Dunnock

 Years ago when we saw one of these in the garden it would have been called a Hedge Sparrow but it's properly named 'Dunnock'. (Prunella modularis).The only British member of this family.

They are common and widespread except for the very North of Scotland. Seen in woodland, hedges and gardens. They build a nest close to the ground somewhere really well hidden in thick hedges, evergreens or bramble thickets, so don't normally use nest-boxes.

Quite shy little birds I don't often see them here but that might be because they are usually at ground level, hopping about under the feeders rather than up on the feeders or in the shrubs that I would see from the window more easily.

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I Was Duped .....................

 I picked this craft box of card making bits at a boot sale a few weeks ago and when the lady selling said she wanted £10 for it I quickly put it down again. 

Then last weekend I saw it again and asked the price and got it for £5. I thought £5 for the makings of 24 cards wasn't too bad and they looked quite unusual to make. The lady said it was new - never been opened and it was certainly sealed and looked new.

You can guess what I'm going to say..........BUT when I got  home and found a way into the box, I discovered it HAD been opened and the only things inside were three lots of different sized card blanks and envelopes - six of each and some coloured paper and card. There should have been a whole lot more - I'm so cross with myself.

I wasn't even meant to be buying anymore card making bits anyway!

Ho Hum!

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Stinking Rose!

 What a wonderful name for a cheese!

Here's another from Croome Cheeses - a company based in Worcestershire, that I wrote about earlier this month .

150 grams for £3.65

The Co-op had 10 of their cheeses (I counted!) but I  passed on all the fruit/cheese combos and avoided that Hop one tried last time and landed on this 'Mature Cheddar with Garlic and Parsley'.

It's rather good, a lovely creamy texture with good strong garlic flavour. 

I ate the first piece with the Aldi multi-grain crackers plus cucumber and fresh cooked beetroot. Both of those were good too as I'd not bought either for months........... Not a massive salad fan through the cold months. The next cucumber I eat will - hopefully- be from the greenhouse.

I was glad I'd not bought either beetroot or strawberries from the car boot sale on Saturday as both were much, much cheaper at Aldi half an hour later. It pays to sometimes be wary of car-boot 'bargains'.

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