Found them!

Graham found the missing ducks this morning. They were in a nearby dyke but he couldn't get near them too well as they were scared of him .There were ten ducklings,

gone! And never called me mother!

At 9am the wild duck and ducklings were on the nest. At 10.30am Geraham went to look at them and the nest was EMPTY! We have no idea when or where they went but I am gutted. I never even managed to get a photo. Oh well!
:Last night I went to a lecture by Polyanna Pickering, the world renowned wildlife artist. She talked to us about going to remote areas in china to draw giant Pandas, Very entertaining.

We are a grandmother!

No don't panic.It's nothing to do with Gina and Andrew. my wild ducks have hatched. there are about ten although it's difficult to be sure as they are all jumping around in the nest. There are still some eggs that haven't hatched yet but I don't know how much longer the mother can control the unruly youngsters. No photo's yet, mother pecked me when I got too close so I don't want to upset her.My worry is now, how is she going to get them to water. Graham has put a paint tray of water down for them but it's no substitute for a pond or dyke.
My black hen is still sitting on the two duck eggs which will hatch in about two weeks, so I am watching the wild ducks like a hawk, to see what they do.
my white hen is still sitting on 5 chicken eggs. they should hatch in two weeks as well.
I am out tonight . The W.I. has brought a famous artist, Pollyiana Pickering to talk to us.

Geoff. Ushers retirement

Our friend Geoff. retired after 19 years as minister at the central unitarian church on Norfolk street. We went to his leaving party in the Channing hall expecting not to know anyone and to be bored. We had decided not to stay the night in sheffield as we thought we would not be staying long. However, we met some people that we knew and some very nice people that we didn't know, and the entertainment was excellent as was the champagne, so we couldn't drag ourselves away. In the end common sence prevailed when the dancing started!
We arrived home just after midnight.

Jean and Norman

We called at Jean and Normans on our way to Sheffield city centre and she gave us tea.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a bit traumatic. We had been up most of the night because Graham had chest pains. When we got to the Drs. next morning she sent us to A&E for some tests to be done on his heart. He was then admitted to a ward and it was 7pm before they told us that there was nothing wrong with his heart so his pain must be muscular! He now thinks that is a prescription for not doing any work!
chickens and duck are still sitting on eggs. We feel like fathers pacing the maternity unit.
We go to Sheffield on friday, to a farewell party for The Reverend Geoff Usher. he's retiring and going back to Australia. He used to be an actor and has starred with Mel Gibson etc. Those of you who know him will know that he will be sadly missed.

here we go again!!!!

Two of my chooks ( note the australian, I'm becoming quite a linguist!) have become broody . This morning I went to the farm and got some fertile eggs. Learning my lesson from last year I have seperated the broodies. One has got the hen eggs and one has got two duck eggs.So now it's a wait for 21 days to see if anything hatches. Also I shall not allow the new chicks anywhere near the big ones until I am very sure that they will survive. Last year was very traumatic when the babies died. The farm lady tried to give me a big handsome cockerel but we couldn't catch it. It hid under a caravan and wouldn't come out!
My wild duck is still sitting on her eggs though I think it a forlorn hope now. she has been sitting for at least 38 days and they are supposed to hatch out in 26 to 30 days.
thats all for now
sheila x

Twig chicken

My friend Vicky bought me this chicken made from twigs. I love it!

my latest fundraiser

I forgot to tell you that I am arranging another fundraiser night. As the only food is going to be Hotdogs (Bangers) it should be a lot easier then my other nights have been. Lets hope I sell some tickets. I always panic! Sheila x

cherry blossom

Don't the trees look lovely when the blossom is out?
Mrs Duck continues to sit on her eggs even though it is well past the time when they should have hatched. (Can you see her?)
sheila x

Those were the days

I wanted to share this with you.All my sisters on grahams 60th birthday.
since then we have been rent asunder by circumstances, but I still love each and every one of them.
sheila xx

1st class

I thought you might like to see the cabin we were put in on our flight to Brisbane. Pity I was too ill to enjoy it! click on the picture to enlarge it.

Easter egg?

Gina won't let me have an Easter egg so I have bought myself these chocolates instead.
Well no one else is going to buy me anything and how can you have easter without chocolate??
Sheila xx

April 1st.

It's nine years today since my mother died.I keep thinking I'm glad she's not here to feel all the family pain. I was glad she missed 9/11 and one or two other things that have happened. Anyway we will all be thinking of her today. I miss her .
sheila x