Well good morning again!



A little bit of HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK by Ian Dury and the Blockheads wouldn't go amiss tonight.

Morning Simon, team and fellow poppets of this ere blog parish!



Sun's out. It's Friday. And I've done the weekly shop all before work.



So, may I suggest for ARFO today, Friday 25th March 2011







PARADISE CITY - GUNS 'N' ROSES







That should wake up the weekend!



Muchos amore.



Deevs

x

x

x

Don't get me wrong - The Pretenders



Hello everyone!



Laters



A

Morning again everyone



We did have sunshine, but it's disappeared behind the mist now : (



For my ARFO I would like to hear ..



SIR DUKE by STEVIE WONDER



Please Simon.



Tortie x

Morning all



I fancy a trip back to my youth for ARF so can I suggest



TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG - THE SPECIALS



Cheers



A

#2 Deevs - physically done the weekly shop, or 'mouse clicked' it? If the former, you must have got up very early this morning!

Good Morning All :)



Werner Herzog sounds like quite the character! I think the mister would probably like that film, mind you I like my history too, so might be worth a look.



I looked up that squid fact - Turns out Squiddly wasn't so Diddly after all! ;)



FLASHDANCE/WHAT A FEELING - IRENE CARA - For the ARFO please :)



Back later, have a great Friday everyone xx

Oh by the way Blogpoppets...



Anyone familiar with the guitar legend that is John Etheridge? In the past we have travelled a fair distance to see him but tomorrow night he is performing 3 miles up the road from us with a nice young fiddler called Chris Garrick.

Happy Friday Simon, Team, NNYM and fellow blogpoppets!



Thank you very muchly for my 2 menshes this week.



ELTON JOHN - PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM would go down very nicely for ARFO.



Half day today so will be listening to both shows.



X

Whoa.....



It has been brought to my attention, that there has never been an ELO opener on a Friday before!



Could you please rectify that by playing ....



*** Twilight ***



By ELO.



Just once!



Enjoy yourselves.



MTF.xx

Morning again -



Simon - I actually DO think my suggestion "is better than anyone else's" -



my suggestion is the brilliant -



THE BEAT by The Look



which will get everyone thumpin' from the very first second!



Love



BP

Good morning to one and all.



Mixed weather here in north Cumbria clear blue skies and warm sun in Carlisle and Cockermouth but thick fog in between. Hope the sun wins.



No ARFO for me but I would like to know if KatyMac is still chuckling? :-)

Re No. 10: Go on Simon - you know it makes sense!

TootsieBoots



I was up at 6, did packed lunches for me and Himself, put Himself's brekkie out whilst he was in t'shower, emptied dishwasher, put a load of washing in the washing machine, got myself ready for work and was at ELH for 7.15am. Did the shopping, took it home, unpacked it and was at my desk for 8.25am.



One less thing to do after work = more time for Grown Up Grape Juice Night!



Deevs

x

I would like to hear









╔══════════ ♥ೋ ღ☃ღ ೋ ♥ ═══════════╗

...... WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY - LEVELLERS ......

- ══════════ ♥ೋ ღ☃ღ ೋ ♥ ═══════════ -

morning again peeps!



'NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE' GLORIA GAYNOR



thanks psl x

KATY - THAT IS STUNNING!

Harry, I was still back there talking 'birds' with you.



MTF.xx

#14 - I'm Tortie, not Tootsie!



I'm also exhausted just reading what you've already done this morning!

#12

Harry - I am still chuckling - even you calling MTF a 'birder' made me laugh ...

#18 MTF - I'll go and read ....... BRB

#18 MTF me too. Bird talk. Shall I C&P it into here?



It's not as though we're going to interrupt an unseemly scramble for menshes, are we?



:^)

morning all



all request friday song i like 2 open is



black betty-ram jam

Sorry Tortie - blame the pain killers I just took for my toothache addling my brain!



x

Its not that interesting Katy.



