Weekly Chat, Sunday March 27, 2011

Hello from a pleasantly warm south. OH decided we should go out for lunch - Chequers at Fowlmere, and then on to RSPB Fowlmere.  Lunch was excellent.  Compared with recent visits to the reserve it was disappointing, although I think I have seen one of those little brown birds that I never recognise - chiff chaff - merely by its 'song'!!  Someone in a hide id'd a Cetti's Warbler song, but it wasn't spotted.  The reserve is clearly about to bring in cattle to help manage the habitats.  I think they have had Dexters in the past.

jsb mmm, and what is today's date?!!

Wendyb glad you have a good walk at Loch Morlich.  I haven't actually been to the Loch itself, but have been to the reindeer centre and walked out to the herd on Cairngorm to hand feed them!  I rather like the idea of fish nibbling at my hard skin!  However, my feet are so sensitive I think them may be in danger of being trodden on!

OG thank you for the barnacle gees in formation.  Lovely.  God luck with the photo competition.  When you do you now the result?

Lindybird have a lovely time with Sweetpea at the weekend.  I expect you will see quite a difference in the month since you have seen him.  You will deserve a glass of wine this evening to replace the donated blood!  Well done!  It is very medicinal you know.

Heron a super pic of the Hampton chicks.  my they are growing. 

Lynette your photos shows well the difference in size between the three chicks from one nest.  Good luck with the family artefacts at the weekend, and enjoy your time with your bro.

AQ the visit to Olivewood and the old house of the Chaffey family sounds fascinating.  Ah ha, Banrock.  Anything to do with a spot of the tipple I enjoy!?

Emma Peel thanks for the TV link.  I am sure it was really interesting, but when I started to watch it the world and his wife were home from work and my broadband couldn't cope.  I got up to 8 minutes in and then it kept cutting out!  I love this sort of programme, but will certainly persevere.

Annette  Glad to know your son's dressings are being dealt with so well!  Using the sun in navigation is certainly helpful at times, but OH can wander round and round a town/city and know exactly where he is where we should be going.  The sun just does not help me in that situation!

Alan I was so pleased that Hamish is on-colour again!  Hey, with this heatwave, given that you were proposing to wear tem when the temp rose to above zero in the winter, I trust your faithful shorts are getting an airing now!!  I think the car temp showed 18 degrees today!

auntie what a beautiful  picture you paint of the swams in the night sky.  Perhaps they know the weather forecast!

patriciat oh dea, it never rains, but it pours.  I do hope you OH's chest infection doesn't develop.  It will be difficult to cough this is factured scapula.  I hope your doctor can help.

Margo have a great time at your concert, and can sleep on the return journey.

To others I have not mentioned, have a good Friday evening, and let's hope Odin returns tomorrow.  The nest is empty at the moment, and the wind continues to blow.

134,000 watching Decorah eagle now.

Alicat just go with your first thoughts. When I flew to Scotland my 2 cats flew with me but that was nearly 10 years ago and their ashes are still with me. I also adopted a collie from the farm who was my best friend when I had cancer diagnosed and when he had a stroke I was the one who was with him when he was put to sleep and he is with my cats. A few years on they are still with us but we both know when they will be scattered...it is just that that is in the future. So to sum up go with your first instinct..as hard as it might be.

3 eggs at Hilton Head ospreys. The adults have been named Bea and Jasper.

137,000 viewers now at Decorah. They say that there is a pip on the chat but I have not seen it.

Just been watching some of Gary's videos of Toffee on Youtube. "Toffee and Caddi" and "Toffee Stream" will find them. Sweet!!!

Thermometer said 12 degrees – felt more like 4!  Occasional rain and very occasional sunshine - I want spring to come back!!  Went to Guild coffee morning at church and chatted to a few people – including the new Minister and his wife - how long do they remain “new”?  Been pootling about at home this afternoon – including allocating days of April Holiday for particular plans – less than two weeks away.

Loads to read on all the threads this evening - I hope anyone I don’t reply to will forgive me.

Lindy – have a great day with SweetPea on Sunday!

Emma – thanks for link to Clan Grant TV programme – I have forwarded it to Son, who is probably going to become a volunteer in Grantown Museum and needs to do some background “homework”.

AQ – too late to wish you “bon voyage”, but I hope you are having a great time and that your “rememberer” told you to take photos for us!!

Annette – pleased your wound-care duty on Thursday went without a hitch.

Auntie – how lovely for you to see the Whoopers – but strange about their direction.  The Whoopers which winter here mostly come from Iceland – they are gradually setting off (in their family groups) and some from the south have been taking on extra supplies for their journey!

Tiger – go on then, what was the significance of the day that you can you remember being 3 years, 9 months and 13 days?

Alan – pleased Hamish was feeling better today.

Patricia – sorry your OH has a further problem, with his chest – more worry for you too.

Lynette – thinking of you and your time with your Brother.

Dibnlib – a nasty thing to have happen at your voluntary work – but as you say not a good idea to put temptation in the way of vulnerable people!

Wendy – pleased you had a good walk at Loch Morlich – and presumably coffee and scones?  It is good that you are having such good times with your daughter.

Alicat – I am sure you will be able to do plenty of things in and around Inverness which won’t bring back memories to make you sad.

Sheila – glad you had a good time at Fowlmere – lunch and RSPB.   Habitat management by grazing does seem to catching on at several reserves now.  Competition entries up to about 20^th , then public exhibition of top 15 in each category (kids, teens, adults) that weekend for a public vote, and then results 26^th April – by which time I shall probably have forgotten I entered!!

Talking of which – here is Mr Canada Goose in aggressive pose – and honking:

And here watching over Mrs Canada Goose:

Evening all.  Thanks for good wishes for OH.  Hadn't heard from doc when the time came for Fly's booster vaccination appointment, so I went off happily.  Had a chat with vet who is now an old friend, having looked after all our dogs since the first, in 1972.  Tootled happily home to fins another of the docs(my favourite) talking to my next door neighbour as he was unable to get into the house - how embarrassing! But he was very good about it and has prescribed a strong antibiotic.  Because of his underlying condition (syringomyelia) OH doesn't feel pain so no problem about coughing with a fractured scapula, thank goodness.  Had a quick look at the LG webcam.  It looked as if there was lightning but may be just the wind upsetting the camera.

I woke early, so I'm ready early. OH is dropping me at bus which leaves 8 am sharp. A quick very fast speed-read this morn. Still dark (7.10 am). Just checking if any of the male osps have turned up.
EDIT - No Odin and now I gotta go. See ya.

Hilton Head, Hornby Island, and Decorah