New Year, New Starts

Another new year is upon us and with it the excitement of the new Kitchen Garden. The final plans have been given the go ahead and we will soon start to lay out the new beds. If all goes to plan I will take a monthly picture of the whole kitchen garden to chart its progress.

The Illuminated Trail was spectacular. The last weekend was so busy that about 3500 people visited in the final two days! I think there is a lesson to be learnt here... When you visit next year, come early, and during the week to avoid the rush.

Holly, our tree climbing dog, was photographed doing what she loves to do best, had an article in The Times newspaper (albeit a very small one) and was then spotted on a Pakistani website a couple of days later! The web is indeed world wide.

Just before Christmas a peahen arrived as a birthday gift for Mr Berkeley. Simon, our land agent, transported her in a large Interflora box which she was not keen to leave. In fact we were unable to tip her out as she climbed up inside and clung on. In the end, and under cover of darkness, (eventide and flat torch batteries), we opened both ends and left the box in the pen. The next day all seemed peaceful.

On Christmas morning after church, my husband and I were walking our dogs as usual across the fields when we came across a peahen...

I panicked, thinking the pen door had been unlocked, and left my husband to watch the peahen whilst I ran back to check. The remaining birds were as they should be. Returning to the field I decided I was not about to pick up a bird the size of a terrier, not knowing if it would turn and savage me, (unlikely I know, but I am not at all brave) so I rang the keeper who came, saw and conquered, with far more skill, speed and elegance than I could have mustered. We managed to get the escapee back, and to mend a gaping hole in the roof of the pen. What a Christmas day!

On a more mundane note: we are continuing to rake and collect fallen leaves, in between weeding the garden ready for the spring visitors, and clearing away the bark chips and straw that were laid for the Illuminated Trail. It is going to be a busy spring. (The pic shows cherry leaves covered in frost).