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!
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Cirrus you mention folk we haven't 'seen' lately - another I would love to hear from again is Kelloggs, from Cape Breton Island. I wonder how she is.And Caerann Sheila
Betws-y- Coed Alan ! Beautiful spot. I know it well having lived in N Wales for years as a child. Ah … a Scandanavian egg. Brilliant.
Big a bigger ahhhhh for your cuddly toy :) he’s lovely.
Oh OG keep posting , keep posting – your pics are always such good viewing
Chloe - such brilliant photos !! Thanks for sharing them
So pleased the orchestra had a ‘good work out’ at the concert Annette :) but hope you enjoyed it too.
Morning to you too Lindy
Have just read back -- OG: Put on All your Osprey pics! please - we can't get enough!
Terry: Have a great holiday, I think you said you were going in a couple of days.
margo: I think you should let us all borrow your wonderful OH on a rota basis - I'm 1st on the List! Tell him we are all queuing up, for a week at least of his company! Glad you enjoyed your meals out and that Billie is doing so well.
Tiger: Thanks for pics of the Goose and babies - I did a double take!
Forgot to say before, how good it is to hear that Lily the Bear is OK now - I suppose they must have tummy troubles and 'off' days like the rest of us. What a worry for the team looking out for them.
Lynette: Sorry to hear about your OH's health problems - hope the Doc's can sort him out.
Alicat: Great pictures of little Bobbie - enjoying herself outside at last. The first of many outings, and lots of fun to look forward to in the future.
My Eldest rang yesterday - got back from Paris after a great few days there, only one day of bad weather when Girlfriend dragged him off to a Gallery. Did all the usual things - saw the Eiffel Tower, dined on a boat on the Seine, and sat in pavement cafe's. He only has to go to work for 2 days this week, then its time off again, so he is nicely relaxed and cheerful. (he works in the IT industry).
I went to see my Friend and do a little ironing - she is looking better after a couple of days when she stayed in bed, feeling rotten, but is recovering now. They were able to attend a Street Party & Hog Roast in the village on Friday last.
Must go and do boring H.worky things....
Hi Cirrus! Not long now till they hatch! - so exciting to think we have an Osprey season ahead of us!
Nearly forgot Annette: Glad you enjoyed your concert - I often wonder if the violinists get 'tennis elbow' as they work so hard!
And Alan: Poor Hamish! didn't realise that the paw problem was still ongoing. Sure the Vet can sort him out in time for your hols. Hope you get good weather in N. Wales, it can be so lovely at this time of year.
Hello everyone. Just thought I would take some time out from the garden to tell you of my walk yesterday afternoon. It was warm and sunny with just a light breeze, and I decided I needed an afternoon away from the garden. In this part of Scotland days like that are rare. There is usually a good blow even on the warmest days.
Troup Head isn't very far from me but until the past few years it was difficult to find and only for the stout-hearted......and stoutly shod. Now the RSPB have done a good job of making it more accessable (sp). It now has a car park and trail signs. One still has to drive thro' two working farmyards but the farmers are friendly and co-operative.
The trail starts on a heathland and passes thro' an avenue of Whins, in full blossom at the moment. They were dressed in gold and the air was full of their delicious scent of coconut butter. Skylarks were singing and pipits were flitting about in front of me. Then I saw the cliffs, and they were buzzing with white birds.
I walked along the cliff edge, quite safe if you stick to the path, and Gannets and Fulmars were flying past my shoulder. I could look them in the eye! Stunningly well adapted for their lifestyle and very beautiful. The Gannet with stiletto bill and creamy neck and so sleek! And the Fulmar, sometimes known as 'old wooden wings' in Ireland, soft grey wings held out stiffly and apparently not moving them, just gliding until they reach their ledge. Oh! and I nearly forgot!! How could I when their distinctive call was loud and clear? The little Kittiwake.
I got the bins up and then saw Guillemots on their nests on the lower cliff edges and Eider on the water which was sparkling in the sun. On the path back Wheatears were flashing their white rumps. Altogether, for me, a magical afternoon not experienced since my days on Rathlin Island.
Anyone suffering from vertigo should try one of the boat trips that leave MacDuff or Pennan if the weather is kind.
