My Back Garden

8th February 2012

At long last the snow arrived  on the 4th February and the country came to a stand still.  Cars where backed up for 24hrs on  a fairly gentle slope near my house, unable to go any further. The phenomena these days in the UK when snow is predicted, people storm the supermarkets and  buy a mountain of  provisions as though life will be on standby for weeks. If fact that rarely happens here, the roads will soon be clear. The gardens look pretty  though covered  with deep pristine snow especially when the sun shines.

Last  Friday whilst I was  out shopping   I locked my  keys in the car. Stranded miles from home I rang around for help but no one was answering my call. There was a café nearby  so decided to have lunch and try again later. Fortunately some one did ring back and I got a lift home to collect my spare set.  Never has this happened to me before, I felt so impotent and stupid for rest of the day  but now can laugh about it  as another senior moment.

Monday I attended Bolton Speakers Club as my friend Betty was taking her B9  “Audience Rapport” her excellent speech was being used for the Speech Evaluation Competition so I took part and even though its almost three years since I did any evaluations, most of it  came back to me and I enjoyed the challenge. It was good to see everyone again, I will pop in now again to get back into the swing of things, but I don’t intend to take part in any of the events until the session starts again in September.

Busy day up in the loft sorting again which stuff to throw away and which to keep.  I know full well when I pass over, it will all be disposed of but then I won’t know, or I don’t think I will !
My grandson came for tea again this week, he is such a darling and doing so well at school.  I am hoping this will become a regular thing now he is getting older and able to make choices.

Finally decided on a cooker hood for my new cooker (12 months old.) it’s a stainless steel  chimney hood, very superior, I can’t wait to see it in-situ. But we have to move a overhead cupboard to make room for it, how long that will take is another story.

This week it was good to hear for my cousin Pam in Cornwall she sounded great and I had a long chat with Cathi in Perth, that cost me, but was worth it.  I must remember to get a Tesco International Calling Card which allows cheap calls abroad, it’s  recommended as the best deal. I have Skype on my PC but it requires some degree of organisation to work well and we are just not that organised.
Every one is well and  keeping busy which is  a comfort in this very difficult time. I hope that the government will honour their promises and not bow down to  pressure from other governments. Iran is very volatile, Argentina is  threatening we do not want any more conflict and the EEC well that's a constant problem. Now Scotland wants independence !

6th February  1952 marks the ascension day of   Queen Elizabeth 11 she has been  the British Monarch  for 60years and still going strong . I am not a royalist but I do admire her strong dedication to her  role,she is 'dedicating herself anew' as diamond jubilee year begins, so I assume Charles is just not ready.






I have settled into my new  mentoring of PC beginners at St Vincents.   My first session was overwhelming with nine eager learners, but I have been able to reduce the numbers by organising a more structured programme, concentrating  first on those with basic needs and providing a programme of exercises for others with various computer skills.   Looking forward to starting at another Library on the 14th February. I was sad to  finish  at Castle Hill  I was so comfortable there, the staff where my friends, but they  close in two weeks and hopefully one or two may follow me to Harwood..        

   

The Lead up to Christmas

                                                              Snow covered country road



Well I certainly haven’t experienced anything like the ice and snow we have had this November. The whole of the UK was gridlocked -20 degrees in Scotland. It has cleared and feels a little warmer, but the forecast is, we have more to come. I was in Australia for three months last winter escaped the snow and ice but heard how horrendous it was, people where trapped in their homes for weeks; so I had better get stocked up on essentials and pretty soon too. Christmas is creeping up on us but I have most of my shopping done it’s the wrapping and the deliveries next. I haven’t been quite myself this past week, nothing significantly obvious just tired and this stonking headache that responds well to a couple of painkillers but then its back within 5 -6hours. I don’t know which is worse the headache or the side affects of these pills. Didn’t stop me from attending a couple of Christmas Dinners, some times I find distraction is as good as medication, to meet up with people you rarely see and catch up on their news. I have organised a Christmas party for the poets this month ,thankfully I am not catering , just hope the weather stays reasonable, last year because of the snow only a handful made it. I am hoping to stay with Stuart in Knaresborough over the Christmas weekend but of course every thing depends on the weather , after last year everyone remains sceptical. My grandson seems settled in Sydney and is keeping in touch with everyone via Face Book and Skype and by all accounts a having a grand old time before he buckles down to work. Face Book is a brilliant tool for keeping in touch with friends and family but some need to curb their language and watch what they say, I don’t think they realise that its much more public than an e-mail. A casual comment can sometimes offend and bullying is riff on these social network pages. There have been teenage suicides attributed to comment on social networking sites which is really unacceptable, I try not to read to much in to most of it, but it still can cause me concern. There are many safeguards on these social networking sites to protect information but some often do not bother and leave their pages open to the world. A local teenager recently stabbed another to death over a derogatory comment on Face Book about his sister.
New Year Resolutions guys -: I set out to do may be one a year, as I feel that is enough for anyone especially if it’s a tough assignment. So I am working on this New Years Challenge and will let you know when I start it. Last year a vowed to reduce the number of groups I was involved in to a manageable three. This I have achieved Women’s Institute, WriteOutLoud and History, I did start volunteering at the library, but I don’t feel that counts.



