THE CHRONICLES OF HOLLYHOCK HILL: 2014

JOY IN CHICKIE VILLAGE

HERE IS A TALE OF HOPE PERSEVERANCE AND DETERMINATION

One of my darling chickens, Miss Daisy, has gone very broody every spring for the last three years now, sitting on her eggs the other girl's eggs even no eggs. Yes, she has been sitting on an empty nest determined that little chickie babies will magically appear. I have on many occasions over the years taken her aside and had girl to girl, heart to heart discussions with her regarding the birds and the bees, the practicalities of reproduction. She would sit quietly listening to me, humoring me, and after I had gone with a quick look around to make sure I was not in the vicinity she would dash back upstairs and onto the nest and sit. One year she became very ill and on death's door, I rushed her to the nearest Avian Hospital who diagnosed her as being jaundiced, Four days in hospital at $170 brought her back into the land of the living. Home for a weeks R&R in my bath tub with morning walks in the front garden nibbling on fresh grass saw her become herself again. She didn't even mind the string I tied around one leg in case she got it into her head to fly over the fence. In fact it was a time of bonding for the two of us. I am sure I heard her think how crazy these humans are, they take off their clothes, get all wet, dry off and then put clothes on again when for her a jolly good dust bath does the trick. My heart went out to her but I was reluctant to purchase fertilized eggs for her as I envisioned a nest full of roosters. Not that I don't like roosters, in fact I do like roosters very much. They are an asset in Chicken Society, they look after the girls and of course fertilize their eggs making sure of the continuance of the species and guard against predators not to mention looking extremely handsome strutting around doing their stuff. But they do like to wake up their household at the crack of dawn as I am sure they feel that is the best time to go out and scratch for worms and of course there is nothing quite like a relaxing dust bath in the glorious early morning sunshine .

One of my dear friends, Jeanette, has a cousin who runs a free range chicken farm with lots of roosters and fertile eggs aplenty offered to gift Miss Daisy fertile eggs with the promise that if any rooster hatched her cousin would be quite happy to let them live out their lives back on the farm. I wish I had taken a photo of the look on Miss Daisy's face when I placed five rounded eggs underneath her on her carefully prepared nest. Another dear friend Alice had advised that rounded eggs were girls and pointy eggs were boys so we took her advice, It has been my experience that a lot of folk law should not be so readily dismissed.The look of pleasure and expectation on Miss Daisy's face was beautiful. She faithfully took great care of her eggs turning them and making sure they were all covered only popping out briefly for breakfast of bread soaked in warm water sprinkled with raisins chopped tomato and salad mix, a quick dust bath and drink and back upstairs she went content to sit and wait. Now there was a bit of a dilemma, Bossy Betty, the white chicken in the first photo is just that, the boss of Chickie Village and I could not bear the thought of her pecking the little ones. What to do?, We decided to purchase a prefabricated small pet house to use as a nursery. Hubby and I dug out 30 centimeters of soil and lined it with a double layer of chicken wire and then refilled it with the soil so the little ones could learn to scratch in safety. We then wired it up around the bottom of the enclosure to ensure no predators would gain entrance. 20 days later at morning breakfast call I found a little yellow head with big eyes popping out from under her feathers viewing me , next popped out another yellow head and a then a black one. Miss Daisy sat there looking at me with the smuggest look on her face which said I told you so. Two of the eggs as yet have failed to hatch, we will wait another few days and if they don't hatch never mind , Miss Daisy has fulfilled her dream and is now a very happy chicken mother . I have included a short video at the bottom of the page. Turn the volume up click on full screen and enjoy Miss Daisy's happiness.

Video "Joy at Chicken Village"

posted under | 0 Comments

Exotic Garden...The Beginning...

Vintage plant stand adds a bit of character to this spot at the entrance of the exotic garden. This garden is a work in progress and this is just the beginning, There is a saying,":A garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever". And it is so true. Since taking these photos I

have pulled out Cosmos and

Hollyhocks as their season is over to make room for Foxgloves, Larkspur and Delphiniums and hopefully some Campanula. These are generally viewed as cottage plants but they do add a soft romance to the tropical garden. I have also
planted more Ginger, Pineapple
Lily and Dahlias. Spring Bulbs have also found a spot in a section of the garden that does manage to enjoy full sun during most of the day. Japanese Anemones or wind Flower are still reaching for the sky

here. I am looking forward to enjoying Daffodils, Alium drumstick, Muscari, Pickwick Crocus and Fritillaria Meleagris. I have not been able to grow Fritillarias in the past, I always seem to lose them but I love them so much I am going to try again. There are many more delightful bulbs available as you the reader and garden enthusiast are well aware, it would be too long for this post to list them all.

The fluffy four legged creature prancing about is my beloved poodle, Dusty. He is also a keen lover of the garden and our chief security guard. He scans the property searching for unwanted intruders such as rats and mice. I have lost count of the number he has successfully apprehended and banished from the property. He takes his job very seriously and guards over Chickie Village diligently to make sure the ladies are safe and sound, not even the gentle Turtle Doves are permitted to enter. The plastic parrots you will notice, while adding a certain charm, are placed on the edge of the garden beds to deter those cheeky blackbirds from digging for worms and making a mess all over the paths and it is working very well. It was very annoying as I would have to sweep the paths numerous times per day.

I have had the misfortune of breaking two lovely pots as you will notice scrolling through the images, but I decided to put my creative hat on and turned them into miniature broken pot gardens. The large one has a broken jug in it. This beautiful jug broke en route to Australia

from Germany and belonged to my mother in law so it was a sentimental piece which I could not just throw in the rubbish bin. Now it has a new life. the smaller green one is not finished, I am looking for a miniature cottage to place on the top and

some more tiny plants, like I have said the garden is a never ending job even so a most enjoyable one, an adventure even. I hope you enjoy strolling through my garden. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

posted under | 3 Comments

About us

WELCOME TO THE SILLINESS AT HOLLYHOCK HILL

The stories on this blog are based on real events, and on real people and animals. Miss Ashanthi lives in my backyard and is beautiful indeed. Her previous carers are from Sri Lanka but due to illness could no longer look after her. She still roosts in the treetops and I have to get up on a ladder and get her down to put her to bed in the safety of the henhouse every night. My other chickens were sadly killed by Mr Fox and we did have a possum in the hen house.

Mumma Bunny is my best friend and has indeed four beautiful daughters. Mrs Hessie Mouse is another dear friend and has two cats called Miss Molly and Miss Millie. Miss Issa is our granddaughter and does make lovely cupcakes. Madame Cheree is another special friend and has two young children. Mr Dusty is my sweet fluffy friend and Mr Jovie belongs to Mumma Bunny.

I decided to tell the stories in a whimsical way for a bit of fun. The world has become far too dark and a bit of light hearted fun is good for the soul. I am Annie with Spade and my dear husband is Peter with Toolbox.

We hope the tales we tell do at least make someone smile. Have a lovely day.