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 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 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 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.