Elaine Rogers - Spring Down on the Farm

Spring Down on the Farm

Elaine Rogers

ARTHUR H. STOCKWELL LTD

Torrs Park Ilfracombe Devon

Established 1898

www.ahstockwell.co.uk

2017 digital version converted and published by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

Elaine Rogers, 2017

First published in Great Britain, 2017

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

By the same author:

Winter Down on the Farm

Dedicated to the friends who helped with this book.

Characters in Spring Down on the Farm

At the Evanses Farm

Mr Dai Evans - The Farmer

Mrs Megan Evans - The Farmers Wife

Tiddles - The Female Cat

Fluffy Junior - The Male Baby Rabbit

Charlie - The Shire Horse

Flora - The Friesian Cow

Percy - The Male Pig

Sarah - The Female Duck

Henrietta - The Hen

Freddy - The Frog

In the Field

Mr Bandylegs - The Scarecrow

Robbie - The Robin

Rocky - The Crow

In the Village Shop

Mr Graham Allen - The Postmaster

Mrs Mary Allen - The Grocer

At the Joneses Farm

Mr Tawny Owl

At the Vets

Mr Chris Slater - The Vet

Miss Tracy Woods - Mr Slaters Fiance and Receptionist

At the Studio

Mr Terry Grant - The Quizmaster

Mrs Carol Grant - Mr Grants Wife and Assistant

At the Green Dragon Inn

Mr Tony Harris - The Landlord

Mrs Jill Harris - The Landlady, Mr Harriss Wife

Mrs Enid Brown - The Cook

Mrs Wendy Adams - The Waitress

Mrs Helen Davies - The Barmaid

Chapter One

The early morning spring sunshine shone across the fields belonging to Mr and Mrs Evans and settled on Mr Bandylegs the scarecrow, waking him from his sleep, reminding him that it was daytime. He could now begin his job of standing guard over the crops in the field, on the lookout for any new birds in the area (as they didnt know of the understanding between the local birds and the scarecrow, that they would go elsewhere for their food and leave Mr Evanss crops alone).

Rocky the crow and Robbie the robin were on their usual perches, one on either of the scarecrows shoulders. Rocky flew across the fields while Robbie hopped along on the ground. Robbie heard a low mooing coming from the barn.

Flora the cows awake and ready to be milked, then, the little robin said aloud to himself.

Grunt, grunt, said Percy the pig, which meant Mr Evans is late this morning. I hope everything is all right at the farm.

Just then the back door opened and out came Mrs Evans, hurrying across the yard muttering to herself that the alarm clock didnt go off this morning because the battery ran out and stopped the clock. Ive so much to do today, milking, baking and cleaning the house. Mr Evans wants a stew for his supper tonight. I must ask him to get lots of the vegetables he stored in the barn over the winter for it, before he starts his work outside this morning.

She called out to Flora the cow, Hello, my pretty. Have you got lots of milk for me this morning?

Flora mooed in response to her mistresss question, which meant, I will give you as much as I can.

When she had finished the milking, Mrs Evans took the pail of creamy milk back into the kitchen, and hurried off to collect the eggs laid that morning, so she could make her husbands breakfast.

Henrietta strutted around her henhouse, clucking noisily, proud of the three eggs she had laid for Mrs Evans.