Well….just look at what came in the post for me…..many thanks Sam, that’s my veggies taken care of for next year!
And these ten palms I ordered arrived the same day. I think the hot weather has gone to my head and I now think I’m living in a tropical country. Still….they can survive -6 in the winter so hopefully they’ll do well….and not grow too tall!!!
I’ve also dug out a trench behind the palms, the first of three where I intend on planting lavender hedges for the bees and butterflies. I’ve ordered twenty plants for the first one, but thanks to Nikki, I’ve now taken forty cuttings that will hopefully fill the other two.
Now, yesterday I turned up at the rescue, only to have a box thrust at me with a plea of, “Would you mind going back home and releasing this little chap in your pond?” As I took the box the frog immediately escaped and I spent the next forty minutes being given the hoparound! Finally I got the frog back into it’s box and released it at home. I returned to the rescue only to find a chap waiting with another box. As I took that, a zebra finch….my second in a few weeks, flew out. I spent another half hour trying to re-capture that, and let me tell you, our rescue is not cut out for such trials, being so cluttered and all.
Just as I finished sorting a cage for the zebra finch I heard the most awful ruckus coming from the farm.
Pigs were oinking angrily, sheep were bleating, geese were honking and people were yelling and hollering.
Normally the farm is harmony personified, well, apart from the endless rooster battles. So I raced to the farm at top speed, only to witness the day that Missy came to town! This is Missy.
Missy is a micro pig who came in a few days ago. She’s been kept separate from the other farm animals while she adjusts to her new environment. All I can say is, she sure has personality and attitude. Anyway, somehow, Missy had escaped and was now galloping at speed up and down the farm. Large pigs were fleeing and sheep were dancing out of the way. Feathers were flying as angry geese, ducks and chickens leapt into the air…but Missy was oblivious, all she wanted to do was run like the wind. I don’t think she’s ever felt grass beneath her before and she was having the time of her life! More and more staff arrived to try and catch her, some even got knocked down by panicky sheep and pigs but EVENTUALLY Missy was caught and returned to her quarters, and peace was restored. It was now almost lunchtime and I hadn’t done a tap, but was completely exhausted!
Just as that fiasco ended another chap brought this little duckling in. The yellow ducklings become white ducks.
Now the problem we have at the rescue is space. We only have one water bird aviary and there are so many animals queuing up to go in it. All water birds have to be completely waterproof before they are released.
Like this batch of ducklings who will spend their last few weeks in the water aviary. I’ve lost track of how many batches we’ve released now.
At the moment, these herring gull chicks are in the water aviary. That in itself is SUCH a relief as these have all been in cages which are horrendously difficult to muck out. The only way to do it is to don thick gloves, clean up with one hand and let them attack the other hand. It really scares passers by when they see these huge birds hanging off our hands by their sharp beaks and hammering us with their wings! Yet once they go into the water aviary, they are as good as gold and don’t bat an eyelash when we go in! This lot have just moved in here as we’ve just released the last eight who were there. It’s so funny watching them practice their take off and landings, and dunking bits of wood and leaves in the water, as though they were washing sand off fish.
Remember the released jackdaws that came back? Well they still pop in to say hello, to my great joy.
I think they’re humouring us, I still offer them food, but they just nibble it, genteelly. When they were chicks they could wolf twice as much food as this, in one sitting! It does warm the cockles of my heart every time I see them though.
And doesn’t this say it all eh? The jackdaw epitomizes what the rescue’s all about.
And finally……looks like we’ve sold the boat. We took a couple for a sail recently and the woman instantly fell in love with it. She wants to keep it just as it is, as she loved the traditional look of it. I’m heartbroken but at least someone will love it as much as I do. So, they left a deposit and will pay the rest next week….so, seems like this may have been our last sail. Daughter came along to say goodbye too, with a little dog she is house sitting for. Ahhhh….what a ball that little fellow had!
ps I forgot to say I really loved the micro pig racing about – bet it was just so ecstatic to be just able to run and run…. but fancy all the other creatures all alarmed! Bless….
