The Rhythm of Life

What a lovely, sunny, Saturday morning we had. We were able to sit in our new conservatory, but did need the heater on. I spent some time putting my chosen photos into the frame (the Greek theme has won, but it was a difficult decision - and I may have to buy some more frames). Then they went up on the wall. I spent far too long looking at plant and seed catalogues, and then reading the paper, when I really should have been out there in the garden. After lunch we called on B (who had made such a good job of the conservatory) and L (who, after a long wait, now had one too - about ten times as big as ours!) It was good to see them again. On the way home we called on R, S, A & W, and were entertained by our grandchildren playing their musical instruments & singing and dancing. In the meantime, R was trying to recover from a good night out.

Today, Mike and I are sort of recovering from a good night out too. Thanks to P, who was celebrating his 60th birthday, we had a thoroughly enjoyable time at his party. It's been a long time since Mike and I have hit the dance floor, and I boogied (and sang along) the night away to the sound of the 60's. At one point Mike was using my phone to video my dancing but, fortunately when I tried to find it this morning, it appeared that he had forgotten to 'save' it. Just as well! I've had another lazy day, but have ordered some plants for the garden, and taken part in the RSPB Birdwatch. It's been very cold, and the birds have been a bit reluctant to show up, but we have recorded a few. Felt rather guilty that I'd not been over the doorstep, especially as I could see some activity on the allotments from our windows - but then, not guilty enough to do anything about it. Just spoken to A on the phone. He and E were also recovering from a night out at a party, and feeling a bit fragile.

At the moment I'm listening to Jarvis Cocker on Radio 6. Good channel for music, and a great programme. Prior to Christmas I could only listen to Radio 6 on my laptop, but we treated ourselves to a DAB radio as a joint present. Can't imagine life without music - popular and classical. Now it's Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone - with some very alternative recordings.

There's a good smell coming from the kitchen - a venison casserole cooking away. Something to look forward to eating on an hour or so.

Well, less of the waffle. Hopefully, when the weather permits some quality gardening and allotment time I intend to post less trivia and to aim for quality, not quantity.

A stormy sky and a bitter wind

Just returned from a late afternoon walk down the field. There was a bitterly cold wind, but some wonderful clouds, lit by the setting sun.
Then a large, full moon began to rise over the tree line. Flocks of birds were flying across the clouds. Just had to share the moment. On the way back up the field I took yet another photo of my favourite tree.

Been messing about with photos most of the day

- trying to choose a set of four to go in a new

frame. Have now short-listed three sets, and

just have to decide which theme will go into my new frame - flowers, Greek theme or arty nature shots. None will be wasted - they will make good

cards.

Ood have thought it

I'm rather concerned about my celeriac. It was all going so well last year. The plants were growing had large, lush, green leaves. They are thirsty things, so I kept them well watered, and later on in the year removed some of the lower leaves, as instructed. Those that I did dig up last year were fine. However, the last two I dug out more recently were hardly worth the effort - and it was an effort, as instead of a large swollen base, there was just a mass of very healthy roots that had spread far and wide, and under the slabbed path. It's a pity I'd chopped off the majority of the roots (and very likely its hindbrain!) before taking this photo, as it really did resemble an Ood. I suspect it was seeking out John's manure heap.

Celebrated Burns Night on Monday, inviting our good friends D & D to join us. They were welcomed through the door by a pipe and drum band. No - we couldn't run to the real thing, so I'd downloaded the music from I-tunes. Apart from D's waistcoat, our tartan tablecloth and the Scottish menu of smoked mackeral, followed by haggis, tatties and neeps, and cranachan with shortbread, Rabbie Burns played little part in the evening. However, D surprised us all by quoting Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) 'It was no summer progress. A cold coming they had of it, at this time of the year; just, the worst time of the year to take a journey, and especially a long journey .............'. What that had to do with anything I'd no idea. Then we all ended up laughing about nothing in particular. A good night.

After a break of about two months, I was ready for a day out with the walking club yesterday. We started at Moira Furnace in Leicestershire, walking about 8 miles in total, mainly along tow paths, the remains of old railway lines, and through woods and fields, stopping off for our lunch at The Bluebell Inn, Blackfordby, where we were made very welcome and enjoyed some excellent sandwiches.

