Things have been a real mixed bag around here lately, full of highs and lows. The Brecon Buff eggs I was expecting took over a week to arrive in the post, which is really disappointing. I’m not sure how many will be viable, but the in the incubator and I have my fingers crossed. The Cream Legbar eggs that were due to hatch went disastrously wrong and we got one out of twelve, another big disappointment.

However I did get a call from the co-ordinator of the genebank for Skånegås saying he may be able to help, a big plus. We also got a lovely trio of Svensk Myskankor –Muscovy ducks. The ducks have settled in so well they have started laying, another bonus. I’m now saving the eggs and they’ll be going in the incubator soon.

The three cockerels we raised for the table are no more. We had them for dinner this week. They were lovely it has to be said. It is probably one of the most satisfying meals I have had. For the first time I can hand on heart say I know exactly what kind of life my meal had had and what conditions it had been kept in. It looks like there are three cockerels in the new Blommehöns hatch too, so more chicken dinners in September I think.

The cats have had their final booster vaccinations and are now ready to terrorise the local wildlife. They have been enviously watching the dog when he goes out for a walk and I was convinced they would be outside as soon as we opened the door. Not so, they actually walked away – go figure. I think it will be another case of ‘in their own time’. The weather hasn’t been quite so good these last few days so we’ve not been able to sit with the door open until they’re ready to venture out. Still I’m confident it will happen soon. Life here often seems to be about waiting. Waiting for the cats to be brave enough to go out, waiting to see if the Brecon Buff and Appleyard ducks hatch out. Not that there’s anything wrong with waiting, it’s an art one I’m relearning. The stresses of deadlines and city life are long gone. In the country things move in their own good time. Worrying changes nothing except my mood.

Sit back enjoy the view and what will be will be.