WEEKLY CHAT (non-osprey) SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Thought I'd give Diane a break this week. Sorry, no pretty pic, but here's a link - posted by Gardenbirder late Saturday - to a funny BBC page re the Wales earthquake:   http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43100524  :-))

  • Morning all:  Hurray!  Pesky SpaceX rocket finally took off this morning. I watched it from our driveway and wanted to go bang on everyone's door and wake them up to come see it.  It started off as a bright red tip trailing a thick white trail as it climbed, then the tip turned white before developing that strange elongated balloon "atmosphere" around it that gradually dissipated.  The SpaceX commentary said we might see the two satellites deploy and I did see two white objects sort of left hanging in the sky as the rocket continued it's climb; they disappeared as the sun rose.  Took some very grainy photos and may post them on here later.  

    Clare: I do like the birds with dramatic coloration. Makes me wonder how they evolved to be so obvious while others seem to be made to be invisible. Is it a dating/mating outfit or a question of them blending in in other habitats....

    Lynette: Good you saw doc; hope you see some improvement soon.

    Lindybird: As Heather says, your disappointment may turn out to have an as-yet invisible silver lining. Maybe that Royal Caribbean trip will be overtaken by some ghastly norovirus (not that we'd wish it).  Hope you enjoyed John Lewis's.   Love the horse pic; now I'm wondering about the evolutionary purpose of that wonderful mane.... but must go grocery shopping.  Sigh. I was clearly made for much loftier pursuits!  :-)

  • Limpy took me to Felixstowe Ferry for a late lunch today - yup, I got a few photos!  Click on this stunning bird to see more:

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Clare - thank you so much, as always, for two wonderful sets of photographs.  They certainly brightened a cold evening for me.  Whenever I see you have posted another collection I know I am in for a treat.

  • Had a busy day: rushed out & bought my eggs & milk, dashed back and spruced myself up before my Friend arrived. We spent time and money in the beauty counters in John Lewis, then went into a new cafe there where we had toasted ham & cheese baguettes. Really yummy. After queuing in the car through seemingly endless roadworks, we made it to M&S where we both bought sweaters and trousers, and some stuff in the Food Hall. When we got home, I took Friend around to see one of my neighbours who has something interesting which I'll explain later or this will be a long tale!

    After a cuppa I set to and baked some cake for our visitors tomorrow, and then cooked dinner. I tried on my new clothes, (sweater good, trousers going to be returned!) and now I'm sitting here too tired to watch TV!

  • Thanks for t he news of the SpaceX launch, Annette. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever get off!

  • Good morning, all.  Off to Minsmere again today, Woo Hoo!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • What’s with signing in today – it’s not Monday?

    Too hot & humid for computing. Cooler tomorrow please. Looking back, nanny duty was not too bad, but stressful at the time as I was not sure what to expect. Although much longer than usual, I only had 1¼ children to care for! MissL had a late pm nap and I didn’t see her again. MissJ entertained me, ate all her tea, and we were halfway through her bedtime prep when parents returned.

  • Good Morning. Everywhere white with frost here today.

    Good that you had a relatively easy Nanny duty this time, AQ! It's certainly hard work with the tinies.... Our grandsons arrive today and I'm girding my loins!

  • Here's today's pic:

    "I love you too, Mum!"

  • Loving this weather.  Window cleaner due - and they could stay clean a few days this time with no rain or snow expected!  Been doing some general tidying and preparing for night away after GD's 18th on Sat evening - I spoke to her on "the day" yesterday and she was already hyper!  SiL invited us out for lunch Sunday, but have said we would prefer to make our way home in the morning.  This is my first trip away since November 2016, so don't know how I will be, and future possibilities will depend on my reactions this time.

    LINDA - enjoy seeing the two boys!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!