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.
Morning Alan, I knew really that Hamish would be too much of a “man” to wear a coat, I bet he thinks he feels self-conscious just after a haircut and unmanly to have to give in to a coat.
OG, yes, OH told his mum last week that we probably wouldn’t come because it’s too cold to leave the cats outside and we don’t have central heating so the place will likely freeze up. Also, I didn’t want to get stuck down there! She says they have 6 inches but not sure whether that’s reliable as she doesn’t go out any more.
Gary, I’ve just been looking at puppy vids on facebook, how cute are they? I think I heard an Essex accent there, is it you or are there more?
Trish2, don’t worry about popping in occasionally, it’s not a closed shop and many of us listen more than we speak. Great to have a sparrowhawk although always sad to lose a little bird, it does mean you have a healthy population : ) I rescued a stunned female sparrowhawk the other day, it was standing in the middle of the road. I don't think it was damaged and I just put it into the hedge. Not sure whether I should have done more, but I think our local rescue place is inundated at the moment and anyway it might have revivied while in my car!
Terry in Cumbria
Morning all.
Will check in and reply later but just wanted to add my thoughts to you and you family Margobird. Such terrible news and it sounds so sudden. I'm so sorry.
(Auntie and I must have had the same idea ... I made this last month!)
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
TerryM, if that is an English accent you can hear on the vids among the US ones that is me. I must improve my diction as I'm from Kent, not Essex!!!!!! lolololol Have to admit I don't seem to possess the "posh" Kent accent..
Good afternoon all have had terrible trouble getting on here this morning but have managed to now through the LG blog.
Just wanted to say thanks for all your kind thoughts and messages, It really does help. Thanks also for all the bird pics, which as usual are so good, Alan Santa arriving on a fire engine, Lindybird for the link to the puppy video, they are just gorgeous. The take on 12 Days of Christmas is excellent too.. I am wondering whether Hamish will get a new coat today, bless him.
Have been finding out from my sister's daughter more on how it is affecting her Mum. Unfortunately it seems pretty grim. Her OH has to basically do everything for her now, even bathing her. Still waiting to hear when they will get to see the consultant, I just hope it is soon. My niece has said that if her Mum is well enough they will drive halfway and we will meet up but it is not looking likely, especially with the weather causing all sorts of hazards. I don't really think my sister will be well enough to do this but as soon as we can travel safely we will be going up to see her anyway.
It is still so cold here and the snow is taking a long time to thaw even though we are above freezing today. OH is going up to Orpington on the train tomorrow to see his Mum and take the presents up so fingers corrsed the train service will be OK. At the moment they are running normally so as long as he gets away early tomorrow he should make it back OK. He is still having to leave the car at the top of our hill as the road down is like a skating rink. the trouble is that not much traffic comes here so the snow has hardly moved and of course it all freezes up again at night. I have not been out at all this week as the pavements are so icy and I am not a very confident person when there is ice about.
Billy is still visiting and has taken a real liking to cheese. He kept eating what I put our for the birds so I now put a bowl out for him. Saw hin this morning, he was peeping round the corner at me so is definitely not as timid as he was so who knows we might be able to entice him indoors at some point.
For all who have journeys to make please take care and once again thanks for all your kind words. They mean such a lot to me.
Margobird
DjoanS thanks for the card I just love it and it brought a smile to my face which is hard to do at the moment. Love the Christmas hats.
Gary thanks I think because it has been so quick has been the reason that we are all so shocked and finding it hard to take in.
Posting again to say thanks to AQ, BrendaH, OG and Lynette for your messages. I tried to reply individually earlier but couldn't get on the site fo some reason. Ended up doing a general post but forgive me if I have left anyone out. My attention span is not good at all at the moment.
Have been looking at Lily the Black Bear site on Facebook and below is a link full of cute at the highest level. Several short videos taken by Gordon Buchanan which will be part of the main show which starts on Jan 3rd I think.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/American_Black_Bear#p00cx4ht
Wednesday mid-morning. Usual weather; usual birds; usual busy. Been making Chicken Korma for this evening – I like to make it early as the flavour deepens while it stands. Had to take anti-histamines last night; exceptionally low humidity is giving me rhinitis – nose is very dry and itchy, then suddenly streaming. OH has a loaf in the breadmaker now, which is also an irritant while it kneads. Sorry, didn’t mean to complain!
~~~ interruption ~~~
Now afternoon, and he is going to Tesco for vegetables – positively last time before Christmas!! I have decided to make gingerbread and bread pudding once he is finally out the door – can’t measure ingredients when he’s around.
OH was just out the door and phone rang. Son has no water, so wanted advice! Told him all he can do is contact landlord. He’s had heating on all the time, so it’s not his fault, but I’m not sure how he’ll cope with this final blow. I did suggest he phones SiL#2 if he needs somebody.
Must return to kitchen now, will read your posts and reply later.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Hello, Everyone: Really busy here, getting all ready for the Christmas Season. Went shopping really early this morning, to get a parking space in Sainsburys before anyone else, but it was already half full when we arrived. It had snowed some more in the night, and the roads are full of snow and slush. Our own tiny road is still hard packed snow, which is lethal whether on foot or in the car. (they did come round with some grit a couple of days ago, but it made no impact on it at all).
Djoan - Thanks for the jolly Christmas Card! Lovely pic of 'our' babies!!!
TerryM - Nice story about your rescue of the Sparrowhawk.
Trish2 - Glad you popped in! Have a nice Christmas!
Annette: Hope your TV holds itself together for the festive season! Sounds like you had a nice time with your friends, lovely to have 'girly' time .
Brenda - Safe journey, together with anyone else I've missed who is travelling today or tomorrow.
WendyB - Nice adaptaion for a birdy 12 Days of Christmas!
margo Good to hear that Billy Whizz is beginning to recognise you mean him no harm, in fact the opposite! Very sensible of you to stay indoors when it is so treacherous outside. I've put a little note on your page for you.
Alan - thanks for the pic of Santa!
Sorry for anyone else I've missed - have to go & hoover now before visitors arrive & see the chaos!