YESTERDAYS GOSSIP ...

Well, what can I say? Today was a rain sodden sort of a day.Though few complaints from this aching body. Apart from looking after the cheeky chooks, there was little else doing. Thanks to perpetual sky-water which flooded the mountain roads and turned them into tarmac (and potholed) mini streams, there were no photographic opportunities. That is until late in the daylight day, I put the chooks away in the rain ... which suddenly stopped. Lots of lovely raindrop beads hanging on twigs and hawthorn berries ... no camera!

The late afternoon sky was grey but dramatic and worth a photo or two ... need I say more. So relying on stuff taken yesterday ... Chook Book.

The big rooster was on form, strutting his stuff and showing off today. He's obviously got over being so camera shy, so much so he seemed to be almost showing off. Why?

Because his potential rival to being king of the roost was nearby ...

Basically keeping a low profile because (as yet) he really hasn't got what it takes to qualify. In fact, bless him, he seems very much an outsider, keeping himself to himself and staying out of the way.

That  is until the day that the old boy gets to tired and is unable to keep his command.

Until then he's just keeping his cards close to his comb as it were and just feeding himself up, ready for his day of triumph!

Ah but ... in the background is another young contender for the title. As you can see they are all free ranging during the day,

with plenty of chance to avoid each other. But one day there will be a battle of the bravest.

You see ... chooks are not all that boring when you get to know them well. Having had my own, I know just what individual s they can be.

And this one hen seems to be paying more attention to the two younger guys ...

She seems to be keeping her distance, just trying to judge from the sidelines who may be the best bet for future successs.

Meanwhile, despite being in winter moult they have paid me kindly with four fresh eggs. I think they enjoy the wet mash I've been making for them. It certainly causes squabbles in the morning.

Meanwhile elsewhere,  there are contented ewes and a satisfied tup, quietly grazing away.

And that folks, is enough countryside gossip for today!