It's smoking...

This morning we had a ride down to Halfords to buy a bean bag for Tom (mark II), he has to be comfortable on his long journey when we go away soon. Yes I know Tom is a sat nav, yes I know he speaks with a ladies voice and yes I know it is an inanimate object. However I like to treat our things kindly so that if they are looked after they may just last a little bit longer, plus I can see it better where it it and both of us can hear it better.
On our way to Halfords we were behind a Land Rover, we thought about whether we should get another but we soon changed our minds, when we saw the smoke,

Todays photo of the day

The smoking Land Rover.

This Land Rover sent out a smoke screen every time it stopped and started.

Until tomorrow...

The nest

The garden is still very quiet, I think a lot of it is to do with the amount of time next doors cat is spending in it!

The birds are still busy building nests, the squirrels are still charging about burying nuts, then digging them up again. 

I even saw one of them dig up a plum it must have buried shake off some dirt then sit on the wall and eat it.

I think the best nest I have spotted has to be the one high up in the Sycamore tree, it is one from last year which is being re-furbished.

Todays photo of the day

The Wood Pigeons Nest

It is not very tidy or very well made but it is how mrs pigeon likes it!

Until tomorrow...

The Good Friday March

Today's photo of the day

                           

The Good Friday March.

Until tomorrow...

A stormy sky

Todays photo of the day

A stormy sky

I took this from the living room window just before we sat down to eat dinner, I expected the night to be a stormy one. However it wasn't too bad, we heard the owls out hunting and  the nutbox lid was heard to bang a couple of times! We have yet to discover who or what is causing that ? We don't think it is the hedgehog surely it is too cold for "Spot" to be back. Tony will have to put out the Bushnell and see if we can solve the mystery.

Until tomorrow...

Meet Tony's new friend

Tony is always complaining about talking to  himself, today he bought himself a new friend

Todays photo of the day

Say hello to Max!

He was so named because he was bought at TK MAXX 

Now who needs to get out more?????

Until tomorrow...

Outside is below freezing

The garden is very quiet I think all life must be staying huddled together somewhere to keep warm, apart from the solitary Blackbird sitting on the end of the fence.

Todays photo of the day

She must have been so cold.

Until tomorrow...

The snow keeps coming

It's freezing outside the snow is still falling and this sparrow amazed me...

Todays photo of the day

He had a bath after I broke the ice in the water...

Until tomorrow...

Just another robin

Todays photo of the day

Until tomorrow...

Blackbirds and Squirrels

The snow continued to fall over night so this morning the garden was like a white blanket.
The birds were scarce except for the Blackbirds. The female Blackbirds were running round posing for the males chirping and trying to show that one was better than the other. There was one female that stood out above the others,

She ran the other birds out of the garden and posed and chirped and waved her rear until a male couldn't take it any longer, away they went the male chasing the female into the bushes.

The Squirrel came into the garden I thought he would have been keeping warm somewhere but I guess hunger got the better of him. He had a few nuts from the nutbox, ate a plum then he spotted the new seed stick I had put out yesterday. A sunflower and honey stick that the Tits and Finches like, he made a bee-line for it. Up the leg of the cross bar he pulled it across and pulled and tugged at it and then he ran to the fence. I saw him sitting on the fence his back towards the window so I could not see properly what he had got. Then he turned slightly, this is what I saw...

He had an enormous piece of the seed stick in his paws! The greedy little b#gg*r I thought!

The picture I have chosen to use for the main picture is of a Blackbird it just appealed to me the most.

Todays photo of the day

A Female Blackbird in the snow.

I really hope this weather improves soon, I hate the cold it just makes me feel useless and ill!

Until tomorrow...

They got the forecast right...

The weatherman had forecast more snow for our region, they got it right for once!

As I looked out of the window before going to bed I thought I would try and get a snap of the street covered in snow. It wasn't until I took a closer look that I spotted the figure in the window across the way looking out at the street probably doing the same as me. Watching for more snow.

Todays photo of the day

Watching for more snow!

Until tomorrow...

A game of hide and seek

Todays photo of the day

Does my bum look big in this?

Until tomorrow...

Nest building

The sparrows are all rushing round the garden, so are the Dunnock and Blackbirds busily building nests. I have worked out where most of them are going to be and I think this could be one of them,

Todays photo of the day

Sparrow is she building a nest in there?

Until tomorrow...

Mmmmm ice-cream

Today we had a ride out to visit Chris at his new place of work. Mmmmm ice-cream.

I didn't look forward to a trip to a large shopping centre but I just kept one thought in my head! Mmmmm ice-cream.

We arrived just as it was time for the place to open so it wasn't too bad it was fairly quiet, no large crowds of people, no screaming children and Mmmmm ice-cream.

We found the area Chris was working pretty quickly I had looked on the "net" the night before so I knew it was next to Boots the chemist.

