JUNE 29, 2001. (Updated June 30 with two new photos.) A day filled with Nature. This morning I woke up early (again) mainly because hay fever has struck me hard and for the last 2 weeks I've been suffering, so sleep isn't as lengthy as I would like. But when I looked out my bedroom window which faces parallel to the church yard, I noticed a deer lying in the corner of the graveyard. At first I didn't see it, then I said, "wow, a deer, go get the binoculars." I observed thru the binoculars, this lone deer chewing. With large ears, black nose and tan body, it should be obvious to anyone but she was tucked into the corner of the cemetary. I don't know if deers chew cud, but she appeared to be. I continued to get ready, you know, dressed, make that morning cup of tea. When I returned to the window, oh my gosh, she was in my yard, below my window, eating some foxgloves. I grabbed the camera (again) and took a few photos trying not to move too much inside my window. Then I thought, "Hey I have some 35 mm film and a long distance lens," so I scrambled to assemble the lens, load the film, all that stuff, hoping she would still be there when I finished. She was, slowly moving along the bushes, looking around, listening, cautiously. I took some photos, I hope good ones. I had to answer the microwave beeping. When I finished making my tea, she was gone, but a large grey squirrel made it's way along the same area as she. Later that morning, after I fed the growing gang of ducks that now are collecting under my upstairs window (there are 5 now, and 2 coots and let's not even talk about the swan, as I've decided I don't want to feed him/her because he/she always leaves a big reminder that a swan was on my driveway), I settled down to finish an article for the Arabian Link magazine.
Later in the day, I heard a loud squawk and splash. I looked out the window and noticed the coot was making a splash in the river. Well just last week the coot couple hatched 3 baby coots, but after 2 days, their babies were gone! Perhaps eaten by large fish, rats, I don't know but I was very sad as I watched this pair build their nest, and sit on it for over 3 weeks. They immediately built another nest, smack dab in the middle of the river, I suppose to try again. Now, back to the splash of the coots. What I witnessed was a large bird land on the tree at the bank of the river, hang on, its some type of hawk! I got the binoculars out again and had a good look. It looked like a hawk, perched on the tree. Could this be why the coots were so noisy? What, there are two of them, not just one. The ducks were huddled together in the middle of the river, the swan behind them, and the coots also within range. Perhaps it was a 'gather round the wagons, partner!'
I studied the two of them on the tree brance - yellowish feathers, a dark streak on its head. I reached for the two bird books I had purchased at the boot sale (see June 10 entry below) and found the one with pictures. Under the chapter "Vultures, Harriers, Buzzards, eagles, etc." I found their identity. They are sparrow hawks. I was very tempted to go outside and shoo them away, but refrained. Well that broadens my thoughts now on the life here along the river's edge.
Snapped a picture of the squirrel perched on the bench behind my bungalow, see below, left.

JUNE 26 I just saw on the television this morning that a farm in Wales, has had a foal from a Shetland pony that has zebra stripes on its legs! the reported goes on to say, that the previous owner of the Shetland mare had a Zebra male, and apparently he must have fancied the pony. The new owners had no idea she was pregnant! It is rare enough for a zebra-horse cross, but can you imagine, a Shetland pony-Zebra cross. Wish I could show you a photo, the foal is really cute!

JUNE 22 Thank you Les Crowl for being the first Foundation member via the U.S. Will put you down on the list and contact you later regards details. Anyone else out there wish to support the Crabbet Convention? Read below.

June 10, Sunday Boot Sale. Nope, this isn't a sale of western cowboots. In England, they have boot sales, 'boot' being the term for the car's trunk. People bring their unwanted household items, packed in their car boot, and set up a large sale, like our swap meets. I ventured to one in Andover quite by chance this morning as I was originally driving around to the local villages to check out the pubs. You see when I got my hair cut yesterday the salonist told me what pubs have good food, but I couldn't remember their names, just the names of the villages. I traveled to Longparish and found The Cricketeers pub, and on my way to Pewton Mersey I passed and stopped in at the Boot sale. It cost 20 pence to get in, but there were many sellers and buyers spread out on a huge field. I ended up buying 3 used books, two on British birds as I am interested in the many varieties of birds I have seen. After the sale, I drove to Pewton Mersey and there was the other pub she mentioned, the White Hart. I didn't intend to eat at any today, just find where they are located. Oh, sorry to inform you but that baby squirrel I saw yesterday was dead this morning when I walked by the same road. Unfortunately, there was another dead baby squirrel near to it. We've had some brisk winds the last few days which could be why they had fallen out of the tree.

