Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey Topics), 15 March 2015

HAPPY NEW WEEK!

Last week's Chat Thread is here.

This is an important week with several major events for the global community!

SPRING EQUINOX

Spring arrives Friday, 20 March 2015, in the Northern Hemisphere at:

22:45 GMT/UTC
10:45 p.m. in the U.K.
06:45 p.m. in the eastern United States
03:45 p.m. in California

Autumn Equinox is Saturday, 21 March 2015, in the Southern Hemisphere. Fall arrives at 09:15 a.m. in Adelaide, Australia.

NEW MOON

The Moon turns new on the day of the equinox at 09:36 GMT/UTC, only 14 hours after reaching lunar perigee (the moon's closest point to Earth in its orbit). The New Moon is at 09:36 a.m. in the U.K., 05:36 a.m. in the eastern U.S., 02:36 a.m. in California, and on 20 March at 08:06 p.m. in Adelaide, Australia. 

SOLAR ECLIPSE

Here's the big news! On Equinox day, 20 March, the close perigee New Moon will swing right in front of the Sun to totally block out the solar disk. It's a Total Solar Eclipse!

You have to be in the right location -- the Faroe Islands or the Svalbard archipelago... -- to witness the eclipse in totality, but a much larger swatch of the globe will see varying degrees of partial solar eclipse -- Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. In much of the U.K., your view will be near total! (Oh, how I envy you. It won't be visible in the U.S. or Australia, I regret to say.)

For children who might read this, I have to add: Looking directly at the Sun during the eclipse could cause blindness or severe eye damage.

Eclipse information HERE

Watch a livestream broadcast of the event HERE

Edit: Slooh has redesigned their site. Here's an updated link for the livestream broadcast of the total solar eclipse: HERE

  • She's a real cutie, Clare - we can't wait to show her off to our friends! I think I'm already 2nd in line with my OH, LOL!!! he is totally besotted! Here is a pic for Margo, Brenda and everyone else who loves Ellie's....
  • Awwwwwwww again!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Have a good weekend, everyone.

  • Dear All

    Once  again my apologies for the long period of silence. The chemo and how I feel for a week after makes me feel rather negative about my situation For a short time. Happily I feel more positive now my appetite is returning and I am not too tired. Now have to make the most of the next couple of weeks and will at leat have something to say other than how unwell I may be feeling. As I have said many times I am so grateful for all the support you all give and feel I have to say a special thanks to Brenda for the many chats we have. She really does drag me out of the doldrums.

    So disappointed that we did not see the eclipse yesterday. So annoying as later in the morning the sun came out and we had a glorious afternoon. Billie sat in the garden with me, I listened to music and she slept stretched right out, she is definitely a sun worshiper. Bright start today but I think it will cloud over later.

    Off to have my yearly eye check this afternoon, not sure if I need new specs but if I do it will be an expensive exercise as I have to have distance and reading glasses. We are off to the carvery late afternoon which is ideal for me as I can put what I can manage on the plate instead of having a huge meal served which defeats me before I even start. With a bit of luck I might be able to share a black currant Eton Mess with OH. On Monday my sister and I are going for a "posh" afternoon the at The Chewton Glen Hotel which is usually acknowledged as the the best. I had to smile, apparently if you can't eat everything out out they give you a box to bring home.

    Just a few mentions:

    AQ sorry you have been suffering with a back problem. I do hope it is improving for you.

    Heather pleased to read scan appears to be OK. You will be relieved to have the other procedures completed and hopefully good news.

    OG you have been so busy but sounds like an enjoyable busy. The garden sounds to be in good order already.

    Annette so,pleased you enjoyed your very busy tri, hopefully you have now had time to draw breath.

    Lindybird Bonnie is just gorgeous and it sounds as though she is settling down fairly well. You must be thrilled to bits with her. Thanks for elephant pic, I love them as did my late Mum. Sorry you had a very near miss due to someone driving like a complete idio. It is only afterward that tou realise how serious this could have been.

    Lynette thanks for all the great captures, I have never managed to see elephants when I look in.

    Brenda hope you had the nice weather yesterday afternoon, such a treat for me and of course Billie to sit outside.

    OH on way back from shopping now so going to sort up the fridge out so we can get everything in.

    Have a good weekend all and take care.

  • Good Morning Everyone. Cloudy with the odd sunny interval here.

    What a lovely start to my day, Linda. A gorgeous baby elephant and family, plus an adorable Bonnie relaxing with her Dad.
    I am told that a pup will not soil  it's bed and that is another good reason to have a cage. Pleased to hear she didn't disturb you during the night. All looks good. I can see that she has moved you into second place with your OH. LOL 

  • Great to hear from you, Margo - no need for apologies, your first priority should always be yourself.  I'm pleased your appetite is making a comeback - you should enjoy your carvery meal.  I hope you enjoy your posh afternoon!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Hi Margo. The sun didn't arrive here until late afternoon, yesterday. I enjoy our telephone chats, when we can talk freely about various subjects and have a good laugh. Enjoy the carvery. I will be thinking of you on Monday, when you will be enjoying your 'posh' afternoon, we will be at East Grinstead for OH's eye check up.No comparison. LOL. I hope the optician isn't too expensive, as from what you have said to me, you think you will need new specs. It is good that you have so much planned, when you are feeling fine.

  • By the way I've posted a few more photos - if you click on the gorgeous Mr Blackbird you'll see them:

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • LINDY   in a hurry as we are off out for an early lunch (OH likes his rugby). Glad you avoided the nutcase and Bonnie is a beautiful furry baby.

  • Beautiful afternoon here. Thought you might like this pic from Rohan.The caption is "They're back" though it doesn't say where. They usually arrived in Shetland very early May.