WEEKLY CHAT (non-osprey) SUNDAY JULY 12, 2015

Hi Everyone. A dull, grey day here. The day started great, with a " FaceTime" call from my son. It then became chaotic, as two County Councillors arrived, followed by 12 members of the Planning Committee in a large coach to inspect the garden next door, which had been posted / spray painted with their latest plans. We have managed to have the builder's first three plans rejected. Firstly for seven houses, then five houses, then four houses. The latest is two houses and two bungalows, which we think will be approved, but we want the entrance changed. OH has been left with the job of proving that by widening the existing entrance and a small adjustment to the siting of the bungalows is all that is necessary !! The meeting is on Thursday, so not much time to produce the new plans for the Councillors. It is too late to employ an architect/ surveyor at such short notice. Wish us luck :-))

OG, Excellent photographs from Martin Mere. One of my favourite places to visit.
What a fabulous afternoon tea, for so little money, you had at the weekend.

Clare, So pleased to see that Helen is so much better now. What a relief for you all.
Brilliant news about the Albatross. I did laugh at Linda's reply, re Monty Python. It brought to mind about the " sheep falling on Basingstoke ".

Thanks to Mike for the Albatross link. 

A very noisy, low flying Chinook helicopter has just flown over the house, I thought he was going to take our chimney with him !! We seem to be seeing quite a lot of them lately.

Back to helping OH at the drawing board.  

Morning all:

Lynette: Fingers crossed for good weather for your garden party.

Clare: Other fingers crossed that Minsmere is a go this time!   An albatross?  I thought they only followed ships and were a bad omen? Or have I completely lost the plot?  :-)  

Mike: Thanks for the link and the photo - idiot that I am, I would've looked at that and thought "fat seagull" or "funny looking duck."  

OG: Scotch pancakes are the same as ours; not good travelers in a doggie bag!  A lovely selection of great photos, but what are those elegant black and white creatures with the long beaks?

Lindybird: Do not procrastinate with organizing baby photos. They come thick and fast and then you'll never catch up.

Brenda: Congrats on blocking next-door development (seven houses!!!???). Good luck with the latest go-round.

Diane: NASA's New Horizons craft has zipped by Pluto with the first photos due Wednesday. PBS's NOVA (tomorrow - Wednesday - night here) is called Chasing Pluto. Hope you'll get a chance to see it in between dog sitting.  Looked at Weather Channel photos of huge storm over Indianapolis. Assume that's where you are for the week?

Margo: Special hugs and thoughts for you.

Off to start the day (rather late already).

ANNETTE - Avocets, as featured on RSPB logo - see top of page!

Full replies to follow - about to change to go out.

Have a good evening out, OG.

Annette, I really can't wait to see the Pluto photographs. Saw the first picture. It is a red planet just like Mars.

BRENDA- good luck with getting the entrance etc changed and congratulations on all you have achieved so far. Fingers crossed for you. There has certainly been a lot on your mind lately - your son moving away as well. I was sorry to read about your daughter's intended dog. She should certainly have been informed of it's previous history. Very sad. A similar thing happened to my brother, years ago. He took in an alsation that had been part trained as a police dog but was rejected by the police for whatever reason. Despite all his best efforts the dog just didn't settle in a domestic environment and the last straw was when it attacked my mother as she was sweeping in her garden. He saw the brush and just went for her.

We have been busy in the garden, grass cutting(me) and pruning(OH). He is now snoozing after dinner.

CLARE- I am so glad that Helen is better. The syndrome you described is similar to what my youngest daughter has. She has costochondritis. I know that the two things are different but both cause such pain in flare ups. Her eldest daughter, Mia age 10 has been getting episodes of pain and the docs think it might be the same. You said that Helen had a recurrence of the syndrome but it must have been bad, with the vomiting etc. Thank goodness that they did the ecg and excluded other causes for her symptoms.

Hi all Lurker about...

On Mull and weather quite good..

3 days of good wildlife.. no organised trips too many people and far too many children .

Good tally of WTE(they fly over cottage ) staying at Ben More so 2 lochs. More Otters so have been very lucky.

I gather Daisy who is with get "Mum" is missing us...

Hi Wendy. You have to be enjoying yourself when on Mull. To see the WTE must be fantastic. Poor Daisy. You will be sure of a big welcome when you return home.

3rd trip but by the best so far...

All sightings on our own as can't stand organised stuff.

Otters every day and lovely photos of WTE.

OH needing a well earned break so cottage being on the edge of Loch Ba is perfect.

OG: Thanks for ID'ing that lovely bird.

Brenda: I gather New Horizons has been in touch with NASA; smiles all round. I was looking at the NASA website and I'm assuming the first pix will show up there.

Wendy: Good that you stopped lurking long enough to let us know you're enjoying yourself.

Have a good Wednesday all.