I’ve had an interesting weekend diabetic-wise. Thursday morning went to the clinic for what appears to be a standard check in and see how you’re doing thing. They did an HbA1C on me – the first since dx. My original at dx was 14.5 This one, two months later, was 8.4. So, that’s good. They’re happy and don’t want to see me again until November (although I see my doctor and have a first meeting with the endo before then). Then I went away for the weekend. This is the first time I’ve tried this. I ended up bringing a cooler of foods I can eat safely with me – I was staying at a friend’s house. Now, it used to be on this trip I’d do the full three and a half hour drive non-stop, munching chips as I went. This time I was very aware that I had to stop and eat a proper meal. I ended up stopping at a place that was also a bakery – which meant that all but one of their menu choices came with lots of bread (which I just can’t eat at all), and most also came with fries. No way I’m strong enough to either not eat that when it’s in front of me, or ask not to have it. So I ordered the only possibility left to me – the quiche. This made me a little nervous because of the pastry, but my two hour pp was just fine – which means I can safely eat quiche. Yea! The friend I was staying with was very solicitous about my welfare, which was lovely of her, and as she was planning a pot luck party for me that evening, she very carefully told everyone not to bring starchy foods as I couldn’t eat them. Nice, right? Yes – except that everyone, and I mean _everyone_ brought fruit instead. Sigh. Ah well, she tried. So, another hurdle passed in relative comfort. I’ve had the odd fall from grace, and the odd day of "Maybe if I just forget about it it will all go away" but on the whole, I think it’s going to be okay. Rhona — What do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each other? George Eliot

Response:

Hi Rhona, I was dx T2 at the end of May this year.  We went away for 5 days on the 1st July…..Bed, Breakfast Evening meal type fayre.  I have to say I really found it quite difficult knowing what to eat while out and about ( We’re going away to the coast in a couple of weeks for a long weekend and in a way I’m dreading it. Resisting Fish and Chips at a British Seaside resort is almost unheard of !!!!!!  Still I’ll just have to take it a day at a time. Glad you enjoyed your trip ) Julie xx

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve had an interesting weekend diabetic-wise. Thursday morning went to > the clinic for what appears to be a standard check in and see how you’re > doing thing. They did an HbA1C on me – the first since dx. My original > at dx was 14.5 This one, two months later, was 8.4. So, that’s good. > They’re happy and don’t want to see me again until November (although I > see my doctor and have a first meeting with the endo before then). > Then I went away for the weekend. This is the first time I’ve tried > this. I ended up bringing a cooler of foods I can eat safely with me – I > was staying at a friend’s house. Now, it used to be on this trip I’d do > the full three and a half hour drive non-stop, munching chips as I went. > This time I was very aware that I had to stop and eat a proper meal. I > ended up stopping at a place that was also a bakery – which meant that > all but one of their menu choices came with lots of bread (which I just > can’t eat at all), and most also came with fries. No way I’m strong > enough to either not eat that when it’s in front of me, or ask not to > have it. So I ordered the only possibility left to me – the quiche. This > made me a little nervous because of the pastry, but my two hour pp was > just fine – which means I can safely eat quiche. Yea! > The friend I was staying with was very solicitous about my welfare, > which was lovely of her, and as she was planning a pot luck party for me > that evening, she very carefully told everyone not to bring starchy > foods as I couldn’t eat them. Nice, right? Yes – except that everyone, > and I mean _everyone_ brought fruit instead. Sigh. Ah well, she tried. > So, another hurdle passed in relative comfort. I’ve had the odd fall > from grace, and the odd day of "Maybe if I just forget about it it will > all go away" but on the whole, I think it’s going to be okay. > Rhona > — > What do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each > other? > George Eliot

Response:

