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- glitches
- global interest
- global warming
- Gloucestershire
- go-karting
- goddesses
- going shopping
- gold
- goldfinch
- goldfinches
- goldfish
- golf
- good advice
- good dogs
- Good Fences Make Good Neighbours
- Good Friday
- Google Chrome
- Goons
- Gordon Brown
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- Gordon Pasha
- gossamer
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- government
- GPS
- GR4 Tornado
- graduation
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- Grand National
- grandchildren
- grandmama
- Grant Us Peace
- grape hyacinth
- grave
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- gravity
- Great Britain
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- Great Ormond Street
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- great tit
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- Great War
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- greater spotted woodpecker
- Greek
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- greenbottle
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- gremlin
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- grey heron
- Grey Herons
- Grim Reaper
- groceries
- grouse
- growing up
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- Guildford Cathedral
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- guitar
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- Gus
- guttering
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- H4H
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- haemorrhoids
- Haiku Friday
- haiku my heart friday
- hail
- hair
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- Hairy shield bug
- haka
- Hakuro Nishki
- Hallelujah chorus
- halloumi
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- Hampshire
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- hamster
- handbrake turns
- Handel
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- hangers
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- happiness
- hard-boiled
- Hardanger
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- harness
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- harvest
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- healthy heart
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- Heaven
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- Hewlett-Packard
- hexagonal cells
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- hide and seek
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- hierarchy
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- hippopotamus
- historical fiction
- Hitler
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- HMS Victory
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- HO scale
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- holidays
- Holly
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- Holly blue
- holly tree
- home
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- homeopathy
- homesick
- homing pigeon
- hominids
- honesty
- honey bee
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- honeycomb
- honeysuckle
- honeysuckle vine
- honky-tonk
- Hook
- hope
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- hornet
- horse
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- horses
- hospital
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- hot water bottle
- hotmail
- houmous
- house
- house martin
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- House of York
- house-training
- houttuynia 'Chameleon'
- hover-flies
- hoverflies
- hoverfly
- howlers
- HP
- Hubble
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- human fat
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- humans
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- humour
- Hundred Years' War
- hunger
- Hunter's Moon
- hunting
- Hupeh province
- Hurricane
- husband
- hyacinth
- hyacinths
- Hyde Park memorial
- hydrangea
- hypericum
- hypothalamus
- I protest
- I Saw Sunday
- ice
- ice cream
- ice-cream
- ichneumon wasp
- Ichthus
- icicles
- identity theft
- idiocy
- idioms
- idiopathic epilepsy
- idle hands
- Ilex
- Ilex 'Golden King'
- illogicality
- illusion of non-movement
- illusions
- imaginary corner with real toads
- imaginary garden with real toads
- Imperial German Navy High Seas Fleet
- Imperial War Museum
- implosion
- In memoriam
- In Tandem
- in the forest in December 2009
- in this moment
- inboard engine
- incompetence
- inconvenience
- India
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- Indian Mutiny
- Indian National Railway System
- individuality
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- Indore
- Indra Sinha
- Industrial Revolution
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- inefficiency
- infants
- information
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- Ingrid
- initiation
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- injured service personnel
- injustice
- ink
- ink blot
- inner ear
- innumeracy
- insects
- insight
- Inspector Gadget
- Inspiring Words Week
- insulating
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- intelligence
- Internet Explorer
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- interview
- Intimacy
- Into the Void
- invasion
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- Iran
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- iron gall ink
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- Isambard
- Isambard. Solomon
- Isla
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- Italian Spinone
- Italy
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- izzard
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- Jains
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- jalopy
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- jamboree
- James
- Jane Hartley May
- Jane Seymour
- Janice
- Janie
- jankers
- January 2010
- January 2010 full moon
- January 2010-
- Japan
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- Japanese Windflower
- jasmine
- Jason deCaires Taylor
- jaws
- Jay
- jays
- Jellicoe
- jelly
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- Jenna
- Jenna. Frodo
- Jenny Joseph
- Jerusalem
- Jesus
- Jezreel's Folly
- Jezreel's Tower
- jigsaws
- jihad
- Jim Al-Kahlili
- Jimmy Carter
- jingoist
- Jinksy
- jive
- Joanna Southcott
- Joe Simpson
- joggers
- John
- John 'Babbacombe' Lee
- John Blashford-Snell
- John Masefield
- John Rowley
- John Smith's
- jokes
- Jolene Anderson
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- jonquil
- Joseph Samuel
- journal
- journalism
- journals
- judo
- Julie Felix
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- July
- July 15th
- July 2009
- July 2010
- June
- June 2009
- June morning
- juniper berries
- junk mail
- justice
- Jutland
- K glass
- kaffir lily
- Kafka
- Kahlil Gibran
- kaleidoscope
- Kalkhoff Tasman
- Kandinsky
- karma
- Kat
- Kat. Bethan
- Kate
- Kate-the-Vet
- Katherine Jenkins
- Kay's questions
- kedgeree
- Keirin
- Kelloggs
- Kenneth Grahame. Toad Hall
- Kent
- Kentish cobs
- Kepler
- Kerria japonica
- Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'
- Kerry Morgan
- key rings
- key words
- keyboard
- keys
- khaki
- Khan
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- Khedive of Egypt
- Khoisan
- Kim
- Kindle
- King Edgar of Kent
- King George II
- King George III
- King George VI
- King Harold
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- King Kong
- King Solomon's Temple
- King's College Choir
- Kiri
- Kiri. Barry
- Kit Kat
- kitchen
- kitchen cupboard
- Kitchener
- Kitchener stitch
- kitten
- kitten milk
- kittens
- knickers
- knock knock
- knowledge
- known unto God
- Kodak Brownie
- kong
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- Kraft
- kryptonite
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- Kublai Khan
- Kulula Airlines
- Kynoch vets
- La Manche
- Labour
- Labour Party
- Labrador
- Labrador puppy
- Labrador retriever
- Labradors
- lace-cap hydrangea
- Lady Jane Grey
- ladybird
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- lake
- lambs
- Lancashire
- language
- Lantern Moon
- laptop
- larder
- Large Hadron Collider
- Large Red Damselfly
- Large white butterfly
- lark
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- Last Post
- late
- late afternoon
- late afternoon sky
- late blooms
- laughter
- laundry
- Laura Marling
- Laurel and Hardy
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- law
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- Lazarus
- Le Creuset
- Leap Day
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- learning by heart
- Leatherman
- leaves
- LED
- lederhosen
- leek
- left-hand hinge
- legend
- Leisure
- Lend-Lease
- Lenny
- Lent
- Lenten Moon
- Leo
- Leo Marks
- Leonard
- leopard
- Leslie Caron
- lethargy
- Lewis Carroll
- Liam Lynch
- Libellula depressa
- Liberal
- library
- lies
- life
- Life is like a bicycle
- Life of Pee
- Life of Pi
- life's little trials
- light
- light pollution
- lightning
- Lilac
- lilies
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- lily of the valley
- lime
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- limping
- Lincolnshire
- liniment May 2009
- links
- lion
- liquid nitrogen
- lisianthus
- Lissotriton vulgaris
- list of posts
- literal
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- Litha
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- litter tray
- Little Ships
- live dogs
- live dogs as shark bait
- Live Writer
- liver
- liver enzymes
- Living Rainforest
- Lloyds TSB
- Lobelia
- local council
- lock
- Lock and Lock
- lockdown
- locum
- Lodewijk Toeput
- log burner
- logs
- LogSaver
- Loki
- Lolly
- London
- London Aquarium
- London Fashion Week
- London Marathon
- loneliness
- long-tailed tit
- long-tailed tits
- longbow
- Longiflorum Lilies
- Look Around You
- loosestrife
- Lord Byron
- Lord Chelmsford
- Lord Howe
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- Lord's
- losing things
- loss
- Lottie
- Lotus
- Louis
- Louis XIV
- Louisiana
- love
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- lovers
- low carbon emission
- Loyal Toast
- Lucy
- Lulworth Cove
- lunacy
- lungs
- Lurcher
- lute
- lutenist
- lying in state
- Lyle's Golden Syrup
- Lyme disease
- lyre
- Lysimachia punctata
- Ma
- mackerel
- MacLeod
- macro
- Macro Monday
- macro tulips
- Maffick Monday
- Magda Goebbels
- maggots
- magic
- Magic Porridge Pot
- magnolia
- Magpie
- Magpie Tales
- magpies
- Mahdi
- Mahdists
- Malaysia
- mallard
- Mallard drake
- Mallard duck
- mallards
- Malplaquet
- malus
- malware
- mammals
- man
- Man Booker Prize
- Manchester Airport
- Manhattan
- manners
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- mantra
- marathon
- marble scissors
- marbles
- marbling
- Marc Chagall
- March 17th
- March 1st
- March 2010
- March 3rd
- Marco Polo
- Marcus Aurelius
- Margaret
- Margaret Atwood
- Margret Geraghty
- Maria Theresa
- Marie Curie
- marigold
- marigolds
- Marion Hutton
- Mark Fast
- Mark Hurd
- Mark Knopfler
- Mark-the-Vet
- marksmanship
- Marlborough
- marmalade
- Marmite
- Marnie
- marriage
- marriage certificates
- Mars
- Martin Jarvis
- Martin Read
- Martini-Henry rifle
- masks
- Masonic regalia
- massacre of St Bartholomew
- mate
- maternal grandfather
- maternal grandmother
- mathematics
- maths
- mating
- mating dance
- Matthew Maury
- Matthew Wilson
- Max Wall
- May
- May 2009
- May 2010
- May 2016
- May 8th
- May full moon
- May in England
- McLaren
- measles
- medical research
- Medusa
- megaoesphagus
- Mellow Yellow Monday
- Meloxidyl
- Melvyn Bragg
- memory loss
- meningitis
- Merlin
- mermaids
- Meshach
- mesmerising
- mess games
- mess mountaineering
- Met Office
- Metacam
- metamorphosis
- meter
- methane
- mexican orange blossom
- Mexico
- Micawber
- mice
- Michael Jackson
- Michael Morpurgo
- Michael Phelps
- Mick
- microfiction
- Microfiction Monday
- Microfiction Monday #15
- Microfiction Monday #16
- Microfiction Monday #17
- Microfiction Monday #19
- Microfiction Monday #20
- Microfiction Monday #24
- Microfiction Monday #30
- Microfiction Monday #31
- Microfiction Monday #32
- Microfiction Monday #33
- Microfiction Monday #51
- microphone
- mid-June UK 2009
- Middle East
- Midsummer's Night
- Midweek Blues
- migrants
- migration
- Mike the Headless Chicken
- military
- Military Covenant
- milk moon
- milking
- Milvus milvus
- mining
- Ministry of Defence
- Mint moth
- mirror
- mistake
- mistakes
- mists of time
- mites
- Mitt Romney
- mobile phone
- mobile phone cameras
- mobile phones
- mock orange blossom
- MoD
- Mohammed
- Mole
- Moleskine
- mollusc
- Monday Photo Prompt
- Monday's Child
- Money spider
- Mongols
- monkey
- Monkey Man
- monks
- Monochrome Weekly Theme
- monologue
- monologues
- Mons
- Montcalm
- Monty
- moon
- Moon After Yule
- mooning
- Moonrise
- moors
- moped
- more bad poetry
- More Than Just A Kiss blogfest
- morning
- morning rituals
- morning sky
- Morpheus
- Morse code
- Moses
- MOT
- moth
- Moth orchid
- mother
- Mother Goddess
- mothers
- moths
- motorbike
- Mount Everest
- Mount Fuji
- mourners
- Mouse
- Mozart
- MPs
- Mrs Gadget
- mud
- mug
- Mumbai
- Mumbles
- Mumblings
- Muppets
- murder
- muscari
- muscle soreness
- Muses
- museum
- Mushrooms
- music
- Music Hall
- Muslim
- My love is like a red
- My World Tuesday
- Myosotis
- myrrh
- mysteries
- mystery
- myth
- mythology
- N is for Noses
- Nadal
- Nadia
- Nadia-the-Vet
- nail clippers
- NaNoWriMo
- Napoleon
- nappies
- napple notes
- narcissus
- NASA
- nasturtiums
- Natal
- National Trust
- Nativity
- natural world
- navigation
- NCOs
- nectarine
- negative buoyancy
- neglect
- negligence
- Nelson
- Nelson Mandela
- nemesia
- Neolithic long barrow
- nepeta
- nepotism
- Netherlands
- nets
- nevermore
- Neville Chamberlain
- new day
- New England
- New Scotland Yard
- New Year
- New Year's Day
- New Year's Eve
- New Year's Eve 2009
- New York
- New Zealand
- Newfoundland
- news
- newts
- NHS
- Nicholas Soames
- Nick
- Nicolas Tournier
- niece
- Nietzsche
- Nigella damascena
- Nigella damascena 'Moody Blues'
- Night
- night-scented stock
- nightingale
- nightjar
- nightmare
- nightmares
- Nike
- Nina
- nip
- nippy
- Noah
- nonsense
- nonsense.
