tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256645122024-03-23T17:55:39.178+00:00Gigibirdwhere domestic Bliss meets an Occluded FrontGigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.comBlogger459125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-17856114931699930642015-12-31T22:16:00.000+00:002015-12-31T22:18:40.685+00:00Happy New YearI'm not promising anything but I'm going to try and blog a bit more - more than once a year;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz09fqc-Tn0-DivJDD3K44up8Gubc96EfAB8FnBjnWZQ56IsSyokPWl02NNXIjVGZox-m7naGo4y2IxGsm8fA67i0ieJirlha-K-Rs1qFGGT4q6MsThu7z9xBo58TvMsBYTAvE/s1600/Dottie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz09fqc-Tn0-DivJDD3K44up8Gubc96EfAB8FnBjnWZQ56IsSyokPWl02NNXIjVGZox-m7naGo4y2IxGsm8fA67i0ieJirlha-K-Rs1qFGGT4q6MsThu7z9xBo58TvMsBYTAvE/s320/Dottie.jpg" /></a><br />
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Trouble is modern technology is causing me a few issues...which I am trying to resolve.<br />
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This photo is of Dottie taken in the summer.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-51257339697924967252014-06-10T16:28:00.000+01:002014-06-10T16:28:32.733+01:00Summer has ArrivedBeing a cat or chicken here means you get to chillax everyday especially if the sun is out<br />
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Bailey taking it easy in the little shelter<br />
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Hester and Scarlett having a light lunch<br />
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Dandelion asleep<br />
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Molly - ditto<br />
Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-3003377837719790072014-04-17T15:44:00.000+01:002014-04-17T15:44:08.029+01:00All Change<br />
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Since writing my last post little Vera has gone to chicken heaven...she was with us for almost 6 months and got to feel grass beneath her feet and the sun on her pretty little face….<br />
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As you can see from the photo any future chickens won’t be feeling any grass under foot as it’s all gone! 4 chickens and one of the wettest winters for many a year has done for our little patch of green and we have decided to cover the sea of mud with pea shingle as it’s cheap, easy and the girls love kicking it about. I am hoping they will keep any weeds down although bindweed is not to their taste...it’s about the only thing they don’t eat around here...<br />
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Next week we are taking delivery of much larger run for the girls, 12 foot x 9 with a roof to keep the worst of the weather off.<br />
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As our garden is so small we decided to be radical with what could stay and what needed to go...the pond has gone! Sometimes a clean sweep is the only way.<br />
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Re-homing the fish was the biggest challenge but I found them homes albeit the local pet shop and aquatic centre. It has made the biggest difference to the garden.<br />
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Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-72798540699677497252014-03-02T12:22:00.000+00:002014-03-02T12:22:04.557+00:00Wood and Chickens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MBWj232RwWV-nD9bvUnIf2CFoKCn7dEY8mZFHHi3wxWOolyxyPNO0_UdSczIW5TPHzhMooibwwsTP_YzI78dW-5BdhmoEtX__L_3DahLvBt2_pugmDEvBrS1oiz-QTjd4T33/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MBWj232RwWV-nD9bvUnIf2CFoKCn7dEY8mZFHHi3wxWOolyxyPNO0_UdSczIW5TPHzhMooibwwsTP_YzI78dW-5BdhmoEtX__L_3DahLvBt2_pugmDEvBrS1oiz-QTjd4T33/s400/IMG_2291.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Vera overseeing the applewood kindling one of our neighbours gave us…<br />
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Then Scarlett and Josephine wanted to see what all the fuss was about…<br />
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Once seasoned this will be wonderful…<br />
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I've said it before but if you have neighbours with fruit trees it is always worth letting them know you would be happy for any prunings as it will save them a trip to the dump and free wood gives off the best heatGigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-86045006686171008732014-02-19T21:33:00.001+00:002014-02-19T21:33:56.646+00:00VeraThis is what Vera looked like when we first collected her from the rescue centre back in October 2013<br />
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And this is what she looked like on Sunday<br />
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She's such a sweetie - very good natured…loves her grub.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-16836073613156485812013-11-04T20:23:00.000+00:002013-11-04T20:23:21.246+00:00Avian Hiatusit's been a long time - <br />
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Part of my absence has been down acquiring 3 chickens back in April.<br />
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Prior to getting them I spent almost every hour reading and researching everything I could - I guess I was like an expectant mother getting ready for baby to arrive...<br />
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If you are thinking about having chickens then you should know<br />
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They poo EVERYWHERE<br />
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Disease and pestilence will visit you regardless how clean and attentive you are.<br />
