THE BRITISH THREAD II

134.9/ litre! That's a diabolical liberty.

Hey Mac. Have you ever had a pair of square-toed shoes?

toronto's "globe and mail" reporting on prince philip's comment when corrected about the identity of a plant at the chelsea flower show :

"i don't want a bloody lecture !"

that's telling them bloody ladies , philip !

He said that to an Aussie flower expert, the oily Greek boy is not a popular man downunder!

some more of philip's "mirth" for dutchy's "amusement"

No, never. Nor winkle-pickers, come to that. But I once had a pair of moderately chisel-toe elestic-sided boots of which I was very proud and which hurt my feet a bit.

Square toes were more the Bay City Rollers era, weren't they? Gary Glitter?

You're right, I didn't understand the question. But I imagine it was vaguely insulting.

Yo, Steve, seen my joke?

http://www.able2know.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=92414&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=6880

YoMac

yeah it were a guddun.

Like the Samaritan number for distressed Chelsea fans

oh eight hundred one nothing one nothing won nothing.


Spendy, I've told you before 134.9p/l is not a diabolical liberty, it represents fantastic value for money.

I was talking to this farmer type person...sorry extremely rich and decrepit farmer outside the Red Lion. He was telling me between in the short interval between roll ups and pints of Tinners, how it was a diabolical liberty that he cant take his Land Rover or the Range Rover to markets because of the Ministry Men. But just locally he's ok with the pickup on red diesel. Apparently a modern tractor and decent plough can plough 35 acres in a day. With two horses a man could plough 1 acre per day. Whats the difference? Machine power/muscle power. And machine food at 60p/litre, plus recreational use provided you're not daft is pretty good value dont you agree? All that sun power released in an instant to grow a few veg. Remarkable really.

anyway hollywood's just gone up in smoke so its not all bad

Do you mean that Nietzsche was playing at it and that Hollwood is dead as well?

I don't believe it. Hollywood is fire resistant.

I've been enjoying "Greek", the new American college sitcom on TV.

Anyone seen it?

Not much action on here of late Mac!


I hardly watch television.


I enjoy sport, boxing and football especially. I like some of the music channels playing in the back-ground too from time to time.


Documentaries are good from time to time as well.


My wife likes the 'Spring Watch' and 'Autumn Watch' series too, she looks forward to those programmes and records the same for reference. I think she has more nests in the garden and outbuildings though than Bill and Kate do. That's not mentioning the squirrels, rabbits, fox, two feral cats and an old tawny which are knocking about most nights especially, but the two feral cats pop in and out most days as well.

Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King they do a really good presentation job of both programmes and there was added interest last couple of years on the 'Autumn Watch' last couple of years when Kate and Bill were at Martin Mere which is not too far from our home.


I don't seem to have enough hours in the day of late though.

Been busy running two of my grandsons in particular about every Monday to Friday for the last six or seven weeks or so, (One of my daughters had a health problem and couldn't drive).

Then this week and next week one of the lads is on work experience with a firm of Solicitors so I am getting him to the office bright and early, doing my own jobs through the day and picking him up from 'work' at 5pm and then Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I'm at the boxing club, helping out with a bit of coaching.


Don't get home until about 8pm.


I wouldn't have it any different though.

mrs S just been glued to spring watch.

shame about the baby swallows

is Billy Oddie Boy really a sexist pig? I dont think so

Martin Mere
Martin Mere Wetland Centre is home to over 100 species of rare and endangered ducks, geese, swans and flamingos.




If it doesn't work on here you can go direct to the interactive map page, simply Google Martin Mere Maps

