Oh, I have so much to tell you........,

not that it's at all exciting but where has the time gone? We've had a summer here this year, I'd almost forgotten how lovely an English (or  indeed Welsh) summer could be; those warm breezes, the sun bearing almost too hot when the wind drops, the cerulean sky with a painter's light brush of wispy clouds heralding another fine day and padding about the lawn with no shoes on and feeling the downy grass crush and spring back under your feet. What's not to like about summer? I don't even really mind the flies and wasps that buzz around as they are joined in their aerobatics by white, brown and blue butterflies and bumble and honey bees.
Today though it's not sunny, it's not even blue - it's been raining for hours and I am tucked up in bed at 7.00pm typing away before the hens put themselves to bed and I can lock them safely away.
There is sad news on the hen front but tempered with possible good news too.
But where have I been? Well, I suppose I've just been enjoying the sunshine. It's been too lovely to stay indoors and type (hence the catch up now when it's 'piddling' down).
So, how have you been? Well, you aren't going to tell me so I shall just move on (although, do feel free to let me know if you want to - I'd be thrilled to hear your news).

Bun in the sweetcorn,

You may be aware of the passage:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted

But very saddest of all, one of our babies - Betty the Barred - died expectantly one night about a month ago. 

I always mourn my chickens but this was especially sad as she was fine the day before and was such a bold little lass, just one year old and with so much fun to have and to give. 

Sylvie, her little friend, is also mourning and so we are now, after trying to integrate her into the big girl's house with no luck, back off to the farm we bought some of the other girls from in order to purchase some new girls for her. It always seems a little hard to just replace hens that you have loved but this time we need to get company for our lone chick. So this Sunday we will be heading over to the farm again with a cardboard box, a purse full of cash and some hope that we will get just what we are looking for. I did have such a soft spot for Betty but I hope if we do get some new girls (and how can we see some and not bring any back?) that Sylvie will have some company. I just hope the bullied doesn't become the bully but with chickens and their pecking order I'm guessing the big girl will throw her weight around.