PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Friday 3 February 2012

The Sheepish Five and One Old Horse

Arnold was waiting for us.
His five new chums came running over when they saw that we had an apple for Arnold.
What do sheep eat for a treat?
They have really helped to improve his life,
their companionship has made such a difference to him.

I love this photograph.

Arnold is an old sweetie and thoroughly deserves all the attention we give him.
Just to be with Arnold, even for a short visit, is to be happy.
He gives us as much love as we give him.


These old buildings are in the grounds of where Arnold lives.  In days gone by they were the village butcher's shop and slaughter house.  Lovely looking, probably soon to crumble and collapse.  I try not to think too much about what went on here.  However, I do think they are very attractive, despite their history.


After our visit to Arnold we headed off on a long walk, the sun was shining and we were free for the afternoon!
Francesca's other grandma and an aunt had called to visit for the afternoon.  It seemed only right to let them have some fun, so we got out of their way.


Time permitting I hope to show you some photographs of a couple of Tudor buildings, and share a little of their history, later in the week.

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful horse.

    I used to buy a loaf of bread for the sheep over from me that had hard winters. Not sure how good for them it was, but boy, did they love it.

    Those buildings look like they are ready for a brand new like - as my workshop!

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    1. Chris, Thanks for that suggestion - sounds a good idea. You would need to do quite a lot of remedial work on the buildings - there are several others in dire need too - you'd love the setting.

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  2. Love your pictures, Elaine. My daughter has a horse called Fern who could almost be a sister to Arnold. they look so alike.

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    1. Hi Molly, Welcome! Arnold is a treasure, we live next-door-but-one to him so we nip in and see him every chance we get. He lives with John who is 94/96 years old (depends who you talk to) and who still lives independently and gets out and about. An amazing pair, we are just a tad fond of both of them.

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  3. There is something especially lovable about older animals. They take on a greater gentleness and sweetness. I'm glad you are so kind to Arnold!

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    1. Ms Sparrow, Arnold is kind to us, he indulges our need for a little horse sense! I think you are right about older animals.

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  4. After he bought a tractor after the war, my uncle Ray retired his two draft horses to the pasture. They greeted us over the fence for many years. He didn't work them on Sunday's either. He had such respect for them.

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    1. Joanne, Your Uncle Ray with his horses should make it onto your blog! He sounds a really good man. Do you have any photos of the horses?

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  5. When we had sheep staying with us we gave them apples and they loved them.

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    1. LBM, That's a good idea. These sheep are doing such a good job of keeping Arnold company, they come running over when he comes to the fence - five expectant little sheep faces - I'd really like to reward them!

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  6. Hi Elaine....sorry I'm so late in reading your post for today. The outside projects for today almost did me in. It's almost 7 pm and I still have not had dinner. I opened the photo of the old buildings in a larger format. I couldn't take my eyes off of the photo. You are right, one could stare long enough and write a novel about life inside and outside these walls. Oh how I would love to prowl around these buildings and photograph them. Just like us, they will one day soon be gone. I, too, love the photo of your husband and Arnold.
    Loved the post today!

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    1. Meggie, You do lead a wonderfully busy life, but I hope you found some time to relax. Arnold is so much happier now that he has his gentle field companions, but he still appreciates our company. Those buildings really are wonderful - but over the years we have been here the cracks have widened, the walls and roof tiles crumble and I am always just a little surprised when I see they are still standing!

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  7. Is that a little house in the fork of the tree (first picture)? Birdhouse? Fairy house?

    Love the photo of Arnold and your husband. Reminds me of the saying often attributed to Ronald Reagan, but was said by Winston Churchill, "There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse."

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    1. Janet, I had always assumed it was a rather smart birdhouse - but from here on in I shall think of it as a fairy house. So much more fun!

      Wise words indeed - our visits to Arnold do us a power of good. George pretends that our visits are for Arnold, and for me. I think we can see from that photograph that he loves Arnold too!

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  8. Arnold and his sheep look like their best buddies now. He's probably been saying to them, "Come and meet my people friends, they're great. Make sad eyes at them and they will give you lots and lots of special treats."

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    1. Jenny, It is a pleasure to see how well the sheep and Arnold get along now. They are definitely in line for a treat tomorrow.

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  9. I love Arnold and his sheepie friends!

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    1. Natalie, If Arnold lived near you he'd probably be in as a house-horse by now. He is that sweet. The sheep love him!

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  10. What beautiful photos and what a beautiful way of life. So glad to see Arnold getting so much love.

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    1. Mitch, I hope this means that you are feeling much better now. Arnold is terrific; he's very gentlemanly and polite when young Harry offers him his apple - he takes great care not to nip his fingers.

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  11. Hi Elaine-thank you again for dropping by my blog and it is great to see your blog too.

    Your area looks a lovely part of the world. I am hoping to visit relatively nearby later on this year when I attend a cookery course at The Artisan Cookery School on the Welbeck Estate (near Retford I believe).

    Hope you enjoyed your bread and soup!

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    1. Hello Green Dragonette, We have just demolished the bread and soup - perfect for a night like tonight. I've just had a peep at The Artisan Cookery School website - it looks really interesting, something to suit everyone. Which course are you taking?

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    2. Hi Elaine. I’m going to be doing the ‘Summer Preserves’ in July as I want to extend my repertoire and hopefully learn some new tips! They came to the Abergavenny Food Festival last September and I was very impressed with their ethos and I had some of their lovely Stichelton cheese in a Cheese and Bread Tasting Session run by Tom Herbert (of the Fabulous Baker Brothers fame) so plan to stock up when I visit!

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