Carrington farm

Since getting a new job as dog handler, we’ve fitted a serious fence half way down the garden to segregate the chickens, partly for the dog but principally because they make such a mess! Its nice to keep the farm yard in the business end of the garden and keep the patio for the people and the flowers :)

In their garden they have a bus shelter, an empty flowerbed to roll in, a windbreak and sunshade, a nice log and a custom built perch, which btw they never use *rolls eyes*. They’ve also got some other luxuries and entertainment; they are very spoiled chickens :) They do jump over said fence, namely nimbly little Esme with smarty pants Gwen following close behind but when Monty spends most of the day in the garden they are smart enough to stay in their side, despite the temptation of fresh grass and my vegetable patch.

The girls have all settled in tremulously, have oodles of individual character and are currently laying 6 eggs a week average each. Gwen in particular likes to announce her skill straight after laying her daily egg! The eggs are regular sizes now they have had some practice, and the girls themselves have also averaged out in size. Bertha isn’t the biggest by a landslide any more, all 3 have grown to near enough her size, even little Esme although she is still the smallest. Blue is rapidly gaining weight as she is so greedy and isn't too shy to snatch either, she can eat 4 cherry tomatoes in the space the others only get one!

We are managing to eat all the eggs ourselves, which really shouldn’t surprise me, as we can’t get enough of the tasty fresh eggs, but sadly means the neighbours don’t get to share in the yumminess! Sorry (but not too sorry) guys ;)

Springtime Sunday ride with Rex

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I took Rex my beloved cheap and cheerful cruiser out for a Sunday ride in Essex. Since moving here I have fallen deeply in love with the scenery. There were rolling hills filled with bright yellow rapeseed and fresh green spring grass dotted with buttercups swaying in the wind like an ocean. At the side of the road a hovering kestrel swoops down towards a freshly exposed ditch to catch her lunch, over the hill Thaxted rises into view with its lofty church spire, as I get closer I can see the historical streets lined with cottages and Tudor buildings.

After I pass a building with over hanging wattle and dorb I turn onto a winding single track road with farm cottages, barns and open banks, the road is level with the fields around and I can see for miles. There are a few tulips left in the gardens closer to town and further out on the hedgrows are wild dog roses and late blue bells, as well as flowering weeds on the banks. With an un-obstructed view of the landscape you can watch the clouds shadows move over the fields smoothly and the golden sunshine lights up everything.

A fork in the road with wonky-whitewashed sign leads onto a mottled lane through wooded curves, with a parish church tucked away, hidden from the outside world amongst the pale green leafy trees. At the t-junction we turn onto the road that leads towards the chocolate box inspired Finchingfield; the quaint cottages painted in pastels, the ornamental duck pond with humpback bridge where the road leads up the hill and guides your eye to the Norman church proudly overlooking the postcard scene, the village I have grown to love and call my home.

AC/DC vs Iornman

This is very cool, go check it out :)

Do something amazing

M&C Saatchi is responsible for this campaign for the Australian Red Cross aimed at promoting blood donation. The gruesome image of a blood filled donation pot certainly provokes a reaction.

If you haven't donated before I can not stress how important it is, our health service relies on support of our nations generosity. Medical restrictions are now easier (e.g for piercings and tattoos) and testing is very thorough, if you stand the needle - go for it! Its easy, save a life, give blood.

You wanna be in my gang?

Since moving to Essex I have the use of a car to commute and am happy to make the transition to a Sunday pleasure rider, I’ve had enough numb fingers and wet crotches to not mind packing up over the colder months, and this year was the coldest there has been in my lifetime. This winter was the first season I have shut my motorbike, Rex, down completely, he got tucked into a corner of the garage, I drained the oil and put it under cover for 6 of the coldest months we have seen in decades.

Now the warmer weather is approaching I am looking to replace most of my gear with comfy lightweight versions, much to my bike-mad-brothers horror. I already have some un-padded leather trousers (from magical ebay of course!) and hope to get some comfy biker boots as well to replace the old un-comfortable ones. My armoured trousers we very high and stiff, I could hardly sit down in them let alone enjoy a drink in a country pub garden on a day out.

I’ve signed up to a club – The Royal British Legion Riders branch. I was introduced to the branch whilst attending a difficult repatriation last year in Wotten Basset, its one of several positives I got from the trying experience. On the up side I was amazed of the idea of a veterans biker gang but didn’t pluck up the courage to ask if army WAGS could join too. I’ve always wanted to go to biker meets but too nervous to go alone, and now I live so far from my friends who are newly introduced to the wonders of motorbikes (seriously 5 of them have bought bikes this year!) I was keen to learn more. Its taken a while but I have now applied to the branch : )

Along with my new gear I’ve bought some new parts for Rex, the side panel was in a bad way and I fancy some custom decals, I have also just been looking at some patches to sew onto a waistcoat. After all, if I’m in a biker gang I need a waistcoat with patches to look the part! Its not like I can grow a beard, and I don’t really want to tattoo my knuckles either >_>

I’m looking forward to making biking a real hobby; to spend time planning and enjoying the summer weekends. The spring weather has made me appreciate the enjoyable experiences I get from biking and not for the first time I feel I’m out growing my beloved Rex, I have been guiltily looking at second hand bikes online. My husband David wants to do his CBT and I trust him with Rex, which would free me up for a bigger engine ; )

Judge people

Judging people by their taste in biscuits might not sound like a very productive way to get to know someone's personality, but I found it rather interesting.

Digestive - Frugal
Malted milk - Child like
Jammie dodger - Hyperactive
Hobnob - Grounded
Bourbon - Traditionalist
Choco Leibnz - Europhile
Jaffa cake - Extrovert (yes, it counts as a biscuit)
Choc millionaire - Love lorn

I like all these biscuits, and my favourites seem to accurate, but I am disappointed that ginger nut and custard creams aren't part of the list. I just spotted this in a magazine and thought I'd share it anyway, what is your favourite?