June 9 Derby Day I started the day with a walk around the village which was a walk I haven't done in a couple weeks since I had my Mom visiting and having other reasons. As I went up Red Rice Road, I saw movement on the side of the road. It was a baby squirrel, whom, upon closer examination, appeared to have fallen out of his nest. He was nearly adult sized, but had a bloody nose and seemed could not move his hind legs. I was a bit torn as to what to do. So I pushed him out of the road with my shoe, or rather, he grabbed my shoe, bit at me and screamed as I hoisted him away from the road and near to the base of the tree. I had to leave him there and continue my walk. This was not easy for me to do. Why?

Well just yesterday I had given an elderly man a lift in my car as he was walking with a crutch in the main road, the fast lane, and cars whizzed around him. I felt bad for him, double backed at the next roundabout, and put my emergency lights on, rolled down the window and asked if I could give him a lift home. He said no, but I insisted, plus I was in the main road, stopped, and I said he should not walk there as it was dangerous. He finally agreed to accept my offer and I unlocked the door behind me. He put his grocery bag in the car and struggled to get inside. He couldn't bend his leg, so I had to get out of the car to assist him and his crutch inside. I drove him down the road and he instructed me to pull over. As I did I said which direction did he need to go as he pointed out a layby area. He said he lived in that direction and I could drop him here. But it wasn't enough for me, so I insisted that it was alright for me to drive him closer, which I then did and let him out near a housing district. The point of this story, was that I felt I could take the squirrel to the vet, be told he wouldn't make it, and I had to say to myself, "Georgia, you did your good deed yesterday, you must let nature take it's course." As I walked back down the hill, the baby squirrel was still there, but its Mother was scampering behind the tree trunk so perhaps she would somehow collect him. At least I got him off the road so he wouldn't get run over.

As I mentioned it was Epsom Derby day. I had yesterday placed a small bet on a horse. This was my first time betting in the UK. Someone I work with gave me the tip. I went into Andover to get my hair cut, then rode my bike back in light sprinkling rain to watch the race event on the TV. Well my horse was 2nd place most of the race but ended up in 6th place. No win for me but I feel like I know a little more on how the system works here in case I wish to place another bet. the winner was Galileo, Irish trained and bred (I believe). He won by 3 and a half lengths. His 4th win in 4 races!

June 7, 2001 Election Day. I woke up this morning quite slowly. About 9:30 I got on my bicycle and rode up the road to the town meeting hall where I was expected to vote. The building was marked with a prominent sign in the window "POLLING PLACE" but that was it. One cottage across the road did have 3 election candidates names posted on their fence, but other than that, there is very little campaigning with signs - anywhere. There aren't many election ads on the television either so I must say the elections here are much less of an affront as they are in the US. I parked my bike outside the polling building, walked inside and read the candidates names and parties posted on the wall. The instructions were given to 'tick' or mark an "X" next to the candidates name. This was interesting, just use a pencil in the polling box, not even a pen. Plus the polling boxes have no curtains on them, just 3 sides. Okay, so there was only one other voter in there at the same time I was there, so no worries to look over my shoulder. I voted for a local candidate and a candidate to represent this area in the Parliament. Two check marks in pencil on two different sheets of paper, about 4 x5 " each. Then my instructions were to fold each paper in half, and put in the box. This was like voting in high school for Senior Prom Queen. Very basic. (Ironically as I write this the movie "Clueless" with Alicia Silverstone is on the television. That's how I felt when I was inside the polling station.)

