Goshawk !

 

Straight over our heads......BINGO !

Ukraine donations - they are on the way !!

 

And it's on its way !!  So far 10 lorries loaded with 26 pallets have left Flixborough and are making their way to Chotyniec on the Polish border. From there, it will all be loaded into vans to begin the journey into Ukraine.  The pallets contain medicines, food (both tinned and dried), baby food, toiletries, sanitary products, pet food, coats, hats, scarves, boots and toys. The list was endless and it never stopped coming through the doors for two whole weeks. If you can imagine 5000 big shops ......thats the amount of food that has been boxed up. I must have done at least 1000 boxes. The generosity was on a whole new level. From sacks of dog food to lovely brand new teddies. A lot of notes that brought tears......everyday.  We were totally inundated with clothes to start with which, after a few days, word soon filtered down that they were not needed, just the warm coats. So these were all weighed in and we had a staggering 20 tonnes which made £10,000 donated to the charity to help rebuild Ukraine.

A big thank you to McArthur Agricultural at Flixborough for organising this and giving up the whole of their depot to sorting, packing and storing. The staff there have been lovely, helping to lift, pallet and stack.......and to feed us all !  You can get back to normal tomorrow but we know that you will miss us all !  Thank you. 

Whatever am I going to do tomorrow.......

This is just the tip of the iceberg !  You cannot image the scale of donations. 

I even managed to get myself in the Farmers Guardian !!

That's me in the purple x

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

I couldn't sit at home and do nothing, who could? So as soon as I saw that volunteers were wanted locally to sort out donations, I was there. McArthur Agriculture had kindly offered to be the sorting depot for North Lincs. A large work unit that was full to the gills after a week. You cannot imagine the amount of donations, mind blowing. Food, toys, clothing, bedding, towels, nappies, wipes, sanitary products, medicines, the list is endless. Buggies, prams, moses baskets, baby bottles, baby formula, pet food.......it never stopped coming through the doors, van after van, day after day. The generosity was overwhelming. We had lots of ups and down, plenty of laughs but we also shed some tears. 

I am back again tomorrow morning when our medical and baby supplies, warm clothing and food will be loaded and making it's way to the people who need them. Our hearts go out to them and we pray for their safety. 

This is just a smittering of the donations. Sorted, boxed, labeled, palleted and wrapped ready to go. 

Absolutely heartbreaking xx

Lucy and her bump xx

 

Every time we see Lucy her baby bump has grown !  She looks beautiful with just 10 weeks to go. 

We can't wait xx

Lucy had her 'Baby Shower' last Saturday that her work colleagues organised at a local Tea Room. It was lovely. Lots of china, Yorkshire Tea and crustless bread ! Just look at this platter served for lunch......and there was one each !!  My scone was the only treat that I took home for Simon. Everything else was devoured ! A lovely afternoon with Lucy and her team of nurses. 

A few from this week

 

Chiffchaffs

This just shows you how grey and gloomy our winter days can be. The little grebe can hardly be seen in the gloom. Grey rain, grey water and grey sky, midday and almost dusk. Roll on spring......and hopefully,  overseas travel resuming !

Long-tailed Tits - such cute little birds x

Moorhens..lots of tail flicking, the breeding season is almost upon us.

Pied Wagtail

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

 

Three birds seen this morning, all drumming and dashing about ! A fantastic morning had by all !

Out and about last week

 

Ring-necked Duck, not easy to see through the bank-side vegetation.

A few Mandarin were also quite close but these were flushed by a Lincs birder who thought it ok to climb the fence to get closer. Well and truly flushed and not seen again all day. Bet his ears were burning....lots of angry birders. 

Princess Pixi snoozing away xx

Simon planted a full wood before he retired, adjoining Brumby Woods, a semi-ancient woodland. After 10 years, it is maturing nicely and looking good. We had a small Oak tree in the garden so re-planted it in the woods. Tucked away nicely, lets hope it flourishes to greatness.

My lasagne is to die for, even if I say so myself.  It is one of my specialities. Just look at that golden cheese. It was delicious!

Hawthorn out in February

A very, very distant Goshawk. Saw this one fly twice, just a dot in the sky !

Great Crested Grebes pairing up

Cattle Egret near Messingham Nature Reserve

February buds. 

Cheers you up no end to see spring growth, feel like we have turned a corner towards spring.

Common Cranes

 

BINGO !!

Catching up with bits and bobs

 

1000's of starlings coming into Alkborough

The forest floor is covered in clumps of snowdrops to lift the spirits

Lots of siskins high up feeding in the trees on our walk yesterday

We have lots of dwarf iris in the garden now. We feel like we have turned a corner when the garden kicks into colourful life. 

Goldeneye

The railway at Crowle Moors. Funded from a project that was on the go when I was at work (I have been retired for 6 years). The track was purchased from a company that supplies film studios with props, including the one that made the Harry Potter films. Perhaps he is going to fly over this track on his Nimbus 2000, wave his wand and put a straightening spell on it. Money well spent 😡.....not !

And another birthday for me !  Lovely pressies and flowers, thank you xxxxxxxxx