1st June
We planted a bag full of English Bluebells donated by a friend with woodland. We planted them in the north-east area of the Pit Wood. Clare finished pulling out the last of the Sycamore seedlings from the Wildflower Meadow and found two thistles that had escaped her gaze. Thistles now removed.
2nd June
Shepherd hut progress - making crucial decisions on the design of the window frames. Our friend Stephen had read last month's blog and had been concerned about where we were going to find the necessary shepherd. First find your sheep. Keith, on the other hand, told us about wooden boxes, about the size of a chest freezer, that he had seen in Romania, that are for shepherds to sleep in overnight. A bit minimalist for us, however it would have been less work.
3rd June
Having put Paul's make-up on because he has had a louse infection (the same product that was recommended for infant eczema) we went for a stroll over the site. The first discovery was a fallen Rowan on the Wetland, a casualty of very strong winds. Water Avens and Aconite were out in the Pit Wood.
Slugs come in many colours.
Paul tolerating make-up
Rotten to the core
Water Avens - they remind Clare of the Flower Fairy books she read as a child
Aconite
You can see why Aconite is also called Monkshood
Hide hiding
3rd, 4th, 5th June - three days at Number 11
What follows is a selection from over 400 videos taken over three days. We apologise for failing to provide a Springwatch-like analysis of frequency of visits, division of labour between male and female, items on menu, and completed customer satisfaction forms.
10th June
Pony Pedicure Day. Steven made one of his regular visits. Paul nailed it and William (this was a first for him with us) helped with pony treats, emerged with trimmed fore hooves, but not yet four hooves. John started to grapple with the shepherd's hut door.
Pick your feet up Paul
Nice muzzle nuzzle
Just a trim please
Caption competition - answers to liddellsreserve@gmail.com
I'm not in the least unhinged
Common Spotted Orchids on the Wildflower Meadow
Ragged Robin (one of Clare's favourites) on the Wetland
Great Tit chicks in their nestling down or neossoptiles (we hope you love the OED Word of the Day as much as we do)
11th June
Trail camera revelations - ballet pigeon and tod. John remembers one of his aunts reading Aesop's tale The Fox and the Crow to him in French
14th June - Green Gym Day
Having had to cancel a Green Gym Day last month, we were pleased this one went ahead. So clearly were our loyal supporters, one of whom, when told about the day, replied "Yippee!!!" The photos below would suggest Clare & John did no work at all.
15th-20th June
John goes strimming crazy on paths in the Pit Wood, Orchard and Top Strip.
21st June
Mel and John trailered all the chip from beside the Wildflower Meadow to the Top Strip and topped up the path at the east end before retiring to the pub for a pint and a game of pool (as is their wont).
Clare inspected her bees before going away for a week (Clare not the bees) and discovered one colony had hatched a new queen who had mated successfully and was laying new brood. The other had failed to follow this fine example and had developed laying workers. The colony cannot be saved. Their honey can.
Tim went to see the Solstice sunset from Liddells.
26th June
Tim issues a Peacock butterfly caterpillar alert