ROSES IN DECEMBER.

I use a lovely quote in my 'Grandma's Garden' Talk which is - " God Gave us Memory, that we may have Roses in December".  But this year we have no need of memories as we really do have roses in December.  These, growing just outside my studio, I photographed on 1st December..............

...and not only do we have roses, but also a splendid array of fuschias, and nasturtiums continue to climb and blossom along the balcony rail ...... I even saw this week a bee supping happily from the remaining marigolds.   And whilst pegging out the washing (which dried - quite an achievement normally at this time of year) I heard birds singing their hearts out in the nearby trees as if it was spring.

These past few weeks have left us with so many happy memories to take us through the darker winter days which inevitably lie ahead.   We have had the great pleasure of having Kim and Martin,  Sean and Julie,  Jon and Zac, and most recently Jon, Sam, and Zac, all staying with us at various times.    Kerry too had planned a stay with us, but was sadly not too well that week and didn't come, but we have been in close touch and are off to Langland Bay to visit her in a week's time.    These family times are  most precious to us - we consider ourselves lucky indeed to be able to see them so often - and though we miss Jenny and hers greatly, we have Christmas and New Year with them all to look forward to!         It was SO good that Sam and I managed to arrange for Zac to meet his Great Nana - resulting in some lovely photos of the oldest, and youngest members of the family together.    One for the Album!

Life has been packed full with Talks, and Concerts, and Lunches, and so much else, but something quite simple gave me a great deal of amusement lately.    Fourteen lambs appeared in the paddock outside my window here a week ago, together with One Ram.   He was obviously there to do the biz, and strutted about showing off his  green painted chest.   Each day we have noticed more and more sheep, the hussies, grazing contentedly, their green backsides signalling what they have been up to!     A couple of days ago, right outside my window, the only sheep left unmarked was chewing at the grass, trying to pretend she had not noticed that the Ram was lurking nearby - but I could see that she had her tail up, and wagging slightly, when all the other sheep had theirs down.   As  I have so far never seen The Deed taking place, I watched with great interest.   The Ram duly sidled up to her and sniffed around, and the sheep wiggled its hips provocatively, but the Ram decided presumably that she was not yet 'ready' and wandered off.   The poor sheep's dejected body language at his rejection made me chuckle, and say 'aaahhhhh' at the same time - you could just see her thinking - 'So what have the other sheep got that I haven't eh?'    I find myself searching daily for that particular sheep to see if the dastardly deed has happened, but so far no luck...... and then I stand back from myself and think ' what have you come to Yvonne, being so preoccupied with the sex life of one left-on-the-shelf- ewe ?'.       It's age, you know!

September Sentiments

We haven't had a marvellously sunny summer this year, but this autumn in the garden is our best ever.  The plants are all still going strong, and there is a wealth of colour - we are wondering if this unexpected 'harvest' has anything to do with Rondoc's magic Seawee'd Solution which we sprinkled over all the beds in the early spring.   If so, then we shall be up for some more after the winter, and will be wanting to invest in the production company once it is formed!

I have been out and about with my camera, and felt I had to share the Fall Flowerings on my Blog.



A whole lot of nasturtiums have appeared from nowhere and clambered up around John's tomato plants - seen from a distance there are heaps of blossoms, but up close it was hard to capture both flowers and tomatoes - though there is a spider in its web in the middle of the picture if you look hard ....

....... and this is how it looks from the other side of the balcony .......

.Since John dug up and we have enjoyed his superb potatoes, he has planted out Swiss Chard in their place - we have never tried this before, and I have no idea what you do with it, but I'm sure Delia will enlighten me.

Our roses have done particularly well this year, and are still looking wonderful .......

And while lush fruits fill the branches of our flowering cherry - falling daily on to our drive where they form a rather unpleasant red mass reminiscent of Waterloo after the Battle .....

We are reminded that winter is not too far away when we see holly berries already forming.....

Still, there are a few weeks to go yet before winter, and the  forecast for the coming week speaks of really warm weather coming up from the Continent to stay with us for a while.   And anyway, we hope to be in hot, sunny Australia for Christmas and a chunk of cold old January!

Country Pastimes.

I return from an abortive visit to the Garden Centre with nothing except a bag of freshly made sugared ring doughnuts.  This in spite of my avowed intention at the beginning of the weekend (when I was replete after a supper of fish and chips) to cut down radically on food intake to combat a noticeably thickening waistline.  The sweet warm aroma wafting enticingly from the strategically-placed kiosk between the shop door and my car had proved irresistable!

John and I sit down in the hot sunshine and tuck into our feast.  The rural scene is idyllic. A honey-coloured cat stalks gracefully along the fence by the paddock, butterflies flutter amongst the late flowering nasturtiums, caterpillars lazily make their way up the warm wall (going where?), and the herd of cows contentedly grazing in the pasture beyond suddenly stampede in single file before stopping, settling, then lying down to rest after such uncharacteristic exertion.

