Dry.

A mix of cloud and sun today. The clouds had parted just as I went to sit outside with my tea leaving me with a lovely warm sunny spell.

I decided to ignore the 40% possibility of a shower and not only hung my washing out on the line but cycled down to the zoo as well. Luck was on my side and so far we haven't had any rain at all.

At the zoo I dug up at least half a bucket of thick bindweed roots before they have a chance to start sprouting through the woodchip covered carpet in the safety zone by the guinea fowl pens. I had planned to brighten up the empty adjacent pens by planting the sweet peas that I've been growing at home. But yesterday I checked to see if they are safe for the zoo animals (in case a visitor decides to feed the animals with something they've picked) and guess what? Sweet peas are toxic to goats, as are the wallflowers which I had also planned to plant at the zoo. So I guess the visitors will have to look at vacant enclosures filled with stinging nettles. I then went on to my usual job of weeding one of the gravel patches. 

There were some new arrivals at the zoo, two young kunekune pigs. Very cute and small at the moment but they can reach 60-200kg when fully grown. However they are know for their friendly nature while the three mangalica (long-haired) pigs were enormous and difficult to handle. Those have now been rehomed. (Not eaten.)

 

I managed to cycle most of the way home but as my back was twinging I pushed the bike up the two steep sections near home. At home I planted the sweet peas in the back garden and gave one pot to my neighbour along with some blue grass that I have grown from seed. In return she gave me an old black umbrella as I've been asking around for one that I can use for the scarecrow competition.

The female blackbird has taken to sitting in her nest though not all the time and so far I haven't seen any eggs.

Now for some sheep photos from Sunday's walk.

Badger-faced sheep, above is the Torddu variety (black bellied) while below is the Torwin (white bellied).

And these polka-dotted lovelies are Kerry sheep. That's Kerry in Wales not Kerry in Ireland. I find all these sheep breeds quite fascinating.

Another adult Kerry sheep.