Chessington Day Trip

Monday we all went to Chessington thanks to our clubcard vouchers 12 of us got in and only had to buy one child ticket.
What agreat day it was fiarly busy and apart from queing for twenty minutes for the dragon ride to be told it had broken down most of the rides were only 10 to 15 minutes waiting so not to bad.
The zoo and sealife areas were brilliant and the tigers cubs we running about though it was a bit hot for them.
Will definitly go again the kids enjoyed it we even got Lou Mum Dad and me on the vampire it was excellent had it been earlier in the day we would have qued up again.

New location for BBQ and Bar

Been busy all day moving the bar shed and building a slabbed area for the BBQ so all the bits are up by the patio.
Have bought a new metal gazebo to go permanently on the patio it should arrive Monday hopefully then will have to build it and anchor it down.
Pleased so far now got to sort the rest of the garden out.

Back to School

I may noy have been at work for a couple weeks now but I have been busy I was lucky enough to be able to go with the boys school to the Kent County Show on Friday.
I went with Matthew's class we only had about four hours up there so really did not get to see a great deal but what we did see was worth it, Last time I went I was at school myself so that must be twenty years ago(scary that) well Ihave stuck a couple of pics on.
On the Saturday I was asked if I could take the owls to the school fete which I gladly did.
Due to Abbot being slightly overweight 3lb 10oz he would not do a flying display so I took him and Chelsea and some of the equipment.
I was truly amazed how many people (kids and adults) that had never seen an owl and some were not even sure what they were.
I find it great to be able to show these birds and explain how they live in the wild.
Chris a friend of ours took some lovely close ups so here are some up to date pics of Abbot and Chelsea.

European open Golf

On Thursday we went up to the Europeqn Open First round.
It was a cracking day and well worth going the course was in excellent condition and we saw some brilliant shots.
Got a little bit sunburnt I have a bright red face and my forehead is blistering but I won't complain (to much).
As you can see from the pics it stayed nice all day we found the bar(surprisingly we did not use though) and the BBQ but at £6.50 for a gourmet cheeseburger I was glad we took a picnic.











































This is Darren Clarke coming up the 18th which was a good hole to watch as it caught several players out including Montgomerie seen here in the bunker and not happy wit his out shot(still it was better than I could have done)
































































And here is the two old ones discussing how the holes should have been played
Thanks Del,Alf and Dad for a brilliant day.

In the drink AGAIN

As promised a couple of videos of attempted canoeing I am pretty sure that this canoe is not the right way up. But gladly me turning it over was missed by my cameraman.(again)
Still at least I can swim and that is good exercise and I need all the exercise I can get.


As you can see from this clip Thomas is better at this than me( but that can't be hard) he managed about twenty mins in the canoe without getting wet also got in and out and stayed dry I must be doing something wrong?????????

In The Dog House(sorry cat house)

At present we have a mum cat and four kittens in one of our pens they are only three weeks old.
Lou came down the garden with me last night to feed the cats while I fed the birds.
She asked me to do the cats water while I was there so I did passing the bowl back in then closing the pen door using the outside bolt.
I went indoors started playing on the PC when an hour and a half later she did not reappear I decided to go and see what she was up to only to find Thomas and Lou shouting to be let out.
Now I am not allowed to go near the pens while she is there just in case I feel the need to do it again(believe me my life would not be worth living if I did)
SORRY LOU & THOMAS

First Trip Into the River(literally)

Well as promised above are the photos taken by Simon of our first trip into the river Medway at Maidstone (Teston).
As you can see I got in no problems......
Then got out into the river ok so far....................
Then attempted to turn around but turned over instead ??????
Had to push the canoe over to the side to climb out as attempting to right her in the water only succeeds in half filling it with water(which although gives good ballast makes it more wobbly than me after ten pints).
All in all it was a bloody good day enjoyed by all can't wait to go again.

New Toy

Last weekend I gained a 17ft river canoe,It was in need of a clean up and a coat of paint but all seemed intact.
Well worked hard all week and saturday getting it ready to plop in the water today.
She did not sink no leaks apart from me going a@$e over tit out of it three times all went well.
Only problem is it sits to high in the water thus making it very unsteady will have to work on some form of ballast to see if that works.
Could not resist the sticker for the bottom and am waiting for some more decals to go on the top.
Was a good day managed to get two of the boys out in a friends canoe they both enjoyed it so will be looking for a couple more for them.

