The winter is over. While the astronomic winter carries on for another week to 19th March, it's all over here. Yesterday the thermometer went above 20ºC. The donkeys have a new field to enjoy.
Smokin' Donkeys
Spring has sprung, the grass has riz...
It's the grass, man
...and the toads are frolicking in the irrigation tank. These are Midwife Toads, I think, and the male is much smaller than his girlfriend. Toad sex is a long, drawn-out affair:
I have been checking my bees and the signs are good; they have survived the winter - no surprise, it was so mild - and seem in fine feckle for the Spring campaign. The blackthorn is in full flower, as is the rosemary, so there is no shortage of nectar.
Here is three-day old Patrick. His namesake was not even thinking about crawling at the same age (yes, I remember), but this wee chap can already get up a fine speed. And then at the end Laialuing can't bear to be left out of the action...
I am trying out strip grazing at the Croft, and it's working well.
My pink half of the drainpipe...
The donkeys get a fresh strip each week (as do Barcelona FC...) and I get a neatly trimmed and manured field. Marguerita is especially keen because she is eating for two:
Yum for Mum
It takes about 45 minutes to move the strip along - I'm using chestnut posts and what is called here "pastor electric" ("electric shepherd"). Easy, really.