Then we continued on our way back to Moira Furnace. It had been a rather raw, grey day, but as it was a fairly flat walk we were able to keep up a consistently brisk pace. Mike and I joined the club about five or six years ago, and although he is no longer able to join us on the walks, he likes to keep in touch with everyone. They are a lovely crowd and have been a good support to us over a difficult period. Looking forward to the next walk.

Men at work

After Mike had undergone his last session at the QE we headed, by train, to Birmingham, to celebrate V's birthday/leaving 'do'. Met up with V's workmates and ex-workmates in the Wellington pub, before heading over the road to the Thai restaurant where we continued with the celebration. Mike enjoyed meeting up with some of his old workmates too, I chatted with some interesting people, and V had a very good send off (although he will still be working part time). Thanks so much V for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon!

Sunday morning brought the allotment 'lot' out of their hibernation, as the sun shone and the birds sang. Before heading down to my plot I took a couple of photos of some more working men! The working party were planting hawthorn whips. Some worked whilst others watched! It was good to get the spade and fork out of the shed, and to do some real work, although there were lots of natural breaks as I caught up on the latest news with my neighbouring plot holders, and enjoyed a brew with John, outside his shed. However, before long the sky darkened and it began to rain, so it was time to go home. Can't say I was too pleased with my broad bean seedlings. This time last year I had some excellent plants, but quite a few of this year's Aquadulce Claudia have rotten stems, close to ground level. Dug up some of my parsnips, one of which was enormous (left some of it in the ground) and without a single flaw. The Pak Choi has come through the snow and ice really well, especially these plants that I have growing in a container outside my greenhouse. Had to add a photo of the emerging hellebore flowers too. Some you win and some you lose.

Errata

Before Mike spots it I must apologise for my spelling mistake. As a touch typist I find that my fingers work faster than my brain. I really do know how to spell 'condescension' - my mistake has just jumped out at me. Also, apologies to Eric - he gave me parsnips, not turnips - and they were really tasty too!

Spreading the muck - and the word

Photo of my plot, taken Thursday morning. Came home with leeks, turnips, mini (very) sprouts from my plot, and carrots, turnips and parsley from my kind neighbouring plot-holder Eric. Made a big pot of allotment soup for lunch, and enjoyed roast parsnips and mini sprouts with roast pork for evening meal.

Some good advice from Bunny Guinness in the latest (February) edition of Gardeners' World, Q & A on page 104 regarding E.coli and the use of farm manure on veg plots. I've been busy during the late autumn and winter , along with my fellow plotholders, spreading horse muck over parts of my plot. Although I was aware of possible infection risks, and always wear gloves and clean my hands with anti-bacterial wipes after muck spreading, perhaps I need to make more effort in future. The advice is especially relevant 'to vulnerable (pregnant women, the young or elderley)'. Worth bearing in mind.

Whilst on the subject of Gardeners' World, I must say how delighted I was to hear that BBC Gardeners' World is to go back to the previous format. What was the BBC thinking of when they dumbed down a much-loved, much-watched and perfectly fine weekly ' fix' for the gardening and growing fraternity? I think enough has been said (and in no uncertain terms) on this subject, in a variety of newspapers, magazines, radio programmes, and websites. I was among the many people who contacted the BBC's website to complain about the changes, and thankfully people power and possibly some common sense has prevailed. As far as I am concerned, Carol Klein would have made a perfect presenter, but from what I gather, she was never asked. She seems a sensible lady. Perhaps she'd prefer to do her own thing, and not be too much under the control of the programme makers. Alan Titchmarsh name has been touted as the 'new' presenter. I can't believe there is no (dare I say 'younger') possible presenter out there, who would bring a fresh, up-dated tilt to the programme, without the need for compromise or condescention. The programme needs to encourage and educate the new generations of gardeners, but cannot afford to lose the more experienced and knowledgeable followers who, I might add, are just as keen to absorb new gardening methods and advice. I look forward to the 'new/old' Gardeners' World!

How clean is your house?

