mrsnesbitt's space

VIEW FROM OUR WINDOW 1

2012-02-02T11:47:00.003Z

This is the view from our kitchen sink. I had just fed our hens their favourite breakfast of porridge and mixed corn. The sawdust is where Jon had been sawing logs yesterday.

We live just off the North York Moors - an area of sheer beauty and nature. No matter when we travel over the moors the scenery is dramatic. Yesterday I had to nip over to the doctor's surgery for a routine appointment - the sky looked so moody I just wondered what it had in store?

What is the view from your window?

For more perspectives on the big world out there visit Jane

P.S. I loved the second photo so much I used it as a header - will change it every month I think!

C is for...Completed Cushion!

2012-01-31T13:56:00.016Z

I have only just finished my cushion! Even if I may it myself I am quite pleased with my first project in my sewing adventure!

I need to find a better pillow to stuff it with, but this will easily be remedied next time I go shopping later in the week, I didn't want to make a special journey - too cold anyway.

It matches with the other cushions on one of our settees.

I did make a slip up - but only I can see it!

This is my C entry in Round 10 of ABC Wednesday. I must admit I found it a really good goal to aim for - I wantred it finished by today - and I did, only just.

It is also just in time for a pledge I signed up for here........

Phew! Just made the end of January! I am keen to see what others have done - will be a humbling experience I'm sure, but at least I am on with my sewing adventure and enjoying every minute of it all!

For more ABC Adventures visit the link on my sidebar.

Up the lane!

2012-01-30T09:56:00.000Z

We have several walks around the village......I really must explore more, but I always seem to go up Handale!

Had to laugh as we approached home - there they were, bold as brass in the next field! Proper free-range!

The moulting is over - now up to 4 eggs a day now! I can see Bev is laying her lovely blue eggs again. Need to have a baking session - the egg mountain is building up! Calls for a quiche I think!

Blowing away the cobwebs.

2012-01-29T10:30:00.001Z

The weather forecasts we have had since October have all been wrong, but yesterday because it suited Jon's plans we decided to go along with the prediction of a nice afternoon - relatively speaking.

Over the past few months Jon has been tootling in his shed with his winter project....he turned a 98 Honda fireblade into a streetfighter. Basically this means he changed it from a sportsbike into a sit up and beg type.

So we tried it out yesterday......Mark our neighbour came along for the ride....

We had a coffee in Whitby

then went over Pickering moor, through to Thornton-le-Dale.

We came home over Blakey, passing through Hutton-le-Hole, Blakey, Casteton and Danby.

Surprisingly I wasn't too cold - but I was glad when we arrived back home as my hands were just starting to get cold......but we were all well wrapped up!

The bike performed well but is now in pieces again as it needs something fiddling with the cables and mirrors need fitting.

I was glad we had a run out yesterday - far colder today and many parts of the North East have snow.......we seem to have escaped it.......................so far!

Merry go round!

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000Z

Just before Christmas I lost the grand total of 2 stone. Over the festive period and New Year I gained 4 lb. Since then I have been chipping away and have finally shed the extra 4 lb, so as 2012 continues I have the target of losing one more stone!

Watch this space!

When Ted met Freida!

2012-01-25T15:15:00.002Z

Ted has had his injections so I put a lead on him for the first time today! He seemed to get the general impression and took himself for a walk round his garden!

He met Freida for the first time - they got along like a house on fire. Freida showed him how to walk on lead - we didn't walk far, but every day in every way we will all walk a little bit further together.

My Sewing Adventure !!

2012-01-24T12:28:00.011Z

For my ABC Wednesday theme I have chosen to focus on my sewing adventure. Basically I want to be better than I am and want to extend my sewing skills....although I chose A for Adventure last week I am doubling up.....2 for one this week....

A is for Applique.

In its broadest sense, an appliqué is a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration. The term is borrowed from French and, in this context, means "applied" or "thing that has been applied."

Appliqué was first discovered when clothes ripped and needed fixing so they used to sew over the top of the rip patches of different material otherwise known as patch work.
In the context of sewing, appliqué refers to a needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery, or other materials are sewn onto another piece of fabric to create designs, patterns or pictures.

B is for Buttons.....

This technique below is called "yoyoing".....I am still experimenting!

All in all, I am pleased with my efforts and hope to show you the finished product next week.......C for completed........??????

For more ABC fun visit the link on my sidebar.

For cat lovers and owners, make sure you see my Giveaway post yesterday!

A Giveaway!

2012-01-21T18:51:00.002Z

A couple of weeks ago I received a request from Whiskas for contact details.....this is what followed!

Hi Denise,

Thank you so much for your email - really appreciate you taking the time to contact me. :)

This January, Whiskas is launching a brand new range of cat food called "Tasty Textures" and I wondered if your cat Ella would be interested in trying out a few different flavours for us?

As one of our regular Facebook contributors, we'd be really interested in hearing your (and Ella's!) opinion on the new food. She would be one of the first cats in the UK to try the new meals, which have been created with cats' instincts in mind as we know how much they love different textures in their meals to bite and chew.

If you would like to try some Tasty Textures pouches, let me know your address and I'll pop them in the post to you.

Many thanks!

Needless to say Ella received and indeed LOVED the parcel contents.
Charlotte, the lovely lady at Whiskas read my blog and has really kindly offered to give some Whiskas free gifts..........WOW! Isn't that FANTASTIC!
If you would love enter the giveaway please leave a comment - Ella will pick a few names out next week(5 in all ) and the lucky winners will receive a little something in the post!

Watch this space!

A is for Adventure......of a sewing kind!

2012-01-17T23:53:00.001Z

ABC Wednesday is now entering Round 10! How amazing is that? A meme I started 5 years ago is still going strong, bringing together bloggers from all over the globe each week with a letter of the alphabet!

I try to have a theme to my contributions - I have used random photos, literally going out of the house, armed with camera "looking for a D" or whatever. I have also just taken in inspiration as I go about my daily business thinking "That will make an excellent E contribution" or whatever. The last round I mauinly focussed on our DIY projects, but this round I want it to be a learning experience....for me.
Whilst I did not make any New Year's Resolutions I decided to try and develop my limited sewing skills. I know Blogland brings us into the pressence of wonderful crafters and I find myself in awe of their talents. I often say I will learn to knit but I never seem to do it. Yes I can make and enjoy making cards and benefit quite well from wedding commissions etc, but I can sew - be it very very simply.......
so my ABC Round 10 is going to be a learning adventure on a journey of sewing!

I have Jon's Grandma's vintage sewing machine......

But I also have one of these!
Bought for £20 at the local OAP's Table Top Sale. A dear lady sold me this, I feel I owe it to her to use it! It has been in the porch for a couple of years and it was only when talking over this and that with my good friend |Jill did I think to get it out and use it - so we are sharing it and bringing it to life.........Jill is
further down the road than I am, but I am here at the beginning of my adventure........
Watch this space!
For more ABC fun click on the link on my sidebar.

A Good Afternoon!

2012-01-15T18:10:00.000Z

Last night was the coldest so far, with temperatures dropping to -7 apparrently. There was no way we were going anywhere - Jon was working in his luxury shed on his motornike project so I got out my craft stuff. Jill came over for a couple of hours and had a great afternoon. I started my sewing project and all went well, discounting the issue of the bondaweb! Oh well an ironing board cover is easily replaced isn't it?

Something I HAD to share!

2012-01-12T22:56:00.001Z

Look!

2012-01-11T17:12:00.000Z

Watch this space!

Z is for Zoom!

2012-01-10T15:32:00.010Z

Meet Ted! No, he is not ours - he is our neighbours. I have a new role of being a part time puppy minder!
Today was the first day - he has been a star.
I fed him at 10am and 2pm - no accidents.

He loved his ball = filled with tempting biscuits.

Hopefully tonight he will sleep and push out some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's!

For more ABC fun follow the link in my sidebar...you'll be amaZZZZed!

New Year Stuff!

2012-01-08T14:18:00.001Z

Over the past few days I have been doing some hand sewing - the lounge curtains to be precise. My talanted neighbour, Anne is an absolute whizz with anything fabric, in particular curtains and helped me (well did) pin the hems on the curtains. My job was to hand stitch them and I must say how much I have enjoyed doing them. Quite theraputic I must say, especially with the radio for company. Obviously each curtain took a while and indeed I have one more to do today, but having a break I have found and bought 2 interesting books - thanks to one click buying from Amazon. I reckon by the time I have finished the curtain and lining and ironed all the curtains I will be ready for another little project, ideally and hopefully the books will be a source of inspiration. I think it will be a great project for New Year.....reading many blogs that feature knitting and crochet projects always make me feel inadequate - I can't knit or crochet......my mum spent endless hours trying to teach me. I did consider trying to learn YET AGAIN but felt the sewing idea was a better option as I have the basic knowledge and would not be liable to "throw the towel in" when things did not go to plan - as I fear would be the case with a knitting or crochet project.

I certainly have an idea for some cushion covers..........watch this space!

Infact I have joined in here.....

Back on Track!

2012-01-04T11:39:00.001Z

Tonight it will be time to go to my Slimming World meeting, or as we inmates refer to it "Fat Club!" Last week I gained 2 lb which taking Christmas into account was not too bad. This week I expect another gain but how much I have no idea.....you see it was not my fault!

Although we can travel a few miles to Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys our nearest supermarket is the Co-operative, referred to as "The Co-op!" Whilst the availability of certain foods is sparse and limited, on the whole it is a handy store. I rate the animal welfare standards it promotes as well as ethical practises - so whilst I could shop cheaper - compromises have to be called for. It is only a couple of miles from the village ....fuel consumption is a big factor too.

Each day at around 5.30pm a decent selection of foods are reduced due to sell-by dates. A couple of people spend the afternoon in the pub then go into the Co-op and stand over the assistants as the food is reduced. I know these people from my time spent in teaching. I do not support their idea of a lifestyle - pub and children do not go together well in my eyes, especially during school hours!!!

On New Year's Eve I was shopping, it was about 3.30pm. I know many of the shop assistants well and have a good rapour with them, so when one of them called me over keen to tell me she was reducing prices - early as it was New Year's Eve and I could have first refusal, before "that chap" came in!.....well what a time I had - and surely it would have been rude not to. We love cheese - Brie 29p......individual mince pies, pack of 12...29p. Litre of double cream...19p.... to name but a few!

So...........there you have it. We have had a couple of indulgent occasions since and now the hour of reckoning is approaching!

Watch this space!

Yesterday........

2012-01-03T14:50:00.000Z

Y is for....yachts!

About 3 miles up the road from our village is the Scaling Dam Saling Club.
I enjoy looking at the boats there, so I decided to get some inspiration for ABC Wednesday whilst taking Freida for a walk.

I loaded my pictures into Picassa and used the basic tools to play around!

A nice little break from DIY!
For more ABC fun see the link in my sidebar.

We got there!

2012-01-01T18:50:00.001Z

The lounge is finished and we are in!

The carpet.....is aubergine!!!!!

Chimney breast - built by Jon is Farrow & Ball's "Brassica" ......a tad different for magnolia eh??

Not only the chimney breast - but the oppoaite wall too!!

To show off my wonderful mirroe - bought in Yarm with my pal Jill!

The curtains were the source of inspiration - just need hemming now! Here are the canvas prints taken from my photographs of our ferry crossing in 2008 when we nipped over to Holland.

Our wonderful Mackenzie Thorpe prints given to us by Dorothy and Keith - just match so well!!!

The doors - soon to be replaced!!

Yes our wonderful, adored friend Spud came round on New Year's Eve to fit the carpet!!

The delay had been the paintwork but in the end the doors were fitted and we moved in! This room had always been cold - it is the extension after all. The doors were the original front door (external) so are not standard size for internal doors. We had so many problems replacing them we just went for a re-paint - but to coin a phrase "You cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" The opening may not be standard, but hell spells I am married to a precision engineer! An engineer "engineers things and makes them work!" So Jon will "make the opening standard" and we will get new doors!

We are over the moon and warm too - the Rayburn is doing a wonderful job keeping the room warm. Our Christmas present to each other is a TV and we just need a unit and some bookcases.

So eh? Aubergine carpet - who saw that coming eh?

Happy New Year - and here's to good gifted friends - like Spud! His number is next to my heart! Good one!

Stuff!

2011-12-30T12:26:00.000Z

Focussing on the positive - the kitchen is warm thanks to the Rayburn.

