Easter and The Royal Wedding

The River Severn at Evesham

The Magnificent Seafood Platter

                                                                   
                         
1st May 2011


The beginning of May, I can now prune the bushes and dig in the bedding pants and not be afraid of frost. Famous last words as it has been a glorious April so sunny and warm the warmest April in 350 years, more like Summer than Spring so it makes me somewhat cautious as to what the weather has in store for us next. Last week I received my postal vote for the local Council Elections with an extra vote For or Against changing the way we choose our government. I have duly posted it, we will see if the Alternative Vote (AV) wins or loses. Over the Easter weekend I drove down to Pershore to spend a few days with my brother and his wife, it was glorious. I had to go in to Worcester to buy a memory card for my camera. I realised after I arrived that I had inadvertently left the card slotted into my computer when I downloaded some photos. Still one can never have enough memory, really could do with a memory card slotted into me at times. I set off early on Friday fearing the usual motorway delays over the Easter holidays and it worked, I was down in Pershore within two hours, no delays and was witness to a glorious sunrise. Saturday morning we took a trip into Evesham, a nearby market town buzzing with life, plenty shops, market stalls and visitors. We walked down to the river and around the town before returning to Pershore for a rather special lunch at the Belle House Restaurant in part celebration of their Ruby wedding. We enjoyed a magnificent Seafood Platter by Sue Ellis, the Chef who is presently on TV competing in the Great British Menu stakes and a personal friend of my sister in law. How great was that!!. http://www.belle-house.co.uk/


Then Friday we had the Royal Wedding what a magnificent event ,everything was perfect. The bride and groom looked fantastic and the 100’s of guests looked amazing in their elegant clothes and amazing hats. The huge crowds that lined the streets where so organised and happy having a wonderful time. Not that I am a dutiful Royalist, but they did us proud, no one can do this kind of grand stand event quite like our Royal Family.
http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/

Spring Carpet

This is my favourite Picture

A carpet of Snowdrops

A sailors resting place

St James Church Belingham Worcestershire

Well both Computers have now found good homes so I am happy, it makes me feel so righteous after I have recycled stuff. The weather has been sunny and warm so it was a joy to work in the garden again. I managed to prune all my bushes, some quite heavily but then I was a wee bit concerned because we where threatened with frost, but thankfully they look ok and some buds are evident . The bulbs are not doing well, I only have three daffodils showing colour and many many green shoots that I fear will not. The snowdrops are very brave, they have been out even under the snow, I suppose that’s why they are called Snowdrops. On the 6th of March I drove down to Worcestershire to visit with my brother and sister in-law and catch upmy niece and her girls. I enjoyed the drive down even though I was reduced to driving 50miles per hour 50% of the way,due to road works, but I didn’t mind, it was quite calming as apposed to frantic. The weather continued sunny and warm all weekend much warmer than home . Sunday I went swimming and then had the Sauna and Jacuzzi all to myself, really felt special and I have never been as clean for ages. There where quite a few visiters dropping by over the weekend so there was plenty going on. On the Monday mt brother and I took a long long walk around Pershore. It was good to spend time with him, I don’t think we have talked as much in years and even though he had a heavy cold and I feel sure he was feeling rough, he soldiered on. But that’s what he is good at, soldiering, having been in the Army until he retired. It was good to see their girls again too,it`s amazing how fast they grow up these days.
After my swim and relaxation we took me to see the bulb display at a local church yard A Spring Carpet of Snowdrops and Croci, it was breathtaking ,up north everything is so behind because of the cold winds.

Go see more photos:-

Spring Carpet

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198705&id=577402844&l=5c3bf20d9b

Pershore

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198727&id=577402844&l=752709ac67

During the week I attended a local gig “Eclectricity” run by my friend Scott, a good mixture of poetry and music, featuring HoneyFeet a Manchester Jazz group., I couldn’t help but dance around to their music, it`s so foot tapping brilliant yet mellow and addictive. Loved it. By Friday I was starting the mother of all colds it really took my by surprise I can`t remember when I last had a cold so bad. Four days in bed , medicated to oblivion, coughing and sneezing almost continually . It was soooooo good when I stopped coughing. Unfortunately I missed out on the WI Spring Council Meeting at Southport .I was looking forward to hearing Sandi Torsvig speak, plus it`s an occasion when you meet up with friends from all the WI`s in the North. Today I had my hair cut, took a short brisk walk until it started to rain. I felt so sad at the state of the gardens there is just no colour at all. Spring has not yet sprung in Bolton!

Pershore Worcestershire

The Abbey Green

Pershore Abbey

1997 Pershore

Pershore`s the perfect place on a warm summer day.
I have come to hear the Brass Bands play.
The Abbey and green are so quiet and serene.
I`m all alone, not a soul to be seen.
Squirrels like quicksilver chase in and out of trees,
Then scurry up the trunk to hide amongst the leaves.
I sit very quiet and still, absorbing the sounds around.
Birds calling,blossom falling and the distant buzz of the town.
People on bicycles glide by ,aided by the breeze.
The sound of children`s laughter circles me with ease.
Trees restless in the wind,dance wildly for me.
As I listen for the sounds of the music to be.
A dog races by, barking madly at the sky
To disappear quickly,I look to see why.
All there is to this wonderful scene,
Is an ancient Abbey and a village green,
Peace returns and I sit in solitude enjoying the day,
Patiently waiting to hear the Brass Bands play.

<©> Val Cook 1997

A Pershore Weekend July 2000

My sister in law Carol,loves to cook.
And all she cooks comes from a book,
It`s Delia Smith from morn till night.
A great success `cause she always gets it right.
She also makes her own ice cream;
Using natural ingredients,she`ll never be lean.
But William my brother is as different again;
He likes his food plain,he`s the simplest of men.
Herbs especially Coriander, will never pass his lips.
All he wants for lunch, is plain fish and chips.
But Carol loves to entertain,she`s shelves of cookery books
Always busy in the kitchen,where her favourite food she cooks.
And after the meal we sit comfortably full.
The food, the wine was perfect, the company far from dull.
We chatted all the weekend,about this and that.
Underneath a brolly as it poured down as we sat;
To finish this meal that Carol had lovingly prepared
In praise of her skill and effort in the meal that we had shared.

<©>Val Cook 2000