Newsletter 15th May 2020

Hope everyone is keeping well and safe. Sorry it has been a while since the last newsletter but the days and weeks seem to go by so quickly at the moment – perhaps it’s because we can’t always work out exactly what day it is! Saw this and had to smile.

Well our new greenhouse is well and truly in use now. We have a good range of plants in various stages of growth. Some are ready for planting out but the chilly nights recently have made us hold back for a little longer. There was even ice on our water feature the other morning.

I’m sure everyone’s gardens are looking grand after the attention they have probably been receiving. Some of our plants are doing really well this year – the iris for instance are full of big buds having enjoyed the full sun  - can’t wait to see them burst open. The spring bulbs were a picture this year too.

Clear nights have led to some good star gazing recently. I know some people saw the Starlink satellites passing over last month. Did you? 
The planet Venus has been very bright in the evening sky recently and easily visible. Venus is the second planet from the sun, and is Earth's closest neighbour in the solar system. It is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon, and sometimes looks like a bright star in the sky. Venus lies within Earth's orbit, and so never seems to be far from the Sun, either setting in the west after dusk or rising in the east just before dawn.  Photo from Daily Mail.

The ISS is due to be in range again too. Here are the times for the next few days if you have a clear night to see it! It usually heads from Criffel towards the Solway. This photo from 2011.

16 May 10.04pm & 11.39pm

17 May 10.52pm

18 May 10.05pm & 11.40pm

19 May 10.52pm

20 May 10.04pm& 11.41pm

21 May 10.53pm

heavensabove.com will give you details of the ISS, Starlink and other ‘space’ info.

Keep safe everyone 🌞

Newsletter 29th April 2020

We hope everyone is still coping with all aspects of our current lifestyle – it is becoming a different ‘normal’ now isn’t it?

Todays press briefing from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that we now have over 11,000 confirmed cases of the virus in Scotland and the NHS Dumfries & Galloway update shows that sadly the death toll in the region has reached 34. However 66 people who were in hospital in D&G have recovered – up from 58 last week, so we must keep up the good work everyone has been doing during lockdown until we are through this.

The minute’s silence on Wed for NHS workers who have lost their lives was well supported across the country and we hope many of you have clapped for medical & key workers on a Thursday evening.

There have been many reports too of people sewing scrubs, bags, masks etc for NHS and key workers – well done to everyone who has supported this whether with sewing or by providing fabric, threads etc

Royal Mail have made some temporary changes to postal arrangements on Saturdays while working during the COVID-19 Pandemic.A spokesperson has said” From 2 May we will temporarily no longer deliver letters on a Saturday. We will continue to provide a letter delivery service from Monday to Friday as normal. The majority of parcel services will be delivered on a Saturday including 1^st and 2^nd Class Parcels, Royal Mail Tracked 24 and 48, Royal Mail Tracked Returns, Special Delivery Guaranteed and International tracked services. Customers should continue to post both letters and parcels as usual on Saturday. We will continue our Saturday collections from businesses, post offices and post boxes as normal”

To something a bit more cheerful – Peter & I have now finished building our new greenhouse. 

We were wondering whether we would get any tomato/cucumber plants etc to grow in it this year.Well Aero Nurseries at Harker came to our rescue! We rang and ordered plants and bark chippings  on Mon afternoon and were told they would deliver this week. 7.30pm the same day they arrived with our order! Brilliant service – sturdy, healthy plants – and no delivery charge! We have used them before but will certainly make sure we use them in the future. Many local businesses have stepped up and are providing an amazing service to people in our area – too many to mention here but I’m sure you all have examples you could quote.

I would wish you a Happy Bank Holiday weekend for May Day – but I don’t think it is going to be any different to any other day at the moment! As it has changed today it may be the usual bank holiday weather when we get there. At least the gardens will be enjoying it!

Newsletter 3 11th April 2020

Happy Easter everyone! Not quite the happy family time it usually is but better safe than sorry.
This is our next 'keep in touch' newsletter so we hope everyone is keeping safe …. and sane!

