Carols in the Conservatory

It is Christmas Eve and there are a number of folk wandering about with red and white hats on.  Everyone seems cheerful and we are getting plenty of corn!

There is music coming from the conservatory from the "Grafton Singers" as they entertain the customers with some Christmas carols, it is really lovely!

The Grafton Singers 

While everyone else is off enjoying their turkey dinners I hope we are not forgotten -- the only days in the year that we don't have visitors here (the craft centre is closed) are Christmas day and the following day, we see people every other day so it is a bit of a shock to us, but no doubt we will get fed in the morning as normal by the owners.  

The Craft Centre is closed 25th and 26th December and then reopens 27th at 11am.  For opening times please click here

Santa and the Guide Dog....

Santa with is Naughty and Nice book alongside Linda and Marley

Santa was back again today and he had a very special visitor - Marley.  Marley is a guide dog in waiting, that is to say he is still a puppy and has to wait until he is old enough to go for training.  In the meanwhile he lives with Linda and learns the basics,  part of this means he gets to go into restaurants and other places where dogs don't normally go, all so that he is prepared for his training.  Today he met Santa and some of the children who came to visit him, and also curled up in front of the fire and had a little nap!  They say it is a 'dogs life'!
 

Santa with a couple of the Children who visited today

Santa should be back again tomorrow with the Dray rides -- assuming the weather is OK.

Talking of weather -- out in the garden, it has got colder and wetter -- not so many visitors but still getting some dedicated ones who come to feed us.  Today the rain, sleet and snow made some lovely puddles for us to play in!  The "new" ducklings are now nearly full grown but still do not have all their feathers so are still being put away at night, brrrr they must be a bit chilly now!

Lots of 'Christmas Cheer'  everywhere in the centre this week with Christmas lunch parties, and a big birthday party last Sunday.  The lights look lovely and the fire makes it look very cosy.  This Sunday I hear that there will be Christmas songs and Carols during lunch.  

Two little Santa's

We don't normally see Santa much out here on the pond, but this year we have seen FOUR so far and it is not even Christmas Eve yet!  The first was the Green Santa who is promoting Worcestershire food and living , the second was the Jinney Ring Santa here this weekend for the dray rides. Today we were really privileged and had two "Little Santas" who ran around alot but they did remember to feed us.  (I think they are our favourites so far!).

Here they are by the Christmas tree in the lounge.

Whoa...

Lots of excitement today -- some huge horses are out in the front car-park, beautifully dressed in brasses pulling a cart filled with children.....and Santa is here too.  The horses are getting more attention than us ducks today, I do hope that we still get some food!

The Dray rides are planned from 12-3pm on Sat 10th and Sat 17th as well as today.  (No bookings needed).

Santa is also visiting again on 9th, 10th, 15th and 16th December having a hot chocolate and cookie with Children by the fireside.  (You do need to book for this one 01527 821272).

Mike from Arkle plants is pretty busy at the moment and has lots of Christmas Trees and wreaths coming in -Our visitors are buying early this year, they can probably remember the snow last year (my webbed feet feel cold just thinking about it!).

Green Santa and Lights

The Craft Centre was really bright last night as visitors watched the start of the Jinney Ring Christmas!

Worcestershire’s Green Santa, whose mission is to encourage people to think local and make Christmas a more sustainable celebration, teamed up to with Rachel Johnston one of our regular customers to switch on the centre’s Christmas lights. Rachel rang the bell to start a wave of lights which ran round the front of the centre, it now looks really pretty. All of the craft units have decorated their own trees outside their units -- many have decorations relating to their crafts.

Rachel decorated her chair for the occasion and enjoyed the evening

After the lights were put on Santa went shopping and had a good look around the craft units meeting Soap Maker (Jorg) and having a good look at the blown glass in Topglass.

We managed to get a peak at the activities from the garden but most of the visitors were soon shopping and visiting the restaurant whilst listen to Christmas tunes from accordion player Helen O'Donnell from Droitwich.
There was a lovely smell too -- the mulled wine was chef's first batch of the year and it certainly smelt nice alongside the roasted chestnuts cooking in the BBQ.

The lights are now on every evening from dusk until close.

Xmas is coming

Another beautiful day in the garden today -  difficult to think it will be December soon!

One sign that Winter is coming is that the three horses left the field this week as it is getting too wet underfoot and cold at night.  Warm stables were sounding very attractive!  We will miss them.

13 duckings - growing up, now rampaging around the gardens!