Lol…..I wouldn’t have believed a tiny pig could cause such chaos. Our farm animals are used to peace and quiet and everything behaving sedately. That little pig threw the fear of God into the lot of them……I’ve NEVER seen a pig shift like that, galloped she did, into, over and under everything!!!xxxx
Great post and lovely pictures!
Can imagine it must feel a real wrench to say good-bye to your beloved boat after all your work on it. Lovely that they’ll keep it as you made it and love it after you…. aww…. bet you shed a tear or several…. but maybe it feels a relief too, not to have to worry about it anymore.xxx
Thanks Arose, it is bitter sweet parting with the boat, but it’s awful how little we use it, and it is a relief to finally sell it as we hardly have any time to maintain it and Sam is far too big for it.xxxx
Thanks Hannah. Oh my…. a runaway horse….so much HARDER to catch than a micro pig!!!!xxxx
Ooh Lavender hedges! I’m sure they’ll be lovely. I had a similar runaway incident but with a pregnant horse, thankfully she came back for a trusty bucket of nuts!
Missy is lovely! I love the little duckling too. Herbie had such a lovely day on the canal, the most fun he’s had in ages I think x
Ahhhhh….what a little sweetie he was, and didn’t he have a blast!xxxx
First let me apologise for not commenting as much as I should. I do visit but all the other comments say everything for me. I’ve no excuse though. You do a great job. I know we like to think what the animals and birds think, like “thanks for what you are doing for me” etc, but they don’t think like us and we should never assume they do. However, to get the jackdaw visit you is a sign you treated it okay and it knows where it can come and be safe albeit more opportunistic than gratitude as we know it.
We hardly get any birds this time of year apart from the odd spuggy, blackbird or magpie and of course the ring necked pigeons. Mind you, we have a cat, there is a skinny tabby and siamese next door but 2 and dozens of other cats in the neighbourhood. Hardly any dogs though strangely enough. Next door’s surrogate dog, a little terrier poked it’s nose through the slats in the fence and got a nose full of claw, Mandarijn was lying less than a foot from the hole and took her chance. There was a royal commotion, Manda’s tail expanded dramatically resembling a flue brush and the dog made a few “ouch” noises and barked for 10 minutes. Poor thing. Mandarijn has taken to climbing trees after all these years, this was fortunate because we though we weren’t getting any apples this year because I reshaped the apple tree but whilst trying to help her down we spotted 3 lovely green apples, I never even saw them before.
Thanks for visiting my blog and reading my inane drivel. I’m searching for some of my early writings to put on but if not I’ve started an Irish blog http://theoldbogroad.wordpress.com/ and putting the contents of my Irish memoirs on gradually.
Mick xx
keep up the great work and I’ll refrain from calling you Dina Doolittle as tempting as it is.
Hahahahaha….Dina Dolittle!!!!
Thanks Mick, I agree about not trying to think like animals as they are totally unique in the way they perceive the world and us, which makes the jackdaw’s visits so lovely. They are even hungry and just nibble at the food we give them. The odd thing is that they only fly to the staff who’ve fed them in the past. They do have such good memories.
Oh that poor little dog! But cats will be cats. Glad to hear you’re getting apples, you’ll probably have lots next year!
I go take a peek at your Irish blog.xxxx
It is always fun to read your animal tales. I am glad that Missy had a chance to experience grass under her feet even though it caused a fuss. Hopefully she can be worked in with the other residents in time. I bet the boat will be missed, but at least it went to someone who will appreciate it.
Thanks Jennifer, I’m sure Missy will adjust to life on the farm, she’ll be let out gradually. They all come in a bit manic, or scared, but they do all settle in the end.
I’m pleased the people buying the boat love it and won’t be changing it. xxxx
Such a fantastic post, but saddened by the going of the boat… though I realized that it was all decided. How wonderful that you can return the ducks to nature, though. The animals on the farm, and your description of them, just grab the heart. It sounds like a really fun place to be. And Missy sounds like a real challenge. Waiting to hear if she manages to integrate with all the other animals.
Thanks Shimon. I love hanging around the farm, all the animals are so chilled and there are so many different types of birds, including peacocks, geese, runner ducks, exotic chickens and lots of different types of pigs, and it’s lovely how they all get along….well until Missy turned up.
