Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Dealers may be revolting - and Bill's beautiful Bodnant.
Bill had an appointment at the hospital at 9 o'clock - keeping watch on his rheumatoid arthritis.
There have been changes - but nothing that interferes with life too much.
It was suggested that he work a time for walking into life - not strolling at boot sales or with eyes on photo opportunities, but striding out a bit.
We all know that to be wise and just maybe we will both do something about it now - but not today.
But basically, Bill's instructions were to carry on as he has done for a few years now with medication and pain killers.
We were due in the shop again today. We had warned that we might be a little late and therefore didn't mind doing an about turn to check out a deer I saw by the war memorial by North Holmwood church.
Mother deer had moved further away by the time we were alongside again and she had her two little ones with her.
They stood and watched nervously as we peered through the car window at them.
As they were a bit behind a fence I failed to get a picture of the three of them.
And then suddenly mother could trust us no longer and off they scurried.
The shop has been a bit dull today.
Perhaps I prefer the company of Monika and Julie, but most of all I prefer for there to be more customers about - though Bill and I both sold.
The talking point of the day has been the electricity bill.
I am sure there must be some error - but Stephen blames those of us who have tried to keep the place warm with fan heaters during the winter.
But he really ought to double check this bill that he has paid - seemingly it is 4 times higher than he has come to expect for the winter 6 months.
I know he makes no money out of running the shop - he is no business man, but a willing, nice man.
Last week he suddenly had to find almost £2,000 for electricity.
He has now issued letters to us all asking for a contribution of £50 or the rents will have to go up.
Frankly I would rather pay an extra 10%, which within a year would give Stephen lots more money than the £50.
I sense that there will be a revolt - I can already hear both the plaintive moans and the strident indignations.
I feel that a 10% increase is fairer to the people who only rent one small cabinet.
And there is nothing to say the rents won't have to go up even after paying out an extra £50 each.
We chatted briefly with Jonathan at the end of the day - I sensed he feels he wants to go along with Stephen - he rents a lot of space, so I guess his extra 10% would be about £30 (at least) every month.
I hate conflict, but we all want what's best for the shop and therefore ourselves.
Now back to Wales.
On the Saturday we went to Bodnant, a wonderful National Trust garden.
I think it was the most perfect week to visit, with the gardens at their best.
There will be Bodnant pictures two days running, because Bill and I have our own stories to tell.
We separated at Bodnant, which gave Bill more opportunity to take his time and observe things in the way he wanted to.
I walked around with Ashley, Liz and Ecky and set them against the beautiful views and backgrounds.
Today you have some of Bill's photos.
The laburnum walk was truly magnificent.
The azalias, too were mostly blooming at their best.
I now have a Bodnant blue iris in our own garden.
I loved these too - but Bill's picture is better.
I love the simplicity of this shot.
And this one - I think they look better enlarged.
The house was once a family house - not sure about now. It is not open to the public.
There have been changes - but nothing that interferes with life too much.
It was suggested that he work a time for walking into life - not strolling at boot sales or with eyes on photo opportunities, but striding out a bit.
We all know that to be wise and just maybe we will both do something about it now - but not today.
But basically, Bill's instructions were to carry on as he has done for a few years now with medication and pain killers.
We were due in the shop again today. We had warned that we might be a little late and therefore didn't mind doing an about turn to check out a deer I saw by the war memorial by North Holmwood church.
Mother deer had moved further away by the time we were alongside again and she had her two little ones with her.
They stood and watched nervously as we peered through the car window at them.
As they were a bit behind a fence I failed to get a picture of the three of them.
And then suddenly mother could trust us no longer and off they scurried.
The shop has been a bit dull today.
Perhaps I prefer the company of Monika and Julie, but most of all I prefer for there to be more customers about - though Bill and I both sold.
The talking point of the day has been the electricity bill.
I am sure there must be some error - but Stephen blames those of us who have tried to keep the place warm with fan heaters during the winter.
