The Ballad of Poly and Sharik Part Two

Poor little Poly. Where had she gone? We were terribly worried. Then Matt and I went to the Denmark Rainbow to stay with Teddy and Jenny, all the way to Orbyhage in South Jutland. We had a lovely time canoeing on the shallow sea and eating Jenny's delicious cakes, and scouring fields for stone age flint tools. But after that we came home to a lonely drake. Then Matt popped into the Tarn, our local bird sanctuary, and asked a lady who was working there if they had seen a Muscovy. Imagine our delight and surprise when she told us this story ...

Poly had been found by a neighbour on the other side of Fairy Hill Park, who lives on Broad Lawn, a lady also called Jenny. Jenny Broad-Lawn had fed the strange, tame bird, and taken her in. As she was going into hospital that afternoon she phoned the RSPCA, who took young Poly away. When the RSPCA found out she was ours the lady brought her back after inspecting our duck pen, which she pronounced truly an Edenic environment for two Muscovies.

So Poly was returned. Apparently there were posters advertising her 'found' status on the other side of the park - we hadn't seen them as we were in Denmark, plus we only sometimes walk to that side of Fairy Hill, we usually go the other way up to Eltham.

Hurray! Here's a picture of Poly and Sharik enjoying morning ablutions, a bowl of hot water on a frosty morn.

The Ballad of Poly and Sharik Part One

Blanaid left the ducks out after dark and we had a fox attack. Sadly Nick Nack was killed, I saw her throw up her little web feet and die, there by the pond. I left the body for the hungry foxes. Sharik was standing still by the pen, bite marks on his neck. Poor Sharik. But he was alive. But where was Poly. Later on by the house I saw Solly chase Loki the cat and he disturbed Poly who flew across the garden, panicking. We didn't clip the ducks this year just in case. I'm so glad. She flew across the park. Blanaid went next door and got Andrew to come with her into the park where they saw Poly. But they had Rosie the guide dog with them, and Rosie scared Poly. Poly flew off and we didn't know what had happened to her.

More of the Muscovies in the morning

Ducks eating and flapping

Look at the gorgeous swirls as Philippovich flaps.

Ducks out of the pen

The ducks rarely leave their pen. We're trying to encourage them to make the most of the garden. However the dog saw them and started jumping about, so they have gone back into their pen. Shame, we want them to start using the pond, and feel free to forage around for worms.

Up the River Lee

Just come back from a few days with Matty up the river. Wonderful weather. Sunny, mild, only one day of rain.

We got as far as Broxbourne, which has a really interesting old church with gargoyles and deer heads all around the gutters. Graffitti carved in ancient yellow sandstone ... and a lovely green, with an avenue down which you can imagine handsome carts and horses rattling the gentry to Sunday service, groom perched on the back to see to the horses.

Some nice little shops including a lovely butchers (sorry vegetarians) where we bought rabbit and venison pie, and a lovely piece of rump beefsteak.

Really had a lovely time, and felt like we really were on holiday. We also took some sound recordings which was great - train sounds and footsteps on the towpath. I would have liked to get the morning geese activity but the road was too noisy when we we heard the best bird sounds, which was at Tottenham Hale. Got some nice photos though, rather abstract ones of the riverside and the boat and working the locks, doing those important jobs like filling up with water. It's hard work on the boat.

I have started embroidering a cushion cover of black felt to commemorate our benign autumn holiday. Got quite far actually - did our faces and the boat with Solly on board, but feel I need a little more ... possibly a map like representation of our route. It made me realise I need to get a darning needle - wonder where you buy them these days apart from John Lewis?

When we got back I found out that foxes had been attacking the duck pen. They seemed to have bitten through a bit of the wire for ventilation round the pen. Matt, bless him, he's going to do some reinforcement.

Duck information

Apparently my duck information is wrong, I have posted pictures of the parents! I think I'd better not post anything again until I know what I am talking about. We are hoping to pick the duckies up on Wednesday.

Good spot for the duckhouse?

Thinking of putting it by the grape vine. It's nice and sunny so the ducks will have both shade from the house and sun. It will also make an unusued bit of the garden have a real purpose.