Weekly Chat, Sunday March 13, 2011

Dry all day!!  Got quite busy – realised how soon it will be weekend, when we shall be away!  Some interesting new and not previously seen things at our Town Museum.  Birthday cake turned out well.  Solar generated at a good rate today – and they haven’t yet asked for balance of money.

Chloe – my Amaryllis didn’t bloom this year – just has three long now-droopy leaves – any advice?

Tiger – great dog loyalty but I would have liked to know if anyone rescued them.

Alan – glad Hamish got signed off this morning – so pleased the ointment is working fro him rather than needing surgery.  Surprised to see Brighton Peregrines – I thought they weren’t doing their cam this year.

Yes, George, terrible about the voluntary team in Japan – but maybe they should have consulted official channels before flying out there.  So pleased you and Diesel had a pleasant walk this morning – hope afternoon was equally good.

Hello Heather.  Your panels are Solar Thermal (water-heating) panels (same as our Dau#1 has).  Ours are not Solar Heating (as some people have described them) but newer technology Solar Photo Voltaic generating panels – solar energy is converted to DC electricity in the panels then an inverter (clever box!) in the roof space converts that to AC to feed into mains.  We get Feed in Tariff (FIT) for all that we generate plus extra for what we don’t use ourselves – calculated as 50% on domestic installations – a reward for investing in alternative energy.

Annette – I thought your Grandson lived with his Mom, but then couldn’t work out why he always arrives with laundry!  Maybe I’m too nosey!  I hope you found your garden irrigation system to be working okay.

Joan – I hope the sunshine will reach you tomorrow!  As well as working well, the solar panels are much better aesthetically now they are configured as we expected.

Dibnlib – I hope you can get the gas boiler properly sorted.  So many things are not right first time these days – I’m sure it never used to be like this – but maybe when all the technology was simpler householders could just fettle things themselves!  That sounds like a lovely day out – and some successful shopping too!  Heard of Labra Doodles before, but not Golden Doodle – does it have the same non-allergenic advantages?

Heron – so pleased you nagged your weather into improving – and that the birds celebrated it!  We had a pair of Siskins visit several times today – being a couple, I hope that means they will stay around.

Terry – sorry it didn’t brighten up your side of the Solway – should be better tomorrow afternoon and Friday.  Sleep well – and don’t work too hard!!

Time to share a hot cross bun (cold!) for supper.  Good night, all.

Hazel b said:

Sometimes out of tragedy can come something  remarkable. All you dog lovers will love this video.

See  Japanese dog refuses to leave friend behind.

It reminds me of Greyfriars Bobby

and another lovely story of  Hachikō

Glad you all enjoyed the osprey videos.

Chloe    Those are lovely amaryllises.

Thank you Tiger, these are lovely. The footage of the Japanese dog is very moving indeed. Whoever says animals have no feelings is totally on the wrong track. They are far better than some humans I have met.

OG - here is how I treat my Amaryllis. I have the one you see in the picture flowering now, plus three bulblets from a friend's amaryllis which are growing well but have not flowered as yet. I keep them all barely moist all year round. They don't like too much water or the bulbs will rot so I have my pots standing on a layer of gravel inside the planter and they are never sitting in water. I believe you can let them dry off completely over the winter but I choose not to do that with mine. During the growing/flowering season I give them an occasional feed with Baby Bio but that's about it.

Good Evening don't know if anyone has posted this,the humingbird chicks are named as Haruka and Kouki, Haruka means Spring Flower and Kouki means Light Hope

Sorry Tiger, but I found that dog story quite upsetting. I know that there are so many problems in Japan, but to hear that someone had the time to stand and film the poor dogs and then, from the comments I read, just moved on. I am afraid that I love dogs too much to see them suffering so much.

George, On our local news we have seen the Sussex rescue team preparing to fly to Japan and then a couple of nights ago we were shown them searching in the rubble for any survivors. They even showed the GB badge on their suits, so I am not sure what is happening. It has not been mentioned on the National or Local news at 6pm or 10pm.

Dibnlib, Sorry about your boiler. We do trust these people to install things safely and correctly. In truth we just don't know what is right or wrong in our homes. Don't think I want to dwell on that.

Paul, Pleased to see that your weather is improving. It just stayed cloudy and misty here all day. Always lovely to be able to watch and listen to the birds.

Just noticed the time.     Time I went up the stairs to bed.

Late coming on today so will just post pics and catch up properly tomorrow.  Nest at Panaman City is growing as though osps are preparing to nest.  One or two others as well.  Happy Thursday everyone.

Now catching up and noticed your post George. Haven't heard that but thanks for the info. I feel it is rather disgraceful of the British Government not to back a team of fire and rescue people who are prepared to put their lives at risk to try and help not just their own people but people from another country. Its disgraceful. Sorry seem to be getting on my highhorse.

Alan thanks for the Brighton link.

Annette - shopping has to be done but realised I had ordered more meat than I really needed.  I get a bit of a phobia of running out of ideas for meals and always want to make sure I have plenty in. The pressures of being a housewife!!!!!!!!!!!    

OG - just tired because I was on my feet for longer - very rarely go down with anything as such - just have long term ailments which I cope with. There are those that are far worse off than me. There, I've had a moan.

Been to choir practice and a full on one as well.  Four services to practice for and when we meet in a fortnights time only two to practice for, somethings not right somewhere!!

Alan - lovely closeups of the Norfolk eagle and babes

Tiger - heartening stories coming out of Japan.   Lets all hope that the nuclear mini crisis will not develop into a major one.

Thanks for all your news and pics. Better sign off now and think of going to bed.

Been a lousy day here.