But he really ought to double check this bill that he has paid - seemingly it is 4 times higher than he has come to expect for the winter 6 months.
I know he makes no money out of running the shop - he is no business man, but a willing, nice man.
Last week he suddenly had to find almost £2,000 for electricity.
He has now issued letters to us all asking for a contribution of £50 or the rents will have to go up.
Frankly I would rather pay an extra 10%, which within a year would give Stephen lots more money than the £50.
I sense that there will be a revolt - I can already hear both the plaintive moans and the strident indignations.
I feel that a 10% increase is fairer to the people who only rent one small cabinet.
And there is nothing to say the rents won't have to go up even after paying out an extra £50 each.
We chatted briefly with Jonathan at the end of the day - I sensed he feels he wants to go along with Stephen - he rents a lot of space, so I guess his extra 10% would be about £30 (at least) every month.
I hate conflict, but we all want what's best for the shop and therefore ourselves.
Now back to Wales.
On the Saturday we went to Bodnant, a wonderful National Trust garden.
I think it was the most perfect week to visit, with the gardens at their best.
There will be Bodnant pictures two days running, because Bill and I have our own stories to tell.
We separated at Bodnant, which gave Bill more opportunity to take his time and observe things in the way he wanted to.
I walked around with Ashley, Liz and Ecky and set them against the beautiful views and backgrounds.
Today you have some of Bill's photos.
The laburnum walk was truly magnificent.
Stunning - and we really saw it in its perfection.
There will be more laburnum pictures tomorrow; but on the whole I have attempted not to duplicate too much.
The azalias, too were mostly blooming at their best.
I now have a Bodnant blue iris in our own garden.
I loved these too - but Bill's picture is better.
Bill spent a lot of time on the terraces - wondering where the rest of us were, no doubt.
The terraces have large water features.
Bill is a dragon fly and damsel fly fan and was happy to capture images of them on the water lilies.
I love the simplicity of this shot.
And this one - I think they look better enlarged.
The house was once a family house - not sure about now. It is not open to the public.
Labels: family, health, nature, wales
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
I have to decide.
Harry certainly knows where the blackbird's nest is now.
Frieda popped round this morning to say that Harry was out there almost with his head in the nest.
So Bill popped round to shoo him off and then to stick his camera lens into the nest.
But cats will be cats. Hopefully, though, these little birds will make it to adulthood.
This morning Bill and I walked into town via the post office.
I collected my new glasses.
I was a bit put out to find that it would cost me £20 to have an optician check out the inside of my eye.
I am not due for an eye test just now.
It just proves my point that an optician is not a medical person, but rather more of a salesman for the spectacles companies. And what rip off spectacles are!
The girl who checked the fitting of my glasses did say she would pass a message on to an optician and he would ring me back.
And he did call. His advice was to do what I had already decided to do - make an appointment to see the GP and ask to be referred on to the hospital.
The optician was quite helpful and it does seem that I have no major damage.
But this means there is nothing anybody can do.
The floaty bits are there - I shall have to learn to ignore them.
I ignored them whilst concentrating on my next bit of shopping.
I wanted some flat little shoes suitable for wearing with a skirt in the summer.
The trend is for very little shoes, hardly covering one's toes. They don't suit me and I didn't feel comfortable in them.
In Primark however I found something I have been looking for - cheap brightly coloured plimsolls.
My red ones cost me £2 and the purple ones were £4.
We also called in at T J Hughes to see what they had in the "suitable for wearing with a skirt" line.
I found some extremely comfortable flat shoes with a bar, made by Scholl.
At least they were comfortable in the shop.....I often find that, but later on realise that they just will not do.
I hate shoes!
Perhaps I should hate my feet!
I fell asleep after lunch.
Bill feels tired too. I think Bill is rather down at the moment - showing many signs of a flare up of his permanent low level depression.
