The Catton Barn Owl

TheTamshee: & family had a leisurely stay at the Potter's in Catton. near Allendale. Fine festive fare and no dishes to wash. Thanks to Ali & Marzie for the hospitality. The added bonus was spotting the Barn Owl perched on the stone dike a mile or so outside the village.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

"Such glance did Falcon never dart, When stooping on his prey" Marmion
TheTamshee: is always on the look out for birds of prey; while travelling on the B6359 Bowden to Melrose back road we spotted the secretive Sparrowhawk in the sparse hedgerow. The female bird was unconcerned, allowing me to reverse alongside for a close up view. See this Site for some fun birds in the bath, including the sparrowhawk. Copyright Dave Culley

JibJab @ Inchgarth

TheTamshee: and family on the run from the Gaint Snowman

Snow Comet @ Inchgarth

TheTamshee: dusted off the snow comet for some hairy scary slalom runs on Inchgarth drive.

Grey Heron In Flight

TheTamshee: enjoys the walk on the bank of the river Ettrick, but the real fun begins when you spot the grey heron. Trying to get close up video footage is a challenge i've yet to master.

Snowmen @ Inchgarth

TheTamshee says: the kids got busy sculpturing their first snowmen of this festive season. Mr Frosty & Mr Snow were looking rather pleased with themselves the next morning. www.TheTamshee.blogspot.com

Cheers Ma Dears

TheTamshee: is on the way home:-) Family time is the real Xmas Treat

JoLoMo Exhibition

Low Tide at The Harbour Crail: Copyright Jolomo
TheTamshee: would not normally be drawn to the delights of Dundee but i would make an exception for this: JoLoMo "East West Light 11" exhibitions @ Queens Gallery 5th - 24th Dec. Having previously visited the "On the Edge of Buchan 2" exhibition @ Duff House Banff; I can appreciate this great artists talent.

Wet Felt Creations

TheTamshee: returned to Wasp Studio with Sal and the kids to seal the purchase off "My Highland Dream" & "Victoria Street" Grassmarket Edinburgh; these wet felt creations by Moy Mackay capture fond memories of two of our favourite places. Thanks, once again to Moy for taking the time to give the kids a felt master class and supplying the dyed merino tops. They returned home; full of enthusium, to create their own little masterpieces.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product, frame and all.

Wasps Studio Artists

TheTamshee: visited the latest art exhibition at Selkirk Wasps Studio to browse some excellent work by talented artists.
Wasps. Workshop & Artist's Studio Provision, Scotland. Copyright 2009

Interesting discussion with Colin Philip pertaining to the merits of Acrylic paint techniques versus Oils; but the highlight was Moy Mackay explaining to me "traditional felting techniques in a painterly way using merino tops. This organic medium gives her work extraordinary warmth and texture, while calling for a fine balance between spontaneity and control" The depth of colour was expansive; to transform the coat of the "woolly back" to these magnificent wall hangings is talent indeed.

Rob-Miester also enjoyed the cake!!

Atomic Bomb # 3 LHC

Photo PA. TheTamshee says: total waste of money!! Atomic bomb # 3 in the making. 5billion euro's would have went a long way to relieve the poverty of thousands across europe.

Gurney Journey

TheTamshee: marvels at the photography skills employed to shoot this cracking slow motion video of the Great Horned Owl making it's approach and landing. Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2009/11/eagle-owl-in-slo-mo.html

Border Rivers On Flood

TheTamshee: was strolling the banks of the rivers Tweed and Ettrick over the last few days in pursuit of the elusive grey heron. The elegant birds are frequently encountered but getting close up video footage is quite a challenge. The quest will continue when the flooding waters drain from the forever green fields of the scottish borders. Click Here for video footage

On Stage

The Pol-Miester captures the latest comic talent prior to their big stage debut

Tamshee's DIY

TheTamshee: & Rob-Miester decided it's time to change out the defective bulbs on the oot-side lights. See http://www.youtube.com/my_videos for video footage.

