Hi all: Here's to a problem-free week on the site. Check out the last week's final page or so for updates from everyone, including one from Maureen (HillaryH) who's back with us after a hospital stay due to a chest infection and wants directions to Google Earth. Maureen - assume you downloaded GE before? If not, just go to http://earth.google.com/ and click on the Download Google Earth 5 button at right. I can't remember right now how to load Rothes and Mallachie's route; perhaps someone else will let you know if you need additional info. Glad you're back!
Alan posted a hummingbird link (http://vimeo.com/hummingbirds#8409299) for those who missed it and the week's chat ended with a long post from OG, who'd been composing it for days but was unable to get it on the site due to the techy problems! And no OG, haven't attempted the printer-wireless problem yet; can only handle one techy problem at week it seems!!
Have a nice Sunday all. Let's see if this posts
I forgot to give the link for this Australian osprey nest. There is no webcam but the news is updated by good old still photography.
It seems that this new pair have raised one chick this year.Apparently the old one eyed female from last year disappeared. However the male lost no time in getting a new partner.
It is a rather bizarre forum structure. See http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1064969/
The only way I know how to navigate this forum is by the links at the top and bottom of the page.
Tiger Signature
I want to get this on before Annette (probably) starts the new chat tonight.
Weather: just under 1cm this morning on top of the remaining snow. Briefly very slightly over +1 degree and very bright – forecast says not below zero tonight – not sure I believe that!
Birds: Seven Goldfinches at one time this morning. Saw Great-tit yesterday – hadn’t been around for a while. Definitely down to one Collar Dove now – maybe one of the pair, or they have gone away and this is just a loner. All the other numbers as usual.
Family: Dau#2 – with the broken boiler – had to have her 17 year old dog put down last week – 2 days before her own birthday on N-Y Day. Boiler has been temporarily repaired with a fettled seal due to weather crisis, but whole system is to be changed asap. Her boys have returned to uni, but left their igloo in the garden. Dau#1 and Son have much more snow than us and are learning new driving skills – Granddaughters’ school and college are not closed.
That database (for Annette): Two charitable organisations had a joint d/base, not Microsoft but some ancient commercially compiled system. It is partially divided up, but with the addresses only accessible on the original combined version. It is not fully alphabetical, so nobody has been able to identify duplicates and due to the way it has been used for entries, there are many of them! OH volunteered to set up a new “all-singing and dancing” Msoft Access database, complete with loads of option buttons etc for entry and retrieval. He added the basic data and checked that it worked with the main user. He reduced 6,000 entries to about 2,000. We are now retrieving the address data from the old database manually from a printed copy because of the change in format, so I am reading back 2,000 addresses, phone numbers and emails when he calls out the names! At the same time we are identifying incorrect data such as mis-spellings, incompatible fields etc – luckily our British geography is very good, and we can also use the Royal Mail website for checking addresses. Well, you did ask!!!
Enjoyed reading through the recent days of everybody’s news and comments. We too have had to order extra food for the birds – but RSPB ground feed was out of stock!
Good morning Australia – good to hear from Wattle after a few days absence. Keep cool.
Good night Auntie and UK. Keep warm and safe.
Good early/late evening USA. Keep warm/cool and safe – special thoughts for Annette and Daughter.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
I declare Xmas definitely over. At last I've stopped walking around the pile of Xmas tree branches and packed all away in the garage. I did the decorations ages ago but waited until it was really hot to finish the task. LOL. Wattle - Sorry, but I can't wait for this heat to move on to you. Do you get it as high as us? You being inland I guess it is likely. For the chilly Northerners - When we get north winds, they have travelled across the vast hot dusty moistureless outback and, oh boy, do they dry everything out. That's when the already dry vegetation gets even drier, so bushfires are a big threat on those days. As well our eucalyotus trees are full of oil and burn all to readily. Those are the days that fire bugs decide to get their thrills. OG - I use MS Access for all my databases for our webpage. It is so great for searching & manipulation & stuff.
OK. If AQ has officially declared Christmas over, I declare this week's chat officially over and am now going to start the new thread.