Humes

  Luckily Rob managed to override the problem with the heaing. He spoke to the manufacturer who said it hasnt been set up right. We need to cut a hole in the new cupbord to get to one of the panels that Hughes said we didnt need to get too!

It was sunny but cold today so we did a few bits around the house and then left early for Robs hospital appointment. We went looking for the Humes yellow browed warbler at Gremista. Wow! It's fast!

We did get to see it but badly as it was zipping around. Jill did manage a dodgy picture.

While Rob was waiting for his appointment, Jill went back to try and see it better before the light went. Really tricksy for photography.

Most of the shots looked like this one!

We were quiz masters tonight in Walls. We were pleased as the results were quite close. Lots of laughter.

Gulls

  Yesterday was housework day but today we were up dark and early as we had to be in town by 8am for two new tyres. Our tracking is out so the front tyres have warn on the inside. Lucky they didn't pop!

On the way we discovered the first snow had fallen on the hills.  Watched a few cars in front going to fast skid!

Mid morning we did some Gull watching. Mostly Herring Gulls but a few black backs and  black headed gulls.

. It was the PA day. Mark hadn't slept all night so we stayed in and chatted about our plans for photography days over the next weeks when it's dark. We have lots of ideas.

Oh and an addition. Our new heating system that flooded the office and the company are refusing to do anything about the damage. We'll, we have no heating. It's broken already! A big thank you to Hughes Heating and Plumbing

Bit of gardening

 It was warm and dry today so Jill was in the garden while Rob was fighting the paperwork and phone calls! Some bulbs got planted, some timber got moved and some mice got evicted from eating the bird seed in the shed! Another big rock got moved to the rockery and another plant got put in. The escalonia bought in Aberdeen half price also went in. Fingers crossed.

The cats enjoyed being in the garden.

And the Wren was watching. 

It was an early sunset. It's easy to forget it goes down so early now.

Back in doors to find the door had got left open and the cats had forgotten how to read the no cats sign. They knew they shouldn't be in there, you can tell by their faces.

Rob spoke to warmworks about the leak again. They seem to be saying that they are not covered by freedom of information as we had asked to see what the plumbers and surveyor said. The local grant chap on the other scheme suggested we complain to the MSC ( a bit like Corgi). Will give it a try.

Jill ordered her business cards today and designed the postcards

Grey day

 It was dreary all day and rained a fair bit but Jill managed to do a bit more of the steps. They are starting to look pretty good.

There are still some more bricks drying

A quick visit to the post office in Walls and a quick scout for the waxwing that was seen yesterday, but no joy. The tide was really high.

On the way back, Jill took the long route through Burraland and Vesquoy. She was pleased to refind the jackdaws, there were still around 11 but could have been more further down the hill. Couldn't tell in the murk!.

It stayed cloudy and the wind picked up so it was an out of the window aurora check again.

Not going out. Far too horrible

Hide and seek.

 Bit of a run out today mared by Jill's camera deciding not work. It took a while to get it partially going again.

We started at Melby.

Lots of Purple sandpipers, about 50 rock pipits and some long tailed ducks.

We went to Sandwick to try and find the two firecrest that had been seen. No joy , but Jill did have a nice chat with a crofter about his sheep.

After buying a coffee we went to a spot in Hoswick to see what was there. It was quiet but there was a goldcrest and a chiiff chaff.

 Very fleeting views of a firecrest. Yay

We went past a field with a flock of about 100 twite.

We had a quick check at the mill and found lots of Sparrows, starlings and a robin.

Not quite what was supposed to happen!

 Started foggy again but Jill had her PA day with Mark so luckily it wasn't raining.

Due to the road closed a while back we hadn't had much time at Reawick and Redayre. It took so long to do the diversions. Mark really liked it in the area with the red sand so today we went back.

The beaches at both are  red due to the amazing coloured sandstone.

Redayre is a small beach so Jill did a quick beachcomb. Mark helped and found some razor clams. Then had a sit down on a rock. As he stood up to leave he slipped and fell straight on said razor clam. And yep, they are razor sharp!  We watched the Great Northern divers for a while while we got it to stop bleeding. There were 3 possibly 4 in different stages of plummage.

Jill found a large dressing in the car but we couldn't get it to stay on. Bixter shop wasn't far so we went for some plasters but realised it was quite deep so ended up heading to A and E for proper bandaging! Where we met up with Sarah. 

 A roll of bubble wrap is being ordered for our next PA day!

Its not always easy.

 Today we had to go to town for Robs hospital appointment and to sort out a problem with the car. It looks like the tracking is way off.

It was very foggy but mild so we went to look for the Bullfinches that have been around for a while in town.  Just to prove it's not as easy as it sometimes looks- we heard, but didn't not see them. So we had to make do with several hearts but not seen and some photographs of an odd blackbird with an odd hooked beak.

There were some nice fungi around.

It was good to get home to another coffee!

We still haven't got anywhere with the plumbers who flooded the office. They still refuse to give us correct insurance details 4 months on so Rob will start with the court paperwork next week.  It's been really upsetting and frustrating that a company can care so little and seem to fully believe they can get away with it.