What a beautiful day after such a dreadful day yesterday.
Day spent laying electric cable in the lawn to link up eventually to sockets on the new decking area. Cable pushed into a hosepipe for protection. That is easier said than done!
While digging the trench in the lawn I hit upon something solid, turned out to be what now looks like a side to the Cesspit, further digging is on the cards now to confirm this is in fact a Cesspit Wall. So not put to bed as I thought!
Had the Swift CD working again tonight hoping to encourage the Swifts to the Nest Box. While keeping an eye on the Sky for a glimps of a Swift this Sparrow Hawk appeared (7.30pm), did not stay, flew off as quick as he appeared, lucky to get a picture.
Also lucky today to see two Female Orange Tip Butterflies.
Picture 1 - Wall of Cesspit?
" 2 - Female Orange Tip Butterfly.
"
3 - Painted Lady Caterpillar's.
" 4 - Had I been asleep that long?!
" 5 - Sparrow Hawk.
The day was as wet as you could get it hence the poor quality of some pictures. The Town Centre was packed but sadly as the Parade left the Town the Basingstoke Road was somewhat lacking in numbers! In fact at Bennet Road it was just me and the Neighbs!
How many more times this month have I to record: mild, wet, sunny & windy day?
Up at 5.30am cutting overhanging branches from the Acer Tree in the front garden. Bit dodgy but thankfully no accidents or damage.
Bought all the outside electric equipment from B & Q I require for the Decking project and ordered Trellis Panels from Henry Street.
Afternoon spent in the workshop, picture framing.
Picture 1 - Tree Pruning early this morning.
" 2 - Despite the wet weather the Bluebells are standing up pretty good.
" 3 - Amazed at the rapid growth of the Painted Ladies, just 8 days old now.
" 4 - Flame, my favourite advert of all time!!
A typical April day, wind, showers and sun.
In between showers I managed to plant out 20 Runner Bean Plants and 40 Carrot Plants. Also planted out 40 Sweet Pea Plants, within an hour 10 plants had been dug out and the plant tub was generally trashed. Have set the TC tonight to catch the culprit. My guess a Jay or Blackbird.
When wet I retreated to the workshop and glued up a further five frames, don't think I will have the wall space for the number I am making!
Swifts have definately arrived, two spotted at 7.30pm tonight flying to the nest site at 483. Brilliant news this but sad at the same time as without Doug and Anna living there now am unable to see the action through the camera Doug had set up. I will be in touch with Boyo (Doug) each night now and for my part I will now start playing the Swift CD to encourage a pair to my nest box.
Picture 1 - Jay in the Bean Tree with a tasty Monkey Nut.
" 2 - Carrots planted in cardboard tubes from a Carpet Roll. Bit of fun to see how long I can grow a Carrot!
Picture 3 - Runner Bean Plants, 10 in each tub with a Sunflower in each tub to encourage the Bees.
Picture 4 - Not afraid to admit it! I just love the Flame dancing in the EDF Advert. Sad or what?!
" 5 - Swift Nest Box on the North Side of House.
Another Wet and Windy day. Did brighten up late afternoon / evening, even some Sun!
Was Photographer at another Wedding so most of the day spent on this as also followed party to the reception for more pictures. For those of you who are aware of my connection with Julie and Darren, it was Darren's Sister who Married today. We were so lucky with the weather, abso' poured while waiting for the Bride then like magic when the Limo swept in the rain stopped! Well done Deb's.
High winds played havoc with the Flowering Cherry Tree, covering the pond and decking. Shame as flowers have only just formed.
Picture 1 - Cherry Blossom.
" 2 - Nest a victim of the winds. No sign of Chicks so hopefully all fledged before Nest fell.
" 3 - A good looking Foxy last night.
Another 'Not a Happy Chappy' day. Wet and windy all day.
Not a good day for Swift watching, spent some time until Dusk keeping an eye on the sky between 479 & 483 but sadly no sign.
Day spent in workshop, cut enough framing for a further 8 Frames.
