Hi all: Don't forget to check last few comments of last week's chat and a lovely photo from OG - of Loch Garten I assume. Alan: Wonderful close up of EJ on the last Daily Update. Thanks to everyone else for all the news from far and wide.
Just in from Earth Day event, which had a lot more transportation (electric/natural gas, etc) options on display this year, including bikes of all shapes and sizes (SB is a big bike town with lots of bike paths, even throughout downtown). Spoke to a friend of a friend there who is setting up a raptor rescue center at the Natural History Museum; also the California Condor group who are trying to figure out how to set up a live cam at the condor feeding station in the back country. They're thinking maybe solar power, but then there's the problem of relaying the signal,etc. If that's successful, they may try one at the nesting sites, but the problem is that condors don't nest in trees - they like caves, so a logistical hurdle for further down the road. Not to mention the "permit" hurdles, which are major given that the condors are still highly endangered. In addition to the usual solar, green, organic farms, foods and other community display booths there was the usual band and "green" gifts area. Didn't buy anything but did visit my friend with his spiffy electric car and bumped into another friend - a "Master Gardener" at another booth where we sat and chatted for an hour.
All quiet on the LG and LOTL nests right now; doesn't look windy or wet.
Wow. I've just come on, and that's a wonderful photo of a great sculpture, Alan. Also enjoyed the flowers earlier today.
AQ We have always said "chish & fips" in our family, but thought it was just us!
Caerann: I'm holding my breath for you, that you get the job thing sorted. Good Luck.
Diane: Thanks for the bears info - I love the way the spectacled bears have the specs on!
DjoanS: Your OH home safe at last, after all that waiting and wondering. Good news.
OG: The oatcakes were eaten in Cheshire, but were Staffordshire Oatcakes... I'll look them up on Google sometime for you. There are also some triangular (?) biscuits called oatcakes which is confusing, too.
Annette: Your meal out with OH sounded great - think I would have enjoyed his meal the best, as I'm not a seafood person (apart from the old joke, you know: "I'm on a seafood Diet - If I see food, I'll eat it!" ) Like your treadmill idea..... Perhaps it would be better to connect up an exercise bike, and generate the electricity for the PC at the same time....
Great day out - safe home. One to be going on with:
Why do I like chaffinches? Because they sit still for photographs!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lindybird said: OG: The oatcakes were eaten in Cheshire, but were Staffordshire Oatcakes... I'll look them up on Google sometime for you. There are also some triangular (?) biscuits called oatcakes which is confusing, too.
I did google the oatcakes this morning, and found reference to Staffordshire Oatcakes having yeast in , and Cheshire Oatcakes being like pancakes made with some (wheat) flour and some fine oatmeal. The triangular biscuity ones sound like the Scottish oatcakes - which come round, square, triangular or mini, and rough or smooth! Either way, oats are very good for you!
About our day – had to go via Dumfries, but then took an indirect route to buy cheeses and some organic stuff at Loch Arthur Creamery (a Camphill Village Trust Community). This took us via forest, farmland and villages - like Lindybird saw yesterday, daffodils on every verge, also some very pretty spring gardens. I always love seeing the fields and watching the seasons progress through the development of the crops and beasts – even along the main road here. When we parked for lunch next to Sweetheart Abbey we came across a mobile Post Office – apparently New Abbey village was a victim of PO closures. Lunch was good as anticipated – decided tea would be late this evening, so even I had three courses! We both had Minestrone Soup, Baked Potato and Haggis with Salad then OH had Apple Crumble and I had Victoria Sponge. At Mersehead, we spent some time at the Visitor Centre viewing area watching mostly Finches on the feeders (plus opportunistic Moorhen and Pheasant!), and the Barnacle Geese grazing. I used the scooter to visit the hides, but they still have “kissing gates” on the coastal route, so we couldn’t go there. We had some good sightings at both hides and I got some photos. Back at the visitor centre, we had some good conversation and a drink. We did our weekend food shopping on the way home, then had a lovely vegetable quiche from Loch Arthur for our late tea.
