Warning words

I've had to come in from gardening as it's too HOT! Woop, woop! Not that it takes me a lot to give up gardening.

My roses are doing really well. Ones I've had for a couple of years that have been a bit spindly have come into their own this year. Can't wait to see them all in bloom.

Anyway, back to the holiday. I'll see what I wrote on the very brief reminder notes I left myself. Ah yes, bowling toilets. One morning we all went ten pin bowling. I came last obviously but the interesting thing is that the toilets were old style, you know, the coopy down ones. I'd like to see Husband spend as long on one of those as he does on our toilet in the mornings as a matter of course. But, seriously, how do old people manage with them? I mean, sometimes it does take a while. How do they do it without falling in? At least these ones didn't flush all over my feet as is the norm.

Next, bunny rabbits. I don't actually have a photo of the newly-acquired bunny rabbits but I can tell you that Bellatrix is black and a great escapee. Possibly because Luna is always trying to hump her.

So, one morning I'd gone to the house for breakfast, Husband was poorly and everyone else was in school/work. I'd just sat down in the garden with my bowl of cereal when I noticed Bellatrix running free. 

Fortunately the garden is quite well fenced in but there are gaps - and it's quite a large space. Imagine for a moment, me running around like a crazed person, shouting at this stupid rabbit. I tried speaking nicely and quietly at first but when that failed I resorted to, "You rotten rabbit! Come here this minute!"

She ignored me.

I tried throwing a jumper over her and when that failed tried a blanket. All I had after that were chicken-poo-stained jumpers and blankets.

After twenty minutes I begged Husband to to get off his sick bed, come down from the bungalow, and help me. At least cut off alternative paths of escape.

So then there were two of us running around the garden. I actually caught her once and ended up scarred by the process. (And dropping her in the process.) "Right, you flipping bunny! This is war!"

She took refuge in the chicken shed. I followed her; she hid under the hutches. 

Husband meanwhile was using his brain in an effort to save his energy. We constructed a sort-of sided path from the chicken shed into the rabbit hutch. Then we sat down and waited. 

The chickens went in first - and couldn't find their way out. (I'm currently having a whatsapp argument with Elder Son over the intelligence or not of golden retrievers: I insist they are clever; he says they're stupid. To be fair, Theo had just stuck his head in a muddy puddle - but that shows he knows how to cool himself down, ergo, smart. But when it comes to stupid you'd have to go a long way to beat chickens.)

Eventually, over an hour after I'd first noticed she was out, Bellatrix fell into our trap. Then Husband went back to his sofa-reclining in the bungalow and I walked Lobo. After making sure the rabbits were very firmly locked in. (It appears they weren't that secure as she got out again later in the day.)

Regular readers might remember that last year I was attacked by the cockerel. (They've since swapped him for a much gentler one.) I didn't expect to be wounded by a bunny.

Lobo and I had several lovely walks, exploring the hills and valley. There are some phrases that should ring warning bells in my head when I say them. "We might as well keep on walking; it can't go up much higher," being one.

It can and it does. I have to stop several times to 'look for deer in the woods'. We're quite quiet apart from my Darth Vader breathing as I climb the hills, but I guess that would scare anyone. We didn't even have the satisfaction of reaching the top. It was always that bit further.

That photo was taken as we were about to investigate a ruined old house.

The other phrase that should alert me is, "It doesn't matter if GPS isn't working; I know the way."

Well, I sort of did and only got lost twice, one of those times being in the car park. Trust me, it's a confusing car park.

Next times, misleading signs and sheep and goats.

There it was gone

They were short of volunteers at Zac's this morning so I popped along to help. Before I went away Zac's looked like this:

This morning it looked like this:

The main hall hasn't been used for for about ten years due to the damp and decay. We had great plans to redevelop it but, sadly, what with Covid and inflation in general, rebuild costs shot out of control. We had raised what we thought was a large sum but it wasn't enough, and, to be honest, we couldn't haven't justified spending the new amount required anyway.

A structural survey last year revealed the hall to be in dangerous condition and we made the decision to demolish. A whole lot of delay mainly thanks to our surveyor's tardiness and next door's decision to have their own survey done (that we had to pay for!) meant we watched anxiously for any deterioration for fear it would fall down of its own accord. It didn't, thankfully, and eventually demolition happened while I was on holiday.

Cost a lot of money! And still more needed for making good the walls. There won't be any left over to do anything with the space just yet. Maybe I'll scatter poppy seeds. Yes, that would be nice.

We're still able to run our normal services so I see this as a new beginning. So long was spent talking about "when the hall is done and we've got all this fancy stuff," it's almost a relief to have made the decision and concentrate on the future.

Where to begin?

With GrandSon4's big day I think.

First communion is a huge thing in Italy - and I assume in other Catholic countries - and GrandSon4 had to attend weekly classes for months ahead of it to prepare. The church was packed with families - who also get invited to a big meal afterwards. Each of the new communicants had a small role play in the ceremony. GrandSon4 was one of those chosen to read.

I didn't understand the service obviously and spent a lot of time studying the ceiling.

Afterwards it was time for photos and then the meal.

