How about today you wander around with me as I do the morning chores? There’s plenty to smile about today on The Homestead.

Like Colin’s failure to meet my eye because he’s scoffed the cat food again, and Xanthe Cat’s look of he’s done it again that alerted me to the fact. Babette, who was faster off the mark and thus has a full belly, just wants me to get my boots on and get the party started.

But before we head off, allow me a couple of small celebration grins; my Marmande tomato seeds have sprouted overnight and words can’t express how happy I am the jasmine has decided this is the year to crawl along the chain we suspended from the porch. Yep, the winds remain unpredictable so the table is still upsidedown and my kitchen window seriously needs cleaning but Spring is definitely springing.

Out in the paddocks, everyone is staaaaarrrrving and they’re not quiet about letting me know. Marilyn, the goat boss, is particularly unimpressed while Buttercup, who is still in with the boys, is a little more forgiving. She’s seen the bucket in my hand. Every day I’m thankful that I gave Zia another chance despite her being responsible for the whole knee injury palavar; I mean, look at those babies!

Paddock by paddock, enclosure by enclosure, all falls quiet. It always make me think of Dylan Thomas Under Milk Wood – all that “hush, hush” stuff. If only I’d been a little more attentive in Mr Kim’s class I could have quoted a line or two. I heard Chip-chip the duck being decidedly unhush, hush in the early hours which would account for her being the only disinterested menagerie member. Don’t you love the way ducks wrap themselves up to sleep?

Animals fed, it’s time to check out the gardens. The Princess, who is doing the same on her side of the fence, and I have a country-decibel conversation about nothing in particular and everything in general. In the herb garden my favourite, oregano, has taken off and the self seeded broccoli and calendula in the vegetable garden make me very happy.

As does the cool goat decoration The Queen of Melton (West) slipped under the tree for us last Christmas, the fact I managed to fix the sheep’s water trough with no outside help, and my funky chicken feeder, fashioned from a peanut butter jar, has worked a treat. That Yoko the chicken became unbroody the moment she was relocated to the A Frame, thus negating the immediate need for it, does little to diminish my pleasure.

Yep, there’s plenty to smile about here right now.

But my heart is a little sore as I smile. The space that Froda the sheep occupied is now empty.

RIP Frodes.