LINDY pleased you enjoyed a good evening out despite the wet journey getting there. Wonder what breed these enormous dogs were? Love the duck decoration.
OG Hope you sleep better.
OH took me for a swim this morning then headed for work. There were no buses so he collected me with the person he supports, We then went to Tiso for coffee and then home where we treated the person he supports to home made soup and mince pies and sweets. They have now gone to play pool and OH will be home in about 50 mins.
Well done on keeping up with the swimming, Dibnlib! You must be super fit, with all that walking, too.
OG - Sorry you're not sleeping well - the temps at night are certainly strange, sometimes I'm too hot and other times I'm reaching for an extra blanket on top. I think the dogs mentioned are German Short Haired Pointers - the big one weighs about 8 stone!!
Been out to look at the Sales at nearby garden centre - looked at artificial Christmas trees but fancy to going back to having a real one, but smaller than our giant one at present. In the end, bought some smart grey trousers (I live in trousers all the time, virtually), and some half price wrapping paper for next Christmas.
Off to tidy round for our visitor and his live in carer.
LINDY Not so much walking at the moment. I slipped and fell on a walk nearly 3 weeks ago. Painful ankle since and as it was getting worse and not better I saw my GP who said it will take a good 6-8 weeks to heal and in the meantime swimming is fine but don't overdo the dog walking. Benson isn't bothered. He refused this afternoons walk and it wasn't even raining. He is a mystery.
That is one big dog. At their heaviest, our Goldies didn't top much over 5 stone.
Morning all:
Lindybird: Nothing like getting all dressed up and then having all your efforts rained on! Don't know what I'd do if I had to dress up for an evening out....probably stay home. :-) I like your Mom's duck.
OG: I've cleaned up everything but have left the tiny multi-colored inside lights coz they make the place look so cozy. They and the outside lights will come down January 7.
Clare: Hope you enjoyed Minsmere and meeting up with Gardenbirder. OMG, a cousin of AQ's Lizardia. Wouldn't want want to find that in my backyard. Hmm, wonder if we'll get to see the Yellowstone show here - will be interesting to hear what they say about the giant caldera.
dibnlib: Take care of that ankle!
I'm watching the Rose Parade from Pasadena, where the sun isn't shining for a change. Supposed to be cloudy all week and beyond...
Unknown said:Clare: Hope you enjoyed Minsmere and meeting up with Gardenbirder. OMG, a cousin of AQ's Lizardia. Wouldn't want want to find that in my backyard. Hmm, wonder if we'll get to see the Yellowstone show here - will be interesting to hear what they say about the giant caldera.
That crocodile was enormous. I can't imagine how it would feel finding anything like that so close to home - the scariest things we currently get here are gulls with chicks!!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Hello all and a Very Happy New Year to you. May it be a better year for a few of you.
Quiet new year - stayed in with dau and OH not worth going to the pub as Christmas Eve it was heaving so didn't want that again plus the police were probably out in force!!
Had a lovely time today at Dau-i-law's , went for lunch and drinks.
Already booked our holiday for this year and have decided on a coach tour to Germany and the Harz mountain area but not going till August - something to look forward to.
Lindy - that was quite an event but glad you enjoyed yourselves even if you ended up being damp again on returning home.
Thank you all for your news - its always good to read what everybody has been up to.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
The comments a few days ago of dressing gown vs robe. We say dressing gown, but surely it is an undressing gown, since one is usually in night attire! A term I haven’t heard for a while is brunch coat, a short cotton gown/robe. Was it for those who sleep in and combine breakfast & lunch? I guess now that so many eat “brunch” out at cafes, it is not suitable attire!
I am trying to return to “normal” life with a visit to library this morn to replenish supplies. Dau told her father no nanny duty required this week as she wants to try managing on her own. Yeay, a holiday for us. NY Day evening was a long one (for me), first the Edinburgh Tattoo, then at 10.50 pm the Vienna NY concert (delayed 1½ hours, finishing at 1.30 am. Yawn.) OH went to bed at 10 pm and next morning I found the concert on You Tube for him. Tonight TV is back to its usual non-watchable rubbish.
The Littlies have chosen their colours for next winter’s sleeveless vests. 2 shades of bright pink for L and pastel pink & lavender for J, apricot for Miss5. Meanwhile I have to knit a navy blue jumper for Miss20. This is the jumper I was meant to knit for her last year – until I sprained my wrist, etc. I knit all year round so they should be done before the cold weather strikes.
Lynette – Enjoy the Harz, lovely scenery, wonderful old old buildings. Of course I’m not biased, just because one of my g-g-fathers came from there.
I read old newspapers online to assist with info about the churches, etc I photograph. I do get side tracked at times and read other interesting oddments. For example, from 1873:-
The Paris Figaro warns its readers against placing too much confidence in the announcement of a hotel whose proprietor informs the public that “English, German, Italian, and Spanish are spoken here”.
An Englishman, it says, who lately “descended” at the hotel in question, and could find no waiter possessing even the most rudimentary acquaintance with the English language, asked for the interpreter, and being told that there was none, demanded an explanation. “By whom, then”, he enquired, “are English, German, Italian, Spanish spoken?”
“By the travellers, sir, who come to the hotel”, was the reply.
Evening all: Everyone here complaining about how cold it is (high 50s was the high today) but very damp too. Poor us!! :-) Rain still very much in the forecast.
Lynette: When I lived in the UK I used to spend the winter months pouring over travel brochures and by late February I'd usually booked a trip to sunny Italy. August should be a good time for Germany.
AQ: Have never heard of brunch coats, but we have something called housecoats (think flowery lightweight cotton thingies that button up the front and worn by ladies much older than anyone we know!). Do hope Dau copes so well that nanny duty will soon be a thing of the past. Good to know the Littlies have arranged to keep you busy over the summer. Wonder where the waiter in that Paris hotel hailed from.....I thought 99% of Parisians knew at least some English.
Anyway, off to bed soon. My friend from Kansas City is visiting her daughter in the LA area and will be coming up here for the night tomorrow, so will be doing lots of chatting.
Meanwhile, take care everyone.
Good morning, all. It's cold and overcast here but at least it's dry.
I've now posted my photos of our Minsmere visit - click on this beautiful swan to see some more: