Started clearing out the ivy and the nest is completely empty. I think I'll keep it clear from now on so they won't be tempted to try again. Can't see that a cat could have got to it so I still think magpies, especially as they were hanging about first thing and I could hear a blackbird giving its alarm call.
Posts by Heero Yuy
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Keep the cats and foxes away from them Heero, if you can. You're lucky having them in your garden.
Looks like somethings had them. There's lots of downy feathers on the patio together with some adult feathers. Probably the magpies.
No sign of the adults at the nest.
Oh well at least I can now cut back the ivy.
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Steaks were superb. Not one tough bit anywhere. BTW the sweet smoked paprika has no heat.
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In a total contrast to yesterday that was so frigging cold and dull, today has just got better and better: Bright and sunny now and 18C.
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If you look at the product information in the link it actually says freezer and microwave proof. (I didn't know that before)
Going to griddle some Lidl's rump steaks later, (Currently on promotion: Two 28 day aged extra trimmed steaks 454g for £4.69) lightly seasoned with sweet smoked paprika. (La Chinata) I'll make some quick green peppercorn sauce: Ultra light mayo (You could use low fat Greek yogurt), onion granules, seasoning and of course freshly ground green peppercorns with the mortar and pestle.
Traditionally this sauce is made with double cream but I find that too heavy and I make it using a white sauce base instead if I'm doing it "properly": Gently fry some finely chopped shallot and the ground peppercorns in a tsp oil, season, add 2 tsp flour and cook down a bit. Then slowly add milk until the desired consistency is achieved
I'll also griddle some closed cup mushrooms and sliced onion. Served with oven chips, beer battered onion rings and peas.
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we lost Doris Day the other day.
I remember my gran had "whipcrackaway" and "Deadwood stage" on 78's.
Not my cup of tea but RIP.
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FAMOUS FELINE
Grumpy Cat is dead – Tributes, memes and live reaction to the death of Tardar Sauce
The star cat had recently contracted a urinary tract infection 'that became too tough for her to overcome'
RIP.
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Snogging cows – “with or without tongues” – is all the rage in Austria, endangering the animals and those smooching them, warn officials.
The disturbing trend has been promoted by Swiss app Castl, which launched its bizarre Cow Kiss Challenge to raise money for charity.
But the practice has been slammed, with politicians and farming officials saying that it's creating a nuisance and could lead to people getting trampled to death by upset cows, particularly those with calves.
Castl has been encouraging people in Switzerland, Germany and Austria to kiss cows for a good cause since launching its “KuhKussChallenge” on Wednesday, "with or without tongues".
As a result people have been filmed wandering onto paddocks, approaching cows, before puckering up and smooching the confused animals.
Story and pictures on link above. I wonder if the earth mooved for the bovines.
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In Europe the most common house numbering scheme, in this article referred to as the "European" scheme, is to number each plot on one side of the road with ascending odd numbers, from 1, and those on the other with ascending even numbers, from 2 (or sometimes 0). The odd numbers are usually on the left side of the road, looking in the direction in which the numbers increase.
Looks like there is some convention to this.
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The world's silliest welder accidentally trapped his head in the railings while attaching a new metal bar.
The hilarious video shows the man attempting to get his head out between two steel rods before realising that there's no easy way out.
The 23-second clip shows the man standing on a raised platform surrounded by a pile of long metal bars.
He is then seen poking his head under the top bar, not realising that his head will get stuck doing so.
The footage, taken in an unknown location, then shows sparks flying as he attaches the metal bars together.
The bars then made the horizontal pole fixed into place, trapping his head in the gap.
Full story, Video and pictures on link above.
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Yeah!
Although, I shouldn't celebrate yet, as she hasn't gone yet.I wouldn't celebrate until she's really gone: Garlic and wooden stake don't you know. Where's Van Helsing when you really need him? Truly the worst Tory leader in modern history.
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Oaks trees in relatively small London gardens are not a good mix.
From small acorns do mighty oaks grow.
Blackbirds in my ivy covered fence now have young. Small cheeping noises when they bring food to the nest.
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to threaten go to the country in a General Election in which she would be running to remain leader.
Tory war chest is empty so that option is effectively closed. Dead woman walking.
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On the dishonesty, I said I never wanted to believe that she was dishonest, but it is hard to ignore the fact that she said multiple times we would leave on 29th March and we didn't.
Just a serial liar. You can't believe a word she says. Failed Home Scretary and failed PM. That will be her "legacy"
If A50 get revoked look to Nigel Farage's Brexit party for salvation since none of the others actually want to leave the EU.
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Something I noticed recently and wondered if it's true across the land:
On streets that run East / West the even numbered houses are on the South side. For streets that run North / South the even numbered houses are on the East side. Every where round me that seems to be true.
Is that the case in your neighbourhood?
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A husband has bought a pet tarantula to stop his arachnophobe mother-in-law from visiting.
The bloke was sick of his wife's "crazy" mother constantly coming over unannounced and nagging him.
In a post to Reddit, the man said: "I have insufferable in laws. Father-in-law is manageable, but (my) mother-in-law is crazy.
