Whitby

Whitby Harbour Entrance

It seems ages since I last wrote, time passes so fast these days it always seem that I am either waking up or going to sleep. Still being busy suits me, I would hate to be bored. Finished the crochet, its turned into a wonderful warm winter shawl for when I have to sit around reading and suchlike.   I am looking around to start something new because I enjoyed making it so much, I didn’t use a pattern just followed my own head and it has turned out good… . Rediscovered Tom Jones this month he still has a powerful voice and looks ok for 70  he always looks as though he enjoys singing his collaboration with Jools Holland is wonderful..

http://youtu.be/f-CPio5knno     Jools Holland and Tom Jones. Brilliant .
Bought a digital radio in preparation for when we all have to go digital, it is has a much better reception and there are many more stations to listen too,also bought a Kimble e-book.  I have been looking at them for a few months now and this new one gives access to the internet, plays my music and will read to me .. Down loaded The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to read on my holidays.  It has WIFI and 3G so I can download books/internet internationally anytime anywhere. Wow !
I enjoyed my day up in Slaidburn with Betty and Astrid again . Betty is a volunteer warden for the Youth Hostel in Slaidburn and Erby for a few weeks during the summer. Its feels good to relax and catch up, Astrid lives in Conwy, we where at school together and Betty is her childhood friend. I have known Betty from when I was involved with Speakers Club she is a good friend. 

Looking over the Harbour  from Church  Steps

Had a wonderful time in Whitby with Dorothy, the weather was perfect, sunshine and sea breezes . We did everything boat ride, tour bus and trawling up and down the narrow alleyways and steep inclines, including climbing 199 steps up to St Mary’s Church. Whitby is steeped in Dracula Myths, famous for Whitby Jet and of course their fabulous Fish and Chips being a fishing port. We visited Flamborough Head Lighthouse before we took the motorway for home, fantastic coastal scenery....Arrived home to find my garage roof was leaking in two places so I have had to move fast and get someone to it before it costs me a small fortune to repair. Take care, love you .
http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/main/headland.htm Flamborough Head Great Photos

The Anderton Boat Lift Cheshire

At the Top of the Anderton Boat Lift

NarrowBoats waiting to descend to the River

14^th June

Thankfully my lawn is beginning to look better, it is so much greener and the damage is hardly noticeable so I could be winning the battle! Started crocheting again, I have always enjoyed crocheting but haven’t done any for a few years, I soon got back into a rhythm again it was as though I had never stopped. Its so relaxing I forgot how calming it can be to, it helps fill my time when its persistently raining hard and I am house bound again. Dorothy and I have booked a few days away in Whitby, it’s a special place where I always feel at home. It’s a busy little fishing port on the east coast,there is so much to see and it has never changed in all the years I have been going. Went on another day out to the Victorian Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire this past week with the ladies from our WI. Its an incredible reconstruction and is well worth going to see. We took a short cruise on the River Weaver before taking the lift to join the Canal Basin 50 feet above us that leads on to the Trent and Mersey Canal .. Lunch was a the Bridgemere Garden World in Nantwich a huge complex of shopping outlets and garden features. I am a bit jaded with shopping, so I sat in the book shop and perused their bookshelves, until we where ready to go..
http://www.andertonboatlift.co.uk/

My youngest grandson came on a visit with Andy, I haven’t seen him in ages so it was a special treat to spend some time with him, he is such a darling and growing so fast he is going to be as tall as his daddy.
I was up in Knaresborough for the weekend it was the Annual Bed Race 90 entrants this year. I took a few photos of the Race as we had a brilliant position seated in the main square surrounded by local pubs, amidst a very jolly crowd enjoying the sunshine .... Sunday morning we took the dogs a walk in the rain, different but I enjoyed myself we studied the many different trees that are in the area. It continued to rain heavily all day so I had a very challenging drive home on the M62.

