well, I woke up this morning aged 49 years and 6 days and will be going to bed this evening aged somewhere in the region of 65.
About half an hour after I got up I noticed that the garden was full of donkeys and goats, all breakfasting on my rockery plants. So I rushed outside and of course took a photograph(!) (picture in my 'other stuff' album) then shooed them into the field thinking that I must have left the gate open when I fed them last night.
About half an hour later someone came to the door to let me know that all four donkeys and the goats were out on the road at the top of the village. I went up and dragged Graham out of bed (man flu not quite better after all,) hopped in my car and I drove off at top speed (i.e. not very fast in a Landrover Defender) in pursuit. We eventually found them on some farm land just outside the village but not far from a main road. Fortunately they came straight to me when they saw me and stayed with me (the land wasn't fully enclosed) when Graham went home to get head collars and the only one lead rope he could find and we got them back using a variety of head collars, belts etc to lead them. The goats just followed us. (Must have looked a right sight.) We led them back through the allotments and discovered that all of the gates leading from there through two of our fields were open. Now, I know that that wasn't me so our suspicions were raised.
Anyway, we discovered that our garden shed had been broken into and a chainsaw and strimmer stolen. We later found out that at least four people in our village had had the same thing happen to them.
So it has been a day of visits from the police, calls to insurance companies and trips to buy sturdy chains and padlocks (shutting the stable door after the donks have bolted?)
We found out this evening that somebody who lives three doors away has seven CCTV cameras around their modest-sized house, which I think is slightly more alarming than the events of the day, but at least they got some very good footage of the faces of people trying to get into their garage, so there is a chance that they will get caught I guess.
Feeling a bit low, I looked out of the window this evening and thought that the sky looked quite promising so hopped in the car and drove(more sedately this time) to the edge of the village to get this shot. I am so glad that I did because looking at that sky helped to put life into perspective. What's a few material possessions and a bit of hassle, compared to the facts that nobody got hurt; and that a day can end so beautifully?
I love your story and relate to it! We had donkeys in our last property and discovered they could open the gate so we had to put a lock on it. But several times we were chasing them up into the forest etc. The life of the country farmer is never dull! Glad you got this beautiful image as it would please you after this day - maybe it reduced your age at bit from 65?
Oh dear that all sounds very stressful. I know what you mean though - when I got broken into Poppy was left wandering the streets - a laptop can be replaced but if one of your animals got hurt that would be awful. Hope they catch them. Anyway, this is a gorgeous scene so hopefully things will feel better tomorrow.
What a terrible day - but a beautiful picture. Whenever I see a sunset like this I always seem to be in the wrong place to really do it justice - bad planning on my part I suppose.
Oh Jan what a day - I'm glad looking back you can see the humour in what must have been a very, very stressful day - I hope they catch who did this to you and your neighbours.
I did laugh, but not at your misfortune, just the way you recounted the story! All very unsettling as you say, but hopefully this stunning sunset restored your equilibrium... Fav.
You poor thing - what a day. Love the way you retold it, but like you am relieved for you that no-one was hurt. Like you say, nature has a way of putting things in perspective. Here's to a better day tomorrow - they do say red sky at night, shepherd's delight!
A lovely pic - burglary is on the increase as we have had a few in our village. It makes me so cross and to think that people have risked your animals getting hurt is even more annoying. I'm glad you've got them safe and I hope the police get the toe rags that let them out and stole from you!
Well after all that Jan, I am amazed that you could take any shot let alone this stunningly beautiful sunset! It's incredibly beautiful and has to be a FAV!
That lovely sky had to be a blessing at the end of such a hectic day! Glad the thieves did not harm your animals, and although they only took material things, it is a hassle to deal with! Hope they catch them! Love the sunlight on those rows that appear to have been plowed. Fav!
A fabulous shot Jan, and I admire your perspective. I am a tolerant chap, but when it comes to people who think they have the right to break into your house or property I say string em up by their goolies from the nearest tree!! I am glad that the animals are all OK.
Well definitely a nice sky to finish the day. We had our house broken into a few years ago and computer, camera etc stolen. At the end of the day realised that it was a good day because our budgie was still safely in his cage and our chihuahua was cowering inside even though the back door was off and the side gate allowed access to the road. The posessions could be replaced....our pets could not. Glad your animals were safe and I love your sunset.
This is gorgeous - love the contrasting lines of the field at an angle to the streaks in the sky. What a horrid tale though. The little b*******s. Glad the creatures were all OK.
Gorgeous shot and stunning sky... However what an truly awful experience.... there are some right royal rotters around!! However so very glad all the animals were okay.... ♥
Such an exquisite end to a horrid day.
The fact that you can put things in their proper perspective and even display some humor, shows a lot about your character.
How fortunate that none of the animals were injured. I loved the mental image of the donks coming when they saw you, and then the goats following you all home.
@pasadenarose Thanks. They have been caught and are currently in custody (I think they had some previous 'form') and most of what they stole from people has been recovered, so I think that there is little doubt that they will be prosecuted.
The fact that you can put things in their proper perspective and even display some humor, shows a lot about your character.
How fortunate that none of the animals were injured. I loved the mental image of the donks coming when they saw you, and then the goats following you all home.
I so hope the rotten thieves get caught.