Articles by Mickey fez

A snap of new life just a few hours old

My granddaughter Gemma has given birth to a little girl weighing in at 5lb 10oz and both are healthy. Not a bad weight considering she is 5 or 6 weeks early. So now I really am an oldie being a great granddad

The day dawned very pleasantly with sun streaming through my bedroom window,just the ticket. Yesterday was dry and sunny but still cold in the northerly wind. I did manage to get the grass front and back mowed and strimmed apart from round the fruit bushes where there is standing water. With the garden fettled I decided to walk into town and get some odds and ends I needed. I wore a thin fleece and jacket as protection again the wind but didn't need either. By the time I visited Aldi and Pou…

When Jenny and me were talking last night we both had a good view of the moon,a little hazy at her end but as clear as a bell here. When I hung up the phone I noted the moon had some clouds aroud it giving a nive effect so I took some snaps

Zazzles is a weird sort of character what in human terms might be described as half village idiot and half genius. He holds a fascination for Jenny particularly for his collecting habit. If he sees something that catches his eye he drags in home or from somewhere in the house and places it in his box. There is no pattern with regards to what he likes,here is his collection at present. Working clockwise we have A piece of cord,a small piece of tie wrap,a roll of sticky tape,a piece of sisal,a r…

Due to heavy rain Yesterday morning the planned grass cutting was postponed and I did a little shopping instead. The rain stopped and it turned out quite pleasant but the grass didn't dry so today after a restful morning the highlight of which was a visit from my son Stephen I set about cutting and strimming the front. That went well so after a break I mowed the larger back part and had a long break before strimming where the flower pots and planters are. With my old body still holding up wel…

A sunny day at last and a stroll to see my Mam. Cutting through the little haven I noticed more colour and a smell of blossom around,that's more like it. Cutting through by the dock museum I spied a tidy little craft in the water,it would be a great day for a sail today. With the weather being a little hazy beside the water I decided to cut inland and check on the water fowl and was rewarded by the sight of Canada Geese and their young on the bank and a little farther along so…

The weather is still unsettled,this morning started bright enough but the rain returned by 10. Another day in the cabin with little to do in the way of projects,I'll have to start another. Getting restless I decided to make an early dinner there just being me here until Tuesday. I bought some belly pork strips a few days ago and decided to look for a recipe for them . I found an interesting but simple one from Delia queen of the kitchen. Belly pork strips in a barbecue sauce is the dish and I…

Another nice sunny morning here but rain was threatened for later in the day and it has duly arrived. I wandered around the back garden as usual after feeding the cats and the birds and noticed the fruit bushes has a lot of new growth so a good year in store for the gooseberries which grow on new growth. The second year growth on the blackcurrants is also strong and there are plenty of signs of fruit there as well. Good bartering fodder as I eat neither. I get brownie points from my neighbour…

Firstly a thank you message to you John for enquiring with Jenny about my well-being. I am fine thanks you it's just we had a few lousy weather days and with little to do in the way of chores cabin fever was setting in. Yesterday I awoke to a blue sky and full on sun,that's more like it. I had a nice stroll over town to get a few odds and caught the bus back. Now for some fun in the garden. The grass was still short enough to lower the blades on my mower and get a tidy cut on it. I did the larg…

Yesterday we had wall to wall sunshine and the ground was drying out rapidly. By late morning the front grass was still a little damp but the rear was fine for strimming. With my back in good fettle I strimmed the borders and the old wild flower patch where my containers and pots now reside. The job went well and after a break for a coffee and a pipe I strimmed the small side. Great job done and warm enough to work in a sports shirt and jeans. This morning with my back still in a good mood I st…

After the sunny day we had on Monday yesterday Mother Nature bit us on the arse. We had 50/60mph winds most of the day with rain of biblical proportions. The weather was so bad I rang the chemist and got them to deliver my meds. It's only ¾ of a mile away but that's a 1½ round trip, not for me in that weather thanks very much. Today the wind dropped but the rain didn't slacken until around 15 minutes ago and now it has stopped,I can't say the sky has cleared but it's nice to sit without the nois…

This morning dawned dry and bright and a nice sunny day lay ahead,time to get busy. My first job was a visit to Aldi to buy some bits of dead animal. The walk of just over a mile was pleasant and the sun had a few folks smiling. I timed my walk so as to be able to get to a bus stop in time for a ride home,over a mile with heavy bags is asking for trouble with my back. I managed to get enough chicken,turkey,pork,beef and lamb for 15 meals which is 30 meals in all. I spent £35:57p with the other…

The return of the hedgehog. I spied Zazzles last night standing stock still staring at something in the garden. I went for a look see and peering through the rain and gloom I spotted the unmistakeable shape of Hedgy. Delighted I grabbed one of the cats dishes that had scraps on it and dashed out. I put the food about a foot in front of him and grabbed my camera. He stopped when the flash went off but then carried on and ate the food up. No need to give him water the garden was awash after a day…

Ellen has a busy day today with a morning shift at work followed by a hairdresser's appointment and then not one but two weddings and receptions and back to work tomorrow morning. To make things a little easier she decided to stay with her friend Gill last night and tonight. Her house is in town close to work and the two wedding venues so it is easier. Ellen set off late yesterday afternoon laden down like a Sherpa assaulting Everest. So surely she can't have forgotten anything could she? Well t…

The parakeet returned yesterday,he looks fit,healthy and clean so he is getting plenty of food and water to bathe in and drink. He is in fine voice squawking away bullying the starlings until they give way and he gets to the peanuts. This was his second visit in 6 days so he may be around for a while,I hope so. If he does become a regular visitor he will need a name so I have called him Keith, Keith the 'Keet sounds OK I think. More photos here www.ipernity.com/doc/mickeyfez/album/781652 T…

Today dawned bright and sunny despite the met office stating we would have rain. A trip to town was on the cards as I had forgotten coffee yesterday,coffee is one of the things that costs double the price here on the island. I set off and it was a very pleasant stroll until I got near the water. Along the prom and on to the bridge a cold northerly was cutting it's way down the channel from the fells. It didn't wait to go round me but cut straight through. I quickened my pace and crossed the roa…

With an easy day ahead of me,at least until I stumble across a job that's needs doing, I poured a second coffee after the birds had been fed and the cats went off on their first mission of the day. All was quiet until I heard the harsh squawk of a bird. I knew this wasn't the call of one of the Crow family but that of some sort of Parrot. Grabbing my camera I went outside and there high up in one of John's trees was this fella. A Ring-necked Parakeet in all his glory. Parakeets have sett…