Removing a Gate Post

 

These two pictures show just how powerful, these high-lift Jackall jacks are. They can pull three and a half tonnes, which was sufficient to pull this 20 cm. by 20 cm. post that was buried to a depth of nearly a metre.




In this case I was using the hinges for the gate to lift the post, rather than my special post pulling device.

Hedge Cutting

 

Autumn is almost here, as we've now started cutting the hedges.

Who Is The Mother?

 

She still keeps them under a tight rein, even if they are as big as she is.


I'm only guessing, but it looks like she's got three drakes and a duck.

The Scaffolding Comes Down

 

The scaffolding came down this morning.

It now looks like a building.

The Sun

 

Note that the sun has appeared in the yearling photographs.

St. Leger Yearling Sales - Doncaster 2007

 

We are sending two yearlings to the St. Leger Yearling Sales at Doncaster this year.

Both will be sold on Tuesday, the 28th of August.

The first is Lot 118, who is a chesnut colt by Medicean out of Degannwy. Degannwy has bred three winners including Keen Winner, who won the Hong Kong Derby.


He was nicknamed Moon and Sixpence on account of his distinctive face markings.

The second is Lot 149, who is a bay colt by Kyllachy out of Far Post. She is a full sister to Moonlight Angel who is in training with Walter Swinburn.


Celia is saying goodbye to Moon and Sixpence.

Acorns

 

The oaks are full of acorns this year.

View From The Top

 

This is view from the top of scaffolding on the new office. Note my round office in the foreground.

The Roof Goes On

 

The roof has made great progress today.

The first picture shows the tiles ready to go at about nine this morning.


The second shows the status of the roof at the end of the day.


this one shows the detail of the roof from fascia level.

Vague Shot and the Ducks

 

This picture was taken by Steven Keane, who works on the stud.


It shows our four ducklings attempting to raid Vague Shot's morning feed, whilst their mother looks on.

Guard Dogs

 

We have two very fierce guard dogs to protect the property.


Mary, who is nearest to the camera, is getting old now and is pretty deaf and almost blind, so be careful not to run her over. Lizzie is younger and rather wary of strangers, so she generally runs home if someone arrives.

Foals

 

This years foals are now getting large. These are the two smallest on the stud and they are giving a demonstration about how to chew head collars.


Note that the foal on the right with the unusual markings is nicknamed "Works Wonders" as he has a Double Diamond on his face.

NetworkRail and Ragwort

 

I travelled last week from Cambridge to London by the excellent train service.

However, I was disgusted to see that there was masses of ragwort all the way along the track. In places it was alongside fields, where horses and cattle were grading.


I looked up ragwort on the Internet and found this excellent page on the Defra web site. It lays out your responsibilities under the Ragwort Control Act 2003.

There is a phone number for NetworkRail or 08457 114141.

I suggest we all ring it to make sure that NetworkRail gets the message.

New Hedges

 

We've been filling in a few gaps in the hedge that borders the road between Cowlinge and Great Bradley.


Judging by the speed at which the hedge has grown, I would think that this wet summer has at least been good for trees, shrubs and hedges.

Duck Inspection

 

The ducklings are now almost as big as their mother.


Here, she is inspecting them in the pond full of green slime.

Incidentally, I've noticed that they eat the slime, so perhaps that is why they stay there.

Racecourse Memories

 

This web site has posted my memories of Alexandra Park racecourse.

John has a wealth of information on racecourses, past and present. It's worth a visit at www.greyhoundderby.com.