Nut Jobs

27/02/2018 by siskinbob

Given the current cold spell I don’t begrudge these little fellows a few peanuts. Midday and -1 outside even though the sun is shining. A few snow sprinkles falling too, although too few to bother anyone.

Grey Squirrel

Although I put the peanuts out for the birds, the squirrels (and Wood Pigeons) eat the bulk of them. They are always cute and entertaining, so small price to pay for their company.

Since filling the feeders this weekend we are being visited by tits of the Blue, Great and Long-tailed varieties.

Long-tailed Tits

This morning, there was also a Nuthatch getting his fill of sunflower hearts.

As always, the Robins are policing the garden. In the summer they typically, aggressively, chase off any other visitors to the feeders. Perhaps, due to the cold, they are being a little more magnanimous and just observing from a distance.

The Wood Pigeons sit like vultures in the trees. Observing the comings and goings of all the other birds. Since they can no longer land on the feeders, they are relegated to hoovering up the scatterings of their smaller brethren.

Petersfield Heath Lake

21/02/2018 by siskinbob

Petersfield Heath Lake

Petersfield is a market town in Hampshire, England. It is 17 miles north of Portsmouth.

Petersfield Heath Lake is a popular spot for mums and their kids as there are playgrounds and a cafe along with nice walks around the shoreline. Boats can be hired and the lake is also popular with fishermen.

A November Afternoon

21/02/2018 by siskinbob

A short while ago, I had the great pleasure of going for a walk with my granddaughter Becky. We chose to visit Emsworth, a short drive from home. Becky is 21 and, as with all my grand children, always perks up this grumpy 66 year old.

Emsworth is a small town in Hampshire on the south coast of England. Driving along the A27, Emsworth forms the border with West Sussex and lies at the north end of an arm of Chichester Harbour.

Here are a couple of snaps, taken during our stroll on a brisk November afternoon.

Emsworth, Hampshire, England

Welcome To The World Isla Amelie

13/01/2018 by siskinbob

Yesterday, our 8th Great Grand-child Isla Amelie was born. She entered this world at 08:30, weighing in at 7.5 pounds.

Photo above shows a really proud Great Grand-mum, with Isla taking all the adoration in her stride.

Mum Hayley, and Dad Nick of course, are doing well, albeit a tad tired.

By the time we visited they had pretty much been on the go for 24 hours, with dad looking the worst for wear.

So, congratulations Hayley and Nick. Welcome Isla Amelie.

Hot Rod & Custom Car Show 2017

24/07/2017 by siskinbob

Just spent an enjoyable couple of hours at the Hot Rod & Custom Car Show, held at Stansted House in Hampshire.

The weather did rather let us down but the cars managed to shine through even if the sun didn’t.

I’ll let the cars do the talking, take a look at the following photos. See what you think.

1960 Morris “Moggy” Minor with 2 litre Lancia engine

1936 Chrysler

1937 Chevrolet

Taking Cover

1952 Ford Coupe

1940 Ford

1953 Ford Consul

1961 Ford Taylor

1950 Chevrolet 3600

Studebaker Hawk

1956 Ford

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1951 Ford F 6

Ford Capri

GMC 100

Ford Consul Classic

1966 Ford Mustang

1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pick Up

1930 Ford Model A

1939 Austin

1959 Chevy Apache Truck

1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pick Up

Grin and Bear It !!

1967 Ford Cortina with 7.5 itre V8 stuffed in

1957 Ford

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Rover P5 Series

1959 Chevrolet Impala

1955 Chevrolet

Ford 100 Pick Up

1964 Ford Zephyr Mk III

1950 Dodge Charger

1937 Chevrolet

1954 Chevrolet alongside a 1941 Chevrolet

How Low Can You Go ? 1948 Chevrolet

1936 Chrysler

GMC 100

1971 Volkswagen

1951 Ford F 6

1972 GMC

1949 Peterbilt 344 DT – Burger Bar

1979 Ford

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Mods

1962 Chrysler 300

1971 Volkswagen

1953 Ford Consul

1948 Ford F 1 Pick Up

GMC 100

1959 Cadillac

Anyone seen Garfield

1960 Morris “Moggy” Minor

1937 Chevrolet

1941 Chevrolet

1957 Ford

1959 Chevrolet Apache Pick Up

1933 Ford

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1959 For Popular with 3.5 litres under the bonnet

Ford ??

1936 Chrysler

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Claims to be a 1979 Reliant with a 3 litre engine !!!

Ford Zephyr Mk II

1936 Ford Sedan

1930 Ford Model A

Ford Consul Classic

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

1967 Ford Cortina with 7.5 itre V8 stuffed in

1950 Chevrolet 3600

1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pick Up

1961 Ford Taylor

1971 Volkswagen

1933 Ford

Mercury Comet – 1964 ish

1948 Ford F 1 Pick Up

Ford Consul Classic

1936 Ford Sedan

1937 Buick Special

Vauxhall Viva HC Series

1959 Cadillac – Back end

Plymouth Road Runner

Mods

1948 Chevrolet Fleetline

1948 Morris Series Z

1960 Studebaker with 1963 Chevrolet alongside

1946 Chevrolet COE (Cab Over Engine)

1959 Chevy Apache Truck

1936 Ford

View From The Conservatory

08/06/2017 by siskinbob

I was both astounded and disappointed to discover that my last “View” was posted just over a year ago. I know that we have been busy and there have been other more recent posts.

Admittedly, the conservatory has been rebuilt and we did take off to Australia for three months followed by a month in France and a fortnight in Antigua. There have been several lesser UK based jaunts. However, we have also spent time at home and I have had my camera to hand. So, feeling suitably ashamed, here is a compilation of pictures taken over the last few weeks. We are now into the UK summer season and the garden plants are growing like crazy.

First up then is a regular subject, squirrels. Once again we are being visited by the albino variety.

Albino Squirrel

As you can see they do have the requisite pink eyes.

Albino Squirrel

Here in the UK squirrels are sometimes referred to as tree rats. The example above is the most rat-like squirrel I have ever seen.

Of course we do have an abundance of the grey variety. Just a few days ago there were four greys in the garden. Of course my camera was out of reach and since these guys were raiding the bird feeders, any movement on my part just scared them away.

Grey Squirrel – So hungry after eating the bird food, it’s eating a stick

Grey Squirrel – Taking the rays

Grey Squirrel – Softening a bread crust in the bird bath

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel – So much ginger it’s almost red

I thought that the pure grey squirrels would have attacked the albino, but apparently not. Judging by the shenanigans going on, high up in the trees, I believe the albino may have found a partner. Maybe we’ll see some piebald babes around this year.

As I mentioned earlier, there are many flowers on show already. So, just a few snaps ….

Iris

This Iris was discovered in a shady overgrown area of the garden. It was not planted by us and, as we are the only owners of this property since it was built, we have no idea how the Iris arrived. Pretty though.

We have a few rose bushes, which we did plant….