Our beautiful site here in Lincolnshire has a variety of wildlife from the squirrels that roam across our gardens, the rooks, wood pigeons that frequently fly into the windows (dead I'm afraid), the tawny owls that sit in the trees, the grass snake eating a frog and then today Val and Nick had a sparrow hawk killing and consuming a feral pigeon.

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After the initial kill and feather plucking it flew away and then returned later to finish its meal.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Prof-Mo-Raynov17.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-4615" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Prof-Mo-Raynov17-150x200.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></a>I've been part of a small team undertaking research with the University of Lincoln investigating the ethical issues of self funding in adult care. The project is a three-year programme funded by the Wellcome Trust. As co-researchers we will be involved in interviewing a variety of people involved in adult care services. It is still in the early stages and the foundations are still being laid. Professor Mo Ray is the lead academic supported by a Fellow PhD. Last night I went to see the Profs inaugural lecture at the university. The lecture is an hour-long so you may wish just to dip into it.
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It was fascinating not only because it gave a background to her life and how she came to be where she was but also great insight into the issues of how an ageing population is represented by the media. It was an excellent evening.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GC-Motorhomenov17.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-4614 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GC-Motorhomenov17-150x200.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></a>Today I was visited by Gary and Caroline. Gary and I worked together for five years and we've kept in touch over the past 8 years since I retired. They like travelling in the their motor home and were on a long diversion after a few days in the Peak District before heading back to Oxfordshire.

After a very pleasant lunch at the Advocate Arms and a good catch up, I gave Caroline a tour of the house because she'd never visited before. Caroline is into arts and crafts so she really enjoyed seeing the studio and I was able to persuade her to take some of Jane's craft books away with her before they get taken to a charity shop.

I really enjoy having visitors...