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They are very fragile and can be well in the morning and dead by the afternoon.<br />
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Their eggs are NOT cost effective.<br />
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But they are delicious.<br />
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Last month we re-homed 4 ex-battery chickens, within a few days one had to be put to sleep but the 3 remaining have made it thus far....one has a chronic chest infection which all my 'flock' are currently being treated for and they rarely lay eggs...and when they do they are very poor quality with runny whites.<br />
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All the disease and death I have mentioned is expensive - I don't wish to do it myself when the times comes to say goodbye nor do I particularly want to become an 'internet vet'<br />
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Beth who was only with us a few days cost £5 from the rescue centre but £45 to be euthanised - I don't begrudge her a dignified end but in none of the 8 books I read before I got chickens did anyone really discuss the real costs of keeping chickens. <br />
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Even saying all of the above I just love my girls...they are such sweet funny little creatures and really love human company...<br />
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Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-73328885409108318182013-07-29T15:06:00.002+01:002013-07-29T15:06:45.173+01:00Paris BunsI am not sure how successful these beauties really are and that is why I am not offering the recipe until there has been a bit of a tinker.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/9390942803/" title="Paris Buns by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/9390942803_3166bb55f3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Paris Buns"></a><br />
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I found the taste of the bicarbonate of soda and baking soda a little over powering but the man of the house loved them....<br />
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Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-67623310122067107982013-02-09T15:23:00.000+00:002013-02-09T22:02:33.235+00:00When Life Gives You Lemons<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/8457721653/" title="When life gives you lemons clean your microwave by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8457721653_881f6016a7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="When life gives you lemons clean your microwave"></a><br />
You should all know me by now- cleaning isn't my forte but as I was about to throw some used lemons away I seised the moment and put them in a bowl with some water and heated everything for about 5 minutes until there was a lot of steam within the microwave - I left it for a few minutes then wiped - to my credit the microwave wasn't that crusted up but it looks like new again and involved very little effort.<br />
Most natural cleaning solutions involve a lot of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbow_grease">elbow grease</a> which rules it out for me but on this occasion I was very impressed just how easy it was to create such excellent results.<br />
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Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-47757037864909807262013-01-01T10:50:00.001+00:002013-01-01T10:50:46.374+00:002013 My year of Gracious Economy<br />
A Very Happy New Year to you all!<br />
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For the next 12 months I’ll be sharing my endeavors in controlling the household budget.<br />
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There are many blogs today focusing on extreme frugal living but my approach is going to be gentle and flexible sourcing old cookery and household management books ; recession, depression, economic crisis, war have all gone before us and although we may feel our lives are so much more advanced than a 1930’s housewife struggling to make ends meet they aren’t that different.<br />
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My other topic which I plan to share is my love of baking - again my reference will be old recipes which may not be fashionable or on trend but are still delicious and economical.<br />
Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-62905024154866347222012-10-10T11:59:00.000+01:002012-10-10T15:47:42.621+01:00Concerning Drying LaundryOne of the best things about summer - even the rather washed out one we’ve just had is being able to get the washing out on the washing line to dry - zero expense and for many purists the only way if you want to save the word and your bank balance but even this early in the autumn and with the winter months ahead my pragmatic head knows that there has to be a plan B.
This morning I removed my filter of my condensing tumble dryer and had rather a shock....it looked like a fluffy grey blob; I hung my head in even more shame when I was told via You Tube that a tumble dry filter should be washed through once a month or after 20 uses!!!!!! not once a year if it’s lucky!
On Stella’s recommendation I have purchased a <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21736/Dry-Soon-3-Tier-Heated-Tower-Airer">heated clothes dryer</a> from Lakeland - and so here’s my plan to tackle drying for the next few months
On dry clear days washing will be hung outside to dry but then finished off on the airer over night
On wet days washing will be started off in the tumble dryer and finished off on the heated airer.
