Despite raining all day and being thoroughly dreich, I decided to go and check the Minions taking the horse-van for a run.  The chaps were standing in the far corner of the field over the burn (stream).

But I showed them my pocketful of carrots and they duly stirred.

Lilja was their leader.

And the others followed in dribs and drabs.

Well, everyone except for Waffle, so I threw his carrot over to him.

Once checked, noseys duly kissed, more carrots dished out, pocketses emptied, pocketses confirmed to be empty, I left them all to it and walked back down the hill.

Of course I was followed – Newt and Storm having a quick game en route.

Albie was very determined to come home with me.  He would sit in the van, if he could.

I said goodbye at the gate feeling, as usual, incredibly guilty that they had a fine field, full of hill grass, fresh water and friends.  How they suffer.

And my van?  Well, what I thought had been clever off-road parking turned out to be one wheel now wedged in the ditch and I was totally stuck.

Dammit!  Luckily the postie was passing and, as he was going next door to the mill, he told them of my plight and they brought a tractor and rope around to tow me out.  Huge thanks to Jamiesons Mill.  On a useful note, I was shown the van’s towing point and the location of the tool box.  I never knew I had one.

Next home and I spent my afternoon making a sheeple to feel better.

However, I am not sure that I do feel better. I feel rather embarrassed about the van.  Hey ho. Live and learn. I’m not having much luck with vehicles these days.

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!