HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's chat thread is HERE.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week, especially OG and Eagle-Eye, who are on holiday.
I had a wondrous experience on Thursday. Temps had cooled a bit, and it was very windy. I went outdoors, just to check my patch. I saw R. T. Hawk come from the direction of the creek flood plain. He was riding the thermals and soaring around and around. If a bird can look happy, he did.
Shortly, his big pale mate came from the same direction. She, too, was floating gracefully on the thermals. She saw me and stared at me for a minute or so, then she started soaring downward, floating in circles in my direction. She kept watching me and moving closer. I froze and made sure she could see my open hands (so she'd be reassured that I didn't have a gun).
She descended quite close to me, and I thought for a moment that she was going to come to me. I thought about holding my arm out to see whether she'd land, but I was afraid I'd scare her. She never screeched at me, and she wasn't diving aggressively -- just floating above me and looking at me curiously. Finally, she caught a thermal and lifted back up into the sky.
R. T. Hawk had been unconcerned, and he was soaring over the creek. His mate followed in his direction, and then they flew toward the ridge together.
I was very honored to see her so close.
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The annual Perseid meteor shower will appear on 11-14 August. The waning crescent moon guarantees dark skies, so the meteors should be dramatic. Folks in the northern hemisphere should see 50 meteors per hour, with a third of that number in the southern hemisphere. Most of the meteors can be viewed in the wee hours before dawn, but you could get lucky and see a beautiful earthgrazer in the earlier part of the night. Info HERE.
NASA government photoLabelled public domain (copyright free)
I felt well enough yesterday to brave the icy Antarctic winds (in supermarket carpark) to replenish food supplies. I had a fair day but last night sore throat & cough returned with a vengeance. OH is no better, so I said I would take his day. Dau phoned last night to say Miss19 may be able to nanny today – now I am waiting with crossed fingers for confirmation I won’t be needed. Then there is still tomorrow.
Phew! Saved! Miss19 is helping with twins today. Now if this fog would clear, I could snooze over a book in sunshine in bay window.
Annette - Dau's trampoline is a child's one, completely enclosed by mesh. The twins loved it - their mother was having fun too.
"bingo wings" I haven't heard that one.
Evening all: Nice day with daughter, but her train home was two hours late (eeek!) because someone was killed on the tracks farther south earlier today.
ChrisyB: Good luck at the docs. Sounds like a nice day out with your bro - and how nice to hear that you ran into TerryM. I'm another non-Facebook type I'm afraid.
Brenda: On that Tate website page , some folks have already ID'd Caerlaverock Castle and some other photos.
Lynette: Fingers crossed your PC will be trouble-free. Hope you can keep up with the swimming routine.
AQ: Will you be able to rest over the weekend?
OK, well here are two photos of the delightful Ms. D taken last week. Lindybird: Seems like hats are "in" with the younger set. :-)
Unknown said:Clare: Two days at Minsemere. How fun. Wll you be in reception 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.
Lindybird said:PS you'll all have to come & visit - our new potatoes have been Melt in the Mouth this year from the allotment, and our Victoria Plums are hanging from the tree in anticipation of being as delicious as ever. Last year there were a lot of small ones, best for jam, but this year they are big & luscious...... Yum.
Good Morning, All: Nearly forgot to come on here as I've been so busy! Only mundane stuff!
Clare: Hope you can supply a marquee & tents, as we only have spare beds for two!
ChrisyB - How nice that you met TerryM - thanks for posting! Glad you enjoyed yourself at Rutland: we saw some dragonflies the other day in a park, and they are such a treat.
Annette: Miss D is indeed, delightful! How poised! And she has your long legs, too.
AQ: Certainly hope that you can get some rest & recharge, whilst your Miss19 is in charge today.
Didn't see the meteor event, stayed up but the sky was too light to see anything, so went to bed. Got up at 2.30am but nothing showing then, either. Terrible news from China - poor souls. Enjoyed watching BakeOff last night, such fun.
Am off to Friends for our dogs to have a playdate: hopefully they will both be worn out tonight!
Lindybird said:Clare: Hope you can supply a marquee & tents, as we only have spare beds for two!
Lindybird said:Am off to Friends for our dogs to have a playdate: hopefully they will both be worn out tonight!
Our feeders have just been taken over by a horde of sparrows and young starlings - awwwww! They're all a tad less intimidating than the rather wary lesser black-backed gull we had earlier.
LINDY my mouth is watering at the very thought of your potatoes and plums.
no wonder you were feeling irritable. It must be so awful when you can't get the info you need. Glad Amy is doing ok
ANNETTE Miss D is already a stunner
LYNETTE Apart from the ball kleptomania Benson is now very good
LINDY sorry you are having such problems with BP
We had breakfast at MC yesterday the a walk round Loch an Eilein. It took us over 2 hours (usually 1hr 1/4) as we met so many lovely people to talk to. The we really spoiled ourselves by lunching at Druie cafe. Coincidently we sat at a table next to one of our vets.
This morning I had a most uncomfortable 40 mins having an old filling replaced at the dentist. Don't mind the dentisits but it was just more uncomfortable than usual.Filling was in an awkward place. Swam 30 lengths, shopped and bus home. Did a bit of gardening and will be out with Benson shortly
Yesterday at LaE