31 May 2007
Journeyed to Staffordshire in uncertain weather and had a lovely lunch in Stone. During this, a cloudburst which lasted a good five minutes kept us entertained not least because a couple of teenaged girls decided they simply had to run across the square to fetch something and subsequently returned as drowned rats. I did wonder why they could not have waited until the rain stopped but no doubt there was urgency in their minds at least!
The purpose of the visit was to find information on OH's ancestors but it proved unfruitful and raised more questions than answers. Oh well, that's the nature of it. At least we were able to share some time with Ranger and all enjoyed a meal in a restaurant local to him.
Journeyed to Staffordshire in uncertain weather and had a lovely lunch in Stone. During this, a cloudburst which lasted a good five minutes kept us entertained not least because a couple of teenaged girls decided they simply had to run across the square to fetch something and subsequently returned as drowned rats. I did wonder why they could not have waited until the rain stopped but no doubt there was urgency in their minds at least!
The purpose of the visit was to find information on OH's ancestors but it proved unfruitful and raised more questions than answers. Oh well, that's the nature of it. At least we were able to share some time with Ranger and all enjoyed a meal in a restaurant local to him.
29 May 2007
An emotional afternoon. The day started wonderfully with the sight of a great spotted woodpecker on our bird table. This is very unusual as we are 700' high and are surrounded by moorland and farmland without the mature trees which this bird likes and I wasn't hallucinating as OH saw it as well.
We went to Liverpool on a beautiful but windy day to look up some family history for me. I met a lady in the lift who turned out to be a volunteer for the Family History Society and she was so helpful. I was trying to locate my grandfather who, according to family legend, was drowned during a swimming picnic in 1931. Thanks to the help of the volunteers we saw and copied the newspaper reports of the tragedy and when I saw it on the microfilm I burst into tears! Everyone at the library was lovely; it is apparently not uncommon for tears to be shed but I felt a bit self-conscious and I shouldn't have worried as there was nothing but smiles all round and a lot of sympathetic looks. I think OH was a bit surprised, being a shy, retiring type but it certainly has captured his imagination and when we got home he set about discovering what happens when no body is found. Lovely Man!
An emotional afternoon. The day started wonderfully with the sight of a great spotted woodpecker on our bird table. This is very unusual as we are 700' high and are surrounded by moorland and farmland without the mature trees which this bird likes and I wasn't hallucinating as OH saw it as well.
We went to Liverpool on a beautiful but windy day to look up some family history for me. I met a lady in the lift who turned out to be a volunteer for the Family History Society and she was so helpful. I was trying to locate my grandfather who, according to family legend, was drowned during a swimming picnic in 1931. Thanks to the help of the volunteers we saw and copied the newspaper reports of the tragedy and when I saw it on the microfilm I burst into tears! Everyone at the library was lovely; it is apparently not uncommon for tears to be shed but I felt a bit self-conscious and I shouldn't have worried as there was nothing but smiles all round and a lot of sympathetic looks. I think OH was a bit surprised, being a shy, retiring type but it certainly has captured his imagination and when we got home he set about discovering what happens when no body is found. Lovely Man!
27 May 2007
Today is the 32nd anniversary of my Dad's death. You would think that after all this time it would not be important but that is not the case. I still remember him and Mum (who died ten years later) every day, not in a maudlin fashion but in a fond remembrance but there is no doubt that I miss them both.
Today is the 32nd anniversary of my Dad's death. You would think that after all this time it would not be important but that is not the case. I still remember him and Mum (who died ten years later) every day, not in a maudlin fashion but in a fond remembrance but there is no doubt that I miss them both.
Monday 21 May 2007
I feed the birds and have a bird table and bird bath in the garden. Last year I was plagued by a grey squirrel which took everything set out so was persuaded to buy, at what I considered vast expense, a couple of squirrel-proof feeders. Humph! They proved not only squirrel-proof but also bird-proof. Either that or my birds are particularly stupid. The peanuts grew mould and the seeds sprouted and it all looked very sorry for itself.
I took the feeders down, emptied and cleaned them and left them on the patio table, at which point the starlings decided that this looked like a good prospect for food. I took off the lids and filled the middle portions with peanuts and seed. They have become a real hit with the funniest views of birds that I have seen. The circular one is shaped like a curved lampshade with a hole in the middle which I have filled with a fat ball and peanuts. To see the ring-collar doves clinging on to the supports and dipping in to feed is quite a sight! They are rather bottom heavy so have to centre themselves properly to stop tipping over completely.
