Weekly Chat, Sunday 24 April 2011

Happy Easter to all

Alan says. . . . Another hot day. Even hotter than yesterday with the temp now 24.8c .
Hey Alan - Hot????? We call that "mild". Today expecting 23C here, currently 22.6C.

I have some catching up to do. My apologies to those whose questions I’ve not answered.

Sheila says AQ . . . . I love your travelogue! You are so descriptive and your photos are lovely too. I take it you have an interest in churches. Is this from an historical perspective, or architectural?
Sheila - Both really. I like old things and I love the stonework and shape of old churches. I don’t go into it too deeply. Couldn’t name the styles.

OG says AQ . . . . Oh dear! Sorry the paint saga doesn’t have a happy ending. Is it just reflecting the colour of the carpet?
OG - We thought at first it was just the reflection but we have laid a quite red Turkish mat across one end and paint is still greenish. We shall just have to buy more paintings and cover the walls as I saw in some stately homes in England. LOL

  • Joan – pleased you got on site eventually – I hope it didn’t rain with you today.

    Heather – sounds a good holiday – pleased you all relaxed and stayed safe on board, and that OH got to Cosford – some great exhibits there.  Menus sound good too!

    Holiday Day 4 – Saturday – began with Lambs again – two other Ewes had produced later on Friday.  Sadly one had lost her weaker Twin; they tried adopting one of the Triplets onto her but because it was a neonatal death rather than a stillbirth, it was too late for a “wet adoption”, so they had to make do the “woolly jumper” option with the skin of the dead lamb, however she wouldn’t take it.  They couldn’t try for too long in case its real Mum rejected it, and thankfully she did accept it back, and certainly seems able to feed her three satisfactorily.  The third Ewe had healthy Twins:

     

    We had arranged to meet Daughter and SiL at Chanonry Point, but the Firth was too rough to see Dolphins, however the Pups had a good walk on the shore and we all had an excellent lunch at The Crofter’s Bistro at Rosemarkie.  Only photos were a Cormorant and some boats.  Fishing boat:

    After we left them, we stopped to watch the Red Kites: 

    We went via coffee at the Dairy at Daviot (often mentioned by Dibnlib).  Between Carrbridge and Grantown we spotted a sizeable herd of Coos, of all ages and sizes, and took lots of photos.  Light coloured Coo: 

    Black Coo with Calf:

     

    Bad Hair Day Coo:

    Son met us at Carrbridge for dinner, then Sunday we spent the whole day with him, at church in the morning, then between lunch and dinner we mostly sat and talked, catching up and letting him tell us how he felt, with the temp job starting the next day, so no photos.

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • TERRYM    STV in their wisdom decideed not to show Lewis among other good programmes. Thank goodness I have been able to watch on the ITV playback site. I am a huge fan.

    Had trouble getting on the site again today but here at last. Had a swim this am and this aft finally finished all my private dental work when I had the crown fitted to the implant. All I am left with now is the balance of a dirty great big bill. Worth it to avoid dentures though.

    Hard to believe that OH and I have our anniversary tomorrow, that will be 31 years. We will be waiting till next week before we go out for our celebration meal and not sure where yet as we have 2 favourite places. Will probably check out the menus on the day. Have decided we will have our own Royal Wedding celebration on Fri with piccies, Kir Royale and Rose wine through the day. Luxury.

    OH working Wed eve but if he feels inclined we will have a crack of dawn get up on Thurs and head down to LG for the Capercallie watch. It will be his choice as I can have an early night and He can't!!!!!   

  • LINDY  Monday smiles  agree with OG the pandas are definitely smiiley. OG  Thank you for pics, loved the lambs.

  • Evening all,

    Been having difficulty getting on here again today.

    OG : Thanks for all the holiday pics. My daughter has recently moved to Rosemarkie so maybe she knows that eaterie you mentioned.

    Linda : Thanks for the mondays smiles.

    Heather : The narrowboat holiday sounded relaxing. It is something I have never tried probably something to do with my aversion to water.

    Not done a lot today. We had our 10 year old grand daughter Hope staying last night for the first time. This morning we went to a couple of Garden Centres. Nottcuts to see all the animals,birds  and fish in the pet section   and then to Elton Hall Garden Store for some lunch. Everywhere was busy with panic buying of plants in some cases?

    There is a new blog from Abbi in case you have missed it. 

