Days on the road less travelled

I realise I haven't blogged since the beginning of August, and there have been questions asked by some of you. Where have I been and what have been doing? I've even been sent an article on the importance of posting blogs regularly!

No, the dog did not eat my homework, and I haven't got any of the usual excuses. There's been plenty I could write about and there were certain events I will cover,  albeit belatedly, but life has just got in the way.

I did spend ten days away, but I didn't venture far or to somewhere hot....I was down in North Somerset looking after Mama, my Mum, after an operation. At 87, she had been getting very breathless and in pain after walking  - even just after 50 yards or so. There were large blockages in her calf and groin which needed to be sorted out.

At 87 years old, Mama was prepared in case anything went wrong...she had written instructions for her funeral service and other things were discussed, however much I didn't want to talk about them.

Luckily she sailed through the operation, and going to her hospital room, I could see her through the open door before going in. Smiling at the sunshine streaming through the balcony windows, propped up in bed, with full eye make up and rosy lipstick, she looked as if she popped in for a pedicure rather than a big operation!

Being with her as she recovered was a joy, she's such a positive person, and a very patient patient even as I fumbled doing her dressings every day. We laughed, she walked her first steps around her garden, and as I was on chauffeur duty for shopping, to take her to the doctors. I also became her social secretary as an army of her friends rang to speak to her.

 When she rested, I caught up on some reading. I got quite a lot of writing on another project done, the old school way. With a pen and notepad. There was no wifi at Mama's and I don't know about you, but I cannot write blog posts in my i pad or phone even with the Blogger app.
It was also great to catch up with my brother and his family.

When I left to come home, Mama was feeling much better, and so did I,  after a time in the slow lane.

Coming back home, I was at full pelt work wise, both in the newsroom and making history and gardening programmes. Great fun, squeezing the most out of sunny days,  as well as going off to Glee, the last hurrah in the gardening calendar for the trade at the NEC .

More about Glee and the people I met there in another post, but I had a wonderful time there. When I got home that night though, there was a jolt in the form of a white envelope. I had been for a mammogram a few weeks before, now I was being invited to go Leicester's Glenfield Hospital for a recall in three days time.

I won't lie, I was uneasy. I 'd had one before, which involved a quick mammogram, and I was out within minutes with good news at the end of it. This time, things weren't quite so straightforward. I had one mammogram, a long wait, and then on to another machine for two different types of mammograms. Then an ultrasound, and as I walked in to the room, my images were up on the screen, and it was obvious that something wasn't quite right. I could see a lump, bump or nodule or whatever you call it.. My heart sank, but the wonderful staff, after more tests, told me it definitely wasn't cancer.

I didn't take in much of what was said after that. I was so elated, as my husband drove us home. It was grey and drizzly, but to me the sky was blue, and I just wanted to shout to the world how wonderful life is. Oh, and how amazing the staff are and the service is at Glenfield Hospital Breast Care Centre.

Now I'm having some more of my annual leave to look after my husband, who had a back operation at the beginning of last week. A fusion of his spine involving bolts and rods and something (cement?) to shore up his spine, digging out lots of arthritis,  and preventing trapping of nerves in his legs.

All went well for a few days, until he became unwell ...and after a scan, was found to have multiple blood clots in both his lungs. So a delayed discharge from hospital, and he's now on the mend after clot busting injections and medications,he even walked to the end of the lane this morning. He's now having a rest before we're off to another hospital check up.

So there you have it.....it's been an interesting few months one way or another.  I have seen more of hospitals than I expected, but I've also seen some incredibly dedicated nurses and doctors . I've also been really valuing the little things and understanding only too well how we can never take life for granted either.











 

A day of thankfulness

When I wrote last week's blog post, I was worried and upset. It was so upsetting to watch with the world of the devastation that the earthquake in Nepal had caused. I was even more worried when my son told me about his close friend Sam.

The oh so gorgeous Sam was missing in Nepal. I spoke to his Mum Alison who seemed very positive and together over the phone. That was an act of course...she and her husband Martin were desperately frightened. In classic British understatement mode, Martin smiled wryly as he told me "well, we've had better weekends!"

But on Monday lunchtime, there was good news when Alison phoned. Although they'd not heard from Sam directly, they had received a phone call from the Mum of another trekker who was with Sam. They were alive!

I drove out immediately to see them and to record this interview....do listen, and hear what happened by clicking here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02q7ypp.

It was wonderful to share their relief and absolute joy , and to take a photo which says it all...

