HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

It leaves me enough time on New Years eve to wish you a very Happy New Year. This year at Woodmill has been full. We had new arrivals with piglets and little Spring, departure of Marble for breeding. We lost our beloved Tommaso (14 months) our miniature Shetland which we hand reared, a very sad time that was. And Oscar quite recently. We have had lots of animal good times and bad times this year. I think I would be here all day if I recounted just what I remember of this year let alone the rest.

So without further a do!!!...I'll just take this time to thank all of you that have stayed for the first time and our regulars who must enjoy the madness of Woodmill to return time and time again...thankyou, please keeping sharing your time with us we really appreciate it, and would miss you if you didn't!...

Thankyou to Laura ...gosh where do I start there! She helps with everything and we are the Woodmill team! Don't know what I would do without her. Although Steven is trying to achieve his dreams in the form of a golf career he does help with the feeds and washing, and other things I ask of him, so thankyou to you too.(wait till you are older!!!) Thanks to Hayley for all the help over the year. We love having you around. Mum for all the thousands of scones/cleaning and to-ing and fro-ing, Dad for JC Housing!, the grass, the hundreds of trips to the recycling!, and everything else...too much to mention, but thankyou both....Thanks to Jeff for coming back once a week to help with the outside stuff, a real saviour! Tractor Annie for your shoelace moments! laughter, sledgehammering, de-nettling and the like!!!Andy and Ant for their help over this year. I am not sure they know where they live at the moment, is it Woodmill or their real home!..please don't go!!!...Thanks to Tim, my brother for all his help and advice regarding our new build and gifts!....I could go on, but you get my drift, I thank you all so very much for all your help to make this second year at Woodmill a success. Pete and I work endless hours to try to make this a success and we will continue to do so....hopefully with your help!...mind you wouldn't mind a few less hours now and then!

Live life like every day is your last and treat everyone as if you will know them forever. Keep smiling, Remember no such things as stress or problems!...Its a challenge or a search for a solution!!!!

Take care have a great night see you next year!xxxxxxxx

JUST GETS BETTER!!!

Steven is doing really well at the moment with his golf, he finishes the year on 11.7 full handicap and he is only 12. He has been selected for the County and club. He also won in a British Junior tour comp and will play the final in Portugal in the new Year,.... and best yet...He has gained a place in the European Championships on the US tour to be held over 5 days in Gullane in Scotland in May. So hats off to him, he practices hard and tries his best and has been rewarded for it this year. Well done Steven....Keep going....Tiger watch out!

EXTENSIONS!!!

Even our goats got a new extension for the New year. Me and Tractor Annie decided to build something whilst Pete and Steven were in Birmingham for a golf competition.... So off to Baileys to get the equipment....I think they got off lightly, it could have been our house that was to have an extension. But we thought start small and then work up to the house!....After this extension for the goats, I am not entirely sure Pete will be that chuffed if I were to do this to our house??????... The goats can now eat their breakfast and dinner in their new conservatory area, including a new hay rack...and then they can sleep in more comfort in the warm out of the driving rain...if it comes!... I think it looks great, and we have built it so the gate still works..good plan eh!!

BACK TO THE GRIND STONE!

Xmas eve and Xmas day off and then back to it on Boxing day, we worked all day Boxing day and it was bitterly cold....so break till this time next year now!!!!...We have to get the cottage ready to plaster by t he 2nd Jan!!!! AAAAHHHHH talk about back to work, its going to be full on from here....Steven is away in Birmingham for golf tomorrow so Pete hasn't got much time to sort it, might be night shifting!!!!!!....

THE BIG BURN!

After Christmas day we always have a bonfire, to get rid of all the paper and warm up!!!We pulled up a bench and sat and watched it burn...Mum and tractor Annie joined in, I think even they have lost touch with reality, great eh!....You got to appreciate the little things in life!!!

MR & MRS SANTA?

