Doc Holliday

Ok, so the Robin is still sitting on her eggs. I think they must be due to hatch in the next few days. We also have a pair of Blue Tits checking out a nest box next to the Robin's. I was down the shed yesterday morning and wanted to get some slo-mo action shots of them coming and going. What I didn't expect was the male coming straight at me. Nearly pee'd my pants as I thought I'd been rumbled! I'll have to try and post a link as it is too big for the usual upload on here.

The coaches at my Crossfit box have been posting home workouts for us to do but aot of folk (myself included) are struggling to some degree with feeling motivated. I have recently downloaded an app called Smartwod. They have a timer and a workout generator. Both are very good. You just input the equipment that you have (if any) and it will generate workouts for you based on that. Very handy if, like me, you get bored doing too much of the same thing or can't be bothered to plan your own workouts.

Great! Many thanks. Fortunately we don't have many corvids come into our garden. That said, we did have a magpie one day last week which is very unusual. There are a number around our way but they tend to steer clear of the gardens. Too many cats for their liking I would guess.

How long do they stay in the larvae stage before going to the chrysalis stage, and then how long before they hatch? Also, how long does 5kg last? I realise it will be dependent on how much you put out at a time but any and all info would be appreciated 👍

We had the same thing happen last year. Stopped building part way through. We think a cat may have found/disturbed them as it is in pretty much the same position as last year, just a bit more out in the open. Thanks for replies guys. I just couldn't understand why she was on the nest in the morning and then nothing all day. I shall put up photos as things progress. I have also been looking at buying fresh meal worms online as fishing tackle shops are shut. Can anyone recommend a supplier? I did put fresh maggots out last year during nesting time and all the birds went mental over them. I'm sure there used to be a bait vending near Cobtree Museum of Kent Life but that was some years back and can't find any reference to it but my guess is that it won't be in operation during the lockdown.

We have a pair of Robins nesting in our garden. It's only taken about 8 years or so but we are super chuffed. But we are also a bit mystified. Since seeing them last week building the nest, which is outside the shed window, I have put up some black weed suppressing fabric to cover about 2/3 of the windows so they don't get spooked or frightened off if they see us in the shed. Mrs H said yesterday that Mrs Robin hadn't been on the nest all day but I had a look this morning and she was definitely on it. There are even some eggs (can see 2 but I think there are more, possibly 4). So the mystery is that she is on the nest in the morning then by mid morning latest she has disappeared not to be seen again until the next morning. My concern is that the eggs have been left to get cold and she won't have any young. Is this usual behaviour because she may be inexperienced? Not sure what to make of it to be honest so any help greatly appreciated.

With all the madness currently going on, Mrs H and I thought it would be a good idea to maybe look at investing in a bread maker/machine. Have to say, they seem to be rarer than rocking horse poo at present but I've been doing some research in to them regardless. It does seem that some don't seem to have that much of a working life so if anyone can make me a recommendation as to which machine, if any, they use I'd be most grateful. I appreciate some still prefer the handmade approach but it is the time saving aspect that I want one for. Thanks.

Interesting post, thank you. A friend of mine, who is a business analyst (originally from Russia) was telling me about the exponential growth factor on Saturday. She is seriously concerned to the point where she was initially thinking of locking herself away for a month. She now thinks that be closer to 3 months. The thing is, and I know it is just because of the unknown aspect of how this whole virus thing is going to play out, but the stocks & shares have really taken a big old knock. Some reports saying the biggest drop since before 2008. One can't help but wonder how this is going to pan out especially when you add to this people fighting over toilet paper & hand sanitiser as well as deliberately cough at fellow commuters because someone tells them to cover their mouth when they cough. It really is a sad state of affairs and makes me wonder what has happened to the human race to have such blatant disregard for their fellow man (or woman for that matter).