Apart from the obvious aim of achieving dry washing I don’t want a house full of condensation. I also don’t want to have a huge electricity bills - so watch this space
The <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21736/Dry-Soon-3-Tier-Heated-Tower-Airer">Lakeland</a> airer is said to cost as little as 5p per hour....
Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-2664834502073675672012-08-31T15:38:00.001+01:002012-08-31T15:38:21.623+01:00Vanessa Visits
Last week I put an over ripe pear onto the bird table as my small birds appreciate orchard fruits if the mood takes them.
As the week progressed and the sun came out the pear became a rotting lump that I kept meaning to remove...
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This morning however butterflies have been visiting drinking the fermenting nectar within. As I only see one butterfly at any one time I don't know if it's one very thirsty visitor or several - anyway it just goes to show just how wonderful and thrifty nature is not wasting even an old pear.
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My visitor is a Red Admiral - the latin name is Vanessa atalanta which is suitably pretty for such a beautiful butterfly.
Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-36596270367545274092012-08-23T14:37:00.000+01:002012-08-23T14:37:59.245+01:00Cat HutBailey has taken a liking to the new cat hut -it was bought for her cousin who prefers the great outdoors but has so far been ignoring it....
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I am very pleased with the colour which is Sandolin Superdec in Jungle Green - bit of an unfortunate name but very similar to Farrow and Ball's French Grey - a definite green but with a grey undertone -
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Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-56409996121662699732012-08-17T12:52:00.000+01:002012-08-17T12:52:04.507+01:00August in a VaseI feel guilty picking flowers for the house - but as my poor roses don't seem to be able to survive more than a few days in this summer's strange weather I picked the last two blooms along with Japanese Anemones, Dahlias and Verbena Bonariensis that had self seeded itself in the gravel.
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I have never been very good at arranging but I feel the spirit of Constance Spry helped me on this occasion - ha ha ha
Yesterday I had my chimney swept which never fails to give me a little trill as it means autumn is in the air...my logs are already stacked in the garage so I am looking forward my favourite season.
Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-13718733852527527452012-06-01T12:49:00.000+01:002012-06-01T19:46:29.043+01:00Love in the MistThe <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/575.shtml">love-in-the-mist</a> is just coming into flower....isn't it the easiest flower to grow?
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I could only bring myself to cut 4 stems but had planned to cut some of a very rampent rosemary to bulk out my 'arrangement' but it was covered in <a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=490">cuckoo spit</a> and I wasn't feeling in the mood for killing insects however detrimental they might be...and after looking up frog hoppers it seems they don't do much damage so they can stay.
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N.B. I always collect seeds so if any of you would like some please let me know and I will send them to you in a few months time when they are ready.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-33619736122280397042012-05-29T16:11:00.000+01:002012-05-29T22:42:30.160+01:00Just DiscoveredVintage TV - on Freesat.... it's brilliant for folding the ironing too (snort - I never fold anything) it's great for sorting the washing into heaps....that's more like it.
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The cats are loving this hot spell; I find if I don't move I can enjoy it too...ha ha ha
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/7195033146/" title="Dandelion by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/7195033146_77294c0ba5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Dandelion"></a>
Unrelated photo of Dandelion (one of next door's) being uber cute.
N.B. I am having a few technical difficulties - it's been such a long time since I've tinkered with the layout I have become a beginner again ..........for some reason it won't let me start a new paragraph..grh....Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-13897341643404185742012-05-10T17:51:00.000+01:002012-05-10T17:54:01.899+01:00Decorative Living FairDespite the dreadful weather my neighbour and I ventured over the boarder to Kent to visit this years Decorative Living Fair.
