That'll do!

Called in on my friend Ce this afternoon.

I rang the bell and Ce's hubby, N, who was sitting in the window, saw me and waved.  Ce came to the door, flung it open and said 'Oh it's you, Rose, I asked N who it was and he said "I don't know . . . a girl" '.  

Girl? !!!  That'll do nicely, N!!

Christmas Lights

Took the Pips to the Christmas Lights switch-on at a local shopping parade.  It was scheduled for 3.45 p.m.

I'm no sure what it is about 'It will be very cold so make sure you dress warmly' that is incomprehensible to both Frankie and her children but unfortunately they were all frozen and shivering by 4.10 p.m. when the first carols began prior to switch-on.  A plight indelibly attached the The Young I fear as I was just as bad!  So we called it a day and went home to fish and chips in my cosy house.  

We went past the shops on our way back to the Pips' house and the trees where all the lights were strung were very pretty so all was not lost.  

Still very cold today and overcast with rain in the air.  Have just been to local artists' showing in Oxhey ~ great talent.   Some nice pottery which I was in two minds about buying for Christmas presents but I wasn't really sure so I didn't. Will probably regret it come Christmas Eve . . . .

Back soon

Po xx

Harry Potter tour

My friends Ka and To came to stay for a couple of nights and Ka and I went on the Harry Potter tour.  

Ka is a HUGE HP fan and, although I liked the films and thought they were much better than the books, I have forgotten great swathes of it and am not at all bothered about it.   

The tour, however, is less than three miles from my home and, having heard that it is good, had wanted to go for some time.  And I felt I should as it is considered to be one of Watford's attractions.  So pleased I did!

The staff were all lovely, the exhibits wonderful and really interesting and the whole atmosphere a delight.  I forgot my camera but took some photos on my mobile phone only I can't work out how to put them on the computer so here is the website address if anyone wants to look at it:

https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

I have to say that being there is heaps heaps better than just reading and looking at the photos.  I loved the info on how the sets, props and effects were made and it really is all very well done.  Lots of humour too from the staff and the videos.

At the very end of the tour is a massive model of Hogwarts and a walkway around it which is what Ka liked best and I am torn between walking through a life-size mock-up of Diagon Alley with all the detailing in the shops and standing on Platform 93/4 by the side of the Hogwarts Express.  Oh and seeing the 'snow' fall out side and knowing it wasn't cold and wet was pretty good too!

The tour certainly exceeded my expectations

Back soon

Po x

U3A

Still loving University of the Third Age (U3A) . . .

This morning was the first session of a new group: 'Europe into the 20th century' with a talk on the development of Romantic Ballet ~ right up my street! 

This afternoon: the Shakespeare group where we each chose two sonnets to read and then discuss.  I loved Shakespeare even at school ~ we had a teacher whose subject was really Hockey (which I detested!) but she also taught English to the younger forms.  I loved her English lessons in direct proportion to how much I hated the Hockey sessions.  She introduced us to A Midsummer Night's Dream in Year 8 and took the class to a production at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park ~ I am forever grateful.  

Otherwise I have been busy trying to catch up on emails (they seem to have a life of their own!), tidying and making beds ready for the arrival of Ka and To tomorrow.  Which will be nice.

Back soon

Po xx

Tuesday Chuckle

A quote from W C Fields:

Always carry a flagon of Whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.

Away for the Weekend . . . .

. . . . At Itchenor, in Sunny Sussex by the Sea . . . 

Our annual trip away started last Thursday when nine of us gathered at the fabulous Upper House in Itchenor and were joined by G&H on Friday morning.  Wonderful friends and family!

It was a super few days with memorable jollity and celebratory meals.  It was all very relaxed but we managed to pack in a fair number of Good Things: 
Trip to East Wittering for supplies, 
To Chichester with J&J for a quick tour and Evensong in the Cathedral, 
To Arundel with G&H, walk around the town, Farmers' Market, Craft Fair and Cathedral, 
Walk on the beach at West Wittering with J&D and E&J on Sunday morning in beautiful sunshine,   
Fabulous meal at the Millstream on Saturday evening to celebrate the two Special Birthdays in July   
Sunday lunch at the Ship in Itchenor 

and the rest of the time at the House laughing and talking and eating the fabulous meals prepared and cooked by my very talented friends

I did take some photos but sadly most of them were either shaky or too sunlit or of my feet?? But here are a few . . . 

This is Arundel which has some very interesting architecture from almost every century ~ and quaint little passageways well stocked with god coffee shops. 

West Wittering Beach ~ look at that sky!

J&D and J&E on West Wittering Beach enjoying the fabulous sunshine.









Lucky me to have such kind and inclusive friends! ~ a wonderful time with wonderful company ~ I am truly blessed

Back soon

Po x

and meanwhile . . . .