Chris appeared pleased to see us and began to show us round the place, he showed us some cakes he had made, ICE-CREAM CAKES mmmmm!

I tried a very small sample of ice-cream called Red Velvet and that was it, I had to have an ice-cream.

I had peanut butter, white chocolate, yoghurt & cherry ice-cream with butterscotch pieces all mixed together in a Malteser/ chocolate dipped waffle cone. Mmmmm! Tony had a black coffee.

Todays photo of the day

This doesn't look like much of a challenge to me, what do you think?

Until tomorrow...

A singing Robin.

Todays photo of the day

A singing Robin

You will probably see a lot of these, as they are the most popular visitor in the garden on a cold wet day.

Until tomorrow...

Spring has sprung,

Spring seems to have exploded into the garden overnight!
Somewhere not too far away the sound of a woodpecker drumming. The Dunnocks busy wing waving and collecting nest building materials. The Sparrows playing kiss-chase, Robins singing fit to burst,the  Blue Tit couple busily flying in and out of the nest box. The female Blackbird with a beak full of goodness knows what rushes into the bush, another Robin heads into the corner beak full of leaves and fluff.
 Spring has definitely arrived, if only the weather would catch up!
At least it is not raining or snowing, that could even be the sun trying to squeeze out from behind that cloud.

The squirrels did not come into the garden while I was in the shed today however I did get plenty of photos of the birds. I have chosen one of the "nest building foragers" for

Todays photo of the day

Dunnock with a beak full of cotton.

The garden was alive today with so many birds, the Long Tailed Tits visited I took pictures of them which you can see on flickr.

Until tomorrow...

A frenzy of activity

The Blackbirds were fighting in the garden today. They were also parading showing off I think to attract the females. There is a frenzy of activity among the birdlife now, songs being sung, chasing around the bushes and a definite sense of spring fever!

Todays photo of the day

A male Blackbird.

Doesn't he look handsome all ready for spring.

Until tomorrow

Rock & Roll

Wakefield for people that do not know has areas called Westgate and Kirkgate. There are other gates in the city but these seem to be the best known.

On the bottom of Westgate is a sandwich shop whenever we pass it I always have a chuckle because of the name,

Todays photo of the day

Westgate Rolls.

I just chuckle because it makes me think if Westgate rolls does Kirkgate rock?

Yes I know I need to get out more!

Until tomorrow...

Getting a little technical

Today I spent some time in the office with Tony being a little bit technical!

I will admit most of it went straight over my head, in one ear out the other kind of thing.

I do know that he showed me how to use my camera with a remote control, using a TV or monitor in a different room to watch something and take a photo without being in the same place. Yes have I got you baffled yet?

Any way I think I know what I am talking about!

Todays photo of the day

This is a picture (or part of one) that Tony has on the office wall.

I took this photo with a remote controlled camera while I was in a different room, clever eh?

Until tomorrow...

Tablets order...

On friday morning I ordered some tablets from the doctors, the prescription then is sent electronically to the chemist ready for me to pick up the tablets 48 hours later. That means they should be ready tuesday afternoon.

This morning being wednesday I went to the chemist to collect the tablets, no tablets, not to worry the doctors is 2 minutes away from the chemist, there will have been a blip the prescription will be there to pick up.

At the doctors prescription for one item I ordered seven! This is the following conversation.

me- do you have another prescription I ordered 7 items 

reception- oh, they have been sent to chemist

me- no I have just come from there 

reception-oh, they will be ready this afternoon if you ordered them on friday it will be this afternoon.

me- so how come this one is here they were all ordered at the same time?

reception- oh, just a minute

She goes into back room.

Reception- just take a seat

15 minutes later

reception- they are in with doctor for signing you can pick them up this afternoon

me- why how long does it take him to sign a piece of paper? 

reception- he will do them all at end of surgery

me- no that is no good this is your mistake I would like my prescription now please.

reception- oh, just a minute

5 minutes later

reception- here you are Joan says she has taken you off electronic sending it is not worth the hassle.

me- thank you

I left the building.

Back to the chemist finally got my tablets, talk about traumatic for something that should have been so simple!

When we returned home I went down to the shed.

I spent 2 cold and lonely hours in there. The only company I had was a Robin. Even he looked unimpressed with the day.

It tried to snow a couple of times while I was in the shed.

I had a walk around the garden to see if there was anything to photograph, we do have lots of green shoots but apart from the snowdrops the only other flower is a small yellow one.

Todays photo of the day

Primrose

 (Primula vulgaris)

Until tomorrow...

The Cheeky Magpie

There was a very cheeky magpie in the garden today. Usually they don't stay in the garden when they have been seen, however this one was being very cheeky.

It would hide under the big conifer to see if I was watching, when it thought I wasn't it would fly out to Margaret's feeder fill its beak with suet and fly away. A few minutes later it would return and repeat the whole process.

Todays photo of the day

The Cheeky Magpie.

