A train, a boat, some planes, (and a bus or two)

On the first Monday of our holiday, we walked down into Swanage to explore a bit, and to collect a timetable for the Swanage railway. We found that there was a Budgen's and a Co-op  for food shopping. It was a bit cloudy and breezy that day, we wandered around trying to get the feel of the place, we found a pleasant tearoom on the front where we had lunch, Jacket potato with crab for me, and pasty for husband. Creatures of habit? Us? There was seating outside, but we ate in. One of the things I had forgotten to take with me was a small purse and a small bag. Carrying a heavy shoulder bag everywhere  can be quite tiring, and I don't need most of the plastic cards I carry every day. I found a nice little bag shop,and bought a smaller purse and a lightweight 'across the body' bag.

walking down the hill into Swanage

 Afterwards we wandered a bit more, then walked to the main beach car park. I had found a bus timetable in the cottage,and there was bus which runs in the summer months to Durlston Country Park.  We soon found a group of ladies, waiting for the bus and chatted to them. They had been to Durdle door on the bus, and were now waiting for the number 5, which they hoped was running, and they joked about climbing 'Angina Hill', eventually, the number 5 came,and we boarded. The smart reader didn't seem to like our bus passes, and beeped, but it must be something to do with our County as the drivers always said,' that's ok, just go and sit down'. it was lovely to ride up the hill. Husband had managed to stub his toe on the stone fireplace in the dining room,and was finding walking painful

 We spent the  evening after dinner watching old detective series, as we wanted to avoid the football at all costs. We also read the Telegraph, and I got stuck into a Biography of the hymnwriter Augustus Toplady, which I have been meaning to read for ages.

On the Tuesday we had sorted out the train we wanted, so walked to the station and bought two Rover tickets. The track isn't very long, not as long as the NYMR for instance, but nevertheless we managed to get a steam haul. The train came in, and we watched the engine change ends. It is single track, except for passing places at stations.
We stayed on till Norden. The weather was brightening up, and it was quite warm. At Norden there is an old carriage where refreshments are served, and we had a ham bap each and a coffee. Then I wandered off down a pathway to find the ladies room, and discovered a ball clay mining museum. so we paid that a visit, and found it interesting. Then we wandered down a different path back to the railway in plenty of time to see our engine coming in.
This time we got off at Corfe castle. We thought we would visit the actual castle on a different day, but enjoyed exploring the village, and bought ourselves ice creams. We wandered back to the railway, catching the steam haul again, then getting off the train, and picking up the number 5 bus. We were pleased that the weather had picked up, I had my cuppa in the garden, then we spent the evening in a similar fashion.

I think it may have been that night that I had my first bad night,despite the comfort of the bed, I couldn't get comfy and coughed a lot.

Our Engine

trucks at clay mine

Corfe castle village

Model of village

castle from the station

On the Wednesday, we set off to visit Bournemouth, by bus. I had said we might as well get use out of our bus passes, and there is a number 50 bus, the Purbeck Breezer. So down the hill we walked, the Breezer buses leave from the side of the Railway station. Just as I boarded there was a moment's panic as I couldn't find my bus pass. I was using the new bag,and thought I had slipped it onto a pocket. I asked how much the fare was and was told £8! Suddenly I realised it was in a small zipped compartment on the front, phew!
We went upstairs,as I thought the view would be better, But the driver seemed to hare along country lanes, then stop for ages at bus stops. We did have a good view, but I found it a bit scarey. The man in front started talking to us, he seemed lonely. I wasn't too happy when he told us that a few years ago, one of the double deckers had toppled over, fortunately landing on sand and no one was hurt.
We certainly had a good view of the planes which we had noticed a few times, they seemed to circle the bay, and drop small parachutes every now and again. There are a lot of military training camps in the area, and these were definitely military planes. We passed Studland and the Naturist Beach. I had forgotten how beautifully wild that area is. Then passing through the toll we took our place in the queue for the ferry boat.
Some actually argue that it is not a boat, but a floating bridge. We had a wonderful view on the ferry, which is a chain ferry. Then the bus meandered through suburbs of Bournemouth, eventually dropping us outside a large department store. We wandered around the streets, for a while popping in various shops, then eventually found M&S, bought sandwiches etc for lunch,  and sat in a park to eat them. Later we wandered  through another park, where there is a large tethered air balloon, which only goes up and down. It was about £11 for a ride. I expect the views were spectacular, but not being fond of heights, we didn't fancy it. We then walked down to the pier,and stood watching people on the beach for a while. There was something going on, some preparation. It may have been for beach Volleyball, which is played in Bournemouth. We walked back through the park, bought ice creams, and then wandered up to the bus stop. We sat downstairs on the way back. First I was at the back, but over the engine, and it was uncomfortable, but before we left the suburbs, I managed to bag another seat,and eventually husband was able to sit beside me. Back in Swanage we caught the number 5 back to the bungalow.

