Mrs Down's Diary

JOHN has been frantically getting all his land work completed before we go to stay in our friends' house in the Bahamas. Can't wait. Even writing it makes me feel excited. We have slightly differing views on holiday leisure time. John's consist of lots of time with a rod and line, mine with a snorkel and sunbed.

We have slightly differing views on holiday leisure time. John's consist of lots of time with a rod and line, mine with a snorkel and sunbed.

John's brother Geoff is coming to look after the cows and sheep and poultry. Friends are coming in to look after the ducks.

These are very labour-intensive and created a lot more work than John had envisaged. "But at least I know now what to do if we rear any number of them again," he said.

Life is a steep learning curve but it has been great fun to watch their explosion in size.

The ducks never seem to stop eating and are the messiest birds ever with their water bowls.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette June 18