It’s a kind of small scale Country Living fair but the focus is more on vintage, although saying that there was jewellery, gardenalia etc.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/7171440278/" title="Untitled by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7171440278_39b1306681.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a> To my great delight I met the lovely Viv of <a href="http://hensteethart.blogspot.co.uk/">Hens Teeth</a> who had travelled south to do the fair.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/7171455934/" title="Hens Teeth by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7171455934_85a733cce5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Hens Teeth"></a>
I was very restrained and hardly bought anything - as fabric and notions don’t count do they?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/7171428626/" title="Wonderful houseleeks by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7171428626_83e79deb24.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Wonderful houseleeks"></a>Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-38805229690859796262012-05-08T13:53:00.000+01:002012-05-08T13:53:48.893+01:00Is it really May?Ha ha - it's May and quite honestly it still feels like March.
This morning while I was visiting a local charity shop my Liberty radar went off big time. As I am sure most of you Liberty fabric lovers will know old lady clothes -or posh old lady clothes are often made in Liberty fabrics and you can often get a lot of fabric out of an old lady dress or skirt - Poppy and Honesty is the name of the design -I checked on the Liberty fabric archive...
One of the reason my blogging has fallen by the wayside is my new computer; I shan't bore you with the technicalities but it's do to with getting photos uploaded onto here...so until I resolve the problem...todays photo is of last years auriculas.
This years show which has yet to be photographed is surprisingly good considering I have thought them to be on the verge of death...
Other news is a pair of herring gulls have decided to nest on a neighbours roof....and before any of you go all Spring Watch on me they are very noisy and I am not at all happy about it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/5679138577/" title="Abused and Neglected but still alive! by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5147/5679138577_0abe9c2254.jpg" width="500" height="401" alt="Abused and Neglected but still alive!"></a>Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-20378373268910588832012-02-24T16:39:00.002+00:002012-02-24T16:48:43.748+00:00Is it really February?I can hardly believe it will be March soon - time passes very fast.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/6779809998/" title="Me and Gran by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6779809998_5877104583.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Me and Gran"></a><br />This is a photo of my Granny and I probably taken in the mid to late 1960's... <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/6925931485/" title="My Granny by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6925931485_5c22b08037.jpg" width="384" height="500" alt="My Granny"></a><br />And this is a photo of my Gran taken I think in 1918/1919 not long before she married<br />I am currently looking at my family tree and have stumbled across some very fascinating ancestors. It's a subject that is deeply interesting to yourself but probably very dull for those around you but thankfully Stella and Baby Mother are looking into their family histories too so we're like a little club.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-10473202252247863952011-12-31T21:44:00.001+00:002011-12-31T21:58:42.987+00:00Let me introduce youWe have recently welcomed two lovely pussy cats to our home.. