Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Farway

We have sun at last, a bit watery, but it's there

pink_poppy said:

I took this photo on holiday - thought it would be nice for Remembrance Sunday. The green light marks a war grave from the Second World War 'The Royal Oak' with over 800 lives lost 

I've just read up on that PP, I sometimes get a bit muddled with ships & Scapa, because a relative, by marriage, was one of 800 plus who died when HMS Vanguard magazine exploded July 1917.

Different wars, same sad results

Reading the U Boat captain's description of the attack, seems our friend the Aurora lit up the anchorage that night, which gave him ideal sighting.

Gammy eyes now, along with wonky knees & ankles, Hope it clears Wort, no TB on that though

2P, hope you can squeeze the bulbs in somewhere, leg permitting

Gardening, if the sun keeps going I may wander down the garden just to check, there is a red rose I can just see which needs closer examination

pink_poppy

It was the 85th anniversary on the day we arrived at the cottage and the owner told me there had been a special ceremony earlier in the day. It was very sad reading about what happened, but lovely that the men and boys killed that day are still remembered by the islanders

Thanks for the thermals information, twopenny and wort, I'll have a look at the M&S website.

Sorry to hear you've both got health woes today. I would bathe the eye with cooled boiled water, wort, with a bit of salt added. I don't know if TB will help with the leg, twopenny?? I was also reading about turmeric helping with aches and pains - was going to mention it to Farway for his creaky knee, but I don't know in what form is best.

We had an unexpected Aurora last night - it was beautiful. Unexpected because it was so early (6.30pm ish) and I always thought they arrived later. There was supposed to be another burst round about 10pm, but I stayed up until 11pm and nothing was happening.


The colours did get stronger, but I liked this pic. My DD got a red alert for it in NE England, but she was too cold to go outside and look     

OT - it's quite grey this morning, but it's supposed to stay dry at least. Feels cooler though. The sky was nice first thing with some interesting clouds.

pink_poppy

Oh, Farway, I've just seen your post. I'm sure I read about HMS Vanguard too. A terrible tragedy. Am I right in thinking that there was a possible German spy involved (in that one and also a previous explosion)??

Strange that I mentioned seeing the Aurora last night too...

Farway

pink_poppy said:

 I was also reading about turmeric helping with aches and pains - was going to mention it to Farway for his creaky knee, but I don't know in what form is best.

I did look into turmeric, but it is also a blood thinner & so I'd be double-dipping and may finish up pain free for eternity

pink_poppy

A Complete Guide to the Wrecks of Scapa Flow | NorthLink Ferries

This was the article I read about HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard for anyone interested.

pink_poppy

Can anyone identify this bird that was eating my holly berries yesterday?? I wasn't sure if it was a Mistle Thrush or Fieldfare...


Pics taken from upstairs window, so not very clear, but it was bigger than a normal thrush. There were actually two, but this one chased the first one away.

LessImpecunious

I'd go with Mistle Thrush - those photos would make good Xmas cards!

Farway

pink_poppy said:

Oh, Farway, I've just seen your post. I'm sure I read about HMS Vanguard too. A terrible tragedy. Am I right in thinking that there was a possible German spy involved (in that one and also a previous explosion)??

No spies, just the “normal” cover up, with the truth coming out years later.

Vanguard was due to design flaw, so of course could not be admitted at the time, see also Battle of Jutland, "something wrong with our ships" they keep exploding

Who would've thought putting coal bunkers next to a magazine could be a dangerous

And far easier to blame spies than failing to completely block the alternative access to Scapa Flow for the Royal Oak

Dustyevsky

Gosh, this thread can move swiftly! Lots to investigate, but since 08.30 I've been on septic tank drain investigations here. No time to do much with my cuppa, except to wish wort and 2p quick relief from their ailments, and point out that absorption of turmeric is limited, unless certain other measures are taken to make uptake stronger. Me, I just eat loads of curry!

I'd go with Mistle Thrush too, Less.

No deep consideration of photos today. Here's the Callicarpa that was playing second fiddle to the Geranium last week.

Another fan of M&S thermals here, but not yet! It's tropical 13c and sunny...ish! Yesterday, I was so hot I had to change when I came indoors. Of course, I realise it's only men who sweat!  I'm told ladies simply 'glow,' but clearly that's insufficient when things turn chilly.

pink_poppy

Thanks, Less (& Dusty for confirming) for identifying the Mistle Thrush. I wish the photos were clearer, but I see what you mean about Christmas cards     

That's interesting about HMS Vanguard, Farway. I suppose it was better for morale to have conspiracy theories rather than admit design faults. So sad that so many lives were lost though    

Dusty, those berries really are incredible. My compliments to the photographer

I've been out for my wee, wobbly wander. I don't know what the temperature was, but I felt cold, even with two layers on. I think I made a wee pal - this lovely pony was just staring at me from across the road - I love the 'fringe' because it looks like it's just been chopped by its mother instead of going to the hairdressers    


And I really liked this plant that I saw in a communal garden - I think it's a Hellebore??