Love your post design.



Thanks Julia :)



I must get on now.



Have fun everyone.



Tweet tweet.



MTF.xx

GAZZA - You're awake!



Good Morning!

Morning everybody. My suggestion for ARF this week is based on the premise that we appear never to have had Dame David Bowie open the show, and it's possibly about time. So we're going to shout out for....



OH YOU PRETTY THINGS - David Bowie



Because we are!



Looking at yesterday's blog, and MTF's birdwatching notes re sawllows and martins and swifts, we have a reworking of the old saying "one swallow doesn't make a summer"...."one swallow doesn't make a summer - but a swift does". I love Simon's birdsong on the show last night - although stuck in horrid traffic, it felt as though I was listening in the garden. Maybe Noisy could include a soundtrack for different envronments for every show - birds in the garden, down on the beach, up in the mountains etc etc?



ALSO - vegetarians who eat fish are calle Fish and Chipocrites!

Good Morning All,



Lovely day here, hope it is a #10 ELO start at 5.05.



My ARF suggestion to set the nation tapping their steering wheels and bopping in the kitchen, the unique sound of



'Fields Of Fire' Big Country



Hope it is a good day for everybody

#24 It's OK Deevs. Does that mean you have to go to the 'dreaded' dentist?

There's no "I" in team, but there is in "environment" - please insert above and ignore all other typos... stressful morning.

Morning all,

ARFO:

Dandy Warhols, 'Bohemian like me' best opening drum riff ever...yes, it's a direct Stones rip-off but hey ho, can't have it all.

OR 'Werefolf in London' by Warren Zeevon, for the zany 'Chinese take-away' lyrics.



I'll be busy this weekend, Pooh-stick throwing at little wittenham (all in a good cause, RNLI) so the squirrels in the park next to work can have a weekend of peace with their secreted nuts.

Hope you all manage to get some sun on your collective retinas (retinae?)

Can I chuck in a rubbish joke 'cos it makes me laugh? It's from Milton Jones...



"My wife has a new job"

"What does she do?"

"It's hard to say really..............................she sells sea shells on the sea shore"



Sorry

morning billie



woke up early 2 try 4 the arfo probley have more chance if i post early

Tortie - I've got an appointment 3 weeks today to have the tooth filled (it's a back one I chipped a couple of weeks ago and the filling fell out - ouch!) Me being me means that the appointment is at the hospital as I've been having treatment with a really nice dentist lady to try and get me over my severe dental phobia. I've seen her twice now the first time I was in tears, almost threw up and was shaking in my boots. On the second appointment I let her give me a scale and polish and she said it was like treating a different patient, so I'm glad she's doing the filling as she realyl is working wonders with my stupid phobia. Shame it's 3 weeks away though ......



As for birds, I never knew there was a "chiff chaff" and yes, I got the giggles in the car last night every time Simon mentioned the word "chiff chaff".



Deevs

x

Gazza - your foodie post really made me laugh - esp. the garlic bread bit!

@MTF – you’ve probably gone now but hopefully you’ll catch uo with this later.



Why do you doubt that you saw an osprey ?



As for the sea eagle: being self-employed, I don’t get much time for holidays, usually just one whole week a year in late September. I’d always wanted to see a sea eagle so I rented a small cottage in Ardnamurchan in the western Highlands which was handy for the ferry to Mull.



Being early autumn the weather was what can only be described as ‘dreich’ (as they say north of the border) but I decided to try to see the bird anyway. I went to the TIC in Tobermory and spoke to one of the ladies involved in protecting the sea eagles from illegal nesters. She said, with the mist so low, I would have no chance of seeing one but she gave me directions to the hide which involved driving about 10 miles, parking, and then walking a further 3 or 4 miles through the forestry commission site.



I eventually made it to the hide by the side of the loch, soaking wet with the drizzle, and then I sat for over 2 hours, waiting. All I saw were a couple of hooded crows. By this time my flask was empty and I decided to give up. I headed back to the car; still drizzling and with very poor visibility.



