Weekly Chat (non-osprey topics) Sun 22 July 2012

Afternoon all,

Just got back from a very hot Rutland Water. When I got there at about 09:45 the visitor centre was not open which was very unusual as it normally opens at 9 am. Luckily the side gate to the reserve was open so managed to proceed to the hides. There were 4 or 5 people already in Shallow Water hide so I did not get a comfy chair or the best spot. Never mind, all the ospreys were in the Bay and there was some flying from 5R and Mrs but 8F and 9F remained on the nest most of the time probably because 5R brought a fish in soon after I arrived. The GC grebe is still incubating. I think there is only one egg but it was hard to see from my angle of view. I did get a couple of Grebe pics:

Scarecrows Part 3

This was outside the local showground.  Holm Show is held every August - usually in wet weather!

I thought this burglar was very clever!

Lifeboat Man:

And, finally, my favourite - based on the poem: "When I grow Old, I shall wear Purple"!

OG : Thanks for all the scarecrow pics, some of them are very clever.

Hottest day of the year so far with temp peaking at 30.2c.

 Some bad news about Dulas has been confirmed by Dyfi today.

OG   Apparently it is the same place. OH googled photo shop upstairs in Beauly Gallery and it came up with Ffords. It is certainly just south of Beauly on the Aigas Rd. Think the place on the Muir of Ord Rd is The Old School House which is now a gift shop and cafe. Wonder what it is with scarecrows at the moment. As we passed through Culbokie yesterday we saw a few along the roadside. Unfortunately OH needs RCT and then a crown.

WENDY When I visit Mum I take Dillons grooming kit with me otherwise the poor dog would never be brushed. Neither Mum or my bro seem to realize that she needs a regular grooming. A chap in the village always used to book an appt with a local groomer for Heidi and she would come and collect his dog as well as Heidi. Sadly Oscar died a couple of years ago so that no longer happens.

Another good day. This time we left Dillon at home as we thought it would be too hot to leave him in the car while we lunched at Luigis. As luck would have it the weather turned overcast, but pleasant enough. We enjoyed a trip round Portmahomack and Balintore on the way home. Great lunch, I had beer battered cod with chips, mushy peas and balsamic and OH had linguini with prawns, and chorizo and parmesan.He said he would have happily have paid a little less for 1/2 the size, but ate it all as it was so good. all bar 3 prawns and you can guess they ended up on my plate. I bought some "chippy whips" home for Dillon. A real treat after leaving him at home!!!!!

OG/ ALAN/WENDY  Thank you for all the super photos. Not sure whether we need supper but must

All rain stopped before lunch, but lots of white cloud; it’s still warm – J has just been out for a walk.

Doggie – thanks to link to sheep research!  LOL!

Alan – sounds a wonderful morning out at RW.  Sounds like other people also know about the side gate!  Glad to see the GCGs are still trying.  Sounds very hot there!  Sad news of Dulas.

Dibnlib – I can never remember the name of the gallery/tearoom under Ffordes – I always refer to it as the Old Kirk instead!  Quite a few places seem to have scarecrow festivals these days – I think one in near Stourbridge was first – unless someone knows different!  Sorry about OH’s dental treatment – not pleasant for him.  Pleased you had another good trip today.  I’m sure Dillon enjoyed his “chippy whips”!  I assume this indicates that he is back to full intestinal health!

Think we may be attempting some more genealogy searches this evening – back tomorrow.

Hello dibnlib - what are 'chippy whips?'  I spoke to the old lady about her dog this evening - apparently the chap from up the road attempted to cut dogs claws today but he wasn't having any!!  I said that dog needed professional groom and she told me that he was groomed once before (dog is nearly 9!!) but needed sedatives to cope.  I then found myself volunteering to make enquiries about getting him groomed & talking to vet about sedation - I can't bear to see anything suffer - animal or human!  So tomorrow I will talk to PDSA as somebody on here suggested earlier and take advice.  We are having a heatwave here at mo - car reading was 34C - so you can imagine how dog was suffering - is a very overweight collie with really dense, curly coat & so filthy and smelly you have to see to appreciate how bad.  Of course, he is now trying to befriend me and being quite cute - so good at worming their way in aren't they??

Have been reading but too busy to come on and reply.  Hav'nt been in the garden "sitting oot" as OG said,all day!  Did some gardening and also washed everything I could find to peg out, in the bright sunshine.  Cleared a whole row of books off a shelf, to re-read and then dispose of.

