OG : I dont think it is the toxic green algae but it is algae of some sort.
Stop Press.....Over 2,500 tufties counted today.
Another busy day. And its been very sunny here, most of the time: in the late afternoon, it clouded over but did not rain (yet).
Annette: What a beautiful bloom: good idea to photograph it, even if just for yourselves if it only last for a few hours. Everyone here who has been transfixed by the O. Games is now saying "What are we going to do now?" as we have all had the TV on for every waking hour, and every News bulletin was listened to in case we had another medal. Now its being said that the tickets for the Paralympics are being sold out, as all those with Olympic Fever are trying to go to that, instead. The Closing Ceremony was rather mixed: We were fascinated by how well the young woman sang, her name is Emeli Sande. Apparently there could have been an appearance by Adele, but she is very pregnant now so probably declined to appear - maybe Emeli was a substitute but we thought she was excellent.
AQ: I noticed that several countries flags had a little bit of the Union Jack in the corner! - and I have thought for a while now that you in Aus. are perfectly entitled to have a New Flag and also to dispense with being an offshoot of UK - I'm sure that Her Majesty would still be greeted warmly there if she came for a visit, but I don't think that even she would expect things to never change: that's the way of things. Sorry your cough is still bothering you: what a bore it is, seems like it will last and last sometimes but I'm sure it will wear off eventually.
dibnlib: Nice pic of your garden ornaments: I love Hares, too. Hope that you find Dillon lots better tomorrow. Don't forget your cossie next time you go swimming, or this could get to be even more expensive!
Alicat: Great pics of the beautiful black swans - how dramatic they look.
Alan: I wondered about the green stuff in your photos, too. Usually caused by the sunshine warming up the water too much.
Had a chat with Dentist, and he doesn't want to see me for another 6 months, so we both have our fingers crossed that that is when I shall darken his doors again. This afternoon it was lovely and bright again, so Buzz came with my OH and I for a good walk around Teggs Nose in the Macclesfield Hills, where you can see for miles and miles in several directions. We were so warm we were really ready for a drink as soon as we got home.
Must get off to bed: we seem to have had lots of late nights lately and its made me tired, so off I go.
Evening all: Got lots of paperwork done and phone calls made today, but notice the house is getting that grungy look with little piles of crumbs and odd bits of this and that gathering in the kick space under the kitchen cabinets, not to mention multiple white patche on the area rugs where Lightning has been lolling. Hate to think what's piled up on the lighter wall-to-wall carpet.... And the ironing is still piled up over the washer/dryer after almost a week; still no point in doing it yet coz there'll be another pile in a day or two, right?
Lindybird: Agree totally about the neutral shade for the couch; we have cream and add color with cushions and the area rugs, plus some knick-knacks - flowers too! Here, the Salvation Army refuses to take couches unless they're in really, really good condition coz they get too many offers. We ended up giving away our ancient couch, which had a tiny tear that I thought I'd done a brilliant job of concealing, to some college kids.
Brenda: Hope the bowling match stayed friendly and involved no injuries or property damage. :-)
dibnlib: Hope you all get some sleep tonight. That hare looks a real challenge for a chainsaw carver.
Alan: Is that light catching the water on the algae? Looks sparkly. Like the first shot best. OK, I confess I'm not exactly sure what a "tufty" is, but 2,500 sounds like a major cute attack.
OG: Hope it pours with rain so cancellation of dragonfly event proves a smart decision!
AQ: LA TImes did a piece on Adelaide being at the center of the Ozzie food scene, with photos. Also, do you know Peter Temple, a mystery writer? I've just got one of his books.
Must shear back the remaining germander blooms tomorrow to get the dead bits in the green bin before it's picked up - and STILL have to get the ladder out and get the rest of those oranges......sigh Have a good Wednesday all.
can;t help but love them
Brenda: I'm so very sorry about the illnesses of your brother and sister-in-law.
Alan: Loved the photos. That's some thick algae there. We have the blue-green toxic type on our lakes, because of the drought. Lots of warnings not to let dogs or kids swim.
Lindy: Will try to send you an email in the next couple of days. Congrats on your lovely new furniture!!!
dibnlib: Awww. Love that gorgeous photo. So sweet. Adore them. Hope Dillon's improving.
Hi, Margo!
Annette: A clean house is a sign of a boring woman. LOLOLOL Seriously, I think you need to take it a little easy. Don't try to do everything at once.
Good Morning: There is a brisk breeze here, blowing all the trees around, and the forecast is now for the rest of the week to be "changeable". My OH has just returned from taking Buzz for a walk across the fields at the back of the house, where they came yesterday with a huge combine and cut all of the Rapeseed at last: its been there for months and stopped us from going across the land for a walk. (at the edges of the field there is supposed to be a footpath but of course it became so narrow and made it wet with fronds of the plants so no fun).
dibnlib: Oh! - he's just beautiful! Have taken a copy if you don't mind: I love them, too. Hope you come on here today to say that Dillon is OK now.
