Weekly Chat, Sunday December 19, 2010

Brenda - Dau’s friend seems to have caught a train from Heathrow to city. Paddington? And then he had to get to Waterloo for the Eurostar? I guess being young and male, he didn’t ask where the train was going!!! No, we should blame the jetlag.

This was to be my day off this week, lazing in State Records, checking stuff. Alas my printer has been getting paper jams, wouldn’t even manual feed, and after some extensive swearing on OH’s part yesterday, it has been declared extinct. Now OH’s whiz-bang printer that does everything except sing and dance, has decided there is a problem with its pink cartridge. I only want black & white but it refused to listen. So without my data entry printed out, I couldn’t check it. OH was going to city and I asked him to check possible new printer as I decided to spend expected Xmas money on a new one. Wowee he phoned, he has bought me one . . . but didn’t say cost. Hm, now maybe tomorrow will be my day off. I have had a lazy day anyway today. I found a miniature silver tree about 3" high which I have decorated with red & green tinsel, placed on piano and that can be The Tree for this year. I have tried to do some of the Wed chores but really it is too early for some. Another cool day, 20 C max. Now they are predicting 34 for C-mas Day with a cool change late in the day.

Junior magpie, the singing one, was carolling on the front verandah, so out I went feed him. I opened the door, he had his back to me, singing his heart out. I watched for a few minutes before I spoke. Oh dear, he did get a fright, he jumped in the air. I guess he hadn't heard me. He had a few beakfuls, then I came inside and he is still carolling. Christmas carols maybe?

Love all your bird pics.

We Three Kings
We three Kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star.

While the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold', etc. - gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipient's name or perhaps give a gift voucher.

We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC Routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three Kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three Kkings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels' hooves.

Morning, Everyone:   Just checking in, after waving Goodbye to the Man from the Electrolux Co, who has just been to fix the new stove!!!!!

Didn't have time to describe yesterday, but when we tried to cook the chicken on Sunday, we found that the thermostat on the main oven was not working.  Although not a large bird, which we could have easily cooked in the top oven which is of course smaller, we decided to test the new oven by using the main oven part. (prior to possibly finding on Christmas morning that the turkey was just sitting there, not doing much).  Managed to cook chicken in the end by OH standing by, and turning the oven on and off several times, until the bird looked 'done'.  So yesterday morning at 8am, he rang up the Service Centre and they promised to come today!  Chap arrived as I was slouching around getting breakfast this morning, so has just left - happy to report that we are now Happy!  Ten out of Ten for service!  (he reported that it was just a loose wire).  We are so glad that we decided to test it before Christmas Day.

Thanks to AQ for another hilarious Elf & Safety report.  Glad to hear that Heron is doing his chores, in a manly way, of course!

We were told on TV this morning that there had been a Lunar Eclipse viewable from here, but as we hadn't looked out for it, we missed it!  There was, however a pretty amazing sunrise over the snowy fields as I got up this morning, so will put a pic on here later.  Not far from here, there were the lowest temperatures last night over UK    -17 degrees!

Have a Good Day!

Morning all,

Thanks for the pictures of the puppies Gary and OG. Also the birds Heron and OG.

Weather is still freezing here with current temps at -5,6c. Nothing like the -17 at Crosby Linda. I think Helsinki was only -12.

 We had a bit of a sad day yesterday as Lady Ps daughter had to have their 2 year boxer put to sleep. She was ok until the weekend and had to be taken in as she kept being sick. After some tests she was diagnosed with kidney failure and there was nothing they could do.

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Dear Osprey fans of Weekly Chat and  the RSPB site in general:

I’ve often thought of you all – and please forgive my not mentioning you all by name.

You great bunch you – this is to let you know my NIGHTMARE is over and I have my life back again . (Such misery – I’ve been lied to. cheated, stolen from, deceived BUT – finally my home is mine again and I have my life back which is all that matters).

No time to trawl through all the tantalizing posts so many of you have taken time to write – but thank you .

I want you all to know that I’m wishing you all (despite the weather –especially where you are QW) the very best of Christmases. I so hope no one is going through grief or crises. My thoughts, most WARMEST of wishes are all towards you all.

AND!  Only  94 days till EJ returns. I can’t wait !!!   

Hugs and kisses (you decide what is appropriate  J    )

Morning all ... very cold and no sign of a thaw yet. I know I shouldn't complain, because I don't have to travel anywhere and no plans are spoiled, unlike lots of people, but I am totally fed up with this snow!

