it has been a busy morning already. i was woken at some god-unearthly hour by the crowing of 2 chickens who were sold to me as 'ladies'. they have been building up to this pre dawn chorus for a couple of days, so i knew that i was in for trouble.

yesterday evening i phoned my 'chicken lady' ( chicken mandy) and she agreed to have the boys back and credit me with 2 ladies at a later date. so at 6.30 i grabbed the torch and the boxes and forayed up to the henhouse in my nightie and coat. the residents were somewhat surprised at their early visitor - but were, as all chickens when it is dark, as docile and biddable as a bag of feathers. i secured the boys in boxes and stashed them in the greenhouse. the girls breathed a sigh of relief and settled back to a lie-in.

at 8 am i loaded the boys into the car and was off up the lanes to re-home them. they were gratefully received by colin - mandy's husband - who weighed them in his hand and mentioned a good dinner! i have to harden my heart to what their fate will be. this is why i shall never be a true smallholder - i cannot kill surplus to requirement stock.

the garden is quiet and not so colourful without the boys but the girls are more relaxed - being jumped from behind when you are having a spot of breakfast was making them nervous.....hardly surprisingly. i would like to think that the boys were the reason that the girls are not laying - too frightened to sit still for long enough - but it could be just the time of year. we'll soon see.

it is the most beautiful day again. bright sun, dry and a bit nippy.

i'm working a late today. hope we have admitted a few more patients otherwise we'll be falling over each other to get to the jobs. not that i wish admission on anyone... but.... the time goes too slowly if we are quiet.

i am doing well on the 'using up my fabric scraps' for patchwork. the pile of scraps is slowly decreasing and the stack of made up pieces is growing. once i get them backed i shall have a stock of potential gifts for those moments when you need a present quickly.

i don't 'do' christmas but i like to have something around 'just in case'.

i am already 'over' the christmas shoppers in town. can't park anywhere after 9.30 am, supermarkets are heaving with mad women with overflowing trolleys.... the usual question - why? for just one day.....

i feel i am such a kill-joy but i cannot get all reved up about such a consumer-fest.the tv is impossible to enjoy for all the sexy adverts for the perfume that will transform you into a sensual being ( i've tried, i've tried) and the other ads that will turn you into an overweight couch potato.....

only a month before the shortest day and then we are on the countdown to spring and summer. i noticed the snowdrops peeking their shoots up yesterday.... life begins again....