As if life couldn’t get any worse, I woke up with a stinking migraine, and my back remained intolerable so I spent the morning in bed tring to sleep off the migraine.

After that I decided today was a day of rest and I did some packing up of acorns, putting stuff on Fleabay and mooching about smelling of Kwan Loong oil.  It does help a lot. I thoroughly recommend for all things hurty.

A friend kindly checked the Minions and counted noseys to be kissed.  That was a huge weight off for me as I didn’t feel I could drive safely today let alone walk up to their field.

While I faffed around on Ebay, BeAnne sat next to me snoring and farting to herself while Monster coveted her bed more than anything.

BeAnne refused to move.  The Battle of the Beds is never over.

BeAnne went to the vet this morning.  A sudden decision made by myself as I have been sucking my teeth these last few days when I watch her.  She seems quieter and not very with-it.  Something is not right to add to all the other things that are wrong with her.

The vet did a thorough examination and said she could hear fluid on Her Maj’s lungs.  So she has been started on a course of diuretics to see if that makes a difference.  Please cross everything.  You know the drill by now.

I realise we are on borrowed time but I want every second.

Meanwhile, I my back has gone. I am not sure what really but It hurts all the time and I am utterly miserable.  My Painpod is on full revs and boost plus a hot water bottle wedged in. Gah!  I don’t need this.

Here are the last of the photos from yesterday. I can’t even pick up my camera.

Sorry for the whinge. I hate myself when I whinge.

Giving up, now. I am feeling very sorry for myself.

When I call, a certain little girlie comes running – (I turned the sound off, because I sounded like a banshee, albeit a posh one!)

The Sheeple (Boyzens and Girlzens) go out into their fields every morning after breakfast and then I call them home in the evening, so they can go to their sheds if they want to or creep under the fence to go back into their field.

However, Not-so-little Missy is always first up.

She is very enthusiastic and, in my absence, Daisy has taught her the wonders of an Animal Cracker biscuits. She likes them!

I call this photo Missy’s BBC-Radio-4-Melvyn-Bragg-In-Our-Time interested face!

Missy also loves Monster which is kind of strange.

However, Monster does not love Missy.

I call this photo “Disgruntled from Dulwich” or as OH said “Bored from Beckenham” or “Miffed from Mid Walls”.

Dear little Missy. Our happy little accident who now we can’t do without.

I think every home should have a Missy.  She is very precious and she likes to keep her nose in my hand, as I walk, in case I forget about her need for biccies.  She is so One of Us!

Now I’m home and sort of unpacked, but certainly not organised, I have located my acorns, conkers and keys!

And, before I left my Mum’s, I raided her phone for good photos of the old oak tree.  She says it is the same age as the ones in Windsor Great Park and that this tree once formed part of the park when the land was included.  Obviously not part of the golf-course then.

Then I have the acorns from the red oak, which is fairly new – probably about 30 years old. I think I have 10 acorns and Mum is on constant look-out and collect!

Plus the “perfect” oak tree. Ths photo was taken last year.

And conkers from the horse-chestnut and some keys from the sycamore.

So if you want any, and are happy to pay postage, please email me – frances@fstaylor.co.uk – and let me know your name and address and what you want.  This is strictly on a first come, first served basis and I am reserving a few of each first for OH as he has plans for his Arboretum (good luck with that!)

And if there is a huge demand, I will send my 80 year old mother out collecting!

A friend and I climbed up the hill to check on the Minions.  I shouted so they came running over to us.

There is something infinitely pleasing about horses and ponies galloping happily towards me.  My heart smiles. I feel loved.

I haven’t seen the chaps in this field as we have never used it before for them.  It is quite a slog into the hill but a good field, none the less.

But the Minions are not very impressed to be honest. I think they miss the constant trudge of people going past their field. They do like to chat and/or beg.  I know they set their tummy-clocks by the school children.

But it is a useful field for this time of year and it will do them good.

They have a splendid view, too!

Obviously, I caught up on my kisses.  I have missed these little chaps so much.

The girls are looking good, too.  A bit feral but perfectly happy being horses.

Newt was a little aloof to start with.  The world needs loofs!

But we had a chat and all was fine.

Some tried to follow us home.

And I think I am going to do something a bit better with the gate.  I see Storm thinks it is a challenge!