My son was over the moon to hear the news that Sam was safe. They are part of a close knit group who met when they were eleven years old, all starting out at their new high school. Always in and out of each others houses, it's been great to see them grow up together.

One of the highlights for me has been our annual village barn dance ..and every year, the gang have met up in our garden on late Saturday afternoon in June

to pitch their tents on our lawn ,and off to Shirley's barn at the other end of the village...all dressed in jeans, checked shirts, boots and hats, to dance like crazy to old tunes and dances from a band, a caller, and then strut their stuff until 2 or 3am at the disco afterwards.

 Sam even travelled back from Brussels one year just for the weekend to be with his friends at the barn dance. Happy times. Now of course, they are all scattered all over the UK and the world. My son Callum went off to Oz for two years, now Tommy is in Columbia to teach English, Tom is in Peru, George is in Hong Kong, Andrew and Gazza are closer by.

They're all having adventures and learning about life, which is as it should be. Although we don't know yet how Sam is ,or when he'll be home, there's one thing he will have learnt for certain and that is just how precious life actually is.


 

A day of eleven questions

My good friend Becca and her friend E jointly write the lovely blog Make, Do and Spend ....and they've kindly nominated me along with others for a Liebster Award ...Kerry from Kerry Cooks, Fiona from Big Hungry Gnomes, Holly from Holly Loves Cake, and Ruth from Clarendon Spark 

But this isn't one of those awards where you get a gong....no, you have to answer lots of questions!

So, the rules of the award are:

- List 11 random facts about yourself
– Answer 11 questions given to you by the nominator
– Set 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate
– Tag your chosen bloggers and wait to read their answers- List 11 random facts about yourself
– Answer 11 questions given to you by the nominator
– Set 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate

All clear as mud? Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll  begin.....here's 11 facts about me....

1. My glass is always half full - I'm naturally optimistic.

2. Whoops....I'm so clumsy, always have been , always will be.

3. I adore reading .

4. I love recipe books...I seem to have a collection...about seventy of them. And food....I love food

5. I need some more bookshelves.

6. I love being outdoors ..in my garden or on the allotment..

7. I haven't got a bucket list per se, but there's quite a few countries I'm desperate to visit sometime soon. I really need to see Canada for the first time, and I want to go to New Orleans, and California visiting farmers markets and vineyards there.. Oh and Scandinavia...and Mautitius....I only had a day there the last time.
     My favourite countries are ...in no particular order...are Australia, (OK I lied) , France and Italy.

8. I've got three children , and without a doubt being a Mum is wonderful, so fulfilling, so exciting,   so incredibly emotional and I physically ache if I don't see the little darlings  for a long time....

9.My darling dog is up the duff and I can't wait for puppies in five weeks time.

10. My tipples of choice - A lovely merlot in the autumn and winter, rose and a sauvignon blanc in spring and summer and prosecco or crème de Bourgogne at anytime darlings! Just open the bottles.....

11. I haven't been to enough gigs or festivals this year.


Then we have to answer these questions

1. What’s the best thing about blogging?  Having lots of people interacting with something I've written, finding a blog and instantly getting who that person is, being part of a like minded community , finding something that interests me
 

2. And the worst?  Spammers, but that's about it....
 

3. What do you like most about the area you live in?  I live in a tiny village with quirky other people, in a beautiful area which constantly inspires and refreshes  me. I literally breathe a sigh of relief as I leave the city and drive into the greenery...
 

4.  What is your favourite season and why?It has to be summer....I need to see the sunshine and feel the warmth on my bones
 

5. What’s your favourite form of transport? A ship...I worked on a cruise ship for a year before I went to university, and three years ago I cruised down the Nile... I loved the rhythm of each day, waking up in a different place to explore after a comfortable night's sleep, the camaradie on board, and on days at sea, never being bored  by watching the horizon and hearing the waves
 

6. Your top three most-loved pieces of clothing?  Does that include footwear? If so, my DuBarry boots top the list. I 've had them for 14 years and they're still going strong. Years ago, I had the most beautiful white cotton sundress which really suited me. I wore it with red leather sandals.
 

7. What was the last thing you watched at the cinema? And theatre? Cinema...Oh I haven't been for ages. It was January....and a comic caper called Last Vegas, that my Mum wanted to see on her birthday. She loves Michael Douglas, Robert de Niro and Morgan Freeman who were in it, but for me the saving grace was Kevin Cline...