I’m sure she’ll calm down once she gets used to grass and having the sky above her head.
Yes, I’ll miss my little boat. xxxx
Laughing my head off at the thought of Missy causing chaos! It’s quite sad to be parting with your boat, but who knows what’s around the corner. x
Lol….you should have seen it Suzy…..one little pig galloping about and a whole bunch of people biting the dust trying to catch her!! Chaos it was!!!
Yes, we don’t know what’s around the corner do we……but I’ll sure miss that boat! xxxx
Oh my goodness, I can just see you chasing down that frog and finch. The day of great escapes for sure. I didn’t know you could plant palm trees away from tropical areas. You’ll have to keep us posted how it does through the winter.
Lol….thanks Susanne. Now you’d expect it to be hard to catch a pig or a bird….but catching frogs shouldn’t be as hard as I made it!!!
I’m hoping that the palms will like our strange climate. Fingers crossed eh? xxxx
Oh, I love this — free trial seeds! You’re the perfect one for trialing. You do so well with seeds. And I really hope the lavender cuttings “take” for you. That lavender field is going to be scrumptious!
You certainly don’t need gym membership with all that chasing going on at the rescue! Poor little froggy. He didn’t know he was going to your heavenly home. It’s no wonder the jackdaws come back for a visit 🙂
I LOVE seeds and can’t wait to sow these as there as some veggies I haven’t grown before so it should be interesting.
I took the lavender cuttings last week and fingers crossed they are all doing well, so here’s hoping!
Lol….animals certainly keep you fit, especially when you’re running around after them.
The frog seems to love his new home and he has lots of slugs to feast upon. Thanks Nikki.xxxx
Wow,i am amazed by it all.I love all the photos
Thanks Kathryn.xxxx
I just love the animal pics ! I especially have a soft spot for that yellow duckling (awhhh).
And how satisfying is that when the former inpatients return to pay you a visit ?
Sorry to hear that the boat is going, but from what I can see of your garden and the rescue, I can see that there wouldn’t be much time left over for boating.
Another very enjoyable and heartwarming post xxx
Thanks Kegs, the yellow ducklings are adorable aren’t they, they also feel like a handful of air when you hold them. We give our lone ducklings soft toye to cuddle up to.
I do love it when the jackdaws come for a visit, it’s lovely to have a chat in the wild!!!
Oh….my poor boat, if only there were more days in the week for sailing!xxxx
We don’t usually reach -6 Menhir, but the climate is changing so maybe we could. If it got too cold I would wrap the palms in fleece.
The farm is a lot of work as it has to be mucked out each day and all the hay bedding changed, but we have strong men to take care of the real heavy work and lifting, and to manage the huge pigs. xxxx
Do you not get winters where temperatures drop below -6? The palms sound like a future idyll.
Love the frog. I wonder what might be easier to manage, a rescue centre, or a farm?
🙂 xxx
No time for boats in your life. Old Macdonalds Farm must keep you busy. Fantastic images. The animals, birds and other lifestock don’t know how lucky they are! Have fun!
Thanks Peter…..our animals do have a good life. It’s always so relaxing wandering around the farm.xxxx
A delightful post, and wonderful pictures.
You look to have been sent an interesting assortment of seeds.
The palms and a lavender hedge should look great in years to come.
As always the animal antics had me laughing.
That’s good, but sad, news about the boat which I’ve no doubt you’ll miss a lot. xx
Thanks Flighty. I was amazed at how many seeds Sam sent me, she’s dropping one of her allotments so had a surplus of seeds. I can’t wait to sow them next year.
I hope the palms grow, and can’t wait for my lavender plants to arrive.
Animals eh….never a dull moment.
I really will the the boat Flighty, we’ve had so many wonderful adventures on it. xxxx
Oh what fun for Missy. Pigs can shift when they want too. Good to hear that so many animals are being released. Good to see the jackdaws.
Lol….Missy certainly had herself a blast, that’s for sure. Her eyes were shining afterwards.