Traveling can be a challenge for diabetics, especially T2’s on low carb and no meds. I made a list of  acceptable meals typically available at most places. Then, I carry a supply of almonds, string cheese,Teriyaki sticks, jerky and low carb power bar. These items have a good shelf life and I use them to supplement a meal as needed to get the right calories count or to have an emergency meal if necessary. Delaying a meal or skipping is easily done on the road. It is very detrimental to BG control and I avoid it at all cost. Breakfast: Denver Omelet, no hash browns nor toast. Ask for bacon or sausage. I supplement with almonds and cheese to get 700 cal. Lunch: Cheese Burger, with salad. No bun. Almonds. Or, chicken Cesar, no croutons, almonds, cheese,  T. sticks. Supper: Fish restaurant, steak house and ask for roasted veggies. Or best, a buffet place. I’ve done enough traveling by now that I don’t have to worry about the next meal while on the road. It ain’t always gourmet but it keeps the BG under control. Often, we also carry a cooler and shop the essentials. We try to stay at places with efficiencies and ice boxes. Works great in the US. I haven’t done Europe on low carb yet, but I know from past experience that UK, Germany and Scandinavia have good breakfasts for low carbers. More south they have the habit of eating skimpy breakfasts of sweet carb and little else. Fred Henzi

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve had an interesting weekend diabetic-wise. Thursday morning went to > the clinic for what appears to be a standard check in and see how you’re > doing thing. They did an HbA1C on me – the first since dx. My original > at dx was 14.5 This one, two months later, was 8.4. So, that’s good. > They’re happy and don’t want to see me again until November (although I > see my doctor and have a first meeting with the endo before then). > Then I went away for the weekend. This is the first time I’ve tried > this. I ended up bringing a cooler of foods I can eat safely with me – I > was staying at a friend’s house. Now, it used to be on this trip I’d do > the full three and a half hour drive non-stop, munching chips as I went. > This time I was very aware that I had to stop and eat a proper meal. I > ended up stopping at a place that was also a bakery – which meant that > all but one of their menu choices came with lots of bread (which I just > can’t eat at all), and most also came with fries. No way I’m strong > enough to either not eat that when it’s in front of me, or ask not to > have it. So I ordered the only possibility left to me – the quiche. This > made me a little nervous because of the pastry, but my two hour pp was > just fine – which means I can safely eat quiche. Yea! > The friend I was staying with was very solicitous about my welfare, > which was lovely of her, and as she was planning a pot luck party for me > that evening, she very carefully told everyone not to bring starchy > foods as I couldn’t eat them. Nice, right? Yes – except that everyone, > and I mean _everyone_ brought fruit instead. Sigh. Ah well, she tried. > So, another hurdle passed in relative comfort. I’ve had the odd fall > from grace, and the odd day of "Maybe if I just forget about it it will > all go away" but on the whole, I think it’s going to be okay. > Rhona > — > What do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each > other? > George Eliot

Response:

Rhona, Congratulations – you are making great progress, with both your BG control, as well as the food. Just came back from a week on the road myself for business and it can be torture, they plop down a bowl full of nice crusty sourdough rolls in front of you and your control is certainly tested. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’ve had an interesting weekend diabetic-wise. Thursday morning went to >the clinic for what appears to be a standard check in and see how you’re >doing thing. They did an HbA1C on me – the first since dx. My original >at dx was 14.5 This one, two months later, was 8.4. So, that’s good. >They’re happy and don’t want to see me again until November (although I >see my doctor and have a first meeting with the endo before then). >Then I went away for the weekend. This is the first time I’ve tried >this. I ended up bringing a cooler of foods I can eat safely with me – I >was staying at a friend’s house. Now, it used to be on this trip I’d do >the full three and a half hour drive non-stop, munching chips as I went. >This time I was very aware that I had to stop and eat a proper meal. I >ended up stopping at a place that was also a bakery – which meant that >all but one of their menu choices came with lots of bread (which I just >can’t eat at all), and most also came with fries. No way I’m strong >enough to either not eat that when it’s in front of me, or ask not to >have it. So I ordered the only possibility left to me – the quiche. This >made me a little nervous because of the pastry, but my two hour pp was >just fine – which means I can safely eat quiche. Yea! >The friend I was staying with was very solicitous about my welfare, >which was lovely of her, and as she was planning a pot luck party for me >that evening, she very carefully told everyone not to bring starchy >foods as I couldn’t eat them. Nice, right? Yes – except that everyone, >and I mean _everyone_ brought fruit instead. Sigh. Ah well, she tried. >So, another hurdle passed in relative comfort. I’ve had the odd fall >from grace, and the odd day of "Maybe if I just forget about it it will >all go away" but on the whole, I think it’s going to be okay. >Rhona

bill_supon at attglobal dot net

Response:

