PMG

The starling roost which I had turned up to watch unfortunately took place on another part of the reserve - tho a couple of big flocks flew over the van with a whoosing noise which was great. There didn't appear to be a big ariel display tho - they seemed mostly to fly east west up the reserve and then more or less dive into cover without much fuss ........ maybe too many spawks about?!

Gave in - admitted a wet defeat - and came home yesterday afternoon ....... as breaks go it didn't work - I ended up caged in the caravan in bad weather day after day. Everywhere flooded - driving needed doing carefully - walking without wellies impossible - photography? Fungi? And its still belting down here this morn ...... ark anyone?? The highlight of the whole 6 days (well two highlights actually) keep seeing a couple of gt spotted woodpeckers on the bird table and the other a scant 3.5 mins beside Leighton Moss in which a bittern flew across the water - the ducks went daft (and I though otter??) sure enough a close scan of the far reeds with binocs found a little head and ears disappearing along one of the ditches! Then about 8 bearded tits flew left to right before diving back into the reeds ......... magic!

So she wasn't on top form during my visit but Di went to see her on Saturday after I'd started my travels home and she did remember our visit, so I'm well pleased about that :D

Hope all is well yr end?!

James and I went to visit grandma on Thursday. Walked into her room and all we saw was a little crumpled lady in her bed fast asleep :( I managed to catch a passing care assistant who eventually woke her up by shaking her shoulder and shouting her name full blast at her..... Rene... yr granddaughter is here!!!! Grandma eventually woke up and ushered me over saying that she'd been flung into bed after being dressed and left - yep, she tells some porkies! Mind you she was in a heap and looked terribly uncomfortable so with the help of James we lifted her up, adjusted her postition and stuffed pillows in behind her to keep her more upright. We chatted for about 10 minutes which was lovely then... quick as a flash her head fell and she was spark out again! James and I were avidly watching to make sure she was still breathing tbh!!!! - she had me going for a mo I can tell ya lol!

No pain no gain eh?!?! Sure hope your feeling more mobile now ;) You still off on yr jollys to the caravan?... soz can't keep track of you atm - here, there everywhere lol!... but I'm sure Ian can cope with yr mam ;)

Visit to Di's - short and sweet but well worth the effort :) Tis a chuffin long way by car tho from Yorkshire to Sussex, but James and I stopped in at my brothers en route so that broke up the tidousness and it was great to catch up with him and his crew.

Thanks for corncern archer and Andestine: should be at the caravan - after a day with fungi in the Trough of Bowland - I was bringing Ian home to go back to work today and I was going back to the van for a few days - disaster - the front wipers failed - in a downpour on the A6 at 6.30pm (thank god we were not on the motorway) and we finally arrived home at 11.30pm on the back of a big truck curtesy of the AA (god bless the AA!) ... but still the best laid plans and all that ........ sigh ......... all I wanted was a little break .....

I use ear plugs for so many things. I take them out with me so I can have silence in public if I choose :)

'Freeview?' 'Freesat?' 'HD?' wassat? I kid you not; I haven't had a TV for over 30 years, but i hope you're enjoying it, all the same <g>

Looked at more of your pics. Daughter and I think your Earth Tongue is really cool :)

I took some picks of a tiny fungus today. It's awfully small. If I post if for ID will they laugh me out of court? :)

Please accept a big virtual hug for your concern. I'm on the mend. I gave up all the medications, including the inhalers, two days ago, then found out that sitting or lying down made the asthmatic cough much worse, and that walking around the house or garden made me feel much better.

Mountaineering friend finally made it home from Africa last night (bearing a gift of obsidian for me :)) and took me off to the sea cliffs this morning.

This man is one of my oldest friends and is built like the Rock of Gibraltar ;)

He's quite capable of hauling me over his shoulder and carrying me back to civilisation it I start in with the wheezing <g>

It was perfect though, and I'll be closing the thread with some photos of cliffs and sea. A perfect example of the healing powers of nature. The sea air was a thousand times better than those inhalers :)

Mind you, it wouldn't work for everyone, and I only get asthma when I have an URTI.

............

Hi Pauline!
I've only just noticed your message welcoming me back - cheers!
I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with your Mum. You have my sympathies as both my parents are being difficult although Social services have lightened the load a little.
It is difficult to detach ones emotions from a family situation like this and I'm afraid you'll have to try and do just that for your own good and hers. It sounds like there's only you carrying this load (my only sibling lives abroad so it's similar) so it must be pretty hard for you.
In a way my op has got me off the hook for a while - but if you're feeling it's all too much that is just as valid as being physically not up to it. Sometimes you have to think of self survival too?
many best wishes ,

Acher

I'm going 'off air' for a spell guys - but no need to worry - I'm a bit down - my mam is causing me problems and I'm not dealing well with the situation - I need to step back a bit and find my equilibrium (seems a long time since I had any of that?!) so I'm taking a break from what is now the norm .......