Briefly mentioning the negative - the lounge is still not finished.

Realising the important - We have our health, a warm home, a great family and wonderful friends, many reading this!

Happy New Year!

X marks the spot!

2011-12-27T15:24:00.002Z

Ella certainly loved the hamper Jon’s sister bought him for Christmas!

We have had a great Christmas – great family do and yesterday a great afternoon with friends. Today we decided to go out for a drive so we headed over to Scarborough.
The roads seemed fairly quiet though the view of the North Sea didn’t exactly warm us up!

Knowing it was ABC Wednesday I decided to go in search of an X – and I found one as we drove into Scarborough!

The sales were on so we popped in to a few shops – coming away with 12 cans of cat food, some dog food and a greyhound calendar for my MIL – the calendar that is, not the pet food! lol!
We came home over Blakey Ridge and decided to have lunch at the Lion Inn. The fog was thickening by the minute as you can see from the photo I took of the road home.

Once we reached the road home from the Moor Road the weather cleared and the fog lifted.

The next few days will be quiet, New Year’s Eve will be the next event – we are holding an “At Home” for neighbours and friends – our neighbours are doing the same, so we will be popping in and out of each other’s homes during the course of the night.
We have had a delay with the lounge progress, but we should be back on track over the next couple of days. Working with colours of Brassica (purple) and brilliant white means there can be no grey areas (no pun intended) and the margins have to be spot on. As we were not at home on Christmas Day this was not a problem. Having one of your best friends as a carpet fitter is a joy I can tell you. The minute we are ready spud will be over and carpet fitted. I have waited this long – we can wait a few days more.
Watch this space!
For more ABC fun follow the link in my sidebar.

2011-12-25T02:29:00.000Z

So much to tell you, but right now - have a good one. From moi, Jon, Elsie, Freida, Ella, Ernest, Olwyn, Mabel, Eva, May, Bev & Margy.

xxxxx

A week to go!

2011-12-18T06:46:00.000Z

Well we seem to have escaped the snow (will I eat these words?) so far at least but as we approach the next few days leading up to Christmas I feel quite in control of matters. I do not like driving in the bad weather - fortunately Jon has a strange enjoyment of off road driving so if we do get snow he will be chomping at the bit to get out there and have some sort of adventure. Friday seemed to be threatening snow but our visit to friends for dinner on the moors went without event (well travelwise anyway) and my anxiety over driving was soon put to rest as the roads were only wet.

Saturday brought about a rare but treasured meeting up of life long friends - normally scattered over Europe and America, we were all in one place at one time - so a lunch was called for!

Dorothy and Keith are over from France and Steph is spending time here at home away from a hectic time over the pond. It was a great 2 hours spent in Guisborough - brought to a close as Maria had to attend to a washing machine incident at her holiday cottage! Oh how domestic matters bring us all back to earth!

Dorothy gave me a lift home and I will share with you later the wonderful gift she and keith gave us for our lounge!

Talking of the lounge - a bit more tidying here and there required but looking good. A final push will see leaps of progress - watch this space!

Despite being a lady (well almost) who lunches - I still have a few jobs to do before next Sunday - it is the village Carol Service on Saturday in our church. The organ is not working so it is down to me and my guitar - so a polishing up on my skills is required - yes a good job I have a few days! We are having Christmas Dinner with family, at my MIL's - the other Mrs Nesbitt as our house was in bomb zone moment - however I will still be making a few dishes to take along to share the tasks. All presents are more or less sorted - just some wrapping to do.

Enjoy!

V is for Vanilla Slice!

2011-12-13T16:52:00.000Z

I have been thinking about one of these all day! As many of you know, I am allergic to chocolate and do not really enjoy sweet things but when I do decide to have a treat it has to be one of these. The true name is a Vanilla Slice but in my book it has to be made from proper custard, Birds, the type I had as a child. Many vanilla slices are made of confectioner's cream - not a patch on the traditional custard in my opinion!

I have good days and bad days with the Shingles - and the house progress gets me down - I am helpless, so as a treat I made myself a small bowl of custard and ate the lot! Awesome!

Comfort food favourite.....what's yours?

For more ABC fun visit the link in my sidebar.

Being married to an engineer!

2011-12-12T10:12:00.000Z

It is a good job I am married to an engineer! After months of smooth operations the Rayburn just was NOT playing ball. Jon dismantled various bits to uncover this.......

An hour later the same part looked like this......

The main chamber did look like this.....

eventually looking like this....

Ofcourse it goes without saying to say that during the whole operation I was cold, very cold but all seems to be working well now. It had been a build up of creosote from the logs - who would have thought it? Towards the end of last week I was not able to feel warm and i kept putting it down to Shingles - when all along it was the Rayburn. Jon had to practically dismantle it - fortunately this is the type of thing he strangely enjoys!!!! Not so much the dirt and discomfort - but finding out why something is not working to it's expectations. Now it is all sorted we have a warm house.

I must admit things seemed to crash around me on Saturday and I felt everything was getting on top of me - the house was in a state of mess whilst the decorating is in progress - the washing was building up as the weather was dreadful and the house was cold - but I know we are not having everybody round this Christmas Day - which took pressure off. It is amazing the difference a nice warm house makes! Having had a little panic life can now continue as normal!

Too busy for stuff like this!!!!

2011-12-09T10:01:00.000Z

Some time ago I detected an irriitation in my back. Put it down to the skirt I was wearing - elastic waistband matters.
Fast forward to Wednesday - Slimming World to be precise ( oh another 2.5lb loss and Slimmer of the week award!) sorry I am rambling........so as I was bending over my fleece crept up to reveal some flesh! (too much information!) my pal Jill commented on a rash on my back. Well as I can't really see my back I wasn't alarmed - certainly couldn't feel any discomfort! A couple of other people commented too. A worried text later urged me to go to the doctor........turns out I have Shingles! I explained to the doctor I wasn't stressed, worried or such like and was too busy to take things easy.....but there you go!

U is for Underlay

2011-12-06T05:58:00.000Z

Nimbus Cloud 9 underlay to be precise!
It is very fortunate having a close friend who is a carpet fitter! Some years ago our friend Spud (Martin) told us about this gem of an underlay. Without a doubt it is like "Walking on air" (cue song!) and really makes any carpet feel luxurious under the feet.
Our underlay arrived today - now awaiting the carpet.
Today (Tuesday) the lounge will have the final tidy up and de-clutter ready for Wednesday's arrival of the decorator, Steve. He will be here Thursday as well..........
then it will be time to call Spud - he is waiting in the wings, Stanley knife poised ready to come in and work his magic.
By the weekend the carpet will be down, the room completed.
Nobody guessed the colour.........not even close!

Any ideas?
Watch this space!

For more ABC fun follow the link in my sidebar.

Meet the Neighbours!

2011-12-05T11:58:00.006Z

Each month I receive my allocated church magazines which I deliver to the our neighbours. It was lovely to see the wreaths my neighbours had made at my Craft Class last week. I think it was one of the most enjoyable sessions to date.

Country Living eat your heart out!

2011-12-01T14:35:00.000Z

Tonight at my workshop we will be making a wreath for our own houses - this is mine. Am quite pleased - everything was from our garden or from round the home. Cost of oasis £3. Now I wonder how much they would cost if featured in Country Living?

Oh and by the way!

2011-11-30T23:38:00.000Z

Don't mention my diet much - but HAD to share my news - lost 4.5 lb (2.04116 kg) this week! Well pleased!

Ok back to DIY ...........
Dx

T is for Tempting you with a Taste of what is to come!

2011-11-29T09:49:00.007Z

A few weeks ago our lounge looked like this......

It hadn't worked for a while......so Jon hatched a plan....

and he built this....

Yesterday the plasterer worked his magic and the coving was added to make it appear it had always been there!

today the room continues to dry out....

Next week it will be U for unveil - until then I have to crack on and sort out the room, ready for the decorator and the carpet fitter. Can you guess the colour of the carpet? Remember - these are the curtains..

For more ABC Terrific posts follow the link on my sidebar

Monday 9am!

2011-11-28T09:07:00.001Z

True to his reliable word the plasterer's van was on our drive at 8.40am - by 9am he was working!
The decorator awaits in the wings and the carpet is awaiting collection from the shop.............yes, the lounge is now the next DIY focus!

Watch this space!

This time last Year!

2011-11-27T09:48:00.001Z

Elsie in the garden!

Definitiely the choice for this years's Christmas Card.

Wonder what is in store weatherwise?

Keep hearing lots of warnings - still just windy today - any thoughts?

Homemade Christmas Workshop

2011-11-25T12:39:00.002Z

These are the cards we made last week - there are about 20 - 25 attending my class - each person made about 6 cards.

This week it was indoor wreaths....here are a few of them.

A talented group don't you think?

S is for Shield!

2011-11-22T22:59:00.000Z

This is our shield, which we present at the Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage & Products Annual Competition - we did not receive it, we presented it!

For more info see my previous post and for ABC adventures see the link on my side bar.

No rest for the wicked!

2011-11-21T13:59:00.001Z

The last few days have been very hectic! I had a wedding commission, a christmas card commission and a pork pie competition to prepare for!
The wedding commission is quite a new approach as the bride and groom live in Japan and the wedding party is taking place here in February - so the majority of invitations are e-mail format, even so I still wanted to make them special...more later. Christmas card commission is awaiting approval from the client so again will share this later.

Friday was spent getting ready for the Great Yorkshire Pork Pie Competition an annual event for our business. In the past I have gone for the day but this year we decided it was worth going on Saturday and attending the Yorkshire Federation Master Butcher's Annual Dinnerdance in the hotel and setting up first thing Sunday morning rather than clash there and back in one day...a good choice as you will later!

Ofcourse I wouldn't have done this alone - my friend Jill came with me, I was so appreciative of her help and support. Each year the organisers secure a good rate for Bed and Breakfast in the Cedar Court Hotel and I must say the room was wonderful. We set off lunchtime on Saturday and after a short coffee stop we checked in around 4pm. After a rest and a shower we had a drinks reception followed by the Dinner. It was a great night. The organiser is Robin Moule and he ensured we were on his table - definitely the best table in the hall - certainly not the quitest!!! lol!

After a lovely breakfast we made our way to the exhibition hall where the prestigious prizes awaited!

Amongst the host of trophies and shields was ours!!!!

The judging took place over a period of a few hours, during which time we caught up with customers and made new contacts.

The recipricant of our award! (Robin is taking the photograph) I will be receiving a copy shortly.
As the award ceremony came to a close it was noticeably foggy outside. Fortunately Jill had packed the van so we could make a speedy getaway. The fog persisted for the entire journey home but again, it was great to have company during such an ordeal.

Once home, after unpacking it was time for a welcome bath. Jon said "When you come out of the bath I'll show you your suprise!!!!" - needless to say whilst I was in the bath I was racking my brains thinking about what it could be! I came up with 2 possibilities - either the doors had arrived for the final kitchen cupboards or he had concreted the area near the patio doors in the lounge following the discovery of a damp area under the laminate floor.

It was the concrete!

This morning we received news that the kitchen doors have arrived!

Way hay!

Watch this space!

Walkies Today, (Thursday)

2011-11-17T17:14:00.002Z

There isn't a Christmas Craft meeting tomorrow night as it is the Village Whist night on Friday and the hall needs to be set up. However as it was a lovely afternoon I took Freida up Handale and took note of some potential hedge contributions for the wreaths we are making shortly.

Click on the 8th photograph to see the roof of our house.

R is for.....Rayburn!

2011-11-15T23:27:00.001Z

Well the Rayburn is certainly in full operation and I can not begin to describe the difference between this year and the last few years - regarding the heating of this house. The same time last year we always seemed to be cold yet now the house is most definitely warm as toast.

Yes - it is different from the Aga - the top oven may be as hot but the bottom oven really is ok for warming through - not quite the capacity to slow cook like the Aga. The hotplates too - not as hot as the Aga but we are getting use to it all. The HUGE difference is this little beauty has a boiler which generates the central heating - yes the house is warm! Loving it! What makes me smile too are the comments we have received about the lovely colour - yes whilst my girly friends and neighbours comment the remarkable ones have come from the chimney sweep, the roofer and the windowcleaner! lol! Strange yet so so true!

For more ABC fun - follow the link on my sidebar.

Whitby - Saturday afternoon

2011-11-12T17:29:00.001Z

The craft workshop was a runaway success, I was so so pleased with it all. We have new people in the village and they all came along to meet each other. We are meeting every Thursday night and people are keen to continue after Christmas. I didn't take my camera but will do at the next meeting - and will put details up from the worksheets I am producing to run alongside the practical workshops.

