Hi all. Just starting this 'coz going out to birthday dinner with OH tonight (Indian - his choice). Back to catch up with last week's final posts later, (which included a great photo from OG's trip).
BRENDA Enjoyed the Shrewsbury Flower Show many years ago ( think it is the second biggest in the UK behilnd Chelsea) We got in free as there was a Battle of Britain Air Display and OH was doing the commentary. Well they say that the best laid plans and all that !!!!!! Poor OH, he had been given written details of what to say covering the time the aircraft were doing their separate routines and guess what, the Spitfire went u/s on taxi-ing and so one of the other B of B aircraft flew for twice the time originally planned, so OH had to ad-lib like mad. I have to say he did really well, just glad it was not me in his shoes!!!!
Morning all: Welcome back Alan - lovely photo there!
Will catch up later since determined to go for long walk this morning and have already spent two hours sitting on patio reading magazines that have been piling up.
Good evening everyone. Thank you Annette, Lindybird and Brenda for your kind advice. I hope that I can have a couple of months in the summer taking things a little easier. There is one thing in prospect which might affect that but it is unlikely to do so and if it does, it will still be something worthwhile, so all in all, June, July and August are looking good. We have not had such a nice day today. Woke up to heavy rain and although the rain stopped at about 10.00am, it is warm and muggy and we had a couple of heavy, prolonged showers this afternoon. Sun is trying to come out but still a lot of cloud around. I had an lovely afternoon in towns on my own and treated myself to a nice new 'mac', had to buy a brolly for the rain and that other vital accessory for summer - a pair of sunglasses. Steed has been at Knockhill on the Harley for a motoring event so I have been free most of the day. He waited for the rain to stop this morning then set off but he won't ride back in the rain so it will take ages for him to get home. Welcome back AP. I have been wanting to visit Portmeirion for years. Sounds like you had an excellent week with Lady P and have made it back in time to see today's hatching and one to go.
Hi dibnlib, we went to the Shrewsbury Flower Show a couple of years ago and we thought it was superb. Even though your OH has all his RAF experience that sounds a terrible position to find himself in. I love to see the Battle of Britain Display, with the Spifire, Lancaster and Hurricane.
I forgot to mention yesterday, that my OH and myself received letters from ERNIE yesterday. We had both won the magnificent sum of £25 pound each !
Today's Astronomy Pic of the Day is the ISS and Shuttle in transit across the sun, wow!
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Terry in Cumbria
What a fabulous picture, TerryM. I haven't been looking at the site lately, so thanks.
Brenda - well done on your win. Its not a fortune but its still a win. My father bought premium bonds for my brother and me when we were kids. I think I have about £100.00 worth and have won the princely sum of £10 in the entire time! Not what you would call a good return on the investment given that I must have had them for eons. I'm a fan of flower shows too but don't go often because most of my weekends are spent doing laundry and cooking for the family as you can imagine. Try to go every two years to the Dundee Flower and Food festival and always buy a few plants for the garden when I am there. Went to Chelsea once many years ago and would love to go again. Might try to go to the Edinburgh or Glasgow one this summer if I am not so busy. OG - glad to see you back and thanks for the pic of daffodil scene. Daffodils are pretty much finished now but it was a delight to see them this year after such a long cold winter.
Now looking at last week 16th- 22nd. So good, Annette, that you are pleased with your painting job! Sounds like a very noisy carry-on with Hawk, Woodpeckers and Crows – saw two male sparrows this afternoon – fighting so viciously that they kept tumbling down the roof, but wouldn’t stop – just went back to the top to do it all over again! Lindybird and Dibnlib – Parsnips for me too! Had parsnip soup at one of our holiday B&Bs – don’t always eat in, but usually book dinner, if they do it, for our first night – saves searching, especially in a new area.
While you discussed parsnips, we spent last Sunday morning (before another non-appearance by Dolphins) at Black Isle Wildlife Park – the animals seemed healthy enough, but I have mixed feelings about creatures in captivity.
