Sad news today, Nu's mum, the powerhouse Nancy died this morning after a fairly long illness. I have fond memories of gin led discussions of the merits of royalty versus presidency, at her home in Thornton, of the warm Irish/Liverpudlian welcome I and a score of others was always given when visiting, and the interaction she always had with Nu her sisters.
Well it's tiny but one of the new girls has actually laid their first egg! It is a milestone!, rather like a the coming of age thing.
Planted the sweetcorn this morning and weeded the allotment . An old boy went past and complemented me on my neatness and order! which was nice. Now off to Prestatyn bistro for lunch with Chris, unfortunately working tonight but hey it has to be done.
No news from Nu today.
Total weight loss at fatfighters now 32 lbs! (2.5 lost this week) So I feel nice and confident when meeting up with the "girls" tomorrow night! Went on a very quick power walk this morning, much to the amusement of some beautiful dairy cattle near the Gop.
It has pissed down all day and everything feels damp and dirty, so ripping up all the urine drenched lino from the kitchen floor and under the fitted units has been a rather disgusting afternoons work. It doesn't show in the photo but I am absolutely filthy and so is Meg. George I have had to put in the bath after crawling behind the cooker space BEFORE I cleaned it
The cottage garden looks quite pretty and I am glad I have worked so hard in getting it organised and planted. Nia sent me the above picture of her and Baby George the other day and although I am not a baby person I thought it was quite delightful!
I have spent the day in the field today, and have enjoyed strimming the weeds and nettles down with Andrew's industrial sized strimmer. The allotment looks neat and tidy, and I was surprised to notice that two water butts have appeared by my compost bins. Which I thought was a nice gesture and I am very grateful for. The work was hot and messy, so I spent lunch time in the chicken coop watching the girls and their behaviour, which might sound a little geeky but is in fact quite fascinating. 
Whoopie Goldberg is the unhappiest looking hen, and looks rather bad tempered all of the time. As I lay on the grass she started the "let's jump of the chicken coop game", which I have noticed occurs on a daily basis. What happens is that one bird gets all excited and flighty and starts flapping her wings. She then half flaps and half jumps onto the coop roof where she looks down upon the twelve others triumphantly. The others then crowd around in circle, jumping up and down with glee and envy! one after another the girls then try to take over from the roof perching hen, often bouncing her off roughly, like a scene from It's a knockout!
Good Morning Miss Dove (On TCM this afternoon) was an unexpected treat. Watching it, I overdosed on more sentimentality than you could shake a stick at.! The film tells the emotional story of a beloved schoolteacher who reflects back on her life and former students when she is hospitalized; the bit where where ex pupils come to the hospital to give blood to save their teacher makes you want to jam your head in a metal bucket! But.... Jennifer Jones, a somewhat aloof character actress anyhow, seemed just right for the role and I especially enjoyed the finale where the townsfolk hold a vigil outside the county hospital........very Norman Rockwell!