Hi, from wet and grey Eden Valley - very Autumnal now, leaves everywhere suddenly.... It's been a hectic couple of weeks! We went to London at half term for a few days (my old stomping ground!) to see my niece Charlotte who is now working down there and another friend - and to show the kids where I used to live.. A third floor council flat on Tulse Hill Estate is very different to here! and it seems to be both a lifetime away and just only yesterday...But good to go back and we went in Brockwell Park where I used to walk my dog Barney (bless him, my mate) and had a coffee in the very trendy (but in some ways, unchanged) Brixton Market. The kids were great, we did loads of walking as well as buses and tubes - saw a lot and really enjoyed it all. Then got back here and collapsed in a heap for a couple of days! (well I did) Nicola had been in charge of the animals and it's no easy feat remembering what animals are fed what, when so we always leave loads of notes, but it is fantastic for us that we can go away and know everything is ok at home - so many people feel tied to their farms.. Now the weather is colder, the animals are more demanding for food and are fed twice a day. I am still careful about how much grass the horses are getting, even though it is not rich any more, because Ben is prone to laminitis (inflammation in his feet, brought on by too much protein and sugars in food) and I have to watch his weight. Luckily, Son of Ben, Pickles (do they know they are father and son?) has not had laminitis, but I am not taking any chances so he is company for Ben in the 'starvation' paddock and when I bring them in.. Very funny to watch them together, grooming and biting, galloping and rearing up... Dinky is such an old girl (30 plus/) but so healthy that I let her have more. She is very hardy and I think this is because she is a Fell pony (native to Cumbria) I will get in touch at some point with the place that had her as a brood mare (think she had about 18 foals!) and let them know how well she is..
So here are horsey pics...
This is Ben - about 12 and we have had him since 2006 when my sister bought him from a hose sale AS A SURPISE for us!! We wanted a companion for our goat Merlin - but Ben being a little gobby stallion, nipped and terrified Merlin till we got him done (Ben, that is...on our lawn...interesting) BUT before then, we loaned him out to a fat black and white pony called Tinkerbell..and the result was...
Pickles!! about 3 now - very very cheeky and funny.. He is a 'mouthy' pony and sometimes nips but always goes 'OH, I DIDN'T MEAN TO DO THAT!!!' He is very chilled, nothing bothers him (unlike Ben, who I had to do a lot of work with to relax him .. don't know what had happened to him before) and I am bringing him on so that Beth can ride him.. He would be fun to drive too (tho I don't really know about that yet)
This is Dinky - not a great pic of her, she was hungry and wouldn't stand still! She is about 14.2 and classic Fell. She is quite grey on her face but still beautuful - and can move when she wants to! I ride her sometimes, but mainly it's Beth and her friends that mess about with her. She is a great confidence boosting pony and I trust her in the stable totally..
so that's the 'herd'...
They now are trained to come to a bucket of rattling nuts so I don't have to climb up the side of the valley and all over to get them (used to be a real pain) However the first time I rattled the bucket, I had the sheep and donkeys following me rather than my intended targets!! Foolish... But fantastic to see them now, galloping to me when they hear the buckets.
So...the donkeys come next! (could write an essay about those two!!)
Bye...
