Morning all: Much ballyhooed snow didn't materialize, we had a sunny day but very cold tonight with temps just below freezing. Spent the first couple of hours today online with Dell Tech Support after a website I clicked on (via Google) delivered a spyware program disguised as an anti-virus program (one of those things that suddenly lights up your desktop with alarming messages about threats to your computer). I ignored it and immediately launched McAffee to scan my computer, which found nothing. However, the spyware program (called Internet Security Essentials) wouldn't go away until Dell's remote support took over and did a super-scan and clean up (LOVE that service! So glad I signed up for it!)
Trish: They said it will take a while for the autopsies on the dolphins. Glad your OH remembered his training and sat still, even if Mia forgot!
Diane: Have never heard of the Nevada Triangle. Will certainly keekp an eye out for the program - we're watching DVD of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest right now. The UK is (it's rumored) is warmed by the Gulf Stream, which perhaps accounts for the daffodils, etc., while you're still dealing with weather from what I believe is called the Canadian Shield...
AQ: Our plants are in danger of drowning right now; have moved some of the potted plants under the eaves to protect them from any frost.
Lindybird: Had big laugh at image of you scraping your pizza off the floor - I'm a firm believer in keeping our immune systems challenged!! :-)) I shall be tuned in to the Oscars from the silly "red-carpet arrivals" pre-show all the way to the final curtain call, although I must confess to shouting a lot at the telly during the entire show. I think The King's Speech will do OK; Colin Firth was nominated last year for A Single Man but didn't get it; think he stands a good chance this time round (and if he doesn't get it, you'll hear me yelling at the telly all the way to the UK)!!
Margobird: Your sister sounds like a real gem.
OG: So glad you had a chance to make various plans with son.
dibnlib: "My fried egg has landed upside down on the floor?" Maybe that happens a lot in Russia? :-))
Hi to all I missed. Have a lovely Sunday!
Morning all, bright and sunny this morning, although some cloud arriving now - I am hoping to get washing outside today for the first time since about November! Not just because dull windless weather means it doesn't dry well, but also because OH took down the line to demolish and rebuild a shelter contraption he built for the car. Yesterday I went to an interesting study day on Handel's Water Music which had been arranged for all the instruments Handel didn't use, so I did it on the trombone and surprised myself with how I managed lots of the right notes! It was good to have a real trombonist playing next to me.
OG, Cockermouth seems to be recovering and Prince Charles visited the other week. http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/prince-charles-sees-cockermouth-floods-recovery-work-1.810066?referrerPath=/news-round-up-1.50001
He also met people involved in local squirrel conservation projects http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/8859199.Prince_Charles_in_Cumbria_today_to_help_red_squirrels_conservation/
Diane, thanks for your links, I watched the Discovery video and reminded myself to check whether I can see the ISS now - I can! Also I have found my dad's telescope so we might have a go with that. Amazing to imagine people up there!
Lindy, I never tell OH when we are eating food that arrived via the floor ;)) Fox encounters are great aren't they? I once saw one very early in the morning, he stopped in the road and looked right at me for several seconds before disappearing into the hedge.
Terry in Cumbria
Forgot to say Lindy, your link didn't work for me either.
Also, since the Big Garden Birdwatch, the blackbirds and greenfinches have returned, typical!! And greater numbers of goldfinches.
OG, your curlew is now my wallpaper on home computer (replaces Diane's American goldfinch).
Rain has stopped now, but its still too damp to put my laundry outside :-(
I certainly felt honoured to see the fox at such close quarters - I have seen one several times in my life, but usually running aross a field, in the distance. Because he was floodlit by the security lights, I could see the wonderful colour of his red coat and brush, and that he (? could have been a she) was in tip top condition. Not surprised, as we have a great many rabbits in the nearby spinneys.
TerryM: Thanks for links to Prince Charles' visit to Cumbria. I do wish he would buy a new coat, he is always wearing that one! (or does he actually have two the same!). In the Daily Mail, it criticised him for saying that he wanted a squirrel on his shoulder, but a Spokesman had to hurredly say that he meant it only as a joke. (because they are a protected species and it would be illegal). Even the Royals have to be very careful about what they say! Wish I could have heard you on the trombone! That sounds fun.
See my link is not working - Bah!
ALAN What a wonderful pic. we put out nyger seeds last year in the hope we may get some Goldfinches, but no luck, and now LINDY tells us she has had 8 and a glorious fox as well. some people have all the luck.
I did take Dillon for a walk before church and yes he did play me up again, once I got hold of him he was walked home on the lead in disgrace, and he knew it.
