We’re back on the Homestead now. Every day, Farm Girl gets a little bit better and we no longer need to be five minutes from the hospital. As expected, from the hounds to the cats, to the menagerie and gardens all is well (the Casa Kimberlains know the drill) except…

In all our other Homesteads, a resident hedgehog was a thing to be celebrated; pest control second to none. When you have chickens, though, not so much. It seems, in Sunday’s early hours, a hedgehog went after Chook. Mum and chicks. The chicks are fine, but with her gnawed on legs and battle scars, we weren’t expecting Mum to live. We figured without her feistiness. We’ve moved her into the A Frame, with the door closed overnight to keep her safe as  she’s not up to protecting herself at the moment but. her babies refused to follow her so we were expecting the worst this morning. But, no, all six greeted us this morning, full of vigour and demanding breakfast. Their wariness and sprint speed not only makes them difficult to photograph.

Another happily ever after (the fly struck is lamb is now skipping happily round the paddock, totally indecernible from the rest of the flock)? Time will tell but, in the meantime, don’t believe all those hedgehogs tell you. Like all of us, they have a definite dark side!