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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: Roobarb on Saturday 19 September 20 23:46 BST (UK)
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Felt better today. Cloudy morning when I woke but the sun got out later. Had a chat with a friend but unfortunately had to cut the conversation shorter than I would have liked as I needed to have something to eat before I went for my flu jab at lunchtime. Hope we'll be able to talk again soon.
When I went out NN was cutting her front lawn.
Drove down to the surgery, parked in the car park opposite. I was five minutes early so sat in the car as the instructions were to go as near as possible to the appointment time. There were two men outside the front door wearing masks and visors, they waved me in. Everyone inside was wearing masks, a nurse asked if I had any Covid symptoms, took my temperature and gave me a squirt of hand sanitiser. Someone else pointed me down the corridor, a nurse further down beckoned me in. Name and dob taken, jab done and out by the side door.
Back home, NN still on the front talking to a neighbour. Had a cup of tea and read for a short time, NN still out there so decided to do some work in the back garden rather than go for my walk yet as I knew I'd get some peace and quiet. It was pleasantly warm. After a while I had another look, I really didn't want to pass her, she was still there minutely examining all of her shrubs that are alongside my drive. Carried on in the back garden, inside for another cuppa, she seemed to have gone so when I finished I went for my usual walk. Was about to come back, spotted her out there again. Was she waiting to have a go at me for trimming the overhang of the shrubs? Couldn't be doing with any confrontation so walked round the other way - although I wouldn't pass her she would still see me. Luckily when I came back she was talking to another neighbour.
More gardening, spent ages digging out roots from the Lysimachia that spreads everywhere. Put some more bulbs in a pot with coloured heathers on top. The cosmos plants are still flowering their little hearts out. I had never bought them previously, only did so this year as there wasn't much choice left when I plucked up courage to go and buy bedding plants but another one I'll definitely buy again.
Salmon for tea, I'm not keen on the frozen stuff but don't want to order fresh as I was unwell the next day after I ate it last time. Had a couple of glasses of wine too. More changes to Tesco order for tomorrow.
Hope it's been a good day for everyone despite the bad news all around us.
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Yesterday was great for me. The sun was streaming onto my back deck, so that's where I was for most of the day. Manged to read 2 books. It was great to see kids out on their bikes riding up and down the road. People out, putting in plants and tidying the gardens. The men of the house (and some ladies too) mowing lawns. Everything and everyone seemed to come alive. It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do.
At about 4pm as the sun went down behind the hills, I retreated inside knowing that I had well and truly topped up my vitamin D.
Finished the last of the soup for tea, then watched T.V. Off to bed at about 2.00am ready to start a new day.
Carol
Glad your flu jab went ok Roobarb.
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Well Saturday will remain in the memory for a while I imagine.....
H decided on an excursion, but I needed to go to the health food shop first, so we walked into town and I purchased the necessary, and then back before lunch.
We were on the point of leaving when H spotted a green budgie on the balcony railing!
We stood there looking at the budgie for a while, then I sidled over and quietly opened the balcony door, stepped outside and started stroking the budgie's chest.
Putting my other hand behind it I picked it off the railing.
We popped him into a box, while considering our next move.
We left our visitor with some quinoa and water, and were driving over to Totnes when I remembered I have the number of an RSPCA volunteer, who knows a lot about most things, so I had a chat with her.
Turns out budgies can't/won't eat or drink in the dark, and they die in around 48 hours if they haven't had any sustenance.
Panicking now!! ::)
Put out a Whatsapp message to a couple of local groups begging for the loan of a bird cage, and went into every charity shop in Totnes asking, but none available.
A message comes through; one of my circle has an unused bird cage in the shed I can borrow or keep if I wish!! What are the chances of that?
We go to pick up the cage.
Budgie is released from the box into the cage, with fresh water, quinoa, some slices of apple, a few raisins and a couple of chopped blueberries.
Budgie gobbles all the quinoa and has some water.
I realise that Budgie is ringed, and put mug shots on "NextDoor" and facebook, tagging to reach as many people as I can.
