A day out in Sussex

Half-term for schools this week and Stella, the Pies and I went to Rye to visit Lamb House, scene of the home of Lucia in 'Mapp and Lucia' in the books by E F Benson and the TV series of the same name.  Visitors can see the ground floor as used in the series and also a couple of the costumes from the production.  They are great books ~ quite a number of years since I read them ~ and the production was very well done. 

Lamb House was also the home of Henry James and one can see various items and rooms set out as they were in his time as well as a series of drawings of his literary friends.  (I'm not quite so keen on Henry James!)

The garden, too, is open for visitors and as it was a beautiful warm Autumn day we spent quite a while out there.  A few snaps ~ taken by J mainly:

J in front of the house ~ Check it out in the series

Tapestry seat in the hallway

K, Stella, C and me

K

C

C

Rye is a beautiful little town ~ very pretty with lots of lovely old buildings ~ it was one of the Cinque ports

The streets are very steep though it doesn't show it here 

We then nipped off to Battle to wander round the site of the Battle of Hastings ~ although there has recently been some controversy alleging that in fact the battle took place elsewhere!   J has been learning about the battle at school so informed us on the shield wall, as used by the English soldiers, and various other tactics.  A quick scoot round the exhibition at the end ~ this was good!  We could try to lift models of both the English and Norman shields and weapons.  The soldiers must have been extremely strong ~ we could hardly lift them let alone go into battle with them.  

More Pics:

Entrance to Battle Abbey

J on the field of battle

C and J

Pies

The town from the steps of the Abbey

Great Day!

Picking up Car tomorrow!

Back soon

Po x 

Tuesday Chuckle

Does killing time damage eternity?

(Courtesy of the Dodo pad)

July . . .

. . . was good . . . mostly . . .

It started well with Eric and Janey coming to stay so that we could all go to J's birthday party on the Sunday afternoon. This was great and superbly organised ~ lunch / tea in J&J's garden out of cool-bags from Carluccio's to share with whoever you happened to be sitting next to.  A lovely relaxing long afternoon with friends in a peaceful and beautiful garden.  How nice is that?  Happy Birthday, J xx

The Lord Chamberlain's Men were performing Twelfth Night at Batsford Arboretum and G&H asked me to drive over and join them and Eric and Janey and share a picnic.  A very funny evening ~ great company and the play was wonderful ~ a really good production.  The Lord Chamberlain's Men are a company who perform at outside venues during the Summer months ~ and, just as in Shakespeare's day, are all men and take on many roles during the same play.  The one who played the maid, amongst other roles, reminded me of Lpip!  Exactly the same mannerisms hahaha.

Completed the sale on G's flat.  This had dragged on for so long and had worried poor G no end.  It's good that it has finally 'gone' but sad that he left us before he could share in the pleasure of the completion.

My birthday ~ which I rarely celebrate or do anything for. Stella and Frankie surprised me be coming round the evening before ~ crafty!!! ~ and bringing cards, presents and treats to enjoy.  

Another theatre trip ~ this time to Stratford where I met Cat and David to see 'The Merchant of Venice'.  This has not been one of my favourite plays but this production was out of this world.  I have never found the Merchant particularly amusing before but this one wrung every ounce of humour from the lines.  I saw it in 1987 with Anthony Sher playing Shylock ~ which was good ~ but preferred this production for the pathos which the actor brought to the part.  The RSC often produces a DVD of their productions ~ see it if you can!

Women's Group (and hubbies') Summer Supper at S&S's home.  We were lucky to have good weather so we could be outside.  S&S had organised a 'How well do you know Watford' Quiz which was fun and there was lots of time to chat and laugh with friends.

For the rest of the month I had lots of nice visitors ~ Pies and Pips for various lengths of time from over-night to four nights and Eric and Janey and various poppers-in.    

Not such good news is that a much-loved family member suffered a heart attack and spent a couple of nights in hospital.  Happily home and very very much better.  It was certainly an anxious time for us all but sensible regimens are being observed and otherwise all is back to normality.  It has given us all a shock, however, and has brought home to us that we must be grateful when we are in good health and ensure that we remain so.  

Back soon

Po xx

New car . . .

About two years ago I began to think about changing my car . . . and I burbled on about it . . . and saw cars I liked . . . and looked at t'internet . . . and thought some more . . . and wandered half-heartedly around car dealerships . . . and thought some more . . . and mentioned it to my mechanic . . . and even thought some more . . . 

You will have concluded by now that I am not 'big' in the decision-making process.

Well this week I have finally test driven a number of cars, come to a conclusion and today have ordered one!!  It's not the Fiat 500 from the vintage range, nor the Suzuki Jimny, nor the VW Up! nor even the mini ~ all of which I had on my list but had to reject after all for one reason or another.  

