A bad day...

Today has been a bad day.

Todays photo of the day

Supper

A warm drink and a bun.

My Tigger cup was a birthday present from Christopher and Hannah about 3 years ago, it is the only cup I use so I am very careful with it.

Until tomorrow...

We have gone from snow to wind and rain, I think I preferred the snow!
It is still cold so there is no real improvement there. I was however warm today as I spent most of it in the kitchen.
I made 3 date and walnut cakes (theres one for you mum) some cornish pasties and some carrot,apple and bran muffins.
I am not sure Tony was keen on the muffins (healthy you see, not his sort of thing).

I have not been outdoors today so I had to find a photo of the day in the flat, so I looked around for a while until I found something I thought suitable, so this is what I decided on...

Todays photo of the day

Mr Wolf

He looks very distinguished in his bowler hat doesn't he?

I will try harder tomorrow until then...

Back in the shed...

The weather is a bit warmer, just a bit wetter.
The sun came out for a while so I took advantage and went back in the shed.
The garden was a little quiet, there wasn't much about to start with. However patience prevailed and the garden livened up. The squirrels snuck in when my back was turned but I managed to catch them. The Blue Tits have been busy flying to and fro we have been keeping an eye on them. They seem to be showing a lot of interest in the nest box on the sycamore tree that they usually nest in every year. Both Tony and I have seen them going in and out of it so we are wondering if they are thinking about getting it ready even though it does seem a little bit early.

I have decided that the picture I would use today is one I like because the bird in question is a feisty bird she is making it known that it is her territory, she is fighting for it, she intends to keep it. I like the background colouring, so here it is...

Todays photo of the day

The Feisty Female Blackbird

I did have a close second I very nearly used a photo of one of the squirrels, so I am also going to put that photo on for you to see, You are so lucky...

Squirrel

Until tomorrow...

A walk through Batley

Todays photo of the day

A walk through Batley

Short and sweet.

Until tomorrow...

A very disturbed night...

Last night I had trouble sleeping the rain was torrential, it poured down most of the night. It bounced of the roof lashed against the windows and kept me awake most of the night. The wind blew and competed with Tonys snoring. Now if I had managed to sleep I would probably of outdone them all, I know I can snore for England as I have often woken myself up doing just that.

So looking out of the window this morning it came as no surprise to see that the 3-4 inches of snow that had covered the back garden on saturday was no longer there. The only trace of it was little blobs here and there, mainly on the shed roof. Hopefully now it might warm up a bit, I hope you all took up the prime ministers suggestion and built your snowmen before the snow disappeared, you know what I am talking about surely his great idea of us all building snowmen to help with the slowing down of the floods! Yes a great idea I am sure you all agree I just don't know how he comes up with them, and he is running the country hmm!

Christopher called in to see us today, he is still looking for more work as the work he has is not enough to cover the bills. He is trying hard he has applied for 7 jobs this week, he gets as far as interviews but then never hears anything which I think is just plain rude.

Well we had a visitor in the garden today we have not seen for a while so even though it is not a fantastic picture, (I know not many of them are just lately) it is going to be...

Todays photo of the day

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

The wind sounds to be blowing again and the rain is once again hitting the window it sounds like it could be another restless night. I shall fill my hot water bottle put it into bed and prepare myself for the night .

Until tomorrow...

The big garden birdwatch...

Today Tony and I counted the birds in the garden as part of the big garden birdwatch 2013.
As you would have guessed the usual suspects were not to be seen, I could imagine them hiding in the bushes, "no don't go yet the hours not up, they will still be counting, wait five minutes then they will have finished", as soon as the hour was over the garden was full.
I know I could have done it again later or tomorrow but it's done now and submitted on line so thats it until next year.

I spent the rest of the day in a rather lazy way, watching TV catching up on Law & Order UK that I had recorded during the week and reading. I am back to the Roberta Kray books again , the one I am reading is called " The Pact" It is about a 34 year old woman called Eve daughter of a recently deceased conman, her younger brother is in jail and she has made a deal with an older intimidating and powerful con called Cavelli, to protect him but she is now beginning to think she may well be forming a pact with the wrong man...
It is one of the best books I have read by Roberta Kray and unfortunately appears it may be the last for the moment as I cannot find any more that I have not read. So if any one can suggest any good authors to try I am open to suggestions! I am even getting use to reading books on my ipad ( Tony is using it to read at the moment, I hope he doesn't get too attached to it!)

