Hobbies and Crafts

Cold, wet and grey here today. Not many birds about, just a few crows.

Buster is in disgrace today. I was awake in the early hours and was vaguely aware of a faint noise on the edge of my hearing; I thought I might even be imagining it. OH woke up as well so I told him and he went downstairs to investigate. Buster was having a whale of a time chewing the beading on a coffee table! Of course I then spent the rest of the night listening out in case he fancied another little night time snack.

Son phoned today so I was able to tell him before he got to see the damage. Luckily he had bought the table for next to nothing at an auction so wasn't too upset.

This morning OH took Buster for his usual long walk. While they were out he saw 2 fairly elderly ladies with a very small dog coming towards him. They stopped and he thought they were perhaps nervous of such a large dog so hastened to reassure them. The answer he got was "We know Buster, he's fine but where's his mummy? What are you doing with him?". They practically accused my poor man of stealing the dog. He felt them watching him all the way along the path. This is a town, not a small village, and I can't believe how many people know this dog. Being Buster's owner's mother is my claim to fame now :-D

Buster sounds like a Celeb Vera LOL...Naughty boy though chomping the beading on the coffee table :-|..Is he normally a chewer?
I often wake in the night thinking I can hear Thomas having a scratch on some wallpaper :-S
We have had a lot of rain here today.The flat roof on next door's garage looked like a public bath for the Pigeons.I counted at least 15 of them having a good splash about :-D

Despite the wind and rain we had five goldfinches on the feeders this morning, not a lot more except a dove or two and a wood pigeon plus a male blackap.

Thought I would put a photo of Buster up as an avatar as I keep talking about him but he wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a decent picture

At the moment he is lying on my feet - all 9 stone of him! Thankfully, he hasn't indulged in any more midnight furniture snacks. Today OH apparently met two very nice young ladies who called out to Buster from across the park. I am getting a bit concerned about all these women my husband is finding to talk to :-|

Aaw Vera what adventures he is having, all these females will put a spring in his step. :-D

Oh Vera ,Buster looks wonderful :-D.Hopefully he has his fill of chewing the table now.
The one thing I loved when I had my dear old Chester was meeting so many people in the park.Bet your OH loves meeting some nice young ladies :-D :-D..I met some lovely young men :-D

No Goldfinches in this neck of the woods Ann.But I do think it is more than the ONE Woodpecker on the feeder.I am pretty sure we have had a bigger one .So I am thinking we have 2 :-D

Spotted Thomas having a good munch on half a rabbit in the hedge.I think he must have had the first half earlier in the day and he stashed the other half for seconds :-S :-S.Now I know why he hasn't eaten any food I have put down today.

My Sister went to Crufts yesterday and is going again on Sunday.She loves it and goes every year.

Buster looks gorgeous Vera. He obviously is very well known locally. Your OH is sure to get fit taking Buster out for walkies!

Nothing very different here, just Mr Blackbird, starlings, hedge sparrows and seagulls.
Nothing at all exciting, but all hungry as window and ground feeder need to be filled.

Arrived home from Yorkshire a little while ago and I am missing granddaughter and Buster already.

I was surprised to find the bird feeders almost as full as when we left 10 days ago. The fat balls have gone but that is all. I suspect they have been eaten by starlings but it doesn't look as though many other birds have been around. I do wonder if something is keeping them away :-(

Not got a neighbourly cat stalking Vera?

Vera, maybe you have fussy birds who like fresher food or perhaps a neighbour is offering a better menu than yours?? Your granddaughter and Buster are sure to be
missing you and OH, now that you have returned home again.

The greedy starlings are enjoying some stale cake..... a rare treat for them today.
It was thick fog first thing this morning, but is almost clear now. Dry but cool though.

I don't think any of the neighbours in our little close have any animals to keep the birds away. We have a cat ourselves but she is elderly and either stays indoors or just lies in the sun on the patio. The birds don't seem to be bothered by her and anyway she has been in the cattery for three weeks while we were away.

I did have a treat this morning. I just happened to be by the kitchen window when a pair of goldfinches flew in and landed on some lavender. They sat there for about 30 seconds and then flew off. They didn't go near the food but at least I know they are around. :-D

EDIT : Just changed the profile picture as I thought Ann might like to see the view from our balcony at the Madeira hotel she is going to.

Looks lovely Vera, looking forward to it. Thanks for letting me see it.

So pleased that you saw the goldfinches. I expect they have always been around but they are creatures of habit and have probably established a feeding opportunity elsewhere. They are very quick when they fly in and out.

Not seen a lot of birds today as i have been in and out of the conservatory so they don't settle when they see me.

Just finished sorting out the upright freezer, it was very iced up and my OH got a lot of the ice out over the weekend. couldn't get it all out though as the freezer was full and the sun was in the conservatory. Still it is a lot cleaner now and I have listed what is in there. (some stuff went in the food bin too today. A few more bits ready to go next week. buried and so far out of date they didn't look good. I hope the lists will make sure we can keep the stuff in check now. Should have done that from the beginning. :-D :-(

New photo of Adam

A lovely photo Ann, he looks like big brother Luke.

I just love that pic Ann :-D :-D
I don't envy you with an iced up freezer Vera.They are a nightmare.I now have a frost free one which is great.I had enough of trying to cut great chunks of ice and hot water in bowls .It was exhausting lol and water all over the place too :-S
Still no Goldfinches in my neck of the wood.But plenty of lovely Long Tailed Tits at last :-D

Lovely photo Ann. Adam has a very "knowing" look and a gorgeous head of hair.

Jane, I think it is Ann who has the iced up freezer. Like you we have a frost free one.

The collared doves and the pigeons do seem to like to drink from the bird bath but we're still not seeing any other birds :-(

We tried to find a frost free freezer when we got this one two or three years sgo. But we were in a hurry as our other one had gone wrong. We couldn't find one.

Adam has a qirky look, I think he is going to be mischievous. :-(

I think we are being ostracised by the local bird community; even the fat balls don't seem to be attracting them now :-(

I just love that pic of Adam..Yes a bit Mischievous me thinks LOL He looks like he knows something we don't !!!

I wonder why the birds have deserted you Vera.I still can't keep up with my lot on the window feeder.I am still filling it twice a day.
I am happy to report though that I have seen a GOLDFINCH...Just the one so far.It was on the wood shed :-D :-D

I am regularly filling my feeders Jane but only because the seeds etc in them are clumping together or beginning to look a bit mouldy. You wouldn't believe how much I have binned. Today I have seen two fat pigeons in the bird bath and one starling. Usually if the starlings come they come mob handed - I've not seen one on its own in the garden before.

It's very depressing but I'll carry on putting food out and hoping for the best.