Stop press!
The robin chicks have gone. I just checked the nest box this lunchtime and it was empty. So not exactly certain when it happened - they were 14 days since hatching on Friday. On Saturday Simon went early to USA, I worked, the kids were at Kate's and then we were busy with the Grand National shenanegins that afternoon (I had 3rd and 4th). On Sunday we drove to Shugborough (National Trust) to hand over the children to Grandma and Grandad for the week.
I've been observing the comings and goings from the bird feeders outside the kitchen window, and have seen a couple of robins taking bits and flying to the undergrowth/overgrowth of the left hand border. Behind the beech tree, towards the overgrown snowdrops/daffodil greenery into the heavy ivy on the fence. I deduce therefore that's where the chicks are, but they're impossible to see, and so well hidden that even Roly couldn't find them if he wanted to. So I'm confident about the success of the robin family, and wish them well.
Now what to do with the empty box/nest?...
Seems a little strange without them.... the robin chicks and the family! I'm here on my ownsome - well, just me, Roly, the hens and our lodger. I think I might like it at first, we'll see how it goes. Simon's back on Thursday and then we're up north to collect the children after work on Saturday...
I can't keep up with the pace of life these days. We do soooo much, and there's so little time left to think about it all, never mind write about it all...
We went to the local point-to-point at Lockinge on Easter Monday. Cold wind, but we got there early as our family tradition now dictates and walked the course with Roly (dalmation) and Phoebe's friend-to-be from her new school, when she starts in September (in as much as, Phoebe made a friend called Eleanor at the school taster day and exam day, and wanted to meet up so we suggested the point-to-point). It's a lovely way to start a 'country' day and gives a deserved appetite for the picnic we (I) pack!
Unfortunately the weather was a dampner, as the hillside was only half full of parked cars - it's been reported in past years that it attracts up to 10,000 attendees - it's one of the largest point-to-points in the country we understand. The ground was good so the racing fared well - we missed the first race, then there was a couple of 4 horse races followed by couple of 5 horse races, and we left before the last and pony club races. And it's the people watching that's so much part of the enjoyment, as much as the racing, and even though the weather was bracing, a good time was had.
More to report, there's so much goes on in the Easter holidays - we joined the National Trust, went to Farmer Gows, saw The Pirates and The Scientists have An Adventure (Aardman's latest film), served tea the local half-marathon, and I've had a WI meeting as well. On all that next time - I've to get ready for work, and the washing needs to be taken in.
Thanks for reading, keep it sweet! Kat
The robin chicks have gone. I just checked the nest box this lunchtime and it was empty. So not exactly certain when it happened - they were 14 days since hatching on Friday. On Saturday Simon went early to USA, I worked, the kids were at Kate's and then we were busy with the Grand National shenanegins that afternoon (I had 3rd and 4th). On Sunday we drove to Shugborough (National Trust) to hand over the children to Grandma and Grandad for the week.
I've been observing the comings and goings from the bird feeders outside the kitchen window, and have seen a couple of robins taking bits and flying to the undergrowth/overgrowth of the left hand border. Behind the beech tree, towards the overgrown snowdrops/daffodil greenery into the heavy ivy on the fence. I deduce therefore that's where the chicks are, but they're impossible to see, and so well hidden that even Roly couldn't find them if he wanted to. So I'm confident about the success of the robin family, and wish them well.
Now what to do with the empty box/nest?...
Seems a little strange without them.... the robin chicks and the family! I'm here on my ownsome - well, just me, Roly, the hens and our lodger. I think I might like it at first, we'll see how it goes. Simon's back on Thursday and then we're up north to collect the children after work on Saturday...
I can't keep up with the pace of life these days. We do soooo much, and there's so little time left to think about it all, never mind write about it all...
We went to the local point-to-point at Lockinge on Easter Monday. Cold wind, but we got there early as our family tradition now dictates and walked the course with Roly (dalmation) and Phoebe's friend-to-be from her new school, when she starts in September (in as much as, Phoebe made a friend called Eleanor at the school taster day and exam day, and wanted to meet up so we suggested the point-to-point). It's a lovely way to start a 'country' day and gives a deserved appetite for the picnic we (I) pack!
Unfortunately the weather was a dampner, as the hillside was only half full of parked cars - it's been reported in past years that it attracts up to 10,000 attendees - it's one of the largest point-to-points in the country we understand. The ground was good so the racing fared well - we missed the first race, then there was a couple of 4 horse races followed by couple of 5 horse races, and we left before the last and pony club races. And it's the people watching that's so much part of the enjoyment, as much as the racing, and even though the weather was bracing, a good time was had.
More to report, there's so much goes on in the Easter holidays - we joined the National Trust, went to Farmer Gows, saw The Pirates and The Scientists have An Adventure (Aardman's latest film), served tea the local half-marathon, and I've had a WI meeting as well. On all that next time - I've to get ready for work, and the washing needs to be taken in.
Thanks for reading, keep it sweet! Kat
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