Easter and Gertrude

Remember that song - Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful and since we've no place to go,

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Well, it is not snowing but the rain has not stopped for the last 2

weeks with the exception of maybe 2 days. I wonder how the birds cope with all this windy, wet weather. Talking of birds, we have one particular bird in our garden. Gertrude, Gertrude is disabled.

For a Columba palumbus* this could be a problem. Her one foot is turned back and she has to walk on her knee. Over the last few years, I have ensured she gets food when all the other birds are not around. Her disability does not seem to have an adverse effect on her general health and she has a mate, as you can see in the image attached.

Alex, our Director of Colouring In and I always listen for his call when she is not about. The call is ‘I told you so, Gertrude.’

Next time you see a wood pigeon, listen for its distinctive call, most female wood pigeons are called Gertrude.

Bruno the Great has just turned 70. The whole of Italy is celebrating their national hero. Pricilla, Queen of the Desert has come back from one of her national tours to celebrate this momentous occasion with the great man. A big birthday that one and I know he thinks he has seen it all and heard it all but alas he does have a slight problem, he just can’t remember it all! Happy birthday Bruno, life gets better from here on as we no longer care what people think of us and we can do what we want.

Some Ford drivers will legally be able to take their hands off the wheel on the move after its BlueCruise technology has been approved in the UK.

Ministers have approved the "hands-off, eyes-on" technology for use on certain motorways. With the way some people drive, this can not come too soon.

This does not come cheap, the entry-level model car costs £50,830 and while the hands-off technology will be free for the first 90 days, drivers will then have to sign up for a monthly subscription. Hopefully, it is fully electric, with a reasonable range.

Magnolia Soulangeana

Flowers are miracles of nature. They are not always blooming but are a reliable presence at some of life’s greatest moments and those times when we are tested. They provide a display of colour and design we can only marvel at and sometimes this display is a very small time frame. Flowers are a constant inspiration to artists and with science looking ever deeper into what they can offer, are may be the answer to many of our problems. I believe there is nothing on this earth that can not be fixed by what is already here.

It’s no wonder that the common aspirin comes from the bark of a tree. Researchers have not yet worked out the full benefit of the humble aspirin.

The Tin Snail is back. Yes, Alison has come out of hibernation and is selling coffee, cake and biscuits, along with her bubbly personality, fresh from the rigours of winter and eager to build her own brand of coffee. If you need a shot of caffeine, The Tin Snail next to Sandbanks Hotel is the ideal venue for your daily kick.

We do Easter. Well, Susan does Easter in a big way, chocolate eggs and colour brighten our home, attracting all manner of people to sample these gifts as is the custom at Easter.

This Easter we did a lamb roast on Sunday and a pork and gammon roast on Monday. Many were present, much wine was consumed and the food seemed to go down reasonably well but I do believe we over-catered. This past week we have been ploughing through the leftovers and only saw the light of day by Friday. Jenson was not complaining, he is partial to the odd slice of roast leg of lamb or pork but his favourite is still gammon, his gratitude is overwhelming when faced with a bowl of dog biscuits and sliced gammon. The look on his face seems to question if this is actually for him.

Where were We - Wimborne, Dorset.

Wimborne is a charming little town with many independent stores selling unique items at inflated prices, those that frequent Wimborne seem not to care. We have found some really useful presents and have wandered around the town on many an occasion. You will always find a quaint coffee shop filled with freshly baked pastries and bread. I must admit to having sampled the fare from most of them.

The day will come when I can take my esteemed brother for a quiet coffee and tasty treat, where we can catch up on life.

Where are We?

The pebble beach and blue waters make it an extremely popular destination.

The surrounding coastline is part of the world-famous Jurassic Coast - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Low tide reveals wonderful rock pools teeming with sea creatures – great for exploring with children.

The surrounding countryside is hugely popular with walkers. You can walk the South West Coast Path national trail.

Offering a variety of places to eat and there is a large car park (fee payable). Make sure you visit the Visitor Centre next to the car park for all kinds of information about the area and the Jurassic Coast

*The large, plump wood pigeon is a familiar sight in our gardens and parks, but can also be found on farmland and in woodlands almost everywhere. You may hear its cooing call before you see the bird itself.