This afternoon we nipped over to Whitby, I was quite excited at the prospect of looking in the shops for Christmas ideas - but I was ddisappointed! What did I buy? A book from the charity shop "Raising an adopted Greyhound" no no no ideas - it is for my Mother in law.

The sky was nice however on the way home!

Wednesday!

2011-11-09T15:06:00.000Z

I daren't show a photograph of my desk right now - well you would not be able to see it in any case. It is absolutely piled high with paper, card, fabrics - infact you name it - it will be somewhere in the pile.
Tomorrow night I start my Handmade Christmas Workshop over the road in our village hall.

"A weekly get together to prepare for Christmas. Over the weeks leading to Christmas we will make Personalised Christmas Cards, Table Decorations, Christmas Crackers, Fun hats, Wreaths, Decorations to name but a few. The night will be a funtime but together we will tackle the task of Christmas Preparation in a cost effective and fun way. "

I have posted a few flyers in the village and amongst my friends - it looks as though there will be about 20 of us, each Thursday night....well let's face it, I am not all that busy am I? lol!

Watch this space!

Q is for Question.....

2011-11-08T16:03:00.000Z

In our QUEST to re-vamp our house we went looking at carpets.....well when I say WE LOOKED it would be more accurate to say I DRAGGED Jon into the carpet showroom!
Question - "Do you like looking at carpets?"

I was first into the showroom (no surprises there) and noticed a carpet which caught my eye. On entering the shop, Jon walked over to where I was standing (bearing in mind there were several rolls of carpet on display) and pointing to the one I had earmarked announced "That one - I really like that one!" Once I had come round we did a calculation and left the shop to talk it over.
We are not ready for the carpet yet - the plasterer can not come until 28th November - but I did have a colour in mind! (wait and see!).....any ideas?
We returned the following day and put a deposit on the carpet - I was convinced the world and his wife wanted the same colour! lol!

Now - answering queries about our church - here are some photographs of the inside - I am sure you will agree it is a typicl quentesentialyl british church - notice the norman arch!

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A short walkies to our village church!

2011-11-06T18:56:00.002Z

One of my friends took me out for lunch on Thursday - so on our return to our village we walked it off! Just over the road from our house is the lane down to church.

I will be using lots of thes greenery in the Christmas Wreaths we will be making at my Handmade Christmas workshops.

Again, the red berries will look fantastic in a wreath.

St. Michael's is a lovely church.

As we left the churchyard the sky was looking rather fierce,indeed, by the time we returned home it was raining - a close shave!

Christmas preparartion - thanks to Delia!

2011-11-03T10:15:00.002Z

I bought this book in Oxfam the other day. Must say I enjoy her programmes - so I've decided to make our Christmas Cake this week......but which one? Think I will make all of them!

Last-Minute Sherry Mincemeat Cake

Delia says,"If you’ve been meaning to make a Christmas cake but haven’t got round to it, fear not – this one can be made at the last minute. In fact, you could bake it on Christmas morning and it would be ready for tea in the afternoon. For the topping, you can use any combination of nuts you like."

Ingredients
For the pre-soaking:
5 fl oz (150 ml) oloroso or other medium sherry
1 x 411 g jar Marks & Spencer luxury mincemeat
4 oz (110 g) ready-to-eat prunes, roughly chopped
2 oz (50 g) glacé cherries, quartered
6 oz (175 g) dried mixed fruits
2 oz (50 g) whole candied peel, chopped

For the cake:
8 oz (225 g) wholemeal flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
5 oz (150 g) butter, softened
5 oz (150 g) dark brown soft sugar
grated zest 1 small orange
grated zest 1 small lemon
2 oz (50 g) brazil nuts, roughly chopped
2 oz (50 g) mixed chopped nuts
3 large eggs

For the topping:
approximately 18 walnut halves
approximately 18 pecan halves
approximately 23 whole brazils
1 heaped tablespoon sieved apricot jam
1 tablespoon brandy
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C).

Method
Begin the cake a few hours before you want to make it and simply place all the pre-soaking ingredients into a bowl, stir really well, then cover with a cloth and leave in a cool place. When you are ready to make the cake, take a roomy bowl and simply place the soaked ingredients, plus all the rest of the cake ingredients, in it, all in one go. Now, using an electric hand whisk , beat everything together as thoroughly as possible, which will probably take about 1 minute.

Then pour it into the prepared tin, smooth the top and arrange the whole nuts in rows across the surface – one row of walnuts, one of brazils, one of pecans, and so on. Finally, cover the top of the cake with a double circle of baking parchment with a hole the size of a 50p piece cut in the centre. Then place the cake on the centre shelf of the oven and bake it for 1¾-2 hours, or until the centre springs back when lightly touched. Then let it cool in the tin for 30 minutes before turning it out to finish cooling on a wire rack.

The finishing touch is to heat the apricot jam and brandy together and brush the nuts with the mixture to give them a lovely glaze. Store the cake in an airtight tin and it will keep beautifully moist for 3-4 weeks.

Scottish Whisky Dundee Cake

Delia says," When people tell me they don't like rich, very moist fruit cakes at Christmas I always recommend a Dundee Cake. It has a lighter and much more crumbly texture than The Classic Christmas Cake and the addition of some Scotch malt whisky gives it a special Christmas edge."
Ingredients
3 tablespoons whisky
6 oz (175 g) currants
6 oz (175 g) sultanas
4 oz (110 g) glacé cherries, rinsed, dried and cut into halves
3 oz (75 g) mixed candied peel, finely chopped
grated rind 1 small orange
grated rind 1 small lemon
5 oz (150 g) butter, at room temperature
5 oz (150 g) soft brown sugar
3 large eggs
8 oz (225 g) plain flour
1 level teaspoon baking powder
milk, if necessary
2 level tablespoons ground almonds
4 oz (110g) whole blanched almonds (only if you don't intend to ice the cake)
1 miniature bottle (3½ tablespoons) single malt Scotch whisky (for 'feeding')

Method
Begin the night before by weighing the fruit and peel into a bowl and sprinkling it with the 3 tablespoons of whisky. Mix well, cover and leave overnight.

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C). Put the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy – or use an electric mixer for more speed. Whisk the eggs separately, then, a little at a time, beat them into the creamed butter and sugar. Next, using a large tablespoon, carefully fold in the sifted flour and baking powder. Your mixture needs to be of a soft, dropping consistency so, if it seems too dry, add a dessertspoon of milk.

Now, carefully fold in the ground almonds and then the currants, sultanas, cherries, mixed peel and orange and lemon zest. Then spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin, smoothing it out evenly with the back of the spoon. If you don't intend to ice the cake, arrange the whole blanched almonds in circles on top of the mixture, but do this carefully and lightly; if they are pressed in they will sink during the baking. Place the cake in the centre of the oven and bake for 2-2½ hours or until the centre is firm and springy to the touch.

Let the cake cool in the tin for 30 minutes before taking it out to finish cooling on a wire rack. Then 'feed' it – make small holes in the top and base of the cake with a cocktail stick or small skewer, then spoon over a few teaspoons of malt whisky – wrap it in double silicone paper and store it in foil or an airtight container till needed. If you like you can feed it again before icing or eating.

Light Glace Fruit Cake

Delia says "This is an absolutely delightful alternative Christmas cake; one for connoisseurs, I think. It's light in colour with a fragrant flavour and the glacé fruits look jewel-like when you cut it open. It works well with marzipan and icing or a glacé fruit and nut topping. "

Ingredients
4 oz (110 g) glacé pineapple, roughly chopped
6 oz (175 g) red and green glacé cherries, roughly chopped
8 oz (225 g) sultanas
4 oz (110 g) dried apricots, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons brandy
4 oz (110 g) pecan nuts, roughly chopped
4 oz (110 g) whole, mixed candied peel, chopped small
2 oz (50 g) angelica, chopped small
2 oz (50 g) crystallised ginger, chopped small
grated zest 1 medium orange
grated zest 1 medium lemon
8 oz (225 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 oz (225 g) caster sugar
4 large eggs
8 oz (225 g) plain flour, sifted
2 oz (50 g) ground almonds
¼ level teaspoon salt

Method
Begin the night before by placing the sultanas and chopped apricots in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the brandy, cover and leave overnight. Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C). Add the rest of the nuts, fruit and peels into the sultanas and apricots. Tick everything off as you go.

Now whisk with an electric hand whisk the butter and sugar in another large mixing bowl until pale and fluffy. Then beat the eggs and add them to the butter and sugar, a very small amount at a time, whisking well after every addition. When all the eggs are incorporated, lightly fold in the sifted flour and salt, followed by the ground almonds and then all the fruit, nuts, etc.

Now transfer the mixture to the tin, levelling it off with the back of a spoon, and place the tin in the oven so the top of it is more or less in the centre. Bake the cake for 1 hour then place a double sheet of greaseproof paper over the top of the tin and turn the heat down to gas mark 2, 300°F (150°C), for a further 2-2¼ hours.

When it's cooked it will have begun to shrink away from the sides of the tin and be springy in the centre when you press lightly with your little finger. You can leave this cake in the tin till it's absolutely cold then peel off the papers and wrap it in double greaseproof paper before storing in an airtight container

The Classic Christmas Cake

Delia says, "This, with no apologies, is a Christmas cake that has been in print since 1978, has been made and loved by thousands and is, along with the Traditional Christmas Pudding, one of the most popular recipes I've produced. It is rich, dark and quite moist, so will not suit those who like a crumblier texture. Recently we took some of these cakes along to book-signing sessions up and down the country and were quite amazed to see so many people take a mouthful and then buy a book!"

Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) currants
6 oz (175 g) sultanas
6 oz (175 g) raisins
2 oz (50 g) glacé cherries, rinsed, dried and finely chopped
2 oz (50 g) mixed candied peel, finely chopped
3 tablespoons brandy, plus extra for 'feeding'
8 oz (225 g) plain flour
½ level teaspoon salt
¼ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ level teaspoon ground mixed spice
8 oz (225 g) unsalted butter
8 oz (225 g) soft brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 oz (50 g) almonds, chopped (the skins can be left on)
1 level dessertspoon black treacle
grated zest 1 lemon
grated zest 1 orange
4 oz (110 g) whole blanched almonds (only if you don't intend to ice the cake

Equipment
You will also need an 8 inch (20 cm) round cake tin or a 7 inch (18 cm) square tin, greased and lined with silicone paper (baking parchment). Tie a band of brown paper round the outside of the tin for extra protection.

Method
You need to begin this cake the night before you want to bake it. All you do is weigh out the dried fruit and mixed peel, place it in a mixing bowl and mix in the brandy as evenly and thoroughly as possible. Cover the bowl with a clean tea cloth and leave the fruit aside to absorb the brandy for 12 hours.

Next day pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C). Then measure out all the rest of the ingredients, ticking them off to make quite sure they're all there. The treacle will be easier to measure if you remove the lid and place the tin in a small pan of barely simmering water. Now begin the cake by sifting the flour, salt and spices into a large mixing bowl, lifting the sieve up high to give the flour a good airing. Next, in a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the butter and sugar together until it's light, pale and fluffy. Now beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the creamed mixture a tablespoonful at a time; keep the whisk running until all the egg is incorporated. If you add the eggs slowly by degrees like this the mixture won't curdle. If it does, don't worry, any cake full of such beautiful things can't fail to taste good!

When all the egg has been added, fold in the flour and spices, using gentle, folding movements and not beating at all (this is to keep all that precious air in). Now fold in the fruit, peel, chopped nuts and treacle and finally the grated lemon and orange zests. Next, using a large kitchen spoon, transfer the cake mixture into the prepared tin, spread it out evenly with the back of a spoon and, if you don't intend to ice the cake, lightly drop the whole blanched almonds in circles or squares all over the surface. Finally cover the top of the cake with a double square of silicone paper with a 50p-size hole in the centre (this gives extra protection during the long slow cooking).