But it's a nice little soul and I will post a photo when he / she has arrived.

Back soon

Po xx

x

My Latent Thespian Tendencies . . . .

Year ago ~ before we had The Daughters ~ Boogy and I belonged to the local dramatic society.  I acted (not very well I have to admit) and Boogs did backstage / Stage Manager roles.  Boogy was great at constructing sets and calming nerves before 'curtain up' and was always in the wings with a cheery, consoling word if one of the cast had made a hash of it onstage.  Not that it really mattered ~ we lived in a small town where everyone knew each other and the audience came in order to have a good laugh and a pleasant evening ~ we only ever did comedies.  

In many ways I would have preferred to be backstage ~ it all seemed like much more fun and, after all, the sound and lighting effects were dead easy to do, weren't they?  

Or so I thought.  

On Tuesday this week I had the chance to test this theory by doing the sound effects for a Scouts' Ghost Walk.  All I had to do, apparently, was hide in the bushes and play stagecoach noises on a sort of i-pod thingy.  Simples!   

Well it wasn't that simple but it was a great deal more fun than even I had anticipated. 

One of the scouts' mums was with me and, basically, we had to play the noises as the scouts walked past.   As it turned out, neither of us were in the least bit techy ~ although we did get it right in the end.  But not before we had played sounds of bats, screams, groans and chains by mistake for the first couple of patrols to come through!

Fortunately it was a warm, dry night and we were in a little copse sitting on a groundsheet spread on soft fallen leaves.  It would not have been so good had it been cold and raining!  Especially as we had walk down a dark and unfrequented country lane and then scramble over a muddy bank just to access our hide.  We were there for a couple of hours and most of the time we just chatted, drank coffee and laughed ~ and being outside as well was a great way to spend the evening.  

It has to be said that the scouts were not very much scared by us ~ although they all entered into the spirit (no pun intended!) and were obviously enjoying themselves.

I enjoyed it too although I'm not sure I would be keen to do sound effects again ~ far too difficult!  I think I would much rather be the Grey Lady or the Nervous Nun ~ and indulge my latent thespian tendencies!

Back soon

Po x

June . . .

Poor neglected blog . . . .

I did think that once retired I might just manage to fit in a teensy bit more blogging.  But sadly . . . . not!!

Life is still very busy and many of the projects I had earmarked have not even been started! Although the computer is certainly less congested and a little more organised ~ wish I could say the same for the attic and cupboards and shelves!!  Little work in the garden attempted ~ I had anticipated that I would be doing a lot out there ~ maybe next year?

This is a quick catch-up of Highlights in June:

Cat and Imy came round for a viewing of Dr Zhivago ~ one of my all-time fave films.  We had a light snackette on lovely salady food that Cat had brought and some lovely cookies baked by Imy.  I must have provided something but for the life of me can't think what it was!  Really god evening!

Ruth's Fish ad Chip Supper at Yeoveney ~ a great night for a good cause.  (I can't now remember what the cause was!  But I must have thought it was a good one)

Canal Trip with Women's Group along the Grand Union from Ricky to just past Harefield and Cream Tea on the way back.  Yumm!

Claire and Nick's wedding at Church Stretton, Shropshire.   Claire is my  god-daughter, the daughter of very dear friends, and she is just lovely ~ Nick is a lucky man!   It was the perfect wedding ~ the ceremony was an absolute triumph with marvellous, apposite readings, the bride and groom looked fabulous, the bridesmaids pretty and the page boys sweet.   The reception was incredibly relaxed and informal, with a special tent for the children (of whom there were about 50!) for their own meal, games and entertainment.  We had a ceilidh, live music (including guests!) and wonderful food.   I think we all went to sleep that night tired but very happy.  

David's 50th Birthday party the following weekend was another Brilliant Bash!  It has to be said that Cat and David really know how to throw a party!  Another very relaxed and informal 'do' with amazing food (C&D are stunningly talented in catering), good great company and a wonderful atmosphere.  Eric and Janey came to stay for the weekend which was extra nice and there were lots of lovely folk to catch up with at the party.   

And then the following weekend back to C&D's again for tea and cake in the garden while we waited for the Vulcan fly-past.  This was the last time the Vulcan would be flying and we were very privileged see it go almost directly overhead.  Very loud!!

The rest of the month was busy too ~ with the usual things: Pies, Pips, book clubs, a retirement 'do' at the Town Hall, a play at school (Juniors), a couple of meetings and, now that I am retired, a number of very enjoyable lunches with friends.   And . . . . more time for reading!  Yay!

Back soon (I hope)

Po xx