STUART & HELEN'S NEW PUPPY

Stuart and Helen's dog had to be put down a month or so ago after a large lump was found which was inoperable.

Helen wanted to get another dog quickly but this time not to choose a pedigree dog so they plumped for this one. Her name's Bella, she's now 10 weeks old and is a bitser dog - bitser collie, labrador and springer spaniel. It's the first time she'd been here and was into everything, especially if it smelt of food! The cat's food had to be lifted out of the way while she trotted all round the room, investigating everything. Trying to take photos wasn't easy - so every picture is of her rear end!

At least she didn't leave a puddle anywhere! Ashley decided to go outside for a while and he wasn't bothered by her scent when he came back in again - later.

Perhaps next time I see her - in warmer weather down at the stables - maybe I'll get a shot showing her face!

At last! A sort of full frontal... Take me home, Mum!

POULTRY AUCTION

I went to a poultry auction this morning with my daughter in law, Helen, and Sue, her friend, who keeps her horse at Helen's stables. They were looking for a couple (or more) ducks to live there along with the resident chickens.

It wasn't a very big auction but enough people had gathered to bid for the birds.These geese (above) certainly made enough noise!

I wonder if these are Aylesbury ducks because they have orange bills?

These chickens were, I think, the only ones that were in cages like this. Most of them were in wooden crates, which were divided into two sections with different breeds of chickens in each, kept in by wire laid across the top, like these below.

Sue had spotted some ducks she fancied - Indian Runners - but other people were also interested and she and Helen decided to stop bidding for them once their top price had been reached, so, despite picking the brains of other prospective buyers there were no ducks bought today by 'us'. Sue is on the left, in grey, and Helen's in navy, with her back to the camera. The man asked why they wanted female ducks - males don't lay eggs.......

On the way back to the car I spotted this wheel cover. I had seen it several weeks ago at Tetsworth when I'd left the camera at home but this time I made sure I photo'd it. It's one of a series of gypsy paintings which you can see on John Twinks web site - not cheap at £115.

If you like piebald horses with plenty of feathers on their feet I think you'd enjoy his paintings.