Journal Entries
I've finally reached half a centuary.....
Posted Dec 28, 2008
in years of age 
Happy birthday to meeeee! 
Discuss this Journal entry [19]
Latest reply: Dec 28, 2008
I know it's officially Winter....
Posted Dec 12, 2008
Because the trees that run alongside my garden have been full of Redwings and Fieldfares, which overwinter in the UK.
I was watching them yesterday afternoon, i was'nt the only one either, there was a female Sparrow hawk watching and hoping to catch a meal i suspect.
I'm sure the Fieldfares and Redwings were working some sort of lookout shift. There would be a flock of 30 or so land in the trees and sit watching and preening for 10-15 minutes, then another flock would fly in to take over the watch. It's funny how Redwings and Fieldfares always stay together, you hardly ever see them apart in flocks. 
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Latest reply: Dec 12, 2008
I quit!
Posted Oct 26, 2008
Smoking that is... I havent had a cigarette in a month now 
I don't intend to have one ever again either. 
It all started with a health scare 
Most of my friends know that i have to take various medications for arthritis and a recent addition of thyroxine, for an under-active thyroid....brought about by the rhumatoid arthritis 
The level of thyroxine i was taking was increased in August and this lead to the health scare. Higher doses of this drug can cause some nasty side effects, one of them being angina. After a week on the higher dose, i started getting some serious chest pains and a horrible ache down my left arm I thought i was going to have a heart attack! 
Anyway the dose of thyroxine was quickly reduced and things returned to normal. I still have to go and see the cardiologist though, just to be sure there is nothing wrong 
It made me think though, i'm not ready to die or be confined by ill health so it was time to quit the cigs.
I spoke to my gp who passed me on to the 'stop smoking clinic'. I'm not one for 'group' therepy or counselling in general, i've always been the sort of person that sorts things in my own way. I reluctantly went along to the one-to-one session, just so that i could get the prescription for the patches and instructions on how i should go about things.
I went to the clinic twice and hated the way the woman spoke to me like i was 5 and just starting school 
So, i came off the patches and told her i would'nt be attending anymore. that was 3 weeks ago.
I can now safetly say i'm a NON_SMOKER! 
Discuss this Journal entry [33]
Latest reply: Oct 26, 2008
A grand day out.
Posted Sep 25, 2008
Today was a good day, i met up with MMF for a trip around Kew.
The weather was dry and even sunny at times, which was very pleasant.
The first stop was the Shirley Sherwood Gallery, where botanic paintings are on display. Suddenly MMF and myself were art critics 
The detail on some of the paintings were amazing 
while others we were quick to point out flaws and defects Well thats what critics do is'nt it!
We walked around a bit taking in the views and the first changing colours of the trees, as they put on their Autumn display. 
The next stop was the new arboretum walk, a 59ft high structure which meanders among the tree tops. As the lift was'nt in operation and MMF is suffering from an infection i decided to give the walk a go. Bearing in mind i suffer quite badly with vertigo this was a brave step for me.
I climbed the 118 steps up to the top of the structure, a couple of times i looked down and felt my head swim a bit The steps were very sturdy, so i was'nt too worried. The same cannot be said for the walkway at the top, it was a metal, mesh walkway and felt like i was walking on chicken wire I took 3 very quick photos, not worrying whether they were in focus or not! By this point my legs had turned to jelly and i was feeling very unsafe I only reached the first viewing platform and that was enough, i could'nt wait to get back onto solid. It would take an army to get me up there again!
We wondered round some more, stopping at the lakes where we saw a Mitten crab 
and loads of water birds, including some Mandarin ducks.
Finally we reached our starting point and after stopping for coffee, it was time to make our way out.
It was a lovely, if not tiring day 
and i hope MMF has'nt overdone it with the walking. i think he's going to feel it tomorrow.
Discuss this Journal entry [27]
Latest reply: Sep 25, 2008
Stonechat.
Posted Aug 15, 2008
I saw my first Stonechat(s) today Me and the tribe were out for a walk down a bridle path near where i live. I like to take the kids to the pond to see the hundreds of Drangonflies that are there this time of year. We were not disappointed, there were loads of Ruddy darters and a couple of Common hawkers whizzing about. We also saw lots of butterflies, mostly Speckled wood's and Small whites.
After visitng the pond, we walked a bit further down the path. I should mention that either side of this path are trees and beyond that fields. I heard an unusual bird sound and wondered what it was. After finally managing the keep the youngest from making anymore noise......as boys typically do , i managed to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. It is a strange call, first a sort of chattering followed by a noise that can only be described as small stones hitting together 
Then came the first sighting A small bird, brown in colour, with a lighter chest. Then another one sat on a dead branch of a tree, unfortunately the sun was so bright i couldn't get a good look at the colouring. One thing is did notice though, was it was holding up a very nice fluffy crest.
Now someone will probably come along and tell me that was'nt a Stonechat at all, but something completely different. Thats Ok, as i'm only guessing it was a Stonechat by the noise it made. I'm no bird expert. 
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Latest reply: Aug 15, 2008
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