Kong Harald and the Northern Lights ~ Part Two

Hmm!

Well I said I would be back 'soon' but Life got in the way ~ some good and some pretty awful. 

The rest of the Lapland trip was AMAZING too.  We travelled to the North Cape which was totally thrilling ~ vast areas of snow and beautiful views of sea, snow and mountains.  The North Cape is the northernmost part of mainland Europe ~ and it felt like it ~ although there really were heaps of other people also trolling about in the snow. 

On the way back south we called in at Tromso where we went to a Midnight Concert at the Cathedral.  Wonderful!!  It was a bizarre sort of experience though ~ the music was beautiful with a singer, a cellist and a violinist (I think!  hard to remember now) who did quite literally present their concert at midnight.  But ships call in every day ~ lots of them ~ so there were far more passengers at the concert than just from the Kong Harold ~ and it was strange to think that these musicians tun up every night, play for an hour or so and then go home.  I wonder if they ever think of having just an ordinary 9 to 5 job?  Which is rather  prosaic view I suppose.

Then further south again and a snow-mobile trip.  I'm glad I got to actually drive it as it was very exciting speeding over the frozen lake.  Very cold too but oh! I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  It is more difficult than it would at first appear but we had quite detailed instructions from our Sami guide before we togged up in suits,boots, gloves, hat etc so that we all looked like versions of the Michelin man.  When we arrived back the guide took us into a Sami hut, gave us hot drinks and caake, related tales  of Sami life and sang a song.   I have recently watched a documentary on herding reindeer in Finmark which was fascinating and I'm so pleased to have experienced the cold and the arctic vistas at first hand.  I feel very privileged!

Our last call was at Trondheim where I took the trip to the Cathedral ~ splendid!  and on our last night we had the most stupendous blizzard and there was talk of the Beast from the East which had apparently arrived in England and would we actually manage to get home!  We did!  although the journey home was not one I would wish to repeat.  

I do have photos which maybe I will post next time I am here. 

I have not visited the blogosphere in ages ~ not since the last time I posted in fact so I have a lot of catching up to do.   Life has been so busy that it has been hard enough just finding time to read emails so I apologise for not visiting my fave blogs in aeons.  Hopefully 2019 will return to some semblance of peace and tranquility. 

Back soon (hopefully!)

Po x

Lapland UK ~ A digression

A slight detour today so that I can answer Kim's question about meeting with the Sami people who live in the far north Arctic regions.  

This would have been possible but I had chosen the Dog Sledding excursion on that day.  There were so many available exciting trips to be made that really it was difficult to choose.  I think I would have gone on every one if only I had that time-travel thing Hermione Grainger had!   I did, however, have a warm-up drink in a traditional Sami tent after the snow-mobile trip.  But more of that in another post.

I have, in fact, been privileged to meet a Sami family and  reindeer in their fabulous tent at Lapland UK back in the winter of 2009.   I went with Stella & Rich and Frankie & Alex and all their families at that point (Dpip was a baby).  

Lapland UK    (here is the link: www.lapland.co.uk) 
was at that point located in the south of England and you would be invited by Santa himself!  It was a marvellous afternoon in which the children (and us ~ we enjoyed it almost as much as the Pies and Pips!) met the elves, made cookies, did some toymaking (a hobby-horse head), heard stories, had a super meal in a really lovely, cosy dining room, went ice-skating on the frozen pond (Lpip who was only two and three-quarters had help!), met a Sami family and their reindeer (four I seem to remember) all ensconced in their warm and windproof tent and finally got to trudge through the snowy forest to Santa's home where he welcomed us all in, asked after the children's friends (!!) and gave them gifts.  

The children enjoyed it tremendously and were thoroughly taken in ~ apart from Kpie who at six and a half noticed that the snow was 'a bit fake' (it was finely shredded paper!).  

All in all we thought it was a great trip even if it isn't exactly Lapland!  But a great deal cheaper (and warmer) and quicker journey time and was something that the children still remember with affection.  I would love to go again with Kpip and Rpie; and feel sorry that Dpip, who was six months old then, has missed out ~ he certainly wouldn't be fooled now!  It is considerably more expensive now than it was then, however. 

But we did get to meet genuine Sami people and their reindeer in a genuine Sami tent.    

