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Linda A | all galleries >> Galleries >> Dance me through the panic, 'til I'm safely gathered in - 2007 diary > 23rd December 2007 - waiting
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23-DEC-2007

23rd December 2007 - waiting

It’s a sad day in the Alstead-Mingay household because it commenced with a burial. Poor old Milly, otherwise known as the Uber-Chicken, died in the night and so our first job this morning was to dig a big hole, put her at the bottom, then plant a tree over her body so she won’t be disturbed.

She has ruled the roost with a cast-iron beak and a will to match. She’s bullied ruthlessly to get her way yet in her dotage, the other hens have remained deferential and none has ever tried to get their own back on her in her infirm state. We’ve been expecting this for a few days so although sad, she’s had an innings over 100 times longer than the life of a chicken bred for food. We had her last egg about three months ago, although she’d only laid a couple a year for the last two years.

We’d been wanting to increase our little flock earlier this year but had to hold off because we were worried that introducing new hens might have upset the equilibrium in the coop and made it more difficult for her. She was the last of my original three hens, bought from an old chap who was going into a home and could no longer look after them. I paid £4 each for them, having responded to an ad in the Free Ads. I reckon that’s some of the best value I’ve ever had out of such a small outlay.

So, partly to break away from the sad atmosphere of this morning, we decided to take a trip into Looe – a little fishing port not far from here, for a walk, where we saw this chap, sitting waiting for his Mum&/Dad. He was a patient little soul because he was tied to this post for a good half an hour or so. I hope he’s not been forgotten.

I know he's not sharp but I liked the forlorn feel of the shot.

Last year, those nuts again, this time with a big helping of English Oak.

Canon EOS 5D
1/50s f/4.0 at 50.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Rene Hales25-Dec-2007 22:15
Sorry about Millie. You captured a real feeling of forlorn waiting in the little dog.--Rene
Si Kirk24-Dec-2007 19:18
sorry to hear about milly, hope the family did not forget this loveable dog
Guest 24-Dec-2007 12:42
I'm so sorry to hear about Milly :(
Gail Davison24-Dec-2007 11:53
ahhh. I've just seen this and so sorry to hear about Milly. I sent my PMail to you before I read this! At least you know you gave Milly a good life.
Dan Chusid24-Dec-2007 00:39
Sad story when the eggs stop coming from a favorite.
No omelets for me in tribute this week.
joanteno23-Dec-2007 23:33
so sorry to hear..
Ray :)23-Dec-2007 23:30
I picked up on the 'small outlay' thing too:)
Sorry you lost Mille - but life is a circle.
Michael Todd Thorpe23-Dec-2007 21:42
Sorry to hear about Milly, but I like the tree idea. A good way to remember her...
JW23-Dec-2007 20:05
Those hair-restoring vitamins are not to be trusted! LOL!

"small outlay" - priceless pun!
Johnny JAG23-Dec-2007 18:51
Aww he's cute.