Weekly Chat, Sunday April 10, 2011

Unknown said:

SheilaFE:Lochinver is a super place and the coast road to the Summer Isles with brilliant pub is not to be missed. To give you a clue to it narrowness no caravans are allowed but it is just the best, An area I would love to live but in honesty too far from an airport for girls and mainly too far from M and S food.

Thank you for the advice Wendyb.  We have stayed near both Lochinver (all our dinner service comes from Highland Pottery and has been collected over many years - our pattern is no longer done, but special orders can be placed.  When they have enough orders they will do them!  Just hope the person who paints the pattern doesn't leave!) and Ullapool.  When we had a lot of folk joining us for the week we booked Leckmelm House, south of Ullapool, complete with its own arboretum and loch access!  I just love that part of the country, and like you would consider moving there, were it not for the *** midges.  We spotted an ad in the FT back in the mid 80s for a superb house on Sleat, Skye.  We went to 'take a gawp' on our next holiday there and fell in love with it, until we got out of the car - straight into a 'cloud' of midges, and ran..!  Even cold winters don't seem to stop these feisty beasties.  I know the folk at LG mention them, but is that just because the area has a lot of still water?  I was always under the impression that the east side of the country didn't suffer.

Oh, Alan, that's a shock..... how sad.  and how fragile are these things.  Thanks for letting us know.

dibnlib said:

SHEILAFE   Muckrach Lodge more or less on the edge of Grantown. Your OH obviously loves cycling, hope the weather is kind to you and you can both fit in what you want to do. Love the Lochinver area, esp if you have fine weather and get a good view of that wonderful mountain Sullivan (Know that is not the right spelling,can anyone please help?)

didnlib  I'm catching up.  Suilvan is definitely on the agenda, but I feel these days it is not for me.  The three men and other woman in the party will I am sure be climbing it.  We will no doubt be doing Handa Island again, and exploring the coast on otter watch!  We usually reckon one holiday in four is good for us.  We had a reasonable time last year, with sun, rain, mist, warmth and cold!!  All you would expect.  I'm not sure whether we have Sky TV, will have to check, but if all else fails I think it might be the French Open...!!  Sadly the house does not have wifi, So I rather expect I won't be on osprey watch.  We are actually staying at Inverkirkaig, overlooking the sea.

Morning Alan  and I am devastated to read that Jason passed away.  Feel very emotional having watched this family right up to when they left the den.  I think they had been worried about Jason being the weaker of the two cubs but I never thought this would happen. 

This series comes highly recommended by me, the first episode was last night on BBC4. I thought it was going to be a repeat, but no, I believe it to be a new series. Maybe the the BBC are going to re-air it on another channel, since BBC4 is digital and some folks are still on the old steam TV.

Also interesting slant on what we refer to birds as, e.g., 'garden birds', are a relatively new phenomenon. Next week is going to be 'water birds'. I wonder if an osprey is a water bird? It relies almost solely on water and the fish therin, both fresh and salt water.

Birds Britannia.

Going back to the progranne, after you have seen it, this will make you smile. Just a few minutes ago, I was filling up the suet (insect flavour) feeder. Since these are fatty, I keep them in a biscuit tin, which was there beside the empty feeder, the robin had been watching me as he/she often does, full of confidence as usual. I realised that I had to get the funnel that I use, I walked a few steps and turned round, to see the bird in the open tin, looking at me as if to say, don't bother with that, just leave the tin as it is please. Back with the funnel and now the robin was in front of me, one of the local Ragdoll cats was behind me a few feet away. The robin must have been really hungry or has young to feed, perhaps sensing that a human was on hand to protect it, hopped back onto the back of my hand and self service was again provided by the open tin, despite the cat, just behind me.

Alan What sad news of cub Jason.  I haven't yet read the blog but I presume they will have an autopsy?  Both cubs seemed so full of life.  Such a shame.

Good morning Lindybird and lovely pics.  Sweetpea has really grown and what a happy little boy he looks, love his big eyes. 

Very cold here but the promised rain has not materialised yet.  Have just been outside with Billy seeking solace from him after reading Alan's sad news that Jason the cub has passed away.  Very upsetting after watching this family through the winter months.  Must be heart wrenching for them at the Bear Centre.

Good mroning WendyB I think it is always hard to motivate yourself when it is dull, wet, and cold.  Very chilly here this morning and as it is not so hot Billy has made the garden table the place to be today.  Smiled about your OCD with your stick store and OH not allowed near it. 

Alan/All I read that Jason's body was retrieved and an autopsy will be carried out by a designated vet today.  I also note for those who can access it:  The good news is that Ted Oakes, the producer of The Bear Family and Me, said today that National Geographic will air the 3-part series in June.