A brilliant day, sunny most of the day. Happy Chappy today!
An apology first on my photograph of the Orange Tip posted yesterday. It was dead! Bit of a shock this morning to see it still there, looking at the wings shows it is indeed dead! Good news however, two more seen flying about at the top end of the garden today.
Two jobs today, managed to re-site the Swift Nest Box, not good on ladders but job done now. Just need the Swifts, spotted one tonight at 7.45pm. Thought it may have been a Swallow but Boyo (Doug) feels it would be a Swift at that time of night.
Managed to also fix the Joists for the Decking Project but sadly with rain forecast for the next few days I will be forced back into the Workshop, Picture Frame making!
Managed to obtain tickets to Sail with the Royal Family at the Jubilee Flotilla Pageant in June. Back in May last year we enjoyed a two day London Thames Cruise on the Spirit of Chartwell. We were sworn to secrecy that the Vessel would be used for this years Pageant as the Royal Familie's Boat. In dry dock at the moment being re-fitted and will be now called The Royal Spirit of Chartwell. Will be a Great day.
Picture 1 - Swift Nest Box.
" 2 - Half the Joists fixed, did in fact finish this part of the job.
" 3 - Tulip at it's best, one in group of six.
" 4 - Flowering Cherry also at it's best.
" 5 - Spirit of Chartwell at Canary Wharf last year, spent two nights on vessel.
What a day, wet all day. Really fed up now! Today is the day the Swifts are expected following their Winter Migration. Sadly was not able to keep an eye as planned because of the weather. More on this tomorrow as I plan to set up the Swift Song CD.
Morning spent in workshop making two more Picture Frames.
Unexpected visitor this afternoon, good to see Jamie and to catch up on Laver / Vicaima Gossip! Worked with Jamie running the Trade Counter some thirteen years ago before he moved to Sheffield. A regular Leaping Frog Visitor.
Picture 1 - Chrysalides at 4 days old, growing at a fast rate.
" 2 - Orange Tip Butterfly, despite the wet weather I spotted a couple flying about the garden again, this one landed on the mulch.
Saturday - What a day, beautiful all morning then heavens opened during the afternoon. Very mild however.
Morning spent constructing a Tomato Greenhouse. Would not like to think how expensive these Tomato's will be!
Wet afternoon forced me into the Workshop and Picture Frame making. In the last few days have made 15 frames.
Spent an enjoyable evening at the Royal Oak with John and Hillary who we had not seen for some time. Plenty of catching up. Royal Oak at Shinfield is not one I would recommend again, food very good but absolutley no atmospere. We were the only ones eating, few more in the Public Bar. This is the third time we have given it a go but sadly not again. You really can't beat the New Inn.
Picture 1 - Picture Frames ready for completion.
" 2 - Tomato Greenhouse.
Sunday - Once again a beautiful warm sunny morning, afternoon wet, thunderstorm, hailstorm. Tomorrow looking the same.
Having ignored the 5am alarm to deal with the Acer Tree I awoke at 6.45am and enjoyed a walk to Southcote Lock Weir. Nothing amazing but good views of a Heron at the Lock and some reflection scenes.
Morning spent transplanting 20 Helibore Plants and hundreds of Poppy Plants. The Bees love Helibore so anyone living near me are welcome to some plants.
With the weather taking a turn for the worse I once again retreated to the workshop.
Male Woody very busy feeding from the Fat Block, Pair Robins appeared again dancing the mating dance so perhaps there is still time for nesting?
The bore holes I made in the concrete slab are full to overflowing. I have no option but to concrete seal or will have problems with the Decking that will cover this area.
Picture 1 - Froth at Fobney Weir, never seen it quite like this.
" 2 - Zig Zag reflection at Southcote Lock.
" 3 - Heron at Southcote Lock.
" 4 - Mating Snails on the Towpath at Fobney?
" 5 - Overflow of water from under the concrete slab.
" 6 - Woody straining his neck for a bite of fat!
" 7 - Orange Tip Butterfly in the morning sun on the decking.
