A productive evening.

This was due to be the recycle project of the year. With bricks, sand, cement and cement mixer all left behind by the previous owners, we were actually going to do a project without a trip to the hardware store.

But it wasn't to be.

Unfortunately the cement had gone off, so the hardware store couldn't be avoided but never mind, there's a nice new plant in the garden.☺

The main project was cistern repair part 3 - to lay some bricks to build the structure of the filter. Apparently it will also act as a self filling pustie waterer. So I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

And of course, mix up cement and there's always a bit left over, so a start was made fixing the top of the wall by the house.

Tiggy and I love this wall. It's a great way to get to and from the front door without touching the ground. But it had a very damaged top. It was left in a broken up mess by the previews owners. And then the phone guys came along and dug a channel though it for the fibre optic cable, so it really needed sorting out. The ultimate aim is to build it up and flatten it off. There wasn't enought mix to do that but a start was made and it already looks tidyier. And I signed it.

Messy broken topped wall

Looking better but still not flat.

Did you spot the two dogs? I don't know how, but they always manage to get in my photos somehow.

Productive afternoon part 2

Start of cistern repair work part 2 was delayed by the necessity of a rescue mission. Someone small and furry had been nosey overnight and found themselves down a very big hole, trapped on the rim of a rusting metal bucket surrounded in black gloop. 

They were persuaded to accept a ride in a pink bucket and promptly lept into the bushes as soon as they were above ground.

Rescue mission accomplished, we moved onto Step 1 - descend into cistern with essential equipment:

 Step 2, create the biggest cow pat the world has ever seen:

It advanced down the bank, gradually engulfing everything in its path...... 

Step 3, Fill the cracks, layer by layer:

Nearly there:

Steps 4, to fit a filter to the inlet (rain water from two barn roofs) and step 5, a system to drain the water to below ground level during winter, to prevent both problems from reoccurring, were saved for another day. 

Productive afternoon

When we moved in this capelica was buried in weeds. All you could see was the top half of the front. We have some photos somewhere. I'll try to find them, if you would like.

The mission over winter was to clear enough of the weeds that we could get to the capelica. This turned out to be a bigger task than anticipated due to piles of builders earth, rubble and wood lurking under the weeds. But humans need to be kept warm in the winter and so hard work is good for them.

The mission was achieved and the purchase of a strimmer in the spring has meant the weeds have been kept in check. (Don't be fooled, the green isn't grass, it's weeds, but at least it looks good from a distance ☺). Good things were found under the heap, besides builders rubbish. Daffodils, a grape vine and irises either side of the door. 

But the big bush threatening to engulf the capelica from behind was left for another day.

I'm glad it was, because it flowered and became a mass of white blossom. I'm guessing 'mock orange' but please let me know if you know better.

A thunderstorm this afternoon knocked the last of the blooms off, so it was time to bring it a bit down to size. It wasn't attacked too hard because there's birds nesting inside (the picture at the top is actually post chop. Imagine what it looked like pre chop☺) but enough was removed to find a rose bush inside.

Meanwhile,

across the yard,

Tiggy was keeping a close eye on the work to fix the rainwater cistern leak.

Yep, that's Princess Tiggy standing on three legs because she couldnt possibly get her feet wet.

And of course, when there's a job to do, that working dog is never far away.

The plan for tomorrow is to clean the inside surface and apply the sealant.

I'll try to get you some photos, but the grass is getting long again and those small creatures that go "ping" from under my feet are just soooo distracting........

Positive discipline

I found this great page which is all about dealing with kids when they are doing something you don't like.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/positive_discipline_tips.html

I think it's so great because it doesn't just apply to children. Because its based on evidence based techniques rather than opinion, myths, and old wives tales, it has ideas that will be useful to anyone in any walk of life. The tips make sense just as well for an employee who doesn't behave the way you'd like them to or for a pet who you really wish would stop doing the really annoying thing. Just replace the word child with trainee, employee,  dog, horse, cat etc Maybe even husband/wife? 😊

To demonstrate, I've messed with it below. Appologies to the author and the people quoted for changing their words but this is a case where the truth shines through regardless of the words.
Here are 7 tips for correcting a misbehaving dog effectively:

It's the ultimate do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do dog training  moment: your dog is barking again and in an effort to control her noise, you counter with your own: "Stop yelling now!"

You have just entered into a disciplinary arms race in which there are no winners—only hurt feelings, sore throats and soaring blood pressure. But dog training doesn't have to be a battle. Proponents of positive discipline teach that dogs can—and will—behave without threats, bribes, yelling and physicality. Here are seven tips that will set you on the path to better behavior—and a stronger, more peaceful connection with your dog.

1. Understand the meaning behind the behavior. Dogs want to behave well; if they seem to miss the mark, it's not without a valid reason. "The most important [thing] is to realize that whatever a dog does, we may label as bad, [but really] the dog is doing the best he can. It's our job as owners to find out why [he is] doing it,". "Once we know the valid root of the behavior, we can easily remove the cause or heal the emotions, and the dog won't be driven to behave in that way anymore."
   
