Hi everyone: Don't forget to check the final posts of last week's chat for tips on ordering stuff through the mail and what to do when a package has been tampered with and/or items never arrive in the first place! Also, OG is back and had a lovely time and may post photos if she can find some without total strangers blocking the views! Brenda/dibnlib: Americans aren't "allowed" to go to Cuba because - oh don't get me started. But a friend of mine did go there - he had to go somewhere else first and then pop over to Cuba on the QT before heading back to the States. Tiger: Nice to see you. Emma: "They" have just approved a bunch of wind turbines offshore of Cape Cod - one of the most famous scenic places on the U.S. East Coast! I'm fascinated to see what happens since I can't believe the moneyed and well-connected folk with fab houses in that area would allow it to actually happen. Diane: Yes, I read some comments on Trucker Steve's blog about some negative folk on Facebook, but no idea what that was all about and, like you, had no inclination to find out! He's heading to Florida next...
Since folks on here are talking about it, thought I'd mention that BP's curly headed CEO? didn't endear himself to anyone last week when he said he was eager to "get his life back" after the spill. A nice option for him when those killed and their families won't ever have that option, not to mention the wildlife.
Haven't been around much today - Farmer's Market and errands this morning, then this afternoon went on our Gray Whale "thank you to volunteers" boat ride on the Condor, which typically does whale watch cruises for tourists, etc., but was just for us this afternoon. Mike, our main GWC guy, works (unofficially) with the captain of the Condor during Gray Whale season. The Condor calls us when they see whales heading our way while we let them know when we have whales around Coal Oil Point. A win-win arrangement for everyone. Today, we left the harbor and immediately found ourselves in a pod of dolphins - a huge pod of about 700, Mike estimated, in full hunting mode. Just an amazing spectacle; we were surrounded by them. The dophins on the outer edge of the pod were leaping out of the water in coordinated groups of four or five - one of the rangers said she'd seen that behavior before and speculated that it may be a way of driving the fish into a particular position to facilitate feeding for the rest of the group . We could see fish jumping - literally for their lives. Other dolphins were behind the boat and still more right beside us, riding the wake from the bow . Immediately in front of the bow the dolphins were swimming (all this very fast) upside down, their bellies exposed and our guide explained that this was normal hunting behavior - that they can better see the fish from this position. Just amazing. Then we headed 9 miles out to track two humpback whales - a cow and calf pair, which we followed for about 30 minutes, watching the mother roll on her side to feed on krill; then saw the calf breach, which was a real treat. They served us wine and food, but I didn't partake since we were in a heavy swell and my innards were feeling a bit odd. That wasn't helped by the diesel fumes or the very strong perfume that two young women were wearing. I haven't had problems on boats before, but as they say, there's always a first time and this was it. Suffice to say I made it to a quiet corner at the rear of the ship before.....
Probably going to bed early tonight! Granddaughter and OH arriving Wednesday, so a busy week ahead. Take care all!
'Cirrus - My SIL has appointment on Friday re his eye problem. First hospital appt available. Will update you. Hope that you are making progress, sight and hearing are so precious to us all.''
Heather so there isn't an Eye Hospital locally where you can walk in for an emergency appointment then - sorry about that. Have to say I was so grateful I could do that . My next appointment is also on Friday so I shall be up at 6 to be down at the hospital by 7.30 am in order to get the 'number one ticket' despite having a 9 am appointment - nothing is guaranteed. The doctor might not even be there by 9 am if he has an emergency somewhere !!! But I just don't wait around easily and I like to have the rest of the day to myself. So I take a good book and enjoy being FIRST - doing my waiting first instead of later and so 'wasting' my day.
I shall be thinking of you both. I have never before been so grateful for the NHS - no wonder the rest of the world wants to live over here.
Margobird: Happy to hear that you had such a lovely time at the Donkey Sanctuary - they really look after you there, don't they? Cream teas ! lovely. I also had to laugh as imagined you being 'taken for a walk;' by the donkey. Shall be thinking of you on Friday, and hope that all goes well. You will soon be back home and looking on here to see how EJ and the family are doing.
Also thinking of you Cirrus, and hope that your plan to be early works out - I know from experience with my mother that these places can have huge queues, and its really boring waiting. I know that things with your eyes can be more painful as the day goes on, it seems to be something to do with tiredness or perhaps its the strain of trying to carry on as normal. As you say, thank goodness for the NHS- the service is great and the staff are wonderful.
