It was so dark when we got up this morning, we honestly thought we must have overslept and that it was actually eight o clock this evening! We couldn't see our bottom fields due to the low flying cloud coming in from the west and even without this, our windows were then so deluged with raindrops, most the size of conkers, that the only sensible option seemed to be to draw the curtains and shut it all away! But needs must, so after a cup of tea or two, we headed out, dodging the downpours and smiling enviously at the ducks who seemed to actively be enjoying the rain and who, rather sweetly, were seen cleverly drinking the drops that landed on their feathers. The sheep were found dozing in their shelter - the alpacas despairing at their wimpiness as they enjoyed the damp grass - whilst the dogs just ran and ran, ignoring the wet, although in Otter's case running so fast, we don't think the raindrops had a dogs' chance in hell of catching up with her anyway!!
After our usual breakfast of all things healthy: oats, wheat flakes, barley flakes, nuts and raisens, yogurt (home-made) and oddles of our own soft fruit (we still have a freezer full), it was then full speed ahead towards Operation 'Reclaim the Driveway' as months worth of leaves, and weeks worth of mud (deposited via the fields above us), were ceremoniously 'spaded' into a wheelbarrow and wheeled away, some of it (the leaves part) to the poultry to top up their outside run (along with yet more woodchip) the rest to a compost heap! The driveway is work in progress for sure - we also need to tackle the bank under our oak tree and the wilderness behind the garage. There's 'good-for-wildlife' and then there is 'complete-tip-that-only-really-supports-brambles-and-nettles-and-not-a-lot-else'.
David then went for a run whilst Jack began a very very overdue smallholding blog catch up: 5 miles and 'December almost finished' later, we discovered it was time to go back out to the starving millions (ten sheep and six alpacas, not to mention the eight rhea who tried to steal the sheep feed) before rain or lack of sunlight (or both) took hold once more. To speed us on our way, our Stable Robin perched on the apex of the roof and gave us a soulful rendition of 'it's Christmas but not as we know it'. My goodness, we love this bird - he (she) is around every single time we head down to the stables. We have mealworms on order to say thank you!!
The dogs had another good run and were then treated to a snuffle or six in the allotment (usually out of bounds for obvious reasons) whilst we planted yet another fruit tree as part of our plan to provide the bees with more pollen and our stomachs with more fruit. Today's offering was an apricot tree!! We dug a whopping big hole, filled it with our own compost and now have our fingers crossed for the right weather at the right time for it to bud, flower and then fruit!!
Back at the house we pigged out on toast and honey (Jack) and ryveta, humous, salad, hot chili and more besdies for David. All washed down with tea and an hour of reading!!
As we type this, we have pitta bread rising for a supper of beans and egg and then an evening of spinning and weaving is planned whilst the dogs hog the fire 'and' the sofa!! All utter bliss!!