HOMELESS

We had a pair very distressed blackbirds in our front garden.

During the recent stormy weather our lilac tree blew down. We knew that the blackbirds had a nest in that tree as there was a lot of activity around it, especially first thing in the morning.

Both birds have been calling to each other for the last few days but today when I looked out they had gone. I hope they have been able to find another suitable nest site and will raise a family in time.

FLYING INTO A STORM

I really thought I had met my maker last Monday flying over to stay with my son in Wales. I was on a flight from Dublin to Cardiff when we hit a storm, I have flown thousands of miles but I have never experienced anything like this and was never so frightened in my life. Twice the plane bounced very hard, it was like hitting a hard surface under the plane, very jarring and then the pilot turned the plane sharply nearly on its side, I really cant say how often this happened and how long it went on for as I was trying to hold it all together and not disgrace myself! I kept leaning against the shoulder of the man next to me just to have human contact (as I was travelling alone) and he kept pulling away! He and everyone else were very frightened but funny enough everyone was very quiet. One poor woman was covered in wine as some bottles fell down from her locker. I have to say the hostesses were great smiling the whole time and going up and down (with great difficulty) reasuring us all. The pilot came on the intercom when we landed apoligising for the "moderate" turbulance and said he hoped it had not put us off flying with the airline again and then laughed! I was the first off the plane and didnt stop shaking for about ten minutes after that!

I AM SO GLAD I AM GOING BACK HOME BY BOAT!