Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 25 February 2018

LINDY    That sounds good

Thanks LINDY- they do sound good and I can imagine them with the Brittany sea salt butter which I love!

Hope that ANNETTE enjoyed her friend's visit at the weekend. Hope I've remembered correctly!

Morning all: Hope everyone in Scotland is safely tucked up inside their homes!  

Rosy: Not happy to hear about the family problems; hope they get sorted out without too much angst.

Lindybird: Had to Google Tardis - thought it was the name of a car....  Sounds like perfect head cold weather there.  :-(

Lynette:  Disconcerting to get a ho-hum NP. Hope the new AB works, but be prepared to be assertive on Friday if no improvement seen!  I had a NP put me on AB's once for alleged cellulitis on big toe. It didn't clear up and when I saw the "real" doc a week later, he diagnosed ingrown toenail. Problem sorted. He wasn't thrilled as he doesn't prescribe ABs if he can help it.

Clare: Interesting about the native gulls. I'm surprised too. What is the reason behind their being endangered?

OG: Old folks? No old folks on this thread, surely.  :-)

Heather: Yes, thank you - was good to see friend. I drove her to another friend's house in Ojai (pronounced o-high with accent on the O) which meant driving through the area burned by the huge fire we had in December; lots of blackened tree trunks, etc. and those that weren't completely destroyed had very dull, scorched leaves. A bit apocalyptic.  We also took a small detour into Montecito en route and was dismayed to see so much mud and debris still  piled on the roadsides (people are still clearing it out of their houses), plus one-story houses with mud stains halfway up the walls and one gorgeous two-story home that looked fine until you realized the rear was caved in and the brick chimney leaning at about an 80-degree angle.  We're expecting a smaller storm tomorrow and they're already looking at evacuating folks in that area because now there's nothing at all in the hills behind to keep more soil/mud/debris from coming down so it will take a lot less rain to cause serious problems.

Take care everyone!!

Hello all from a very cold and snowy Suffolk. I am still suffering from the chest infection and using the inhaler although really not sure what it is doing.

I was down to my last bag of logs so rang around various supermarkets and finally ended up speaking to a local Farm Shop who I buy my meat from. I didn't think they delivered but asked anyway. The young girl could hear from my voice that I was not well so she asked me to hold and when she came back she said one of the butchers lived near me and would drop of some logs - how good is that! Of course I had some money ready for the man for a drink to say thank you but he wouldn't hear of it and said he was happy to help. So impressed and naturally I left a really good review on their FB page.

Been out twice to fill the feeders and out suet and meal worms down for the ground feeders and to thaw the bird bath and refill with warm water.

I wonder if our Ospreys are getting itchy feet in the sun and thinking about returning? Best if they wait a few more weeks I think!

To all that have problems or illness - I wish you all well.

Harelady: There are those people in the world, like your Farm Shop staff, who restore faith in the basic goodness of (most) people.  Feel better soon!

Still snowing but less continuous, with even a few sunny intervals.  Some signs of intermittent thaw but won’t get rid of this lot overnight and still snowing heavily now and looking like continuing.  Rail transport is still doubtful for J to get to Manchester tomorrow for Friday’s two clinic appointments – but at least the Academy is remaining closed, so he can make decisions from here instead of from work via his mobile.

Wonderful variety of birds today – been giving them extra feeds all day, but Starlings have already started on tomorrow’s breakfast, put out early while still daylight.  They will, of course, get an extra breakfast in the morning!

Linda – I know you enjoy hot weather, so I would think you will be pleased to get away on your upcoming holiday after the current long-lasting cold snap and to get OH away from all his DIY exploits!   Sorry about his bad cold – I hope you won’t catch it.  Mine seems to have got over his dental treatment yesterday, and has kept busy, despite changes of plan due to non-delivery of new mattresses (weather-affected).  He cleaned the study this afternoon, which is why I didn’t get back on here sooner.  Good that Tomasz is showing an interest in wildlife.

AQ – pleased you have some respite from the heat!

Rosy – sorry you have family problems of the long-distance kind; I hope they will soon be sorted.

Lynette – sorry NP visit was not as you hoped – good that you have another appointment.

Clare – many BH Gulls lined up on the roofs around us – jealous of our garden birds having plenty to eat, but they can’t land and take off in the triangle where the others feed.  Neighbour at back did throw them some bread at one point this afternoon – when they were looking really sorry for themselves, huddled in a line, all facing into the wind and with their heads down against the icy blast!

Dibnlib – tell Benson happy Birthday from me!  Seems incredible that he is five years old!

Pat – sorry about groceries – but as you say worse for many others.

Annette – awful that some people in the hills may be evacuated again, but better safe than sorry!

Harelady – sorry you are not recovered yet!

And now, dinner calls – lamb cobbler – smells hot and tasty!

Hope to make replies tomorrow

Oh dear, Heather.  Everyone copes with grief and shock in different ways.  Perhaps your daughter needs to just give him some space. Easy to say, I know, and not easy for you trying to mediate.

You're right, tomorrow is indeed another day and things can change.

HEATHER - sorry about Alison's problem coping with Callum - I guess she is still dealing with her own status and finding it hard on her own.  All you can do is be there on the end of the phone - and, as you say, tomorrow is another day.