Well while we were counting the birds in the garden I managed a couple of photos so I did get a picture for today so here it is...

Todays photo of the day

The Crow

If anyone else wants to join in with the big garden birdwatch just go to the following link to find out all about it.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

Well until tomorrow...

I am so bloody mad I could swear...

Today I got a letter in the post from ATOS, now you may remember back in october I had to go for a medical assessment, to see if I was fit for work. It took them 7 weeks to decide that I wasn't so then I was told that I would receive ESA payments for at least a year. Well let me tell you they tell lies...
When I opened the letter and saw the form saying I had to fill it in and that my incapacity benefit could be changing to ESA I thought they had made a mistake, so I rang them to tell them, only to be told,
it is not a mistake I was only awarded the benefit for 6 months now I have to reapply. I couldn't  believe   it. I wouldn't mind but all this stress makes my condition worse.

Anyway enough of that lets move on to something better...

I managed an hour down in the shed this afternoon the Long tailed tits were in the garden again buzzing around like little bees. There are still loads of blackbirds and one of the thrushes made a short visit.  The little male squirrel popped in but not for long I think it is too cold for them.

Chris is supposed to be coming tomorrow but it depends on the weather, we have been forecast more heavy snowfall overnight in fact it is snowing as I am writing this.

I have decided on todays photo it is a regular garden visitor and a popular one...

Todays photo of the day...

Robin

His expression reminds me of how I felt when I opened that bloody letter...

Until tomorrow...

Elviras new hair cut

Doesn't she look smart...

until tomorrow...

A surprise in the post...

Today I was back in the kitchen making apple pies, cheddar cheese muffins, peanut butter cookies and a chorizo, cheese and apple pasty (this was for Tony).
I didn't mind being in the kitchen today it was the warmest place to be because it doesn't seem to be getting any warmer anywhere else!

While I was in the kitchen the postman called, I heard Tony having a chat with him which is nothing unusual, but then I heard the door close and Tony shouted up the stairs "what have you been ordering Soo?" Well I could not remember ordering anything, I began wondering what I had done. Had I done it and forgotten? That wouldn't surprise me. I was sure I hadn't ordered anything. I went into the bedroom where Tony had taken the parcel, it was a really large box. I was amazed what could it be surely I would remember ordering something that needed a box that big!
I was puzzled! Tony just laughed at me "well open it" he said "lets find out what it is".
So I opened it and to my amazement it was a prize, I had actually (yes Tony I have written the actually word) won something.
I had entered a competition on the Yorkshire Water Board website a couple of weeks ago and thought no more about it. I was according to the letter enclosed in the parcel one of the winners of the "watch and win"competition.
I have to say it was a very good prize as well so I have taken a photograph of it and I am going to use it as ...

Todays photo of the day

The box of Bettys goodies were 

Filter coffee

breakfast blend teabags

sloe gin soaked morello cherry fruit cake

cranberry & orange biscuits with a dark chocolate base

and a box of Bettys hand made Langues de Chat ( which are thin pieces of milk chocolate )

I like the box which has already taken up residence on my shelf in the bedroom, I can tell you the chocolate is very nice and the fruit cake is really excellent. I have yet to try the biscuits, coffee or tea but I am sure by tomorrow I will be able to tell you how at least one of them tastes...

Until tomorrow...

Broken beaks and broken feet...

Our garden seems to have birds that have bits missing...
I know most gardens have their casualties but ours just seems to have a lot.
Today we had a Song Thrush that came to visit that has a broken beak or part of it's beak missing...

It doesn't affect the thrushes eating, it tucked into the sultanas and apple quite happily.

Then we have a male blackbird that has been visiting everyday for the last week or more...

He has part of his left foot missing, again it doesn't seem to slow him down at all. He visits the bird table everyday, he doesn't seem worried by me at all in fact he watches me while he eats and comes closer every time. I hope as he gets more use to me he will come closer and maybe take food from my hand like the robin did last year. I know he is a wild bird and maybe I should not encourage him.

There are other birds I have noticed with slight deformities and of course I will be looking out for them now.
We also have one of the scruffiest great tits I have seen for a long time

A photo of a blue tit I took today amused me as well,

I decided that he had been too ambitious with the apples

He looks like he had bitten off more than he could chew and got himself stuck.