The 'rescued' ducklings have come on leaps and bounds since my last diary note, they have been let out to play in the gardens this week. They are quite adventurous and have explored the entire garden swimming on both ponds - normally duckings are a bit slower at getting off the top pond! This lot are a bit cheeky, probably being a large crowd makes them brave!

I did have to follow them out on to the car-park yesterday, just to see what they were looking at.  We all got herded back into the garden quite quickly, but not before I had caught glimpse of Christmas preparations.  Lights are going up and being tested and I can see that the shop has lots of Christmas stuff out.

Outside the gift shop

There is a late night shopping evening tonight 17th Nov (gift shop only) and all the lights are going to be switched on next week with a Christmas "light up" evening when all the craft units will be open and there will be lots of Christmas food and other things.  Worcestershire's own "Green Santa" is coming along to help one of our regular visitors Rachel Johnston to switch on the lights.  Rachel is a wonderful lady who is often comes here from Worcester with her carers to watch us on the pond, she is in a wheel chair, so can sometime not come on the grass, she seems to enjoy our antics though!  There will be music, chestnuts and other christmassy type things I am told!



  

Late arrivals

I could not believe my eyes today as I spied little 'dots' on the bottom pond -- 15 new ducklings fresh off the island with a very diligent mum (but let's face it how can you control 15 babies on your own?).

The garden was pretty busy today therefore it was not long before they created quite a stir and were being fed by the children.  They did get cold quite quickly though, so Mum rounded them up onto the side and sat on them to warm them up.  Fairly soon  humans arrived and tried to catch them all -- they managed to catch all but 3, and of course Mum who was far too quick!

The ducklings are very late arrivals in the season and, without some help developing, will not get their feathers in time for the frosts - even I know enough to accept that the humans are being 'cruel to be kind' by putting the youngsters into a heated pen and feeding them up.  This way they should all have a very good chance of survival.  It is still possible that they will catch the Mum and the other 3 and put them in too -- if she is not too quick.  The pen is in the garden next to the pond so the ducklings can be watched over by all of us.

Loads of people here yesterday and today - some are here for children's pottery classes, some are just starting shopping for Christmas (stock now out) and many just enjoying the mild weather in the garden.   We love it - we are getting plenty of duck food!

Floss the Chestnut horse has been popping her head over the fence a bit today too.  She is feeling much better now after having a big tooth out last week - what a whopper it was, took a long time to sort out!  She is getting ready to go to her winter stable soon - when the weather changes.

Heat Wave, Apples and More....

My 'scribe' has been on holiday so I am unavoidably behind in the my news, many apologies. (It is probably no surprise to you, but the computer companies have yet to make a keyboard that is 'webfoot' friendly... but who knows what quackers ideas will come next!).  As a result I have lots to catch up on over the last few weeks.

Coach trip - BARRA enjoy tea in the garden on 29th September!

The late September heat wave appears to have been very welcome in the gardens here - one group of visitors arrived by coach and had their tea served in glorious sunshine in the gardens, a couple even gave me a taste of their shortbread.  They were the Birmingham Air Raid Remembrance Association (BARRA), an very interesting group.  

Being birds we are always interested in our fellow species and over the last month we have been visited several times by the RSPB who has set up a stall in the front courtyard.  They have been quite successful at recruiting new members we hear so I guess this will protect a few more of us - although have to admit to having a pretty good life here myself!

Also in the front courtyard/carpark we had a lot of excitement on the 16th October with what has now become an annual event of "Apple Pressing".  Pressing went on all day and a lot of juice was made for drinking neat and turning into cider - this happens once a year and is in October.  Mick and neighbour Matt (who kindly helped out) both had very sore arms next day!

Mick above was crushing apples all day!

I have not been able to see them yet but keep hearing about the exhibition of "Tea Cosies" that has arrived from the Avoncroft Museum and is inside the restaurant, there are apparently some lovely cosies on hanging around the beams on display and for sale.  The Tea cosies have been made by volunteers to raise funds for the conservation of the Avoncroft Museum's historic buildings.  Sadly, whilst there is a cosy with chickens on,  there are none with ducks on --- maybe next time!

Part of the Gift Shop Christmas Display

Even with a heat wave, the gift shop staff have been thinking about Christmas and have now launched their Christmas stock and displays with a preview night (on the same night as the autumn/winter "pudding night").  Don't worry if you missed it though as there is a Christmas late night shopping night (including supper) on 10th November and then a "switch on" of Christmas lights with the full centre open on the 23rd November with music and food, we are looking forward to that as the ponds will be lit up and it looks really pretty in the gardens at night.