SSSHHHHH don't tell anyone.....Do my eyes deceive me or do I see Mr And Mrs Santa feeding our animals???????

LUNCH!

I was ready for lunch by the time it came, as it seemed that we had been up forever, Tractor Annie, Doug, Mum, Dad, Tim and us 4 all had lunch together...I'd be lost if we didn't have lunch together, it would be weird cooking for 4!...Tim has helped us so much this year with the build, so rewarded him with Xmas dinner...only kidding!!...But thanks Tim, for all your help and gifts!!!....We were so full after the starter and the main that no one could face dessert!!!

ITS CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas morning and I am shattered, been up since 2.30am, just couldn't sleep at all, was so excited and so wide awake. I am not sure why I get so excited, as Pete and I don't really get each other much as we cant really afford it, just get the kids stuff...but I cant wait to see their faces...So finally gave in at 5am, and got everyone out of bed and rang everyone to wish t hem Happy Xmas...Lucky them!.....Laura was made up with her teddy, and had a huge box, inside a box, inside a box...you get the drift...she finally got to the end and had tickets from us to see the Lion King in London...she had no idea what she was getting...and Steven got this blow up cone from Laura...amongst other things...but this was definitely a hit!...I think this year it was all about the wrapping, I had wrapped things so many times that it took for ever to open and mum did too!...Big bonfire later by t he looks of it!!!

LUCKY HAS A NEW FRIEND

Lucky loves Christmas and was in her element when she thought she had found Rudolph and gave him a great big sloppy kiss.....shame it was only Pete in disguise! I did tell her that she needed to go to sleep, no one sees Santa, he wont come if you stay awake...honestly you would think she would have got the hang of it by now!!

SUNNY THINKS SHE IS A REINDEER!

A glass of water for the reindeer....but Sunny has other plans, she drank the water and ate the food, lucky we spotted it in time or Santa and Rudolph might not have stopped... had we not replaced the food and drink!!!

GUNPOWDER LUCKY!

Lucky had to be put in the office whilst we were having a party, as it would have been too much for her and Gem. She was only in there for a couple of hours...but when we let her out, we saw that she had been on the desks and drawings and up on the shelves. Then to our horror we found an empty packet of fireworks, she had only gone and eaten the fireworks...I couldn't believe my eyes,...she seems OK, but told everyone not to light any candles near her...and wondered what was going to happen. After an hour of panic, we found the fireworks hid in her bed....Phew that was lucky...I cant believe she can get into so much trouble so quickly!

WE HAVE LAPLAND AT WOODMILL

We always have a little party on Christmas eve, just to get me through the day, without getting toooo excited!!! This year we had quite a few visitors from Lapland, a few Santa's, mummy Xmas, fairies, elves etc...oh and a few normal people too, they are always difficult to find, but we managed to get a few of them!....There is Super Santa, our Steven (he drew on his T shirt to make SUPER SANTA SIGN!!!!, Faron, who is Santa and stayed last night, so he had no choice in the dressing up situation, mind you he didn't say no!!!, and Patrick, who is a real star, he'll join in anything!.....

Then there is Adam & Laura and Hayley & Dan. Hayley works with us whenever she can and feels like one of our family really, has the right crazy attitude to work here. Adam is getting in the grove, I think he figures that normality is not an option here! (Sorry Adam, what sort of family has Laura got you involved with eh!!)

THE NEWS HAD TO BE BROKEN!

We were supposed to collect our new Kune Kune from Barbara, and we had already told Pixie, Dixie and Woody that they would have a new friend, but Barbara wanted to hang on a little longer, I think they have a little poorly one at present and it would help if they were left on the mum for a while longer. So Laura went down to tell our three that there had been a delay....Our new arrival will arrive after Xmas now....They took it quite well really considering!!!!

OMG ITS CHRISTMAS IN 2 DAYS!!!

