Weekly Chat, Sunday May 29, 2011

Had a disappointment this morning.  Hadn’t had a chance to sow later Carrots and Beetroots for autumn use – mainly due to rain and wind.  Determined not to miss May, and no rain and very little wind it was ideal.  After one row, my feet and legs hurt so much with balancing on springy soil that I had to admit defeat and let OH take over – very frustrating.   Should be able to do next year’s as rotation means they will be in a narrower part where I can just reach across.  I did sow the next trough of Lamb’s Lettuce (Corn Salad) in the greenhouse.

Garden is full of birds, including less usual Greenfinch (who has a child), Blue Tit and Coal Tit.  Up to seven Goldfinches at a time – still all adult.

Two appointments this afternoon – haircut and blood tests, so need to eat lunch now – replies later.

Have a good trip, Alicat!  - expect Bobbie is going with you?

Afternoon ALICAT  wondered where you were.  Glad all is sorted now and do enjoy your holiday.  How is Bobbie doing.

Afternoon all,

Thanks for all the chat too many posts to reply to them all.

TerryM: Thanks for the description of the second part of your trip.

Alicat : Enjoy your holiday and glad your internet connection is fixed.

Weather here was dry until lunchtime but now we  are getting heavy showers. Yesterday it rained for about 9 hours and the water butt is full again.

This morning we went to Barnwell CP to try a get a pic of the cygnets. They were on the nest the last time and I thought there were only 5 but it turns out there are actually 8 which must be a record for this pair. Previous best was 7. I had numerous attempts to get all 8 in the one pic and eventually succeeded:

Cygnet close up:

OG how frustrating for you not being able to do what you want to do.  You do have lots of birds in your garden, many more species than I see in minel.  Hope haircut and blood test goes well.

Lindybird Glad you missed the rain.  What a shame the weather spoilt the day yesterday especially when it is for charity.  You were very good ingoring the cake stalls.  All charities are having a hard time at the moment due to shortage of cash for many people.  We have to be a bit more watchful of the pennies now and have cut down on shows and meals out.  You will enjoy the Paul O'Grady book he is such a funny man.  Watched a bit on our local news last week and the latest animal he has rescued is a lamb that had been dumped in a wheely bin.  I hadn't realise that all the animals he has are all rescued. 

Alan such sweet pics of the cygnets and a good rate of success.

Morning all:

dibnlib: Thanks for explanation of disposable BBQs; sounds a lot cheaper than what we're looking at. We have a real charcoal one but it's messy and a propane gas one is easier to fire up.

Alicat: Great to see you back. Have a good vacation. Is Bobbie going along?

Margobird: Fountain is on order so who knows when it'll show up; stay tuned! Hammock at the ready for those afternoon naps though!

OG: Any chance one of those little mobile garden stools would help with planting - we have some here that have wheels and little bins to put things in too.

Lindybird: A shame when people go to trouble for a good cause and their efforts don't bring hoped-for results. Walked past the bake stalls eh, but not the Cheshire Cheese? Enjoy!

Alan: Gorgeous shot of cynets - so soft.

Hi lindybird and margo yes Bobbie is going with us margo, Bobbie is doing great thanks is got quite a few jobs to do before we go and got the packing to do yet but got a fews days yet don't go till saturday

Hi, all. Quick note while I take a break from cutting grass. Dang, it's hot here.

The downtown Indianapolis Peregrine Falcon nest has always been wildly successful. The peregrine pair (KathyQ and Kinney) are very experienced parents and nearly always raise 3-4 chicks to fledging.

But, sadly, this year has been distressing. Four eggs were laid. Two of the eggs didn't hatch. One chick survived for a while, but died. The remaining chick was just banded/ringed, and she appears fat, fiesty, and fit. Her name is Phoenix. So it looks like only one chick will fledge this year. Indiana's dreadful spring weather is probably the reason.

Indy Peregrine Falcons