Afternoon all: Geez. May already? This happens every year!
Sitting in garden with laptop! Under umbrella in shorts and trying to ID a pale pink hybrid rose I didn't think I'd bought but which is now blooming like mad. I went out to buy orange/apricot/peach and yellow roses and have no idea how this pale pink one got into the mix. Also, it doesn't have a little metal label, which the others do, and I'm wondering if it didn't get into the wrong bin at La Sumida, where I bought six bare roots. In the meantime, Amber Flower Carpet and Julia Child roses are doing brilliantly... Met friends for breakfast this morning: Had a egg-white and seasonal veggie mix - won't make that mistake again! Very boring and challenging since nothing stayed on my fork. Was forced to rectify the situation with a cafe au lait and a boysenberry and lemon scone!
Diane: I have a visor and a sweathshirt with a hood that I wear on windy days at the whale count. That's it! Daughter has several cowboy hats, including one with a woven decorative band she made from hair taken from Cimarron's tail (the horse she had to put down Feb 10). I'll check out Trucker Steve next.
Alicat: Bet you had fun with Bobbie. Have you sorted your naughty OH yet? :-)
Wendy: Dolphin visit sounds like fun.
Sheila: Argh! Take care of that knee. Geez. A 1.5 hour wait for food? Did everyone complain loudly? Apparently, several of our channels repeated the wedding video throughout the day yesterday; I'm watching the recording a bit at a time; can't stand to be inside on a lovely day.
OG: More fab azaleas! Good news that son is trying the part-time option; hope it works out for him. Really understand "more money than sense," which also applies to grandson who, sad to say, doesn't have much money, so .....! Still, he's young yet and as always, we live in hopes. Little vole looks awfully sweet.
Hallo also to Lynette. It's past 4; can now officially start new Weekly Chat!
Cirrus: auntie was on here only the other day - I'm sure she is fine, just busy working. We don't hear from Trish nowadays which is a shame - come back, Trish! if you are reading!
Diane: Will check out your links later - it will be a lot to do, as I am an Owl/Whale/Space person!!!!!
Diane - I really appreciate your ''space'' reports - and always enjoy wild life videos, thank you very much
Oh yes, Lindy - Trish - hope she's OK too
Thanks, all, for overnight posts.
Margo – very pleased that Billie is spending so much time with you indoors and being more affectionate.
Wendy – unfortunate about woodlands being cut – difficult choices between harvesting a crop, road safety on the margins and preserving biodiversity. We recently saw some trees harvested which were a “corridor” for Roe Deer between two larger patches of forest – at least we don’t see so many killed on the road now, but it means they are living in restricted areas and in-breeding is more likely.
Lynette – nice to have Daughter at home to cook when you were tired – at least you will be less tired today after Swim and gym without shopping!
Gary – that Toffee is growing into a most beautiful young lady, and looking so calm and sensible in the first photo – and very well-behaved meeting Clover in the second. I hope they can become friends.
Diane – great to see a long post from you without having to rush off because of threatening storms – but sorry you still have the rain. I don’t usually like photos of me, but was quite pleased with that one! Thanks for links – hope to have time to look at them later.
Annette – so pleased about the good Whale Count – during your shift and this year in general.
Cirrus – I think we’ve only had two posts in one day from Tish this year – I hope I didn’t upset her by mentioning Maureen. Auntie was here at the weekend – she went to see Ospreys on three consecutive days off!
Lindy – it does seem a while since we heard from Trish2 and Mia’s training evenings! I hope your day is not too busy.
Now must get things done myself!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
After so many "Sundays" in a row afterall the Bank Holidays a Tuesday smile for those of you returning to work today!!!
Morning all. Thanks for the good wishes and for the beautiful flowers.
You are all such talented photographers - too many pics to comment on all. Gary The pic of Toffee and the horse is great, also Wendyb, Daisy (have I got the name right?), looking so closely into camera! Aren't some dogs real posers?
Diane (and others) Unfortunately our Fire and Rescue service believe most of the gorse fires were started deliberately. We often have a spell of dry weather at this time of year (though the current one is exceptional) and, as the green vegetation isn't yet fully grown, the dry gorse and heather ignites very easily. I know what I'd like to do to the fire-raisers! It's to be hoped there will be no deaths as a result. Rain is forecast for tomorrow and Thursday so that should help.
I've just been sent news links from my Scottish friend about the fires. Six people and a dog were airlifted from the Torridon mountains, where fire covered a nine square miles, including a large Scots pine regeneration forest. This "is one of at least 29 fires across the north-west Highlands." Other large fires were at Glenshiel in Torridon, Dundonnel near Ullapool and Inverkirkaig, Sutherland - the latter is where we are off to later in the month! I was also concerned about the news of new fires at Lochailort (SE of Arisaig), Kinlochleven in Lochaber, near Glencoe. Closer to 'home' was a fire at Dava woods and I know that Wendy has spoken of the Dava moor scenic route. I do hope it is not too close to you Wendy. There are also reports of fires in England, including Lancashire. With little rain forecast it does not bode well. Although I don't want rain on my holiday, if it helps put the fires out I will live with it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13264463
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13253420
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Morning ALL. Another sunny but cold windy day here.
Patricia: So sorry to hear about Nell. She has been part of your family for such a long time.
Terry, If you do have time to look in before you go away, do have a fantastic holiday and I hope the weather is fine and sunny for you.
