Ghosts of Christmas Past

This post is dedicated to Roy Henderson, who is unfortunately laid up recovering from an operation and cannot be with us this Christmas. We know you'll be reading this mate, and while I'm sure everyone has sent their own individual Christmas Greetings and Get Well Soons, but this is just an extra combined effort to wish our DEAR FRIEND Season's Greetings & Swift Recovery. So, from

Joy,

Geraldine, Brian, Me & Julie - here's to you Matey - Roy on the right.

and while conveying Greetings, we wish all our readers, all over the world, the Very Best Christmas EVER!

and something Seasonal to start today's offering.

This Robin was even bold enough to perch, briefly, on my boot this morning.

but enough of that, we have to return to last night and the party at Joy's house. Just a low key affair with a few nibbles and plenty to drink which was going 'swingingly' until Shaun showed up armed with his guitar. We had already had a quick run through a few Christmas carols so our vocal chords were already stretched as we launched straight into You Really Got Me (The Kinks), followed by umpteen other classics. The up side is I don't have to narrate this Blog.

Shaun and Axe

an attentive audience Joy with Julie and Brian.

Shaun's wife Dulcie and neighbour Noreen awaiting the next number.

Before leaving home this morning

the small flock of House Sparrows that frequent my garden have even succumbed to the seed I put down several days ago.

The decision to go out birding this morning was the right one, as it was probably the finest day weather wise we've seen this end of the year. Sparkling sunshine, cloudless sky and not a breath of wind and not really cold. There were birds everywhere, particularly Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare and more Mistle Thrushes than I have seen in total throughout the year. In the cemetery, what I consider my local patch, there was a new bird (or I should say birds) that I have not recorded there before. c3 Common Snipe flushed from cover at my approach.

Waterfowl seemed to be suffering a bit as most of Radipole Lake was frozen, with just this small patch of open water at the north end where most of the birds had congregated. Just one count included at least 268 Gadwall.

There were even c2 Ruddy Duck which DEFRA haven't shot to death yet, so please don't inform them!

Water Rail were also very obliging, this being just one of c6 'seen' and several others heard.

There were also good numbers of Reed Bunting, this one even posing on a bench.

Onto All Our Yesterdays, and to start

Christmas 1997 'Buchan Alpha', Talisman Energy Floating Oil Production Rig

Jerry the Baker, Brad and Camp Boss Gill take time for a cuddle.

The catering Team give us a Christmas carol.

A captive audience,

and the rig comedian, any excuse for 'fancy dress'.

A Merry Christmas to ALL 'Buchaneers' especially those having to spend it Off-shore

Christmas 1998 with friends in Emsworth, Hants.

My daughters Julie and Lisa in competition at the Frog Racing.

Don't talk to me about 'Strictly Come Dancing'!

Christmas date unknown, my house.

Russ Ballard (Argent) look-alike Andy Lindsay arrived to a fusillade of Christmas spray,

but I got the most of it.

and on this date last year,

I was staying with these lovely people in a small 'family run' hotel on the outskirts of Quito, Ecuador - a bit warmer than this year! Taking the bus down to Papallacta, this

Black-chested Buzzard Eagle became the first 'lifer' of the day. Later, in the company of

these 2 Australian brothers Eli & Isaac Lichter-March we found a

Shining Sunbeam (front)

Shining Sunbeam (back) one of the species on my 'Must See' List.

My only regret as we go to press is that we cannot bring you the music that is playing at the moment. Roy Orbison 'Black & White, what a fantastic voice!

The Official Welcome to the Dominican Republic

	3	0.03%	Egypt
	2	0.02%	Dominican Republic
	2	0.02%	Guatemala
	2	0.02%	Indonesia
	2	0.02%	Cameroon
	2	0.02%	Macedonia
	2	0.02%	Slovakia
	2	0.02%	Armenia
	1	0.01%	Europe
	1	0.01%	Bangladesh
	1	0.01%	Bolivia
	1	0.01%	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
	1	0.01%	Reunion
	1	0.01%	Jordan
	1	0.01%	Aland Islands
	1	0.01%	Anonymous Proxy
	1	0.01%	Puerto Rico
	1	0.01%	Maldives
	1	0.01%	Guernsey
	1	0.01%	Nepal
	1	0.01%	Panama
	1	0.01%	Mongolia

Bowie & Sheila, who are round here for dinner, send their Best Wishes to all our readers except the Tetleys!