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.
Alison W said: Hi just thought i would let you know that OH has now passed his module 2 bike test so he is now qualified to ride a bike so he can now get the bike he is after
Hi just thought i would let you know that OH has now passed his module 2 bike test so he is now qualified to ride a bike so he can now get the bike he is after
Good news ALICAT.
Margobird
Hi Lindybird not seen Billy Whizz yet but that does not mean he has not been around as I have been doing HW. Know he came overnight as all the milk, most of the food and the grated cheese has gone. He does have a fuzzy lttle face bless him. I was talking to him yesterday out of the bedroom window and he just sits there studying me and probably wondering who this mad woman is.
Same here with the birds, initial rush when I put fresh food out but then if goes quiet until about 2.00.
Just been catching up with the tennis news and I see and injury stricken Nadal was beaten by Ferrer so he will be Andy Murray's nest opponent.
Alicat : Congratulations to your OH on passing his bike test.
Margo : Good news about Ferrer beating Nadal. There must be a chance of Andy getting to the final now.
Pic of snowdrops just started to flower in garden:
NEW BLOG from Richard. A merlin in his garden and Rothes is fine.!!!!
Cheeky little wagtail in the garden:
Lovely pic of the pied wagtail Alan. Still have male and female plus an intruder who usually gets chased off visiting. They are indeed cheeky.
Afternoon all ... a bit damp and dark here. Had a good morning , as a friend and I went round to see our ex boss, whose husband died just before Christmas. We had a good gossip (along with tea and cake!) and reminisced about the 'good old days'!! Her husband had a severe stroke a few years ago and had been in hospital for the last 3 years. She said she had done her grieving before he died and it was a relief for him and the family when he eventually passed away.
OG - glad to hear that you got your bloods done ... mine are due soon ... but not always successful for me either. My birds seem to have disappeared too ... very few at the feeders ... except skemmies and jackdaws, and very few around and about! Even the redwings and goldfinches which have been around at the front for a few weeks have gone. Your dinner sounded wonderful ... I like the idea of stuffing chicken with haggis ... yummy!
margobird ... I had to laugh at the thought of a pink Billy Whizz!!
Alan - sorry to read that Hamish still has problems with his eyes. Lovely pic of your snowdrops ... and the cheeky wagtail!
Alicat - great news that your OH passed his bike test.
Thanks to everyone else for chat, pics, links etc.
Take care.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
OG Thank you for helping me with bourach -spelling and origin. I had tried to find out but with no luck. You are indeed a mine of information and I will tuck that one away for the future.
Hear that Murray will not be playing Nadal after all. It is too early to wish him throught he semis but I am guessing the final will be Andy and Roger. Should be a great match and hopefully Andy will win this time.
ALAN Poor Hamish, sounds really nasty. hope he improves without an op.
OG Meant to say in previous post how much I enjoy hearing Gaelic spoken and spoken. It is really beautiful.