Hallo all: I put up the painters' tape showing the dimensions of the various flat-screen tellys (tellies?) we're looking at and now we're thinking maybe we don't need a really big one.
Auntie: Great that you had a lovely day at Pohtiolampi; how fun to see ospreys in action.
OG: I say put Loch Garten for sure on your trip north! We expect a full report! OMG: That python/gator photo was fascinatingly gross. Talk about his eyes being bigger than his belly!! Eeeeuw! Why did I think orchids were a hot-weather plant.... Well - if you go to Caerlaverock, hope you enjoy it. Are "kissing gates" the same as stiles? All I can remember is "Would you rather run a mile, jump a stile, or eat a pancake in a field?" Oh dear. Talk about regressing...... Thanks for update on Big Rig Steve; haven't been on the computer all day. Had earnest discussion with vines, who have promised to behave, and gave some encouragement to the tomatoes, which are being a bit shy. Currently, our ailing Navel Orange tree is getting a lot of TLC in the form of deep watering followed by nutritional snack that will make it feel better (and we hope, look and and taste better).
AQ: Universal laws transcend borders. :-)
It's July 4 - Independence Day - tomorrow; will start off the day shortly after 6 a.m.(!) with live Wimbledon coverage (on our normal channel - just checked!), then will putter about before picking up daughter in late afternoon to go to Mission Santa Ynez, where we'll watch July 4 fireworks display. OH not thrilled with fireworks, so he'll stay home and keep Lightning company (she doesn't like them either).
In the meantime, off to check on osprey cams.
Happy Fourth of July to our American friends.
OG - What a gorgeous wild orchid. Hey, you wouldn’t have hidden a bag of feed so you could visit LG, would you?
Lindybird - When the Aussie commentators are not being biased about Aussie tennis players, they bemoan the fact that hardly anyone serves & volleys any more. That and clever drop shots are so much more interesting to watch. So many players now just belt the ball back and forth from the baseline.
I’m looking forward to meeting Wattle when she visits Adelaide later this month. It is a small world - I know one of her cousins!
We are off later to niece’s for afternoon tea, collecting m-i-l on the way. A few weeks ago m-i-l was moaning that people shouldn’t live past 90 and that it was no point getting heath things fixed as she wouldn’t be around long. She must be feeling better, as last weekend she wanted a new hearing aid, her teeth fixed, her eyes checked, etc, etc.
Time for lunch. I'll post more Universal Laws later.
Hey AQ: Must agree that I preferred the more clever shots they used to use in tennis. It's all wham, bang now. Still, looking forward to tomorrow's final. How interesting that you know Wattle's cousin - are you guys planning on doing some birding? Let us know of m-in-l gets a new hairdo too!
Hey Annette, I'm back from lunch. I made good healthy salad rolls - - - and popped them in the toaster oven because it is still cold. I told Himself that last night's min was 2.4 C and he grumbled "It still is". Not really!!!!!M-i-l regularly has her hair done at nursing home. Since Wattle is coming over to meet new-found cousins, I expect she will be busy chasing family history, but time for a cup of coffee I hope. Just 3 more buttons to finish baby jackets. I washed them all yesterday and they are now lovely and soft. Himself wondered what the neighbours thought of them on the line. But the only one who could really see is Mr Grumpy and he was inside, probably huddled over his heater. Now a quick look-see at the nest before we depart.
AQ: Just read on the Daily Update that you've left for tea with mom in law. Had to laugh at baby jackets on the line - always good to keep the neighbors guessing! Take care.
OG: Just took a look at Trucker Steve's blog - been there, done that drive (and the ferries). It's beautiful. Sigh. So green up there in the Northwest.
Chatting to myself tonight, but that's okay - at least I don't get into any arguments! :-)
Take care all; signing off 'coz have to be up at the crack of 6 a.m. to watch the live Wimbledon broadcast.
Hi, all. Really tired so not going to stay around tonight.
AQ: I'm so enjoying the Universal Laws. OG: Beautiful orchid. What a joy watching the goldfinches. UK goldfinches are so beautiful. I hope you enjoy your trip to Caerlaverock.
Tennis fans: Back when I used to play tennis regularly (about 100 years ago), I had a wicked powerful serve and was brutal from the baseline, but, alas, not much grace and elegance. A good drop shot would destroy me. Couldn't hit them or return them well. I probably would've been better in today's baseline power-hitting tennis. Hope you all enjoy Wimbledon tomorrow.
Annette: I hope you have a wonderful holiday tomorrow and enjoy your visit with your daughter!!!
Nite, all. Everyone have a good Sunday.
Just in case you don't check in with Daily Update I want to wish all you fans across The Pond a great 4th July and congrats in getting rid of us :)
Hi Folks
Happy 4th!
I just got back from spending a whole week at the Osprey Centre as a volunteer. I felt so privileged to be able to spend time with the staff and other volunteers, and to be so close to the birds. When on duty we spent our time recording the birds' activities in the daily journal. We were on when Odin came back with the fish and fed the chicks in EJ's absence, it was so touching. And we saw EJ protect the birds from an intruder who was hovering directly over the nest. There were some scary moments when the wind was really high and the chicks were flapping, we kept thinking they would blow away with their immature feathers!!
When off duty we went walking with Ian Maltravers, the trail warden, and were lucky enough to see 2 other osprey nests as well as a beautiful hidden loch inundated with dragon flies and damsel flies, they were really stunning. I wrote some poetry, so later this week I'll post one of the poems that captures the experience - don't worry, it's very short!!
I thoroughly recommend the experience, you don't have to have any particular skills or experience, and volunteers are of all ages. Fantastic!
Happy 4th of July to all our American friends.
Beautiful morning here in Huntingdonshire. Hopefully it will be a nice quiet sunday but we shall see what develops.
Off to check the webcams.