Blustery January

Hi all! Finally getting to a new post. I desperately needed two things: time on the computer that wasn't related to expense reports or research, and new material! Got some. First, let's talk about the origin of the Easter Bunny. Whilst I was driving to Glocestershire last Tuesday, I saw large sheep [lambs on their way], green fields [winter wheat is up], a few Pheasant roosters, and a few Hares [as in the large rabbits that live in the fields, not those growing on your head]. They live in in nests, called "forms". I suspect they are called that because in the shallow hole, the hare takes the form of the ground. You can't see them until you are right up on them. At any rate, there is bird called the Plover that will hijack an abandoned form and lay its eggs. If/when the hare returns, s/he lies [or is it 'lays'] on the eggs. Now suppose you happen across the hare and scare it away. There you would see that the Easter Bunny left you some eggs. I'm sure there are more possibilities, but I like this story. And if you could see the size of these bunnies! I think they would give Allie a run for her money!

I did a bit of a walk-about yesterday. For the first time in a long time, there was sunshine predicted until about 4 o'clock, so I put on some down and headed for the sea. Aside from a short car ride, I have not been to the shore. I walked to the docks and harbour, then turned to follow a trail along the shore. There was a peer where the fisherman were allowed to fish from, but you had to have a license, a security code to open the gate on the peer, and I guess the going uniform for one who fishes is a jump suit of red and black. The guys waiting in the harbour for the gate to open were wearing the same red and black jump suit as the guys sitting on the peer.

I found a pub. The Royal. Great time and location for lunch! And what a great location. It looks out over the bay. I could see the suspension bridge to Wales. Further down on a road called The Woodlands, I walked along a lane of houses that look out over the bay. One house had a dragon's head that greated you in the drive. Further down, I found myself on Lake Road, and I knew where I was. Relatively speaking, not far from my house. I had obviously taken the scenic route past the docks, locks and peer. A great walk!

And I almost forgot, right before the holidays a guy came knocking on my door selling milk. As it turns out, I can have mild delivered to my house. Partly because of the pure nostalgia of it and partly because he called me "love" the entire conversation, I now have my milk delivered to my house. They have a larger menue, including dog food, so I am quite certain I will expand my services, but it was certainly a fun conversation. That's all for now. Take care and drop me a line!

Happy New Year!

Hello all, after taking a break for the holidays I am back in my house and finally, I have Internet at my house. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad [more frequent posts or less meaningful]. Ah, well. So it is.

I took the opportunity during the holidays to head back to the U.S. and spend time with family and friends. I also was able to rescue my four-legged roommates from the kennel and keep them with me for two weeks. They have eight weeks [and counting] left on their quarantine. They are scheduled to begin their overseas journey 25 Feb.

New Word/Phrase:

Do you know what "Fly-tipping" is? Flytipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It can vary in scale significantly from a bin bag of rubbish to large quantities of waste dumped from trucks. Fly-tipped waste may be found anywhere, such as roadsides, in lay-bys [waysides, for those of you from Wisconsin or rest areas without facilities] or on private land. It's a real problem here.

I have been spending my time in my house [when I am here], unpacking and organizing. I have a long way to go. I need to get some pictures of the recycle center in town before I write about that, but suffice-it-to-say it is efficient. I actually enjoy going! Good thing!

I have my room, my closet [this is actually a bedroom], my bath and the guest room completed. Tomorrow I am going to try and tackle my office. I am supposed to be able to work from home when not "seconded" or in London. I didn't spend much time getting my office organized in the absence of having a phone, Internet or printer. That is all behind me now!

New Word/Phrase:

"Seconded" means to work in a dual role. The individual brings their experience to the place to which they are seconded and take back to their knowledge of issues which they acquire during their period of secondment.

I am getting ready to begin exploring the countryside. I really want to have my house in order before embarking on that. Hard to come home to piles of "stuff" ... and, it's raining anyway!

That's it for now. Drop me a note when you have a chance. Happy Leap Year!