Heavy Horses Toil the Dust!

Rutland Farm Park – The Visit! (28.10.2025)

Unlike the City Farms or the bigger commercial entities – the atmosphere is relaxed. Indeed, a cadre of very alert geese provide the security detail – patrolling the grounds and showing the guests which way to travel in and out of the park! I remember once reading in a book at school (a very long time ago) that Celtic people used to live on the top of mountains and hills – and that it was geese (and not dogs) that used to warn the inhabitants of any approaching strangers! Geese “honk” really loud, and are physically brave, being willing to protect their owners with their lives! Brave little fellows they are!

Digging into the Trench!

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Feeding Squrrels & Pigeons! (21.9.2025)

We visited the Church-yard of St Nicholas Church on the 14.9.2025 – a pleasant Saturday afternoon in South-West London (formerly East Surrey). At the moment we are experiencing what we use to call an “Indian Summer” – providing this is still an acceptable analogy (who knows – the ground upon which we stand keeps dissolving into loose sand). Either way, communing with wild animals teaches children empathy, sympathy, and kindness. This is inter-species communication – a very important aspect of a civilised upbringing and education. From a superstitious Buddhist view – all life is karmically inter-related following endless cycles of rebirth (bundles of life-habit living through all different life-forms until the realisation of enlightenment breaks the cycle). Is this real? I have no idea – but the Buddha seems to think rebirth is a Brahmanic myth – but it is a myth which he uses to convey his teaching and make his point, etc.

Zebra Finch Fledgling: A New Baby Bird Has Arrived! (24.10.2023)

Around 21-days ago I heard the tell-tale signs of high-pitched ‘squeaks’ emanating from the bird nest in the aviary! This group hatched a baby a few months ago (in the Summer of 2023) – but this poor little creature only lived for around a week – despite the colony of birds trying their best to help his survival. Nature is cruel. However, this bird is strong and healthily aggressive – and we can tell by his markings that he is a ‘male’. He has just left the nest and is sat on the floor of the cage – flapping his wings and occasionally ‘chirping’! The colony of birds are all exhibiting excellent parenting skills and group compassion! It is a joy to behold!