Apologies for the absence of any news since October. We have been away on holiday to New Zealand and Australia. Had a great time but the weather was terrible everywhere we went. In the whole month we only had approx seven sunny/hot days, so I don't want to hear anyone ever complain about the British weather again!
Unfortunately, while we were away, that evil fox got into the compound and killed another 3 geese. We've only got 7 left now and we have had to start penning them up in a shed at night for their own safety.
There's lots of tidying up outside to do. Everywhere is thick with leaves which need sweeping up and all the tubs and baskets need replanting with winter flowers and foliage. We must get it done by next weekend as the Christmas lights will need putting up shortly.
No further progress on the hide yet but will keep you informed.
Went into Liverpool on Tuesday evening and walked around the new shopping precinct 'Liverpool One'. It's fab, even though the shops were shut it was really lively and energetic. There's loads of bistro's, bars etc and it was great fun.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Saturday October 11th 2008
The great Firework Competition in Southport last weekend was disrupted a bit by the torrential rain but they managed to get the show completed eventually. It really is a spectacular show and can be seen from miles around but you need to be along marine gardens to get get the full effect of the music as well.
Sadly, a fox killed two of our geese this week. It's a shame that those people who think foxes are cuddly & cute and should be protected at all costs, couldn't see how they rip apart a poor defenceless goose. So, while foxes have the run of the countryside, the geese, who used to roam freely around the fields, now have to be penned up in order to save their lives.
Everywhere is looking very autumnal now and the garden hoover has been working overtime to clear the leaves. The Bramleys have all been picked and frozen but we still have a few tomatoes left in the greenhouse.
Sadly, a fox killed two of our geese this week. It's a shame that those people who think foxes are cuddly & cute and should be protected at all costs, couldn't see how they rip apart a poor defenceless goose. So, while foxes have the run of the countryside, the geese, who used to roam freely around the fields, now have to be penned up in order to save their lives.
Everywhere is looking very autumnal now and the garden hoover has been working overtime to clear the leaves. The Bramleys have all been picked and frozen but we still have a few tomatoes left in the greenhouse.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Tuesday 1st August 2008
Have had a very busy weekend. Our son was 30 so had a family BBQ in the garden. Fortunately the weather was great and so everyone stayed outdoors. Had a few braziers and the chimenea going so it was really quite warm and with all the fairy lights in the trees it was quite magical.
The difference a few days make. Today it is absolutely freezing and the wind is howling, feels like the deep midwinter!
Our guests this week are walkers and they don't seem to mind the weather at all. Of course they have all the right gear and so they just don't worry what the weather is like they just enjoy getting out and about.
Also have a visitor from Belfast so I took him into Liverpool yesterday to see all the various art installations for Capital of Culture year and then we drove to Crosby beach to see the 'Iron Men' as they are known locally. He was very impressed with it all.
Princess Anne was in Liverpool today opening the second phase of the 'Liverpool One' shopping centre. Unfortunately I didn'tt get a chance to go and see her.
The difference a few days make. Today it is absolutely freezing and the wind is howling, feels like the deep midwinter!
Our guests this week are walkers and they don't seem to mind the weather at all. Of course they have all the right gear and so they just don't worry what the weather is like they just enjoy getting out and about.
Also have a visitor from Belfast so I took him into Liverpool yesterday to see all the various art installations for Capital of Culture year and then we drove to Crosby beach to see the 'Iron Men' as they are known locally. He was very impressed with it all.
Princess Anne was in Liverpool today opening the second phase of the 'Liverpool One' shopping centre. Unfortunately I didn'tt get a chance to go and see her.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Monday 15th September 2008
Yet another wet week. A good job the cottages are warm & cosy because all our guests spent most of last week inside. I think its about time I bought the sun umbrellas in, doesn't look as if they will get any more use this year.
The geese are enjoying the lake that has formed in the field but the sheep don't look too happy!
The air show in Southport was a great success. Luckily it was one of the good days, warm & sunny so a good time was had by all. Lots of the air displays flew over our house so we saw the Red Arrows and the Lancaster bomber from the back garden.
