Sunday 30 December 2012

Sunday 30th December 2012

Mother - enough is enough. Have decided to visit every two weeks now unless called in by the Home.
Any members of the Family reading this, do not worry, it is Mum being Mum but there is only so much you can take.

Sunday 30th December 2012

Mostly dry & bright but spoilt by a very heavy shower.
Birdlife a-plenty today recorded at 8.20am - 8.40am:
Jays
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Reed Bunting
Mrs. Blackcap
Mr. Blackcap
Song Thrush
Wren
Robin
Blackbirds
Chafinches
Greenfinches
Goldfinches
Sparrows
Photographs on FB.


Saturday 29 December 2012

Saturday 29th December 2012

Another very wet day made worse by strong winds.
Spent morning walking Kennet & Avon Canal to capture the flood water and flooded locks. At Reading the Lock and Weir are as one making for some pretty good pictures. The problem was keeping the lense dry.
Arrived home pretty wet, so hot bath, a Whiskey and an afternoon reading!

Friday 28th December 2012

A very wet Reading but a very dry London. Also pretty mild for December.
Enjoyed a day in London taking in the Sales Frenzy and the Lights that make London looking spectacular at this time of year. From the Natural History Museum, Ice Sculpture Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Somerset House Ice Skating, St.Pauls, The Shard, London Eye, Big Ben, The Shops, Regent Street, Oxford Street and not forgetting the Golden Marmite Lighting Spectacular at Piccadilly all made for a wonderful evening.
Finished the day with a Fish & Chip Supper at The Mad Hatter Fuller Pub.
Arrived back in Sodden Reading at midnight. I just love London. Back again for three days begin of February.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Thursday 27th December 2012

After further overnight rain the day was actually dry, sunny and on the cold side.
After a morning of clearing up I went for two long afternoon walks. 
Walk 1 - After parking in a layby I walked the length, breadth of Buckingham Drive. Also walked a fair way of Peppard Road. Where are these Waxwings, having a laugh with me this year!
Walk 2 - Fobney Lakes and Canal Path to Southcote. Hundreds of Goldfinches feeding from the Teasel Seeds in the flooded meadow.
One of the Fobney Hides is now surrounded by water, the canal bank also breached in one spot.
                              Good to see Mr & Mrs. Blackcap today on the feeders. The two Jays and Woody also very busy on the Monkey Nuts, still surprised at the number of Starlings feeding from the fat balls at this time of year.
Pictures on FB.

Wednesday 26th December 2012 Boxing Day.

Heavy overnight rain leaving a very full Well and muddy garden, not at all seasonal. The day remained mild and dry.
Big Sis' with Grand and Great Grandchildren, Mums and Dads enjoyed a day with us. An annual get together but very sadly, without Mum this year.
Children did well with the Snowman and Snowgirl dressing up using 24 white toilet rolls, carrots, hats and scarves. 
The Tray Decoration was also a hit using Snow Powder and all sorts of other goodies.
You all did well and well done to Bethany being the overall winner.
Was given more brilliant gifts, a novel Post Box Nesting Box and personalised Marmite Jars, wicked!
Loads of pictures on FB.

Tuesday 25th December 2012 Christmas Day.

Dry, coldish with a little sun.
Enjoyed elevensis with Lulu and Clive before a good meal at The Heron on The Lake. Enjoyed Venison Steak with all the trimmings. Good atmosphere at the HOTL, brilliant service, well done to all.
Arrived home just in time to watch the Queen deliver her address to the Nation then pressy opening time!
Santa looked after me - amongst many goodies I had an Insect reference book with a palm held Trekker Magnifier, brilliant pressy.
After a few pints of Real Ale I do not remember anything else of Christmas Day!

Tragedy - we missed a tragic accident by only 20 minutes on way over to Louise. Just passed Wellington Country Park at Risely a car misjudged a bend and ended upside down in the woods killing two passengers. Truly tragic.

Monday 24th December 2012

Very wet and on the cold side all day.
Difficult driving conditions going over to Mother, Police/Council had closed two roads due to flooding, trip taking twice as long.
Care Home had organised a Carol Concert with everyone taking part, I was given the part of Lords are Leaping! Great fun, just a pity Mum showed no interest.
                  Home late afternoon to settle down with a good pint and good food prepared by Mrs.T. Looking forward now to seeing Lulu and Clive tomorrow.

Sunday 23 December 2012

Sunday 23rd December 2012

Felt strange today - no rain! So mild we have turned the heating down and put the logs in storage!
             Most of the day spent in The Leaping Frog in between last minute wrapping. Managed some quirky pictures of the coloured lights reflecting in the plastic roofing sheets and the glazed doors.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Saturday 22nd December 2012

Another horrible day, dull and wet most of the time.
             Spent morning sitting in the Useful Room taking note of the array of Birds feeding from the Sunflower Hearts Feeder.
Brilliant to see the Blackcap again along with the biggest number of Goldfinches I have ever seen in the garden.
Also lucky to see three Long Tailed Tits on the Fat Balls. Did not stay long however.
Ground feeding for the first time in say twenty years was a Song Thrush, stayed for some while fighting with the Pigeons for dropped food.
The Jay, Magpie and Woody also were busy feeding on the Monkey Nuts.
Managed pretty good photographs on all the above mentioned, see FB.
                 Afternoon spent driving around Reading looking for Waxwings, no joy however. Think I have missed out this year.
Spent rest of afternoon until dusk at Fobney Lakes. Fair amount of flooding now, complete contrast to the frosty scenes of last week. Counted 87 Canada Geese on one lake with many more at a spot which was unsafe to walk.

