Oh for a morsel of grain

Our old boy must be at the age of being a grumpy old cockerel. Usually he can be found hanging out around the hanger or in the field with a few of his old birds (we now only have four left) but when your left on your own you have to find something to amuse yourself with.

A pick up of cereal for the animals always means a few grains falling here and there, normally the chickens can be found scratching around near the stored grain with the cockerels calling to them when a tasty treat is found, letting the hens have first refusal. Once a week on milling day farmer J is their best mate with falling grains being gobbled up but when a delivery just comes in and no other bird is around you just have to take advantage and jump up on the trailer to help yourself, even when a tractor pulls up and takes a big bag away over your head. Carry on and eat, eat when the trailer is moved for you never know when your last feed may be.

No cockerels were harmed in the photo shoot, no escalope of ~~poulet~~ cockerel was on the menu. He lives for another grumpy day.

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Happy cattle

For five months the cattle have been eating hay twice a day but today was their time to go back to pasture, they were more than ready. With two loads in the trailer going to La Contie the rest, the naughty but nice ones stayed at La Singlarie. Calves are on green grass for the first time following the herds around. Now for Spring time jobs to get started - so much free time for farmer J. Fencing, tidying around the farm, getting machines ready for hay cutting, getting the gites gardens ready for Summer and a new bathroom to fit, his feet won't be touching the ground.

Rabbit proof fence

In the hope of not loosing anymore greenery in the veggie patch today was spent today taking down an old fence which was put up around eight years ago. As it had a few holes in it this could be where the rabbits are getting through. On the other side of the fence a chicken run was constructed were table chickens grew to a really good weight until we got a batch that had been, what we think were contagious with Mareks disease. Subsequently we stopped using it for chickens putting a litter of pigs in the area to get them use to electric fencing (which they did). It has been left empty for around 18months now with Gorgon and the girls have made break trough's through it last year gaining access into the veggie patch but now there's a lot of weeds. On the other side of the veggie patch is another old holey fence which has now got the recycled one that was taken down put in front of it, new posts and a trench dug to lower the wire in, earthed up and stones put on top

Parisot lake

As it is a holiday today here in France (Bastille Day) we took the afternoon off an popped over to Parisot lake for a walk with Sorrel. It has all changed, since the lake was emptied and cleaned up this year you can now swim in it, as well as inflatable toys to play on, a life guard, bikes to hire, a new fenced in play area for small people and a total spruce up. But there is a price we were charged! 3 euros an adult, which I guess is OK if you are using the facilities but Sorrel didn't fancy a dip. The cafe is still open but that would of been too much for Sorrel to cope with being so close to people and music so we opted for a bench to sit on in the shade before walking around the lake. Sorrel opted for being Billy no mates and laying by herself, if be it for a short period of time before bikes and people went by. We are now waiting for the free firework celebrations over the chateau tonight - if we can stay up that late.😃

The English Paysanne

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