COLD DARK ROOM

[Lyn W]

Good evening all. It has been very hot (circa 34C) today in Uzès, but luckily we were up in the mountains where it was cooler. Even tonight, it is still 28C at 10pm!

The scenery was spectacular - I just love the Causses which are plateaus at 1000m (over 3300ft) which are farmed with arable crops.

We head to this area to see vultures (we don’t get them in the UK) and we weren’t disappointed. Gryphon vultures were particularly numerous.

A few mountainous photos
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And a gecko caught by Daughter this evening... she catches lizards for a living Tonight’s count of 46 was a record for the walk from town
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What lovely mountain scenery.
Makes me feel like a good walk.
I think I may have to visit the Brecon Beacons before I go back to school.

 

[Lyn W]

First wave of storms have passed through, my 55 gallon rain barrel is full and over flowing. Managed to fill all four of my 5 gallon buckets, and a 10 gallon tote and a few other watering cans. Plants will be happy.

This flush of rain I’m sure thoroughly watered in my newly planted Tortoise grazing seed for Sully.

That some storm Mark!
We haven't had a great deal of rain here, but what we've had has really made the weeds spring back up.

 

[Maro2Bear]

That some storm Mark!
We haven't had a great deal of rain here, but what we've had has really made the weeds spring back up.

The funny thing is that it really never rained hard. Lots of rolling thunder, lightning, but a slow steady light rain. We’ll take it.. good for the grass, plants, trees for sure.

 

[Gillian M]

That some storm Mark!
We haven't had a great deal of rain here, but what we've had has really made the weeds spring back up.

No rain lately?

 

[Gillian M]

The funny thing is that it really never rained hard. Lots of rolling thunder, lightning, but a slow steady light rain. We’ll take it.. good for the grass, plants, trees for sure.

Hi Mark . Oh yes, very good for plants. Only if if rained here in Jordan a little more. Prayers take place each and every year for rain.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi Lyn, glad to know you are well.

So we have another spoiled brat here at TFO? (Only joking, don't mean to upset/hurt you). Oli just will not eat unless I hand feed him! I sometimes have to go shopping so I place the food in his enclosure only to return and find it untouched.Incredible but true.I can do it and hand feed Oli because I do not work, but I doubt that you can do so with Lola.

Well, at least Lola did enjoy wandering around alone yesterday.

I personally did not ever imagine torts were so demanding - you're right.

Yes he has become a spoilt brat, Gillian, you're right.
I often think of you and Oli when I'm sat with Lola.
It is so strange though because for the last 3 years he always fed himself.
I doubt the silly tort would starve himself if I left him, but he has lost weight this year because he was ill, so I need to make sure he is eating.
When I go back to work all I can do is leave him plenty of food, I don't have time to feed him in the mornings so he has to feed hm
himself or wait..

 

[Lyn W]

No rain lately?

We've had a few days of light rain and a couple of heavier showers but nothing like what we need.
I too leave buckets and bowls out to collect water for the garden and recycle house water like Lola's bath water.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi Mark . Oh yes, very good for plants. Only if if rained here in Jordan a little more. Prayers take place each and every year for rain.

Did you have snow last winter Gillian?
We had a lot in March.

 

[Momof4]

Aww - your other dog looks quite concerned about the little new one. Is he OK about having a new pooch in the house?

My big dogs are getting used to him. They are supervised and I don’t let the get in his face. So the big dogs have been outside a lot or just laying near the Chi so he gets used to their presence.

 

[Gillian M]

Yes he has become a spoilt brat, Gillian, you're right.
I often think of you and Oli when I'm sat with Lola.
It is so strange though because for the last 3 years he always fed himself.
I doubt the silly tort would starve himself if I left him, but he has lost weight this year because he was ill, so I need to make sure he is eating.
When I go back to work all I can do is leave him plenty of food, I don't have time to feed him in the mornings so he has to feed hm
himself or wait..

