The Old Spot Observer

We've had a couple of weeks with no children here, really throws your routine, the staff are nowhere near as reliable. We've found it very hard to find a quiet moment to sneak into the office and use the technology - hence the lack of communication. This week it's my turn - Curious George, a fine and handsome Gloucester Old Spot pig. Apparently I was named because I'm the first pig at Wick Court ever who's more interested in what's going on in the world than in eating. It's true, I was brought up to be curious about my surroundings, my neighbours, the environment and what is happening in the wider world, it's easy to become parochial living here. There's nothing I like more than resting my trotters on the wall and just watching the world go by. My brother, George 2nd, who I share a sty with, is the complete opposite, show him a bucket of feed and the world could end, he wouldn't notice.

Next door it's the twins, John and Edward, no-one's really sure which is which, but they answer to both so no problem. You wonder where their names came from? Have you heard them sing?? Apparently they're well on their way to their target weight for Christmas, so I guess that's good news.....only 40 troughing days to go.




On the other side we have Boris' first litter of piglets, seven newly-weaned teenagers, not the quietest of neighbours, but it could be worse.







Round the back we have two sows and their two litters, all fathered by Boris, more spotless wonders. At the moment they're too young to venture far but it won't be long before they're knocking on the doors and running off and other games that they find entertaining.




And the reason the office was locked....? Well apparently the brick sculpture of our great-aunt twice removed, Isabella, was entered in a national competition and one of our admin staff had to go to London and show willing at a gala dinner and awards ceremony. Isabella was entered in the Best Landscape Project category, up against brick buildings from all over the country. Sadly the judges were not swayed by a beautiful Old Spot and chose a very boring, box-like building instead. However judging by the rather tired state of the staff member on her return, I think she and Karen, the sculptor, managed to have a good time losing.


The other hot news, Oakey the lurcher had her puppies, nine, yes nine lurcher puppies. The proud mother is delighted with them, but very happy to disappear off over the fields and have a break from them all. Goodness only knows what it'll be like once they're out and about playing with all those piglets.





And then there's the sheep, the last school rounded them all up and brought them down to the pig yard so we had a chance to catch up. They've been off and away to our next-door neighbours for a couple of weeks and now they're bqck, and I've heard they've brought the rams back with them. So watch out next spring, there should be lambs everywhere if all goes to plan.











And last, but not least, the hottest news on the farmyard, watch this space because......Boris is back!