Avian tales and a two goal wonder

This morning we spotted a great spotted woodpecker on the willow tree in the front garden,which we identified from our book of british birds,this is the first one we have seen ,other birds flying around are great tits,chaffinches,pigeons ,pheasants ,hedge sparrows,a robin,gold finches,blue tits,and of course our lodger the female mallard duck which is sitting patiently on her eggs in the back garden nine feet awy from the back bedroom window,it's an avian world here at the little house on the prairie.(I forgot to mention i saw a large stoat run across the front lawn two days ago which may be a problem with the hen eggs becoming a tasty morsel)
ps My newfootball protege down under scored twice in the last brisbane wolves game and will possibly receive a bonus from the generous manager.

Daffodils

Spring is here with daffodils in full bloom at the little house on the lincolnshire prairie.

Shark bay West Australia

Shark bay looking towards Dirk Hartog island.

A road train in WA

A road train hurtling down a red dirt road is a fearsome site especially for the emu,this is done from memory on the computer paint simulator programme,hope the bright colours cheer you up.

Rocky pool

My latest painting from sketches in Australia is this 30"x20" acrylic on canvas of the "Rocky Pool" on the otherwise dry gascoyne river where Sheila ,Crocodile Mick and me,swam while feral goats and emu's came for water.
This one is dedicated to N,with my best wishes.

Spring is here

Cycling temperature today it is 16c which is probably the warmest day so far here in Lincolnshire,I cycled for a paper and exceeded my previous speed by many mph,after which I cycled up the lane to look at a bungalow which is for sale as I told Norman about it and felt I should have a look at it as Jean and Norman are coming down this weekend ,it looks a bargain to me and if I was not already here I would certainly be interested.

The serious cyclist

This is me returning this morning from my training run in the bracing breeze of the lincolnshire flatlands,note the yellow target for speeding motorists,heavy duty boots for kicking shit out of the aforementioned motorists,special fleece with a spattering of paint stains,retro sunglasses(a must)standard issue Tesco jeans,gloves sponsored by "everything a pound"and the all purpose Morrisons streamlined plastic bag for carrying items like newspapers etc. my pre training diet was, last night cider and wine,this morning coffee and toast,no vegetables or raw food of any description.
According to my calculations my average speed was 42 miles per hour,and this with a return journey facing a strong westerly breeze anything less than a force nine gale here on the prairie is considered a breeze.
I know Sam the pom will be keeping a close eye on how to be a top cyclist but sadly MM may not heed my well tried formula,which requires no pain inducing visits to chiropractors,masseurs and such like fripperies which are to be discounted at all costs,but moderate consumption of alchohol to clear the brain,Sandra the pom can provide expert advice on this latter and the nausea cut off barrier.

Bosom pals at Gascoyne Junction Western Australia

Two ladies sheltering from the sun at Gascoyne Junction,30"x20" acrylic on canvas.

More outback WA

This one is called DROUGHT!

Tim's world

This is the 16"x"20" canvas ,Tim Millson inhabits this world as a free spirit this painting is dedicated to him and his world.

Homesick blues,reds,yellows etc....

A sketch inspired by the outback landscape as me and Sheila were travelling with Debbie and cousin Mick, which I am painting a larger version of at the moment on canvas 16"x20"in acrylic ,with more paintings to follow ,it is making me homesick for the coloured earth and blue skies of western Australia, and the wild life as per the two emu's hiding under a tree from the sun,neither of us can stop thinking about the place.

Back from a land down under

Back in blighty to whinging poms telling us how cold it is and already I have done half a days work for Big Geoff the Aussie/Sheffielder who rang to welcome us back, but I missed him as I was arranging the return of Sheila's chooks from Chicken Al their minder for the last couple of months,Al was snowed under with eggs and insisted I take away a dozen, two of which we had boiled this morning ,real eggs not like the shop bought crap.
Snowdrops are blooming all over the place and someof the daffodils are showing yellow buds,so far we have seen the owl,blue tits, a chaffinch, and a rat who managed to escape being shot as I had to fetch the rifle.
Farmer Joe called in with our post and to tell us there were no problems with the house,he is off on a holiday in a short while so I shall look after his place and make sure Paddy the tramp does not take up residence.
I talked on the phone to Norman and he says he is ok and hoping to get down to his van shortly,as they are not yet open on his site,it's good to see he is up and running again, he has been a good pal to me and Sheila,I told him about my new protege Keith and he is showing an interest in his adventure down under, it's the Irish connection,so I want Sam the pom to send me the Brisbane Wolves website so we can keep track.