We had more dealings with neighbours later on. Isobel came round worried that Frieda was being taken advantage of by the people doing her kitchen. Its a council house. And the method of working does seem to be long drawn out.
Bill went round to check that things were OK.
So, tomorrow we vote.
Will we change Britain for ever?
I doubt it.
But some things have been started during this campaign that perhaps will not now go away.
Once upon a time those odd Liberals suggested that proportional representation was a fairer way to elect our parliament.
Now they are seen as less odd and PR has captured people's imagination.
But the other 2 parties will not want it.
If we have a hung parliament the people will see how ridiculous our present system is.
But nothing will be done before the next election.
If it is a hung parliament there will be another election in the autumn.
The trouble is I am still undecided about who to vote for. Probably, in Crawley, tactics should rule my decision, rather more than what I think.
And just a passing thought - do you think that Gordon Brown suddenly seems so happy and fired up because he has decided whatever happens he is going on to a new and quieter life?
We will vote later in the day.
We are going to Ford in the morning.
We can't go on Saturday so decided to have a day out tomorrow instead.
It is the athletics County Championships this weekend.
Bill is chief on Saturday.
In his present malaise he will need support and encouragement - and he has opted for me to work with him because hopefully I can do that best.
Frieda popped round this morning to say that Harry was out there almost with his head in the nest.
So Bill popped round to shoo him off and then to stick his camera lens into the nest.
But cats will be cats. Hopefully, though, these little birds will make it to adulthood.
This morning Bill and I walked into town via the post office.
I collected my new glasses.
I was a bit put out to find that it would cost me £20 to have an optician check out the inside of my eye.
I am not due for an eye test just now.
It just proves my point that an optician is not a medical person, but rather more of a salesman for the spectacles companies. And what rip off spectacles are!
The girl who checked the fitting of my glasses did say she would pass a message on to an optician and he would ring me back.
And he did call. His advice was to do what I had already decided to do - make an appointment to see the GP and ask to be referred on to the hospital.
The optician was quite helpful and it does seem that I have no major damage.
But this means there is nothing anybody can do.
The floaty bits are there - I shall have to learn to ignore them.
I ignored them whilst concentrating on my next bit of shopping.
I wanted some flat little shoes suitable for wearing with a skirt in the summer.
The trend is for very little shoes, hardly covering one's toes. They don't suit me and I didn't feel comfortable in them.
In Primark however I found something I have been looking for - cheap brightly coloured plimsolls.
My red ones cost me £2 and the purple ones were £4.
We also called in at T J Hughes to see what they had in the "suitable for wearing with a skirt" line.
I found some extremely comfortable flat shoes with a bar, made by Scholl.
At least they were comfortable in the shop.....I often find that, but later on realise that they just will not do.
I hate shoes!
Perhaps I should hate my feet!
I fell asleep after lunch.
Bill feels tired too. I think Bill is rather down at the moment - showing many signs of a flare up of his permanent low level depression.
We had more dealings with neighbours later on. Isobel came round worried that Frieda was being taken advantage of by the people doing her kitchen. Its a council house. And the method of working does seem to be long drawn out.
Bill went round to check that things were OK.
So, tomorrow we vote.
Will we change Britain for ever?
I doubt it.
But some things have been started during this campaign that perhaps will not now go away.
Once upon a time those odd Liberals suggested that proportional representation was a fairer way to elect our parliament.
Now they are seen as less odd and PR has captured people's imagination.
But the other 2 parties will not want it.
If we have a hung parliament the people will see how ridiculous our present system is.
But nothing will be done before the next election.
If it is a hung parliament there will be another election in the autumn.
The trouble is I am still undecided about who to vote for. Probably, in Crawley, tactics should rule my decision, rather more than what I think.
And just a passing thought - do you think that Gordon Brown suddenly seems so happy and fired up because he has decided whatever happens he is going on to a new and quieter life?
We will vote later in the day.