Theatre? Dial M for Murder
 

8. Favourite childhood book? Only one? Ok then, A  Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett which my uncle gave me for my birthday when I was 11. I've still got it...

9. What one piece of advice would you give to someone thinking about starting/just starting a new blog? Think about why you're blogging, and who you want your audience to be?

10. Now for the important question – whippy or scooped ice-cream? Scooped of course!
 

11. Which flavour? Well it has to be Italian.....blackcurrant first, and then pistachio


Now it's my turn to nominate!

The wonderful Hazel at It's Not F***ing Rocket Science...the adorable Lucy at Little Old Goose, the lovely Rosalind at Rosalind Adam is writing in the rain,  Alex at Alex Gutteridge writes ...and my gorgeous friend from across the pond Shannon at http://www.shannonlane.com/


Your questions ladies are....

1. What was the first band you ever saw perform live?
2. What was the worst meal you ever cooked?
3. You can only afford two courses so do you have a starter and main, or main and pudding?
4. What's your favourite word in the English language?
5. You have one colour to paint the inside of your house...which do you choose?
6. Your favourite holiday destination?
7. What are your three favourite blogs?
8. Looks or personality...which do you go for most?
9/What book are you reading at the moment?
10. What music track makes you cry and why?
11. You have only three plants to put in your garden...what would you choose?

Let the fun begin!
 

A day which redeemed itself eventually

Well, what a day!

I managed to leave work an hour over shift , and got to the car park opposite the BBC . When I say opposite, it is as the crow flies. It used be a quick little walk across by another little car park, but at the moment it's a longer walk.

The new Jubilee Square which is under construction  has cut off the entrance to our building, and we have to go around the block to go through the back door at the moment. Which is nice.

Anyway, I got to my car in the delightful NCP Car Park, walking up one flight of stairs, inhaling the revolting smell of urine soaked steps, and got to my car. As you drive out of the car park, you turn right  - you're on what is called St Nicholas Circle.  A huge traffic island  with a Holiday Inn plonked in the centre of it. Which is nice.

As I drove out around the circle, my car died . Just stopped, lights flashed on the dashboard, and that was it. No power whatsoever. You can imagine the delight of all the drivers coming up behind me. Despite my putting the flashers on, and gesticulating wildly for them to go around me, there were horns going, a few signs ( who knew two fingers or even one could convey such a fervent message?)
and I really did start to worry. How could I get the car to a safe position? Would my back end get shunted?

No one came to help....I was trying to phone for help without success, but then I gotr lucky. Help arrived - it wasn't the  cavalry, because he'd got out of a car, but he really was a knight in shining armour. His name was Paul Dickinson and he was  from British Gas...taking charge of the situation, he caught the attention of two Polish guys walking past .They couldn't speak any English, but with sign language he got them to help and all three of them pushed my around the traffic island to the hotel with the car park I'd just come out of.

Paul, thanks very much! And I'm sorry it took so long to get your breath back.And thank you to the car breakdown man with no teeth who arrived and was so cheery as he helped get the car started.

Three hours after leaving work, I finally got home, tired, and hungry.

But there was good news....for the last few months, I've been trying to find a suitable suitor for my lovely little dog Boo.  She may not be fussy, but I am, and I'd been looking for another black patterdale cross border terrier for her to have pups with. I'd even mentioned on twitter that Boo needed a dog....and I got accused of pimping her out on the internet!

Anyway, the problem has become a pressing one...Boo is in season and Shreddie, a lovely Jack Russell who also lives in the village ,is determined to have his evil way with Boo. He sits outside our gates howling to get in. He follows Boo on her walks with Mr Thinking of the Days, and today was lying in wait in the lane hiding in the long grass, and as they walked past, he pounced. |Boo had to be carried home held high so he couldn't get her.

Anyway, tonight I've sorted out the bridegroom (well it is "wedding season") for Boo. He's such a handsome chap , exactly what I wanted and he's so like Boo to look at , it's untrue.

 

They're meeting on Saturday and I'm going to be encouraging her to do what I told my children never to do, and that's sleep with someone on their first date. And apparently  their "date" is going to cost me seventy pounds.

Still, that's cheaper than what my car is going to cost me tomorrow, as I need a new starter motor, battery and a few other little bits.

But although I was so cross and flustered earlier ,stuck in the road in a car which wouldn't move, and cursing all the unhelpful people who honked their horns at me, it's a great feeling that there are genuinely nice ones who go out of their way to help someone. People like Paul Dickinson.