tethered air balloon

Bournemouth pier

our rented bungalow

Driving down to Dorset

So on Saturday 14th June, we set off for Dorset, we didn't leave very early, we had done most of the packing, I had ironed and cleaned, but there are always those little things, 'Ooh, mustn't forget the binocs, now where is my camera tripod', etc etc. Eventually the car was all packed to overflowing, and we hadn't even packed beach chairs. We still managed to forget a couple of things. I should have checked last years list which I wrote down in a book.
We didn't get very far before we hit congestion, yes you've guessed, M25 Heathrow. We crawled along, and that was probably when I said, 'Oh no, I didn't pack such and such.' for the first time. Eventually we made it to Fleet, where we bought Waitrose sandwiches, and drinks, and ate and drank in the car. We got coffee and hot chocolate from the  Costa machine in Smiths. The cups are a sort of corrugated paper, and as we approached the till, husband managed to squeeze his, and burnt his hand, spilling coffee. From what the cashier said, it happens a lot, in fact they had just finished cleaning up the last lot. She offered him a burn easing disposable cloth, but he still ended up with a blister.
We resumed our journey, and were soon travelling at a much faster pace than before. Eventually we stopped at Wareham, having discovered that is the nearest place with a Sainsbo's. The car park was a bit tight, but we coped, bought food for the weekend, and we got a refund on the parking too.
The satnav differed from the printed instructions which I had received to find the bungalow we were renting in Swanage, but we found  our way eventually, driving up a very steep, very long hill, then down a bit, till the signs said we had reached Durlston Country park. The bungalow was just opposite a a gate leading to woodland and the coastal path. I found the key,and soon we were inside, inspecting the rooms, and unloading all our belongings, food, and loading the fridge. It was about then that husband realised he had forgotten his Netbook. Being the generous soul that I am, I said he could share use of my laptop.
We had decide it would be easier to walk into the town, and find a fish and chip shop. Not hard to do, but as we walked down the steep hill, realisation dawned that we would have to climb it on the way back. Husband's personal  GPS recorded that we actually climbed 175 feet in .4 of a mile!   The overall distance being at least .6. We found 2 chippies next to each other, and decided on the one with tables outside. Husband had cod, and I had fishcake. We looked around a bit, there were several children sitting on the quayside trying to catch crabs. They were obviously from a school,and were the first of many groups that we would see, wherever we went. Eventually, we decided we could put it off no longer, and began the steep climb back up. We made it without either of us collapsing, watched some TV, which meant channel hopping to avoid football.
Then we discovered the bed was actually comfortable, it was a Relyon with a sprung base, and a soft mattress, and we slept reasonably well. Due to the position of the bedroom, at the side with no street lights it was about as dark as can be, the only light coming on if we sat up was the room sensor for the burglar alarm.
Next morning we had breakfast then decided to try and find the little EFCC church in nearby Corfe castle. I had checked the local Baptist church website, and it didn't look to be our taste in the musical side of worship.
We parked in a car park. near the little local cemetery, which was called God's little acre, and walked through to the church. The congregation was mostly old ladies, but the have a fairly new pastor, a retired baptist minister, who has moved from Christchurch. The hymn book was Mission Praise,and because it was father's day he had chosen a few probably now quite dated modern songs about father.
His sermon was reasonable, and we stayed afterwards for coffee. One old lady was chatting to me, and it seems that she is a refugee from the Swanage baptist church, 'which has grown too big, and impersonal,and they have noisy music with drums, and people falling over.' I sympathised. I get very nervous when people start doing that sort of thing in church, most people who feel the need to fall over in church seem to collapse suddenly on to their backs. When people in the bible fell down, it was on their faces, before God.
However, I digress. We drove back to Swanage, admiring the castle as we went,and saying we must go there to visit.
Lunch over we both fell asleep. The later I did the Telegraph crossword from Saturday. There was no evening service, but we'd had a day of rest. Later still we ventured out across the road, through the gate, and along the woodland path which leads to the coastal path. We ventured along to the castle, then until we were in sight of the lighthouse. It was too cloudy for a sunset,and we're not sure how good it would have been as Swanage actually faces East, but Durlston Lighthouse is to the South. we walked back to the cottage and had a late tea, which of course included scones and clotted cream.