Maureen and John - happy events at the Jinney Ring!

This weekend we have had a lovely wedding party here.  The couple, Maureen and John, had their first date at the Jinney Ring and then a big engagement party here last year so it wonderful to see them back for their wedding breakfast.  They had an intimate party in our meeting room and then a stroll around the gardens as the weather was lovely for yesterday. We hope to see them back for their next celebration soon as they are committed "Jinney Ringers"!

This is not everything that went on but need to "quack on" now .....

Wine and Sunshine!

What a glorious week on the ponds, the weather heat wave has certainly brought people out and sent us ducks in -- the water that is!

This week we a new craft workshop opened up.  Free Bird Framing is a picture framer and sells memorabilia pictures.  Peter and Jo Turvey who are running the business have started this weekend having first noticed the unit for sale when they came to the Blues Festival this summer - funny how a Blues Festival can change your life!

Last night we were all kept awake by laughter and light from the restaurant where a wine tasting was going on.  Paul Green from Heritage Wines was leading the tasting of the new range of Australian and New Zealand Wines that had literally just landed!  They must have been good as everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The Hattery Ladies were here for two days this week rather than just one (we were glad as they are very nice ladies and always pop out to see us!).  They had a Hat Sale on with some dashing pieces on display - not quite as jaunty as the Crested Duck's head gear - but close!

On the ponds there is a little sad news as one of the four "reared" ducklings disappeared one evening when they had all declared UDI and refused to go into their pen, not sure but we suspect the fox again!   Rosie and Jim (the Hanbury school ducks) are still coming in a t night, too but they are now so huge we think they need to have a bit more exercise in the day - very chunky ducks!

Despite the glorious weather I keep hearing talk of Christmas around the place -- The gift shop are planning to put all their new stock out for a Preview night on the 13th of October - to coincide with "Pudding Night" - what could ladies want more than an evening of exclusive shopping followed by as many puddings as you can eat!

Garden back to normal

The sculpture trail has ended and customers are collecting their purchases with the remainder going away with the artists - feels odd to have the garden so empty again, particularly with Autumn in the air and the leaves falling too!

Wire Owl by David Metcalfe

Once again the most popular pieces in the sculpture trail were the birds --this is completely unsurprising to us.  All of the recycled metal birds have found a new home and so have several of David Metcalfe's wire owls.  Top Glass (glass blower in the centre) made a range of glass birds in various colours which will brighten the garden too - these also sold well and more will be available after the end of the trail.

My duck friends admiring the glass birds (Top Glass)

One of the nicest stories heard in the garden was a young couple who purchased the copper lilies on Sunday (made by Jo Floyd pictured on the Duck's diary 25th Aug) - the lady was heard to admire the piece as she had had Cana Lilies in her wedding bouquet -  they were just approaching their second wedding anniversary so they bought the piece - it is lovely, we do hope they enjoy it for a good long time!

Talking of anniversaries - we had a 5th Wedding Anniversary party here in the restaurant this Saturday night - a lovely crowd, all very well dressed, they had a nice meal and a good long chat. Despite being locals, many of the guests had not been here before and had certainly not realised what lovely gardens we live in - we hope to see them again soon.

Autumn blowing in

Gosh it has been blowy this week - the garden is quite open, so it felt quite fierce, but not cold.  Sadly the wind blew the gazebo to bits on Monday and the lovely clay horse sculpture from Paul Michael Langford was also blown over - he was not too upset though as it was always intended to be a temporary thing, and was only expected to last a short time when the rain came.  It was a lovely sculpture though - he is talking of making one in bronze next year.

With the children retuning to school this week and the change in the weather we have been a bit quieter and can return to leisurely swimming rather than identifying the best customers to chase for food!  The most exciting thing to happen this week has been the 4 ducklings in the pen being allowed out - they went mad - we have never seen ducklings move so far so fast they went right down to the bottom pond on the first day (it normally takes a couple of weeks for them to pluck up courage for this!). But the best fun was watching the humans trying to get them off the pond at the end of the day, so that they could return them to the safety of the pen for the night -  it took many attempts!  These ducklings are smart though - last night they returned to the pen of their own volition - they have worked out where the food is now!

You may remember that these four have a mum and a couple of siblings on the pond (see earlier diary note) and we speculated as to whether she would recognise them when they came back -- she did not and was very careful to ward them off the much smaller siblings (they have not been eating as well as the ones in the pen!)

