It's been a long day today - started with cleaning the bank, then home to walk the dogs once more, then back into Oatlands to join the Winter Garden Tour.

We went to Bridgewater Farm School (now Jordan River something or other) which I have to say was something of a disappointment. Though their large-animal collection seems fairly well off, their smaller animals are kept in conditions that really warrant closer examination. The poultry runs (admittedly we have had damp weather) were awash with mud and reeked of manure - a sprinkling of lime and a few bales of hay would have sorted it out without too much trouble, particularly since they were expecting media coverage over their stoush with Brighton Council. It seems to be more of a petting zoo in the publicly accessible bits. Not at all impressed I have to say. And their hen sheds were filthy - very poorly maintained. Their birds are amazingly big though. This (very fuzzy) rooster - on the left -  is in a run with peacocks and makes some of them look small!

They also had some fairly unhealthy looking, very large rabbits in very small cages, with did not impress, though the ferret looked healthy enough:

 Still. A very small cage, and no entertainment for an animal that we all know is curious and active.

Then we continued to the Community Growth Centre which is run by Vinnies. They grow veges there for community dinners and for distribution to the needy, as well as providing opportunities for people to volunteer and learn new skills, and train in Cert 2 horticulture. Rather a more organised setup there, as they have to ensure they have the right veges ready for picking on the right months for their dinner menus.

Then we headed home via Cove Hill and that little farmlet at Bagdad where they always have signs out. I bought three golden nugget pumpkins for baked pumpkin soup (cooked in the skin, as individual servings). And so home, to walk the dogs, feed the dogs and cats, and now, to feed myself.