Rhona, I just want to congratulate you on your excellent progress. That downward trend is so wonderful to see, and bodes well for further gains in control.  By your next test in Nov., I wouldn’t be surprised if you qualify for the 5% Club!  ( A1c under 6%) Keep on doing what your doing, it’s working! Annette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve had an interesting weekend diabetic-wise. Thursday morning went to > the clinic for what appears to be a standard check in and see how you’re > doing thing. They did an HbA1C on me – the first since dx. My original > at dx was 14.5 This one, two months later, was 8.4. So, that’s good. > They’re happy and don’t want to see me again until November (although I > see my doctor and have a first meeting with the endo before then). > Then I went away for the weekend. This is the first time I’ve tried > this. I ended up bringing a cooler of foods I can eat safely with me – I > was staying at a friend’s house. Now, it used to be on this trip I’d do > the full three and a half hour drive non-stop, munching chips as I went. > This time I was very aware that I had to stop and eat a proper meal. I > ended up stopping at a place that was also a bakery – which meant that > all but one of their menu choices came with lots of bread (which I just > can’t eat at all), and most also came with fries. No way I’m strong > enough to either not eat that when it’s in front of me, or ask not to > have it. So I ordered the only possibility left to me – the quiche. This > made me a little nervous because of the pastry, but my two hour pp was > just fine – which means I can safely eat quiche. Yea! > The friend I was staying with was very solicitous about my welfare, > which was lovely of her, and as she was planning a pot luck party for me > that evening, she very carefully told everyone not to bring starchy > foods as I couldn’t eat them. Nice, right? Yes – except that everyone, > and I mean _everyone_ brought fruit instead. Sigh. Ah well, she tried. > So, another hurdle passed in relative comfort. I’ve had the odd fall > from grace, and the odd day of "Maybe if I just forget about it it will > all go away" but on the whole, I think it’s going to be okay. > Rhona > — > What do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each > other? > George Eliot

Response:

In response to Eddy Tan`s posting , I`ve just returned from Madrid and as far as accommodations are concerned it is a wide open field .  I personally go for Best Western establishments but there are many Hotels to choose from .  For $ 75.00 you should be able to find what you`re looking for . I payed $ 56.00 but that was a senior rate .  All I can tell you is search the internet, there are  many agencies with special deals . You just have to spend  the time and shop around ,  very simple indeed . Good luck , jp

Response:

I agree we stayed at the Hotel Ingles the last two years in Madrid, the rooms are great you can walk everywhere and the staff was great. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You will find my own post re: my recent visit of Madrid with my family > posted on this board on 3/26. We spent four nights at Hotel Santander > ($45-55/night) and three nights at Hotel Ingles ($95-110/night) just > across the street. The Puerto del Sol area had hundreds and hundreds of > hotels and hostels, so my input is quite limited to these two oft- > recommended hotels. Santander has a dingy, tiny lobby but the rooms, > altho very old-fashioned with plaster walls, ancient tile floors, > antique furniture, and fourteen foot ceilings are bright and spotlessly > clean. The beds are hit and miss-we had two rooms, one with a nice firm > bed and the other with two extremely soft, for me useless, twin beds. > All in all, if you get a good room in Santander (firm bed, away from > the street) it is a good bargain for a solo traveler or young, > adventurous couple. > Hotel Ingles has a more conventional (by American standards) lobby with > rooms that are much more Holiday Inn-like. Our "suite" had it’s own > private hallway, and two large rooms with modern furniture. The only > nod to Europe was the bidet and the wall mounted toilet tank with > chain, and yet the shower was nicer than you would find in most > American Hyatts. In conclusion, splurge a little and stay at the Hotel > Ingles, particarly if you, your wife, or kids are accustomed to > American comfort. I found the staff to be much more attentive and > professional at Ingles as well-heck, they wear uniforms and not street > clothes, and actually smiled at the kids each time. > The Hotel Mora is also widely recommended altho they could not > accomodate the four of us the week we were there-they only had one > spare room. You probably should consider it as well, since it is priced > at just about $75/night. > Puerto del Sol is the place to stay in my opinion, and we traipsed all > over the various sections of Madrid. The area is very noisy on > Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with partyers, mostly college > aged, but much less noisy on the remaining nights. It is close to the > three big museums, and there is a concentration of good restaurants and > tapas bars in the area. The "upscale" area close to the Ritz and Palace > hotels is just four or five blocks away, altho Lhardy (one of the most > upscale restaurants in all of Madrid) is practically in the Puerto del > Sol. > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated. Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD. Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year? Thanks in advance. > Before you buy. > Before you buy.