Bird Update

Morning all have been working hard to get the house straight and garden sorted.
Have been trying to get abbot fighting fit again but he gained a few ounces over the winter he is just over 5lb am slowly getting him down will hopefully fly this year at around 4and 1/2 lb.
Have done a beaver visit with Abbot and Chelsea he had no intention of flying that night just sat and looked at me (owls can be so frustrating).
Chelsea keeps attempting to make little hollows in the quiet corners of the aviary so fingers crossed she might lay.
Am working frantically to get the new shelter added to the aviary asap as this may encourage her.
Will keep you posted.
Just had arrive ( Saturday ) a cat and four 1 week old kittens will post some pics later.
So will have them for a few weeks till old enough to be rehomed and then hopefully mum will also find a good home.

We Are Back at last

Well got back in about two weeks ago bought a new pc so will start blogging again each week will get the birds sorted hoping they wll settle down to breed this year but will see but its good to be back

Sorry going to be a shortage of updates:

Blogs are going to be a bit slow over the next few weeks due to a house fire on sunday 16th dec we are not able to use pc etc I will try and do updates as I can when I have access to a pc.
Belive it or not the fire was caused by some clothes I took from the tumble dryer and left on a chair as we went out the combusted and this resulted in a gutted living room and smoke throughout the rest of the house.
Thankfully we were not in at the time but our dog had to rescued by the fire service the cats legged it out the kitchen door.
Keeping doors and windows shut has proved they do there job as the fire damage is limited to the one room but smoke gets every bloody where.
Its going to be a long clean up job awaiting new doors and windows before anything can start and now they think there is asbestos in the ceiling so that will take at least three weeks to do if this is the case.
So its christmas with the mother in law (good job we get on).
So hope all have a nice christmas and a good new year will post again as I can.

Baby Ella

Ella arrived on the 13th November at 23.58 weighing 9lb 3oz

Mum and baby are both fine she is doing really well we even get four to five hours sleep a night.

Hermit crab pics

Sorry there not brilliant but I think my camera is giving up the ghost.

Hermit Crabs

Strange name for a post but its our newest additon to the pet zoo we have made a crabitat and bought a couple of hermit crabs.
They are great little things(about the size of a golf ball) altough about a week after getting them it appears they had a fight and one lost we found it in the morning with all its legs off.
The one left is quite friendly but will need another one or two for company.

Still Awaiting Baby

Sorry no posts been trying to sort the house out for our new arrival although now the baby is 6 days late we are getting impatient will get pics on when its born to keep all posted.
Hopefully in the next couple of days Will See ...................................

Flying Again

Well got Abbots weight about right now 4lb 1oz he still sits on the perch looking at me but will do a few passes to get his tea.
Gave them all rabbit last week abbot thought he had to kill it and spent half an hour throwing it around the aviary the other two just tucked in happily.
Found out though rabbit adds loads of weight so will be treats for him during a moult & mainly and in the winter when its difficult to get out in the evenings.
Will get out today or tommorrow (both if I get time) am going to see if any chance of getting Chelsea to free fly doubt it but no harm in seeing how she responds.
She is good on the glove and with people just never been flown to my knowledge.
Will have the aviaries swapped ready for breeding next year so will keep fingers crossed for some little ones.

Sorry for slow posting

Sorry been a bit hectic last few weeks been decorating like mad and working will get a proper update on this weekend.
Have been trying to get Abbots weight below 4lb 2oz to get him flying well again but he sees a mouse and gains 6oz then don't bloody take it off again and although he flys overweight it makes him lazy and slow so I try and keep him round about 4lb which is a good weight and he responds well.
Chelsea and Brian are both doing well am going to try them on rabbits this week she is starting to try and make small nesting hollows so fingers crossed they will breed, I am hoping over next two to three weeks to get there new shed sorted but with baby due 1st november may be a bit tied for time still will see how I go.

LEGOLAND

Not been able to get out much with the birds to bloody wet. Will get some more bird bits on soon as poss.

Did go to legoland though and what a good day we all had boys loved it could have done with another day really but as the new ride is now open may have to venture back again soon think will go later in year when the ques may be a bit shorter.(two hours for the waverunner did not que for that one)

Flopsy

Not been a good day got home this afternoon to find the boys rabbit Flopsy had passed away.
Just had to bury him and give him a good send off Bless Him.

Pics & Bits

Abbot Sitting soaking up the rain

This is Chelsea trying to hide from me

Well its been a quiet week have managed to paint one bedroom(just the floor to sort now)

The weather has been a real pain its been difficult trying to get out with Abbot I don't mind the rain but as he sits in getting soaked its hard to get an accurate weight and he just looks at you when you take him out to fly(strange bloody animal)so I thought I would get some pics instead.

Have managed to put Chelsea's split ring on this morning she was not bothered by me doing it but Brian kept attacking my hands and going for my face if I got to close still he never managed to get me.