It’s been a bit of a painful week. I seem to have broken a rib. I like to say, dramatically. It’s probably just bruised or something. It doesn’t hurt TOO bad. Only when I move. It’s worst when I go to bed. Hard to find a comfortable position. But I’m on painkillers so that helps. Although I wasn’t allowed to get anything stronger than panodil (like aspirin, I guess). I don’t want to go to the doctor, though, because basically there’s nothing to do but wait. I don’t have any other dangerous symptoms so I’ll just have to get through it. 3-6 weeks, according to the intergoogle.

It happened on my birthday actually. When I was with the goats. I wanted to lift a rock over a dividing wall, to put in with Mia and Herman and Palle. I leaned over the wall but it was a little too tall. I had it against my rib cage and sort of put my weight against it and then I heard a crack. Not a very pleasant sound at all. And there was a sharp pain. But the pain went away immediately so I didn’t think too much of it. That was Saturday. On Sunday it was a bit sore. On Monday I went to the playground and had goats jumping on my back and all. And it started hurting more. I had foot therapy scheduled for Tuesday but decided to cancel. But like I said, with the painkillers it’s not too bad. I’ll live.

Meanwhile, we had a really nice and warm day on Thursday. It was probably around 15C which is almost summery. Although there was a harsh wind that somewhat mitigated it. But still, lovely. And there’s no sign of frost on the forecast. Maybe winter really IS over.

At the playground, Herman is starting to adjust to his new home. He’s getting along fine with Mia and Palle. A little too fine with Palle maybe. At one point he was being kinda buckish with him and trying to mount him. That’s not going to get us any babies, Herman! He’s not afraid of Kamel anymore. Butting heads with her instead of running away. But as soon as Mio approaches he takes flight. She’s still the big boss. He found a new safe spot down in the corner of the pen, in the midst of the old branches. When he stands in there Mio can’t run at him. So if she comes after him he has time to get away. Clever guy. I wonder if she’ll even let him get any loving time. Kurt seemed to think it would definitely happen. We shall see!

Now pictures. First with Herman.

Love the beard.

Hiding in the corner.

And again, safely in the corner where Mio can’t easily get at him.

Sitting.

I let Palle borrow my scarf.

I think he looks rather handsome like that.

Curly haired Kamel.

She’s a sweetheart.

Eye.

Mia relaxing in the sun like a big puppy.

Doll-face.

On the bench.

Mio wondering what’s gotten Mia’s goat.

Precious.

Kamel trying to steal the spotlight from Mia.

It must be, love.

Mio spent a lot of time in the playhouse. To get out of the sun I guess.

Everything but the ears seems relaxed.

And a goatlog. Herman finding his hooves in the new pen. And sunny goats.

And that’s all for this week, folks. See you in the next one.

It’s been a big week. Started off with a couple of lovely, sunny days. Goats lazy in the sunshine. And me too. It doesn’t get much nicer than that. But then on Thursday a new development. I was in the goat pen when Kurt came to the fence and said he had a new buck for us. And so he had. A sweet, little guy. Only 10 months old. That’s about the same age as Palle. He’s a bit bigger than Palle, though. And of course not castrated. But young. He seemed a little overwhelmed when he was set loose in the pen.

It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a new goat arrive at the playground. It was very interesting to watch. At first he just stood still. Mia came up to him. Slowly they sniffed each others’ faces. Very tender, it almost looked like they were kissing. And the other goats came to investigate. It all seemed pretty peaceful at first. The other goats very interested and curious about the new arrival. After a while the normally so meek Kamel decided to chase him a little and the others joined. Maybe Kamel saw her chance to improve her standing in the hierarchy because the new guy seemed nervous. It was hard not to laugh a little as he ran around, chased by four other goats. Especially the two big ladies can be quite intimidating. The only one he really dared butt heads with was Palle. The others he just ran from mostly. It will probably take him a little while to get used to his new home. Once he settles in I imagine he’ll take on a little more selfassured role. Kurt said that he’d just become a father back at his place, so he’s definitely got the goods.

He’s not used to being around humans either. I could clearly feel the difference between our goats who grow up practically in the laps of humans and this guy. Both me and Dennis tried getting him to come to us. But he fled from us too. I did manage to give him some raisins, and that always helps. Humans are good for something!

He quickly seemed to realize that the safest place for him was on top of the wooden staircase. The height advantage and the overview of the pen. He seemed to prefer to stay up there a lot. With the others looking up at him and occasionally trying to knock him down. Palle was quite interested too. Almost seemed like he wanted to play. I guess he hasn’t been around an intact buck before. He wasn’t scared at all. Typical Palle.

And I got to pick a name for our new friend. They were talking about having a name lottery and I said that I wanted to enter Herman in it. A couple of minutes later Nina came back and said that Herman it was. So that was nice. I like Herman. In Danish “Hr” means Mr so his name almost sounds like Mr Man to us. Bodil had a laugh about that too when I told her.

Yes, an interesting turn of events.

On Saturday it was, of course, my birthday. Naturally. I turned old. Again. Mama made soup, which is about the best present I can imagine. I decided to go see the goats on my way to my parents. Ended up spending a little more time there than I had planned. I’d been told that Herman would be seperated from the others when they were inside. So the old divas couldn’t keep ganging up on him. When I locked myself inside I found him with Mia and Palle, though. Nina happened to come by and she told me they’d put Herman with Mia because they’d been getting along fine. And they sure seemed to. No chasing or fighting there. It was like a sweet little goat family. Mia and her new boyfriend Herman and little Palle. Mio and Kamel looked in from the other compartment. “What are you doing in there with my daughter?!” I could almost imagine Mio saying. Herman seemed to be getting a little more used to me too. It was nice to spend some time in close quarters with him. Nina said he seemed to be getting more comfortable with me. “More comfortable than he was with me anyway!” she said. He’s still a little shy, though. Running away when you touch him. But before I left I was able to scratch him on the head without him snapping too hard at my fingers. More raisins helped, of course.

When I left the playground to go to my parents’ place I ran into Bodil. She was out walking Sif, so that was jolly good luck. We talked a little and she wished me a happy birthday. I’m glad I got to see her.

And then soup, of which my fridge is now full and all is well with the land. Goat babies should be along in August if all goes well. Oh yes, and Kurt told me that the reason Mio looked so pregnant already is that she has water cysts in her womb. Or something like that. Nothing dangerous, he said. But that would explain why she ballooned up like that. Oh those goats.

And now, those goat photos.

Funny Kamel.

Kamel relaxing.

Mia relaxing.

Mia wants to be in the selfie.

Mia and Palle relaxing.

Mio relaxing. The sun theme.

Four goats in a row relaxing.

Nina trying to get a picture of Mia. Normally Mia is not exactly shy of the camera. But Nina had helped trim their hooves recently and it was quite clear that Mia had not completely forgiven her. She backed off and retreated to a safe distance when Nina tried to come near. But I think she managed to get a good shot anyway.

Palle on my shoulder.

And now Herman.

And I think that’s all for now! What a lovely little fella he is.

A couple of goatlogs too. First the sunny days before Herman’s arrival. Sweet goats lazing in the sun.

And then Herman. His first steps in the pen and the other goats reacting to him. And a little bit from my birthday when he was inside with Mia.

And that’s all for this week, folks. See you in the next one. Plenty of adventures ahead.