After a short run from the Crook Log Sports Crntre we arrived at Parkview Care Home. Martin was already there with board games at the ready!

Martin was in charge of the dominoes, Lisa took on the word games and I was the Snakes + Ladders person.

The residents soon got stuck shaking the dice. Martin then became our quiz master, reading out questions which really got everyone thinking!

We found short games and activities better to keep the residents engaged.

We ended with a good old sing-song! Everyone enjoyed it and joined in by tapping their feet, clapping or singing!

Well done all! Our visits really do make a difference for the residents.

Thank you to Annette for hosting us on this visit. We'll be back next month, so come along and join us. Can you beat resident Catherine at Boggle?

I have been taking part in the Big Garden Bird Watch for quite a few years now.

As usual this year the birds did not behave and show up when I needed them to!

In 2021, the Covid lockdown time, my Uncle and I (who was in my bubble) sat, 2 metres apart, for an hour in my conservatory expecting to record the usual finches, robins, sparrows and variety of tits that visit the feeder. But nope. Nothing. Niche. Nadda. No visitors. It was raining but that was the allotted time so we went ahead.

2 photos of the garden with no birds for context. 😁 (taken last summer)

This year I saw one small great tit hop in the feeder and that was all. But just as I was about to conclude the hour a huge heron took to the sky from a garden two doors down. They have carp in a big pond and he was no doubt stalking those. They are thankfully covered in tough mesh to protect them. Should I fib and say it landed? The rules state that you can’t record a sighting unless the bird actually lands in your garden. So another year of frustrating non sightings of my garden friends.

But I shall be back next year. Even if just to sit, still my mind, relax and think of nothing else for an hour.