A little panic came over me, whilst building, someone broke the news to me that it was only 2 days until Christmas....Help, ham to defrost and cook, veg to get, party food to make, presents to wrap, OH my......time needs to stop until I catch up!

SHOELACE MOMENT??????

Tractor Annie was supposed to be sweeping up, but we caught her having a chat with Alan the electrician, she can't deny it, we have it on camera!....Think she may need a cup of tea...and the good ol' Woodmill catchphrase came into play "unlucky!". When she needs to stop or skive we call it a shoe lace moment, this came about as she purposely wore trainers with laces and when she needed a breather, she would redo her shoelaces....so now we take the miickey....alot!..and so the new catchphrase was born!

AND MORE INSULATION!

Pressure was on, we Had to get the insulation down on the floor and we worked late into the night. Luckily for us, mum, dad and auntie Louise came to see us and we didn't let them go!!!! Dad cut more insulation than he cared to, and I stuck more membrane to the floor than I had the patience for....What a day, I don't think we want another like that, tempers and stress levels were at an all time high, but we had to get it done.... And of course we did!

SAD DAY......

Oscar, was so poorly and has been for 10 days now, he doesn't look like our Oscar in this photo, quite frail and ill.... hes had the antibiotics, pain killers and more medication than an elephant probably. He was ever so poorly on Saturday, but Nikki from the vets prescribed a little heavier painkiller, and we gave it to him in his fav food. He was able to briefly stand to eat, but today, he just seemed to give up really. Spoke with Peter from the vets, he's got pigs so he knows what its like I guess. We discussed any ways forward, and there wasn't really any. The kindest thing for him to be out of pain was to put him to sleep, so that's what we did today. It was quite awful, but very right for him. I don't think we will invest in another boar but will borrow one when needed. I think Peters got one we can use....So farewell Oscar, we will miss his quirky personality.XXXX

SMUDGE ?

Not sure what Smudge thinks she is, but she has taken to washing in our sink whilst I am having a bath. As soon as I run the bath, she jumps up to the sink and paws the tap for me to run it, then she sits in the sink and washes...weird eh...suppose its just a normal occurrence at this funny farm..weird animals and inmates!

THIEF HATTY!

We have a tea leaf in our midst! Hatty either thinks she truly is a horse or she is a thief. She seemed to be enjoying the pony nuts and conditioning mix though!...The ponies usually get upset if someone muscles in on there feed but Hatty was privileged....and just left to it!

RATS AND SINKING SHIP SPRING TO MIND!

Opened the door to Bubs home and before I knew it Rosie and Daisy barged past me and were out with Bubs!..Now we have 2 very large pregnant pigs in the paddock, that was enough for Laura she started running up the hill away from the big pigs...they are friendly but when there is food about they will fight beyond reason to get it...so I was left with a bucket of feed and no Laura...well she was there but at the top of the hill laughing!!...you know who your friends are in this situation!!!..But to cut what is a very long story short, we , well I managed to get all of them back in , not without a struggle. Then Mrs Brave heart rejoined me for the rest of the feed run!!!! (amd you wonder why I am 'challenged" at the mo!!!

SPOT THE ODD ONE OUT!

Well you didn't think I was not going to let her in with Pixie, Dixie and Woody now did you???...She had a lovely time running around with them, all was going fine until I entered the pen, the Kunes kunes became protective over me and so did Bubs... so that wasn't the smartest move I have ever done......probably wont let them mingle as a rule, probably best to keep each to there own, set about letting Bubs back to her home. That's when the trouble started!...We opened the gate all 4 pigs ran out in the paddock and they shot in all directions, as pigs do. Me and Laura just looked at each other in panic.....Pete is at golf and it always happens then... I got a bucket of feed and managed to get 3 of them back to the kune kune paddock.....but wrong three..got Bubs out to have another go at re homing, got Dixie back where she should be.....

BUBS CAME OUT TO PLAY!

