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January
A quiet start to the new year,
then we had friends over and finally got to work on the Longhouse
refurbishment—a couple of weekends’ work and it looks well and truly
wrecked at the moment—we remind ourselves that it has to get worse
before it gets better!
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February
Along with most of the country
we were hit with snow at the beginning of the month, very unusual for
us—the animals took it in their stride, but the ducks were confused by
their pond being frozen. Normal life was suspended for a week, but Roger
was happy as he got a rare opportunity to play in the snow with the land
rover.
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March
Work continues on the Longhouse, mainly destructive at the
moment. The comment was made to the builder that the more money we give
him the less house we appear to have! I ran away from the building chaos
for a few days to visit a friend in north Wales, which was a lovely
adventure. Apart from that, life continues as normal—the chickens and
ducks have started laying better now the days are lengthening a bit.
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April
Spring is definitely springing in a lovely cheery way now, sounds
of lambs in fields, lots of daffodils and bright green leaves sprouting
on the trees. We had a short break in the camper van down on the Lizard,
a pleasant relaxing few days away from the sight of building rubble.
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May
Daphne has a barrel shaped belly
now so we are sure she’s pregnant—very exciting. The baby (or cria, to
use the correct term) is due mid August. If she’s not pregnant then she
must have a terrible case of wind retention! We had a week away in the
van near Aberystwyth, saw dolphins in the sea at Cardigan Bay, which was
very exciting—the weather decided to wait to improve till we came home,
hey ho.
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June
Lots of lovely sunny weather,
which helps with the ongoing renovation of the Longhouse—the builders
were able to get on with outside jobs. Roger is in full summer grass
mowing mode, and there is always lots to do in the gardens, including
plenty of watering due to the warm dry weather— anyone would think it
was summer! We've increased our duck flock, as well as the Aylesbury
ducks we now have a pair of Saxony ducks, a pair of Indian Runner ducks
and some Khaki Campbells, so the flock is multi-coloured now.
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July
We both went to Jersey for a few days, Roger
had his usual work and I went with him - we went to see le Grand Cirque
Fantazie, it was a fantastic show and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.
At home, Jacob was moved to my friend's farm so he's out of the way when
(fingers crossed) Daphne gives birth.
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August
Starting to wonder if Daphne is just fat, no
baby arrived this month - maybe she was always this fat in summer but
we'd never noticed before because she hadn't been shorn?! Friends came
to stay in the Linhay so we had lots of fun trawling charity shops and
auctions and buying lots of treasures/rubbish (depending on your point
of view!).
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September
We'd planned a final trip in the camper van,
having been too busy all summer to use it, but life got in the way so it
stayed unused *sigh*. Hopefully next year we'll have time to use it
again. Finally there are some signs of construction as well as
destruction in the Longhouse, hurray!
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October
Finally gave up any hope of Daphne being
pregnant, she would definitely have had it by now, so brought Jacob home
from his holiday "guarding" my friend's pet sheep (they didn't know they
were being guarded). He rushed back into the field and I'd swear he and
Daphne did the deed, but I hold out no hope now for any more success
next year than this!
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November
What a wet and windy month, we had a lovely October, a real Indian
summer, but this month was the complete opposite with flooding and loads
of mud! The Longhouse is finally in full reconstruction mode, maybe
there is a chink of light at the end of the renovation tunnel!
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December
We had a lovely festive season with friends and family, ate and drank
too much, laughed a lot, sung, danced and played the ukulele! Lots of
fun was had by all (and the dogs enjoyed all the food extras as well!).
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