I'm wondering "What has made Lola suddenly change his mind and stop eating alone after three years?" Do you have any idea?

Hope he's now fully recovered, and that once you're back to work, he'll eat alone.

 

[Gillian M]

Did you have snow last winter Gillian?
We had a lot in March.

Oh yes, Lyn. It snows almost every year in Jordan. We get stuck at home and nobody is allowed to move no matter what. If in need of help one is to call JPD (Jordan Police Dept) or CDD (Civil Defence Dept).

 

[Gillian M]

We've had a few days of light rain and a couple of heavier showers but nothing like what we need.
I too leave buckets and bowls out to collect water for the garden and recycle house water like Lola's bath water.

Water has been a very serious issue here. That is especially when taking into consideration the influx of refugees as well as the increase in population.

 

[Lyn W]

I'm wondering "What has made Lola suddenly change his mind and stop eating alone after three years?" Do you have any idea?

Hope he's now fully recovered, and that once you're back to work, he'll eat alone.

He was ill and had to have antibiotics because his white blood cell count was very low but because the vet couldn't give him an ultrasound scan we didn't find out what was causing it. I was hand feeding him to get some critical care formula and his meds into him but he seems to have become used to it, even though he is better.
Annoyingly he will feed himself if I put romaine leaves down, so it's not as if he can't do it he just chooses not to!

 

[Lyn W]

Oh yes, Lyn. It snows almost every year in Jordan. We get stuck at home and nobody is allowed to move no matter what. If in need of help one is to call JPD (Jordan Police Dept) or CDD (Civil Defence Dept).

We had an unusual amount this year so the schools were closed and it affected transport for a few days.
We just aren't equipped to deal with heavy snow in most parts of the UK, as it happens so rarely.
Nobody stops us going out though and I quite enjoyed walking in it.

 

[Gillian M]

He was ill and had to have antibiotics because his white blood cell count was very low but because the vet couldn't give him an ultrasound scan we didn't find out what was causing it. I was hand feeding him to get some critical care formula and his meds into him but he seems to have become used to it, even though he is better.
Annoyingly he will feed himself if I put romaine leaves down, so it's not as if he can't do it he just chooses not to!

Glad to know he's now well.

That really made me chuckle: "he just chooses not to!"

 

[Lyn W]

My big dogs are getting used to him. They are supervised and I don’t let the get in his face. So the big dogs have been outside a lot or just laying near the Chi so he gets used to their presence.

I'm sure they'll take it all in their stride, and realise he's not a threat to them.

 

[Lyn W]

Glad to know he's now well.

That really made me chuckle: "he just chooses not to!"

I said a while back that for a creature with such a tiny brain he is making a lot of decisions about what he will and won't do!!
And he seems to have trained me pretty well!!

 

[Gillian M]

We had an unusual amount this year so the schools were closed and it affected transport for a few days.
We just aren't equipped to deal with heavy snow in most parts of the UK, as it happens so rarely.
Nobody stops us going out though and I quite enjoyed walking in it.

Here all schools, govt. depts, banks companies and so on shut down. Therefore, if one thinks of moving from home, where would one go? A drive/walk? Beware if you do that! A penalty would be in store.

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See the pic above? If those guys get caught they'd get into real trouble, unlike Europe and the USA.

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[Gillian M]

I said a while back that for a creature with such a tiny brain he is making a lot of decisions about what he will and won't do!!
And he seems to have trained me pretty well!!

Good one, Lyn.

Oli has done the same with me, I can assure you.

 

[Lyn W]

Here all schools, govt. depts, banks companies and so on shut down. Therefore, if one thinks of moving from home, where would one go? A drive/walk? Beware if you do that! A penalty would be in store.

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See the pic above? If those guys get caught they'd get into real trouble, unlike Europe and the USA.

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I suppose it ensures the emergency services aren't over-stretched.
I think our A&E departments in the hospitals become even busier with snow and ice accidents.