How Big was the Door?

One of the things I love about this place we call home

is that I frequently find

 'buried treasure' in the gardens.

Like this old, broken, key.

It is huge,

very heavy,

and weighs almost a pound.

It was buried deep in the soil.

In another part of the garden

I found this...

...a huge metal door handle.

It is approx 9 x 6 inches

and weighs about two pounds.

They must have been used
for some quite impressive doors.

My very first metal find

was the cog wheel at the

back of this photograph.

It is still my favourite piece.

I haven't a clue what it weighs,

but it is heavy!

These wonderful pieces of more modern metalwork

were also found in the garden.

They are massive and currently live in

the small rockery area.

I am always up for a digging project -

because there is, potentially, 

the chance

of 

finding more buried treasure.

Harry has told me he would like my collection
of scrap metal when I die.
x

Toby Too's Progress

Toby Too is very happy with his new life in the country.    

He is loving and eager to please.
I love him, too.

The cats still prefer to live in the polytunnel, the log store and the gardens.
As long as they get fed and can assist us with the vegetable gardening
without 'that dog' being around,
they are content,
for the moment.

I am trying to broker peace between them
because
I like all my furry animals under the one roof at night.

The hens occasionally get a little more exercise than normal.
Sometimes Toby just can't resist giving chase.
I'm working on that.

Toby has taken an inexplicable dislike to my brother (Owl Wood).
Toby is not drawn to him, which is very unusual -
I assume he reminds him of someone in his past.
He growls, he barks.
So does Toby.
I'm working on that relationship too.

It is a long list!

A few days ago we began some 'serious' training.     

I say we, because I have as much to learn as Toby Too.    

We are using reward based 'clicker' training.    

He is responding very well and enjoys his training sessions, 

so do I.

 I know that the time and effort invested now will pay dividends for the rest of his life. 

A friend in the village has agreed to train us.       

She has over 20 years of experience in dog training and it shows 

in the ease with which she 'shapes' the behaviour she wants from him.

Watching her instruct Toby is like watching a ballet, or reading poetry.

He recognises her authority and responds.

Our instructor has twice been asked to represent 'the South' with her agility dogs, at Crufts!
with a lot of success and placements.  

She knows her  stuff.

Toby and I are putting in lots of homework.    

We don't want to let her down.
    

The dog shows great promise, shame about his mama!

Wherever I go, Toby follows.
I enjoy gardening, so he enjoys gardening.   

I love poppies - he says he does too.

Bennie, however,  finds all this gardening exhausting.

Spinach and chard are growing well, beans and peas have begun to climb higher.

The gardener in chief is working dawn to dusk.

Problems with my laptop computer have meant that I am way behind on
reading your posts, commenting, etc.
Apologies!
I hope the problem has now been resolved, but if I go quiet....

"Time out, Gran"

These building blocks are about 25 years old.   

They have been in storage since my children grew up.

Davina, Tim and Jonny got so much enjoyment from them that we decided to hang on to them, 

for any grandchildren who may come along, 

like Harry and Francesca.

Now that Harry is five, and has nimble fingers, we have brought them out for him to enjoy.

He has similar bricks at home, but they are all geared towards building spaceships.

He is enchanted by the little horses, the soldiers, pirates and sharks.

Each evening, as we meet him from the school bus, his first question is always whether he can play with the castles and horses until mummy and daddy come home.

George usually plays with him, but yesterday he was busy.

So Harry had to settle for Gran instead.

I thought I was doing really well, pouring boiling oil on people, firing arrows and defending my castle...

but suddenly I heard the words

"Time out, Gran."

Apparently only Harry is allowed to win.

I have never been in time out before - but it is strangely appealing.

One minute for every year of age 

Yippee!  

That means I have a whole hour to myself!

Bliss.