123456789The map above is interactive!
Hover over the numbered points on the map to see pictures and more information. Click on the points to view a bigger picture.11
Visitor Centre
In the Centre you will find a gift shop, coffee shop and key information points. The exhibition and conference space is also used for indoor events at the Centre.
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Beaver Enclosure
After a 500 year absence from Lancashire, four European beavers, two males and two females, have taken up residence at Martin Mere. Beavers, the world's second largest rodent, are one of nature's engineers excavating canals and building dams and lodges of branch and earth. The display at Martin Mere will be the only attraction in the North West where visitors can watch beavers in their natural habitat. Entirely vegetarian, the beavers will be fed everyday on root vegetables, leaves and fruit allowing visitors the opportunity to see the creatures.
(more)1215
Pond House
This is the focus of Pond dipping activities with schools and during holidays. Catch pond creatures and take them into Ramsar's laboratory to study them under a microscope.
(more)1417
Waterfowl Nursery
From May to August you can enjoy the cute and cuddly sight of the downy ducklings in the nursery. Specialist tours will guide you through the outdoor nursery and an opportunity to see hatching waterfowl.
(more)1619
Children's Playground
Climb the wooden frames, slide down the slides or speed across the swan flyways. Everything your child needs for a fun adventure.
(more)1821
Harrier Hide
Opened in 2004, the Harrier Hide looks out onto the reedbeds on the south side of the reserve. Watch Marsh Harriers and Hobbies as they fly across the land.
(more)2023
The Mere
Covering 150 hectares, the Mere is home to thousands of wintering swans and geese as well as a range of summer wading birds that included Black-winged Stilts and Avocets in 2006.
(more)2225
Waterfowl Garden
Martin Mere's Waterfowl Garden is home to over 100 species of rare and endangered ducks, geese, swans and flamingos. Inquisitive Hawaiian Geese will nibble grain from the hand whilst you tour the world's wetlands through the carefully planned pathways.
(more)24Inquisitive Hawaiian Geese will nibble grain from the hand whilst you tour the world's wetlands through the carefully planned pathways.

In contrast, watch, from the comfort and choice of ten lookout hides, internationally important numbers of ducks, geese and swans gathering in winter to form spectacular feeding flocks on seasonally flooded wetlands which enjoy SSSI (Site of Scientific Interest)/SPA (Special Protection Area) and Ramsar status.

With a diversity of waterfowl exhibits and an adventure playground for children to enjoy, Martin Mere is a first class, year-round, wetland wildlife attraction for families, couples, teenagers and the retired.



It's a nice day out too if you fancy a run out in your car, not too far from Manchester either.

Bill Oddie, he's normal Steve, a 60's kid born and bred like that.

Of course he's sexist. :wink:

It was a shame re the swallows too. Never known anything like it.

We have had them coming back here for years some of them have three broods each summer, (all have at least two broods) normally between four and six chicks to each brood. However, with a six pack it is possible to loose one or two as they usually have a fall from the nest, due to over-crowding.


A nest of swallows below.




Robin I saved from the cats.





What I refer to as my 'Wild Section' of the garden it attracts all sorts.

We seem to have more tweety-birds than ever in our garden this year. I don't know what half of them are.
I've got a nest of robins. I know that one.
I never saw a jay until I came down to England, and I recognised it at once because I've got a picture of its Canadian cousin on a Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap badge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7433905.stm

Bit of seasonal fun here.

Oh well, please yourselves.

I went for a bike ride today Steve, to Styal. One hour out, one back. (I'm not very fit yet)

Great! I love that place. Water wheel working? There are some great places in s manchester cheshire to bike to. Wish I was back there many times. If you want some instant cycling buddies, who will take it all as seriously or as casually as you do suggest you get in touch with your local CTC thats cyclists touring club.

So two hours in the saddle eh? Well done. Hope various bits arn't too sore.

Mathos...great pics. Mr Oddie behaved himself tonight, not a single innuendo or double entendre as far as I could tell. Long legged fit bird with great body though. Maybe a bit skinny.

Cycling is becoming much more popular of late I have noticed too.

I'll be making good use of mine in a few days time, then it will be in constant use for as long as possible in the year.

Two hours on the bike is good going as well Mac.

Keep it up mate, it gets easier as you do more.

Steve is obviously a pro when it comes to pedal power, it certainly helps to maintain a decent fitness level.

I was driving out the Clitheroe area earlier today, it was beautiful, I took a few photographs as well.




Let me know what you think of these.






The fishermen cracked me up, tents up, Bottled Gas stoves cooking bacon and eggs inside, a bed, a few cans of beer, kettle, mugs of hot tea.

I wonder what they told their wives they were doing?




It was a nice morning too.




It takes some beating does Lancashire.







I have a bit of travelling to do that way next week, I'll take some more if I get half a chance and maybe a photograph of Clitheroe Castle.