A man gets in touch to claim the bird. Says he lost 3 last week from his aviary because his dog died. :-\ Says he has no idea what the number on the ring might be. He peppers me with messages wanting the bird "returned" till I get fed up and turn off my phone. :-X
H and I discuss, and decide we will take the budgie to the aviary if no-one else claims it before Sunday lunchtime. Even if Budgie does not belong to claimer, it will be better off in an aviary flock than solitary in a cage.
This morning Budgie is bright and chirpy and I am thinking he wouldn't have avoided our local falcon for long.
I do hope there isn't a child or lonely person somewhere, grieving for their pet.
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Sounds like your surgery is well managed Roobarb. Hope you have no ill effects from the vaccination.
Carol, how nice to sit in the sun reading and being able to see lots going on.
Hope everyone has a little sunshine in their life today.
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When I lived in Belgium I had anEnglish friend who had a budgie.
She needed to go to England without any warning as her mother was very ill.
Put lots of extra food and water containers in the cage , went.
Got back abut four days later and budgie was dead.
Then she said she had closed the roller shutters on all the windows!
They keep out sun and intruders, but also light.
She was upset that she had not realised a captive bird won’t and/or can’t eat or drink in the dark.
I found a budgie on my step,on a house on a busy main road.
Went to the local pet shop and yes it belonged to a local budgie breeder,in fact was his best hen.
So glad to have her back .
My friend who lived by at Ross on Wye ,her hubby bred them.
Champion stock.
I wanted a Lavender one, and we met half way at Shrewsbury for the handover.
We could not persuade our friends to accept payment or even petrol money as it was also a friends’ meet up too.
So we went to a lovely restaurant for lunch and we took the bill.
It was expensive even in those days-1980’s.
My OH called him the most expensive budgie ever ,
But he lived 14 years ,so tame and a few words ,we made lots of recordings of grandchildren as you do and there he is chirping in the background .
Youngest son when about three /four wanted one for his birthday, the same friends
friends were breeding them back then,but lived nearby then.
We chose an Opaline Green.
Gosh it was funny.
Son wanted to call it Hercules ,I thought it unsuitable ( WHY!) suggested a short name the bird might learn more quickly ,son thought again,then said he would call it Samson,so that is what it was .
But when I think ,a very young child knowing about Hercules and Samson ?
That lived a long time and we took it to Belgium but it had to go in quarantine When we could pick it up we had gone to Brussels by train ,then realised animals were not allowed on trains.
So we smuggled it on with OH coat over the cage .
Ticket inspector coming and the bird had recognised our voices I imagine and was chattering under the coat.
We told the boys to talk loudly to each other ,but still the bird could be heard .
Nothing said ,how we got away with that I don’t know.
In his eagerness to gave his budgie talking son had been impatient so we got—- “ pretty boy pudding porgie boy pretty,hellosamson boyboyboy “etc
He was big, English budgies are ,stood very upright on the perch and had a big head,lovely birds.
I would have one but birds fluttering and thus blowing from their cage detritus,is not a good idea for old people.
Homes used to have them and residents enjoyed their chatter etc but not healthy in the warm conditions .
An aviary in a garden a few houses away,such chattering,must be budgies .
The first time we though t son’s budgie was tame enough to be allowed out of his cage ,made sure all was secure and opened the door.
A few moments and out he came, flew round and son whose present it was got excited ( he was quicksilver anyway) so budgie landed on calm son’s head.
Bird’s owner went into meltdown ,naturally at 3/4.
He was so disappointed .
Samson!
Live was never boring then!
Viktoria.
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Gosh, so many budgie memories!
A lavender one sounds very pretty.
I will look it up. :D
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After being told normal church service times will be back to normal in 2 weeks with social distancing in place, there was also a suggestion we could be closed down for 2 weeks, so churchgoers go from week to week not knowing
The budgie story is interesting, Viktoria you have led a really interesting life, sounds a lot of fun and still carries on now with your humour
Enjoy your day
Louisa Maud
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Carol, how lovely for you to enjoy the sunshine and to have the summer to look forward to. Hope you get more of your vitamin D fix today. :)
Moweshowse - Well!! What an experience with the budgie! I assume that by now you have either taken it to the phone pest for his aviary or someone else has come forward. As a matter of interest I had a look to see why a budgie would be ringed, apparently since 2000 breeders have ringed them, it helps them identify and keep track of their birds. More information on the website of The Budgerigar Society. Who would have known there was such a thing? :D
https://www.budgerigarsociety.com/ring-speccolour/
A related tale - I have a friend who I often call Doctor Doolittle, she's always rescuing animals. She currently has a seagull in her back garden that she's looking after, she found it on one of the main roads through town and rescued it, it had an injured wing but seems to be getting better. She got pecked a couple of times for her trouble but that didn't deter her, the challenge now is to keep her cat out of its way!