Peveril point

Durlston Castle

Durlston Bay

Durlston Lighthouse

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June Jottings

So way back on the next Monday, June 2nd, I went to the hospital for my thyroid blood test. As I'd had quite a long walk in the morning, I took the car. On the Wednesday, I just about managed to get weighed at WW and go to Sainsburys' before rushing to collect the children, Nathaniel hadn't been to Nursery, because of the chickenpox. he was feeling quite lot better, but still wasn't allowed contact with others.
On the Thursday, we had them both all day, but couldn't really take them out. I did think of the park,as most children were at school, but as I passed, there was a lone Mum with a pre school child. Lydia obligingly had her morning nap,so things were not too bad.
There wasn't much special about the Friday, apart from me ringing for the blood test results,and being told it was all fine. the weekend was spent shopping, gardening and church. It was rather sticky in church,and my cardigan stuck to the pew back. During the service I suddenly whispered to husband that I had forgotten to collect some ironing, just bedlinen and shirts.
On the Monday our Daughter was working,as she had a meeting to go to, so we had the children, Nat was fit to go back to nursery. I remembered to collect the ironing, and also collected my prescription, leaving a request for some cream, as I was getting signs of an old problem, which affects me in hot weather. The previous stuff had gone out of date.
On the Tuesday, husband had dug over part of the right hand flower bed, but decided it was too hot to continue, so I thought I would just plant out the end he had done. We went to a different garden centre, I bought 2 Osteospermum, some more petunias and some verbena. I also bought 2 more solar crackle lights,as some of last years are no longer working.This garden centre is the same group as one of the others we go to, but it has a cafe, so husband decided it was teatime, so we had a drink and he had some cake.
Wednesday was very busy, a quick weigh in, Sainsbo's, picked up Nat and Lydia, gave them lunch, then took Nat to his new school for a taster session. he was very quiet when I collected him,and when I asked who he had played with, he replied that his best friend wasn't there. I had to explain that his friend was staying at the school where the nursery is. It must be hard for a 3 year old to understand why there is no room for him at that school, unless about 4 other children don't take up their places, or move house.We took them straight home,as Mummy was finishing early, then had a quick dash to pick up the second prescription form, and off to the garden centre to get one of the lights replaced as the battery cover was broken.
We had swapped Thursday's childcare for Monday, but our Daughter wanted to attend her friends' baby's funeral, so we minded the children whilst she went there. It was a very sad occasion, but she said that the church was packed, and the parents were bearing up well, due to the prayers of all who know them.
I decided to try and finish the rest of my ironing, and Friday was spent catching up by giving the house a thorough clean.

