Awake and up all night

We've moved again today to a small town called Moulins la Marché but again I can't upload any pics. I'll have to post a few when I get WiFi maybe? My tan is certainly being topped up! 

H

Afternoon Raymondo

It sounds like your son's doing a fine job spider slurping but there are many urban myths about killing them - or are they true? Let's be careful out there ️ ️️

I️ agree Ray, the hamsters do sterling work keeping this wheel turning, so although it sometimes frustrates the bejabers out of me, I'll try to quit whining. I couldn't get a cute seal emoji either so let's try for a crocodile... 

If he's there, Croc and me say, "Hope you're enjoying Sunday afternoon chief and stop doing spiders in unless you want a load of fly lodgers instead."

Makes sense xxx

I fully agree. I can't outrun those large spiders and my attempts to negotiate with them have so far failed. If they'd agree to not drop on my face when I'm sleeping and just herd flies into webs that would be an acceptable truce. I was once given a nasty nip by a large spider which had caused my mum to scream in terror. I fearlessly scooped it up, felt it pushing with surprising strength, then OUCH! I still set it free in the garden but the bite took a few days to heal. When I get in or out of my car outside the house, I'm always careful not to stand on the insect traffic on the pathway. The ants, woodlice, occasional beetles and slugs are going about their business without bothering me, so it's a 'live and let live' policy with them. 

Lovely sunny afternoon here today. The light showers of recent days have encouraged green to reappear on the lawn as well as a few smaller wild flowers probably of the dandelion family. I hope you are having weather of your preference. xxx

It's not too bad here thanks hon, but I had to rescue the washing when it rained earlier. It's warm though.

You know when that spider bit you? Well there's one called a false widow that administers a painful nip, similar to a bee sting, and can make you feel lousy afterwards. The girls are far more toxic than the blokes  so don't put the vacuum too far out of reach just yet. Or get one for upstairs.

I'm a bit fed up today, as this time last week I was getting everything ready for our mini holiday so got a bit of a sulk on now. The sulks are getting more frequent so I'll have to snap out of those as well. Hope Helen can post some pics as they help quash the blues.

I know, I'll post that picture of the gulls for Gull Group, and hereby appoint you Gull Master if you want to take on the responsibility Ray xxx

PS This post flew off and took several minutes to retrieve. The hamsters have got it in for me now!

Gulls are really sturdy birds, quite handsome as well as being masters of their trade (sampling chips). A few years ago at Fawsley there were probably about a hundred gulls flying around above the lake. I was amazed at their flying abilities. Up 'til then I'd never seen birds doing aerobatics including loops. Pigeons can do stalls and many local birds of prey can hover in gusty wind but gulls seem to just show-off their superb flying skills. I wish I could capture their antics on camera. I have at last put new batteries in it so, if I remember to take it when I next go out that way, there may be an obliging cormorant posing with wings unfolded in the sun. They do that on a tree at the other side of the lake. If I can hold the camera steady enough on zoom it would make a nice photo. Is that a young gull next to the white one in your photo? xxx

Yes, I think it is but it took several attempts as a group of screaming kids kept scaring them off! I was fuming but eventually mother and child reunited on the sea wall.

Oh I hope you can get some photos of the birds hon, as they're fabulous creatures, plus it would prevent Gull Club becoming the shortest lived one on the site.

You sound well equipped to become the Master xxx

Nothing untoward intended, Ray. Honest

I love all this talk about gulls. I remember going to blackpool and there was loads of them. They were always hovering waiting for chips. A pigeon once pinched my sandwich in manchester centre.

Sonia, I'm always feeding pigeons even though you're not supposed to. I'd be well narked if one pinched my sarnie xxx

At lunch time I realised that the mini savoury eggs in the fridge had gone out of use by date yesterday. They look like miniature scotch eggs. I threw 6 on to the lawn. Pigeons will no doubt eat them, although if a lost Scottish homing pigeon calls in it  may decide to sit on a savoury egg, hoping that its brethren would hatch. xxx