27/07/2010, 07:29
The last time was a funeral-this time it was a wedding. We met in Leeds, coming from all corners of the UK to spend a couple of days together. I'd never met my cousin James' children who are now 18,14 and 12. There was an immediate bond that each and every one of us could feel it. I was in the company of both of my brothers and my four cousins for more hours than we've spent together in years. It was great to catch up and laugh together and remember. I saw my aunt, my mum's sister, who is now 82, has had TWO broken ankles in the last six months and been in and out of hospital to boot with other ailments. She looked amazing in her Jacques Vert outfit and had us all grinning with her tales of travelling on her pensioner pass and going UPSTAIRS on the bus because downstairs was where the OLD people go!!
The bride, my cousin Moira, looked sensational as she walked down the aisle to meet her new husband Stuart, a lad some 18 inches taller than her, who will ensure that she never again has to stretch to reach a high cupboard!!
The reception was in the most elegant of surroundings, where we were treated to a delightful meal and entertainment afterwards. The photographer clicked but there were no speeches- at the request of both bride and groom, who decided to break with that particular tradition and guarantee a stress-free occasion for the male members of the top table.
The sun shone and champagne corks popped.Moira and Stuart had planned it to the letter and gave each and everyone of us a day to remember!
;)
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17/07/2010, 16:26
No, I haven't bought one yet! But it might happen soon! Ev is with us this week-end, so I'm having another hands on time with his iPad. LOVELY !!!
Despite the changeable weather, we are not wearying. Time is passing busily as we venture through the long summer days of light. The cycle of grandchild visits is about to begin( even though we said we were having a rest this year) when Joseph arrives next week-end followed by Nicholas and last of all Marshall. Dougal is already looking forward to LONG walks, or even RUNS , as he tends to get when the boys are here. Hopefully the weather will be better and return to the warm days which we benefitted from in June. Whatever the weather the boys will bring their own particular BUZZ and we'll enjoy responding to them with a variety of activities. Maybe we'll become fitter??? And NO we won't do that by joining them running with Dougal. Lavender Ladies don't run!!!
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09/07/2010, 16:10
Our little bird garden attracts all sizes, from pigeons to the siskins and everything in between. Our weekly visit to the bird food shop has doubled, given the uptake, and our feeders are in use 24/7. A new bird table and a couple of extra feeders in our eucalyptus tree have encouraged more visitors, and fights galore between big and wee to gain the seed!
This morning I watched the antics of a starling trying to feed from our new bird table. It hopped around from ridge to edge and back again looking for a way to get onto the table below. It fluttered a bit, then fluttered some more, then eventually made a drop and missed, only to reappear once again on the rooftop for another go.Unfortunately it was unsuccessful, but did manage to gather some seed from the ground below the table before flying off again.
And speaking of the ground below, we now have a mass of new growth courtesy of the seed so carelessly dropped from the feeding station above. Usually, I pull weeds, but this time I'm going to let them grow to see what appears. Maybe we can harvest the seed and reduce our bird expenses for next year!!
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01/07/2010, 08:31
We haven't had it for some time, but the gardens will LOVE it!
Our reservoirs will benefit from its fallout!The dry dust of endless days of sunshine will be washed away by it!Yes, today the rain has returned. It isn't forecast to remain for more than a day, so a return to sunshine and warmth is to be hoped for.
Andy Murray is once again into the semi-finals of Wimbledon. I didn't watch. It's not that I don't want to watch, it's that I can't abide the commentary. Has-been so called tennis experts leave me cold. Their overpaid presence is something we could well do without, and has over recent years turned me off watching Wimbledon at all. Perhaps I should write to the BBC and ask for an addition to the red button- a commentary-free option for watching a match!
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25/06/2010, 08:28
This week took us beyond the summer marker, the longest day, and instead of gaining light, we're now moving towards the winter spectrum of losing a little every day.
It's been quite a month. Sunshine has favoured us daily and with intensity, something we've enjoyed and thrived upon. Spirits have been raised as each new dawn offers the opportunity to wear those summer clothes which most years remain hanging in wardrobes as rain and poor weather dampened.
Not so thus far this year.Long may it continue!
I'm aware that my blogging has been less than regular over the past month, and apologize to those who drop in to read my ramblings. Spending so much time on my computer, as I do, over the year, sometimes requires a break, especially when outdoor activities and friends are about more of the time.Needless to say we have been busy. Family history research and website work have been replaced by gardening and gadding and partying and beading and more gadding and more partying and weeding and more planting and more beading interspersed with walking and more walking and jaunts to here and jaunts to there.Since returning from London a month ago, time has passed in a flourish of activity.
Perhaps when July arrives things will quieten???
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