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
Still very cold here - the sun is shining but no sign of the temperature rising above freezing. We had a little fresh snow overnight but nothing much compared to others.
OG - sorry about your allergic reaction to the present. Like Alan's Lady P, I am allergic to poinsettias - they bring me out in big blisters
Diane - what a night of baking you had - I bet you felt good after it though, and a lovely way to bring in your New Year's Day
I am not venturing out today - the pavements are like skating rinks - so the bird feeders are as far as I am going :))
The Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project diary has an interesting entry about the prey items they have found around the tower http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Good morning, Margobird! I understand that you all have had a lot of snow and ice now. Do be very careful walking outside! Stay upright!
Lindybird: I hope you don't have a painful lump on your head this morning. I read your post about hitting the mirror -- made me cringe just reading it. Take care!
Alan: Thanks much for the link about first-footing on Hogmanay. I got tickled when I read the suggested toasts. :-) Most of the people I am visiting today are older, and we have freezing rain/ice here this morning. I'm afraid that if I gave them all a wee dram, they'd go sliding and fall on their backsides! :-) Oh, and thank Hamish for the lovely card. He is quite a talented doggie, isn't he?
Aquilareen: I used to have a cat who looked just like Jasper. Her name was Boo-Boo. She loved me but loathed my husband from the beginning. She sat on top of the refrigerator early every morning, waiting for him to stagger sleepily into the kitchen for coffee. She would cuff him hard on top of the head and then hide in the cabinets. Shortly after that, he became my ex-husband. That cat had better judgment about men than I did. LOL
OG: Loved the photo of the pied wagtail. I'm glad you are feeling better. What a shame about your present!
Gary: I read my Dad your post about your haircut. He nodded his head in sympathy and then in his slowest and best Midwestern drawl, he simply said, "Yup."
Just popped in, to wish everyone a happy Christmas - stay warm and stay safe!
I will be away following the "osprey trail" in a sense - all the studying of Google Earth has given me lots of new travel ideas, and I've booked a walking holiday based in the port of Tavira in the Algarve (S Portugal) - about half way between Rothes and Mallachie's departure points from Europe. I will be looking out for wintering ospreys, as the wetlands, lagoons and sand bars in the area seem the sort of places they would like. The weather forecast is warm but unfortunately, wet - just sorting out my wet weather gear!
Good morning Diane I am taking things very carefully. We only had a light dusting of snow a couple of days ago but it rained all day and evening yesterday and then froze solid. Also has some freezing fog this morning so roads and paths very slippery. Have only been out to defrost the birds feeders and put more food out and taking a great deal of care while I was doing it. Will not be venturing any further until the weather warms up as I am not good in the cold, poor circulation so really do feel the cold terribly. Gooed job all Christmas present shopping done and I am lucky as OH does all the food shopping. I am really spoilt in having such a kind and considerable OH. Have a good day.
Margobird
Happy christmas Sue and have a great trip. Sounds wonderful and I am "green" but in a nice way.
SueC have a wonderful holiday and hope you get to see some wintering ospreys. A very Happy Christmas and New Year to you.
Diane, wow, all that baking. Sounds wonderful and the smell, yummy! Funny storey about Boo Boo, had a laugh at that. Your dad sounds a very wise man!! LOL
Auntie, stay safe and warm. Same with everyone else, take it easy.
More shopping errands to be run today. Looking forward to Friday for a rest!
Gary - glad you enjoyed the shep pie, didn't expect you to remember who said it, there's so much info flying about it's hard to keep track of who said what ;)) I'm sure your hair will look long enough in a couple of weeks, and Annette, I think men have their hair cut too short just so they don't have to have it done very often. I cut my OH's and it's never too short! But it still doesn't get done very often...
OG - today's sea fog in the Solway is quite thick, I can't see the sea, let alone Criffel, which I could yesterday (and I'm only about 400 yards from the sea).
AQ - beautiful Jasper! and please keep sending pics of blue sky (with or without washing), we like to be reminded of warm weather.
Terry in Cumbria
Gary: My Dad is a man of few words, but he still manages to say a lot. :-)
TerryM: Your home sounds very beautiful!
Sue: Have a wonderful trip!
Hi Diane, I'm talking from work here, by the Solway, home is 10 miles inland. It was a bit dodgy travelling in today as there are a few slippy hills on the way (downhill coming to work, uphill going home). People are driving sensibly for a change! My home is not beautiful as I don't have any helpful elves either, in fact I think I might have the sort that move things around and hide them. Your Dad sounds very wise.