I was very impressed with the way the surgery handled the vaccinations yesterday, so much so that I actually answered their subsequent text asking how my experience was. As for ill effects, I'm not sure. I had an ocular migraine this morning, I've only ever had two before and that was some years ago. Not accompanied by a headache and was soon over but it did leave me feeling a bit nauseous and with a fuzzy head. No idea whether it's related or whether that too is because I've been stressed lately. Thanks anyway. :)
Louisa Maud, how frustrating to not know about your church services, hope the possible closure doesn't go ahead.
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Ocular migraine sounds nasty Roobarb.... could the tiredness have been a precursor?
Hope you are feeling much chirpier now.
Still got Budgie because I want someone to check the ring number database before I hand her to text pest, but she laid an egg this afternoon, and has trashed her living quarters. Currently she is gobbling up all the seed she managed to get underneath the tray liner.
My friends are now referring to me as The Budgie Whisperer!! ;)
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I'm okay thanks mowsehowse, not sure about the tiredness as I was okay on the day in between. It wasn't actually all that bad, just some jagged light patterns, only lasted about ten minutes. Just another of those strange things!
I'm obviously not as chirpy as your little feathered friend! ;D
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A large flock of sparrows would be less chirpy than my little feathered lodger. :D
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A beautiful day but with quite a brisk breeze. Too nice to stay indoors so sat outside chatting to downstairs neighbour for a while. Then the 2 of us weeded the pebbled area outside F.7. The tenants are Romanian - the wife is nice (although you don't often see her outside for any length of time) but the husband is not! Has a real chip on his shoulder, thinks he should be paid more, should be able to get added benefits, doesn't believe in COVID and thinks us that do are crazy. You get the picture. Everyone else keeps the area outside their flat nice which means pulling up weeds which appear periodically (regardless of membrane or weedkiller). Not them though. We noticed that they must be away as no washing out during day as usual and no lights on at night. It was looking a real eyesore so K and I decided to weed the area while they were away. Only took the 2 of us about 15 minutes (K did the middle bit and I did the edges) and the whole place looks good again. Their next door neighbours were out for the day and since they'd complained the most about the eyesore next to them wondered how long it would take them to notice it had been done (saw them this afternoon and they'd noticed first thing this morning).
Don't know why but kept thinking it was Sunday not Saturday. Enjoyed rest of the sunshine and then sojourned indoors for the usual evening jollities i.e. tv, sudoku and knitting. Fish and chips again which was very tasty.
More nice weather forecast for a couple of day before it all changes. Will enjoy it while I can.
Annette
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Well I can’t believe all the excitement I’ve missed .... all these budgies what fun... hope you’re able to find a home for the one your found mowsehowse.... or you could find yourself with a new companion!
My Grandad had a budgie very originally named Joey! He used to talk to it and let it fly around the room much to my step grandmothers Consternation! It used to sit on the top of the pelmet ... I was only about 4 yrs old bit remember it vividly...
Glad your flu jab experience went well Roobarb apart from your ocular migraine that doesn’t sound like fun! One of my friends planted some white cosmos and it’s lasted all summer... think we might be planting some next year..
Carol - good to get as much vitamin D as you can... 2 books in one day that’s done going...supposed to be very important apparently in keeping well against COVID....
Annette- more gardening keeping you fit and on the go deserves some relaxation too.
Louisa M - our local church services have been a bit hit and miss lately too... not sure what they’ll be doing if new regulations come into force...
Finally my day
OH was up before me as he was playing golf a medal round so quite tiring!
Spoke to daughter and decided that maybe they’d just come up on Sunday but would talk to OH when he got home... T was just a bit sniffly coughing very infrequently...