I walked back along the track through the pine trees and then came to a clearing. I looked up and out of the cloud came this giant of a bird; I knew they were supposed to be big but I swear this looked the size of a not-so-small aircraft. It soared directly over my head, looped round and passed over me a second time; almost as if to say, as you made all this effort to come and see me, I thought I’d show my face. Then it disappeared off, back into the cloud.



I don’t know how long I stood there but I’m not ashamed to say I had tears in my eyes. The privilege of seeing such a magnificent animal will never leave me.

Morning all lots of noise from the building sight opposite our office today which is slightly spoiling the ambiance of a Friday, but not that much! Will be glad when it is 5 o'clock though!



ARF opener has to be U2 "Beautiful Day".



GB

MTF and Harry, apparently reports of Ospreys at Rutland Water!



GB

Rutland Water ..... Home of The Ruttles!?!?



x

#38 Simon - not so long ago ospreys were very rare in this country but they are now seen throughout the UK. We have them here on Bassenthwaite in Cumbria (or we will have when they return from their migration). If you've never seen them, get up early and try to spot them fishing. It's a great sight.

#36 - Good post Harry! - I have been a bird enthusiast for ever, and it goes beyond seeing birds, it is all part of the big yin and yan of life....the how you see, the why you see, the where you see, and I am a big believer in the karma surrounding achieving these things that we want to do. "If you build it, they will come." Eagles in particular will often come to look at you, whereas if you go looking for them they will stash themselves away out of sight... I used to go up to the top of Haweswater to watch eagles, and almost NEVER saw them if I looked, but knew that somewhere along the walk they would come and look for me... and they nearly always did. Same with red kites in Wales back in the 70s when there were only about ten in the UK.... birds of prey are curious birds, and they will come to look at you as much as the other way round! Loved your post - it reminds me of so many experiences of disappointment followed by immediate joy.

Morning All,

Could I have WALKING ON SUNSHINE by Katrina and the Waves as my ARFO, cos I have got a week off work next week and I am hoping it will be sunny all week!



Is it too early for SUMMERTIME by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince?



I'll get my coat....

#36 You are talking my language, I am always looking up at the skies, to see what's above me - v dangerous when driving! Went to the Warburg nature reserve to spot Red Kites : saw NONE; drive back home along M40: saw 10-20!

I swear they are having a laugh at our expense. Do you think they ever nudge each other and point a feathery finger downwards and say "CAW look at that one!"



Let's all be twitchers instead of twitters this weekend..

#40 Cheers Harry seen them at Loch Garten last May along with a very rare sighting of a Pine Martin, quite exciting that day!



GB

We get a handful of ospreys every spring on the mere at the top of the road, usually HArry's Cumbrian ones heading north and stopping off for a couple of days fishing and rest, or Scottish ones doing likewise. They are superb birds! The first to appear back on Rutland Water this week arrived one day later than he did last year, but on exactly the same date as he appeared the year before - amazing! He's called Mr Rutland apparently, as he has raised about 22 chicks with various partners over the years, and has become a bit of a legend. So probably Rutlands second greatest legend, after Stig, Dirk etc. Oooo - very funny - Mrs B&B got the list of new intake into her class of three year olds for September 2011 yesterday, and in the class she (genuinely!!!) has a John, a Paul, a George and a Ringo! And the George's surname is "Best".

#41 & #43 I agree completely.



As a species, us humans tend to forget that 99.999999999999% of life on this planet is totally oblivious to our presence.

#35 thanks billie lol

#43 - Suzie - see 41...great minds eh?, but you are exactly right. Particularly with kites... they are nosey b***ers and this is exactly what they do I think.

#44 Simon - a pine marten? Wow! I've never seen one. I did see a report in the paper recently which said they are more widespread than was thought but no idea where to start looking.

