Hi All: Just got in from movies (Three Billboards....); pizza in the oven. Back later.
Clare: The repairs and changes are slow and arduous -- and they require many, many sweary words. Hope all is well with you. I have two pairs of Northern Cardinals fighting to decide who gets to nest in the fallen apple tree next to my bedroom window.
Hello, Diane - good to see you. I'm afraid my 'power outage' was due to nothing more than an elderly kettle which blew the fuse - although I suppose a power surge could have finally killed it off. Easily dealt with. And the Sky+ box was old age/natural causes. Doesn't cover some of the other things we have been hearing about, though ...
Hi! - yes, we all got a potted primrose (various colours) at church. They are grown by a couple in the congregation, and always enough that everyone gets one, but as J explained to a wee laddie helping distribute them, he is not a Daddy, but does have 90 kids! Everyone was very chatty today - I think the sunshine and warmer weather had woken us all up!
OH has been gardening - just stopped for coffee. I actually had a chair outside in a wee suntrap by the house wall and greenhouse while he was putting veg and salad seeds in the coldframes - at last! He's getting the propagators set up next, so hopefully sowing some herbs inside next. I hope he remembers to cook dinner!
I had a nice surprise; I hardly ever look at the front garden, the back steps being closer to the car, but he suggested I look out through the gate from the side garden, and I saw some lovely purple crocuses among the (nearly finished) yellow ones (didn't know we had them), the white ones fully out under the Alder tree, and Tete-a-tete daffs opening there too! I think I can safely say spring is sprung, although we still have some frosty mornings in the forecast.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Unknown said:The repairs and changes are slow and arduous -- and they require many, many sweary words.
Unknown said:I have two pairs of Northern Cardinals fighting to decide who gets to nest in the fallen apple tree next to my bedroom window.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
All the ladies at church this morning were given some daffodils - and we then sang 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'. Very appropriate, I thought. I felt a bit sorry for the men - but interestingly, both the stewards handing out the flowers were men, and I think they enjoyed handing flowers which they hadn't had to buy to the ladies!
OG - glad you were able to sit out in your 'wee suntrap'. Not sure it was quite warm enough down here to sit outside - but hopefully you're right and perhaps spring really has sprung. And about time too.
Nice tales of Mothers Day. Both of my sons texted, and I've had a pleasant day: went for coffees with some old friends this morning, and then this afternoon met up on the beach with someone else we knew but had not seen for ages. Much chat ensued!
More from me, later, must go & put the spagh bol on!
Sitting replete now! Found when I opened the tin of tomatoes I'd bought for the Bolognese sauce, that it consisted entirely of sieved tomatoes......my face when fishing around in the tin, for a whole or part tomato, must have been a picture! Used it anyway, or most of it - it made for rather a soggy plateful but tasted OK.
Last night we went out to an Italian restaurant we'd been meaning to try. Had Ravioli with Ham & Cream Sauce (me) and Lasagne (my OH). Both divine. Followed up with an order for two Strawberry Cheesecakes, which resulted in the waiter bringing only one plate, rather apologetically, as they had only one slice left. He offered to bring a Tiramisu, but when we declined, he produced in his hand two spoons, for us to share the dessert! - which we did, of course, in the interests of checking out the restaurant, LOL!! Lovely evening, and now we have somewhere else to eat out which we know will be good.
Pat & Rosy -- We had the same problem with our Virgin Plus Box - hours of concerts recorded, and fascinating wildlife programmes, never repeated again on TV. When it failed, they said cheerfully "You can have another, free of charge, with the latest updates" But of course we lost all of our concerts, both pop and classical, and the beautiful pics of murmurations, and ospreys diving, etc. :-(
We've never had a waste disposal: mostly we eat stuff ourselves, or the birds get it, or the current dog has benefited! Our compost heap(s) are also huge... We had a water meter installed when I pointed out that we use less than a family. Our bills are less now.
Diane - Sorry it's swearyword time again. Hope all comes right in the end, after your exertions both mental and physical. Come on here and have a moan!
I was pleased to read this morning that Michael Gove is hoping to ban those awful collars which give dogs electric shocks.
Heather -- The sight of my trying to rise from sitting on the sand would make a good comedy! I have to turn around, get on all fours and then on my knees, before levering myself up!!!! I do have a rather nifty fold up gadget which is not exactly a chair, but acts as one to support your back when reading. My OH has to be careful as one year he lay for too long on his stomach, which did his back no good at all, even though it was soft sand. The towel is alright and we will manage with it for now, but as they are both getting a little worn anyway I'll buy two more in the July Sales for future use.
The problems of beach sitting, and another problem we have here are both prompting us to look for another apartment for next year's holiday: we like the area but the tiny apartment we rent, although cosy, seems to be mainly used by folks who never cook but eat out all of the time. Consequently we were very disappointed when the owners recently changed the two gas rings for ---- two electric rings. This is problematical for us if we stay for 3 weeks but can only eat out for 4 or 5 times. It feels a little like camping, trying to think of things to cook! Most other apartments here seem to have a proper stove, and a fridge freezer. Our balcony has a beautiful view of the sea and the surf, but no room for loungers.
So, we have been researching. We could stay in the town, in something bigger, with far better facilities. Of course, then we would also be able to walk out of the front door for restaurants, cafes and shops, without having to get the car out. We could then go in the car to see the beaches, sort of in reverse. I've found my dream apartment and it has not one but two terraces, with loungers. I'm now trying to persuade my OH that we can afford the extra and we ought to treat ourselves - watch this space!!
Sadly, one of my cousins has rung me an hour ago to tell us that his brother in law, my cousins husband, has died this evening. He never recovered from the heart attack he had in the snow last week. Very sad: they were devoted to one another and had been married for over 52 years.
AQ: Oh good. Glad you have a trip lined up and are making plans for more escapes. I just checked out Coomandook on Google Earth and the street scenes were last updated May 2017. (The General Store seems to be still in operation!). :-)
Lindybird: Thanks for reminding us all that it seems just like yesterday when AQ was helping out with the newborns and now they're off to kindergarten... Sounds like you're not wasting any time in scouting out new vacation spots. Oh dear, sorry about your cousin's husband - what an adjustment for her after 52 years fo marriage.
OG: I had a good smile at your "I never knowingly...." because it reminds me of all the disclaimers of "wrongdoing" that we're hearing from so many people in the current administration (if only they were talking about Goldfinches!). :-) Hurray for spring flowers in your garden!
Diane: I read the piece about the power outage in Skegness - it's where my sister and BiL drive when they feel like a day by the sea. Thinking about you and the repairs.....if I thought sweary words would get the job done, I'd pack some of my spare ones up and send them your way.
I'm off to Arizona tomorrow (am driving) - it's greatgranddaughter's 7th birthday next Saturday. Will get there Tuesday and hang out with daughter and Ms D before birthday party. Depending on everyone's schedule, may head home next Sunday. But will have laptop, so can keep tabs on everyone here...