Newsletter September 2009
Seasons!
Another strange summer - flaming June, followed by a soggy July and an indifferent August. We are promised an Indian Summer, let’s hope the pundits are right. It was a good year for wasps. I have dealt with four huge nests and several smaller ones.
September brings the appearance of daddy long legs, and the blooming of the sweet heather and the Michaelmas Daisies - in Welsh their name is Ffarwal Haf - “Goodbye Summer“. Our last family of swallows fledged on 1 September from their nest in the hay bay. Let’s hope the babies are strong enough to make their epic journey to Africa for the winter.
Autumn is perhaps the best time for walking in this beautiful area, with its sights and sounds and smells. The weather is not too hot at this time of year, and when the mist rises, the visibility is often crystal clear. The horse chestnuts are the first to start to change colour, regrettably fewer conkers this year. Loads of rowan berries this year, which means rowan and redcurrant jelly with the Christmas turkey!
Hatched, Matched and Despatched
Richard’s big bay mare, Nipper, had a lovely little
chestnut foal on 9 June, and returned to the same skewbald stallion soon
afterwards. 
We had been hoping for a coloured foal, but bay is a very strong
colour and the stallion would have to have the homozygous gene, i.e.
guaranteed to throw coloured to any mare, for Nipper to have a coloured
foal. Better luck next time!
Deadly Derek was sold to a nice young lady who lives near Hope under Dinmore, south of Hereford. She wanted a safe hack, and Derek fitted the bill admirably.
Danny, an experienced 14hh pony has been sold to a novice lady nearby to ride out over The Beacon with her friend.
The Old Farts
Bonnie
and Daisy, aged 36 and 37 respectively.
