Hallo all: ARGHHHH!! Just realized I lost the plot last evening!! Apologies to all for spreading the confusion! It's been a back-to-front week all round (trousers/days/you name it!)
No fascinating news about celestial events from me I'm afraid. Just that in our hemisphere, Spring is pretty much here.
Canary Isles Bird Report:
I meant to write about the wildlife when we were there, but I was too busy um.... resting!!We saw few animals apart from a friendly local cat who took to my OH as he spoke gently to it. Some of the locals had dogs, which were 99% of the tiny lapdog kind.
I thought I would not see local birds as we didn't venture on foot into the wilds, but our favourite afternoon place was under a shady tree which contained two cheerful brown sparrows. Then I realised they were cheekily appearing on the tables outside at lunch!! We had to shoo them away as unhygienic but one got a crispy bit of a chip under the table. Then we heard a high pitched cheep in "our" tree and found a tiny bird responsible, hiding in the branches, which I decided was a finch.
The Islands are a stopping point for Ospreys but I was surprised to find this Notice by the Marina. (Hope you can enlarge to read it)
Trying to be quick so excuse typos!
LINDA – some lovely garden pics there – esp. your favourites (=poppies). Good to see Canaries take pride in their Ospreys!
DIBNLIB – glad the worrying trees have gone – and you will get more sunshine – hope there is still shade for Benson!
HEATHHER – no new diagnosis from stay in hospital, but encouraging o/p appt today – the overdue rheumatology consultant.
AQ – I noticed on today’s journey that farmers here seem to have sown extra turnips this year – presuming there will be a shortage of silage due to this dry weather. Grazing seems adequate for the current summer.
Monday Ironing part of cleaners came just to iron – her other half is on three week holiday. I had to go for BP check at GPs – satisfactory.
Today I had that much delayed consultant appt up at the hospital. A new locum and he seemed keen to try to help fill in the gaps in my care and try to alleviate some of the pain. I’d never considered physio for pain relief, but he is keen to try it. We had lunch at garden centre on the way home. We also bought a small shrub to fill a gap. I got near sun-stroke under the canopy and among the plants – came over rather unwell. After an hour to recover, we went for our covid boosters this afternoon!
Early start again tomorrow as OH takes car for service and MoT – deliver it, taxi home and then another taxi to fetch it at the end of the day. At least he’ll be here between rides!
LINDA - Love your poppy. Please what is the gorgeous mauve star thingie?
OG - Physio is certainly worth a try. it helps me, especially when I do the easier at-home exercises.
We have had no rain. Showers not forecast until next weekend, so I decided to water back lawn and bulb patch where the spring-flowering bulbs are spiking their green leaves. I had one more sprinkler move when I noticed the paths were wet and a misty atmosphere. Did I waste my time? No! The rain gauge at nearby airport did not register anything. Meanwhile parts of NSW have had 200-300 ml in 24 hours.
“Baking” day is no particular day but today I decided it is cold enough for soup. I made an Asian-style chicken zucchini soup which I have not made for, er, a long time. And then it was a monster pot to last OH & I for ages. I long ago stopped following the original amounts but I managed to sort-of halve the recipe. A bowl for lunch was super good. As well I now have 4 serves stashed in the freezer. Before I finish them I should make another variety and thus for a few weeks have a choice.
Twins have a pupil-free day Friday, so it is Gran to the rescue. What Dau would do otherwise. . . the school care places were booked out same day as announcement.
Still no rain here - getting serious. But there is a bank holiday weekend due and they are usually wet! OH safely delivered car to service this morning and taxi was early so he has had a good long time at home doing stuff. I have been busy arranging meals for Dau #2 visit soon - definitely dinner out, but also offered them lunch here. Don't know where they will be on the way from or to!
Will need to train ourselves back to more normal sleep pattern after these two early starts, but I was pleased that I managed to be ready to be left this morning.
I think that rain is on the way for us up North, OG, so the Highland Weather man says, anyway. He is usually right ! It is badly needed. It's good to read that a different doctor has some new ideas for you.
LINDY,- like AQ, I would like to know the name of the purple spiky thing...
Podiatrist was here this afternoon, it's always good to chat with her, she is so cheerful . Grass cutting man tomorrow - what an exciting life I lead !
Sorry I have been absent since getting home, so much to catch up with. Hope to come back tomorrow with my first report from the beautiful Isles of Scilly.
OG 2 of the trees have been lopped but the 3rd is diseased so the team will be back to cut it down in the next fortnight. Benson is always quite sensible when it is hot. He will always take himself back indoors when he gets too warm. Sorry you felt unwell.
OK. I too was curious about the purple spikey flower and I'm pretty sure is Star of Persia Allium, aka Allium Christophii.
The purple spikes are bulbs which I planted new last autumn. I'm sure they are some kind of Alium - when I get dressed I'll go & see if I put the label into the pot!