19th May 2015

We have a flock of about 20-30 House Sparrows around the garden but for a while now we have been having one or two pairs of Tree Sparrows visiting as well. They are the much scarcer relative of the House Sparrow with a brown head and distinctive black cheek patch.

I have been trying to make another raised bed in between the frequent heavy showers, some great rainbows though.

Our latest addition to the pig herd Ginger, is settling in well and seems to be getting on with Susan and Sonia (left and centre).

Diamond Wedding Anniversary party

Ole, Ben, Roger, Kyrran

Bev, Mum and Tracey

Kyrran following his grandfather's lead playing a few more modern tunes.

Garetth and Vicky looking cool in their shades

Enjoying one of Dad's "Fat-Boy Breakfasts"

The Chef..

More from the Diamond Wedding party

Gareth, Dad and Roger

Sis and her fella

Roger, Dad, Me and Colin

Leah, Vicky, Viv and Mum

Gareth, Mum, Dad, Tracey, Kyrran, Leah in fore-ground.

Peter, Jolene, Oolie, Felicity, Bev, Colin, Roger and Ben behind.

Dad playing a few of the old favourite tunes you love to hear again.

Mum and Dad's Diamond Wedding Anniversary Bar-B-Q

The Happy Couple with their Telegram from the Queen.

Tracey, Me and Bev

Ben and Leah

Oolie, Felicity, Jolene and Peter

New addition to the herd

This is Ginger, she had been living in a garage and was getting a little neglected now the kids that owned her had lost interest so she has come to live in the garden with Susan and Sonia.

Ginger's first steps out on her own into the wide world, seems to be settling in ok.

Wisteria on the front of the house looking a treat putting the old fella in the foreground to shame.

Visitors to the garden May 2015

This little fella flew into the window inside the dining room, I think it's a she and she was being chased by a rather amorous male. She knocked herself out for while and sat on my hand for about five minutes looking like she was drunk until fit enough to fly off again. At which point the male appeared back in the apple tree and took up his pursuit again.

Phil and his favourite mate Limpy come almost every day at present, she even comes into the dining room if the door is open and no food is under the tree.

Yesterday he was displaying to her shivering his wings and craning his neck a bit like peacocks do when courting her, I've not seen pheasants do that before.

14th May 20115

Alec binding a loop on one of the halyards, he got quite good at this seeing as he put at least one on the wrong end and had to do it again!

Carpets, new mats, seats back in and a paint job have all given the main cabin a spruce up.

I've insulated and then carpeted the side walls in the fore-peak now we just have to get some cushions made for the bed. We decided to paint over the varnish I put on the boards as it now matches the top of the lockers around the rest of the boat.

We had a last test of the engine and checked all the sea cocks so hopefully she will go back in the water next time I'm up.

A view of the starboard quarter-berth with seats back in and painted up, the portable toilet in the back will fit in a recess in the middle of the fore-peak.

The port side quarter-berth, now the cushions are back in they look more inviting than before. Both quarter-berths are around six and half feet long so plenty of sleeping room and now cushions are in it is easier to get into the port side feet first than crawling in head first as I have been doing when working at the back or painting. There is also quite a bit of additional storage at the back of the port side as well.

The two seats in the cabin are only five and half feet long so not bad for a quick nap if you curl up or alright for those not quite so vertically challenged.

We have still to fit a new work top for the sink but I have found a two ring cooker that will fit under the existing cupboards and pull out when being used. This will allow us to extend the work surface and fit a microwave underneath. We have bought a portable 240/12 volt cool box that will fit at the side of the chart table on the other side of the cabin.