Yellow Dung Fly

A day that started well, with an outstanding report finally tackled, but became bogged down with minor frustrations. 

After lunch Pete and I drove out to Notcutts to replenish our supply of bird seed, which seems to be eaten increasing quickly, not helped by the many greedy squirrels who live in the garden. When we tried to return home we found that all the roads leading to our cul-de-sac were closed, as part of a road re-surfacing scheme. When we inquired how long it would be before we could get home, we were told half-an-hour.

We decided to use that time to shop for some food, so we went to Sainsbury's and then picked Chris up, as he was coming over to sort out collecting equipment and to discuss survey timetables. An hour after our initial attempt to return home, we found that the roads were still blocked and, despite trying all options, couldn't get any sort of estimate as to when we might be able to return. Although we knew there would be some disruption, the letter warning us of the work implied that the road would never be shut for more than about an hour. Eventually a workman recognised our care (sometimes it pays to be distinctive!) and opened up the road to let us through. So about two hours after we originally tried to get back, we made it home!¬

I then tried to pay a bill using the TSB online banking, and realised that their planned upgrade hadn't worked. Again, no idea when we might be able to access our bank accounts - luckily there's still a few days before the due payment date, so hopefully they can get themselves up and running by then. I believe TSB have a lot of very angry customers...

It was nearly dark by the time I went out into the garden with my camera. I'd spotted several solitary bees earlier in the day, and had planned to photograph one of them, but the only insect I could find in the cool and breezy conditions was this solitary dung fly, feeding on the flowers of Alexanders.