Sunday 31 May 2015

Sunday 31st May 2015

A mild but overcast and showery for most of the day.
Made a start today on the floor for the lodge. Using tiles left over from the observatory I worked out a design also using some oak flooring I also had over from a job. Managed to stick the tiles today, oak flooring tomorrow.

Saturday 30th May 2015

A cracking day, very warm and sunny all day. Can't believe weather changing to give us a wet day tomorrow.
Today spent connecting the lodge to the national grid. A work of art for me but thankfully it all worked. Now have power in both the lodge and shed and a double exterior socket. Provision also made for lights both in lodge and shed.
Lorna helped out and applied a second coat of varnish to the windows and doors.
                        The last of the blue tits fledged today but sadly left me with three dead. This I will deal with tomorrow.

Friday 29th May 2015

Mild but showery day and pretty breezy.
Lavers delivered the decking and trellis timber early this morning. Looks a lot, just hope I have not mis-read the tape measure?
         Rest of the day was spent varnishing the interior of windows and doors to the lodge. Another part of the job I was committed to carry out to maintain the guarantee. One more coat to complete the job.
          Can't believe it was 44 years ago we were married, we of course had to celebrate. Enjoyed a meal at the Walter Arms tonight. What a night reflecting on what we have achieved in all those years. Thanks Lorn.

Thursday 28 May 2015

Thursday 28th May 2015







Another very warm and sunny day. Loving this latest spell of fine weather.
In town shopping this morning for picture frames and all the electric fittings and cable required for the lodge.
Does not always pay to buy cheap. Back in the winter I purchased some very cheap picture frames, this week four came apart and crashed to the floor - hence buying replacements today but of better quality this time. As a matter of interest can you believe the glass did not break.
                      This afternoon transplanted 50 of the 90 sunflower plants. Weather permitting will transplant rest tomorrow. Pretty sure will lose a high % to slugs or snails.
Also spent a couple of hours in the hide this afternoon. Brilliant to see a female great spotted woodpecker from the hide. To be that close with the bird not aware of me made me feel like Mr. Bellamy!
The sad news of the day is the death of two blue tits, as explained previously the two were most definitely the weakest. The remaining four healthy birds are now at the entrance hole of the box with the deceased clearly seen in the nest.
Picture 1 - First crop of sunflowers ready for transplanting.
      "    2 - Shield Beetle.
 " 3 & 4 - Female Great Spotted Woodpecker.
 "        5 - Sad end to two blue tits.
 "        6 - Remaining four blue tits ready to fledge.

Wednesday 27 May 2015

Wednesday 27th May 2015





A very warm day with sun all day, temp' reached 23c this afternoon.
A right mix of a day. Started with a disturbed breakfast by Thames Water telling us we had a leak. Explained if within 25mtrs the repair is at no cost. Came in at 23mtrs. Phew. Repair to be carried out next Tuesday.
Taking advantage of B & Qs OAP discount Wednesday we found an ideal seating and coffee table set for the lodge. Delivery next Monday. With the electrics and flooring the next job I can see a busy weekend ahead.
                Sad news, appears to be two of the young blue tits have died leaving four very healthy birds that look in fact ready to fledge. The two dead were in fact the weakest and noticed yesterday the parents had stopped feeding them.
Pictures 1 - 3 - Bugs and moths seen today. 
      "            4 - Young starling waiting to be fed.
      "            5 - Sad photograph showing the deceased blue tits.

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Tuesday 26th May 2015






A very warm and breezy day, sun most of the day.
Good to catch up with my old buddies at Lavers this morning. Called in to order the trellis timber and decking which will be used to enhance the area around the lodge.
Finally the lodge treatment job is now finished. All glazing now sealed so hopefully all watertight now. Having a break now before I start varnishing the interior.
                 A good day for moths and butterflies. A small emerald moth was the best sighting. Two years since last seeing one in the garden.
Picture 1 - Small emerald moth.
   " 2 & 3 - Two further moths not as yet identified.
             4 - Feed time for the blue tits.
  " 5 & 6 - Lodge fully treated.

Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2015




A very mild day, not so sunny today. More overcast but at least dry.
Taking advantage of the dry spell I spent another day treating the lodge. Arms and neck beginning to ache now so will be pleased this part of the job tomorrow.
                 Good to see the return again of the male great spotted. Not able to photograph but the female was about as well.
Blue Tits I am sure will fledge very shortly, three spend more time out of the nest than in. Hoping I will be about to see them leave their home of the last three weeks to venture into reality. 
Something a bit strange tonight, a starling entered a nest box which starlings nested in last year. Also a couple roosted in this box over the winter.
Picture 1 - Treating the lodge.
      "     2 - Starling roosting?
      "     3 - Blue Tits.
      "     4 - Male great spotted woodpecker.

Sunday 24 May 2015

Sunday 24th May 2015



Another warm day with temp' today reaching 19c. More overcast today.
Day again spent on staining another side to the lodge. Weather looking good for another two days so should get this job completed before rain returns.
                         Swifts returned today for a short period. Very disappointing this year as do not appear every day and when they do it is only a short while. Will continue to play the swift call hoping still for a result. Getting a bit late now however.
Picture 1 - Relaxing in the lodge for the first time, not sure yet what furniture to purchase for the room. Don't want to spend any money...
Picture 2 - A young blackbird?
     "      3 - Another landing on the hosta.

