Pink footed goose

The Loch of Strathbeg is currently home to thousands of geese. Visitors to Greenbrae can get up early and witness them leaving to fly to feeding grounds, or be there at dusk to watch them come back. An awe inspiring sight. Or guests can just sit in the warm here at Greenbrae and watch them fly over calling to each other.
On the home front we are almost fire safe. Self closing doors, working fire alarm, more extinguishers on the way.
We shall also be much smarter as a new entrance door and replacing of some failed and draughty windows are on order.
The Three Degrees - our new ducks are giving us concern as we do not think they are eating well. I sometimes wish I did not surround myself with animals and birds as I worry too much!

More feathered friends

When you telephone us here at Greenbrae you will hear strange noises in the background. The two zebra finches live in the office and have managed to get their tweeting on the answer phone message also. They actually belong to one of the four daughters who left them here 'to be collected'. They live in the office as anywhere else would be just too much temptation for the cats.
Last night we had two officers from the Scottish Government staying with us.
Tonight we have a couple in who have visited before.
So its on with the ironing.

Greenbrae Bed and Breakfast

Yesterday we had our Fire Inspection under the new regulations which now include everyone who has the general public entering their premises.

Bed and Breakfasts are usually some-ones home that they decide to share with others.
It does not sit easy to contemplate replacing all our beautiful old doors with institutional like fire doors. We have a long list of things to address once we receive the recommendations of the Fire department in writing.
Till then I will try and think of other things.

More ducks

Last night we got the three new ducks in to the hut. Our original pair have refused to be put to bed for some months now. Charging round in the dark one night attempting to get them IN I fell in the duck pond... it had to be the day I had been out and was in best gear.
Some time after the new three were safely tucked up I noticed the two renegades were bashing beaks on the hut door, trying to get in! So - we let them in. Bit of a squash but this morning all is forgiven and I have two duck eggs for my lunch.
Already the new ones are much cleaner and I can see the flock hoovering up slugs and snails out in the courtyard.

New Arrivals

Our three 'new' ducks. These three were amongst a few hundred that were heading for the pet food factory. At the end of their economical egg laying life (two years) they will continue to lay eggs, (possibly not every day) and live up to 15 years. Every day, they will however, clear up slugs and snails and give us endless enjoyment. As you can see they are very dirty. They have had drinking water, but not sufficient for them to put their heads in which ducks need to be able to preen. We were a bit worried that when they went into the pond they would sink as their feathers, without the oils they preen into their feathers, would not be waterproof. But there have been no drownings! One of our original ducks, shows how clean you can be!

Doo cotes

Dove Cotes - these are at Inverquhomery Farm, just up the road from Greenbrae.

The farm is mostly arable. Fields are huge, and have barley, wheat and oil seed rape on a rotation basis. Last year Greenbrae was surrounded by fields of bright yellow oil seed rape. Hiding the view from the bedrooms when it grew tall. This year we have the barley which does not spoil the view, and is beautiful rippling in the breeze.

Along the road from us some of the fields, not in view, will have beef cows and sheep. At the other side of the village the fields will have milk cows.

Yesterday I began our contribution to the local 'agriculture' and planted loads of vegetable seeds, flower seeds and herbs. From now on in I have to tend the greenhouse, keep the seeds watered. Not a particularly hazardous pursuit unless you trip over a seed tray and plough a furrow with your nose. Today I am trying to work out which bit of me is not bruised.

River Ugie

Lots of rain and wind yesterday and today. We have no guests booked in till Wednesday, but that could change.
Once I have sorted out the room our guests had last night I shall be staying in the warm and begin on recovering the old chair.
The river runs through Longside, our village, and after heavy rain will make our golf course even more of a challenge.
Parts of the river can be seen from Greenbrae, fortunately it is lower than we are and in the valley.