small crackle light, the only one working his year

large garden light

frint garden springs into life

planted pots

New RHS trough

close up of top

Coming back down to earth with a bit of a bump

So back to earth, and back to routine. I had to do some shopping on the Tuesday,as I hadn't done any veg shopping at the weekend. It was nice not to have to take the car in for any repairs last week, but there is still a job outstanding. We have become increasingly disenchanted with our local Ford dealers, we had a service, then later an MOT, nothing was recommended, but when we took the car in because the handbrake didn't seem to be holding,they came up a with along list of jobs which needed doing. Last time, they actually broke something, then charged us to fit a replacement! I was furious, but now husband is at home he takes the car and collects it, and he is not always as assertive as I am.
I would have fired off a letter, but with the big celebration coming up, we were focused on that. I think that we can safely say we will not be buying our next car from that particular dealer.  We do save up for car repairs, but there have been so many in the last few weeks that we have had to dip into savings. Our income has been somewhat reduced since Husband retired.
I have had to get used to sleeping in my own bed again, one night I coughed so much, I had to get up at 4 and take some vile tasting catarrh medicine. I went back to bed at around 5 and slept till 9.
When we had got home there was a message to say that my glasses were ready, so I went on Tuesday to pick them up. Husband came with me to town, and went off to do his own thing. He did meet me at the opticians, where I was given a copy of the letter which had been sent to my GP. I have used the distance glasses, they seem to help a lot with the double vision, but if I wear them whilst walking the ground seems a long way off. I think that Tuesday was the day we arranged to meet at the bus stop, having gone our separate ways, as I needed something in M&S. I did bump into a friend, who is getting divorced, not her fault, and she was pleased to be able to tell me she had had an offer accepted on a smaller house. As I walked towards the bus stop I got a message to say that Husband was on the bus, I sent an indignant reply, so he waited for me at the other end, and took my bag of shopping.
I skipped WW on the Wednesday, did the supermarket run, then we picked the children up. We don't have them for long on a Wednesday, if memory serves me right it wasn't a decent afternoon weatherwise anyway.
Thursday was better, and we had both of them all day as it was half term. Lydia went up for her nap at about 10.00 am. Nathaniel was given a choice, to stay with Grandad in the garden, or to come shopping with me. at first he said the former, then changed his mind. We set off walking, and he was very good at holding my hand. He helped me post a letter, then when we got to Sainsbo's, he put the newspaper in my basket for me, and chose 3 nice carrots and a head of broccoli, then a lovely yellow lemon. We had walked along the canal bank for part of the way,and when we came out, he said he wanted to go by the canal again.
There was a boat going through the lock, so I explained how the water has to be level, and the lady has to use a key for the gates, then push the gate open. Funny how it's always the men who steer and the women who do the hard work at the lock gates!
We spent some time in the garden after lunch. Eggybread and beans for Lydia, Eggybread without beans for Nathaniel, followed by yoghurt. We watched a couple of episodes of Thomas the Tank engine, then later got them home in time for them to welcome Mummy home from work.

Lydia finds the washing basket

On Friday morning, I got a text to say Nathaniel had come out in spots, and it looked like Chickenpox. Better to have it young than older like my 2; one was 15, the other 23. His Daddy had taken the day off to look after them, so I called in later with some calamine lotion. Poor mite wasn't feeling too good. The whole family had been going to visit the in laws, but in the end only their Daddy went. Friday morning I also saw my G P, who doesn't think I have thyroid eye disease, so he gave me a form for a thyroid blood test and said to go back in 3 months. So now I am totally confused and still no wiser about the cause of the double vision. he did rule out Myaesthemia Gravis, as that sounds a bit unpleasant, I'm quite pleased.
Friday afternoon we were back at the garden centre, as I needed a few more plants. Husband bought some new gardening gloves, and a fearsome weed burner.

We popped in to see the family on Saturday, after shopping, Daughter was getting  a bit 'cabin fever'ish. Whist we were there she received the shocking news that the much longed for baby of friends at church had died at only six weeks. She was so upset, I sent husband home with the shopping, as there were a couple of items for the fridge, and stayed with her till her husband got home. I saw the children, both had been napping for a while. Nat had been given an antihistamine, which stopped the itching, and helped sleep. He was more spotty than on Friday, and a bit miserable, so it's wait and see with Lydia now

My Winston Churchill Fuchsia survived another winter

we thought the Clematis had died

So we planted a rambling rose

and now they grow together

Ninety and counting

So the week before last, we were getting ready for a special weekend, on Wednesday, after the grandchildren had gone home, I made a chocolate Victoria sponge, cooled it and left it covered with a cloth. On Thursday afternoon I set about making a chocolate fudge icing. I found a recipe similar to the one I used to use and made up a batch of icing. I have to be careful with Mum in law as she tries to avoid milk, so I couldn't do ganache. When it had cooled, I spooned some on to half of the cake, but as the cake was not flat, I had decided to use the flat bits as top and bottom if you get my meaning. It took a lot to fill the middle of the cake, and it kept oozing out.  It was whilst I was doing that, Lydia had toddled into the kitchen, and was very quiet.
I shrieked, moved her, and Grandad came to confine her in the sitting room. Washing powder cleared up, I set about making a second batch of choc fudge icing. I must make sure the lid on the plastic container of soap powder is properly clipped. As regular readers of this blog will know, at least twice the bottom of a loaded box of Persil had got wet and fallen out, so it is now decanted into a plastic container.
We took the children home, I made dinner, then picked up my car keys, and went to Sainsbo's. The second batch of choc icing had refused to stay put completely on the sides of the cake leaving bald patches, so I grabbed some Betty Crocker fudge icing, some choccy stars,and as time was running out, some ready mixed piping icing. Cake patched up and finished, I heaved a sigh of relief.