After putting a chicken in the oven to roast I thoroughly enjoyed a brisk walk down the field and up the lane, in full sunshine, under a blue sky, on Sunday. The birds were singing and all was right with the world. When I arrived home, there was time to inspect the garden for signs of new growth. The snowdrops were pushing their green shoots up and there were healthy looking buds on the hellebores. A picked E up from work, and they joined us for a meal that evening, leaving in time to get home for Wallander, which we all enjoy. Perhaps 'enjoy' isn't an appropriate word as it isn't exactly up-beat, but very well acted and atmospheric in a sort of gloomy way. Mike and I slightly preferred the original Swedish version. I really must read the books.



Mike's on his last week of radiotherapy. Thought this photo (taken by D, during a super meal at their house, just before Christmas) would make everyone laugh! D presented each of the men with a pair of orange rubber gloves, trimmed with feathers, in preparation for the Christmas chores. Kim & Aggie - watch out!

The forecast is for more snow tomorrow. Was hoping to do some jobs in and around the greenhouse, but I might wimp out until we have another day like Sunday. In the meantime, I have an ever-growing pile of seed catalogues to work through.

Reasons to be cheerful

Another cold, wet and miserable day. Made the effort to walk to the allotments, but it was cold and raw, and not much fun. The water butts had 'lids' of thick ice which I poked with my trowel to test just how thick it was, but gave up as I was in danger of filling my wellies with the overflowing water. Checked all was OK in the shed, and it was. The winter cabbages seem to be doing OK. Didn't stay long. Had a short chat with Julie and her son, who'd been collecting some parsnips. She told me she'd been reading my blog, and I agreed with her that I needed more pictures.

As it's so dreary, I thought I'd add something bright and cheerful. So here are some of the flowers in our garden, taken last Spring. Over twenty years ago Mike brought home a dozen bulbs of the yellow tulips and we now have about 150 flowering in the front garden every year. I've dug them all out twice over the past years, dried them off, replenished the area with lots of compost, and replanted them.

The snowdrops at the bottom of the garden originally came from a garden in Coven, near Wolverhampton twenty-three years ago. Each year I split one or two of the larger clumps, split them, and replant 'in the green'. There are usually enough to share with friends too. We now have a lovely show each spring. The little basket of iris, primroses and ivy does it's own thing too, since I first planted it up about four years ago. When it's finished flowering, I take it down the garden and leave it under some bushes for the summer.

Colours

It's been a very grey, damp day today. The sky was a sort of greige colour, as the mist came down.the From our windows we could see green patches emerging from what remains of the snow. The pavements and roads are just a mass or mess of slush and ice, and I will be pleased to see this all washed away. This afternoon it became quite foggy.

M has now completed two of his three weeks of radiotherapy, and is still feeling OK. We even went out shopping after lunch, and he's offered to make one of his wonderful Spanish tortilla for our evening meal. I'm feeling 75% better, and looking forward to a good walk asap.

For all those people who've had enough - 'Out with the white!' And now, how about 'Out with the Brown!' (well, haven't we all had enough of him too?)

Christmas storage problems

Its been snowing all night and still is - just small flakes. I suppose there'll be more talk of it being 'heavy' , but it really isn't much. Barely ankle height. Mike should be on his way home from the hospital. He got there OK, but I haven't heard from him since his arrival. There were some signalling problems again yesterday, and his return journey took a long time,

Dave, the postman, delivered my Christmas tree storage bag today, so I can at last put the tree away. He was fully kitted out in warm clothing, from head to toe. Until this weather arrived he would normally be attired in shorts, and never hat or gloves. When I remarked on this he said he'd told someone else that 'these are not my legs'!

Last year, after always having a large, real Christmas tree, I finally relented and bought an artificial one. It was quite pricey, but has fooled nearly everyone. However, I do miss the lovely smell of the real ones. We struggled to replace the three sections of the heavy tree into the original box, at the end of the first Christmas. It insisted on trying to burst out of the box, which was finally secured with some thick rope, and left in the garage as it was never going to make it to the loft. This worried me slightly. What if 'something' got into the box? Well, guess what - something did. When we pulled the box out of the garage we disturbed a number of mice, and upon opening the box there were more - and a nest. It took me some time to check the thick branches of the tree, outside in the garden, before I was convinced it was mouse free. So, this time it is going up into the loft, in the new bag. It's such a big tree though that not all of it would fit into the bag, so I may have to get another one. I've done a quick sketch of what could have been this year's tree decorations.