Wendy:  Lovely pic of your Smoke Bush.  Sorry to hear sad tale of your neighbour and her dog.  Poor animal, no wonder he is pleased to see you. I also must warn you not to get too involved in the old lady's care as you will end up doing too much if you are not careful. 

Alan:  Lovely Grebe pics once again.

Diane:   Sorry its still so hot - how long can that go on, I wonder?   Very wearing.  We have had high temps. today and are still sitting at bedtime, with all the windows and some of the doors open to cool the house down, now.  Sad tale about the Whales - we humans just keep making excuses for ruining the planet for all the other creatures, as if we own the place.

patricia:  Nice photo of the Torch Relay and a beautiful, glorious sunset.

dibnlib:   Sounds like you have had a really good few days!  Those pizzas sounded yummy...

OG:   Enjoyed all the scarecrows - there are at least three villages around here where they have similar competitions, and I'm amazed at how creative people are.  One lot sewed two pairs of jeans together lengthways and made a man who reached the eaves of a house, so tall!!   My favourite of yours was the photographer (no need to make a head for that one, so good thinking in my book    ;-)  )   Like the Purple Lady too - my dear cousin had that poem read out at her funeral and we all laughed into our soggy handkerchiefs.

Yesterday bought my OH some new shirts and sweaters in an End of Season Sale - have put one sweater away as a Ch****mas present but got him to try on the others, in case they have to go back.  He grudgingly said they were OK - now I have to extract the money from him as paid with my credit card.  The lady in the shop laughed when I said he would happily wear the same shirt every day of his life - she had a husband who was the same.  Also bought myself some short length casual trousers, which might be handy if this warm weather keeps up.  Off to bed now as tired and still very warm.

Hi LB - I heed your warning about getting involved with old lady - fortunately she has carers three times daily who see to her & her meals - all I do at present is ring her in morning to check she is not on floor again (because she is still waiting for Lifeline and shut her door just before dark and check dog has enough water to last til carer arrives.  And just chat a little for 10 mins or so!

Hi OG - never heard of scarecrow comps before or The Purple Lady - will have to google it - but tomorrow now 'cos its late!!

Evening all: Did a lot of tidying up in the garden - again! - today; where does it all come from.

AQ: No chance you'll have to have the other knee done?  Had to laugh at your being fed up with the Olympics already - we're going to be hearing nothing but Team America!!!

Lindybird: Thanks for pic of Solvakian Pointer - quite wooly as you say! Especially like "Hire taller staff" laugh.

Alicat: Here's hoping the LG family stick around for your visit.

Margo: Must be relief to have your sister on the mend and back into your routine.

OG: Sounds like a lovely Sunday outing; still don't understand not having cream with scones.  Pancakes here are a breakfast item.  OH and I on separate tracks until Friday this week!  I like the gentleman cyclist - very realistic, but the burglar is a hoot.

WendyB: Oh dear, difficult - and sad - situation with your neighbor; does she have no adult children nearby to help? Do the carers not clean the house?  Hmm, I see the RSPCA can't intervene, but Very Good of you to offer to help the dog, which can't ask for help.  In the meantime, let's hope that emergency pendant thingy arrives sooner than later.

dibnlib: Hadn't hear about the Rutland osprey behavior; does sound a bit odd.

patriciat: Congrats on uploading the pix - love that sunset.

Diane: Just read the NYT piece on whales - and the comments. Another case of "follow the money" when it comes to research.

Fish: Good grief - at least you wouldn't have to fly to Africa to find a lost sheep!

Alan: More great shots - how far away are those birds?

All proceeding fairly well on the domestic front; temporary custody arrangements now in place and g'daughter sounds much better (I think she's basically relieved). We kept some days open in case she needed us to be there for any reason, but that doesn't appear to be the case, so will plan a trip later. Her employer (ambulance company) has been marvellous in terms of being flexible and her colleagues have been very supportive too, but she's a very hardworking and responsible kid so no surprise there. Let's hope things continue on this somewhat calmer path. Thanks all for your good wishes.

Meanwhile, I've still got masses of oranges to get off the tree so that's on the list for tomorrow. LizLFW asked me how many the tree produced and I'm going to work that out and post some pix of the garden!

Have a good Tuesday all.

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