h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Since Mk2 has made it through another year, we are arranging a party for her at the pub where one of here sisters work!
Another one of her sisters does the karaoke at the same pub, so the boss so giving it all for free!

As all her family are good singers it looks like its going to be a good do! I will probably be doing my Don Williams and Jim Reeves numbers

So all this is going to happen next Sunday, and Mk2 is really looking forward to it. I will let you all know how it went afterwards
Smudger,

I hope evrything is wonderful on her birthday!
Send her Happy Birthday wishes from me please!

Hi Websailor

No - I still have all my own teeth too thank God. Actually - at the moment - I am very lucky and dont need any pills and dont have to get up in the night nor do I suffer from aches and pains - fingers crossed I stay that way for a while yet!

Smudger, also from me, the greatest of wishes and may the party carry on all year

Ah! thanks for your kind messages folks, I will pass the on to Mk2 Its good to hear from old friends again.

We pick up our new car tomorrow, so that will be another bonus for us! even though Mk2 has doubts about its shape as she really likes the shape of our present Citroen Picasso, but like I told her, once your inside it, you cant see the shape anyway

Have a lovely time Smudger!

Websailor, we have found so many holes locally, they vary in size from small scrapings through to holes big enough for a labrador to go down. We see some of the holes get slowly bigger, we thought at first it was foxes. However there are badgers at the local animal hospital which means they could have made the largest one, how exciting!!

What is all this talk about make-up? I don't own any of the stuff, or hair product, fancy shoes or anything like that, I have also seen those strange womens magazines, I tend to go for New Scientist instead, much more interesting! Would one have a better life if one did get girly stuff?!

Smudger,

Have a good party. Don Williams and Jim Reeves - oh, those were the days. Would love to hear you.

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Kaz, the girly stuff isn't (wasn't) my either. It was just an illustration of the way priorities change as you get older, and you wouldn't know anything about that yet, would you?

The little scrapes, where there is a small hole with the turf flipped back could be badger, as could the big one. Any sign of grass or anything like bedding dumped outside?

At the garden show yesterday a lady was creating about badgers coming in to her garden and digging up plants, and breaking fences etc. She was really irate - the fact that the badgers were probably there before she was didn't concern her, she just wanted them gone. Needless to say I didn't enter into any discussion about it with her. I don't somehow think she feeds them so it is probably a from the badgers for not being fed Ours seem very hungry, as we are not getting enough rain, and they are not getting enough worms!

I will keep you all posted as to any damage I get. So far they have behaved very well. They have been coming (visibly) for exactly a month now

They oblige too, when I need them to come early so I can go to bed, like this last four days when I have been working 6am to 10pm

I was pleased to know my sightings are going on the local ECOrecord.

everone,

Websailor

Well we picked up our new car today
It has a lot of gadgets on it, even the lights come on by themselves when it gets dark, as do the wipers!

Its got 7 seats, 2 of which are tucked away under the floor
I am really chuffed with it, even though Mk2 is still moaning about the shape of it
It has got one of those new VVT engines, which means it goes like
Smudger,

Shanks's pony and a little local bus is all I have

Shattered tonight, so I hope the badger comes early, as I doubt I can keep awake much longer.

Websailor

Ah! for upsetting you WS its just that I was so chuffed with having a new car.
I hope your badgers come out to see you, have you got a camera set up so you can film them?

We are going to move our security camera to the front of the house soon, just to keep an eye on things? I can set it up to the video so than I can record the events
Smudger,

Smudger,

My son has taken a few photos, but we have no camera set up at present, though I am seriously thinking of an infra red CCTV so we can watch from the armchair and view the real thing when he arrives, rather than watching for ages in the gloom.

I want to upgrade our TV and video though or it might not be possible. The video is on its way out anyway, and I hardly ever use it

You didn't really upset me re. your car. I am very pleased for you The camera at the front is a very good idea now you have such a precious possession!



Off to watch my new friend(s) soon, but must check out the other messages first. I am so busy at the moment I can't keep up

Our squirrel hasn't been backMaybe it's bacause the are nearly all gone,although we have left one with some on,just in case!
Hope MK2has a good time smudger!Best wishes to her from us.

