Hi Mo! Are you well? Yes, this is why my main veg plot is mostly covered over for this season - way too much else being juggled! Working title is '1850 to 1900 Coleoptera: Collections, Collectors and the Social and Cultural Implications.' I've been researching the collections themselves (and why the...

Hi everyone! Sorry I've not been around much but I'm in the throws of writing my final dissertation, which is taking up all of my time. So! I've had an outbreak of red mite in their shed. I've been treating this frequently by spraying the shed down and seem to be breaking their breeding cycle. Thoug...

Understanding signals that something might not be quite right with our hens does include keeping an eye on poop and is often a case of eliminating a number of potential causes. Any sign of diarrhoea or unusual poop, can generate some panic, especially amongst those new to keeping chickens. I think t...

Hi, Sandy: reminder on Pyscho Olive raptor pic as requested and KarenE: I will post soon! I also recorded the dawn chorus to share. :) Apologies for not being in touch but despite having a great time on a tropical island, I contracted something that made me so ill that I was hospitalised twice (both...

Hello Sandy!

Thank you, Cuba was just....WOW! There were chickens everywhere and so many other animals. I'll upload some photos when I'm over this jetlag and am looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Sweetcorn! The girls are now addicted to it. I hang up or throw in a cob and the three girls have it eaten in no time. Broccoli is still welcomed but sweetcorn - jings, they love it. Girls getting out for 40 mins before I have to go to work. They explore the garden then wander round to the kitchen....

Hello Minxy - Gosh your girls certainly seem to be having fun helping you with the gardening and choosing which plants they prefer. I gave up with the borders in my garden and put all my summer plants in posts in the borders instead of directly into the soil. I must admit this worked really well la...

Wow, you have been productive! Haha...yes, the mulching help! Glad to hear the egg production is up. :)

[quote="sandy"] Meanwhile Hannah attempted a Psycho Olive pose [url=http://s730.photobucket.com/user/sandytoby/media/DSCN5603_zpsem7undyq.jpg.html] I love this! That reminds me of the velociraptor scene in Jurassic World where the main character rescues a young help who fell in with them. ...

So glad to hear that you are having some good weather at last and that you're finally able to get out in the garden. It really is nice when the sun makes an appearance again. It makes us all feel that Spring is here and we can finally look forward to some good weather. :) Re. the cat - what clever g...

Hello Sandy, I do! I have one, which must be at least 20 years old now and sits in my bedroom (complete with its own growl). When my daughters were born, I bought them a limited edition each. They are still in their boxes, complete with numbered certificate. They are also musical and play 'The Blue ...

Hello everyone, Thanks stripeddonkey! Hello Sandy and thanks for the welcome. :) My ladies are probably a little too enthusiastic in helping out with the gardening. As you know, they decided to help plant some lavender. I chose it because they are not interested in eating it and felt it would cheer ...

Oh no! So sorry to hear that, such sad news. Sending cyber hugs.

Hello,

I'm loving the pictures and especially your 'mirror, mirror' which made me chuckle!

Hope they are all doing well. :)

Yes, it is a bit expensive (also only in hardback version currently) and probably reflecting the amount of work that went into pulling it together. There doesn't seem to be any recent book like it. Could be one to order at the local library though?