AVRIL’S NEWSLETTER – JUNE 07
WEDNESDAY
Here we are again at Avril’s in the first week of June, and as we all know, what a glorious place it is to be at anytime, but particularly in the early Summer – lovely sunshine, a cooling wind, the garden looking really colourful; the poppies are especially stunning.
Most
of you will recognise the poppies as being on the roadside bank between Sam’s
Abode and the pond. And it was from that
sunken corner of the garden that I heard Avril’s voice greeting me as I
arrived, a couple of afternoons ago.
After a couple of hours of hard driving, by just walking into Avril’s
front garden, I had slipped into the most wonderful sleepy, summer afternoon,
where the world was at peace, and Avril, looking very well herself, was tending
the garden. If I had had any doubt as to
why I head in this direction when the opportunity of holidays comes around, and
I certainly had none, then they would have been utterly dispelled in these few
moments. And if you’re not sure how to
relax, someone will show you how..
Not
the first to make herself comfortable at Sam’s Abode while the eponymous sentry
is absent.
A
look into the visitor’s log for the last couple of months shows further ties
with Avril’s adopted archaeology group, No Man’s Land. Whilst only Luke stayed with Avril this time
round, the whole band turned up for dinner every day, and several convivial
evenings were spent whilst partaking of Avril’s good food and making valiant
attempts at drinking Avril’s beer barrels dry.
No Man’s Land were putting extra work into the Thiepval Wood trenches
that they had been previously been excavating in the spring and autumn of last
year.
Now
I am about the farthest you can get from being an expert on Great War
ammunition, but even I recognised straightaway, that Avril’s display in the
tearoom was a lot better than before; very clean and tidy. Well, you didn’t think that Luke was going to
have stayed here, without putting his skills to good use, did you? He was the perfect person for Avril to have
go through her collection of Great War items, which I believe had been housed
in the shed next to the chickens. Luke
advised Avril to keep just a couple of good examples of each thing, and sell
the rest. But things did not go quite
according to plan. One or two items were
not quite as harmless as first thought, and the bomb disposal expert always on
hand with the No Man’s Land group thought that said items should be removed
officially. When they were, it seems
that rather a lot of Avril’s collection went with it. Consequently, although Ocean Villas is now a
really, really safe place to stay, our beloved hostess is not going to be
making her fortune through the sale of Great War memorabilia. She has been told that no one should be
selling nose cones anymore; she won’t be, but neither should you be drawn into
buying from anyone else. The funny thing
was that I had also had a feeling that the back of the chicken shed looked tidy
as well, although I couldn’t put my finger on what had been done; Luke’s
influence again, of course.
The
Durant group have also been back in the area – mainly centering their efforts
on the German tunnels at Y Ravine.
However, Avril is hopeful that they will be investigating further
underground possibilities on her property in due course.
Andy
Robertshaw dropped in again fairly recently, and he is in a much happier frame
of mind now that he works for the Royal Logistical Corps, and is developing
strong ties with the Imperial War Museum.
He is a very welcome visitor to Avril as he continually inspires her in
her many projects – after all, we all need to have some outside encouragement,
no matter how well it may look that we are doing.
Sometimes
Avril gets an e-mail from someone who wonders if she can solve a mystery, or
give information. I’m surprised she gets
the time, but this morning Avril said she needed to go to the cemetery at
Doullens to get a photo of a headstone.
Naturally when offered the chance to go along, I was definitely up for
it. It was in the cause of one of those
interesting stories that you happen upon from time to time. A lady in North Wales had bought a book of
Common Prayer, issued to one soldier, and inscribed by him inside was a message
confirming his gift of said book to another soldier who had been of great
comfort to him whilst they were both at Puchevillers hospital. We were looking for the soldier who is
believed to be the original owner of the Prayer Book. If we have found the right person, he seems
to have survived that particular hospital visit, only to die of wounds about a
year later. The lady that bought the
book, has I believe, tracked down descendents of the original owner, and sent
them the book.