Today I was lucky and got off with the mad shopping trip to buy all the party stuff
One of Mk2s sisters took her to get all the trays and stuff for the buffet, that we are arranging ourselves, to keep the cost down

I had to take the car back and get it booked in for tomorrow as the front passenger seat is not reclining right apart for that its a dream

I was just thinking about the Snippet I did about Cars, and how much they have changed over the years, I would never have thought that I would ever have such a car in my lifetime with so many gadgets on it!

A far cry form the days when a Heater was an optional extra
Smudger,

Badger Update:

We had TWO again last night. The second one was quite frisky but seems shy of coming right up to the patio. It eventually disappeared in to the darkness at the bottom of the garden, only having eaten some of the trail of peanuts and raisins I leave on the ground.

The other regular one ate all that was on the table, and in the dish on the patio It must be very hungry, as I gather they don't pig out, and prefer their natural food if available. It has been so dry for so long here, they are having difficulty finding worms which are there favoured food, though they have a very varied diet if available.

I do hope the other one gets used to coming.


Websailor

Traveller in Time no badgers in the neighborhood
"Waterrat has a facourite book about a badger.


How about feeding them worms ? Remember seeing another Researcher breeding worms in the garden shed."

Hi,

The worms people breed are mostly mealworms, and I have tried these on the badgers and they don't seem interested. My book on badgers says they prefer a particular type of earth worm (there is more than one) and I don't fancy breeding, or buying those

Mealworms are dry, with feet, and are friendly little things. I can't say the same about the earthworm. I will identify the exact worm for you when I have time to check the book.

Websailor

had computer problems, now reading catch up
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=3022
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/whatyoucando/mealwormculture/mealworms.asp

Joining in this wild life discussion. We have a chaffinch in our garden - John Merrick by name - he has a strange over grown foot which is getting bigger all the time. Which is why we christened him after The Elephant Man. He has been on and off our bird table for about three years now. He looks very weird but it doesn't seem to hamper his daily existence and certainly hasn't shortened his life.

Carole, I seem to remember reading that it is quite common for Chaffinches to have growths on their legs. I can't remember whether it does them any harm or not. Must look it up for my own edification

We have some beauties. They are just getting their new plumage and the males are gorgeous. I caught sight of a blackbird half in and half out of its' new coat - front half brown, back half black. They haven't even been round for their raisins for ages. I am looking forward to them coming back, as I miss their gentle clucks as they ask for their treats - aaah!!

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Animal, I wondered where you had gone. Hope your computer probs are sorted now. We had noisy neighbours last night, partying outside, but luckily they shut up shop just before the badger was due, and it came as usual and scoffed everything on offer.

We have had some rain now, and there were holes all over the lawn this morning, but they tread down quite neatly. Noisy neighbours again tonight - a different lot this time, and using their huge roof high halogen light Hope they switch off and shut the door soon. I hate the thought of the badger waiting, when he is so hungry

I am trying to vary what I put out, as I don't think a constant diet of peanuts can be good for them. So far he approves of apples, pears, strawberries, blackberries, raisins, oats, and a small sandwich cut into tiny cubes, with Marmite, peanut butter and the very occasional honey one. They like sweet things, but it ruins their teeth and I am not about to do that

I have reduced the actual amount I put out as I don't want him to be too dependent on handouts - not good for anybody As the rain has come he should be able to get more natural food now. The other one only turns up now and again which is very frustrating. It is so lovely when there are two.

I am going to do a badger diary when I have time. At the moment it goes on the Bird Record Sheet, along with the Fox, Wood Mouse, Tawny Owl etc. Haven't seen a Hedgie which is a bit of a disappointment, but I suppose I shouldn't be greedy

Must check other messages and your links, and go see whether he is around. The noisy neighbours are still there but a bit quieter.


Websailor

Hi websailor...i just read your posting,,and got the distinct impression that the badgers would stop you from moving away from the noisy neighbours!!!!
I suppose that's one good thing about the winter,,,they won't party outside....the neighbours i mean