Sunday, 20 May 2007

Sunday

Forced myself to do some stuff this morning, it was a real effort though, feeling fed up with the weather, completely grey and cold here again, spoke to my ex on the phone and it was gorgeous 40 miles away, which didn't help. The sun did break through a couple of times though, and I decided to clear the old patio area round the side of the place now that I shall get some sunshine there this summer. Moved all the crap away, shovelled mud, swept, and cleaned my patio table and two chairs which had been in the shed since last summer. Then the sun went in!

Had some lunch, and took Emma for a local walk, I just couldn't be bothered to get the car out of the garage, so thought I'd go on a walk which I used to enjoy a few years back - it's a public footpath just down the other end of the village, which goes across farmland alongside the river. Well it used to be great because the farm was derelict, but when some people bought it they started using the fields naturally, and me and cows are a no-no, so I used to give it a wide berth. Last time I went down there was last summer, no cows, but two bloody great pigs, I near pooed myself, they're a gi-normous, and I didn't notice the electric fence round their pen, and I moved out of that field very quickly. This time, I was prepared! Anyway, lucky day, no cows again so had a nice walk. Loads of bluebells still out along the shady pathway before you reach the stile into the field, along with wood anemones. Loads of buttercups in the meadow too, looks like the cows haven't been in there for a while, I saw them over nearer the farm, but without access to the field I was in luckily! Spotted two rabbits before one of them spotted me.....

Came home, cut the grass, put the guinea pigs out, cleaned them and Chippy out, and took some birdy photos. My Bouncer the Robin is being a little bugger and won't come to my hand. He is desperate for the mealworms (*puke*) but he just will not take them from my hand, and will fly off rather than come the extra three feet needed. Still, bless him, that's quite close I suppose, so I give in and put them down on the table for him. Although it turns my stomach, it's interesting to watch him grab them in exactly the right place, and bash them on the table, and it appears to kill them. (*puke* again) Also spotted my first baby birds - have three stripey Greenfinches around, and there's some Rook babies up in the trees making a racket.



















Friday/Saturday

Friday went food shopping with Irene. Day started wet and miserable, but did brighten up in the afternoon, long enough to take Emma round the park anyway. Highlight of the day was watching a pair of Song Thrushes going in and out of a bush I have up near my greenhouse with nesting materials. Had a quick look when they weren't around, and a perfect little nest is sitting snuggly in the thickest part. Still a worry to me though, because it's only about 4 feet off the ground, and that was the bush that the horrible cat kept lurking under last year. I've moved my ultrasound cat scarer thing up there just in case.

Yesterday was so windy, I hate it, I couldn't bear to be outside more than necessary, we actually had a short sharp fall of hailstones in the morning! I felt so cold, how ridiculous, but its getting near the end of May, and I had to wear two fleeces and a jacket when I took Emma to the park! Came back and watched the Cup Final all afternoon, then it was my night of best tv, Dr Who, finding a Joseph, and a Danny and Sandy for Grease! Highlights of the day were seeing a GSW (Woodpecker) on a tree in the park, took a photo but too far away to be nice enough to put here. Best highlight by far though was my hoggy came back last night, late, I was just thinking about going off to bed actually, had enough of sitting on the sofa for one day, and there he/she was. It is the same one that was here earlier, I could see the white paint fairly clearly, although I didn't go out and disturb it again, I was afraid that was why it went off before. I wonder where it's been all this time! I had an inkling one was back, because the peanuts have all disappeared most mornings now, and I don't think my mouse could manage that many! This one only seems to like peanuts too, the other food isn't being eaten, and I tried with cat food earlier and it didn't touch that either, neither did it last summer. Just checked the dish and all peanuts gone! Bloody cold out there though, at 6,50am it was only 3c! I've just looked on the weather forecast, and we have minus 2c forecast for Monday night. How delightful. :(

Thursday, 17 May 2007

Wednesday/Thursday

Not much to say about yesterday, except the weather was horrendous. It chucked down for most of it, but did stop for a while mid afternoon, and I was able to get Emma round the park without getting wet. It was quite warm too. I was thrilled by two things yesterday (I'm easily pleased....) firstly a Song Thrush sat on my back fence for quite some time, so he/she is around (I found the eggshell a while back) I took a couple of photos only through the window though, and of course, the bird wouldn't face the right way, but never mind. The second thing was at the park, I couldn't count how many Swifts, Swallows and Martins were zipping around both over the river and the grassy bit of the park, but with no exaggeration, it was more than 80! How fantastic. I also counted 19 Swifts hunting over my garden last night too, it's brilliant hearing them on their screaming flights. Anyway, because of the bad weather, I actually managed to catch up with some paperwork and filing that I'd been putting off for weeks, so at least I did something useful.