Laura and I thought in our wisdom...to let Bubs out to play, as she was getting a raw deal with Rosie and Daisy picking on her and Oscar is still sick, so he isn't up to visitors. Think it might be laminitus, unusual for a pig...but then it is Woodmill!...Anyway we let Bubs out, she is a lovely little thing, she had great fun, and as soon as she saw the Kune Kunes she wanted to go to see them!!!

ROOF GOING ON

The roof to cottage 6 is going on and it has only been 6 weeks from the start of the build, you may think this is quick, but my bones and joints think its a lifetime, everyday including weekends we are on this project, I will be glad when its done!...But it is looking good, over the Xmas break...that's a strange word "break".... well over the Xmas bit!...we only have to install the ceiling, build a stud work wall, do the reveals and window boards and and and and...the plasterer is coming on the 2nd Jan so we have to be ready, and Pete is away with Steve for 2 days......pressure....No challenge!

DUKE ON PATROL!

Duke looking very handsome here, looking out for his harem of girls...Tilley,Storm and Spring. I worry for Duke, he is old and his feet do hurt him, he's a happy cuddly chap, I hope he'll go on for a while yet. He looks so perfect here. He was watching his girls run towards him in the other photo, I don't know what they would do without him...actually yes I do they would get in to far too much trouble.!!!

OMG 4 DAYS TILL XMAS

A little bird dropped in to tell me the exciting!!! news that Xmas is going to be here, ready or not in 4 days.....You have no idea how NOT ready I am, the build, the golf, Laura away, the farm, the cottages, the sick pig, the the the.........HELP stop time now!

I must be under what some call stress, I prefer to call a 'challenge' as stress isn't good for you...Its a bit like calling 'sugar' ..'energy' if you get my drift!....Well the other night I certainly was feeling the challenge!...1.30am I leaped out of bed and ran around in a panic...wide awake, ran down the stairs and straight to the freezer to take the ham out of the freezer...you see I thought it was Xmas eve tomorrow and I hadn't cooked the ham and about 60 or so people were about to descend on us. I was let in on t he fact Xmas eve was a week away yet and 'get back to bed' was shouted from a sympathetic lump in the duvet!!!!

After this I thought I had better get a grip....but things just got worse, I was popping over to Paul Bradforths (our talented web designer/etc etc....he's our secret weapon!), well anyway I was just getting to his house, when I caught the sight of a huge cream camel, I stopped the car and leaped out..only to find it was a big bullock.....I got back in the car, shook my head in true cartoon fashion, cheeks doing that whole.Brrrr thing and tried to get nearer to xmas before I completely lost the plot!!!

Things couldn't get any worse...so I thought... But when at 1.30am yet again I jumped out of bed like before and ran to get a tape measure, put it securely by the alarm clock so that as soon as I was awake I could cut the insulation! ( we are roofing cottage 6 at the mo and time is of the essence..I think it must have been that!)...I need a day off....roll on Xmas...goodness knows what you will all end up eating... dinner for 10!!! could be beans on toast at this rate...or hospital food!!!!

CLUCKING AWAY!

These chickens have got a lot to smile about as they will still be here after Xmas!....They laid 6 eggs today and came over to the fence to tell me all about it, mind you Reg our cockerel...(who'd call a cockerel Reg...that'll be Pete) has been a bit of a pain lately, he seems to be a right ankle biter, sometimes he sees fit to go for my ankles when I am trying to feed them, not sure whats going on...he obviously doesn't realise that Santa wont be coming if he doesn't pack it in!..So unsure if the hens were on strike to tell me all about Regs antics or whether they were just having a mothers meeting, either way they were noisy and 'Chicken Run" the film sprang to mind.

PRODUCTIVE KIDNAP!

