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An Early Good Morning, Rusty!

This habit of yours of things "just arriving" in your mind, as you put it, is how you have become so knowledgeable and well-informed - a thirst for information has led you to this!

Swan -upping is a means of establishing a swan census and takes place annually in the third week of July. The swans are ringed round their feet and also have their health checked.
I don' t know about the 'upping'? Whether it does mean 'up' river?
Perhaps Doglet will be able to tell us?

We are off out with the dog shortly while the temperature stays relatively cool - so far much pleasanter today.
How is it in your neck of the woods?
The garden is looking good after all our efforts! and, of course, all that rain!

We have our younger daughter and family coming later for the day. That will be nice.
What plans do you have ?

Hi, Doglet!
Our posts crossed !
How did you get involved with the Swan Rescue group? Tthat sounds interesting?
P. S I have set the recorder for the Athletics! thanks again for that .

Hi Elle
The swans are given a health check and the cygnets are too I am not sure if they are ringed or their beakbs are notched.I got involved when the swans on the lake here were dying and one of their volunteers came over the weather was very hot and it seems that some kind of Botulism was making them ill,so they took the pen and the cygnets who came back in early Autumn and i have been a member ever since.They are such beautiful birds but they suffer greatly as they are shot andtortured on a regular basis

Hello, Doglet!
You are a fund of helpful information!
I agree, Tracy/Tracey Austin looks very youthful.
You are now my official "go-to" lady about the swan-upping! I find it very interesting.
Is Appleby Fair as big as ever?
I would have thought there would be fewer horses these days?
Hope you don't get overly warm with his heat today!

Hi Rusty
Any unmarked swans on the river Thames belonged to the monarch and were eaten but of course now it just ceremonial It is a a spectacle but does check on the birds.Th Appleby fair is usually crowded.most of the horses are Irish or Welsh cobs usually in poor condition,my relative in Carlisle say many people would like to have it banned but I suppose it brings money into the town.The horse rescue groups attend as does the RSPCA but the cruelty is still rife.We have a cool day with the prospect of rain which is good s the garden looks very tired and the fruit trees need a good soaking

Gracious, Elle, you are on the gallops early this day!
I trust you are in fine fettle?
We have a fine day here!
Interesting about the swans.
This will have been going on for centuries, likely?
And it is just two weeks away.
Doglet, as ever, was very informative.
My turn to be helpful may come in the future!
If it ever crosses your mind what did Queen Victoria actually say to William McGonagall when she chased him from Balmoral etc!
I see her old drawers are being auctioned. I say no more!
Yes, you will be glad to see the family. Ensure they park with the handbrake on. It is too warm for turmoil.
I shall watch Le Tour later. (Now here's the thing Elle.
Today it finishes in the sea at Zelande/Zealand.
Would that have a connection with New Zealand?)
But first, I have a dander to take.
Today's earworm appears to be the Lewis Bridal Song, which is nice and jaunty!

Good Morning all
I live just a short walk from the Thames and over the years, while walking the dog, have encountered too much suffering by the swans. Fishing hooks and lines left by uncaring fishermen cause a lot of the problems, and lead shot from airguns are the worst here. We have one local "swan lady" who lives on a houseboat and she is vigilant all year round. We call her first to attend an injured swan and she can usually solve the problem on the spot, , but often the swan has to be taken to the nearby Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton. Google their website to see just what wonderful people they are. Keep up your good work, doglet :)

Good morning, Pigale!
Is it still hot in France?
The forecast looks good today for the run to Zelande.
I am intrigued that the stage actually finishes on a causeway. Should be exciting.
I liked when the race went to Mont Saint-Michel.
Beautiful place. I have a photo of it as the "wallpaper" on my laptop.
It looks like something from a Walt Disney film.
Be good to have a Dutch winner today?

Good morning, Jazzgirl!
It is great to realise that there are so many decent, caring people in the world.
It has been very interesting to learn about the swans.
Beautiful creatures.
I am going to take a close interest in the swan-upping when it starts!

"Swan-upping" is in Chambers.
"Upping" means to drive upstream.
Wonder why they go upstream?
Doglet?