Happy New Year

We went up to Biggar for the bonfire which was a good night, I mean when you've peed in the mens loo, held a complete stranger in a death grip, face planted the pavement and given Mark a black eye with your foot before 10pm and with no alcohol involved its got to be a good night hasn't it?!  

2013 has to put it simply been a good year for us,  if 2014 was as much of an improvement on 2013 as 2013 was on 2012, well that would be perfect.  2013 has not been without its lows, the loss of Nico, Erica foaling twins and Toledo trying to amputate his own leg were of course niggles but the sun shone, we sold horses to great homes and we had a lot of fun.  Bring on 2014, we've got plans for it!

Trail Cam - Night Three

Much more successful last night, we lightly baited the track with Christmas cake and along came badger, followed by fox who diddled about for a good three minutes.

Trail Cam - First Effort!

The first forty eight hours in the life of the trail camera, behold the blurry fox and a rare and elusive UPS van.  Probably not been the right weather for Badgers doing the polka in front of it... 

Windy!

Its been a bit blowy here for most of December, instead of walking foals out you can fly them like furry kites!

Christmas Dinner?

About three days ago I was standing in the larder when McFlurry flew the full length of the yard and only just missed flying straight into the door at head height "that was a bit weird" I thought...  Just seconds later brown hen comes streaking up the yard with a fox hot on her heels... and sadly then her neck.  At noon in daylight straight past the dogs door having come right through the barns, I may have muttered something like "my, what a bold brave fox" or there may of been more swearing.

Today he was back, the clues being the feathers all over the barn and McFlurry a soggy shaking sad chook sitting on the roof.  Its war but there has already be too many casualties for there to be a good outcome.

Christmas Tradition...

Festive "Chamfrons" in their new homes.

From top to bottom...

Chamfron Britannia (Rowenna Kennedy), Chamfron Cactus Jack (Tessa Scott), Chamfron By Dand (Rebecca Crump), Chamfron Paloma (Alison Cheetham), Chamfron Tizona (Christine Harling), Chamfron Firefly (Rebecca Crump), Chamfron Soutra Brae (Ruth Godfree), Chamfron Wakizashi (Victoria Scott), Chamfron Westminster (Rory Nicoll), Chamfron Rufina (Lisa Nicoll), Chamfron Chipita (Linda Dykes), Chamfron Ojo de Tigre (Lindsay Purves), Chamfron Bellini (Natalie Brougham - tut tut!!).

Absolutely Brilliant!

Need a Christmas Tree?

Do you still need a Christmas tree?  The just weaned Lysander and Perdita are all tinselled up and can be delivered right to the door!!

Chamfron Chipita - New Owner

The very lovely Chip has moved home and is now on Anglesey with doctor Linda Dykes who I already know through our mules.  Looking forward to seeing her out and about and Linda has kindly offered me a beach ride on her next year.

Little Angels!

In Chamfron festive tradition the foals in the pen got their dressing up box out and said they wanted to be angels this year.  Toledo got confused and started to pluck Morello, stop it, he is not a turkey!

Haylage Out!

Horses all in the house field for the winter with haylage, all happy!

Edinburgh Christmas

In the spirit of the season we decided to do the Big Wheel and the Star Flyer in Edinburgh yesterday.  The Big Wheel was grand, good views over Edinburgh, the Star Flyer I think I fixated on the back of the head of the woman in front of me and Mark mostly amused himself by videoing me and making comforting comments like "oooo its a bit blowy up here" while I muttered "are we going down yet" - check out my knuckles!!!