AQ – stunning shots of your bus trip last weekend – and so interesting too. DjoanS – pleased the boiler job finally went smoothly – Dau#2 still hasn’t got hers – after she paid the deposit, company said they can’t do it because fixing flue over flat roof is a health and safety issue for their workman! Cirrus – your trip sounds wonderful, so pleased you saw such a lot, despite the nest disappointment. Annette’s whale counting season seems to have been very short – but I think talking on here makes the time pass faster! Sorry the numbers are down – but there were a few windy non-counting days. Margobird – glad you enjoyed Venice so much – and got back almost on time – I wouldn’t have paid that for a gondola ride either!
Thanks for all pics, links and updates – and general chat – during the Grantown part of our holiday. Son was mostly having to work, so we basically only saw him lunchtimes. On Monday evening, we went to Boat of Garten Community Hall for an RSPB talk (weekly in summer) – this was about Red Kites in general, Black Isle Red Kites in particular – spectacular pictures and very informative. On Tuesday afternoon we visited Ballindalloch Castle, with fine weather again, and that evening we went for a nice country walk. We went to Sons flat “just for coffee” before leaving for home on Wednesday, but he wanted his Dad to move the cooker to clean behind it, so had to move stuff on it, and to do that had to first wash up and make spavce – and when they got the vacuum cleaner out, it had to be unblocked (but at least that means he has used it!) … and so it went on till mid day! We came all the way with only two stops, and had fish and chips from our best local chippy.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
watched "Halcyon Diaries" this evening - a beautiful programme, but at times very sad. I cried when all the baby Moorhens died. Usually watch "Countryfile" but tonight it started by warning people they might find some of the scenes distressing. It was about the badger culling in Wales, so quickly turned that off. Anyway think it is time to tidy up and empty the dishwasher so goodnight to all
I have made some comments since returning home, so now a quick read through to see whether I missed anything. By the way, ironing is now finished again! Thanks for the welcome back. Caerann – so good to “see “ you again – glad you are getting used to commuting and the various computer systems – I hope the job continues to suit you. AQ – sounds like you and the children enjoyed your day at school! Great when they are interested enough to ask questions. When I grew up, we had an indoor bathroom with toilet, but for some reason (probably to avoid wearing out the stairs carpet!) were supposed to use the one in the back porch – and that had spiders and other beasties in. It also had one of those old pull chains, and I always imagined it would pull the cistern down on my head!! Lindybird – great pics of Buzz during and after swim! And lovely blossom in a later post. We too have had the smell of BBQs this weekend – never thought to do yesterday’s dinner outside. When OH retired, we bought a gas BBQ because he said he could use it to “share the cooking” – but when weather is good and we do remember to use it, guess who does the marinading and prepares the salads! Annette – I totally agree that lottery and other similar draws would be better giving more prizes of smaller amounts – say nothing over £10,000 – that would buy some luxuries for most normal people. Great to imagine Dianne out in the woods with her (not pink) chainsaw – but not at night, it might that bring out the Wild Things from under the house. We have a blossom known as Californian Lilac – aka Ceanothus – smaller leaves and loads of bluish flowers. Dianne – thanks fro link to spillcam – diidn’t get on when I tried – but may have been busy – must try again. Terry – so sorry you are missing your trip – especially the Loch Garten part – also sorry for your boss, hope he makes a full recovery. Annette - hope toothache is staying away through weekend and that dentist can help you on Monday. GeorgeG – (hope you are still popping in to read) I have just used up the lovely Butter Lemon Curd from Loch Leven’s Larder, which I bought on your recommendation – excellent!
Everyone – well I’m up to date as of Saturday night, so will start with Sunday and get completely caught up tomorrow! Have found out why I have been feeling tired and grotty – thought it was just hayfever or reaction to the heat and intense sun the last few days, but have now lost my voice, and apparently have a virus – feel better just knowing there is a reason for the sneezing, aching eyes, tired limbs etc!