Wrong again! - Again!!

"10" said The Big Boss, returning from the morning feed round on Wednesday.

"10 what?" said I - thinking either he'd lost the plot or forgotten that the answer to everything was 42 - in which case he'd defintely lost the plot.........

"Piglets" said he, face breaking into a huge grin......

"Naaah" said I "you probably counted one twice" (numbers being his strong suit, he was definitely not quite himself....)

"No doubt about about it - 10" he grinned emphatically.

So I had to go see for myself. And - of course - he was right. Ten little piglets all snuggled up cosily in the corner of the ark.

And on Thursday already (surely the most precocious of all the piglets so far) Precious had them all out first thing, proudly parading them around her domain, showing them all the nooks and crannies so they won't panic if they accidentally wander too far away from her - which, judging from the confidence they are already displaying, will happen more often than not!

Ginger and Mangal, at first quite curious about the newcomers, soon tired of the whole thing and retreated to the furthermost ark as if not in the slightest bit interested!

The little ones weren't in the least bit concerned, just kept sniffling and rootling and playing till Mum decided it was time for sustenance and lowered herself elegantly to the ground - where she waited patiently for several minutes till her brood (in no great hurry) gradually all attached themselves! It

was a bit chaotic as they tumbled and scrambled over each other but they all seemed quite contented enough and Precious just kept grunting gently whilst they suckled - although there was one sudden loud grunt when - I suspect - one pair of little teeth were too keen!