October

It's been a little while since I was last here so some pics to show the in between times!

The beautiful Portland lighthouse...

Making cider at Lorton Meadows...

Cute Kingston Maurward piggies...

Luke enjoying October sun...

Luke's first bus ride...

Lovely creatures we met at a local garden centre...

And waiting for Matt to emerge from the sea!



Reunion and cake

Last Saturday I went to our first ever school reunion. I wasn't sure what to expect and I had mixed feelings about it but I'm so glad I went. It was fun to catch up with friends but meeting people I haven't seen in over 20 years was really interesting. The apparent bunch of strangers that stood at the bar on my arrival gradually seemed to transform before my eyes until I could see the people they were when we were at school.

Today I participated in the world's biggest coffee morning in aid of Macmillan. Inspired by my sister who has done it for 13 years I thought it was about time I gave it a go and a good excuse to get the lovely old tea cups out that once belonged to my Nan. With some family, friends and friendly neighbours we raised cash for a great cause and ate far too much cake!

It has been quite fun sharing my experiences online and some of the feedback I have got has been really beautiful and inspiring. Thank you so much. 



Autumn adventures

Since Autumn term has started I have been trying to make the most of any days I have with Luke and we've been on a few small but beautiful adventures...

The stunning Abbotsbury gardens where if you make the effort you can view what appears to be the whole of Chesil beach as it stretches in either direction or like Luke you may prefer the canons, large koi carp and the play park.

If you pay a small donation at the RSPB centre at Radipole Nature Reserve you can get a bag of bird seed. Both Luke and I had fun feeding the various ducks, enormous cygnets and other visiting birds while keeping watch for the kingfisher that has been seen in this area. I even had a duck trying to get the seed from my hand before the pigeons got it!

We have just spent a sunny morning at Upwey as we went to see the Wishing Well, water gardens and the gorgeous gallery. Although the well is in a gloomier part of the garden it felt magical and mysterious and the water was so clean. I saw a flash of bright blue as a small bird whipped past us along the river, I'm pretty certain that I had at last glimpsed the elusive kingfisher. Luke loved the watching the water and crossing the bridges and we were both reluctant to leave.



The Get Away

Camping in September is a gamble but then camping in this country is always a gamble...

We put our new tent up in the dark, damp evening in what seemed to be the start of a hurricane. I was trying to reassure my son Luke that everything was OK while praying that we would not take off like a parachute in the wild and rampaging night!

Amazingly enough the wind settled down and we slept soundly til morning.

The few short days away were wind blown but the rain stayed away in the daylight hours. I grabbed my camera when the sunshine poured its way through the blustery skyline. There were random highlights including a fantastic bowl of donated chips, a hastily assembled team to get our tent standing, family time in an amazing setting, seeing the buzz my son got from being on a boat and a roaring fire quelled by the rain.

There was also a massive appreciation of home comforts on our return.

Last days of Summer

Making new friends in Devon

With the ladies in Bath

Beautiful Abbotsbury

 
 I can hardly believe it's September already. I want to cling to the last remnants of summer and yet the days seem to slide by so quickly. I have enjoyed living in the moment with my adventurous companion (Luke, my two and a half year old son). We didn't venture far but we had fun. I even managed to step out of the county a couple of times; a few days in the friendly embrace of Devon and a day inspired by the wonder of Bath.

As the darkness of the evenings rolls in faster and a chill is in the air, I need to remind myself...

What do I love about Autumn again?!

Midnight madness

I feel privileged that I have been asked by my sister-in-law Louise to do a guest Blog for the gorgeous

'Tiara Heaven' Blog site.

Louise and I did the Midnight Walk for the Weldmar Hospice last week. I wanted to do something this charity as they looked after my wonderful Nan before she died.

We arrived to find around a thousand women wearing blue t-shirts with Midnight Walk printed across their chests and pink fluffy halos that were frantically flashing multicoloured lights. An energetic woman attempted to warm up the crowds and then there was a brave performance from a scantily clad Bollywood dancer.

At midnight we marched together along the seafront and I felt the power of the solidarity of women fighting for a worthy cause. My husband has done the male version a couple of times but it never seems to be as popular. People outside the pubs stood outside and cheered. Cars beeped their horns in encouragement. The atmosphere was fantastic.

On the return journey like many others I removed my weighty luminous headgear. Perhaps 'Tiara Heaven' should make the headdresses next year as I was able to wear the beautiful tiara that I wore on my wedding day in comfort all day and night!

Thank you Louise for accompanying me on an amazing experience and thanks once again for making my wonderful tiara that I really enjoyed wearing!

Why Blog?

Someone asked me today, "What is that thing you're doing? It's a bit strange isn't it!" whilst referring to my Blog. I have put my Blog address on facebook for people who know me to take a look if they want to and some of them are new to this strange Blogging lark!

So, the basics...

Blog comes from the two words 'web log' blended together.

Basically it's an online journal. Some people use it to write about what they've been up to or express themselves and others to promote their business or creative projects. (Some people can make money from it!)