- Noodler's ink
- Norfolk
- Norfolk terriers
- Norman
- Norman Rockwell
- North America
- North Sea
- North Wind
- Northern Hemisphere
- Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland. gardening
- Northern Ireland. warranties
- Northern Lights
- Northumberland
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- noses
- notebooks
- nouveau riche
- novel
- November 2009
- November 2011
- November fog
- November sky
- nursery
- nursery rhyme
- nursery rhymes
- nuthatch
- nuts
- NYC Midnight Challenge
- oak
- oak tree
- oaks
- OCD
- Ocicat
- Ocicats
- October
- October 17th
- October 2009
- October 2011
- October 31st
- October 31st 2009
- octopus
- Ode to the West Wind
- Odile
- Odin
- officer cadets
- offing
- old age
- Old Moon
- Old Royal Naval College
- old wives' tale
- older men
- Olive
- olive oil
- Oliver Twist
- olives
- Olympics
- omelettes
- one
- onion
- onions
- Open Championship
- operation
- Ophion luteus
- Oracle
- orange
- orb-weaver
- orders
- Orders Pour le Merite
- ordure
- oregano
- Orient
- origami
- Orion
- orrery
- Orson Welles
- Orygia antiqua
- Oryx and Crake
- Osborne Bay
- Oscar Wilde
- osteochondrosis
- osteomyelitis
- osteoporosis
- otters
- Oudenaarde
- outboard engine
- outdated laws
- ova
- ovipositor
- owl
- Oxford
- ozone layer
- Pacer poles
- Pacerpoles
- Packaging
- paddling
- paddling pool
- paediatric nurse
- pain
- pain relief patch
- paint
- paint effects
- Painted Hall
- painting
- pairs
- Pakistan
- Pamela
- pansies
- Pansy
- pantalon
- papaya
- parachute jump
- Parachute Regiment
- parachutes
- parade
- parallel universes
- paraskavedekatriaphobia
- parasol
- parents
- Paris
- Parliament
- Parliamentary Commons Business Select Committee
- Parma violets
- parrot
- Parsee
- Parsi
- parthogenesis
- Passchendaele
- passion
- pastry chef
- Patience
- Patio Sophia
- Pats
- Paul
- Paula Stone Williams
- pavement
- Pavement Picasso
- Pavlov's dogs
- paws
- peace
- Peace Envoy
- peanut butter
- Pearl Harbour
- Peas and Queues
- pebbles
- pedicure
- Pegasus
- pegs
- pelargonium
- pelargonium x hortorum
- peloton
- pencils
- penguin
- penguins
- Penny Black
- pension funds
- pensions
- pepper
- peppercorns
- perennial geranium
- perigee
- permafrost
- Persian
- Pet Pride
- Peter Gershon
- Peter Harrison Planetarium
- Peter Mandelson
- Peter Serafinowicz
- Peterborough
- petrol
- pets
- Pets Forever
- pettifogger
- petunias
- pewter
- Phalaenopsis
- Phaseolus vulgaris
- Phil-the-Vet
- philately
- Philip V
- Philip VI
- Phillippines
- philosophy
- Phlogophora meticulosa
- Pholcus phalangioides
- phone hacking
- photo manipulation
- photography
- physics
- piano
- Piatnik
- piccalilli
- pick up
- pickled onions
- pickling
- picnics
- Pieris brassicae
- pig
- pigs
- pike
- Pimpla hypochondriaca
- pin
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- pincushion
- ping pong balls
- pinks
- Pinus sylvestris
- pipefish
- pissers
- Pixie frog
- pizza
- PLA of China
- placemats
- plaits
- plane
- plank
- planking
- Plantaganet
- planting
- planting moon
- plantlets
- plasters
- plastic
- plastic bottles
- Plato
- play
- Play time! Gilbert
- playground games
- pleasure
- plus size models
- pneumonia
- poached
- poetry
- Poetry Jam
- Poetry Monday
- poinsettia
- point-to-point
- pointe
- poison
- police
- police helicopter
- policeman
- polio
- political journalists
- politically incorrect
- politician
- politicians
- politics
- pollen
- pollination
- poltergeist
- polyandry
- polycarbonate
- polygamy
- polygynandry
- pond
- pond skaters
- ponds
- Pool Room
- Poor Man's Capers
- poplars
- Poppy Appeal
- population
- portrait
- Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Cathedral
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- Posidonius
- positional vertigo
- post box
- post boxes
- post-apocalypse
- post-war
- postboxes
- Postman Pat
- pottle
- poverty
- power
- Powys
- pre-school
- prehistoric
- preposition
- prescription
- preserves
- President Roosevelt
- priests
- Prime Minister
- Primrose League
- primroses
- Prince Edward
- Prince Eugene of Savoy
- Prince Harry
- Prince of Wales
- Prince William
- printer
- prisoner
- Privy Council
- probate
- procurement
- proliferate
- Prom
- Proms
- proposal
- proselytise
- prostitution
- Protestantism
- Proust
- pruning
- PSV
- pterosaurs
- public sector
- public signs
- Puck of Pook's Hill
- Puglia
- Punch
- puppies
- puppy
- puppy food
- pure alocohol
- Purr...fect Cat Fence
- purse
- pyracantha
- pyracantha berries
- Pyrenean Mountain dog
- Pyrex
- Pyronia tithonus
- Pyxicephalus
- Q-ships
- qu'est-ce-que c'est que ca
- Quaker
- Quakers
- quartermaster
- Queen Anne
- Queen Victoria
- Quercus
- Question Time
- quiescent
- quietude
- Quince
- quinquereme
- quirk
- quotations
- quotidian
- Rabbie Burns
- rabbit
- rabbits
- RAC
- Rachmaninov
- racing
- racing pigeon
- radar
- radiation
- radio
- radiographer
- RAF
- RAF Bentley Priory
- RAF Ensign
- Raging Grannies
- ragwort
- rain
- ram
- rambling rose
- ramblings
- Ramsgate
- Rana temporaria
- random facts
- rant
- ranunculaceae
- ranunculus
- raptors
- rat
- rationing
- rats
- Ratty
- raven
- ravens
- Rawhide
- RBS
- re-post
- Reading
- reading in bed
- reading list
- reason
- Rebecca
- Recall
- recipe
- recycling
- red
- Red Admiral
- red cabbage
- Red Duster
- Red Ensign
- red kite
- red kites
- Red Nose Day
- red onion
- red onions
- red rose
- red sky at night
- red wine
- Redwing
- referees
- reference books
- Referendum
- referred pain
- reflection
- reflections
- refrigerants
- refuge
- refuse collection
- regeneration