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/6580795193/" title="Boudicca! by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6580795193_dd89bcd899.jpg" width="428" height="500" alt="Boudicca!"></a><br />I am Boudicca<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigibird/6580808215/" title="The Dowager by Gigibird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6580808215_fcf961b98f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="The Dowager"></a><br />and you can call me The Dowager<br />They are both in their twilight years but still have their kittenish moments....<br /><br />Thank you so much to those of you who sent me such kind words about Harry.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-47892253342248383652011-11-13T00:17:00.003+00:002011-11-13T00:20:52.043+00:00Harry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr3sp0d6pziGEp-yCzEHaGgdmB8FQo4ZgVSbJ92EW-tTAGbK9XB5Mk7Kg7c0p_kiPG3Vrp6AXEePGMemGBdqJ5ZlQjF_OPSLdmhp4nFPZ6lcJyQO9sbUk6PtJsJy_k62X9d7x/s1600/Harry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr3sp0d6pziGEp-yCzEHaGgdmB8FQo4ZgVSbJ92EW-tTAGbK9XB5Mk7Kg7c0p_kiPG3Vrp6AXEePGMemGBdqJ5ZlQjF_OPSLdmhp4nFPZ6lcJyQO9sbUk6PtJsJy_k62X9d7x/s400/Harry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674268173416065138" /></a><br /> <br />25th May 1997 - 12th November 2011Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-11298987130755079482011-11-05T15:47:00.003+00:002011-11-05T16:01:22.756+00:00Remember rememberRemember remember the fifth of November<br />Gunpowder, treason and plot.<br />I see no reason why gunpowder, treason<br />Should ever be forgot...<br /><br />Bonfire or Guy Fawkes night…not much revelry or celebration in the Gigibird household….a noise sensitive dog put paid to that 14 years ago….Harry is deaf now but the enforced quietness has become a habit I don’t care to change….I’ve always hated fireworks –<br />I can remember my brother always making a Guy with his friends and begging with it about town which was common place back in the 60’s and 70’s (and before of course)…. I know my parents didn’t approve but that was yester year. Penny for the Guy?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05aoMhvAvy0Ap0MqnaBbcChu6wxLXJsmDM2jl7arYSge5EHIBb77z4B2V3PnO3BCvK1JKONOOurTQvvFX6DYUdjePEA48VKs3vsNjPs5019RETvamaVIeHU7inu3ZrRpuL03/s1600/Harry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05aoMhvAvy0Ap0MqnaBbcChu6wxLXJsmDM2jl7arYSge5EHIBb77z4B2V3PnO3BCvK1JKONOOurTQvvFX6DYUdjePEA48VKs3vsNjPs5019RETvamaVIeHU7inu3ZrRpuL03/s400/Harry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671541959979567058" /></a><br />My name is Harry not Guy.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-59124724515400849652011-10-03T12:40:00.006+01:002011-10-03T12:52:16.289+01:00West Dean Apple FairYesterday Nigel and I visited the annual <a href="http://www.westdean.org.uk/">West Dean Apple Fair</a> as we are hoping to add a couple of apple trees to our bijoux patch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpWRqwbvrSy8F_xhmr9o5RYDuhU3v3GPGoedmhUDmKWvvEn95hDiS5v8yX1lRaxBa7Ma_K0HM803x8tWEXCnz7LfwPFqj3SN0tVBGsMxz799ZfOWZL8H-stTDt3NbQwMREJjc/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpWRqwbvrSy8F_xhmr9o5RYDuhU3v3GPGoedmhUDmKWvvEn95hDiS5v8yX1lRaxBa7Ma_K0HM803x8tWEXCnz7LfwPFqj3SN0tVBGsMxz799ZfOWZL8H-stTDt3NbQwMREJjc/s400/IMG_0525.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659231689170311218" /></a><br />Choosing an apple tree is a surprisingly complicated business as there are hundreds of varieties, sizes, desert, culinary.…and so I thought we should consult the experts to get it right.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhr54SpD-oTbmU8RWsM06OmF3c7GTuIPlV-751GgG9y-qcB-Fr38pxeC4oGtB0Z0d_bjKlS9Qno1c0_hMuPvYhSPJ9a-rIGeyRdnLGFLWlgATCKN2Jl4m1ZelUcfRVcElBW0F/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhr54SpD-oTbmU8RWsM06OmF3c7GTuIPlV-751GgG9y-qcB-Fr38pxeC4oGtB0Z0d_bjKlS9Qno1c0_hMuPvYhSPJ9a-rIGeyRdnLGFLWlgATCKN2Jl4m1ZelUcfRVcElBW0F/s400/IMG_0523.