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

Morning Sailor,

Just dropped by to say hello. I'm back in the swing of HooToo having thrown my teddy out of the pram after being Yikesed. Ruffled feathers or what. Everything seems to have gone quiet on the Albatross front and the Ridgway front. Any news? Glad to hear you smiling again

Tracel hopefully.....

Hi, WA,

Yes, it has gone quiet. I have heard nothing but I am sure things are afoot that we don't know about. I will have a trawl round the Internet when I get a minute and see if there is any news. I really must get in contact again but things have been hectic here.

What happened to you to make you throw teddy out of the pram? Careful, the PC brigade will have you up for cruelty

take care,

Websailor

Morning Sailor,
My feathers got ruffled when I was being grumpy, on a grumpy thread, and some of our colonial cousins got huffy. Still it takes all sorts and life is too short. Good news is there's a Robin back in my garden and the Goldfinches seem to have decided to over winter there too. Must have a surf around for news of the Albatross.

Must ......

Hi, WA,

I've had the grumps too, I think it's the dark mornings and evenings we have now - it saps the life out of me.

Good news for me too, the goldfinches are back in our garden too, four of them, nuthatches and lots of others too, including 12 collared doves. They are so cute, and tame too. A baby was on the fence two feet from me while I was putting food out which is lovely. They are so trusting. The only problem is they are such easy targets for the local Sparrowhawks!

The Whooping Cranes are on their way from Wisconsin to Florida, flying behind microlights. There are 14 this year to add to the 35 already introduced to the wild, so I am hoping they will succeed with these too. It is such a wonderful effort at re-introduction, and proves that we can make amends for the destruction, if we have the willpower.

I am following the Global Challenge Yacht Race too, which is only just getting into its' stride. I am "following" the only yacht with a female skipper and one deaf crew member. When I last looked they were 4th out of 12 - not bad! I may change allegiance at some stage but will see.

Must also - someone want his tea

Websailor

Morning Sailor,

Interesting about your Collared Doves. We have a pair that have successfully mated for a couple of years but they are extremely nervous. Could be something to do with everbody's favourite murderous, anti-social pet, the cat, as their favourite food is peanut nibs that I put on the ground. I've just ordered some more bird food supplies and Mrs WA reckons the birds should be paying rent. I think they do already by gracing the garden with their presence. Nearly joined RSPB the other day but they didn't have any Albatrosses on the sponsor list. Might do it anyway.....

Hi, Mr. and Mrs. WA,

Our birds give us so much pleasure, and though they do not pay rent, they do leave a substantial deposit

The Gt. Spotted Woodpecker put in an appearance today, and all the other birds seem to be back after a few weeks absence. As RSPB has been supporting the Save the Albatross campaign I think you would get a lot of pleasure out of your membership, and you should get any news of progress on the Albatross front, albeit a bit late, as their magazine is quarterly. My friend passes her copy on to me so I am lucky!!

Our garden has been a magnet for cats for 35 years to my knowledge. We currently have seven different ones passing through. We definitely don't put the welcome mat out for them, so we think it is an age old route, much like many wild animals have. One is hugely athletic, more like a cheetah than a domestic cat. It comes flying out of trees and bushes, and jumps fences like they were hurdles.

Websailor

how uncivil of me(ooh!, I'm being posh), may I add you, to my friends list.
Also could I ask, when did hubby leave Ponte'(as a missionary of course)plus if not being too nosey, does he still have relatives here

hi, Animal,

You are welcome to add me to your Friends. I would be honoured (now who's being polite)

Missionary His only mission was to get away I think. He escaped into the Army in the mid to late 50s I think ( I will ask him) and never really went back. He was based at Catterick at first I think, then went to the Middle East for a spell. First marriage got in the way, but he is a bit of a loner and the big family thing, coupled with some pretty heavy religion, didn't go down too well

Yes he has family in Ponte, quite a big one actually. We have been married for over 30 years, and I have only met two of them I told him we had "talked" so I might be able to tell you more at some stage. I had a funny thought writing this, that you could be a Rellie, but I know that isn't the case unless it was through marriage or something We do exchange Christmas Cards, and I know a little about them but not a lot.

We've been out today visiting son and a new girlfriend, so I am shattered. Will maybe write some more tomorrow.



Websailor

I thank you for the info, as you will have read in my p/space, I only 'came' into Ponte in 50but if it works out that I could know any of his relatives, well who knows what!