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- regulations
- reincarnation
- relaxation
- religious education
- Remembrance Day
- remote control
- remote control car
- renal failure
- reorganisation
- repetition
- replanting
- repost
- reproductive urges
- rescue dogs
- rescue stories
- research
- resettling
- resolution
- respect
- restoration
- retail therapy
- retiree
- retirement
- retirement homes
- Rev. W. Awdry
- revenant
- revolving doors
- rewards
- Rhodia
- rhododendron
- rhododendrons
- RHS
- rhythm
- Richmal Crompton
- rickets
- rickshaw man
- ridgenose
- Ridgeway
- rigs
- Rime of the Ancient Mariner
- risky activities
- rituals
- Riverdance
- RMA
- RMAS
- RNLI
- Rob
- Robbie Williams
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- Robert the Cat Whisperer
- Robey
- robin
- Robin Cooper
- robins
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- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Rodgers and Hart
- roe deer
- rolls
- romance
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- Romantic Friday Writers
- Rome
- Romeo and Juliet
- Rorke's Drift
- Rosa 'Mermaid'
- rose
- rosemary
- roses
- roses Lady Hillingdon and Warm Welcome
- rotary dryer
- Rough Collie
- Round R
- rowing boat
- Roxy
- Royal
- Royal Army Dental Corps
- Royal British legion
- Royal Command Perormance
- Royal Engineers
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- Royal wedding
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- rubbish
- rudd
- rudeness
- Rudyard Kipling
- rugby
- Rugby World Cup
- runner beans
- running shoes
- Rupert Murdoch
- Russia
- Russian Empire
- Russian Flying Fortresses
- Rusty Tussock
- Ruth
- RVC
- sacroiliac joint
- safety clothing
- safety helmet
- Sagittarius
- sailing
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- sledge
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- the apple
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- the dole
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- Thibie
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- Today's Flowers
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- Today's Flowers #71 December 2009
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- toddler
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- Tommy Cooper
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- too early
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- torment
- tormentil
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- Tour de France
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- toy
- tracking
- tradehttp://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/
- Trafalgar
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- Treo
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- Trooping the Colour
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- tulip
- tulips
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- tweet
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- vaccinations
- Vale of White Horse
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- washing
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Monday, 31 May 2010
Spatially immature!
At this time of year young starlings scream around our garden feeders, arguing with each other, practising aerobatics and gymnastic pyramids. They boldly face up to wood pigeons and woodpeckers and overwhelm blackbirds, thrushes, robins, nuthatches and all the small titmice. At an unseen signal – or maybe an alarm – they take off in a great cloud and fly over the house to a safe vantage point. That is to say, most of them do. In their haste, or panic, to leave the site, some of them crash into the windows. This is not because our windows are sparklingly clean like the purest of spring water – far from it, they are smeary and nose-smudged and licked (by the dogs, I hasten to add!) Even when I have just cleaned them they only just allow clear vision so I cannot believe that the youngsters don't see them – they simply have poorly-developed spatial skills (a little like me, in fact!)
Most days there are thumps and thuds as unfortunate birds collide with unforgiving glass. Sometimes the impact is so noisy that we all jump and the dogs bark. Occasionally, thankfully rarely, the strike is fatal. Yesterday was a busy day for the young birds with a great deal of coming and going and several of them hit the windows. Some appeared to bounce off and continue their frantic flight but two of them, within a couple of hours, were knocked out.
The first one was thrown back from the patio door onto a net on a garden bench. She lay motionless for a minute or two but was still breathing. (I think it was a female since she had a hint of pink at the base of her beak and males have blue)
After a while she got rather groggily to her feet and a few minutes later flew off to join her friends and family.
A little later one of her male relations hit the glass and landed on his back on the patio.
We feared that this one might not survive but these birds are fighters and he was soon on his feet, though looking a little glassy-eyed.
We watched him carefully and he seemed to be recovering. Gus was agitating to go out so Barry decided to move the little bird to a safer location - as he approached the starling flapped his wings and flew away.There haven't been any collisions today.
Face of the Week #14 Eve at the helm
Eve is our youngest granddaughter. Here she is taking the helm a couple of years ago.
Thank you to Sistertex from 'Spacial Peepol' who organises and hosts this lovely meme. Click here if you would like to see more entries - and maybe join in!
