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Post by paperman on Jul 16, 2017 9:15:05 GMT
Morning all. Had a fantastic day yesterday recording and photographing butterflies, the weather was, to say the least, patchy but it was a great few hours; we recorded Large Whites, Red and White Admirals (the first time I have ever seen a White Admiral) Commas, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blues, Brown Argus, Gatekeepers, Peacocks several different moths including a rare Six Belted Clear Wing and in the afternoon in an adjoining piece of woodland I saw a female Purple Emperor resting on a leaf but sadly it saw me first and I caught sight of it as it scudded into the trees and I am going back this morning in the hope of actually getting a pic or two. So when I get back I will get on with the greengage jam but right now the outdoors calls.
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Post by maggenpie on Jul 16, 2017 9:36:55 GMT
Hi all. What a wonderful variety of butterflies, Paperman. Today I'm helping my grandchildren secretly make a birthday cake for my son. So far I've baked it and iced it and hidden it away. The children can throw decorations at it when their father is busy elsewhere. I'm still inundated with giant courgettes and searching for new ways to use them. Two cupfuls went in the birthday cake! Does anyone have a favourite recipe for mild, sweet courgette pickles?
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Post by sooliz on Jul 16, 2017 9:47:27 GMT
Morning all, cloudy/sunny/very humid here, wilting weather!
Wow, what a lovely day you had, Chris, and such a lot of butterflies. I don't really know the names of any butterflies, other than the Blue Morpho I have tattooed on my foot (and that's only because I wanted a butterfly tattoo and looked at pictures until I found one I liked the most). Will you put up pictures of them? Good luck with the Purple Emperor today.
Ruthie, sorry I don't know of any suitably sweet and mild recipes. I made a couple of jars of courgette pickles last year, no recipe, I just winged it really. I can't remember now what I did, but the result was too sharp and acidic, nowhere near sweet or mild enough, even after several months. So if you come across one, I'd be pleased to know!
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 16, 2017 11:25:27 GMT
Sounds like a great Day, Chris, is there any way you would be able to show us your Pictures? The Sun has just come out, so will take my Cuppa into the Garden. Got the ripe Tomatoes and Peppers in the Pan, but going to have to leave it at that, as have Son, and his Wife coming to see me, he is bringing me more Veggies from his Garden. I also have One extra for Dinner, as Daughter is taking Boys to Edinburgh, so will feed SIL. Iwas going to add a Chutney Thread, Ruthie, so will look for a decent Recipe for Sweet and Sour Courgettes, as will need something like that myself. Enjoy the rest of the Day, all. Tina x
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Post by Aly on Jul 16, 2017 15:51:43 GMT
In briefly before going out to dinner with very old friends. Lots to do just now! The old forum is up and running again for those who do not do Facebook. T A found it, no announcement made. At least we have not lost all the data on there.
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Post by sooliz on Jul 16, 2017 16:32:18 GMT
We went to another big car boot sale this afternoon, another waste of time. Have decided we're not going to any big ones anymore, they're full of traders selling crap, or young families selling only toys. Small village ones are much better, you get a better class of rubbish and at extremely good prices! Just watched the men's final, not particularly exciting as one player was clearly either injured or unwell and not playing well at all (I won't give the result in case anybody's recorded it and not watched yet). Kudos to him though for battling on through and not giving up. Couldn't wait for the post-match chatting to be over so we could see the new Dr Who trailer showing who the next Doctor is - amazing!! I didn't much like Peter Capaldi in the role at all, it will be interesting to see how the new one works out. Husband is now watching the Silverstone GP, having recorded it earlier.
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Post by Aly on Jul 17, 2017 7:09:54 GMT
Morning Enjoyed the Grand Prix yesterday. Would love to go to Silverstone again before it closes. A great meal last night with old friends. They have promised to visit us in the Autumn. Off to Ascot today to spend time with more friends that will also involve an evening meal. Not sure how but despite all this eating out my size 12 jeans are getting too big! Guess it is the vegan diet. Reckon I am on about 20 a day now never mind 5! The holiday is passing very quickly.
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Post by sooliz on Jul 17, 2017 7:32:12 GMT
Morning all, going to be very hot today and tomorrow apparently. We watched the tennis, then the GP which we'd recorded. It will be such a shame if Silverstone stops hosting it.....I do find it very hard to understand how, when the GP is such a massively popular and moneymaking sport, Silverstone can still be losing money. You'd think that some of the multi-millionaires who are directly involved in it (Hamilton for one!) could put their hands in their pockets to save it.
Anyhow, enough of that. I've woken up feeling all achey and lethargic, don't feel like doing anything. Have sorted out a wash load, got a couple of anniversary cards to write and post, menu plan to work out, that's about all I feel like doing. Think we might go out for afternoon tea, they do a nice one at our favourite garden centre.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday, Aly.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 17, 2017 8:33:09 GMT
Morning all, very blowey here, but supposed to be two good Days, so will get out into the Garden first, water, and feed. Have Letters to write, Cards to make, really need to do them, will see how things go. Hope you are not coming down with something, Sue. You are being lucky with the Weather, Aly, as Sue has said, enjoy the rest of your Holiday. x bbl Tina x
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Post by paperman on Jul 17, 2017 11:55:14 GMT
Lovely, somewhat 'close' morning over here. Had no luck yesterday regarding my Purple Emperor project so was up early (by my retired standards that is) and skedaddled down to the place where they are said to frequent. Had a touch of luck in as much as now have bagged photos of the female 'purp' but sadly no males showed up so will be off again tomorrow morning. It is a bit of a tight timing problem as they appeared, apparently, some 2 weeks early so will probably finish flying in a matter of days now. I have to say the females that I shot were both a little tatty. But beggars can't be choosers. I would load a couple of pics up here so you could see what I am doing but cannot see how I can do that, so if you fancy having a look then try this link but please don't get too bored: s1185.photobucket.com/user/papermana4/slideshow/My%20Butterflies%202017
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Post by sooliz on Jul 17, 2017 15:07:27 GMT
Absolutely beautiful, Chris - the Swallowtail in particular is stunning. Also the blue one - I think they're quite common aren't they?, but still so pretty.
To post photos on here is actually quite easy (even I've done it!) - you type your post, then click on 'Reply' in the top right corner, which brings up a line of icons. Click on the 'Insert image' one and you can then locate your image on your computer. At least, I think that's how it's done - I'm sure Aly will correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by paperman on Jul 17, 2017 17:02:57 GMT
Thanks Sue, they are not all as pin sharp as I would like and will be replaced by others as time goes on. The Blue is actually called a Common Blue and although nationally is not so common, where it thrives it often does so in numbers. Last year in the scrub behind Sizewell Beach there was a profusion of them for a short while, as they greedily harvested nectar from the plants growing in the scrub. As for the Swallowtail, it only survives in a very restricted area up in the Norfolk Fens but I agree it is a real star.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jul 17, 2017 17:52:07 GMT
WOW ! is all I can say, beautiful Pictures, Chris. Been outside most of the Day, and did a fair bit of Work, now got to go back out and Water, before I watch my Monkey Programme.
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Post by sooliz on Jul 17, 2017 18:12:12 GMT
Well done on posting the pic, Chris. What are those five on the thistle?
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Post by paperman on Jul 17, 2017 18:20:25 GMT
Hi Sue they are actually Common Blues feeding on the Nectar last year. As you can see it was a bit crowded.
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