Thursday 10 September 2009

so very proud x

as of yesterday Caithness Rare Breeds is an official charity - with its own charity number!

i am so incredibly proud of Stephen who has worked so hard pulling all this together - applying to become a charity is a long task - as it should be.....

it is funny how that simple letter with our very own number has concentrated our minds.... made us re-visit our initial dreams of helping animals that are dangerously low in numbers....
made us start planning for the future....
more land...
more animals....
fund raising....

hard, hard work but we just cannot wait :)




yesterday was also the very first time we saw our new business in print in a magazine
Crofting Supplies.....
again, Stephen has researched suppliers, built the website, filled in endless forms.....
i sit in awe of my chap
in awe

so
yesterday was a very good day indeed






today has been surprisingly lovely so far even though it started we me spending three hours clearing and cleaning the pony shelter - so little goes in to those boys and yet so much comes out!
it now sits empty of all poo and bedding, has had its flooring removed ready for a new one to be laid and sprayed with a natural fly and bug repellent - the ponies eyed me with deep suspicion as their home was dismantled and scrubbed - they do not like change and will be glad when they can go back in and make a massive mess again......

i would show you all pictures of my hard work but i am still waiting for my replacement battery charger for my camera - i hate using the smaller one as the picture quality is so poor....
there are so many things i want to photograph - i am so looking forward to sitting quietly in with the ducks and attempting to catch all the colours and quirky movements of my new little family... to say i am besotted with them would be understated...
i honestly cannot imagine a garden without ducks - i have plans to add more next year - some of our own babies hopefully and also a few different breeds.....

for those that have asked and said that they wished that they could keep ducks but do not have a pond, well, good news neither do we...
our duck family have a large enclosure that has a big duck house and lots and lots of grass - some short and some left long so they can enjoy shelter from the wind.....
they have a large container which i believe was from Homebase and is sold as a builders mixing tray - this i empty and refill four times a day - it sounds time consuming but we have a hose and i get to chat to them all whilst i am out there :)
they also have another smaller tray which is placed next to their feeding station and is meant to be for drinking only but there is generally one of them sitting in it - they also have a deep enamel bowl which i fill and then place bits of lettuce, carrot tops, parsley in and they love having a good old fish around x

we do have a ditch which runs along the back of their area which does remain pretty full throughout Winter so they will have some extra water there - but i think they will still appreciate the clean water we offer...
i hope that they are happy with our arrangement - they certainly seem as if they are x

so - for all those worried - go for it - even a small garden could be home for a small family of ducks x
just do not expect a them to show your garden any respect - i shall photograph the mud bath and beak holes soon!



right must away to start a little sewing - quite a few new things to show you..... as soon as that blasted camera is sorted.......



t x

23 comments:

Foxtail Lilly said...

Well done!!
Lovin the doggie pics.xxxxx

Renaissance said...

Many, many congratulations and the very best of luck.

Cat said...

Wow! You guys have accomplished so much since I started reading your blog. It's wonderful.
I'm enjoying the photos you put on here today! Don't work too hard...

heidi said...

congratulations to you both & wishing you all the luck in the world! i love any charity work which helps our furry friends after all they cant speak for themselves can they?!
hurry up battery charger,we want pics!! x
p.s your doggies are scrummy!

walter and me said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations!
xox

P.K said...

Congratulations!

Rubyred said...

Well Done you two! I don't know how you manage to fit everything into a day, you're Amazing!
Rachel x

Pipany said...

I agree with everything you say about keeping ducks Tracy. I honestly can't imagine life without ours now, though they are lucky blighters as they have a big pond we built for them. Mind you, it looks disgusting most of the time! can't wait to see your pics xx

DriveAway said...

CONGRATULATIONS**** To say that we are proud is an understatement,we know how hard you have both worked to get this far,you are both so special and we love you very much.
WELL DONE,large hugs coming your way.
love Mummy.xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Katie twinkles said...

Well done my friends XX

Lucille said...

I love your yin and yang dogs.

GenerallyGemma said...

Congratulations! That is truly fab! Can't wait to see what poor things you rescue next!

Vintage to Victorian said...

Congratulations - all seems to be progressing beautifully. Well done to Steven - the website looks great.

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

Congratulations and much success, love seeing all of your wonderful pets......

mollycupcakes said...

Very well done my dearly frined.
You and Stephen both have put so much into it, working so very hard to make it happen.
Congratulations.
I am proud to know you both and be apart of it all.
Right now i'm off to work on Ben having running duck, now i know we don't really need much water lol
Big hugs and lot of love,
Catherine, ben and the cupcakes xxx

BALLET NEWS said...

Ow... Oh WOW, this is a great post & you have the most gorgeous site here. I had to stop by to leave this comment for you – and to say hello of course ! Your posts are creative and original and you have interesting pictures. It's all perfect ! Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes....

Foxtail Lilly said...

We have your lovely heart brooches in the shop now and im so enjoying them . I love the fact we have met through the powers of `blogland` and now sharing our buisness . All our best wishesTxxx

Alexandra said...

Thats fantastic, well done!! x x

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Congratulations to Stephen and you for getting charity status! You are doing wonderful work and I wish you the best.

JacquiMcR said...

My 11 year old is literally drooling over your dog photos. The jury is still out on whether we will get one or not. Have a lovely weekend - jacquix

katie said...

well done!!
love reading your blog,
so nice to hear that all your hard work is paying off.
katie
x

p.s would like to see more of george :)

fashion survivor said...

I'm definitely a cat person but I love your photos of your elegant-looking pups. Am looking forward to the duck photos!

SR said...

found yer blogs yesterday and lovin the craft work and doggies! Love whippets, we've got two greyhounds. Got to this post and realised you're in Caithness, maybe we're neebours!? good luck with caithness rare breeds... Sounds interesting!