Bl**dy grey squirrels. The little blue tit parents have been working tirelessly feeding their chicks, and when I came in from my walk yesterday, those ruddy things have been trying to get into the nest box - chewing around the entrance hole. Anyone who thinks these things are 'harmless' or 'cute' needs a reality check. They've been in the garden again in the last few days trying to get into the feeding cages.
I watched for a good while, and the parents are still in and out feeding, and the same first thing this morning, so I'm hoping they're all fine. It's hard enough for them to get a clutch reared successfully here. Annoyingly, I got one of the little plates for the box, but they [ the blue tits] were already checking it out as a potential home, so I didn't put it on. Wish I had now, as I expect it was still early enough that they wouldn't have been put off. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Victoria Medal of Honour for Monty Don. Populism, or dumbing down? Certainly NOT through merit.
With Allotment Boy's explanation of the medal, I agree it's hard to show how MD got it on merit. He's far more broadcaster and writer than gardener. Probably both populism and dumbing down.
On the general subject of dumbing down, we were in the Army Museum in York and there was information about a guy who got the BEM which is the lowest 'Empire' award for his work during WW2. Now people get knighthoods for driving a car round in circles quickly!
Victoria Medal of Honour for Monty Don. Populism, or dumbing down? Certainly NOT through merit.
With Allotment Boy's explanation of the medal, I agree it's hard to show how MD got it on merit. He's far more broadcaster and writer than gardener. Probably both populism and dumbing down.
On the general subject of dumbing down, we were in the Army Museum in York and there was information about a guy who got the BEM which is the lowest 'Empire' award for his work during WW2. Now people get knighthoods for driving a car round in circles quickly!
Kelly Holmes was made a Dame for winning a few races
In fairness some of these honours are given for other things like charity work or establishing educational foundations etc, not always the thing they are best known for. I agree tho the honours in general have become a bit of a farce.
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Anyone who thinks these things are 'harmless' or 'cute' needs a reality check. They've been in the garden again in the last few days trying to get into the feeding cages.
I watched for a good while, and the parents are still in and out feeding, and the same first thing this morning, so I'm hoping they're all fine. It's hard enough for them to get a clutch reared successfully here.
Annoyingly, I got one of the little plates for the box, but they [ the blue tits] were already checking it out as a potential home, so I didn't put it on. Wish I had now, as I expect it was still early enough that they wouldn't have been put off. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Populism, or dumbing down?
Certainly NOT through merit.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2022/monty-don-vmh