Cockerle Gifting

Bracken Cottage finally succumb to peer pressure. Many Blissfordians have commented to us about the lack of some je ne sais quoi which would give completeness to Blissford Garden suburb. What could it be – we have a baby, horses, sheep, many types of plant (although I only know the names of three of them – HR) and a stream. It gradually became clear that one couldn’t be fully accepted as a Blissfordian without owning chickens, although we had always resisted the temptation, having witnessed the mental anguish and emotional trauma which our poultried neighbours often put themselves through, as evidenced by the weekly rituals at the Darnley Memorial. Sunday being Sarah’s birthday, Kate determined to put things right by offering a former prize winning Frizzell cockerel (now affectionately known as “Frizzlecock”) as a birthday present. Sarah was overwhelmed by the gift initially saying “I usually get mine ready jointed and skinned from Waitrose”. “Frizzy”, who initially looked a little subdued (wouldn’t you if you had just witnessed Kate butcher and freeze 32 of your siblings? [26 chalked as K.F.C.! Ed]) has now settled in to Gaucho’s old stable, where he is at home to visitors, unless you are a fox. (apparently fed on smoked salmon and pumpernickel!).