Nuora had been very busy making matching outfits for all of them but she still found time to make these lovely little gifts for the table for each of us.

The menu was eight courses plus a delicious strawberry and cream meringue celebration cake. I did take photos but the dishes were a bit colourless so won't include them. I'll just say it was a lot of meat! Including a dollop of raw minced beef. GrandSon4 ate my two helpings of that!

We left the meal a little early because Husband was tired but I was just pleased he'd made it and managed to eat everything, including seconds, and drink wine as well, both white and red.

My thoughts on the rituals? Well, I hope somewhere in it GrandSon4 found a true understanding and faith. GrandDaughter3, meanwhile, said to me, "I want to be just like you because I love Jesus too!" So she was listening to what I'd been drilling into them saying anyway.

GrandSon4 was very happy with his new mountain bike though, and especially happy with the bike alarm that he can control remotely.

How does your garden grow?

The first thing I did when we got home was check to see if the peonies had bloomed in my absence. They hadn't. But the roses are beginning.

The garden has also grown a mini-marrow/large courgette and rhubarb flowers.

And I've spent some time today clearing the beds of bindweed and dead forget-me-nots. Still loads to do but I am definitely becoming a gardener. If only I could remember what I've planted and where.

Also went through the 602 emails I've received and was able to delete about 590 without reading. And am just being tempted by an email from the holiday cottage company we use. I - we both - need a holiday. But Husband has various hospital check-ups in the next month or so, so we won't be going anywhere just yet.

More holiday stuff to follow . . .

And we're back!

So, how was the holiday?

Let's say lots of it was great but other bits less so!

It was a lot colder than I had packed for, resulting in me having to buy two vests for some extra warmth. When the sun shone it was lovely but it didn't shine that much. Apparently May is always a bad month.

But that's a minor problem compared to Husband ending up in hospital.

Fortunately it was only one day while he was tested, prodded and poked, x-rayed, and rehydrated by drip.

It all began the second Wednesday of the holiday. Bad diarrhoea combined with Husband not drinking enough water left him weak and feeble, hence the hospital trip. Gastroenteritis was diagnosed and he was sent home with drinks to help replace the lost essentials. I say sent home with; I mean told what to get at the pharmacy. Nearly £30 worth. Makes me grateful that prescriptions are free in Wales. That said, he had very good treatment at the hospital for free.

Further test results revealed a bacterial infection so Thursday of the next week he was given antibiotics, which worked well and quickly, thankfully as the following Sunday was GrandSon4's first communion and celebratory meal, plus we were due to begin our journey home on the Monday.

So, that put a bit of a damper on our holiday. No day trips into the mountains or the beach. No trips anywhere in fact. So I spent a lot of time walking Lobo and exploring the hills nearby. 

Younger Son and Nuora were in work and the children were in school for the second and third weeks of our holiday so I did some cooking and shopping too. And walked back and for up the hill from the house to the bungalow we stay in to see Husband, deliver food, etc.

Here I've circled Younger Son's house so you can see the setting. It's very beautiful and peaceful. Our little bungalow is just up the hill from the house. It's not far but it seems like Everest when you've done it 75 times in a day. (No exaggeration there at all. Well, maybe a little.)

Now the rest of the posts will be much more cheerful!

Final post of the day (probably)

I had an emergency dental appointment yesterday. The site of one of the fillings I'd had a few weeks ago was still sensitive and I was concerned that there might be a hole there that would get worse while I was away. The dentist - a man I'd not seen before and very chatty and pleasant - took an x-ray and reassured me the filling was fine but that it was close to the nerve so it could be sensitive for some time, "but it will settle down eventually."

I was going to say that the spray tan was a disappointment but I've just realised you can see the bits I missed so it has worked. 

And now the car is packed - we're not going until tomorrow - and we seem very well organised. There must be something we've forgotten. Then again it seems unlikely judging by how full the car is.

We celebrated Monty's birthday in Zac's last night. I was there but, unusually for me, was being sensible and had asked someone else to bring a cake because I knew I'd be busy.

And now that must be the end.

For a few weeks anyway.

User error

Yesterday I returned a pair of shorts to M&S. The assistant had to point out I'd bought them in Primark.

Today I used the self-service till in M&S; I had to call the assistant to check I'd paid as I couldn't remember. (I'd literally just done it!)

I need a holiday. 

* * * * *

When the doorbell rings Alexa first plays Jingle Bells and then says, "Someone is at the G100RT567291MR1957 XRKD."

I'd answered the door and closed it again before she finished. Husband can't remember how to change it.

* * * * *

Had to get Husband to give me lots of clues to finish Connections today. And we're still arguing over the last one.

Husband tried to insist that polish the noun and polish the verb were pronounced the same. I agreed but said they were supposed to be different; he said the game makers got it wrong. I had guessed at three of them as having different pronunciations when (proper) nouns but didn't get Herb. That's American for you.

Nearly there

I have beautified (as much as is possible), started charging, changed bed and put in washing, I've even spray-tanned my legs to try and make them look less British-like until they tan naturally.

I am doing well on my final preparations.

Now I'll visit a few blogs while thinking about tidying.