Pete and Steven are away on a golf competition in London, and you remember me hatching a plan to keep tractor Annie, Mum and Dad her to help out....well you know what it worked a treat, Dad filled my wood pile, and did the honourable pony poo job, whilst mum and tractor Annie helped me clean...perfect, great help...glad me and Laura cleaned all the animals out on Friday, time is really ticking away here..... and all your work was rewarded wasn't it, with a cheese and homemade pickle sandwich, ( that dad declined to try as I made it!!!...But the general consensus was that it was a happy occasion ..eating my homemade relish....mind you they had worked like dogs and were VERY hungry!!!!thanks guys...

STRANGE?

We have had frost here in the mornings for a while now, and when I went out this morning, I found this.....it looks like I have painted a bit of the table white, when in fact it is frost, just perfectly attached ...very tidily to one plank...strange eh....mind you Pete is quite attached to me....sorry that's not even funny..must be late!

WELL DONE STEVEN

Steven played in a Golf Competition in Southampton Under 14s (and hes only 12...he was up against some very talented competition) at the weekend and won, which means he will now play in the final which will be held in Portugal in October 09.....Yiiipppeee, the only chance of a holiday, so Me and Laura jumped at the chance to go and watch and support him!....Lets just hope those hostages, Tractor Annie, Mum and Dad agree to look after the animals and cottages....might have to get help in!!!!... Tim ..my brother has offered....he may regret this!!!!Let see what October brings! Gem did her hair especially to celebrate...I think she thinks shes a PAP now,,,,,thats a golfers Pets and Pooches!!!! he's too young to have a WAG!

THERE SHOULD BE A MANUAL!

There really should be a manual, to let you know what you are in for in life!!!! Steven poorly and Oscar really not well, The build is going on and I need to be there, Pete at meetings all day, I need to do work.... no idea when I can sort Christmas really, it will just have to happen I guess...Laura decides that in my hour of need to hit me with ..oh by the way I am off for 3 days right before xmas!!!!!!! Pete and Steven will be in London ..golf competition... and me....I will be here up to more muck that my neck will allow, trying to get it sorted before the big day gets here, Laura works hard here, and without her, I am not sure I could cope....and Steven is doing sooo well with his glf, you cant say anything about that... its just real hard sometimes to keep it all running. I wish I had an extra pair or army of hands...mmmmm thought....mmmm more thought... AH HA..Auntie Lou...alias tractor Annie will be coming home.. I know I will kidnap her and mum and dad when they turn up for coffee and only let them out when they have finished the chores!!!! there sorted...just a regular day then really!!! Don't know what the fuss is all about!

NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD

Whilst we are running around like headless chickens, Smudge hasn't a care in the world....sprawled out like lady muck!.....I wish I were a cat...see there I go again...must write a poem!!!!

GOOD MORNING.....NOT!

Woke up 2 hours too early and didn't get back to sleep, broke a glass, broke a mug, Steven poorly, Pete getting everyone sorted in morning, Jeff arrived, lucky went loopy! Goats broke out and were feeding with the ponies....Pete thought he was seeing things when he counted 5 ponies.....and Duke in the other field, he thought...Michelle had struck again, and snuck 2 more in...but not me this time!!!...Pete late for work and me and Jeff fixed fence...And it was only 8.45am....ah the day is young!

NEW APPRENTICE??

I know money is tight at the moment, but honestly I didnt send her out to work, she just went!!!! Sassy was quite at home in Alans van and I think she might have bagged herself a little apprenticeship!!!..Wonder what I can get the others doing???

JEFF BARKING!

See I knew you would click on that, Andy in the last entry and now Jeff barking too!!! Must be working here that does it.... Jeff was doing the mulching and bringing it up too the top in the mini tractor thing...after the dream team fixed it....Lucky tried to bite the wheels as it was moving.... according to her, she was helping, by the looks of her eyes, shes had one too many smarties I believe!!!

OMG 10 DAYS TILL XMAS....

