Tuesday 16 March 2010

The importance of being Ernest

Would you like to have the little fellow below to stay at your house? Well, if you would, then do read on, and I will explain how you can have a jolly little rooster winging your way very soon.


This very intrepid and adventurous little rooster named Ernest, who hails from The Hen House, is spending his gap year travelling around Blogland, and he is at present a visitor at Pomona's cottage, being very well looked after by Princess Bunchy.


Having made the long journey east from the home of Charlotte Cottontails and the exceedingly furry Humphrey, Ernest landed on our doorstep last week. Unfortunately his arrival coincided with that of Mr Lurgy, who had obviously thought it fun to make the trip across the ocean from Dottie Angel's mossy shed, so his first few days were spent quietly in the chamber of Princess Bunchy, getting to know a multitude of cuddly friends and dust devils.


But now the sun is shining, we have woken to find that Mr Lurgy has disappeared into the night (I hope that he is not headed your way), and Ernest has had a chance to have some fun.


He has had a lovely ride in a bike basket with Mabel and Shadow Sockbunny (you might be acquainted with their cousin, Widget, who has many adventures of his own), and a little knitted cat who strayed into our house from Zoe Mellor's Double Knits very many years ago. Ernest was feeling the cold rather, so we had to wrap him up warm in Sindy's hat, coat and scarf. Yes, you read rightly, they belong to Sindy, a very superannuated Sindy, a relic from those long-past days of my childhood, whose peroxide locks are still as wiry as the day that I anointed them with Amami setting lotion.


But Ernest warmed up later and went out into the orchard to meet the girls, who have been agog at the thought that once again they would have a chap in their midst. They were naturally a little cautious at first because the last rooster they encountered had rather an unfortunate aggressive streak.


The Ploughboy appeared home with this dreadful example of machismo after an agricultural show, and the fact that he was a free gift, and we were his third owners should have stood as a warning. Despite repeated solitary confinement and intensive psychological training, he showed an alarming predisposition to attack the girls and attempt to beat them into submission at every opportunity. I will pass quickly over his fate, for which I was not at all responsible, but let's just say that one day I came home to find him gone forever.


However, dear Ernest is a thoroughly amiable sort, not at all violent, and really very cuddly. You will see that he has made a special friend. I think she must have been taken by the natty beret.


He will be staying with us for just a week, and will then be moving on to his next port of call. If any of you dear bloggers would like to provide him with hospitality for a week, and record his adventures in your blog, before sending him onto another bloggy haven, then just leave a comment on the bottom of this post, and I will ask Ernest to choose one of you at the end of the week.

I can promise you that he is the most perfect guest, not at all fussy about his food, very quiet, and doesn't make a mess at all. He is willing to join in without complaint in whatever activities you decide to organize, and he gets on exceedingly well with children and hens.

If only all guests were so easy!

56 comments:

Michela said...

I was just wondering where Ernest was! That Bad Penny is such a crazy lady! ;-)
I'm sure Ernest won't forget his stay at your cosy home!
xxx

Elizabethd said...

Would he like to visit France?

BadPenny said...

I've been having a bad day but you have just made it better with your lovely post...Ernest looks quite at home with you and very settled I think !
Sindy clothes - good grief I'll have to look some out for his return at Christmas !

One naughty hen got into my fenced off veggie area today-_ I thought hubby & son has hen proofed it but they are a determined lot.

Glad you are over the lurgy hope it wasn't Bird Flu !

Penny xx

Beki said...

I think Ernest might quite like to visit the sunny seaside(ish) town of Clevedon.

Beki xxx

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

That's such a funny post Pomona and Ernest looks right at home with your chooks .... if he wants to wing his way round here I am more than happy to offer free board and lodgings for a week x

VintageVicki said...

Can offer Ernest B&B in Suffolk? Could visit the seaside @ Aldeburgh and/or SOuthwold and if he gets here quickly - birthday cake ;)

Unknown said...

Ha ha - how cute!
It might be a bit to far for him to travel in one go, but if he thinks he is up to it, then he would be welcome to come and spend a week in New Zealand with us.

