Dorset lifestyle
William and Toby horsing about on the straw area, the paddocks are saturated so they can’t go out for a run, they do their best to get up speed running round in circles chasing each other. Delivered samples of sheep poo to the vets to check for worms, will get the results in a couple of days. The woodpecker spent ten minutes feeding on the lawn, must have found an ants nest. More rain overnight, a misty, cloudy, drizzly day with a cold wind later.
William is scratching a lot, especially his neck and rump, he should start shedding his hair very soon, grooming will help, the fence posts and gate fixings are popular spots for him to linger. Collected more rubble, the tipper truck delivery has been delayed so there’s more time to prepare the edges. The pair of green woodpeckers are making the most of the soft ground and have found several places to feed on the lawn, the oak tree has a patch of broken bark so maybe they’re spending time there as well. A sunny cloudy day with lighter winds, the paddocks are still very soggy.
The grass is really frosty except where the sheep have rested overnight and then it’s squashed flat and bright green. Walter has a frosty back because he stayed chewing the cud in the same place for a while, and has a fleece that’s a great insulator. Emptied more bags of rubble onto the drive which is progressing OK. The Woodpecker has been sitting up in the tree waiting for the ground to soften so that he can have his daily feed from the lawn. All the water troughs and bird baths needed de-icing and the basket next to the woodburner seems to need filling all the time, some of the stores have stayed dry which is good. A warmer end to the day.
Dark mornings turn into dark evenings as we move towards the winter solstice. A red sky to start the day, and a lovely sunset. The woodpecker spent more than ten minutes pecking at the good things to eat in the grass this morning while a plump pheasant sat on the fence calling. A day of sharp cold showers and warm sunshine after yesterday’s rain; the rising spring in the paddock has formed muddy puddles which the donkeys paddle through to get to their favourite hedge. As always, the sheep run for cover when it rains. Runner beans for tea.
This lump of oak was destined to be cut into rings but the chainsaw found the task too difficult. It’s found a new vocation as a testament to the visitors who have the inclination to carve the date and their initials in its trunk with the tools provided. Traditionally, guests have written on our toilet wall with interesting and varied contributions that remain, or fade over time, depending on which pen they select. Hopefully the oak will last a lot longer. Flying between the tall trees is the green woodpecker who is squawking louder than ever, he stops and feeds on the ants in the lawn on his way past. A cooler day with strong winds and cloudy sunshine. Pulled carrots and picked tomatoes.
Flourishing in the manured rose bed, they get the early morning sun. Drinking from the bird bath early this morning was the Green Woodpecker, flies the same route from the oak tree at the bottom of the paddock up to the row of trees that border the lane, he stops to eat the ants in the nest under the birdbath. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker also drinks here but doesn’t eat the ants before flying away. The Ash trees growing out of the hedgerow are full of ‘keys’, I hope some saplings will grow and flourish elsewhere.