Labels:
Appaloosa,
Eve,
Face of the Week #14,
sailing
Microfiction Monday #33
Susan from 'Stony River' organises and hosts this weekly meme. She provides a picture and the challenge is to create a story in 140 characters or less.
Click here to read more marvels of microfiction – and perhaps be tempted to join in.
Here is this week's picture and my offerings follow – two for one today.
'Now look here, Merlin,' said Arthur, 'Turning me into a dragon won't change my mind. I'm still going to be king.' 'You sure?' said Merlin.
(139 characters)
'I'm giving you one more chance. Breathe fire or I'll turn you to stone,' said Merlin - and that's how Dragon Stone Hill came into being.
(138 characters)
(138 characters)
Labels:
Arthur,
dragon,
Dragon Stone Hill,
Merlin,
Microfiction Monday #33
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Pet Pride - winsome Winston
Winston at his winsome best - he knows that if he keeps that beguiling gaze fixed on a human face and gives an occasional quiet miaou he might receive a little treat.
Thank you to Bozo and his human for hosting this lovely weekly meme. To see more pets - and maybe join in - please click here.
Today’s Flowers #95 – chives and rosemary
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) have pretty flowers but their scent may not be as attractive as that of other flowers!
Chives are the smallest members of the onion family and the only one native to both the Old and the New World. I use it in salads amd stir-fried vegetable dishes. It is thought to be an insect-repellent, though the flowers are immensely attractive to bees, and it has been cultivated for around 5000 years.The Romans believed chives could relieve sunburn and sore throats and that it would act as a diuretic.Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)is native to the Mediterranean region. The Latin name rosmarinus means 'dew' (ros) and 'sea' (marinus) meaning 'dew of the sea' because it is often found growing near the sea. There's no salt water anywhere near our garden (nothwithstanding we live on a relatively small island!) but it grows well here. I don't often use the leaves fom this evergreen herb but maybe I should since I've just discovered it is extremely high in iron, calcium and vitamin B6.Perhaps I'll steep the leaves in boiling water to make a tisane! It has many culinary uses which you can read about here.
Many thanks to the Today's Flowers team for their dedication to this lovely weekly meme. To see more blooms - and perhaps join in - please click here.
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Weekend Mailbox #7 Postman Pat
My youngest daughter used to love Postman Pat. My mother knitted Pat and his cat Jess for Bethan and she had hours of fun playing with them.This is one of her books - this edition was published in 1982. I think I must have bought it somewhat later than that as Bethan was born at the end of 1981 and was still at the rag book and stiff card book stage in 1982!
I always found it odd that the cartoon characters had only three fingers!
The following video is from YouTube and I'm sure you'll all be singing along to it by the end :-)
Big thanks to Gemma from 'Greyscale Territory' who inititiated and hosts this meme. Click here to see more
Labels:
Bethan,
May,
Postman Pat,
Weekend Mailbox #7
Shadow Shot Sunday #106, Camera Critters #112
Bumble bee on pyracantha flowers in our garden
28.05.2010
Cropped and enlarged
Thank you to Tracy from 'Hey Harriet' and Misty Dawn from 'Camera Critters' who work hard to organise and host these memes for our pleasure. To see more shadows or critters please click on the appropriate name.
May’s Full Moon
'Full Moon over Kilauea' by Jules Tavernier - oil on canvas 1887
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Child Moon
I can understand the moon being called the 'Planting Moon' for May is the month in which many seeds are planted though I suspect it may derive from farming lore. We did a lot of planting a few days ago and already the flowering plants have put their feet down and lifted their heads and many of the seeds are germinating. The goldfish and rudd in the pond are becoming very active, racing to the surface for their food and flicking their tails to dive again, so a different sort of planting will be taking place soon – or rather a sowing of seed. Not much of the spawn survives – it is laid and then eaten by the prospective parents, the resident frogs and newts, developing dragonfly larvae (these somewhat unattractive creatures are known as 'nymphs' – isn't that picturesque?) and visiting crows and magpies. Those few eggs that go on to hatch must still elude the snapping jaws of the community they hope one day to join. We usually see two or three baby fish each year and there is little fear of the pond being choked with half-starved fish - the numbers have not increased dramatically over the years.
'Flower Moon' is an equally appropriate name for the May full moon. The garden is alive with colourful blooms and a thousand buds foretell the blaze that will erupt in June.
The child's wonder
At the old moon
Comes back nightly.
She points her finger
To the far silent yellow thing
Shining through the branches
Filtering on the leaves a golden sand,
Crying with her little tongue, 'See the moon!'
And in her bed fading to sleep
With babblings of the moon on her little mouth.
Carl Sandburg 1878 – 1967
Quite why May's New Moon should be called the 'Milk Moon' I don't know. Could it be that it coincides with the cows being turned out to pasture from their winter quarters? I think they may go out earlier so perhaps by May the milk is reflecting the benefits of fresh Spring grass.I can understand the moon being called the 'Planting Moon' for May is the month in which many seeds are planted though I suspect it may derive from farming lore. We did a lot of planting a few days ago and already the flowering plants have put their feet down and lifted their heads and many of the seeds are germinating. The goldfish and rudd in the pond are becoming very active, racing to the surface for their food and flicking their tails to dive again, so a different sort of planting will be taking place soon – or rather a sowing of seed. Not much of the spawn survives – it is laid and then eaten by the prospective parents, the resident frogs and newts, developing dragonfly larvae (these somewhat unattractive creatures are known as 'nymphs' – isn't that picturesque?) and visiting crows and magpies. Those few eggs that go on to hatch must still elude the snapping jaws of the community they hope one day to join. We usually see two or three baby fish each year and there is little fear of the pond being choked with half-starved fish - the numbers have not increased dramatically over the years.
'Flower Moon' is an equally appropriate name for the May full moon. The garden is alive with colourful blooms and a thousand buds foretell the blaze that will erupt in June.
Labels:
flower moon,
goldfish,
May full moon,
milk moon,
planting moon,
rudd
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Music has charms to soothe a savage breast . . .
Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
William Congreve (1670 1729) extract from 'The mourning bride' 1697
A policeman in Northern Ireland used his initiative when faced with an unruly mob of drunken teenagers. They were throwing missiles so he decided to use the address system in his vehicle to relay music to calm them. He chose music usually associated with patrolling ice-cream purveyors rather than patrolling panda cars. His plan worked! The teenagers stopped throwing things and started laughing.However, he has been told that he must expect to explain his actions and is to be disciplined. I think he should be commended for his insight and common sense! Would the authorities, whoever they are, have preferred the situation to escalate out of control so that force should be used? Whatever happened to common sense in this world?
I say, 'Well done, officer, and more power to your elbow!'
Labels:
common sense,
ice-cream,
initiative,
insight,
May,
Northern Ireland,
police,
teenagers
The Spirit of Dunkirk
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships is marking the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo by returning the original 'Little Ships' once more to Dunkirk. The flotilla of around fifty set sail from Ramsgate, Kent, at 0700 BST and expects to arrive at its destination around 4:00 pm. These small craft have been lovingly and painstakingly restored and preserved over the decades. They include fishing trawlers, pleasure craft, paddle steamers and lifeboats. They are being escorted by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth and the RNLI is providing a lifeboat escort.
This photograph of some of the 'Little Ships' was taken at Chatham Navy Days in 2002.
Photo courtesy of Colin Smith, Wikimedia Commons
On Saturday 29th May a commemorative service will be conducted at the Allied memorial on Dunkirk beach. A minute's silence will be followed by the playing of the national anthems of Britain, the Czech Republic, France and Belgium, the countries whose troops were rescued seventy years ago.Operation Dynamo was planned in the Secret Wartime Tunnels of Dover Castle. Churchill estimated that only 30,000 to 40,000 troops would be rescued, but in the event 338,000 were evacuated. He later described the operation as 'a miracle of deliverance.' The manoeuvre gave rise to the expression 'The Dunkirk Spirit' meaning indefatigable British determination and courage in the face of adversity and apparently insurmountable odds.
The Royal Naval ships had to wait off-shore in deeper water and the 'Little Ships' played their part by getting closer in to land so that they could transport troops to the larger vessels. Many soldiers made their journey back to Ramsgate in the smaller craft.
The original 1940 fleet of 900 naval and civilian craft made their hazardous journey across the English Channel (La Manche to the French) under the protection of the RAF. They had to avoid minefields and were fired on by the Luftwaffe whenever the weather allowed. The evacuation of Dunkirk is fittingly remembered as a victory over tremendous odds and it is right and proper that such events should be remembered.
(On a more personal note Barry's father had a cousin who was killed at Dunkirk. He was his parents' only son. His father, Barry's great-uncle, fought in the First World War and had been blinded in a gas attack. Barry met him only once and was shown this grand old man's collection of WWI shell cases – a display that made a deep impression on a young boy. His wife was German and the family history reports that she died of shame shortly after her son's death because of what her country had done – blinding her husband in the first war and then killing their son in the second. Poor woman!)
Labels:
1940,
Barry,
Churchill,
Dover Castle,
Dunkirk,
Little Ships,
May,
Ramsgate,
WWI,
WWII
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Winston’s mid-May blog 2010
Winston here . . . p'rrrrr, p'rrrrr . . .
I've just got back from seeing Nadia-the-Vet. It's all right, there's nothing wrong with me -I just had to have my annual booster. It doesn't seem like a year ago that me and Monty had our boosters and I got so embarrassed when he misbehaved. Who'd have thought he wouldn't be here this year? Poor Monty!When I got back today all the dogs rushed up to say hello and give me a good sniffing. It was nice to get home again and go back to my soft cushion in the conservatory. It gets really hot in there – soooper!I like going to the vet. Everyone makes a fuss of me and tells me I'm beautiful. Nadia-the-Vet's ever so nice but she did say I was a little overweight. I was rather hurt by that – I think I'm a fine figure of a feline and my tiger tummy looks very impressive. Still, I'll have to lose a bit of weight – I know it makes sense. It's been hot lately and the birds have been busy in the garden. It's fun watching them but I'm not interested in chasing them. They're ever so noisy and they start so early in the morning, before it's light. They're still flying about as it's getting dark, too. Don't think I'd like to be a bird! Too much like hard work, don'tcha know.
The stinging, buzzing things are flying about a lot as well. I leave them alone 'cos when I was a kitten I was playing with one and it left its sting in my chin. Mrs H got it out and I was all right and the lump soon went down but I don't want that to happen again and I definitely don't want none in my mouth.I heard that Foxy has got something wrong with her hips – hip displaced I think Mrs H said. Anyway, she's going to have some treatment, just like Jenna, but maybe one day she'll have to have a new hip. Poor Foxy!
The tiny mice in Jenna's and Gus's ears have moved away now so everyone's pleased about that. Gus is ever so big and he's still growing. Jenna looks really small next to him. He keeps jumping on her and sometimes she yelps so Mr and Mrs H are making him stop. He don't mean to hurt his sister; he is only a puppy – just rather a large, strong one. Sometimes he jumps on me but I can hide in smaller or higher places than Jenna can. I think he's going to get as big as Frodo – I know he'd like to be as big as him 'cos he really likes Frodo.
What else has happened? Ooh, yes! There was water coming through the sitting room ceiling the other day but it's all right – Mr H knows what made it happen and he stopped it. He's ever so clever. Gus had a new toy and it had to be mended twice almost as soon as he started playing with it. Now all the stuffing's come out and the squeaker's gone. He keeps taking my toys, too. Gareth and Louis come over one day to collect their barbephew what Mr and Mrs H looked after when they was in Noo Yawk. Louis played with me – he likes me. Oh, and Mr H went off for the day – he went ailing and when he come back he was all red and ever so tired but he said he'd had a really good day and then he fell asleep. Mrs H had a quiet day at home all alone – apart from us, of course. It was really hot and all us animals slept all day. Mrs H didn't', though.
That's it, I think. Be good!
