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.
OG, I could remember the starling and Shakespeare but not the play. Well done and thank you for finding the connection. I could have been up most of the night trying to remember! I loved to see your Daisy photograph. We haven't seen the sun here today, mostly rain and cloudy, so the daisies were just the thing to see.
Tiger, fantastic photographs on the Palemale site.
George/ Alan, I checked on Wikipidia for Traditional Scottish Recipes and found out how to make clootie dumplings. I also learnt that cloot is the piece of cloth that is used for steaming them.
Heron77, great to see you over here Paul. I know you will enjoy it.
Tiger : Thanks for the links tres interessant.
I forgot to say that when I was at Boundary Mill today I wanted to go on Santas Express but there was an hour and a half waiting time and we had to get back for the Thunderdog Hamishs walk. Lady P thought I was joking.
OG : The A1 improvements are complete as far north as Grantham. I am not sure about further north but it certainly is a lot better without those roundabouts. Despite all the improvements there was another accident today. It looked like a bad one judging by the state of the car and the fact that the road had to be closed.
Forgot earlier - I was very brave this morning and looked at the repair to the harling by the front door - well actually couldn't avoid it on the way out! It is only about 1/3 the size I expected from OH's description, and I think even I might not notice it if I didn't know it was there. So I am not so disappointed now!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG Here is a reference to the introduction of starlings to the USA. See http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Sturnus_vulgaris.html
Apparently they were introduced to Central Park about 1890. There were about 100 of them. Now there are millions of them.
I guess it is the reverse of the passenger pigeon.
Tiger Signature
Thanks, Tiger - getting quite interested in the distribution of starlings - didn't realise they were spread over so many countries!
Unknown said: Thanks, Tiger - getting quite interested in the distribution of starlings - didn't realise they were spread over so many countries!
Well as you know they are very determined birds.
DjoanS said: Evening all ... not been around for a few days ... had our trip to Dublin ... we had a wonderful time doing 'Christmassy' things and catching up with friends. The nicest thing was the fact that it was my partner who suggested the trip ... not something he usually does!!! Alan - I, too, was at Boundary Mill stores today ... but the one at Shiremoor on Tyneside ... didn't seem to come away with much ... but spent a lot :)) Maureen/Hilary ... I echo everyone else's comments ... good luck, keep positve ... and a big hug xx Took me forever to catch up on the blog here and the diary page ... so many posts and pics and info ... thoroughly enjoyed it all! Thanks everyone for making a bleak Saturday so entertaining.
Evening all ... not been around for a few days ... had our trip to Dublin ... we had a wonderful time doing 'Christmassy' things and catching up with friends. The nicest thing was the fact that it was my partner who suggested the trip ... not something he usually does!!!
Alan - I, too, was at Boundary Mill stores today ... but the one at Shiremoor on Tyneside ... didn't seem to come away with much ... but spent a lot :))
Maureen/Hilary ... I echo everyone else's comments ... good luck, keep positve ... and a big hug xx
Took me forever to catch up on the blog here and the diary page ... so many posts and pics and info ... thoroughly enjoyed it all! Thanks everyone for making a bleak Saturday so entertaining.
I am so glad you are being so positive and fighting it tooth nail and claw. You have many friends on here who will be supporting you as much as they can.
When I first joined the blog you were the first person to welcome me on board last year and I have never forgotten that kindness.
Love and hugs to you from me too
Lorraine xxx
Just about to start a new Weekly Chat thread for Sunday, December 13.