Friday 21 December 2012

Friday 21st December 2012

After heavy overnight rain the day proved to be pretty good with blue sky and sun most of the day.
        Morning spent last minute shopping in Town, was soon back home to enjoy bird activity in the garden. Black Cap still busy as are loads of Starlings. Unusual to see Starlings in these numbers on the feeders this time of year in the garden. Am missing the Sparrows, not seen the numbers since I removed their feeder. It was re-positioned which clearly they do not approve!
         Drove round Wokingham and Reading looking for Waxwings but sadly not very successfully. Did see some dramatic flood scenes at Arborfield which now resembles a large Nature Reserve. Pictures on FB.
           Water in the Garden Well rose to ground level today after last nights rain, again picture on FB.

Thursday 20 December 2012

Thursday 20th December 2012

Wet all day, enjoyed a day with Jean & Doug. Good meal at the Four Horseshoes at Checkendon. Village Road flooded, Council Tanker called to pump water away from the front door of the Pub.
Jean & Doug, well into their eighties now are remarkable. Still pretty active, you forget just how old they are!

Wednesday 19th December 2012

Wet and miserable day, nothing good about it.
            Enjoyed listening to ALT latest gossip over a cuppa, thank you Sue! Can't believe it was a year ago I retired. 
             Rest of the day spent with Mum, listening to rubbish talk. Telling us today how she is beaten up of an evening......enough said. 

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Tuesday 18th December 2012

A  dry, dismal day, at least no rain.
                Day spent constructing the steps to the new decking area and wiring outdoor sockets for the lights. All finished now, job done. Am going to hibernate for the winter now.
                 Black Cap very busy today, brilliant picts' with a Blue Tit on the Fat Block. Pictures on FB.

Monday 17 December 2012

Monday 17th December 2012

After heavy overnight rain the rest of the day was pretty good with a good blue sky and afternoon sun.
                    Cleared garage/workshop so car can be housed during the winter months, also washed the car as covered in salt from winter road spread.
                    Afternoon spent at Henry Street to meet Prancer and Dancer, they were laying down, wide awake and looking as they usually do, just so Christmasy!
                     After creating new winter quarters for Foxy, what does he do - digs a hole under the Summerhouse. Trail Camera has captured some brilliant pictures (on FB). This is their mating time of year so best left alone now, interesting season ahead.

Sunday 16th December 2012

A much better day, blue sky most of the day. Rain arrived early evening so did not spoil the day.
                   Day spent at Kings Meadow Swimming Bath helping with the Campaign open day. Lorna baked 100 mincy pies and with the mulled wine we made visitors feel seasonal not forgetting the reason for the open day. Over £300 was raised which was a remarkable amount, it is amazing there are still long standing Reading People who did not realize the Bath was still standing.
The Bath has to be saved, the campaign gathers apace.
                    Good to see the return of the Black Cap on the sunflower feeder, captured a picture showing the Blackcap, Greenfinch and Goldfinch on the one feeder. Hopefully will see Mrs. Blackcap soonish. 
Pictures on FB.

Saturday 15th December 2012

Cold and very wet, so seasonal - not.
Despite the weather I did some garden clearing and log sawing. Next job will be to shred the smaller branches.
                    Enjoyed the evening with the Mullens, shame Marianne was under the weather due to heavy cold and a heavy friday evening with her work pals!

Friday 14 December 2012

Friday 14th December 2012

What a contrast in weather, wet all day with heavy winds.
Day spent indoors doing Christmas things like wrapping and hanging up cards!
               Delivered today from Handykam a Triple Sparrow Nesting Box with Camera system, this being a new product from HK. I am also indebted to them for their help and advice on what is required in setting up my outdoor camera system.
A lot for me to take in and understand. 