I feed the birds and have a bird table and bird bath in the garden. Last year I was plagued by a grey squirrel which took everything set out so was persuaded to buy, at what I considered vast expense, a couple of squirrel-proof feeders. Humph! They proved not only squirrel-proof but also bird-proof. Either that or my birds are particularly stupid. The peanuts grew mould and the seeds sprouted and it all looked very sorry for itself.
I took the feeders down, emptied and cleaned them and left them on the patio table, at which point the starlings decided that this looked like a good prospect for food. I took off the lids and filled the middle portions with peanuts and seed. They have become a real hit with the funniest views of birds that I have seen. The circular one is shaped like a curved lampshade with a hole in the middle which I have filled with a fat ball and peanuts. To see the ring-collar doves clinging on to the supports and dipping in to feed is quite a sight! They are rather bottom heavy so have to centre themselves properly to stop tipping over completely.
Sunday 20 May 2007
We visited a local National Trust property and had a few curious moments.
Driving sedately along the winding entrance road, we were startled to see a man wearing jogging bottoms, t shirt and baseball cap standing in front of a tree, in full view of all passing motorists, pulling his trousers right down in front and then peeing up the tree!
The car park was becoming quite full so extra areas were being used. This is quite usual on a sunny weekend day and we were directed to a certain spot to park. We were a bit thrown by the sight of half a dozen people, with chairs, rugs, drinks and sandwiches taking up the space of three or more cars. There are several acres of parkland adjacent, all of which is available for picnics and which do not have the problem of exhaust fumes tainting the taste of your food and drink.
We had intended to have lunch at this venue; owing to diet restrictions on my part there was absolutely nothing that I could eat. I think at that OH was quite relieved as the menu offered was extremely expensive and the restaurant is not licensed so he couldn't even have a glass of wine to sweeten the taste. Having visited the house and gone in to the gardens, on the slope of the lawn in front of the house lay an elderly lady in cut off trousers, fast asleep and snoring.
The Orangery is as English as you can imagine - tucked away in the corner was a Japanese artist Takumasa Oko with the most wonderful selection of his work. We bought a cat picture for my other half (OH) and an iris for me. Stunning stuff. It was a funny afternoon.
We visited a local National Trust property and had a few curious moments.
Driving sedately along the winding entrance road, we were startled to see a man wearing jogging bottoms, t shirt and baseball cap standing in front of a tree, in full view of all passing motorists, pulling his trousers right down in front and then peeing up the tree!
The car park was becoming quite full so extra areas were being used. This is quite usual on a sunny weekend day and we were directed to a certain spot to park. We were a bit thrown by the sight of half a dozen people, with chairs, rugs, drinks and sandwiches taking up the space of three or more cars. There are several acres of parkland adjacent, all of which is available for picnics and which do not have the problem of exhaust fumes tainting the taste of your food and drink.
We had intended to have lunch at this venue; owing to diet restrictions on my part there was absolutely nothing that I could eat. I think at that OH was quite relieved as the menu offered was extremely expensive and the restaurant is not licensed so he couldn't even have a glass of wine to sweeten the taste. Having visited the house and gone in to the gardens, on the slope of the lawn in front of the house lay an elderly lady in cut off trousers, fast asleep and snoring.
The Orangery is as English as you can imagine - tucked away in the corner was a Japanese artist Takumasa Oko with the most wonderful selection of his work. We bought a cat picture for my other half (OH) and an iris for me. Stunning stuff. It was a funny afternoon.
2 June 2007
I have listened to The Archers since I was a little girl and in the last few years have lurked around the message boards and plucked up courage to post on them. The present main storyline is making me very cross but the differing opinions and conversation can always cheer up the dullest day!
I am also addicted to the "Joseph" programme on BBC1 and really would like Lee to win. I thought Seamus was the best but he was voted off quite early on but I would (probably) pay money to see Lee on stage. The semi-final is tonight so we shall see.
I have listened to The Archers since I was a little girl and in the last few years have lurked around the message boards and plucked up courage to post on them. The present main storyline is making me very cross but the differing opinions and conversation can always cheer up the dullest day!
I am also addicted to the "Joseph" programme on BBC1 and really would like Lee to win. I thought Seamus was the best but he was voted off quite early on but I would (probably) pay money to see Lee on stage. The semi-final is tonight so we shall see.
5 June 2007
It was disappointing that we did not have better success in Stafford in looking up the records of OH's ancestry; the trouble was we were spoiled by Liverpool's excellent facilities and help so were perhaps expecting too much.