Saturday 23rd May 2015



A very warm and sunny day with temp' reaching 24c this afternoon.
Whole day spent on making a start on staining the lodge. A warm job with a side finished so three more days to finish this part of the project.
                         Thanks to Julian we now have a frog in the pond. Found on his lawn being chased by a cat. Safer in the pond now I hope.
Good to see a couple of damsel flies flying close to the pond in the afternoon sun. Settling on the hosta for a photograph opportunity.
                          After a hard days work it was good to enjoy an evening with Neil and Sarah over a take a way and a few pints of home brew. Thanks Neil.

Picture 1 - A start to staining on the lodge.
     "     2 - Damselfly.
     "     3 - Feed time for the blue tits.
     "     4 - Frog.

Friday 22 May 2015

Friday 22nd May 2015






A bit cooler today but still warm with some afternoon sun.
All about project 2015 today. Weather just right for such a project. Lads turned up at 7.30am and left at 5.30pm with job done. Really impressed, a pleasure to have secured business with this company. Just three weeks ago we visited show site, placed order and now up and finished. 
Contrast to plumbers after wc going wrong in February and to date still not working.
On project 2015 I have now a weeks work to treat all exterior timbers so the guarantee hold.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Project 2015.
      "            5 - Pigeons having fun.
      "            6 - Blue tits out of nest now.

Thursday 21 May 2015

Thursday 21st May 2015








What a superb day. Warm and sunny all day and well into the evening.
Being a 'me' day I chose today to visit View Island close to Reading Bridge. What a delight, the wild flowers, butterflies, bees, nesting ducks, the odd rat and of course the River Thames. A delightful walk cut short after receiving a call to say cabin erectors (project 2015) were an hour away and wished to start this afternoon. It was to my benefit they started a day early so rushed home.
The three Geordie lads made a good start with the base down and fixed. Early start tomorrow.
              Caught some rather special moments watching a young starling being fed. Spotted the most beautiful butterfly or moth. Never seen before so interested to find out the species. Was the size of a 5p.
Picture 1 - Kings Meadow Swimming Baths in the process of renovation.
  "   2 - 4 - View Island.
  "        5 - Dinner time.
  "        6 - Still to be identified.
  "        7 - A good start on the cabin.
  "        8 - Tufty.

Wednesday 20th May 2015

A pretty good day with fair amount of sun, very warm.
Spent day weeding and watering the freshly planted baskets and tubs. 
Sunflowers ready now to be transplanted, a job for later in the week. Although plants, shrubs and trees have clearly benefited by the mild winter and warm spring there has been one exception however. The laburnum this year does not have one flower. Disappointing.
                Good to show Gordon and Becky around the house and garden tonight. Gordon was the son of the previous owner of 479 and had not visited the property since he moved out over 50 years ago. He found it an emotional time tonight, bringing back many memories of his childhood playing in the garden. Enjoyed a few pints together at the Holiday Inn finishing off a rather interesting evening.

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Tuesday 19th May 2015





What a mixed bag of weather today. Showers, windy, sunny, warm, chilly & hail storms.
My day was just like the weather, a mixed bag of happenings?
Project 2015 (log cabin) turned up at 7.45am. Communication issue again as was supposed to give me 24hrs notice.
Saniflo turned up at 8am, another communication issue as was supposed to have rung me on arrival time. 
It was a manic three hours off loading the cabin as no crane facility. Not my problem but did feel for the driver. Left yard at 4am then expected to off load by hand. Mad.
The replacement saniflo is a big issue I could do without let alone the high cost involved.
After spending the morning under the floor fixing this new unit it failed to work when switched on. It transpires the small bore system is blocked with scale (set like rock) and now requires a re-run of pipework.
Days like today do not bode well with me. Have to wait another two weeks before this work is carried out.
Just hope the building of the cabin does not hit any problems.
                      Cleared my head by visiting Henry Street this afternoon, looked at furniture for the cabin. On the expensive side so internet shopping now I think?
Picture 1 - Cabin delivery just arriving.
      "     2 - First few pieces unloaded.
      "     3 - All wrapped up against the impending showers.
      "     4 - Not much room for all of us now?
      "     5 - Starling settling down for the night.

Monday 18 May 2015

Monday 18th May 2015







Showers this morning but rest of the day very breezy, sunny and very mild.
Busy morning re-staking the sunflowers as the wind today is sure to cause problems if I had not taken action. I'm determined to win this years competition, again?
Good to see a healthy fox in the garden last night.
Male Great Spotted paid us a visit enjoying the fat sticks. Blue Tits growing fast, real wings now. Three robins unsure about territory and a stunning blue bottle with a belly flop landing.
Study a fly and you will see the most amazing colours.
                       Enjoyed afternoon tea at Nigel and Lyn. Given my garden watering instructions while they are away for Russell's wedding.
                       Over the forty two years living here I have dug up many objects some very interesting some not so - but look at this wonderful piece dug up while just scratching about in the border this morning. A complete undamaged tile. Times I have dug and hoed over the years, can't believe I am still finding objects.
Picture 1 - Foxy.
     "      2 - Male Great Spotted Woodpecker.
     "      3 - Three's a crowd?
     "      4 - Belly flop.
     "      5 - Blue tits growing fast.
     "      6 - Tile found in the border.