Chrissie said...

Oh sorry to hear about the lurgy, but glad it's passed over. Ernest would be very welcome north of the Thames to come and visit Fanny, Madge and Hilda, who haven't met a man-hen yet!

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Alas Ernest is indeed a friendly fellow and bound to have a good tale or two to tell when he returns home.
If he is not prone to seasickness and would like to travel the ocean blue he would be most welcome here in Canada.
Oh and he must not fear cats for I'm sure they would be very puzzled yet amused by his arrival...
Susan x

Chrissie said...

p.s. was Ernest found in a handbag at Victoria Station....?

Jen Walshaw said...

He looks like he is fitting in weel. We woulld love for him to visit TheMadHouse

Floss said...

How sweet to find Ernest chez toi! I often see him on his travels around blogland, but I'd resolved not to ask for him to come and visit us until he landed with someone I knew anyway... So, if he'd like to visit France (as Elizabethd has already asked), perhaps our address could go into his Sindy hat too, please?

Hope your daffodils come out soon...

harmony and rosie said...

Oh we would love to entertain Ernest. The children have had lots of practice with a variety of class bears and depending on when he's despatched, he can have some time in the big city and then a few days by the sea. One word of warning, we do eat rather a lot of eggs, would that offend? Please add us to the hat.

Kate x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I fear if we had him to stay, stay he would have to do forever. Our girls have a habbit of falling in love with many sweet creatures. I did enjoy his story though, very cute and funny. Love the photo of your chook coming in for a closer look.

menopausalmusing said...

I nodded my head with empathy re your past experience with a cockerel. Our first was christened "Exocet" due to the way he launched himself horizontally at us. The second we took in after a neighbour couldn't cope with him (she had named him "Boxer" and there was a clue there!). Our present one is a little sweetheart, but it has to be said that entering the chicken run is no longer such a "challenge" or nearly as much of an adrenalin rush!
Ernest would be made most welcome
here if he wouldn't find it too boring......
:O)

Anonymous said...

I would love to have Ernest come to stay her on the sunny Isle of Wight - he could learn how to sail...

Vintage from the Village said...

I loved looking at all your hens!
we have 4 ex battery hens which are now after a year fully feathered and fat, the garden is a bit of a mess but we love them
Glad to have discovered your great blog.
Best wishes
Sue x

Willeke said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. I am glad you wrote a comment, otherwise I should have missed this gorgeous story of Ernest.

Karen L R said...

If he came our way, we could entertain him here in Connecticut, AND take him to Vermont for a weekend. We'd be careful to keep an eye out for the neighborhood fox up there...but Ernest would love the view of the Green Mountains, I'm sure.

WinnibriggsHouse said...

If he came to sometimes sunny Lincolnshire we would welcome him with open arms and introduce him to Vernon the vulture. Vernon is very tame and well mannered, ie he doesn't eat friends, and is well travelled too having been born in Menorca and visited New York and Cyprus. He does get a little lonely and I think a visitor is just what he needs. We will show Ernest a real good time and chronicle all his adventures for all to see.
Please choose us
Love
Jenny and Vernon xx

Kelly said...

We would love for Ernest to come and stay, what a lucky chap going to all of these wonderful places.

lynda Howells said...

Can offer him a super week in Putney, London, Uk...if you think he might like the high life in the city?xlynda

Unknown said...

Oh how you have made me smile this morning. I am very much hoping that you will repress any urge to apply a styling product to Ernest's feathers....

A Thrifty Mrs said...

I love him!
You have cheered me up no end with this post.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I lost track of Ernest and wondered where he was spending his time!! It's good to see that his travels haven't changed him and he continues to make friends! I offered to have him come and stay with us in Virginia and see our nations capital, but some of his antics may have put him on the "do not fly list!" :-))

I look foward to following his adventures and getting to you know you a bit better as well!

Unknown said...

Oh I have enjoyed watching good old ernest enjoying his time with you! What a character he is, oh hang on a minute though, or are you the character?:)

Twiglet said...

Love Ernest - and the sock bunnies too!

Cathy said...