One of the problems is that the family we are looking for appear to have two men of exactly the same name, one in Stafford and one in Burslem who founded families. We had to try to discover the record of one son Henry, who was born in 1821 in Stone and this has proved a bit difficult. However, I have sent away for some certificates so we will see when they arrive if that takes us forward.
The journey of ancestry has been rewarding and absorbing; some would say an obsession but it is remarkable just how mobile people were in the 19th century and they would move to wherever there was work. For me, the fascination has been in getting to know these people and finding out what their jobs were when up until now I had not been remotely interested in history, local or otherwise.
It was disappointing that we did not have better success in Stafford in looking up the records of OH's ancestry; the trouble was we were spoiled by Liverpool's excellent facilities and help so were perhaps expecting too much.
One of the problems is that the family we are looking for appear to have two men of exactly the same name, one in Stafford and one in Burslem who founded families. We had to try to discover the record of one son Henry, who was born in 1821 in Stone and this has proved a bit difficult. However, I have sent away for some certificates so we will see when they arrive if that takes us forward.
The journey of ancestry has been rewarding and absorbing; some would say an obsession but it is remarkable just how mobile people were in the 19th century and they would move to wherever there was work. For me, the fascination has been in getting to know these people and finding out what their jobs were when up until now I had not been remotely interested in history, local or otherwise.
6 June 2007
The received wisdom is that birds should not be fed by now as they should be able to fend for themselves. This has always struck me as a bit mean; rather like opening a cafe and in June saying that only coffee will be served and no food!
I have compromised and only put out fat balls which the baby starlings and one baby (huge!) blackbird have discovered and have much fun eating. There is always water in the lovely birdbath which OH surprised me with the Christmas before last and I am enjoying watching their antics. I am aware that starlings are a nuisance in a lot of areas but they serve a useful purpose around here as their squabbling acts as a signpost to other birds that food is around.
I cannot understand the "lovely, cuddly chap" mentality where the grey squirrel is concerned as to me they are just tree rats which do a great deal of damage and I am now the proud possessor of a very flash water pistol which is very effective against both the squirrel and the jackdaws and magpies whom, equally, I have no desire to feed.
The received wisdom is that birds should not be fed by now as they should be able to fend for themselves. This has always struck me as a bit mean; rather like opening a cafe and in June saying that only coffee will be served and no food!
I have compromised and only put out fat balls which the baby starlings and one baby (huge!) blackbird have discovered and have much fun eating. There is always water in the lovely birdbath which OH surprised me with the Christmas before last and I am enjoying watching their antics. I am aware that starlings are a nuisance in a lot of areas but they serve a useful purpose around here as their squabbling acts as a signpost to other birds that food is around.
I cannot understand the "lovely, cuddly chap" mentality where the grey squirrel is concerned as to me they are just tree rats which do a great deal of damage and I am now the proud possessor of a very flash water pistol which is very effective against both the squirrel and the jackdaws and magpies whom, equally, I have no desire to feed.
8 June 2007
I have just visited the chiropodist which is a luxury which I have discovered only within the last year. Sheer heaven having feet and toes taken care of - I had no idea it would feel so indulgent but it does.
The garden could do with some rain and we are promised some tomorrow, therefore this afternoon I will try to plant some of the bedding and basket stuff I bought yesterday when I went visiting a garden centre cum relic shop on the outskirts of Warrington. It is fatal going to garden centre because I buy more plants! The majority of what has been planted, apart from wedding gifts, has come from the "poorly sick" corners of the local garden centre and most just need some tender loving care to restore them to health. Often these plants have just become pot-bound and planting out remedies this. It is good fun finding out what some of them are because usually the labels have been removed so you have to go on what you think they are and not perhaps what they really are. Just like a detective story.
I have just visited the chiropodist which is a luxury which I have discovered only within the last year. Sheer heaven having feet and toes taken care of - I had no idea it would feel so indulgent but it does.
The garden could do with some rain and we are promised some tomorrow, therefore this afternoon I will try to plant some of the bedding and basket stuff I bought yesterday when I went visiting a garden centre cum relic shop on the outskirts of Warrington. It is fatal going to garden centre because I buy more plants! The majority of what has been planted, apart from wedding gifts, has come from the "poorly sick" corners of the local garden centre and most just need some tender loving care to restore them to health. Often these plants have just become pot-bound and planting out remedies this. It is good fun finding out what some of them are because usually the labels have been removed so you have to go on what you think they are and not perhaps what they really are. Just like a detective story.
9 June 2007
Have just heard on the radio that the Israelis regard 1967 as the year of the setback. That was the year I married my first husband and it caused me to reflect that we had many happy times together and the best bit of all was my lovely son.