Masked Owl

Picture: Liam Kidston / Newspix / Rex features

TheTamshee: was impressed with Heidi the one winged Masked Owl who is cared for by Alf Boden at his home in Pinkenba, Australia. Mr Boden and his wife have reared the seven year old from a chick after her wing was crushed during tree felling at Beerwah State Forest. Credit due

Hedgehog & Owl

TheTamshee: enjoys scrolling through the Telegraph earth picture galleries to admire some excellent photography. Some of the latest offerings; like Baldrick the Hedgehog are rather sad. The poor little blighter is suffering from what i would call coconut syndrome while others correctly identify that it is the dreaded mange!! Picture PA

Picture REUTERS: Pick of the bunch for me has to be the Philippine Eagle Owl; the marble sharpness and colour of the eye's is almost hypnotic if you stare too long. Now if only i could attract this majestic bird to migrate a few thousand miles and set up home in my Owl House!!

Sal's Art "Selkirk Square"

TheTamshee: continues to promote Sal's artistic talents because i am extremely proud of my fair lady. This little masterpiece is the local town square in Selkirk toon. The statue is Sir Walter Scott. Famous for writing historical novels such as Waverley, set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. In the near future, the painting will be auctioned off as part of the fund raising efforts of Magz and supporters of the Selkirk Playpark Group.

Go Nuclear Offshore

Great "Telegraph" picture of Wind Turbine @ Peebles, Scottish Borders.
TheTamshee says: Wind farms will never come close to supplying our ever growing energy demands. Sure we have created a new industry to keep thousands of people in employment but even if we utilized every square meter of moorland, it would still not be enough. The boffins out there need to get their engineering heads on. The answer is, Yes; Nuclear Power Stations but not constructed on land. We convert the aging and soon to be redundant production platforms into mini power stations. The seabed production pipelines can be used as conduits for the electrical cables. Sounds crazy but all things are possible!! Get to work lads, Problem solved.

Sal's Art "The Poppy"

TheTamshee: likes to promote fine art. This is one of Sal's latest creations. The Poppy was a surprise treat for her mate Anne's birthday. The story, starts with a girls trip to Chelsea Flower Show. Much fun was had along the way, with some photographs to boot. Many months later surprise is sprung. Darned if i can remember what the flower was called.

Man "U" versus CSKA

TheTamshee: watched the Red Devils weave their magic passes and come from behind on two occasions to seal their place in the last 16 of the champions league. Sir Alex can breathe easy after a tense game which saw CSKA give it there all, to hold on for a famous draw.

Wild Mushrooms

TheTamshee: enjoyed reading the exploits of Wiltshire forayer Peter Marren on the trail of wild mushrooms. It reminded me of time spent with the kids, foraging the woodland trails at Center Parcs in search of the perfect Fly Agaric.

Moon Rabbit

TheTamshee: purchased this new "Kids" title by Oliver Eade. "The story kicks off in the Scottish Borders town of Peebles were Stevie befriends pretty Chinese classmate Maise who subsquently falls into the river. When rescued by Stevie they emerge in mythological China; learning that he has to undertake a dangerous mission to secure there return to Peebles" I'm looking forward to reading this "Bedtime" yin yang fantasy tale of friendship between two children from different cultures. Available from the Talisman Bookshop Melrose.

Inchgarth Pumpkin

TheTamshee: watched the kids harvest the pumpkins at Inchgarth. Trick or Treat is a great adventure.

Ensco 71 @ Esbjerg

TheTamshee: watched the approach of the Jack-Up drilling rig, Ensco 71 enroute to berth at Esbjerg Harbour. The unit has been released from contract by Maersk Oil and Gas.
Semco, the local construction company will undertake the task of replacing large sections of the units corroded hull.

Hare Moss Hide

TheTamshee: visited Hare Moss Hide today, on the trail of the elusive buzzard. Not much wildfowl on the wetland, but the smell of the freshly chopped Scots Pine trees is irresistible.I challenged the kids to determine the age of this tree ? Pol ( 37 ) Rob ( 36 ) Sal ( 30 ) & Tamshee ( 28 ) ?

European Eagle Owl

TheTamshee: & Family checked out the European Eagle Owls ( Bubo-Bubo ) at Philiphaugh Farm. Very impressive birds but unfortunately this pair are not free to patrol the skies at their leisure.

