Where have I been? What have I been doing there?

I have been cast adrift in the wilderness that is life without a laptop. My computer died just before I was due to travel to London for the culmination of 11 months form filling and bureaucracy, an interview at the Embassy. This has resulted in the happy conclusion that the US Government is now content for me to rejoin my wife and two young children who have been living without me in the States for most of 2006.

So, computerless, I have turned my attention to coffee drinking and reading. This was my choice for post visa interview reading.

In our new home

More pictures can be found on TartanTed under "The Twins 70th birthday" as the party came back to our house after the restaurant.

Update Feb 2008:
More pictures cannot be found because the web site was revamped and that content no longer exists.

House update: we have power ...

... and the a/c is working so the atmosphere inside the house is now very pleasant when we visit to check up on progress.

An alligator for Angie

Not perhaps the size you had in mind but if you want pictures of larger reptiles I think you'll have to get them yourself!
This one was in the Texas State Aquarium, behind glass, but he was stalking the kids.

More Aquarium pictures can be found on : Tartanted.com

Curious George plays Groucho Marx

Ornithologically challenged

Since July, when I arrived in Texas, I have seen all manner of exotic birds; Egrets, Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Buzzards, Cardinals, even a Humming bird. However, seeing and having your camera handy, are two different things. Hence I offer the humble sparrow as my first Texas bird blog.

Little monkeys

Here are my children, Little Ted on the left , Eddy on the right.











No, wait - these are my children's monkeys.
See picture below for Little Ted's delight at having a simian friend.

House Update - August 8th

Tiling has begun and the brickwork is nearly complete

Scary monster

Little Ted took this picture of his Daddy post removal of beard. His reaction to beardless Daddy - "put it back on"
Eddy's reaction - laughter
Overall vote - grow it back!

Care required

Always remember to read the instructions on everything when in foreign parts.
UK readers note the green handle below the diesel sign, and yes, the unleaded pump handle was black. Oh what a confusing life we lead.
ps
No I didn't put diesel in the unleaded minivan!

Welcome home Daddy

Eddy (and her grandmother) decorated the house for my arrival.

For Eddy

Finlay wanted you to see his missing teeth gap.

Jenna is enjoying her new life

Jenna who has, late in life, discovered that a Golden Retriever's best moments are experienced up to the oxters in water, is happily enjoying the rather longer walks that Karen is exposing her to along with poor old Duke even although he has slowed down a bit due to a leg injury.




Photograph by Karen Lamb

Tercentenary rose

The Bank of Scotland was 300 years old in 1995 and celebrated by having a rose variety named for itself. I am almost certain that this is a example of that rose.
The Bank of Scotland is dead - the Halifax Building Society has given up all pretence at retaining "The Bank"
(This is my personal opinion, to which I am entitled, as a customer of the now deceased Bank which sends me monthly statements proclaiming to represent the transactions on an account held at Halifax plc)
Is nothing sacred; 300+ years of Scottish banking history flushed down the toilet by an English building society.
And no, I don't care that it is English, it could be Portuguese for all I care, it is still an abomination.
And yes, I do have a bee in my bonnet about it.

9 out of 10 for presentation

Ginger the cat brought us something for breakfast today. If only he hadn't mussed up the fur his presentation would have been excellent.
Nice touch with the daisy don't you think?

The Swallow Family

What else would a young bird use a canoe trailer for?
I missed the young Bluetit family leaving the nest but here we have the latest brood to leave the nest although they will probably remain in the courtyard being fed by their parents for a while yet.

Bumble Bee Behaviour

We all know what bears do in the woods but can anybody tell me what this little chap is up to?

I'm sharing my flat with a family

These bluetits have moved in above the bathroom window in the courtyard. The parents are very busy flying in and out with food for their family.
I also have bats in the courtyard but so far they have eluded the camera; they never settle in one place and so I fear will always escape capture by the digital camera.

Whatever happened to Spam Mountain?

There was only so much Spam a man could eat on his own so I gave most of it to the guys who packed the container for shipping. They were very pleased.

Springtime in Scotland 2

The rhodedendrons are coming out at Loaningdale and the moon was out over the Paddock.

Pictures of Mrs Ted's garden are here.

Jenna likes her comfort ...

Like the Queen, she sits in the back of her limousine;
the only thing missing is the waving of a paw.

Back in Scotland

House Update - signs of progress

The rough plumbing has been started.

House update

Still not much progress although the lot has had piles of
sand dumped on it which will eventually be compacted
and then dug out for the plumbing etc prior to pouring the slab.
As can be seen from the houses on either side of us it does
not take long to erect the shell of a house once the slab is there!

Wild Gladioli

Sourced in Louisiana, growing in Lamar.

Lot progress

Not a lot of progress but at least something has happened.

Reunited - albeit temporarily

Very smooth flights, slick connections, and success at getting a standby seat on the early flight to Corpus meant that I got to see my family again by 5.30 (11.30 UK time)

Backyard

Daffodils

This morning there was a snow storm; this afternoon the sun came out; this evening I mowed the yard for the first time this season, carefully cutting around the spring flowers.

Springtime in Scotland

Just made it home a few seconds before an extremely heavy hail storm.

Pictures of Mrs Ted's garden