Friday morning we packed, tidied the house, as we are always a bit tired after having the children, and it doesn't get done, I mopped the kitchen floor and vacuumed. We left at around lunchtime. The traffic was horrendous around Heathrow, Bank Holiday weekend and half term. As well as pouring rain in parts.
We were quite late having lunch at Pease Pottage, but then had a better run except when we got to the bit where it is single carriageway. As it was getting near to the time when we were to book into the B&B, we rang Mum in law and told her we would book in first, then go to her home. We found the B&B, booked in and then set off t the nearby M&S to stock up on food, and something for dinner. By the time we returned, our Son his wife, baby and Dog had arrived. they were to stay the weekend with Grandma.
Grandma said that she head eaten, but she would have a small portion of lasagne. We had lasagne with salad, followed by ice creams which I had picked up in M&S. There was too much lasagne, so Tom had the leftovers,and he could be heard pushing the dish round the kitchen floor.
Later I watched Ethan's bathtime, he was settled then we chatted until it was time to return to the B&B.
We unpacked,and got ready for bed. the room was well decorated,and had its own bathroom, through 2 doors from the bedroom. the bed was king sized but as we soon found out, comfortable it was not. I took a couple of herbal sleeping tablets and did manage some sleep, but whichever way I lay there were springs which seemed to dig in me with a vengeance. Husband complained too, and he can usually sleep on the proverbial.
Breakfast was good,  no choice of fruit juice, but B&Bs are not hotels, although I seem to remember the last one we stayed in we were given a choice. The cooked breakfast was good, and there was sufficient toast, but not much choice of jam/marmalade. Breakfast over, we collected some stuff and set off for Mum in law's home. I had forgotten my toothbrush of all things, so I walked down into the village with husband, bought some stuff in the pharmacy, then got the paper. I blew up half a dozen balloons when we got back to the bungalow

At about 12.15, we set off for Eastbourne, mindful of the traffic, but we arrived well before 1pm, at the Grand Hotel. Out Daughter's car was already there parked on the road. We tried to park in the car park, but ended up paying and displaying. It was beginning to rain as we reached the hotel entrance where we had the doors opened by men in top hats and tails. They were also opening car doors for people.
It took a while for us all to assemble, as some of the party vanished, exploring, and looking for nappy changing facilities. Soon however, we were all seated, and having a look at the lunch menu. Most of us had melon for starters, Mum in Law took a while to choose her main course. Most of us chose pork with a black pudding fritter and butternut squash puree. At least one had a chicken dish, one had steak and the children spaghetti.

Our plates arrived with domed covers and when they were all in place, we each had a member of staff to whisk off the covers simultaneously. It was all so theatrical, that I got the giggles when I thought about it. There was a good helping of veg each. Mum in law enjoyed her black pudding, and then wondered why it had taken her 90 years to try it.

Birthday girl and her Granddaughter

Lydia likes ice cream

Our Son and Daughter in Law presented Grandma with a beautiful framed picture of themselves with the baby and Tom. Daughter and Son in Law had not found a decent one of the family out of those we had taken in the forest, so had framed 2 with the children on. It's incredibly difficult to get everyone looking at the camera at once, with small children.
I can't remember what all the desserts were, but mine was poached pear with a chocolate cream, very chocolatey, the children both had very generous portions of ice cream. The children had been sitting so long, and the 'player piano'. which seemed to be just a huge CD player as it had no visible strings, was playing the Cole Porter selection for the third time, so we decided to skip coffee and mints and head back to the bungalow, Daughter and family decided to book into their travel lodge, they had spent the Friday night with the in laws in Kent.
Later, some decided they were hungry, so I did a buffet style meal, Grandma blew her candles out we sang Happy Birthday, and we all had some cake to finish off with. I was surprised how much food we had got through, so whizzed back over to the M&s to stock up further,as I realised most of us would still be there for Monday lunch. I also bought choccy mints,as husband was feeling deprived having missed them at the hotel. I watched Ethan's bathtime, then later we headed back for the B&B, for another night of tossing and turning.

one to go

Sunday morning, we had more or less the same breakfast, paid the bill and set off for Mum in law's home. Tom was there and pleased to see us, everyone else had gone to the 9.30 am service at the Anglican church. We had been going to go to the local evangelical independent church, but husband felt unwell, he still had a cough,and the mattress had not been kind to my back, so we decided to stay put. Everyone returned, and then we drove down to the beach hotel for lunch. Mum in Law would never have coped with all of us. It is a carvery,and we all had just 2 courses, I chose beef as last time I found the Turkey too dry.

