knoppy1987

My condolences to you and your family. They’re pre-eminent animals; as an observer and almost certainly in their own mind. They’re also family. I hope you have plentiful lasting and happy memories of your cat.

Agree. Getting a seat in a pub in York is often problematic on the weekend. A very popular place.

Correct.

If you look like the ugly and scruffy one on the left, then yes .

The Common Buzzard’s call, although some prefer “P” to “K”. Sounds like a mewing cat to me. Great shot. Your phone camera is superior to mine . You were in the right place to see them aplenty.

Incredible sight it must have been. I’ve seen one taking a frog. Other than that, worming on grey days. This offers great viewing though. Male kestrels could be deemed as being light orange in parts - worth a look. Perhaps more similar in size to a larger black bird. For the last few years, I kept finding bird impressions on my bedroom windows, and occasionally heard a clatter. Some time last summer, I was putting the bins out and heard a thud. Turns out a Sparrow Hawk was diving for pigeons. Startled, it had a rest on my stone wall which was the closest I have ever got to a Bird of Prey aside from at York Bird of Prey Centre. This Sparrow Hawk looked more murderous and deadly in demeanour than a Buzzard. Either that or it was annoyed it hit my window. I also have a Tawny Owl living in the small woodland opposite. I have not seen it mind but the call is clearly heard. Plenty of Barn Owls about too.

Perfect picture. Kee-yee-yah’ing no doubt! I’m limited to binocular shots but enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend a book by Peter Dare about Common Buzzards. A great history of them dating back to early post-war in Devon, Snowdon, and The Lakes.

Probably posted Cheetah in this thread somewhere myself. Love cheetah art and have it dotted around the house. Similar with birds of prey, but more common. Common Buzzard. A good walk for me is seeing as many of them as I can. Easy to spot soaring but fairly elusive at lower levels.

Getting married and thereafter, divorced. Two school incidents come to mind, both involving people at school who were friends, and both fairly minor. I received a black Nike jacket for Christmas at the age of 14 which disappeared off the coat pegs in the classroom. A friend at the time pointed the finger at two friends, but both pointed the finger at one another. Similarly, when BMX bikes had a revival around the late-90s early noughties, mine was taken from one of the two friends' house above. This time, the finger was pointed at two people at the house that day, who pointed the finger at the friend from the coat robbery. I later spotted a bike resembling it (tyre branding, and different tyres back and front) in Southport a year later chained up and did nothing. Always regretted not waiting just to investigate. The friend was later expelled from school for an attempted bursar's office robbery having thought it was full of cash and loot. He was apparently caught in the act. I seen him a few years later at a football game where he was stewarding. He claimed to be a changed person. He later became an actor starring in the arse end of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. I once caught a teenager in my garage trying to get under my car, I suspect to remove the catalytic converter.

My favourite place to visit is Sawley in Lancashire. I’d like to live there eventually. There is also a small town in Scotland called Portmahomack which has the most beautiful sea and beaches which looks relatively untouched. I currently live in The Lakes. I love the ability to find new and exciting walks. The weather, however, is the most inclement I have experienced. It can be tiring, but when you get a good day, it is close to perfect. Originally from Crosby in Liverpool. Enjoy the beach but cannot believe how busy it has become. I’ll never live in Liverpool again as it appears to become an even bigger shit box than I recall when I was younger. I like some of the towns between Crosby and Southport/Ormskirk though such as Halsall, Hightown, and even Hillside/Birkdale. Lived in the East Midlands for a number of years. Loved the Derbyshire countryside, not so much the major cities/towns. I have a soft spot for Derby because of work. Also lived in Surrey, Middlesex, West London across a period of 8 years. I initially enjoyed the convenience but it wore off. I enjoy visiting London for weekends and work still. My favourite town in London at the time was Ealing.

Ronaldo is an inferior Ronaldo. Messi. Ta-ra for a bit.

Good observation - had it happen to me at the weekend, but it has happened before, and it will do again from family, friends, and strangers alike. Had it when I had longer hair and it was thinning, shorter hair, and shaved hair. I even had fun poked at me when I had hair because I liked long hair off the back of liking grunge music. No escape. It tends to begin with glaring at the target zones (this is what I refer to them as) of hair loss when I am sitting down (fairly tall) before the inevitable mentioning like an itch that has to be scratched for them. This has happened for so long, the prediction it will happen in my head often turns out to be correct. With family and friends, it never gets to offensive stage because I just make fun of my own hairline and my misfortunes with it. I'd rather make the jokes rather than them getting the crowd on their side. As many allude to above though, and especially during those initial phases, it can be hurtful. Unfortunately many folk do not grow out of the school ground mentality of poking fun. Bollox to any niceties, straight to taking the mick at somebody else's expense. I'd have to confess to being at family events etc., having a nice time initially, and something being said that tarnished the event, thus sending me home feeling dejected. Today, I ensure that the distributor of my physical deficiencies receives some reciprocal treatment. If you're obese, hard lines. Even at the weekend though, it is logged, remembered, and resented. Fortunately most people are nice, grow up, or at least have the decency not to poke fun.

Probably posted loads before.

The pair of them looked like members of East 17.

Enjoyed that. Digne MOTM for me. Impressed with the Sanson cameo. Due a start.

Composed and slick. It is great to have that level of player off the bench.