Lockdown

The lock down

The day before lockdown I developed chills then a high fever. The fever lasted 4 days coming out in time to see Kathy go down with it. Was it the dreaded Covid-19? We don't know but health has not returned. Both are feeling physically drained with sore throat aches and pains in joints and lymph glands.

So what mischief have we been up to in our rural idle?

When the government announced that dentist would be closed. That was just the trigger the fillings needed to make a great evacuation. Kathy has rumbling pains in the mouth, but my vacant fillings are painless sharp holes to tempt the tongue to flagellate. Oh the joys of soup.

With no shops to deliver cheese to, we can spend the time repairing the fencing. Building a colditz for hens and Stalag 3 for the pigs. We keep watching for odd behaviour with the pigs and am sure they have started another tunnel. I can't remember placing a wooden horse in the field.

Pigs Boris and Trump in the sunshine

The weather has its own problems. We went from bog to desert in just a few days. The warm weather is very welcome, but grass is hard to come by. The goats have made their demands, no milk without grass. Much in the same vein as America's no taxation without representation. As we do not really need the milk it is a bit of a stand off. I think they are planning a mass die off as a protest (a trick they learnt from sheep).

We have 3 kids this year so far. Flora and Fern are due in May and will probably be their last mating, unless they know better. Of the kids 2 are male and one female. The males are in good shape and hope they will be able to work in September. Last year Fern had quintuplets and Flora had quads. We expect our bottle feeding will triple overnight.

Remains of the leylandi branches broken off in the storm.

Otto born March 2020 first outing

                                                                                      

This years kids begin with 'O' the males are Otto and Otis. The female is Oleander. The females have to be biological, the male names can be anything male or otherwise. Last years kids are doing OK. Nettle is working on her book 1001 ingenious escapes.

Oleander, Oatis and Otto

The dry weather is affecting the slug population. We have seed trays in the greenhouse, wide spacing as per government advice, and the space between liberally coated in egg shells and coarse grit. I have no illusions that this will deter slug attacks, fully expecting a total crop loss. In times of lock down, exercise is important. An obstacle course of rough surfaces should keep the slugs fit and healthy on the way to a light lunch of lettuce sproutings.

Most families are discovering the kitchen during lock down. Kathy has everything under control food wise. She is well aware of my Brown, green and Yellow sludge that I can concoct from harmless vegetables. An abundance of eggs has been the major contributor to tasty meal times. We don't use them! We barter them with our neighbours, for cakes, bread, and pesto.

As for the poultry we have broody geese, and hens. The incubator is full of turkey eggs and guinea fowl eggs. Our luck they will be all males.

Life would be boring without some light hearted competition. To lighten the moment, we have a contest, who can last longest without shouting at the television. I was doing quite well until Matt Hancock, the unhealth minister, tried to explain the perceived lack of PPE. 42.3 seconds before I lost it.

It is encouraging to know the supermarkets think we are fit and healthy. Home delivery is out of the question for us sprightly 70s+ . Kathy hits the supermarket once every 10 days or so in silly old farts hour. Her eye catching rubber gloves will soon need face protection. At last the world war II gas mask may come in handy, even if it is for a dog!

Speaking of dogs, the hour exercise is dog walking time. A chance to sample the fresh air between dung spreading. The pot holes in the road make a useful long jump course for the dogs. Wildlife is abundant, with bees and butterflies. MacDonald food containers are less of an eyesore as is the bags of dog excrement hanging from low hanging trees.

Dougie and Molly practising social distancing

                                                                                   

We are hoping for a continuation of good weather, and who knows we may even collect a bee swarm this year.

Like many families in the lockdown we have a double lock on the knife draw!

Hope everyone survives the lockdown safely be careful and take care. Remember you are never more than 6 queues from a hand sanitizer

ps does any one want a DO NOT RESUSITATE tee shirt, unwanted present!