Evening all: Don't miss the last couple of pages of last week's chat. Gary's been at it again, posting incredibly cute puppy pix!
OG: Yes, Los Carneros means "the rams" in Spanish; while La Patera (the original ranch that Los Carneros was on) is "the place where the ducks gather." In the 1700s, after the Spanish settled here, it was cattle country; then in the 1860s,about a decade after California became a state, folks from back East started bringing in sheep, which survived periods of drought better than cattle and whose wool was in demand by eastern and southern states during the Civil War when the cotton industry was decimated. Anyway, in the 1870s, the American family that owned Rancho La Patera planted the first commercial lemon orchard in the state (or the Goleta Valley depending on which source you read). I drive to Costco along Cathedral Oaks Blvd - which runs north of Lake Los Carneros - past huge citrus orchards and the remaining acreage of Rancho La Patera. As for the vineyards, they're over the hills behind Santa Barbara in the higher, dryer Santa Ynez Valley. All very complicated.
Gary: Never been to Yellowstone - was heading that way one October but an early snowfall blocked the Western entry so had to "make do" with Grand Teton National park. Sigh. If you're looking for somewhere to stay, you can always visit TripAdvisor and read everyone's reviews of the options.
OK guys, off to do a crossword and watch some rubbish on telly. Take care ALL.
Hi there, had a heck of a job to get on this afternoon, finally success.
Firstly, thanks for all your news.
Alan - thanks for putting me right about the wild boars, just managed to capture the fox before he disappeared.
Lindybird - like the review about The Black Swan.
Margobird - have saved link so will look at it a bit later on.
Also the link to Lily's den, will look at it later but have managed to capture a few pics of the recent activity about 30 mins ago. Cubs were quite noisy and Hope was trying to have a play with mum, wanting attention as all babies do.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
And some more
Site has definitely been very peculiar – different message each time either of us tried. I got on sideways, but only to page 12 where I last posted, wouldn’t let me on page 13! Anyway, here now!
Cleaner didn’t bring her Gdau’s baby pics because she thought she shouldn’t bore me! Told her I would love to see them next week. Been tidying up my geraniums in the greenhouse, and OH has been emptying pots of dead annuals left over from the autumn! Son saw the Doc again today – and is very pleased he managed to get to the gym twice this week – and was going dog-walking this afternoon.
Margo – thanks for Otter link. Lovely Kits – but Mum’s big teeth – glad I’m not a fish!
Alicat – I saw that link to Youtube footage of Lily and family – babies really clear to see.
Well, those replies referred to page 12 – now again won’t let me onto page 13 – grrrrr! I know Lindy has posted there, so will try going from page 12 to her page and in that way!
YEEEEAHA – it worked!
Lindy – I hope you gave Dog (sorry, can’t remember his name) a compensatory treat when you got home from Auntie’s!
Sorry to read of snow flurries in the south – nothing here … yet!
Now I wonder if this will actually post? Will give it a try – can’t lose it, composed in Word as usual.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Wow, this site is so slow today. If I remember rightly, this time last year a lot of people joined this site at the time of ' The Big Garden Birdwatch' ( this weekend) and caused the site to slow down.
Son and Wife have now returned home and taken their car and plants with them. I so enjoyed having them to stay with us. We ordered two new leather sofas and a large rug from John Lewis at Blue Water whilst they were with us and I really appreciated their opinions. Our son insisted on driving, so not sure if that was a reflection of what he thinks of our driving or, as he said, he wanted to give his car a long run as we had not done so, when they were away. We had just driven it locally, so thank goodness it was fine. Always prefer to use our own cars on long drives. He did notice that it was clean both inside and out though !
We had sleet here this morning and such a cold wind, which is still blowing.
I will now try and catch up with all your news but not sure when the site will post it.
I see that Murray's match is on BBC2 at 8.30am tomorrow morning. Guess who has a hairdresser's appointment at 9.00 am.
Alan, So sorry about Hamish's continuing condition. I hope it all clears up without any operation being necessary. You mentioned last week that our daffodils were ahead of yours, so thought I should mention that our snowdrops have just about broken through the soil. Lovely to see your's.
Alicat, Congratulations to your OH on passing his test. Thanks for the link to lily's update video.
Lynette, As usual, thanks for all your pictures.
Diane, Thanks for the good news about the Coopers Hawk. Glad to hear she is on the road to recovery. Hope the snow stops for both yourself and Gary. Sound as if you are both getting more than your share.
Margo, Thanks for that brilliant otter and pups clip.
Linda, Just ringing the RSPCA. I can't believe that you visited 'ancient Aunt' without your dog and deprived him of his biscuits.
Thanks to everyone for all your news and pictures.
Evening all ... have had terrible trouble getting on here today ... and site is still very slow.
OH and I have booked our trip to Ireland ... staying in Cork for five nights from 20th Feb ... can't wait!! I just hope there are no heavy snowfalls to prevent our departure!
Annette - I was interested to read that your mum was from Cork ... we were there in 2008 and loved it. I agree about the English Market and the Farmgate Cafe ... wonderful!! We went to Cobh too ... and were lucky enough to be there on the day the QE2 visited on her farewell trip ... it was absolutely brilliant.
Diane - thanks for news of the Cooper's hawk capture ... nice to know there was a good ending.
Just going to catch up on the rest of your news before I write any more ... just in case it doesn't post :-)
Take care.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Brenda – pleased that you enjoyed your visitors – and sure they were very grateful for all you did for them and your support during their recent bereavement. I am not watching any of Murray’s matches, so that nobody can blame mew if he loses! Actually, I don’t enjoy tennis these days, and find the money tied up in most sports quite obscene in a starving world.
Joan – so pleased you have booked, so your holiday is now a reality – enjoy! Site seems to have somewhat recovered from the worst of its earlier problems!
Brenda - glad your son and his wife are now back, ordered two new sofas and a rug, heh, well done you.
OG - I find money tied up in sport somewhat gross as well, particularly football. They are paid far too much even if their careers are short.
Had a job to get through but finally made it.Penguins in the Antarctic, Phoebe's babies and herself and the latest from Lily's den.
I came on just to see if the site was behaving any better, really. Wonder if Brenda is right as we had this sort of problem last year at this time - just before & during the Big Garden Birdwatch!
Enjoyed the Human Planet programme tonight, but really don't fancy the life of those who live right at the top of the world - the things they had to eat and the awful weather, not to mention the long weeks of total darkness, would just be the end of me!
Rang Youngest Son & Wife, to be told that poor little Sweetpea was indignant today, after having his first 'jab' at two months old. His Mum felt so sorry for him, as he let out a wail of shock at the intrusion in his nice life.
Looking forward to seeing some at least of the Andy Murray match in the morning. Off to pour a sherry now, as OH is out!
Enjoy your trip DJoan.
Still sluggish tonight but managing to get through. Have turned off the wildlife cams so maybe that makes it easier.