Happy New Week! We’re back – Son is ok. He was facing a court appearance re an allegation against him, but in the end did not have to appear and is in the clear. Not a nice experience.
Been to LG and LotL – and got new long lens for camera! More tomorrow. Thanks for all the support – so pleased to be back here with you all!!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
TERRY our printer is a scanner so must ask OH how to go about scanning in (I am clueless) His pics from the Falklands were superb as he had a good canon camera and it was spring/summer when he was there so lots of penguin and seal babies. Thanks for the tip and here is hoping
Monday morning – weather is pleasant - and even yesterday was not bad.
HeatherB – I hope you manage to take all those goodies into France – do they allow Cheddar cheese, with all their cheeses? You are really kind, taking all this for your brother and his family.
Annette – my ironing has started to appear after last week’s trip – and we have planned time away coming up from Friday, so it has to be done to a deadline!
AQ – OH and I think that Duck is a Muscovy, unless it is something peculiar to the Southern Hemisphere!
Auntie – so pleased your Mum’s time at home went well, and that she will soon be back there.
Lindybird – hope you are enjoying your day out. Schools here finished end of June, so we had kids and caravans around us last week – still preferable to being at home where Jamie from behind is forever asking for his football (which allegedly comes into our garden on its own), blowing a ref’s whistle or a vuvuzela (if that’s what it’s called). When I suggested putting poems on the Poetry Corner, I wasn’t suggesting you stop putting them here – I love them – I just thought that might reach a wider audience. The one about the fledging is really so beautiful.
BrendaH – thinking of you and the neighbour’s family. Funerals can vary so much – I hope this is a celebration of his life, since you have said what a lovely person he was.
Here is a picture of a typical Highland "view" on a dreich day – inner Dornoch Firth from the Morangie Forest road. The rain was coming down from the hills which are invisible in the background!
And a Seal hauled out on a rock in the Firth (these are before buying the new lens):
TIGER was in the Officers mess at Leuchars when Greg Norman came in with the Claret jug he had won the previous year. Remember thinking how I disliked him as he seemed to have no respect for it and it was in a kit bag. Not sure though now that it would have been the real thing.Probably a replica as I think the original is kept at the R & A and really only released for name to be put on and presentation. I think it is the worlds most beautiful trophy.
Good morning original goldfinch and I hope you are feeling a little more relaxed now. Wonderful photos, so atmospheric.
Good morning to all weekly chat bloggers. I am late logging in today as I had to go out and get some pond water tested. After losing one fish last weekend we lost another last night. Apparently it is probably the excessive heat. Had the pond water tested and it is fine. We studied Boris as we called him and could see nothing wrong with his appearance. He made a quick dash round the pond leaping up in the air after he had been just resting at the top and it was as though that was his final effort as he died. OH gutted as he loves his fish and I got quite upset too. Now have something to put in the water in case there are parasite problems and keeping fingers crossed that we do not lose anymore.
Have a good day all.
Margobird
Brenda H I hope the funeral will go well and that out of grief will come some relief for someone who had suffered. As Lindybird said it has to be a celebration of a life.
Thanks for the Monday smile Lindybird.
Thanks original goldfinch for the wonderful shots take at LG, wonderfully clear pictures.
Hello Everyone, thank you for all your contribtuins which I have enjoyed reading.
OG - When I posted the list of food last night, I think I was inwardly wondering about whether to agree with OH who thinks I am mad to lug so much stuff over to France! Its just that he is my only sibling and we are both getting older now, both in our sixties and our relationship which used to be OK 'and see you when I see you' has become much more precious to both of us. Added to which, one of his grownup children has problems which over the years have drained his parents financially and emotionally. I can't say more for obvious reasons but the end result is that they are living in France (a lifelong dream for both of them) in an old house which is eating up all of their limited resources. Both families (ours and my sister in law's) do what we can to help them to at least fulfill that dream even though so much else has gone so awry in their life. So its on with the gardening gloves for me and OH will chip in with whatever needs doing. And of course, you are right, they have wonderful cheeses in France! Some of which, all being well, OH and I will be partaking of this week. (Diet next week)
AQ - I have laughed so much at your Universal laws - all of them very true!
Auntie - So good that your Mum has made such a good recovery and will be home soon.
Lindybird- Loved you Monday Smile :-)
Brenda - Can't find the right words to say to you about the funeral, but have been following events as you have posted them. I was listening to the radio early this morning, an interview with a lady who has written a book about her experiences of bereavement. I too was widowed at a comparatively young age but I don't remember feeling so angry with folk who just couldn't bring themselves to talk about my loss. She even made a list of friends who had not been supportive enough, and said that she hope that they would die, too.She still sounded bitter and all I can think is that she had had and is still having a very severe and ? atypical bereavement reaction. The interviewer was, I thought, rather 'strong' with her.
Good morning Heather B and what a lovely post from you about your family. I have a sister who I phone now and then as she never rings me. She was diagnosed with cancer last year and it made me realise that you just have to try a bit harder with family sometimes and we have been much closer since. I also liked your words about bereavement for Brenda. I agree life is too short to hold grudges and I know when my Mum died I aways wondered whether I could have done more or said more it is important to let family know how you feel about them.
HEATHER what a lot you are taking to your brothers, hope it all gets there safe and sound. We got it easy by comparison when we went to the states and were spending a night with a friend in San Francisco. He said T bags please and lots of them. It came as such a surprize that he couldn't get what he called decent T bags there.