FLOODING

.

For the 4th time in 10 years we have had a flood.

It takes some serious amount of rain to make the 

stream burst it's banks.

That a a high tide up the coast.

Luckily it never the enters the house, but does give

us 6 inches of water in the outbuildings.

If we see it coming up  the drive we have

about an hour to get everything off the deck.

The stream breaks it's banks in the fields down the lane

before it gets to the house.

Great dogs play area for a few hours.

No damage done, just a bit of cleaning up.

TOP CHICKENS

6 weeks we have had Joan and Yolko the ex battery hens. And now they run the roost. Their destruction of the grass is incredible. Having to move the run every 4 days to fresh grass. They have now been re-named "The Beaky Blinders"

FOGGY DOGGY

That time of year for 0800 dog walks.

Atmospheric conditions make it the best 

time of year for such things.

SUNDAY 12TH REMEMBRANCE PARADE IN PORTSMOUTH

4pm on the Saturday, quite happy in France

after the local remembrance, it seemed like a good

idea to book that nights ferry and be in Pompey

for their remembrance day.

Soon met up with some old shipmates.

Taff Llewellyn and Harry Humble.

Along with several other old friends,

paid our respects, and visited many of

the old haunts for a fine day

on the beer.

11th NOVEMBER. REMEMBRANCE.

Love the way our village allow us to be part

of the ceremony.

Let's face it, we were on the same side.

This years wreath had a Navy cap tally

of the 100th anniversary of women being

able to enlist.

Made the paper too.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/saint-potan-22550/le-sonneur-de-clairon-francis-josselin-decore-5378268

TWO NEW CHICKENS

Introducing the 2 new chickens.

Joan and Yolko.

We lost Cilla who died of natural causes

a couple of weeks ago.

They are ex battery hens and are

loving their freedom.

Very productive too.

DOG WALK AT LAST

At last I am able to walk the
dogs again after the accident.

And I get the coldest morning
of the autumn so far. 

Still a little way to go before
I can do the full walk, but
it's the best part of the day around
sunrise, and good to be back in the fields.

AUTUMN PRODUCE

What is the point of pumpkins?

You grow 8 of them, carve one for

halloween, then you are left with this

weak tasting gourd pulp which is useless

apart from making soups.

And the last of the raspberries.

We have had so many of them, we 

are heartily sick of them.

Still, this raspberry rum should be nice over Xmas.

BIT OF A BASH

Took a bit of a battering yesterday. was passing the school on 

my scooter, when one of the teachers came screaming

out the feeder road forcing me to take evasive action.

Straight over the bike and a couple of forward rolls.

Blood everywhere with a broken nose, multiple cuts 

and bruises and 3 dislocated fingers.

Bloody sore this morning, but no lasting damage.

The best advice I got, buy a decent crash helmet.

That saved me from more harm.

BAR NIGHT

With the village bar being shut for 2 weeks,

it was great to get a "behind closed doors" evening

with a few locals.

Beer and food all supplied.

A great night.

MUSHROOM SEASON

Boosted by local talk of a "glut" of

mushrooms in the woods, I decided to 

investigate.

Indeed there were all sorts of fungi,

but the trouble is after picking a few and

doing some research at home, I can't really 

tell if they are going to make me a delicious dish,

or confine me to the smallest room in the house, 

with stomach cramps and a mountain of bog roll.

BREAK IN PRAGUE

At last a chance to get away, so we went with

Bob and Lesley to Prague for a few days.

Not just for beer, but a bit

of culture as well.

HOW MANY VISITORS?

The annual visit from the Campervan crew.

48 hours of madness and laughter. Oh and alcohol.

Tim, Nick, Paul, Jock, Janina, Jenn, Carole, & Bomber,

arrived for a great time as ever.

DOWN THE PORT.

Festival of the sea down at the port of St Cast

involves music, eating, and best of all a display

by Newfoundland dogs of sea rescue.

An hour long display with slightly errant

dogs who seemed to want to do

their own thing.

Great fun.

AN ANNIVERSARY

16th August 1977.

Elvis Presley Dies.

And I join the Royal Navy at

HMS Raleigh, Torpoint.

24 years served.

The following ships and establishments.

HMS Pembrooke, Heron, Newcastle,

Osprey (3 times) Kellington, Southampton,

BRNC Dartmouth, Ark Royal,

Invincible, Liverpool, Nelson,

& Warrior.

Visited 54 countries around the world.

Seen the sights.

Met some brilliant life long friends

I raise a glass to you all.

MOULES FRITTES PARTY

Every 1st Saturday in August is the big

moules party down at the lake.

Starting around 8pm, bar opens,

and around 400 turn up for a bucket

of moules each..Unless you are

a fussy eater and you'll get a pork chop.

The dancing starts with europop music

from around 11pm till 3am

Even the kids are out till nearly dawn.

FLIGHT TRAINING CONTINUATION

Early on the airfield this morning for intensive training in perfect conditions.
Firstly, re-supply runs. This involved taking off from the roof of Chicken HQ, flying 5 meters to refuel on meal worms. Did this 3 times in quick succession. Food always works in RAF training.

Had a free period and took a trip to see Chicken Squadron again, as I do everyday. Perhaps I can change over to their group when qualified. Will have to speak to their leader, Wing Commander Sid The Rapist.

Finished off this morning with altitude training, and broke my record, getting around 9 feet up in the cider producing plant.

Can't have a pilot that's afraid of heights can we...That would be Penguin Squadron for me. They are going the way of Dodo Squadron, sadly disbanded due to Government cuts.

Time for 40 winks.

FLIGHT TRAINING

FLIGHT COMMAND TRAINING DAY 4.

Damn and blast the weather.Too windy for trainee pilots this morning. 

Sometimes I wish I was born a penguin or a swan so I could be in the Navy. A bit of rough weather doesn't stop their days work. 

But after being thrown out of my home by my parents at such a young age, with no formal education, I was only going to join the RAF. Luckily when I was booted out the house I didn't land on my head, or being a Marine would have been the only option.

With no flying, I have returned to the mess, where the truly excellent chef put on a hearty breakfast of warm worms.

I shall now spend the morning cleaning my flying equipment whilst singing loudly.

Hopefully there will be flying this afternoon. Will keep you all informed.

Toodle pip!

CUTTING THE WHEAT

Always good to see the wheat being cut,

Frees up a lot of spaces for early

morning dog walks.

Luckily this field was cut in time as the

weather has turned very wet, with a 

couple of big thunder storms.