However in the next photo it made me think he was probably shouting
FREEDOM!

as he flew away to tell the tale of his battle of the apples and his victory...

Squirrel popped by today just long enough for a game of hide and seek so he counted while I went to hide

Yes I know I need to get out more...



Now after all these photos I hear you ask what about the photo of the day? Well I really don't know what I have left...Oh yes I know

Todays photo of the day

Song Thrush proving you don't need a full beak to eat.

(Thanks to Tony for sharing his sultanas)

Until tomorrow...

A visit from one of my favourite birds...

I enjoyed my visit to the shed today!
One of my favourite birds visited the garden, in fact not just one but a flock of them. They buzzed around like a swarm of bees moving from feeder to feeder even onto the bird table picking up suet. They perched in the bushes did acrobatics on the branches then flew out of the garden away over the hedge into the neighbouring gardens searching for more food. They provided me with photographs and the photograph I have chosen for...

Todays photo of the day

A Long Tailed Tit.

These little birds always bring a smile to my face they are just so comical. 

I took a lot of photos today of birds, the squirrels were not around so I took some round the garden as well here are a couple just so you can see the kind of thing I took.

Well until tomorrow...

I had to take it from the window...

The weather is still the same, bitterly cold, snow ice freezing cold a little bit of wind and no sign of it going anytime soon if the weatherman is to be believed.

I have stayed in doors today, I am still cold from yesterdays visit to the shed.
I spent some time looking through some photos on flickr I found a very interesting one I liked of Squirrel James here is a link to it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56916833@N06/8394674689/

Have a look he has some brilliant photos on there, he also has a link to his website which is also worth taking a look at.

Anyhow back to my photos I have not been out so the only photos taken today have been taken from the window!
The photo I have chosen is a little bit different for me and not the sort of thing I will use very often but when needs must... so here is...

Todays photo of the day

Through the large window

This is the large kitchen window, this is the view seen by who ever is washing up (usually Tony)

and yes the plant is supposed to be out of focus before any smart Alec asks.

Until tomorrow...

How long is it going to last...

These sub-zero temperatures are just not fun. My body is on a definite go slow. I want to move but it wont let me. I have to do everything at a snails pace, that could be a good thing at times because my mind is on a go slow too. Tony asks me a question and it takes me a while to think of the answer now thats usual but now it is taking twice as long, I think I must have brain freeze!

I did drag myself down to the shed today, Tony and I saw a flock of fieldfare in the garden from the kitchen window. Then Tony witnessed one of the young squirrels chasing the blackbirds round the garden and out of the trees. So I decided that before I missed anything else I would go down and brave the weather and hopefully get some decent photos. (yeah right)
Well I got there as quick as I could which we all know by now is not that quick, but I did get there which is what counts. I put out some food, settled myself into the shed, got the flask handy and waited for something to happen. I was in luck! I had only been in the shed about 15 minutes when a beautiful song thrush appeared right in front of me. It didn't even seem to care when I started to photograph it. I knew it had seen me but it quite happily carried on eating the apple. The thrush must have been more interested in the apple than it was worried about me or what I was doing. I took plenty of shots thinking I must take at least one good one out of them.
The thrush was there for what seemed like hours when really it was only there for minutes, but I got my shots so I was happy.
The young male squirrel appeared not long after the thrush left. He edged up the fence looking to see if I was in the shed, glancing to see what was on the bird table. When he saw me he stopped, turned his head and pretended he hadn't seen me. He sat for a minute then crept back along the fence, shot down the wall, down the squirrel stick and over to the nutbox. He stood up and looked only to find I was ready for him the shutter clicked and I had his photo. This is the sort of game we play every time, yes I know it's a squirrel he doesn't know, ha thats what you think, you don't know him!

Well I stayed in the shed a couple of hours or more until I could no longer feel my finger tips or toes then I decided it was time to come back indoors and get warm. Half an hour later wrapped up in my pj's with a hot water bottle and a warm drink I looked at the photographs I had taken. I am pleased with most of them, I have put some on my flickr site of squirrel, the thrush and a blackbird. I wasn't sure about todays photo but I decided after thinking about it to use this one, it is not on flickr it is just for the readers of this blog.

Todays photo of the day

Song Thrush enjoying apple.

Hopefully this cold-spell will soon be over then I will be able to get out more and go further. 

Until tomorrow...

