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One of my ancestors, a David Blair, shot a swan in the early 1900s and was going to have it for Christmas Dinner! He was found out and fined but I don't know what happened to the bird itself.
Monday used to be washing day so I decided to strip the bed and wash the bedlinen. Feeling quite motivated for once I felt like making a cake - knew I shouldn't  because of those extra calories. However, it turned out quite well for once as I am finally getting used to my new oven. It was a Mary Berry recipe for an easy fruit and almond cake which you shouldn't cut for 3 days!
After lunch we decided to go for a short walk just around the back of our local church and then through a few nearby streets. The autumn colours are beautiful just now but it would have been improved by some sunshine. There was quite a bit of litter on the waste land behind the church; the footpath leads to a local housing estate and industrial site. We did find a B&Q trolley amongst the acorns and conkers. Passing by the little cafe/craft shop, where I meet my friends sometimes for coffee, I noticed a small group from the local U3A litter pickers relaxing after collecting 49 bags of rubbish. Well done to them.
The afternoon walk was quite enjoyable until we  passed through a local area of traffic calming. Unfortunately a young woman had pulled up fairly sharply to allow motorists coming towards her to pass through the narrow area. A man in a van drove into the back of her vehicle, he then proceeded to get out of his van and harangued her through the driver's window with the most awful language. It must have been terrifying for her as it shook us up too. People were getting out of their cars and trying to calm the situation. The woman then got out of her car to speak to the man who then started to hit and kick her car. She had children in the car with her who starteded to get out, although other people persuaded them to get back in. Eventually the man turned his van around and drove away without any thought for what he had done. He must have been drunk or on drugs to behave in such a way. A most horrible experience.
We talked about this event quite often into the evening. Finally we watched "Who Do You Think You Are" which was most interesting and enjoyable.

I started this, looked away for a few minutes, and now it's all disappeared!

I have trouble remembering what I did yesterday.....

There was a sudden burst of bird activity in the bushes close to the house. They must have been after insects, grubs etc. as we have no feeders up at present because we had a rat! Ugh! I hate them. There were a mixture of garden birds; blackbirds, robin, wrens, dunnock and several types of tits. Do they feed in this manner to avoid the attention of the sparrowhawk? Safety in numbers presumably. They didn't stay long - 3 minutes at the most.
I finished off my yoghurt for breakfast. OH prefers porridge. I must remember to add yoghurt to my Tesco order. Thank you Roobarb for the "heads-up" re the wine offer. I shall certainly look into it although Aldi has some of the best wines, we think, and free delivery too!
Eventually after browsing the Saturday papers and attempting Codeword, I decided to tackle the ironing. I quite enjoy ironing but it's just getting me motivated!
The doorbell rang. Hurrah, a visitor! The daughters of our neighbour,to whom we gave the dried hydrangea flowers, had left us a meat pilau and lamb kebabs in the porch. So kind and thoughtful. I put the gift in the fridge as I had prepared our evening meal already. We did try a couple of the lamb kebabs/bhaji for starters and they were delicious.
TV was another recording of Frost! We'll have to get out more!
Louisa Maud, where we live we are in Tier 2 but just up the road it's Tier 1, which is where some friends live, so it is very confusing as to what or where we can do or go.

Something weird is happening to my posts.
Mowsehowse, you reminded me that I have a photo somewhere in family history archive of yours truly aged 5 on a boat on the lake in Goodrington!
Caroline, I am so impressed with the efforts you and your family are making to give your OH a memorable birthday.
Roobarb, I'd love to see your artwork. It may stimulate me into doing something myself.

The heron put in an early appearance for his breakfast and stayed sometime. Not too bad a day so decided to put some washing on but, as there was no sun nor wind, the washing didn't dry.

We needed some fresh air so we both decided to walk to the butchers for our weekly order. It's funny we are getting to know lots more people who live nearby. There are the joggers, dog-walkers (most friendly), elderly couples like ourselves, relatively few youngsters (though they probably venture out later) and cyclists on the pavement which makes us cross. I kept prompting OH what to buy through the window as I had forgotten my mask.  It was quite amusing.

On the way back I remembered I'd given away the small pumpkin cutouts the night before so called into the craft shop to buy some more (had to borrow OH's mask!)

Later, whilst OH was busy cleaning the utility floor carpet tiles, I popped over to a neighbour's house and left her some dried hydrangea heads which we had prepared. Rang the bell and just left them in porch. It's a strange life we are living at the moment.

Tesco delivery arrived in late afternoon which always feels like Christmas. The delivery drivers are always so polite and friendly, keeping their distance and sorting out queries if there are any.

Now I was able to prepare Lasagne for tea and then watched Australian film, which was very thought provoking.
Judy

Victoria,
That sounds like a poem in itself:
"Oh, To walk along the seashore, smell the salty air and with a dog - heaven"
Lovely - I couldn't agree more.

We hade some unexpected visitors yesterday which I forgot to mention. Firstly, the heron flew down to investigate our pond which has finally got some water in it at long last. He didn't find anything 'cause his ancestors took all our fish some years back! There are frogs and newts in the early part of the year but haven't seen anything in there lately. Secondly, after lunch,  we were sitting looking out at the garden when a sparrowhawk flew swiftly at the fatballs which were hanging in the hedge. I don't think he/she caught a bluetit or Robin as he then flew to the birdtable and stayed there a while, finally giving up and with a very low swooping flight continued into the apple tree. Phew, talk about nature in the raw.

Judy