Just got back from Huntingdon Garden & Leisure and it is now raining, Fortunately all the Christmas stuff has now been removed from HG&L and shopping was a much better experience.
Latest osprey advent calendar photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kim/5480752188/in/photostream/
Hilton Head cam a short while ago:
OG yes that is the most sensible thing to do, but thing is if he saw a cat he would have me off my feet and has done in the past before injury. Does anyone want a badly behaved Goldie - free to good home?? Actually he is a bit like the Mabel Lucy Atwell girl only at the moment with me and walks it is the "And when he was bad..........."
didn,t get Lindys link either, shame.
LINDY Actually think that the Royals have to be especially careful what they say. There is always someone out to trip them up I think, and a camera and a mike. Me too, would love to hear Terry on trombone, esp playing Handel. With this talk of eating food which has been on the floor I must add that I do not make a habit of it (this is for WENDY who is coming for lunch on Wed. Actually she is coming to meet Dillon (if she still wants to after learning of his bad behaviour) and we will throw lunch in while she is here.)
Off to do a bit of ironing, shirts have dried on the line, which is first time for a while. think there is an old film I can watch while "smoothing"
Silly me, I responded on last week's chat, so repeated herewith! I have just popped indoors to get my binoculars, and thought I'd take a quick peek when I realised my error.
Morning everyone, and what a beautiful one it is - so far. The golden orb has shown its face and the cloud is high and whispy. I saw a skylark rise from the field and three buzzard were soaring on thermals above the house. AND England won their match against the French yesterday! Yahay. I will settle down to watch Scotland this afternoon. Sadly (I ought not to say that really) I will miss the Calcutta Cup as for the fourteenth year running we are off to Switzerland - OH takes part in an international X-country ski marathon. I have a dilemma with this particular match as I was born in Scotland and can happily support both England and Scotland until they play each other when loyalties are divided!! I remember being at Twickenham, a lone voice cheering Scotland when England trounced them!
Lots of pics, chat and links once more. Thanks to you all! I hope you enjoyed your pizza Lindybird. A little bit of dirt hasn't hurt me over the years!
I know what you mean Margobird when you talk about your bookmarks toolbar groaning! I do file them, but it is so much quicker to 'scroll' to the toolbar! Sorry to hear that your sister has lost her hair, and so quickly. But she is obviously putting on a very brave face.
George Have a great lunch with your family. I am sure they will fall in love with Diesel!
dibnlib Bad luck at Chanory - and I am sure it is luck whether or not you see the dolphin, but as you know, when you do it is unbelievable how close to the shore they came. OH took some splendid photos last time we were there - one in hundreds is good, I hasten to add! I loved your tip for the duvet cover and pegs. Must give it a try.
Wendyb now, cars and mud. I am an expert! I live up a single track road and down a farm track all of which is very well used by muddy farm vehicles and it is almost not worth my while cleaning the car at this time of year! Our friendly farmer is at last trying to fill in the track for us. Over this dreadful winter the ridge in the middle has become likely to touch the bottom of low slung vehicles (not ours I hasten to add) with the tyre tracks getting ever deeper and the pot holes getting larger. He is going to fill and level it right down to the ditch where it is a quadmire with holes and then put road scrapings on top. OH says he will hire a roller to pack it all down when we get back from hols. It will look the smartest it has been in the 24 years we have been here!
Annette I do hope the Canadian storm is much weakened by the time it reaches you. Take care. Edit I see it passed you by, thank goodness, but the low temps must come as a shock.
Lindybird have a great time in the Canaries. I've never been, but know folk who have, and who have returned. Lovely to see such a healthy fox so close to you!
OG so glad you had a great time with your son. It will have done you both good!
Trish I smiled at your description of dog training lesson! OH has clearly learned his lesson well!!
Diane I have not heard of the Nevada triangle. Perhaps it is similar to the Bermunda triangle, famous or infamous for the sinking of ships. I haven't yet read your links to the bird deaths, but will do that later.
Off to the garden now and then back for the rugby. Happy Sunday to you all.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Afternoon all ... we are back safely from our trip to Cork! We had a great time ... pottering around and visiting new places. The weather wasn't wonderful, but nobody goes to Ireland for the weather :-))
I looked at last weeks chat pages ... and decided I couldn't possibly read through 24 pages ... hope I didn't miss anything important! Off to catch up on today's posts.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Welcome home DjoanS. Glad you enjoyed your time in Cork. I don't think anybody head west for the sun, but rain and mist can have their own mystical quality - at times!!!