Response:

You will find my own post re: my recent visit of Madrid with my family posted on this board on 3/26. We spent four nights at Hotel Santander ($45-55/night) and three nights at Hotel Ingles ($95-110/night) just across the street. The Puerto del Sol area had hundreds and hundreds of hotels and hostels, so my input is quite limited to these two oft- recommended hotels. Santander has a dingy, tiny lobby but the rooms, altho very old-fashioned with plaster walls, ancient tile floors, antique furniture, and fourteen foot ceilings are bright and spotlessly clean. The beds are hit and miss-we had two rooms, one with a nice firm bed and the other with two extremely soft, for me useless, twin beds. All in all, if you get a good room in Santander (firm bed, away from the street) it is a good bargain for a solo traveler or young, adventurous couple. Hotel Ingles has a more conventional (by American standards) lobby with rooms that are much more Holiday Inn-like. Our "suite" had it’s own private hallway, and two large rooms with modern furniture. The only nod to Europe was the bidet and the wall mounted toilet tank with chain, and yet the shower was nicer than you would find in most American Hyatts. In conclusion, splurge a little and stay at the Hotel Ingles, particarly if you, your wife, or kids are accustomed to American comfort. I found the staff to be much more attentive and professional at Ingles as well-heck, they wear uniforms and not street clothes, and actually smiled at the kids each time. The Hotel Mora is also widely recommended altho they could not accomodate the four of us the week we were there-they only had one spare room. You probably should consider it as well, since it is priced at just about $75/night. Puerto del Sol is the place to stay in my opinion, and we traipsed all over the various sections of Madrid. The area is very noisy on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with partyers, mostly college aged, but much less noisy on the remaining nights. It is close to the three big museums, and there is a concentration of good restaurants and tapas bars in the area. The "upscale" area close to the Ritz and Palace hotels is just four or five blocks away, altho Lhardy (one of the most upscale restaurants in all of Madrid) is practically in the Puerto del Sol. > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated. Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD. Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year? Thanks in advance. > Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

I will be visiting Madrid at the same time. It will be warm. I have stayed at The Sucia twice, not cheap. This time I intend on staying at a hostel. Look under Madridman.com, there is a section on hotels and hostels. It seems fairly comprehensive. I will watch this thread for any suggestions myself. Good luck. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Greetings !! Your info is appreciated.  Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late May, and would like to get some recommendation on a decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in Madrid for under $75 USD.  Is air-conditioned needed for that time of the year?  Thanks in advance. Before you buy.

Response:

Hotel Paris (off of Puerta del Sol), Hotel Ingles (on Calle Echegaray), Hotel Santander (down the street from Ingles and my personal hotel fav.), Hotel Carlos V all get mentioned on this board with some frequency.  All are one or two star hotels….clean, well located, no frills, good prices.  Of course, there are also a number of fine hostals that can May…average temps will be in the low to mid 70s f. (20s c.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated.  Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD.  Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year?  Thanks in advance. > Before you buy.

Response:

Greetings !! Your info is appreciated.  Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late May, and would like to get some recommendation on a decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in Madrid for under $75 USD.  Is air-conditioned needed for that time of the year?  Thanks in advance. Before you buy.

