A Manor Update

All of the kits are gaining weight nicely and are pinging about like small, furry, “pop-up” toys. You know, the kind you had when you were a kid that had a plastic top and a spring – like the “monsters” on the credit card advert? You push the top down until it sticks to the base and then it jumps up after a few seconds ……….. Anyway, one minute the kits are quietly sleeping and the next they are popcorn hopping like crazy. Very sweet and hilarious to watch. Both Bella and Leila are beginning to look a little haggard – I will probably give them a bit of a break over the weekend – away from their little charges if only for a few moment’s peace.

It’s the first Southern Region NCS (National Chinchilla Society) show on Sunday at Markyate and although I don’t have any chins to show I have to attend – partly because I’m Vice Chairman and the venue is only 20 minutes from home but also because I have the show lights and printer which are needed to run the show. I also buy and prepare the provisions for the kitchen.

Consequently, Talie and I were mooching around Costco after work to get everything we need – baking potatoes, ketchup, bacon and rolls for the breakfast bacon butties (compulsory fodder when you’ve hauled yourself out of bed on a cold, grey Sunday morning in winter). The trolley was full – I just hope enough people pitch up or Talie and I will be eating bacon rolls and baked potatoes with spag bol for the next 6 months!

Someone in the chin room has the squeaks this evening – not sure who is alarm calling but they are going at it in a very serious way. Something has definitely upset the apple cart. If they don’t stop soon I’m going in there to have words – anyone who keeps chins will know the outcome of this: The culprit will instantly stop squeaking as soon as the light goes on and I enter the room and every single small, furry face will peer at me innocently. Once I leave the chin room the alarm calling will re-commence at a faster, higher pitch than before and I will be forced to go back in the room and stare at each chin in turn – I’m not sure why I think the Paddington Hard Stare technique will work on the chins – it’s doomed to failure. I’d be better off just admitting defeat and going to bed.

Oh and by the way, the chin room still has a minty fresh aroma to it