Bake the cake on the lowest shelf of the oven for 4½-4¾ hours. Sometimes it can take up to ½-¾ hour longer than this, but in any case don't look till at least 4 hours have passed. Cool the cake for 30 minutes in the tin, then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling. When it's cold 'feed' it – make small holes in the top and base of the cake with a cocktail stick or small skewer, then spoon over a few teaspoons of brandy, wrap it in double silicone paper secured with an elastic band and either wrap again in foil or store in an airtight container. You can now feed it at odd intervals until you need to ice or eat it

Creole Christmas Cake

Delia says, "This recipe is for those who want a complete break with tradition and to try something completely new. On a visit to Trinidad, the wife of the chairman of Billington's, which imports the dark raw sugar of the West Indies, tasted a most delectable cake and was so struck by it that she managed to acquire the recipe from the wife of the local sugar plantation manager.

Here I offer my own adaptation and would describe it as being much more fruit than cake; it's extremely moist, so much so that it could be eaten as a dessert with whipped cream. Don't be put off by the large amount of alcohol or the length of time the fruit is steeped in it; the wonderful flavour of the cake makes every drop totally worthwhile. This is too rich a cake to marzipan and ice so either leave it as it is or I think it's splendid topped with the Glazed Nut Topping. Then it should be stored without wrapping in a polythene box."

Ingredients
For the pre-soaking
3 tablespoons rum
3 tablespoons brandy
3 tablespoons cherry brandy
3 tablespoons port
1½ teaspoons Angostura bitters
½ level teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ level teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ level teaspoon ground cloves
½ level teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 level tablespoon molasses sugar
2 oz (50 g) glacé cherries, chopped
1 lb (450 g) raisins
4 oz (110 g) pitted no-soak prunes, chopped
8 oz (225 g) currants
4 oz (110 g) mixed candied peel
2 oz (50 g) mixed chopped nuts
For the cake:
9 oz (250 g) self-raising flour
9 oz (250 g) demerara sugar
9 oz (250 g) butter, at room temperature
5 large eggs

Equipment
You will also need an 8 inch (20 cm) square cake tin, or a 9 inch (23 cm) round tin, greased, and the base and sides lined with a double thickness of silicone paper (baking parchment).

Method
One week before you intend to bake the cake, measure out the rum, brandy, cherry brandy, port, bitters and 3 tablespoons water into a large saucepan. Then add the rest of the pre-soaking ingredients, ticking them with a pencil as you go to make sure nothing gets left out. Now stir and bring the mixture up to simmering point, then, keeping the heat low, simmer very gently for 15 minutes. After that allow everything to cool completely, then pour the mixture into a large jar with a lid or an airtight plastic container and leave it in the fridge for seven days, shaking or stirring it around from time to time.

When you're ready to bake the cake, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C). All you do is measure out the flour, sugar and softened butter into a very large mixing bowl, then add the eggs and either whisk or beat with a wooden spoon until everything is blended. Now gradually fold in the fruit mixture until it's all evenly distributed. Then spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, levelling the surface with the back of the spoon. Bake the cake in the centre of the oven for 3 hours without opening the door, then cover the cake with a double thickness of silicone paper and continue to bake it for a further hour or until the centre feels springy when lightly touched.

Cool the cake for 45 minutes in the tin, then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling. When it's completely cold, wrap in double silicone paper and then foil and store in an airtight container.

There's no need to feed this cake as it already has enough booze, but it does improve with keeping for about 1 month before cutting.

Preparing for another change!

2011-11-01T10:03:00.025Z

We have to leave the kitchen for the moment - we are STILL waiting for the doors for the sink unit! Granite needs to be cut and the floor sorted - so whilst we are helpless in that room there are other rooms which require PREPARATION!

This is what the lounge looked like a few weeks ago........

now after this

it looked like this!

You can just make out the chimney breast Jon has built for the new fire.

Watched by Elsie!

At the top of the stairs the old attic entrance is being borded up, ready for the plasterer coming on 28th to skim both the lounge and hall & landing. Whilst Jon does the work I have a role to play too.......clearing away thanks to my PANASONIC!

However it has been a lovely day so Freida and I went out to play!

We met up with Freida's Pal Mick

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Today's tootling over the moors!

2011-10-30T18:38:00.006Z

This afternoon we tootled over to visit our pals Jill and Phil.

The hens were having a good scrat about the field.

It was a lovely crisp autumnal afternoon.

We drove onto Whitby for fish and chips!

Back to the diet tomorrow!

In for the Night - Try again!

2011-10-29T18:44:00.003+01:00

The clocks are set to go back tonight - a few minutes ago Jon was chopping up some more logs to store until next year at the earliest. The hens were having their supper of warm rice mixed with their corn.

This is log store number 2 - now full. This was the original henhouse which was built 2 years ago.

Inside the current henhouse I notice Bev is not laying every day - her eggs are blue, but she lays every other day - really pleased that the cold weather has not stopped them laying - yet!- The hens noticed more logs invading their space! Wouldn't you love to know what they were saying and thinking?

Here Mabel and Bev are examining the latest logs! The henhouse is now full of logs - well allowing room for the hens that is! lol!

Each night when I lock them safe I notice the sleeping order is the same - margie always sleeps next to the door, then Ernest the cockerel, Mabel (his sweetheart), Olwyn and Eva May and lastly Bev next to the logs,just settling in for the night.

They sleep next to the window - all secure and with a deep warm layer of woodshavings.

Meanwhile - back at the range the logs piled up for the cold night ahead! Yes, Autumn is here - hence my tootling with my blog - that's what happens when you visit a friend for lunch! Thanks for the inspiration Jill!

Moving on.....

2011-10-27T15:49:00.001+01:00

The few finishing-off jobs to do in the kitchen are out of our hands. We are waiting for the doors for the sink unit, the floor tiles need to be sorted - matched or replaced and a couple more pieces of granite worktop need to be cut and fitted.........so today we started on the lounge!

Watch this space!

Out and About......with an Ornithologist

2011-10-25T11:07:00.002+01:00

DIY update..The kitchen is awaiting the last few pieces of granite to be cut and the floor tiles to be matched.....we heard our new fire will be in the store this week so we will be working on the hall and lounge very shortly......in the meantime.....the weather forecast seems to be pretty bleak for the future months - winter is going to be cold, very cold and snow is predicted. This doesn't really bother us as we are keen to put the Rayburn through its paces....and hopefully downstairs will be complet by Christmas...watch this space I'll keep you informed.

I don't think we'll be going out much on the motorbike as the weather is not biker friendly but somewhere out there the weather will be suitable for a bike adventure and I discovered such the other day.
This is the blog of an artist and her new husband (indeed only married a few days ago) on their honeymoon - a bike adventure to Alice Springs. Bridget is an artist and her drawings are fantastic!
I will be following their adventure with great interest - I can certainly empathise with them, so why not pay them a visit and follow too!

By the look on Bridget's face I am sure we will be in for a fun ride!
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Walkies - Grosmont.

2011-10-23T15:13:00.000+01:00

New Book!

2011-10-20T10:47:00.000+01:00

We are huge fans of the River Cottage programmes and the current series is based around Hugh's latest book.
The great man himself introduces the book here
I don't eat a great deal of meat, certainly since starting the Slimming World regime I have eaten more beans and pulses so this is an ideal book to use for finding new recipes and ideas. I will be modifying the recipes to cut out frying but I am looking forward to the experiments!
Do you have any favourite vegetable recipes?

N is for......What's New in the nesbitt household!.

2011-10-18T14:22:00.000+01:00

No, it is not the latest creature in Dr Who! This was some spare pastry I cooked for the hens - except I forgot it was in the oven and by the time I remembered it was burnt! Yes, as with the Aga, the Rayburn's flu goes straight into the chimney so all smells and fumes are not detectable...some things never change!

last week several aired disappointment and no kitchen updates. The only thing to report is our drawer organisers arrived, so Jon fit them on Sunday when we returned from Grosmont railway events.

I have tried out a couple of NEW recipes - a strawberry victoria sandwich and a freezer roll. The strawberry recipe is a pretty standard one and the freezer roll is basically mine. I sorted out the freezer and came across some frozen burgers, meatballs and a haggis. I have cooked all 3 and made 3 different types of "rolls". We wont be having and BBQ's until next year so I have used the basic meat mixtures for winter warming snacks. All the meat from the burgers etc is all from our local butchers so I was determined to put it to good use.

I have coffee with my neighbours regularly, this afternoon I will take over the above little sample to Rowena, and have a coffee.

N is for nesting box - this photo I took only a few minutes ago, of Margie settling down to lay an egg. The girls continue to supply us with fantastic eggs.

So a small update on what's going on here. The weather has definitely turned colder and over the next few days it will be all hands on deck to get the garden ready for winter......brrrrrr!

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War Weekend at Grosmont

2011-10-16T18:07:00.001+01:00

The weather was lovely today, quite crisp but fresh and very autumnal. We headed over to the North York Railway in Grosmont where the war weekend festivities were taking part. A wonderful afternoon. I thought of my blogging friend Pearl and took these photos specially for her and her husband. They enjoy this type of thing and I figured it just may bring a smile their way. Dxxx

Fun with friends!

2011-10-15T12:01:00.001+01:00

Through Chris I read about this new Friday fun idea which you can read about here

Getting to know you :

What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you that now? What is 1 thing you LOVE about what you do , or who you are?

From the age of 7 I wanted to be a nurse. This lasted right up until I was 18. In the August holidays prior to my training commencing I visited a school friend who was just about to commence her teacher training. She was packing her books in a trunk. As I looked through her books I got the "urge" to teach!!! I had NEVER considered this at all....but the urge was all consuming, a calling if you like. A year later I too was commencing my teacher training. It led onto a career of 25 happy years. One of the best decisions in my life. My parents, infact everybody was gobsmacked at my change of direction, but Education was the tool which allowed me to change paths. I progressed to Deputy Head Teacher and decided to integrate my job with my home life, finally taking early retirement this year.

What do I LOVE about what I do? I can support Jon in his business by helping with sales and marketing and being at home to help the family. I am able to take his mum shopping and to be there for her - as Jon's business often dictates his time and skills. The business is our bread and butter.
I enjoy the simple things in life - walking with Freida and enjoying and appreciating where we live, this costs nothing but brings about a feeling of contentment. Money can not buy such times in life.
This week's subject :

It is Autumn (at least in the U.S). The weather is changing rapidly in several parts of the country. Please share a photo or 2 of what your area of the world looks like.

Here are some photos of our village, taken a couple of days ago on one of my daily walks with Freida. This walk takes us up Handale, past the race horse stables, to the duckpond.

There are many walks, a recent walk took us up another farm lane to Parkhouse Farm, which you can see here

Please remember to add the Coffee Klatch Friday button to your post and keep encouraging other's to join

There you go......if you fancy joining in follow the link at the beginning of this post.

Recipe for Friday

2011-10-14T18:03:00.000+01:00

From time to time at Slimming World we have a taster night, where we all take along a favourite recipe. Rule is the recipe has to comply with SW guidelines, ie fat free.
A couple of week's ago my chilli/curry recipe was voted the favourite of the group.
I LOVE take aways and do miss them, but find that this recipe really tastes like an authentic take-away. I serve with mashed potato (smash) which I brown off in the griddle pan (no fat) or with boiled rice. Add boiled eggs too for added yumminess.

Vegetable Chilli?Curry Recipe

Chopped and minced chillis - according to how hot preferred
Chopped Peppers
Chopped onions
Tin of Red Kidney Beans
Tin of Canelloni Beans
Tin of chopped tomatoes + puree
Any cooked vegetables
Chilli?Curry Powder
Salt + Pepper to taste

Cook chillis, peppers and onions in small amount of boiling water (I use frozen veg)

Add Beans + Tomatoes + chilli?curry powder.

Heat through + season to taste.

Eat + Enjoy

Walkies Early October

2011-10-13T12:07:00.001+01:00

For a change we headed up the farm lane, looking back on the village.

M&S

2011-10-10T23:39:00.001+01:00

There is nothing new to report in the kitchen - not just yet, I have been trying to get the garden sorted for winter whilst we await the sorting out of the worktops and floor tiles, oh and the arrival of 2 missing doors - in the meantime I have been planning my winter clothes. I bought a fantastic coat from Oxfam for £20, my favourite brand being per una of M&S fame. I saw some boots I quite liked the look of too....

I sent off for the boots in August, size 4 like I always get from M&S. They arrived, together with a change in temperature so I more or less forgot about them until this weekend. The weather forecast was particularly cold so I decided to wear my new boots. However on closer inspection I must say the quality was not that good. The fit was not comfortable and I feared "chaffing" might take place as the size seemed to be on the larger size. I read reviews on the M&S website, which were very mixed, but quite a few seemed to state the issue of quality etc.

