owl

Hope bug has gone away tomorrow. Cold here but we are lucky to be without snow. I took Fin for a walk round the village sports fields this afternoon, that was enough and we were glad to be home. He does enjoy all the scents there and they were super sharp in the cold. x

I have used halogen ovens with the heater in lid on top for many years. Excellent for one person, and faster than a fan oven. I like the glass oven as you can watch what is happening. Hope all human and canine tums settle down.

OK here thanks, going out this afternoon to meet with Fin's friend and her humans in Bawtry forest. He isn't very friendly but seems to like female spaniels.

Yes, I have heard of DOTS, they are brilliant. A few similar groups are around in the cities. Hope chest infection clears soon, Jazz. Busy week helping to get the word around, senior spaniel on the run on our reserve. Thankfully picked up by a farmer last night, who found her in a cattle trough, took her home to warm up and feed, returned her home this morning. Last weekend also manic, Trevor and I recovered a deceased Patterdale on Saturday night which was obviously rta and killed instantly. Chipped but chip not registered, took to vet to follow up. Spent Sunday and Monday going round farmers and gamekeepers, dog not known to them and believed to belong to poachers. Very sad.

Another wimp here, used to be coldproof but now wearing lots of layers. Thankful for my alpaca jumper and my llama wool poncho. At least our water levels are dropping.

Manic weekend, just calming down.

Thank you Jazz, wishing the same to you. I have been on the phone to my utilities provider, and a helpful guy has sorted everything out and removed my mistake.

Ended the year with an act of total idiocy. Entered my gas and electric readings online with my supplier, which fortunately is Utility Warehouse so they subcontract with the best local suppliers of everything. My electric meter is smart, my gas for some reason is not. I wrote the readings on a piece of paper and accidentally entered the electricity number in the gas box. Good thing UW will be open at 10 tomorrow so I can call them and get it changed, otherwise my gas bill would be enough for half the street! Wishing everyone a peaceful New Year xx

I have been taking magnesium taurate capsules from Ethical Nutrition for a couple of weeks and have started sleeping much better. Can recommend them.

So much happened during this year, I don't know where to start!

Glad you are safe, blackmagic, I was wondering if you were affected. Washing machine repaired at last, laundry hung out fairly close to back door in case I have to grab it quickly. We have random showers, and still very high winds. I don't want to drive as my Kangoo is not good in gales. The corner shop is only 5 mins walk and it's a very good one.

Jazz is chatting to me on Facebook messenger but having computer probs.

Just sent her a Facebook message, it seems she was on Facebook a little while ago.

Still very windy but stopped raining so Fin has gone down the garden to look for rodents. He has been asleep for most of the day. Hope Jazz is ok, she is very quiet.

So sorry, Eve. A quiet but peaceful Christmas here

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas xx

How is everyone? xx

I expect it was just passing through. A lot of our regular birds are on the move, foraging. Ground starting to dry out in some places here, but many fields still under water.

Been out in the woods, a different reserve for a change. Several birch trees down across the paths, have reported them to local wardens. Finley is tired out, fast asleep.

A really awful one by the sound of things, so sorry xx

My friend says this is very likely to be a leucistic house sparrow as they are not uncommon, and asks if there is any chance you could get a photo, even a poor one? I know it's not easy at this time of year in Scotland with very limited daylight hours.

Thanks, just looked the the link and I am baffled. I would bet on a leucistic sparrow but will consult a knowledgeable birdwatcher friend.

I just did a post asking Blackmagic if it could be a tree sparrow, but cannot see if the post is here. Jazz, sending love xx

Sending love and wishing I were nearer, Jazz xx Blackmagic, interesting bird. Could be a leucistic sparrow. does it sound and act like a sparrow?

That is a pain, hope you can get back on Facebook. Sounds like a real struggle today xx