Sunday 1st June

So when I went out to put the chickens to bed I was greeted by an escape party of three wandering down the path, they had managed to find their way into the secret garden I reckon and then out of it in search of freedom! So I went back inside to get Paul and we ushered them back into their run. Then came an exercise in chicken wrangling...catching each chicken and putting them into the coop by hand. It doesn't help that it is summer (allegedly) and therefore it stays light so late...still hopefully they will get used to the routine soon.

So this morning I got up at 7.15am (so I could let the chickens out by 7.30am, this will probably be my routine every day now...apart from the occasional lay-in as Bruce has offered to let them out for me sometimes).

I was a little bleary eyed (being unused to getting up at this time especially at the weekend) but it was a beautiful morning so I soon woke up. I let the chickens out and then set about searching for where they could have escaped from, and put chicken wire up in a couple of places where the hedge/fence was a bit dodgy. I then let them into the secret garden so they could enjoy a good root around.

Then I started moving compost from the heap into the poly tunnel to get it ready for planting.
Stopped to have a cup of tea with Bruce and Marcia around 11.00am
Moved more compost and dig it into the poly tunnel, then Bruce told me that the crows were stealing the chicken's food. So I got busy and made a cover (it looks like a little table) to go over the feeder, this hopefully will make it less obvious and not so easy for the crows to get at (plus it will have the added bonus of stopping the hens knocking the feeder over as it fits quite snuggly on top of the feeder).

1.15pm - Honey mustard pork, some crinkle cut chips and home made coleslaw.

Back outside for move compost shifting, digging and the like...very hot and sunny. I was watering in the compost when I finished each section, so when I got too hot I just turned the nozzle to mist and stood underneath the spray ;-)
Gizmo was out with me this afternoon and he went for a little swim in the pond which helped him keep cool

4.30pm - A wholemeal cheese and pickle roll.
Two fruited scones with clotted cream and jam.

Worked out my ingredients list for this weeks baking (both for Ann and the Car Club) and added them to the grocery order for tomorrow.

Ate one chocolate heart.

Did a little more digging and then came out of the poly tunnel to see Ginger standing (on the wrong side of the fence) looking at me. So I guess that I must have missed a hole somewhere...I will have to look into it tomorrow. In the meantime I took what was left of the fencing I used to fence the run and put it along the fence which separates the run from the secret garden...hopefully this way it will keep them in the run when I want them there.

8.00pm - 7 sweet and sour chicken balls and half a portion of chips (Bruce had wanted something from the Chinese takeaway so Paul decided to get us some too).

I seemed to work as when we went to put them to bed tonight they were still in the run.
It went a little easier tonight with two out of three hens going in with just a little shooing...Rusty however was having none of it and I had to catch her and put her in by hand. Fingers crossed tomorrow it will be even easier. No eggs yet, but then I didn't expect them yet...they need a bit longer to mature. I will keep you updated though!

Right, time for a quick bath now (9.45pm) then probably off to bed after as I am totally knackered...lol