#36 Harry - you paint a wonderful picture.



My late father was an enthusiast. I have his book collection. He loved hawks, falcons and the like.





:)

i had a kite once but it blew away lol

Some lovely postings about birds - I love going for long walks and trying to 'spot' some, but as you all say, they rarely appear when you're looking for them. Mr T's son works for the RSPB and is so interesting and enthusiastic on the subject.



#34 Deevs, I'm glad you've found a dentist you can trust, it really does make a difference; I've never been as bad as you, but am not too far behind, and, although my dentist runs a private practice and charges £50 for a check-up, I will stay with him because he knows how to deal with me!

#51 HA!

Good Morning Each!



Just looking at Katys ARF opening song list. Only THREE ladies in there. By way of rectifying the balance a bit, why not...



'B.A.B.Y' by Rachel Sweet



or...



'A New England' by Kirsty MacColl.



It'd also be nice to hear a bit of early Stiff Records stuff.

Have to go now.



Have Nicetimes.



Love



BP

#52 Tortie - I don't want to come across all didactic but, the time of day can make a huge difference to the number and variety of birds you can see. Best time is very early in the morning. First thing a bird needs to do as soon as it is light enough is eat. Consequently, at daybreak more birds are active than at any other time of day.

#39 Or were they just passing.

Good morning everyone



Since it's summery and the clocks change this weekend, I'd like to hear....



~ SUMMER OF '69 by BRYAN ADAMS ~



Thanks

Lucie'sMum x

the best time 2 see birds is when the weather is warm,thay wear shorter clothes lol

Hey blogpoppets and Simon



Harry - brilliant post #36. Been at that very same place, didn't have such an awesome experience as you, but saw them all the same albeit a bit far away. But up off West coast of Scotland out on a seal spotting boat which was only small, only 5 of us and the 'captain' - so as we sat quiety off the shore of a very small island filled with seals, up from the other side of the island appears these enormous birds that flew right over our heads.....Sea Eagles!!!??? Says my OH, no says captain, that was just a few herons! We both looked at each other and rolled our eyes, smiling, then back they came as if to say ' yes we bloody are sea eagles mate - take another look'!!! Amazing!



And Suzie - yes they most definitely look down and have a laugh at our expense, well who wouldn't!!!?



Anyway, happy Friday one and all. Have a fabulous weekend, and think of the one hour less as the hour you would have been ironing or hoovering......



ARF - The Cars - You're Just What I Needed if you please.



dreamer

#59 Gazmondo - First indication I had that I was getting old was, one night, I saw a group of your girls going out on the razz and the first thought that went through my head wasn't, "Wow! Look at those lovely young women", it was, "God! They must be freezing dressed like that"

Good Morning All



I'm really enjoying the bird discussions this morning. This 'ere blog is such an education! I'm not a bird expert by any means, but like Tortie says I love seeing different types when I'm out and about. Unfortunately, as I usually have the mutt with me on my walks he tends to scare them off!



A question for all you ARFO kings and queens (and anyone else who has an opinion). What's a reasonable time to wait before suggesting another tune? A month? Two? Obviously there's little point in doing it too soon, as there's no chance of it being picked. In fact, has anyone actually had more than one ARFO? Tortie, perhaps? I guess in a way I have, although I'm not sure if the Christmas Eve one counts.



Just trying to be fair...



Deebee ~X~

#61 im like that when i see family in newcastle at xmas im wearing a jacket and gloves and theres people walking around in shorts and t-shirts

Deebs. I know of at least two people that have had successful ARF requests on more than one occasion. I won't name them, as I don't want to ruin future chances for them.

#62 Hi Deebee - I think I've had 3 ARFO's! (not that I'm counting!) I generally don't get many 'ordinary' menshes - mainly because I rarely think of anything original to suggest! Having said that, I probably won't get another ARFO now!

Going to your second point, I usually make an ARFO suggestion every week when I can, just for the fun of it!

