As I was saying yesterday, Fortnum and Mason didn’t exactly bound up the drive with enthusiasm to help with the Thistle Harvest. They were stitting rather comfortably in the sun on the veranda but eventually curiosity got the better of them and they did make it... This coming week the grounds work people are returning to finish the drive and spread the mountain of topsoil along the drive and in the top paddock. I figured it was time we harvested the thistles that have been growing beautifully all summer on our soil... Our hill billy chickens are settling in well. It’s only been a few days but each day they seem to get braver and make themselves more at home.Yesterday I caught them preening themselves in the corner making a nice hollow in which to wallow. George our rooster... Although Fortnum and Mason are best of friends when it comes to toys and cuddles there is always a contest or maybe a fight.On our basset walk this week there was no exception as Mason picked up a nice bit of bark to chew and carry as he wandered along the Rimutaka... At last the freezing temperatures have gone away. For how long I don’t know but it’s an all round relief in Domestic Executive HQ.There is nothing our basset hounds like more is to sniff the morning dew. It was frozen for them yesterday but this morning we... 