the peace and stillness of a warm May evening