See that Annette has been too busy perhaps, to start a new week, so I'm doing the honours. Rather wet in this part of the world this morning, so doing lots of tidying & Christmas preparing stuff.
Thanks Margobird and Lindybird:) I caught her "mid lick" which she does after eating something very tasty (well, for her anyway!!)
She is happy to be out in it, and Nancy. I opened their doors this morning as was almost knocked over in the rush to get out there!! They had a few minutes of throwing it up in the air with their noses:)
Lindybird, perfect name for your cat and wonderful she was so special. Clover (the horse) is named after her dad, apparently.
Have a lovely vision of your horses larking about in the snow, now, Gary. Hope its not too cold there. Can't even imagine being that cold & then not having electricity, but do you have a nice log fireplace, or even a log burning stove?
Husband has bought me the Roy Dennis book for Christmas, I ordered it myself from Amazon & tried not to look at it when it arrived. Also got one of the RSPB Guides which someone else here recommended.
Margobird: Its a nice feeling when you are getting on top of the shopping & wrapping, but unlike you, I'm not there yet!
Tiger: Great idea about the Countdown Clock for Ospreys! Suppose we'll just have to content ourselves with the odd reminder now & then that its getting nearer & nearer....
auntie: Sounds grim there, keep warm & dry.
Alan: Like you, we've finished putting up our outside lights today, including the remaining icicles on the front of the house, which flash in a jolly way, & also a really colourful set of winking multicoloured ones in the apple tree at the rear, which really only we can see & enjoy, but which I can watch from the kitchen window when I sing carols while at the sink... (Sad, isnt it ?!!)
Damp & dull here today, but at least its not as cold. Better weather forecast for the next few days,but frosty mornings ahead. Have been giving my garden birds home-made bird cake as an extra.
Lindybird, luckily it isn't too cold today and it is raining now! We do have a wood fire place so we can keep warm and a gas hob so can cook. However, most people have their own well here for water (I'm sure Diane is the same, not sure about Caerann/Annette who are closer to towns I think) so if the pump can't work there is no water! When there are long term issues like those other places in the State, the towns open shelters so people can stay there until the utilities are back on.
Glad you have done lights and nice to be happy at this time of year:) Are you signing along to carols or with no music?!?
Me, I'll sing to anything or nothing! Probably got a lousy voice though (I did get thrown out of the school choir once which I had joined to get out of doing geography). Love to hear all the Christmas pop songs on the radio, both old & new.
Gary, as ever, that is a lovely photo, although to just look at it makes me feel cold, but having said that I still enjoy building a snowman and the odd snowball fight. I have just read the BBC weather report for the winter storm, which looks bad, but I was also fascinated by a warning of 90cm (3ft) lake effect snow, which will fall down wind of Lakes Erie and Ontario. I remember there was a discussion on 'lake effect snow' on here earlier this year. I had never heard of it before then. Anyhow, do take care to all, who may be affected by the very bad weather and I hope the forecasters have got it wrong.
Weather here has been so grey and dreary, with drizzle most of the day. Don't know how long it will take for the garden to dry.
gary a said: OG, good luck with the workmen today.
OG, good luck with the workmen today.
All going well (shhhh!). Tiler came - not the one we expected, but the one who did it wrong in the first place - but he seems to have put it right - and without blowing the floor! Final two fixes awaiting materials from Italy, but will now be able to use the shower! Roof trim proceeding well - they did blow the electirics today - that's what comes of using power tools in the rain! (and that was after OH had made their cables safe, because they "wouldn't work"!)
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG: Your workmen seem to revel in the drama of it. At least you're getting some progress at last. Isn't it damp & horrid today?
Unknown said: I was wondering what kind of winter tires you use? I know that Gary has some and I suppose that Caerann and Diane would need those too. But what about in UK? Do you change your car tires for winter?
I was wondering what kind of winter tires you use? I know that Gary has some and I suppose that Caerann and Diane would need those too. But what about in UK? Do you change your car tires for winter?
We rarely get enough snow or lying long enough to invest in winter tyres. We used to own a set of snow chains when we lived in Essex - last real snow we had was when we were down there in the south! - might have used them once! When daughter #1 was born in Essex, our farming neighbours took me to hospital through snow drifts!
Love the expression of a "sharp handshake" from the cat - ouch!!!
OG, I will whisper this so that none of your workmen hear me, but do you expect everything to be finished this week? So glad you will be able to use your shower. Hope you have a bottle of something ready to open and celebrate.
Using individual replies is getting tedious – reverting to a Word document then will copy!!!
Auntie – do try to get Roy Dennis’s book – it is full of fascinating Osprey facts and pictures, and he writes in a very easy style, so you would have no problem with the English. Details to order from Roy:
Price £18.99 plus post & packing in UK (£2 extra for one copy)
To buy a signed copy from me, email me for details of post & packing and an order form at roydennis@aol.com or send cheque and order to Roy Dennis, Middle Lodge, Dunphail, Moray, IV36 2QQ.
I am happy to mail books to other EU countries and worldwide, just email for airmail postage and packing, and arrangements
Gary – lovely picture of Clover – hope her wet tongue doesn’t freeze to the mineral block!!
Lindybird – enjoy your sink singing!!! Weather here not special, but improving. Apparently bright and cold to follow – cold I can live with so long as we get some daylight!