Pork Scratching.

Bright and sunny today but once again with a chilly wind.

I cycled down to the zoo and spent three hours weeding the gravel by the wolf-dogs. Something I have left growing are the many lemon balm seedlings that have appeared by one of the planters that has an established lemon balm plant growing in it. I do have a plan simmering to put the plants I've been propagating at home in that bare expanse of gravel but I'll wait until more of them are ready before talking to the owners about my idea. Whilst weeding I had a visit from Merlin the zoo's cat. He came over for a stroke and then found a shady spot on the path from where he could supervise my work.

As for the pork scratching, I'm not referring to the tasty but very unhealthy fried snack but to the two new Kunekune pigs. Having completed my weeding I was doing my usual walk around the zoo to see what needs doing next week when one of the staff suggested I go in with the pigs to give them belly scratches. So I did and they were ultra cute. At the moment they are about 2ft long and minute compared to the Mangalica pigs we used to have. As I went into their field they came trotting over to me and as soon as I began to scratch their backs they flopped down on their sides, one on either side of me to enjoy a good old belly scratch. They stretched out their legs and closed their eyes in utter bliss. When eventually I stopped and moved away they got up and followed me so of course I gave in and we had a little longer session. As I left their field they both stood at the fence squeaking at me. Guess where I'll be each week? Because I had cycled down I didn't have my camera with me but I'll take some photos next time. Incidentally they do not smell at all and neither did my hands afterwards. 

 

Having cycled home and managed to get right round the corner of our road before having to get off and then done my second set of squats I then needed a good rest sitting outside in the sun. My day is not yet done as I'll be heading off to Pilates in a while. It's the first Tuesday of the month so it's kettlebells tonight. Not my favourite but I'm sure it's good for me.

Sunset last night, I was hoping for a green flash but I was out of luck.