Camera Critters

Taken about 25 years ago this, is a picture of Katy and Buster, two of our family pets, who were the best of friends. They used to play together in the garden and occasionally Katy would wash Buster's ears.




To see more Camera Critters click here.

Skywatch Friday

Skies over the garden at around 5pm Thursday evening







this shot was taken a couple of days earlier.




To take part in SkyWatch Friday or simply to look at sky shots from all over the world, click here.

An Award from Cheshire Wife

On 10 February Cheshire Wife kindly gave me the above award, for which I am extremely grateful. I hadn't forgotten about it, it's just that I am supposed to pass it on to 8 worthy bloggers and found the choice difficult. We all seem to be of the same mind when it comes to passing on these awards and find it hard to choose from the dozens of blogs that we have the pleasure of visiting regularly. So I am taking the easy way out and would like to offer this lovely award on to those who commented on my post of 10 February which was entitled "Computer Laughs". If you would like it please accept it with my thanks for lovely comments and for your own wonderful blogs.

I know that some of those who commented have already been given this award so I'm guessing that it may well work out to 8 anyway.

Watery Wednesday

I took this photo from a window last week when we still had some snow and ice about. Click on picture for more detail.




and this one was taken last August. Haven't seen the frogs or the newts yet this year but I'm sure they are about as I keep seeing a slight movement and bubbles in the pond.




For more Watery Wednesday shots from around the world - click here.

Camera Critters

This is Susie.



She was a much loved pet who loved us in return. She also seemed to love cars and we believe she must have got into one, or a delivery van and then found herself at our house. We adopted each other and never regretted it. However her apparent love of cars led to her being run over a couple of times and the first time she had to have her tail docked as it was too damaged to be any good to her. She also survived the second "accident" and lived on for a few more years, finally succumbing to a malignant growth. We never knew her real age but guessed she was about 12 years old when she died. An affectionate and "fun" cat.



"Before" and "after" shots!


For more Camera Critters click here.

In and around the garden this week

I have been taking some photos in and around the garden this week and I think Spring is definitely on its way.

The pictures of the birds and the squirrel were taken from indoors so they are not a wonderful quality. Click on each picture for more detail.


One of the squirrels that visit sitting in the maple tree - lots of buds forming there.




A blackbird and a long-tailed tit in the same tree.




Bathtime for a blue tit




and this great tit has found a peanut




Robin posing!




Mr B enjoying a piece of apple.




The birds seem to be pairing off already and there are a few ruffled feathers out there as they argue about territory!


The fern has stayed this bright colour all winter - new shoots beneath I think.




The hellebore is struggling to flower in spite of the cold weather.




and finally, the snowdrops are now fully out - lovely!





No, it won't be long now.

Skywatch Friday

Taken during a walk in Kuitpo Forest in Adelaide this time last year. Click on picture for more detail.




To take part in Skywatch Friday or simply look at photographs of the skies around the world, click here.

Watery Wednesday

Feeding time for the water birds at Cleland Wildlife Park.



I took this photograph in February 2008, when I was visiting my family in Adelaide, South Australia. My grandson is watching from the sidelines!

For more Watery Wednesday shots , click here.

Computer Laughs!!

I was sent the following by email - it really made me laugh so I thought I would share it with you:



This ought to make you feel better about your computer skills! Unbelievable, but supposedly all true!!!!


=================================

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?

Female customer: A white one...

===============

Customer: Hi, this is Maureen. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer: No , wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... sorry....

===============

Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
===============

Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates.

===============

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...

============== =

Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................thank you.

===============

Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at Woolies.

===============

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:! OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work...

===============

Tech support: Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a capital letter V as n Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters ?

== =============

Customer: can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars (*****).

===============

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

===============

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

===============

Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

===============

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine."

===============

And last but not least...

Tech support: "Okay Colin, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Colin.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!!

A tearful farewell to Moss

This morning we received the news from Australia we had been expecting for a few weeks, that Moss, the much loved dog of my son and his family, had been put to sleep. He was nearly thirteen years old - a Border Collie.

When I was over there with them this time last year my son said that he felt that Moss was slowing down. I put it down to age but S was not so sure that that was completely the case.

Here they are together during one of our walks in the forest in March 2008.



