Stand by for winter photos direct from Stourhead..
Here is the first, from our old friend, Alan Power, who is Head Gardener, Stourhead.
He took and sent them yesterday: "my first day back to work following flu and Christmas." Sorry to hear that Alan, but thank you for the pics.

~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~43~RS~)
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I do look good in Photos don't you think?
Not my best-side, of course.
Nevertheless...
Can't help feeling I'm shown a little shorter than I actually am...
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Aaaahhhhhh.
I do like robins.
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His cousin lives in Sussex. ;o)
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Look a bit like the form of a lollipop.
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Incidentally, if anyone would like to license my image for use on Christmas Cards, Calendars etc, I might be tempted.
To get the ball-rolling, just send me what Dirk Bogarde used to call a "Starling".
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Last night there was a discussion with someone from the Met Office.It puzzled me.We were told that 2008 was still one of the warmest years on record.
I had read elsewhere that this was not the case.I "googled" world temperature and one result was a report in the Washington Times dated 10 Dec 2008 quoting the UK Met Office as saying that 2008 was likely to be the coolest year for a decade and that the mean planetary temperature was the same as 1980.
Which is correct?All I can say is that I thought that last summer was one of the coldest and wettest of my 50 year lifetime here in South Wales and others agreed with me.The contention that it was one of the warmest years simply defies the evidence of my own senses.
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This robin must be the most famous robin in the entire history of robinism.
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He looks like a very COLD robin to me ... all fluffed up. I do worry about their tiny feet and those spindly legs in the cold weather.
This morning there was a female blackbird foraging under the bird table here, alternating which foot she lifted up out of the remaining snow to try to keep warm.
Beautiful pictures here though. Serene and calming. Ommmmm...................
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I've got a new blackbird visitor in the garden. I think I'll name him Christopher.
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QI.
Last night on Dave - named the European Robin as the national bird of Britain?
If Stephen Fry says it is true - albeit via someone talking to him via his headset - it MUST be true?
Therefore a picture of a robin with clogs on, a string of onions around his neck and pinching some robinette's derriere whilst quaffing a steiner of beer would reassure, me ole cock sparrer!
Oops? Was that not politically correct? What a Carry On! lol
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jeremy112 @6, I don't think it was clear whether the 'warmest', 'wettest' etc was just in the UK (all of it?) or worldwide. Perhaps the Washington Post report was planet wide or even just for the US? I do wish people would make these things clearer. Also if it's 'since records began' five minutes ago please make clear the basis on which derived data is used to get a long term view - all perfectly valid but one needs to know what kind of data is being used as the basis for the conclusion.
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By the way, apologies for the fact the blog is still bunged up and new posts aren't appearing. I'm told it's being worked on...
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Mr Ang 7, Robin Day was quite famous.
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And Robinspierre, now you mention it.
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The cardinal is the state bird of Ohio.... I had one named Christopher after Christopher Columbus because Columbus is the capital of Ohio.
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Eddie 12, No problem here. Can do italics and bold as well.
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No and no.
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Tjs 14, I didn't mention Robinspierre.
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?
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I do have a photo of a robin I could send.....
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Eddie, you are told it is being worked on?
Really? lol
We could have some fun meanwhile but on reflection - perhaps - not?
Definitely KNOT!
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BS 19, He said NO!
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??
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I am trying to harden my heart. There's a black cat that lives next door, whose owners put her outside while they're at work. Because my SO and I work from home, moggy next door thinks she should get to come inside in the warm with us.
Alas, she and our incumbent cat don't get on, and it would be unfair to bring the conflict indoors especially while incumbent cat is poorly and may not be with us much longer. :o(
Moggy next door's technique for walking on snow is to levitate above it - she appears to need only one paw at a time to make contact with the horrid cold stuff!
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Fifi: nature has its way of sorting these things out. Start worrying about your date with the vicar.
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jester 7
Kind of you to say so. I do believe I am.
And now, you've made me blush!
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Eddie, a bunged-up Frog? Has it got a cold?
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Piper@26. I'm off for a haircut. He's one of the old school of barbers. Charges about 10 bob for a cut and a sov for a lobotomy. I think I'll opt for a full makeover.
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David 22, Big Sis 23
"No and no." Is the quote
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I know, it's not Stourhead but, they'd sort-of thought things through even to the extent of taking their witness and, they make a great photo.
Who was it said: "Action this day"
"Anna-Bell told the German television station RTL: "We wanted to get married and so we just thought: 'Let's go there.'"
"German lovers ? aged six and five ? try to elope to Africa
Mika and his girlfriend Anna-Bell found on way to airport with lilo, swimming trunks and a witness for the wedding in tow"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/05/german-children-elope-mika-annabel
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Oh Eddie I'm so sorry your frog is bunged up. Perhaps Olbus Oil (other inhalers are available) would help.
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The last time we saw picture 3, Dimbleby was rowing a boat. So why are you all sitting around?? Do something!!
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
a_politico - You are mac/pmleader/akapmleader and I claim my five pounds!
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Fifi I don't think you should worry about the Robin, they're not as feeble as us!
Lovely photos.
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Gossipmistress@35
PLEASE, do not deter the "suckers"!
It's taken "us" a long time to fool them!
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Anybody seen the glass box for today??
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