Stocks still in flower and hanging baskets looking pretty

Jeremy was helping to unload a trailer load of hay and straw

Then I accompanied him (without doing any of the work) while he started to build a “nursery pen” in the barn in case a sheep lambs early.

Lily watched from her side of the barn

on the 10th of January!

I grew up in a block of flats that rose above a library. As we were all voracious readers but lived in a tiny flat with minimal bookshelves, my parents, brother and I were able to read and return books to our hearts content. We also ordered new books and the library system bought them and issued them to us for free. What an amazing service. My first port of call, when we moved to The Gables, was to join St Neots library, where the staff apologised for the recent implementation of a £1 reservation fee for ordering books. Good value in my “book”. Today I drove 40 miles to the historic town of Stamford which boasts 5 medieval churches. I went straight to the library (pictures above) on the pedestrianised high street where the helpful librarians gave me a map of the town and in addition a mediaeval trail map. I was in the town to get a feel of a place where, in 1190 following the mid lent fair, 30 Jews were murdered by a frenzied mob. I even sat through part of a communion service at one of the biggest medieval churches – built with money lent by the Norman Jews who were encouraged to settle in England by William the conquerer after 1066. I was able to speak with the vicar after the service. I did not take communion!

There is much to say about the period 1066 to 1290 when Jews were expelled from these shores. They were not allowed to return until the rule of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 17th century.

Below are the remnants of Stamford Castle where the Jews sought sanctuary from the mob in 1190. Several people I spoke with today were angry that the town bus depot had been built adjacent to and upon these ancient ruins!

Views below of the river that runs through the town. It is a beautiful place with a chilling history.

Spectacular skies

Sunrise

Reflected in the shed window.

It’s so mild that three hens have already laid before their houses have been opened

the first rhubarb shoots!?!?

It feels like spring but will there be winter weather arriving soon? We met a sweet rescue dog, Millie, and her owner as we walked along the muddy footpath.

Millie had been an abused dog kept locked in a barn until rescued by her present owners. She is timid but gentle and, according to her owner, “as good as gold”.

One of Lemon’s chicks has grown into a multicoloured cockerel with feathery bantam feet.

We will have to make decisions, soon, about which young cockerels we keep and which we give away. Click below

And a very thirsty Mabel (click below)

Perky (above) looks ready to pop but it might be a wee while to wait. Click below to see a very rotund Pinky on the move.