Polling day

The elections for the European Parliament took place today and after a bit of a mental tussle with my conscience I took myself off to vote! In these awfully cynical times of MP expenses, it has been suggested that a combination of apathy and dissatisfaction by the electorate may mean that far right BMP representatives may get a foothold on the political ladder and although I did have a temptation to just deface the voting paper (which would be recognised as a show of dissatisfaction against all of the political parties!!)..
In the end I voted tactically. When I returned home from the polling station, I noticed that the village Conservation Group volunteers had been hard at work and had filled the flowerbeds in the centre of the village. The Village has two community groups,- the conservation group, and our Trelawnyd Flower Show Committee, both work very hard giving something back to the village, whether it be aesthetic changes to the flower beds and green spaces or practical donations to the community needs in the Memorial Hall.
I am trying to make a rough poll of the villagers to find out what we could spend monies collected by this year's Flower Show on.....answers on a postcard please

ps

Blanche update

I have seen her outside just once today, the duckling (who I have named Haleh after my favourite character in ER ) is looking mighty fine

Blanche update, crops and unruly behaviour

Blanche and the duckling made their first shakey way into the hen house run this morning. Blanche still has not eaten, so I have put tempting dishes of cat food,corn and pasta in the corner of the coop, but at least they had a quick wander around. The vegetable plots are looking quite presentable now. The above plot which is filled with herbs,spinach,turnip, parsnips,broad beans and peas, is green and fresh and neat and tidy although several of the more overactive hens have now learnt to infiltrate the fencing!.
This afternoon two sets of walkers numbering around 40 individuals ambled down the lane and both groups stopped to buy eggs. All were retired members in a walking society, and as usual they came into the field to have an impromptu "guided tour".
Older people can be more unruly than smaller groups of visiting kids, as they all seem to chatter on at once and split up into little sub groups, then these smaller groups seem to call out questions like bullets shot out of a machine gun.
"what's eaten your rhubarb?"
"what's the turkey called?"
"Is that a cornflower?"
" How do you grow celery?"
"Have you got a bag of manure for sale?"
" Joan see that hen? poor little mite... it's limping!"
and then more worryingly......
"Ohhhhhhh Marjorie's fallen over a guide wire!!!"
"giggle,giggle,giggle"
Indeed, Marjorie HAD fallen over a fence guidewire as she tottered down to have a look at the bantams (below) and thankfully she was laughing about it as she was sat on the grass, so was all of her friends who had grouped around her in a circle (I had visions of litigation)but at least they were cackling loudly. Her hips thankfully seemed to be intact , so with a couple of free duck eggs tucked into her rucksack, I sent them all on their way.....

Motherhood-look closely at the photo

The duckling that was so thoughtfully donated by Cae yesterday, seems to have settled down with a doting but fairly static Blanche. The duckling that was pipping yesterday (I thought it was a hen chick) hatched in the middle of the night, but unfortunately did not survive.so it is only the two of them in a large hen coop fit for 12.
Blanche still shows no sign of moving, so I carefully removed the eggs shells from her nest . Hopefully tomorrow she will take her tiny charge outside for a walk and a feed.

Postscript

You need to read the previous blog first to understand this one!
At 10.00 pm I sneaked onto the field and took a peek in Blanche's single hut.
In the centre of the coop there she sat, happy and comfortable on her single (pipping egg). The day old duckling was tucked carefully under her bald wing and was asleep.
Here's hoping the chick hatches and with two unlikely babies in tow, she starts to eat and drink properly.
I have taken Rose's advice and have tried her with some oats and yogurt.....none taken so far, but she has eaten a small amount of Albert's cat food!
Next year despite any poor condition, I will let her sit on her own eggs and we will soldier through!

