Wednesday 20 May 2009

Spring and things!

All the trees have either blossomed or are blossoming! last week the garden was humming with the sound of bees on the cherry & plum trees. This week it is the turn of the apples!

A silly picture of me, after I took some food waste to the recycle bin!

Can't remember the name of this shrub...begins with "W", but is looking lovely with its yellow/cream bell like flowers.

One of our apples trees in full blossom...this variety is blossoming early, some of the others are a little behind. This is a "Fosseple" Rosaceae Malus Malus!

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Shadow


Shadow is my old saggy puss from England! I got Shadow and her brother (Parker) from an animal rescue centre at Allerton Bywater, West Yorkshire in October 1996!

Shadow has always been a "fair weather" cat and unless the sun is shining and the temperature is above 15 degrees celsius, then she usually has to be pushed out of the door, to get some fresh air!

So, last Thursday, Parker and Shadow spent some time outside. In fact, it was most of the day as I had forgotten they were out (there is always food outside to feed our other 2 "outdoor cats") Anyway, I remembered to let them in at bedtime, after midnight!

As I opened the door, Parker shot in, but I had to shout for Shadow. Luckily, she appeared after a few minutes. Shadow isn't a very streetwise cat, so not one to leave out all night!

The next morning, I noticed she was curled up in her bed most of the day! - at least when i saw her. Then again on Saturday, she seemed not herself! Before going to Anette's birthday, we put out a slice of ham for her, but no response. So, as I left, I put the titbit, next to her.

When we got back, no change, but the ham had been eaten. So, I picked her up and put her near the sink to have a drink..she wasn't interested. So, I then opened a tin of tuna....no response :-( (normally she is going mad at the sound of the tin opening) We were starting to get worried! I noticed a bit of loose fur on her back, but couldn't see any wounds, so didn't think she had been in a fight. Nils noticed there was swelling on her back near her kidneys..my heart sunk!

So, Nils called the vet and they were able to see Shadow. Picking her up and cuddling her, before putting in the travel box broke my heart. By this time, she was looking really poorly and I thought that I was saying "goodbye" to her! Nils was asking me what I wanted to do..and possible scenarios.....it was so upsetting.

Nils and Shadow went off to Risør and I sat waiting, not knowing if I would see my little saggy, furniture shredding cat alive again.

One hour later, Nils calls to tell me the outcome : Shadow would be okay :-) She had been bitten on her back, where her kidneys are and if she had been left much longer, would have died. So after some pain relief...she then purred:-) and some medication, they came home and Shadow was prescribed the same antibiotics that our white tom was on...so, we had enough in the house, before getting fresh on Monday morning.

Now a few days later, she is eating well and has dared to venture out into the garden again, on her own free will:-)

Monday 11 May 2009

Anette's Birthday

Anette turned 3 years old on 4th May and had her party on Saturday 9th May! The Birthday Princess was surrounded by lots of new,pink and girly things!

Once outside, Anette leads Oskar to play in her sandpit!


An important lesson : learning to share! Oskar letting Anette play on his tractor, but looking a bit worried!

Mummy and Oskar!

Finse 3-8 May 2009

Nils went to Finse on 3rd May to attend a Winter School for his PHd studies. After a 7 1/2 hour train journey, he arrived at the highest point on the Oslo-Bergen railway....1222m above sea level!

The Hotel at the station! Yes that is a railway carriage connecting the two buildings!


Nils and his Professor Vladimir out skiing! This was nice weather! On a couple of other days there was blizzard conditions!



As the conditions are so harsh, the few trees that are around are like Bonzai! Here is an example of a Pussy Willow! (We have a couple of mature ones in our garden)

Alcohol is purely medicinal, of course! ;-)

Not quite a full moon over Finse on 8th May! (full moon 9th May)

Nils thoroughly enjoyed his time there and having the opportunity to ski as well as learn!

Saturday 2 May 2009

Daffodils

Yesterday, the daffodils in the garden were bobbing in the wind!


Today, (thanks to Oskar) they are in a vase, in the house;)

So, what about the washing line?


I now have a new washing line, completely independent from the tree:) I am so happy I can hang out the washing. I hate drying clothes indoors!

THE most weird apple tree in Gjerstad!

The apple tree nearest our house had a bad winter, causing it to partially collapse. If that wasn't bad enough, I lost my washing line which was also attached to the tree. So, to make the tree safer for Oskar, Nils did some pruning and jacked the tree up, to add some support.



This is the end result. A rather odd shaped tree, which isn't guarenteed to survive, but will be fun for Oskar to hone is climbing technique this Summer!