. . . this had me in tears . . . of sheer joy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44UC6muN8KY

No Tuesday Chuckle

Not really a chuckle but the antiquated language made me smile:

I read this in an old diary a little while ago and thought I would post it on the anniversary (although in fact it was yesterday!) of the Boston Tea Party. 

The actual blend of tea that was thrown overboard at the Boston Tea Party (a mixture of Ceylon and Darjeeling teas, from Sri Lanka and India) can still be bought from the original shippers, Davison Newman of London.  The label says, 'This tea is from the same London blending House which in the Year of Our Lord 1773 had the Misfortune to suffer a Grievous Wrong in that certain Persons did place a quantity of its Finest Produce in Boston Harbour.'

I checked this on the website but sadly it is now unobtainable ~ I have asked to be notified when it is again available.  (The diary was printed in 2006) 

Steaming Ahead . . . .

Last Weekend

Waiting on the platform

Went to stay with lovely friends De and Jo and their adorable dog Bro in a delightful house in Corfe Castle, Dorset. Janey and Eric nipped down on Sunday in time for coffee so that was Extra Good.  I don't know Dorset at all so it was really nice to be able to enjoy it.  Normally I would zoom through or by-pass en route to Devon or Cornwall.  













We went on a trip on a steam train on Sunday afternoon ~ ahh the nostalgia ~ which was lovely. Like going back in time really as we only passed countryside which has been exactly the same for decades I would think.  

Out to dinner on Sunday evening at a local hostelry and back for drinks and general hilarity at the house.  

Peace!

Wonderful!

On Monday we did a quick sortie to Swanage which again I have never previously visit.  This is a lovely little seaside town ~ and very enjoyable to stroll around out of season and quiet!

Janey and De with Bro on the beach

What was really nice was to stay in a house with a dog as I have never owned one and barely know anything about them!  My grandparents had lovely dog called Nobby who was extraordinarily gentle and then a completely crazy mutt called Rex who was prone to dash about the place as though all the hounds of hell were after him.  But that was a very long time ago and I had virtually forgotten the pleasure in their company.  Maybe it is time to reconnect?

Yesterday
Janey and Eric were visiting family and bringing the Christmas presents down.  Nipped over to Ca and Da's house for a coffee (well . . . two) and mutual exchanging.  This is very early I know but E&J are unlikely to be back down again until almost New Year so it has put a bit of a spin on.  I have never been so forward!

At a Quiz last evening ~ and we won!  Go Us!!  I never really mind if we win or not ~ it's the fun and laughter I go for ~ and we certainly had that on our table!  There were eight of us and Frankie and Alex and C&D were on another table and lots and lots of other friends ~ some on almost every table in fact.  So a good time was had by all and it was nice that we won!  (Oh, I might have mentioned that?)

A good week ahead  . . .

Back soon

Po xx

Tuesday Chuckle

Feudalism:
You have two cows  The Lord of the manor takes some of the milk.  And all the cream.

Totalitarianism:
You have two cows.  The government takes them and denies they ever existed.  Milk is banned.

Fascism: 
You have two cows.  The government takes them both, hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.  

Democracy:
You have two cows.  Your neighbours pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.  

Political Correctness:
You are associated with (the concept of 'ownership' is an outdated symbol of your decadent, warmongering, intolerant past) two differently-aged (but no less valuable to society) bovines of non-specific gender.  They get married and adopt a calf.  

Wonderful Wedding ~ 1

A lovely surprise yesterday when the post arrived.  A card and a cd of photos of Emma and Peter's wedding in August. And then . . . when I logged on to Facebook, the photos from Claire and Nick's wedding had been uploaded. 

So, since Claire and Nick's wedding was in June, I'll put those up first and do Emma and Peter's later. 

Lovely Claire and Nick

Cake made by Kathy, Mother of the Bride

Claire's parents ~ my friends Tony and Kathy

Claire arriving ~ it always rains in Shropshire!

Last minute adjustments!

She looked beautiful! and we all gasped!

Witnesses ~ with the Best Man and Claire's sister Anna

Favours made by Kathy ~ tasty local-recipe biscuits ~ mmmm

Nick's mum, Tony, Claire, Nick and Kathy

Still raining!  But how pretty!

Specially for all the children

And they had a wild time!

Tony during the speeches

Groom's Speech

Claire made this!

Vows!

The 'little' bridesmaids

Claire and her God-parents ~ Odilon, Claire, me and Brian

Claire with Kathy and Tony

The flowers were beautiful ~ and all the arrangements were home-made!

Fun in the grounds for the children ~ balloons in the Shropshire colours of blue and yellow

Claire's favours

Kathy during speeches

Ball games for the children

Letters made during the 'Hen' night

Nick's button hole ~ in the Shropshire colours!

Group Photo 

Back soon with photos of Emma and Peter's wedding ~ also fabulous!!

Po xx