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.
Afternoon DjoanS it is sad to see dead animals at the roadside. We often see foxes and badgers who have not made it safely across the road. When we are driving in the New Forest when it is dark we always go slowly. It is awful how many ponies get hit as well even though there is a speed limit. It has been said that it is locals who break the speed limit not the tourists.
Margobird
Hello margobird - I'm glad your hearing aid is working so well ... it must be lovely to hear everyday sounds again.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Morning all: Looks like all of Scotland is getting blown about today - you can really see it on the LOTL cam. In the meantime, SoCal weather forecast for the coast is "sun breaking through late in the day." So low overcast here and lsome ights on in the house.
Auntie: Keep meaning to say the osprey in your avatar looks frazzled - reminds me of me on a bad day! What?! On probation for killing someone? How does that happen. Incidentally, I've just finished reading Lynda La Plante's Clean Cut (she's the author who brought us Jane Tennison?) Anyway, it's great and has a lot to say about "life" sentences.
AQ: Does anyone ever go bathing in OZ? Or hiking for that matter. Seems like you'd have to carry antidotes for all those poisonous critters in your handbag, just like make up (not that I carry make up in my bag). I k now Wilson's Law very well.
Lindybird: I'd prefer not to know the gender. Never know what to make of those in utero pix; can't ever tell what I'm looking at without it being explained. Enjoy the movie - which one?
Margobird: Brilliant that your hearing aid is working well; sounds like you'll get used to it in no time at all. Oh dear missed Djoan's post but saw your response. One day last week saw a dead hawk on the road (flew into wires??) and a dead deer - and another deer yesterday on way back from daughter's. Must be the season. But ponies? Would have a hard time with that! Not something we see here.
OK. Simple must do errands and bothersome paperwork/phone calls today. Take care all.
Just caught up with all ironing, which has been neglected lately and OH has done the hoovering and food shop, so with a bit of luck, should be able to relax tomorrow !
Margo; Good to hear you are happy with your hearing aid. That is another thing ticked off your list.
Linda; Lovely photographs of Formby. It is some years since I have been there, although I do remember not to go to Formby/ Crosby / Southport when it is very windy as the fine sand blows in your face and eyes. Sorry you didn't see the red squirrel though. Much better than the grey ones which keep taking all the bird food in our garden.
patriciat; Sorry about your argument with the car door. I guess you won't be wearing your shorts for a while. Multi coloured legs are just not 'in' at the moment. Seriously though, do take it easy.
I will be supporting Spain in the football tonight. Definitely don't want Germany to win.
Margobird - I am so pleased to read that your hearing aid is fitted and OK. What a pleasure it will be to be able to hear all the little sounds that you have been missing. I rely on OH to tell me about different birdsongs and I have learnt not to ask him before he gets up in the morning because without his aids he can't hear the more subtle notes of the dawn chorus. Unfortunately he can usually hear the seagulls----- :-)
I don't recall finishing off the story of the Brighton peregrines so I thought I'd let people know that one of the pair fledged successfully, but the other one was recovered from the ground. At first it was believed that it was uninjured, just unable to fly, but a subsequent X-ray showed a broken clavicle and ribs. It is being cared for at a rehabilitation centre and will, hopefully, make a full recovery and be able to be released back into the wild at some point. Coverage has now finished for the season.
While at Rutland Water at the weekend I was in one of the hides at Egleton when this pheasant poked his head out of the undergrowth, so took this pic:
I wasn't really after pics of a pheasant so carried on looking elsewhere. It was only as it starting to slink back into the long grass that I noticed its extraordinary colouring:
Thanks for that news about the Brighton Peregrines, Sandy. Nice to know that the injured bird will be OK. Lovely pics of the pheasant.
margobird: Great news that the hearing aid is a success, after you were somewhat nervous of the result, as I'm sure I would have been, too. Enjoy hearing the birds and get back to going to your concerts!
We have been to watch 'Shrek Forever After' which is the 4th in the Shrek series of films. We went to a further away town as they were showing it in 3D, and we've found it to be a good experience, with this type of film, anyway. Crowds of people there - there were 11 in the cinema screen that we were in, including ourselves! Enjoyed the film, & if you have enjoyed the previous ones in this series, you will also laugh at this one. Some jokes put in for the adults as well as the children. Eddie Murphy as the Donkey is hilarious, and Puss in Boots is lots of fun. We also saw a trailer for the new Toy Story film, and it looks very good This comes out on 19th July, so we may go then.
Off to do the ironing now!
Thanks HeatherB and much to my amazement I am coping quite well. It will take a little while to get used to it but i have not had any problems at all and all the extra sounds picked up have not really bothered me and this will stop eventually. I turned the sound down on the TV and OH can't hear it at the level I can now. He is watching the football at the moment and it is extremely noisy for me. I was seen by such a nice man who explained everything so well and ensured that I was happy to wear an aid. I will have follow up appointments and at some time in the not too distant future will get fitted for one in the other ear. A very helpful instruction book was provided together with batteries and other bits and pieces ou need. When I need more batteries etc I just have to go to my doctors surgery who will replace the batteries and tubes. I have noticed so many things already that I had not been hearing so I am pleased I have gone ahead and accepted the need for a hearing aid. The booklet also mentions theatre loops too, I just have to find out when we go to the theatre if they have that available. All in all it has been a good day after my initial apprehension this morning.
margobird said: Thanks HeatherB and much to my amazement I am coping quite well. It will take a little while to get used to it but i have not had any problems at all and all the extra sounds picked up have not really bothered me and this will stop eventually. I turned the sound down on the TV and OH can't hear it at the level I can now. He is watching the football at the moment and it is extremely noisy for me. I was seen by such a nice man who explained everything so well and ensured that I was happy to wear an aid. I will have follow up appointments and at some time in the not too distant future will get fitted for one in the other ear. A very helpful instruction book was provided together with batteries and other bits and pieces ou need. When I need more batteries etc I just have to go to my doctors surgery who will replace the batteries and tubes. I have noticed so many things already that I had not been hearing so I am pleased I have gone ahead and accepted the need for a hearing aid. The booklet also mentions theatre loops too, I just have to find out when we go to the theatre if they have that available. All in all it has been a good day after my initial apprehension this morning.
Wonderful, margobird. So pleased for you. Must go do some ironing now and ring my Uncle, who lives alone and has not been well. Goodnight All.