Marty

And "Hi" to Gary, as well! Hope you're keeping well, my friend.

Hello, young Albert. And on this day in 1771, Captain James Cook, aboard The Endeavour, landed at what is now known as Botany Bay in Australia (part of the reason for that expedition was a confidential mission to search the south Pacific for signs of the postulated continent Terra Australis Incognita (or "Unknown Southern Land"). A mere 18 years later, on this day in 1789, three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, the HMS Bounty was seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat, and the Bounty set course for Tubuai south of Tahiti. Ain't history just fascinating?

To be honest, I should have realised when I made the post. I had actually read that post of @Brayon's in the Help forum back at the end of March, and replied to express surprise at the fact that Google would get upset if someone mentioned a member of the Paridae family of birds by their common British name (which I did in my reply). My reply got deleted (I'm not sure, but I suspect that was because the Mod thought I was just being facetious). I can understand the reasoning behind the moderation, but it does seem to me to be somewhat strange that Google would get upset over such a common word. Perhaps in future, I will have to do something like the following, if only to avoid a Moderator having to read what I have written and decide whether to approve it or not: I think there's a pair of birds of the genus Parus major (* see photo below) nesting in the gaps between the stones of one of the boundary walls of the garden....

I think this post in the Help forum may explain what I was talking about: Apparently Google doesn't tolerate the use of certain words on sites that run ads (as GA does); and that isn't just for the use of those words in authors' stories, but Google also filters the forums, so the language rules apply here as well.

Okay, thanks. It was coming up as "Hidden" on my screen originally. I think it was some software installed on GA that scans for words that might upset Google. Probably some Mod got alerted, and okayed the use of the word in the context I used it.

Help me out here, folks... Can you see a long post from me, about three posts back, that talks about my day in the garden?

She wouldn't like my bran cake then.

Hi, all! Spent most of the day in the garden. Got a good bit more of my vegetable plot dug. Could do with a garden rake to prepare seed beds for various vegetable seeds I plan to sow, and a hoe to help keep the weeds down later. Unfortunately, garden centres and hardware-type shops are not considered essential retail outlets under current covid-9 restrictions, so it may be a while before I can get said implements. I could also do with a lawn mower, as using the strimmer to cut the grass is (a) noisy, (b) takes much longer, and (c) tends to cut the grass too severely. The government is talking about relaxing some of the restrictions from May 5th, but they aren't sure which, if any at all. I'm hoping they'll at least allow the garden centres to reopen. The day wasn't too bad weather-wise, although we did have a small amount of drizzle in the early afternoon for around 20 minutes. Looks like the next few days are likely to be similar. I had a robin following me today as I was digging. He (or she) would get to within maybe 2 meters of me, grab a grub or other morsel that the spade had turned up, and quickly fly off with it to the corner of the garden where I think they have a nest. Gary will probably be pleased to hear that there's a pair of house sparrows nesting under the eaves of the old cottage, and I think there's a pair of great tits (I worry Google may get upset at me using the English name of this bird) nesting in the gaps between the stones of one of the boundary walls of the garden. The house martins are back from their winter sojourn in Africa. They're busily repairing old nests on various buildings around the village. They were still flying reasonably high this evening, suggesting the high pressure is maintaining itself for a while, at least. I'm sure the swallows are back as well, but they don't seem to frequent the village the same as the martins do. Where I used to live, about 3 miles away in the country, the swallows used to nest in the rafters of my old byre (barn) and the hayshed. I reckon if I went out, I'd find them busily repairing those nests. And the cuckoo has also got back from Africa. I heard at least one when I took my walk in the woods yesterday. So that's my story for today. I might think about having a cup of cocoa and heading to bed shortly.

Hi, Albert! I've just baked another All Bran cake.

It is a beautiful country, Val. And there are lots of other beautiful ones in the world. If you are talking about my accent, by the way, that's not a true Irish accent. Although I've lived here for around 34 years, I have never really lost my north of England accent. Most people in Ireland immediately recognise I was reared in England as soon as I talk. But when I visit family in England, they will often comment on my Irish accent when I first arrive, and strangers will think I am Irish. But after a few days I slip back into my flat northern English voice (think Coronation Street, maybe).

Well, that's me told.

I made a break for freedom this morning (i.e. I went shopping). I stopped for a walk in the woods on the way home. Here's a short video I took: The original was much sharper than the way YouTube has rendered it.

Hey, Mr B!

Hi, Gary Hope the sore neck is easing off for you.

Hey, Drew! He seems to be having trouble removing that shirt. I'd more than happily help him

Hey, Albert Beautiful layering in that photo.

Good morning, one and all! But, talking of sun days, this morning is strangely lacking in sun just at the moment, although the forecast does tell me to expect Periods of clouds and sun, with a 7% probability of a little rain, although any rainfall amount will be minimal (zero millimeters is what they predict). A bit cooler than recently, as well. Currently (10:25am) about 7°C (45°F), with a high expected of 12°C (54°F). There has been a settled area of high pressure located between Scotland and Scandinavia for the past while, which has been blocking the usual pattern of weather coming in off the Atlantic to cross Ireland. This is why the west of Ireland is normally so typically mild and wet (moist air coming in from the sea, which has been warmed by the Gulf Stream passing down its west coast). This area of blocking high pressure has been diverting the normal weather pattern north into Scandinavia and south into Iberia (Spain and Portugal). (Source: http://www.markvoganweather.com/2020/04/20/high-pressure-brings-big-temperature-swings-to-scottish-highlands/). It looks like that area of high pressure is finally starting to break down allowing normal service to resume. In other words, it looks like this spell of nice settled weather may be about to come to an end... Ah well, it was good while it lasted. Hopefully it won't be the last of the good weather we see this year.

Old Persian proverb...

I saw two of Elon Musk's Starlink satellites last Monday night, around 10pm. But... https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/

Won't matter how long you stand under the shower and scrub, you'll never get that dirty mind of yours clean.

Good night, B Sleep well

Lady? Where? And why am I thinking Pinocchio again?

He'd be welcome to help with the turning of the virgin ground, as well... Amongst other things.

Ah! Hadn't read that at the time. But I love the way that status update starts with the words: Asking for a friend... I'm thinking Pinocchio again...