Safe Haven

I have long known that my home is my safe haven, and I don't just mean the four walls of my house, my home extends to the bush and pasture, that's home to me. Today I discovered that Lucifer also has a safe haven. I got up nice and early, it was a beautiful day, perfect blue sky.

I took to the horses to the grass verge out the front of the property to their taped area and carted up some water. Then I heard a mischevious 'maaaaaa'  which is Mabel's catchword, emitted in several different tones I can often tell when she's up to no good or in dire straits or just plain contented and today it was a 'maaaa [look where I am!]'.

There they were, not just Mabel but Lucifer too, out in the gorse paddock, close to the goat house- cum-chicken run enjoying the lush grass. So proud was Mabel that she had to come and tell me all about it, Lucifer on the other hand realised that something was up so he dove back under the fence into the enclosure. My heart swelled with love for this little guy, he knew he was safe in there. Of course my heart always swells for Mabel when I see her walking towards me or calling out to me, albeit for food. Perhaps that's the driving force behind my animals' happiness to see me but hey, when there's no food on offer and they still hang around I like to think it is for the company!

So I picked up little Miss Mabel with a huge bloated tummy and reunited her with Lucifer. His eye is back to normal again thank goodness, it is horrible seeing your favourite companions with health problems. They spent the rest of the day laying on the safe side of the fence chewing their cud and generally enjoying life.

Sheamus came out for a wander, we went for a wander around the perimeter of the paddock which was horse free, no pesky ginger pony to stalk him. When we reached the drain he stopped and made a wallow for himself. The drain collects all the run off water from the paddocks from the neighbours it flows contantly in winter but tends to be boggy in spring and summer. Sheamus was delighted to find this natural treasure, his powerful snout turned over the weeds and grass and dug around in the mud, then he flopped himself down and made noises of utter bliss.  I left him basking the the sun and walked to the top of the gorse paddock. Yikes, the gorse has really gone crazy this year, I'm going to dedicate a bit of time to cutting it down. It would only take a full weekend with loppers and a chainsaw.