It is with great sadness that I need to tell you about the passing of my companion, Moggy.  She was a part of Mirleft life and everyone knew her.  She was an old lady and developed a number of health problems which made life very difficult for her and she finally passed away.

The house has not been quite the same.  We didn't always get along and I fought her for Sally's attention.  Recently, however, I have been distracted by a new arrival to the B&B.  Her name is Sheba.  We seem to have a very different relationship and I think she is going to give me a run for my money.  Welcome, little one, you will meet people from all over the world and leave your mark, just like Moggy.

​The other day Sally introduced me to a small statue that is supposed to look like me.  I have to say I am not too sure what to make of it.  Apparently said hand carved, wooden statue was bought from Sidi Ifni market one Sunday and then painted to resemble me.  Whilst I am flattered to think someone went to the trouble of capturing my likeness, I am dubious and have a few issues. 
 
Firstly, what does it do? Apart from looking attractive, it does not talk, does not walk, in fact it does nothing at all.  I am a very expressive bird and will interact with you in a number of ways.  Unfortunately, Sally appreciates some of these ways more than others and sometimes I am told in no uncertain terms to 'be quiet'.  I have seen Sally looking fondly at the new addition and showing other people who have admired it too.  I am starting to wonder if Sally prefers it over me!  But then I take stock as I sit on Sally's shoulder and she talks and plays with me.  We have a human/bird relationship which the little statue can never have. So when it boils down to it, Sally and I both know, there ain't nothing like the real thing.

I had a real 'Wind Beneath my Wings' feeling today as I perched on high looking over Mirleft at the start of the New Year.  There have been many changes here over the past year and the B&B has been freshly painted, my old stand has been repainted making me look very regal and a new road leads to the house.  Some things never change however, and I still argue with Moggy over who is going to get the space on the bed with Sally (I usually win) I love walnuts in their shell and meeting new people, especially those that tell me how beautiful I am.   

So not much to reflect on for this bird.  I have no New Year's resolutions apart from maintaining my plumage as quite frankly it just doesn't get any better than this.  However, if you fancy a change of scene this year why don't you make a resolution to come to Mirleft and see me.  I'm sure you will feel like I did on that day, like you have the wind beneath your wings.......

It's my mum's birthday and the house is busy with clients and people knocking to wish Sally a Happy Birthday.  This makes me a little more animated than usual as I pick up on the excitement and enjoy the ongoing attention.  I wish I could sing Happy Birthday to Sally but that is a bit beyond my repertoire right now.  Who knows, this bird is still only a young chick, I may be able to crack it another year but until then from one amazing bird to another, Happy Birthday!

Things have been carrying on as usual at the B&B except for one thing and that involves me.  For the last week, after the clocks went forward,  I have felt a stir in my feathers, the urge to call out became stronger and I have been a little naughty.  I looked Sally straight in the eye and knocked her tea on the floor and destroyed a number of my toys.......ooops.   Sally decided to give me a bit of a talking to and showed me some clips on YouTube.  I watched with interest as she typed in 'squarking' when I thought my 'call' was rather tuneful.  We then both watched a number of clips that informed me that as I live with Sally at the B&B this behaviour was not going to attract the 'bird of my dreams'.  So now things have changed a little bit and Sally does not answer my 'call' but I get rewarded when I am quiet.  I have plenty of new toys and more time out of the daylight in the evening.  So although I was calling for my 'bird in shining armour' he did not answer but I get plenty of attention from my non-feathered family and I have settled back to being a quieter bird.   

​Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....no don't worry this bird is not going to perform a tribute to Julie Andrews, however I do have my favourite things and also things I don't like.  As well as my love of crepes and Fatima's jam I have a love of buttons, bracelets and earrings.  I am able to easily remove earrings and buttons with a slight of beak as skilful as a magicians slight of hand.  Bracelets turn, look pretty as they catch the light and can make a nice sound.  However some things don't go down quite as well with me for example I do not like red hair.  Maybe I feel a little threatened by people who challenge my colourful plumage but for some reason I am a little hesitant around them.  I am not hesitant around men who show an interest in Sally though and I am likely to get a little rowdy like a disgruntled teenager, squark loudly, flap my wings and throw things around.  Still I'm only young and maybe my likes and dislikes will change maybe to bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens.... Hold on isn't that a song.........

​I will not be everyone's pirate accessory. However my feathers are in demand and when I lose my lovely feathers people make earrings and necklaces with them and put them in their hats. If a guest is lucky enough then I may make sure I just drop one in their sight... I am thoughtful like that and then a little bit of Bella goes back with them to the country they came from. Then who knows when they find that feather in years to come they may think back to Sally's B&B. As I write this blog I have dropped 4 feathers in my cage for Sally today.

​Please talk to me.... I just love attention.  During the day I spend most of my time in my large cage on the terrace surrounded with plenty of 'toys' and places to climb.  I have orange juice with Sally to start my day followed by breakfast in my cage.  If I am lucky I may get a crepe (which I love) or toast with Fatima's homemade jam.  My cage is cleaned and then I may spend time with Sally and wait for admiration from guests that want to come and see me.  There is always something going on at the B&B and I will talk to you, bob my head, if you bob yours, and I love to say 'ça va'.  If you walk past me I will make sure you pay me attention, this bird won't be overlooked.... Someone tried to ignore me today, I gave a huge squawk and then said 'ça va'... He noticed me then.....but there are some things I won't say like 'pieces of eight'..... More on that soon....