Today was overcast to start with, but very humid - it was 70f at 10 am with no sunshine. I went to Irene's for lunch and then we popped into Carmarthen to pick up her new Nokia phone, took Emma round the reservoirs. By this time the sun had broken through, blue skies, and it was BOILING! Came home about 4.30 and cut some of the grass, all the front and about half the back, but it was a real struggle, it was still a bit damp with all the rain, and in some places, it was about 6 inches high already. At least the guinea pigs had a couple of hours out today, first time in over a week. I ate my tea in the front porch too, and at 8 oclock, it was 90f in there! I'm deliberating now whether to risk turning the heaters off tonight, but the forecast isnt good now for the next few days again, I know my luck, if I turn the damn things off, I will sit in here and freeze. As it is, I'm just comfortable tonight with them on, decisions, decisions....

I had to call the council this morning too. Yesterday a heating engineer was working in the empty place next door. Last night I could hear this awful humming noise, and finally worked out it was from next door. This morning, it was doing my brain in, I could hear it in every room in my place. So they sent the guy back as I assumed he'd left the central heating on and had done something to it to make a noise. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, the heating was off, he got me to go in there with him and it was all silent. I felt awful and said maybe it was coming from the next house along then. Anyway I went back in to my place and of course, there was silence. Then suddenly, it started. Boy was I relieved, because the guy saw instantly what it was - nothing he had done, it was the bloody extractor fan coming on in the bathroom! What a nightmare. Anyhow, we "fixed" it - he took the fuse out, lol! Those things are ridiculous, it was echoing all through the building there and mine, and for what? If your bathroom steams up, open the bloody window! It comes on every time the light is switched on too, I turned mine off when I first moved in here, they are so noisy, and so unnecessary, plus the vent is right above the toilet, and it blows in there bitterly cold in winter. I covered mine up with polythene. Peace and quiet again. Thank god he found it, and didn't just go. I made him a coffee for his troubles. :)

And finally.... I was pleased to see my old friend Danglewing, the Jackdaw on the roof of a neighbours bungalow today. He has been missing from my garden for about 2 weeks now, and I feared the worst, as the last time I saw him, some of the other Jackdaws were beating him up. He was with another one, sunbathing on the roof, bless. Guess he's just giving the main flock a wide birth, very wisely. I can't believe how well he can fly with his wing, it hangs down very badly, it must have been broken or dislocated very early on and healed funny. He was here last summer, he is quite tame, I can talk to him if he's on my roof. :)


Tuesday, 15 May 2007

Tuesday - Pat's

Today was okay too weather-wise, certainly warmer, but it had rained overnight so everywhere was soaking wet. The grass has grown so much because of all the rain, in some places it's over 8 inches high. I am dreading doing it once it gets to this length, I must seriously consider getting someone in to do the bad bits, I can cope with the back and front, but the main bit is just too much for me. Anyhow, so the grass cutting was out, so phoned Pat to say I'd be over.

Took the dogs for a walk up the road, the woodland we sometimes go to would have been too wet and slippery at the moment. Came across a very aggressive caterpillar. I went to pick him up to put him out of harm's way and he went for me! Lol. He was really nasty, tried to bite me, haha. Little bugger. Well decided to leave him and hope a bird didn't get him!

Managed to get a few nice pictures through Pat's patio doors, so unfair, she has a baby robin, I saw it being fed by mummy or daddy. None here yet. I also stopped and took a couple of pics of the scenery on the journey from Pat's to here, the views are magnificent across the valley, I've often wanted to get some before, but it's often too hazy to get anything half decent.

Well I shall post my photos now and get to bed. I woke up at 5.30 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, so only had just over 5 hours last night, and I feel wrecked after the driving and excitement of yesterday!