I have nothing to say...

It is too cold , I have nothing to say!

Here is

Todays photo of the day

Squirrel hanging on for lunch.

Thats all I have for today

Until tomorrow...

Another freezing day...

The garden is still frozen, the squirrels are not coming out to play, the birds are only coming in short bursts, just long enough to eat and leave.
The Sparrow hawk has been in the garden but has had no luck, the birds are all keeping huddled together well out of the way keeping warm together.
I have not ventured into the shed it is too cold, I am having trouble moving I am seizing up, my body is taking issue with the cold and refusing to work.
I am washing my hands a dozen times an hour just as a way to warm them up, I am sitting with a hot water bottle permanently strapped to me, two pairs of socks on, a hat and mittens. All this is inside what would I have to wear to go out?

I have been having a try at thermal binding today! Tony and I bought a thermal binding machine and a comb binding machine from eBay. We thought it might give us something to do. So I have tried them out, I made Tony a manual for a camera with the comb binder the other day and it was excellent for the documents. I made a photo book with the thermal binder today and that seemed to work fine too, so I will make books for us and friends and some family members now.

Well as you will have guessed due to the weather photos have been few and far between, I had a play with Tonys infrared camera earlier so I am using a photo I took with that for...

Todays photo of the day

Our Street

The cloud or steam on the photo is I think the fumes from the central heating systems in the flats on the street. 

Until tomorrow...

It never thawed out...

The garden never thawed out today.
The big sycamore tree at the bottom of the garden had ice and frost hanging from it's branches all day.
I never left the flat, I didn't have chance to take many photos .
So the only photo I have to offer is taken from the kitchen window...

Todays photo of the day...

Through the kitchen window

Until tomorrow...

A garden full of blackbirds...

The garden has been taken over by blackbirds! They are everywhere, I counted 7 males and 3 females while I was in the shed, they seem to increase every day. They are chasing each other round the garden fighting over the food, females are fighting with each other, obviously it is the time of year to start pairing up again it just seems too early. The robins are at it as well, we have at least 2 if not more robins, singing to each other. One of them has either been ringed at some time or has something caught round it's leg but at least it is a way of identifying it!

This is the robin with something round its leg...

We have snowdrops pushing their way through in the garden, little green shoots are showing.

We had a lovely colourful male chaffinch in the garden today, all puffed up to keep warm. It seem's to have been one of the coldest days we have had so far today I didn't stay in the shed very long for that reason.
One of the squirrels did venture out today tho' he must of been hungry. I took his photo while he sat on the fence eating a nut. The expression on his face when he realised I was watching made me laugh, you could see the penny drop!

I thought hard about which photo to use for todays picture, I almost used the squirrel then I decided that 

Todays photo of the day ...

A male chaffinch

We don't get them in the garden every day, he is a colourful little bird, he brought a smile to my face when I saw him all puffed up against the cold so that was what made me choose him.

Well until tomorrow...

It snowed over night...

This morning I looked out of the window and the garden was white over with snow. The snow was still falling, it continued to fall until lunchtime.  By evening it had almost disappeared.

I spent some time in the shed but not long because it was so cold. There was no sign of the squirrels, they were probably curled up in a drey somewhere keeping each other warm. The blackbirds were still out five of them chasing each other squabbling over the seed. A couple of chaffinches a few sparrows and a blue tit.
I had hoped to see the thrush that had been in the garden earlier in the morning that Tony and I had seen through the kitchen window, but no sign. Or at least not until I packed my things away, put the windows back in and of course there it was! I took my camera back out and tried to catch the thrush through the window, no good. I took one window out and tried again, the thrush had run under the bush at the bottom of the garden. I managed to take a photo but it is not very good, how ever I am still going to put on as...

Todays photo of the day

I like the picture,   There was a thrush last year who hid her chick under the bush maybe it is the same bird and it remembers the hiding place!

I took some pictures of the blue tit as well which you can see on my flickr site.

Until tomorrow...

A good day for photos in the garden...

