Peace & quiet - for a while

Ginger's young brood, born on May 8th, were the last of the spring litters to be weaned. At 8 weeks old they were spending very little time with Ginger and free-ranging far and wide.We realised they

Can we come in please Mr Jaunty?

were becoming a little too bold when they started coming to the back door and asking for their food - or maybe just to be let in. It was very disconcerting to be greeted by gruntlets first thing each morning. Jaunty proved a very effective door-keeper and took his new job very seriously! They did manage to get in once: we were totally unprepared. Returned from market one afternoon I was unloading from the chiller van, having left the house doors open; I was surprised to find 7 piglets merrily trotting into the scullery ahead of me! Fortunately they did not make it as far as the pantry - my astonished yell scared them enough to  make them run out! After that we made sure to always leave the door shut!

How long have we got to stay in here?

The 4 boys in the litter will be going to Heckington Show later in the month. This will be our 6th year of taking youngsters - they always prove a great attraction especially since they are not just the only curly coats at the show but the only pigs! They share a marquee with the other rare breeds - including the Lincoln red cattle, the Lincolnshire Buff hens and the Lincolnshire Longwool Sheep - sheep being by far the majority. It always makes me smile when people, attuned to looking at all the sheep, do a double-take when they get to our pen - "Funny sheep... ooooorrr pigs?"

Victoria's piglets still sticking close to mum !

Meanwhile, we shall enjoy a bit of peace and quiet without piglets running everywhere - till Victoria's lot realise they have the place to themselves and start their explorations. They're three weeks old now so should be on their way.... that'll be my new flowerbed destroyed then, as The Big Boss gleefully pointed out this afternoon! And Con, the gardener, has only just planted it. Maybe the piglets won't find it!
Maybe pigs will fly.......