Red Kites Photo Album

Monday, 2nd Visit to Gigrin Farm, Rhayader

Well it had been touch and go whether we went due to the horrendous weather on Sunday where it rained virtually non-stop. However, the forecast was promising, so Irene and I (and Emma) set off to meet up with Pete for lunch in the village before going onto the farm to see the Red Kites. We got there a bit early and popped into a coffee shop to kill half an hour. We'd arranged to meet Pete at the Triangle Inn, I saw it had been recommended, and phoned last week to confirm that they did lunchtime food, explained we'd be coming on a Monday, and had a dog and was told it was okay to take a dog inside. Great. So we met Pete and took Emma for a walk round a large park first to give her a bit of exercise, walked up to the pub, and it was shut! Shut on a Monday, and a notice on the door to say that dogs were only allowed inside during the winter months! So we backtracked into the main bit of the town and went in The Bear. Oooh yes, you can bring the dog in, ooooh no, we don't do food on a Monday! This was turning into a farce! Luckily there was a customer who pointed us in the right direction, just round the corner, and we found another nice pub, where we could sit outside with Emma in an enclosed courtyard, so eventually got something to eat and a drink!

We went onto the Red Kite farm in good time, had a wander around for a while then made our way into one of the hides and waited for 3pm when the tractor comes with the food. The owner told us that the day before, the rain had been torrential there too, and lots of people had come long distances to see the kites, and only four had come to feed. How awful, what a terrible disappointment for those poor people. Anyhow, we weren't disappointed, there was upwards of a hundred or more this time, lots more than when we went a month ago. I took some video footage this time, as well as lots of shots with my other camera. Poor Irene had taken her camcorder especially to do some video but it played her up and wouldn't work. Pete got loads of lovely shots with his camera. A big bonus yesterday was the appearance of several ravens.

We got a cup of tea and sat at a picnic table with Emma and we played with one of the farm dogs, a lovely Springer, who kept fetching his toy for us to throw. Also chatted to some other people with another Cavalier, who were from Essex.

Had a lovely day, we were so lucky with the weather, and I just love the scenery in that area.

Lots of photos to post, I will only pick the best though, but you can view a short video of the feeding on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb56ytaNFjY

and you can now see the album of some of the photos I took yesterday, so I will just post my favourite others here and some scenery ones.









Kites? What Kites???

Sunday, 13 May 2007

It's now beyond a joke

I am so very fed up. I don't want to start blogging on the oh woe is me lines again really, but it has to be said. I cannot take a lot more of this bloody weather we have in this shithole of a country. It's rained pretty much continually for three bloody days. Yesterday, I didn't even want to get out of bed. Looked at the grey skies and it was a real effort not to just stay there all day. If it weren't for the birds and the pets I think I would. As it was, got up and paced from room to room looking out of the window. Couldn't settle to do anything in here, and was impossible to do anything outside. I got so very down that I went to bed yesterday afternoon for two hours just to pass some time. I fell asleep though no problem.

As soon as we get some wet weather here too, the sick birds start to appear. There was a poor little male greenfinch all puffed up yesterday, and last night he was sitting under the holly. I just picked him up and put him in the shed for the night, out of harm's way, but of course he was dead this morning.

Last night I just watched my tv shows and posted on the forum. Watched the end of the farcial Eurovision Song Contest too and saw that our pathetic effort came second to last. Perhaps the stupid public in this country will think about voting for such crap in the future. A real embarrassment.

So today, it's not stopped raining at all. At least I had enough motivation to clean out the guinea pigs and Chippy, and change my bed. Emma's not been off the sofa since about 10 oclock this morning. She must be busting, but she hasn't asked to go out. I've been out twice and done the bird feeders up top and my aviary and at various times chucked some pellets and seeds out of the back door in the general direction of the feeder down here. Diddy hasn't been out for two days either.

At this moment in time, I'm in two minds whether to go to Rhayader tomorrow. The forecast changes every time I check, one minute its Monday the best day, then its Tuesday, then they are both okay, then they both have heavy rain forecast. Really don't know what to do, better decide pdq though cos I have to let Pete know this evening.

Any good news? Yes, West Ham have just beaten Man U at Old Trafford to stay in the Premiership. I watched every second of it on Sky, with my heart in my mouth, and shed a few tears at the final whistle. Well done lads. And Yay Stevenage won the FA Trophy final at Wembley yesterday. And I got my garage outside the gate, and the key, instead of the wrong one down the other end of the cul-de-sac. Shame I shall have to start paying for it now though, I've been using it free for a month.....

