Storm Katie would you believe? Wet most of the day and pretty windy, by mid afternoon however Katie moved in with strong winds and heavy rain.
A day to catch up on recent photographs and work on the book project.
Lulu here for the day/night with a friend as clubbing tonight at one of her favourite clubs of the 90s.
Sadly that is all to report on today.
Saturday, 26 March 2016
Friday, 25 March 2016
Good Friday 25th March 2016
What a cracking day. Sun all day with temp' reaching 16c by 11am.
Can't believe the weather is going to change so dramatically tomorrow and rest of the holiday.
Good day in the garden preparing base for my next project, an igloo. Had to move 18 of my bonsai trees to make room. Now repositioned against neighbours fence.
Highlight of today had to be watching a red kite fly over and straight into the silver birch tree. Stayed there for nearly half an hour before flying off. Was hoping it would land on the lawn as there was an egg that foxy failed to eat last night. Red kites clearly do not like eggs.
While taking photographs of the kite a brimstone and small white butterflies were flying about the lawn in the bright afternoon sun.
Easter cancelled for this year with illnesses in the family including wifelet. Such a disappointment as was looking forward to the egg hunt. Will keep until half term.
Picture 1 - Clearing for the igloo base.
" 2 - 4 - Red Kite in the silver birch tree.
Can't believe the weather is going to change so dramatically tomorrow and rest of the holiday.
Good day in the garden preparing base for my next project, an igloo. Had to move 18 of my bonsai trees to make room. Now repositioned against neighbours fence.
While taking photographs of the kite a brimstone and small white butterflies were flying about the lawn in the bright afternoon sun.
Easter cancelled for this year with illnesses in the family including wifelet. Such a disappointment as was looking forward to the egg hunt. Will keep until half term.
Picture 1 - Clearing for the igloo base.
" 2 - 4 - Red Kite in the silver birch tree.
Thursday, 24 March 2016
Thursday 24th March 2016
Not such a good day, morning not so bad but afternoon awful with worse to come.
During the fine spells I managed to sweep the decking areas clear of all the Autumn/Spring tree droppings, leaves and pine needles. Good to clear up before it became a soggy mess.
Was one of those very quiet days for garden birds. Hardly saw a bird today. I did this morning fix up three cases of bird nesting material. Been collecting cleaner fluff.
Nothing else to report I'm afraid.
During the fine spells I managed to sweep the decking areas clear of all the Autumn/Spring tree droppings, leaves and pine needles. Good to clear up before it became a soggy mess.
Was one of those very quiet days for garden birds. Hardly saw a bird today. I did this morning fix up three cases of bird nesting material. Been collecting cleaner fluff.
Nothing else to report I'm afraid.
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Wednesday 23rd March 2016
A good day, not so much sun but reasonably mild and most importantly, dry.
Not much to report today as busy talking to three groups of children from Geoffrey Field School on Whitley History, my personal history of Whitley and my love of local and garden wildlife.
I was slightly nervous of doing this but felt privileged at being approached and am pleased I agreed.
The school should be congratulated on the way the children responded to this event with their questions and general interest shown. To be asking questions as they were proved to me just how genuinely interested they were.
My talks aside the children had baked scones, cakes and biscuits with fruit, jam and cream all cooked and prepared by themselves at school. The idea behind this was to test how good their cooking skills were. The children presented visitors with what they had cooked with a questionare to complete. We had to test for taste, presentation and texture with any advise on how the baking could be improved.
Brilliant idea. What a great day it has been.
Since arriving home I have already received a message saying other schools in the area would like to participate in such an event in the future. Better read up on more of Whitley History?
Not much to report today as busy talking to three groups of children from Geoffrey Field School on Whitley History, my personal history of Whitley and my love of local and garden wildlife.
I was slightly nervous of doing this but felt privileged at being approached and am pleased I agreed.
The school should be congratulated on the way the children responded to this event with their questions and general interest shown. To be asking questions as they were proved to me just how genuinely interested they were.
My talks aside the children had baked scones, cakes and biscuits with fruit, jam and cream all cooked and prepared by themselves at school. The idea behind this was to test how good their cooking skills were. The children presented visitors with what they had cooked with a questionare to complete. We had to test for taste, presentation and texture with any advise on how the baking could be improved.