I cant believe that Christmas is only 10 days away, and I wouldn't have realised had Andy not let me know with his charades... I think he may be feeling Christmassy!!!Brad, Lauren look out your Dad has finally flipped or simply joined in the madness at Woodmill, its catching you know!....Its those gloves, I'm sure of it..Nadine ...what are you feeding him!....Dancer, Prancer, Rudolph, Donner, Glitzen, and two others who's names escape me right now and the new kid on the block, who will need to be named, Rapid Reindeer maybe???or Racing??? We will have to vote on that one.

RAINBOW!

Amidst the madness and mayhem, I captured this rainbow on my phone, pretty eh!...A brief look at serenity before reality kicked in!!!!

ROOF GOING ON!

Six weeks into the build and we have the back of the cottage slated!....Can't believe it, just need to finish the front now, Thanks to Tommy Crocker we have a lovely roof in the making, cheers Tom! We have a full schedule this week, and a race against time really, ...Alan Harris the lecy is back tomorrow on form and fast I hope!! We have to insulate the roof, put waterproof stuff up, sweep and clean the floor, lay gas membrane, fit all the window and door frames, and lay 45 sq of 4 inch insulation all before Wednesday morning, when the underfloor heating will be laid by Richard Allen our plumber, yippeee, to screed on Thursday morning!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH I really don't know 1. how we will do it at all, and 2. do it without killing each other....stress, hell no!

STILL HERE

Well Saturday wasn't any better than yesterday with Oscar. He slept all day and didn't get up to feed. The vet gave me some antibiotic paste to give to him, in his fav food, but not even that caused a stir. I got the vet out, I was really worried, he injected him with enough antibiotic for a mammoth!!! and pain killer. He didn't appear to improve at at. But late morning today (Sunday) he got to his feed to feed, albeit very wobbly and not very comfortable, he was on his feet for about 4 mins, so that's got to be some improvement. Tomorrow, Martin will come out and assess him, we just haven't been able to pull him about, as he has just been too sick. But hopefully tomorrow we can get a better look.... The other worrying thing is, I went down to feed Rosie and Daisy and their front shoulders were quivering. I have never known them cold?... It just makes me think they too are sick, I will mention to Martin tomorrow, maybe I am wrong..lets hope so. Oscar is sleeping with Bubs tonight, she misses him and I think he will pick up with company. Rosie and Daisy are in the other sty....I need to build more and bigger I think. I was thinking about putting the heat lamp on for them, but this may hinder rather than help...Wait till tomorrow and see I guess. What a worry, and with so much going on here at the mo, we really could do without it.

BEEN A BAD DAY WITH OSCAR

Oscar... our pure bred Welsh Hunky Boar is soooo sick. We have been down there until now with him. Over the last couple of days, he has been a little lethargic, nothing to put you finger on, just Oscar in his ways. We thought he was just being Oscar,as he can be a little temperamental and attention seeking, so we thought a cuddle and he would be fine...But woke up this morning to find him in pain and lame. We tried for 2 hours to move him into the sty, where we could look at him and see what was going on. He was growling and shouting, but we had to get him in. Finally managed it. Martin the vet was on his way, and just turned up as we got Oscar in to the sty with some warm fresh straw. Martin took one look and knew he was real sick, but it seemed so sudden, from yesterday being a bit slow but eating and ok really to this. He couldn't weight bear, but nothing was in his feet and the shape was good. He had a huge injection of antibiotic and we thought over the course of the day he would get better...just a little. But after sitting with him and stroking him and then hand feeding and watering him, it became apparent he, was getting worse. I will speak to Martin in the morning again and see what we are to do, I just hope he goes ok over night. We think it maybe a virus that is carried in soil, not passed from pig to pig, rather soil to pig...luckily no other animals here will be affected...I think the only other animal it affects is sheep. It attacks the joints and can get into the organs, heart etc. and cause blood poisoning and we could loose him. He is such a lovable guy and a real character. To get another like him would be impossible and at present doesn't bear thinking about....what a day....not going to sleep tonight, wish I could bring Oscar up here...but cant move him and believe you me, he would be up in our conservatory with the heater on it I could!!!. Bubs is missing him, Oscar is her knight in shining armour. Protecting her from Rosie and Daisy. They normally cuddle up together, but are in separate sty's tonight.

