Runners

The highlight of the summer has been the arrival of 5 new ducks. The first three were inherited from a neighbour who was looking for better layers so we acquired a trio of Miniature Appleyards. Then, on the day of our village fete, the local farrier who has started a duck and hen business - or rather his wife has, arrived with two statuesque Indian runners - and can they run! 

I went along to the pick up with my son to help carry the new ducks, plus two new hens - Light Sussex, pretty but currently boring and one of the runners made a run for it. Eventually she was caught, just coming up to the neighbourhood alpacas who didn't seem at all interested, and we concluded that the best way to get them home was one under each of my arms with the dear son carrying the box with the hens.

The Appleyards were not impressed and, a month later, are still exerting dominance but the runners are superb. They seem to love the pond and it is great to see it being useful again. They have this amusing honk and are currently providing a good home security service. The younger grandson is smitten.