BLOG #251

Oh my goodness..........I feel like I've been trying to write this for weeks and I can't think of a witty, pithy or even informative title so hence the number. Sorry. Where is the time going? Since we last 'spoke', OB has had his 11th birthday and his tic suppression exercises from Great Ormond Street have been all consuming. His progression has been amazingly speedy, thanks to that young sponge of a brain no doubt, but it can take up all our spare time. The longer he does it for, the less time there is for anything else and he's been doing some incredible times; some over an hour. Also, I seem to be plagued with things not working which then need sorting out with emails or phone calls. Jack's spray collar malfunctioned after one use and, having had a very snotty email from the company I bought it from which was totally uncalled for; I was extremely polite suggesting that the fact that the box had obviously been previously opened was unacceptable, I then got through to the manufacturers. A lovely woman there told me to whack it on the table and stick a biro in the nozzle. Job done. Let's hope it has an effect now....

I saw the specialist diabetic nurse at the hospital last week, who was absolutely lovely and ordered me some new insulin pens on which I can dial up half units. This will be really helpful as someone who is, as she put it, very insulin sensitive. They also have a digital readout on the end that tells you what you last injected and how long ago it was. This may sound unnecessary but I quite often go into ground hog day mode and can't remember if I've injected or not. So, even if I don't get the pump I want, at least I now have some jaunty red pens. This morning I was able to order the blood glucose monitoring system I've been waiting for since December. Yesterday the company's computer system crashed with the huge volume of us trying to place our orders! Very excited. Will report back as to how it's going. 

Right, some photos. Mrs Woodpecker is much less shy than her male partner and has let me get quite close to the window to photograph her. Isn't she beautiful?

I've had a few encounters with the beautiful dun pony over the last few weeks. She comes straight up to me and definitely wants attention. I'm wondering if she might have been abandoned; there are no other ponies like her and she suddenly appeared with a group I know well. I've never seen a dun coloured pony in this area. There's nothing more engaging that an animal who seeks out your attention and I'd love to pop her in my pocket and take her home. 

A couple of last year's foals checking out the dogs:

Two of the three sisters:

Sheltering from the wind:

When I was talking to our local Peregrine expert after my sighting, I asked if they would take a Golden Plover because I keep finding feathers in the area where I often photograph them. He said they definitely would and that they would leave feathers intact rather than crushing them as a fox might. I often find wing feathers, which are nice, but fairly ordinary. These, however, are the tiny ones that make up the stunning triangle markings on their breasts. I took them home.

Meadow Pipits turning their backs on me:

An unusually lone Starling which was just sitting in the grass:

Wood Pigeon preening:

Jack being Jack:

I love the colours in this one, even if it is just a rock. Kestor is in the distance out of focus:

It's been slightly foggy recently, particularly around the time of the eclipse, and the light has been beautiful through it. 

Last Friday swailing took place just outside our hamlet and up and around Kestor. The next morning the ponies and sheep were on it looking for new shoots. It stank for days.

On Friday we also found out that, despite hours and hours of form filling, Devon County Council have refused our request for a Statutory Assessment for OB. Everyone is pretty disappointed after so much hard work but we have to move forward and hope that his secondary school can provide what he needs within a non-statutory framework. God - I'm starting to sound like them. I have high hopes of the school and we CAN reapply if things don't work out, but it's definitely a set back. We'll keep fighting.....

So, until next time here are the boys, one of whom will be back in training today. Have a lovely week and I'm off to try and catch up with some of your blogs....a rare treat!