TODAYS THE DAY!

Today the roof of cottage 6 got felted and battened....not sure if that's how its said!! with a hope or rather a necessity of getting slated on Wednesday. Chased the windows and doors today, and plumber and lecy will be here on Thursday...well they better be!!!!...The schedule gets tight from here...yeah , like it hasn't been already!...but from here until Xmas it is a very tight schedule with timing crucial.....so we'll see...see if it pans out the way we hope!!!!!!

SHES TAKING THE BISCUIT NOW!

Not only does Sassy continually want a cuddle, she has now got so comfy, she has fallen asleep on Petes back.....Are everyones animals like this or is it just ours?

THE ROOF IS READY TO FELT!!!!

Its been exactly 5 weeks since we started and we are ready to felt and slate this week. Pete looks like the cat thats got the cream on the roof here!... Its been a hard few weeks for all of us, Andy, Ant, Pete, Me, Tim and Dad....I think its the stone work on the outside that will take the time, but time is a luxury we don't have, we need to have it all ship shape and Bristol fashion by end of Feb....AAAAHHHH going to ache!!!

RAIN!

It hasn't half rained lately, the fields are already saturated because the water table was so high after the summer (what summer I hear you say!)....and now when it rains, it really rains, the paddocks haven't really got any food in them now, its just mud, cant really do much with the ponies either, they have a shelter and are on hard feed but its quite awful down there at the moment, could do with about 4 months of sun really!....mind you we don't notice the rain when we are working, you just get your head down and work, its got to be done, and we have to do it....Its just walking around on the feed run and slipping everywhere that makes you realise how wet things are. Went flying in the chickens tonight...that wasn't supposed to be funny by the way!!, need to sort a pathway through there, as you take your life in your hands feeding them every night.

PURRRFECT HELP!

Sassy, just wanted a cuddle and will not give in at all, she climbed the rafters that we were trying to fix for the roof of cottage 6 and got onto Pete's back, she stayed there for ages, Pete was clambering around the roof with a cat on his back....people must think we are nuts....mmmm..now theres a thought!

THE ANIMALS HAVE US ON THE RUN!

Lucky is driving me bonkers, last night she pinched Stevens school shoe and left it in her favourite place in the garden, we didn't find it until this morning and it had rained all night. Stevens shoe was drenched, I put it on the Rayburn, but that wasn't even going to help, school was in 1 hour, so he had to go in his golf shoes!.....Its one thing after another with her at the moment. If its not shoes its the tape measure you have just dropped or the screwdriver you really need, because you are holding something really difficult to fix, and shes swooped in and taken the darn thing!

WISH I WAS A CAT!

Look at lady muck here, Sunny chilling out in front the fire. I wish I were a cat, just laying about all day and doing exactly as you please.......could be the start of a poem there...a bit of a Pam Ayres thing going on... "Oh I wish I looked after me cat" (she says teeth) but I think cat could go well there too!!!...Dont tell me you cant remember

HARD WEEK

This week was our fifth on the build and our...well...my..strength was beginning to falter, Dad was a great help, he moved the rest of the back fill, a load of soggy, heavy mud. I think he took pity on me, as I couldn't even push the barrow in the end!!! It was great to get done, but a nightmare of a job, we have moved in excess of 70 tonne by hand to date, so our muscles are feeling it a bit!....Mum didn't get off lightly either, she was set to work preparing the Christmas post....But the weather was cold and we were all under pressure this week. Ant and Andy worked really hard, but still had to finish the last bits of the gable on Saturday morning, which we are very grateful for!!!, we hoped to finish Friday but time just ran away with us really...So hoping that next week will be a little less hectic. My shoulders aren't working anymore,I am unable to move my arms to shoulder height...I think they have given up!