Thought I’d get in with some sewing as I’ve a lot nearly finished... should have been doing the ironing really...
Had a chat with a friend but not as long as in the past few times... hope to catch up with her later in the week...
Spoke to daughter again and decided if OH was happy they could come up later on today...
on his return... he needed cheering up as he wasn’t happy with his medal round so said if he was ok they’d come up today... all good to go...
now had to sanitise downstairs loo just for them, bathroom, boys bedroom and move all my stuff out and sanitise bedroom for her and SiL... get dinner organised... finish pressing face coverings...
message from daughter running late as SiL couldn’t find his keys...
ok keys found Off they set nearly 5pm by now...said dinner would be ready to eat as soon as they arrived!
Message... 45 minutes away...
Just had time for shower...
Lovely to see them... boys in good spirits... dinner and bed for them
Brought me a lovely arrangement of hand tied flowers...
And we’ve made you a cake grandma....
Once boys in bed we sat and chatted... so nice to see them all ... my birthday celebrations continue!
Off to bed not too late as likely to be an early start!
Caroline
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I'm happy for you that they have managed to visit Caroline. :D
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Thanks Mowsehowse - it has been a lovely w/end... with the likelihood of new restrictions we were all pleased to be able to get together...
Caroline
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My goodness what a dramatic story, Mowsehowse! What a good thing you were there and were so quick thinking about the way you rescued that poor little bird.
I think this seems a good thing about social media these days that you can reach out to people for help. How kind that person was to offer the cage to help in this situation. I think you made the right decision about not handing the budgie over to that man. I think the bird will be a bit more free in an aviary with other bird company rather than imprisoned in a little cage on it's own. And who is to say that this bird did originally stay with him anyway? He might just be someone who wants to seize the opportunity of obtaining a free budgie. I think you were a real hero this weekend Mowsehowse for rescuing this little bird and looking out for its welfare. If not for you, this little bird might have become the target of a bird of prey - which hardly bears thinking about. Personally, I don't like the idea of any wild creature, animal or bird, being kept behind bars long term. I think they are better left to roam or fly in their own habitat. I think that bird will never be able to released now totally as I think it would be attacked. But still, you have done the best you can and behalf of the bird, I thank you for this.
I hope to catch up with these all the diary entries soon ..
Just brief to add some further comments ..
I have observed this weekend that there doesn't appear to be that frightened vibe around in my community as there was at the start of the last lockdown. Also, I went to the supermarket for some essentials and it is a relief to see that people, so far, seem to shopping normally rather than clearing the shelves like vultures, like last time around.
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Thank you RTL.
I am sure I saved the budgie from the falcon, and I'm hoping to home her somewhere she has some space and company.
She certainly has been an entertaining little guest. :D
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Wouldn't you like to keep your new found little friend, they can be quite amusing
LM
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I would sort of, LM.
But a flock in an aviary would be kinder.
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Me thinks Rootschat has been offline, do you think so MH.
LM
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It was down for maintenance earlier LM, but I'm not sure for how long. :)
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Hello folks, such interesting news, visits, neighbours ,families but sorry for nasties like migraines etc,
Yes Mowsehowse was right, down for maintenance earlier.
( sounds like I know what I am talking about ,)
Well new paint came today , and a little set of drawers for the bathroom ,I measured and the space was high enough but there is a little Ledge I did not notice.
I can use them though .
Busy day, lots done .
Daughter usually phones for a couple of hours ,every Monday.
But had a day out so perhaps catching up.She has so much to do.
Made another list for Tesco in case my son from Bolton is not allowed to travel.
I enquired last week about my eyes,I have not been discharged but of course no appointment and there are some problems .
Appointment has now come with my Consultant ( He makes you feel like that
- ie he is there just for you.)
Spoke with a Mum passing from school, she admired the garden ,I offered some seeds when ready of a plant she liked ( perennial sweet peas)I said when seed pods are ripe ,will hang a bag on my gate in a week or so.
Waiting to hear how FH and the dog got on together.
The breeding of budgies to get the colours you want is quite scientific ,I bought a book when we got the first one ,as my knowledge was scanty so needed to Gen up.
A fascinating subject and lovely hobby ,but time consuming ,good for retired chaps. ::)
Had a bad dream ,but all mixed up so can’t remember.