Thursday 13 December 2012

Thursday 13th December 2012

Another very cold day, still very frosty. Looking forward to the rain tomorrow!
Day spent working on the two log piles created from the branches and trunk from the Yew Tree. Forgot the TC was still set so well documented (picts' on FB).
                   Was amazed at the number of Goldfinches on the feeders today, most seen today were eight, managing a photograph showing seven. Again picts' on FB.
Woody & the Jay were happy to eat together on the Robinia tree, managed a long distance photograph.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Wednesday 12th December 2012

Even colder today at -5 most of the day. Stunning Frost making for some wonderful pictures. Selection on Face Book.
                 Shopping day today but still managed some garden clearing and a good walk to Southcote on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Fobney Lakes were the most stunning, I had photograph competion with the press. What some equipment they used against my modest Fuji!
Again, selection of pictures on Face Book.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Tuesday 11th December 2012

Coldest day this winter so far. Frost never cleared, bird baths froze the instant I re-filled. Lovely day however with lovely clear blue sky.
                 Day spent on the Woodland Path, Stile finished today. The last piece of the puzzle! Just a load of clearing up now then job done.
                  Had to call out Mr. P. Lumber today to sort out tap problems. Despite turned off the taps still kept running. Transpires that when the system was flushed yesterday for the new boiler grit chewed up the tap washers. All back to normal by mid afternoon.

Monday 10 December 2012

Monday 10th December 2012

A bright, cold, dry day.
Day spent shivering while Gas Board installed a replacement state of the art Boiler. Superb service by the Gas Board. Heating and hot water by the most efficient system, gas board insulating roof in January.
                 All Christmas Cards now written, decs' hung and tree installed. Just the shopping to sort out now before I am allowed back on my Woodland Path Project!

Sunday 9th December 2012

Another cold, dry day with bright spells.
Day spent on Woodland Path, just the Stile to construct now. 
                Early evening spent at the Care Home Christmas Party. Home are to be congratulated on putting on such a good show, just a shame Mother has to be so awkward an uninterested in showing any support. Enough said.

Saturday 8th December 2012

Dry but cold with a few bright spells.
Day spent on the Woodland Path, almost there now. May finish tomorrow.
                 Enjoyed an evening at The New Inn for a pre-christmas meal with Lulu and Clive. Pickled Partridge was the drink of the evening, bootiful. Landlord Tim presented me with a bottle of Badger Beer @ 8% to take home and try and report. This being a new beer by Badger.

Friday 7 December 2012

Friday 7th December 2012

Heavy rain overnight leaving the day dry but cold and overcast.
             Right mix of a day, hair cut first thing then town for a spot of Christmas Shopping. Bumped  into Viv who I had not seen for about fifteen years. Back in the eighties/nineties Viv was my Friday night Snooker Mate. Needless to say there was more talking than shopping carried out this afternoon. Have agreed to meet after Christmas to reminisce in more detail!
             Wrapped a few goodies late afternoon before eating at The Cunning Man early evening. Then back home for an evening in front of the Wood Burning Stove.

Thursday 6 December 2012

Thursday 6th December 2012

After a hard overnight frost the day remained cold but dry.
                    Spent insane amount of money at Henry Street on a rust proof Bird Feeding Station and 6 rust proof  Feeders. Look forward to assembly now but may take the opportunity to re-site?
Rest of the day working on the woodland path, looking really good now. Can't wait to finish, reckon another four days work. Probably after Christmas now.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Wednesday 5th December 2012

After hard overnight frost the day was dry, bright and sunny.
Shopping  and Care Visit sort of day so nothing to report! Contrast to the last couple of days.

Tuesday 4th December 2012

A  hard overnight frost followed by a  bright, sunny, cold, dry day.
Trip today on the Princess Elizabeth Steam Train to Chester for Christmas Shopping at the Market.
Travelled 1st Class Pullman Style so waited on good and proper! Brilliant food and drink, great service by the Steam Dreams Team.
Chester Christmas Market the best I have seen in this country in such a wonderful City, will defo' be back.

Monday 3rd December 2012

A  cold, showery day.
Day spent at Harrods Christmas Shopping. One of the worst experiences of my life. I am clearly in the minority as was a packed store. How can the costs be justified, high business Council Rate no doubt.
Two cups coffee & two Lasagna £70....
Tomorrow a trip to Chester, Christmas Shopping at the Market. More up my street!

Sunday 2 December 2012

Sunday 2nd December 2012

After another hard overnight frost the day was bright but cold.
Day spent on the Woodland Path, interrupted by the decking catching fire. Took a full water butt of water to put out. Thankfully looked worse than it looked, lucky I was there in the first instance. Will have to enlarge the fire pit to cut out the damage and line with fire bricks. Path looks good however! Pictures on FB.

Saturday 1st December 2012

After very hard overnight frost the rest of the day was bright but cold.
                 Day spent at the Joneses, enjoyable afternoon at Panto in Newbury.  Cinderella was the show this year, almost a disaster when Maria (one of the ugly sisters) fell down the stairs. Wig and shoes went flying. Clearly shaken she (he) with the help of Tia managed to keep going. Very funny but could have been a lot worse and less funny.
Evening complete by a brilliant Curry made by nine year old Holly with a little help from Dadsy.

Good News & sadly Bad News.

Brilliant news from Doug and Anna. Now proud parents after Anna gave birth to Ben late this afternoon. Can't wait to visit, still wish they lived next door bar one. Congratulations.

Bad news about David (Julian's Father). His Kidneys have stopped working and is now on Dialysis   
three times a week. Thoughts are with David, Carol and the Family.