Alan, Thanks for the video tribute to the Eagle. I think Linda's reply to you was perfect.
Sheila, A brilliant series of photographs of your garden wildlife.
Wendy, So jealous of your bird sightings including three ospreys, fantastic.
OG, Lovely picture of yourself and your friend.You haven't changed at all since we last saw you!! Thanks for your super EJ photographs.
Margo, That is such happy news about Bilie. I would think that after she has spent time in a cattery, if not before, she will stop going out during the night.
Gary, TT looks so well behaved and grown up already. Glad the roof repairs weren't too expensive.
Lynette, Always good when somebody else cooks dinner. Our son and daughter never cooked anything when still at home but now ,they are both excellent cooks and enjoy doing it.
Annette, Pleased to hear your whale count is ahead of recent years, but to see two adults breach must have been so exciting.
Cirrus, I often wonder if Tish is still watching and reading, but has chosen not to join in this year. Hope all is well with her.
Diane, Thanks for those links. I will look at them later. Great to see you are able to stay on line now, without all those storm warnings.
Really must start some HW. Hello to All I haven't mentioned.
Well, Brenda - Tish has actually posted this year. (much earlier) I remember two comments (I think) I know she has had computer problems - just hope that's all the problems she has had
Good morning all now for some replies asd I was not on for logn last evening, London trip caught up with me. We spent a nice day with OH's Mum and had a a really good meal in a French Restuarant which is a small chain but it was excellent and probably eat too much but not to worry. We thought it would be really busy up in London but it was very quite which suited me as I don't cope very well in crowds. Sunday we took another friend out for a Chinese Buffet lunch, all you can eat for £8.75. It is our favourite Chinese so once again probably had far too much to eat but it was so nice just can' resist going back for several helping. Took things a lot easier yesterday food wise.
Billie is giving us so much pleasure now. I know I am repeating myself but this little girl who used to run a mile when she saw us is now happy in our company and just enjoys being in with us. She still goes out at night and she was here just now but has decided to go out and bask in the sun. Warmed up a bit now was quite chilly earlier. Talks to us all the time and asks to go out when she wants to. OH used to think she was completely ferral but I always said I didn't think she was and the way she acts with us just proves that. No idea how old she is but when we think the time is right to try and put her in a animal carrier will take her to the vet who might be able to give us an idea of her age.
I thought it was a bit of a shame about the member of the clergy had a bit of a telling off about the cartwheel on the red carpet. The joy of Friday made everyone feel better.
I feel slightly worried about the Bin Laden thing. I just think there will be retaliation and it could happen anywhere. Don't want any repeats of earlier bombings etc.
dibnli so pleased you had a good walk along the canal and thanks for the pics including Dillon, he does look a lovely dog.
Lindybird so pleased you enjoyed your day with Tomasz and to hear that he is such a happy little boy. Thanks too for the Monday Smiles, they suited me down to the ground.
Tiger my heart sank when I read your first post about Lily. They must have been so worried for her and I was so glad to see another post saying she was back to normal. Just read the latest update and it appears she still has a bit of an upset tummy but the vet has told them this is normal at this time of the year.
ALIcAT so pleased Bobbie enjoyed his first walk, there will be no stopping her now.
original goldfinch so pleased your son did well at church. That must have really boosted his confidence. Thanks for the pics of LG, just stunning.
Annette glad you were feeling a bit better and I hope your OH will recover soon. How lucky you were seeing so many whales must have been a wonderful sight.
Brenda H we were very surprisd at how quite it was in London on Saturday. Think they must have all gone home to catch up with some sleep after the excitement of the wedding.
TerryM so glad you are enjoying your volunteering at Bassenthwaite but can believe ti was very cold for you. Evenings and early mornings are pretty chilly here. Once the sun is up it soon warms up though.
WendybB how thrilled you must have been to see ospreys. Can't wait until I see them for real now. Thanks for the Tusday Smile, is that your dog or your daughter's.
SheilaFE thaniks for the photosw of the yellowhammer, and the cock and hens and also the fox, no wonder they looked a bit nervous. Just seen your post about fires. As you probably know we get quite a few down here. Usually started deliberately and doing untold damage to wild life habitat. As yet there have been no injuries or deaths but there have been some that have been really close to houses. One of these days someone will lose their life even though constant warnings are given out.
Diane so you had a chance to use the new lawn mower. You must be so relieved that the tornadoes have moved off now but you now have rain. Here in Dorset we have hardly had any rain since March and really need it now so perhaps you could direct it here.
Gary tanks for the pics of Toffee and Clover. I wonder what they were thinking as they studed one another. she has grown so much now and she is a beautiful dog.
Cirrus I am being totally spoilt with trips away this year. As you say Florence for 4 days on May 18 and then following that Loch Garten, then a day out in July for a Falcon Experience day in the New Forest, this is my Boxing Day birthday present. To finish off we are off to Sorrento for 10 days at the end of August. It is probable that we won't be going away at all next year although we might fit a few days in Rome in, but will have to wait and see if we can really afford that. OH totally spoils me and says that is what he works for as he enjoys travelling too. His thoughts are that we never know what is around the corner and should do all these things (money permitting) while we can.
Better stop chabbering away now and hopefully I will be able to keep up with things this week. Have a good day all.
Margobird
GOOD FOR YOUR OH MARGO, he's got the right idea
Now, where can I get an OH like him ......