DaisyBrae Self Catering Cottage
Wildlife at its best
Milk the Milkman Stories
A Prickly Problem
Can Mike save an injured hedgehog?
Ring, Ring It was 3 a.m. time for Mike to get up. He could hear the early birds waking up with him. He slipped on his slippers trying not to wake his wife. After a wash and a brush up, Mike sneaked downstairs. He quickly lit the fire and as soon as it warmed up he made his favourite breakfast: a soft-boiled egg and brown bread fingers. Followed by toast, marmalade and hot strong tea. Before leaving, he remembered to pick up the two letters he needed to post, one to his pen pal Jake, an old friend who had moved to America, and one to his sister in Devon. He switched off the lights and quietly left the house. He opened the garage and removed his bicycle, checked the tyres and switched on the lights. He was on his way to the Gold Top Dairy situated in the village of Salen. He took his usual short cut along Leafy Lane behind the Manse. He was always extra careful after once falling off after slipping on loose gravel. Twenty minutes later the gates of the dairy were in sight. Mike entered through the side door that was always unlocked by the manager Mr. Smart. Mike parked his bike and switched off the lights. The sky was just starting to lighten. Mike thought, "looks like another sunny day"....................................
Mike Saves The Day When bad weather on Mull washes dangerous chemicals into the river can Mike save the day? Mike would often stop at different beauty spots on his round to eat his lunch. He always had sandwiches, a flask of tea and a piece of fruit. Today he had parked Flo in a picnic area adjacent to the River Aros. Here there is a small sandy area where the children would play during the summer. As he sat watching the river he saw a flash of blue disappear under the bridge. He followed it and noticed a small bird land on a tree branch overhanging the river. He always had a pair of binoculars and soon saw the kingfisher. He watched it for a few minutes and then finished his lunch, time to get on he thought. The road followed the river for several miles and joined the main road just north of the dairy. When he arrived at the dairy he made sure Flo was tucked up for the night, and said goodbye to Mr Smart. "Before you go, Mike can you take this package to George Martins farm on Water Meadow Lane on your way home" asked Mr Smart. "No problem" replied Mike. The parcel was small and fitted easily on the bicycle pannier. The ride was downhill all the way so Mike arrived without pedalling...................................................................
Things that Go Bump in the Night
Mike has pesky mouse problems
Mike enjoyed living in the country; he loved to see how the wild animals had accepted him and would venture close to the house
He always checked to see that there was ample food in the bird feeders and feeding table before he left every morning. This morning he noticed that all the deer food had gone.
He went into the shed to find the food he had prepared earlier.
He reached for the light switch and nothing happened when he flicked it on.
"Typical" thought Mike, he had forgotten to take the torch with him so he tried to remember where the sealed container was placed. He carefully shuffled forward tying not to bump into anything.
"Ah ha" he thought as he felt the edge of the table, he reached across and located a container.
He decided to take it back to the kitchen in order to make sure he had the correct container before pouring the food into the feeding bowl.
As he poured the food the container slipped and some of the food fell behind the kitchen cupboard. Mike cleaned up as best he could, carried the bowl into the garden and placed it on the feeding table. He needed to fix the light in the shed later so he left the container in the kitchen.
Mike realised that it was time to leave for the dairy. He locked the front door and jumped on his bicycle.
It was a beautiful morning, the sun was just above the horizon, and there was hardly a sound.
He stopped for a moment and thought how lucky he was as he looked across the fields to Ben More. He continued on his way. Mike had nearly reached the dairy when a field mouse sprinted across the road in front of him, causing Mike to brake quickly.
He imagined the mouse saying " busy, busy no time to stop, things to do mice to see, hurry, hurry". Mike smiled and walked the final 100 metres to the dairy.
Busmans Holiday
Mike visits a fellow Milkman in the big city with unexpected results Holidays to Mike usually meant staying at home, working in the garden, reading books and completing those little jobs that never seemed to be finished. This year however, he received an invitation from a friend also a milkman, to come and stay for a week with him. His friends’ name was Stan. This was not to be the usual holiday but an opportunity to join Stan on his milk round, which was not like Mikes but in a busy city. Whilst he was away Mr Smart would cover for Mike, and check on his house from time to time. The week before his holiday was due, he had taken his car to the local garage for a service, to make sure all was ok for the big day. Mr Bright had owned the garage for as long as Mike could remember. Mr Bright also visited the Gold Top Dairies to look after the milk floats. When Mike arrived at the garage he could see his car on one of the ramps. Mr Bright was standing under the car; a radio was playing in the background...................................................................................
If the Wind Changes Direction NEW
After being attacked and hospitalised Jessica develops a knack of bringing those annoying people we all meet on a daily basis to book
Chasemeade not so long ago was a pleasant place to live. Not so now, new estates have changed the whole fabric of the area. Petty crime is rife and for one group of residents life is now a war of attrition. The more mature residents now leave their homes only when absolutely necessary. When they do there is a very good chance of being hassled and chastised by groups of teenagers for whom the word respect does not exist. One such couple is Harry and Jessica Hodge. Moving away is not an option so they manage as best they can. As they alight from the bus the driver whispers good luck. The last few weeks have been event free; Harry can remember times when the short trip had been frightening. As the bus starts to move away, they both look anxiously up and down the road. Harry ‘looks clear lets get a move on’ Weighed down with several bags each meant the pace was slow. The closer they got to their house the more anxious they became. They walked in silence listening for any people approaching. 50 metres from safety what they feared the most happened. From one of the lanes that led from the playing fields a group of people ran out. ‘Probably up to no good’ Harry thought to himself. He saw Jessica give him a worried glance. The group was mainly teenagers with a few younger ones hanging on, mainly boys with only a couple of girls. As soon as they saw Harry and Jessica they stopped, a couple of words were exchanged. Jessica slipped in behind Harry as they approached. Harry ‘we don’t want any trouble’ The leader approached with the confidence of a gang behind him.................................................................................... Pen & Ink Sketches Original pen and ink sketches. Conceived and brought to life during long boring meetings.
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