Weekly Chat, Sunday April 25, 2010

Morning/afternoon all:   Happy b'day Djoan!   Thanks to all for lovely pix of various birds/cards.

OG: Interesting that back swans may be descendents of Ozzie birds.  Solar power is big over here, but not nearly as "big" as it ought to be given our climate.  It's embarrasing that it's so much more widely used in Europe, which doesn't have as many days of sunshine as us.  We don't have it, but I'd want it in any new house. You have to be careful of placing the panels - don't want them in the shade of any trees, etc.  I'm sure there's a bunch of stuff on the web.

Margobird: What a bore about the skin cancers - and I can imagine (ouch!) those shots in the forehead, where there's no fat to absorb them (where is fat when we need it? In the wrong places!)  Anyway, I go every six months and the doc is always finding something to freeze off, then I walk around with blotchy patches for about a week. Charming.

Ginnie: If I lived in the UK, I'd go for the conservatory so you can be outdoors in indoor weather.

It's rose day today, so am going to dig out jeans and old shoes, slap on the sunblock and head out. Take care all!

Can't do a card for your birthday, Djoan, but here is a nice springtime pic for you:

- glad to hear you enjoyed your lunch out!

Lindybird - thanks for the springtime birthday pic! Sitting here listening to a blackbird singing his heart out ... fabulous!

Very cheerful spring flowers, Lindybird.  I've just popped in to say I am not watching the political debate, in case anyone thought I was.  Actually I could have voted by now, being a postal voter.  Did you know: if you send in a postal vote and then die before the election, your vote is still counted?  What sort of democracy is that, when dead people get a vote?

DjoanS - Blackbird song is wonderful at this time of year - and it carries over such a long distance too.  Dunnock has become very vocal lately - I always assume it's the male bird announcing an egg or a hatching!!

DjoanS:  Sorry this is late in your day, but I hope you have had a very Happy Birthday!  ;-)

Margobird - When I have to wait and wait at doctors and they are delayed, I wonder why we can’t reduce payment for, say, every 10 mins they are late. Many years ago I was sent to a specialist for my eyes and in total I spent 6 hours (truly) in the waiting room. Some mix-up with a double booking (!!!) and I was the loser. I can see the funny side now.

DjoanS Happy Birthday. A grevillea from our garden for you.

Yesterday’s "updo" hairdo looked OK but it was just an ordinary French roll, like I used to do myself. Anyway we went out to Lenzerheide my favourite eating place. Had grilled tenderloin of pork, filled with a farce [sic] of chicken and fennel. Sauce of juniper berries, gin and rich cream, topped with crisp pancetta and watercress. With potato roschti and a bundle of vegs (tied with a green bean). Very very yum. Dessert was difficult, which to choose, finally settled for creme brulee, again. It arrived with a flourish and a "Happy Birthday". I’m left stunned as they didn’t know it was my b'day. Then I notice the plate is decorated with "Happy Birthday Mayuri". That’s not my name. Waiter embarrassed, said they had got the wrong table. I wonder if they had time to decorate another plate. I enjoyed the dessert and it adds to my store of dining experiences - one of the better & funnier ones.

Hey all: AQ: Your dinner sounds very fancy - did you get any of that other person's cake?  :-))

We've got some friends over tonight, so won't be on much. Will start new thread and trust birds will be able to fend for themselves.....