We are going to Ford in the morning.
We can't go on Saturday so decided to have a day out tomorrow instead.
It is the athletics County Championships this weekend.
Bill is chief on Saturday.
In his present malaise he will need support and encouragement - and he has opted for me to work with him because hopefully I can do that best.
Labels: home and daily life, nature
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Pigeon Fancying
Today we have been bird watching at Littlehampton - and not a sea bird in sight!
First, of course, we browsed all the stalls at Ford.
I bought most of my good stuff from just one couple, who we talked to for quite a while.
I have a lovely stuffed dog on wheels - a baby walker, for a toddler to push; and I have superb 1930s wall mirror; and I have a Picquot tea set - that a 1950s teapot, water jug, sugar bowl and milk jug.
Before we walked along the beach to the river and The Balaton we got waylaid by a sight we have seen before - a large truck full of pigeons.
Pigeon races often start from the Banjo Road car park.
The last one we saw must have been twice this size, but we were there at the wrong time to see the birds released.
We chatted with the driver - from Dorset.
He was due to release the birds within about 5 minutes and so we stayed.
In the mean time I took some pictures of the gently cooing pigeons.
The driver commented that his load was worth thousands of pounds.
We then got our cameras ready for the big moment.
Oh dear - I haven't yet learned about all my facilities.
Bill said he would set his camera to be able to take photos in rapid succession. I realised I didn't know how to do this!
The following pictures are all Bill's - and very good they are too.
Off they all go, back to Dorset.
If you click on the photo to enlarge it you can actually pick out the hairs within his beak!
Bill's picture is good - but it was pleasing to beat him with the blackbird picture after my abysmal failure with the pigeons!
First, of course, we browsed all the stalls at Ford.
I bought most of my good stuff from just one couple, who we talked to for quite a while.
I have a lovely stuffed dog on wheels - a baby walker, for a toddler to push; and I have superb 1930s wall mirror; and I have a Picquot tea set - that a 1950s teapot, water jug, sugar bowl and milk jug.
Before we walked along the beach to the river and The Balaton we got waylaid by a sight we have seen before - a large truck full of pigeons.
Pigeon races often start from the Banjo Road car park.
The last one we saw must have been twice this size, but we were there at the wrong time to see the birds released.
We chatted with the driver - from Dorset.
He was due to release the birds within about 5 minutes and so we stayed.
In the mean time I took some pictures of the gently cooing pigeons.
The driver commented that his load was worth thousands of pounds.
We then got our cameras ready for the big moment.
Oh dear - I haven't yet learned about all my facilities.
Bill said he would set his camera to be able to take photos in rapid succession. I realised I didn't know how to do this!
The following pictures are all Bill's - and very good they are too.
Off they all go, back to Dorset.
They would be in their own pigeon lofts in Weymouth or Parkstone or other Dorset towns and villages after about an hour.
The results have not yet been published on their website - but I saw last week's results.
Later I used the new camera in a way that thrilled me - it was just a matter of using the long zoom lens.
A blackbird was sitting on the uppermost twigs of a small fir tree and he was singing his heart out - a joy to hear.
If you click on the photo to enlarge it you can actually pick out the hairs within his beak!
Bill's picture is good - but it was pleasing to beat him with the blackbird picture after my abysmal failure with the pigeons!
I have dozed this evening - missed half of Dr Who and hardly concentrated on Over the Rainbow.
Tomorrow we will be up early for a car boot sale and much hard work.
We have a car loaded with boxes to take up to Pease Pottage.
It is time to sell, get money back in our purses and create space again in the garage.
Labels: nature, shop and stock, Sussex
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A pottering work day - lets enjoy Bill's photos.
I was oh so tired yesterday evening - and I couldn't wake up this morning.
The restless feeling affected my sleep and I was glad of the company of Radio 5 or LBC.
Today we have pottered and worked.
