Weekly Chat, Sunday, December 5, 2010

Most people in Scotland are still being affected by the very cold weather, some more than others. In Surrey, some residential roads are still affected and local councils are trying to get things back to normal. Our bin men are due tomorrow, but some people will miss out, if the bin lorries are unable to reach them. We are due a slight rise in temperature, but some forecasters are saying that the freeze will return and run on to Christmas, because of the change in the jetstream and the high pressure block over the Atlantic, forcing the cold northerly air over the UK.

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/214692-cold-snap-statement-due-as-roads-chaos-continues/

Good Morning  to you ALL.

Just a cold morning here, with a biting cold wind, but there is no comparison with those still experiencing the deep snow and very harsh low temperatures.

OG, Lovely robin in the willow photograph. Thanks to your OH.

Lynette, Sorry you have pulled a ligament. I think it will take more than a couple of days to heal. Don't overstress it. I envy you, wrapping up your presents. I still have so much shopping to do as nobody is even giving me any hints this year.

Annette, I hope your garden work and path, all goes to plan. You must be excited, even though it may cause a little chaos for you.

I must go out today and buy our daughters Birthday present before we see her on Saturday.

OG  no it was Russia who had big op and she is still going though has had a few more probs. A change in her food seems to have helped. she is the only one of "the oldies"left so is being spoiled rotten. She will be 13 in 2 weeks time.

Brother due back in uk today but don't fancy his chances of getting home as the M8 is in a terrible state

ALPHONSUS  just love it.

Didn't catch Scotlands Freeze last night. but what I did watch was "The Panda Makers" some controvertial methods but if it is successful then I think it is worth it. the final sentence really impacted. If we cannot save these wonderful, entertaining creatures from extinction then what hope have others that are less endearing to us.

jsb, Our household rubbish was collected yesterday, but none of the recycle has been collected for three weeks, so hopefully next week.  We only have collections every two weeks, alternating between household and recycle. I must admit, we just accept it, but I would like to see more gritting away from just the main roads.

Morning everyone,

Slight frost this morning but the temp has now risen above freezing for the first time this week and is at a heady +0.6c. The ice on roads and pavements has miraculously disappeared apart from the odd lump of snow left over from last week, The recycling was collected this morning and tomorrow it is the garden waste. We are also on a two week cycle and it seems to work ok.

Thanks for the Robin pic OG. Very Christmassy.

Annette : I hope your landscaping goes well and is not too disruptive to humans and reptiles.

Lady P has gone to post the Christmas cards and I am staying in awaiting a delivery of dog food. I am thinking about putting up the outside lights today as it is a bit milder.

dibnlib said:

ALPHONSUS  just love it.

Didn't catch Scotlands Freeze last night. but what I did watch was "The Panda Makers" some controvertial methods but if it is successful then I think it is worth it. the final sentence really impacted. If we cannot save these wonderful, entertaining creatures from extinction then what hope have others that are less endearing to us.

dibnlib: The Panda Makers was excellent and the impact I noted was the Chinese panda team's business plan with foreign zoos, who are partners, but pay for the loan of pandas, gain from the extra visitors to their zoos and it makes the project financially viable. Also the offspring born overseas are the property of the Chinese and enhance the chances of more pandas in the wild in China, when they are returned to China.

Here are the pandas in HD. Also available in lower quality.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wmvl6/hd/Natural_World_20102011_Panda_Makers/

Morning all (while it's still morning). We had heavy snow which started as we were going to bed last night.  Seems to have been confined to a fairly small area but was more than we had previously had.  Birds down in great numbers this morning.  All the usual suspects (greenfinches, goldfinches, blackbirds, collared doves, starlings) but also linnets today.  There used to be lots of them in this area but changes in land use affected them so it's good to see them back.

Hope you are all keeping warm and safe.

Annette Your poor lizards! What a shock for them having their home demolished.  Hope they'll find another desirable residence in your immediate vicinity.   I'm sure the disturbance to your routine will all be worth it in the end when you have the garden and landscaping you've planned.  About 5 years ago we decided to have our house extended, which caused major disruption - whole house shaking as walls were taken down and doorways cut through some of those left standing - but it was worth it in the end.  Hang in there!

My first time on for a few days.  I have to say first how very sorry I was to hear the news of your dear father, Diane.  I can add nothing to what has been said, other than to say my thoughts are with you at this sad and difficult time.

Many thanks to you all for the lovely wintery scenes and pics of birds, animals and roses.  I do hope you are all keeping warm and safe.

Tiger I loved the Moggie parcel vid, but unsure about the exploding version!

We are still very fortunate here, south of Cambridge.  No snow, no rain hence no ice, but we have had freezing fog resulting in wonderful hoar frost scenes.  A gentle breeze is beginning to blow now and I see that the frost is dropping, so I guess the temperature must at last be above zero.  The last three days it hasn't, but with no wind it is fine.  My friend from west of Kinross travelled to Devon by train on Monday, to see her mother before Christmas.  It sounds as though she had a dreadful time what with full trains, breakdowns and hold-ups.  I think it took her over 12 hours.  She should return on Friday!??  Minus 14 in Edinburgh, brrr.

Have a huge flock of fieldfare on the birch at the moment, and I have had two sightings of our little owl  Hope it is finding enough to eat.  I have seen a mistle thrush each day for the past week - it seems to have taken ownership of a yew hedge, with the berries still there.  The blackbirds are given a stern flap of the wings should they venture towards it!

We have flocks of pigeons, rooks and some crow around at present, and rather than relying on the gas gun to scare them the farmer is regularly driving his tractor around the fields!  Most unusual, but I guess probably more effective.  Mmm, costs?  Tractor diesel vs gas?  Oh bother, he has just come down again and scared off half a dozen red legged partridge.

So Margobird and Terry are both volunteering.  Congratulations!  Margobird your night shift will start at 10.00pm and runs thru to 8.00am!  A real night shift, but there are a couple of bunks so you can take a snooze in your sleeping bag!  Having driven up to, and caught a 7.00am train from Peterborough last year I found myself on the night shift the same day! 

Margo I have been fascinated by your tales of Billy Whizz.  A friend of mine has two cats which were strays and extremely timid.  Whether feral or abandoned she doesn't know.  Any step towards or even near them they were off.  She used to leave food and water out for them.  Her husband built two small 'kennels' to give them shelter.  With patience, and time, they now live inside, but are still very wary of visitors, however much they may want to stroke them (me!).  dibnlib What wonderful names were given to your friend's cats!

Sport:  well done England at Adelaide, sorry AQ, but after the 'disappointment' of the World Cup allocation I am sure you understand!!  Play from Adelaide usually started after 11.30pm and I wasn't prepared to stay up - although during a sleepless night I did pop down to have a listen - I cannot remember exactly what the score was but it was something like 415 for 2 - was I sleep walking?  I think I heard that from Perth it would be a bit later, which may mean I might be able to listen to some play when I get up in the morning!  We don't have satellite, so was very cross to see that BBC were not showing any of the veterans playing tennis (the Masters series) at the Albert Hall.  I searched the listings high and low, and in disgust went out for a walk around the fields on Sunday when the final of the singles and doubles was on - only to return and, by accident, found it was on ITV4 of all places.  ITV4?  I never think to look!!  I did manage to see the final set of the doubles - hilarious entertainment and very skilful!  I wonder whether the Australian Open (Jan) will be shown?

The frost is now melting and a brief shown of the sun through the cloud.  Have a good, safe and warm day.