Weekly Chat, Sunday April 3 2011

This is lovely. A hawk cam.

This was the reason I took the camera to the art gallery!  I have been watching them grow, and knew that by now they would be “A HOST of Golden Daffodils”.  Difficult to get the right perspective – would have been better climbing the tree opposite! 

Had a lovely chicken and peach salad there.  Looked at the rest of that sculptor’s exhibition (which I didn’t understand!), another of landscapes in oils, which were too heavy for my taste and also a “Taster” for the Spring Fling to be held in late May, when local studios will be open to the public to see artists at work. 

Shopping didn’t seem too bad as we came home via Powfoot shore, so it was sandwiched between two more pleasant pastimes!  Criffel was behind mist, and we couldn’t see the Cumbria shore, yet the Sun was really dazzling on the water.  The tide was almost in, and turned while we were there.

 Criffel behind mist:

Gorse and blue sky:

Redshank grazing the tide-line (there were about 25 altogether):

 Heron flying in:        

Heron landing on tip-toe:           

Son thinks he will be working from next Monday!  He's spending the weekend working out a timetable for fitting in his meals and domestic arrangements, and thinking of all that he needs to do to finish with the job centre (for the time being).

We have another day out tomorrow - a talk on Scotland's Earth History at Castle Douglas.  We shall make  a day of it and just might have time to try to see the Threave Ospreys before driving home!

Sorry for all the posts - couldn't cope with just one very long one.  Actually, I am quite tired - with the sunny evenings, I lose track of the time!

Just looked back over the last couple of pages.

Alan what a magnificent pic of the swan.

OG - So pleased to hear that your son has now found himself a job - do hope it works out for him.   Lovely pics of your day out and do enjoy tomorrow.

Just looked in on the nest and all is quiet - makes a change after the wind they've been having.

Abbi, one of the new team members at LG, has posted on the main blog.  68 matings and numerous goods delivered to the nest to build it up - quite a feat so far.   They are in tip top condition and look so comfy together.

Once again, have a lovely weeken all.

Riverland continued. Leaving Banrock after two hours we were off to visit more towns on the river. At both Barmera (almost deserted on a Sat pm) and Berri, the tourist info shops were closed and in Berri the cafe was reluctant to serve coffee & snacks . . . mid afternoon!!! This is Lake Bonney at Barmera.

Sadly the Berri fruit juice co-op, a major employer that crushed 25% of citrus juice in Aussieland, has been taken over by an overseas company and our Berri plant closed. We import oranges from California, concentrated juice from Brazil, instead of growing our own! This is River Murray at Berri.

Further on someone spotted roadside stalls selling butternut pumpkins, a bag of 4-5 for $5. Well, Aggie’s stall must have thought her Christmas’s had come at once at we piled off the bus to buy butternuts, oranges, dried fruits, almonds, fresh fruit. To be continued.

Evening all: Gone all day again - to Camarillo/Ventura - which I decided to do when I remembered at 8 a.m. that I didn't have to see grandson. Bought some New Balance trainers (so many in my size I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!). Then stopped at favorite discount stores en route home. Blustery April storm has just about disappeared over the horizon, but saw a highway sign on the way home warning drivers they needed snow chains on Highway 133!  A bit late for snow up there.  Should be back to normal for the next week (I keep saying that).

Tiger: Thanks for NYT hawk link - I got that the other day but couldn't load it then.

OG: Lovely daffs - Mr & Mrs Wordsworth's little boy would be thrilled.

AQ: Importing oranges from us? Surely they must grow somewhere in that huge continent? Love those roadside produce stands - they're all over the place here in summer, mostly selling strawberries.

Lindybird: I find dogs are better listeners  - they act is if they know what you're talking about while cats just look at you as if to say, "Yes, that's all very well, but when's dinner and, oh by the way, you're late with the petting."  The garden is settling in nicely - things have started blooming and neighbors are still saying nice things about it. The only negative is that our lovely rich soil has attracted a mole who goes tunneling at night, leaving piles of dirt and mulch slopping over the decomposed granite pathways! He won't eat the flowers/roots, but if we see any gopher-type piles, we'll have to call in the cavalry. Can't afford to have gophers noshing on our plants!

Alicat: Bet you can't wait to take Bobbie out and show her off.

Cirrus: Lovely serendipitous sight of crane.

Margobird: Enjoy your weekend and, of course, we'll look forward to more tales of Billy Whizz on your return.

Sheila: Sounds like a marvellous day - isn't spring wonderful!

Brenda: Welcome back!

Alan: Lovely pix, especially the fluffy Italian chicks.

Here's something silly someone sent me:

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles.
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can relax without a glass of wine,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then you are probably the family dog.

 Night all.

Annette thanks for the something silly!

Nest looking very cosy now.  They have been working hard. 

Beautiful and sunny here today again - long may it last.

Mia came 1st in her obedience test last night so we're very pleased with her. 86%.  She's been for an early morning walk with OH today by the river.  He decided as it's so nice at the moment to make the most of it and get up early for a good walk before work.

Morning, Everyone.   Lovely sunny day here, and just like summer.  No time to read all of the above, but gather that Brenda had a nice break and a lovely Mothers Day.  Good that your OH can relax for a while about the eye problem.  Thanks to Annette for the Doggy poem.

Must go out now - see you later!