I'm also excited about what could happen in about nine weeks time. The patter of tiny paws ...now that's a day to look forward to.......


Today's track is from the incredibly talented Jimi Hendrix...a song that I found myself singing as I drove home tonight - Cross Town traffic

.

 

Days when it's time to stop and ....

High summer, which here in England means temperatures of about 20 Celsius if we're lucky. Not for us the certainty of being able to eat outdoors when we feel like it and the assurance that plans for days out can be kept to.

Which is why it's been a wonderful surprise to have visitors, one from Canada and three from Seattle from across the pond....and to be able to do things we normally can't.

I love being outdoors on an English summer evening. To be able to drink chilled glasses of prosecco while feeling the softness of the grass underneath my feet. To have friends and rellies around for supper and eat under the early evening sun

and sit outside into the long evening until darkness falls at way past 10pm...

even though it was a bit nippy by then...and even Liz from Toronto was feeling the chill.

 

Last Thursday the Americans arrived and were here for the 4th July too...

which we didn't celebrate with fireworks. We don't do fireworks ever here . Living in a thatched cottage,  being clumsy, and setting off fireworks would be too risky. Instead we chose the safer option, which cousin Melinda and Aunt Avril wanted to do, was to go and see the Leicester of Richard III. Greg decided on a game of golf.

But we did have nine for supper around the kitchen table - all family, laughing , drinking, eating and talking,....and oh how we talked .

When they left on Saturday lunchtime, and my darling daughter headed back down south,the house suddenly seemed very quiet, especially after such a very busy week.

A feeling of tiredness washed over me, and I decided that I would embrace the quietness and solitude.
I would do what my mum is always telling me to do...stop and smell the roses.

I haven't got any roses left in my garden but I did find time to sit in the garden , smelling the herbs and flowers

My faithful furry faced friend decided to follow suit...

and that , by and large was Saturday. Apart from cooking , washing and ironing and going to the allotment, I did nothing.

Sunday was even more restful... I really did stop . I read, and listened to Radio 4. I caught up with the Archers, and a wonderful documentary about the musician Jeff Buckley's visit to London twenty years ago . Do listen, it's available until this Sunday to listen again to.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b048hxpk


And then in the afternoon, Boo and I settled on the sofa for a ringside seat watching the men's final at Wimbledon.

Bliss, even though I felt exhausted afterwards. It's tiring watching tennis.....


One thing I will never tire of though, is listening to Jeff Buckley's music.Today's track is one of my favourite tracks of his - it's called "Everybody here wants you".The beat, the voice, the emotion, and the passion still get me every time I hear it.....

Listen, love it and press repeat.....

Wordless Wednesday - Park Life - November

 

 

 

 

Days when Winnie comes to stay....

I hear you've already been told about the new whipper snapper called Winnie - the puppy who's joined the family.
See here  When we met Winnie

Well, I've seen quite a bit of her since she arrived three or four weeks ago. She even came for a sleepover during the first week, and she'd only been here about five minutes before she was trying to find something to eat in my bowl! I'm calling her Princess Pushy from now on........

Anyway, the first time her owners left her with us, I thought she might be slightly frightened...after all she was only eight weeks old. So I tried to jolly her along with a bit of a game....and she went bananas. Playing, jumping, biting my ears, and pulling on my beard....which was the last straw. I retreated for a while, but she was like a Duracell battery...she just kept on going.

Mrs Thinking of the Days decided that enough was enough , and sat us both on the sofa, and eventually Winnie and I went to sleep. Well, it was X Factor on the telly....

When it was time for bed, she was put in her cage, and I sat on my chair, but it was so strange to have another dog in my kitchen at night time, especially one that cried.

Still, she's here every weekend now....and I have to say Winnie is growing on me. But when we play, even though I've shown her that we don't really bite or hurt people,  she forgets, and as she has the sharpest little teeth, I sometimes have to growl at her.

However, what really gets my goat, is how she invades my space. Nowhere is sacred...even my computer chair, where I sit right beside Bridget when she's tip tapping away at the computer.  I make my displeasure known of course but Winnie takes no notice and just goes to sleep.

And sometimes I have to give in otherwise I wouldn't get a moments peace.

She doesn't sleep for long though, and although she's become sort of house trained, she still leaves quite a few puddles on the floor. I'm calling her Wee Winnie at the moment....

And the other week, she had the audacity to pull down my hand knitted blanket, a gift to me from Mama, onto the floor and dragged it under the table, on the edge of one of those puddles, and sit there like Lady Muck. I was just about to tell Winnie her fortune (and it wasn't a good one) when I was stopped by Bridget. You can tell I'm not happy though, can't you?