Did you see the Supermoon this week? Although it wasn't actually pink, it was the closest the moon comes to Earth and looked as if it was bigger than usual.

Traditional Native American names for the full moons have become more commonly used and according to the Maine Farmer's Almanac - which first published the Native American names for the full moons in the 1930's - the name, pink moon, is derived from one of the first flowers to bloom in spring: the Wild Ground Phlox, which also went by the name 'moss pink' Here are the other names they used for full moons.

Month	Name	Description
January	Full Wolf Moon	Wolves tended to howl more often at this time. This Moon has also been called the Cold Moon and the Spirit Moon.
February	Full Snow Moon	The heaviest snows often fall in February. This Moon has also been called the Hunger Moon.
March	Full Worm Moon	The ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This has also been called the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
April	Full Pink Moon	This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It has also been called the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.
May	Full Flower Moon	Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. This has also been called the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
June	Full Strawberry Moon	In the Colonial areas, this was a time to gather ripening strawberries. It has also been called the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.
July	Full Buck Moon	At this time, a buck’s antlers are in full growth mode. This full Moon has also been called the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
August	Full Sturgeon Moon	The sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. This has also been called the Green Corn Moon.
September	Full Corn Moon	This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It has also called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the ripened barley. (See note below regarding the “Harvest Moon” timing.)
October	Full Hunter’s Moon	This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October’s Moon has also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.
November	Full Beaver Moon	For both the colonists and local tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon has also called the Frost Moon.
December	Full Cold Moon	This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon has also been called the Long Nights Moon.

Members Keith & Margaret are due back in Southampton tomorrow (Sun 12th April) after their world cruise. We have heard that there are no cases of coronavirus on board so they will be coming back to Carlisle by coach as planned. Peter & I will take their car - that has been on our drive while they were away - back to Carlisle for them to pick up before heading home. A very different world for them to come home to!

Peter & I have been taking part in the Wildlife at Home Challenge set by SWSEIC (South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre) to record all the wildlife we see in our garden each day. We have recorded birds, butterflies (including a comma yesterday), woodlice (by the hundred when we moved an old railway sleeper), centipedes, ladybirds (including a 10 spot) and quite a variety of bees (red tailed and buff tailed bumblebees, tree bumblebees, carder bee and our first solitary bee, a red mason bee)

We also had visitors to the garden during the night - 2 hedgehogs! We have seen one occasionally before now but a wildlife camera has allowed us to see them for the first time this year, and without disturbing them. They were a really nice addition to our wildlife list.

We have also had the moth traps out a few times recently too - catching those hardy moths that come out on chilly nights. Not the most colourful at this time of year but enough to spark our interest.

Sad to see the death of Honor Blackman reported in the press recently - remember her in the Avengers and of course, James Bond?
As a tribute Peter has created a set of anagrams - they are all the James Bond films, including the new one) There are 2 clues to each film - one with all the letters in alphabetical order and also a more usual anagram. He had real trouble trying to find difficult anagrams for one particular film as you will see.

                                            🌈  HAPPY EASTER  🌈

Newsletter 2 3rd April 2020

Despite meetings having been cancelled for the foreseeable future the committee have decided that we would like to keep in touch with all our members during this difficult time. We will be sending out Emails and adding to our Facebook page at regular intervals but this blog gives us the opportunity to offer more information, news and activities.

Are you a reader? Did you know that, in D&G, you can download books on your phone/computer/kindle etc to read while libraries are closed. Go to  https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/eBooks  and follow the instructions (which are fairly straightforward!)
You can also download magazines too – go to https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15314/Borrow-eMagazines  and follow the instructions.

Temporary Library membership for libraries in Cumbria.
Despite buildings being closed, Cumbria Libraries are still there for you online too. They have some fabulous - and free - eServices.

