28/04/2010 by Aileen.

Off we went to a lovely place, that better be nameless as on the way we stopped and saw two peregrine falcons nesting in the cliffs. At the last location black redstarts were the stars. I had one good view but when I put my camera to my eye I lost it. Anyway, here are some photos. The birds are yellowhammer,blackcap and little owl, and the mating butterflies are green-veined whites.

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26/04/2010 by Aileen.

Oh where does the time go to.Higlights of last week coming up.

On Wednesday I went to Whisby in Lincolnshire with my Birding group. After a cold start the weather turned quite spring like. We saw a nightingale, which is why we travelled so far.

Some of us had lunch there (l had luke warm leek and potato soup) and I was so proud of myself as I went off on my own, heard a bullfinch, and hung round  for ages until it appeared. Then I took lots of photos. When I got home I told John how pleased I was at staying on and being single minded about getting photos. Then I downloaded the photos. Shock horror. I had accidentally knocked the shutter dial to a slow speed and my ‘lovely’ photos were all blurred. Here are a couple for what it’s worth.Bullfinch and magpie.

At the weekend I drove to Birmingham to meet some OU people I know through Second Life. There were seven of us and we painted the town red. Well, pink I suppose. We didn’t go too mad. We had a great time and all  got on like a house on fire. Saturday evening, we had a meal in Around The World In Eighty Dishes, which was one of those restaurants where you can eat as much as you want. We then went to a Wetherspoons and drank and chatted. We got to bed about midnight. Oh, and Becky and I bought a bag of chips each on the way home.

I really liked Birmingham. Well, I only saw Broad Street I suppose. It had an air of celebration with young people in fancy dress having hen nights etc. We probably left for the hotels too early to see any real drunkenness or trouble.

On Sunday morning we had a very early lunch in TGIFs, and then made our goodbyes. I drove Groovy, Eshala and Lilac (SL names) to the train/bus station, so saw a bit more of Birmingham. I was tempted to stay a bit longer but the call of home was too great. Lovely meeting the people behind the avatars, but lovely to go home too. Phots from the weekend are on my Facebook page.

Tonight I went to Viewfinders where we had a talk by a professional photographer. One of his specialities in glamour photography and he brought along a model. He showed us how he shot her, then we had a go. Here are three of my attempts.

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19/04/2010 by Aileen.

We’re into Hull today. And it’s not ‘hell’ despite the heading. It’s just I don’t like shopping at the best of times. But John is having a fitting for a new wheelchair and we decided to avail ourselves of the time there to do some shopping.

John doesn’t need an excuse to buy, and I do want a couple of things. MaybeI’ll a new jacket/cardy for the spring, new bra, stretchy trousers in a larger size than normal.

That brings me to my second point. I’m not losing any weight. I’ve been trying the eat what I like and exercise it off system, but obviously like too much and exercise too little.

So I’m going to down the food and up the exercise.  When I say ‘down the food’ you know what I mean!

It’s a shame cos I feel like treating John to a slap up lunch somewhere, but spending money on a salad seems a waste.

Oh, just looking at a news video of the icelandic cloud of volcanic ash. It’s spectacular, but I’m so sorry for the people who are stranded all over the place. Not so sorry for the airlines, but of course it is ordinary employees who will suffer. So I am sorry for them.

Last week I read about a solar powered aeroplane.  This would be a fabulous idea to develop. The link is French cos I like to keep up with the news and French at the same time by having this kids’ site on RSS. (copy and paste it)

http://www.lesclesjunior.com/rubriques/monde/le-mot-du-jour-avion/premier-vol-d2019un-avion-solaire?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LesClesDeLactualiteJunior+%281+jour+1+actu+!+Le+mot+du+jour%29

Bye all.

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14/04/2010 by Aileen.

Thought I should publish some photos from last week. Happy memories.

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14/04/2010 by Aileen.