Problem was, I had no receipt - fully expecting there to be no problems. I contacted customer services who told me to take the boots back to a local store - which I did, together with the transaction code so the order history could be traced.

This I did - and was given a credit note for £85.00, the amount I paid for the boots. A really good response I felt - I had none of the original packaging etc. I will visit our local Clark's shoe shop where I have seen some similar ones, but at least I will be able to try them on and see what they look like in the real sense of matters!

Once sorted, I will be sorted for the weather ahead! Walkies with Freida can only get better!

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It's on it's way!

2011-10-09T16:37:00.005+01:00

I take my MIL food shopping each week. The weather was awful yesterday so we went today, Sunday. The fruit and veg are cheap in Lidl so we headed there first.........and the Christmas stock was on the shelves. We then went to Sainsury's where there was Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas stock out too. Jon and I nipped to B&Q and Next had their Christmas decorations out!

Hmmmmmmmmm - this time last week we were in the middle of a heatwave now we have Christmas banging on the door!

Is it too early for Christmas planning? With only the 2 of us there isn't a great deal to plan - talking in the car on our way home we said we would buy something for the house rather than individual presents. I am aware that I have the time to "shop" for Jon, but it isn't fair on him really as he hasn't the time to buy regularly for me - so we will just spend £10 on each other - think we'll each have 20 minutes in Asda - whilst the other waits in the carpark - yes sounds like a plan and even if I say so myself a mighty fine plan!

Apples galore!

2011-10-06T16:43:00.000+01:00

I have got the baking bug at the moment - the temperature outside is definitely much colder and the urge to eat comfort food is growing! Today a neighbour popped in and gave me a recipe for Apple Cake...which ofcourse I HAD to try out.

Ingrediants
120z Plain Flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
4oz Brown Sugar
4oz White Sugar
2oz butter
1 large beaten egg
1/4pt milk
Apples

Peel. core and chop apples put with brown sugar.Microwave for 30 seconds.
Mix rest of ingrediants and stir in apples + brown sugar.
Place in lined baking tin - I used 2 x 7" deep sandwich tins.
Place in Oven 150 degrees until cooked. (40 minutes in my case)
Whilst warm sprinkle with brown sugar.

Cool and serve with custard.

Just as I was bringing them out of the oven my sister in law and her partner arrived - so I cut them both a slice and made up some custard! Ofcourse I had to sample the new recipe - gorgeous! Jon then arrived so he too had a piece - he loved it too.

After a walk I came home and was very tired so after a doze I had another small piece and some custard............custard! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
I think this means one thing - I am getting a cold! I rarely eat sweet food but the thought of the custard does tickle my tastebuds. I have fed the rest of the apple cake to the hens who loved every minute of it - otherwise I would have kept slicing another inch off the cake and eating it with custard......custard...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

The hens have just had the remainder of the custard......custard....mmmmmmm!

Light at the end of the tunnel! Updated just for Pat!

2011-10-02T11:38:00.015+01:00

For the past few weeks I have used ABC Wednesday to share our Kitchen makeover project as a theme.....this week was no exception!

I have a sink, taps and they work!
Jon has fixed the new sink in be it temporary.
We bought the offcut piece of worktop for £5 to allow us to work out how to have the granite cut to fit.

It will probably mean we have 4 strips of granite round the sink as it is quite large. Either way £5 is a lot cheaper than breaking a piece of granite and making it worthless.

The granite worktops have been placed in position, but again will be cut to size and sealed into place.
I am particularly pleased with the roller shutter unit - this will be the only wall cupboard we have, apart from the glass units I showed a coupls of weeks ago.

There will be a socket wired in where the wiring is on the wall.

There are floor tiles to be matched up, electric sockets and switches to be changed, but on the whole I have a working kitchen!
Way hay!

Then - I read Pat's blog and decided to add a bit just for her and the farmer - title..... Location Location Location!!!!
You see Pat and her husband don't live too far away and at the weekend they headed for the seaside - which is where we come into the equation. You see, we live just off the main route to Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington and tons of other frequently visited seaside destinations. On such occasions it is impossible for us to actually pull out onto the main road due to the endless traffic heading East - so I decided to share our secret little haven - Skinningrove, only a few miles inland - A174 to be precise!
Yesterday Freida and I headed to Skinningrove, with camera to do a photo session just for Pat and the farmer.....

Notice the many spaces in the carpark

Space to die for!

Freida in her element..

The North Sea...

Freida meets a friend.....

Did I mention the space!

The cliffs - part of the Cleveland Way

The space....

The fun and frolics

The space...

On the way back to the car..

The barrier against flooding

Final view before home!

Hope you enjoyed the walk on the beach.....and when you do visit make sure you visit the Tom Leonard Mining Museum, a short walk from this lovely location!

For more ABC fun visit the link on my sidebar!

"au revoir” Phil Thompson

2011-09-30T09:34:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was the funeral of a dear friend of ours. I was asked to say a few words...these are the words.

I first encountered Phil with Hilary one day in the record department of WH Smith & Son in 1974. I was doing Christmas relief work in my gap year before going to university. Hilary was my efficient, pristine manageress; nothing flummoxed her that is until Phil would pay her a surprise visit. It was obvious they were made for each other.

Fast forward the clocks 12 years, November 1986. Ironically, similar age to Sherry today, I had returned home from teaching in Nottingham when my own Dad died, to look after mum. Cleveland Centre lifts – I recognised the voice – low and behold Hilary and Phil, man and wife. We had a quick exchange of news updates – they had two daughters, Sherri and Gemma, and lived in Guisborough. Fast forward 10 months – I was starting a new teaching job in Guisborough – walking out on my first day who should greet me but Hilary – both Sherri and Gemma were pupils in the same school! A few brief words again. A couple of months later Jon and I moved to Guisborough from Redcar – and guess who lived over the road? Yes Thompson clan. There followed 3 happy years of good neighbours and friendship – the laughs, the gin and tonic, the laughs, the meals, the laughs, the new year’s eves the laughs – yes it was a good 3 years.

We moved but kept in touch briefly just catching up on news now and again, but the friendships forged would always be there.

I was honoured to know Phil as a doting boyfriend – to Hilary that is, a loyal husband, a proud father and a good friend.

It is my firm belief, from personal experience and which I hope is the same for Hilary, Sherri and Gemma that when somebody we truly love dies, they do not simply “go away” they do not leave us, they stay with us – in the very marrow of our bones. The joys we shared we will remember, and smile. The words they shared will be written in our hearts. That is how it is for me. My Dad’s words and aspirations stay with me to this day and are now part of my character, I am proud of this, and Hilary, Sherri and Gemma can be proud too.

In life we come across people who leave a mark on us and whose words come back time and again. Phil has been one of those people to me – let me tell you some of the things I always remember –

From Jon Hancock, one of my first head teachers – he taught me how to stand on a chair correctly – to this day I do this – with the back of the chair in front not behind. I don’t remember anything about him telling me advice about teaching, but I do remember the correct way to stand on a chair.

From my mother – I learned that mules are dangerous slippers and you could easily break your neck when wearing them. I have never bought or owned a pair of mules in my life.

From Christine Duck, a school clerk who I worked with for some years I learned that you should always use matching coloured clothes pegs when hanging out the washing – “What would the neighbours think if I did otherwise!” I must admit I don’t use matching pegs, but I think of Christine every time I peg out the washing.

From Phil Jon learned that it was bad luck to re-name a ship – he pointed out this to me a couplke of weeks ago just about we were to board the ferry which incidentally had been renamed!

From Phil I learned that the essence of a good Bolognese sauce was a few dollops of tomato ketchup! Even to this day I think of Phil every time I make a Bolognese sauce and yes I always add tomato ketchup! Next time you make a sauce – think of Phil, you will be surprised how often he will pop up in your thoughts – which are what we want – for us to constantly think of him and the impact he had on each of our lives.

Now we must say "au revoir” – yes French but expecting and knowing to see Phil again.

One of the greatest Naval leaders was Churchill and it is one his quotations I leave you with

"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."

Yes Phil – let’s see.

Kitchen Update!

2011-09-26T11:05:00.001+01:00

Jon is very busy with his business right now, but he did take the time on Sunday afternoon to fit the new lights. He had to do a lot of work under the floorboards of the bedroom but it was all worth it.

The photographs are not accurate but will give a good idea of what it is looking like. The ceiling is white, not pink. The walls are Pale Hound, same as the snug.
The sink unit is being delivered on Thursday together with some doors and a corner unit, so we are very much nearly there.
We still have no taps - that will happen later this week but every day, in every way things get better and better.
For more ABC fun - follow the link in my sidebar.

2011-09-22T12:56:00.001+01:00

Angela has started a new theme each Thursday - I am going to join in. Basically people interested share any ideas or thoughts on thrifty solutions.

My contribution is frregle - or freecycle as it was.

Basically find a freegle group near you and see the daily e-mails from people seeking items as well as giving away items.

Click here for details

I notice today somebody is looking for a ladies wig as well as a pigeon loft!
My mind has been boggling all morning! lol!

Click on the link in my sidebar to see other frugal thinking people.

J is for Jon

2011-09-20T11:25:00.001+01:00

Whilst the kitchen looks pretty much the same Jon has been doing lots of intricate work behind the scenes. The plumbing is now in place for the new sink which is being delivered next week. The electrics are sorted and a lot of repairs to pipes have been done too. This has taken Jon a few days to do, round the running of his business. Jon has plumbed in our original sink as a temporary measure .

I have a sink but no taps or running water - I have to use the outside tap for water but it is just outside the kitchen door. The dishwasher too is plumbed in. This is sufficient for what we need and keeps me focussed on how much better things will be once the kitchen is finished. Every day things get better and better! Tomorrow.........the kitchen is being painted! Can't wait!
Watch this space!

For more ABC fun visit the link on my sidebar.

A sneak preview!

2011-09-16T09:49:00.000+01:00

Our good friends Keith and Dorothy, who we spent 3 fantastic days with in France read my blog ("Helloooooooo Keith & Dozza!") and are coming over in a month's time - when they do, the kitchen will be finished - so this is the only preview I will show - as i want them to have a surprise.
We are both thrilled with the progress - thanks to good friends Spud and Tony who are fitting the kitchen. Jon is very busy with work so can't do a great deal - having reliable capable friends is a god send. The plasterer and builder are good friends too - again so reliable and efficient this has all helped everything so smoothly. Yes we have a delay but that was doen to Homebase - basically the sink arrives on 29th September with a corner unit.
I can live with this - I don't have a sink right now, but this is something Jon can sort out - when he isn't busy. We have an outside tap just by the kitchen door which I am using - and the dishwasher is still here.
Deciding on colours.......Farrow & ball's 'Dead Salmon' hmmmmmmmmm????

Watch this space!

I is for Incidental timings!

2011-09-13T11:58:00.004+01:00

So - there we were on the ferry! Now I don't mind the ferry crossing because I put myself into a place of gay abandonment - after a nice meal, a bottle of wine I settled down for the night.......
Now dear Jon KNOWS I am a light sleeper and after 23 years of marriage knows it is unwise to wake me unecessarily......so when the cabin light came on I awoke immediately.
Jon, eyes like saucers was informing me the ferry was turning round - infact it had been for a while and he was convinced we were moving in a circle!
The captain made an announcement "Ladies and Gentlemen we are making a detour as a female passenger has left the ship and is in the water!"
Jon went outside to see what was going on and witnessed the rescue.

See the amazing footage from the RAF here.

Amazingly the girl survived!

The holiday was fantastic and I will share our adventure later as we only returned yesterday and the kitchen is back on.
Whilst we were in France we were aware that a hurricane was due for the |North East Coast the day we were returning on the ferry! Needless to say I managed to get myself in a state - a quiet state, just keeping my worries to myself. I must admit when Jon pointed out he had noticed the ship's name had been re-painted, this being bad luck did not really help. Then he pointed out the lower the deck the better or smoother a crossing would be - so to be on deck 1 or 2 was best....we were on deck 9!!! Prone to a bouncy crossing!!
My fears were in vain - the crossing was very smooth.
We left the ferry around 10am Monday and then came the motorbike ride home - in the wind!
I can honestly say it was one of the most frightening moments in my life! I could feel the bike being buffeted by the wind, and held on for dear life.
When we finally pulled up outside the front gates I felt a pope moment coming on - all I wanted to do was kiss the ground!
Home safe and sound!
Phew!

For more ABC excitement follow the link on my sidebar.

