We checked out our playground quite late on Sun. Kevin was busy playing with his latest toy, a new spotting scope, when I spotted this handsome bird which I'd never seen before. It was a male Gadwall (Anas strepera), a species of small duck. It is a scarce breeding bird. The RSPB estimates that there are only 790 breeding pairs in the UK, although some 15000 birds overwinter here.
One of the twitchers, showed us the spot where a pair of crested grebes were nesting. They were taking turns to sit on the nest. It was an awesome sight but there was not enough light for us to take good photographs. You can be sure that we will be tracking this pair every time we are here, Gracias to Mr. Twitcher for showing us.
On Saturday, it was the launched of the Coventry International Woman Festival at the Transport Museum. RR invited me to attend the opening ceremony. She also had an aromatherapy stand set up. I'd a lovely time enjoying the multiracial performances and browsing the various stands and workshops. RR's lovely children and I registered for one of the craft workshop. A lovely lady, C showed us how to make buttons into lovely custom jewellery. After twisting and arranging, I was able to make this trendy bracelet.
Around noon, I made my way to the Noodle bar to meet CC for lunch. We'd a wonderful time going through the menu and decided to start all over again. I'd the udon with seafood special and Chinese vegetables. We also tried the dainty prawn and chive dimsums. As usual, the teapot was topped up regularly.
After a long, leisure lunch, we plodded to the market cos I wanted to checkout a newly opened Thai stall. Not much stuff and most of them could be found at our favourite Chinese shop. CC bought some polyanthus to brighten up the entrance outside her house. We also browsed in M&S and salivated at the huge, expensive Easter chocs.
In Malaysia, the 12th general elections results were out. It was dubbed a political tsunami cos the ruling party, Barisan Nasional, lost their two-thirds majority in Parliament. Although they still formed the federal government, they lost 5 states (Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan) and Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia now has a strong opposition, for the first time since 1969. The balance of power looks promising. The success of PKR, PAS and DAP is awesome, given the ridiculous control the BN govt. had over the media.
On Wednesday, high speed winds have battered the UK but Coventry and Warwickshire had escaped unharmed. There was the occasional gusts of around 47mph mixed with heavy rainfall. But it did cause disruption at work. The back of the library was cordoned off due to pieces of the roof tile came crashing down.
But the most exciting event was when I'd to take the bus home. Parts of Coventry's city centre were closed after the discovery of an 18-inch World War II bomb. It was a 50kg German bomb packed with 22kg of explosives. It was unearthed at a building site near the Belgrade Theatre. Imagine 3 weeks ago we were sitting on a bomb. It gave me the creeps.
The bus was late and it took us an hour to reach Pool Meadows bus station. The ring road was closed and the city centre was cordoned off. Only busses are allowed in. Wait a second, everyone's leaving and we are entering!!!
The bus station was crowded cos everyone was trying to find their way home. It was quite a scene. I managed to get on the 7pm bus and left eerie, silent city centre.
Heard on the radio that the bomb was detonated at 2.41am by officers from the Explosives Ordinance Division. But, I guess that won't be the last bomb uncovered in Coventry.
Also birthday wishes for my busy sister of 6.
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