Back soon with more Tales of the Northern Lights

Po x 

Kong Harald and the Northern Lights ~ Part One

I would suppose that there is something very strange about a woman who has been to Norway and seen the Northern Lights within the last two months and yet who chooses to write instead about the incompetence of the gas people . . . 

I didn't take this photo but I've had it for a while as my Facebook profile pic

So . . . my wonderful holiday aboard the MS Kong Harald cruising north (and then south) through islands off the coast of Norway . . .

My friend A and I took the 12 day 'we will give you a free trip if you don't see the Northern Lights' package although In fact we did see them on the first day out of Bergen.  Passengers were alerted over the tannoy and there was a huge rush back to cabins to tog up with warm clothes and then get up on deck!  I have to say that on that first sighting we were rather disappointed ('NO' from the crowd ~ I have been listening to Nillson's 'The Point'!) as we could see very little due to cloud cover and what we could see was somewhat static.  The colour, too, was a sort of dirty grey-green quite unlike the photos one sees.  Although I have to say that the chap standing next to me aimed his camera at them and they were certainly such as one would expect.   So I think the colours are enhanced through a lens.  

After three quarters of an hour on deck in the freezing cold we went back inside feeling a little bit cheated.  However . . . things got a whole lot better after that!!  We saw the lights several times and although they weren't as bright as the photos they were truly beautiful.  We never saw the emerald greens and reds but the paler greens and pinks whirled and swirled for us.  One time A and I were sitting right in the bows on the 'bar' deck and really did have a grandstand view but I think I preferred standing outside breathing in the freezing air, just watching the sky and then tingling as I came back into the warmth. 

Seeing the Northern Lights was not the only reason for the trip, however.  I prefer cold climes to warm and had always wanted to see Scandinavia and on this trip I certainly saw some great scenes.  Sailing between the islands and through the fjords was a delight and we went on a few 'expeditions' too: 

The Old Town Bridge in Trondheim

We called in at Trondheim which is a beautiful city where A and I roamed around while the ship was docked. This is the Old Bridge (known as the 'Portal of Happiness') in Trondheim.

Stunning, beautifully painted buildings by the river in Trondheim.

The houses all over Norway were painted in a range of muted colourways.  I loved seeing them clustered on the shores as we sailed past ~ like children's little toy villages.

Bed (reconstruction) in the Viking Museum

We signed up for a Viking Feast which was good fun and very tasty.  As part of the entertainment, one of the Viking women played on an instrument rather like a recorder but with a higher register; I was amazed at how similar the tune was to Scottish folk songs as played by the band Capercaille ~ you can hear the Scandinavian influence!  It was exciting being out under the clear Arctic night skies ~ no pollution such as we have here in Hertfordshire! ~ and crunching over the packed snow. 

More items in the Museum

After the feast we were able to take a look in the small museum.  The photo above is of a massive bed: about 7 feet across and made of stout timbers and the one to the side is of furs, masks and household implements.  

Husky (semi-detached!) Homes

This  photo was taken where I went on a Husky Sled.  The little houses are for the dogs who live two-by-two and side-by-side.  Beautiful dogs who then run twelve to a team.  I LOVED it!  It was totally thrilling to be zipping across the snow wrapped in furs and pulled by the team. Despite my snood, hood, mittens and all the rest of my gear I don't think I have ever been so cold and I thought my fingers were going to drop off.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Husky Puppy (bred at the centre)

After the ride we went into a small hut where we had hot coffee and the most delicious chocolate cake I have ever had.  We all sat round tables and I was with a group of Japanese people.  They spoke no English and I spoke no Japanese but we seemed to have lots to laugh about. One of the drivers brought some of the puppies in to see us.  My photo doesn't really do justice to this little one; she was very sweet.  

Wood burning  stove and counter for hot drinks and chocolate cake

The hut was toasty warm and quite delightfully rustic.  And smelled like Heaven!

A 'Santa' exterior 

As we left it was beginning to get dark.  It really looked far prettier than this but my camera skills are not great.  







I am ending here as I think this post is quite long enough ~ and I haven't even reached the North Cape yet!

