Birthday Lunch

25th February
Hooray for the girls I had a very enjoyable Birthday Lunch Wednesday. I have been really surprised this year by the very thoughtful gifts I have received from near and far. Where would we be with out friends, thanks to everyone who helped me through that week. By the 22nd I was feeling more myself and motivated enough to read at Middleton. Went to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire that has been winning all the awards recently and I feel it deserved them, it’s a great film. Finalised all the arrangements for our Holiday in May. Dorothy and I have decided to stay overnight in London the day before we meet up with our tour. We leave on the Eurostar for Paris, stay for a few days in Milan, Turin, and eventually Venice. A Rail and Culture “ Tour of Vintage Italy”
Can`t wait!

Happy Birthday Val.

My back garden Jan 09

Had a sudden burst of Spring Fever last Monday when we had a mild dry day. I planted my Petunias and decided to clear out the Greenhouse and sweep the patio. This led to much more work but I was enjoying being outside. Tuesday I took my car back to the garage on Recall. It appears Fiat Puntos are developing problems with their Bluetooth and Cooling System. Enjoyed the Fiat Panda experience for a few hours as I continued my day driving this courtesy car . It’s a nippy little car very responsive and easy to drive but too small for me, I like a bit of weight under me and more room behind the wheel.
Spring fever continued for a few days, I had got the bug now we are having more daylight hours I feel energised.. Dusting polishing, emptying drawers and cupboards sorting and actually throwing stuff out, its very painful but I have to make room for new “Stuff” dont I.
Lunch with the WI at the local Catering College Restaurant. Excellent food and service but we had to vacate the building during the meal due to a fire in the kitchen. Some delay on returning but the food was soon replaced .
Saturday was my Birthday. I am not hot on Birthdays anymore they seem to drag me down. Valentines day is always in your face for weeks prior to the event. It’s a constant reminder, my birthday can never just sneak up and surprise me. I had lots of cards and phone calls. Cathy rang from Australia it is always good to catch up with them. Amy starts University on the 23rd we are all very proud of her and Ben is still enjoying his Rugby playing for Joondalup Brothers Perth. Stuart and Andy called both working and being Valentines day preferring to be with there significant others,you can`t blame them. I had a ride out, mooched around the furniture stores looking for a dressing table, but no one makes a decent sized dressing table any more they are all miniscule. I am going to have to compromise but not a recycled one. I felt much better by Monday but still object to adding another year to my life. “You are as old as you feel Val “ YAH
Passed on the Poetry Sunday just didn’t have it in me to read. Speakers Club last night cheered me though, they are such an uplifting group we had a very enjoyable evening. Everyone had prepared a three minute speech to a photograph or picture of their choice, that was varied and well done. I am looking forward to U3A Philosophy this afternoon we are discussing `God` that should be interesting.

U K under snow.

Taking a rest on the Great Wall of China

Wild Goose Pagoda Buddist Temple Bejing November 2008

Took my laptop and projector to a Ladies Group Tuesday evening to do a short talk and show photographs of my visit to China last November. I always enjoy these talks, they are very informal and there is often quite a bit of interaction which I like to encourage. Thursday I had a walk around a Garden Centre looking for some colour, its very early for most bedding plants, but I did get a few pretty Petunias for my pots. The country is in grid lock at the moment with deep snow mainly in the south . 6,000 schools closed ,here up North its been very different, a smattering of snow on a couple of days that soon disappears ,but boy is it cold.
Sunday - Its snowing today and it looks as if it might stick as it was freezing this morning minus 1 degree. I have been in Standish all day at the ASC Area Conference we heard some very good Speakers, it was excellent. I managed to get home before the snow caused problems on the roads. Oh yes, we finally got the steel shutter out of the fireplace and removed the dead bird along with two buckets of sooty dirt. What a performance, Andrew did well but then the work was getting the shutter back up the chimney. We managed to wedge it until we can find out how to secure it better I hope it doesn’t fall down in the middle of the night it would wake the street.

Harrogate North Yorkshire

Very soon the town will be full of colour with carpets of multicoloured crocus ,narcissi and daffodils covering the Stray, a large grassed area which surrounding the town. Its a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. Stuart has lived here for 20years so I have worn a groove between home and Harrogate over the past twenty years.