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659231413928482626" /></a><br />After some tasting and questioning we have chosen <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/fiesta">Fiesta</a> for our desert and <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/arthur-turner">Arthur Turner</a> for a cooker both on M26 root.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tNXxQ27Idui_RxtpnQ1YLg73ARVatrKS3dknbrLtOajsE08E1U7gzZbR-PXb43LPgLc8ZRBEPiErR-8EgQP0DjXEaiM_5mxj0E_M0bRqP9SrRZZM8PzdY5Uqf6BazvBiqJ49/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tNXxQ27Idui_RxtpnQ1YLg73ARVatrKS3dknbrLtOajsE08E1U7gzZbR-PXb43LPgLc8ZRBEPiErR-8EgQP0DjXEaiM_5mxj0E_M0bRqP9SrRZZM8PzdY5Uqf6BazvBiqJ49/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659231973055239282" /></a><br />We also consulted an ‘Apple Doctor’ with some mystery apples from a neighbour’s garden - I was so impressed with how swiftly with 2 questions he identified them to be <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/lanes-prince-albert">Lane’s Prince Albert</a>…a well behaved cooker.<br />There were lots of non apple related stalls to keep all happy and we returned home with artisan breads and cheeses as well as some apples grown in West Dean itself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd4V9VQkGbXqwCZ6C6KjA3exKQG7NSRD_JWebjqKBcUtWeFPye2zDCwwZU6PsSwApZsrnxfqpDGANLcIR2NUBkGLmueZKe01LcwPQ6WxoCHRUZEt_Zh_TrlDKmiUYpQ5HC_-M/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd4V9VQkGbXqwCZ6C6KjA3exKQG7NSRD_JWebjqKBcUtWeFPye2zDCwwZU6PsSwApZsrnxfqpDGANLcIR2NUBkGLmueZKe01LcwPQ6WxoCHRUZEt_Zh_TrlDKmiUYpQ5HC_-M/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659232349297213250" /></a>Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-87598940628242750332011-06-09T15:31:00.005+01:002011-06-09T15:43:20.699+01:00Bee HQEven with hardly any rain my garden seems to have gone crazy with the bees loving the lambs ears and cat mint.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYXBDJ_Wmoyp6MFw6ezhIFEnFY8xUDkfBc4BS7seWx2LaCc6hbGinBC48Jo8iCx37Ny9ms7HSs4Nw4YYjOP3R92ONoAXMBnR1Pn0wsIC7T39WAQHtlN-7XZx3u37_u3FfqcBG/s1600/garden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYXBDJ_Wmoyp6MFw6ezhIFEnFY8xUDkfBc4BS7seWx2LaCc6hbGinBC48Jo8iCx37Ny9ms7HSs4Nw4YYjOP3R92ONoAXMBnR1Pn0wsIC7T39WAQHtlN-7XZx3u37_u3FfqcBG/s400/garden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616230060994807778" /></a><br />Poppies have self seeded along the wall which looks like the garden is trying to burst out of it's small confines.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rnAwb4F8MJmxAG_a9sz3HQgdOxkLyedKT_uG1VHySfPabuTiCQ6r4cy9DUf-Rr5CDrihPaTDJ3ia93CCtHV6EulQHRKi4ost6fsZ9TTeeexeF2gog9BlKPPWE0iRIBsm1BM5/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rnAwb4F8MJmxAG_a9sz3HQgdOxkLyedKT_uG1VHySfPabuTiCQ6r4cy9DUf-Rr5CDrihPaTDJ3ia93CCtHV6EulQHRKi4ost6fsZ9TTeeexeF2gog9BlKPPWE0iRIBsm1BM5/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616229819382562562" /></a>Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-27818296797273702692011-05-16T22:04:00.006+01:002011-05-16T22:31:14.873+01:00In the CloudsI went up here today<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9OpHJfgbftmyjRE_aB4hYu0x9hqrpbaYtOYFRZYZm6ZAUyXfjTP97JTjmSLl0CamyT5PzGDSLA7dtUcKSXFWyOa6w7Z6_cfrdA8R9LyBhDN-C5pL3-Eka2bMzwf4H6LmpY_3/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9OpHJfgbftmyjRE_aB4hYu0x9hqrpbaYtOYFRZYZm6ZAUyXfjTP97JTjmSLl0CamyT5PzGDSLA7dtUcKSXFWyOa6w7Z6_cfrdA8R9LyBhDN-C5pL3-Eka2bMzwf4H6LmpY_3/s400/IMG_9999.