Mum's the word

The underlying sound all last week was Delila calling back her little ones - who were gaily trotting all over the estate, hither and thither, to and fro.

Many the time The Big Boss chuckled to himself (and anyone listening) as he observed them 'streaming' - in various combinations of 1's, 2's, 4's and 5's - past the Study window en route to or from Church, or Rectory, Field - with or without help from The Bestest Pig Dog. It seemed to Delila, and us, that they hardly returned home except to say "hello" and "good night".

Foraging whilst wandering had made them grow strong and big. So Last Friday was Weaning day. We thought we'd be able to get them to 'stream' into the trailer but they were too smart - and quick - for that. In the end, we had to distract Delila with food whilst catching each of the 10 individually in their ark and manually transporting them to the trailer. From whence to the barn..... where they will now remain for the worst of the winter months. Nice and snug and dry and with the background sound of the horses snorting and chomping to lull them to sleep. Aaaaahhhhh

Poor old Delila, used to them being away so frequently and so long, didn't really suss that they had been weaned from her. Poor thing spent the next couple of days almost constantly calling for them to come back........ We gave her favourite treats and back rubs and much attention to console her and finally this morning she was back to normal - only appearing for breakfast when called and then snoozing for much of the day........ It'll not be long before she's reunited with Samson and that'll bring a smile to her little chops.......

Meanwhile, Ginger - The Matriarch of them all, spent the best part of today preparing her nest for her next - 7th - litter. Knowing her time was due I inspected her ark yesterday:

"She's piled all her bedding up into a large platform on which she lies like a queen" I said to The Big Boss "Whilst there're huge gaps around the base where the wind can get in" ....

"Probably air conditioning" he said.

"Yes, but what about the Little Ones?" I said

"Just leave it up to Ginger" he replied "She's an experienced mum and will sort it all out when the time's right".

Well, sure enough whenever I observed her today it was - straw this way, rubbish that way, sticks here, hay there, and no gaps round the edges anywhere and a heck of a lot of banging and grunting whilst she got her nursery in order.

There'll be piglets tomorrow................