Test

2011-09-13T09:52:00.001+01:00

H is for Holiday!

2011-09-04T14:24:00.000+01:00

I am just about to pack our bags, ready for our adventure to France, to stay with our good friends Keith and Dorothy. It is an adventure too as we never know where we will be staying on route to Limouge. We will go up to Newcastle tomorrow and take the overnight crossing to Ijmuiden, near Amsterdam arriving after breakfast on Tuesday. We will drive through Holland, Belguim and as far down France we can fit in before finding a hotel for the night and on Wednesday travel on to Dorthy and Keith's. We will spend 3 nights with them before making the return journey, stopping somewhere between their France and Holland before making our way back on the ferry next Sunday evening, arriving home Monday morning.
As ever I have my trusted lists printed out and will pack accordingly. Jon has his job list too - a good team effort I say!
Camera is on the list so lots of photos to entertain with on our return!
Watch this space!

Latest on the Kitchen!

2011-09-02T13:17:00.000+01:00

Remember this?

It now looks like this.

Remember this?

It now looks like this

This?

Is now looking like this!

Yes, the plasterer has worked his magic and now the walls are drying out. The appliances I have are limited and we do not have a sink. We do have the dishwasher, a fridge and freezer....but the fridge and freezer are destined for new homes soon.
There is little more we can do - so I guess there is only one thing to do and that is to now focuss on our holiday to France. When we return we will pick up the DIY gauntlet once again and move evermore forwards in our quest!
Watch this space!

G is for Gutted!

2011-08-30T10:28:00.001+01:00

Going....

Gone!

Going...

Gone!

Going....

Going...

Gone!

Going....

Replaced!

Things are getting pretty serious now! Yesterday we spent a long hard day removing the sink, boiler and granite worktops. The necessary plumbing and electrics have been done, ready for the plasterer on Thursday. I am without a sink but the dishwasher remains.......I am hanging onto that until the last possible moment I can tell you!

Our pals Spud and Tony are here today building the units.... we'll just see how things go.

Remaining calm and collected - be it a tad tired I am just getting on with matters, knowing all will be so much better very soon.

Next post will feature the plastered walls.......

watch this space!

For more ABC fun visit the link on my sidebar.

Diet Progress

2011-08-29T10:22:00.000+01:00

last week at Slimming World I achieved my 1 and a half stone award - Each week I chissel away at the diet and whilst I haven't had big weekly losses nevertheless it is steps in the right direction.

I have another half stone which I want to get rid of, bringing my total weight loss to 2 stone. Once I achieve that I will consider the next step, or if there will be one - not sure.

The photo above (I am front row 2nd from the left) shows those of us who were nominated for woman of the year award. The lady next to me, Frances was the winner - she has lost 10 stone!

A great part of the success is down to the support we give and receive within the group.

I also received my Gold Body Magic award - for the extensive exercise I do - what with walking Freida and extreme DIY!

Talking of extreme DIY I can hear Jon removing the old boiler......... better go and help!

Kitchen Developments

2011-08-27T10:39:00.000+01:00

Remember this?

It now looks like this.

Remember this?

It now looks like this.

My job has been to remove all the tiles...and clear the kitchen.

Jon has been busy with his new cordless drill.

Sorting out the lights - ready for plasterer on Thursday who is skimming the ceiling.

There are a coup[le of sockets to fit.

The 20 year old patio door is being replaced with a window and full size door (infact it is happening as I type here)

Yesterday the kitchen was delivered - in torrential rain!

You can see the weather conditions through the window!

The delivery lads were very very wet - they welcomed the tea and toast I made for them.

Watch this space!

FUN!

2011-08-23T10:05:00.000+01:00

Right........????? This is our kitchen as it is at 10am Tuesday! Today, my task is to remove the tiles. We removed the wall cupboards yesterday - after I had driven to Harrogate and back I hasten to add - AND with a satnav who had an identity crisis!!!!!!

All wall cupboards will be removed today and tomorrow I will take off all the remaining wall tiles.The Rayburn is safe under a cover!

I find it helps to post pictures here - it gives people an idea of the pigsty we call our kitchen - I KNOW as people read this they will look at their own kitchens and realise they could never live in such squalor! lol! I also know that it is a work in progress and the same people will see the finished work in a few weeks and see the work we have done. Yes it is hard work but we are coping. Believe it or not I feel organised and can see a plan emerging.........well I think it's a plan - it could be the first stage of madness!

Oh and I keep telling myself - in two weeks time, 10am Tuesday morning we will be disembarking from the ferry and biking through Holland, Belguim and onto France - if you see us, give us a wave! lol!

Watch this space!

For more ABC Frivolity follow the link in my sidebar!

Baking

2011-08-20T17:43:00.000+01:00

The Great British Bake Off series is back!

Now I must say right now I am not a baker - in fact we don't eat much "baked" stuff! Yes I had a bread maker at one point but when there are just the 2 of us there is only so much bread we can eat in one day. Jon always has toast with his breakfast - and an occasional sandwich for lunch and that will be it! Say 3 slices in one day! I may have 1 slice with poached eggs around 11 but no more bread that day. So...the bread maker was not a good idea for us - as it encouraged us to have vast amounts of fresh bread in one day. Oh and the thickness issue was another - when I made my own bread - courtesy of a bread maker - the bread was cut like doorsteps - so well in the region of 4 slices per portion!
So I buy bread from our local baker - in fact the bakery itself is next to Jon's workshop. One small sliced loaf lasts us a few days. All fresh, local and the slices are appropriate!

BUT........the thing is with cooking programmes they entice you into the web of "I can try that!" which is what happened this week.
During the programme the contestants had to perform 3 tasks - cupcakes, batten burg and 2 tier cake.
Now I have made all these in shape or form - no we didn't have cupcakes - but we did have butterfly cakes but what the programme brought back to me was the memories of my cake icing successes in my O level domestic science course.

When we are out and about on our biking adventures Jon occasionally has a slice of cake with a cup of tea - but cake is something I don't really "do".............not being a sweet person! As a result of watch ing the programme I decided to make some cakes - Jon said he does like chocolate fudge cake - so the next day I set to and made 2 cakes and 12 cupcakes - they tasted delicious I am told, in fact Jon said "They taste just like the real thing!"

I googled the recipe and this is the one I found which had so many good comments and positive feedback.

Ingredients

175g Self raising flour

2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 Tsp Bicarbonate soda

150g Caster sugar

2 Eggs Beaten

150 ml (1/4 pint) Sunflower oil

150 ml (1/4 pint) Semi skimmed milk

2 Tbsp Golden syrup

For the Coating and filling

75g Unsalted butter

175g Icing Sugar

3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

Drop of Milk

1. Pre-heat oven to 180ÂºC/350F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line two 18cm (7 inch) sandwich tins.

2. Sieve the flour, cocoa and Bicarbonate of Soda into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.

3. Make a well in the centre and add the syrup, eggs, oil and milk. Beat well with electric whisk until smooth.

4. Spoon the mixture into the two tins and bake for 25 - 30 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Remove from oven, leave to cool before turning out onto a cooling rack.

5. To make your butter icing, place the butter in a bowl and beat until soft. Gradually sift and beat in the icing sugar and cocoa powder then add enough milk to make the icing fluffy and spreadable.

6. If the cake has risen a little too high then use a serrated knife to even off the top, now sandwich the two cakes together with the butter icing and cover the sides and the top of the cake with more butter icing.

I have made another one today (Saturday) as we have friends coming for supper.....
watch this space!

E is for......electrical stuff!

2011-08-16T16:35:00.000+01:00

Well, it is the 16th today - the kitchen is being delivered in 10 days time. The plasterer is booked for the week commencing 29th August - by which time all the electrical work needs to be completed, the current units removed, the door fitted and the sink moved. If I say the list quickly it doesn't sound so bad - but yes, there is still stuff to do, much is totally out of my control. However - one thing I can do is, once the units are removed I CAN remove the tiles........ (hmmmm !)
Jon has been really busy, but this afternoon we have been out looking for lights - and we have bought some, ready to be fitted. Jon, bless him, did explain about the transformers (I thought these were some sort of toy my nephews played with - robotic vans etc) and to be honest he may have well explained the operstions of robotic super power for all the good his explaining did. I don't know what it is about explanations - totally above my head, but with Jon being 5' 11" and me being 5' 1" this is to be expected, nay celebrated!
Having such fantastic blogging friends out there who have been through the kitchen experience, it is great to feel encouraged, nay inspired by such people, for instance Kath - you can read all about her fantastic transformation Here .
So..........let the work continue and progress begin!
Watch this space!

On our doorstep!

2011-08-14T23:17:00.000+01:00

twas lovely today to be sitting on the back of the motorbike and witnessing the above!
All I had to do was stay on! lol!
No map reading, nothing!
Bliss!

August 13th

2011-08-13T09:31:00.001+01:00

Is it really 25 years since Dad died?
Where does time go?
Read my tibute here

Jon is working today - so I will busy myself pottering, tidying and cleaning, and remembering.

A smile for Friday!

2011-08-12T00:42:00.000+01:00

The weather continues to be naff, the news here in UK is equally naff - so here is something which made me smile - I hope it does the same for others!

5 pearls of Irish wisdom to remember.

1. Money cannot buy happiness but somehow, it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz than it is on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy but remember the bastard's name.

3. Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it's illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problem, but then neither does milk.

It's wet!

2011-08-11T17:15:00.000+01:00

It has rained for the best part of this week now. Quite a few people have been saying they felt a nip in the air indicating that Autumn is on its way. I guess Autumn may well be knocking on the door but summer never really arrived - well not here anyway. Summer may have hovered about but that's about all! Thank goodness for the nice weather we will have in the first week of September! Trust me on this! We are going to France on the motorbike then and we always have good weather!

In the meantime - I ordered my winter boots today!
They look robust for my walkies out with Freida!

In with the new!

2011-08-10T16:28:00.000+01:00

I have a new laptop - breaking away from Toshiba which we have both tended to favour - mine is a Samsung S3510. My previous laptop had gradually got worse and worse, getting to the point of frustration as it would take so may attempts and acts of patience to get online. The problems started creeping in gradually - a few minutes here, a few "freezes" here but slowly and slowly the problems developed until it was intollerable. Whilst I am no wizz kid and would never consider myself as a geek (heaven forbid _ I am a blonde after all) I did have the necessary knowledge (basic) to be able to re-format my laptop when things got worse. I also regularly de-bug, defragment and clear up disk space - but enough was enough!
Jon is the technically minded one - so on Monday we tootled over to Curry's or is it now PC World - whoever - I think they are all the same now - we went there and after a relatively short time, talking to the geek and looking along the shelves we purchased this one.
It wasn't as expensive as the rest but I didn't need the functions which a lot were offering. The geek asked me if I do much online gaming - did I need a console etc etc (do I look as though I do?) and when we said "No" he suggested this one together with a security and office package - and a cordless mouse and case, oh and a flash drive.
Arriving home I went through the necessary procedure to start up, link up and get online and here I am!
It is a pleasure to use and now I realise how bad the previous one was.

Similar thing happened in Homebase. I opened the door to an integrated fridge and was totally blown away! It was the basic model too - but nevertheless I was totally awestruck.

Our current fridge is an integrated one too, but it is old and in a serious state of disrepair. A few of the door shelves have broken as have the interior shelves/racks too. It is under the worktop - so not the most accessible. I can hardly wait for the new one to arrive!
It just goes to show how I have simply not noticed how things have deteriorated around me and how we have put up with it all!

Ashamed to be a UK citizen!

2011-08-09T23:59:00.001+01:00

The news tonight is distressing. I am disgusted at what is going on. Far away in war zones we have brave men and women fighting for our country....here we have mobs destroying the marrow of the bones of the same country.

Dadaaaaaaa! (As in DRUM Roll!)

2011-08-09T11:24:00.000+01:00

A couple of hours ago - the very first breakfast cooked on the Rayburn! This was Jon's suggestion - I said it is ABC theme and it must contain a letter "D" so he came up with TuesDAY's breakfast! Hmmmm!
Although it is summertime and apparently August, the weather leaves a lot to be desired and we have lit the Rayburn! Originally we tested it out so that when the colder months came along we would know what to do in a relative short space of time - but the weather has taken a definite turn for the worse and we needed to keep warm, hence the rayburn being on. We are still in the experimental phase - Jon is trying out a variety of fuel - mostly logs during the day and a mixture of logs and coal during the night, I am getting use to cooking with it. I have roasted a joint of pork and made a chicken curry - both quite nice, even if I say so myself.
It seems quite a while since we were actually warm throughout the house and I am so pleased we had the Rayburn fitted when we did - nobody anticipated this drop in climate. Jon is currently modifying the set up so we have an independent pump feature - not sure as whilst he was explaining the technical details to me I was lost in the translation! A typical occurance in the everyday life when married to an engineer!