Friday, 11 May 2007

Even wetter Friday

Why is it that when it starts to rain here, it never knows when to stop? We have gone from one extreme to another. From the dry ground cracking open to near on flooding. It's been torrenting down now for 6 hours solid, I mean really heavy rain.

Just went shopping today, met Pat at Tescos. I took Emma with me, so I could walk her round the reservoirs after. Was a bit worried as it was quite sunny and warm here at 10 oclock and wasn't sure I should be able to leave her in the car. Needn't have worried, by the time I got to town it had started to rain. I still took her round the reservoirs though, because it's under cover mostly, like yesterday, so I didn't get too wet, and she gets wet anyway, although today she didn't want to go in the water, typical.

Came home and was putting the bags of shopping on the worktop, looked across to the bird table like I always do, and saw the Sparrowhawk, looking thoroughly cheesed off, and sheltering under the holly! Took a pic, only through the window though so not very clear because of the raindrops, but you can see her expression quite clearly, lol.

Had a look in the greenhouse and am so bloody fed up with slugs. I chucked loads of the bloody things out yesterday, into greenery where they can chomp to their hearts content, but wasted my time. Overnight, they have climbed up the staging, and eaten all four of my tiny cucumber seedlings, both of my red pepper seedlings, and almost completely destroyed one of the tomato plants in the grow bag. Also managed to get into my huge tub of runner beans, which is still inside in case we have any more frosts, and eaten half the leaves off those too. I give up now.

Thursday, 10 May 2007

Wet Thursday

This morning started quite bright and a bit of blue sky and sunshine, so stupidly, I put my washing out on the line. Within half an hour it started to pee down, so grabbed that in and hung it over the bath. I love wasting my time. Decided that I wasn't going to spend another day stuck here like yesterday, so phoned Irene to see if she wanted a trip to Cilgerran with one of the dogs. I needed to top up with some stuff from the pet supplies. So went over to hers for lunch, then we set off. She took Ayra, and it was a bit muddy to say the least but we didn't get wet really, as most of the walk is sheltered under the trees. We did the entire length from Cligerran Castle to Llechryd Bridge, and I managed to get a different photo of the area for a change, of the bridge and from the bridge. Nice pair of swans. On the way back, woo hoo, we saw a Kingfisher! Quite made our days. Fabulous sight, even though very fleeting. Quite a walk though, we got there about 2.15 and didn't get back to the car until 4.45! Just made it to Dog Food Daves for my seeds. Time I got back home tonight it was 6.40! Diddy had already put himself to bed, bless him, I'd left him in the back porch and kitchen before I went, he didn't want to go out again. Bit worried about him actually, he's not eating very much lately, although I suppose when he's outside he is pecking around and getting things other than seeds. He seems okay in himself though, but he is nine years old now, very old for a little 'un.

Oh well wonder what the weather has instore for us tomorrow. Sick of the cold and wet now, I have got my heating back on about half power, but still had to put the gas oven on in the kitchen for a while tonight to try and warm the place up a bit, and my electric fire on in the living room. Grrrr, bloody climate here.


Caught in the act

Decided to stay up to see if it was my hoggy back. Sadly not, apart from the dish being filled with slugs, (there are hundreds of them everywhere outside at present...) I caught the culprit red-handed. He only likes peanuts it seems, left the sunflower hearts last night too, so will have to see what is gone in the morning. So cute. :)

Tuesday, 8 May 2007

Something funny and something sad

Not much to blog today really, I had an appointment at my Bank first thing to see a customer services advisor, just to see if I was happy with my account and if I was doing the best with my money! Haha that's a laugh, well anyway, I ended up starting a cash isa thingy, which when it was explained to me, thought it was a good idea, going to be saving on a regular basis. She couldn't help me with anything else though, not interested in a credit card, been there, done that, and don't want to be in debt again, I hate owing money, even a couple of quid. Also they can't compete with Tesco for my home contents insurance (who can frankly??? ) so that was it. Was there half and hour, and came out with a splitting headache. How can people work under those artificial lights and with air conditioning humming? It would kill me.

Went across to Irene's for lunch, and we walked the dogs round three of her fields. Weather forecast wrong again, no rain at all, but very windy and pretty chilly so didn't fancy going anywhere else.