June 2, 2001. Today I have written several paragraphs on what is happening here lately.
On Politics
What’s on the news these days (nearly) is talk of elections. Voting day is June 7. The political campaign machines are in high gear here in England with latest polls declaring a landslide for the incumbents (the Labor party). The Tories aren’t giving in (Conservatives) and stand on a platform saying the British can keep their monetary system if they are elected. Britons are strongly tied to their pound and don’t wish it to be replaced with the Euro currency. Of course there are many more relevant issues in each party, and if you watch the news here, seems the third party is gaining ground - the Liberal Democrats. I have been told they are more for the farmer and country people. Since I have had my mother visiting and working a few hours when not taking her around, I have not been able to study up on all the pertinent issues. Perhaps that is not good, and bearing in mind I might not be around to ‘live’ with the party that does get elected as I shall be returning to the US, I still wish to cast my ballot which is my birth right (I was born in England). I am fully aware that the party I choose may or may not get in, but nonetheless, my vote will count.

On Country Life
I have been so fortunate to land where I have in this wonderful small village of Upper Clatford on the River Anton. Here from my window I have witnessed many water fowl and in this time of the season, the rebirth of life. Within the last week I had observed the black water coot building her nest in the water brush area about 6 feet away from my front bank on the river. She started with twigs about 8 inches or longer, and continued going back into the river, diving down to collect more vegetation, and ford her way across the strong current back to place on her nest. I had originally thought, what is going to keep those first twigs there, as it appeared she was placing her twigs on the bare water. But of course there must be some attachment going on under the surface that I am unaware of, because within a full day, there appeared a huge nest about 18 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall or more, then topped off with some softer greenery. I was most impressed.

Talk about astonished! Also this week when my mother and I had returned from nearby Winchester, on my front lawn was a swan family with 8 baby cygnets. I hope that is the name for baby swans. I took numerous photos as I was so delighted to see such a wonderful sight. God has been good to me to give me such lovely treats. Through the week I have observed the swan parents taking care of their babies. They are excellent parents. If the young ones have trouble swimming against the strong current, one parent will swim out in front and form a breakwater and the babies line up single file behind her, cheeping loudly as if grateful for the diminished resistance in the current. I've also seen her giving them a ride on her back. It is so cute seeing baby swans nestled upon their mom's back going down the river. When I was watering the garden yesterday, the swan family came close to the edge of the bank where I was standing, but the parents kept their eyes on me, once hissing at me when I seemed too close to them.

I had counted only 7 babies at that time, knowing one was missing. I looked all down the bank but could not see the other. As I continued my watering duties, I later noticed one parent on the opposite lawn with one cygnet. I think that was the

Isn't this a lovely photo I took of the baby swan getting a ride aboard Mom or is it Dad?

loner chick, and the father was standing by this one, while the mother and the rest had gone down the river to feed. I had to walk onto that side of the bank to collect flowers, which is another of my duties, and I tried to walk wide of Mr. Swan, but when he thought I was picking flowers too close to them, he hissed a warning to me. Let me tell you these swans are big and I’m not comfortable being close to them! Have you ever been hissed at? It feels like a dragon breathing down your neck!

I believe I have determined though how to tell the male from the female adult, at least in my own mind it makes sense as it applies to horses. The male swan has a thicker neck and the female has a thinner neck. This I mean as if you are judging a tree trunk. It is helpful to have them together to make the distinction but now that I have, I think I can tell them apart when they are not together. Of course, I now can tell what swan doo-doo is like, and it is much more than several ducks put together!!

On Local Villagers
At my part time job working in a shop in the village, I have come to meet some of the residents and learn a little about their lives. One lady is traveling to Dublin this weekend. She has ordered a taxi to take her to the Southampton airport for the flight. Many smaller airports have good and inexpensive routes. She will probably end up paying more for the taxi to the airport than the flight to Dublin. Another woman I met is married to the village vicker and lives in the Rectory on the corner not far from me. Apparently there is an old Rectory and a new Rectory. The old

A male pheasant came by and strutted across the lawn in an obvious fashion.

