Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 20 August 2023

CLARE It is funny how we can imagine people we have never met. I think you have told us you are 6 ft but I had forgotten. What I am sure of is that you are feisty.

I finally got on here....

Frustratingly, we're having WiFi problems here again. There have been many complaints!!

Can't reply to everyone as too much time passed. I did type a reply to Clare but it never posted yesterday grrr.....

My sympathy, Lindy. That would drive me mad!

Morning all: Gosh. Have missed a lot of news but now caught up.

Clare: So good that you and Limpy made it to Minsmere. You need to be tough with all you have to do! Hugs from here. We have a cricket that's pretty big and blends in nicely with leaves; always a surprise when you disturb one and it takes off.

OG: Glad the PT worked well in terms of helping you regain confidence - such an important motivator! But sorry the three of you had a bumpy night. Hope J can stabilize so you can relax a bit. Are you enjoying (for now at least) doing the newsletter? It does help to have something constructive/creative to occupy our minds.

Lindybird: I gather you are/were in Wales and have a bumper crop of tomatoes that lucky friends and neighbors will get to enjoy.

Harelady: Welcome home - but will you get a chance to rest after the next childcare stint?

Diane: I haven't been keeping up with your weather, but apparently it's way too hot. Take care...

Apologies if I've missed responding to some posts.....

Meanwhile, OH is coming along although his innards are taking their own sweet time to get into a routine. Lots of yogurt/bananas and berries, nutrition drinks and boring white food although he got a little ambitious with some soy sauce last evening (at least I think that was to blame for the consequences)! My sciatica is improving and I'm forcing myself to walk and keep moving as much as possible. Onward and upward.

Also meanwhile, lots of excitement among birders here when a Swallow-Tailed Gull (usually found in the Galapagos islands), was spotted at the beach down the road. Apparently the word spread super quickly, bringing birders from 2 and 3 hours away - only the sixth recorded sighting in North America. If you're interested, see the write up from a member of the Audubon Society in the local Independent.
**LINK BOCKED**independent**LINK BOCKED**/.../

Off to do something that will keep me on my feet! Take care everyone.

Annette - sympathy on the sciatica. My OH had it for ages but is better now after seeing a good chiropractor. Hope your OH can stabilise - sadly he might have to watch what he eats, at least for a while.

It's been a sunny afternoon here which is a bonus, as don't think it's as nice as if we were at home. We sat on our deck and both had ten minutes shut eye, then read our books.

Does anyone on here know why links are being blocked these days? FYI, I've just posted the question on the Technical Test Thread....

I don't know. You can still link to other Community pages, which suggests to me that this has been done deliberately and isn't a problem with the system. I'd love to be wrong, but I don't think I am.

I should add that my mother had sciatica and she found that swimming helped.

Clare: I'm not a water baby by any stretch. Tried to improve my puny skills when the grandkids were small and learning but have a bit of a phobia around lots of water and the 20-something instructors were no help at all. Still, it's not too late right? Swimming is a fab exercise that doesn't stress joints etc. Re the blocked links, Wendy Barter responded on the Technical thread that she thought someone else had asked the same question and that she (Wendy) was going to call RSPB on Monday. So helpful of her; we'll see.......

I'd just go to a local pool and practice. I'm assuming you can swim a bit, and that's all you need to be able to do. You can take a float with you if that'll make you more comfortable. Anyone can improve, no matter where the starting point is. I had to teach myself to swim at the age of eight as nobody in my family showed me and my school couldn't be bothered with the non-swimmers.