On The Sight Of Swans In Kensington Gardens

 

Queen-bird, that sittest on thy shining nest
And thy young cygnets without sorrow hatchest,
And thou, thou other royal bird, that watchest
Lest the white mother wandering feet molest:
Shrined are your offspring in a crystal cradle,
Brighter than Helen's ere she yet had burst
Her shelly prison. They shall be born at first
Strong, active, graceful, perfect, swan-like, able
To tread the land or waters with security,
Unlike poor human births, conceived in sin,
In grief brought forth, both outwardly and in
Confessing weakness, error, and impurity.
Did heavenly creatures own succession's line,
The births of heaven like to yours would shine.

By Charles Lamb (1775-1834)

Unfortunately not in Kensington Gardens but in the grounds of the University by the lake. The eggs started hatching on Sunday and up to yesterday, there was 4 lovely, fluffy, silvery pale cygnets. All together now, Aww…

 

This handsome pair had 8 eggs in total.  I wonder how many will survive? They are such a hit among the university’s community. A family of coots were seen taken advantage of the bread left by the fans. Often, Mother Swan could be seen hissing away. Papa Swan are lurking nearby keeping a very watchful eye.

Its been a hectic week although it has been only a three working day for me. I started work on Wednesday.  The Bank holiday weekend just flew by. Can someone please explain why the long weekend whizzes more quickly than midweek!!!

I finally met my new colleague, YB. We spent sometime over coffee to get to know each other better. The rest of the team was surprised that I got her to open up and join the crowd. It’s easy. Just take the first initiative. She seems to be a fast learner and as they say, once a cataloguer, always a cataloguer. Welcome to the team YB.

Then it was T’s 50th birthday. More cakes and bubblies. The whole day, we kept on popping over to her office to graze. Many happy returns T and welcome to the group :-)

Babe wasn’t feeling good so I’d to take the bus to work. From the casa into town, it took me only 15 mins. But from the city centre to work, the journey took 40mins. Phew, we stopped at every bus-stop and the traffic around Earlsdon was bumper-to-bumper. Cars were parked at both sides of the road. I wouldn’t like to live here, ever.

I sat behind the most polite bus driver I’d ever come across. Any passenger who disembarked and says thank you was given a ‘have a nice day’ reply. Imagine saying that to about 100 people. He made my day. Also, thanks a million to CC who gave me a lift home. Gracias, again.

It was another hectic week for sports. The 'Wizard of Wishaw',  Higgins wrapped up a crushing 18-9 victory over Murphy to win his third World Snooker Championship over the weekend.

Iniesta of Barcelona spectacular strike deep into stoppage time wrecked Chelsea’s dreams of a second successive Champions League final against Manchester United. Man United defeated Arsenal 3:1. The Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona in Rome will be on the 27th May.

Last night, I watched German side Werder Bremen lost their first leg 1-0 at home to SV Hamburg but produced a fine comeback to win 3-2 despite Olic's opener. The team will face Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine in the UEFA Cup final on 20 May. 

Aberystwyth FC lost 2:0 to Bangor City which successfully retained their Welsh Cup title.

The stork has finally delivered Baby Beca to Ali on the 4th weighing 6lbs 3oz at 5.45am.  Mum and Baby are doing fine. Llongyfarchiadau*. Ali and I met when we took Welsh lessons in Aberystwyth. We’d a wonderful time murdering the language. 

I will be taking another bus trip tomorrow to Leamington Spa. I’m meeting Barbara for coffee. I haven’t seen her for nearly a year.

On Sunday, another friend, Rosalie Warren will be signing her latest novel, Low tide, Lunan Bay at Borders. Congratulations and well-done. Hoping to see you there.

Its another long weekend for the folks in Malaysia. Tomorrow will be Vesak, so vale, vale to all Buddhists and on Sunday will be Mothers Day. Happy Mothers Day to all mothers in Malaysia and the most special of all, my EMAK.**

*Congratulations in welsh

**Mother in Malay