When my sister, husband and son lived in Norway, they sent us, one year, a traditional 'yulebok' (think that's how you spell it), which is a traditional straw goat. We have always stood this on our window ledge, along with other Norwegian Christmas decorations that they had sent us over their years there. Unfortunately, a few years ago, when we opened up our bags of Christmas decorations that had been kept in the loft, we discovered that the poor thing had lost a leg - to a pesky squirrel, that had used the straw as part of its nest in our loft. So now the yulebok stands on three legs only. Trying to get resident squirrels out of a loft is a nightmare, but we succeeded eventually. We have to be ever vigilent though. Very entertaining they may be, but they are not my favourite animals - or should I say 'pests'. Love the red ones.

Meet the Ancestors!

Great to talk to T in Brazil, by Skype. Isn't technology wonderful - he sounded as if he was in the room with us! He wasn't impressed with our tales of snow, ice and cold. It was 31 degrees there and he was quite happy. Also spoke to A & P in Wales again. They are well snowed in, and hopefully they will be able to escape in time to get a flight to Greece, where they have a house. Just as I got out of the shower today I had a call from J in Norfolk and told him about this blog, which he found whilst we chatted.

M's gone off to the QE again, without me, as I'm still not fit to go with him. Another gloomy, grey day, so even more of an opportunity to catch up on another of my interests - family history. Spent yesterday working on the profile of my grandfather's brother and have prepared a copy, complete with photos, to send to his elderly grandson. I hope he, and/or members of his family can follow it, as the story is quite complicated. However, I have done one or two of these potted histories, and I think they are easier to follow than anything in the family tree programmes, especially for anyone who isn't used to them. I must stop leaning across my laptop to look at paperwork though, because on two occasions yesterday I deleted quite large sections of my work, before I'd saved it.

I began researching my family history in 2002, starting with my mother's maiden name, which is quite unusual. Before long I had come across a distant relation (we share a 3 x grandfather) who had already done quite a lot of research, so it was a good start. Then I 'branched' out (a common pun within the family tree enthusiasts) into my husband's family. Since then I've gone in all directions, following the history of almost every part of both our families. It's no good just treating the ancestors as points notched up in some sort of competition. OK, I have, with the help of other near and distant relatives, managed to reach the sixteenth century and even further back, but to put flesh on the bones of these names and dates, brings a whole new dimension to family history. I can thoroughly recommend lots of history (especially social) and geography research. The internet has been invaluable as have all the books we've collected over the years (including some excellent ones picked up at the charity book shop). The result is that I've learned so much in the meantime.

But the best part is getting out there, to visit the places where the ancestors once lived, worked and played.We have some excellent photos of the village near Exeter where my mother's ancestors lived, including one of the house of the above mentioned great great great grandfather, who was one of at least three generations of miller there. M's paternal ancestors came from Norfolk, and we've been there too, found some of their cottages, and have the photos to remind us. One of the most moving places we visited was Chinley Chapel in Derbyshire (near Kinder Scout) where my father's maternal ancestors were baptised, worshipped and buried. These people were dissenters, and eventually migrated across to Lancashire, where they were to marry into another strong family of dissenters, who had to meet in secret, in an upper room of their cottage near Manchester.

As a result of all this I could tell some really interesting stories, including adventures on the high seas, the escape of an important political prisoner, scientific discoveries, and general intrigue, but they are only relevant to our family and don't mean the same to others. Everyone out there has the chance to release their ancestors from the recesses of the dark cupboard where they are trapped. Go on - open the doors, disturb the moths, dispel the myths, shake the skeletons - meet the ancestors!

Especially for Hazel

Thanks for your comments Hazel. Can't believe I've been on my lap-top all day. Feeling a bit better and haven't sneezed or coughed for a couple of hours. I'll soon be up and running. Sorry this isn't a good photo, but it's all I could find. Mike was trying to catch the birds on the feeder, but the allotments appear in the background. Will take one from our bedroom window when I get the chance.

Errors

No, they were not greenfinches - my mistake, they were goldfinches! Also, my grandma shook her 'fist' at me, not her 'first'.

Grrrrrrrrrr not Brrrrrrrrrr!

