The snowduck

We were awoken this morning to a clap of thunder and looked out of the window to find a covering of snow.





By 8 o'clock it was more than a covering and looked like we had cushions on the chairs. No amount of weather stops us gettting up and out to the ducks and it was evident that we were the first people up and out today.





It was beautiful to see the virgin snow all over the allotment so we did the rounds, leaving of tracks and making sure that there weren't any tracks of undesirables (foxes and rats).






The duck compound was completely covered in snow and it was quite dark inside. They weren't in the slightest bothered by the snow but were very confused as to where the grass and mud had gone. We made the mistake of trying to know the snow off their roof, not realising that, as it was netting, it would all fall through when disturbed, straight on our heads.



They did have a little but of trouble walking as the snow was deeper than their legs were long, especially Daisy and Maisy who must have had chilly undercarriages. It hadn't bothered them though as we had nine eggs this morning.



Even the owl had a covering of snow!
















As true allotmenteers we realised that it was far too tempting to leave all that building material lying around so we started building a duckman.






He certainly drew attention as he was right by the gate to greet all those hardy soles who braved it today. He difinately wasn't an Indian Runner but could pass as a Campbell.






It was amazing when we returned to put the ducks to bed at 7pm as you wouldn't even know it had snowed.










......and snowduck was looking a little deflated.

This years potato hawk

Ther pidgeon season is upon us so out comes the potato hawk. Thanks to Maisy molting, we have a lovely white model this year.

In order to get him to dangle at the right angle, I tied him to the top of an eight foot cane and pushed that into the ground at about 60 degrees. Low flying hawk as he is only about 5 ft off the ground but if he keeps the pidgeons off I am happy.

What to do with all these eggs

If you are lucky enough to have ducks that lay nine eggs in one day, here is what you do:-

A traditional Cornish recipe is 'Stary Gazey pie', well here is the Hampshire version 'Clucky Cwacky Oinky pie'. The main ingredients are Chicken, Bacon, sausage meat and eggs.

Clucky Cwacky Oinky pie

Make pastry using 8 oz plain flour and 4 oz margerine. Line a deep dish. Bake lightly.

In a deep frying pan or wok lightly fry, small chunks of chicken, short strips of bacon, little balls of sausage meat, one chopped onion, a handful of chopped mushrooms and a tin of creamed muchroom. Add mixed herbs if desired.

Hard boil 4 eggs

Once the eggs are cooked, cool and shelled, place them whole in the pastry case. Pack the chicken mix around them then cover with the remaining pastry.

Lightly brush with beaten eggs.

Place in the oven at about 200 until the pastry is browned.

While that is cooking you make a lemon and lime cake.

Lemon and Lime cake

Make a standard sponge mix with 8 oz self raising flour, sugar and butter and 4 eggs.

Grate the lemon rind finely and the lime rind coursely. Squeeze both the lemon and lime and add all the juice and rind to the cake mix.

Bake until done (I am sure there is recipe that says how long but until a knife comes out clean when plunged into the middle)

There you have it - nine eggs and full tummies.

Don't forget the vegetarians, so if you have still have four eggs left over from yesterday a red onion, sweetcorn, tomato and goats cheese quiche is a healthy alternatice.

13 eggs used in less than an hour.