one was split and the new one was built on the opposite corner. One horse owner that I hope to meet also grows mushrooms which the shop purchases to sell. I have not yet met them but look forward to it. Then there is the water warden who’s duty is to walk a stretch of the river behind the shop and catch people doing things they shouldn’t be which mainly means fishing. The river is heavily regulated and one must purchase the right to fish along it which is very expensive. So every day the water warden looks for offenders and every day he comes into the shop, sometimes more than once to buy drinks and food. He is quite tan as you can imagine and wears green rubber boots, and a fishing type vest. He looks like someone you would find fishing the river, not dressed like a policeman. He is of course sweaty and hot from being outside all day.
There are numerous children in the village who come in regularly after school to buy sweets (candies). We have many tubs with gummy bear type candies that are sold for 1 penny a piece. The children don’t usually have much money to spend, many 20 pence so they pick up penny sweets of various colors and shapes. Usually we count out what they have, but many are honest children and I don’t think counting out 50 penny sweets is worth it when you have a long line of adults waiting to buy the paper or food. But it is ‘sweet’ seeing what candies they buy and their little bright faces.

There is a cottage in the village getting a new thatched roof. I have passed it often to watch the methods and progress. Then I decided to speak to the ‘thatchers’ making the roof. I discovered some information that the material, straw thatch, is not always the same on all the thatched roofs. Also the thatch is specially grown for going onto roofs. I figure I will interview him to write an article and take photos. Perhaps I can submit it to a local publication.
As I write this the Clatford Bell Ringers are at it as the Church bells behind me are ringing. Today they are ringing a different melody than normal. Wonder what that means, perhaps a wedding?

May 19, Saturday. BELL RINGERS and BIKE RIDING. Today I can't believe how much bike riding I did! First off I rode my bike to Andover to exchange some chicken wings that had spoilt the day after I bought them. (The smell doesn't need to be described.) Also on Saturday, the papers all carry the TV guide for the following week and I usually pick up the Southampton Daily Echo as it is more local (than the London and National Papers) and I like their TV Guide layout. But it doesn't reach the newsagents till about 10:30 am. As I was riding my used 3 speed bike, the gears kept slipping which was very annoying. By the time I got to Andover, I figured I must leave this at the bike repair shop and walk back. I ran into Debbie waiting at the bank. Debbie is my co-worker and has been training me at my new job. I only started that job 3 days ago, and it was a surprise to see her standing waiting for the bank to open. I slammed on the brakes (they work good!) and we chatted. Then I took the chicken for a refund and the bike to see the bike doctor. I asked if he could repair it within the hour, which he said he could, so I walked around the high street. Then I got a phone call to be back at my home as a delivery man was waiting. I told him I couldn't get there for an hour as my bike was being repaired. He said he would wait.
On Saturday there is an open market on the high street. I bought some bananas and strawberries at the fruit stall. Had to go to bank to deposit $30 worth of checks. Then killed time looking in other shops and waiting for the Daily Echo which did not arrive. Finally got my bike back and hurried back home to let the man in who was delivering furniture. Not for me, but for the landlord's home. After he brought in the furniture and left, I had a snack, and headed back out on my newly repaired bike the opposite direction to St. Peters Church in the next village of Goodworth Clatford. The church was holding a sale to raise money for it's heating fund. The Clatford Bell Ringers would show how they ring the church bells, and the public was invited to have a test 'pull' of the bell. Well I thought I'd like to see this as I live next to the Upper Clatford All Saint's Church and I often hear the bell ringers practice mid-week. Also a friend of my family happens to be a bell ringer for the church she lives next to in Newmarket so I was intrigued.
When I got inside St. Peter's I climbed up the narrow stairway that led to a trap door, through which was the platform area for the bell ringers. About 10 people were inside discussing the procedure. There were 8 ropes hanging from the ceiling, each threaded through a ceiling hole, lined with metal. Darn I didn't bring my digital camera, to get photos but I will next time. I was given a chance to ring one of the bells, with assistance. It seems easy enough, it is the rhythm and timing that one must of course learn, and it is a physical job, particularly if you are ringing one of the tenor bells. Why? Well there was a tall ladder from this room into the bellfry, which I daringly climbed (I am afraid of heights, but my curiosity took over!) up the extensive ladder and onto a beamed catwalk I was now amongst 8 bells. You stand above the bells and look down at them. The tenor bells are much larger and therefore heavier than the higher pitched bells (like the one I rang). As I was up in the bell room with 3 others, we were warned that bell #3 would be rung. I plugged my ears (I saw the other chap do so, so I figured he knew more than me) and the bell starting to move, it swings on a axis as the rope pulls the ring the axis and bell are mounted to. After the discussion in the bellfry, I slowly climbed down the stairs into the bell ringing room, then thanked the bell ringers, who invited me to come see them at All Saints Church. Okay, my story continues...
Before I left I bought some very nice honey to help the heating fund, rode my bike back home past the local newsagents shop (they do not carry the Daily Echo) and then rode all the way back to Andover to get that darn Daily Echo. Yes, it was in, hurrah. When I returned home, I checked my email and my friend had written to be sure and purchase the Daily Express as there is a airfare sale going on as he knew I wished to go to Dublin again. OH NO! I had been to the newsagents twice in Andover and didn't want to go again. So I called the local newsagent in Goodworth Clatford, near the St. Peter's Church. They had this paper, asked them to please hold it, as I got my bike out again, this time the smaller bike I have, and pumped hard to get there. Oh dear, now this bike was slipping gears! (ARGGGHHH, I just had this one fixed a couple weeks ago for when Guy arrived. Looks like I will have to take it back!) I got the paper, returned home and gave my legs a much deserved rest. You see, I rode twice into Andover, and twice to Goodworth Clatford, they are in opposite directions! Now I sat down, made a cup of tea, and read the newspapers!