Back soon with Part Two

Po x

Gas

Early this year I, and all my neighbours, received notification that a country-wide update of all gas piping will take place.  We were warned that gas to the road would be turned off all day and that on the same day access to our homes at 8.00 a.m. would be needed in order to turn gas off at the meter and later, and more importantly, to reconnect.  Fortunately for us, however, we would be granted five days notice in order that we could make 'arrangements'.   

Time dragged on and it was almost time for my hols ~ when I would be away for 12 days with no-one in for either the 8.00 a.m. access or the switch back on when the work was completed.   When I called the office, they confirmed that the time frame for the work included my holiday period. I alerted the daughters who would be kindly feeding Tully in my absence so they could at least tell me if and when the work would be done and be present if possible.   

Well I returned from the Fjords and the Northern Lights ~ and there had been no work and no advice that it was imminent.  Which was just as well since England suffered a particularly cold, snowy February.   

On Sunday I went away for three days staying with friends in Devon.  Lo! and Behold! on returning home through wind and rain late afternoon on Wednesday I found a card in the mail pile (obviously posted through the door) letting me know that work would start at 8.00 a.m. that day.   No heat and no hot water!  Which is bad enough but what about the five days notice?  The card hadn't arrived by 9.00 a.m. on Sunday when I left!  Needless to say I had not even asked Frankie, who had been on Tully Duty, to look out for it.  

The most irritating things: 

i)  all companies these days seem to have 'partners' and there seems to be little or no communication and one gets passed from pillar to post with minimal result.  I made two calls on Wednesday night and five during the day on Thursday in which the person on the phone promised that I would be called back with a time for re-connection ~ which never happened.  And it was always the 'other company's' fault.  It was such a shambles that in the end I took the 'complaint' option rather than the 'enquiries' and that seemed to do the trick.  And the fitter chappie was a speedy, neat worker and even put back the things he had to move from the meter cupboard.
ii) everyone I spoke to kept saying 'you didn't give them access'.  I couldn't give them access because I didn't have the promised five days notice!!!
GRRRRHH

The road is a mess!  It and our driveways been dug up and will need to be re-tarmacked, there is mud everywhere and temporary fencing is preventing access to some drives so that parking is even more restrictive.   It's all rather unpleasant.  The photo (I nearly didn't post it because it is so horrid) of my drive and part of the road shows how ugly it is with the mud and all those yellow boards covering the holes but, of course, it will be cleared up ~ eventually . . .

P.S.  One the bright side: my home and I are toasty warm . . . and I shouldn't be such a moany old biddy.  

Reading Matters . . .

It does to me anyway!  A quick rundown of five books on my 'I am reading' list:

Four stars: don't miss     One star: don't bother

The Battle for Christabel ~ Margaret Forster 

****

Well written story of what happens to a small child when her unmarried (and rather unstable) mother dies.  Unwanted by the grandparents, who still wish to have a say in her future, she is placed for adoption.  Adoption, however, is not as easy a process as her family envisage because the girl is of mixed race which then has to be written into the choice of a family.  The tale is told in the first person by the mother's erstwhile friend (who also, while still acknowledging a certain sense of responsibility, has no wish to take the child on).   Although quite a harrowing tale in many ways this was such a good book that I would have no hesitation in recommending it as a 'Good Read'.

The hundred year old man who climbed out of a window and disappeared ~ Jonasson (translated from Swedish)

***

This was an extraordinary tale of a man, Allan, who does indeed behave exactly as the title describes.  It is certainly a very funny book and, like Forrest Gump, he meets and influences all the major players of the twentieth century.  The book was subsequently made into a film which I would like to see (but haven't yet).  It became a bit of a cult read at one point and I did enjoy the bizarre nature of Allan's adventures but ultimately I found the totally off-the-wall situations just a little bit boring.  I felt it could have been cut by about a fifth.

My Brilliant Friend ~ Ferrante

**

This was a book club read and some of us liked it and others didn't.  I found it tedious and totally missed the point about Mafia involvement (although it was set in Naples ~ you would have thought I would know!).  I felt that the characters were not well drawn and I had difficulty in remembering who everybody was and didn't really care about any of them anyway.  I have given it two stars as I could appreciate the points my friends made ~ just found it hard to engage with the story myself. 