This Saxophonist by Alan Ross is part of trail

Sculpture trail ends next Sunday.  Next event on the books is Wine tasting on 30th September.

Scarecrows or Scareducks?

Yesterday we had a real scare -- some additions to the sculpture trail but this time they actually moved -- not fast but we definitely saw them move.

A Scarecrows picnic/tea party was set up in the garden (which is a bit ironic really as there are NO PICNIC signs up everywhere... I guess they can't read...) and four "Scarecrows" arrived as part of the sculpture trail.

The "Scarecrows" are local lad and trainee Thespian Joel Davidige, and his friends who are sparing a little time in between rehearsals for their show "In Short" at the Artrix this Saturday.

Accompanying their tea party, they had a Jo Lucas who turned up to busk in the gardens today, beautiful music to swim to!

Tomorrow, 2nd Sept, within the Sculpture Trail programme, Paul Michael Langford is back to finish his clay horse sculpture at the bottom of the garden - he is wonderful to watch - we are looking forward to seeing him again.

What a shower!

It has been a really active week at the craft centre, firstly the sculpture trail launch and then yesterday an evening wedding party.  I heard it said that this was our first "American Bride" and later, when the party were in the garden before dinner, I found out that this was the "English bit" of their nuptials. The Bride and Groom had married in America last week in a garden ceremony with blazing sunshine.  Yesterday they had their second celebration in real English style - everyone was in their finest regalia (they all looked great, especially the Bride) - dodging the raindrops.  In fact during the evening we probably had more rainfall in the garden than we have in the entire month, including some thunder and lightening.    The weather did not appear to worry anyone - they ate dinner and partied in really good spirits, while we ducks danced in the rain - gosh we did enjoy it!

Dodging raindrops - Nick and Lindsey with family

We have the courtyard marquee at the centre until after the bank holiday and I understand that there is a wedding and special event display on show until it goes, so people can see what goes on here, or what could go on here!

The courtyard marquee display

A bit of sad news today - the mother of the ducklings on the pond is now down to two left on the water (four are still being brought up by the humans), one of the ducklings just disappeared (the crows we think) and the other just keeled over, although we have a suspicion he may have got under someone's foot as he had been getting far to close to people!

Lots of Art!

Art pieces have been arriving in the garden for a week or so now but yesterday there was a real hive of activity with all the pieces being finally put in place and numbered stones being placed by each one (I don't really get this as we don't read that well!).  There are lots of different pieces - some I like and some I am not that sure about but as I hear said often "that's what art is about" .

Artist Joe Floyd with his copper rose sculpture

Last night was the launch of the trail but sadly after no rain for ages the skies darkened at about 5pm therefore many of the expected visitors did not show, great shame as it turned into a lovely evening and there was a brilliant choir -- we all really appreciated it.  

The Bel Canto Choir from Redditch - Sang beautifully

A real treat was seeing "art in action" - we ducks seldom see this - Paul Michael Langford is building his sculpture live in the gardens -- it is a horse in motion.  Floss, Molly and Roxy, the horses in the field are most interested in this, he is sculpting close to the edge of the garden so they can see him (and he can see them!).

Paul Michael Langford - happy to chat while he works.

Josie - she has her camera again!

Finally, on preview night we had one of our very special guests visit - Josie has come to many events, especially the sculptures before and is a great photographer - we do have a lark though - she is trying to get a picture of us with our wings out and we are all having such fun teasing her, we open our wings just long enough for her to get her camera out and then we pretend we have no wings!  -- this is just so that she keeps coming back!   

The sculpture trail is on everyday until 18th September and is free entry - don't miss it!

August on the pond

Do you remember the tiny ducklings incubated by Hanbury First School,"Rosie and Jim"?  They are now nearly fully grown now and are jolly big ducks!  Here they are (left) with their friends "Bubble and Squeak" (right) who are not quite as old but quite a lot smaller -  "Bubble" is the same bred of duck (Pekin) as Rosie and Jim but we don't think he will ever catch them up - the only explanation we have come up with is the extremely good care that they had at school!  ("Squeak" is a Mini -Appleyard and he/she will never be large).  They are all still going back into their pen every night - but methinks that this is just because they have a ready supply of food rather than for safety!