May 16. CENSUS I don't know if I mentioned that I was included in the 2001 census here. GB does their census every 10 years on the 01 year. So I have been included in the US census of 2000 and now the British census of 2001. Makes sense, that is where I have been living in each year. But I have also registered to vote here. Now the reason I can do this is because I was born in England, to an English mother so I have 50% English blood. I can legally work here too. today I received a post card "Official Poll Card, Hampshire County Council" which tells me where to go to cast my vote on June 7, election day. I don't believe I will be able to vote in the National Election for the Party, just for the local government, although I am not sure either way. Here in England, voters make a check mark on their ballot to cast their choice, there are no 'chads' or automated ballots. Very simple, perhaps a good thing in light of what happened in our US election last October!

May 15. Guy has now returned to our home in Washington State and now I am back to my separate business here. He will be processing orders and other business matters in the next week. I appreciate knowing that many of you wish to order extra copies of the latest issue. I am not sure how many we have left as we mailed many copies. The next meeting for the Crabbet Convention is June 16. We are currently thinking about a logo design for the event. Any ideas? Also who in the US would you recommend as a guest speaker and why? What would interest you most if you were to attend this convention in England: horses, speakers, stud tours after the convention, performance (what areas?) so let me know. Write me at gcheer@crabbet.com. Also besides this project, I have several writing projects I am researching, and of course I need to add more to this website. I have various projects in the works, all needing more attention. Oh this week I start a part time job. This will give me a bit of regular income just enough to buy groceries here and allow me to meet the local residents. Wish me luck.

Updated May 15. Now that the issue has come out, I plan to concentrate on the website and the convention plans. One of the reasons I cut back on publishing is how much work it requires, ask my husband Guy, he now has a full appreciation for what I do since he is filling my shoes at home and in my office! Plus he is not getting home cooking or my company!

One more thing, I am learning how to cope in another country and with US equipment vs. UK power, faxes, time zones, phone calling cards etc. It is all a big challenge. I walk a lot more, and have been riding a bike too. Things are slower here, and folks aren't so tied to cars. So I am staying fit. I have not had any time to see horses, nor the sights, as all that must wait till later. I expect to pick up photos this week that I can put on line in the future of where I am living for your interest. It is a beautiful little spot on the River Test in Hampshire, south of Andover. I also hope that later I can possibly write articles for local magazines.