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.