I'm not happy that I've been confined to the house for the past day or so - not because of the cold (and it certainly is!) but because I have a cold, and feeling pretty grim too. I was slightly tempted to set foot outside yesterday when I saw the sun shining on the snow, but it wouldn't have been a good idea as my temperature was going up and down. Then the sun disappeared and I was pleased I had been so sensible, and settled down with the Saturday Telegraph, a hot drink, and a box of tissues.

Last night was not too good either, as I slept very fitfully between coughing and sneezing, and getting up for a hot drink. Was disturbed, just before 6am, by two taxis outside our house. Appeared to be loooking for an address. Good job I've retreated to the spare room so I don't pass my germs on to M, and at least he can get some sleep himself. This morning is very grey and it's snowing lightly. Pleased we have been keeping the birds well fed as there are always a few of them on the feeders and bird-table, especially greenfinches, blue-tits and great-tits and blackbirds. We would usually see fieldfares and redwings at this time of the year, but perhaps it is just too cold for them here too. Yesterday I watched two foxes foraging for food in the field opposite our house

So, as I can't talk about what I'm currently doing in the garden, on the allotment, or with the walking club etc, I thought I'd take the opportunity to highlight one or two of my interests, starting with gardening/allotmenteering. The garden of my grandmother's house in Liverpool (where we first lived) was the first one I remember, and could describe it fairly well even now, with its laburnam, forsythia, lilacs, pinks and roses, and the fruit at the bottom, near the laurel hedge. I was often tempted to steal one or two raspberries, but my gran was pretty quick off the mark, banging on the window with her first and raising a warning finger. Both my parents were keen gardeners and enjoyed visiting gardens and parks to admire the flowers. As an adolescent I found the slow parade around the flower beds to be extremely boring. Little did I know, at the time, that I'd turn into a product of my parents, and do the same thing myself to my own children. So, once M & I married and moved into our first home, our garden eventually became my pride and joy as I became more successful with my planting and sowing.

We moved to our present home when our boys were young. The back garden was a challenge, as it was smaller than those of our neighbours, narrowed down to a point, and very overhung by neighbours' trees. I like a challenge, and I'd soon established a woodland section at the very bottom, now well established with lots of hellebores and snowdrops, and shade loving perennials. Perennials are my thing really, especially hardy geraniums. There's one for every situation, from the shade lovers to the more exotic and slightly tender ones. For some years I belonged to the Hardy Plant Society and the RHS, and took full advantage of their free seed distribution, experimenting with all sorts of interesting and challenging plants, some of which are still flourishing. To help raise sponsorship money for our son A's trip to Iceland I even opened our garden and grew hundreds of plants to sell. The open weekend was a reasonable success despite the dreadful weather, but the plants continued to sell for weeks and we raised over £250.

The garden was not suitable for veg growing, so we put our names down at The Hill. In the meantime we took on a plot at Sheffield Road, which was a bit inconvenient to get to in the week, as I don't drive, but we did what we could at the weekends. Then a half plot came up at The Hill, followed by another half plot, and eventually a full plot (which, if I remember correctly, is the very same plot I have now). This made all the difference, as it was within walking distance, so I could fit in my time there, with my motherly duties. There was no shed, so I carried my tools back and forth, returning home with bags laden with produce for us, and to share with neighbours. At the time, there didn't appear to be many women plot-holders, and I was often asked why 'he' didn't help me, despite the fact it was my interest and not M's. There were a few comments too, about my strange vegetables, such as calabrese and florence fennel. When my mother became very ill with cancer, I spent a number of weeks with her in Sheffield, returning home only at the weekends. As a result, my plot became rather neglected and the weeds began to set their seeds. Mum lost her fight, and I lost my interest in the plot and gave it up.

Twenty-five years later, a year last October, I took on my half plot. It had been neglected for some time, and with a little trepidation I set to work, but I was soon back into the swing of things and now it's looking well tended and has produced plenty of fruit and veg over the twelve months or so. I even won Best Newcomer Half Plot, and 2nd Best Half Plot, and a handful of prizes at the Annual Show - the first time I've ever entered anything like that. However, the real prize is the pleasure it gives me. Although I can (just) see my plot from our windows, I could be a million miles away from the house. It's so peaceful down there - that is, until my lovely, neighbouring plot-holders start chatting and laughing! I've got my own little shed too.

