A little bit of magic

Chris is still away until late this evening, so it seems to have been a slightly quieter day. I have cleared most of the garden of dead wood and rubbish, took Janet and Ruby to the beach with the dogs and baked a load of mince pies ( How Annie Sugden of me).

As I collected eggs to make a flan, I saw a woman walking with two children down the lane, and as the birds have been moved nearer the fence, they stopped to watch the girls running up and down after me, thinking that they were due to be fed. The woman was interested in the ducks and asked lots of questions about them and her granddaughter ( who was about 7 and had the broadest of scouse accents) was totally mesmerised by the chickens.

She had never been close to a hen before and practically galloped into the run when I said she and her sister ( much more shy and a year or two older) could help me collect the eggs.

I have found that Children who have never really experienced poultry are totally fascinated by them ; friend Ruth's children and the next door neighbour's grandkids have all enjoyed being close up and personal with them. This small girl ( Leigh) almost looked overwhelmed with it all. Open mouthed she lifted the nesting boxes and almost peeing herself in excitement I encouraged her to stick her hand under a rather placid Baby Jane to collect the eggs. When laying the hens are rather more "static" so Leigh could actually stroke her and prod her without too much panic and noise. We did this with several of the birds and both sisters then took turns in holding a non plussed Mildred Pierce which they loved.

Apart from enjoying showing the hens off, I was very moved by the childrens' wonder and interest. They noticed the colour of the birds eyes, how clean they appeared to be and the noises that they made, ( and giggled for ages at their toilet habits), and it got me thinking of how lucky we have been always having animals in our lives as children. Animals have the ability to animate the quietest of kids, and be the friends to the shyest individuals and today's experience got me thinking of a conversation along the same lines I had with Friends Mike and Bev, who are contemplating a visit with daughter Maisie.

Holding a chicken made Leigh's day today, I hope that Maisie can poke a pudgy finger at Mildred Pierce very soon!

By the way, despite the above I still really don't do children!!