For more ABC fun - visit the link via my sidebar.

Broody Hen

2011-08-06T10:43:00.000+01:00

Bev is broody again! Last year she was the same and we did take her over to the neighbours and gave her the opportunity to hatch some eggs, but it wasn't to be. When we brought her back home the remaining hens seemed to pick on her a bit. She is fully integrated back into the brood now, so I wont be hiring out her services.
She has stopped laying eggs (easy to notice as hers are blue) but sits on any of the eggs the other hens lay. I don't want to disrupt the egg laying programme - we currently get 5 a day, so I am easing her off the eggs around teatime. Sometimes when hens become broody they become weak as they do not eat, but when I ease her off the eggs, she leaves the henhouse and makes her way to the food, so I am quite happy with this.
The eggs remain wonderful and feature in my breakfast most days.....who could resist this?

New Shoes!

2011-08-04T23:31:00.001+01:00

These are my new trainers. Apparently they will tone up my legs muscles. They certainly make me taller! I haven't used them for running yet - cos I don't really "do" running - never feel comfortable. I guess I will begin by walking briskly when out with Freida!
Last night at Slimming World I received my Club 10 award - meaning I have lost 10% of my initial body weight - and to date I am continuing to lose weight.....there are changes I have made to my diet and I hope to lose a further few pounds......so would the odd little trot around help matters?
Watch this space!

The hens, moi, the movie!

2011-08-03T23:43:00.002+01:00

Last year! I have lost a bit of weight since - but my voice remains the same! lol! Oh yes and that is Jon and I on the first motorbike, our neighbours John and trichia following!

Cupboards!

2011-08-02T12:29:00.000+01:00

In my previous life as a primary school deputy headteacher it was my job to lead a weekly school assembly. On one such occasion I was a tad unprepared and grabbed an assembly story book on my way to the school hall, my class in tow.
As the assembled listened I read a story. It was about a woman in a village complaining to the elder about her house being too small. The elder told her to go home and put all the cows in the kitchen, the sheep in the living room, the pigs in the bathroom and the chickens in the bedroom. The woman returned home and did this, returning to the elder the following day. She was told to let one animal out each day. Over a period of time the woman did just that - as she did so she felt she had a tiny bit more space. As the animals were let out the feeling of getting more space increased until her house was empty and she was left languishing in the space....no longer feeling the house was small.
As I read the story then, and as I recollect it now it made a great deal of sense especially with our current circumstances. Our house looks like a building site and will continue to do so for the next few months, but as we tackle each project we will have our sights set on what it WILL be like in a few months time.
I currently am working in a kitchen which is a nightmare - but it is clean and in a few weeks my cupboards will look like this

and I will have a place for everything!

For more ABC Wednesday fun follow the link on my sidebar.

Away from it all!

2011-07-31T23:11:00.000+01:00

We have both been busy of late - what with fires and DIY but Jon in particular has been clocking up the hours at the workshop - all part and parcel of being in business - 17 years next month - so he must be doing something right! Now and again he has to work weekends, this being one. Yesterday he worked throughout the day - I busied myself in the garden - weeding! Today he worked until noon, again I worked in the garden and cooked.
We had a few hours to spare so we headed out on the motorbike. Whitby first then a tootle over the moors.
It is where I do my thinking, on the back of the motorbike......and I realised that as the kitchen units are being delivered on 26th August, plasterer is booked week commencing 29th August - there is nothing more I can do in the kitchen! A bit of packing - but I may as well focus on the garden, on everyday stuff and remember we are going to France the first week in September!
Then......when we return Action!
But till then............Garden!
Sounds a good plan!

Another episode with a pyromaniac!

2011-07-29T16:53:00.000+01:00

The fitter would come on Tuesday to fit the Rayburn into the chimney. He came, he fitted, he left. The cement had to "go off." ie dry out.

Jon's eyes were glowing with excitement and anticipation when he said "Shall we light it?"

Now as I have mentioned before, Jon is an avid instruction manual reader and has been reading up on the scientific operation of a Rayburn for weeks now. The Rayburn was not connected to the central heating system, it was so to speak a stand alone log burner.

Jon brought in some kindle, paper and logs and lo the Rayburn was lit!

In no time at all the fire was glowing and the room warmed up.

Making use of the warm oven I popped a pie inside, would be defrosted and nicely heated through for Jon's dinner.

The dial was moving in the right direction.

Jon went into the bath and left me to enjoy the lovely warm kitchen. I thought it was a tad smoky but didn't worry too much - and put a couple more logs on.

After a short while Jon came downstairs and I said I would go and have a bath too.

Now Jon is a very calm, unassuming chap, so when he said, "Em don't go in the bath just yet, we may have a fire!" I did indeed smile - thinking he was joking! He wasn't!

There was a fire in the Rayburn.

We threw a water soaked old towel onto the burning logs and then, using BBQ tools, Jon lifted the burning logs out and threw them into a bucket outside.

After a while the flames inside settled and the fire was under control.

Jon hadn't read the part of the instructions which stated "Never light the Rayburn without filling the water tank with water!"

The thermostat control ie wires etc had melted with the heat of the flames!

The new thermostat arrived today!

Bird's Eye View.

2011-07-24T12:06:00.000+01:00

This is the plan of our new kitchen. The quality of the photographs is poor but it gives an idea of what it will all look like.

The rear patio door, now 20 years old is to be replaced by a door and window. The door has a glazed top and the window is joined on - so the line at the top will continue from the door - it's just the computer software will only show certain options. The sink will be under the window and next to the sink is the dishwasher. The corner unit has concealed opening baskets and next to that are a couple of cupboards, again containing baskets. I am not having any wall cupboards - being 5'1" I can't reach. However I am having a roller shutter unit which is visible next to the black pillar. The pillar wont be black - again the software shows hidden structures which need to be considered in the design. The roller shutter unit will store the kettle and toaster - and will be out of sight.

Here the roller shutter can be seen and then we have a corner unit again with baskets which utilise the space next to a pan drawer unit. The drawer unit has lots of features which help with storage of pans, crockery and cutlery. Next to this is the rayburn - again software just has certain options and the range cooker has the same dimensions as the rayburn. The black wall shows the chimney breast - the walls will be pale yellow/green - or something similar to snug. Next to this is a space where we will store logs. The top gap between the rayburn and the drawer unit will be completed with a chopping board one of our farmer neighbours is making for us, from wood grown in our village. The cupboards above the drawer unit will go right up to the ceiling so there wont be any gaps - solid fuel = dust, another reason why I did not want wall units. They normally have a gap which is ideal for dust to settle! The glass cupboards will be for the various kitchenalia (is there such a word) I have accumulated over the years. I went for the glass doors so I would always have to ensure the cupboards were tidy! There are lights in these cupboards too.

On the back wall we have a double larder/storage unit where all food stuffs will be stored. Again these have pull out baskets. Next to these is the built in microwave (where space is) and underneath, the fan oven - for the summer months (I think this is what they are called - we get them so rarely!) Next to this is the built in fridge-freezer.

We may have an island/table but once the kitchen is fitted we will decide - we currently have a large table.

We have spent a great deal of time thinking and discussing the various aspects of this and I can "picture" how it will work.

So that's it! Order will be processed on Tuesday and delivery will take 4-6 weeks. This fits in with the various preparations which need to take place - the removal of current units, electrics, plumbing and plastering. The rayburn will be plumbed into the chimney sometime soon - then will be connected to the central heating system and we will fire it up for a trial run!

Watch this space!

Fortune!

2011-07-20T13:42:00.000+01:00

For some time the fuel gauge on our pickup has been dodgy. We live with it by noting how much diesel we put in and roughly calculating how many miles we will get to the gallon. When I see "we" of course I mean Jon - he has a brain for such details and facts - I just drive! I normally drive for about 150 miles per diesel top - up. A couple of weeks ago I was putting some diesel in when the petrol pump "clicked" indicating the tank was full. I tried a couple of times - same "click". We reckoned the tank was full and I had about 400 miles worth of fuel. I carried on with my normal day to day routine. I don't do many miles in the pick up just tootle round the village, workshop and local shops. Major distances and journeys would not be economical for the pick up - we use the van for such journeys.

On Monday I was visiting a friend for lunch. Jon was using the van for a delivery so I used the pick up to travel to Grosmont, on the North York Moors. Whilst I was out a friend phoned and asked if I could go with her to the DIY store, in the pick up to collect some plastic sheeting for a gazebo project which she has had nothing but problems with. We agreed I would go to Redcar when I returned home from my afternoon in Grosmont. It just so happened then, at around 4.30 I collected Steph and we tootled off to B&Q a few miles away, collected the sheeting, then drove back to Redcar dropped sheeting and Steph off then made my way home.

The main road to our village is shut at the moment due to some roadworks, so we are using the back farm lane - no problem for the pick up - it has a certain presence which allows it to have right of way! lol! Some people tend to drive a tad too fast but we know all the pulling in places so the route is no problem. Later that night we decided we fancied a bottle of wine. Jon had had a stressful day so off we tootled to Loftus. We went in the pick up as it is more suitable up the farm track. Wine purchased we made our way home and parked up the pick up.

Tuesday morning - Jon left for work and later when it is my routine to go to workshop with Jon's snack I jumped into the pick up and turned the ignition key. Nothing! The engine turned over then nothing. All the lights were on but nothing was happening. I tried again - same!

I phoned Jon who reckoned it had ran out of fuel. According to our (Jon's) previous calculations we should have been ok for another hundred miles - but obviously not.

We went to the local petrol station in the van with the petrol can and filled it up. Today Jon read the manual and located the special button under the bonnet which is used in such circumstances - he showed me where to find it so now I know. In the olden days it was quite serious if a diesel engine was allowed to run dry but I am happy to say it started up first time today. First destination - petrol station.

I couldn't help but think how fortunate I had been - tootling on the Moors, driving home from B&Q in rush hour with plastic sheeting on the back and driving home on the farm track - when Jon was with me? On any of these occasions if I had ran out of fuel it would have been a major inconvenience - but I didn't. The faithful pick up got me/us home - once home it just let us know it needed a drink! Now how fortunate was that?

Anticipation!

2011-07-19T14:12:00.001+01:00

Change of plan!
No, this isn't a plan of our kitchen - this was just to illustrate a point, you see we've been thinking!
As a result of the thinking and discussing we have decided to change our kitchen. The Rayburn is in situation now, awaiting the full installation which will be sometime next week. First it needs to be fitted into the chimney by means of a flu, then the whole thing needs to be plumbed into the central heating system.
Our current kitchen "evolved" over a period of 20 years and like with all projects of the same nature some aspects work and others don't...so it is back to the drawing board. We have met up with a couple of kitchen planners and are getting somewhere near the best kitchen for our lifestyle. I must say, that looking around there seems to be a standard selection of units available, but the quality is of paramount importance - and the price of course! We will keep the granite worktops and just get new base and wall units!!!

Watch this space!

ABC Wednesday Round 9!!!! (See link in my sidebar!)

Cow Incident!

2011-07-16T10:49:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I was driving out of the village when I came across some fine cows in the middle of the road. We have a traffic diversion at the moment due to some building work, so the traffic was busier than usual. The cows were making their way into a luscious arable field - where they were NOT suppose to be! However, due to a broken gate they could easily have come out of, back onto the main road. I was in the pick-up which is quite an intimidating size to a cow so thinking quickly, I pulled as near to the gate as possible and put on my hazard lights. I then phoned Jon - he worked on a farm as a boy - he'd know something!
In my mirror I saw a landrover approaching and recognised it to be a local farmer - he waved as he passed so I flashed my lights and he turned round. He knew whose cows they were so he made his way to tell the farmer involved.
Left alone, me, the pickup and the cows I became slightly concerned when they made their way back to the nearside of the vehicle! Fortunately at this moment Jon turned up, jumps out his van and "shoos" the cows back into the luscious field. I told him Mick had gone to the farm re the cows so all was OK. "If the cows come back just make yourself look big!" was his advice. A mean trick I thought, considering I am about 5'1" tall and there were about fifteen strapping cows! The cows seemed pre-occupied with eating the crops of the unfortunate arable farmer and I remained in the pick-up.
A few minutes passed and the tractor in the distance told me help was on its way in the form of John, the cows owner's son and my neighbour, Emma, his future sister in law. Off they went into the field, John doing a wonderful "one man and his cow" interpretation and with a series of whistles, swearing and mad antics, managed to persuade the cows to head for the road. Meanwhile as motorists were approaching the potentially dangerous situation (some at speed) I indicated for them to slow down so as not to freak the cows As the cows were brought up to the front of the pickup I stopped the traffic (no problem for a teacher) and ensuring the cows didn't go in the wrong direction waited whilst John and Emma brought the cows up, along the road, across the field and onwards to their own pastures! I must get the names of the cows involved - would you believe the same farmer showed one of his special cows at the Yorkshire Show last week! Her name - Denise!!!