Afternoon Lindybird can't believe that this time yesterday was having a look round the operating theatre before going on to mix the feed up for the donkeys allotted to us. It was a great day and will probably do again in 2012. Next year I am hoping that I will be accepted as a volunteer at Loch Garten for a week so if anyone wants to join me let me know. Can't apply until November but it is something I have to do before it is too late. Really want to see ospreys in the flesh so to speak and also to see Loch Garten as it looks truly beautiful up there. Being taken for a walk by Shirgar certainly got to my legs I can tell you. Feeling rather weary today but what a nice way to get tired.
After I have finished at the hospital on Friday you are quite right I will be looking in at EJ, Odin and the chicks for the rest of the day as they tell you to take things easy so I have the perfect excuse for sitting on here most of the day. I am waiting for Odin as is EJ I should think. I noticed that I am not the one who gets a frozen screen from time to time. Wonder what is causing that, perhaps too many of us are watching at the same time.
Have a good afternoon and evening.
Margobird
I seem to be having a slow day today, probably because yesterday was busy. HeatherB – hope all goes well Friday – I assume this is not the same SiL that is out east? Alan – how do you approach tidying the garage? My view is that absolutely everything should be taken out and only put back labelled boxes containing necessities – anything that hasn’t been used in a year should be disposed of. Needless to say, my OH does not agree! Margobird – so pleased you have an early appointment Friday. Cirrus – hope your plan to be number one on Friday works!
Now I really must go and do something in the garden. And here is my final picture from Gardening Scotland – I always think Cactus growers have it easy – cacti just stay put when you arrange them, not like things with bendy stems and sprays of flowers!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Oh God: Just got an early start, responded to everyone's posts then hit wrong key and lost it all. Was so pleased with myself too, got a word in for everyone. SIgh. Must go start organizing my day before gd and her OH arrive so can't redo it all.
Suffice to say I sympathize with all eye/ear ailments and hope they get better soon; so glad that Margobird had a lovely day with her donkey and loved the cactus oix (really the only plants to grow in pots here without having to hover over them every day). Will be busy next two days, but will probably be looking for an escape (!) every now and then. Take care all.
Oh Annette, I've done just the same quite often in the past - rueful smile. It never comes out the same done over anyway, May your next two days go well.
No, not the same SIL as the one in Afghanistan. (Selfishly, I almost wish it was, then he would be sent home I think) This SIL is in the Airforce. He has already been seen at his nearest large hospital - about 80 miles from where they live but no improvement so he is being seen at the local smallish hospital on Friday. No Eye Hospital around about here, sadly----- I think he'll end up going back to the big hospital in Aberdeen but we'll wait and see.
Thanks folks for the supportive messages - much appreciated.
MARGOBIRD. good luck with the LG volunteering. If you are accepted you will have to let us know the dates so we can time our visits accordingly. I definitely fancy a trip to a donkey sanctuary but don't know of any locally. Must try and find out more. Talking about charities, we were in town today and came accross The Dogs Trust. They wanted people to sponsor a dog We didn't have much time and actually we didn't want to sponsor a dog (monthly donations) but would happily have given an on the spot donation, as i am sure many others would have liked to have done. They refused saying they were not allowed. What a missed opportunity we thought!!!!! Sorry about your hearing, My brother has been wearing hearing aids in both ears since he was about 5 years old. It must be hard at first but I hope it doesn't take long to adapt.
OG thanks for the photos. think next years Gardening Scotland is either 3rd- 5th or 4th- 6th. Hope we can get there.
Thanks to all for pics, videos and stories. Off to organise the evening meal which will be early tonight as a friend and I are off to Eden Court to see "the Vagina Monologues" which I heard from a friend is a very funny night out .
Dibnlib - I emailed next year's dates to you - maybe it got lost in space! Anyway, it's Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June 2011. Have a good time at the theatre.
A few lines inspired by Odin sitting fiercely on the side of the nest today:
G U A R D I N G
Odin on guard, Odin on guard !
The wind has been blowing, and the fishings been hard:
I've three thriving offspring to spur on my trying
The sun was up early: so was my flying.
I flew with the certainty my mate would be there
When I returned, joyfully, to our chicks in her care.
Now I must stand hard to defend our nest -
Doing what feels right: doing what's best.
My talons are weighty, my voice clear and loud -
I've got a strong family - they make me stand proud.
My mate is so steadfast, so sure of her place
Together we'll work with no time left to waste.
I'll press on with my fishing to keep them all strong:
I'll keep on defending them all my day long.