Wince called round this morning and he's told me that there's been an outbreak of avian flu within ten miles of here.  The chickens are all kept in their run now of course, but I think I will keep them in the smaller area, though they won't be pleased with me.  I had a new henhouse built, nearly ten years ago and the outside run is about 3 metres square, or 10 feet if you're of that persuasion (of course, the measurements don't exactly equate but I don't know which is closer) and I've got an extension to that, same width and twice as long.  But the wire netting on top of the larger area is bigger and small birds can fly through - certainly their droppings could drop through.  When I went to say goodnight to them just now, I fed them mealworms and then nipped round to shut off the doorway, but bindweed had grown over and I couldn't remove it.  I had to go back into the main run and pull the weed away, by which time a couple of bantams had ambled through again.  So I've left it.  I may remember later or I'll do it tomorrow.

I don't legally have to shut them in, in fact, as I don't sell the eggs (I wouldn't be allowed to give them away either, if I did let them free range) but the last thing I want to do is risk them being ill.  I've only got 8 left and I've started to pass the word round that I'd give a good home to a young cockerel.

Since dear old Scrabble's death at the age of 10, a fox has killed two more, so I wasn't going to let them out anyway and I am considering a simple way to enlarge the outdoor run for next year.  It doesn't matter how big their run is, they eat the grass down to the roots and all they have is a dusty or muddy patch.  

I don't suppose I'll mention the kitchen situation again until it's finally completed and that will be a fortnight or more yet.  I will wait until I see J in person before having a frank discussion - he'd been on leave because he was moving house and it's apparent that no one picked up the reins and a new door is being awaited, but that's because they sent the wrong size in the first place.  A should have reported this as soon as he realised, two months ago.  I'm not discussing it on the phone or by email.  And I honestly can't be bothered to explain myself here either.  I'm so very despondent and this is a place to be upbeat.

I was going to order a new fridge to match the new upright freezer, but this will wait.  I've moved the smaller fridge from the porch into the ex-study, now nameless part of the kitchen and, once it's settled and switched on, I'll empty the contents of the bigger fridge into it and move that.  It's getting tedious, going out to the porch every time I want anything.

Anyway, I need to get back to lighthearted blogging after this.  So I won't even mention the water running down the walls yesterday.  Z wants to be happy (yes, there is always a song in my head.  All that's said or does reminds me of a song and I've usually got a quote or two in there too).  I have lit 3 candles - this isn't a religious thing, I just find candles calming - and I'll light the fire and make myself a nice cup of tea.