The Storyteller ~ Picoult

****

I have read a couple of other books by Jodie Picoult and this is by far the best so far.  It's the story, told in (much!) later life, of two brothers growing up in Nazi Germany and their participation in events during the Second World War.  That's the basic plot and I will say no more ~ mainly because I don't want to give anything away!  Just read it!  I thought it was marvellous.

A Life like other people's ~ Alan Bennett

****

Who doesn't love Alan Bennett?  This is a memoir of his parents' lives, other family members and his own childhood.  As you read you can almost hear him speaking.  Gentle, humorous, kindly, entertaining ~ Alan Bennett at his best!

New Fence!

We inherited two apple trees when we moved into Ticklepenny both eaters  although, sadly, the squirrels and birds devoured most of them each year.  Still, they looked lovely and were shady in summer and blessed with a profusion of blossom each Spring.  Our daughters never did much climbing and neither did the older grandchildren . . .  But Kpip was fearless!                                                                                                Here she is aged four and on her way to the top where she would sway and thus shake the branches at risk of life and limb!  She had a lot of fun up that ole tree.

Well the heavy and very wet snow we had just before last Christmas brought it down ~ it crashed into the fence and was more or less completely uprooted.  It couldn't be saved and we had to resign ourselves to the fact that Kpip would never climb it again and poor little Rpie would just never get a turn.  So it was removed and all but the stump disposed of.  The winds in January and February brought down first two and then two more fence panels and the garden was a sorry sight for a while.  And, worse! I felt very exposed!!

Happily my lovely neighbour, Ricky, came last week and installed a new fence with which I am more than a little delighted.  And a sturdy, locking, gate.  

Roll on Summer and Happy Times!

Back soon

Po xx

Best laid plans and all that

So today I was going to:
do some housework and ironing
sort the mail/paperwork
finish stitching a card
blog about books I have read
go to book group

But . . .

Ricky and the chaps, who were going to come tomorrow to start on the fence, were able to come today.  Which was good.  Especially as they fully expect to come again tomorrow and probably finish ~ Hoorah!!

And they managed to demolish the old fence, tidy up in preparation for construction and then started a bonfire.  Yay!  There it is (the bonfire) up in the corner.  

But, of course, I never can resist a bonfire so out I went, started chatting and before I knew it was chucking wood on with wild abandon.  In the end the fire was so big that I was rather afraid to leave it to go out to book group.  Quite apart from the fact that, with insufficient time for a bath and steeped in wood smoke I would probably NOT be a hugely welcome guest!

So no stitching, no book group, a feeble attempt at blogging . . . but a least the paperwork is done and preps for the fence are well in hand.

And . . . tomorrow is another day.

Back soon

Po x

Happy Birthday!

Aged  a little over 19 months in this photo . . . and already full of mischief (nothing changes!)

Ah, bitter chill it was . . .

Freezin' it is ~ as cold as the Arctic!

Frankie nipped round today so we could use my Costco card for her to buy large pizzas for tonight's Confirmation session.  We were almost blasted off the car park!  There has been snow almost all weekend although beginning to disappear now ~ thank goodness ~ but a Siberian wind still.   

Other than Frankie's visit I have been keeping warm and researching for tomorrow's Poetry Group ~ G K Chesterton whose 'The Donkey' I have always loved.  I have focused on his time living in Beaconsfield which is not far from here and home, of course, to the lovely Bekonscott which we visited a few times when the girls were small.  I ought to nip over there and look at the Chesterton related sights!  when the weather is warmer though . . . 

And really,who am I to complain of cold weather?  Here I am (out of choice!) at Norway's North Cape last month.  Now that was cold!  and fabulous!

Back downstairs now for a warm fire, tea, knitting and 'Civilisations' on The Box.

Back soon

Po xx

Back!

Out on a limb for ages . . . and ages . . . and ages . . .

But I am getting to be really cheesed off with the negative comments on other media ~ too much gloom, doom, abuse and negativity.  

So I am re-entering the blogosphere where contributors seem on the whole to be kinder and more tolerant.  

I would like to catch up with everyone . . . .   but I think I will just have to jump in to 'where it's at' right now . . . 

