Hallo all. Hasn't stopped raining here all day - two more days of it - BUT the weather in the UK has been making headlines on the radio and telly! Will catch up with chat later.
Just had Santa round accompanied by the local Fire Brigade. Sorry about the picture quality:
This is from the guys at Arne..Paul and Robert they are passionate about anything that flys!!!
Today I thought I'd adapt a well known Christmas song to incorporate some of the sightings today, so here it goes:
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A marsh tit in an oak tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
Two avocet,
And a marsh tit in an oak tree.
On the third day of Christmas,
Three Fieldfare,
On the fourth day of Christmas,
Four hen harrier,
Two avocet
On the fifth day of Christmas,
Five goldcrests,
Four hen harrier
On the sixth day of Christmas,
Six brent geese laying,
On the seventh day of Christmas,
Seven mute swans swimming,
On the eighth day of Christmas,
Eight spoonbills feeding,
Five goldcrest,
On the ninth day of Christmas,
Nine Dartfords singing
Four Hen harrier,
On the tenth day of Christmas,
Ten divers diving
Nine dartfords singing,
Four hen harriers,
Three fieldfare,
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Eleven redpoll chirping
Ten divers diving,
Six brent geese a-laying,
Five goldcrests
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Twelve woodpeckers drumming,
Eleven redpoll chirping,
And a marsh tit in an oak tree!
Cirrus - Welcome back. You deserve a trouble-free New Year.
Margo - What terrible news for your sister. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Dibnlib - Now take it slowly. No high kicks just yet!!!!!
Away in a Manger Away in a MangerNo Crib for a bed. DHS should be immediately contacted as mangers are not suitable places of rest for newborn babies due to unsanitary conditions, sharing with animals, lack of proper ventilation and no access to running fresh water and heating. Therefore under no circumstances should a crib be put in a manger. A risk assessment should also be carried out before allowing animals to occupy said manger - are there tethering facilities, running water, and food receptacles. If not, the manger should not be used and the animals should be removed and housed elsewhere (but still not with the Baby Jesus).
This is the last of the revised carols. However I will never hear them again without thinking of variations. "Oh Come all Ye Faithful" - Have you got a valid passport? "Little Drummer Boy" - Child exploitation?
Very late signing in today. We are going to try and leave tomorrow, so I won't be on tomorrow. Just hope the roads are not too bad. We had another coating of snow last night, so our roads were very slippy this morning.
Just had to come on and say to Margo, how sorry I am to hear about your sister. I know it must have been a terrible shock for you and now you feel so far away from her. I hope you are able to go and see her as soon as this weather allows. I send you my love and thoughts. I will have my laptop with me, so will stay in touch on here.
Just caught up again with all your news.
First of all, MARGOBIRD, so sorry to read of your sister's illness, my thoughts and prayers are with you. As you say, the prospect looks grim, but keep faith and pray that she will not suffer too much. It must be heartbreaking for her OH and the children but you know, He will watch over them all and help them through these testing times.
Gary - lovely pic of the puppies again.
dibnib - glad to hear you have got rid of your stookie but do take care, especially with the snow and ice around. We don't want you slipping again!!!!!
Went to the gym for weekly swim and then onto Morrisons for the final shop before Christmas,just the prep to do. OH took me out for lunch on the way back.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Paul - love your pics of blackbird and robin
AQ - thanks for the lastest edition for H & S - very amusing
Wendyb - like your take on the Twelve Days of Christmas, very original.
We are so luck here in Northants - not much snow around although very cold. It has been a bit warmer today as it cleared our side roads of the sprinkling of snow we had yesterday. More is forecast for our region tonight but whether we get any, is anyones guess!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just stocked up on more bird food but must remember in the New Year to send for the fat nibbles which obviously go down well reading some of your posts.
Evening all: Busy day with two friends - lovely long nattery dinner with laughs. Everyone tired and heading for bed now. Ate way too many cookies, cheese, and dessert since last night. Will wave one friend goodbye in her car tomorrow, take second friend to railroad station, then likely head to the gym!
Margobird: Holding best thoughts possible for you and sending big hugs across the miles dearie.
Heron: Hope Robin gave the new shed the okay (would hope so after those buggy nibbles). Glad you tackled your chores in a manly fashion (been hanging out with Alan have you?) :-)
OG: Lovely chaffinch pix (from yesterday) - you do get some nice shots, so don't let the camera and photo software take all the credit! How frustrating for your son - but does that mean he'll be at his sister's for Christmas? Oops - more late-breaking news re son - okay, so we're hoping car gets fixed, he gets to job interview (and hopefully gets job if it sounds like something he'd like), and that he gets to your place as opposed to sister's. We'll stay tuned for more updates. :-)
Lynette: Like your lively little Santa even though he's missing Rudolph et al.
