One final contribution on dogs eating poo. Dogs cannot digest vegetable matter. So by eating such material after it has been through the gut of a herbivore gives them access to minerals that were previously unavailable to them.
Well, so they say!
Weather is a mystery to me, and, it has to be said, sometimes to the Met Office too. The worst thing at this time of year is a spell of warm weather followed by biting cold or strong wind. When this happens I see all the newly emerging leaves and catkins shrivel and die before my eyes.
Last year we were spared such an event and a large bush whose name I have no idea burst into flower and was swamped in more bees than I thought possible. Sitting next to it with my eyes shut and listening to the bees and hover flies was a joy.
And still no grass in the fields which are virtually scalped by sheep. Winter hangs on, some years, until May here. Then suddenly everyone is awash with grass. The geese have mostly migrated north to breed. But an increasing number have learnt to stay here and breed on this lush, predator free island. Skuas and terns return soon and phalaropes next month. And so the wheel turns and I’m a year older. So much to achieve and diminishing time to do it. Still need to create those red, white and blue Speckled Sussex. Still need to breed woolly heads and faces into my sheep. Still want a black and white crested, rose combed hen created from Houdans, Exchequer Leghorns and Dominiques
So much music to listen to, poetry to read, different food to eat. And a husband to nurture and learn from. One life just isn’t enough! So maybe Nirvana next time round.
