WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down,
And Glory shone around.

The Union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches Health & Safety Regulations to insist the shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided.
Therefore, benches, stools and orthopedic chairs must be available. Shepherds have also requested that, due to inclement weather they should watch their flocks via CCTV cameras behind centrally heated shepherd observation huts.
The Angel of the Lord is reminded that before shining his / her Glory all around, the shepherds must be issued with glasses capable of filtering out any harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory lighting.

Tess's First Holiday.

A short while ago the dogs went on a long weekend break to North Yorkshire and took their housekeeping staff with them which meant Vicki and I also got a long weekend but notice that I omit the break! This was the first time that Tess had been away on holiday and after all the trouble we've had with her travelling problems it was a bit of a worry as to whether everything would go okay. Thankfully though all our patience and hard work had paid off and she was a model holiday maker, I think she is going to grow up to make a fine and enthusiastic tourist. There were times when she got a bit restless but  guess that's to be expected of a young Border Collie. Anyway here are a few pictures that I took of her.

Watching the big train huff and puff its way along the track.

Praying that someone will throw that sticky.

I'm a model dog on holiday.

Posing at the Kilburn White Horse

Right - that's it, I've sat still long enough.

A Frosty Morning.

The plants are the same, they just got painted a drifferent colour in the night. The plants in Winter can be just as interesting to the eye as they are in the Summer.
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Checking The Sheep.

Checking in on the sheep on this cold Winters morning.
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US Grand Prix

This weekend I'm enjoying the grand prix from the USA. Its being run on a brand new track which is always good for generating extra excitement. Also this race is the first one from the USA for a number of years which is also something most people who follow the sport are pleased about. The USA have a great motor sport heritage so it seems only right that they have the chance to put on a show on for the world to see.

A Wet Autumn Day.

It's not really raining today but it may as well be because the persistent drizzle is just as wetting and miserable as any rain.

I've spent most of the day either potting up plants or tidying away things in the potting shed. Such things as barrels and other containers have been gathering there since being brought in from there summer homes. Slowly but surely they are being found new homes for the winter.

Also today I went to the estate office and booked my Christmas break and also a long weekend break in a couple of weeks time. We aren't going far away as we are taking Tommy and Tess. This will be her first holiday so with her past travel woes in mind we are keeping everything crossed for a pleasant trip. No one can say for sure but this could be Tom's last holiday. On account of his joints he is finding it more difficult all the time to do things so I expect there will come a time when he will find prolonged car travel to much. Not that he is put off by his problems, he is still first in line when the car keys come out so it's definitely not a case of anyone making him take to the road.

Sent from my Windows Phone

Today I made a start on filling this years leaf ring. I will fill two of these rings throughout the Autumn. You may think when looking at the picture that it already looks pretty full but what you see there will shrink to nothing within a short time. Also if I need to I will get in and trample the leaves down. As the bottom of the pile settles I also pull the ring up so by the time I'm finished the pile will be twice the height it is now.

Next to this years ring you will be able to see the darker colours of last years pile. There was originally two rings full but over last winter and summer the amount has reduced to such an extent that the rotted leaves will now easily fit in to one ring and will reduce by as much as half over the coming winter months by which time I hope they will be ready for using on the garden as a soil improver.

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Big Sticky

Believe it or not this stick is just the right size for a Border Collie to play with - according to Tess.

Sent from my Windows Phone

Test

Test

-- Sent from my HP Pre3

The final leg.

Today is the final day of our holiday. The time seems to have gone quickly but I have lots more memories than when I started a week ago. Today we travel through France to the ferry at Calais and then follows the worst part of all, the six hour drive home through the UK. It will be the early hours of Sunday morning before we arrive home. The best part will be seeing the dogs again.