In September, when I was there again, it was becoming more obvious that there may be a problem. The vet had been keeping an eye on him and in November he diagnosed leukaemia, giving him, possibly, 6 weeks. Well, he had a little more than that, maybe 10 weeks and yesterday S and DIL made the decision that he had had enough. They took him this morning, whilst the older children were at school. The vet gave Moss a titbit to chew on and S and DIL stayed with him until the end.

I rang when I got up this morning to ask how they were (they had already told me what was happening). To hear their distress was very upsetting, they aren't even close enough for me to give them a hug. We know, once they get over their initial grief, that each day will be easier and they have some wonderful memories of a very special "best friend".

They "rescued" him when he was about 1 year old. He had had a difficult 1st year and they had a few problems with him initially but they persevered and he became very loving, not just to them but to all family members. When they decided to emigrate 5 years ago there was never any doubt that he would go with them and in fact Moss was the first to arrive in Australia (only by a matter of hours). They are in Adelaide but he had to fly to Melbourne for his 30 day quarantine period. OH and I were there when he was reunited with them. He was in excellent condition, his coat glossy and silky. He didn't have his bark, presumably because he had been barking to keep up with the other dogs in the quarantine kennels, but he soon got it back again.

He hated any loud noises and would not venture outside during thunderstorms or if there were fireworks about. There were many times, whilst they were still living close to us, when S had had to carry him to our house while he went to get his car because Moss would not walk another step because he was aware of thunder.

He loved his walks and got very excited when he knew it was time to go out, particularly when he was going in the car as that meant they were off to the forest. When they first arrived in Australia S always kept him on the lead but eventually, after a year or so, let him run free and Moss had great fun chasing after rabbits and occasionally, kangaroos. How many dogs can say they have done that!

So they have lost their lovely Moss and they will miss him. We all will. Sleep peacefully, old friend.

Skywatch Friday

Snow clouds gathering!



Snow clouds overhead (actually much greyer than photo shows)




Sun trying to break through




Surveying the scene




(click on each photo to enlarge)


If you wish to take part in Sky Watch Friday or simply wish to look at other sky shots from around the world click here.

Time and Tide

Yesterday I decided to walk to the local shops. There was no pressing reason to go but we were nearly out of toothpaste, I wanted some peanuts for the birds and squirrels and also to go to the bank and a walk would do me good. The weather was very cold but dry so I wrapped up and set off. It took me 20 minutes to get there and I very soon completed my errands. On the homeward journey I decided to walk along the beach. The tide was out and a few people were already there walking their dogs.

I used to walk along in the opposite direction on my way to work some mornings. I occasionally met up with a work colleague and we would stride along the beach together. She mostly went that way whereas I usually went via the park. However, one morning I decided I would go the beach route. I met my friend on her way to see her mother. She was later than usual that day, so I went on alone. When I arrived at the beach I realised that the tide was up higher than usual so had to make the decision as to whether it was going out or coming in! I had a good look along the beach, saw one or two dog walkers there and also saw that the sand higher up the beach was damp so decided the tide was on its way out. I set off.

I hadn't gone very far when I realised my mistake, the tide was coming in!! Now what to do. If I went back I would be late for work but if I went on the tide might reach me before I reached the steps to dry land. I decided to hurry on. I got to the steps just as the water reached them and got away with being splashed. I had kept glancing behind me to see if my friend was following but there was no sign of her.

I arrived at work in good time and about 10 minutes later she came in, laughing. Had she got wet? Yes, a little - she had been caught by some of the waves and her feet were wet.

Foolhardy? - yes I think we were. I would never take such a risk again. I hope my friend doesn't either.

It's Award Time

Winifred at Stop Procrastinating and Just Do it awarded me this one. The accompanying text is supposed to be shown along with the award.


"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.
Deliver this award to eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Thank you very much Winifred for this lovely award, I am grateful for it and pleased to accept.

Now I have to nominate 8 fellow bloggers to pass this to. Always a difficult decision as all the blogs I visit are worthy in their different ways. So I would like to pass this to:


Always Smiling

Just Gai

Mean Mom

Life with our Lads

An English Girl Rambles

Nuts in May

Dusty Spider

That British Woman

Obviously not compulsory to collect, but you are all worthy of awards.