#56 We alighted at 3am, Oxford park & ride in the depths of winter - ie pitch black, and there was loud birdsong from nearby - perhaps the birds near the P&R think the artifical lights are real daylight? They must get v confused when they go worm-hunting to find that they (the worms, who are blind and therefore have no idea if it's daylight) are still fast asleep and refuse to be had as breakfast.

Stuart Maconie is opening the Cockermouth Midsummer Festival (17-26 June) and is appearing at the Kirkgate Centre on Friday 17th June. I've posted the web address on my FB page.

#67 Thanks Harry. We plan to oop north towards the end of June, so you never know ...



.. am I right in thinking your business is in Cockermouth - but you live in Carlisle?





#62 Deebeedeebs - I've had 2 ARFOs - Spring/Summer last year.



:^)

Since there's a lot of bird talk, here's a pic I have just taken (through the kitchen window) of a Robin that spends a lot of time in my garden and I put food out for him in an old boot!



https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5557861571_08e8acc936_b.jpg

#68 Katy - That's right. I can't afford a house in Cockermouth and I can't afford a shop in Carlisle - madness????

#60 - dreamurdream - we had a similar experience with sharks..... we found a HUGE shark playing the guitar and singing Donovan songs off the coast of Mull...... turned out to be a busking shark!

#70 Harry - I refer you back to Silloth!

#72 B&B - I certainly can't afford a house in Silloth!



Actually, Carlisle is quite convenient as Mrs Snapper works in Penrith.

#73 - It's pricey there then is it? Do you know Askham, just south of Penrith Harry? If so, do you know if the Punch Bowl pub is closed down? Sorry to always ask these questions better suited to the Cumbria Tourist Board.... we used to have a caravan in it's back garden, and was thinking of asking them if they'd have another one! - but someone thought they'd gone bust.

# 73/72 Silloth sounds like a place out of Lord of the Rings!

# 69 Lovely robin picture, I love a good robin. Such terratorial birds, they will even have a go at a squirrel.

#74 B&B - I don't know but I'll find out. Mrs Snapper or one of her colleagues is sure to know.

#75 Suzie - Silloth on Solway is a wondrous place. It got lost somewhere in the 19th century. It was once quite a popular holiday destination but has now fallen on hard times. It still has cobbled streets and huge Victorian/Edwardian houses overlooking the promenade.

Please may I request A LITTLE RESPECT by Erasure

#75 - 77 Suzie/Harry - I concur with Harry's comments - Harry and I were discussing Silloth a couple of weeks back. It's a lovely place - and devoid of any moving objects other than the odd migrant bird or migrant worker from the pre war years, still looking for somewhere to spend his coupons. If you're up that way at all it is worth a visit... always expect cars from the 50s and 60s to appear instead of modern ones. Here's a pic from a random website.....https://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Cumbria/Silloth/pictures/1013789

Enjoying the chat about our feathered friends. It's not a topic I can contribute to but I am very aware of what's around us and appreciate that I am lucky in having lots of wildlife close to where I live.



Now at home, looking across the fields being ploughed, waiting for gas man. It's been raining on and off all morning which changes the landscape.



x

Another random view of Silloth - Humber Snipes and Morris Oxfords not included:



https://www.yourlocalweb.co.uk/images/pictures/08/78/road-junction-at-the-golf-hotel-silloth-86022.jpg

#80 Mo - Isn't there a project in Aberdeen to re-introduce red kites? Any idea whether it is succeeding?

#79: thanks for the link; I think Silloth has been hiding it's bushel under the scary name - it looks gorgeous, must be twinned with somewhere on the Isle of Wight?! I can't imagine though saying at work I'm going to Silloth for my holidays...unless I am an Ork!!

#82 - There are a few starting to colonise our area Harry, from birds re-introduced to North Wales and to South Yorkshire - the bold stragglers are finding one another in Cheshire. They are wonderful birds. The kind of birds you'd like to have living next door.

