Mr and Mrs Flower.

Yesterday, after milking the cow and feeding the goats and the cows and the big pigs and the little pigs and the chickens of all descriptions, John and I loaded two dog crates into The Matriarchs jeep and went to the Bantam Swap. Do you remember last years Bantam Swap we brought home Godot and Carlos Garcia and the year before we brought home BooBoo and the year before that it was The Duke of Kupa. 

Well this year was just as successful.

I found Mr and Mrs Flower.

A mature piebald peacock and his Mrs – who is shy and hid her head under him.

He has an extraordinary tail and is old enough to be fertile and finally we should be able to get some eggs to hatch. Fingers crossed.  One day it will be me selling at the Bantam Swap.

Just imagine that sauntering through the garden. (For now though he is in the Palace with the girls until he knows where his home is).

When I was very, very small I used to play this game with my mother. I would pick a flower from the garden and go and knock on the front door. My mother would come to the door drying her hands on her apron and say something like goodness me, a visitor.  Then I would say: I am Mrs Flower, and I have dropped in for a cup of tea and I would hand her the flower  (Everyone brought something when they dropped in to have a cup of tea – never go visiting with one arm as long as the other,  My Pa would say.)  My mother always acted very  surprised and pleased –  Oh a flower, how lovely. And holding the door open for me she would invite me in. Of course I was too young to remember much except coming in through the front door which no-one ever did and the sea behind me. But my mother gave me back this memory. Mum used to tell me this story about when I was little. She said I played that game for a whole summer until it was time for me to start school. (In New Zealand we started school on the day we turned five).  So for years she would smile about me being Mrs Flower with a flower.

The peahens are pleased to have Mr and Mrs Flower come to stay. I have asked Godot to stay out of the Peacock Palace for a wee while until I am sure they will not fight. He is the juvenile and has to step down for his elder. Best this is settled through chicken wire. So far they sit on either side of the divide and call out to each other. Loudly.  Now I know why Godot was so quiet. There was only one of him. And he will not wander into the garden with all the others in the Peacock Palace in the top story of the barn. So the emerging cabbages and lettuce and broccoli should be safe.

Lady Astor and Naomi had a lovely day out in the sun. Baby has been observed having lots of good drinks. Though Lady A keeps putting her baby to bed then wandering off and forgetting where she is. Never mind. I have her in my sights at all times.  Potter is growing very fast. Elsie still gives me the evil eye when I go through to open or shut her gates. She is never far from her baby.

Freya and Hazel had a walkabout with me  on their way from the wee field to the barn for bed. Munching and dancing all the way. They are so funny.

Poppy and Sheila came out into their field yesterday evening and were chewing on grass from the moment the gate was opened. These trips are always short so there is only eating going on, no digging.  Then they come in for their dinner.

Tane and Tima have been behaving differently. I have a feeling she may be coming into heat. There are no real signs of when a Kune is in heat. Not like the big pigs.  But something is going on. I am watching carefully.

I hope you have a lovely day. I will.

Love your friend on the farm

celi