THURSDAY
At
the time of the previous newsletter, the breeding season at Avril’s
establishment was about to begin. Now it
is finished, and with a degree of success.
From eight of her ewes, Avril now has thirteen lambs, having lost only
one through birth problems. However, it
is now time to introduce you to the exquisitely named ‘Larry’ the lamb. This poor young chap was born to a ewe that
was rather too small to give birth comfortably, and in the ensuing struggle to
bring Larry into the world, he suffered a broken leg…
But
here I have to interrupt to let you know the very latest happening at chez
Avril. This morning, I am using the
kitchen table to rest my laptop on, and only about ten minutes ago, I began to
be aware of a faint noise to my right.
From the direction of the incubator!
Avril’s last comment about the eggs therein was that she thought their
potential was exhausted. But here was
the living proof that for once she was off the mark. When I got up and had a look, my gaze was met
by one very newly born chick, completely out of its shell…
And
there we have the latest arrival, first of all in the incubator, and then in
the safe haven of Avril’s hand.
Ok,
after that excitement, back to ‘Larry’ the lamb. The unfortunate thing was that as well as the
leg being broken, it also became infected.
He had to be removed from his mother, to be looked after very carefully,
and thanks to Avril’s TLC, he is making great strides, although not yet with
his bad leg. He is being bottle-fed
it. It was in the cause of one of those
interesting stories that you happen upon from time to time. A lady in North Wales had bought a book of
Common Prayer, issued to one soldier, and inscribed by him inside was a message
confirming his gift of said book to another soldier who had been of great
comfort to him whilst they were both at Puchevillers hospital. We were looking for the soldier who is
believed to be the original owner of the Prayer Book. If we have found the right person, he seems
to have survived that particular hospital visit, only to die of wounds about a
year later. The lady that bought the
book, has I believe, tracked down descendents of the original owner, and sent
them the book.
THURSDAY
At
the time of the previous newsletter, the breeding season at Avril’s
establishment was about to begin. Now it
is finished, and with a degree of success.
From eight of her ewes, Avril now has thirteen lambs, having lost only
one through birth problems. However, it
is now time to introduce you to the exquisitely named ‘Larry’ the lamb. This poor young chap was born to a ewe that
was rather too small to give birth comfortably, and in the ensuing struggle to
bring Larry into the world, he suffered a broken leg…
But
here I have to interrupt to let you know the very latest happening at chez
Avril. This morning, I am using the
kitchen table to rest my laptop on, and only about ten minutes ago, I began to
be aware of a faint noise to my right.
From the direction of the incubator!
Avril’s last comment about the eggs therein was that she thought their
potential was exhausted. But here was
the living proof that for once she was off the mark. When I got up and had a look, my gaze was met
by one very newly born chick, completely out of its shell…
And
there we have the latest arrival, first of all in the incubator, and then in
the safe haven of Avril’s hand.
Ok,
after that excitement, back to ‘Larry’ the lamb. The unfortunate thing was that as well as the
leg being broken, it also became infected.
He had to be removed from his mother, to be looked after very carefully,
and thanks to Avril’s TLC, he is making great strides, although not yet with
his bad leg. He is being bottle-fed
every
four hours or so, and if Avril doesn’t quite get there in time, Larry is sure
to let her know in no uncertain terms.
Never can anyone remember such a loud cry from a lamb, and I’m not sure
if the rooster thinks he might be out of a job.
To see Larry belting across the back yard is a joy to behold, and at top
speed, having only three legs working does not seem to hold him back in the
slightest. Apparently it seems he is
unlikely to be able to put his foot to the ground for another month, so full
success can only be monitored after that.
However, his fighting spirit has earned him a safe future – Avril has
determined that Larry will be staying with
. 
her
for the rest of his life. Above, you can
see him in full enthusiastic feeding action.
As
mentioned previously, there are a dozen other lambs on site, and here is a
photo of the other hand fed lamb, Bambi.