I followed it with a pear and almond tart, others chose different things. Then afterwards, we booked into the hotel. We had only meant to stay 2 nights, but the rest of the family were staying till the Monday.I had tried to extend our booking at the B&B, but they were fully booked. Just as well really as I had slept so badly. I had managed to book a room at the hotel, ok it was in the annex, and the view was station and car park, but we were not there for the view,and it was only a fiver more than the B&B. The beds there all have Tempur mattresses, so I knew I would sleep.
Back at the bungalow, it was a lovely day, so the children and dog were taken out to the playground. I felt in need of a walk, but my back said otherwise. I sat with the Telegraph Weekend GK crossword, and tried to doze but couldn't. Mum in law fell into a deep sleep, too much excitement I reckon, then Daughter began making noises about the children needing tea, so I filled some mini rolls, got out the left over quiches, pork pie, crisps, ssalad, buttered and quartered some scones and cut yet more birthday cake. Later Daughter and family left for the travel lodge, and later still we drove back to the hotel where we had a better night. I'd had a lovely Suchards hot chocolate, Pity there was only one sachet.
Next morning we had to almost queue for breakfast. The problem was that a party of about 10 had come in, non residents, hoping for breakfast. They were not keen to take 'no' for an answer. When they had finally moved on down the corridor, we were soon seated. A little later the staff asked us if they could move our table slightly, so they could fit someone in. They did so without so  much as disturbing a teaspoon.
they then carried over a table to fit to another, to make room for a party of 5.
It was all a bit hectic, but the staff were coping superbly. I was astonished to see the Mum and Dad at the new table wiping their mushrooms with paper napkins. The mushrooms were not at all greasy. Their daughter ordered porridge, but after it was served to her, she went and got a different cereal. There's nowt so queer as folk.
Breakfast over we cleared our room, and checked out. We drove to Mum in law's, it was a wet day, but I still managed to walk down to the village, between showers, to collect the newspapers. Not many shops were open, but the hardware shop was. Husband did a couple of small jobs for his Mum, but was unable to do much in the garden because of the weather. We had a buffet lunch, using up most of the rest of the food, then Son and his wife packed their car, Tom jumped in, and they were off. We were the next to leave, and  Daughter and family left a bit later. The weather was pretty wet, but that was to our advantage,as people hadn't come down to the coast for the day. We stopped for a cuppa at the services, and got talking to the folk parked next to us. They had been camping, but were leaving 2 days early,as they said they were beginning to be flooded.
We were home before 6, and I put a small chicken in the oven to roast. All in all we had had a pretty good weekend.

May musings

Life goes on, busy, but unremarkable, although Nathaniel has not been his usual sunny self all the time and has been prone to throwing wobblies. We did wonder whether he was sickening for something, as there is chickenpox about. However it could just be that his routine has been interrupted and changed so much lately, or it could just be that he is feeling his feet as they say. Who is to know?
We are gradually getting used to different childminding hours, although, as we no longer have them on a Friday, I tend to keep thinking that Friday is Saturday, and end up all confused. I have much less time on a Wednesday, as we have to go up to their home at 11.30 am, so it's a quick visit to WW just to be weighed then off to do the weekly shopping, then a quick unpacking and off out again. Although last week I arrived at the community centre for WW, and couldn't park there or at the nearby shops,so had to go straight to Sainsbo's
Husband missed church for a second week as he was coughing so much. My cough has been replaced by a more 'dry' cough, which usually comes on just as I am about to fall asleep at night, or about to doze on the sofa. Husband has been working at raising the fruit bed at the bottom of the garden, and he has now placed the compost bins on paving stones to try and stop rats burrowing their way in.We have had a couple of visits to garden centres, and I tidied up one bed, and planted some bedding plants. Last Friday we went to the one on the St Albans bypass. I'd had my hair cut that morning, husband came into town with me, then I went over to the material and wool shop, and bought a new pattern. Then we got the bus back up, got the car and drove to the garden centre, had lunch there, and did some browsing and buying.
I had been forbidden to plant anything in one bed till it has been dug over, the daff leaves need to die back, the lily of the valley needs to be culled as it has been taking over. The fruit is coming quite well, the big ceanothus is in full bloom,and had had to be tied back so that the milkman and postie can get down the path.
I decided it was time to stop procrastinating, and get on and use my sewing machine. I have made 2 skirts, and almost finished a dress, one sleeve left to put in, and a hem to do. I bought another pattern in a slightly different style to try, as I found some lovely material when we went to Eastbourne in February.