     

     

  • Hi, all. I'll be back tonight to catch up with everyone, but I wanted to post this.

    For folks interested in astronomy, physics, and other sciences:

    If this is true, it will be the discovery of the millennium! Scientists may have found the Higgs boson, the so-called "God Particle" -- the elusive particle that gives all other particles mass. In other words, it creates matter.

    http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/04/higgs-rumor/
    http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/04/has-the-lhc-found-a-hint-of-th.html
    http://www.livescience.com/13853-higgs-boson-signal-lhc-cern.html

    The abstract/paper discussing the discovery is real not a hoax, but the findings have not been validated.

  • Dibnlib – surprised Dentist was working today – pleased it is all done – apart from paying for it, as you say!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for tomorrow!  Enjoy your celebrations whenever you have them – if you can’t choose between two favourite places, then do both!!  I also hope you will get to see Capers on Thursday.  Those lambs were a wonderful experience – didn’t see the actual births, but so soon after – the two younger triplets were still drying off, and as I said with the photos, lamb#3 got to his feet and took his first steps as we watched.  The young lad was so thrilled and proud, and the family were all excited too – Grandfather (supposedly retired, but lives in his boots and overalls in case he is needed!) said they were the first Lambs in the steading for 63 years!, although the son does have a flock on some rented land!

    Alan – how lovely for your Daughter living in Rosemarkie – so many opportunities to see the Dolphins!  Great for you to have Granddaughter overnight – ours are usually too busy these days, although we are on call for emergencies while the parents escape when they are both at summer camp in July – elder one as a young leader.

    Diane – thanks for links – will read about Higgs Boson tomorrow.  Hope your weather today is less threatening!

     

    Didn’t do much today in the end!  Both felt quite lethargic, so mostly enjoyed a lazy Bank Hol.  I spent some time sorting the photos (as you may have noticed!).  Moving on tomorrow to three days which included Ospreys! 

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  •   Diane wrote -If this is true, it will be the discovery of the millennium! Scientists may have found the Higgs boson, the so-called "God Particle" -- the elusive particle that gives all other particles mass. In other words, it creates matter.

    I read it in the Daily Telegraph and am hoping it is true and it can be verified.  Will make very interesting reading if so!!!!!

    HeatherB so glad you and the family enjoyed your narrowboating holiday and managed to navigate parts of 3 canals. Countryside round and about is glorious as I know a little of the are around Llangollen.

    Lindybird - Thanks for the Monday smiles, but those poor doggies..

    OG - Love the pics of the coos! So glad you were able to meet up with son and have a good long talk, lets hope it he is feeling much better re job.

    Been out and about today - morning we had to take some things up to the tip. Later went out for lunch, into Leicestershire and found a very nice pub.  Also been trying to book a holiday in France and managed to find a suitable cottage. Going in June for a week in the Pas de Calais region - its not too far to drive from Calais to the place.

    Dibnib - Congratulations on 31 years of marrieage and do hope you enjoy your meal - when you decide where to go!!!!!

    Hi to Annette and Barbara Jean and all I haven't mentioned.

  • Grrr. I could not get on the site at all yesterday. It was Anzac Day here, when we remember all those who went to war. Perhaps to Aussies a more significant day than Remembrance Day. Dawn services at many war memorials (remembering the 1915 dawn landing at Gallipoli) and later a march in the cities. In Adelaide the old diggers march from the War Memorial to the Cross of Sacrifice for a service. Then off to the pub with their mates. Today is the public holiday for "Easter Monday". Some shops allowed to be open for those shopaholics who cannot survive more than 3 days without a purchase!

    Cirrus, Tiger, OG, Sheila, Linda, Alan, Chloe, Dibnlib, Annette, Brenda, Diane, Terry, Wendy, Lynette, Joan - Thank you for Easter greetings. Apologies to anyone I’ve missed.

    Sheila, Alan, Tiger - I also use churches as resting places when travelling as no-one bothers if I just sit & let my knees recover.

    OG - I enjoyed your travels. They brought back memories of traipsing around Culloden soon after opening before the hordes of tourists descended. And Clava Cairns too. Great pics. How exciting for the young owner of the ewes.

    Heather - Sounds like a great relaxing holiday - I take it you were not in the galley all day.

    Thank you Terry for birthday wishes. Yes, ‘tis today. I expect Dau#2 & sil this afternoon so I had better flick a duster around!