Bis bald

Po xx

The Taxidermist's Daughter

I thought this was a great book and would certainly recommend it as a Good Read.  I love to read a book where I learn something new ~ this time it was information and details on taxidermy.  Not something I want to try for my self but fascinating all the same.

The story takes place over less than a week in the very wet Summer of 1912.  The 'daughter' of the title lives with her father in an isolated and rapidly deteriorating house in the marshes of an estuary in Sussex.  The descriptions of the house and the area are atmospheric and disturbing and made even more worrying through the daughter's amnesia over events which happened 10 years previously.   There is mystery upon mystery, well rounded characters and a sound plot line.  

I have not read Kate Mosse before despite being constantly recommended to read the Labyrinth books.  Maybe when the Pile in the Conservatory has diminished somewhat!

Last night was Book Club (2) at B's house.  We had been reading David Nobbs' (of Reggie Perrin fame) story of Henry Pratt.  This was my choice as I had read it before and I found it laugh-aloud funny.  

It is quite a sad story of a boy from the time he was born until he is 18 but so exaggerated and written in such hilarious one-liners that I hadn't really cottoned on to how dreadful his life was.  But it's dreadful in the sense that Buebottle's is.  I mean poor Bluebottle was 'deadded' every week but sprang back in the next episode.  

I'm not sure whether the book is comprehensible to anyone other than a Brit as much of the humour relies on dialect and Yorkshire customs ~ and specifically in the 1930s to 50s. 

Earlier in the day I had been to the Museum which was nice. The idea was to view old maps of the area and then catalogue.    Pat and I spent ages poring over them  and noting the differences from today so we didn't get an awful lot done really.   But there' always next time ~ and it's good to familiarise oneself with the artefacts!  

Back soon

Po xx

Catching Up

Well actually there is far too MUCH to catch up on.  So . . . straight in to today . . .

After a busy busy week I was hoping for a quiet day for doing a few odds and ends at home.  

So firstly I caught up on reading.  Belonging to two book clubs is great but being a slow reader I try to have at least one hour first thing every morning.  And, oh dear, sometimes it just ex.t..e...n....d.....s.  

Then I had a power-out and had to call Alex for instructions on what to do.  Fortunately Alex was able to explain it all over the phone and after a bit of trial and error I discovered that the kettle was the culprit.  Phew!  Good job it wasn't the (fairly new) fridge, or the freezer, or the oven or the dishwasher . . . or any number of gadgets that would have been expensive to replace.  And I have learned something useful ~ always a plus!

I have been trying to get some 'floating' shelves for the house.  It would help if I weren't so indecisive but although amazon has some I can't be sure that they are right ~ how can you tell if you can't actually see them and feel them? They might be horrid.  So this afternoon I nipped to Wicks and then B&Q neither of which had what I wanted.  Back home and this time I think I have cracked it on amazon.  We shall see . . . 

I was intending to look at 'Victoria' tonight ~ jolly good! ~  but then browsed too long on the computer and missed the start.  Darn!  Catch up there too!

I learned this evening that a friend's mother has died.  She was a wonderful woman: a teacher at my primary school with a larger than life personality.  I remember she taught  two classes together (almost a hundred of us ~ huge classes in those days!) the words and music for the Sung Latin Mass (before Vatican II of course).  The amazing thing was that she even managed to make it FUN!!!  As an adult I knew her as a fellow parishioner and the leader of the folk group at the Sunday family mass.  She had been unwell for a while and was, I think, in her late eighties but her passing is very sad for all who knew her.  

I have had to leave loads out which is a shame really as it's been quite a good six months but c'est la vie I guess.  Fill in later perhaps.  

Back soon

Po xx

Glorious Weekend!

Exhausting too!

Saturday
Fran, Alex and the Pips moved into their new home. Which was exciting.  I was supposed to have the Pips for the day but in the end Lpip went to a friend's for a sleepover, Dpip went to the new house with Alex to 'supervise' and Kpip decided she wanted to stay home with Mummy.  So a relatively quiet day until E&J arrived!  
We were at C&D's in the evening for a Chinese take-away and chat which was lovely although Cat and FE were very tired after a full day's rehearsing for . . .