 



 

These sleepovers seem to  becoming a regular thing....which I'm quite enjoying now....especially on a Saturday night in front of the telly.

 

 

 

I wonder whether Winnie is coming this weekend?

 Here's a video of Winnie and I - you see what I'm having to put up with?

 

The day I drove the happy accident to her new home....

There's a new addition to our family.....and even though she wasn't exactly planned , she's absolutely adorable.

Her name is Winnie and she's eight weeks old. She's a dog, not a grandchild...in case you were wondering.

My eldest son and his gorgeous girlfriend moved into a cottage in the country a few months ago, and were desperate to buy a new puppy. They came across Winnie, and that was it, they fell in love with her.

Today was the day to pick her up...unfortunately my son's girlfriend was in the Cotswolds earlier, so I got the chance to help bring her to her new home.

Here she is in the car...

Isn't she cute? Now, you may be wondering what breed of dog Winnie is...and I wouldn't blame you. And thereby hangs a tale.....I shall call it the tale of the happy accident.

Winnie's mother Roxy is a scruffy terrier of dubious heritage. There's obviously some patterdale in her , but what else, I haven't a clue. Border terrier perhaps? Anyway, she's black and grey in colour, and when I say scruffy...I mean it, her wiry fur stands up as if she's been plugged into an electrical socket and she has a tail like a bristly brush. A loo brush. Having said she's quite dainty, if a little forward if you get my drift.

About seventeen weeks ago , Roxy's owners went on holiday for a few weeks, and parents were drafted in to look after her. Well they did, but Roxy was in season...and in a moment of lust, madness, call it what you will, she escaped into next door's garden. In the garden was a randy cocker spaniel who couldn't look this gift horse in the mouth. A female in season coming to call...well ,he wasn't going to say "No" was he?

The result was Winnie, her brother and two sisters...none of whom look alike ,although they do look like spaniels. Scruffy spaniels...

Here she is with her new owner....

Winnie is mainly black, with brown paws and a few white flashes,  but when I first saw her from behind, I thought she'd sat in a bowl of porridge. Her bottom is a fawn colour , a round fawn shape, which if you had a bow and arrow , would make an excellent target.Very unusual, but I have to say she's the sweetest little puppy, very affectionate and playful.

Here she is with me - have a closer look at her....her face, not her bottom!

Winnie has already melted my heart...indeed, she really is a happy accident who will bring so much joy to my son and his girlfriend. And if she's not a pedigree dog, who cares? We certainly don't - we love her for who she is.

The only one who might be slightly wary, and even sharp with this little bundle of loveliness is my dog Boo, who is sitting next to me here at the computer, as if butter wouldn't  melt in her mouth......

She's very protective of me and may be slightly territorial or snappy when this little whippersnapper comes to call. When I came home this afternoon, she knew that I'd been holding another dog. She sniffed, she cried, and looked at me as if I was a traitor. But Boo is going to have to get used to Winnie, because she's coming for a sleepover in two weeks time. I'll let you know how they get on.....


Today's track is a song I had swirling around in my head this afternoon thinking about our happy little accident and how if Roxy hadn't have snuck into next door's garden, Winnie wouldn't be here...

It's by  Counting Crows , one of my favourite bands back in the nineties and it's called "Accidentally in Love".

 

The day I drove the happy accident to her new home....

There's a new addition to our family.....and even though she wasn't exactly planned , she's absolutely adorable.

Her name is Winnie and she's eight weeks old. She's a dog, not a grandchild...in case you were wondering.

My eldest son and his gorgeous girlfriend moved into a cottage in the country a few months ago, and were desperate to buy a new puppy. They came across Winnie, and that was it, they fell in love with her.

Today was the day to pick her up...unfortunately my son's girlfriend was in the Cotswolds earlier, so I got the chance to help bring her to her new home.

Here she is in the car...

Isn't she cute? Now, you may be wondering what breed of dog Winnie is...and I wouldn't blame you. And thereby hangs a tale.....I shall call it the tale of the happy accident.

Winnie's mother Roxy is a scruffy terrier of dubious heritage. There's obviously some patterdale in her , but what else, I haven't a clue. Border terrier perhaps? Anyway, she's black and grey in colour, and when I say scruffy...I mean it, her wiry fur stands up as if she's been plugged into an electrical socket and she has a tail like a bristly brush. A loo brush. Having said she's quite dainty, if a little forward if you get my drift.

