Hobbies and Crafts

We have got five Ann, one big one at the front, the water comes off the garage roof. It's sort of tucked round the side of the garage.

Out the back we have got two big ones that are connected together, the water for those comes off the conservatory gutters, they are in the corner between the conservatory and kitchen walls.

We have got another big one that gathers water from the back of the garage and a small one down by the shed.

They are all on stands so you can get a watering can under the taps.

At the moment, not surprisingly, they are all full and on Tuesday most were overflowing.

M.

Lovely day here as well, I have just spent two hours in the garden, trouble is I could do with spending another two but I don't think my back would stand it.
I keep meaning to comment on something on one of your posts Maryanna but it may have been on the garden thread. How many water barrels did you say you have? where do you keep them all. We only have room for one really and now that has sprunk a leak, only a small one but it will have to be fixed somehow. that barrel is not very old either. :-(

They are back again now Bob,

As Vera said yesterday, I think someone was having a funny turn.

They are lovely and I do pity poor Mum and Dad.

I haven't seen our Blue tits for a while, but I can still hear them in the trees and bushes.

Lovely day here today, fingers crossed it will be as nice next week in Bonny Scotland.

M.

the birds are still in the box, mum n dad are little heroes, still.
, I guess nature does, what nature does.!

the pics are still there, and open for all to see,no idea whats up with Genes,
a few more to add later....
glad you like my feeble efforts, pity they are in greyscale, but its because of the infra red light from the camera leds......might invest in a better camera one day




Bob

Ann, how can I send some photos to your blog ?

Glad I looked at Bobs pictures when I did, can't get them now.

M. :-)

On my Ipad at the moment Kanj, the blog address is on my main pc, I will let you have it when I go back upstairs, I know I should remember it but I get it confused with my craft blog. :-D

Maryanna no low flying pigeons today thank goodness, but a couple of doves which was nice to see for a change.

Vera, our birds also love the fat birdcake. I must find a spare 5 minutes to make some more and I know it will go very quickly.

Ann, how do I access the photo blog please?

Vera I had a bit of a problem with Bob's photos and was only able to access a couple. It does aggravate me having to sign in when I am already on the site but I do it of course to see the photos, once it threw me out into my own photos but I managed to see some of the hungry mouths. :-D

Just added some update photos of our garden to the blog for those interested.

Bob, I saw your earlier bluetit pictures and I am sure they are wonderful little birds now but Genes won't let me look at them anymore :-| I keep getting the message that the asset can't be found or I don't have permission to view it.

I don't usually have much problem with GR but I think it is having a funny spell today. It took me three attempts before I could sign in.

There have been a few birds in the garden today between the heavy rain showers; mostly starlings but I also saw a dunnock, a robin and a blue tit. I've just topped up the feeders and put out some chopped up fruit that was a bit past its best. I've also just made some square fat cakes that fit nicely in to one of our hanging feeders and the birds seem to love them. OH says they are better fed than he is :-D

Yes proper little birds now aren't they Bob?

Looks like you had a good time Ann, it's about a year since we last went down that way.

Jane and kandj those pesky Pigeons eh ? !!!!! Their wings make that funny squeaking sound too, like they need a bit of oil. We did at least, have a baby one sitting on the fence yesterday, at least there is something to show for all the effort.

Bob, " your babies " are coming on a treat, they look like proper little birds now.

We bought a soaker hose yesterday, with a timer etc. tried to lay it down the garden, every time we stuck our heads out it tipped down. We also had two almighty hail storms, it was so loud on the conservatory roof we couldn't hear each other speak even though we were sitting next to one another on the sofa !!!

I had just put my hanging baskets out for a bit of air. !!!!! They got that alright !!!!

At least all five of the water butts are full now and ready for watering when we are about. Himself is looking into getting a submersible pump so we can use a hose off one of them. As long as we get some sun so we actually need all this watering equipment...........

M.

I forgot to say, last week when we were walking down to the quay, on my birthday , I think it was, we saw an egret. He was fishing in a pool left by the tide, on the beach. Of course, I didn't have my camera but took some pics with my phone, they are ok but not brilliant as the zoom isn't very good. I think it was a little white. egret as he had a black beak. There are some of the Great White Egrets around here but further up on the Levels.

Don't forget to look at the photo blog, I did say a few posts down the board, there is a photo of a heron in the garden of our guest house on there.

Love the Blue Tit pics :-D :-D.So nice to see so many in the nest :-D.It can't be long before they fledge.It might be push and shove to see who is out first lol

Ha!Ha! Kandj...The Pidgeons do make quite a noise don't they with their big wings.It is when they land in the tree/s the wings start a flapping so they can actually get in through the branches to the nest .It can be quite a commotion :-S

Really very interesting Bob. Thanks for sharing the photos on here.

I was ducking my head just reading your message Jane. They are both big birds.

Just been out to check garage is locked and a pigeon must have been on resting on the bungalow roof. It flew off flapping its wings and I ducked wondering what the noise was. I'm just SO relieved that it didn't dive my way, I wouldn't like that one little bit, being the big wuss that I am ha ha.

some pics on the blue tits progress, I was awake at 530 this morning, half expecting them to be off, but as yet they are still here, at 19 days old not sure how many ARE here, the last actual head count I had was 9.

there is SO much pushing n shoving and jostling for position....AND ME ME ME when the food trolley comes flying in


http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15401605 8 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15443800 11 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15636715 12 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15636734 14 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15636743 16 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15636756 17 days
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/15636761 19 days

I was just standing on the Patio and heard the Squawk of a Crow.(when they chase a Red Kite).WELL, the Crow nearly brought a Kite down in the garden.I almost ducked as they were so low !!!!!!.Normally they are quite high up.But this was quite hair raising. it was probably just about 15ft above me !!!!

photos of our weekend on the blog.

Jane if you think of getting a vivofit make sure to get the vivofit2, it is the newest one and better apparently than the older version.

Maryanna have a great weekend, like you it usually rains when we are away, but it is usually fine at home when we are away too so double aggravating.

It is the tall ships festival in Gloucester this weekend so everywhere will be crowded as it attracts an enormous number of people. It is usually good so we shall leave the car at home and get the bus there. Then may go to the flea fair in Malvern at the weekend.

Kandj we came home on Sunday. Have just done the weekly shop, it always used to be quiet on Tuesdays but the last couple of weeks it has been really busy. Always lots reduced on Tuesdays for some reason so got a couple of things to put in the freezer. :-) :-)

I put a full line of bedding/towels out earlier and now it looks as if its going to rain....
hey ho...... just what I could do without!

I was a little late in filling the feeders this morning and had a row of birds (sparrow, blackbird, starlings and pigeon) on the wall waiting to be fed. So funny to see, almost as if they were thinking "Are we going to be fed today?" I must find the time to make the fat bird seedcake, that is a treat all birds enjoy and its good entertainment for us.

According to the forecast Bank Holiday weekend is meant to be good, so that will be nice for Maryanna and Jane. Hope you enjoy yourselves and have safe travels.

Are you back home Ann or have you stayed over in Hampshire? Perhaps you are out walking clocking up the miles on your new tracker?