Today’s picture shows the returning Mrs Tootlepedal with the added bonus of daughter Annie in tow. I am afraid that they did not take the injunction to pose nicely for the blog very seriously. The large case contains two friends who were travelling cheaply.
Apart from the arrival home in the evening of Mrs Tootlepedal, today was a much better day than yesterday in many ways. It started with a very nice pedal out to Paddockhole with Dropscone in the morning sunshine. This was followed by the now traditional Friday treacle scones. It was bright enough to take some bird pictures.



I was just wondering how the day could get any better when Gavin arrived to say that the Co-op had doubled booked the good causes and I wouldn’t be required to sit in the draughty lobby selling raffle tickets for two hours. I was devastated.
As well as the normal feeders, the birds are getting used to the new feeder with the concealed camera. I haven’t connected the camera again after the first brief trial as I am still waiting for the birds to feel confident about using it.
I had offered to fill the moorland feeders as Cat was away at a conference so, after a shower, I bought two filled rolls from the corner shop and headed up there, ready for a long session of bird watching. Sadly by the time I had finished filling the feeders, it had clouded over and a few drops of rain were falling. I didn’t want to put the camera on a tripod out in the rain so I sat behind the screen for a while with the camera in my hand. In keeping with the general goodness of the day, a woodpecker turned up on a feeder very near the screen.

There were plenty of birds about as usual.

I couldn’t resist yet another pheasant shot.
I hadn’t been sitting for long before it started to rain in earnest so I packed up and headed home. By the time I had got back, the weather had brightened up again so I put the camera on the tripod and set it up in the drive.

It certainly gave me one or two good clean results.
I will be doing this again if we get another sunny day.
It looked a bit threatening so I brought the camera in and settled down to transcribe a madrigal by Wilbye for the recorder group. This is a time consuming business and before I knew it, it was time for a late tea and off to Carlisle to pick up Mrs Tootlepedal and Annie. I had to clear ice off the car windscreen before I left so I expect we will have a cold morning tomorrow.
Apart from our daughter, there was another bonus in Mrs Tootlepedal’s return in that I got a belated birthday present.

I am very fond of these, which is lucky….

And of course there is a flying bird (caught in a sunless moment).
The last pic’s background makes it look very dreamy. Nice effect.
I hope the passengers arrived safety as I didn’t see any air holes.
No people were injured in the making of this joke.
Glad Mrs Tootlepedal is home!
Me too
Mrs. TP back at home and 300 biscuits to go with her. You must be a happy man.
You have hit the nail on the head.
The pictures with the camera on the tripod are wonderful, I am looking forward to more of the same. I like those biscuits too, you often get them free with a coffee if you know where to go! Have a great weekend.
I always love your bird photos!
Thank you
Your posts always brighten my day even if yours includes rain!
Which they frequently do!
Tom, your self portrait made me laugh out loud! Glad your wife is home and that you are now wearing a smile! ~Lynda
Looking at me has made a ,lot of people laugh over the years, I don’t know why.
In contrast to yesterday’s photo, well of course I laughed! You just looked so contented and happy by comparison and I was happy for you.
The camera never lies. Well, at least it didn’t on this occasion.
😀
I like how Mrs. T. thinks – great birthday present!
She’s on my wavelength (which is not surprising after 40 odd years).
Thank goodness the biscuits were the friends travelling cheaply!