My Birthday

The Hydrangea bush on the front

The back garden

Hi everyone, don’t we soon get back into the usual routine. Lunches out and Gym three times a week. I have missed the gym, its surprising how unfit one can get after a couple of months of relaxation, still I feel we need that too as a balance. The sales are still on and I managed to find some real bargains, that always gives me a lift. It has tried to snow on a couple of occasions but thankfully never got established. One morning when it had been snowing all night I had a dental appointment at 0915hrs and decided to walk because of the state of the roads, no gritters had been. I went out looking like an someone on an Everest Expedition. But I was warm dry and felt real secure underfoot, in my walking boots. Looked a little out of place sitting in the dentists chair though. Went to the movies to see `Avatar` a brilliant film, especially seen in 3D, it was nearly 3hours long but worth it. Valentines Day was spent in Harrogate with Stuart and Sara, Sam was working but I did get to see him. It was my birthday and Stuart cooked us a special meal. I received lots of cards, presents and phone calls, especially from Cathi Amy and Ben, Leonard and Mona in the USA and Pam in Cornwall rang. During the week I had a birthday lunch with the girls, everyone really made my birthday very special. Bought a new Dell Laptop running Windows 7 as a birthday treat and will pass the old one to someone in need of a laptop. I also have my old Desk Top Computer working on Window XP, its 7years old and still in good order. But nobody wants Windows XP, but I will not give up, eventually find some one who wants it.
Went to a lunch at the Local Technical College with 45 members of the W.I. Prepared and cooked by the Catering Students, the food and service was excellent.
Dorothy and I have booked a holiday with the PTG tours again, we will be seeing Portugal via Train and Boat, it’s our third Rail Enthusiasts Tour, we just love riding around on vintage locomotives, many with steam, in renovated antique carriages.
On Sunday we had deep snow but it had gone by evening and I was able to get to the Howcroft my first Poetry Gig there since October. I wasn`t disappointed we had a full house and a brilliant night ,so much laughter and good poetry.
Check out Darren`s, Review of the evening. he has a unique way with words and I think he is brilliant.
http://writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=9029

Snow in Edgworth

Snow in Edgworth
Friday 27th Betty June and I had a great day out at Boundary Mills Factory Outlet in Colne.
Came away with a jacket and four sweaters, all brilliant bargains. I either go home without a thing or I could spend a small fortune, this was one of those days, but I have to conserve something for my holiday in May. Sunday Ist March “White Rabbits” its suppose to bring you luck if you say WR on rising . I must admit it was almost 10am before I remembered but said it anyway as it must be daybreak somewhere in world .. The speaking Contest was very successful we had six applicants and a they all gave a very varied account on “Fashion “ Wednesday another Birthday lunch this time it was for Irene. We went to a Cypriot owned Pub The Rose and Crown in Edgworth. Just as interest this pub was recently hit by a truck and has been refurbished. Our Stuart used to help serve behind the bar in his youth. Excellent food and service, very different I will be going back soon to try another of his dishes . During our meal there was a heavy fall of snow, we where way up in the hills but on returning home the snow was very light and almost gone.. The weather man says we will have this cold snap for a few weeks and more snow to come. Sadly there was a six car traffic accident in the area due to the snow and the motorway was closed. Because we have had this prolonged cold weather with heavy falls of snow, most councils are complaining they haven`t enough grit for the roads and are having to import grit/salt from Europe. Plus potholes and damage to the roads as a result of this cold weather, are deadly. It pays to drive on the major roads they at least are monitored and some repairs carried out.