As I grow older I realise the greyness of life's thread; I am now married to a man who is lovely and as different from me as chalk and cheese and nothing is so black and white. I have learned so much from my first marriage (my ex re-married only days after I eventually moved out and I sincerely hope that he is finding happiness) that I hope that I am handling this one in a much more positive way. OH seems to think so anyway!
The promised rain has not materialised and I have spent this afternoon in muggy heat trying to repot and pot up the plants I have. More will have to happen tomorrow and I am thankful that we have a water butt to revive the wilting ones! This bit of the country seems to miss out on all the rain which the London orientated weather forecasts all seem to predict; I sometimes feel that I live in a completely different country let alone "up norf".
Have just heard on the radio that the Israelis regard 1967 as the year of the setback. That was the year I married my first husband and it caused me to reflect that we had many happy times together and the best bit of all was my lovely son.
As I grow older I realise the greyness of life's thread; I am now married to a man who is lovely and as different from me as chalk and cheese and nothing is so black and white. I have learned so much from my first marriage (my ex re-married only days after I eventually moved out and I sincerely hope that he is finding happiness) that I hope that I am handling this one in a much more positive way. OH seems to think so anyway!
The promised rain has not materialised and I have spent this afternoon in muggy heat trying to repot and pot up the plants I have. More will have to happen tomorrow and I am thankful that we have a water butt to revive the wilting ones! This bit of the country seems to miss out on all the rain which the London orientated weather forecasts all seem to predict; I sometimes feel that I live in a completely different country let alone "up norf".
10 June 2007
Another glorious day with little prospect of the rain which is being constantly promised. Early morning tea on the patio was disturbed by the constant bzzzing of bees. Next to the patio is a prostanthera in full flower and some large red poppies. On investigation, four bees were all busily harvesting the nectar and had become so laden with pollen and so drunk that they were struggling to get out! This shows how well the bees get on with each other because there was no attempt to oust the others and after, all there was plenty to go round. I do not care much for honey myself but have always tried to grow flowers which will attract both bees and butterflies; the downside is that of course the caterpillars come first!
Another glorious day with little prospect of the rain which is being constantly promised. Early morning tea on the patio was disturbed by the constant bzzzing of bees. Next to the patio is a prostanthera in full flower and some large red poppies. On investigation, four bees were all busily harvesting the nectar and had become so laden with pollen and so drunk that they were struggling to get out! This shows how well the bees get on with each other because there was no attempt to oust the others and after, all there was plenty to go round. I do not care much for honey myself but have always tried to grow flowers which will attract both bees and butterflies; the downside is that of course the caterpillars come first!
11 June 2007
Well, Lee did it - he won the "Joseph" competition and it was thoroughly deserved. One of the really lovely things about the announcement was how quickly Keith, the loser, went and hugged Lee. It was very touching and I hope that Keith's magnificent voice is heard in the future on stage and records.
This week has been very busy as our local church had an Induction Service for the new vicar. We have only been without a vicar for six months which is a very short time; an interregnum is a great strain on the officers of the church who have to take on a lot of responsibility for the running of the services and all that is involved. This church has been particularly fortunate in the way it has all been managed and we are lucky to have the dedicated people who have given their time so willingly.
The service was held in the evening and was very well organised with all running smoothly. OH is from a Methodist upbringing and found the whole thing arcane but nonetheless very moving. The church looked beautiful and everyone had worked so hard cleaning, polishing, decorating and rehearsing the whole event and we were fortunate in a dry evening although it was rather warm. The Bishop gave the address and the new incumbent was taken around the church with prayers at various parts such as the font and the pulpit. The bell is rung by the new vicar and tradition has it that the number of times the bell is sounded is how many years will be served; I confess I didn't remember to count so have no idea what the term may be! We have still not had the promised rain.
Well, Lee did it - he won the "Joseph" competition and it was thoroughly deserved. One of the really lovely things about the announcement was how quickly Keith, the loser, went and hugged Lee. It was very touching and I hope that Keith's magnificent voice is heard in the future on stage and records.
This week has been very busy as our local church had an Induction Service for the new vicar. We have only been without a vicar for six months which is a very short time; an interregnum is a great strain on the officers of the church who have to take on a lot of responsibility for the running of the services and all that is involved. This church has been particularly fortunate in the way it has all been managed and we are lucky to have the dedicated people who have given their time so willingly.