Hope I haven't taken up a lot of time and space. I do tend to wax long and lyrical at times of pleasure.
The mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open.
Glad your son had a good time in Paris, Lindy, and is feeling relaxed. The IT industry can be so stressful at times. Good news too that your friend seems to be recovering well.
What a splendid account QW – I felt I was right along side you. Beautifully described. I’ve been working hard on the ole HW today because I haven’t actually done any for about 6 weeks. I was feeling exhausted and especially so because my cardiovascular system isn’t returning the blood from my extremities to my heart as well as it might at the moment; so upstairs to the PC to see if there were any posts I’d missed. I found yours. And reading it immediately started the de-stressing program in my brain. Thank you and take up as much time and space as you like dear. :)
And now to wash the kitchen floor before a proper sit down with a coffee and Birds magazine, which arrived yesterday and has a Gannet on the front cover QW :)
I've just read the saddest story about a pair of Barn Owls in the current Birds mazazine. Letter from a member of the public in North Yorkshire. Wish I hadn't read it . I feel thoroughly miserable.
Thank You QW, for your wonderful description of your glorious walk! So well described, and as Cirrus says, I was right alongside you there for a while.... Didn't know that about Fulmars.
Good morning all. Some replies as promised.
Lynette – so sorry your OH has yet another medical problem – and another long wait to see a consultant. Son is now off work with a tummy bug – and cannot return to the kitchen for 72 hours after any symptoms. It’s possible they may have him in for cleaning on Friday when there is no food prep going on. He feels bad about it after their new arrangement for him.
Wendy – will try road to Lochindorb some time when we are up – maybe not this August when there are a lot of tourists on the road! Am sending some of my flying Osprey photos to Son to help him ID when he sees them!
Alan – lovely capture from Rome Peregrines. Lovely photo of cuddly toy Hamish – does he really need a trip to the groomers?
Alicat – lovely photos – that first one really shows how tiny Bobbie is!
Chloe – loved your really well-defined blue-sky photos from Avielochan – often wondered whether Osprey ever fish there. By the way – the wayward Amaryllis now has two leaves again.
Lindy – having to juggle bedding plants here too because of colder nights – we’ve not had late frost here before, but never say never! Pleased your friend got to the village party, and hope her good recovery continues.
Quietwoman – what a lovely description of your visit to Troup Head – your enjoyment and enthusiasm bubbled out through the words! I love all seabirds, but I think the Kittiwake is my favourite.
Cirrus – sorry you are having cardio-vascular problems – do take care of yourself.
Here we go, then - the most successful Osprey:
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lovely Osprey pics, OG - that was a big fish! Thanks for posting them.
Have just found a story which is sort of bird related, in that its about people being up amongst the birds!
It's in China, and is quite amazing....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13274947
Good morning all Cirrus was sorry to read that you have not been feeling at your best. I have very poor circulation which means I suffer from the cold terribly and I definitley cannot walk like I used to after having angioplasty for a blocked artery a few years ago. Hope you will feel a lot better soon.
quietwoman such a lovely post and I agree with cirrus felt myself relaxing as you described your magical walk so beautifully.
Lindybird I will tell OH that that, he will be very amused. Of course you will have to put up with him being rather absent minded at times and he is not too good at multi-tasking either, easily confused if you ask him to do two things at once. Still these are just minor things and I wouldn't expect hin to change in any way.
So nice that your son had a relazing time in Paris, I should imagine hiw line of work is very stressful. Pleased also that your friend is feeling a little better, she has certainly gone through so much and must be so happy to have you as her friend. Billie knows how to work my OH now as well. I have stopped him from going on the furniture but last evening she got up from where she was laying, walked over to him, miowed and promptly joined him on the settee, cuddled right up to him. She has been curled up by my feet this morning but has just gone out to sprawl out in the sun. One cute cat that certainly knows show to relax. She is quite contrary though, we stopped putting milk out for her as she wasn't drinking it but last night we put a bowl out for her and she drank the lot. Has been drinking water from the bird batch and pond but has suddenly decided she will have some milk again.
ChloeB and original goldfinch thanks for the osprey pics. Wonderful views of them.
Margobird