Kitchen Garden Forum

With the Royal Mail pricing us out of the market. Have decided to send email Xmas Cards. Stamp money saved will go to the Essex Helicopter fund.

and there's not much room for the address once you've put the new stamp design on.

We,re very disorganised this year - haven't even bought cards yet so will miss the earlier bought forward posting dates. Email messages for us wherever possible too. I suppose less paper used may at least reduce the amount of stuff going to recycling afterwards although we often give ours to craft activity groups for kids etc.

Upside any cards received after Christmas 2022 can be treated as an early one for Christmas 2023.

Had the temerity to mix dried dog food with the tinned stuff for Freddie the fox last night just before going to bed. looked through the bedroom window, both Freddie and his other half just sniffed and walked away. Would seem with all the snow. I am not the only one feeding them.

Glad somebody is looking after the wildlife. We have a mass of birds and Squirrels frantically rushing around in the snow here foraging for the mixture of food we,ve thrown out.

The injured wood pigeon we,ve been feeding for years and who calls at our patio door every mealtime this morning appears to have bought a dozen of her mates so obviously news of the free cafe is spreading!

Don't forget some water, our conservatory faces east and the weak morning sun is thawing the ice in the gutters, it's covered in Sparrows and Starling at the moment, drinking and bathing in minus 4 degrees!!

tigerburnie. Thank you for reminding me.

We did put out drinking water but I thought they'd not be interested in a bath in this weather. Will rectify tomorrow.

They need to keep their feathers clean nd in good condition as this.is what enables them to fly efficiently.

sounds curious!

Did our monthly energy meter readings today. We,re so much in credit to our energy provider we,re thinking of making the government a loan! Seriously, they must be earning a fortune on the short term money market. It,s reassuring if we end up having a really severe winter but I,m wondering what,s the maximum credit most people would feet happy running a credit balance for - a month's supply.? Two months?

Came down to breakfast this morning and found the injured wood pigeon we feed and the squirrel both sitting on the patio staring into the room waiting for breakfast to be served.
Who says youcan,t train wildlife?
They get served breakfast before we eat ours!

Anybody else fully trained to feed their wildlife?

Yes, we are! We have a robin that chips away until we feed him, he is often buzzing around in front of the door trying to get our attention. Also the doves pootle up the patio looking for us.

I was adopted by a seagull that just landed on the top of the little shed by the back door one day. Obvs with the intent of actually coming inside to nick the cat food if opportunity allowed! He has got me into a bit of a pickle as very persistent, but I didn't want him inside so put the cat bowls outside when they were finished. I broke the law apparently as not supposed to feed them, neighbour was quick to report me to the council! No issues from them when I explained.