The service was held in the evening and was very well organised with all running smoothly. OH is from a Methodist upbringing and found the whole thing arcane but nonetheless very moving. The church looked beautiful and everyone had worked so hard cleaning, polishing, decorating and rehearsing the whole event and we were fortunate in a dry evening although it was rather warm. The Bishop gave the address and the new incumbent was taken around the church with prayers at various parts such as the font and the pulpit. The bell is rung by the new vicar and tradition has it that the number of times the bell is sounded is how many years will be served; I confess I didn't remember to count so have no idea what the term may be! We have still not had the promised rain.
12 June 2007
The rain arrived overnight. The water butt is now full. Hurrah!
We have some new people in the garden of the stone and steel variety which Robinson is viewing with some scepticism. He is really only interested in good places to sleep and food. Recently he has nested at the base of the pampas grass which is regarded as a big turn off for selling houses; I love mine which was a gift and turned out to be a double gift as mixed in with it was a zebra grass which is in the back garden and provides interest all year round.
I went shopping earlier but nearly did not get there safely as I met a young man careering down our rather congested road, mobile at his ear and completely on the wrong side of the road. I realise that I often have the Klingon cloaking device switched on which means I am totally invisible but this was a very close call; I can only hope that he frightened himself so much that he will not do that again but I realise this is a dream.
The A road on which we have to travel to go to the shops is always busy and I had only travelled a mile or so when a white van veered across the white lines because he was clutching a mobile to his left ear with his right hand and was therefore steering with one arm across his chest and the other hand loosely on the wheel. I admire his dexterity as I usually have enough trouble changing gear and indicating without additional hazards but he still cannot beat the lorry driver I saw who was drinking from a mug and eating a sandwich whilst doing at least 40 miles an hour. I was thankful he was travelling in the opposite direction!
The rain arrived overnight. The water butt is now full. Hurrah!
We have some new people in the garden of the stone and steel variety which Robinson is viewing with some scepticism. He is really only interested in good places to sleep and food. Recently he has nested at the base of the pampas grass which is regarded as a big turn off for selling houses; I love mine which was a gift and turned out to be a double gift as mixed in with it was a zebra grass which is in the back garden and provides interest all year round.
I went shopping earlier but nearly did not get there safely as I met a young man careering down our rather congested road, mobile at his ear and completely on the wrong side of the road. I realise that I often have the Klingon cloaking device switched on which means I am totally invisible but this was a very close call; I can only hope that he frightened himself so much that he will not do that again but I realise this is a dream.
The A road on which we have to travel to go to the shops is always busy and I had only travelled a mile or so when a white van veered across the white lines because he was clutching a mobile to his left ear with his right hand and was therefore steering with one arm across his chest and the other hand loosely on the wheel. I admire his dexterity as I usually have enough trouble changing gear and indicating without additional hazards but he still cannot beat the lorry driver I saw who was drinking from a mug and eating a sandwich whilst doing at least 40 miles an hour. I was thankful he was travelling in the opposite direction!
15 June 2007
I don't much care for this business of getting old. My inside bit is 30 but unfortunately the outside is twice that amount. I try to practice living in the day and being thankful for what I am extremely fortunate to have but there are some days when this is particularly difficult and my creaking joints and silly stomach become a bit much and the last couple of days have been like that. The fact that last night was so chilly that we had the heating on did not help and the stories in the news seemed to contain so much that to me is commonsense but nonetheless requires a great deal of Government (our) money to tell us a conclusion which most ordinary people knew anyway. Do we need a survey to tell us that immigrants have a more unsettling effect on rural communities than towns and cities? And what is to be done about that anyway - more money thrown at what is perceived to be the "problem" to do what exactly, prove their theories.
Anyway, enough of that. The sun is breaking through the clouds and I am feeling better so will stop moaning about things I cannot change. A busy weekend ahead so that will keep me out of mischief.
I don't much care for this business of getting old. My inside bit is 30 but unfortunately the outside is twice that amount. I try to practice living in the day and being thankful for what I am extremely fortunate to have but there are some days when this is particularly difficult and my creaking joints and silly stomach become a bit much and the last couple of days have been like that. The fact that last night was so chilly that we had the heating on did not help and the stories in the news seemed to contain so much that to me is commonsense but nonetheless requires a great deal of Government (our) money to tell us a conclusion which most ordinary people knew anyway. Do we need a survey to tell us that immigrants have a more unsettling effect on rural communities than towns and cities? And what is to be done about that anyway - more money thrown at what is perceived to be the "problem" to do what exactly, prove their theories.
Anyway, enough of that. The sun is breaking through the clouds and I am feeling better so will stop moaning about things I cannot change. A busy weekend ahead so that will keep me out of mischief.
