The big freeze in the financial markets is being matched by what is turning into one of the coldest, wettest winters in many a year. Perhaps not quite as bad as 1708 when extreme conditions hampered the Duke of Marlborough in his fight with an Austrian force against the French during the War of the Spanish Succession. Rivers froze, livestock died and thousands of people perished from cold, famine or disease. Nonetheless, racing at Cheltenham was cancelled, for the first time in 23 years, last Saturday.
Our own bleak surroundings (shooting delayed and finally cancelled today due to dense
fog - so dog's not missed much) are much cheered and heartened by the sight of Ginger's fast-growing brood. They seem not to mind the chocolate soup which is their world and quite enjoy romping around in the copious quantities of hay we put down for them to scamper about in. They are very inquisitive and lively and end up looking like hairy coated Gloucester Old Spots! They'll be 4 weeks old on Friday but already seem much more roly-poly than Ginger's previous two litters. Maybe it's the combination of being thrust into a cold wet world and Ginger 'doing' them better to compensate. She also let them eat hard food earlier than the others; not that that stops them frequently dashing back into their ark for cuddles and comforting milk!
fog - so dog's not missed much) are much cheered and heartened by the sight of Ginger's fast-growing brood. They seem not to mind the chocolate soup which is their world and quite enjoy romping around in the copious quantities of hay we put down for them to scamper about in. They are very inquisitive and lively and end up looking like hairy coated Gloucester Old Spots! They'll be 4 weeks old on Friday but already seem much more roly-poly than Ginger's previous two litters. Maybe it's the combination of being thrust into a cold wet world and Ginger 'doing' them better to compensate. She also let them eat hard food earlier than the others; not that that stops them frequently dashing back into their ark for cuddles and comforting milk!And then to make life even more cheerful we heard that Christmas had arrived early at Abbey Farm, Stixwould. 'Little Polly Piglet' (from Ginger's first litter) and her 'husband' Tang are t
he proud parents of a bundle of at least 7 squirming piglets. The Nice Mr Barlcay rang to tell us the news literally hot of the press even as they were entering the cold and windy world yesterday morning! He was ecstatic. No doubt Polly will be too when she surfaces!
he proud parents of a bundle of at least 7 squirming piglets. The Nice Mr Barlcay rang to tell us the news literally hot of the press even as they were entering the cold and windy world yesterday morning! He was ecstatic. No doubt Polly will be too when she surfaces! Not such a bleak mid winter after all.....
No comments:
Post a Comment