   So ask yourself: is your dog chewing the sofa in a desperate bid for your attention? Maybe you stayed on the phone too long or ignored her as you rushed to get dinner on the table. If so, what correction can you make to your own behavior that will satisfy your dog's need? "A lot of what we expect of dogs is unreasonable,".
2. Focus on controlling yourself—not your dog. It's hard to keep cool in the heat of the moment, but owners need to model the types of behavior they want their dog to emulate. Remember, yelling begets yelling, aggression  begets aggression. " We should not do anything in front of [our dogs] that we don't want them to do," she advises. In the case of an extreme behavioral flare-up, this may mean counting to 10, taking a deep breath or simply walking away until you've had time to collect yourself.
   
   Jim Fay, the founder of the organization Love and Logic, agrees. "Anger and frustration feed misbehavior," he says. Fay offers an unusual tactic for keeping your voice in check: instead of yelling that your dog is doing something wrong, try singing it. Fay teaches parents what he calls the "Uh Oh" song. If your dig has a problem of running off on walks, getting angry at him will only ruin your recall so, you might sing, "Uh Oh, that's sad you chased rabbits again. I think it's time you went on the lead."
3. Be consistent with your expectations. Owners often overlook a certain behavior in the hope that it will pass. But guess what? It doesn't pass. If your dog gets too rough playing with another dog, for instance, then it is time to remove her from the situation and seek help before it becomes aggression.
4. Give attention to the behavior you like—not the behavior you don't. Dogs often act up because they want your attention, so sometimes it pays to ignore those actions you don't want to see more of. Kersey calls this the "Rain on the grass, not on the weeds" principle. Mouthing or whining? Play deaf or walk away, and your dog will quickly learn that there's a better way to communicate.
5. Redirect, redirect, redirect. Dogs who hear "No" or "Don't" all the time tend to tune those directives out. So instead of telling your dog what not to do, Kersey recommends instead offering a positive behavior to replace the misbehavior. For instance, a dog that keeps jumping up at people, could be taught how to weave through people's legs, or a dog that runs off with the laundry could be taught to hand you the pegs.
6. Exploit the "energy drain." This is the only one that won't work for an animal.
7. Don't bribe. It may be tempting to offer your dog a cookie for behaving well or doing something you want, but Fay warns against it. Offering a dog a reward sends the wrong message.
   
   Instead, Fay says, "the best reward for a dog is time with the owners." Kersey agrees that quality time is key to a happy, well-behaved dog. She recommends that each owner spend at least 15 minutes one-on-one connecting with a dog every day. "Do something your dog wants to do [during that time]," says Kersey. "Whisper in their ear how wonderful they are, how much you love them. … It's the best investment you can make in your dog.

What do you think? Does it work for you?

Tiggy takes a ride and gets an unpleasant surprise

Tiggy was really enjoying the free transport service laid on at the farm when.......

Introductions 3

Allie

Allie is Slovenian. She has only been with us a couple of months. We found her at a local rescue centre. We dont know much about her. Everyone with four legs was most unimpressed when she arrived. Pissie Knickers Pippa sulked and "we are not amused" was the general feeling among the cats. There were a few hard moments for Allie while she learnt that the "cats are not for chasing" rule was non negotiable. But things are much improved, particularly in the house where everyone can pass each other without incident. Allie is now really enthusiastic about her four legged friends. Really enthusiastic about everyone becoming her playmate. But she's going to have to be very patient if she wants anyone to feel the same way about her.

What is she? The best guess is Dumbo crossed with Bambi. She was the butt of many jokes - the possibility of receiving BBC1 on that pair of mobile satellite dishes, was a particular favorite.

Like everyone else here, she already has several names, including:

Allie(n)

And Grembelina

She has some cat heat seaking missile tendancies -
When it's 30 degrees and you are sunbathing why not do the job thoroughly and roast yourself on hot black plastic at the same time?

She's even taught Pippa the trick

Allie has started agility school. Maybe I'll tell you something about the weird games they play on the lawn sometime. I believe its practise but it seems very odd to me.

Blueberries, bilberries or borovnica. More yum!

It seems the blueberries have done much better than the strawberries this year.

What amazing things to be found in the forest.

Locally, the accepted destination for borovnica is a bottle of some kind of spirit, which they proceed to turn a lovely shade of blue and make it somewhat better tasting. Not being a fan of alcohol, I think I found a better use for them.

Appologies to everyone who is too far away to try one but I can assure you that they taste as good as they look.

A rare sighting

There is a rare species of deer that is only found locally. So rare, only one has ever been seen. We were very lucky to spot it watching us one in evening in the long grass on the edge of the forest.

The moment Princess discovered a pea in her bed

The shocking living conditions Tiggy has to put up with.