Futuristic Fireman

Picture: REUTERS.

Safety first: a fireman at Interlagos stands in the rain during the third and final Sao Paolo practice session. TheTamshee: thinks HSE has gone one step beyond, this guy looks more like some character from the Star Wars movie's

Battle Of Philiphaugh

TheTamshee: was well impressed with the audio player supplied by the good ladies at the Waterwheel Cafe. The history of the Battle Of Philiphaugh, where James Graham the 1st Marquess & 5th Earl Of Montrose was defeated by the Covenanter forces lead by Sir David Leslie
was a stark reminder that the bloody battlefield is now the home to Selkirk Cricket Club and Selkirk Rugby Club, along with a small number of cottages along the way.

Salmon Leap @ Murray's Cauld

TheTamshee: spent the morning watching the Salmon leaping at the Murray's Cauld Selkirk.
Great viewing centre set up at Philiphaugh Farm, all the facts with video surveillance. Call into the Waterwheel Cafe and pick up a Audio recorder, well worth the £2 Also observe the Grey Heron waiting patiently on the bank of Ettrick Water to pick up a tasty morsel.

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Trilobite

TheTamshee says: is this for real ?

Egg Heads

TheTamshee says: the Pol-meister is always in step with her egghead friends!

London Eye

TheTamshee: & family are looking forward to having a turn on the big Eye!

Oakley Court

Lego Wonderland here we come

Cracknell & Shakey Byrne

TheTamshee says: Cracknell needs more that a lesson from the talented Shakey to get rid of his chicken strips!!

Goya To Picasso

TheTamshee: & Sal spent some time wandering through the corridors of the National Gallery of Scotland to soak up some Spanish art & culture. The Weeping Woman, is indeed a treasure to behold.
Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso © Succession Picasso/DACS 2009. Image © Tate, London 2009

Ottavio Missoni

TheTamshee: & Sal spent the weekend at the Missoni Hotel, situated on George IV Street, just of the Royal Mile. Fabulous new age hotel with a focus on the famous Italians designs.

Oakley Court "Windsor"

TheTamshee: is looking forward to a well earned family break at the Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor. Set in 35 acres of landscaped gardens on the banks of the River Thames, this splendid Gothic Victorian residence is 5 minutes from Windsor and 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport. Originally built in 1859, Oakley Court is believed to have been used as the English Headquarters of the French Resistance during World War II.More recently it was the setting for many famous films including St. Trinian's, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and many Hammer House of Horror productions, including Dracula.

The Hippogriff "Egg"

TheTamshee: thinks! can this be the impossible scenario ? A Hippogriff "Egg" washed up on the shore at my secret location, unfortunately the nest was destroyed!!

There is an old expression "Jungentur jam grypes equis" which means "To cross griffons with horses", When breeding, Hippogriffs build nests on the ground, and lay only a single, fragile egg. The egg usually hatches in twenty-four hours. Infant Hippogriffs are capable of flight within a week, but it takes many months before they are strong enough to accompany their parent on long journeys.

Scribbled In Chalk

Click Title Link & View Original Post to listen to tracks © Karine Polwart Shop 2009 All rights reserved TheTamshee: listened to this fine scottish folk singer today, her smooth tones are very easy on the wing-nuts. Karine Polwart (born 1971) is a Scottish singer-songwriter. She writes and performs music with a strong folk and roots feel, her songs dealing with a variety of issues from alcoholism to genocide. She has been most recognised for her solo career, winning three awards at the BBC Folk Awards in 2005, and was previously a member of Malinky and Battlefield Band.

Hernan Cortes "Spanish Explorer"

Never has there been a conflict as unfair as the fight between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors, click "Here" to discover more about the great Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes

Dr Who " Matt Smith"

So the first glimpse of the new Doctor, Matt Smith, filming on set in boots, rolled-up trousers and a bow tie, has sparked huge interest. TheTamshee says: the teeny fans will be squealing into their Iphones.
Surely the Doctor is auditioning for an head & shoulders advert