Just heard on the radio that one case has been confirmed in Kent (Vinters Business Park, Maidstone). Great! Mrs H & I were over that way on Saturday afternoon. We paid a trip to Notcutts Garden Centre, which is just around the corner. I really don't understand why people who know they have been at risk or potentially exposed when visiting an area. Having said that then what's the risk to Mrs H & I? Should we self isolate as we have been in the vicinity of a known case, even though it is about 1/2 mile down the road? This is going to be the problem moving forward, where does one draw the line where any risk of infection is concerned? It's not that it was just down the road but how do we know if anyone from Vinters Business Park didn't call into the garden centre and potentially infect staff working there? Bloody minefield would be an understatement!

Austria closing its borders, to trains from Italy anyway.

I don't really see the relevance of the bacon sandwich and the Jew, although I understand where you are coming from. My point was that if he was genuinely homeless then he most likely knows what it is to be hungry and not know where his next meal is coming from. If I was in his shoes then I would have taken it and, even if I was a vegetarian, I could have picked the meat out of the dish but I acknowledged that the error was entirely mine as I had wrongly ASSUMED he would be accepting of any act of kindness/generosity but we a know what assumptions are the mother of. As it happens, I was up in the village on Saturday and he was there, sat in a doorway staring at the ground with a half empty paper cup of something.

About 4 years back, I was at the local Chinese getting a takeaway for Mrs H and me when I saw a tramp across the way, huddled down in a doorway of the Tesco Local. I asked the young girl to add a special chow mien to my order. When it came through I took it over to him. "Here you go fella! I couldn't see you go hungry", I said. He looked up as I offered it to him. "Oh, you're ok. Thanks", came the reply. I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that and so offered it to him again. "It's a special chow mien", I told him. "Yeah... it's probably got meat in it and I'm a vegetarian" he said. I was totally gob smacked! As I walked away I couldn't help but say "Well, I guess beggars can be choosers after all". So now I don't bother, as much as it goes against the grain. The same for when Mrs H and I offered a number of local charities our services over the Christmas period so their staff could have a little well deserved time off.. it wasn't wanted. I have no idea what the world has come, I really don't.

There are 3 reasons why a combi boiler will loose pressure. The expansion vessel air charge is depleted. This happens naturally and is easily checked and amended, or it could be that the diaphragm has ruptured (tell tale sign is water fro mthe air valve). The pressure relief is letting by - Check outside to see if it is continually dripping. You have a leak on the system somewhere. it's not easy to find especially if you have pipe running under solid floors. I would check and eliminate the first 2 before you look at this option. Hope that helps.

As per the title. Just looking to hear from anyone who has been published, how they went about it and how they found the whole experience. I'm going to the London Book Fair next month to do some homework but I'm guessing that publishers are generally of the 'Schmoozer' persuasion and so would appreciate any personal experience. PM me please if you don't want to air your personal experience on here. Doc.

Thanks for your help guys. I have since found an excerpt from an online book where the writer says he and a number of others took part in a programme called 'Sacred Herbs' in 1999 so I think that is the one. I'll have a look on Ch4's website and see if it is on there 👍

Hi all, I'm hoping someone will be able to help with this. Quite a few years back, and I'm thinking it must be at least 15 years or possibly as many as 20 years ago, there was a programme that was aired where 'guinea pigs' were given measured doses of drugs/toxins and closely monitored & filmed to record the effects on them. I think it may have been Channel 4, at least it certainly seems like the kind of thing they would have aired back then, but I can't find it on their site and have tried various interweb searches. I seem to recall they were given regular drugs like LSD but also controlled measures of Hemlock and magic mushrooms, etc. Can anyone shed any light on this for me please as I'd like to watch it again. Thanks.