TTFN
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
ABC Wednesday – S is for Starlings
Did you know that the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is in decline? Though it is still a very common garden bird, particularly in the south of England, globally it is threatened and the RSPB has designated it a Red List species. Red is the highest conservation priority, needing urgent action.
These are noisy, gregarious birds and in May, when numbers have been swelled with hungry youngsters, our garden echoes to the prattling, screeching squadrons of starlings that flock in by the dozens to feed.
One year we saw a pure white starling. We only saw her once – for some reason we felt she was a female – and I suppose she was doomed from the moment she put on her unusual apparel.
Starlings are marvellous photographic subjects as they argue and manoeuvre to appropriate the best position on the feeders. The following are some photographs Barry took this week. For those not fluent in Starlingese – or is it Starlingish? – I have provided translations. The language, after all, is in the movement.
Left-hand starling (Lhs): Come on if you think you're hard enough!
Right-hand starling (Rhs): Hey! I'm just stretching my wings - calm down.
Lower starling (Ls): I thought this was a quiet neighbourhood.
Lhs: That's better - get them down!
Rhs: Okay - they're down now. Happy?
Ls: Just stop the gabbing and eat, why don'tcha?
Lhs: Have you seen that thieving magpie today?
Rhs: I saw him over there just now . . .
Ls: I'll fill my boots while I can!
Lhs: Have you ever seen anything like that? Oink, oink!!
Rhs: Yeah, leave some for us!!
Lhs: Don't look now but Show-off's on the way!
Rhs: Yeah, I can see him out of the corner of my eye.
Show-off: Mee-ee-ee-owww . . . Hi guys, did you miss me?
Mumbles from the rest: Yeah, like a pain in the butt . . .
Show-off: Aww, I know you love me really!
The onlookers say: We'd love you a lot more if you stopped treading on us.
Lhs: Ouch! Get off my knee!
Rhs: I don't need your foot on my neck to find the food . . . so get OFF!
Show-off: Hey, just call me Isaac . . . (quotes) 'If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.' (Sir Isaac Newton 1642 - 1727)
Thank you to the tireless ABC Wednesday team for organising and hosting this weekly meme. Click here to see more Ss!
Labels:
ABC Wednesday S,
feeders,
garden,
May,
Sir Isaac Newton,
Starlings
A walk in Simons Wood
It was very hot yesterday so we decided to take the dogs to Simons Wood where there's plenty of shade. Decades of fallen leaves have bequeathed a soft, friable surface, soundless under foot and paw. There is an abundance of Scots pines in the wood and they were releasing clouds of pollen with their wonderful scent. The solemn mien of the pines is alleviated by the uncurling fronds of bracken, the grace and brightness of silver birch and the wild rhododendrons which are everywhere in abundance throughout this area.
Jenna is still not allowed free exercise. She recently finished her anti-inflammatory medication and after a few days she started a course of Cartrophen (Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium) injections to regenerate her damaged joints. She has had two at weekly intervals so far and will have another two in the next fortnight, then she will have monthly shots and finally, hopefully, annual boosters. This compound is not licensed for use in humans as it must not be used with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin. Animals do not have free access to over-the-counter analgesics but humans do and a mixture of the two could be fatal! There is a large lake in Simons Wood with a small island in the middle where Canada geese nest each year.
Mallards and coots abound but this year all the ducklings and coot chicks and most of the goslings have disappeared. There are no pike in the lake but three large terrapins (turtles) have been spotted and they have come under suspicion for the demise of the baby water birds. I suspect that the terrapins once lived in someone's aquarium or garden pond and were rehoused in the local lake when they became too big or troublesome to look after. (I hope no-one is keeping baby crocodiles; they wouldn't survive the winter if similarly disposed of but could do a lot of damage before the cold weather arrived! I'm joking – I trust!)
As we approached the lake Frodo's stride lengthened and he plunged into the water to cool off, followed hotfoot (hotpaw?) by Jenna and Gus. Hydrotherapy is the only unrestricted exercise Jenna can undertake at present and she thoroughly enjoys her gambols in lakes and ponds. Buddy keeps well away from all water!
As Jenna and Gus tirelessly retrieved a large stick they were joined by a pretty Golden retriever who played with them for a while.
After she had gone home, a Jack Russell bustled up. He paddled rather than swam and was really more interested in playing chase on land with Gus. Much play-growling ensued, each in turn playing the part of catcher.
Eventually, he, too, went off with his master and we realised we had been out much longer than intended and returned home. The rest of the day was quiet, the peace being disturbed only occasionally by the snores of contented dogs.
Jenna is still not allowed free exercise. She recently finished her anti-inflammatory medication and after a few days she started a course of Cartrophen (Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium) injections to regenerate her damaged joints. She has had two at weekly intervals so far and will have another two in the next fortnight, then she will have monthly shots and finally, hopefully, annual boosters. This compound is not licensed for use in humans as it must not be used with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin. Animals do not have free access to over-the-counter analgesics but humans do and a mixture of the two could be fatal! There is a large lake in Simons Wood with a small island in the middle where Canada geese nest each year.
Mallards and coots abound but this year all the ducklings and coot chicks and most of the goslings have disappeared. There are no pike in the lake but three large terrapins (turtles) have been spotted and they have come under suspicion for the demise of the baby water birds. I suspect that the terrapins once lived in someone's aquarium or garden pond and were rehoused in the local lake when they became too big or troublesome to look after. (I hope no-one is keeping baby crocodiles; they wouldn't survive the winter if similarly disposed of but could do a lot of damage before the cold weather arrived! I'm joking – I trust!)
As we approached the lake Frodo's stride lengthened and he plunged into the water to cool off, followed hotfoot (hotpaw?) by Jenna and Gus. Hydrotherapy is the only unrestricted exercise Jenna can undertake at present and she thoroughly enjoys her gambols in lakes and ponds. Buddy keeps well away from all water!

After she had gone home, a Jack Russell bustled up. He paddled rather than swam and was really more interested in playing chase on land with Gus. Much play-growling ensued, each in turn playing the part of catcher.
