Happy new week folks! Don't foget to check the last few posts of the previous week. Heron posted a photo of a female reed bunting, AQ saw a "ginormous flock of corellas" (must Google that!), OG has found a nice B&B for her trip, Alan posted a nifty shot of the changing of the guard at the eagle nest, folks are wondering how Diane is doing with the storm the big storm back East, and much, much more! :-) We had almost 2 inches of rain in Santa Barbara today, which is brilliant. Still sorting files and likely to be doing so for a day or three to come. Take care all.
Morning all:
Lindybird: Used vehicles rule! The only brand new car I ever bought was a 1993 Ford Taurus - it was a choice betweeen that and a more expensive Accord and I really should've sprung for the Accord since the Taurus was an unmitigated disaster mechanically. A truly false economy. The reason people stop us to ask if the truck is for sale is because (not only is it in primo condition) but it's old enough to be exempt from smog tests - we don't drive it that much so we don't feel too guilty about that. My daughter has a really torn up ranch truck with an ottoman (don't know what you call them in the UK - used to be pouf or something like that, but really not sure about that now!!!) in the back where Oro lolls when he's out and about. We're lucky here in the Southwest since cars don't rust, what with the low humidity. I've heard Invictus is very good - do love Clint Eastward's movies, more especially the recent ones.
Margobird: Do feel better soon - and watch out for those icy paths. No more tumbles!
Gary: Those old cars/trucks also had "wing" windows, which you can open and direct fresh air directly at you. Guess they did away with those when they invented vents - a shame I think.
Off to roses. Take care all.
3 little humbugs and a nice fish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obMl8CIKeh4&feature=youtu.be
Brenda, those conditions sound terrible. Here we don't have too much ice and it is warm enough that any snow left on the road has now melted. Sounds very sensible staying in. Hope you had something nice anyway:)
Annette, that does look in great condition. Do you every go to "Cruses", bet people would be very interested. love the idea of the dog having his own couch LOL
Another day gone by and just reading posts from last night! Another dry, cold day – more cloud but a great pink sunset tonight – hard to imagine all that snow in Kent and Sussex. Birds in large numbers again – all very competitive. Apparently Son is coming with Dau & G-Daus next Monday to sort through his stored possessions – also S-i-L has decided to have a day off and come with them! BTW, the fridge/freezer will not be going, the appt is equipped with “white goods”.
Patriciat – sorry about your sister’s condition – hope the op goes well, and am sure the pacemaker will make a huge difference to her energy levels. So pleased the weather looks like lasting for your double bill of agility on Saturday.
AQ – it’s the humidity which would finish me off – though I am finding our 43% too low right now – never satisfied!!! Hope the eventual rain did some good, though I guess it adds to humidity as it evaporates in the heat – and 0.4mm is hardly enough to count - less than “Scotch mist”
Diane and Gary – good to hear you both have snow plough guys to dig you out!
Annette – love the old Ford! Like Lindybird, we have always had estate cars – for dogs, kids, camping gear, removals – and now mobility scooters!
Margobird – Scottish connection of Dunedin: the Gaelic name for Edinburgh is Dùn Èideann!
DjoanS – hope you enjoyed your lunch out.
Hope everyone keeps warm/cool and safe tonight.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG, sounds like a houseful next week, make sure they don't snaffle too much of your stuff!! LOL
How's the new car??
Just watching Bill Baileys birdwatching program on Sky 1 and would you believe it my fav osprey from RW is on 32(05) . Awesome!!!!
Brenda H: That's a lot of snow you have! I hope you stay safe and warm. If you have plenty of supplies, don't go out in it if you don't have to -- especially if the roads aren't being gritted.
I, too, worry about the homeless and others who don't have adequate shelter from those massive blizzards. Such an injustice. Take good care of yourself.
Glad you're okay, Gary. I think Caerann wins weather poker this week. Her blizzard+earthquake trumped both of our storms, I think. Stay safe. Alan: I will check out the info on the raccoon dogs. Thanks!
Hi Diane: Your snow in USA sounds much worse than any we have had here, I saw some film of Washington brought to a standstill by the whiteout. Glad you are OK.
Thanks to DjoanS for the G H Owl egg picture: it does look lonely, doesn't it.
og: Thanks for the explanation of the meaning of "Dunedin" - having a connection to Edinburgh makes sense as it sounded Scottish to me, too.
Alan: I was too late to catch the ospreys on TV, don't always watch that programme as its sometimes a bit annoying with all the to-ing & fro-ing, but glad you saw 'your' osprey, what a treat. Thanks for the great eagle pic, and the link to the tiny 'humbugs' : they look so very teeny in that huge nest.
Have just seen the great programme once again by Simon King in the Shetland Isles, very interesting & his enthusiasm is infectious. Looks as if he's passing it on to the next generation, with his charming little daughter taking part in what he gets up to in this series.
Went to see the film "Invictus" this afternoon, the one about Nelson Mandela getting involved with the Springboks Rugby team as a means to unite his country in 1995. I suppose they have released the film this week to coincide with the 20 year anniversary of his release from prison. The film was, as you might expect, both moving and inspiring. What a man Mandela is- not your usual run of the mill politician at all. Great performances from both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, plus several others I don't know the names of. You might gather that we enjoyed the film very much.
Hope to see "The Princess & the Frog" next week, then our run of filmwatching will come to an end for a while as we are away on our hols for a bit.
Gary – Because Son has been staying a while at Dau#1’s house, we are used to them all visiting as one package. OH suggested we make lunch here then take them out for dinner – of course I agreed! They can’t snaffle too much – Son won’t have space for non-essentials, and also with five of them coming in one car, there won’t be a lot of spare room to pack extras, even tho it is a Renault Grand Espace. Actually, furniture etc tends to migrate anyway in our family! My new Motability car seemed fine on my 17 mile journey home from the dealer, thanks for asking. I need to experiment on how to fit my walking stick in beside my seat due to extra safety features taking up space, but that’s the only question so far – a good smooth ride, and comfortable – and OH seemed happy driving it. I don’t drive, so I have two named drivers, OH and Dau #1, but really she is only for emergencies as she lives 100 miles away!
I guess nobody could get on here overnight and this morning - I just managed it at about sixth attempt of the day! Missing you all - hope someone makes contact soon!!