#82 Harry, I will find out



x

#84 & #85 There are red kites near Dumfries at Caerlaverock but I haven't heard of them crossing the Solway. Be rather fine if they did!

#83. I found Silloth by chance years ago, never having wandered that route of the Cumbria coast, and drifting twixt Workington and Carlisle for work for a few days. Always reminds me of Morrissey's "seaside town they forgot to close down" except that it should be kept open for ever!

Gas man on his way so I will have a whole afternoon free. Woo Hoo.



x

Hash 62 (sorry, but my hash key isn't working) Deebee, You are amongst friends. If you or any other blogger got the ARF 6 weeks running I would be happy for you. I don't believe in keeping score. It is all just a bit of fun for me. Go on girl - fill yer boots with a top choon!



MTF You are welcome my lovely! If your ARF is played you will hear me cheering from the other side of the country.





Paul of Sheffield, Would just like to add my admiration for your lovely post the other day. Very much in the spirit of the blog.



Katy, What a beautiful post!

Wow, so many stories about our feathered friends. Harry, that must have been an amazing sight and worth waiting for eh?



We have got the odd one or two kites coming over to Somerset across the Bristol Channel. They are thriving very well in Wales now. We went to one of the feeding stations there a couple of years ago. The sight was amazing, about 80/90 birds while we were there, BUT, I'm not altogether sure whether I would go back, its not really a natural environment if they are being fed!



I'm hoping to call in at the Heronry on my rounds today, if you google Herons and Fivehead, you may be able to see what I mean. There are now increasing amounts of Little Egrets nesting there too.



They are just about at the nesting stage now, it can get very noisy!!



Right, really must fly :)



Lets hope for a 'Bloggers result' at 5.05.



MTF.xx

Oh and Harry, the reason that I doubted about it being an Osprey, although I know it was, is because a couple of Howard and Hildas told me it couldn't possibly have been!!



With apols and no offence intended to anyone of the above name/s.



Tweet tweet my luvvers!



MTF.xx

I have momentous, tumultous news to impart. My long, long quest has ultimately ended in SUCCESS!!!



Some of you will be aware that I have tried, by various means to illicit from Simon a certain object of great desire. I have employed varoius methods, both fair and foul to achieve my dream, always unsuccessfully. Until now! This morning the postman arrived, and handed me the usual bunch of bills and tat, but hidden within those missives, was the one thing that could make my heart sing. I opened the envelope, totally unaware of what lay within, and suddenly, there it was, all glistening and silvery. I caught my breath, and then set off dancing around the shop, a quick waltz with Mr Wareham (I hope he comes back, he seemed a tad bemused), and a tra-la-laa to the world. I'd got one. Oh, how the bloggpoppets are going to envy me now.

Not what I am thinking is it Paul???



MTF.xx

Where are you going to put it Paul??



MTF.xx

#92 - Paul.........do tell!

For those of you that haven't worked it out, I am now the very proud owner of a Simon Mayo Drivetime Car Sticker. And a Sally Traffic Car Sticker. And a Togs Car Sticker. And a Radio 2 Car Sticker.



I would love to let you all know how I gleaned this treasure, but I promised secrecy, especially as my eventual success was only achieved by somewhat nefarious means, involving 'inside' help.



I'VE GOT A SIMON MAYO DRIVETIME CAR STICKER!!!

...adopts John Shuttleworth tone of voice..........."ooofh"!!

Could I please suggest The Housemartins - Caravan of Love, as my partner David and I are going away for the first time this weekend in our caravan, to Cashel on the banks of Loch Lomond.



X



Gail.

Thats just plain greedy Paul :)



Good old slap on the back for you, well done. Bet you are grinning from ear to ear.



I haven't even got a car (atm!) never mind a car sticker or four!!



MTF.xx



(Oh no voice either, so if anyone should find one, its probably mine and I would like it back)

100?