Dorset lifestyle
A second coat has been applied so the green bench is now back in it’s usual place overlooking the stable yard. The oak tree is getting bushy with fresh growth, although the leaves all have a coating of mildew, need the ivy to spread over the top of the owl box which is still too exposed from the south and must be getting too hot. The swallows are in and out of the tack room all the time having made repairs to last year’s nest. A warm day with cloud and drizzle later.
Checking out the new accommodation, they’re not used to concrete floors, will have to give them straw and hay for their overnight stay. Wet fleeces are not good for the shearer, worst case electric shock! Managed to get them all inside and the door shut, will leave the stable door open so that William and Toby can keep an eye on them. The Sparrowhawk has been flying round the oak tree on a couple of occasions, and a pair of owls were flying in the field, hope one of them likes the nesting box. A cloudy sunny day with a cool wind and the occasional shower.
The tree that dominated the view from behind the stable has been cut down to it’s lower limbs, all of them are hollow and some have worms working at the very top of what’s left. The limbs have flattened tops and horizontal perching places, and an owl box has been fixed in the centre, the nesting hole faces south and encourages any inquisitive owl to fly in over the open field. The box may become home to a sparrow hawk or kestrel and if not then maybe a pigeon! There’s a big pile of logs that need stacking and seasoning ready for the woodburner in two years time, and the woodchip will be spread around the garden. A cloudy day with sunny spells, variable temperatures and moderate winds.
A lovely sunny start to the day with blue sky and light winds, the sheep are still enjoying the fringe of greener grass and escaped for a time into the garden. Soon coaxed back with hay they wanted to explore and run around somewhere new. The owl box has arrived, it’ll be positioned in the oak tree with its entrance away from the prevailing winds once the tree has been cut, the lower limbs are hollow so the higher branches must be removed. Light by six in the morning, the flower buds on the wisteria are starting to fatten. Another vivid orange sunset.
