Valhalla Farm

The grass at the side of our barn was too long for a mower (and anyway the ground is too uneven and rocky).
A couple of days ago, Darren had just begun the arduous task of strimming when Fred, our neighbour, came over to say hello and remark that the strimming looked like hard work.
He pointed over to his two donkeys who were munching away near his own barn and asked Darren if he'd like them to eat the grass.
There was not much hesitation from Darren in agreeing and thanking him and Bill & Ben were only too pleased to help out!

Not knowing their names I call them Bill & Ben, they don't seem to mind and we've already become good friends. It's nice having them around, except when they start braying at 6 a.m.  -  my word they are loud!

Below: It's hard work eating grass all day so Bill decides to take a rest...

Today, while out and about, Max and I disturbed a family of deer. There was a large adult female and four youngsters. As always, it was lovely to see them so close up.

Max gave chase for all of about 400 yards!  They are so quick and put a huge distance between them and Max in no time at all. In less then a minute they were out of sight.

Max, now a bit too old for this game, came running back to me with a grin on his face (there was a time, years ago, when he would have followed their scent and I wouldn't have seen him for about 15 or 20 minutes).  He seemed to be saying, "I could have caught up, of course, but I didn't want to leave you on your own Mum".  I didn't have the heart to tell him I know his deer chasing days are over so I just made a fuss of him, showing my gratitude he had come back to protect me. 

It is hunting season here at the moment and the hunting fraternity are out every weekend. Yesterday, they were very close to us indeed, their dogs very noisy.

It is always comforting to know just how rubbish our local hunters are!  I have never known them to actually shoot anything (except for the odd mishap when they shoot one of their fellow hunters!) and, judging by the amount of deer we see around here, it is quite certain the hunters will never have any impact on the local deer population.

The so-called hunters seem to join the local group simply to partake in the pre-hunt ritual of drinking several glasses of wine or brandy while chatting and then enjoy a tramp through the countryside whilst looking cool holding a big gun and letting their dogs have a good run about. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, when Max and I are out Darren can let Merlin play with the new toy I bought him for Christmas (our old boy just about manages to walk around the garden these days, bless him, so I bought a toy geared towards brain stimulation and reward, not physical exercise).
It's great  -  there are different boxes where you hide a nice smelling treat. Each box opens a different way and your dog has to work out how to open each box to get the treat.

One box lid lifts up with the push of a nose, another has a drawer with string that the dog has to pull with his teeth or paw, another has a knob on top that the dog has to get hold of in his teeth to lift off, and so on.

Our boy managed a couple of the easier ones within seconds, but there are other more difficult ones that keep him busy for quite a while working it out.

Of course, there will come a time, very soon, when he remembers it all and the game will be over very quickly. It matters not, he will still enjoy it, I'm sure,  and will definitely enjoy the treats inside.

     It's a variation on a theme. I have always played "find it" with both of them (and still do) where I make them wait outside a room while I hide treats in lots of different places. They don't move until I give the command "find it" and then have great fun sniffing about finding the treats.  (I should warn you, this is not one for the severeley house-proud!)

We have had a few days off as there have been no doggy guests here (for the first time in a few months).

And, as the weather has been lovely, the horses have stayed out and I haven't had to muck out stables.

I made the most of it, getting up late, having leisurely strolls with Max and then giving all the house an early spring clean. Also I (with Darren's help) have got jobs done that I had been putting off since last November! 

We have guests arriving next week so today is my day of no jobs at all, just lazy self-indulgence... fabulous!

After a long and lazy lie-in I fed and watered everyone and went for a walk with Max in the sunshine.

Then I ate a hearty lunch cooked by my wonderful resident chef.

Next came a rare treat  -  some girly pampering and me hogging the bathroom for the best part of an hour.

No quick shower, dress and go for me today. Oh no!  -  a long hot shower, lotions and creams galore and...  did I emerge from that bathroom looking like a young 21 year old beauty?  Well actually, no.  I emerged looking like The Creature From The Deep!

I had put a mud mask on my face. I gave the dogs quite a scare I think

Note to self:  Never say to Darren, "Don't make me laugh".

As the title says, this evening there was a weird and wonderful sunset.

Unfortunately, my photography doesn't do it justice but I felt the need to put the pictures on here anyway.

It's Christmas eve and yes, we're working. But, what a job we have!... we have had some lovely walks today with the dogs  -  our boy Max and the lodgers, all having great fun despite a grey sky and some wet, dreary sleet.

We walk Shadow and Spud on their own (for reasons known to them and us), which they don't mind at all, they enjoy their walks too.  But all the other boys had great fun out together.

The falling sleet  -  turning to snow even as I glance out the window  -   is much heavier now but our Christmas spirit is not diminished.

The dogs are happily snoozing, the horses are chomping hey in their dry/warm stables and the pigs are tucked up in their house  -  no doubt all are wondering what Santa will bring this year?  

It only remains for me to wish anyone/everyone reading this blog a very happy Christmas and an even happier New Year.

     Joyeux Noel!

Tomorrow Darren & I shall raise a toast or three to our family and friends, to happy Christmases that have passed (leaving us with wonderful memories) and happy Christmases yet to come in the future.