Here is one of what has always been one of my favourite wildflowers, Wood Sorrel, among the unfurling bracken and the trees on one of the walks (sorry only the middle is in focus - I couldn't be bothered to change to a shorter lens on the camera!):
OG You must have had a lovely day - liked the menu! Lovely pic of wood-sorrel. In the wood where I walk my dogs there's a lot of wood-sorrel but it's completely outnumbered at present by wood anemones (so pretty with the pink on the back of the petals. There are lots of primroses, lesser celandines and violets - I don't remember seeing so many in previous years. The bluebells will be a week or two yet but are a notable feature of the area (Scrabo Country Park.
OG - Thanks for the pic of wood sorrel. As a colonial I don't know most of your flowers & plants. The first time I saw buttercups I couldn't believe they were so tiny!
Annette - Your OH went to the same painting school as mine <sigh>
Annette, TerryM & Lindybird - I only say chish & fips inside our front door (well so far LOL). We also eat flied lice. Oh, and call police Occifers.
aquilareen said: Annette, TerryM & Lindybird - I only say chish & fips inside our front door (well so far LOL). We also eat flied lice. Oh, and call police Occifers.
Yes, our family say all that too, as well as bat flattery, or being under the 'affluence of ilcahol', and then of course we can have, weather-wise, shattered scowers! ;-)
Smiles, Jan.
Evening all: Phew. Busy day filling holes, vacuuming mess left by French door dude; then cleaning up "my" room generally and putting stuff back.
Alan: A Brenda H said, can't imagine how someone can wield at chainsaw with such precision.
Lindybird: I could live on seafood, though have a rare craving for a really good hamburger or filet. Bike idea sounds better - I like recumbent bikes - they're easier on your back. Haven't heard the "seafood" joke. :-)
OG: More fabulous photos! Chaffiniches are soooo pretty. Our oak titmouse was been very rude today, not sharing a giant supply of food with little smaller birds. Gave him a piece of my mind through the window! Oooh, apple crumble again! Sounds like a lovely day. Wood sorrel flower is very dainty.
AQ: Oh yes - "It wasn't my fault, occifer!"
When I re-read the posts, realized I'd referred to Diane's "spectacled" bears as"bespeckled" bears. When I went to the link last night, I couldn't figure out why they were called "bespeckled." See what a night out does....
Hi, all. A rainy spring day here in the woods. The bluebells are blooming, and they are gorgeous! The weeds growing everywhere -- not so much. Must get busy and pull them! Bird nests of varying kinds everywhere. The wrens sang their little hearts out today in the rain.
Lindybird: I am so happy for you that the tests didn't reveal anything too serious. I can so sympathize with you having to diet. I've been on a new eating plan since March 20. Have lost 15 pounds, and I feel much better eating healthier food (lots of raw vegetables, walnuts, berries, bananas...). The first couple of weeks is always the most difficult, but hang in there. I'm finding that it's getting easier. :-)
DjoanS: The barn owls are, indeed, late this year. Like you, I suspect the bad weather is the reason. I noticed that she was continuing to break up pellets today, so I would think that she will lay soon. They are mating often, so I guess they haven't given up :-). Isn't that male owl a big fella? And his feathers are so light -- so beautiful!
Margobird: Thanks for your good wishes. The storms weren't bad here. I love to hear the rain. Hope you're doing well!!!
OG: You certainly had a wonderful day! The wood sorrel is beautiful! Have made the gorgeous chaffinch photo my desktop wallpaper for this week! Thanks! Stunning picture of Hope, and you're right, folks can stay connected to beloved Lily and Hope!
Diane: Wow. 15 pounds in one month! That's fast work. I think it's easier to lose in the summer when there's so much fruit around and "comfort" food isn't so appealing.
Auntie: Well on my way with The Summer Book by Tove Jannson - a very gentle and funny book about a young girl and her grandmother.