DUKE STILL GOING STRONGISH!

'Duke is still going on ok, he is still stabled at night and the ponies are still on their winter feed, just reducing that now, as the grass is starting to grow. He seems slow but happy in himself, so until we can see him deteriorating so much that it is not in his interest, he will carry on, hopefully for years to come, but the farrier wasn't so hopeful last time...See if the prognosis is better on the next visit....But he is definitely better when we put him to bed at night, although he dislikes it, he is more active in the morning. We left him out one night and in the morning he wasn't so good...So see what happens I guess.

STEVEN IS NOW A TEENAGER!!

13 years old...where does time go!!!in his case...it goes very expensively with golf!!!! He played golf all day then we had a family birthday tea when he got home, he didnt want a party, he wanted a sky caddie...not sure if that was cheaper option or not...knowing Steven..probably not!!!...Happy Birthday Steve, hope you had a great day and enjoyed your presents XX

AAAAHHHH LUCKY!!!

You know I just said Lucky wasn't eating much at all, well she has only gone and eaten all our teas on the work top, she took all the quiche and chicken and left the slobbered over lettuce for us.. I was jumping!... I know I wanted her to eat but not OUR tea!!!Eat the expensive dog food I had to buy on request of the vet!!!!

WE ARE HAVING PUPS!!!!

Well looks like Buck has done the dirty deed with our lucky and the scan showed that Lucky in in fact pregnant due in 2 - 3 weeks...And I bet it will happen when Pete and Steven are at golf...it always happens to me and Laura then...if something is going to happen, it will happen then!!!!.. So little Springer's here we come...Lucky has put on weight and was very tired this afternoon, she isn't eating much at present so hopefully that will resolve, I have put her on special puppy food, but she doesn't want it!,,,She prefers the dented tins from Baileys!!!! OH what am I going to do with her!...Watch this space, anyone with any info on puppying, please let me know what I am supposed to be doing and what signs for birthing please!!!!!

PATH GOING IN!

The path to tie the cottages in together and make it make sense was laid yesterday, and then Pete and I were on our knees with wire brushes the next day exposing the aggregate...I hate that job, but it was easier than in the summer, the sun hadn't set the concrete too hard and it was done in about 3 hours...not bad really, it looks great now. SO on to the step in front the patio and front door now!...crumbs its all happening...wont think about the cost...the bills will be flooding in soon, haven't had them since NOV!!!!!AAAAHHHH....don't think about it, that's the ostrich way and I am kind of thinking they have it right!!

STONEWORK COMPLETE!

All the stone facing has now been completed and we have another bird sanctuary in place at the top of the cottage, made by "the dream team"...who else!!... It seems like Ant and Andy live here!!..They might be glad of pastures new by the end of this...I am sure they have enjoyed it really!... There have been highs (getting out the ground) and lows (the slippery DPC and race against time with the block work in the rain and cold...oh and the retaining wall collapsing on Pete and Andy!!), and ups (Andy and Ants sense of humour and smiles)and downs (Andy and Ant poorly!! but they only had one day off...and they really should have had a lot longer, they worked through it and they were really poorly!!), but we couldn't have done it without them, they are so reliable and never let you down, and to be honest I am not sure we could have worked that closely with anyone else...nor would we have wanted to actually!... The snow, minus 8 and rain never stopped them, they never moan and they are always happy...highly recommended!!! I think the cottage looks great, cant wait to finish it now!!

ITS ONLY BEEN A WEEK!

Haven't signed in for a week, and it seems an absolute age...there have been so many developments but at present cant think of one!!! Now that's challenging!! (some may call it stress...but we don't use that word here...bad for moral and all that eh!!)

BEEN A HECTIC WEEK REALLY

Little Toms Cottage is coming along now, this week we have laid the drainage, put in the veranda and rolled the 803 into the car park area (the photo above looks like me and Mark are going head to head with our toys!!..Mark showed me how to use the roller (silly man!), and its not as easy as you might think...I think Mark would have liked a few more straight lines...but curves are fine!!!Ii am trying to get him to teach me how to drive the digger next...watch out you lot!), Alan the electrician is run off his feet so he didn't come till Saturday and still hasn't got the lights...I think there was a problem with deliveries and the snow...but we need it finished ..electric wise next week!!!! that'll please him!...Richard the plumber thought he could connect our gas..but turns out Shell have to do it..so a waiting list it is!!!!AAAHHHH...never mind...the tiles are down and the walls are painted, kitchen still not complete and the furniture isn't made, all the internal fixings need to be done and it needs a darn good clean!!!...But better wait till its finished a bit, the kitchen wall tiles need to go on next. So much to do ...so little time....and that's just the cottage, still got Purl design running full time and cottages to open fully by the end of the month...access statements to do, cleaning, etc...don't even want to think about it ..or I will never sleep!!!

OUR LITTLE RUBEN THE ROBIN

He comes everyday and sits on the bush or wood in front the conservatory, he is so cute, he loves cornflakes and a few seeds, I think he has even made friends with Hatty (the chicken!)...He seems to be extremely tame, be good to know how long they live for?...But for now hes our little Ruben...You must think I have flipped..I'm ok really...I'm just in my own little world..but its ok they know me here!!!!

A BIRD IN THE HAND!!!!

This little guy had been picked up by Buck (by the teeth..that's Bucks teeth..not the little birds!!!)...Lucky's boyfriend! he had injured his wing...A feisty little fellow, he didn't like being held much, but with a little chat and cuddle he seemed to calm down a bit. Think he might have been just in shock as we were able to release him later n the day once Buck had been captured!!!