OLDACE

That's how I remember the Mods, masses of them. We were always outnumbered, but made up for it by being taller and heavier, and that could have been because we didn't take those appetite inhibitors. LOL.

No chance of of a haa (that's how it's pronounced hear by most folk) today Compo. we have a brisk Northerly with snow showers.

The Hobby and Peregrine are falcons and have pointed wings, the juvenile Buzzard does not have a barred tail. The Goshawk and Sparrowhawk do have barred tails and barring on the underparts, but the barring shown on photo's 1 and 4 are more consistant with Honey Buzzard than Gos or Sparrowhawk. The small head, neck, and bill also indicate Honey Buzzard. Gos and Sparrowhawk have powerful necks in order to tear flesh. Your bird eats insects and their larva, so does not need a large head, neck, and bill. A Honey Buzzard was seen eating Shag's eggs at Sumburgh Head a couple of years ago, but then

How about the intro on Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

Yes it is a Buzzard, but not a common or garden one. It is a Honey Buzzard, indentified by it's relatively small head, and on the second photo by it's barred tail. One or two pairs used to nest in Sherwood Forest, and may still do so. They are an uncommon summer visitor to the UK, wintering in Africa. They feed mainly on wasp larvae. You are very lucky to see one, and well done for getting the ID shots. The sighting will interest the local County Bird Recorder, if you can contact him.

Up here on the perimeter we've had georgeous sunshine all day, as it was yesterday and the day before. The forecast is for wintry showers by the weekend. Snow in May!! Still, it won't last long.

According to the weather reports, you have been having a bit of rain in England, I'd just like to assure you all down south that here in the Northern Isles we have been having brilliant sunshine with a gentle(for us)breeze. Are you the same down in Caithness Compo?

Thankyou Jackson.

Trivia time, we all know that a maverick is an unbranded cow or bull in Texas. They were named after the cattle of the Maverick family whose cattle were allowed to roam free (as were many others) during the War between the States while the menfolk fought for Southern Independence. One of the human Mavericks was a famous soldier in the 8th Texas Cavalry. He carried out many acts of daring, and should have been killed many times over. As it was he lived to a ripe old age, albeit under the rule of Washington.

Hi Scriv, I agree with you, the Brough was for the rich, and Harleys were made for the US roads, so did not need to corner well. Back in the 60's, there was a good mate who had an ex forces 45, his name is Dosher, he was in the Melbray Vikings. He would be the first to say that it was a bag of nails, unlike the modern HD he runs now. His 45 cubic inches were no match for the 650cc's of our Bonnies, RGS's, CSR's, and 650 SS's, never mind the 500cc Goldies. IIRC, Vincents were banned from the American race tracks in the 50's on a technicality, because they totally blew the antiquated Harleys

Ashley had a light blue Relaint van years ago, so he should be on this thread. Where are Ash?

The pre war Brough Superior was the best motor cycle in the world, the pre war Harley was a bag of nails.

Nah, they taste just like otter.

I'd spent several years working in a salmon packing factory, so I could estimate the weight of a trout quite easily. At the time I thought it was 1lb, 12 and 3/4 ounces. LOL.

About ten years ago I was taking Lotty Robertson, a regular customer, back to her croft in my taxi, about 6 miles out she says 'Dehrs bin aa muckle albino hegri aan da loch far twaatree days'. I immediately put my foot down and sure enough, ten miles on, there was a large white heron on her loch and it had been there for two or three days. . I got her messages (groceries) out of the boot, and also my scope, I saw it was a Great White Egret, not only that, it was the first 'twitchable' one since 1947. I put the word out by phone, and within 10 minutes birders started arriving. Soon there were

Douglas was not the only one who recorded the changing face of Notingham. Frank Stevenson's photographs also feature in his books. But you are right Katyjay, if they and others hadn't recorded the history it would be a great shame. Like many on this forum, Douglas was very upset about the vandalism that occurred in the past. I refer particularly to the destruction of The Black Boy and Drury Hill. All being well I will be seeing him in July when I come to Notts. I will mention that people in Nottstalgia appreciate him, but he is in his mid 80's and computers are not his thing.

Michael, I wouldn't say Douglas is famous, he's just seriously interested in Notts history. I remember in the 50's, he would go out early Sunday mornings with his camera, come back, go to his dark room, check the negatives and print the ones he liked. He stored all of the negatives methodically, thousands upon thousands of them. Some time ago my Auntie Margaret, his wife, suggested that it would be a good idea to do something with this huge collection of negatives, and so they put them in the books that some on this forum enjoy. One of my favourites is Nottingham Pubs, Tempus Publishing Ltd

I too have several books by Douglas Whitworth, which is not surprising since he is my late mother's twin brother.

Hi Compo, you call them 'little sods', they are not that little when they wizz within inches of your head at forty mph.

The spring migration is beginning up here, the first Wheatear has arrived, Skylarks are singing and Meadow Pipits are displaying. Although yesterday we awoke to a couple of inches of the white stuff, spring is definitely here. The Ravens are already nesting and most of the winter visitors have gone. Just a few Goldeneye and Long Tailed Ducks left and some Long eared Owls and Iceland Gulls are still here. There were large numbers of both this winter. Golden Eagles are rare here Compo, Merlin is the commonest raptor, and of course there is the Great Skua, they kill anything that moves in t

Imagine what Hitler or Stalin would have done with todays technology. That's right, exactly what our government is doing now.

No traffic wardens or parking meters here in Shetland, there is always somewhere to park.

Hi Mudgie, I don't agree with everything Ron Paul stands for, but he comes across as a lot more credible than the others, they are really crazy cold war warriors. Unfortunately he will not be the candidate. Strange that the young are behind him, just as they were behind McGovern and Bobby Kennedy, and they got nowhere. They had to kill Bobby when it looked like he would win the nomination.

The first past the post system ensures that the establishment always wins. The mainstream media denigrates any independent minded candidates. Mudgie look how the media in the USA are ignoring to Ron Paul. if voting made any difference they would ban it

Re the Motorola gadget, there was internet gumph at the time of the switch to digital TV that one of the reasons the State was so in favour of the changeover was that just such a device could be put in in the sets. Apparently this was not possible with analogue sets. It seems that maybe that they were on to something. Regarding police commissioners, you can guarantee that most will be on the square, so the corrupt cops will be safe to carry on pocketing their ill-gotten gains.