Pinus aristata the oldest living organisms on the planet.
The oldest specimens where already over a century old when
Stonehenge was built, 4,800 years ago....
They have witnessed the evolution of mankind, this time around....
| 27/02/2002 Well ! Spring has sprung, rather early this year, saw my first frog at the end of january, Collared Doves have been 'busy' since xmas ! Hedgehogs too have made an appearance before the end of February. We'll have to keep eyes on the frog population this year, could be a tough one for them (see 'froglife' link). Droves of slugs are predicted for this year, and a dent in the frog populace can only exacerbate that ! With such a mild winter, what else will be in abundance ? |
 |
| 15/03/2002 Filling in the pond by the door didnt work, frogs have spawned ! It'll have to move to the other before hatching ..... Full variety of ornithological delights around at the moment, Thrushes, Dunnocks, Jays, growing colony of sparrows, Robin an' wrens too, not to mention the Tits and the Sparrowhawks. |
 |
| Moved spawn, but a little late, some was already hatched, so had to stay, unfortunately, now, 16/04, there is very little water left in it so unless they are subterranean they're gone ! Cannot see spawn, taddies in the little pond yet........ | Garden is evolving tho', and it looks like there are gonna be an awful lot of lady birds theis year ! (shades o' '76 ? Will we get the sun too ????) non of the above ... it seems !Sparrowhawk definitely likes the fence post ! |
| Happy !!! (12-6-2002) there are loads of frogs around.... (counted at
least 8 around filled in pond, further 6 in other one) variety of ages and
mainly dark coloured (from here !!!) Had no indication (yet) of virus. Having let the grass get a bit long, most o' the small ones scatter when cutting it !!! Loads o' red ants tho...... they are a pain. |
Well, its November 30th, and the frogs are still out an' about, probably 'cos its soooo wet and mild..... hedgehogs too, unfortunately one had an interface with a car ... Not seen the bats for a while, but all the birds are still around, there where even coal tits the other week. Squirrels have their winter coats, but are still in playful mood. |
| 31/3/2003 ......... Well ! Frog spawn has made it to tadpoles ... still quite lethargic ... but al there, in both ponds .... Spring has sprung again ! Blackbird has begun nesting in bottom tree, giving it a new lease of life. All the usual suspects are present, and we have a few goldfinches kicking around too. ..and one unidentified visitor..... Seems to be a lot o' lady birds again, but seems to be only our garden ... wierd ! Or maybe they like tulips ? |
 |
|
After making the ex-pond more aesthetic, V & I sat and counted 30 residents before losing our place.... Definitely works ! |
| Nostradamus' Thoughts / predictions / ramblings... |
|---|
| This is an abridged version of Luciano Sampietro's
translation....... 25 year conflict between Islam and the West begins with an act of Islamic violence (twin towers ?)........ First casualty, Israel, will be destroyed (watch this space !). 2003, Islamic prophet emerges, who succeeds in uniting perpetually divided Arabs, and using the not inconsiderable Arab funds to aid an ailing Russia, manage to secure their help (& nukes). 2006 a Sudden Russian attack will annihilate Western forces in the med & nuke the white house, killing pres. Most o' Europe conquered by 2011, loss of Italy finally sees dissolution of catholicism (scandal having already rocked its foundations...current US ministers visit to Pope ?). West rallies and reclaims lost territories within 6 years. Prophet will then join forces with China and after a 4 year truce, in 2022, will once again conquer Europe, a more decisive Western response this time defeat Arabs, near Milan, the prophet dying in captivity April 16th 2026....... Global recovery is slow and painful, but a golden age lasting a millennium will result ........ The cost ? 2/3 of the current population ........... Yeah, I know ! You pull and push the Nostradamus quads to pretty much tell what you want, but makes you think doesnt it ? Tho' it would be a first to actually predict something rather than make it fit after the event !! |