On the way home I stopped to check what I had feared I saw on the way there this morning. I was right. It was a poor dead Tawny Owl on the road. It had its head smashed, so at least death would have been instant, its eye was hanging out. Sorry about that, but I have a pretty strong stomach for things like that I guess. I picked him up and carried him across the road and "buried him" beneath lots of undergrowth, so that nothing else would end up dead trying to feed on him. Poor little bugger.

The funny thing? Well I have a little window feeder on my living room window. There was a Starling perched on it eating earlier, and my budgie went down on the windowsill inside, and said "Coochie" to it! I fell about laughing! The Starling peered over the top and was looking at him, then carried on scoffing, as Chippy was having a great conversation with it!

Well it looks like the promised rain has at last started, it's peeing down right now and I have relented and let Diddy Boy in. He has several places to shelter outside but will he? Not likely, just stands at the back door looking miserable. So he's now at my feet here pooing all over the rug. Sigh. The things I let myself in for....

Monday, 7 May 2007

Bank Holiday Monday

So much for weather forecasts. Apart from a tiny few spots of drizzling rain first thing, it's been quite pleasant. It looks like they've changed their minds and tomorrow we are in for the deluge and the gales. There's been quite a lot of blue sky and sunshine, the wind is picking up a bit now though. I wanted to go to Pets at Home, had run out of some bird food, so wasn't that bothered about the weather being rough, but as it turned out so nice, I took Emma to Green Castle Woods, and guess what I took pictures of? Yep, more bluebells! This is THE place for bluebells, out of all the other walks I've done lately, but they are on their way out, the rain had flattened quite a lot of them too, and normally they are only just coming into bloom at this time in May. Anyway, it was lovely in there, and I could actually smell some this time. Sunny, warm and sheltered. I saw a butterfly with really badly damaged wings, but it was flying about okay strangely enough. I think it's a speckled wood but not entirely sure. Some of the views from up there on a clear day are great too once you come out of the woods.

Had a bite to eat at MacDonalds (yes Emma had some chips...) and then came back and cleaned out the guinea pigs and Chippy, GPs had to make do with a run round in the living room today, too cold for them to go out sadly. One of my robins was waiting for me as soon as I got back home with the suet pellets. (Tic) They love them, I caught the Magpie on the windowsill a while ago too, digging into the pot, no chance of a photo of course, gone in a flash.

Sat and watched last night's episode of Lost, wow that programme gets better and better, that was one of the best ever things I've watched in my life. I so love that show, can't wait for next week now. :) Time to do the pets' grub now and then I have speedway to watch tonight, lovin' my tv lately..... (how sad lol)









Sunday, 6 May 2007

Bank Holiday Weekend

Yesterday I got stuck in and cut all my grass before it gets wet. Also dusted and hoovered indoors. Weather still nice although a bit hazy. Phoned Irene and she met me at my favourite spooky river place for a walk, with her other choccie lab Ffion. She was the one that she was most worried about not behaving as she has never been walked out on a lead, and is the most boisterous and aggressive. She was an angel! Irene was able to let her off the lead on the return leg and she never moved more than about 8 feet in front. Turned chilly last night and was the first night I'd not been able to sit out in the porch with my tea.

Fabulous night of tv, Joseph, Grease, Dr Who and Parkinson with *swoon* David Tennant *swoon* He is such a lovely guy too, really funny. *sigh*

Today went with Irene to a HUGE market and carboot at Carew, which is the other side of Tenby, an hour journey from here, and we had a good old look round. I bought a reel of tape, and she got a new collar for Sian! Oh and some cakes which we ate in the car. Oh well, it made a change to go somewhere different.

The weather has changed now, it keeps trying to rain, not really enough to wet anywhere much though, but it's sooooo cold. Only about 14c outside, and a cold wind. We have 35mph winds forecast for tomorrow and more or less constant rain, so if they are right, in for a lovely day...

I just took Emma over the back field, didn't feel like getting the car out and it was spitting with rain anyway. I will never learn though will I? I didn't bother to take my camera, despite the fact its so small I can put it in my pocket. The Red Kite was hovering and swooping over my head within about 15 feet of me, and in the woods, I got the closest ever look at a Chiff Chaff. He was on a branch no more than 8 feet above me, singing and displaying for a good five minutes, completely not bothered about me being there. Bugger!

So now sitting in here with a sweatshirt on, 3 degrees colder than of late, still have the heating on, and I put the hall rad back on last night too. It's only supposed to last until Thursday, but that will be 4 days too long for me.

Thursday, 3 May 2007

Thursday

Just seen the weather forecast for the weekend. Wouldn't you just know it? Rain starts Sunday, through the next five days, typical for a bank holiday Monday. Feeling depressed as hell already. I know this lovely weather can't last, but it just ruins everything here, especially my state of mind. I need to get the grass cut tomorrow or Saturday then, else it won't get done for god knows when, and it's borderline now, I should have done it yesterday really. I just wish my legs and back didn't hurt so much lately. My sciatica is back with a vengance at the moment. I went to bed early last night (well early for me - 10.30) having taken some pain killers, I just didn't know where to put my legs to stop them hurting, all that just because I did the cuprinoling yesterday I think. Been shopping today, met Pat in town, and did Morrisons, then I went to Tesco after. Couldn't take Emma with me, much too hot in the car at present, so took her down the river as soon as I got back and had unpacked all the stuff. That's about it for today I think. Oh, I forgot, I found a bird's egg shell up by the feeding area last evening, looked like it was one that had been carried from the nest after the baby had hatched, not a dropped one or stolen, you know, had the membrane in it. Anyhow, it's a Thrush's egg, most strange as I haven't seen a Thrush here since about February. Hoping that means I will see some soon.

The depressing weather screen capture....

Wednesday, 2 May 2007

Wednesday, the heatwave continues

Firstly, an apology. To my two dear friends who I feel I have let down by backing out of going to Boo's funeral. I am so sorry, but I just can't manage it. There are so many reasons and if I were to list them all it would sound like a real whinge, but the obvious one is how traumatic it will be, I've only ever been to about 4 in my life. The thought of the journey to and from on my own too is daunting, and I have been worrying and panicking all week about getting stuff ready to take, what to wear, getting the pets looked after, will the car be all right, etc etc and I have taken the easy way out as usual. I feel terrible about it but that's who I am, I'm a thinker and a dreamer, but rarely a doer, that's why I am single. My thoughts will be with you all at 12 o'clock on Friday though, please don't think I just don't care, because I do. Sandra was a lovely, lovely lady, and I am sad as hell about her passing away.

So now onto my exciting life. Well, yesterday I went to the doctors first thing to get all my results and a couple of things that had been worrying me sorted. She thinks I am still suffering the after effects of the chicken pox, calling it post viral stress, and some people can still have the virus in their systems for up to two years! Hopefully mine will go a bit sooner, anyway I have to go back in 6 weeks to see how I am then, and get my other problem re-checked. After that I went with Irene and Sian and Emma for a nice walk at Henllan, didn't take any pics as have done so many before. Irene loved it, so did Sian, and then we sat outside at the riverside cafe and had a ploughmans lunch.

Came home intending to do some cleaning but just couldn't be bothered in the end, and instead took some photos outside, I managed at last to get the elusive Red Kite, although not a brilliant photo, he/she was right overhead about 25 feet up at one time, fantastic. Got 4 Collared doves outside the living room window too, within 6 feet of me, they couldn't see me behind the glass, closest I've ever been to them. Also got a couple of shots of the local bumble bee ( I say singular, because they are few and far between at present) My first Swifts arrived here last night too, a pair zipping overhead, a wonderous sight, means that summer is officially here! Took some scenery pictures too.

Today I cuprinoled the one fence panel that won't have to be replaced up the back garden, and two sides of my top shed that I've not bothered with since it moved here from my last place 7 years ago, was looking a bit bare and don't want that rotting away on me. Cut the front grass, but it's just too hot to do anything else. I took Emma over the field and woodland across the road, couldn't be bothered to get the car out today, it's quite good over there when it's dry but gets a bit muddy and boggy otherwise so don't go there too often. It's been so hot today, even I couldn't actually just sit out in it, I took a book out to read, but had to give up after about 15 minutes, I was dripping. I love this weather, but am getting a bit fed up with having to water all my tubs..... no pleasing me. I'm going to drag the hosepipe round here tonight, sick of the watering can back and forth about 10 times.

Four swifts overhead now, I wonder if there will be as many as 2005 by the end of August, 41 I counted here one night. Some of the birds are going to have a hard time building their nests, the ground is like concrete, and they won't be able to get mud to daub, Not too bad here because there's always a stream or river somewhere near, but I bet there will be some places where they won't have any luck.






















Look no bluebells!