Weekly Chat, Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hi everyone.

The slow thaw continues here and the temperature seems to have slightly increased during the daytime but there's still a chill at night.  Although thankfully not enough to freeze the bird baths or the outdoor tap.  I'll say no more on that, lest I tempt fate for the morning.  I really feel for those in areas where the snow is still having a much worse effect.

Saw pictures on the news from Haiti.  Absolutely devestating, and horrific to look at.  I sincrely hope that everything possible is done to help the people minimise and recover from the devestation.

Lindybird:  Know exactly what you mean about book clubs being handy for buying presents.  The strange thing is though despite being a member of a book club, I've tended to buy most presents (books) for people from shops.  These clubs tend to be using the tactic of selling book sets.  For example if your a Stephen King fan you can buy a set of Stephen King books, for a set monthly price.  This sort of thing is okay but can wreak havoc with the finances if you let it get out of hands.  The local library is probably the best method of getting books because at least you get the chance to check them out before you buy.

Annette: We tend to get the green stuff for most of the year but it tends to stay for a bit longer.  Although sometimes it tends to get a bit squishy to walk on.  It's very rare we get the brown stubble, although after the very cold winter were having, who knows?

patriciat:  Dunnocks are delightful wee birds.  We get them and to me they're quite shy but at the same time very charming.  Brilliant seeing a grey heron.  They're magnificant looking birds and I'm always impressed by these creatures.

Thanks for the great posts and excellent links everybody.  I'm off to roost now because contarary to popular belief, I do actually sleep. LOL


Paul.

Hi, all.

Just a note to say that on Friday, January 15, there will be an eclipse of the sun. This is an annular solar eclipse. A partial eclipse will be visible over much of Africa and Asia. The path of total eclipse begins in central Africa, crosses the Indian Ocean to touch the southern tip of India, moves to southeast Asia, and ends in southeastern China. This is the longest annular solar eclipse of this millennium; there won't be a longer one until 3043!

An annular eclipse happens when the Earth is closest to the sun and the moon is farthest from the Earth. So the moon isn't quite large enough to completely cover the sun, and a ring of the sun appears behind the moon.

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/gaherty-solar-eclipse-100113.html and http://www.space.com/spacewatch/100103-night-sky-events-2010.html

Map of eclipse. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/ASE2010/ASE2010fig/ASE2010-fig201.pdf

Eastern Europe can see it; Western Europe can't. Australia will just miss it, too. The U.S. can forget it. Everyone can watch it on the Web though!

Hi all!

Glad to hear aquilareen`s tolerable degrees and that Annette has got some rain. BTW doesn`t Oro mean gold in some language? Latin?

Margobird belated congratulations for Rhys. And what a good name. I am also a great aunt (times five) and enjoining it a lot

Yet an other busy day ahead so good day for everyone, see you later

Unknown said:

Map of eclipse. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/ASE2010/ASE2010fig/ASE2010-fig201.pdf

Eastern Europe can see it; Western Europe can't. Australia will just miss it, too. The U.S. can forget it. Everyone can watch it on the Web though!

Thanks for the reminder Diane. I was looking at the data for this eclipse back in December. I have a friend in northern Thailand who should see it as a deep partial.

Morning all from TI:

Diane : Thanks for those very interesting links re the solar eclipse. It would be nice to actually see the sun here as this is the 5th consecutive day without any sunshine. Yesterday afternoon and evening we had yet another snowfall just when we thought it had all gone. This morning we have fog and widespread icy roads and the birdbath is frozen again. Never mind another day clicks by on the countdown clock and the return of the ospreys is only 10 weeks away now.

Nothing planned for today that I am aware of so we will see how the day develops.

Weather:

Temp 0.6c , Overcast & Gloomy , Wind E calm , Sunrise 08:04 , Sunset 16:14.

Good morning patriciat and with reference ti savubg things to "favourites" if you look at the tool bar at the top of your screen you will "favourites", click on that and you will get a drop down menu and at the top you will see save to "favourites"m click and you will then get the option to save it under whatever you want to call it.  Hope this makes sense as I am not too good with computer language.

I had a grey heron sitting on my garage roof last weekend I expect they were finding it hard to get food with ponds and lakes being frozen over.  Good job my pond is covered at least he couldn't get my fish but I hope he did manage to find something to eat in the end.

I found the Snow Watch programme so interesting and it gave me hope that not all is lost.  Although some birds/animals have suffered during the cold spell others have thrived and Chris Packham was positive about the ability of wild life to recover.  Lets hope so anyway.  Have a good day day and keep safe.

Morning Alan have just read Douglas' blog and very interesting.  Made me realise even more how hard they have to work at LG whatever the weather.  Hope you did not get too much snow yesterday.

Thnaks auntie Mum and Rhys now back home so should be able to go and see him in a couple of days.  I am still so happy for the safe arrival of a dear little boy.