Eventually, he, too, went off with his master and we realised we had been out much longer than intended and returned home. The rest of the day was quiet, the peace being disturbed only occasionally by the snores of contented dogs.
Labels:
bracken,
Buddy,
Canada geese,
Cartrophen,
coots,
Frodo,
Gus,
Jenna,
lake,
mallards,
May,
rhododendrons,
Scots pines,
Silver Birch,
Simons Wood,
terrapins
Face of the Week #13 Rickshaw man
My father travelled the world while he was in the Royal Navy. One of the treasures he brought home was a silver condiment set in the form of a rickshaw. This is the face of the man pulling the rickshaw.
Sistertex of 'Spacial Peepol' organises and hosts this meme. Thank you, Sistertex. To see more please click here - and perhaps you will be inspired to join in!
Sistertex of 'Spacial Peepol' organises and hosts this meme. Thank you, Sistertex. To see more please click here - and perhaps you will be inspired to join in!
Labels:
China,
Face of the Week #13,
father,
May,
rickshaw man,
Royal Navy
Monday, 24 May 2010
Microfiction Monday #32
Susan from 'Stony River' organises and hosts this weekly meme. She provides a picture and the challenge is to create a story in 140 characters or less. Click here to read more marvels of microfiction – and perhaps be tempted to join in.
Susan has kept this meme going despite undertaking a BIG move – so let's hear three more rousing cheers for her now that she's safely back in the USA J
Here is this week's picture followed by my offering.
'My book's falling off my lap because of this straitjacket,' the middle monk grumbled.
'Try reading like this,' said the monk on the floor.
(138 characters)
Labels:
books,
May,
Microfiction Monday #32,
monks,
straitjacket
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Today’s Flowers #94 Scots Pine
Who leaves the pine-tree, leaves his friend,
Unnerves his strength, invites his end.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
(I pinched this quotation from Brian Johnston's site, linked below, because I liked it!)
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
We saw these cones as we finished our walk the other afternoon and I asked Barry to photograph them. I thought they were developing cones.
In fact, when I started researching, I discovered (on Brian Johnston's most informative site)that these are male pollen-producing cones. I shall be looking for females next time we go past some Scots pines!
There's such a lot still to learn!
Thank you to the Today's Flowers team for their work each week, organising and hosting this meme. Click here to see more flowers across the world.
Labels:
cones,
Forest,
May,
Pinus sylvestris,
Scots pine,
Today's Flowers #94
Pet Pride - Gus and Winston
Winston enjoys the dogs' company - here seen with Gus - but he doesn't actively seek them out like Monty used to. He's not as fond of the rough and tumble either, but at least he doesn't knead them - or not very often.
Thank you to Bozo and his human for organising this meme. Click here if you'd like to see more pets.
Thank you to Bozo and his human for organising this meme. Click here if you'd like to see more pets.
Camera Critters #111, Shadow Shot Sunday #105
This 'very berry' fat cake, as CJ Wildbird Foods' markets it, is attractive to blackbirds and song thrushes among others. It also attracts grey squirrels! As the song has it, 'All God's creatures got a place in the choir!
Chorus: All God's creatures got a place in the choir,
Some sing low, some sing higher;
Some sing loud on the telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, their paws or anything they got now!
Listen to the bass it's the one on the bottom,
Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus
Moans and groans with a big to-toot,
And the old cow just goes moo.
The dogs and cats they take up the middle,
Where the honey bee hums and the crickets fiddle,
The donkey brays and the pony neighs,
And the old gray badger sighs.
Chorus:
Listen to the top where the little birds singing,
All the melodies and the high notes swinging;
And the hoot owl cries over everything,
And the blackbird disagrees.
Singing in the night time singing in the day,
The little duck quacks and he's on his way;
The otter hasn't got much to say,
And the porcupine talks to himself.
Chorus:
It's a simple song of living sung everywhere,
By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear,
Grumpy alligator and the hog above,
The sly old weasel and the turtle dove.
Chorus:
Whoa!
All God's creatures got a place in the choir,
Some sing low, some sing higher;
Some sing loud on the telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, their paws or anything they got now!
Thank you to Tracy from 'Hey Harriet' for organising Shadow Shot Sunday, and to Misty Dawn for 'Camera Critters.'
To see more please click on the appropriate label.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
SkyWatch Friday Season 4 Episode 45 Billowy clouds this week
Billowy, pillowy clouds in Berkshire this week.
We have had SUN - delightful to see and very warm (for a Brit)
Thank you so much to the SkyWatch team who tirelessly organise and host this weekly meme. Click here to find out what other skies in other continents have been presenting.
To the rescue!
Photo courtesy of Press Association
When a stag was spotted with his antlers snagged in a rope swing a few days ago the RSPCA was contacted. It called on the expertise of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service which sent its animal rescue officers to the site in Hook in Hampshire.It was a hazardous operation because the stag was full-grown with an impressive rack, which could have been lethal to approaching humans. He was very distressed, kicking out and throwing himself around, in danger of breaking his neck.A long pole was used to place a towel over his eyes to calm him. As soon as he had quietened an RSPCA officer and a fire officer were able to cut the rope to free the uninjured stag which walked off into the woodland.
The rope swing was cut down to prevent potential entanglements of more wild animals.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
ABC Wednesday Round 3 R is for Roses
Everything in the garden seems to be rather late this year. I am looking forward to next month when our roses should finally be blooming.
These are photographs from previous years. Our roses have to work very hard - they have to flower, preferably for several months and have sweet scent and some of them have to climb and clamber over the arches.
I haven't given their names - pushed for time today :-(
Thank you to the ABC team for hosting this meme. What have other people found for R this round? Click here to find out!
These are photographs from previous years. Our roses have to work very hard - they have to flower, preferably for several months and have sweet scent and some of them have to climb and clamber over the arches.
I haven't given their names - pushed for time today :-(
Thank you to the ABC team for hosting this meme. What have other people found for R this round? Click here to find out!
Labels:
ABC Wednesday Round 6 R,
garden,
May,
roses
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