Well, despite several days of heavy snowfall, and a deep covering everywhere, once the sun came out the snow melted away in no time at all. 

The weather forecasters predict more snow next week.

I told Jasper his grass may once again get buried and he didn't look impressed.
But then I assured him I have plenty of hay and feed for him and his girlfriends and he seemed relieved.

Happy horse...

It's Thursday 25th November and our first afternoon of snowfall.  It actually seems to be settling too. And, if the forecasters are to be believed we have another week of snow to look forward to.

Darren, who loves snow, is like a child in a sweet shop, as is Max.  Merlin, on the other hand, is very reluctant to even leave the house. 

We have a very lovely, young and playful lodger here at the moment called Dylan.  He has been having great fun with Darren and I playing about in the snow in our back field. He normally runs and bounces about anyway but it seems the snow has given him even more energy - if that's possible - and made him more playful. We've had great fun today.

Max's leg has healed brilliantly. I have to restrict his exercise to a certain extent but we can walk each day. And thank goodness we can because his brain seems to now be telling him he is 3 yrs old again!  Our Hooligan is most definitely back to his old self!!!

Meanwhile, I'm now up to 4 layers of clothing and have brought the horses in for the night to soften the blow of all their grass slowly disappearing under a blanket of white fluffy stuff.

The pigs have an extra thick layer of bedding and are as snug as bugs in rugs.

There is such a difference in the house now that we have the insulated plasterboard up and the solid fuel stove working it's magic. As soon as I open the front door and walk into the kitchen a warmth hits me and feels wonderful.

Snow in November... hey, ho... bring it on, we're all cosy at Valhalla Farm!

Below is a photo of Max with his,  "I suppose you think it's funny?"  face.

He is NOT happy.

About two weeks ago he had an operation to remove the metal plate from his 'knee'.

The op went well and today he had the bandage and stitches removed. He was a very well behaved, brave boy at the vet's. But, he insisted on licking his wound which is, on strict instructions from the vet, definitely not allowed.

So, there was nothing for it but a nice new lamp-shade-type collar.

Now he is in a sulk because he thinks we and all the other animals are laughing at him.

I have tried to assure him that actually we're all just jealous of his new trendy fashion accessory but he's not convinced.

Oh well, he only has to put up with his embarassment for one week.

OK,  yes, I did try the yoga DVD. 
My first thought, while attempting the early stages, was "Why would any sane person voluntarily partake in this self-inflicted torture on a regular basis?" 

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it could be fun for some people... namely, contortionists and teenage gymnasts.

Anyway, with my ever weaker, ever more painful back in mind I decided to stick it out.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures.
No pain, no gain and all that.

So, I completed level 1 and decided to leave it there for my first session.

Boy did I pay for that first session the next day... and, in fact, every day since then.

Luckily, the pain has eased from the first couple of days of me walking like an 85 yr old and being unable to lift anything. 
I did walk the dogs but I'm sure they noticed our walks were somewhat slower than usual!

Now, pretty much back to normal, I have a dilemma. I know I should persevere -  we're back to that "no pain, no gain" scenario - and the more I do it, the easier it will become. However, with the pain and inconvenience of not being able to do certain things so fresh in my mind it is very hard to summon up the enthusiasm to get stuck into another self-torture session... oops, I meant yoga session.

I will do it and also try a regular regime for a while.

No, seriously, I WILL!!!

I've just realised how long it has been since my last blog.

How does time manage to fly by so quickly?

Of course, most of my time has been taken up attending to animals. We're still very busy with canine guests but you won't hear any complaints from me on that score.

The pigs have been scoffing up any windfall apples in the orchard and the ground is clear. No raking and shovelling for me this year. I have had to make sure I pick lots of apples as well though because even pot bellies can get too fat given half a chance and apples have a lot of natural sugar.

My hopes of ballroom dancing classes were, sadly, shortlived. But, my French lessons continue. And, there is hope for me finding a partner for the dancing classes next year.

Meanwhile, I am happily satisfying my addiction to the TV programme Strictly Come Dancing (as well as the daily updates on training, etc. on BBC2 thanks to satellitle television) much to Darren's dismay. 

The weather here is changing constantly. We've had some very cold spells, during which our wood burning stove has been brilliant and, together with the now insulated walls, has kept the house very warm and cosy and homely.

However, the last few days have been purely autumnal once again with cold, frosty mornings giving way to sunny, beautiful afternoons.

The dogs and I walk along our tracks crunching through carpets of orange, green and gold leaves as the trees around us slowly transform before our eyes.

My back has been very bad this year. The pain and problems range from a barely noticable niggle to me being unable to straighten up and walk when I first get up from a sitting position in the evenings and then sleepless nights.

So, drastic action is called for. I have heard and read that yoga is very good for strenghthening backs. Also that it is gentle exercise that anyone can do.

I have dug out a DVD I bought about two years ago  -  which is still in it's cellophane wrapper!  -  and tomorrow I am going to give it a go with a view to a new regular regime. 

     (My Mother-in-law does yoga which sort of gives me inspiration and dread in equal measure because she always seems like she's half my age and twice as fit anyway so this could end up in even more embarassment!!!)

Anyway, I shall give it a go so wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed my back gets better and stronger.