Happy Sunday all UK folks and Hi to those in the Eastern US and Down Under and, of course, Auntie in Finland. Don't forget to check out the last posts from last week; I'll be back later to check on them myself!
Re missed BBC TV programmes, Sky and Virgin have had catch-up TV for some time. Now for me and others with Freesat (not Freeview to avoid confusion) the Beta version of Freesat BBC iPlayer is available via the red button on Humax Freesat HD equipment (others to follow, Panasonic, Sony, etc., when the system goes live) by entering the code 5483 in the top right hand corner of the screen and pressing OK. The quality is good on the HQ option (High Quality) and the Humax box needs to be connected to the internet via an ethernet cable, which is connected to the back of the router. A good broadband speed is required, see below. See the internet for other connection options, but these are reported to cause too much radio interference and I have no personal experience of them in any event.
I have been watching missed TV programmes this way for the last few weeks and find it quite satisfactory. All the channels except BBC HD are available.
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/bbc-iplayer-available-from-next-week?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+joinfreesat+%28Join+Freesat%29
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
Hi everyone.Not as cold today and the temperature has peaked at around 4°C, which by recent standards is a bit of heat wave. Although it's still advisable to go out with plenty of layers on.
AQ/ Wattle: I'm not sure I could fanction properly in the heat of an Australian summer. I hope you can keep cool enough.Annette: Sorry your daughter had a bad day, hopefully it's just a one off. I'm not that surprised the Oro spent most of the time napping. The surroundings probably made him the most relaxed he's been for a while, so he felt more restful. Totally agree with your comments on hot cross buns. The time it took for me to read your sumary of the year is roughly the speed that the last 10 years seem to have flown by.Diane: It must be great to have ravens visit you.Tiger: That picture of a cardinal feeding a goldfish is hillarious. Thanks for the link.Alan: I like the Harry Hill reference. I wonder what temperatures would be most comfortable for Knitted Character.jsb: It's real sad that people could be sued just for trying to help out.A very happy Sunday to everyone and I hope you all stay safe and comfortable.Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Hi folks.
We've had a thaw today but with a very strong, cold wind. Dog walking wasn't pleasant as the thawing, hard-packed snow was very slippery.
AQ and Wattle I couldn't cope with your summer temps. At least in the cold weather extra layers help - and I've discovered the joys of thermal undies! Do take care and stay well-hydrated.
OG So sorry about your daughter's dog. I do agree with you about the need to let them go when they have lost quality of life. Over the years I've held 3 while the vet put them to sleep and I know how hard it is to cope with. The 4th collapsed and died of a heart attack while on a walk - terrible shock for me but the best way for her. Our nearly 9 year old has just been diagnosed with arthritis in all the joints of her forelegs but is allowed to walk as much as she wants. No dog agility (which she won't mind!) and no chasing the ball, which will be a sore trial to her!
On PBS tonight at 8pm EST documentary on hummingbirds.
Such opposite ends of the spectrum with the weather!! Feel the same as Heron 77 & couldn't function properly in excessive heat, myself. For the cold, I just add more & more layers! Agree that thermals are a must at present!
Hi, Wattle good to hear from you, interesting to hear about your weather patterns. Agree with Alan that it's just commonsense to do what you can re clearing the snow etc., we can't expect the authorities to baby us all the time: I much admired the schools where the parents all got together to clear the snow so they could open again. OG: That database work sounds gargantuan! keep up the good work, you are both doing a sterling job with it, by the sound of it.
Diane: Sorry to hear there are so many suffering there due to the cuts etc., its much the same the world over, I suppose, its always the weakest who have to bear the burden: not what I would call 'civilised' though- sorry, ranting again! Like your idea of calling a Raven 'Poe' ! great name! Annette: There are bound to be ups & downs for your daughter, but she is a lucky girl to have you taking care of her & I'm sure she will see the funny side of the dogs behaviour. (not always predictable, are they?).
Thanks to Tiger for the strange bird/fish link.
A bit milder here today, some of the snow has melted but more is forecast for Tuesday. We are contemplating doing some decorating, just so that we feel we are not wasting our time sitting around in this weather when its a bit dangerous to go out walking or anything. Predict some fireworks, as Husband is a 'go at it & get it done' sort of person, & I'm a 'do it carefully with full preparation' type, so we usually end up having a bit of a spat before its all finished!! Watch this space!!
Garage water still frozen, but he has checked car and will take it out for its MoT test tomorrow.
Emma – pleased your fieldfares are back! Hope you have snow-free journeys to and from work this week.
Annette – pleased Daughter and you had a better night. Hope you do get out in the car for a while to give her a change of scene, usually helps a lot. Hope her horse will stay in reasonable health a while longer!
Paul – if you at your age think the years are passing in seconds, no hope for us oldies keeping up when it accelerates exponentially!
Patriciat – good to see you again! My uncle’s dog recently died on a walk, but he was most appreciative of passers by who stopped to help him – good to know such people are still around!!
Lindybird – brave to even contemplate the decorating! Hope it goes smoothly for you.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Screen capture of Garten 19/08/2009:
Hi everyone. Enjoyed all the chat and JSB, you and Alan sound like brothers, the way you are organised!
Annette, hope your daughter is feeling better today
Lindybird, good luck with the decorating. I'm with your OH on this, crack on and then think "oh dear, should have thought of that!!" LOL
Hope everyone else is OK
Just seen your screen capture Alan, thanks so much, what a great sight:)
Well, I have had my early morning fix, reading about snow & cold and I should feel cooler. I woke at 5 am so hot, too hot to sleep. It was 31 C at 6 am. Diane – Thank you for your concern. As Wattle says we do expect high temps in summer (but not so high!). We have an a/c that struggles after a few days because the house doesn’t get a chance to cool down overnight. We always turn it off about 10 pm in consideration of neighbours. I have been staying home. I know the library & shops are cool but getting there is unpleasant. So I am suffering from "cabin fever". LOL. Minimum clothes, bare feet (ouch, when I got the paper as the lawn is crunchy), drink plenty of water, light meals, no oven, no tasks, lots of reading. I feel so lethargic, bored. Alan – A fight? You are welcome to throw snowballs our way!!! Annette – Your poor rejected Dau. When we catsit dau#2’s precious pet, he greets her on return and then disappears to hide. Usually under our bed which requires a vast removal task. "You deserted me. I’m not coming home with you". OG – I received a Xmas greeting from New Zealand that took about 3 weeks to arrive. But we did have a postal strike.
Last night’s TV - David Attenborough’s badgers. Lovely. I don’t suppose I shall ever see real live ones. Time to switch off my heater alias computer. Cool change predicted tomorrow morning. Keep warm, all except Wattle.