From the The Bolton News
Freak snowstorm sparks Bolton road chaos
2:53pm Wednesday 4th March 2009
A SUDDEN snow storm sparked motorway chaos as emergency crews were called to four separate crashes. The M61 northbound was closed - causing five-mile tailbacks - as paramedics treated casualties and police cleared the carriageway of debris. Five people were taken to hospital after being carried from their cars on spinal boards. A number of others were injured in the smashes, which happened almost simultaneously at 2.30pm. The accidents are causing widespread chaos on arterial routes in and around junction six, Horwich, of the M61. Inspector Phil Cottam, from Lancashire Police, said: "When I first came to the scene it was snowing quite heavily, but only a short distance along the motorway it was bright sunshine.
"What I would say to people is to take extra care because conditions are changing minute by minute."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auWwG6FqjrA

This shows the lorry crashing into the Rose and Crown.

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.

December 2008

View from my front step 2.12.08

1st December 2008
Well here we are the final month of the year 2008. I remember the build up to the millennium that doesn’t seem that long ago, its rather frightening how the years fly by. I have started organizing Christmas but its taking a great deal of effort to get motivated. I was so happy to post my overseas cards before the last posting date. Missed the surface mail again this year so I must get myself a reminder as its quite expensive otherwise. I expect there will be a many tightening their belts this year with the increase of fuel, food and utilities. I know I am very careful with electricity but I wont be skimping on heating as that is asking for trouble. But I have turned the thermostat on the central heating down a degree for the time being and wear socks and sweater in the house. My youngest son Stuart had his Fortieth Birthday last week, it seems incredible to me that I have three children over Forty. But still its only a number, all three look much younger than their age. I have stopped counting years its irrelevant, its how you look and feel that matters. Keeping the body and brain active is important ,if you don’t use it you will lose it. I try to pace myself but sometimes thing take over and then I have to stop, have a couple of days chilling, then I am up and out again.
I have been shopping for Christmas gifts it is so difficult for me as I agonise over what is suitable for any given one. I should start earlier and I used too when the family was at home and I was working full time, but now I have little interest in shopping. Thursday I found my way to IKEA in Ashton Under Lynn what a journey, the rain was pouring down and I was on the motorway for ages. The directions I had confused me and after taking a number of wrong turnings I eventually saw IKEA miles from where I expected it to be. Enjoyed the mooch though, it took me  hours to walk around the store. Bought eight items unique to IKEA and enjoyed a  light tasty meal, so I was happier on the way home. I have lots of Christmas Outing and Parties in the weeks leading up to Christmas , just hope the weather holds up. We have had some really bad frosts and it was very foggy for 24 hours at weekend.

2nd December Look what I woke up to this morning, snow 4 inches deep. It was certainly a surprise the weather bureau hadn’t prepared us for this. It was lovely snow , powder dry just like we used to have when I was a child. I really enjoyed clearing it off the drive as it was so light and easy to shift. By lunch time the rain had reduced the roads to a mush and I think by morning the snow will have gone.

Sunshine and Snow on Easter Sunday

Woke yesterday to snow and sunshine as promised So I was out early to capture the event before it melted and by midday it was nearly gone. I usually go to the gym on Sunday mornings but gave it a miss as the roads had not been gritted, even though snow had been predicted all week. And I don’t think I will be going to the Middleton poetry evening as it’s a fair distance on the motorway and it may snow again . Being a lone female, its not the going it’s the coming home that worries me . We have had some wonderful blue skies last week which can really lift the spirit. I was able to peg out some washing Saturday and it felt good to be out in the garden again so I took the opportunity to tidy up the patio and the greenhouse. Next weekend British Summer time starts when we put the clocks forward an hour to increase our daylight hours. Winter is so depressing with the long dark days and the unremitting rain I am so relieved to see the Spring. Lots of colour returning to the gardens and the trees are in bud, the Forsythia is always the first to show its bright yellow flowers just before my daffs show their face. Made my wonderful delicious vegetable soup as I need to detox for a few days, I have eaten so much chocolate and hot cross buns over the weekend, I feel quite yucky.