boots and hen friend 'In rural life we are constantly reminded of death' said a medievel Borders philosopher, known to Duns Scotus-and he said it in Latin thus making it sound more profound-and this was before Avian Flu, if not the Plague and the Black Death. Our near neighbours had a small flock (?) of Bantam hens and a couple of Cockerels. When reports of the Avian Flu came in from our French neighbours they consulted DEFRA (The Department of Ensuring Fear about Rural Animals-perhaps?) and explained that they could not bring their fowl inside to sheltered sealed premises to avoid possible infection from infected Gooses, Swans, Rabid Foxes, Red Squirrels, Fluey Postmen etc. DEFRA advised that if they were 'worried' kill the lot. Being concerned citizens this they had done on the basis of 'professionl advice' with the exception of one bantam with a strong sense of premonition and agile footwork. In this picture we have the said Bantam and Boots the Cat companion of Rosie, but younger, and, unlike the arthritic Rosie, a succesful small birder and field mouser. They are good friends and hopefully this surviving potential flu epidemic is not keeping DEFRA officials awake at night. If worrying about the Hutton Bantam maintains alertness in working hours that is something I suppose.
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