Village life is never dull!

The past 24 hours!

2011-07-13T17:01:00.000+01:00

Tuesday morning saw us drive over to the Forrestry Commission where our nephew 3 works. There were some recently felled trees which were available for a contribution to the "Friends" funds.
We received a pick up full together with some useful tips on chopping wood. Our neighbour chops wood regularly so when we basically asked him about using a chainsaw he said he would be round in a few minutes to show Jon how it was done! We had had a long busy day but were keen to deal with the trees - so last night Jon and Malcolm worked until 9pm. Anne and I moved the logs and stacked them so they could dry out for a year.

Believe me, we were exhausted last night and slept like logs! (groan)
We slept through the 7am alarm, rousing at about 7.40. The rayburn was to be delivered between 8am and 9am - so as we were both tired we said we would get up at 8! As I was just about to doze off for another few minutes I heard a van pull up outside our house - in our village we get to recognise the morning traffic - usually being Mick's tractor at 8am as he makes his way to Ronnie's farm. Yes - you've guessed - the Rayburn was early! We jumped out of bed and dressed as quickly as possible before flying down the stairs.

The Rayburn was moved to the garage where a couple of hours later a few pals and neighbours together with Jon, rope, trolley and roller negotiated the Rayburn into the kitchen.

She (we have called her Sheba as in the arrival of the Queen of Sheba - as never in the history of the Nesbitt household has something been discussed and planned to this degree) now rests on her own concrete plinth, made by Jon's fair hands in the kitchen.

On Monday the heating engineer is coming to assess what needs to be done before we can fire her up and rock and roll!

I am quite exhausted but love it! The colour is wonderful don't you think?

Watch this space!

Zero hour 9am!

2011-07-12T17:18:00.000+01:00

Rocket Man is one of my all time favourite pop songs by Elton John and the words are so appropriate because, after the many months of discussion, planning and preparation, tomorrow morning at 9am the Rayburn is being delivered.
Jon has a few pals and neighbours coming round at 11am and between them, using a variety of devices they will lift it into the house and then into the kitchen!
We will then have to wait for a Heating Engineer to come and plumb it into the central heating system and we should be ready to move onto the next phase in the kitchen.
For now however,we can hardly wait until tomorrow!

Will have the camera ready to capture the events!
Watch this space!

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Technolgy!!!

2011-07-07T10:00:00.000+01:00

This is a 5th Generation iPod Shuffle. My birthday present from Jon.....my choice too! I had never used an iPod before and was determined not to appear the dumb blonde that I am when it comes to new technology. The geek in the store was very helpful and did not try to blind me with science. I asked about an iPod and he told me all about the many games, movies and music I could download. I pointed out it was just the music I was interested in - so the shuffle was suggested. I was impressed by this as it was the cheapest option - the geek did not take the opportunity of flogging a more expensive option to the unsuspecting clueless blonde he was dealing with. (Mind you Jon was at my side!!!)
Well we get home and I try it out. Now my experience of plugging anything into the laptop has been that the laptop takes over - ie it knows what to do and what to tell me to do! In this case .....nothing! Conversations with my technically enhanced nephew followed .......result nothing! After a period of utter frustration I worked out, all on my own what the problem was .....the device needed to be fully plugged in to the laptop - - I had not done this.....once done we were away!
The main purpose of the exercise was to sort out some good old dancing music for my bash on Saturday. After a couple of failed attempts I succeeded - I not only had files of various music on my shuffle - I had a party selection which, via the help of a certain cable, I managed to play via our all round sound system!
A great achievement I think!!

Y....Yes it is all go!

2011-07-05T18:40:00.000+01:00

The kitchen is currently a site - a real sight a building site very soon. Today we had the logs delivered and they take up the best part of the garage. The motorbike is now in the shed with the wooden kitchen units and fireplaces (where else?) The Rayburn is coming next Wednesday and it too will go into the garage until Jon organises some pals to come round with various muscles, trolleys and devices and they bring it into the kitchen, onto it's plinth. We will then wait for it to be commissioned ie plumbed into the central heating system and then the kitchen re-fit will happen. Not sure how and in what order, but the plastering and electrics will have to be done first.

The weather is set to change so it just might be a good time to concentrate on a couple of garden projects - not much else I can do in the house - but the garden ideas I want to implement should be fun - Watch this space!

Truly Blessed!

2011-07-03T23:58:00.002+01:00

The week has certainly been eventful what with the official retirement and my birthday. We had a wonderful meal on Wednesday evening and then last night my close friends and family came here for a fantastic night. We had pie and peas and the wine flowed!!!!
I had a surprise on Saturday afternoon when we returned from shopping - a lovely vase of flowers was on the patio table - thankyou so much Shrinky - it made my day!

I am truly blessed!

XJR1300!

2011-06-28T17:07:00.000+01:00

Well - there is always a bike for X! lol! Yes, the XJR1300 is very similar to ours - and they do it in blue too! Jon is always on the look out for the next motorbike - ours is 5 years old now, but I am quite happy with it!!! France is booked and we will be tootling over in September - a pleasant break from the DIY which will begin in earnest after the weekend celebrations.....all quite quiet just now...tomorrow being the big day!!!! Wayhey! Don't you just love birthdays????? lol!

The Waiting Game!

2011-06-26T10:27:00.001+01:00

Last weekend was a very strenuous one here in the Nesbitt household. The plinth which had been put down for the Aga had to be removed and it was quite a beast to break up - but armed with his sledge hammer and crow-bar, Jon did the deed! We then had to take the rubble to the tip and lay the new plinth ready for the Rayburn, due around the 2nd week of July. The flu is set in a different position from the Aga, this is why a new plinth had to go down - so the flu would go into the chimney in the correct position. It all got rather technical so I left it to Jon! lol! Once the Rayburn arrives the rest of the kitchen re-fitting can go ahead.

It seems only a matter of minutes ago that I first mentioned my early retirement plans - and now it is 3 days away! Had confirmation from Teacher's Pensions on Saturday so am well excited. We are going out for dinner to our favourite restaurant on Wednesday, a party on Saturday for family and friends and we are talking about going to France in September..........until then however - the DIY continues!!!!

Watch this space!

W is for WAVE! (Isle of Man 2011 Part 2)

2011-06-21T11:18:00.001+01:00

Sunday during TT week is known as Mad Sunday. The activities seem to take place at Ramsey and as has become the norm, we met up with our friend Jane, a blogging friend of many years. (Infact this photograph was indeed taken by Jane.) We headed over to Parliament Square which leads up to the Mountain but the Mountain Road was closed due to an oil spill. In all the 4 years we have been visiting the island the closing of the Mountain Road has become common place. Oil spills are one common cause, but more than normal it is through road traffic accidents, often involving motorbikes. The mountain route forms part of the TT course and during the TT it is one way, so many bikers love to do a few laps of the course itself. I have been round it a couple of times but prefer Jon to drop me somewhere whilst he goes for a gentle tootle!!! (Wink!)

We headed down to Peel, after waving goodbye to Jane and after a while headed back to Port Erin.

Monday was race day so we took our place at Bradden Bridge

The sun was shining and we witnessed a great day's racing, seeing Michael Dunlop take a win.
Tuesday was a special day for a special person! To read his mum's account and see the video visit Shrinky's blog here

A wonderful time was had by all - and hope to repeat it next year!

For more ABC fun visit the link here

Isle of Man 2011 Part 1

2011-06-17T10:04:00.000+01:00

We did it with the weather yet again! An early start meant we left our house around 8.45am on Saturday 4th June. The weather was just ideal for the journey to Heysham via Northallerton, Bedale, Leyburn, Hawes, (yes I did wave Weaver! lol), Ingleton, Kirby Lonsdale, Lancaster. The ferry crossing was a longer one, taking just over three and a half hours. We sat on deck and the breeze and grey clouds fooled us - days later we would realise we had really caught the sun.

This was to be the third year in a row we were to stay in Port Erin. We came here, for a short trip out in 2008 and we fell in love with it straight away.!

We arrived in Douglas and eventually as the bikes drove off the ferry we turned left and took the "All Other Rotes" journey out of Douglas. As we headed towards Castletown the memory of the same journey from the last 2 years skipped into place. Taking the signpost to Port Erin, we soon found ourselves riding along the seafront and eventually turning into Port Erin, straight down Station Road to the promenade, where our hotel is situated.

The sun was warm on our faces as we made our way to the reception. The receptionist recognised us from 2010 and informed us we are automatically booked in for next year. As 2013 is our silver wedding we have booked a room. Each year our room number drops - apparently the better the view, the lower the room number. 2011 - Room 12, 2012 - Room 8, 2013 - Room 4! Way hay!

V is for Vertigo!

2011-06-14T10:49:00.000+01:00

If you have vertigo, your surroundings will appear to be moving vertically or horizontally, or you may feel that you are spinning.

The effect of vertigo may be slight and barely noticeable, or it may be so severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and perform everyday tasks.

Phew! We are back and indeed I am identifying with some of the symptoms above! lol! As ever we had a wonderful time in the Isle of Man and I am in the process of sorting out my many photographs. Holidays are a wonderful tonic and it was good to have a break. We return home to pick up the gauntlet of DIY and have a time schedule to meet. Jon is busy at work and there seems so much to do.

I loved the excitement of the people on this ride at Douglas fair - not that you would get me up in one of these things - this is only one small part of the TT week - lots more going on which I will share later.

T is for tension, Take That and TT!

2011-05-31T14:46:00.000+01:00

It seems ages since I was last here TWITTERING on but we are without internet access in our village and have been for the past few days. It is affecting those of us who use BT Broadband - AOL, Virgin users are not affected so I am using a local cafe's internet facility to catch up here, and more importantly to see what everybody else has been up to.
I can tell you, there has certainly been Tension in the household - the BT problem occurred as we were making our very first sale on Ebay!!! However, I was pleased to see the Aga go to a new home in Hull. A lady had wanted an Aga for years and being the good chap he was, her husband had the winning big on ours. Last night (Monday) he drove up from Hull, together with a trailer to take our beloved Aga to it new home. Yes I was emotional, yes I cried but felt reassured that it would be looked after in the new home. It has been part of our family for 20 years, in fact we bought it during the very first months of moving to our current home so the kitchen seems very strange without it.

I am sure the picture of an Aga is somewhat rose-tinted against the harsh reality of seeing one dismantled, lying in various piles around the kitchen, not to mention the dust and soot. It was all nicely cleaned and hoovered ready for the collection, nearly at the cost of a vacuum cleaner I can tell you! The Aga is packed with an insulating material which looks like grit - certainly of the same size and consistency - but there was tons of the stuff packed around the internal workings - which, to cut a story short managed to escape from the cleaner and distribute themselves around the kitchen - the dust cloud was like something from a science fiction movie and it didn't help my sore throat! Why a sore throat......well on Saturday I had been singing along at the TAKE THAT concert in Sunderland! It was TERRIFIC I can tell you, we had the TIME of our lives.

I think I have just recovered - in TIME to prepare for our annual TRIP over to the Isle of Man TT on Saturday. The arrangements are all made, ferry and hotel booked, Elsie, Freida and Ella booked into their various places of luxury accommodation and neighbours looking after hens.
We are away for 8 days and I am sure we will have a fun time! It will be a good break from the work we have been doing - and indeed on our return the work will resume - talking of resuming work - I guess it is time for me to return home and chisel away at more TILES! The joy of DIY eh?
Watch this space - not sure when I will be back - but as TAKE THAT said - when I am back, I hope I will be Back for Good! lol!
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