Being that time of year for making marmalade, and being the type of person whom detests waste, last year I experimented with making some bitter orange gin with the left over pulp and whatnot. It turned out pretty ok and was probably a tad miffed I hadn't made more. Two things here. Firstly, I can't recall where I got the recipe from or whether I played it by ear but if anyone has a recipe to share then I'd be sincerely grateful. I don't like mine too sweet so I tend to err on the side of caution where sugar is concerned. Secondly, I'd like to know if you chuck everything in, including the pith or whether you leave it out and why? Most recipes I've read online suggest peeling/parring the peel and leaving the pith.

Thank you for the replies. Photos of the coastline from the land are plentiful but it is an image from the sea I am after, either all in one shot or separate, so as to gauge all the hills against each other without having the perspective/tapering off effect. Thanks Henry. I'll give Flickr a look through.

As per the title, I've been trying to find photos of the East Sussex coast line, specifically that incorporates Seaford Head through to Beachy Head. I've done the usual interweb search and it invariably throws up the Seven Sisters or Seaford Head & Beachy Head on their own. I've even tried Google Earth but it just doesn't have the visual impact of all the hills together, ideally from the sea so that we get a true visual of the hills against one another. The reason for this? A friend's wife was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in September/October 2018, less than a year after giving birth to twins which they had through IVF. Instead of being able to enjoy her young family she is having to contend with this awful condition. As anyone going through this sort of thing will testify, she has had her ups and downs but one thing that has help giver her focus is by helping to support others going through the same thing. She has even raised money, with the help of friends & family, but it has always been on my agenda that we (her other half & I) would try to organise an event of some kind in aid of her fundraising efforts. The name is yet to be decided/confirmed but it will most likely be a team event (most likely a log run/race) from Seaford Martello tower to Eastbourne Pier. I did the route back in June last year (see attached youtube clip) but it was only after that the idea occurred to us to do it as an event for her. So, in order to have a decent logo for the event, we need some decent photos of the coastline. Any help greatly appreciated.

Hey guys! I'm in need of your help please. I've been asked by a dear friend for my help. Unfortunately, the kind of thing they need answers to are for the kind of things where I'm a bit of a dinosaur, I'm afraid. They're doing some research in to the choices we make on a daily basis when it comes to consumption and how our attitude to that is changing. What new products or types of things you have started consuming/using or are thinking of starting/using soon (to include food, travel, services, software, apps, etc.) or are there a y new shops, trends or brands that you've seen emerging and being popular among the younger generation. Thanks in advance.

I hope you Roger Daltrey's autograph 😄 In all honesty though, I do think 'nature' will redress the balance. Everything we try and do to better ourselves ends up having long term adverse effects on the planet and environment so it's fairly obvious that something will happen. Just a question of when.

Once thought to be a far fetched idea in likes of certain Hollywood movies but now it would seem there could be a very real threat to the human species. An extremely contagious and rapidly mutating virus that has fatal consequences. Reports say that it was transferred from an animal (initially undisclosed but thought possibly now to be a snake). It will be interesting to see how this develops.

Does anyone use either the GoPro Hero 8 or Max? I have thought about getting one (most likely the Max) and would like to know what the editing software is like to use if anyone has any experience. Thanks.

Just looking for a recommendation for video editing software. I did use Windows Movie Maker previously for a small project which was ok but don't seem to have that available now. The only thing on my laptop is some bog standard video editing app that, when adding short clips of footage, they seem to have a number of stop/start moments in them which is frustrating. It doesn't seem to be in the original recording which is on my phone. Not looking for anything that will cost £££'s as I'm not looking to make a blockbuster but something which is quite straightforward to use and gives at least semi professional results. Also, something that is easy to add music and adjust volume when there is some dialogue would be good.

Apologies again guys, but I am in need of some legal advice again but relating to a vehicle lease contract that ended nearly 4 years ago. Still being pursued for subsequent annual rental even though the vehicle was sold on. Yes, they have been told but doesn't seem to cut any ice. Happy to pay going rates for any professional in our community whom has the relevant/right qualifications to look in to this and advise/deal with accordingly. PM me for full details.