Sunday 29th August 2021

2 Juvies waiting on the landing

​Hello friends and family
It was a great start to the week weather wise and so I attacked the big hedge in the morning, and in the afternoon, thought I might take a bike ride on our empty road. Tires pumped, I switched the bike on, and it surged forward. That was the last sign of life it showed, so I had to push it up the hills!

Out with the old

and in with the new

​When I got home, there was no water in the taps – the tank was full, so the pump had died. On a Sunday, during level 4 lock-down, I figured that the best thing to do was wait until Monday. I phoned the electrician who sent out a pump specialist. He installed the new, very colourful pump in no time at all. What a relief!

Spring has sprung

​Robbie came on Tuesday morning and in the afternoon, I got the e-bike to go again, by fiddling with the battery. Another 2 sections of fence by the water tanks are now laced with electric fence wire. Wednesday morning was my day to get my ‘click and collect’ from the supermarket. I dropped off 2 free bags of rubbish on the way and was home in time to finish the big hedge before lunch. It was last cut in the last lockdown – April 2020!

I can see Patrick's trees on the other side of the hedge

​On Thursday, Robbie and I noticed a change in the colony. Instead of nest building, some males were at home sitting in the nest. The penguins have started calling in mid-afternoon, so they too are feeling the stirrings of spring.

Note the shag coming in to land!

The rain arrived on Friday. It was only 8 mm but very welcome. It means that the penguins are more likely to choose a dry nestbox for their nest.
Have a great week!
Rosalie