I can't stand the rain...

The weather has been atrocious but this squirrel was not bothered, these feeders had to be emptied before he could leave them.

Oop's looks like he missed one.

Even though it has done nothing but rain, blow a gale, thunder, lighten and even throw down a bit of snow Margarets garden is still showing signs of spring.

Snowdrops 

Purple Crocus 

Orange Crocus 

Even the Willow Tree has buds on it.

The next snap caught my eye while we were out in the car one day. It got me to thinking...

Which came first the garage or the tree?

Lynsey, her friend and x amount of children are today boarding a ferry to Holland. All I can say is rather them than me. She has already called me to say they cannot attach the walkway to the ferry, so they are being taken across by shuttle boat. Good start, I can't wait for the next instalment.

Health Update: Tony is slowly getting better after his back op, however, his driving is still not 100%. Now he is waiting for another op because he has a hernia so most things are back on hold for a while.

I am ok my usual cheerful, happy, laid back self. Ok, when you have all finished laughing, I will carry on, the biggest problem I have at the moment is my teeth again. Oh and not being able to keep warm, right that's enough waffling for now.

Until the next time...

The Big Garden Birdwatch.

The birdwatch is completed for another year, the starlings came out on top, 22 of them fighting over peanut butter and suet. All the other birds, not that there were many, slowly dropped by in 1,2 and 3's.
There were 3 squirrels bouncing about the garden like something crazy.

Now I know it's Chinese New Year, and it's the Year of the Rat, BUT why did the blooming thing have to take up residence under my shed? 

I hope that it will soon be gone, steps are being taken.

The squirrels are not happy, the rat chases them when they get too close.

Please get rid of the bully under the shed!!!

Until the next time...

Baking & Knitting.

I decided to give the knitting another go, however it is going to be a long time before anything is finished. I manage to knit about half a dozen rows and my fingers seize up.
The baking was more of a success, I made a,

Pineapple Upside Down Pudding.

That should keep us in puddings for the next few days.

We have a crazy squirrel in the garden that is chasing away all the woodpigeons and magpies. I think the magpies have been stealing the nuts the squirrel has been hiding in the garden.

I am going to do the R.S.P.B. big garden bird watch next weekend so I am making sure that I have plenty of food for the birds and squirrels. I shall take my flask wrap myself up and go down to the shed for an hour.

I have not been taking many photo's so the only one I have to show you is, the sunrise through the trees taken from the bedroom window this morning.

Sunrise Through the Trees. 20/01/2020

Until the next time...

Not much in the garden...

There is nothing much in the garden at the moment, the squirrels are still coming. As usual we have a crazy one in the bunch, he bounces off the shed, he bounces off the post and crossbar.
There is a female backbird coming she seems to be trying to finish the berries on a bush in the garden next door, that overhangs the wall at the side of ours.

Female Blackbird On Bush With Berries.

Tony is recovering well, he is walking round the flat, is walking up and down the stairs ok and he will be beginning physiotherapy next week. He is not looking forward to that but I know he will do it because I know how much he wants to be back to full fitness.

I am ok at the moment, my biggest problem is my memory, if I dont write it down I forget it. That includes what I am looking for.

We have considered trying again for a downstairs flat or bungalow, but I think I would miss the garden too much.

Until the next time...

Goodbye 2019, hello 2020.
The start of a new year and new beginnings.
Tony has had his back operation,  everything seems to have gone well. We should know in the next few weeks for definite. Tony is not allowed to drive for at least 2 weeks or to lift anything heavy.
We have beeen watching one of the female squirrels in the garden who is also having a new start, she is busy building herself a nest. She has been running up and down the big sycamore tree at the bottom of the garden in the school yard.

 Mrs Squirrel running up the tree with a mouth full of leaves.

Mrs Squirrel having a rest before running up the tree again.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and that Santa brought you everything you asked for. I wish you all happiness & health for the new year.
Until the next time...

Strange and wonderful sights...

Tony and I have not been venturing far, except for hospital and doctors appointments, we have had no wish to go out in the cold.
Lynsey is complaining of the cold every day on her way home from work, then complaining again when she gets home because it costs too much to put the heating on.
No matter what you say you can't win. so she will just have to keep warm with her furry hot water bottles, Pepper and Biscuit.
We had a visit from the Sparrow Hawk about a week ago, the Hawk had chased some small birds across the garden but had not managed to catch any. He sat on the fence for a while waiting to see if any would return to the garden, (he is obviously not a very clever Hawk). He moved onto the shed roof for a quick look into the neighbours garden, saw nothing in there then off he went to look elsewhere for food.

                                       SPARROW HAWK ON THE FENCE.

                       
                                            SPARROW HAWK TAKING FLIGHT.

We had a very strange looking sky one evening, I often look at the sky because I like clouds and the shapes they make. It had become quite dull and I just thought I would have a last look at the sky. When I looked I was taken by surprise because I can honestly say I have never seen it look this colour before.

 

                               
                                          A STRANGE COLOURED SKY.


On a visit to the local Retail Park, Tony spotted some fungi, I have looked in my book and I  think it is an Orange Grisette. However, I could be wrong so if anyone know better please let me know

ORANGE GRISETTE.

Robin was attacking something a rew days ago, we had called up at GO OUTDOORS, Tony needs some new socks. Robin was jumping up and down, pouncing on his prey, he looked really pleased with himself. When we got into the car I could see he had an enormous worm. Robin looked at me as if to say "look at this snake I just killed".

         
                                                 ROBIN WITH HIS SNAKE.

We called up to see Elvira, she doesn't get out much either. We had a cup of tea with her and a chat, Tony asked if she could take us to a hospital appointment next week, it gives Elvira and I chance to look round the shops together.
When we left Elvira stood looking out of the window,

                                     ELVIRA I WONDER WHAT SHE WAS THINKING?



Until the next time...

The face of fear.

Yesterday I had to go and collect my tablets from the chemist. So we did a bit of shopping while we were out. As we were driving along the road to go onto the retail park, a body suddenly launched itself from the hedge and into the road. He dropped his shopping bag, gave us a look of horror and continued to run. The security guard was running after the man but it was obvious that the man was not going to be caught. Tony had accidentally driven over the bag that the thief had dropped on the road, we knew the bag was stuck under the car.

We drove onto the car park and told the staff the bag was there, one of them got down on his knees and pulled it out. The security guard was pleased  to have his stock back, not pleased enough to say thank you. However some other members of staff did say thank you.

The Face of Fear.

The picture is not very good it has been taken from a car camera.

Until the next time...