Sad news from the playground. We had to say goodbye to Herman. That is to say, I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I knew he would be leaving any time, but all of a sudden things went fast. And just my luck, it happened while I was staying home on Monday because I had workers coming over to check the ventilation system. Bodil called me to tell me that Herman was leaving, but I don’t think she realised that he was going the same day. She didn’t call me right away so I didn’t get the message in time for me to make it to the playground and say goodbye. So that was really sad.

I was told everything went fine, though. It turned out that Nina’s friends, who took Medium and Large last year, couldn’t take him after all. Instead a nice farmer called Leif bought him from us. Apparently he had four lady goats and needed a buck. So I’m sure Herman will have his hooves full with that and hopefully he’ll have a good life there.

I miss him already. He meant a lot to me. I was the one who named him. I love the name Herman for a buck. And I think it suited him really well. He was the first goat I have ever seen actually arrive at the playground. It was really sweet and interesting seeing the other goats react to him. Especially Mia, who went up to him as the first one and sniffed at his face. Then the ladies chasing him around while he was still a little uncertain of his new place. And then after a few days of finding his legs he took charge and now it was him who was chasing the others around. And the birth of his boys was the first live goat birth I ever witnessed. A very special moment. And of course, just the getting to know him. He was scared of humans when he arrived. By the time he left he had pretty much left that behind him. It took a lot of effort getting really close to him and of course he’d never be as completely tame as the goats raised with constant human contact as Bruce and Clark. But I think we became good friends. And he is just beautiful and so much fun. I will miss that.

I’m not sure the ladies will miss him, though. I think they were a little tired of him! Mio is back as queen of the herd now. Growling the others away when I hand out my old fruit. Instead of patiently waiting on the bench like she has mostly done while Herman was here. She’s definitely in charge again.

So goodbye to Herman. There’s a chance we might be able to go visit him again next year. That would be really nice. But most of all, of course, I hope he has a long and happy life at his new home. Goatspeed, mighty warrior.

In other, better, news. The soup is on. Or well, it’s off now. But it was on for most of the week. Mama’s good, old great soup. Enjoyable as ever. Especially now that the weather has gone cold. Although my dad claims it’s “summer warm” and that he can go out in short sleeves. He obviously doesn’t have my circulation problems. I have frozen hands after a few hours with the goats. Winter is coming. Brrr.

But then, so is more soup. Sooner or later. So there’s that.

And until then, go go goat photos. Starting with a happy face from Kamel.

Love that goofy grin.

Bruce taking over Herman’s throne.

We even had a little sunshine.

The hungry look.

Eye to eye.

Stealing the horses’ hay. Yup, he thinks he’s the boss now! He wasn’t afraid of the big horses at all.

Little, cute Clark.

Another cute Kamel.

Mmmmia.

#Palleface.

Kamelsnout.

Gotta get that peanut!

And a little soup!

And a goatlog. With tomatoes and peanuts and hay, oh my. And Bruce’s visit to the horses.

And that’s all for this soup, folks. Swim you in the next one.

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