Add caption

And another

The weather has been pretty pleasant lately, quite hot in fact, but we are supposed to be getting rain soon. I was pleased to bump into H, who had the twins,and used to come to our toddler group at church. The twins must be 2 now, H still does childminding too, she is as bright and bubbly as ever.

Last Saturday, we ventured up to the forest at Ashridge, the aim was to take some family photographs, more about that later, but when the family arrived Nat had fallen asleep after a busy morning at a Birthday party, so we had a drink at the cafe, then tried again. It was very difficult to get a picture with everyone smiling, or the children not moving or in Lydia's case sticking her fingers in her mouth, then the children got hungry, so bits of sandwich got into the picture, and we all thought that professional child photographers really earn their money.

Mum and Dad give a helping hand

Nat waits for his drink

Lydie pinches dad's ice cream

Nathaniel has his own

Over the past 2 days or so, I have been redoing my pots, we had to go for more compost, but they are now done. I am in the doghouse a bit because I have managed to mislay a trowel. I also went for a coffee with a church friend on  Tuesday to catch up, as I'm still not able to get to women's hour, and feel so out of the loop.
Just to make a change, I broke my glasses. I dropped them, then stepped on them, Aaaaaargh! the new frames, broken! I had been told that I am now entitled to a free yearly eye test, so rang the opticians to check. They couldn't fit me in with my usual chap for more than a week, so I opted for an appointment with the chap husband sees. When I mentioned that I still get double vision at times, he got very interested, and gave me some goggles to wear, red one side, green the other, very fetching. He carried out a number of tests with me wearing the goggles, then studied my eyes very carefully. He then said he would refer me to my G P, as there is a possibility that I may have thyroid eye disease, and I may need to see a specialist. So perhaps it is a blessing that I stepped on my glasses. I have to have a pair made for driving and the cinema, with a prism in, so no more shutting one eye at acute junctions so that I only see one of each car, and hopefully when I go to see the third instalment of the Hobbit, the dwarves will have only one nose each in close up.
On a sad note, an ex work colleague who lives in America rang me last week, lovely to hear from her, but sad to hear that a mutual old friend died recently, another sufferer from Pancreatic cancer, we do seem to be hearing a lot about this dreadful disease lately. The rain actually came today, well overnight first, then as husband set off for town this afternoon, it rained, thundered, and then there was a terrific downpour. It's starting again as I write this. I needn't worry about watering the new plants.
I got rather cross today, I walked into town whilst Lydia was napping, got the bus back up, and the driver went a different way. The first stop left me with about a mile walk home. The reason I got the bus is because my back is bad. When I asked the driver why he had come that way, he blamed roadworks,and said if I had said where I was going, he would have told me not to get on the bus. To add insult to injury, as I hobbled down the hill, the same number bus passed me going down, so they are obviously not forbidden to use the route.
Nat had a good long sleep this afternoon, so I only had Lydia to look after. I was doing something in the kitchen, and she was being very quiet. I turned around and she was using a hand brush to spread washing powder over the floor! I must make sure the clip on the container has clicked into place. Happy Days!

April abbreviated.