Just got news of a farmers market which is to be held once a month in Burscough Village. This will be great as we have such alot of good produce in the area that it will be nice for our visitors to have somewhere to get it.
The geese are enjoying the lake that has formed in the field but the sheep don't look too happy!
The air show in Southport was a great success. Luckily it was one of the good days, warm & sunny so a good time was had by all. Lots of the air displays flew over our house so we saw the Red Arrows and the Lancaster bomber from the back garden.
Just got news of a farmers market which is to be held once a month in Burscough Village. This will be great as we have such alot of good produce in the area that it will be nice for our visitors to have somewhere to get it.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Monday 1st September 2008
Apologies for the delay in postings but I have been having trouble with my computer .....All very technical but got it sorted at last !!
Well, what can I say about August !! The weather has been awful but, on the whole, this little corner of the world seems to fare better than most. Our guests have all managed to get a few good sunny days in although, with hind sight, I think buying the sun umbrellas for the patio tables was tempting fate a bit!.....Still, they'll do for next year.
Two of our guests in August, Terry & Liz were so determined to see the owls that they sat in the big barn with a glass of wine and waited for them to return from their evenings hunting. They were well rewarded for their patience when two barn owls returned and perched, for quite a few minutes, in an opening in the eaves of the barn. Liz said that they almost appeared to be 'framed' against the dusky evening sky.
The ground has now been cleared for the 'hide' and the camera is, hopefully, being installed this week. It wont be filming directly inside the owl box but will be trained on the entrance and hopefully catch the owls as they take flight.
We saw a huge big bird of prey at the bottom of our field yesterday. Unfortunately, by the time we got the binoculars it had flown but we'll keep our eye out for it and hopefully be able to identify it soon.
Well, what can I say about August !! The weather has been awful but, on the whole, this little corner of the world seems to fare better than most. Our guests have all managed to get a few good sunny days in although, with hind sight, I think buying the sun umbrellas for the patio tables was tempting fate a bit!.....Still, they'll do for next year.
Two of our guests in August, Terry & Liz were so determined to see the owls that they sat in the big barn with a glass of wine and waited for them to return from their evenings hunting. They were well rewarded for their patience when two barn owls returned and perched, for quite a few minutes, in an opening in the eaves of the barn. Liz said that they almost appeared to be 'framed' against the dusky evening sky.
The ground has now been cleared for the 'hide' and the camera is, hopefully, being installed this week. It wont be filming directly inside the owl box but will be trained on the entrance and hopefully catch the owls as they take flight.
We saw a huge big bird of prey at the bottom of our field yesterday. Unfortunately, by the time we got the binoculars it had flown but we'll keep our eye out for it and hopefully be able to identify it soon.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Saturday August 9th 2008
Our old friends from Glasgow have just gone home after spending a week with us. They have been coming here every year for the last 18 years and , over the years, we have become good friends. Last year we spent a long weekend in Glasgow for Helens 50th birthday and we had a great time, they all made us so welcome.
Just discovered a baby barn owl sheltering in the timber store. As soon as it saw me, it flew out into the garden so I wasn't able to get a good photo of it. It's fully fledged and is just trying its wings out.
Just discovered a baby barn owl sheltering in the timber store. As soon as it saw me, it flew out into the garden so I wasn't able to get a good photo of it. It's fully fledged and is just trying its wings out.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Friday August 1st 2008
The weather was glorious at the begining of the week so we managed to get lots of gardening done. Almost stepped on a baby hedgehog which was sleeping in the sunshine right in the middle of the yard !!. lucky I found it or it could have been run over.
At the bottom of our garden we have a 'pill box' which was built during the wa
r. When our children were small they called it 'the fort' and spent many hours playing games in and around it. Over the years it has become totally overgrown with ivy etc. We have finally had all the excess foliage removed and so it now makes quite a good viewing platform to look out over the surrounding fields.
r. When our children were small they called it 'the fort' and spent many hours playing games in and around it. Over the years it has become totally overgrown with ivy etc. We have finally had all the excess foliage removed and so it now makes quite a good viewing platform to look out over the surrounding fields. Hope the weather is good tomorrow as we have a wedding party here. The 'Bird' family (good name for someone staying here!!) are here for the wedding of their son Russell.
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