I am thrilled to see the jackdaws, they come less often now and may stop altogether soon but I’m enjoying every moment I get with them. xxxx
Ah, Dina! So happy Missy had her run in the sun and hope she didn’t feel low after her recapture and confinement…I love her pep and energy! Your garden/yard, by-the-by, look beautiful! Palm trees! Wow…
I’m sorry that you and your dear lovely boat are parting; what glorious memories you’ve shared. Blessings on its new companions and on the new adventures you’ll have with your own new companions…
Thank you for your rich post, lovely photos, and the constant reminder you provide that the world is blessed with people like you, who love and care and offer such nourishing joy to all the precious lives around them.
Gentle Peace.
Lol….Missy seemed rejuvenated after her run, the rest of the farm animals looked decidedly frazzled. Hopefully she’ll calm down and can join the farm and it’s creatures soon. She really is such a lively little pig.
I can’t actually believe we won’t have the boat much longer, I’m going to sleep on it one last night…..and say goodbye properly. I’m sure this couple will take good care of it and love it as much as me.
Thanks Kitty, you do always say such lovely things that really brighten my day.xxxx
Your escape artist escapades sound like a cross between A Good Life and Mr Bean 😀 There’s definitely never a dull (or should that be Gull?!) moment 😉
Hahahahaha…..you have it right there! Thanks Toni.xxxx
We once rescued a zebra finch that flew into our garden. We kept it and eventually ended up with a dozen. We read that the rescued finch needed a friend so we bought a male to be her friend having been told that they wouldn’t breed in a cage kept in the house. – they did!
Goodness me, what happened to them all? They are such lovely birds aren’t they, I’ve never seen one before, now I’ve seen two in as many weeks. Thanks Sue.xxxxx
You must have so much patience chasing those animals! I can just imagine the scene with the little pig racing around and creating chaos. It’s wonderful to see your friendly Jackdaws are still visiting and are doing so well. And it is sad news that your adventures with the boat are coming to an end, but the new owner sounds thrilled with it.
Lol……it’s certainly an art trying to catch birds, frogs and pigs!!! The zebra finch was the hardest, it kept alighting on things that I could actually move towards the cage and every time I got to the cage the bird flew off. It obviously preferred it’s freedom.
I do love to see the jackdaws, especially now they are free. They have such piecing blue ayes and almost seem to look right through you….marvelous creatures.
The new owners immediately fell in love with the boat, and they are going to live aboard so the boat will be used more. Awwwww….thanks Wendy.xxxx
Oh dear, pigs can cause an awful lot of trouble, they do so love an adventure!
Pigs certainly do like to give you the runaround! Thanks Rusty Duck.xxxx
Chasing the runaway frogs and pigs sounds like something out of a Disney movie, only much better because it is real. Sorry about you giving up the boat.
Thanks Jason, I really wish we could keep the boat, but there simply isn’t enough time to sail it very often….sighs
Oh what a shift that was….I was worn out with all the running around. xxxx
Your garden is looking very smart – I would never have thought of planting palms out like that – together with your lavender trench it looks like a big question mark. Hope they survive ok.
Oh dear – what larks! I would have loved to have seen you all trying to catch the pig – they can’t half shift when they want to.
Happy and sad times over selling the boat – I am sure the people who are buying it will get as many hours of enjoyment out of it as you did.
Hahahahaha….looking at that pic again it DOES look like a question mark…..maybe it’s an indication that I don’t really know where I’m going with it all!
Watching us all trying to catch Missy was like something out of a carry-on film….totally outwitted we all where!
Yes, it will be hard to finally let the boat go, but the woman absolutely loves it and is keeping it exactly like it is. Thanks Elaine.xxxx
Super duper post as always, Snowbird – it does make me laugh, the prospect of all that chasing around after personality-driven animals … although I bet it was irritating at the time! So pleased your lovely boat is going to people who will love it.
Lol, thanks Gilly. We seem to go through phases of re-capturing the escape artists. Catching Missy was something to behold, you wouldn’t believe how fast she was and an expert in ducking and weaving! Yes, it will be hard to finally part with the boat. I may send hubs to hand over the keys!xxxx