About seventeen weeks ago , Roxy's owners went on holiday for a few weeks, and parents were drafted in to look after her. Well they did, but Roxy was in season...and in a moment of lust, madness, call it what you will, she escaped into next door's garden. In the garden was a randy cocker spaniel who couldn't look this gift horse in the mouth. A female in season coming to call...well ,he wasn't going to say "No" was he?

The result was Winnie, her brother and two sisters...none of whom look alike ,although they do look like spaniels. Scruffy spaniels...

Here she is with her new owner....

Winnie is mainly black, with brown paws and a few white flashes,  but when I first saw her from behind, I thought she'd sat in a bowl of porridge. Her bottom is a fawn colour , a round fawn shape, which if you had a bow and arrow , would make an excellent target.Very unusual, but I have to say she's the sweetest little puppy, very affectionate and playful.

Here she is with me - have a closer look at her....her face, not her bottom!

Winnie has already melted my heart...indeed, she really is a happy accident who will bring so much joy to my son and his girlfriend. And if she's not a pedigree dog, who cares? We certainly don't - we love her for who she is.

The only one who might be slightly wary, and even sharp with this little bundle of loveliness is my dog Boo, who is sitting next to me here at the computer, as if butter wouldn't  melt in her mouth......

She's very protective of me and may be slightly territorial or snappy when this little whippersnapper comes to call. When I came home this afternoon, she knew that I'd been holding another dog. She sniffed, she cried, and looked at me as if I was a traitor. But Boo is going to have to get used to Winnie, because she's coming for a sleepover in two weeks time. I'll let you know how they get on.....


Today's track is a song I had swirling around in my head this afternoon thinking about our happy little accident and how if Roxy hadn't have snuck into next door's garden, Winnie wouldn't be here...

It's by  Counting Crows , one of my favourite bands back in the nineties and it's called "Accidentally in Love".

 

Quiet days

Until the New Year, I'm going to be very busy work wise. I' m starting a new project...one which will last three months, mean lots of extra work and I'm sure it's going to be very emotional. I can't wait!

Next weekend will be busy at home, with friends and relatives staying and a big meal planned ,then  three days later I'm going on an action packed trip to Belgium. So this weekend, I promised myself a quiet weekend at home....no rabble rousing or staying up all hours, oh no.

And I've kept my promise -just quiet days in the countryside making the most of these, warm, sunshiney days which are left this year. They seem so very precious.

Early Friday evening, Boo and I walked went for a hour long walk up a dusty track

To one of Farmer Phil's fields....And while Boo sniffed out the hedgerow, I took these snapshots, anxious to preserve these beautiful moments...

And how pretty the pastel wrapped bales look....

As I looked over the fields,  I was struck by the horrible thought that within another eight to ten weeks, it will pitch dark and cold by this time of day.

I spent the whole of Saturday in the garden ....pruning, hacking and slashing  at the wild undergrowth, and yanking out weeds with relish. The brambles fought back mind you, and I smelt of eau de TCP as I dabbed away at the scratches. This was only round one in the current battle to stop the garden looking like I was on the film set of The Day of The Triffids.


 At least one corner of the garden has been slightly trimmed, if not tamed.

So,  lots of work to be done over the coming months in the garden, but by yesterday evening I could do no more, and it was time to sit out in front of the ha ha with a glass of wine, and Boo sitting at my feet.

 It was about six thirty ish,  the temperature began to drop, but we sat for another quarter of an hour, drinking in both the view and another glass of wine. Well , at least I did...

There's lots more to do though....this garden looks fine from a  distance...if you get too close, you see weeds, plants that have no right to be where they are....they've just seeded themselves where they please, thank you very much.

And today has been another beautiful day spent in the garden, pottering, picking blackberries and enjoying some quiet, solitary time. I suppose I should go back into the kitchen and get a groove on with the Sunday roast. But the sun is still out, and there's some more sitting out quietly in the sunshine to be done....making the most of it before the winter steals it away....


Today's track is by the wonderful John Butler Trio ..it's called "Better than"....
It's from the " Grand National " album which came out in 2007, which formed part of the soundtrack to my first trip to Western Australia.....and I only have to listen to this to be transported back to vivid blue skies, all year round outdoor living and having fun with my son and daughter....

 

Days mixed up..a Tuesday posting about Friday nights

There's a different smell in the air, the mornings are different.....cooler and bringing the promise of Autumn.