Until tomorrow...

It's snowing again

Todays photo of the day

More snow when will it end?

Until tomorrow...

A sleepless night...

I had a very sleepless night last night!

The wind was blowing, the rain poured , there was a cat yowling somewhere close by and Tony snored through it all.

Because the wind was blowing and the window was open the wind chime I have hung on the window was playing quite a loud tune, I could not however be bothered to get out of bed to take it down. The tune was somehow quite soothing although it did not really help me sleep it did seem relaxing.

Todays photo of the day

The wind chime

Now thats a wind chime non of your tiny mamby pamby tiny ones for me a big bamboo one.

Until tomorrow...

A soggy wet Squirrel,

Todays photo of the day

Squirrel

Soaking wet, sitting in the pouring rain, staring into space.

A little bit like my mind at the moment a blank space.

Until tomorrow...

Lynsey...

Todays photo of the day

Lynsey.

She takes a lovely photo doesn't she...

She will go ballistic when she see's this, will probably stop talking to me and leave a nasty message on this blog. You see Lynsey this is what happens when you will not let me take your photograph!

Until tomorrow...

Squirrels, Robins & Wrens.

I had one of those days today where photos came in abundance. I just could not believe how many I took today. Now I had the problem of which one to choose.
I had gone into the shed not really expecting to get any shots, it was a really grotty day. The misty air never seemed to clear properly, it was damp and dismal. I expected to be there an hour and then give up and go back indoors. I was however in the shed about 3 hours.
I first saw the Wren at the bottom of the garden but I could not get a clear shot, I had to wait for half an hour before the Wren flew onto the fence at the side of the shed. From there I managed some shots and I have to say I am very happy with the results.

Then of course the squirrels always make good pictures, today was no exception. I had taken a couple of plums to the shed with me which were not very nice when I tried them, so I threw them into the garden. I thought the Blackbirds would eat them. However I looked up into the sycamore tree and a small Squirrel had been into the garden without me spotting him and he was sitting up the tree enjoying a plum. He was really getting stuck into the plum so much so that when he realised I was watching him he ran off still with the plum in his mouth to finish it without being watched.
 A little while later he was back, this time for the nuts in the nutbox. He took a nut ran up the fence and sat down. He proceeded to eat the nut, when he realised I was watching him again his jaw dropped enough for me to see the nut in his mouth. Again he didn't stop long he jumped off the wall away into the next garden and away to where ever they go.
I came back indoors then I was getting cold and I knew I had some photos. When I looked out of the window, the Squirrel was already back in the garden burying nuts, the Starlings bathing in the dustbin lid and the Blue Tits flying in and out of the nest box. I put some cotton stuffing and some of Tonys hair out in the garden the birds are taking it so at least the nests will be cosy. Tony is due another haircut soon so more birds will benefit, I wonder if I ask if the hairdresser would let me bring my hair home next time I have it cut, it needs cutting, maybe I will do that, sorry I wandered in my mind then and thats somewhere you really don't want to go!

Todays photo of the day

Wren

I just cannot resist a Wren.

Squirrel did come a close second, if you want to see him you will have to go to my flickr site.

Until tomorrow...

I tried!

I promised to try harder, this was the best I could manage. I will try harder tomorrow.

Todays photo of the day

How did he get that bus shelter to fit in the skip?

Until tomorrow...

The daring squirrel

Todays photo of the day

Look no front paws

I have to admit although this photo was put on the blog today it was not actually taken today, It was taken two days ago. I apologise for cheating but really did not have the get up and go to pick up a camera today. I promise I will do better tomorrow and this will never happen again.

Until tomorrow...

Changing a lightbulb

Todays photo of the day

It's a lot of work to change a light bulb!

Until tomorrow...

Shed necessities

A day in the shed needs careful planning, it doesn't stop at a camera. You have so much to decide on , so much to carry down to the shed, the things you need count for so much.

Let me explain, I tell you what it is easier to show you!

Todays photo of the day

Shed necessities 

Now do you see what I mean?

You all thought it was easy.

Until tomorrow...

Banana rap...

This morning we had a bus ride to Leeds. We went to see the "Big wheel" that had been at London during during the Olympics.

I was not overly impressed! Yes it was a wheel, yes it was big. Both Tony and I took photos of it.

I soon got bored and moved on to the people in Leeds, much more interesting,

Todays photo of the day

Doing the Banana Rap

The man in the red hoody looked like he had pushed the other man out of the way to get to the bananas, he also looked like he was rapping the way his hand was up in the air with his tongue just sticking out of his mouth.

Until tomorrow...

Meet Slim...

I had a quiet day today, reading the paper, watching TV and generally just lazing.

I had a look on flickr and one of the groups I use had a weekly competition for "what is your favourite ornament" so I decided to put on a photo...

Todays photo of the day

Slim

He stand in the corner and says not a word.

Until tomorrow...