I had a kitchen to tidy - worktops were covered with all that I had bought at the weekend.
Now I have it down to having things just on the table. I still have to sort a pile of books and some tablecloths and old fashioned pinnies.
I didn't get much done this morning...by the time we had got going and chatted with people on the phone it left little time for posting a parcel and getting supplies from Asda.
The parcel posted contained the table - the red artist's palette table which has already been to addresses in London until it was returned to me.
Now we keep our fingers crossed that it has gone.
I loved buying it at a Canterbury boot sale and I loved owning it for a while.
I have dealt with the sale of six books on EBay.
I had to pop round to Frieda to get two of them. She borrowed those with old photos of the area where she grew up.
She had been moved to find a picture of the River Wandle where she used to meet the first boy she went out with.
This evening I have done the shop blog again - dedicated to St. George.
http://pilgrimsantiquesweststreetdorking.blogspot.com/
Still no aeroplanes flying into our part of the world.
And now, as promised, here are some of Bill's photographs taken at Nymans last Friday.
The first one is not really part of his story - I always demand that he takes one of me!
Snakes head fritillary.
Sparkly fountain.
I love this one - magnolia and daffodils.
White doves in the dovecote.
Little robin pecks amongst the fallen petals.
The oh so tall Californian Redwood.
The restless feeling affected my sleep and I was glad of the company of Radio 5 or LBC.
Today we have pottered and worked.
I had a kitchen to tidy - worktops were covered with all that I had bought at the weekend.
Now I have it down to having things just on the table. I still have to sort a pile of books and some tablecloths and old fashioned pinnies.
I didn't get much done this morning...by the time we had got going and chatted with people on the phone it left little time for posting a parcel and getting supplies from Asda.
The parcel posted contained the table - the red artist's palette table which has already been to addresses in London until it was returned to me.
Now we keep our fingers crossed that it has gone.
I loved buying it at a Canterbury boot sale and I loved owning it for a while.
I have dealt with the sale of six books on EBay.
I had to pop round to Frieda to get two of them. She borrowed those with old photos of the area where she grew up.
She had been moved to find a picture of the River Wandle where she used to meet the first boy she went out with.
This evening I have done the shop blog again - dedicated to St. George.
http://pilgrimsantiquesweststreetdorking.blogspot.com/
Still no aeroplanes flying into our part of the world.
And now, as promised, here are some of Bill's photographs taken at Nymans last Friday.
The first one is not really part of his story - I always demand that he takes one of me!
Snakes head fritillary.
Beautiful white type of magnolia.
Sparkly fountain.
I love this one - magnolia and daffodils.
White doves in the dovecote.
Little robin pecks amongst the fallen petals.
The oh so tall Californian Redwood.
Tomorrow is Vitamin D injection day.
I think after that I shall have boxes out of the garage which are full of items for a car boot sale.
The weather is good - we ought to begin to reduce the amount this weekend.
It will be the first Pease Pottage sale of the summer on Sunday and should attract lots of buyers.
Friday, April 16, 2010
My Nymans and text speak
This afternoon we took a walk at Nymans - our nearest National Trust property.
It is so good to be able to pop in for an hour to walk and enjoy the changing seasons.
This is very much the magnolia season - and lots of other flowers of course.
Today I will share with you a few of my pictures. Bill is still sorting the 58 that he took.
I am pleased with my pictures. They show that the main requirement for photography is an eye and an idea.
I seem to have those things; and for a while have been yearning for a slightly better camera.
Today a Canon Power Shot SX20IS has been ordered.
There will be much for me to learn.
I look forward to the new challenge.
Now for my pictures......
Snakes head fritillary, from below.
Spell check wondered if I meant snakes head fairytale!
I like that.
The sculpted box hedge.
Camellias and a tall magnolia.
This photograph looks like I have done something clever and technical to it.
Nymans House lawns with a bed of narcissi.
More magnolias and the house.