I’ve got a clean bill of health. Went for my check up today, a bit worried as I had developed a lump in the last three weeks, and saw the top man. He was really nice. Said, ‘Ooh, you’ve got a bean’, and said it was a cyst. I was dressing, when he suddenly said, he’d deal with it straight away, and I had to undress again. Then I saw the needle! I said oh, not an injection, and he said it was the opposite! It’s an aspiration I think. Anyway, he drew off what he called ‘oily gloopy stuff’ and said he would send it away, and I would get a letter in 3 or 4 weeks, saying everything was ok. He implied I should never have had the original lump on the other side removed ten (or so) years ago. I have LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) and he said lots of people are walking round with that and don’t even know. (So how does he know eh?) But - as I already knew - it shouldn’t be called cancer as it just scares people.

Anyway, he has put the bleeding and lump down to last year’s car accident, and ‘written me off’ (in the nicest possible way of course) He just suggested I take advantage of the 3 year screening programme all women of my age have.

So. I decided to have a lazy day. I’ve got interested in web designing again. My skills reached a certain level and stopped, but I want to take it further. I’m starting a new Open Uni Web Design course in a few weeks, so maybe I;m just getting in to practise for that.

Sent off my TMA for Creative Writing, but am not holding out much hope for a good mark. Only got 68% for my poetry. John said that’s good, but I’m not getting very enthusiastic comments either. I’ve lost enthusiam myself for the course, and lost confidence in my ability, and just like a kid I don’t feel like putting much effort in to the final ECA. (Extended Course Assessment) I know (!) I’ll pass, but there’s no way I’ll get a distinction  so why should I work hard?

On the Swan front, they are definitely nesting next door. I have a few photos of the nest as it progresses, but the photos are a bit boring. I’ll waith until there are eggs before I post any.

I was mowing the front lawn moss yesterday, and discovered a duck sitting on a nest, so couldn’t do all the lawn in case I disturbed her.

Went to WI last night and had an inspiring illustrated talk by someone from the Associated Country Women of the World

http://www.acww.org.uk/

It was so inspiring, and made me think, what have I done with my life? Oh well. It’s a bit late for me to start saving the world now.

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11/04/2010 by Aileen.

Hectic week. Let’s go back a bit.

All the family arrived on Holy Saturday. Everyone except Martin went to Mass on Sunday where there was a noisy family liturgy. Liam and Kieran wouldn’t go in to the Children’s Liturgy, even though I was  doing it. (Or maybe because i was doing it!)

Traditional greasy breakfast afterwards, followed by roast lamb in the evening. Think we chatted and went to the playground (some of us) in between.

As John had to be in Stoke Mandeville hospital at 11am on the Tuesday, the original plan was for him to drive down with Martin in our Ford on the Monday, and for Fiona to stay on another day and take me, Liam Kieran and Alexander down in their Land Rover.Ali and Eric were escaping back to Scotland then. But Fiona wasn’t feeling too well, and not sleeping at nights with little Alexander, so Martin didn’t want her driving us all back. So she went back with Martin and John, and I drove the pair down on the Thursday.

John had his ‘procedure’ on the Wednesday as planned, but was told he wouldn’t be out until towards the end of the week, so we left it till then and drove him home on the Friday.

On Thursday night I had to finish off my Open University assignment which was due in at 12 midday on the Friday. Did it. Load of old rubbish, but I just want to finish this course. I’m not getting good marks and feel very discouraged.

We drove kids up to Penrith on Saturday, where their mum and dad picked them up. Back home. Opened the wine. Need to sort the house now.

On the Wednesday I took the kids to their beloved Honeysuckle Farm where they jumped on hay bales for hours and hours. Saw a few animals too.

Before we picked John up from hospital Martin treated us all to a slap up meal in a pub just outside Stoke Mandeville. I forget the name, but it’s the one John and I escaped to 18 months ago, when John was in hospital for all those weeks.

The kids were so good.. They were a bit quarrelsome on Saturday morning before they left, so were obviously feeling very much at home! Best behaviour before, which is always a bit unnerving as they’re two healthy little boys.

On the nature front - the swan who lost his mate has found a new one, and they are nesting at the bottom of next door’s garden. I have a clear view, so will be posting photos as things develop.

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02/04/2010 by Aileen.

Four swallows on the wire outside the front garden today. Back from the dead three days too early. They look a bit bedraggled, but they’re there.

Will write more later, but got to get the ironing out of the way ready for the weekend.

Bye.

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