I forgot to mention yesterday evening - and after this I promise to stop banging-on about my hens - that they are, variously, Burford Browns and French Copper Marans.

Anne (Anne Neary the cook on Sue's radio show) who reared them, told me that I have two French Copper Marans, one Burford Brown and a Burford Brown / French Copper Maran cross.

I think I know which is which but, in my reading about hens over the last number of months, I have discovered that specific breeds can have many and varied colours and feather patterns - a characteristic that certainly leaves this novice confused and bemused!

But what is a certain and wonderful feature of both breeds, is the colour of their eggs.

No, my girls are not laying yet - Anne says it will be about six weeks - but she gave me this 'starter box' of eggs along with a big bag of beautiful vegetables from her garden.

My visit to her home (also the home of her renowned cookery school, Ryeland House, which you can check-out here) was a real delight.

I must go now to find straw, buy feed and drill the requisite ventilation holes.