Response:

I will be visiting Madrid at the same time. It will be warm. I have stayed at The Sucia twice, not cheap. This time I intend on staying at a hostel. Look under Madridman.com, there is a section on hotels and hostels. It seems fairly comprehensive. I will watch this thread for any suggestions myself. Good luck. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Hotel Paris (off of Puerta del Sol), Hotel Ingles (on Calle Echegaray), Hotel Santander (down the street from Ingles and my personal hotel fav.), Hotel Carlos V all get mentioned on this board with some frequency.  All are one or two star hotels….clean, well located, no frills, good prices.  Of course, there are also a number of fine hostals that can May…average temps will be in the low to mid 70s f. (20s c.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated.  Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD.  Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year?  Thanks in advance. > Before you buy.

Response:

You will find my own post re: my recent visit of Madrid with my family posted on this board on 3/26. We spent four nights at Hotel Santander ($45-55/night) and three nights at Hotel Ingles ($95-110/night) just across the street. The Puerto del Sol area had hundreds and hundreds of hotels and hostels, so my input is quite limited to these two oft- recommended hotels. Santander has a dingy, tiny lobby but the rooms, altho very old-fashioned with plaster walls, ancient tile floors, antique furniture, and fourteen foot ceilings are bright and spotlessly clean. The beds are hit and miss-we had two rooms, one with a nice firm bed and the other with two extremely soft, for me useless, twin beds. All in all, if you get a good room in Santander (firm bed, away from the street) it is a good bargain for a solo traveler or young, adventurous couple. Hotel Ingles has a more conventional (by American standards) lobby with rooms that are much more Holiday Inn-like. Our "suite" had it’s own private hallway, and two large rooms with modern furniture. The only nod to Europe was the bidet and the wall mounted toilet tank with chain, and yet the shower was nicer than you would find in most American Hyatts. In conclusion, splurge a little and stay at the Hotel Ingles, particarly if you, your wife, or kids are accustomed to American comfort. I found the staff to be much more attentive and professional at Ingles as well-heck, they wear uniforms and not street clothes, and actually smiled at the kids each time. The Hotel Mora is also widely recommended altho they could not accomodate the four of us the week we were there-they only had one spare room. You probably should consider it as well, since it is priced at just about $75/night. Puerto del Sol is the place to stay in my opinion, and we traipsed all over the various sections of Madrid. The area is very noisy on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with partyers, mostly college aged, but much less noisy on the remaining nights. It is close to the three big museums, and there is a concentration of good restaurants and tapas bars in the area. The "upscale" area close to the Ritz and Palace hotels is just four or five blocks away, altho Lhardy (one of the most upscale restaurants in all of Madrid) is practically in the Puerto del Sol. > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated. Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD. Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year? Thanks in advance. > Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

In response to Eddy Tan`s posting , I`ve just returned from Madrid and as far as accommodations are concerned it is a wide open field .  I personally go for Best Western establishments but there are many Hotels to choose from .  For $ 75.00 you should be able to find what you`re looking for . I payed $ 56.00 but that was a senior rate .  All I can tell you is search the internet, there are  many agencies with special deals . You just have to spend  the time and shop around ,  very simple indeed . Good luck , jp

Response:

