Trellis on birds

What a joy to hear from my NorthWalian correspondent again after all this time:

Dear Mrs Scrote, she writes, I find your bird observances most interesting. I too put out food for the birds, mostly potato peelings as I cannot afford nigerian seed, etc. Still, if potato peelings were a good enough snack for the late Mr Trellis, they are good enough for throstles and the like, specially seeing how the eat WORMS without even washing them first.
I myself had a strange bird on my clothes line this morning. Judging from the way it was attacking the clothes-pegs, it must of been some kind of woodpecker. I tried to catch it by throwing my whalebone corset over it, but it got away, as birds tend to. If you are ever in North Wales, do call in and we can sit and watch my great tits over a nice cup of tea.
Yours truly
Blodwen Trellis, Mrs, Widow retd.

Another garden visitor

No, not the Goldfinch hogging the centre of the picture, but the little fellow standing on the tray bottom left. It's a Redpoll, and you can just about make out its pretty red "poll", ie the front part of the top of its head. Redpolls have become really scarce: this is the first I have had in the garden in maybe fifteen years.
What is intriguing is that it is feeding on nyjer seed, which is essentially Goldfinch food. Other species try to nibble the seed, but the feeding holes are much too small. Unless, it seems, you a finch with a small bill. Like a Goldfinch. Or a Redpoll. Can't wait to see my first Serin noshing the nyjer!

Garden visitors

When Mallards find your pond, it takes them very little time to "trash" it. But hell, they are so cute, why should I stop them? And it's not only the pond that attracts them: they wander round the garden, stopping under the feeders to pick up titbits (tidbits?), and even come sometimes to my back door as if checking out the aroma of percolating coffee. Surely not!

A public notice to my son, Jeremy

Winemaking kits have come a long way since my "Ribena" attempts at red wine making in the 1970's. I have done two Cabernet Sauvignons, and the tasting was very encouraging. Andy (my neighbour and oenological mentor) says that they just get better and better the longer you keep them (up to a year).
I now have a Shiraz on the go, and it's a very reassuring sound to hear the bubble-bubble-bubble as the yeast turns the sugar into alchohol.
I am telling you this because I think the first cru will be eminently drinkable at the time when you intend to visit the UK. Just one more reason for not postponing the trip.
Love
Dad
PS You will notice that the wine-brewing process is being supervised by Rupert and friends, as well as by Kiki's bear.

Gail Trimble

She is a very bright third-year undergraduate at Corpus Christi, and was leader of their team in the TV quiz programme "University Challenge". Not only did her team win the final, but she answered more questions correctly than any other contestant in the history of the programme. Not only is she bright and knowledgeable, she is also very attractive, both physically and as a person. Since the victory, and her amazing performance, she has been the object of abuse and scorn. See this article for examples.
Why this vilification? I guess because people who are not as bright and attractive as she is feel that nobody should be better than themselves. In other words, because everyone cannot be clever, nobody should be clever, or at least, should ever show that they are clever.
Gail Trimble, you are stunning, you are amazing, I have lost my heart to you, and I want you to do me a favour: go on being clever, and go on showing that you are clever with the same demure and modest demeanour that you have shown throughout the programme. And your detractors can go to hell.

Cuddles

What you may not have noticed is that Kiki's Teddy is cuddling a huge red heart. In my family, we believe in cuddles. So there.

Boxing Day

Yesterday (Saturday 28 February) was springlike and encouraged me to get on with some joinery. I have been given four ex-military boxes made of ply, each one potentially convertible into two indoor Barn Owl boxes.

Step One
Cut the military box in half. Not easy because the wood is flimsy (3-ply plywood), and because of the hidden interior battens.

Step Two
Secure the first "half-box" with interior battens

Step Three
Spend rest of the day cutting and drilling and screwing to complete the batten work and to provide fronts for the two boxes.

As I had no Barn Owls readily available, I provided a couple of temporary residents: Rupert Bear, and a Teddy Bear, the latter given to me by my granddaughter Kiki "so you won't be lonely, grandpa".
Isn't that nice?!