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607427844012610466" /></a><br />Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth<br />I almost walked on the glass floor<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPEr0iGGAxpqIHedLaxuJRQQO2_m0jx7ii5dEcX_zGOb4VjEhVgdtWCmbD2PVn8FCzwyF6n0dENq2yn3datCNo-EMbB7U_eWvb6DlAWyGeoyYOg0ZZA-GuM_ngzZeISmipkLV/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPEr0iGGAxpqIHedLaxuJRQQO2_m0jx7ii5dEcX_zGOb4VjEhVgdtWCmbD2PVn8FCzwyF6n0dENq2yn3datCNo-EMbB7U_eWvb6DlAWyGeoyYOg0ZZA-GuM_ngzZeISmipkLV/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607428206537582834" /></a><br />Can you spot HMS Victory?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHrPpxy7VhmLbKyO_1bwg3WmeV4RwUxTzhA-6BIzunA1Pb3PdB45i5ILqPUGSa9MyiI0P2O2v_E_E3irDY_fwIC34MEt7jVnLnou8PfDQgBnd2Q7SmQ5i82w4na2DuzCb8roO/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHrPpxy7VhmLbKyO_1bwg3WmeV4RwUxTzhA-6BIzunA1Pb3PdB45i5ILqPUGSa9MyiI0P2O2v_E_E3irDY_fwIC34MEt7jVnLnou8PfDQgBnd2Q7SmQ5i82w4na2DuzCb8roO/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607428600658411426" /></a><br />Later I ate what seemed like a fluffy green cloud.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFLAUQV1HPz86k8qnUBBrCquP_Gjn145prFiMZUqcIqze8CLRhptQnkQymO2JyNEj1SNTxp2PbY_I1AZjb-Qz0Z8oBL8DQvYdXL1VfgRRmfB8gtfQTbtXphLUPAVLAxbxDimu/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFLAUQV1HPz86k8qnUBBrCquP_Gjn145prFiMZUqcIqze8CLRhptQnkQymO2JyNEj1SNTxp2PbY_I1AZjb-Qz0Z8oBL8DQvYdXL1VfgRRmfB8gtfQTbtXphLUPAVLAxbxDimu/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607429272295176226" /></a>Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25664512.post-90120184893227721322011-04-24T12:02:00.006+01:002011-04-24T12:29:36.505+01:00Come into the GardenHave you noticed anything else in the front?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TFOHuWvTquajFztApC0G4gP4rB8760b6xd7uOJ0DTWr0oe0TuUugVrXKsYIPw0Gy7TyYIlFMsCHUMC2R3qUxgUI_Qe8t1GRB1wRoVVpfFN242sDEl_DVlMA1MZJmx5pORV8r/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TFOHuWvTquajFztApC0G4gP4rB8760b6xd7uOJ0DTWr0oe0TuUugVrXKsYIPw0Gy7TyYIlFMsCHUMC2R3qUxgUI_Qe8t1GRB1wRoVVpfFN242sDEl_DVlMA1MZJmx5pORV8r/s400/IMG_9894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599107565569680498" /></a><br />Thought I should capture the clematis Montana before it’s over – probably tomorrow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh_fqgEp3iGFU1uJBomasbQDaA-JeLw777chUTWKt2dLroIKyigZDfJfMdHcrP8f9VlTbsjBOZhQfg1dqeoBvnk8xwujShhwtSub8zukSV8QwrlSiIDvkmp6NEprszKLMageV/s1600/IMG_9899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh_fqgEp3iGFU1uJBomasbQDaA-JeLw777chUTWKt2dLroIKyigZDfJfMdHcrP8f9VlTbsjBOZhQfg1dqeoBvnk8xwujShhwtSub8zukSV8QwrlSiIDvkmp6NEprszKLMageV/s400/IMG_9899.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599108031389716690" /></a><br />New to me a very smart cat house.<br />Some of you may remember I have an occasional stray cat visitor who was dividing his time between me and his Mummy no.1 who lives in a near by road. Last winter she upgraded his sleeping quarters to what is essentially a luxury wooden chalet and very kindly gave me his old house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKscnBDsjByNaf7KTydCr-iITRtkhyphenhyphenzveUXfCUlk3mijfc_FOYnc6YiK930i1TXruZKSivYtNF4XNUEQRLv84Ef4kyqTuXNpbt2VMQ0s1g4MQ_zldHSJTtuD4QXLaWSlt7ccV/s1600/sc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKscnBDsjByNaf7KTydCr-iITRtkhyphenhyphenzveUXfCUlk3mijfc_FOYnc6YiK930i1TXruZKSivYtNF4XNUEQRLv84Ef4kyqTuXNpbt2VMQ0s1g4MQ_zldHSJTtuD4QXLaWSlt7ccV/s400/sc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599108646719457266" /></a><br />A rare glimpse of stray cat aka 'Tommy'<br />I would like to think now the warmer weather is here he may start visiting me again but if he doesn’t perhaps someone else may take up residence...I am not talking about one of the cats from next door….although they are of course welcome to camp out of the mood takes them.Gigibirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171021812450232039noreply@blogger.com6