During the week 4 new ducklings were spotted on the top pond - they appeared to be on their own with no mum offering protection.  They asked for help from many of my colleagues but none were that interested. Eventually they got cold and just sat on the edge of the pond shivering, fortunately one of the humans spotted them and has now put them in the pen under a hot lamp and they are all fine. It was all a bit of a puzzle though - as to where they came from.  The mystery was solved two days later when another 4 ducklings appeared - very similar in colour to the first batch, this time however the mum was with them.  The poor mum must have hatched one batch of ducklings early and, knowing the others were still incubating, had to decide which batch to look after.  The next four out are being very well looked after as you can see below!  Happily the first four should survive too, with a little human intervention.  I wonder if mum will recognise them when she see them again?

Proud mum with 4 multicoloured ducklings

It has been quite a busy week in the gardens again this week with lots of visitors.  On Tuesday Jets Crafts were here doing decopatch and pottery painting for children in the courses room and Mark from Marksman leisure was here with what looked like giant pods.  It tuns out that the children went inside to shoot each other with laser guns - looked great fun - he is coming back!. On Wednesday and Friday the garden was full of lovely music from violin busker Jo Lucas.

The laser "pods"

Blue it was not!

After much activity in the garden late last week, we found out what was going on on Saturday - it was time for the, now annual, music "Blues" festival -- and, amazingly, it was not even raining!

The garden gradually filled up and so did the field next door (with tents and cars), then the smell of home-made burgers cooking on the BBQ and real ale being poured pervaded the garden.  Oddly, we beginning to think that we were not to be the centre of attention in the garden for the large amount of visitors arriving, but fortunately we were not left out - two lovely little lads,  who must have spent all their pocket money on duck food for us, arrived just in time (we were very grateful and kept them company for most of the day!)

The music started playing at around 2pm, very gently with Maz Mitrenko. It gradually increased in tempo as styles changed, from the moody Mumbo Jumbo through the Cohen Brothers (who moved on to play at the Worcester Beer Festival after being here!). Then The Outwoods County Riders with their country feel and raunchy sound.  The Trevor Burton band started to play as it was getting dark - brilliant, and finally, our old favourites, The Big Blues Tribe finished the evening on a high -  the music as all terrific (even for us ducks - although the ducklings did give up early and went back to their pen!).

The event had been billed a a "chilled out" day - have a look at some of the sights we saw and see what you think!

The Spice of Life!

Saturday night we had quite a hoot with a private party "Polyenesian night".  Guests of SPICE "a social, activity and adventure group" came along, ate Polyenesian food and played some silly games including some limbo dancing, and something quite curious with a pineapple!   The Jinney Ring staff dressed for the occasion too !

Head Waiter Chris -- getting ready to relax??  I don't think so!

Waiters - Louise and Joel - they limbo'd!

and we had some strange creatures along too.....

Out on the pond - New ducklings Rosie & Jim and Bubble & Squeak were 'thrown out' of their pen today -- they were getting much too comfortable and were hard to persuade out, but when they got on the pond they loved it!  It was such a hot day they stayed there for a long time so will probably sleep well tonight (back in their pen of course!!)

Lots of people about at the moment including children - some pottery classes start this week as well as some other children's activities, should keep them busy -- also the restaurant are serving children's lunch boxes this year, they do look good!

What a Garden Party!

Children making dragon scales for the potters sculpture

It felt like the first day of summer today and what could be nicer than swimming around the ponds quietly in the sun -- but no, it was not to be!  The garden was an absolute hive of activity today, partially with the potters who were in the middle of the garden firing with a smoking kiln and children making scales for a dragon (very appropriate with the smoke and fire we felt -- and the dragon is going to be featured in this years garden sculpture trail in starting on 24th August).

As well as this we had music playing most of the afternoon from The Ragtime Jug Orchestra who have visited us before but not in such good weather!  They were excellent once again and had some really quirky songs.

The Ragtime Jug Orchestra -  Fab!

The highlight for us was the garden games which were all being run for charity, skittles, coconut shy, horseshoes and ye olde stocks. The best bit was when the owner, Malcolm, was put in the stocks and got very wet indeed, we did quack!!.

Malcolm in the Stocks (which came from Avoncroft Museum)

It was not quite the day we had in mind but it was fun having so many people visiting - lots of them fed us as they enjoyed lunch, pimms, ice cream etc.  I guess we need to get acclimatised as I hear it is the Blues festival soon - now that is a lot of music!