The magnificent magnolia tree - where my single bloom was growing.
Kelly Brown
Charlene Monk
Im gd howz u hun? Ur kids r cute. Im due in 9 weeks with number 2. Keekin maself lol nt went into labour before lol all new 2 me. Not seen u in a funny few yrs wat u been doin wi urself? X
10 hours ago
Kelly Brown
It is so good to be able to pop in for an hour to walk and enjoy the changing seasons.
This is very much the magnolia season - and lots of other flowers of course.
Today I will share with you a few of my pictures. Bill is still sorting the 58 that he took.
I am pleased with my pictures. They show that the main requirement for photography is an eye and an idea.
I seem to have those things; and for a while have been yearning for a slightly better camera.
Today a Canon Power Shot SX20IS has been ordered.
There will be much for me to learn.
I look forward to the new challenge.
Now for my pictures......
Snakes head fritillary, from below.
Spell check wondered if I meant snakes head fairytale!
I like that.
Daffodils.
I took almost the identical shot last April.....it was April 1st last year.
The sculpted box hedge.
The sculpted tree stump.
Delicious creamy yellow rhododendron blooms.
Delicious creamy yellow rhododendron blooms.
Camellias and a tall magnolia.
This photograph looks like I have done something clever and technical to it.
I haven't.
It is a single bloom at the end of a branch of a big magnolia tree. It was still attached to the branch.
I had flash on because it was a bit dark under the tree.
Nymans House lawns with a bed of narcissi.
For those that don't know it, Nymans was a Victorian (mock medieval manor) family home until a fire destroyed much of it in 1947.
What could be restored continued to be used by the family until the death of the last occupant in 1992.
What could be restored continued to be used by the family until the death of the last occupant in 1992.
One family member was Lord Snowdon - the man princess Margaret married.
More magnolias and the house.
The magnificent magnolia tree - where my single bloom was growing.
Bill's photos will reflect the same sort of story and no doubt I will share some with you tomorrow - not all 58!
Today it was my Nymans - tomorrow we will see Bill's Nymans.
The plan is to go to Ford tomorrow.
No doubt we shall be enjoying breakfast somewhere afterwards and probably taking more photographs.
From the sublime now to the ridiculous..... well, ridiculous to my old fashioned brain.
I don't mean really that it is ridiculous - just something outside my own knowledge and experience.
I love to be in touch with people in all manner of ways - and sometimes I text people.....in English!
But there is a new language, which the young have mastered. It is textspeak.
Here is a written conversation between a couple of young women on facebook - one is our niece in Scotland.
Kelly Brown
Pmsl hows u huni x
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
Charlene Monk
Im gd howz u hun? Ur kids r cute. Im due in 9 weeks with number 2. Keekin maself lol nt went into labour before lol all new 2 me. Not seen u in a funny few yrs wat u been doin wi urself? X
10 hours ago
Kelly Brown
Aww thank u hun wat u mean u ant went in2 labour u got gawjus wee boi lol am gd dwn england as u prob no not been up2 much ano it been ages like x
10 hours ago
10 hours ago
Charlene Monk
I had emergency c section gt put to sleep almost lost lewis n i cud have died x i was in pain no labour so yeah all new 2 me. Hes a cheeky monkey lol ur far away now aye u likin it threw there? X
8 hours ago
I had emergency c section gt put to sleep almost lost lewis n i cud have died x i was in pain no labour so yeah all new 2 me. Hes a cheeky monkey lol ur far away now aye u likin it threw there? X
8 hours ago
They are really skilled at textspeak.
I could no more write like that than fly!
And yes our niece is expecting her second child in a few weeks.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Pulborough Brooks with friends.
What a lovely day out!
We met up with Stella, John and Barbara at Pulborough Brooks.
It is a nature reserve run by the RSPB.
Stella brought extra binoculars and much knowledge about birds.
The reserve is situated above the water meadows surrounding the River Arun. Just now the valley is completely flooded.