The squirrels have been misbehaving, they have been digging in my down stairs neighbours plant pots again! Margaret will not be happy, it doesn't help that I have run out of nuts. Today all I had to give them was the last hand full of nuts and sunflower seeds. The amount of nuts they have buried throughout the neighbourhood should keep them fed for the next few weeks anyway!
The little squirrel that fell from the tree the other day was back in the garden today looking no worse for the fall so that is a relief.
While I was in the shed Tony called me on the radio to tell me a man from Yorkshire water had been to the door and left a fat ball making kit. I had ordered this online about 4 weeks ago, it is something Yorkshire water came up with to encourage people to use the fat instead of pouring down the sink or into the bin, this way there is less blocked drains and the birds benefit too. I think it is a good idea and people with children or grandchildren can get then involved with making the fat balls and feeding the birds.
The garden has had a lot of bird life again today the finches seem to be making a come back, the dunnocks are coming out more, the blackbirds are increasing in numbers, there were 2 robins and 2 wrens today. I also saw long tailed tits and lots of coal tits, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, starlings and collar doves.  Here are a few photos I took today...

                                                                                                 

 

I have decided however that none of these are going to be picked as todays photo, so what is...

Todays photo of the day...

The Plant Pot Plunderer...

While I was in the shed I had an encounter with the cat from next door. My friendly Robin was sitting on the fence at the side of the shed singing so nicely, when the cat appeared at the far end of the fence. She began sneaking up the fence towards Robin, obviously unaware of my presence she was too busy watching the birdie. Robin had not seen the cat, who was slowly creeping closer and closer. I moved towards the window, the cat must have caught the movement in the corner of her eye, she froze for a second, looked at me in total shock, then fell off the fence... At this point Robin flew away, I fell about laughing and the cat shot off with her tail puffed up and a lot of hurt pride I would imagine.

Oh well until tomorrow...

A busy day and a surprise...

This morning Tony and I had a ride out to Leeds to Crown Point Retail Park. We went looking for Thermal Binding Covers, but came home empty handed.
We didn't buy much at all the trip proved fruitless on all accounts, except for bird seed.



On the way home from Leeds I took a photo of a young man wearing "Sky Runners" here is the photo

This was going to be the photo of the day BUT something happened to change my mind...

The arrival of the postman!

The quarterly magazine from the RSPB dropped through the letterbox, as I skimmed through the pages, I could not help but smile, then I giggled. "Tony you are a star" I told him.

There in the magazine was the photograph I took last time we were in Scotland of Tony and the Little Red Squirrel playing hide and seek.

So that just had to be...

Todays photo of the day

Tony's moment of fame.

I am still smiling now it feels good knowing the photo was deemed good enough to be put in the magazine so thank you Tony for being in the right place, Thank you Bassman and Squirrel James for showing me and allowing me to be shown where to find the squirrels.

Until tomorrow...

Nothing much to say...

I haven't really much to say today!

We had a ride into town on the bus this morning, had a coffee with Elvira. We did a little bit of shopping, bought flour for more bread making tomorrow.
It was very cold so we didn't stay out long, I didn't even take any photos.

I did however take some when we arrived home. Across the road in the garden of the corner flat, Stan had thrown out some bread, there was a flock of seagulls swooping down for it. There was a bit of a "cafuffle" while one gull snatched another ones bread and I took a photo as they flew away. It is not a fantastic shot by any means but it is...

Todays photo of the day

The Bread Fight

I spent the rest of the day looking for new recipes on the internet, I needed some bread with no yeast recipes, I did find some so thats tomorrow sorted.

I think weather permitting we are going to Leeds first, but there was mention of snow on the weather forecast! If that happens I will not be going anywhere or at least no further than the shed...

Well until tomorrow...

Back in the kitchen...

I had another urge to do some more baking today, Tony is always happy when I do because it means he gets a day off from cooking and some goodies as well.
Today I made sausage rolls, a pork and apple pie, I had another go at the fruit loaf which turned out ok this time, I made a fruit pie and I even had a go at some flat bread which Tony really liked.
He liked it so much we are going out for more flour tomorrow so I can make more bread at the weekend.

I have not been into the garden today but I did watch out of the kitchen window while I was in there, one of the little squirrels fell out of the tree, I was a bit worried because he fell quite a long way and I have not seen him again since so I hope he is ok, they do seem to land on their feet a lot like cats but until I see him again I will worry. The little girl disappeared after him but she came back later alone, she kept up the usual running up and down taking nuts so hopefully she was taking some for him too!

The thrush was in the garden again too so maybe he/she is going to become regular for a while that would be nice some good photos could be coming if I am lucky.

