Season of mists ---- and Nuts!

The season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and inspiration, is almost upon us: the days, although growing shorter, have been almost summery but the nights are increasingly cold and Rocco (who came third in a class of 55 in his second jumping competition last Sunday! Clever thing) is already wearing a light rug overnight.

The customary Lincolnshire winds have blown very strongly for the past couple of weeks, causing the orchard floor to be littered with windfall apples and plums - much to the delight of the animals and poultry! The Aga has been in almost constant use, turning out jams and jellies of all descriptions (including from the 'best' crabapples we have ever had here) but now, almost out of jars and with the cupboards full, the fun will soon have to stop!

The (very) last swallows have spent this week having flying lessons from Max's stable and, though they still spend their nights on a beam in his stable, all but one are out and about most of the day. The solitary one must be the runt: he has spent most days alternately on the hay rack or a beam and is still being fed by the parent(s). Occasionally one of the others comes 'home' to sit with him awhile, but mostly he is alone.

Precious and her piglets continue to thrive; the little ones spend increasing amounts of time outside, rootling and gamboling and experimenting with what is, and is not, edible...... Incredible to think they are only 10 days old.

Already at just four days old one or two of them were bold enough to get up close and personal with Gunner --- he was probably giving them the low down on the quality of the herd they had been born into! Certainly nothing seems to phase them. Many new piglets 'arrived' and 'due' means much new fencing is needed and it is only when the contractor is working with his noisy drill that Precious herds her considerable brood back to the ark and gives instructions for them to stay there! She meanwhile happily digs, rootles and wallows whilst they sleep and grow! We think her litter is probably a record number for the breed but she is as laid back about this lot as she was with Bonnie and Clyde!

As ever, the naming of piglets has occupied the little grey cells: something seasonal seemed to be called for ...... and a sudden flash of inspiration led to a cry of

"What about Nuts!" ----- appropriate for more than just piglets some might say..... : thus we have:

Pine, Hazel, Pea, Brazil, Wal, Cashew, Pecan, Almond, Cob and Coco! We just don't know which is which yet! Except the one in the picture at the top, which is Coco: she is probably the 'best' little piglet we have seen on RectoryReserve.................... time will tell..............