Goodbye 2016!...and Broch.

So...it is New Year's Eve and we are saying 'good r̶i̶d̶d̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ bye' to 2016!Unlike many, we survived it to face 2017. It would be easy to say 'it couldn't be any worse' but with President Trump waiting in the wings it very easily could!We should have been spending this weekend with Tracy and Jen returning our visit to them for Christmas but Jen is recovering from two recent knee operations and, sensibly, they have opted to remain in the comfort of Ashby rather than rough it at Frogknot until Jen is fully recovered.Andrew and Ros have joined us to see the year out.We watched the sun set at the rocks and Andrew had brought Broch's ashes to scatter and thought today would be a good day to do it as the sunset.(Broch was Andrew and Will's dog who lived with them here and who died a few years ago).

Lost Chook.

So...Last night was Tavern night and we went to Ballandean Tavern for tea. When we got back we checked the hens and found two were missing.Some of them are still having difficulty working out the ramp exit and entry system which is weird because even the two remaining chicks have worked it out.Arce (Arke) and Isis are two of those that can't seem to get back in after a day outside wandering free range in the garden. We found Isis in the outdoor nesting place the hens have chosen to lay eggs but could not find Arce anywhere.We came back to the house and settled down to watch TV. After about 30 minutes there as a sudden loud clucking outside the window and I went out and found Arce roosting on a cupboard outside the window. After not being able to gain entrance to the safety of the pen she had come down to the house to find a safe place nearer to us.I carried her back up to the pen and lifted her in with the others.I hope they get the hang of the ramps soon.

Alone at Christmas.

So...we were a little apprehensive leaving the 'chooks' to fend for themselves while we were away for Christmas. We returned to find only one casualty....Dou-Mu now has only two chicks left from the original eight.Yesterday after the cheese maker had gone I was awoken by a loud commotion and rushed out to find a large Swamp Harrier on a low branch above the alarmed hens. It flew away at the sight of me and did not return.A chance encounter or a return visit?

Returning to Frogknot.

Clarence Christmas.