No dramas... just milky way stars!

It's been an interesting day.

My wee sister came round for a BBQ lunch. First of the year - yum yum. The sun was out so we spent all afternoon sitting and chatting in the garden. So up until now a normal uneventful day.

This wasp caught my eye today. I heard it before I saw it, if you've heard that sound before you'll know what I mean. It was chewing bits of wood off an old wooden two seater bench to build its bike. The shadows cast by the surrounding foliage added an extra dimension.

The day was not without its dramas though... first my wee sis snaffled the two pairs of walking trousers I got in Gretna yesterday. I was desperate for a pair of walking trousers for my field work days at work, found a great pair plus a pair of cropped summer trousers. However, now that I have dropped a size it means that what is mine is now hers... Wee sis is off to France next Saturday and was also after summer trousers. Ironic really, with no time to go shopping before she leaves decided that my new trousers were the perfect fit.

Around 6pm after eating our ice-creams from the ice-cream van we decided to have a quick drive to Leighton Moss to see if the Avocet chicks were still about. But in the toing and frowing from the house to the car with various bits of equipment, hats, binoculars, cameras etc we managed to lock ourselves out of the house. Various discussion on how to get back in ensued, including waiting for next door to get back as Landlords they might have a spare back door key, but that would mean waiting until who knew when. Then the conversation turned to the open window at the front of the house. Wee sis thought it would be a good idea to climb through it. I wasn't keen as I had visions of her wedged through the tiny window and not only would we have to call a locksmith but the fire brigade as well to get her unstuck. Now here comes the interesting bit... next door were out in their front garden and had heard the commotion as we tried to figure out how to get back into the house. When a large male voice from over the fence said "oh we can just post our young lad through the window!". And before we knew it he was in our front yard with a ladder and a wee boy ready for action. Indeed wee laddie was posted through the window to save the day (but not before having to drag a chair to stand on so he could reach the door catch which was right at the top!). He was greeted by a round of applause when his wee face emerged from behind the now opened door. "Quick" I say "grab the milky way star chocolates stashed in the fridge". Smiles all round. Phew! We're no longer locked out and the wee boy was safe and happy with his chocolates.

We did get to Leighton Moss... but there were no avocets they had already fledged.