Morning all,
Spamar, thanks for the info re birch tree's - the neighbours is only about 18 years old, so hopefully it is young enough to withstand the winds, and I can stop worrying that it's going to come crashing down on the fences and our pond ! Your weeping birch looks pretty even now 2jays - a lot smaller than the monster next door, which towers above the rooftops here.
It is, as Slugsta puts it, blowing a hoolie here too at the moment, Brian having well and truly arrived. Seamus keeps heading to the patio doors and standing there making low growly noises - but open the door and he turns tail and runs - if he wants the loo, I have to go outside with him too, to protect him from the big, bad wind
(actually, can't say I blame him - can hear various bangs and crashes from outside as I type, sounds like Brian is having some fun!)
I also was surprised to read that chipmunks were on Fuerteventura, so I looked it up! The proper name is the Barbary Ground Squirrel, and they are usually found in Morocco, Algeria, and the Atlas Mountains. Its the old story of escaped pets breeding - a pair escaped in 1965 and in the 4 decades since, they have colonised the Island, partly due to idiots thinking that they were cute and actually importing and releasing more. An invasive species, they are not good for the natural flora and fauna and tourists are asked not to feed them - so I will content myself with photographs only if I come across any!
Shame about the food fair Slugsta, but better safe than risking issues with the storm, I guess.
Oldest arrived at lunchtime yesterday - so nice to see her and her OH
Youngest insisted that as she won't be here for her birthday, she had to have her presents straight away - I think they were a big success, and youngest was bursting with delight at her big sisters pleasure, which was lovely. Her main present from her Dad and I was a Daisy London bracelet, one designed to raise funds for WWF, a delicate silver chain featuring a little polar bear . We had also gone halves with youngest to get her a set of apparently extremely desirable make up brushes (Bold Metals - anyone ever heard of 'em?) , which I though were stupidly expensive - however, seeing how thrilled she was when she opened them, I guess they were worth it. Youngest had also got her a tiny ceramic bear, a power bank for her phone and a smaller set of brushes, and OH and I had added a posh hair care set and a beautiful pen and ink sketch of a sun bear (she loves bears!). Add a large chocolate birthday cake, and it equalled one very happy oldest daughter.
We did a trip to the Grosvenor Garden Centre yesterday afternoon, as Oldest wanted to get a gift for her OH's Mum's birthday - the Christmas section is already taking over a large part of the place, and even if it is only October, it was hard not to find yourself feeling very 'Christmassy' as you wandered round. You could spend an absolute fortune there, very easily - though I am proud to say, I resisted tempatation!
Today, the plan is to head to Chester for the day - weather too awful for to do too much, and the rows and shopping centres should keep us out of the worst of the weather - and also, we want to visit Mil, as oldest wants to see her Nana. Dau is here till Wednesday, but both her Dad and I have to work Monday and Tuesday, so we have to make the most of today!
Hope you all have a peaceful rest of weekend, and manage to stay out of Brian's path! Take care, all xxxxx