"My wife is Chinese and her parents are really traditional. Privacy means nothing to them, and my wife refuses to set boundaries.
"They will come around every day unannounced to visit my wife/play with our kids. So not only do I never get a break from my mother-in-law's constant nagging, I have no privacy from them."
After constantly overstayed her welcome, the man brought home the eight-legged pet in a bid to get some peace and quiet.
That's one way of detering the in-laws.
Story and pictures on link above.
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Alt story link This is from The Times stablemate (non-paywall)
The road to hell is paved in good intentions.
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What are the couch potatoes and dole cheats going to watch now?
I've never had any inclination to watch it. It's the sort of banal cringe worthy TV that we hate.
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Transcoded file plays fine so I'll process the others. TV seems happiest with the mkv container. It can play mp4 and avi but it's somewhat inconsistent as codec support in these containers is not full. The mkv container handles subtitles better than others, useful with the animé shows and films I like, often the speech is only Japanese with English subs available.
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Game of Thrones fans are nearly at the end of what has been a rollercoaster decade.
But as next week’s final episode draws closer, work has begun on what will fill the void.
I’m told the show’s prequel began filming in Belfast two weeks ago and has the working title Bloodmoon.
The new series, set more than five thousand years before the events of the current series, will follow the story of the Children Of The Forest.
A source said: “Thrones fans will be delighted to hear things have started with the prequel.
“Those working on the set in Belfast are referring to the series as Bloodmoon. Producers have put together a stellar cast and it will be must-watch telly for anyone who loves Game Of Thrones.”
Full story on link. If it's as well made as GOT and big budget should be a belter.
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I didn't get round to starting off some seedlings this year so I've directly planted some parsley and corriander in my herb planter. Covered with bubblewrap to help them germinate. I've also planted the remaining Impatiens seeds in a tray and also covered with bubble wrap. Both placed in a sheletered position outside. Garlic chives and tarragon have overwintered so have a head start.
Blackbird male is still bringing food to their nest in the ivy. Looked at me most suspiciously.
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We were going to start on GOT season 7 yesterday but the files are not in the correct format for the TV and the media server was transcoding on the fly from MP4 to M2TS (BluRay MPEG2). Unfortunately the poor old PC couldn't keep up so they kept stuttering.
I'm running the first one through Handbrake today and putting it in an mkv holder: x264 video and AAC sound. I'm sure the TV plays this native. When you're short of processor power the old maxim: "Do not do at run time what you can do at compile time" rings true. Handbrake reports that it will take about 7 hours to re-code it. If that's OK I'll queue the rest up in Handbrake and just leave the PC on.
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And presumably the ceramic is okay in the freezer?
Not had any failures yet. The tapered shape of the dish together with the fact that the filling has more than just water means there's not too much pressure on the sides of the dishes. The ceramic is also very thick
I also have some round ones that I generally do fish pies in.
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Started to get a error message on my boiler a few weeks ago which has showed up a few more times since, so there is a problem with it, but London plumbers have a standard answer to any problem, "you need a new boiler." At £2000 plus, it's no cheap option, but every plumber that's come to my house so far has said this.
Have you tried googling the code together with the make of the boiler?
I'm no expert but if the core is sound (no leaks) then other parts should be available to make a repair if the manufacturer is still in business. No doubt it's one of these modern condensing units. There are very few moving parts, mainly the gas control valve, water pump and the fan.
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Defrosted a couple of steak-in-ale pies for our evening meal. I freeze these in their ceramic dishes. Some ready rolled puff pastry lids to complete. Served with oven chips, beer battered onion rings and peas. Pub grub.
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I take every individual as I see them, but I still think we're all tribal at heart and prefer that what's most familiar to us. That maybe wrong now and illegal, but human nature won't change.
I think many people feel the same. However I would be more concerned if devout Muslims moved in next door than non-whites.
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That gift of the Sun headline: "Freddie Star ate my hamster" which wasn't actually true, just one of his pranks.
RIP and thanks for the laughs.
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If she'd just let the clock run out on the 29th of March, shrugged her shoulders and said "I tried". We wouldn't be in this stupid mess and neither would she.
This debacle is totally of her own making and will be her legacy as Cameron's is of his.
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Looks like justice has caught up with our David:
Display MoreDavid Beckham has today been banned from driving for six months after using his phone at the wheel of his £100,000 Bentley.
The former England captain was charged with using the device while driving after being spotted by a member of the public in central London last November.
Beckham, who arrived at Bromley Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to the charge by post, was fined £750 and ordered to pay £100 in court costs and a £75 victim surcharge.
The football star, 43, already had six points on his licence when he was caught - with the further six points he received today taking him over the 12 point threshold that results in instant disqualification.
Beckham had admitted using the device while driving in Great Portland Street on November 21.
Only banned under the totting up preceedure. Still with his money he can afford a chauffeur 24/7.
I still think using a mobile while driving should be an automatic 6 month ban.
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Does nobody have the balls to get rid of her?
They're afraid she'll eat their brains.
You just can't kill her.