We have two new residents in the barn. Each morning as we open the gate, little knickers (oops, I mean nickers !!!) , whickers and resounding neighs greet us. Over the stall doors, a variety of colours and sizes of equine heads watch in anticipation as breakfast is sorted and presented. Our two new barn friends are two beautiful big bay boys, Cooper and T Bone have come to Winter with us and are already becoming special. Cooper is a relatively old man, at 20 he has earned his pension and free bus pass but at the grand old age of 30, T Bone is clearly and resoundingly the old timer around here. Unfortunately, the old horse has, like us, a few creaky old bones, a bit of arthritis and his teeth aren’t what they used to be….but don’t let T Bone hear you say that !! Out in the pasture those two old men strut their stuff, swish their tails, prance and dance. T Bone lowers his aged frame slowly to the ground, groaning grinding and complaining but once there rolls back and forth, scratching his big old head, his tired back and an itchy brown butt. Legs waving in the air, T Bone rolls in extasy, old…..not T Bone !
Quatra Annie Malc and Greg went to work with the Apple press this week. Buckets of apples and pears, different sizes colours and taste were halved quartered pressed and crushed. Gallons of rich brown fruit juice topped with a bubbly froth fill the refrigerator and Greg has his wine recipes close at hand.
Rodney the ram is a happy boy. His annual pilgrimage to the ewe pen started very well but turned into quite the adventure. Just at the moment we were congratulating ourselves on a very efficient transfer and Rodney was on the move…..in the right direction, Annie, not fully detailed on the finer points of the expeditions route opened a vital gate. Screams came from all corners of the barnyard….Rodney the ram spotted the open gate Annie looked like a startled deer and Rodney was heading for the open road. It all looked like a blog moment going very wrong but road blocks appeared from nowhere, arms waving we despatched the errant ram in through the correct gate from which he could await his harem.
I’ve run out of time again, I really could use another couple of fingers to type with !!
Take care, keep safe, M