Bambi’s
mother is Megan, who in turn is a daughter of Libby, who at eight years old is
Avril’s oldest ewe. Snowy, whom you may
remember was temporarily lame at the time of the previous newsletter, is now
the mother of two strong and healthy lambs herself.
Not
counting this morning’s surprise arrival, the headcount for chicks this year
was ten from four mothers, whom even Avril admits are vicious, and three
hand-reared. A couple of the ten were
lost before this week, and unfortunately the mothers set upon another of the
chicks yesterday, and were not satisfied until they had killed it. So today’s arrival is particularly welcome.
The
cat population remains at six – I think this is said in a state of relief that
the number has not increased, although apparently not for the lack of trying by
yet another outsider.
The
dog population nearly decreased by one.
About six weeks ago, Bonnie strayed onto the Rue Delattre, and was hit
by a vehicle. Bonnie suffered a very
badly broken leg; however, the attendant vet was absolutely amazing, and gave
the stricken dog the best possible help.
Bonnie had to have a metal plate inserted into her leg; but Avril was
told that if Bonnie was restrained for six weeks or so, by that time she could
be taken for walks. The great news is
that Bonnie has made a complete recovery – you just wouldn’t guess that
anything had been wrong. And she isn’t
short of walks, being a resident also seems to qualify you for a place on the
walk rota. However, Avril’s sofa has
suffered greatly – an enthusiastic young Labrador, confined to barracks is
going to get a touch bored…
Yesterday
Avril received a very agreeable package from the people at Talbot House in
Poperinghe. Contained inside were a
particularly friendly letter, some excellent pamphlets for Talbot House, and
best of all, a copy of their recently produced publication that has been put
together from the memorabilia of Tubby Clayton.
This is a welcome addition to Avril’s library, and though will not take
too long to read, will I’m sure, be very enjoyable and interesting. For those of you that have not visited Talbot
House, this book and the pamphlets will certainly influence you to make the
pilgrimage as soon as possible. It is an
incredibly moving place to visit.
The
main news of the previous newsletter was about the Wall of Remembrance. The momentum for this important project is
gradually building, though naturally a lot has to go on behind the scenes
before things take off more publicly.
But take off is exactly what is hoped will happen at the chosen time, as
Avril has only had encouragement where the wall is concerned.
A
committee has been formed and has had its inaugural meeting. An association has also to be set up, and
Avril and her son Mark will be attending a meeting with the accountant to that
effect towards the end of the month. A
supplier of the bricks is being sought, with a good possibility showing its
face in that direction, but as yet, costings still have not been worked out,
and as everyone must
appreciate,
that is the keystone upon which everything else will bear out. All that can really be said right now is
WATCH THIS SPACE!
One
of the points made at the first committee meeting was that the Wall had to be
given priority over the museum and the other projects that Avril has for her
complex across the road. When the idea
of the wall first came about, it was rather thought of as a moneymaking
sideshow for the museum. Now Avril and
most of us she has talked to have come to realise that the Wall is if anything,
more important than the museum, and will be the project that draws people to
the area. And then, if paid the respect
it so clearly deserves, will really be the source of funding to everything else
that Avril wants to achieve, the museum, the wonderful collection waiting to
inhabit it, the completion of the reproduction trenches, the excavation of more
original trenches, and ultimately the whole complex being one devoted to
‘living history.’
SATURDAY
Two
days on, and I am very pleased to report that our successfully incubated chick
has now been placed under one of the brooding hens outside, and they have
already achieved the mother-child bonding necessary. It really is one of those life-affirming
moments.
The
big day is on the horizon again! Yes,
it’s less than a month to the 1st July. This year, Avril will be opening up her barn
on the opposite side of the road, and a bar within will provide baguettes and
bottles of beer for refreshment throughout the day. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the fare, and
meet with whomever is doing likewise. As
regards entertainment, the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band will be playing at
Avril’s during the afternoon, at an as yet unspecified time.
Jon.