Yesterday there was a very vocal newcomer to the ranch and all the signs
indicate that this particular feathered visitor has no intention of leaving in
the near future and certainly not alone . As usual, Gertie took up her
station in Charms field, from her vantage point on the hillside, she is able to
see the Shires as they come out of their stalls and yesterday, as usual she
began to honk, bob and weave in anticipation.... but yesterday she wasn't alone.
Gertie has an admirer, somehow, by the wonder of nature a Canada Goose gander
has found his way to our pond and by the way he is strutting and preening he
considers Gertie a very desireable mate. Sadly, Gertie only has eyes for Quest
but her new admirer has not been discouraged and has spent the day following
Gertie who has been following Quest. When Quest walks, Gertie walks, when Gertie
trots, Gertie matches his pace when Quest gallops...Gertie flies by his head.
indicate that this particular feathered visitor has no intention of leaving in
the near future and certainly not alone . As usual, Gertie took up her
station in Charms field, from her vantage point on the hillside, she is able to
see the Shires as they come out of their stalls and yesterday, as usual she
began to honk, bob and weave in anticipation.... but yesterday she wasn't alone.
Gertie has an admirer, somehow, by the wonder of nature a Canada Goose gander
has found his way to our pond and by the way he is strutting and preening he
considers Gertie a very desireable mate. Sadly, Gertie only has eyes for Quest
but her new admirer has not been discouraged and has spent the day following
Gertie who has been following Quest. When Quest walks, Gertie walks, when Gertie
trots, Gertie matches his pace when Quest gallops...Gertie flies by his head.
This evening, taking the horses back to the barn in the rain, both Gertie and
her beau were ready at the gate. Gertie stepped under Ladys tummy, I held
my breath so hard I had a hiccup, squashed flat goose came to mind, I had a
flash of tomorrows Daily Diary..."Gerties gone...flat packed". Lady lifted
her back leg and stood on 3 legs until the dum goose was safely back in view.
All the way back to the barn the 2 geese waddled and honked quite unconcerned
that any self respecting Canada Goose would (1) fly, not waddle and (2)never
have got infatuated with a horse, (particularly a horse as big as Quest
!!!) in the first place.
her beau were ready at the gate. Gertie stepped under Ladys tummy, I held
my breath so hard I had a hiccup, squashed flat goose came to mind, I had a
flash of tomorrows Daily Diary..."Gerties gone...flat packed". Lady lifted
her back leg and stood on 3 legs until the dum goose was safely back in view.
All the way back to the barn the 2 geese waddled and honked quite unconcerned
that any self respecting Canada Goose would (1) fly, not waddle and (2)never
have got infatuated with a horse, (particularly a horse as big as Quest
!!!) in the first place.
The 2 geese stood together in the farmyard quietly looking into Quests stall until the stall door was closed. Bran the Border Collie peeped round the corner of the barn, good chance that they would be a good chase but too big for much fun. Lucky the black cat slunk into view, clearly they were a potential feast but possibly too much work...he disapeared into the barn to check out the status of his food bowl. Together, the two geese took off and did a circuit of the barn, honking loudly before they disappeared. One day Gertie will follow the call of nature and do what normal geese do, maybe she will even build a nest and raise a little Gertie, but right now, she has become a very welcome member of the ranch family and we wonder just how she is going to cope with this menage a trois.
SPLAT !!!!One of the nasty side products of constant rain...is slippy sloppy mud, generally slippy sloppy mud is avoided at all costs but this evening Greg got a bit up close and personal to the worst mud of all......poo mud !!!!, Outside the 3 Amigos pen there is a gate. The 3 Amigos, being a very friendly bunch and having a constant "need" for treats of any kind, peanuts, carrots, apples, those 3 spend much of the day watching for any prospect of a visitor with a pocket full of goodies. Any time three animals are stationary in any one place for any period of time there is a considerable build up of a side product....poo ! Greg had successfully fed the chickens in the hen house and was backing out to make sure the baby chicks weren't going to hitch a ride..Greg missed the step and the ground came up to meet him ! I'm not exactly sure what word (s) he did say...but I know for sure it wasn't "oh dear". It was difficult ...surely not the time to laugh as Greg lay spreadeagled in the yuk and I dont swear , luckily Greg managed to express himself very well and without my help....he STANK !!!! Shower before dinner, he was stripped at the door, that smell was not coming into the kitchen...he smelt worse than the manure heap.. even Bran smelt better.
Its almost 7.30, time to sign off, another day down on the ranch,...maybe Gimpy will have her lamb today ! Take care, M
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