Don't get me wrong, I love Autumn as a season, but it's what lies beyond that...the dark nights and diminished days of winter, that I loathe.

What I always miss about summer are the long light nights....and that's something my friends Laura, Susie and I have been making the most of over the last few months.

Most Friday nights we meet at the local pub..in winter we sit by the fire with a bottle of wine...sometimes more...and we catch up on what's happened, what's going on. We meet early..sixish if we can, , and are usually home by eightish.

It's very civilised...in good weather , we've sat in the pub's little garden with a bottle and an ice bucket....but as the summer temperatures increased, we decided to meet up in each others gardens and really enjoy our summer evenings.

We started off  in June with bottles of wine and a few nibbles..as the nights became longer, our appetites grew larger , we progressed to Pimms ,crudités, hummous...

 

 

 

 

to prosecco, bread and cheese, grapes....

 

 

 

 

to sloe gin cocktails, olives, salads

 

 

 

 

 

to jugs of mojitos, homemade dips ...and the only evening  we sat inside because it was too breezy but with the French doors open....

back to wine.....and as summer has progressed, we've laughed and gossiped our way through the wines , spirits , snacks and canapes of many of our favourite countries. When I say gossiped though...that's not strictly true. The three of us talk about anything from history, news and current affairs, psychology, films, gardening, food...and oh alright, they may be the odd moment when we discuss the latest gossip.

It's been such good fun....and I think I can safely say...it's something we'll be repeating next year.....

In the soundtrack to my summer though, one band has featured prominently...Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo.....if you get the chance to see them, do! They are great live, the girls switching between instruments...but held together by Emily's beautiful and evocative voice. They headlined the marquee stage at this year's  Simon Says festival in Leicester in July  where I was compering...and it was such a pleasure to stand and watch from the side of the stage and appreciate just how enjoyably good they are.

Here's "Ghost Narrative"

 

Days mixed up..a Tuesday posting about Friday nights

There's a different smell in the air, the mornings are different.....cooler and bringing the promise of Autumn.

Don't get me wrong, I love Autumn as a season, but it's what lies beyond that...the dark nights and diminished days of winter, that I loathe.

What I always miss about summer are the long light nights....and that's something my friends Laura, Susie and I have been making the most of over the last few months.

Most Friday nights we meet at the local pub..in winter we sit by the fire with a bottle of wine...sometimes more...and we catch up on what's happened, what's going on. We meet early..sixish if we can, , and are usually home by eightish.

It's very civilised...in good weather , we've sat in the pub's little garden with a bottle and an ice bucket....but as the summer temperatures increased, we decided to meet up in each others gardens and really enjoy our summer evenings.

We started off  in June with bottles of wine and a few nibbles..as the nights became longer, our appetites grew larger , we progressed to Pimms ,crudités, hummous...

 

 

 

 

to prosecco, bread and cheese, grapes....

 

 

 

 

to sloe gin cocktails, olives, salads

 

 

 

 

 

to jugs of mojitos, homemade dips ...and the only evening  we sat inside because it was too breezy but with the French doors open....

back to wine.....and as summer has progressed, we've laughed and gossiped our way through the wines , spirits , snacks and canapes of many of our favourite countries. When I say gossiped though...that's not strictly true. The three of us talk about anything from history, news and current affairs, psychology, films, gardening, food...and oh alright, they may be the odd moment when we discuss the latest gossip.

It's been such good fun....and I think I can safely say...it's something we'll be repeating next year.....

In the soundtrack to my summer though, one band has featured prominently...Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo.....if you get the chance to see them, do! They are great live, the girls switching between instruments...but held together by Emily's beautiful and evocative voice. They headlined the marquee stage at this year's  Simon Says festival in Leicester in July  where I was compering...and it was such a pleasure to stand and watch from the side of the stage and appreciate just how enjoyably good they are.

Here's "Ghost Narrative"

 

A day of being so near and yet so far....

Another early start this morning. Awake at 4.20am, and by 7am I was at the airport....

Yes,East Midlands Airport....so near and convenient to fly from....


My destination was here......

where people were all milling around ready to fly off to some of these destinations  .....

There were two distinct types of passengers ...the business men with slightly crumpled suits looking harassed as laptops in hand, they made their way purposefully through to airport security.

The others were very pale people showing dulux white legs in shorts and wearing sunhats, ready for their weeks of soaking up the sun. "Passports" one man barked to his wife as they approached the check in desk......loud "hellos"as a group of  golfers met up in the departure lounge, off for a golfing break in Portugal. I could tell they were golfers, the visors and squint in the sun eyes and sunburnt faces gave the game away before I even caught sight of the telltale golf bags.