If you are not currently a library member and would like to join so that you can access their online offer, they can provide a temporary membership which will let you use a wide range of online services including ebooks, eaudiobooks, digital magazines, comics and newspapers.
If you already have full library membership these services are automatically included so you do not need to re-join. (If you are already a member and can't remember your card number and PIN, contact: libraries@cumbria.gov.uk) 

To set up your temporary membership click here

https://cmbr.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/default/
From there click Log In, complete the form and submit it. You will then be Emailed your temporary membership number, and you can access their digital library services. 

Member Liz suggested a site that may be worth a visit. Go to https://explore.org/livecams

They have a huge range of webcams based all over the world with some fascinating sites.
Liz has been watching the Panama Fruit Feeder cam and tells me it is quite addictive!
I had a look at several of them and can see how this could happen.
(The underwater aquarium camera at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, known as the Blue Cavern is very soothing to watch. We used to keep tropical fish and always found it fascinating to watch our tank, but I understand if it does not appeal to others!)

Morrisons boxes 
Have you heard that Morrisons are offering boxes of essential items for £35 (inc delivery) that should feed 2 adults for 1 week? They can deliver to customers' homes - via DPD. This is not Morrisons on-line shopping but an addition to their home delivery service. We finally managed to get a box this week and this is what we got:- bread, butter, 2 tins soup, baked beans, bacon, sausages, chicken fillets, lean mince, packet of microwaveable long grain rice, pot of pasta sauce, Cravendale milk, pasta, kitchen towels, toilet rolls, carrots, onions, potatoes, peppers, broccoli, cheese and sliced ham.

Well done to those of you who applauded the NHS on Thursday evening. They are worth all the support we can give them, as are the other key workers doing vital jobs at this time.

Peter sends you a word search of members' names just in case you have nothing to do.




Just to finish we had a Tree Bumble Bee in the garden this afternoon - presumably looking for somewhere to make a nest. Keep safe everyone.  

Newsletter 1 27th March 2020

Despite meetings having been cancelled for the foreseeable future the committee have decided that we would like to keep in touch with all our members during this difficult time. We will be sending out Emails and adding to our Facebook page at regular intervals but this blog gives us the opportunity to offer more information, news and activities.

April meeting
Although Andrew Emmerson will be unable to join us at our next meeting we thought you might like to still know a little about Solway Spirits. Andrew is the owner and distiller at Solway Spirits and with his partner Kate they take care of each and every bottle, from distilling to packaging.
They are a small batch craft distillery located in South West Scotland, using British suppliers whenever possible for the highest quality ingredients.They use a blend of botanicals, juniper, coriander, orris root, angelica, orange peel, liquorice root and a few others which they forage locally.
Everything produced is bottled and labelled by hand. The variety of gins produced is huge –rhubarb crumble, sticky toffee, strawberries & cream, turkish delight and treacle toffee to mention just a few, as well as their classic gin. 

Andrew did promise to bring samples for everyone to try, so we will definitely be asking them back!

Can you find the almost 70 Beatles songs that are represented in this picture?

Sorry we do not have all the answers but if you want to Email us your answers we will share them with others.

News on Keith & Margaret on their world voyage
They have now left Durban after refuelling and resupplying and are on route to Southampton, via Tenerife - where they will also refuel & resupply. They are due to be in Southampton on 12th April.

Webcam footage
WWT Caerlaverock have a webcam that will show live images of the Whooper Pond during the day and after 5pm will switch to badgercam.
Click here to go to the webcam.

MOT's 
During the current crisis did you know that from 30th March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months. This is being done to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Please note there is separate guidance about what to do if your MOT due date is up to and including 29th March 2020. Click here to go to the website.

Something more cheerful now - Spring seems to have arrived! We have seen birds flying around with twigs in their mouths, bees buzzing in flowering bushes and even butterflies.

The weather this last week has brought on so many plants in the garden we thought we would share a few with you.

Seeing them certainly cheers us up. We hope they cheer you up too.
Keep safe everyone.