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

  • Busy as usual OG ,  I see   ;-)

    Have just heard from Friends OH that she will be allowed home this afternoon, so that's good news.

    EDIT -   overlapped with Cirrus - Hi!  I want to know what colour Hollyhock, too!

  • OG - It’s not late here, about 8.15 pm but by now I’m usually curled up on the lounge with a book, except on those rare occasions when there is something worth watching on TV. I’ve finally caught up with the Norfolk eagles, owls and all the other interesting things to see on the "bird" blog. Jasper is much better, now they have found he is allergic to so many things, especially corn which is a major ingredient of cat biccies. So he has expensive corn-free bics from the vet. Gradually they are adding items to his diet, one at a time to check if a reaction. Boiled chicken, rice, pilchards, kangaroo are OK. He is rarely allowed outside as he is allergic to so many things in the garden. What brought this on, no idea.
    Time for me curtail my addiction LOL and close 'puter. G'night.

  • Good morning all, much cooler again today and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it does not rain on Friday, the latest weather forecast says there could be showers which would be a shame after all the good weather.

     

    Lindybird sorry you are suffering some side effects from your medication, hope you are able to cope with them.  Sorry to read that Buzxz is still not right, hoping he will be OK.  Good to see your friend is coming out of hospital this afternoon so she will be able to attend the street party on Friday as long as she takes it easy.

     

    Alan sorry Hamish's paw is still causing a problem, hopefully the Vet will be able to detect what is wrong and a cure given.

     

    BrendaH what a rotten time for you computer to start playing up.  Hope you get it back soon.

     

    Tiger  loved the link to the goose and her goslings, how wonderful those people stopped and helped her out.

     

    AW pleased you enjoyed your birthday and that cake looks scrummy, you did well to have some left over.

     

    Annette  you seem so busy at the moment, do take care and look after yourself..  Hope you will be able to see some of the Wedding if not all.

    original goldfinch you also seem to be so busy all the time.  Was pleased to read that your son is gaining more confidence now he knows what he is doing and also that he has been asked to preach, that will also boost his confidence too.

     

    TerryM thanks for rescuing the mother and her ducklings, this seems to happen a lot at this time of the year when they have left the nest.  I think it is often said that female ducks are not that intelligent at times, especially when they build a nest which is away from water. 

     

    Diane I will be thinking of you and I do hope that you will not suffer any flooding.  What a worry for you and it miust seem a long night when you are awake on storm/flood watch.  You take care and I hope the weather will calm down for you eventually.  I noticed the birds on Google yesterday and thought how lovely, a nice change from what they have on there as a rule.

     

    Heron77 sounds as though you thoroughly enjoyed going to the Falls of Clyde and seeing the peregrines.  From what they say on the blog you can get a really good view this year.

     

    WendyB yes there was trouble with jet skiers and the dolphins.  I am reallly against them becasue they make so much noise, come to near to the shore and then upset the wild life.  To be honest I think they should ban them.  Must have been nice for you to have a day off after all your hard work decorating.

     


    Can see some of you have been trouble my nuisance calls.  Get them now and again but have the telephome preference service but there are still a few that get through.  We used to live in a flat and had numerous calls about conservatories so to stop them rabbiting on I used to let them go all through the sales chat and then ask them to come and measure up and finish off the conversation by saying that we did live in a second floor flat so it might be difficult.  I only did this with one particular firm who continually called despite telling them the property was a flat.  Needless to say we did not get any further calls.  Don't really like being unpleasant because they are only trying to do their job.  The other annoying this was that they always called when we were eating our dinner which is even worse.

     

     

    Just to update you on Billie she has been sitting just inside my front room this morning.  She stayed for about an hour but has now gone to one her many hiding places under a plant to sleep a good part of the day away.

    Hope everyone has a good day and take care of yourselves.

    Margobird

  • Night night AQ.  See you later!  But first, poor Jasper.  Has he always had allergies, or is this something which has grown as he gets older?  Your mention of kangaroo meat, reminds me that way back in the 70s the supermarkets (probably Sainsbury in those days) tried to sell both kangaroo meat and ostrich as being very low fat meat, much like venison.  I quite enjoyed both, but I don't think I've seen it around recently.  Mmm!  the cake looks and sounds delicious!  I looked up the recipe and was surprised to find it included yeast, or perhaps there are variations.

    OG so glad to hear your son is steeling in and enjoying his job  It must be quite a relief to you too.  Well done on your success with the fritillaria.  I have tried, but none has ever come up.  Perhaps the mice like the bulbs, or they don't like chalky soil?  So sorry you were not successful in the photo competition.  Given how wonderful the photos you show us are, the standard must have been extremely high.

    Alan thank you for letting us know of the death of the female Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle.  How terribly sad.  I tried to check in on the webcam but wasn't successful.  The blog on the rhs of the screen suggested it was up.  It's a bit cheesy, but I see that a YouTube tribute has already been done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiaxuiAtRw

    Diane oh dear, so worried about you and all the rain you are experiencing.  I do hope the downpour forecast for later fails to arrive.  I was reading that Illinois is also experiencing horrendous weather.  Is it all part of the same system?  I do hope you do not have to stay up all night, it will be so tiring for you.  Stay safe.

    TerryM  It is good to hear you are enjoying your time at Bassenthwaite.  And well done for helping the ducklings!

    Margo I wondered whether you spotted that Paul/Gyr Falcon put a link to a short RSPB film on the main blog.  I will really give you an idea of the forward hide!  http://www.rspb.org.uk/film/8613592.aspx   although the heading under the title appears to be incorrect and refers to another film with the osprey title but is about Abernethy!  http://www.rspb.org.uk/film/8612288.aspx   Enjoy!

    Lindy I am sorry to hear that Buzz isn't 100 per cent - as you say, its a waiting game.  However, it is good news that your medication is helping your problem, but sorry about the side effects.  I remember having very strong painkillers for my back, but it caused constipation - which in itself was a problem with a bad back!  I gave up the painkillers!

    Brenda Oh dear, mother board problems!!??  I take it that the symptoms have induced a terminal prognosis.  A replacement is required, call the computer surgeon.  I hope all is well soon.

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • I've just discovered that it's not the Community pages that are at fault with slowness!!  I've just been visiting my bank online . Just as slow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  so it must be my ISP  - drat and double drat

  • Oh, no. I mean really OH NO - I don't want to know do I  ... 

    I just  can't go and read anything about it right now. Do we know how she died? I feel so wretched. I didn't know until now reading Sheila's post.

    She was struck by a b...... aircraft

     

     

     

    Alan thank you for letting us know of the death of the female Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle.  How terribly sad.  I tried to check in on the webcam but wasn't successful.  The blog on the rhs of the screen suggested it was up.  It's a bit cheesy, but I see that a YouTube tribute has already been done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiaxuiAtRw

  • Cirrus I am still blubbing after reading what happened.  It was a plane strike and apparently another eagle was killed in the same way a couple of weeks ago.  Having watched this nest a lot while waiting for our ospreys it just seems so tragic. 

    Margobird

  • I'm heart broken Margo - too, I've been watching as well

  • Unknown said:

    I'm heart broken Margo - too, I've been watching as well

    I have started a dedicated thread at  Tragic News for Norfolk Eagles.

  • ALAN   Loved your pics of the blackbird. now find one that OH took yesterday of our 1 year old Crab Apple Tree in all its' spring glory