WEEKLY CHAT (non-osprey) SUNDAY JULY 22, 2017

It was an otter cub, Annette.  If the water powered engine could be perfected (and there have been a few attempts at it) it would solve the whole world's  energy problems. What a thought.

Had a surprise this afternoon -- I was sitting reading the newspaper when Bonnie perked up and got very excited, looking out of the window. I crept up, not knowing what I would see, and there I met someone's eye.  A sparrowhawk!!  He/she had just killed a sparrow on the lawn, and met my gaze without stopping from eating. I ran for the camera, as it didn't seem to mind my being there looking.  I took one quick photo, before he flew off, leaving a pile of feathers on the grass.

I'm dusting the house, and packing, as we're off to Wales again tomorrow.

Here's a pic of Bonnie, taken when visiting our son recently:  She made us laugh, as we tied her up to the tree in the garden but she ran around it continuously until she had a short lead!  (edit:  if you look carefully, you can see the lead wound around the tree!)

There is a new Blog, by Blair, about the wonderful volunteers at LG...

Good Morning, All.  Dry here, and I'm up early to get myself ready to travel. The weather over the next few days looks mixed, but we don't mind: we can still take some nice walks between showers.

Here's today's pic:

"Can you spare a crust?"

Have a good trip, Lindy. Safe travels.

Thanks, Diane!  Hope you're settled in back home now, with plenty of supplies...

Yesterday’s weather improved from total wash-out to sunshine and showers; today started with sunshine and showers.  Just looked out the study window and noticed the forsythia waving at me – growing much too high with all the recent rain – I reckon it’s putting on 10 cm a day!

Linda – sorry your Friend still has such pain and discomfort in the leg – does that make the exercises difficult for her?  I hope you will be able to share the Sparrowhawk photo – Daughter was saying their local Wood Pigeon population has been diminished by a SH – must be a (larger) female to take WPs.  Lovely photo of Bonnie: although she is sitting still, she looks ready to rush off somewhere!  Surprised to see you are off to Wales again so soon – have a nice time.

Annette – thanks for describing the likely regeneration of the scrub and forest – I had heard of seeds which need to go through fire – I believe this applies to acacia trees.  Sounds as if the fire at the botanic garden did them a few favours!

OH has discovered a drip from our boiler so is trying to arrange a repair visit at a suitable time tomorrow, then he will be doing some cleaning today.  We shall also be working on the church newsletter.

Hello all

I have been looking in here quite a lot and up to date with all your news - thank you.

In the midst of a very busy week, son staying, entertaining granddaughters - two lunches in the Tapas restaurant! Son leaves tomorrow and youngest family arrive tomorrow evening for two nights. Son in law's Mum has her 60th birthday celebrations this weekend.

There is to be a post mortem examination of stepdaughter because of her sudden death. So we await the findings. Stepson is feeling pretty rough, having lost his father and his only sibling within a few months.

Enjoy your weekend away, LINDY.

Sorry for lack of replies, am all out of energy!

Hello, HEATHER!  I noticed on Face Book that you revisited the tapas restaurant with the granddaughters!  Good to be able to go out with the two teenagers without their parents.  You will enjoy the younger two at the weekend, I am sure.  Not surprised that there has to be a PM on your stepdaughter - despite the underlying issues, it was sudden when it happened, but sorry for her brother, it just prolongs things for him, and is more of a strain on you too, trying to give support when you still aren't up to it yourself.