Gay abandon

There are several problems associated with being a novice gardener. Most potentially serious is the fact that I don't remember what I've planted so am never sure if what I'm pulling up with gay abandon is a weed or is, in fact, meant to be there.

Another is that I've never worried about leaving the garden when I go on holiday. Now I'm, "oh dear the bindweed will get my raspberries and I might miss my rambling roses. And what about my seeds?"

But I'll soon forget all about the garden when I'm enjoying my grandchildren's company in Italy.

The most important part of the packing has been done: I've chosen which books to take. That said, I might stick an extra one or two in my rucksack, just in case. Books and knickers, you always have to allow for extra, just in case.

The garden is looking very lovely at the moment, very blue, with lots of forget-me-nots and bluebells. I think this may be my favourite season flower-wise with bluebells and wild garlic in the woods too.

And it was a bit of a globe, I was right. 

Good news!

Seven of the eight fish in the pond have now been spotted so it looks like only one was taken. They're all very nervous now though.

* * * * *

The social evening on Saturday went very well. Everyone really enjoyed it and are talking about 'the next one'.

Sunday, church, then walked with Elder Son, GrandSons 1 and 3, and Theo, then had dinner with Daughter and family. I said I wanted to see them before we went on holiday "in case we die or anything". Husband asked what the 'or anything' could be.

* * * * *

Tried to put on a load of washing the other day but the machine said, "UP". I checked the manual but after I'd gone right through and found no reference to 'UP', Husband pointed out it was for our old machine. We didn't have a manual for this one. It's all online.

I went shopping and left Husband to sort it out. It turns out the machine was being updated. Yes, our machine is on the internet. Who'd have thought it? Not me.

Back in the real world I have jigsaw problems. 

If you've ever watched Would I Lie to You? you'll know that when comedian Bob Mortimer is a guest on the show he drives the rival captain mad because it's almost impossible to tell if he's telling the truth. He spins what sound like outrageous yarns and they turn out to be true.

Well, anyway, my jigsaw is playing similar tricks with my mind. "This looks like a piece of orange," I say to myself. But there isn't an orange in the picture. Similarly this looks like a bit of a globe to me

But can I find a globe in the picture? And why would there be when it's a kitchen cupboard?

But then you don't expect little pink creatures in a kitchen cupboard either.

Lost!

I forgot to say: something - we assume a heron - has taken six of our goldfish!

It is very sad as we've had them for years, and some were parents and children. Husband says he has spotted two left but they are hiding, unsurprisingly.

Spent a large chunk of the afternoon ironing bunting while Husband has been to the hospital for his ear check-up. He's hoping to be dismissed as it's been two years since the operation to remove the growth. Discharged, that's the word.

And here are some slightly sandy cuttlebones.

Oh, but we do have tadpoles in the pond!

Fulfilment

Six days since my last post. That's unusual unless I'm on holiday, which I'm not. It's just life - and preparing to go on holiday!

So, Sunday, hm, church. I did a rewrite of psalm 51. Think it was okay. Can't remember the rest. Not a lot I guess. 

Monday, again, can't remember. Tuesday, walked with Daughter and Louie. Then writing group, then Zac's.

Came home from the walk with pockets full of cuttlebones to take to Italy for the budgies.

A good writing session with nine attendees and four apologies. The group has grown and everyone is enthusiastic.

Got a parking ticket.

My own fault. It's difficult parking near Zac's and I'd done a loop of the block and couldn't find anywhere. It was raining so I squeezed on the end, on double yellow lines. "Nobody's going to be coming around on a wet Tuesday evening." They did.

Wednesday, GrandDaughter2 has been studying Welsh culture in school and that morning was an opportunity for parents to go in and see all the work they've done. GrandDaughter2 and her best friend did a Welsh country dance. They're both shy in school so it was very brave of them to volunteer, and they did it beautifully.

Thursday, a meeting first thing i.e. 9.30, with Kim to finalise Saturday evening's church social. Then it was off to Rough Edges to give a helping hand as they've lost their volunteers. A busy day and quite good takings but not sure if it will be enough to keep the shop going. The money it takes is meant to pay for its keep and support the work of Zac's but it's barely breaking even with its keep at the moment.

It's tricky because it's valued in the area and with those who use it regularly. Kathryn, the manager, finds herself comforting and counselling lots of the customers, so it's important not just for financial reasons. That said Zac's is our prime focus and we can't afford to subsidise RE. Also good volunteers, who understand the ethos behind it, are hard to find. We gave it three months to prove itself and that's up soon so it will be decision time. Not looking forward to that.

This lady was snapped up quickly!

Today Josh is coming to replace some of our fencing and I am trying to catch up on blogging and life.

In between I've done another jigsaw (one piece missing.)

And we've been watching season 3 of The Capture. I followed it - mostly - to episode 4. Finished it last night having to ask Husband, "So was he a goodie or baddie?"

And I've continued to pile stuff on the spare bed ready to take to Italy.

Oh yes, and I was very excited to discover an email from The Fulfilment Centre saying my parcel was due to be delivered. Several emails in fact. Having no recollection of ordering anything fulfilling I waited with bated breath. 

It turned out to be very fulfilling!