I did wonder how I was going to find a photo of the day with not going anywhere today but Tony came to the rescue with an idea similar to the flying pig.
I put my camera on the window sill in the kitchen put the ISO to 200 put the aperture to f/13 used my 300mm lens and my Olympus E410 and set it on a tripod focused it on the road to catch the car lights, this is the result...

Todays photo of the day

Light trails

Not bad for a last minute photo.

Well I haven't had time to read much more of my book, oh and I got the title wrong, its called "Eye of the Witch"

So until tomorrow

A morning in bed & an afternoon in the shed...

I spent the morning in bed reading!
I was warm and comfortable, I just could not be bothered to move so I didn't.
I finished reading the book "The witches ladder" I have to say I was a little disappointed with the end, but not enough to stop me downloading the next in the series, "The Witches Eye". The fact that it was a free download may have helped me make up my mind but I will try it.
I have read the first two chapters already and will read some more later so I will let you know tomorrow what I think.

When I did finally decide to move myself and leave my nice warm bed, I dressed warmly and prepared myself for an afternoon in the shed. I was so glad I did.
The garden was so lively the sun was out, 2 squirrels appeared minutes after I filled the nutboxes, both posed so nicely for photos (not together of course). Then the birds arrived in flocks, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, blackbirds, sparrows and a robin. Not long after there was a flapping of wings the boys were back, a flock of starlings flew in like a swarm of locust they ate everything in sight then left as if they had never been there. I had to go out and put more food out for the other birds. It did however give me todays photo of the day and BBC Winterwatch have marked it as a favourite!

Starling

The school is back in session so when I am in the shed I hear the children and teachers on the playground at lunchtime and breaks, it is amusing at times. The teachers are always louder than the children, it always seems to be the same names they shout over and over. " kyle don't do that"  "Tyler put that down" "Bianca put Tiffany down"  "Clementine stop pushing Aome" ( I am told that Aome stands for Apple Of My Eye).  I mean what happened to proper names like Robert, Christopher, David, Julie, Jane, Emma???????   

Well I am going to watch some TV now and read some more of my book so until tomorrow...

2 visits in one day...

We have been popular today!
This morning Christopher came to see us, he has not been too happy just lately, his job is not going very well, they are short of work so his hours are being cut all the time, he is getting bored and short of money a combination which is not good for anyone. He is looking for more work or something else to fill his time I am sure it won't be long before he finds something he is never stuck for long. Hannah his girlfriend has on the other hand just got a promotion at work so well done to her, pat on the back and 3 cheers Hannah.

The second visit of the day was from Lynsey!
She is doing assignments and things at the moment and is doing well, yesterday she got two results back she had achieved the highest grade of a merit on the first and a distinction on the second.
Way to go Lynsey, whoop whoop

Lynsey made me laugh this morning she sent me a text from the bus station to say she was on her way and had stopped in Gregg's to buy some breakfast and was amazed at an old lady.
The old lady had walked in looked round picked up a bag of bread cakes, looked round again put the bread cakes in her bag and walked out again.
Lynsey says she couldn't believe it.
 "she must of been 70 years old" she said when she was telling me about it again later.
I just laughed and told Lynsey by the sound of it she probably does it regularly it sounds like she has the timing just right, full shop, security guards nowhere in sight quick drop into her bag and away.
 "But they only cost a £" said Lynsey.
She seemed so amazed at the thought of an old lady stealing as if it just wouldn't happen, she really should open her eyes to the real world...

Tony and I nipped out earlier in the day to collect a parcel so I managed to find a photo of the day,

The Tree Fella

I read a story on the BBC news site that pulled at my heart strings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-20942801

click on the above link if you wish to take a look...

I have almost finished my book, I am still not sure who done it, or why!

I am going to go and finish it now so until tomorrow...

Supermarkets are not my favourite place...

I hate supermarkets they are noisy smelly crowded and make me feel physically sick. I would be quite happy if I never had to set foot in one again as long as I live, but we have to go in and do the shopping at least once a month, and more when we forget things. Today we were only going for veg but came out with a mountain of things.

We called at the Hospice Warehouse again, it was open today. The refit was finished and it looked very bright and clean. The problem was the prices had risen to pay for it. To say it is a charity it is really expensive, take the books for instance, they use to be 3 for a £ now they are a £ each a pretty big jump.
I dont mind giving to charity but you have to draw the line somewhere...

