Walkies 02/02/2010
The weather and the conditions which prevailed as a result of it have meant that the few walks I have taken since Christmas have been mainly confined to tarmacadam surfaces. Today, however, I risked venturing down the bridle-path which runs alongside our house and the first thing which caught my eye was the extent to which the path had eroded since my last visit. There were places (and I can't imagine why I didn't think to take a photo) where old house bricks - which had been used as foundations when the path was renovated recently - were completely exposed because a significant amount of the top-surface had been washed away. Another thing which hadn't been evident before winter set in was how many rabbit burrows were situated quite close to the path but hidden by foliage during the summer and autumn. Here's one of them........  Miscellaneous 01/26/2010
We have always put out 'left-overs' for the local bird population and, occasionally, we leave something a little more substantial for the neighbouring foxes. It isn't just birds and foxes, however, who are attracted to the 'feeding-grounds'. This is a view from the kitchen window......  .........and a close-up view.  Miscellaneous 01/10/2010
Until 'inheriting' one, I would never have considered owning a bird. The concept of confining a creature which should really be able to enjoy the freedom normally enjoyed by birds didn't appeal to me. However, recognising the fact that one born into 'captivity' would almost certainly meet a rather unpleasant fate if 'set free', I contrived to allow it as much freedom as was possible. So, whilst I'm indoors, our parrot is allowed out of the cage. Those who are familiar with these circumstances will appreciate that there are times when furniture, fixtures and fittings are liable to suffer. That said, so long as you're aware of the danger and are able to keep an eye on what the bird is doing, damage may be limited. There are times, however, when a temporary lapse in concentration can lead to frayed tempers as well as frayed curtains or cushions. Our umbrella cockatoo is called Ellie and here is an example of one of her less destructive episodes. I had left the room for a few moments and she had noticed a tin of 'Quality Street.....  By the time I returned, she had opened the tin and, having unwrapped, it was sampling a sweet.  Miscellaneous 01/10/2010
The icicles seem to be getting longer and some of them have been falling. So, it's not a good idea to walk underneath them.  Miscellaneous 01/08/2010
These icicles suggest that there must have been a thaw - of sorts - but, it couldn't have lasted too long because last night was alleged to have been the coldest night of the year in parts of the UK. That said, bearing in mind 2010 is little more than a week old, I can't see what the fuss is about. What is clear, however, is that it looks as though some painting might be on the agenda for the summer.  Miscellaneous 01/07/2010
Antipodean followers (in particular) might be interested to know that a little more snow fell, last night. Not an awful lot - but enough to bring down a tree on the lane which leads up to where we live.  Conditions have meant that the nightly visit from a local fox has proved unproductive. He/she/they understand exactly where we usually throw left-overs or seeds for the birds. However, although it's not terribly clear in the photo, it's clear to anyone who knows where to look for their tracks in the snow that the visit has been aborted due to lack of provisions......  .........and the reason for that is that the food has been placed in a hanging basket. Not to deny the fox access to the food, by the way - but, to encourage access for the birds. Note the icicles which have formed underneath the outside staircase.  Miscellaneous 01/06/2010
The snow before Christmas was pretty deep for the south of England - but, last night's snowfall was the deepest I've seen in the twenty-plus years we've been down here........  It was so heavy that it was deeper than the depth of the steps on the outside staircase..........  The view from our lounge window was interesting - a palm tree covered in snow. The larger one, in the foreground, is rumoured to be the tallest in the UK.  Miscellaneous 12/18/2009
Pre-Christmas snow. This was the view from our kitchen window, this morning.....  ...........A good reason to stay in for the day. However, I hope it clears up by Sunday because I have to collect my younger son at Heathrow Airport as he returns from his extended visit to his elder brother and family in New England. Retirement 12/05/2009
From time to time, over the past few years, I've done the occasional 'chauffeur' work for my wife's employer. Recently, she (her boss) has been suffering from the early stages of a heart condition and, as a consequence, I've been asked to do a lot more. As I'm now fully-retired, I've been quite glad of an opportunity to renew my acquaintance with a steering wheel and, more often than not, I have used my own car. However, this weekend, I've been asked to drive her car - which is identical to the one shown below. It's not quite the same as driving a bus - but, someone has to do it.  Miscellaneous 12/05/2009
It does seem to be a rather worthwhile cause; so, I've sent Lloyd a 'commotion' for Christmas - http://www.adoptaword.co.uk/index.php | Welcome:Originally a record of a bus and coach delivery driver's experiences, this blog will now attempt to explain the effects of retirement. For example, cataloguing a collection of model vehicles. Categories |
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