Time to Turn the Compost Heap

It was a fine day for a change. The sun was out and the birds were singing.

'Come on Rufus!' I said, 'let's turn the compost heap.

The compost had been rotting all winter and it had changed from green to dark brown. I put a big fork into it and turned it and shaped it into a shape like a steamed pudding - it was steaming too!

(Because compost heaps get hot even when it's cold.)

But there were some things wriggling in the heap - lots and lots of...........

WORMS

The Robin had a proper feast.

Then it was time for Rufus and me to have our lunch too!

What happened to the Fish in February

In the Monastery garden, there is a pond where fish are kept. In the winter there is not much to eat and sometimes Brother Barnabus has to come a catch fish in a basket for the monks to eat for supper.

One morning Brother William were walking past the pond when they noticed something strange.

There were no fish in the pond! (But if you look carefully you might be able to see them on the grass.) The wind was so strong it had blown them out of the water.

Brother William and Rufus had to gather them up and put them back in the water.

It wasn't that easy as they kept wriggling out of their hands...

But at last they were all back in

"Thanks goodness" said Brother William. "Woof" said Rufus.

All the fish safely back. Let's hope it doesn't get windy again!

Leaf Shapes and Colours

Here are some of the shapes and colours of leaves that 

Brother William has been collecting. 

From left to right: silver birch, lime, cherry, hornbeam and rowan.

These leaves are made from cut-out paper

Autumn Leaves

Rufus helping me pick up leaves

The Abbot gets a Nasty Surprise!

It was Saturday morning and all was quiet outside the Abbot's House. 

But - can you see anything unusual?

 

 The Abbot is coming out...

He doesn't look very happy.

 

 

 

'Who' he said in a loud voice, 'Has done this POO!'

Just then Brother William and Rufus walked past.

'Was it YOU Rufus?' said the Abbot.

Rufus felt very embarrassed. 

He felt like

everyone was looking at him!

'Oh dear' Said Brother William as they trudged slowly through the cloisters,

'What are we going to do?'

'Everyone will think it was you that did the poo.'

Just then they saw something or someone walking along in the distance.

Was it, could it possibly, could it be a

very naughty Fox?

    

Ready for Winter!

Here is Brother William in his nice new warm underwear - ready for winter!

A Meal with Friends in September

This year I had a surprise visit from my friend Prior Thomas and some of the young monks of Lewes Priory. 

First of all I showed them the Herb Garden. Here they are among roses and periwinkle. 

Prior Thomas looks grumpy, as he was tired from his long journey, wet because it had been raining,  and hungry as it had been a long time since breakfast. Also the young monks were annoying him by running around looking for spiders among the leaves.

 

'Come on,' said Prior Thomas, once he had rounded out the young ones, 'It's time for lunch!"

By this time Brother Barnabus had collected some calendula flowers to go in the salad, as well as garlic chives to mix with the cream cheese and mint to make mint sauce with vinegar and honey.

We had our meal under a plum tree in the garden. The plums were ripe and sweet so we all ate a lot - even Rufus!