Easter Sunday!
Well firstly, Fran, Alex and the Pips arrived (very early! and even earlier due to this being the start of British Summer Time and the clocks went forward an hour!) to collect G's old fridge freezer.  We were all very excited about the move, our day ahead ~ and just seeing them really. 
Eric, Janey and I then met Cat and Dave at Croxley station and travelled up to London to meet up with Stella, Rich, Rpie and Ja&Ja for:

The Royal Albert Hall with the Albert Memorial

The ensemble
(very young violinists sitting on the floor in the centre!) 

Ke, J, Cpie and FE were all taking part ~ Ke on Viola and the other three on recorder.












The concert was quite amazing ~ over 1300 children playing Double Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Guitar, Harp, Mandolin, Flute, Recorder, Organ and Piano. 

Children, parents and teachers had travelled from 26 different countries and spoke a total of 22 different languages.  

Stella, Rich and Rpie

It was all quite breath-taking ~ incredible talent and praise-worthy discipline ~ and all so keen! 

Stella, Rich, Ja (the Pies' other grandmother) and their Auntie Ja and I sat in the very high seats.  And, of course, Rpie was a perfect audience member!

The concert was truly wonderful ~ lots of well-known classics including (perhaps my favourite piece) Greensleeves played by the guitars and the wonderful Czardas (Monti) played by violins and the ensemble.  Although of course I loved everything in which our children performed! 

To say I am proud is an understatement!  Of the children ~ all four of them for their dedication and hard work, for their parents for the discipline they so gently instill and for their teachers.  Stella teaches all four of them Suzuki recorder and I am very proud of the results she gains.  

I am constantly struck by the wonderful Suzuki method of teaching: 'to create people of beautiful minds and fine ability' and to 'engage in human education through music so that children will grow . . with high sensitivity through an unparalleled musical approach.'  

And then the concert as finished and everyone dispersed . . . but not before a great mass of coloured balloons floated down from the ceiling and we all gathered outside for photos, congratulations and general letting off steam.  Here they are ~ all delighted it was so successful but also knowing they could relax a little now the Easter hols could really start!

Yay! We did it! Cpie, Ke, FE and J

Ke, FE and J ~ until next time . . . .

Time to go home: 
FE, Cpie and J balancing on the Met line train.

Back to our various homes . . . 

And for Janey, Eric and me: Janey's Beef Casserole and Bedtime!

Easter Monday:
Ke's 13th birthday.  We had 'Big Hearty' (traditional English Breakfast with all the trimmings) at my house.  A lively crew: Rich, Stella and all the Pies, E&J and me.  It was the usual noisy, talkative Family Meal with all three of the 'big' pies talking 19 to the dozen, loads (really loads!) of laughs and plenty of nice food.  A lovely morning!
Early afternoon Eric, Janey and I nipped quickly over to Fran and Alex new house to see all they had done. Which is loads in a really short time.  Dpip  says that he has done most of it (!!!) and Alex says he is a really good little worker.  Doing well for not-yet-seven! 
Then Eric and Janey headed back up North and I came home.  And, being too tired to do owt else, sat on the sofa and read my book.

Yup!  A Glorious Weekend!

Back soon

Po xx

Touch of Evil

I must just miss the point of a lot of films ~ this was one of them! 'Citizen Kane' was another. And 'The Godfather' was the worst of all. I have tried that one three times and given up through sheer boredom after about half an hour each time. 


I was once talking to a friend who thinks Godfather is one of the best films of all time so I asked him 'why?'.  And to be fair his answers made a lot of sense although I can't now remember his reasons. And I wouldn't wish to try to see it again in order to test out the theories. 

A 'Touch of Evil' is pretty tedious although I did at least reach the end. Partly because at one point C. Heston was fighting in a bar and his opponent was quite obviously a dummy who then suddenly changes to 'real' at the close-up. This smidgen of hilarity was not repeated, however, so my advice is: don't bother.  

Back soon

Po xx

   

Goodbye to T

Today was the funeral of the husband of a good friend.  

A quite amazing 'turn out' of friends and relatives and the service was lovely ~ quiet and meaningful.  It never ceases to surprise me that one can know someone for many years and yet there are aspects of which one has no idea. It is very pleasing that he had such a good 'send off'.

