Tag: Cardiff

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Social media cafe launches at Cardiff University

Back in Victorian times all the best plans and projects were hatched in the coffee shop where thoughts were exchanged between philosophers and practitioners from many disciplines and backgrounds. The world of social media is great for making connections and for replicating this cross-fertilisation of ideas; it fosters the creation of networks and allows the early discussion of ideas and enables the hatching of plans, but it lacks the obvious benefits of face-to-face contact and also the possibilities for animated, coffee-fueled group discussion.

Informal conversation is where engagement starts. Coffee (or a similar beverage) is what relaxes you (or stimulates you) to start that conversation. Put the two together and you have a winning formula.

Go to the Cardiff menu tab for further information and for short reports of events.

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Pond and birdlife

The goldfish appear to have (largely) survived the coldsnap – haven’t been able to do a census but early fears have been unfounded. What is obvious is that the “stream” leading into the pond needs some serious work doing on it in the spring. There’s a seapage from it on the way down to the waterfall and it would seem prudent to re-line it. The other possibility is that the pipe that goes from the pump to the “spring” is punctured in some way. Either way the work will have to wait until it gets a bit warmer. I also need to repair or replace the main pump as the secondary one is just not powerful enough to handle both the filter and the “stream”. So all in all that’s a weekend of work to look forward to.

The excitement of RSPB Garden Bird weekend is over, but in addition to what I spotted that weekend …

1 pair of bullfinch
2 pairs of greenfinch
2 pairs of goldfinch
2 pairs of chaffinch
1 pair of blackcap
1 pair of blue tit
1 pair of great tit
5 house sparrow
2 collared dove
1 robin
1 pair of blackbirds, plus another female

… it was pleasing to see a second robin, and an immature thrush this morning. Plus the population of goldfinches had risen to seven! News of the feast we’re providing for them must have spread.