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The potatoes are in. Dad Crofter went out and dug the rest of the Shetland Black Potatoes out of the ground before the rooks did for them. David found one such tuber on an adjoining croft after the feathered creatures nicked them then dropped them.

Dad Crofter digging

Told you they were black!

Meanwhile, back in the house, Mum Crofter is busy making Doris Pies to compliment the Doris Burgers and the like. Despite me not eating meat, they did look lovely. There is no time to waste at The Croft as there is so much to do - and Mr Crofter Sir, 'im of the... etc is busy making money in the toof factory.

Doris pies

Mr Crofter used his hard-earned money and bought himself a clock. Another clock as it happens. And no it is not a Westminster since you ask, and no it does not show the correct time here either - just like the other mechanical clocks in the place. It's a croft. Eh?

Still, the little plastic alarm clock is showing the correct time - and isn't moving backwards either.

Clock

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 Mum Crofter

 Hanging things

Yes, they are still there. Keeping the croft going, bringing in the pennies and moving sheeps from here to there. Only, two sheeps Fluff and Rambo have been kept on at The Croft as guard sheeps. Venture anywhere near and Rambo will eventually hobble over for a scratch behind the ears while Fluff runs off to hide - or to continue to eat his way through the thin looking hedge.

There's things hanging in the - whatever room it is now. Long meaty things that were Maclaren I think. They make a nice snap though so that's what I do - snap them up with Sue cleaning windows.

Meaty things

Outside the winter sun is shining with rain always lurking springing the inevitable rainbow, single or even double, over the croft, over the sea or anywhere. The Starlings are always around looking for un-eaten piggie/duck/turkey/chicklette nosh. They make wild patterns in the sky as they murmur around. Crofter's Dad isn't so keen on them as he says they spread disease to the croft animuls. And perhaps there is some research to support this..

Monochrome rainbow with starlings

The Crofter is still busy in the tooth factory. Managing to give a thorough steam clean to the place when two Burcos didn't switch off overnight as they were supposed to do - all part of the teef making process. The Crofter remained calm in the circumstanes which rather upset his plans for the day.

Teef awaiting finishing

Rambo and Fluff guard the Chinese Tractor

The tractor is working again after a slight hiatus with the starter motor. And the rev counter that goes backwards, and the fuel gauge that doesn't work. I could go on but I won't.

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Fluff

Fluff is not happy.
He heard about the impending new house pet and took umbridge. Fair kept The Crofter on his toes for a few hours by getting Rambo along with him and making The Crofter's life hell.

Now, The Crofter has decided against the new doggie and brought Fluff into his lounge to warm his feet in the evening. Every story has a happy ending.

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Alethia
Alicia
Agatha
Agnes
Avril
Azoba


"nope"

Bertha
Brazialia
Billie - "mmmmm"
Bonnie
Blackie

Carmilia
Collia
Champagne
China

Donalda
Dali
Doggie


tbc

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Soon The Croft will be complete. A little puppy yet to be named will be relocating from Donald Four Tractors to Mr Crofter Sir, 'im of them committees and what have you.'Im of the toof factory.

Mr Crofter is excited at the thought and already is perusing 'name' books for the little creature. I's a collie by the way - that's black and white. Any suggestions will be gratefully received for names - then probably ignored ! I have already posited 'Daphne' - but that didn't go down well at all.

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A few months is a long time in Crofting.

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There's piglets down on t'croft. No idea where they came from but it does seem they are related to Butch. Probably the result of one his dalliances off-croft. They are all rather small for the time of year and everything but they do make the requisite racket when they think there is food coming their way.

No doubt I will have to get used to the noise till the fat baconizer comes this way.

[please note; 'fat baconizer' is merely a figure of speech and no way reflects the girth of The Crofter or any other living person. probably]

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 The Crofter poses in the rain with the water tap. This passes for technology here!

 Lucrecia awaits for the rain to ease at The Croft

The Crofter has had more snaps taken in the last couple of days. Ms Lucrecia Hunter was up from Cornwall with her Mater, Pater, Brov and three dogs. Lucrecia was doing some fine portraits of island people to build her portfolio to aid her application to Uni. Using film and everything - she hassled the Crofter with skill, developed the film and printed some fine images to take home with her. Mr Crofter even combed his hair at one point. How scary is that?

Combed to perfection.

Lucrecia checking her film speed or something technical like that!

 Dad crofter feeding the feathers in sunnier times

Pig [pre-sausage days ] and sheeps