Hi all: very late starting this - was gone most of the day. I saw Odin on the nest - brilliant! Now off to check on Lady and, hopefully, catch up on chat!
I can't believe how warm it is today .... I doubted the Met Office forecast of sun and 20C ... it is actually 24.5C ... and it feels like it too !!!
Linda - great photos of the Cow Parsley ... it is huge!
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
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Super photo Lindy. I am absolutely NOT an expert, but rather than a cow, could it possibly be a hog? Hogweed? It doesn't look like the cow parsley I have around me, which is early flowering and much more dainty in appearance. We do get a couple of other varieties which come up after cow parsley which are heavier, taller, and one has a slight pinky tinge. But I have no idea what they might be called. That's not much help I know. Nevertheless, it is a magnificent photo of an extremely tall plant!
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What enormous Cow Parsley Lindy - or are they Triffids - watch out Lindy's OH
Alan , I so enjoyed your pics on Rutland - what a lovely day you have enjoyed today.
I've got to go to work so happy watching everyone and I'll catch you all tomorrow.
Morning all.
Margo: You know you can share all the "down" feelings with us any time. But great news about stroking BIlly Whizz - and more than once! I bet you he'll want more and more.....
Heather: When you get a chance, let us know how all these trips were.
Tiger: Oh dear, "sleeps with the fishes" ?? I shouldn't smile, but... I see Cirrus was also wondering about Henry's age;thanks for the info.
Chloe: Thanks for setting me right on Henry's reputation! I thought I'd read on one of the links Tiger provided about him kicking the eggs out of the nest and assumed he didn't fancy the responsibilities of parenthood!
Cirrus: Thanks for providing yet more proof of Henry's sterling qualities. Quite a bit of drama there - and some good photos too.
Djoan: How funny - nobody's interested in the nest box until someone decides they want it! How typical - and I thought it was only humans that were like that. Sweet pix!
Alan: Sounds like a lovely morning.
Lindybird: Out shopping for trees? Sounds like my kind of day. Whatever that plant is, it's huge. No teeth though?
Late getting started; back later. Take care everyone.
I'm back, briefly....
Thanks to Sheila for throwing some light on my mystery plants - never thought of Hogweed! Both OH and I grew up knowing Cow Parsley so thought of that, first, when we saw it. Shall go and look it up in my Wild Flowers book. (or maybe there's Google!... I still forget that we have that at our disposal).
margo - Great News that at last you have laid a hand or two on Billy Whizz - I knew he would come round, eventually. I predict a great future for you both. I did wonder that as he was so timid, he may be a totally feral cat, who has never had human contact of any kind before.
My Friend has been told that she has to have another small operation on the 26th, but that otherwise the Surgeon is happy that he has got rid of all the possible cancer cells and she may not need Chemotherapy, although she will have to take some hormone pills. She is very sore already and has had some uncomfortable phantom feelings in her arm & shoulder due to nerve damage. She joked that as she will not be allowed to ever do any more heavy lifting or hoovering, her OH will have his orders from now on! We are so relieved that they seem to have halted her illness. I am still acing as the Ironing Fairy, but we both enjoy a good gossip and a cup of tea whilst I ply the iron.
p.s. The car was not too expensive, although it needed a new tyre which was expected, but it is an 'old banger' so we will run it until it just drops apart!
....looked up "Hogweed" on Google, and it could well be! Have been peering at the foliage.... heres another pic....
its not helped by being mixed up with other tall things.
Welcome to the newest members of our Group - now there are 444 !!
Lindy If it was taller than your OH it was probably Giant Hogweed, which grows in wet and boggy places. the sap can cause horrible blisters on skin. I've only seen it once outside my plant guide. That was in the shallows of the River Tweed at Kelso.
Margo I know you'll want to keep up for your sister but it's only natural to have weepy fits. I've cried such a lot since OH fell downstairs and is so badly incapacitated. I think it's a safety valve for us. Good news about Billy becoming more approachable. Hugs and positive thoughts.
Annette Henry was an old fashioned osprey who did not believe in bringing up another male's chicks. Mind he probably did just that in 2006. EJ had been fertilized but had not laid any eggs when Henry arrived. Henry was fooled and no doubt quite impressed at how quickly EJ produced eggs.
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OG, I hadn’t seen about the osp at Talkin Tarn, how exciting! I might have to move to Brampton...
Alan, your clivia has replaced OG’s geese on my desktop, lovely!
Alicat!! What a sweetie! Little Bobbie, come to look after you. Love today’s pic. At least if she’s in the office with you you can keep an eye on her in case of biting computer wires.
Annette, glad you saw a good lot of whales, waiting for babies now.
Tiger, thanks for the reminder of Henry. I started watching the year with all the drama of kicking eggs out of the nest, so if he didn’t come back in 2008, that must have been 2007. Didn’t have broadband at home then so I was just reading the blogs and it was very emotional. I remember thinking, can I bear to keep reading this? And since then we’ve have all the drama of Deshar : ((, not to mention Lady : (( (but :) this year)
Margo, so sorry to hear the news of your sister – hugsx
Hello Heather! Enjoy your holiday.
Monster plant, Lindy!
This post seems over-full of exclamation marks!! Is there an epidemic happening or is it just me?!?
Someone is perched just beyond the nest, even though it is dark now.
Terry in Cumbria
Not had much chance to pop in today as was out and about, so have not read all the posts.
Will be back in the saddle! tomorrow.
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