Then a distant spluttering engine-noise adds a soundtrack to the picture.   An old farm tractor is busy in the far field, towing an interestingly-shaped trailer.   As we watch the toy-like tractor wending its way about the field, we notice that from time to time it stops, and the trailer tosses out from its innards a large bundle of grass - John remarks that it is like watching a birth, whilst I (who have never, unlike him, seen a birth) murmur that it looks more like it's doing a poo!   This happens over and over again, so that soon there are large hay bales scattered all over the field.  We find ourselves riveted by this unexpected lunchtime entertainment.   Then a second red tractor appears from stage right, towing a wierdly fascinating piece of equipment, which scoops up each bale, and spins it round in the air for some time, gradually covering it with shiny black plastic, before unceremoniously flipping it out, when it bounces on the grass before rolling gently to a halt.  Soon the far field looks like a calm greenish sea, with shiny buoys glinting in the sunshine.  The tractors and their equipment disappear, and our lunchtime entertainment has come to an end.

                                You can just about make out the shiny blobs in the far field.

Such are the simple pleasures of living our declining years in the midst of the Somerset countryside.  Indeed we appreciate it all the more having both had London (or more particularly) London Suburban childhoods, where we had small back gardens overlooked by rows of houses.   Here our vista is constantly changing, and there is always something new to take our interest.    Hard to believe that recently I looked from the kitchen towards the hall door to see a  glossy bright pheasant gazing intently at me.     I dashed for my camera as he wandered amongst the greenery outside our sitting room window, watched lazily by his very drearily coated ladyfriend.     They stayed fussing around for a good half hour before disappearing through the hedge - but their visit really made our day.

Lastly I have to include this picture of the hollyhocks which seem to have self-seeded in our garden, and have flowered for weeks, the blossoms slowly moving up the long stems which have successfully survived high winds and lashing rain.    One of them has grown considerably taller than I am - which John was keen to put on record, though I have to say they are now  really gangly, and almost flowerless so do NOT look their best.

Tractors, pheasants, and hollyhocks .... hardly material for a blog, but strangely fascinating.

(Later this same day......)

We had a further diversion whilst enjoying our Sunday evening meal - what should turn up in the far field but a piece of mechanism rather like a dinosaur - it had a long ugly neck, and it proceeded amongst the shiny black hay bales, steadily getting each one in its sights, then moving towards it and clasping it between iron jaws.   Once having grasped its victim it raced towards a waiting platform, and offloaded its prey.  One by one, each of the helpless parcels were scooped up and piled on top of each other, till they resembled, from this distance, a very modern black-glass edifice.     We scarcely had time to admire this rather spectacular structure,  than the monster returned, and hooking itself up to the platform, proceeded to race off with its plunder shimmering in its wake.

All this happened as the sun moved low in the sky, painting the whole scene in warmest yellow, giving the grazing cattle a very burnished appearance, and creating a setting where it seemed scarcely possible that such carnage had so recently taken place.

'Trains, and Boats, and ....... Games.'

I see that I haven't contributed to my blog since June, and this is because (much, I am sure, to the surprise of the younger generations) we have been having such a full-on Great Time!   We may be well into our Seventies, but I can't remember a year when SO much happy-stuff has happened, and when we have enjoyed ourselves more.  Who would have thought, on our Wedding Day so long ago, that 50 years later we would STILL be having the time of our lives!

Having completed my Talks Season with a nerve-wracking finale at Vicki's Winchester Fashion Week, we spent a really happy couple of days with my brother and wife enjoying the ever-generous Harewood House Hospitality.

               Playing a campfire 'sticks' game, which after a great barbecue meal and lots to drink, became more and more hilarious!         

Then we brought Viv and Trev back here with us.  You might imagine that we four aged folk might spend our time dozing in the garden in the sunshine between sessions of g&t's and over-eating ....... but not at all (well..... the eating and drinking went on apace).    We managed to fit in a super time at the Bristol Harbour Festival, taking the Park'n Ride in and walking miles around the dockside to see the myriad boats wedged in every space - and taking a ferry trip to get a different perspective. 

   We shopped, and prepared for a garden party here one day, when my brother was able to get together with his sisters, their families, our Mum, and even our only cousin - Tonia.     We spent one whole day on the golfcourse, with two buggies - the one my brother and I had seemed supercharged, and as he has had racing car-training he drove frenetically around, trying to spin me over the side - it was huge fun (we were lucky to avoid a telling-off from the Course Supervisor!).   And on my birthday we took a really scenic drive down to Devon in the sunshine, visiting High Bullen Hotel (John and my favourite hideaway 'treat' venue) to show them the glorious golf course, and to encourage them to take a break there with us sometime.   Trevor treated us to a delicious evening birthday supper there, and we all landed back home here well after midnight.

The Birthday Girl Celebrates at High Bullen with Little Bro. and Spouse.

This might seem more than enough excitement  for us to cope with- but even more was to come.    Last
week we took Kerry with us to spend a couple of days or so at Gerrards X with Jon and Sam (.... and had a wonderful time with dear little ZeeBee, such a smiley baby!).

    From there the following day, John and I went by train to Marylebone, and thence to Victoria for what was to prove a TRULY truly fabulous experience.

 Kerry had booked a day trip for us on the Orient Express to Southampton, and thence by coach through the New Forest to Beaulieu where we spent a couple of hours or so, with sunshine all the way (super place - MUST go back again!).