I got up early (well ... early for me!) to have a look at the eclipse of the moon ... but it was hidden by cloud :-(

Alan - sorry to hear about the Boxer dog ... very sad.

Linda - glad to hear the new oven got sorted in time for Christmas.

Heron - good to see your pics of the birds ... and pleased you are tackling your chores in a manly fashion!

OG - lovely photos of the bluetit and chaffinch ... and the puppies ... and such nice names! Glad you managed the trip for your injection without any hassle.

Annette (and OG) - I, too, was wondering about margobird ... I hope she and her OH are ok.

Diane - a very interesting link about the owls ... thank you.

Thanks to everyone else for entertaining chat!

Take care.

Cirrus - you posted while I was writing! Lovely to have you back again! So sorry you have had such a nightmare of a time, but glad for you that it is over. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year!

Just popping in to explain my absence over the past few days.  On Friday we had devastating news.  My sister who lives up in Stourport on Severn has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.  It has come as a big shock to all the family.  She had been away to Mexico a few weeks ago on holiday and had nto felt well since returning.  Had been to the doctor several times as they thought she had picked up some kind of germ.  After blood tests they returnedto the doctor last week to be told this terrible news.  She now has to see a consultant but it is not looking good at all.  She has already lost the power of conversation and has no coordination whatsoever.  Her husband and her daughter and son are finding it so hard to deal with.  We need to go and see her but they don't want us to travel in the bad weather as they would be worried for us.  What I find most cruel is the fact that out of the three sisters she was the brainiest and to lose so much so quickly is just heart breaking.  She held down many fantastic jobs until she retired.  Can't tell you how many tears have fallen over the past few days.  I am finding it so hard to eat, sleep or function in any way.  She did have an operation for breast cancer a couple of years ago and all seemed OK but it must have spread.  She is only 62 and enjoyed life to the full, absolutely adores her 4 grandchildren and had found new hobbies since she retired.  Her husband and son are even saying they will go abroad to find a cure is possible.   

The weather here has been just terrible.  Since Saturday we have had about nine inches of snow which is no unusual for this part of the country.  OH could not get to London on Saturday to meet his Mum.  When it finally stopped here he thought he might try but Mum phoned to say they now had the snow that has left us and it was blizzard like conditions and she could hardly see across the road.  Of course everything froze up after that and OH still could not get up there on Sunday.  In the last five days the buses have stopped running for a good part of the day and of course the trains are only running a reduced service.    My OH could not get to work yesterday.  Had three attempts at getting up the hill from our bungalow but to no avail.  Fortunately he had work he could do here and to be honest I was pleased he was here with me.  He did finally get up the hill after two attempts to go and get some shopping.  Instead of bringing the car down into the drive he left it at the top of the road on the flat and walked the shopping down.  He has managed to get to work this morning but it took a lot longer than usual.

We had been a bit worried about Billy as we had not seen him yesterday and the food and milk had not been touched.  I just happened to look out of our bedroom window a little while ago   and he appeared much to my relief.  He had obviously been for something to eat and drink.  He had a good look at me and then had a little play in the snow so he must like it.

Thanks to everyone for all the chat, glorious photos of birds and Alan thanks for the link to the ecard.  auntie loved your card.  Lindybird thanks also for the Monday smile.  I have not caught up with the end of last week's chat but will try and do so.  Alan sorry to hear about your daughter's boxer, very sad.  In my tearful state it brought the tears back.  Sorry for the lack of individual replies but my mind is not what it should be at the moment.

So sorry  that the weather now seems so bad for all.  The whole of the country seems to be in the grip of snow and ice and no let up in sight.  Please do take care.  Just in case I do not log in over the next few days just wanted to wish all my friends a Very Happy Christmas and New Year. 

Just had a quick look at the last of last week's chat. 

original goldfinch sorry you have been unwell.  Hope you are fully recovered now.

Alan so pleased Hamish had the all clear.

Yipee, Raigmore this morning and said goodbye to green stookie. Can now partially weight bear and slowly graduate to full weight bearing. Home now with tubegrip and a padded sandal. Hope to be wearing a pair of my own shoes in a few days time though right foot is still badly bruised and fairly swollen. Won't be wearing stilettos for a while, actually come to think of it I don't own any stillettos!!!!!!

Cirrus so nice to see you back and as I thought you have had a terrible time.  So pleased that at long last you have your home back and can now enjoy Christmas.  My good wishes for Christmas and New Year to you.  As you say 94 days and counting to the return of EJ.