Gary: Oh my, what a little scene-stealer (not you. the puppy). :-)
Wendyb: Good grief! Out shoveling snow at 11 p.m. ; glad it paid off (did you see the eclipse while you were out there?). Amusing take on "12 Days" (no idea what half those birds look like).
Alan: Did Santa come right by your house? Looks like a view from the upstairs. Oh dear, two years old is too young - what a shame, and unexpected too.
AQ: :-))) to warning about sloppy manger management and various guidelines regarding visit from Three Kings. Hope your new printer behaves itself. Sounds like your OH and Heron have had a busy day with various fix-it jobs accompanied by naughty words. (Never heard of a printer with a "pink" cartridge - mine is color but just has black and RGB cartridges.)
BrendaH: Have a safe trip.
Lindybird: Very smart to do test run on chicken! And great that you got such super service (speaking of which, still no call from Panasonic customer relations......will probably wait to call them up again until after Christmas now. TV still behaving itself, but we're been very careful switching from DVD player to cable box - no reckless punching of buttons on remote control). Hope your computer is sorted now.
dibnlib: Glad to hear you got rid of that thingie - now watch out for icy patches. I bet AQ could find some regulation regarding cars impersonating reindeer (actually, I've seen quite a few vehicles dressed up like that - it always makes me smile).
Just about to topple into bed; take care everyone.
Good morning all. Still totally snowbound here. I got the car out yesterday after an excavation exercise. The roof and roofbox are still wearing deep coverings. Had to collect and order prescriptions as our medical practice no longer participates in the various collection and delivery services. Getting back into the drive was hairy. Have to do it again today as couldn't get to shops yesterday.
Margobird Iam so dreadfully sorry to hear the news about your sister. One of my sisters, having come through major heart surgery and making a great recovery, died in her sleep two years ago, so I know what a heartbreak it it. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Alan Sad news about Lady P's daughter's dog. As others have said, 2 is so very young.
dibnlib Great news that you'vee got the stookie off. Do take care. though, as you'll not want a repetition of that experience!
Annette Just heard on our local news that a supermarket in Sacrament had to be evacuated because so many people turned up to participate in a performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah that the building began to shake - lusty singers in that area?
Love all the pics - too many to mention as I must soon brave the outside world.
I sometimes feel a little cheeky as I only 'pop in' to chat occasionally. I've just got back from a chilly dog walk to find 'our' female sparrowhawk camouflaging herself beautifully in the apple tree waiting for a snack!
The blackbirds are alarm calling so maybe that will warn everyone but aaahhh as I type a bluetit I think just flew in to feed and she sprang in to action. I've never seen anything like it. She missed but then swung round for a 2nd attempt but missed again. She landed in the top of the tree had a poo in disgust and has now settled back on the lower branch to preen maybe before settling in to wait for another unsuspecting victim. I fear for my poor little feeder visitors though she obviously needs a meal too.
It's just started to snow, they must all be finding it so hard going at the moment.
Margobird, awful news for you, I'm so sorry
Gary, the pups look wonderful.
Auntie, the card is so funny, is that EJ?
Morning everyone. Just been out to feed the birds for a second time this morning ... the first lot of food disappeared when the starling squadron arrived, closely followed by the battalion of skemmies(pigeons)!
Trish 2 - don't feel 'cheeky about only coming on occasionally ... nice to see you when you do! The poor birds are having a really tough time just now.
patriciat - I hope you have a safe shopping trip today. I saw the bit about the Sacramento Hallelujah Chorus singers ... a huge crowd of singers must have turned up!
Annette - sounds like you had a lovely time with your friends who were staying over ... times like that make you feel better!
AQ - another great Elf & Safety statement!
dibnlib - great news that you 'lost' the stookie ... just take care in the slippery conditions.
Brenda H - I hope you have managed to start your journey today, and that you arrive safely.
wendyb - brilliant versioon of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Alan - glad to see that Santa was making a pre-Christmas visit round your way! Hope Hamish isn't too cold after he has his grooming session :-)
OG - glad that some things seem to be getting sorted for your son ... I hope he gets his car fixed and makes it down to you.
This is getting very long ... sorry!
Take care everyone who is out and about today.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
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