Felt odd though ,funny, when woke, thought oh oh !
But passed off ,and a good day today.
Tidying up dropped ##&&#@££& jigsaw!
Not what I had done but the pieces yet to be fitted in.
Trouble is they are mostly the sky which is grey/blue ,and so is my posh rug !
So not easy to find ,I don’t want to vac them up ,however clean the vac is, not nice!
Must get bulbs I got planted ,before bad weather comes , I put them in big pots and put those among the evergreen stuff ,then when Spring bulbs have
finished Summer ones like Gladioli ,Alliums etc.to fill the borders.
My fig tree has got three more ripe ones,just need a bit more colour as quite soft but so sweet when fully purple.
Oooh figs and cream.
Let us know how the budgie story develops.
Seemingly there are thousands and thousands of green parakeets in Britain now, escapees !
Sounds nice but probably not good for our native birds ,many are struggling .
You don’t see cheeky little sparrows anymore do you?
Nor so many pigeons.
So glad some of you enjoyed family visits etc,,and hope it is not too long before we are able to go about our daily lives again.
We will know more tomorrow .
Once again Tge leading expert was on the Radio ,saying how Corona 19 is passed from person to person and the only way to eradicate it is to keep a distance between you and other people .
He ought to be on TV saying that.
T,V this tea time, people on a street mashing how they socially distance ,whilst walking in quite a crowd and no masks etc!
So many wearing masks but not over their noses.
Well off to make a cuppa , then bed and a read .
Goodnight everyone, thanks again for your news, nothing much happening here to report.
Viktoria.
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Viktoria, not sure whether you've already picked up the jigsaw pieces but if not, perhaps you should roll each end of the rug into the middle and at least all the pieces would then fall into the middle together.
Hope your eye appointment isn't too far away,
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Viktoria- hope the new paint is more suitable this time and you can get your room done...
Glad to hear you’ve got an appointment with your eye consultant hope it’s soon and you will be sorted..
Dropping jigsaws is a right pain in the you know what! OH not too pleased we had to move his so we could eat at the table on Saturday....he’d done all the outside and started to get the camels done. ( desert scene with lots sand pyramids, camels) we slid it onto a piece of card... but it didn’t quite make it smoothly so lot of muttering! I mean what’s a dining table for if not to eat off!
My daughter lives in Ealing and the trees in the park are full of parakeets, sometimes they come into their garden... what a racket they make too!
We have a little bunch of sparrows in our gardens... noisy little things... squabbling on the roof, eating the tips off next doors wisteria!
Hope you have a nice cuppa and read...
Tomorrow we will know what’s next for us all...
Caroline
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Well,folks, lovely sunny morning ( changing now) so painted shed near house door ,it is black.Also gate black.
Henry the over the lane cat jumps on the gate ,his claws have damaged the top rail either deliberately or when he grips to scramble up or balance.
He has also ——-used my wooden shed to sharpen his claws, I am the only person in the world to have a fur shed!
But what can I do when he comes across to sit on my feet?
He is a monster b/w .
I am starting to think of the old saying and wondering about Boris” Be careful what you wish for, you might get it!”
He did not bargain for this!
Well eight o’clock tonight we will know more .
Gosh I do not remember it ,was only two, but parents talked about it .
Chaimberlain saying “ Consequently we are at war with Germany”.
Only 21 years after WW1.
Feels very ominous ,especially with the flu season approaching and seemingly
Covid 19 liking them same conditions ,so goodness help us if the rate of infection accelerates .
Cheery note ,Flash Harry has been telling porkies again, his one day care of iNanny’s dog now means she belongs to him ,as he informed school on Monday !
She seems comfortable now , functions normal and starting to play.
Well bathroom cleared ready to go , a good stir of the paint and fingers crossed .
Hope everyone is well and in good spirits .
Post again later - I expect there will be lots after Boris has spoken.
Cheerio.
Viktoria.
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Viktoria
You are quite right, Boris or any of us could never have imagined all that is going on at the moment, none of us could, I, like everyone else hopes that those who need to will toe the line, we will get to used to this and become unsociable eventually, i hope not
Louisa Maud