Brilliant idea. What a great day it has been.
Since arriving home I have already received a message saying other schools in the area would like to participate in such an event in the future. Better read up on more of Whitley History?
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Tuesday 22nd March 2016
After a hard overnight frost and misty morning the rest of the day was brilliant. Sun most of the day with temp' reaching 12c this afternoon.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Heron landing.
" 3 - 8 - Fobney.
Managed to arise ready to enjoy a dawn walk at Fobney. Frost, mist, water and a good sunrise, what more could you wish for. Plenty of activity, good to see teal and a feeding egret. Birders were about looking for the garganey that has arrived again this year.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Heron landing.
" 3 - 8 - Fobney.
After a welcome breakfast it was a trip to B & Q for the guttering connectors required for the alpine house. Guttering fixed and finished by lunch time. Fixed in time for the rain forecast over Easter. Have read tonight that there is now a snow and ice yellow warning for this area over the weekend. Somehow do not think I will be opening up the bags of charcoal this weekend.
Some excitement in the garden today, a heron appeared, landing on the tree overlooking the pond. A great photograph as it lands, had my camera focused as trying to photograph a pair of kites that appeared to be mating on the wing, or were they fighting. Missed the kites but got the heron.
Afternoon spent at the RBH. Consultant suggested I had become a family friend as I had been referred to this clinic so many times since year 2000. I appreciate the tests I endure are pretty intimate but family friend?
Monday, 21 March 2016
Monday 21st March 2016
Much better day with temp' reaching 11c this afternoon. Sunny most of the day.
Another day spent working on the alpine house. Sliding door works, what a relief. Water butt in place, a recycled wheelie bin. Will fix the guttering tomorrow as require a couple of joints. Visit to B & Q tomorrow morning.
Also created a brick path to the alpine house, bit more work on this to finish.
Good to see the first butterfly of the season in the garden this morning, a small white. Actually landed on my finger on right hand. Not easy to photograph left handed, managed though.
Picture 1 - Water but in place and start made on brick path.
" 2 & 3 - Small white butterfly.
Another day spent working on the alpine house. Sliding door works, what a relief. Water butt in place, a recycled wheelie bin. Will fix the guttering tomorrow as require a couple of joints. Visit to B & Q tomorrow morning.
Also created a brick path to the alpine house, bit more work on this to finish.
Good to see the first butterfly of the season in the garden this morning, a small white. Actually landed on my finger on right hand. Not easy to photograph left handed, managed though.
Picture 1 - Water but in place and start made on brick path.
" 2 & 3 - Small white butterfly.
Sunday 20th March 2016
A much cooler day, temp' only in single figures as very little sun. Dry at least, not looking good for the Easter holiday sadly. Most annoying as so much planned including a family Easter egg hunt.
Day spent working on the alpine house. Sliding gear to door fixed in place, will know tomorrow if worked. All cladding now fixed and cills glued in place.
With another box full of bottles I was able to add these to the bottle wall, still require a few hundred more bottles yet to finish this part of the alpine house project.
The male sparrowhawk appeared again this morning but was soon chased away by the jay. Not sure what the problem is but whatever it is they do not get on!
Spent a couple of hours in the hide late this afternoon and was pleased once again to see the goldcrest but the biggest surprise was the blackcap. Not seen this bird at this part of the garden before.
Picture 1 - Goldcrest.
" 2 - Sliding door now fixed to the alpine house.
" 3 - Inside of the alpine house.
" 4 - Bottled wall.
" 5 - Inside of alpine house (from the outside).
Day spent working on the alpine house. Sliding gear to door fixed in place, will know tomorrow if worked. All cladding now fixed and cills glued in place.
With another box full of bottles I was able to add these to the bottle wall, still require a few hundred more bottles yet to finish this part of the alpine house project.
The male sparrowhawk appeared again this morning but was soon chased away by the jay. Not sure what the problem is but whatever it is they do not get on!
Spent a couple of hours in the hide late this afternoon and was pleased once again to see the goldcrest but the biggest surprise was the blackcap. Not seen this bird at this part of the garden before.
Picture 1 - Goldcrest.
" 2 - Sliding door now fixed to the alpine house.
" 3 - Inside of the alpine house.
" 4 - Bottled wall.
" 5 - Inside of alpine house (from the outside).
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