Mercy dash

The rest of my birthday has felt a little strange. I feel as I have been "catching up" with things and never quite have reached completion with most of them.
We had lunch out in a small little Cafe in St Asaph which was nice, then I went to my other "bank" triage nurse interview as Chris waited in the car. As temperatures reached 25 degrees, I then dragged him around local farms in search of a couple of one day old hen chicks.
Blanche's condition has taken a turn for the worse. Everything I have done to break her broody sitting (sin bins....plunging her bum into buckets of cold water!!! etc etc) has failed and as she has stubbornly sat on any nest she has found, her condition has deteriorated dreadfully.
In desperation we called into Babell where the lady that sold us my first hens lives. She had no chicks but sent us scooting across the countryside in search for her friend Cae, who may have been of help.
Finally we found a very motherly looking red faced farmers wife called Cae who very kindly gave me a hatching hens egg and a tiny one day old duckling. We dashed back to Trelawnyd where we set Blanche up on the egg and duckling. Only time will tell if the sudden appearance of one fluffy baby and one potential baby will have the desired effect of breaking Blanche's broody nature but at least I have done everything to help.
This evening Chris has popped out for an Indian takaway as I caught up with feeding watering and gift opening. As usual my sisters have done me proud with a selection of thoughtful pressies, which included: hikers pants, a water feeder for the hens, two black current bushes,bedding plants, batteries,proper coffee, posh soap (trying to tell me something?) a hen biscuit box, and a pair of wellies!. Mother in law Sorrel sent some gardening vouchers which I have already spent on some lovely lavender plants for my flower bed in the allotment.....

Being thoughtfull

Well, it is not even 9am and I have been treated to a cooked breakfast, cards and gifts. I always appreciate people that are thoughtful with their time and effort and true to form Nu rang first thing with a hysterical and smiley "Happy Birthday" down the phone and my Nia (above) sent a card and pressie ( a book of Australian movie legends!!! -Russell has never looked better!) all the way from Oz! I have had birthday texts from Nige (happy birthday to you too) and the normal emails and thoughtful cards too

Chris will be working this morning, then I think he will suffer the indignity at being dragged around a garden centre after seedlings......

I need to buy a couple of day old chicks today if I can find some. Blanche the broody hen is looking terribly weak.....she needs a couple of babies to break her broody behaviour. We hens get so fixated, like she is, it is so easy for the bird to literally broody herself to death

Osborne house Birthday Lunch

Pre Birthday lunch at Osborne house, Llandudno.........a real treat

I am 46 going on 47

Rose's comments on one of my previous blogs about how at 45 she has reviewed with a certain amount of peace, her present and her past got me to thinking about decisions made and past experiences.

I think when you are in your mid forties, you reach a certain plateau in your life. You know who you are, you understand what makes you "tick" and there is a certain acceptance of "self" that perhaps was not always present when you are hurtling through your thirties.

Those adults that dominated your life when you were a child, for the most part now have died or have become frail. Dear friends have fought ill health and bereavements of their own and people close have experienced the worries of middle age wear and tear, which is often difficult to cope with as it reminds you that you are actually getting older!

Being 47, and living the lifestyle we have chosen has brought with it some problems but for the most part it had brought with it a certain peace , slowness of pace (which is certainly different to being busy) and a certain contentment.

So what have I learnt after nearly a half century on this strange planet?

I have learnt that family and friends (my urban family) mean everything. I take them and Chris for granted but now and then realise that life can be very cruel and fickle on occasion, and realise the need to celebrate them when I have the chance.

My "new" in- law family have a special place in my affections as my "real" family, and new friends dovetail neatly into my time as the old. The only thing that I do regret is that I cannot always see everyone as often as I would like.

I have learnt that life is not as exasperating as it once was. Perhaps I am less angry and less disappointed with people than I used to be......perhaps I am just at a more peaceful part of my life. The bitter and more oppressive climate afforded by my frustrated and depressed mother has disappeared years ago now, and her legacy now is of better memories and fewer hurts.

Perhaps that is another typical sign of being middle aged.

Being 47 frightens me just a little. I don't really want to move away from this time of needy chickens ,a pack of dogs that provide a constant loyal safety blanket and the ever-so-small world of vegetables , garden and village.

In my mind I am still 28....and probably always will be...I just look 50