The rest of the day I spent reading, this book "The Witches Ladder" gets spookier by the chapter! Every time I think I know who it is killing them that is the next person to get killed...

I also watched a film I recorded a few weeks ago called "The Knights of the South Bronx" which was about a school in America based on a true story where the children learnt how to play chess and won the national finals to get sponsorships to gain collage places.
 It had a similar story line to a few other films but I still enjoyed it.

Todays photo of the day was taken in the supermarket car park

Seagull standing guard.

The squirrels went wild...

The squirrels must have thought it was spring all it took was a little bit of sun and they went wild!
Three of them ran round the garden up and down the tree over the walls, in and out the gardens, only stopping every so often to grab a nut from a box in passing. This carried on for at least an hour or more then it stopped just as if they had never been there.
I had not anything to show for it they all moved too fast for the camera so all I could do was watch, I was exhausted by the time it was over, it was a good job I had a flask in the shed with me I needed a coffee after all that.

Well after I had got my senses back together (what sense I have) I managed to set up the cameras I didn't expect to see any squirrels after that display so I settled myself down to watch for any birds that might appear.
It wasn't long before a flock of Sparrows arrived, one of the male Sparrows appeared to be acting as look out, he stayed in the bush high up on a twig watching all around, maybe for the Sparrow hawk or cats there has been sightings of both recently.
The next to arrive were the Blue Tits and Great Tits closely followed by a Robin then a few Starlings. It was good to see the garden so alive for a change. Then I heard a soft thud the sound of the nutbox closing, there was one of the squirrels back. I glanced over to the side I couldn't believe it all three squirrels, one on the fence and two in the tree, I guess all the running about had made them hungry and they knew there was sure to be food here. I took plenty of photos but as usual never managed to get any of them all together. I did get some of two of them but not good enough to be made public so I will keep trying one day I will manage to get a shot that I think I can show.
I have put a couple on flickr of the squirrels and a couple of bird shots, a Song Thrush made an appearance a beautiful bird, so the thrush is on flickr, but not my photo of the day.

My photo of the day is a picture that brought a smile to my face and also to Tonys,

The Head-banging Starling

If that is what peanut butter does for him he should leave it alone!

I have started reading a book on my iPad  called "The Witches Ladder" written by Dana E Donovan.

It is a little bit spooky, includes the paranormal, witches, paganism and other weird happenings. It is set in New England in America. It is not my usual kind of reading material but I just thought I would give it a go, strangely I seem to be enjoying! I will let you know how I go on with it...

After all the other squirrels had gone this afternoon and the garden had gone quiet there was one last visitor...

She is very timid, I think the other squirrels are too rough for her she likes to wait till everybody else has gone, then she comes to get something to eat when it's nice and quiet...

In the kitchen...

We have not been out today, so as promised Tony got his pie, in fact he got two.

I spent most of the afternoon in the kitchen (at least it is warm in there). I made an Apple pie, some Berry Muffins, a Spiced Fruit Loaf (which didn't turn out quite right) and a Black Pudding, Sausage-meat stuffing and chorizo pie. (This is the one Tony wanted)

I dont mind being in the kitchen Tony keeps popping in to make sure I haven't cut off any fingers or thumbs or broken anything, or had a twitch and thrown anything up the walls. So far I am doing ok no accidents or mishaps, when I feel anything like a bit shaky or I feel not right I sit down and wait a bit read a few chapters of my book until I know I am ok to carry on.

So because we haven't been out and I have not had chance to really use the camera todays photo has to be...

Apple Pie 

after Tony had a slice

(hahahaha only kidding I had one too)

I have finished my book "Nothing but trouble" by Roberta Kray it had a very cheeky twist that I did not see coming. 

I have to wait now as I have read all the books I have, I am expecting delivery of two more during next week both by Roberta Kray. Until then I will have to find something to read on my ipad.

I dont mind reading books on the ipad but it's not like holding a proper book it just doesn't have the same appeal, but it will do as a stop gap.

I watched the squirrels through the kitchen window earlier today, there were three of them in the garden. I think word had got around that the nutboxes had hazelnuts, pecans and monkey nuts in. They were back and forth for the nuts then just went wild playing chase round the garden up and down the tree it wears me out just watching them.

I will try to take some more interesting photos if I am going to put a photo a day on I really do need to start going out more, if only this weather would improve if not you might be seeing a lot more of Tony than you want!!!