Pony Club

Jess and Naomi had a great time at pony club. Jill and Bill visited us for the day.

Naomi on her way to pony club

Pony Clubs newest member!

Constance "rides a little pony"


The Smale's start young! Constance rides too!

One great leap for Jesskind!

Jill & Naomi watch as Kitty and Jess leap the cross fence

Naomi rides through the river on Kitty

15 CHICKS A'HATCHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all! Just 2 weeks ago 15 young chicks (pictured above) were hatched at Smale & Minett hatcherys! 4 silkie bantams (eggs aquired from Germany), and 11 of Kev's eggs (mixture of Sussex, Maran, and Black rock). All are well and now stratchin around the garden.

Riding riding and more riding!

We have been out with Kitty nearly every day, taking her for walks along the line.

Kitty has arrived!!!!!!!!!

Kitty has arrived and the girls have welcomed her in style. Up at the crack of dawn to groom and feed, and then back after school for more grooming and fussing. Today was the first ride along the line which Kitty really seemed to enjoy, as did the girls! At some point Mum might get her ride too!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's on her way- Our New Pony

Great news we have finally done it and got our own pony- Kitty arrives on Saturday- but in the meantime here ares some pics!

A New Arrival!

Whilst on our ski hols news arrived of a new and wonderful addition to the Smale Clan! Freddie was born on 4 March and Liz and Will are now MUMMY AND DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belle Plagne Holiday 2007!

Another great ski week at Belle Plagne was enjoyed by everyone. This year we were joined by our neighbour Steve (or should we call him SKI-ve), having only previously had a weeks skiing whilst at school he turned out to be quite a wizz around the mountain, out skiing most of us! Jess and Naomi continued with their snow boarding on their new snowboarding gear. Naomi became the chusser of the holiday taking any bumps and dips in her stride, and mastered a red run. Jess boarded in the morning and then skied the mountain with Auntie Fe and Cousin Iona in the afternoon. Rowan made great progress at ski school, and on the third day begun the proper business of skiing on the mountain. As usual we enjoyed good company and good food but we did miss Alistair and Dee this year. Instead of Grandma Bell to look after her, Constance enjoyed sledging to nursery and is now conversant in French babble!

We've Reached the Starting Line

At last our on the allotment are beginning to pay off and whilst we haven't produced any veg yet we have at least cleared some beds ready to plant. we've planted a few shallots and garlic and should receive our seeds in the post this week. its so exciting and feels great that at last anybody walking by our plot will know someone's working on it. And the buzz of labouring is so much more enjoyable than a workout at the gym!

A Quail is Born- Well several to be precise

The eggs were due to hatch on Monday evening, however, come bedtime only 2 eggs were pipping. We all went to bed hoping for perhaps 2 or 3 chicks come Tuesday morning.

But much to Ed's supprise, at 5.30am there were 11 chicks hatched.

Then by 9.30pm the following night we had 18 little lovelies! Quail hens begin to lay eggs as early as 6 weeks, so if anybody wants a dozen fresh eggs then they are only £1.00. For all international postage please send an extra £22.00!