Annette: You seem to have been picking oranges for a long time: do they ripen gradually? - I mean just a few at a time. Never mind the ironing pile, it will soon renew itself even if you let it spur you into action.
Diane: Was glad to hear that its cooler where you are, at last. All those poor creatures who have suffered in the heat and drought.... And I expect you feel a little perkier now its over.
Here are some more pics from the Flower Show, the colours may brighten someones day:
These next two are of a special garden created to commemorate the efforts of the Suffragettes, and I spoke to the woman who had designed it: she was very nice and most interesting. The jail at the back symbolises where a lot of the women were kept after supposedly breaking the law in support of the Cause.
(she is carrying a placard with "Votes for Women" on it)
Couldnt resist snapping this little girl who was being persuaded to eat an icecream almost as big as herself!
~ ~ ~ Have just read the News pages, and found that there has been a funeral for Marvin Hamlisch - I was unaware that he had died, and am truly sorry to hear of it: he was such a great composer and gave so much pleasure to so many.
Love the Suffragette garden, Lindy!
Good morning all. Still dry here, though we have a yellow weather warning. My grass man is coming, though he wasn't expected until tomorrow. I'm truly thankful, as grass is threatening to swall up whole collies!
dibnlib Sorry Dillon is still having tummy problems. My sister's labrador has an 'iffy tummy' and is on a very expensive sensitivity diet, only available from the vet (though sister can get it a bit cheaper through the animal sanctuary where she volunteers). The can't give Poppy any treats, which is difficult when doing training.
Lovely pictures posted by several people. Annette's flower is superb. What a good idea to photograph it as it lasts such a short time.
Must go and get ready for Indy's training class. I'm hoping it will be outdoors, if the rain holds off.
Good afternoon and what a dire day it is here. Heavy rain and so dark I have had to put the lights on. Forecast for most of the day - we never seem to get more than 2 decent days at a time. Although very wet it is very humid and unfortable and sleep has been hard to come by as it is so warm at night. Billie has decided she will sleep the day away. Got the door to the conservatory open and the rain clattering on the roof keeps waking her up. As I type it is coming down even harder.
diane so glad you are getting some respite from all that heat. As you say too late for crops ande vegetation but a big help for all the wildlife. So pleases your bunnies are doing well and the deer now have water to drink. That is a lovely card for AQ.
dibnlib that was an expensive swim but glad the new costume improved your performance. Was sorry to read that Dillon had been under the weather again, hope the medication will help. Lovely ornaments in your garden and so nice that they are made locally. Lovely photo of the Highland cow, such a wonderful colour.
OG you and your family have been busy again. Glad you enjoyed the Olympic party, and I must say I am missing all the excitement of the last couple of weeks. Hope J will get a positon when the children return to school.
AQ sorry you are still suffering. I expect you didn't really want to be told that the virus lingers, hope you will feel better soon.
Annette hope you have caught up with some sleep after your late nights. I was rather sceptical about how they would go but was delighted to see how successfully it all went off. Lovely pic of your cactus, what a spectacular bloom. I did smile about your thoughts re the ironing, that is what I call logic LOL.
Lindybird nice to see you have treated yourselves to a new sofa and recliner. Good colour as well, as you say you can brighten it up with cushions of different coilours,. Shame you have to wait quite a long time for it though. Good news that there are no more dentist visits for 6 months. Sounds as though you had a lovely walk with Buzz. Thanks for the flower pics, and also the one of the little girl with the big ice cream.
Brenda sorry to read about your SiL and brother. Good of you to help out with their garden when you seem so busy anyway. Hope the bowls match goes well.
Alan always envious when you have been to Manton Bay and seen ospreys. Some lovely pics of the ducks, especially the tufties, how cute are they.
patriciat hope the weather stopped dry for Indy's training class.
Off to do some lunch so have a good day all and take care.
Margobird
Afternoon all,
Well the rain has arrived at last. Not much so far but promises to be heavier later. Still very warm and humid at 25.6c. This morning we did the shopping mission to Morrisons as I am miffed at the reply I got from Tesco re the badger cull. Not a lot on today, just keeping an eye on the builders next door who have built the conservatory wall/boundary. They still have to fix the fence and make good the mess they have made on our side where Hamish has his run.
Margo : It sounds like you have very heavy rain down your way.
Dibnlib : Nice pic of the highland cow.
Linda : More great garden pics. Glad they are getting on with the harvest in your area as they are here with the good weather of late. Lots of dust created by the harvesters though and it seems to be everywhere together with the builders dust from next door.
Thanks to everyone else. Got to go and do stuff now.
ALAN What is the story with Tesco/badger cull, please?
Some good eagle news for a change here
That is good news ALAN
Patily : I emailed Philip Clarke the head of Tesco re whether they would be supplied by any farms in the trial cull areas and they more or less said they were working with DEFRA and the farmers and agreed with the cull. Co op were a bit better and said they were not supplied by any of the farms in the cull zones and they were not in favour of culling. No reply from Sainsbury yet.