So where was I going , I can hear you ask. Well, let's put it this way - the departure lounge was as far as I got!

I was there to do a series of pieces for both BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Lincolnshire about the airport itself as it was fifty years ago today that it was decided to create East Midlands Airport on the site of an old air base. ...

Since then it's developed into a thriving hub for both passengers and cargo.

According to Andy Cliffe, the new Chief Executive there, four million passengers take off or fly into the airport each year...and it brings 300 million pounds each year into our region's economy.

All very good news....and I've so many happy memories of trips begun in this very departure lounge. A trip to Africa with the Gambia Experience..for much needed sun, swimming and birdwatching in the middle of a dreadful English winter  and following the journey of a remarkable woman to see how she's transformed and supported a local school for 400 children there.

A trip to Belfast, for a weekend of history, culture, and a very good guided pub crawl...trips to France for quick little holidays....and then the most memorable flight of all, to the Ukraine.....on the Antonov  An-225, the world's largest plane. What a trip that was. I was the only journalist accompanying ten charity workers who were delivering tons of shoeboxes on board which contained gifts and essentials for Ukranian orphans. That was a very emotional four days which will stay with me for the rest of my life.

But unfortunately today, there was no  trip to take....just a short drive back down the M1 to the BBC studios feeling rather miffed that I wasn't off on my jollies. Next time I visit East Midlands Airport, I hope I'll be one of the ones wearing shorts and a sunhat , with my battered old passport in my hand.

Today's track....well, I hope you didn't think it was going to be "Airport "by the Motors...because it definitely isn't. I
Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats, fasten your seatbelts please, and enjoy "Learning to Fly" by Foo Fighters. I love the song...and although I've seen the video so  many times....I still laugh.

 

Saturdays

Since schooldays, I've always loved Saturdays. Many of them spent playing in the park with my younger brothers, but it was also the  day when Mama (my mum) would often take me shopping.  It was a time when I could have a small slice of her all to myself. Sometimes, it was just grocery shopping, off in Mama's car...a Morris Minor, all leathery seats smell and the clickety click of the window wipers. Sometimes we would catch the bus to town and buy a new dress or coat, and she would give me the money to pay the driver...and oh didn't I feel grown up.


Growing up as a teenager and a convent schoolgirl in Africa, Saturdays meant freedom. Working in the city on a Saturday job selling books and magazines from 8am until 1.30pm and then walking to the beach for a long afternoon of sun, swimming, watching my friends surfing..and ice cold drinks from the café.

University Saturdays began late ....usually after a very good Friday night out...but always ready to meet the gang for a walk from the campus into town....for a mooch about, for a drink....and then to get ready for Saturday night. The thought of staying in on a Saturday night was unheard of...they meant going to a gig, a disco, a bar or a party..

When I became a mother, Saturdays was all about our gang of three....music lessons and tennis in the morning , a picnic, a village fete on summer afternoons or a winter walk in the park, all muffled up ....and then  for many years , the odd Saturday night out when we could get a babysitter. Out with friends for a meal, or going to friends' houses for supper....

Now, my Saturdays are still so precious. After a busy working week, Saturday mornings means nipping to the farm shop to buy something tasty for the weekend, perhaps a wine tasting here...

going to the allotment , walking the dog, being in the garden.

Sometimes there's the whole family gang of us for a meal, sometimes just Mr Thinking of the days and I sitting quietly with a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta.....but I love my Saturday nights at home.

And now in May , there's time after supper to just admire, appreciate and adore the lighter nights....I walked out into the garden at about eight o' clock last night...the light was extraordinary. Boo and I just stood there admiring the view

the colours in the garden...

and peered over our garden fence

and then we decided to make the most of a lovely evening , with a quick walk across one  of the fields which normally contains sheep ...Boo loved it....so much room to run about in....
to momentarily lose track of us

 



 

Ah, there you are....

 

 



We walked back through the village and saw the lambs playing

Admired the blossom everywhere

Inhaled  the sweet smell of the grass, and surprised myself by inadvertently taking a photo as we walked along.. I love it...the lushness of the grass in it's all its abstract glory.....

I still love Saturday nights....I really do......


Today's track is from Chicago...a band whose music I appreciate even more every time I hear it. Here's Saturday in the park....with lovely memories of Saturdays gone by.....