I trust you will excuse me if I have a little rant about plumbing, or maybe water. the bungalow in which we stayed had been done up fairly recently. I showed a picture of the strange 'taps' on my last post. There was also a square toilet, not at all comfortable to sit on, but fashions come and go in what is termed sanitaryware, who can forget the awful coloured bathroom suites of the seventies? We managed to get rid of our turquoise suite about 10 years ago, it came with the house. Apologies to anyone who has strange taps or a coloured bathroom suite.
The real bugbear for me was the boiler. We still have a boiler which heats the water, and the water is then stored in the hot water tank. But with these modern boilers which only fire when you turn on the tap, the hot water takes ages to come through, so there is a lot of water wasted. Not very good for the environment. There! Rant over.
Life hasn't been over exciting since we returned. Someone passed on a tummy bug to our Daughter and Daughter in law, whilst they were away, so they both had quite an unpleasant week. Daughter and family had to stay at home for Easter, as Lydia then got it. They had been hoping to visit Mum In Law, but fortunately hadn't actually arranged it.
One morning I was planning my day, and husband called out that he had seen a mouse in the back porch. So he started taking everything out of one side, then he checked the other side, but couldn't find evidence of a mouse. Whilst everything was out of one side, garden chairs, workmate, walking boots etc, I decided it needed a lick of paint, so dug out a big tin of paint and painted one side of the porch; I also gave the floor tiles a good clean. We sorted some stuff for the bin and for the dump, and piled a lot of foodstuff onto the bird table. We had a trip to the dump, and  took some stuff to the charity shop. I don't quite know when the other half will get painted, but husband has said we must tidy the other side. What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? That mouse certainly changed my plans.
The daffodils are over, but we still have some colour from the many polyanthus we have planted over the years. I am reluctant to plant anything else yet as there is still foliage to die back from the daffs. Both of my non hardy fuchsias have survived with their original foliage, this has happened with a few of our fuchsias. Our ceanothus are coming out in the front, and a peony which hasn't flowered before has a bud on it.
On Easter Monday, I told husband I was planning to do a walk I had done in the Autumn. He said he would like to come with me, but would like to take me further across part of a walk we used to do when the children were small.So we put on our walking boots and set off. As we approached the field which used to be scrubland, but is now covered in small trees and bushes, we felt a few drops of rain. Later there was an almighty clap of thunder, but no more rain. We returned along the canal bank, and when we got home our front paved area was quite wet, so we obviously missed the worst.

This fellow was on the local river

Early bluebells

Trees are budding

approaching a lock

Expensive flats being built behind the trees

Willows

Later that week, I couldn't get to sleep one night, as I coughed so much. It was gone 4 before I slept. We looked after the children, Son In Law started his new job on that Thursday. I managed to walk to town on the Saturday, but on the Sunday my throat was sore and I struggled to sing the lovely hymns.
Daughter started her new hours last week, but as she had a course on the Monday, we ended up having them for 2 and a half days. In future it will be a day and a half, Lydia will go to a local nursery, Nat will stay for an afternoon session, then someone will collect him from the other nursery, and their Mum will pick them up from there. This will be just one day. Hopefully we will have a bit more spare time.

Lydia empties the toybox and climbs in

Unfortunately husband has caught my bug, so we have coughing competitions. We were a little bit like zombies looking after the children.With me, it seems to have attacked my sinuses. Husband alternately snores and coughs at night. We didn't make it to church today, both feeling tired and ropey, and not wishing to spoil the sermon for others by coughing. My short shopping list the other day was Disprin for husband, Olbas oil, mentholyptus sweets, and nasal irrigation stuff for me. Happy Days! Hopefully it will pass soon.Another Bank Holiday tomorrow, but I doubt we will manage a walk.

A lady I know from Sainsbury's lost her husband, quite suddenly a couple of weeks ago, he was only 61. It was discovered that he had had pneumonia, her Son is due to get married this week, and her Daughter later this year, all very sad.
 The lady who told me said we should be thankful for the husbands we have, even if they be Meldrews, at least they are there for us.
Our Son has started some more staff training which he enjoys, long may it continue, and pray for his safety on the roads. Ethan has started to crawl and pull himself up, keeping his Mum on her toes. He is now eight months old.
During the last couple of weeks I managed to wreck the screen of my laptop. Fortunately, husband had a spare screen which he hooked up, but I lived in fear of it being knocked over by the children. However the replacement screen which I ordered arrived fairly quickly, and husband managed to fit it, wearing his magnifying goggles, as the screw holes were tiny. What would I do without him?
We watched Jamaica Inn on iplayer. Apart from being irritated by the changes to the story, we were at a loss trying to understand Joss Merlyn's speech, well at least I have read the book. Perhaps they should have called it 'Jamumble Inn'. Hinterland was quite gorey and spooky, but we loved the scenery. We know Aber fairly well. Well methinks I am up to date, for a while anyway.