Stranger things have happened

Something strange is going on. First, I found a live mouse, happily eating away at the poison in the mouse bait box. When I went back the next day to clear out the body, it was gone! Now, who or what moved the body? Then, I heard a strange knocking on the kitchen door. The Boxers were fast asleep, but soon became curious at the noise. I peered out of the bedroom window and saw a fox trying to get in through the cat flap! I shoo'ed it away and let the dogs out. They were on its scent straight away, but it was through the hedge and gone. I did find it left a deposit on the lawn though. And, any idea what this little chap is up to? 

I watched with interest as the squirrel jumped down from the fir tree and ran across the terrace. I've seen it a few times and each time it goes to the same place to nibble at the mortar. Suggestions on a post card, please!

But it's not just the animals behaving strangely. Mr B used the new mulching lawn mower last weekend. It was the first opportunity since getting back from holiday, and although I had given him the safety demonstration, he still managed to injure himself. I was away with the weeds, having a field day, pulling up two foot weeds from the driveway (note to self: must go round with wheelbarrow and pick up weeds). Now, the garden is large and Mr B was pootling about in the woodland meadow (that's euphemism for not mowing that bit under the trees). I didn't hear a thing until he wandered through the house, applying pressure to his wrist. In a very calm voice, he said 'I've ruptured my radial artery, please could you find the tourniquet?' I didn't panic, although I was imagining the worst. I found the tourniquet and applied it, then sent him to lie down while the blood stopped. It was a strange injury though - there was no blood! The artery had ruptured under the skin, but the skin wasn't broken. Apparently, he stabbed himself with some bit on the mower that he was fiddling with. It flew up and hit him on the wrist. He felt the pain and saw his artery 'blow up'. I was concerned about nerve damage to his hand from any loss of circulation, but thankfully, it's all OK.

  

The next day, the Boxers were having a bit of rough and tumble in the garden, and the next thing, the little big dog, did his best collapse ever. Now, this isn't something to be laughed. It's neither strange nor funny. The little one has aortic stenosis, a condition affecting the major artery in his body. He's mostly OK, but can collapse when he's over-excited. His breathing was very laboured, but he still wagged his tail as he lay there. Adorable boy x.

My sister in law was in Shackleford for one day this week. She lives in Perth, Australia and has been in London and Antwerp on business (pink diamonds you know). Anyway, my brother asked for a mac in a sac. A red one in XL. Of course, Secretts had every other colour but not red! So I spent a happy half hour or so juggling macs in sacs of various colours, waiting for brother dearest to text back which alternate colour he preferred. Eventually, his choice was made - malibu blue. Done. Sold to the lady juggling macs in sacs.

And finally, I've been busy guest blogging about Shackleford at Smitten by Britain and writing about A Homemade School in South Africa for Jump! magazine this week. Please do pop over to these wonderful sites and have a look.

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