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Good morning, Rusty!
A sunny, warm morning here.
I am just home from my walk.
Yes, my son-in -law did well to get on the Master's course for Computer Science
He had to sit various tests to ascertain his standard in the subject, before being accepted, as he had majored in Business Studies.
I think the course is for two years, as it will be part-time, but am not sure of that...I will check.
I am put in mind of the film "Birdman of Alcatraz" from your mention of the girls' photo !
Burt Lancaster played Robert Stroud, the "Birdman".
Although this film was loosely based on a true story, I think much of the film was largely fictional, as Stroud was really "The Birdman of Leavenworth".
He had to leave behind all the birds for which he had cared, when he was transferred to Alcatraz, as birds were not accepted on the island .
For all that, I remember enjoying the film....back in the Dark Ages!
Did you ever see it?
I hope you have now got your Times problem sorted?

Hello, Elle!
Does "majored" mean he passed his exam?
I may have seen "Birdman of Alcatraz", about a million years ago!
I read a bit about Stroud, once, and he came across as an unpleasant character.
I don't think he was ever released.
Yes, The Times site is running normally.
They have not responded to my email, though.
Must have much more important things to do!
I am not sure, but the girls may be heading to Las Vegas today.
They loved Alcatraz!
I tend to leave them in peace when they are away.
They have plenty to do without granddad texting them!

I very much enjoyed my visit to Alcatraz many years ago. They had someone there who had been a prisoner and written a couple of books. One of my sons was fascinated to talk to him and bought the books, which he autographed.
I agree, rusty, I've heard the Birdman was not liked by the other prisoners. Having just read a little about him, he seems to have been an exceptionally angry and violent man.

Hello, Rosalind!
I am intrigued by my granddaughters thinking their trip to Alcatraz was "brilliant"!
I will be asking questions when they come home!
I think Stroud served many years in isolation.
He was never released and had been in the prison system for 54 years when he died.
Yes, a violent angry man.
Granddaughters say that cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge was "brilliant", too!

Hi, Rusty!
When I said that my son-in- law "majored" in Business Studies , I meant that this was the main subject studied for his degree.
He also studied Geography.
He now wants to "switch horses in midstream" ..stop teaching....and start a new career.
Hence the MScC.
Yes, Robert Stroud began his prison life as a violent murderer......
He was considered to be a dangerous psychopath , but of superior intellect, who studied whilst imprisoned, and became an eminent ornithologist and also an author.
Most knew him as "The Birdman" (although in "real life" , never of Alcatraz)
All his tending of birds took place before he was sent to Alcatraz.
He was later considered to be the most self-improved, and rehabilitated prisoner within the prison system.
He died in Springfield Medical Centre, when in his early seventies , having never been released.
This....er..... wasn't quite what was portrayed in the film, though!
But it was a good film!

Update, Elle!
The rangers at the Loch say Lassie has not been seen since Sunday.
They are fairly sure she has left on her migration.
So....safe journey to her!

Hello, Elle!
I see.
Right, "majored" being the main subject.
I understand, now.
Well, I hope it all works out for your son-in-law.
Most films, if not all, take liberties with the truth.
"Birdman" was no exception.
I read he was a very nasty man, who served a lot of time in solitary confinement.
I think Burt Lancaster met him, possibly before making the film.

Hi, Rusty!
Two of our posts crossed!
I have been looking in on the osprey nest regularly, but have not set eyes on any of its inhabitants for a couple of weeks now!
They must all be out when I call!
I am sorry not to have had a last glimpse of Lassie, before she departed!
Let us hope for a safe journey for her......
And that she will return again next year!
I do not normally like it when the truth is distorted in order to make a better film....but this is usually when I have earlier read the book.....and have a "yardstick"!
I did not learn about Robert Stroud until much later, so took much at face value at the time.
And the film was made in 1962...I was but young!

Good afternoon, Elle!
Yes, Lassie is on her way!
The chicks will go next, and finally Laddie.
"A safe journey and haste ye back" to Lassie!
I can not remember hardly anything about the film.
And my two lassies are on their way to Las Vegas.
Just had a text from the Norn Iron folk.
They follow the girls on FaceBook.
I'll see if I can track their flight.

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Did you track the girls' flight to Las Vegas?
How long does it take?
Will this be their last stop before coming home?
We have had a lovely afternoon here...
.I went out for a while with the dog, but have spent most of the day cleaning and tidying, in readiness for the family's arrival tomorrow!
Not that you can see any difference......
There was another Burt Lancaster film about the same era....."Elmer Gantry"?
Do you remember that one?
Burt Lancaster played a con man.......