Woodchat shrike

Another beauty, and in the manner of shrikes, was out in the open giving crippling views of itself. The Aegean sunshine helped.

Masked Shrike

I could hardly believe my luck when I stopped at a lıkely-looking shrike spot not far from where I am staying ın Turkey, and almost at once got my bins on to a Masked Shrike. It was in full view, an adult male in full dress uniform. I watched it preening and occasionally plunging to the ground after some tasty morsel. A lifer for me, yay! The photo is not mine, so thanks to Google Images and whoever took the pic in the first place. For those of you envying me for basking in Aegean sunshine, you will be pleased to know it is pouring wıth rain this morning. 'It never rains here in May' they say. It may be a rare event, but so is clapping your bins on a Masked Shrike..

Grey mullet

This is a grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and we have three freshly-caught ones, filleted and ready for the pan. From which, mes chers potes, you will gather that I am a long way from the Fens right now. On the Aegean in fact. There are waves of migrant birds goıng through,so watch this space for some tasty pics, The mullet, though, will not reappear as they will be eaten before you get to the end of this sentence....

One of those days....

Trellis and the crisis

Mrs Trellis reacts to the latest moves in the deportation saga:
Dear Abu Qatada, she writes, you poor man, you must be tired of all this argy-bargy about whether to send you back to Jordan, when all you really want is a quiet life in Britain praying and preaching and blowing up people who disagree with you.
If you do get let off, you might think of finding another job . You could ask that oriental Untied Nations person, Mon-key Boon, for a job helping him to paficy Syria. You'd have lots of chance to kill people there, and no Teresa May breathing down your djellaba telling you what a naughty naughty boy you are.
By the way, have you ever thought about shaving your beard off? It might make you more acceptable, though with your horrible eyes you are probably just as ugly underneath if I'm any judge.
Shalom, as you people say.
Blodwen Trellis, Mrs, widow, retd, non-political

Home prettified

Well, it's done. And high time, some say. I think the kitchen was last decorated about twenty years ago. And now, thanks to Terry the Paint, it's all white gloss and periwinkle. 
I've had the sittingroom*** done too. And the hall. Now all that remains is for me to leave the windows open to get rid of the smell of paint and builder's tea.

***Am I the last person left in Britain to resist the word "lounge"?

Get a grip, girl!

To quote Butch Cassidy: "I couldn't do that. Could you do that? How do those guys do that?"