Yeah Chickens

Here is a picture of our latest arrivals and in the best tradition of Franklin Farm original names they are called Blackie 1-7. The children said it was a rubbish idea but hillariously Mummy's name has stuck and we now take great delight in refering to each Blackie as if we all know who we are talking about. In fact you can see in the photo Blackie 4 is missing, she refused to stay in photo shot range. Many thanks to our kind neighbours for their donations. 
We have not had chickens for about 6 months when the foxes helped themselves to our remaining 4. Then the local hunt dealt with 6 foxes within 50m of our house and suggested we should do some pertinent tree clearing close to the house so there were fewer hidey holes. It transpired of course that tree clearing was to become essential as we lost all of our telly channels bar channel 5 when all the oaks finished coming into leaf. It is amazing how much the trees have grown in 10 years and the line of sight for the dish had become a line of leaf. The up side is that for the first time in 10 years we might have all our winter wood orgainsed before the fire season actually begins. I can hear all you wood fire users cringing at the thought of us using only one year old seasoned wood for our fire.
Anyhow back to the chickens. I like chickens they are always busy doing something, cleaning up the garden, bossing each other about or keeping themselves clean in the flower beds. I use the term flower beds loosely as we have a patch where we had flowers and vegetables which the goats and lambs kept eating so it is now more of a weedbed. I am looking forward to having eggs from home again I am mortified by how tasteless bought eggs are. 
Other news from home is that I have completed my second epic Saturday with a slightly shorter 19 hour day spent at the market, then at ballet rehersals for numbers 2 and 3, then a little prep for Number 2's Birthday (she might get promoted to name status next week) for Sunday then at Number 3's music concert. Patrick has completed his end of year exams and obligatory 2 day hangover and Gavin and Number 3 will be going to scrape him up off the floor later on this morning.
Have a fab week in the sun if you are near us and in the freezing weather if you are in South Africa.
See you soon
Helen