The music the family had chosen was appropriate and beautiful. At the committal they played 'Echos' by Pink Floyd. I was never a huge fan and didn't know this piece. In fact to begin with I thought someone had forgotten to turn off their mobile phone.   

Listen if you can ~ it's wonderful.

Sleep well, Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm0VBWnUhvU

Our little star

Add caption

Rpie at 10 weeks and looking quite amazingly like his cousins, the RAF Boys. 

You would need to see him in 'real life' to recognise just how cuddly he is.  

Our new star!

xxxxxxx

   

Some odds and ends . . .

Amazing where the time goes!  

An expression that retired people use a lot and which really annoys me is:

I'm so busy I don't know how I ever had time for work

Well it's because you didn't have time to do the nice things you are doing now! 

Of course we all know this but Lord! it's such a cliche ~ and I hate cliches!

OK Rant over ~ what have I been doing since January? 
Lots but too much to update all of it but this and last week . . .

I pulled a muscle in my back which was very painful and meant I couldn't do some of things I had planned but had extra visits from Stella and some of the Pies and Frankie and some of the Pips (the others were at school).  After persevering with the meds, however, I am much better and able to get on with stuff.

Thursday:
Whole School Retreat Day at the Nilands Centre, Bushey which was lovely: relaxing and fun and so nice to get to meet all the new staff.
Then in the evening to the Colosseum for the Chairman's Quiz.  My team were: The Two Annes, Keith, Sandra and John and Stella and Rpie and me.  Rpie was not much help with the answers :) but a delightful team member, very well behaved (better than some!) and very sweet.  We came joint third.  

Friday:
Had Kpip for the afternoon and then met Frankie and Lpip at Cinnamon Square in Ricky for Hot Choc and Cake.
In the evening to Holy Rood Church to see and listen to Faure's Requiem performed by members of the Church (all amateurs) and a few visiting singers.  The conductor was the lovely chap who played the organ and who had been so helpful with music generally for G's funeral last year.  He really managed to bring out the best from all the singers and the performance was truly beautiful.

Saturday:
More music in the form of a 'gig' for the purpose of raising money for T (a relative) to go on the school pilgrimage to Lourdes. T played guitar and sang for two hours at the Royal Oak in Abbots Langley ~ and very talented he is too! and not yet 15.  A most enjoyable and relaxing way to spend an afternoon and a very respectable amount raised. 

Sunday:
Frankie's birthday. She came round with Lpip and Kpip (Dpip was at the new house 'supervising' ;) and we had a Cream Tea with cup-cakes.  Yumm!
In the evening I went to the annual Paschal Meal at church where we celebrate the Passover in the way Jesus would have done. We all bring something to share and I (not the best of cooks!) made a pasta salad which, surprisingly, drew compliments!!  Lovely evening ~ great company, good chat and a very nice meal!

Monday (yesterday):
Frankie phoned to say she was going to Ikea to get a mattress for Lpip and did I want to come.  I find it difficult not to find something I want at Ikea but had to stint somewhat as there wasn't a great deal of room with a mattress to carry.  All went well until we arrived at the check-out and Frankie realised she had lost her keys!  I nipped out to the car park to make sure no-one had found them and subsequently stolen the car while Fran and Kpip retraced our steps.  Fortunately they had been found and handed in but Fran had by then lost the bags of shopping too so all we did get in the end was the mattress.  Heigh ho!
In the evening it was Small Group at L&D's which was very nice.  Good company, a good discussion and cosy!

Back Soon

Po xx 

2016 . . .

Christmas Eve arrived and I thoroughly enjoyed the preps and the visitors and I took photos! 

And Christmas Day arrived and it was wonderful and I loved having Frankie, Alex, the Pips and Alex's dad here and it was the best Christmas!

Boxing Day arrived and F, A and the Pips were still here an again it was wonderful ~ cosy and relaxing.

And New Year's Eve arrived and the Annual NYE Dinner was here and it was terrific.  Midnight came and we welcomed it in . . . and it was lovely.

And then . . . a new little Pie arrived!!  

Yes a lovely little boy whom we all love out of all proportion to his size but deserving of every iota of love we can give. We are all delighted with him and Ke, J and Cpie are thrilled to have such an adorable baby brother.

That's it for now.   Happy, happy, happy!

Back soon

Po xx