I’ve subjected you to a few rather longwinded blog posts recently. So here, by way of a palate cleanser, is a pictorial essay I’m calling ‘The Farmlet in Winter’.
![Nell the Kunikuni pig](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Nell-1024x683.jpg)
Nell covered in mud, and hoping earnestly for food. Fig and Nell will sit on command if you have carrots.
It’s a good trick, and one which never fails to impress visitors.
![Giselle the guinea fowl](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Giselle-1024x683.jpg)
Giselle, who has become a bit of a tyrant in the chicken house, shows us her imperious look.
![Pony nose](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Nell1-1024x683.jpg)
Summer’s adorable velvety-soft nose.
Summer also hopes earnestly for carrots, she does not, however, sit on command.
![Pony skid marks](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Skid-marks-Summer-1024x768.jpg)
What she does like to do in winter is to go hooning around the paddock practicing her sliding-stops.
Because *horse*!
![Bonnie the pony in the Seven Acre Wood](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bonnie-1024x768.jpg)
Bonnie takes every possible opportunity to eat, insisting she is at imminent risk of starvation <rotfl>.
Here she is grabbing a few bites of greenery during a winter walk in Seven Acre Wood.
![Rhubarb plant](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Rhubarb-1024x683.jpg)
In the vegetable garden there’s a forest of rhubarb starting up.
I planted a few extras last year because I’ve taken a liking to stewed rhubarb with my AntiGene granola.
![Munstead Wood rose](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Nell2-1024x683.jpg)
Meanwhile the Munstead Wood rose popped out a surprise midwinter bloom in the English Garden.
![Tete a tete Daffodils](http://www.charmedlife.co.nz/cowboybootsandbrokenfingers/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tete-a-tete-Daffodils-1024x688.jpg)
And here are the miniature Tête-à-tête daffodils just in time for the change of season.
Why is it that I find tiny things so cute?
Well that was winter. I have a couple more muddy tales to tell you, and then we’ll be romping into spring! I’m more than ready to leap into a season of baby lambs (due any day now), short but ‘refreshing’ swims, and sowing seeds for summer vegetables. Perhaps Deborah and I might even making a start on rehabilitating that ramshackle old greenhouse.
What do you most look forward to doing this spring?
coming to see you of course! xx
(Love the pix)
YESSS!!
[SMALL ‘SO CUUUUTE!’ NOISE]
You mean a man squeal?
Thank you for our lovely visit this weekend. It was so relaxing I slept … a lot. I did manage to greet Fig and Nell though but they were disinterested in my carrotless self. 🥕🤨
You are most welcome. It was very good to see you and The Man of Many Board Games. I’m glad it was restful.
Addendum from pigs and ponies: Carrot-less-ness is not tolerated around here. Please try to do better next time.