Waiting for the Parade on Naresborough High Street

This little boy was so entertaining

The Bedrace  Main Square

The team has just climbed a steep hill

    

Hailstones

        
27th May
Hailstones
Spent sometime in the garden this month lawn renovation . The back lawn is fine, looks good after treating with weed and feed, but the one at the front of the house in full view is just pathetic. After scarifying and following a detailed routine I eventually decided to seed the problem areas. All to often the weather is blamed for the condition of grass but the verges by the roadside not two steps away look ok, so I only hope is recovers. I have really enjoyed the Rocket leaves on my salad, that I planted from seeds many weeks ago, it grew very quickly and I have now planted some lettuce seeds hopefully I will have another good crop. Its just enough for me to cope at the moment,I used to grow tomatoes  but it was like looking after children I was afraid to leave them for any length of time and I had far to many I gave most of them away.    Its done nothing but rain this month, with storms, hailstones and biting winds, after all that wonderful sunshine we enjoyed. I have been rather restless just can’t seem to settle to anything which annoys me. I was so fed up with looking so dishevelled in this wet windy weather , I had my hair cut very short much to the disgust of my hairdresser Max,but I rather like it now and it will grow again if I want a change. Went to the Movies to see my favourite Johnny Depp in the 4th Pirates of the Caribbean . As much as I have enjoyed the previous films this one “ On Stranger Tides” is still filled with exciting and unexpected thrills, but Johnny seems to have lost his “mojo” the sparkle has gone out of his eyes, he didn’t seem to have the sharpness or the witty banter of Cap`n Jack and I am not to keen on Cruz.  Sad, I hope this is the last Pirates so he can move on in his acting career, maybe do more comedy.
I didn’t get up to see Stu due to the horrendous weather but I am hoping this will weekend will be
better.

Himalayan Poppy

Climbing Hydrangea

Himalayan Poppy and Rhododendrons 

The rain is back thankfully as the gardens, rivers and lakes are all desperate for water. Its either a famine or feast with water these days. Lots of birthdays this month so its been a feast for me, dining out almost every other day, I am not complaining my friends are a strong supportive unit that keeps me grounded.

Plus many who are far and wide, accessed by the internet, a close warm group of friends that are always there for me, you know who you are xxx. People ask me, “What do you do on the internet ! ” and its difficult to explain, only that I would be lost without it…. Its an instant source of infinite knowledge, entertainment and contact with people and that’s why I enjoy passing this on every Friday morning to those who want to learn computer skills. I started back on the 6th after the break, two long bank holiday weekends and such wonderful weather, many have been crowding the beaches and taking longer breaks away. Even though we are all suffering with the overall financial cutbacks it hasn’t dampened our spirits and most of us are glad its now raining.

This week I caught up with four of my friends from Bolton Speakers. Gwyneth was speaking to a group about her Aunt Alisa, a very interesting character, almost unknown until Gwyneth started to delve into her past. It makes you very aware of how little we know about our relatives who indirectly may have influenced our lives. I love to watch the TV programme “Who Do You Think You Are” it makes me want to start the journey myself. First I have to finish “ My Mothers” book , its all ready to compile but I keep going back in to it and changing and adding stuff I must stop.. I want to go up to see Stue’s this weekend but there is threat of a petrol shortage, the Tanker drivers are boycotting the Supply Depots at the ports in protest of the price rises. I might have a look into going by train, that would be interesting….

Posting photos of my Himalayan Poppy that my friend Betty gave me last year. It’s a lovely delicate pale blue and sits tall and straight, looking so superior amongst the other wonderful blossoms in the garden.

Bye for now, my love to you all.

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/

Sunshine and Harleys

                                           Museum of Science and Industry Manchester    

                                                                                  
                                                                            

Well its ages since I wrote my last entry, the weeks seem to have flown by. The weather has been amazing , many days of sunshine and its been  hot at times, I burned my nose gardening. Now I can rest the garden is looking really tidy and the grass is growing well and looking much greener.. The bushes are filling out and my Hostas are showing, they look like the tips of bullets sticking out of the ground.  I spent Mothers Day up in Knaresborough  Stu loves to cook and he certainly filled the table. Took a walk with both of my boys, Sam just back for his Australian adventure, he has  grown at least a foot, towering over his Dad and me. Lovely to see him home safe and well.   I had a few days feeling really down ,stayed home and pottered around feeling miserable with all that is happening in this country and overseas,  so much anger and sadness . It sometimes seem that all the news is bad and we rarely get a glimpse of the good that must be around us.  What has also brought me down is the conclusion of  “Everwood”  my favourite morning TV show.  It was a real pick me up to share my breakfast with Treat Williams, sad too that he  has since died,  I do miss his smiling face every morning. . To cheer me up I booked my flight to the States. I’ll be staying with my good friends Leslie and David in Tehachapi  California, now I have a smile every time I think of my trip.  Then my Computer crashed following  125 windows updates.  I eventually had to reboot and reinstall programmes, applications and drivers it took me  6 hours. Thank god for Recovery Disks and backup, lost one or two photos but nothing important…  

