'Allo all. Hope it's a good week for everyone. Ghastly news from Tunisia - those poor people, sitting on the beach enjoying the sunshine....
Heather: There's at least one situation like yours in every family (sometimes two or three!). Makes you wonder where these folks came from I mean, can they really be related to sensible grown-up like us? :-)
Diane: We're on the edges of a tropical storm system heading into the Southwest which could end up in your neighborhood in a few days. What a pain. It must keep on on edge the whole time. I do hope the trees around your house are sound We don't have many needs when it comes to cars, but we just have our trusty Honda Accord and our lovely old 73 Ford Ranger, which guzzles gas big time and is a bear to drive down Santa Barbara's narrow streets (narrow because of parking on both sides - and not narrow at all compared to some roads in England!). The truck is in great shape but sits out most of the time and it's is beginning to rust in a few places. It takes up the entire garage and I'm the one who takes it and the stepladder to the do-it-yourself car wash where I nearly get blown off the ladder by the water pressure. Truck is too big for a drive-through wash. Anyway, it's slowly deteriorating and I'd rather see it go to someone who will really care for it - it's pretty much a classic a this point. I'm thinking sort of long term for a newer SUV with minimal bells and whistles that is versatile and economical. We're looking at hybrids, but there's not a big choice in the smaller SUVs. The Toyota RAV 4 will come in a hybrid version for 2016 - at a cost of about $30K! Typically we buy newer used vehicles but with the recession, folks seem to have hung on to the popular models much longer than usual and the ones advertised on, say, craigslist, have lots of miles on them. Still, there are much, much worse dilemmas to deal with in the world.
Lindybird: Good news from Glaslyn then. Ha! Liked the 1-in-5 joke.
That tropical storm that's east of us has brought clouds, humidity - and a sprinkling of rain! More sprinkling possible in the next two days. Hey! It's wet. we'll take it.
Morning all: Quick look in to say please to read MARGO'S good news. Back later as off to work in garden.
What temperatures here today! It was 30 degrees in the shop, so we all wilted. Kindly boss saw fit to go out and get us all mini magnums and there are enough for us all tomorrow when the temps are expected to be higher. Feel sorry for one member of staff who has to change the window display in the afternoon in prep for the sale.
Yes, DIBNLIB, What a miracle! Just great. We had dinner outside this evening. Such a treat.
Phew - 'tis hot! Almost 10 o'clock and just in from garden. Cut our first cucumber tonight - those little ones that just last one or two meals.
Hand injection at the hospital tomorrow and will have to rest it a while, so hope to say more whilst sitting down - will be typing with just the left hand, so watch for all the typos!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Diane, what a wonderful experience, weeds do come in useful. You know now to let them grow about this time of the year to get another show like the one you've just had.
Annette thanks for starting us off. Yes, here we are going through a mini heatwave but hopefully by the weekend it will cool down a little!
It is dreadful about Tunisia. We stayed in that region a few years back now and had a great experience, visiting historic sights, going on a two day / overnight break down to the south of the country. We also visited the National museum in Tunis.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
AQ - sorry to hear you are shivering a bit over there. Friends have just got back from Aussie. They found Darwin hot and humid and didn't like the heat. They then took the road out to Kununurra, Sandalwood Factory and Mount Romance then on to the Bungle Bungles.
Finished their motor journey in Broome before flying down to Perth and then home.
Margo - enjoy the sunshine with Billie and hope it is'nt too hot for you.
Nice to hear all your news folks. Not much happening down here - hot , just want to sit in the shade and that's the house at present.
Going to a ball on Sat. night at our Cricket Club. It is our President's 50th birthday year and he has been holding matches around the country. One is taking place on Friday at the club and we are having the ball on the Saturday. By the way , his name is Devon Malcolm - use to play for England in his heyday.
Evening all: In from the garden and watching the US/Germany Women's Soccer semi-final. Gather the UK is sweltering.....
Vivienne: Don't blame you for heading for the hills; looks like there's no settlement in the Greek crisis.
dibnlib: Mini magnums sounds like champagne to me - what a nice boss (but I've a feeling it's not really champagne).
Has anyone seen this amazing story (on the BBC website but about a young girl in Seattle who was brought gifts by crows - documented by her Mom with a video camera. Amazing. Will have to talk to my local flock! www.bbc.com/.../magazine-31604026
Uh oh, halftime over; back later....
Yay! The U.S. Women's Soccer Team played a great game, which ended with a win of 2-0. But I always feel so bad for the losers.
Lynette: It's hard to know where to go in that neck of the woods anymore. My niece was in Morocco last year and said she got negative vibes from some of the local men, even though she was careful to dress appropriately; said she and her friend didn't feel welcome. Have fun at the ball!
Hallo to everyone else.
Hi, all.
Lynette: Enjoy your Cricket Club ball. I hope you have a good time.
OG: I hope your injection makes your hand feel so much better.
dibnlib: That is hot. Wear light clothes and stay cool. In the Midwest U.S., a mini magnum is a gun. Yikes! Then I Googled, and I like your mini magnums much better! Yum! :-)
AQ: Hope the immunizations go well.
Lindy: Lovely flowers.
Margo: I just watched Episode 5 of Wayward Pines, the one where they finally reveal the true situation of the residents. I was surprised! I love that show! Best to you, dear.
Annette: I saw that story about the crow gifts. Fascinating! She had quite an assortment. I've never received gifts from the crows on my patch. I have to remember not to leave my car keys lying on the car, because the crows here will take shiny objects. LOL
All: The new butterflies have now moved on. I read that the adults like to drink from tree sap, flowering plants, and fermented fruit. So I felt okay about clearing out the stinging nettle weeds, and I've now pulled them all and bagged them. What a job in the heat and humidity! I found out the butterflies were Red Admirals (species: Vanessa atalanta). Mine were more red than orange. I think you have them in the U.K., too. There were also a few Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui).
Red Admiral ButterflyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceGovernment photo labeled Public Domain (copyright free)