Easter, the weather and a funeral

No sooner did we are feeling the sunshine on our feathers and the desire for spring frolicking arriving, than the snow plunged us back into winter melancholy!   The water is frozen again on the ponds, happily though there are a few clear areas to swim in but it is chilly for the time of year.   This has thrown us into a general state of confusion particularly as a couple of the Ducks are now sitting on their eggs and are worried that the babies will be too cold when they arrive!

The snow caused its usual disruption to us and our visitors.  (Last Saturday the staff spend half the day clearing the car park yet again, thank goodness they converted the old mower to a snow plough!). Many of our customers were unable to get to visit us because of the snow, however this week we had a lot of very 'chatty' visitors - we had a couple of school visits from Hanbury First School and listening to their conversation we hear that they are incubating some of our eggs for us  - they will probably be a lot warmer in school than they are on the pond here!.  The children were all very cheerful and colourful with some brilliant hats, it was good to see them.  Hopefully we will see lots more this Easter as school breaks up today.

This afternoon there is a Funeral Tea here in the conservatory - the food looks lovely through the window.  The tea is to celebrate the life of a very regular customer Jennifer Baker who lived in Bromsgrove and came here a lot (she loved the gifts and crafts and particularly enjoyed the Salmon in White Wine Sauce served made in the farmhouse restaurant).   The staff and crafts people are so sorry that she will not be visiting any more but are thrilled that her family chose the Jinney Ring to say goodbye to her.

We also hear that there is a wedding here on Saturday evening -- we are now keeping our wings crossed that the weather is, at the very least, dry for them,  it still looks as though it will be cold!

Breaking news --- Just checked with the Chocolate Deli and they have very few eggs left (and theirs are not being incubated!) and not many Chocolate Pizza's either -- the Easter rush is on!!

Mums, Mums and Eggs

Miserable and cold though the day was yesterday, we had loads of visitors and lots of corn (thanks to you all!).  Mothering Sunday is always a busy day here at the Jinney Ring and we see lots of familiar faces plus some that come out only occasionally.  It was great to see everyone and even better that everyone was in such good humour despite crowds!  All the Mums who had lunch in the restaurant were given daffodils which provided a lovely splash of colour which is good as we don't have many up in the gardens yet. Dayel, the gardener has planted some primroses and the small Tete a Tete daffs in the boxes and pots now which are already cheering us up.  

Changing the subject - we are expecting a few "mums" out here on the pond soon - there are eggs everywhere!  One day last week the Site Manager came around and collected a bucket load of them - he was off to set them in the incubator to make sure they hatch safely and we have some ducklings in a month or so. (around Easter time).