Morning all: Here's to a good week for everyone. Check out latest pages of last week's thread to see great pix by OG of a kestrel on a road sign and a signpost for migrating birds and Gary's photos of the lovable Toffee plus his Toffee-proof technology. Just had dinner and managed to turn perfectly lovely piece of halibut into shoe leather! Hate it when that happens, but was busy watching weather forecast. Desk is looking cleaner - can actually see the surface now. Take care all!
Good afternoon Sheila FE so sorry my personal page is being stubborn. I must admit I have trouble posting to other bloggers personal pages at times. Anyway thanks for taking the time to post and giving me some tips. I have one slight concern in that I hope I can manage the 2 mile walk. Bicycle is out as I don't think I could manage that now. If I have to walk then I will take plenty of time to do so. Pleased to see that I can get a bus to Boat of Garten and I can explore further too. Taken on board what to take to eat and guessed it should be something quick. Thanks for explaining shift pattern that is all OK with me. I think I will just be so delighted to be there that the little worry I have about walking will spur me on. Have a good pair of walking shoes and hopefully weather will be kind but can't change it if is decides not to be. Sleeping bag is on the list of things to get and being a person who does feel chilly at times warm jumpers if needed. I am so looking forward to seeing the scenery and of course what will be quite an emotional moment for me when I see ospreys in real life. Thanks again for all your help, it is much appreciated.
Margobird
Hi Everyone: What awful things happening in NZ...waiting for a text or e mail from my best friend and youngest's godmother. She lives in Dartmouth but spends 5 months in NZ every year. They are based around Napier but for one month they go south to Christchurch to catch up with friends and I had an e mail last week saying they had just started that trip. Dibnlib hope OH gets news of family soon.
Super sunny day so went for my walk early, well early for me around 10.30 started with fleece, scarf and gloves arrived home with gloves in pocket, fleece around waist and scarf in hand. Even had short sleeves and it felt so nice.
Trip to dentist for check up and Simon had a mask on even for our chat. He new I would laugh at him as he had lost a front crown...I have front crowns and it has happened to me. He couldn't get over how it made him lisp.
Margo: We will do a good shop on the Saturday and maybe mid week I could come over and take you to see the sights around Aviemore and visit Tescos's. Could also take you up the Cairngorms.On second thoughts I do have a sleeping bag so just bring warm clothes and then you won't have to worry about luggage weight being used up with things I can help you with.
SheilaFE: Do they stay at the lodges that have the spotty pig in a pen by the side of the road or the ones on the corner as you turn into the centers road?
MARGO Remember taking a friend to LG. At the time she lived near Chichester. This is my friend who races the Huskies and who now lives at Tomatin just south of Inverness. We got talking to a volunteer who lived in the same area as friend. He volunteered on an anual basis. He absolutely loved it and said that when he left to return home he would immediately start counting the weeks until he returned. It was the highlight of his year. Don't drive myself but hopefully OH and I will get down to LG when you are there.
Margobird you may find that your 'partner' for the week will have a car. But I am sure if you explain the problem staff members or other volunteers will help out. David Anderson was very good on more than one occasion, as were other staff. David picked us up from Aviemore when we arrived. He also got me back to the chalet after my last night shift on Saturday morning when I had time for a shower, and he then took me to Aviemore Station. I am sure it will not be a problem.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
dibnlib it would be so nice to meet you if you are able. I can well imagine that after my visit I will want to do it all over again.
WENDY Hope trip to dentist goes ok. Poor OH, have lost front crowns on a few occassions usually, on a Friday after dentist has closed for the weekend. I have appt for scale and polish on Thurs and my major appt for crown prep for implant has had to be rescheduled till end of March. You have been so helpful to Margo and it sounds like you will both have a good time while she is here. Others have been giving tips as well so I am sure she is well prepared. That fish and chip van does sound just the ticket for a good meal. OH has just come in and said it would be great if we could all meet up for a chippy or pub grub? Just remembered there is always Smiffys in Aviemore and The Old Bridge Inn both of which we have tried. Anyway we look forward to doing something tog while she is here.
Not sure if OH will find out about cousin as he has had no contact since he emigrated to NZ and his father who lived in Bristol area died a few years ago and his Mum is confused. OHs parents may know how to contact his sisters to find out more. We were talking about him this am and there were many more fightening flying incidents than the 2 mentioned. How he survived to emigrate to NZ we just don't know.
Wendyb do hope you hear some new about your best friend. Have been watching the news and there is total devastation and people still trapped in buildings.My fingers are crossed for you.
How kind of you sleeping bag will be crossed off the list now. That would be helpful if we could go shopping in the middle of that week. Until I get there I won't know what shifts I will be doing but by that time we will be able to contact each other by mobile. Would be wonderful to fit a trip in to the Cairngorms. I am so grateful to you and others for all the help I am getting. Wonderful people on this blog.
Glad you had such a nce walk and it has obviously warmed up a lot for you.
Wendyb and dibnlib I do hope your friends and family are safe. These must be worrying times for you.
Wendyb the chalets are the A-frame wooden lodges next to a large house with pigs in the garden on the B970. There is a wooden bus shelter at the end of the drive. And they are about 0.25mile from the turning to the Centre . I think it is called Mains of Garten. They are not on the small road up to the Centre. You can actually see them on GoogleEarth. The RSPB chalets are the first four.
Afternoon Everyone. Another grey day, but at least it is dry. I seem to have had all the local blue, great and long tailed tits and chaffinch on the feeders today. Nice to see them in such numbers again, and good to know that so many survived the snow and cold. I still have doubts about the little owl, but remain hopeful.
I watched the 1.00pm news and cannot imagine what those folk are going through in NZ. There are people trapped in fallen buildings who are speaking on mobiles. Modern technology makes these events so immediate and so real.
Wow Diane I'm impressed by your knowledge of Primeval! You might be able to add to this page :)) http://primeval.wikia.com/wiki/Terror_Bird
Wendyb I hope your OH's problems are sorted sooner rather than later. It must be so worrying not knowing what is wrong. I see that the Speyside Whisky Festival starts on 28 April. With all your knowledge, do you get called upon to help out? http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/events.php
Do the trousers still fit Annette!! I agree with Lindybird, ignore the heavier weight!
Alan I had no idea the turnaround was so quick for humming birds! Amazing. Would she have the same mate?
Oh Gary another 3-4 inches. When will it end. Toffee will wonder what grass is when it finally appears! With all the snow you (and Diane & Auntie) have had no doubt there is the horrible period of slush to go through.
I've had a look at the recorded video on the bear den - wonderful scenes. I am never lucky enough to catch such good views when I look!
Well done Patriciat and Tweed. A successful time was clearly had by all.
Just had the electricity meter man in - I should have asked him to take his shoes off, there is a trail of mud left behind. Last time I did ask, I was told he couldn't - because of the good old 'elf and safety!! You may ask... but I was told he could step on a toy or such, and hurt his foot!! I think he was as fed up with that as I was, but he did get out those blue plastic bags with elastic around them and put them over his shoes!
Dibnlib: Wrong Simon silly me as I refer to him as OH here. Simon is also my dentist and that is why it was so funny. He is a single man practise until next month and his own dentist is in London so he was going to try a temp job after he saw me in his lunch break. Margo will be having a good time and i think it is just me in this helping her and I would like to think people would love to show me an area they loved as much as you and love it here and are lucky enough to live here.