Rosie and Jim settle in

Rosie and Jim in the big pen

As rumoured the new ducklings turned up a two days ago - 2 of them had been born at Hanbury First School and have been living a life of luxury between the warm school class room and class teachers Miss Thorne  home.  They have been very well fed and watered and are now quite big ducklings.  The children have named them "Rosie and Jim" .

About a week later than Rosie and Jim were hatched, another smaller duckling hatched on its own at the Jinney Ring- this is a mini Silver Appleyard. Rather than keep the duckling on its own it went off to join Rosie and Jim at school, but because they were so big and rowdy they frightened the smaller duckling. This duckling was named "Squeak" due the the noise it was making!.

Squeak has some black in his feathers

The final arrival was a very late and unexpected duckling again hatched at the Jinney Ring. Because this one is so new it is not much bigger than Squeak and at the moment and they have been put together for company in a smaller pen -- he/she will grow to be like Rosie and Jim eventually, but hopefully the ducks will be firm friends by then so size will not matter!    The children have very aptly named this new one "Bubble".

Hanbury First school Reception class came over with teacher Miss Thorne to see the ducklings had settled in OK.  I think they went away happy that they were comfortable.   The children fed us bigger ducks too so we hope they visit regularly!

Lots of Ministers!

This weekend started badly with pouring rain, not that it bothered us ducks much (except it puts people off feeding us!), but we knew that we were to be having another wedding here later in the day so we crossed out wings for the day to brightened -- it worked and the sun was out by the time they arrived at about 5pm and once again we got a good look at everyone while pictures were taken.

It turned out that we had 3 minsters with us for the wedding reception - one performed the ceremony, one said grace and the third was the Groom himself (Ron) who retired recently.  Probably because he was an ex-minister, the Groom said he was actually looking forward to his speech and performed like a professional, even had a microphone! (Most of the time Grooms hate this bit!).   The Bride (Rebecca) looked radiant as did her Bridesmaid, Nicola and her family who are all very close to Rebecca. This group are all 'regulars' at the Jinney Ring, so we were delighted to see them (they all brush up really well!).  The party went on until about midnight and we had the ponds lights on so that we could have a good swim in the limelight too!

Next on the agenda we have a garden party (Sunday 24th) -- sounds like we are going to have to keep our heads down for this one with coconut shy, skittles, stocks as well as music on the agenda!

Bit of breaking news (literally)  -- 4 new ducklings are rumoured to have hatched and will be out in the garden next week.  Two of these have been hatched by Hanbury First School with their new incubator, can't wait to see them.

Finally -- an update on the ducks that went to the Vet -- one is fully back to health, rushing around with his mates, the other is still not walking very well at all but seems happy enough in herself, she is managing to get onto and off the water.  She seems to be sensible enough to sleep on the island to keep safe.  One thing for sure is that she has had enough of being caught by the humans and force fed anti-biotic, no-way is she being caught again!

Food Food and Chocolate!

Last week we all noticed that we have been getting fed a lot less bread from the customers of the craft centre and are now being fed corn.  Very nice and filling but a definite change  -- it turns out that someone has done some research and found out that the amount of bread we were eating was really not good for us as it is not nutritional.  With summer holidays upon us and lots more children visiting, the restaurant staff are now buying in corn for the customers to give us (if they want to).  For us bread is a lot like chocolate though -- it may not be good for us but we do like it!

Talking of chocolate (even we ducks look for links!) -- last weekend was a The 'Experience Chocolate' weekend run by Chocolate Deli.  We had lots of visitors who came and made truffles, lollies and learned about chocolate.  The restaurant ran a "chocolate bar" and the chef made a huge chocolate cupcake to raffle.  Lots of fun.  They also ran two quizzes for the Guide Dogs for the Blind (and had a visit from a brand new puppy -- who got a lot of fuss).

Chocolate lollies - made by the children

A visit to the Vet

Two of my friends in the garden have been limping badly lately and have been confined to the pen in the hope that they recover naturally.  Sadly they have not got any better so they were taken off in a cardboard box yesterday and we feared the worst! Happily, it turned out that they had had a visit to the Vet and they are now back and taking medicine for their problems.  They both seem to be getting better and hope to be on the pond again soon.  (Neither is that happy about the medicine though -- tastes horrible!)

Confined to bed!

We have a bit of a mystery at the moment  -- several of my Indian Runner duck friends have disappeared very recently -- including the lovely new duckling that was protected for so long.  Some of my fellows think it is the fox, but I haven't seen any evidence of this and they are not very "meaty".  We are now all on alert, keeping a very good eye out watching comings and goings, foxes and people!