My brother lives up North where they have real weather. He was snowed in all last week and look at the icicles that he has on the side of his house. Proper weather!
More snow stuff
Author: neil.baldwin
SELECT * FROM Excel Spreadsheet
Here is how to access data in an excel spreadsheet, from a SQL login.
SELECT * FROM OPENROWSET(‘Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0’,
‘Excel 8.0;Database=c:table.xls;HDR=YES’,
‘SELECT * FROM [Sheet1$]’)
You can also link the spreadsheet to a table.
SELECT * FROM OPENROWSET(‘Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0’,
‘Excel 8.0;Database=c:\update_asms.xls;HDR=YES’,
‘SELECT * FROM [Sheet1$]’) x INNER JOIN invoices o on x.invoice = o.invoice
This means you can update tables based on data in spreadsheet without having to do the import into a table malarky.
Free domains from Micro$oft
Micro$oft are offering a doamin for free (.com/.net etc 1 year, or .co.uk for 2 years). I have signed up trying to get a whacky domain. Not sure what I might do with it but free is free. Watch this space for more news and to find out what domain name I have chosen.
Free quick and easy logos
If you need a logo or a banner for a site then try CoolText.com Here is one I prepared earlier.
Sunday walk round Minsmere from Eastbridge
After breakfast packed and loaded up the cars, and then headed off down the foot path to Minsmere sluice. Always on the look out for Bittern flying up out of the reed beds. The weathewr was bright but not as sunny as saturday. Spotted some black ducks out at sea we claimed them as Common Scoter. Visited East Hide where we saw a Smew and a a bloke in the hide (new to bird watching) got very excited about a duck we could not figure out, turned out to be a female Smew.
Headed round and along the Northwall back to the visitors center where we had the obligatory coffee and cake. Then headed back to the pub via Bittern Hide (no sign of Bittern). All things considered a fantastic weekend.
On the way back we stopped at Auntie Anne’s and had more cakes and coffee, all home made and yummy. Had to depart all too soon and head up the A12 followed by M25.
Final list for the weekend: Robin, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, GS Woodpecker, Dunnock, Stonechat, GC Grebe, Herring Gull, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Kestrel, Magpie, Siskin, BH Gull, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Cormorant, Lapwing, Shelduck, Mallard, Dunlin, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Pheasant, Marsh Harrier, LBB Gull, Shoveller, Starling, Curlew, Rook, Bearded Tit, Canada Goose, Moorhen, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Crow, Little Egret, Coot, Common Scoter, Smew, Pintail, Sanderling, Marsh Tit, Greenfinch, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Jay. (60 YTD 68)
A walk by the sea
Got up for breakfast at 9, excellent fry the landlord had got up early to get us some Quorn sausages, we had mentioned the previous evening we are all veggies. Drove to Minsmere RSPB reserve then walked over to Dunwich Heath via the north wall. Saw a suspected Osprey that turned out to be a Marsh Harrier, but no Dartford Warbler. After coffee at the coast guard cottages we headed back down to the East hide where there was not much to see the usual ducks, lots of Lapwings, and just a couple of waders (Dunlin). On the way back to the visitors centre we got superb views of 5 Bearded Tits. Back to the pub to change then off to Southwold shopping. We saw a field of Curlew on the way. Bought some almonds and a Heidi Pie from the foodies shop then back to our accommodation to watch the rugby. Ireland won and as I write I we are in the pub drinking best bitter!
Eels Foot Inn
Arrived at the Eels Foot inn at Eastbridge. Weather totally different here than back round Aston Clinton. There is hardly any evidence of snow. I realised when I arrived that I had forgotten my wallet, and worse than that I had not a penny on me! I guess the weekend will be on Helen. We are looking forward to a spot of bird watching tomorrow, Lapland Bunting, Velvet Scoter, Water Pipit, and Green Winged Teal have been reported three of those would be life listers. The Eel Foots inn is a great pub just how you remember them, a small bar basic furniture. As with most pubs round here you they sell nowt but Adnams but who’s complaining. I am supping a pint of Best Bitter as I write this blog entry. Looks like we will be spending the evening in the pub, it’s a hard life!
More snow
My window at work, it’s a crap picture but I decide what goes up and what does not. Only a handful of people made it to work today. Off to Eastbridge later hopefully if the conditions allow. A41 is apparently shut between Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead, so fingers crossed.
Yet more snow
Woke up to more snow today. Walked to work via Buckland. Not many people at work and they shut the place down at one. Walked home then got on with some work. The picture is The Oak pub in Aston Clinton taken on the way to work.
EasyJet late then on time
Arrived at Belfast International and all looked good, then an announcement suggested a 45 minute delay. Next thing you know we are called to gate 14. Not sure if Google latitude works in the UK although I got it working I think its is because my Blackberry is attached to a server in Dublin, then when I surf the internet that is too. Did not see any of the 000’s of Waxwings being reported.