Covid-19 has been taken over by the heatwave and thunder storms...

 

The heatwave has given people something else to talk about, it is no longer just covid-19.

I have noticed however that there are more people gathering in neighbouring gardens. The ones that should know better as well. One neighbour who works at Pinderfields hospital had a paddling pool out in his garden yesterday and today with of course children in it. He doesn't have any children of his own, they are children who live further down the street. I don't think I would want my children in a paddling pool with other kids at the moment or in the garden in a large group including somebody that works in the hospital. He is a porter so works in all areas.

Thunderstorms are another topic of conversation at the moment. We have been given warnings but so far have not really had any. There was some rain and a little bit of thunder last night but nothing to worry about, in Wakefield anyway. We have been very lucky, up in Scotland a lot of areas have had floods, de-railed trains, buildings struck by lightening causing them to catch fire. So far it has not been where my brother lives so hopefully it will pass by him and his wife.

Covid-19 of course is still high on the list of conversation, some of the areas near to us have been put back in lockdown, we are on the concern list, so if things don't improve we could be next. I hope not, even though neither Tony or I are really bothered about going out much it's just knowing if you need to you can. Of course I have started visiting my Mum and I don't want that to have to end again. 

Lynsey is not dealing well with this heat, as I am writing this she has had a seizure in town and is in A&E waiting to be checked over. The daft thing is she was only in town because she had a Dr's appointment. 

GARDEN UPDATE

We have twin young squirrels,  they both have brown bodies and grey striped tails. I know one of them is a boy I don't know about the other one yet.

Meet The Twins.

The young dunnock is still in the garden on it's own, I have only seen one this year and I never saw it getting fed by any parent bird.

The Young Dunnock.

Tony took this photo of the Collar Dove family they usually visit on a morning and an evening. There was six in the family but the Sparrow Hawk has taken a couple. We think it was the Sparrow Hawk but we are not sure we think one of them could have been taken by a Peregrine.

The Collar Dove Family.

Tony is not too bad at the moment, he has his good days and bad days, he gets frustrated because he cannot do the things he wants to do. I can understand that because I feel exactly the same. I am having problems eating at the moment but that is something that won't hurt me I could do to lose a few pounds or even a stone or two. I know I need to eat and I do and when I can't manage solids I have soup, rice pudding, porridge or ice cream, lots of ice cream.

Well I am beginning to ramble, stay safe and well,

Until the next time...

 

I just don't know how I feel anymore...

I was quite happy staying at home, going out once a week to do whatever shopping was needed, if Lynsey needed any we would pick her some up too.

Then, Boris has to go and change things, now you can go to the pub, you can go to cafes or restaurants, you can go out in larger groups. Is he mad didn't he realise that it was all too soon, it would backfire on him. Well now there are towns going back into lockdown he will have to think again.

Tony and I still only go shopping once a week, I go to see my Mum once a week (I just could not wait any longer). However apart from that the garden is the only place I spend anytime outdoors. Our neighbours, mix with who ever they want, they have barbecues with numerous friends, that doesn't surprise me because the grandparents have never stopped coming from day one. 

The favourite thing round here at the moment seem's to be hot tubs in the garden.

One of our neighbours has one in the front garden, they have had it for the last year or two. They are not bothered what other people think and can be seen regularly reclining in the tub, weather permitting. The couple across the road have also acquired a hot tub which is also in the garden but is screened by a fence and a roof. There has been stories in the local papers and on-line of hot tubs being stolen over night so I hope they have plenty of security, I would hate for them to loose their enjoyment and  in one case the therapy for medical ailments.

Tony is getting along quite well at the moment no major changes, I am still waiting for my injections, no surprise there.

The garden is busy we have four young squirrels bouncing about like idiots. There doesn't seem to be much birdlife though. We did have some doves taken a few days ago but we are not sure what by. The sparrow hawk usually plucks it and eats it where it takes it, unless it is disturbed, however this time there were very few feathers and it happened so quickly we think it might have been a peregrine. It was about the right time for the Wakefield Cathedral Peregrines to be learning how to fend for themselves. The peregrines have been spotted out this way before it is not far to here from the cathedral as the crow flies or peregrine in this case.

Now for a few photo's...

1.

Squirrel trying to get to the peanuts at the other side of the feeder.

2.

Squirrel with it's head stuck in the peanut butter tub.

3.

  Young squirrel doesn't know how to use his tail as an umbrella yet.

   

4.

  This squirrel had just been having a nosy under the shed.

5.

Ooop's that was close she almost fell off.

 

6.

Mrs Blackbird picks out all the sultanas for herself.

7.

  The female great spotted woodpecker loves the new peanut feeder

The other birds are not too sure of this feeder yet so the woodpecker family have it all to themselves.

8.

The bees are really enjoying the lavender in the garden.

I have my first Buddlia bush this year and it has some gorgeous blooms on it so I am hoping for some shots of butterflies soon.

9.

A regular sight on the roads near us and very nice to see.

I always take a photo, the man tips his hat smiles and waves. He is a real gentleman of the road.

Keep safe and well

until the next time...