[ukag0972]

My friends g/f turns 40 very soon and is looking for ideas of what to buy!

They have a very large garden which has chickens, ducks, geese and a pygmy goat (his pal died). The garden is not big enough for a pig or alpaca, so does anyone have any ideas???

[plumseverywhere]

another pygmy goat to keep the lonely one company!

[doganjo]

another pygmy goat to keep the lonely one company!

Exactly my first thought too!

[silver swan]

Hello,

Is she creative? Perhaps a felt making/soap making/hand dyeing course?

Likes cooking? Ultimate pressie = outdoor wood-fired pizza oven (on my wish list!)/decent preserving pan & jelly strainer/jam jars, or proper fish kettle & accompanying Rick Stein book.

Animals? How about some guinea fowl (to eat) or quails (for eggs)? Dovecote?

Books? Check out 'The Yellow Farmhouse cookbook' by Christopher Kimball - American but worth reading in its own right, much like 'The River Cottage' book. Or 'Eggs' by Michel Roux' (good 'stocking filler'). Another good book is 'Forgotten Fruits' can't remember by whom - check it out on Amazon? Perhaps 'A Little History Of British Gardening' by Jenny Uglow.

Gardening? Raised bed - can't have too many of them. Or 'posh' Hawes metal watering can. Annual membership to RHS or Garden Organic/Heritage seeds.

Pure indulgence - weekend at Gleneagles doing a 1/2 day falconery experience or Champneys spa break with budget to buy some of their products (never been but a mate of mine gave me some of their 'oriental' hand lotion and it smells LUSH!!!!)

Good luck. Would love to hear about final pressie choice.  

[Sandy]

Silva swan, wish you were my friend!!!!!!! what great ideas.

[sabrina]

Why not give her a weekend off so she can have some time to treat herself,  you look after all her animals and she and OH get some time to do what ever they fancy. Even a night away would be a lovely treat.

[ukag0972]

It's an animal/bird he's looking for!

Just something different!!

Get the animal thinking caps on!

[silver swan]

A peacock! 

[Sandy]

A Turkey?, Giant Rabbit, I loved the idea of Doves and a Dove cote! very romantic and nice to look at as well.

[ukag0972]

Dies anyone know where I can get peacocks and peahens in Scotland??

[robert waddell]

womble has got some and he stays in Denny.

[doganjo]

womble has got some and he stays in Denny.

Wonder if it was one of his girls that's been hanging around here for a year or so

[Anke]

I would never buy an animal for another person! Just causes problems if said animal doesnt develop/behave as planned....

If they only have ONE goat - a companion is needed for him/her asap.

What about a voucher/cheque, so they can go and choose their own animal(s), you give the "gift" = money, but they make the actual choice!

[plumseverywhere]

I can see where Anke is coming from here - not sure I'd want to have a new animal chosen for me as I have clear idea's what I want/need.
I do think that poor goat needs company though and as a priority, they don't do well on their own   

[Sandy]

I remember some one bringing me some Rats, cute, but not me. As long as you know the person well, think it is a nice idea.