I guess I'm somewhere in between.

I have kept a diary off and on for over 30 years and I like to learn so I'm combining the two in an experimental way. I'm giving it a go. I'm having fun.

So if you don't like it don't worry about it. There are many other blogs that are beautiful, fun or focus on different ideas. It was estimated that there were over 450 million English speaking Blogs in 2009 so maybe there's one that you will like somewhere!

But if you do like it. Great. Thanks. I appreciate it hugely.

20 little parcels of sunshine

Luke and I planted the seeds that made this

 As I was doing the washing up I got to thinking about little things that make me smile such as a good quality pair of washing up gloves that are too big for me!

I remembered the time my husband said his life would be perfect if he had a new pair of socks and grapefruit for breakfast every morning. I decided to make his life happier for a while and bought him a month's supply of both. The reality was that our house became covered in the fluff from the socks and he went off grapefruit for quite a while!

There are many things that make me happy such as feeling healthy and spending time with family and friends who make me feel alive but there are many little things that brighten my day. I know these little things are not life changing and if we had them all the time I'd forget to notice them but a list (no particular order) of some of the things that make me smile are...

1. Friendly morning dreams after a good nights sleep
2. Crisp new five pound notes from the cash point (Thank you to the return of the fiver Lodmoor cashpoint!)
3. Singing with a group of friends (a sign of a good night)
4. Joyful running (watching or doing) 
5. My car interior being clean (At least I have some chance of it remaining that way for a short while)

6. Pink iced buns in a bakery window

7. When I get something in my house organised

8. Stripey socks

9. Putting my feet in the sea

10. Digging holes in the sand - Reminds me of lovely Woolacombe summers

11. Growing something large from a small seed

12. Strong female leads in books and films

13. Eating outdoors in the sun

14. Concocting fruit smoothies

15. Self help/feel good books

16. Warm friendly people that are comfortable in themselves

17. Brand new stationery - Preferably pretty, pink or both

18. Genuine hugs

19. Carefree dancing

20. Thinking of things that make me happy

What are the little things that make you a little happier? (If suitable for public, please comment!)

Carnival time

It was carnival day in Weymouth yesterday and I was looking forward to seeing the planes and fireworks with my son Luke.

As often when I make plans things didn't quite work out the way I expected...

Although he did glance at the red arrows especially on their impressive entrance which made us all jump, he was more interested in the little train!

He built sandcastles and jumped in the sand despite the surrounding crowds (must admit I felt a lot less stressed when I joined in!) and then when we returned in the evening we couln't walk past the carousel without a ride.

Not quite what I expected but still quite fun.

   

Celebration!

It is fair to say that before entering this stage of motherhood I could not grasp the wonder that my child could give by showing me his first poo and wee on the potty - but there it was...a miracle!

It's been a tricky road that led to this point but a blue potty that my Mum found in her loft rather than the pristine white ones I had bought and plenty of stickers to decorate the potty and to put on Luke for his achievements seem to have done the trick! (Not forgetting the scary business of letting him wander around without a nappy: we were both astonished at how my foot got wet!)


Anyway I am aware that I have just taken a route that has led me to a mountain, but for now...

a moment of joy!!

Mocking the moccasins

After a lovely jumbly evening of adult conversation, home baked pizza and beautiful live piano music provided at my sister-in-law's house we resorted to the usual childish banter fueled by alcohol or lack of sleep.

At the end of the evening I wish I had my camera with me. My brother-in-law sat in a low atmospheric light, mounted guitars and other instruments behind him. He looked like a cool, modern man verging on the look of a rock star; an impressive portrait in itself. What really struck me was that he was wearing...moccasins!

(Ha- sorry Ian!)

Apart from the funny name of the things and the fact that they are the preferred indoor footwear of my parents, I was intrigued why a person with generally pretty good taste might choose to wear them!

After a discussion I can see that they are comfortable on a hard wooden floors (us ladies were after all wearing comfy boot slippers) and they do have good hard wearing soles that can be worn for the occasional trip outside so actually a practical choice.

My husband wears flip flops or indoor trainers but neither are as comfy.

So the question is 'Why not?!'

Me time?

Strangely creative!

It's late and I should be in bed but I wanted a little 'me time' before I shut my eyes. I feel the need for a little creativity and thought writing a post on my blog might help...

In the above photo Luke was organising frozen food boxes in a row with his cereal before looking at it from a new perspective! Creative, OCD or plain crazy? I'm not sure but it amused me.

Very typical - I am alone for a few minutes and just end up discussing my son!

I will take Luke's lead and see if I can view things from an unusual perspective...

Steam and sand

Luke on Weymouth beach.

I usually take the photos!



Had a great family day out in Swanage.



Luke loved the steam trains.

The broody looking sky was spectacular.

A beautiful day but tired now!! 

Grockles




 


Joined the Grockles (local word for tourists!) out at Portland Bill.

We enjoyed ice creams and delicious cream scones from 'The Lobster Pot' - the best I've tasted anywhere. Exploring the rock pools brought back lovely childhood memories.