As I look out of the window the sky is dark with rain, and we need it badly, although it would be nice if it only came at night. It rained last night (kind of it!) but the ground is cracked with the lack of rain, so it is going to take a few inches before it returns to normal. Mark is out in the field flying Rhadamanthus early so he will be ready for a half day experience day tomorrow. John is going to take three birds off to a good location for a Wild About photography day. The grass is green the lilac is going over and the weeds have been repressed by the dryness, however I bet they go nuts with a bit of rain. The Laburnum is just out and looks wonderful.

Henry is in disgrace, he and I had a big argument about riding up the lane and he won, the only reason I did not fall off is because I got off, but he buggered off down the lane, across the road and into a field where I chased him for several minutes before catching the blighter!! I then rode him and made him trot for ages so he (and I) were knackered by the end of it. We will try the lane again next week when I have time to ride.

We are up to six dogs again temporarily, Acer and Angus are staying for a few days, it seems right to have that number, four is just not right for the Centre! Acer remembers everything and Sedge is delighted to see her, Sorrel is jealous, she is a jealous girl generally. The only down side of six dogs is that I never get a seat on the sofa’s

The play area is coming on a treat, we are really pleased with it, another week and it will be done, then we do another in the top part of the wood, we are getting positively child friendly (but only if they behave). The maze is going to have some eyes soon as well I hope. Angie Davis of PinkFrog has done such a good job on the new guidebook that she and Robin are now going to design the refurbishment of the education room. It will not be complete until the end of the year I suspect because we have a lot to do, but some stuff outside will be done and again more things for children.

The birds have been flying superbly this week, all are coming on a treat, which is really nice. We have a Hobby that has not been settled in the aviary and so I am going to try and fly it, that would be wonderful if it does well as they are superb flyers. Oh and guess what – the Range Rover is back and working!!!! Wonders will never cease!

The two baby Stellers are now both back with their parents and doing well, the two Steppes are back and fine and the one with Mark Kay’s Golden eagle is also doing well. The vultures were not sure about their baby, but we have a plan for it so we can get it parent reared. The two baby Lanners are fine and we await the hatching of other eggs as the spring moves into summer.

And as a final comment, just keep an eye on government because I found it interesting to note that our government was going to (and may still do so if we are not keeping an eye on the ball) sell off OUR forests in International Tree Year!!!