Yesterday I went into Manchester to the  Museum of Science and Technology to witness a cavalcade of Harley Davidson Bikers. Many came from various parts of the North West  to ride into Manchester to the World Premiere of Customising, Culture & Harley - Davidson,   they filled the car park with  their colourful leathers and bikes.. The Museum is hosting an exhibition of old ,new and modified HD bikes, there where some really fantastic models. I was escorted round the exhibition by a  friend who rode his Harley into Manchester !  No I didn’t ride, but took some photos and really enjoyed the day.

http://www.mosi.org.uk/whats-on/customising,-culture-harley-davidson.aspx

Marching into Spring

Daffodils -Forsythia

Carmelia  

Its not been a good start to 2011  with the  Middle East  in turmoil, financial crisis throughout Europe and the   earthquakes in  New Zealand and  Japan, horrendous . I was watching the BBC when the tidal wave was shown rolling over the  Japanese shore, it was surreal, unbelievable, 10,000  people missing such unimaginable  horror. Then the Nuclear Reactors, three  exploded releasing  toxic  fallout that is increasing every day and  travelling over seas which will  affect  us all eventually. It was like the worst disaster movie ever.  There are so many questions that need to be answered as to why  they built Nuclear Plants on an island prone to earthquakes, I just don’t understand....  probably it's financial !  There has been one natural disaster after another, Mother Nature say’s, “ It's pay back time.”
But its amazing how the human spirit lives on in spite of all adversity. It’s true we are a global village and with today’s incredible fast internet connections our communication system is instant.
TV News travels fast, scenes of events around the world are transported into  our homes daily. I remember the Twin Towers  vividly, it was lunch time and I was watching  TV, at first I thought they were advertising a film drama but soon realised it was news. I was shocked, in tears most of the day. And again seeing that tidal wave hit  Japan … I was in tears again..
 Now to less mundane news, my wonderful  new cooker is now installed, I love it and it fits perfect after all that dithering . It really makes the  kitchen so much brighter as the old cooker was brown and  this one is a sparkly bright white and certainly makes a difference.
Managed to get to see  “The Kings Speech” and yes Colin Firth  deserves his Oscar he was very good as King George, even though some are critical about what was left out regarding the Kings alleged allegiance to Germany during his reign.
Its been wonderful weather recently, very warm sunny days that have brought out lots of colour to the gardens. Some are complaining that the bulbs are flowering to early and will suffer if we have frost. The daffodils, forsythia are out and my camellia coming into bud. I cut the grass on Saturday, last year I intended to change to  a   hover mower as they are much easier to use, but for whatever reason didn’t.  So I will be looking into that pretty soon as my present mower is knackered.   Spoke to Cathi  and the kids, they are missing Sam, since he got  back, he managed to find a job until he starts Uni in September.I must go up and see him soon..  Its been a strange few weeks now that Andy has moved on, I miss his presence more that I thought I would.    Haven’t been to Poetry, spent too much time on my own this month, will have to get motivated and  sally forth again. Still going to the Library, but the Council’s financial cuts have sadly stopped the Community Project work I was involved in.
I thought I would cheer myself up with  a shopping trip, had a good spend. Bought a nice red jacket, red floral skirt and  top, I don’t know why  red I have every little in red , it just  felt right.  I  tend to wear safe colours in the winter, lots of black navy and brown. So, as the clocks  have sprung forward  into  Spring , bring on the colours..  hope I have the nerve to wear them…

Bye for now, love you all XXXX

Primroses hidden amongst the Rhubarb

Every thing is springing into life in my garden