Wednesday 11th December 2013

Unusual for this part of the country. Woke up to thick fog which lingered all day. I was on the road at 7am and it was pretty scary out there. A six car pile up on the A329M caused massive traffic delays during the morning. Took me nearly two hours to drive from Wokingham to Woodley, a journey that normally takes 20 minutes.
            Received another hours C4 tuition this morning, on my own now to master the technology. The service from this garage is 100% up on my previous Citroen garage.
            The afternoon spent encapsulating the exposed outside camera cables in hosepipe, that should stop tufty. Just the cables trailing the Sliver Birch Tree to deal with now.
              Enjoyed an evening with Louise and Clive at the Heron on the Lake for the annual Christmas Dinner. Once again the HotL came up trumps, great meal and good service.

Tuesday 10th December 2013

Not much sun today, on the chilly side but at least dry.
Morning spent writing Christmas cards, afternoon addressing the envelopes. Have I really got that many friends?!
Each time I rested in the observatory during the day there was a happening - good to see the female Woody, spent most of the day on the feeder. The Sparrowhawk spent a good half an hour trying to nick a bird, no success this time. 
My Swift nest box has been taken over by the Starlings big time, what I thought was just periodic sightings of a Starling in the box was wrong. Two are roosting and are in and out all day. Do I invest in another Swift box, and if I do, where do I site it? Decisions....
Strange happening with the Moon tonight, looked out at 16.30 and captured this. A friend on FB was at the top of the Shard and captured two images, strange.
Picture 1 - Female Woody.
      "    2 - Sparrow Hawk in the look out shrub.
      "    3 - Interesting Moon image(s).

Monday 9th December 2013

A glorious day, plenty of sun, very mild and another stunning sunset.
Another day spent in town to complete the last of the Christmas shopping. Not my idea of fun but needs must.
Picture of sunset from the front garden.

Sunday 8th December 2013

Another very mild day, a little overcast but still a good bit of sun. The sunset was the best I have ever experienced, was mentioned on the main news. 
Day spent replacing the six cables to the nest box cameras. Managed to bury most in the lawn with the exposed parts of the cable still to deal with. This requires using hose pipe to stop the squirrels/rats chewing the actual cable.

Saturday 7th December 2013

Very mild, dry with fair bit of sun. Beautiful sunrise/sunset.
Day spent bagging up the leaves in the front garden. Twenty six large sacks filled, created two large heaps in the wildlife area kept in place by cut branches.
                  A great evening with Neil and Sarah, a good Chinese take-a-way washed down with rather to much beer. Not hopeful about an early morning walk!

Friday 6th December 2013

That was a better day, no wind, mild with a fair amount of sun.
Today was the annual Christmas Shopping day. All done bar a few Christmas stocking bits. Spent more at Costa and Cafe Rouge than on presents!
What a lovely present I was presented with just as we arrived home, as I sat down with a coffee I noticed movement in the Hydrangea. Camera poised, click, and what did I capture? A female Reed Bunting. Pretty rare this little beauty at 479. Well chuffed.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Result from yesterdays Whitley Whirlwind.
      "             3 - Female Reed Bunting.

Thursday 5th December 2013

What a Sunrise that was this morning. Was also the hardest frost of the winter here so far with the ponds, water feature and bird baths all frozen.
Rest of the day changed dramatically with a whirlwind at 10.20am then strong wind for the rest of the day. To finish the day the rain clouds opened giving us a wet evening.
Help the aged day today - dealt with a jammed back door for an elderly lady living a few doors away. It was while here we experienced the whirlwind, impressive to watch.
During the afternoon helped an elderly couple who wanted an electric fire fixed to the kitchen wall.
Picture 1 - Block of ice from one of the bird baths.
  "   2 - 8 - Spring in Winter? All taken this morning.