'Motorina' Bell in her Edwardian Motor Coat.

 The Orient Express was waiting for us at the QE2 Terminal on Southampton Quayside later that day, with its splendidly uniformed staff lined up by every door to welcome us aboard, where champagne was liberally poured and delicious canapes offered, before a REALLY superb four-course meal which we enjoyed on the journey back to London.    (I have neglected to mention that on the journey down that morning we had been served an amazing brunch, with bellinis mixed at our table, then fresh fruit salad, followed by smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, rosti, and a spoonful of caviare from a silver dish.)

The QE2 Terminal at Southampton Quayside - (last off the coach!)

Halfway through breakfast.

The whole experience was one of utter luxury - the carriages all had wonderfully veneered panelling with art deco marquetry, velvet wing backed armchairs, lots of lovely old brass fittings, thick carpets,  and each had its own particular colourway.   The individual tables were laden with cut glass and fine china, all with the Orient Express Logo, and  velvet trimmed, brass table lamps - all displayed on sparkling white tablecloths.

It was lovely that Kerry was at Jon and Sam's on our return so could hear all about our wonderful day at first hand.   She too seems to have had a great time, as she helped Sam attempt to cover ZeeBee's hands with paint to make Memento Hand-Prints for her scrapbook ( a very messy business, which the wee boy did NOT much enjoy), and she and Sam had both had  pedicures - a first for Kerry, so we were able to admire her pretty toes.

Kerry came back to stay with us in Bristol, and Jon joined us for an evening meal and sleepover when he was working in Bristol - it was lovely to have them at our table together.   

And so we continue along our merry way, with the diary full of dates with family and friends, with Talks and Orchestra, with Committee Meetings (me), and Parish Council Meetings (John - he is now Chairman of our Parish Council) and much else.   No time to 'stand and stare' - and not much time to see to the necessary chores, and the garden - but wow - it's a great life!

Something to Sing About.

What a month June has been - and it's not over yet!   Not only have John and I played at a lovely Concert with the Weston Light Orchestra in Mark Church (sadly no photographs), but we have had the enormous pleasure of going (with Kerry too ) to listen to our daughter Kim perform with the Wherwell Singers at St.Peter's Church, Stockbridge, Hants.  The early evening sun streamed through the stained glass windows as the Concert began, and the music was perfect for a June evening - a very varied selection from Monteverdi, Vivaldi, and Handel, to more modern composers.    The choir were a real joy to listen to,  whether singing unaccompanied, or with their very talented pianist/organist.     But the setting of 'The Seal Lullaby' by Eric Whitacre, a young modern composer, really brought a lump to my throat, and must have affected others similarly, as the Choir reprised it at the end of the evening.    Well done everyone, and particularly our lovely Kim.    (Oh, and the Choir party back at Kim's home afterwards ended the evening on a high note - excuse the pun!)

Then of course the BIG EVENT of the month has been the birth of a brand new baby Grandson, Zac, to proud parents Jon and Sam.   John, Kerry and I couldn't wait to go and see him, and spent a couple of  memorable days with the new little family.   OF COURSE he is adorable, and looks (to us!) exactly like his splendid Dad, and if Zac brings as much happiness to his parents as Jon has to us, then they have a wonderful future ahead.    Well done you two!!

Lots of other 'happys' have taken place as well, too numerous to mention, but very importantly, we have AT LAST set a date for visiting Oz to see a much-missed branch of the family - Bring it on!)

And so June continues its very damp progress, after the warmest driest spring on record.   Are our spirits dampened?  Why, NO........  "June is bustin' out all over" as far as we're concerned.

Holiday Afloat

We have just returned from a super holiday on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal, as guests of Ron and Grace who hired the newest, largest, most luxurious narrowboat available!  The weather wasn't always marvellous, but the company was great, the accommodation spacious - we had our own en suite cabins complete with showers, there was most efficient central heating (and a great little stove on which we burned Martin's HotMax), the galley was roomy and beautifully fitted, and if all that wasn't enough, we ate... and drank!! ... in fine style.   Sadly Ron wasn't too well and took to his bed for some of the time, and Grace was suffering from a nasty cough,  but she soldiered on manfully and was ever cheerful, neither of them allowing their own difficulties to spoil the holiday.

A selection of the photographs we took give a glimpse of the journey we took from Silsden in Yorkshire.

We loved holding up the traffic - this man came to see if we knew what we were doing!

And this craft reminded us of our Ozzie exiles....

We loved Skipton..

And enjoyed a nice walk beneath Castle Hill ....

We spent much time feeding .....

We stopped off to visit Rosie at Nottingham University on our way home.  She took us for a walk around some of the Campus, we met some of her friends, and we drove her out to Wilford Hill, West Bridgford to see the house where her mother was born - very nostalgic for John and I.     We finished off with a 3 course evening meal at the Cafe Rouge in the City Centre which we all much enjoyed.   It was great to get together with our eldest granddaughter who looked wonderful and was great company.

Thank you Grace and Ron for an energetic, yet most relaxing holiday.

(Clever reflection by John!)