Hi folks: Don't forget to check the last pages of the previous chat for links, comments, and all the usual twaddle. :-)
Good morning, all!
It is 4:30 AM here, and I have just finished the holiday baking. I made little cakes and cookies (I think you all would call them biscuits?) all night. Exhausting, but the house sure smells good from all that baking -- lots of chocolate! Now I will light some candles, say a prayer, and prepare to welcome the new dawn after yesterday's Solstice. Later, I'll deliver the baked goods to friends and family. It is sort of a "first-footing" tradition, except that I think you Scots do this at Hogmanay (?). But for me, this is New Year's Day, because today's dawn marks the return of the Sun and the growing light. Enjoy your day, everyone!
Good morning all – just to report that I’m fine after the pressie experience and I slept late this morning. Early morning mist – now the sun is bright. Possibly temp above zero, but not sure.
Auntie - pleased to read that you have a more usual level of snow now – we had a card from our friend in Finland yesterday, and he commented on extremely low temperature with not much snow.
My word, Diane, what a busy night! But it sounds a lovely idea behind all that baking, and I guess being busy is a good way to stay awake!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
H eron 77 You made feel colder than I was already feeling. Have just spent over an hour getting my bird feeders sorted out. We had rain all day yesterday which froze so I have had to scrape the food off the trays with a knife before I could wash and disinfectant them. Then there was the problem of getting the dustbin lid open whic I eventually managed. Freezing fog first thing as well so not pleasant on minor roads. Sn out now but bitterly cold and I have to say I had a lot more clothes on than you but still got absolutely frozen. I am going to spoil myself now and have a coffee with a little bit of brandy in. That will soon warm me up. Sun out now and clear blue sky but more frost tonight. Have a good day and keep warm and upright.
Margobird
OG : Sorry about the allergic reaction to the pressie. A few years ago we had a poinsettia as a present and it made Lady P s eyes very sore and itchy. We could not figure out what was causing it until we checked on the internet and discovered they can cause allergic reactions. We removed the offending plant and all was well.
Diane : First footing is a tradition on Hogmanay in Scotland.
http://www.new-year.co.uk/firstfoot.html
The weather is still causing chaos. Yesterday Lady P s brother and his wife went to Luton Airport hoping to fly off to Malta for two weeks. The plane was due to leave at 4pm but sat on the runway for 2 hours then they were told the airport was closed due to the snow. They are now back home deciding what to do next.
We have had a wren,robin,sparrow,male and female blackbird, magpie,collared dove and a pigeon in the garden today.
Weather :
Overcast and gloomy , dry , Temp -0.6c , Uncomfortably cold , feels like -6c , Sunrise 08:09 Sunset 15:49.
Good morning auntie my word it is cold for you. Cold here as well temperatures not as low as yours. Weather here causing many problems on the roads, trains and airports. Lots of people had to be rescued from cars stuck in the snow last night in Hampshire which is the next county to Dorset. Things improving a bit but we do not cope very well with snowy weather in the UK. Keep warm and safe if you are in the car.
Hello Annette my husband is very wary around other drivers. He is a good driver and I drive him mad when I am in the car because of the awful driving of other drivers. We had freezing fog this morning and part of his journey was a bit hair raising as the minor roads are like skating rinks. Have been out with food for my birds as I had to change it, we had rain all day yesterday and the food was frozen solid on to the trays. Got absolutely frozen doing it but it is worth it for the pleasure they give me. Have a good day.
Good morning original goldfinch sorry to hear about your nasty allergic reaction, does make you wonder sometimes what they put in things. Hope you are OK now and have a good day.
Morning Gary you made me laugh with your haircut story. My OH has his cut very short and I hate it for the first couple of weeks. I always say he looks like a skinhead.
aquilareen Jasper is lovely and just love his eyes. Hope you are OK.
original goldfich thanks for the photo of the pied wagtail. Such cheeky lttle birds. My 2 regulars were in early this morning in the fog and frost.