Induction – Adding a duck Deduction – Removing a duck Reduction – Replacing a worn out duck Production – Supporting ducks Conductor – The duck in charge Abduction – Sit-ups for ducks Subduction – An underwater duck Introduction – When ducks meet Conduction – Moving a duck Seduction – Ducks in love Reproduction – Making copies of ducks Ducting – What ducks do Deductible – Offset your duck against tax Duct tape – to record the duck, as there is no echo
I can not even begin to imagine what thought processes were in play when cutting down this beautiful tree seemed like a good idea.
Photo: Paul Flannigan Photography
Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
So far, a sixteen year old youth and a sixty year old man have been arrested.
I’ll leave the final words on this senseless act to Paul Tavernor Art ….
We seem to be getting loads of these little fellas invading our house and I keep finding them lurking in all sorts of places.
This one was just chillin’ on a kitchen roll, but I have found them on door frames, kettle handles, or playing dead on the floor. It takes something to get them to fly away.
If you touch them, they just seem to roll over and stay still. If you persist, they will just move a few inches and lay still again.
Our Hazel Tree is laden with clusters of nuts. It is productive every year, but we never get to reap the benefits. Every year, the squirrels move in and pillage the crop.
Hazelnut Thief
They do this before the nuts have a chance to ripen, and this year is no exception. I don’t begrudge them the feed, but it would be nice if they waited a bit so we could share.
Earlier this week I spent a joyous afternoon with my granddaughter, Bella. At six years of age, she really is a pleasure to spend time with. Although, I am surprised that my ears weren’t bleeding by the end of the day. She just talks and talks and talks.
Primarily, Bella just wants to go somewhere with a play park. Slides, swings and roundabouts. With all those things she is happy.
A favourite haunt is Petersfield Lake. There is a sizeable play park, a cafe and lovely walks around the lake. So, most items were checked on her must have list.
Arriving shortly after one o’clock I was surprised at how misty it was. I couldn’t see the bank at the far side of the lake. Although the sun was just starting to break through.
A Misty Petersfield Lake
When in the direct sunlight it was nice and warm but as soon as you moved into the shadows of the trees you could really feel the underlying chill.
Illuminated Boardwalk – Petersfield LakePetersfield Lake
After an hour, or so. And the obligatory ice-cream, and coffee for me, we set out to walk around the perimeter of the lake. By now the mist was gone, presenting us with a lovely sunny afternoon.
The lake plays host to many aquatic birds. Swans, geese, ducks, moorhens, coots and gulls. Lots and lots of gulls. Of course Grandad got his coots and moorhens mixed up. Thank god for smartphones and Google. I was able to sort things out. Don’t want to be misleading the kids.
Nesting Coot – Petersfield Lake
As we traversed the boardwalk we were able to see many of the birds making their homes around the lake.
Also we were able to view the results of the hard work being carried out to create submerged islands, planted with shrubby plants. Hopefully these will mature into safe habitats for the birds to nest in.
Brent Goose (Pale Bellied) – Petersfield Lake
I was surprised at how few of these there were. South of Petersfield, there are several playing fields, in and around Portsmouth, that are taken over every year by huge flocks of Brent Geese.
Egyptian Goose – Petersfield Lake
Not sure why an Egyptian Goose would be overwintering here in the UK. You’d think they would stay where it was warm.
Mallard Ducks – Petersfield Lake
Just a couple of snaps across the lake. What a fabulous view the owners of those houses have from their windows.
Petersfield LakePetersfield Lake
During our stroll we spotted many other birds, including robins and various tits and finches. They were making good use of the coconut shells, filled with suet and seeds, variously hung around the bushes and trees.
Another nice touch was this fairy garden, set in a tree stump. Bella really enjoyed investigating the various pieces here.
Fairy Garden – Petersfield Lake
And so the circumnavigation was completed. One more go on the slides, well several really, and it was time to head out for a bite to eat.
Basic error on my part was that I asked Bella what she would like to eat. In my mind I was certain we were headed for McDonalds. Surprise, surprise, Bella wasn’t interested in Macca’s, or KFC, or pizza. After perusing several menus outside of pubs and cafes we ended up in a Cafe Nero. Where Bella settled for a toasted cheese and ham roll, a Belgian chocolate chough pastry donut all washed down with a fruit smoothie.
WrAnTz 