MOVING THOUGHTS.

I don't know what it is about me, but I seem to be someone who looks after folks pets when they are on holiday, namely chickens and rabbits. Yes even here up in the Fens.

<<< This rather camera shy rabbit is called Toffee, due to its rather gorgeous colouring. The daft dog has a soft spot for rabbits and the two of them have become quite pally, sniffing nose to nose when I feed it morning and night and  then there are the lovely chooks, one rooster & three ladies that lay.

They are all named after herbs which is rather fun. Being bantams their eggs are small but just the right size to go into a fresh bacon and egg sandwich (guess what I have for breakfast) the eggs were still warm this morning before they got hot in the frying pan. Very tasty!

Also spot the dovecote that houses about thirty white doves which fly over the garden in a small cloud and can be clearly heard joining in with the wild birds in the earlier hours of the morning, adding their song to the dawn chorus. Of course, small as he is, the rooster likes to prove how loud a voice he has to add to the morning musicality. Little show off!

Then just this afternoon going to a local artists "Open Studio Day" I came across this tiny, leapy frog on the Village Green.

<<< It really did not want to be photographed and it took me several patient attempts to get just this one semi decent  photo. Also on the village Green there was a bring a picnic and wait for this ... "Duck Race Day". Now as followers of my blog will know, the mad mutt made friends with the old call ducks, but this new lot just don't want to know. As it was so hot, we headed home and got on with other things such as getting a water butt ready for the rain that was forecast this afternoon. The skies certainly turned dark and gloomy for a short time ...

a few spots of wetness fell as the dark clouds almost raced overhead, probably moving faster than the ducks on the village pond! The washing on the line survived being rinsed yet again and the rest of the afternoon and evening remained delightfully dry. Around the "gone to seed leeks" the bees were busy gathering the last tasty morsels of pollen before the beautiful globe shaped seeding heads turned into seeds (for next years leeks maybe) ??

Yes ... moving thoughts. I am seriously considering moving up here. Much to my own surprise I have realised that (despite the flat landscape) I really do enjoy being here.

There is a diversity of nature that is wider than that I am used to in Wales and back home, I certainly don't get Muntjac & Roe deer barking in the twilight. The bird life here is just wonderful, watching all the different species come in to gorge on the many feeders here is a daily pleasure and I have made new and long lasting friendships here in arable country.
I also have to consider the future and with arthritis, a deteriorating spine on top of other medical ailments I need to think more sensibly about my long term future. I know I will dearly miss Wales and it's mountain farmers as well as the many happy years I have spent there, it is a tough call and not a decision lightly made. But just to balance the equation, there are local cattle and sheep farmers. Who knows what path the future takes, but just like my folks who loved rugged, at times barren terrain .I too have changed my attitude about the fenland landscape, it's all very appealing, so folks out there, watch this space!