I agree we stayed at the Hotel Ingles the last two years in Madrid, the rooms are great you can walk everywhere and the staff was great. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You will find my own post re: my recent visit of Madrid with my family > posted on this board on 3/26. We spent four nights at Hotel Santander > ($45-55/night) and three nights at Hotel Ingles ($95-110/night) just > across the street. The Puerto del Sol area had hundreds and hundreds of > hotels and hostels, so my input is quite limited to these two oft- > recommended hotels. Santander has a dingy, tiny lobby but the rooms, > altho very old-fashioned with plaster walls, ancient tile floors, > antique furniture, and fourteen foot ceilings are bright and spotlessly > clean. The beds are hit and miss-we had two rooms, one with a nice firm > bed and the other with two extremely soft, for me useless, twin beds. > All in all, if you get a good room in Santander (firm bed, away from > the street) it is a good bargain for a solo traveler or young, > adventurous couple. > Hotel Ingles has a more conventional (by American standards) lobby with > rooms that are much more Holiday Inn-like. Our "suite" had it’s own > private hallway, and two large rooms with modern furniture. The only > nod to Europe was the bidet and the wall mounted toilet tank with > chain, and yet the shower was nicer than you would find in most > American Hyatts. In conclusion, splurge a little and stay at the Hotel > Ingles, particarly if you, your wife, or kids are accustomed to > American comfort. I found the staff to be much more attentive and > professional at Ingles as well-heck, they wear uniforms and not street > clothes, and actually smiled at the kids each time. > The Hotel Mora is also widely recommended altho they could not > accomodate the four of us the week we were there-they only had one > spare room. You probably should consider it as well, since it is priced > at just about $75/night. > Puerto del Sol is the place to stay in my opinion, and we traipsed all > over the various sections of Madrid. The area is very noisy on > Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with partyers, mostly college > aged, but much less noisy on the remaining nights. It is close to the > three big museums, and there is a concentration of good restaurants and > tapas bars in the area. The "upscale" area close to the Ritz and Palace > hotels is just four or five blocks away, altho Lhardy (one of the most > upscale restaurants in all of Madrid) is practically in the Puerto del > Sol. > Greetings !! > Your info is appreciated. Will be visiting Madrid (1st time) in late > May, and would like to get some recommendation on a > decent/clean/central-location/private-bath hotel/bed-breakfast in > Madrid for under $75 USD. Is air-conditioned needed for that time of > the year? Thanks in advance. > Before you buy. > Before you buy.

Response:

HELLO NEED 2 NOT EXPENSIVE ROOMS WITH BATH (4 ADULTS) IN  (OR NEAR )  FLORENCE OR IN TOSCANY FOR 2 NIGHTS FROM 27/9/99 WITH A PARKING PLACE FOR THE CAR. THANKS MONEL

Response:

Casa Palmira in the Mugello, just north of Fiesole is a converted 12th century stone barn and is owned and run by a delightful and attentive young couple.  It runs about US $93 for a twin-bedded room with bath. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >HELLO >NEED 2 NOT EXPENSIVE ROOMS WITH BATH (4 ADULTS) IN  (OR NEAR )  FLORENCE OR >IN TOSCANY FOR 2 NIGHTS FROM 27/9/99 WITH A PARKING PLACE FOR THE CAR. >THANKS >MONEL

Response:

Hello, Monel! I can give you some Internet sites that could be interesting for you Two offers in Bed and Breakfast in Florance: http://www.bedandbreakfast2000.it/ListaIta.asp?Nome=Firenze two double rooms with private bathroom

Is there one? I got one on a  search ( it’s in deja news rec.budget.travel.backpacking or something like that) but couldn’t access does deja news operate under a different system than this newsgroup & others? What about having a backpacking thread in this NG? All interested say aye! Sl

Charlie has a toy – little stuffed fluffy Kookaburra which sits on his cage during the day (along with a vulture on his tree branch..). Well this lovely female kookaburra flew right up to the window and looked in for ages thinking she’d found a new mate! Charlie was quite curious – his window looks out on the garden with all the trees, butterflies, lizards, prowling cats and other birds flying past – a great spot, no direct hot sunshine but not draughts either as I keep that side of the room closed. He also imitates the crows outside, and now can even mimic the "quack" alert sound on my computer! This is bird paradise! Does anyone have any similar stories?! ttfn, from Charlie and — Dona Nobis Pacem

Response:

(Julia C) writes: >He also imitates the crows outside, and now can even mimic the "quack" >alert sound on my computer! This is bird paradise! >Does anyone have any similar stories?! ttfn, from Charlie and

My lory, Ruby…loves to call back to the grackles. They, unfortunately, start talking at the break of dawn. She gets very excited and talks away, then realizes I am still in bed…breakfast is not yet on the way…and starts calling me…in a very shrill voice. By the time breakfast is ready…the grackles have quietened down and she is quiet again as well. Somehow…my SO manages to sleep through this whole thing. Margaret

Response: