We have had bovine incursions over the last week or so.  The electric fence erected to keep the cows out obviously wasn't powerful enough as the cows had pushed through it and into our garden. It's quite a surprise, strolling out into the garden for a bit of peace to find yourself face to face with a young heifer or bullock, too stupid to take your oblique hints that perhaps she or he would be better off returning from whence they came.

The first incursion was dealt with easily enough. A bit of arm waving and vocal encouragement got them back through the hole in the fence. We patched it up, but not electrically so we only have ourselves to blame for the second incursion. This wasn't so easy to stem and had a hairy moment or two. Sally's dad wasn't aware that he should really get out of the way of a startled cowlet but while the heart was put across me a couple of times, no one was hurt.

This time we fixed the electric fence. See? We can learn from our mistakes.

A related domestic chore was poisoning a wasp's nest. They'd been there all summer and not bothered anyone really, but they seemed to be getting more bolshy recently (old age does that I guess) and so I screwed up my courage and climbed onto a chair to puff killing powder into the hole. I was prepared to flee from hordes of angry wasps, but they must have all been in bed as no wasp appeared. I dunno how effective the powder was, as I haven't been around much since, but I'm all cocky now and will kill wasps without a qualm.

Last Sunday was a family pouting. I was in a bad mood, putting Sally in a bad mood, putting Anna in a bad mood. Paddy was in his own little ice cream and apple juice world and so was oblivious to any familial grumpiness (as it should be -- he's not two yet fer gawd's sake). We were supposed to go to the circus and while I really didn't want to, we did. And it was good.

I don't get animals at the circus really. It's all a bit odd. Here's some llamas aren't they cool? Look! Horses! Sure they trot around the ring, but big deal. The acrobats and clowns are much better fun. Paddy loved it. The only awkward bit was when he decided that the trampoline and acrobat frames looked like fun and insisted on having a go. We managed to constrain him and when the next act came on, he forgot about it.

They don't miss a trick though, those circus types. All possible revenue streams are explored. They had an interval during which people moved amongst us with plastic tat of the irresistible to children sort and the clowns did face painting and you could get your picture taken with the python. We got Paddy a balloon. Anna got nothing. I burst the balloon as we were leaving. What model parents we are. I thought Paddy was going to freak when the balloon vanished, but he said Ball? Broken? and when I admitted that yes it was broken, he assumed an air of resignation and allowed himself to be strapped into the car.

What a trooper.