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The Crofter passes SlartibartfastLand  on the way to the beach

Look, that's almost a smile. For The Crofter that's a smile anyway. Christmas Day it was. Eve and I dragged The Crofter down to the beach in the sunshine for a spot of mulled wine and some cake. Lovelee it was too. Only it seems the walk almost killed the fellow. Called in today this morning - more sun as it happens - and he tells me he hasn't been out for four days. Well, despite my maths not being what it wasn't, I can't count four days between then and now. But he did sound rough I must admit. Coughing and everything. Dr phoned him and everything while I was there so he's off to be listened too. when the coows have been fed that is. Once the Land-Rover has been started. Then he will be listened too.

Mum and Dad Crofter who have also been under the weather are recovering well since you ask.

These snappettes where taken with the Fuji GSW690. All under-exposed. Eh?

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Oh yes, the sun got him out of bed today - was so bright outside his window he had to look out to see if the world was a hellish fireball or something. It wasn't was just the sun we hadn't seen for a week or two. And how happy he was! For him.

Eve and I dragged him down to the beach for a muled whine [or is it wine - both probably] and home-made Stollen sat on a rock in the warm sunshine. The recent storms had washed all the sand away - about 1.5 metres of it. Depth that is! Wonder where it has gone?

I think Mr Crofter Sir has gone back home to fall asleep in front of TV.  Oh joy ??

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We were wondering where he was when we called in. The door was open the geese still had their full compliment yet of The Crofter there was no sign.

Now it seems the poor hungover Crofter was in his bed nursing a sore head after a less than constrained night out with another Tolsta-head. It must have been a 'good' night as Mr Crofter Sir doesn't remember much about it or how he ended up where he did - and that I will leave to your imagination since it made me blush. At his age he should know better. Funny how his hang-overed mush has a slight smile lurking somewhere though!

Mr Crofter's Christmas started early me thinks!

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Eh?

Captions please ?

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The Crofter's first Christmas visitor arrived today in real style. A big green trailer with nicely turned out attendants turned up and out strode Oink-oink.

Don't look at me like that. I don't make these names up you know. Well, not all of them and certainly not this one. I mean, talk about creativity!!!

Anyway, Oink-oink is a lovely Gloucester old spot piggi come over to the croft for a spot of cuddling with Butch - a saddleback. Can't imagine what the little-uns going to look like.

Oink-oink in her holiday hutch [wink, wink. nudge, nudge]

As usual, I was totally unprepared for this unexpected [to me] arrival and shot the snaps with a piece of plastic loaded with very slow film. Too slow as it happens. But you get the drift..... I mean, what do you expect? Art?

Mr Crofter watches Oink-oink

The Crofter and his Dad contemplate as Oink-oink settles in.

 Then off to feed the other boys and girls

 Butch sidles over to see who has arrived

 Eye candy, Butch stylee.

 Dad Crofter awaits with more food.

Then retreats behind the new gate to watch the 'fun' with mum Crofter.

There's a bit of a racket down at the croft now. Just for a change. Must be more food on the way as Ms Oink-oink isn't ready for any handy-panky yet. She has her reputation to think of!

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It's that time of year again. Christmas and all that. The geese are looking a bit shifty - with good cause as it happens.In the meantime, they have been enjoying the mild weather of a last couple of days.
Mr Crofter Sir is working hard with the toof factory while Mum & Dad Crofter keep things animule in order.

 Mum Crofter in the sun

 The Crofter in the toof factory

Dad Crofter standing by the tractor which is currently - working ! Yay!

They will have to celebrate though - and wish all 'their' readers a wonderful festive season and a fantastic 2013. As I do.

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 This IS Mr Crofter Sir

Surprising isn't it? Was wondering if Mr Crofter had fallen asleep at the side of the road while Clocks was strimming. Only I notice its all nicely squared off - like someone who knew what they were doing did it - and not Lewis Crofters. Obviously  Lewis Crofters know what they are doing but, they are yet to open a hair-dressers in town. Perhaps the sheep shearer did it?? Anyway, what with the beginnings of a beard an all, Mr Crofter Sir is looking very,,,,, very ,,,,,, whatever he's looking these days.

 The Crofter has a dainty cup of tea.

 See, all squared up and all.

Sheeps

The sheeps - the woolly backs [white sheeps] are doing ok - the black one are out on the range [Tolsta Head I think] but the turkeys are looking nervous!

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Down croft no. 10.

The clocks are all ticking and Mr Crofter assures me that they show the correct time too. Tolsta time that is.

The crofts are frozen at the moment due to the hard frost last night but Mr Crofter Sir is in the warmth of the tooth factory. Fluff and Rambo still patrol the perimeter fences - although we did have to extract Fluff from between the fence and the back of the peat-'clamp'. "There was nice grass there " he indicated. There was, but once in he couldn't get out. Not a word of thanks either as he hopped off down the garden. Sheeps eh?