Bill and I were happy taking photographs of views and wildlife.
Here Bill shares a view with Barbara.
At the end of the morning we enjoyed excellent meals in the cafe.
Just outside the visitor's centre the blue tits and great tits were enjoying a feeding frenzy.
So, of course I have cheated and share with you one or two I have found on web sites.
This is a wonderful photograph of the pintail.
I guess the colours in this photograph of a teal have been enhanced somewhat.
And here is a wigeon.
We met up with Stella, John and Barbara at Pulborough Brooks.
It is a nature reserve run by the RSPB.
Stella brought extra binoculars and much knowledge about birds.
The reserve is situated above the water meadows surrounding the River Arun. Just now the valley is completely flooded.
We walked and talked and laughed and shared stories as we walked through the woods.
Bill and I were happy taking photographs of views and wildlife.
Here Bill shares a view with Barbara.
At the end of the morning we enjoyed excellent meals in the cafe.
I can recommend the spicy butter bean and courgette bake. Bill took advantage of the lamb's liver on the menu - I don't like liver and so Bill rarely gets it.
We posed for Bill's camera after the plates had been cleared.
You might think that the star attraction at a bird reserve would be of the feathered kind. And we did see many birds.
But for all of us, perhaps, it was the adders who gave the most pleasure.
We saw three of them sun bathing by the hedgerow above the water.
Even Barbara, who didn't think she was comfortable with snakes, was enthralled.
We spent some time by the water focussing on the distant water birds.
The spotting scope or monocular was a real bonus because the features of the different types could be made out clearly.
There were wigeon, teal, pintails and many others.
Barbara had greeted Peter along the path - he is one of the RSPB volunteers and also one of her neighbours.
He also had a monocular.
I have never had much knowledge of water birds and so this morning was a real education for me.
The first bird on this blog posting, however, is very well known to all of us - and the last one Bill and I saw.
As we walked back to the car I was almost deafened by the bird song of the robin.
He sat on the branch, singing away for Bill to take this magnificent photograph.
The others had gone by this time. Bill and I actually went back into the centre for the call of nature.
We were glad we did.
All the while we had been walking, Stella had suggested we keep looking on the ground for the redwings and fieldfares - did we see any? No - they were obviously somewhere else!
But when we went back into the centre there was a host of them on the grass just outside the window and the volunteer there had his huge binoculars on a tripod trained upon them.
Just outside the visitor's centre the blue tits and great tits were enjoying a feeding frenzy.
As we had walked around we discussed the calls of various birds.
Peter, the volunteer we tagged along with for a while got it just right when he described the call of the great tit as being like a squeaking wheelbarrow!
But none of them seemed to know that a wood pigeon is doing much more than cooing - it is telling us that "My toe bleeds Betty".
I have just looked this up to make sure that this was not just a family fact, and there it was - several sites talking of this fact.
I have quoted briefly from a letter to the Times, which confirms the news of the poor pigeon's toes.
I just think it utters the word "Look" at the end, not "Oh".
Sir, My father, who was a noted translator of birdsong, insisted that pigeons constantly bewailed the fact that “My toe bleeds, Betty” repeated three times in increasing agony, followed by a final “oh”.
Bill found it hard to get a shot of the water birds - even with his good telephoto lens they were just too far away
Bill found it hard to get a shot of the water birds - even with his good telephoto lens they were just too far away
So, of course I have cheated and share with you one or two I have found on web sites.
This is a wonderful photograph of the pintail.
Such an elegant bird and I don't think I have had one pointed out to me before.
I guess the colours in this photograph of a teal have been enhanced somewhat.
And here is a wigeon.
This one could have been taken by us. We saw a kestrel several times and at one point it was perched on a top most branch, just like this one.
We also saw a buzzard.
A day out like this has been is as good as a holiday - it refreshes body and soul.
Thank you friends for sharing it with us.