Loved your post about Ernest. He is very cute and obviously nice to hens.

Anonymous said...

I have been following the travels of Ernest for a while now - and he's certainly looking at home with you.

Ask him if he fancies travelling up north to Yorkshire - if so please put my name in the hat! ;-)

Houdini x

Booklinks said...

Still congratulations on your birthday. Ernest is so cute, and I love that basket with the cuddly toys.
Suzanne xx

MILLY said...

Hello Pomona,
You are the winner of my little giveaway. I will send you an email.
milly

BadPenny said...

thank you for keeping me informed about Ernest... a mother never stops worrying ! Thx for having the little chappie to stay - I'm keeping a log to post at Christmas.
I may be visiting a Blog friend soon mysef..I'm so excited !

Barbara said...

Fun post and was Mr. Lurgy what I think he is?
I won't offer hospitality - I already have prayer walkers staying with me this week. My excuse anyway!

Anonymous said...

awww this post has really made me smile, it's so funny :o)
Ernest is adorable!

Michela said...

Hi Pomona, I just wanted to wish you and your family a very happy Easter, hope you're all fine! xx

Knicky Knacks said...

Does Ernest know how to surf? If not, do you think he'd like to? Happy for him to stay with us at our home by the sea in sunny Victoria, Australia.

Michelle, Queen Behind the Lens! said...

Count me in! I have some hens who would much prefer the stuffed, cuddly type to the bad-ass who crows all day & pulls their poor feathers out in his ardor! As long as Ernest can stand a chance of rain up here in the PNW, he's welcome to visit!

Linda Tunnell said...

Thank-you for your post that put a smile on my face today! How lovely for Ernest, getting to travel and have so many experiences with so many different people. We love visitors at our house, though we might have to off our mean rooster before he arrives! The grandchildren would love Ernest to death! love from Washington

cathleen said...

Thinking of you and hoping you are okay.

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Pomona

Missing your posts, hope all is well with you.

Take care

Isabelle x

Olivia said...

This is really cute...we have a kitty that is trying to hunt our hamster i am not sure he would survive...stop by and say hi if you get a chance.
hugs,
Olivia

heidi said...

Hi Pomona,
I was just wondering if all was okay with you...we havent heard from you lately? x

VintageVicki said...

Long time - no see - hope all is ok with you & yours ??

Yvonne Temple said...

Hi Pomona
I was just thinking about you so thought I'd pop by to check that everything is ok with you? Miss you
Yvonne xx

Rosa-Munda said...

Hi Pomona,
Sending my best wishes, hope you're okay. Ros x

Callies Cottage said...

Hi Pomona,
I emailed you as I am hoping that you are well and just too busy to post...
Warm Wishes,
Cally x x x

Callies Cottage said...

Ok now I am a little worried....no need to chat if you dont want to, but I am concerned about you- do hope that all is well...
Sending you lots of love,
Cally x

Unknown said...

How are you, I keep checking for new posts, and there hasn't been one for a while. I miss your lovely posts! I hope that you are ok? Suzie xxx

harmony and rosie said...

Hi Pomona

Tthree months and no post, I'm assuming you're super busy with your new projects but thought I'd check that you're ok.

Take care
Kate x

noelle said...

Hey Pomona, hope everything is ok with you its been such a long time!

Anna Wilson-Patterson said...

If Ernest would like some art, he could come to our rural Gallery in Herstmonceux, Sussex?

A Bun Can Dance said...

Hi Pomona
I was browsing through some blog links and realised it's been a long time since you've posted and just wanted to say "hello" and I hope you are well, and that life is busy in a good way for you.
Hope you'll be back here again soon,
Denise x

Photography said...

Oh he could always come to the land down under :-) Great post very entertaining!

nimble fingers and steady eyebrows said...

We would love to host him! He could choose between a week in England and a week in America! Annie and Laura x

Arte Mãos Dadas said...

Ernest
would you like to visit Brasil and live new adventures
we miss your posts
Adriana

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Ernest is so cute and is welcome at Thistle Cove Farm in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, USA.
First time visitor to your blog and enjoying my visit, very much.

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