Friday 27 February 2015

Selfie

9 July 2013
Watercolour by Sandy Gaffney
Radish-the-Resident-Chicken is very pleased to have been the subject of an entry into the Archibald. She is confident her likeness will win the trifecta of First prize, Packing Room prize and People’s Choice. She is, however, a little put out that she didn’t think to charge a fee for posing for her portrait, and intends to be more savvy the next time any stray artists arrive at Joyfallee. 

Tuesday 24 February 2015

My kingdom for an iphone

7 July 2013
Exhausted after a busy week, Chocolate Bunny spent a lazy Sunday morning in bed. During the week, having gained unauthorised access to the internet while alone at Joyfallee, he spent his time desperately searching Gum Tree for deals to swap iphones for carrots. Sadly, despite his best efforts, he was unsuccessful. Choccy is progressively developing serious App-Envy, which may require veterinary intervention. 

Saturday 21 February 2015

A Resolute Rabbit

6 June 2013

Chocolate Bunny demonstrates his exceptional work ethic, valiantly munching his way through his horse-sized hay bag. Undaunted by the magnitude of the task, he is determined to persevere until no skerrick of hay remains unconsumed. …On ya Choccy!!


Friday 20 February 2015

You are as old as you feel….sadly

3 April 2013
Whilst jogging (read shuffling) across the paddock, with Mrs Beaut trotting (read shuffling) beside me, I was dismayed to realise how similar our gaits are. Mrs Beaut is very old, sway-backed, stiff and arthritic…..sigh. 


Tuesday 17 February 2015

Border defence

30 October 2013


With magpies swooping at the front gate, chickens tirelessly patrolling the grounds, and two new ducks having taken up occupation of the pool, Radish-the-Resident-Chicken is satisfied that she has the defence of Joyfallee covered by air, land and sea. She is particularly pleased at how fervently the magpies are undertaking their duties. Some of the other residents of Joyfallee wish the magpies were just a touch more discerning about friend versus foe.

Thursday 12 February 2015

Revenge Of The Chickens

9 June 2013



Upset at the continued barricade of their access to the verandah, where, they believe, any self-respecting chicken should spend the majority of their time, Radish, Anzac and The Snork Maiden have taken matters into their own claws. With only 5 acres on which to roam at will, they have instituted retaliatory action, and set up camp in the garage. They are planning a Perch-In in this location, during which they intend to deposit as much chicken-waste-product as possible, for maximum annoyance value. In readiness for this they have been practising clucking what they believe to be an original, and persuasive chant – “The Chickens, United, Will never be defeated”…ad nauseam….just another normal day at Joyfallee.


Tuesday 10 February 2015

Never volunteer

16 May 2013

The Snork Maiden has entered a deep depression and is refusing to leave her nest. This has nothing to do with being broody, but rather she has come to the realisation that Radish the Resident Chicken harbours an extreme colour prejudice. The Snork Maiden came to this conclusion after finding out the roles she and Anzac has been allocated in Radish’s Avian Army. Due to their white feathers, Anzac has been given the job of being the surrender flag (should the need arise), and The Snork Maiden is to be trained up as the decoy. The Snork Maiden is not entirely sure what this role of decoy will involve, but she strongly suspects it will not be all “worms and skittles”.


Sunday 8 February 2015

Radish goes walkabout . . . not

30 March 2013
Picture me, getting ready to go out, receiving a call that my red chicken may be out on the road. Me, racing outside, resplendent in little, tight, short, red dress, complete with pasty white legs and big paddock boots, and calling Radish to no effect. Me running out to the street and pacing up and down the nature strip, calling out in my best high-pitched-chicken-calling voice (whilst brandishing a cup of chicken-attracting-oats) “Radish, here chick chick chick! Come on chicken!” (….etc). Neighbours looking on bemused at the antics of the Mad Chicken Woman. Me, retreating, unsuccessful in my chicken-locating-quest, back to Joyfallee, only to find Radish happily scratching around in the grass and oblivious to my distress. Me, relieved, returning to make myself presentable to go out, complete with unique excuse for being late.

                                                 Radish-the-Resident-Chicken by Sandy Gaffney

Friday 6 February 2015

New arrivals

30 March 2013


Radish- the-Resident-Chicken has been watching with interest the progress of the most recent arrivals at Joyfallee – My Pie and Veilchen. She was hoping they would grow into something that would potentially be of use in her Avian Army. However, after some months she has been forced to come to the sad conclusion that they will never amount to anything more than incredibly small, and totally useless, chickens. Ever the optimist, she has suggested that they be sent back to wherever they came from and swapped for a couple of Attack Eagles.

Thursday 5 February 2015

Razor wire

7 March 2013



Radish-the-Resident-Chicken is surprised by the construction of the seemingly endless Chicken-Proof-Fence on the verandah at Joyfallee. She finds it difficult to understand why the presence of chickens camped permanently at the front door (complete with generous quantities of chicken poo) would not be welcomed and indeed encouraged.

In retaliation she is intending to stage a protest, based on the theme of “Ban the Razor Wire at Joyfallee”. She is fairly sure she can attract wide media interest in her cause, with possible features in internationally acclaimed publications like “Hills Rural Community News”.

If she is not successful in her campaign, visitors to Joyfallee who want to gain access to the house may do well to pick up some tips from Les Miserables on storming barricades.


Tuesday 3 February 2015

When chickens go wild

Radish-the-Resident-Chicken has heard fables about a band of guerrilla chickens that inhabit the wilds of Galston Gorge. The band is reputedly led by the legendary Roosty. She is keen to find out if Roosty and his comrades, presumably well versed in the art of chicken warfare, could be persuaded to join her Avian Army. Although it galls her to admit it, she thinks she has finally discovered a use for those “too pigeoney” creatures, and is composing a note to be conveyed by pigeon-post into the depths of the Gorge. 


Monday 2 February 2015

Too pigeoney

15 February 2013


Radish-the-Resident-Chicken is frustrated at the low calibre of birds coming to feed on her Wild Bird Seed mix. Their faults include too small, too colourful, and too pigeoney. In an attempt to remedy the problem, she is off to Woolies tomorrow to check out the range of Wild Emu Food in the Attracting-Birds-to-Your-Garden-for-Avian-Armies aisle.