Just before Christmas I came home with plenty of winter salad. If I could dig them out of the icy ground there are turnips, parsnips, celeriac and leeks, and icy cabbages too. When I last visited the plot, at New Year, the garlic was well up, and the broad beans, although looking a bit limp, were surviving under the fleece tunnel. One of my Blue Hubbard squashes made a wonderful soup for our Christmas Day meal, and there's another on stand-by for the next big family event. At home, sweet peas are doing OK in the greenhouse, but I can't open the door at the moment as it is frozen shut.

It's snowing heavily now and very grim and grey, so I thought I'd add a photo taken outside my greenhouse at home, on a warm, sunny day, when I'd just returned from the plot with a basket of produce.

Travel problems

Serious problems on the railways today. The signalling system had gone down at Proofhouse Junction (the Spaghetti Junction of the railways). Our journey to the QE ended suddenly, just a few stations down the line, when the train came to a halt and we were told of the problems. A couple of phone calls later, and our lovely friends D & D came to our rescue, by picking us up in their car, and driving us back to the station where we'd left our car. We then drove to the hospital for M's treatment. Rang A, to let him know of the situation, as he would need to make alternative arrangements to get home to Lichfield. M had also rung the hospital to explain the situation, and that he would be late.

Soon on our way back, calling in at Lidl en route, to pick up some bits and bobs and wine, as D & D will be calling round this evening. I sniffled and snuffled all the way back - feeling a bit groggy, with a cold.

It's K & A's Wedding Anniversary today and we had a short phone call from K. They were off for a meal, but had enjoyed their day skiing (County Durham). It's been another very cold day, and it looks like we are in for more freezing conditions and snow, this weekend. In one part of Scotland it got to -23 degrees.

Enough for now as D & D have arrived.

Tracks of my Tribe

Well, it really is cold today, but how beautiful it looked under the bright, blue sky. As we set off for the station today, about 11am, it was -4.5 degrees, and I wasn't able to sit in the passenger seat of the car, as the door wouldn't open, so I had to sit in the back. The train was on time, and we were soon at the QE for M's 4th session, and back at the station for our return journey. However, there was some sort of problem and we had to disembark at New Street, wait some time, board another train, get off that, and wait again for a third one, which eventually got us back. After a late lunch I set off again for a walk, just as the sun was going down, casting its red and pink rays across the frozen snow. And there was evidence of other members of my tribe - those people who love this weather - along the footpaths and down the lanes were lots of footprints in the snow. So I am not alone!

Forebears from the Frozen North?

I'm sorry to be awkward, but I love this cold, crisp, snowy weather. Yesterday I spoke to our friend A on the phone, and despite being marooned in quite a remote area of Wales, she too thinks the snow is great. So now I know that there are at least two of us who aren't moaning on about it. Perhaps I'm just lucky, but I don't actually feel the cold very often, but then there is disadvantage of feeling far too hot when I'm indoors, and in the company of those who do feel the cold, because I can hardly bear their overheated homes, cars and shops. I've come to the conclusion that my ancestors must have come from the frozen north. Although I've been researching my genealogy for some years now, I've not been able to prove this fact as of yet.

I mention this because as we set off for M's radiotherapy session at the QE, everywhere looked so beautiful. We drove down to the station, suitably attired for the conditions. The rail journey to Birmingham was a delight - everywhere was blanketed in white. I was wishing I'd taken a camera, and unfortunately had forgotten my mobile phone, so I couldn't record it. Will try again tomorrow as I'm sure the snow won't have gone away, and with a bit of luck, will have been topped up. Once we'd returned home and I'd had some lunch, I was off down the fields with my camera, by which time the grey sky had turned to blue, and everywhere was sparkling. There were quite a few people out and about - and they looked as if they too were making the most of the beautiful conditions (so it's not just A and me after all).

Since we moved to the Midlands, over 30 years ago, we've never really had the severe winter conditions that we experienced whilst living in Sheffield. Nor, for that matter, anything like the winter of 1962/3 when I lived in Gloucestershire, when the ground floor windows of our cottage (on a main road too) were completely covered in snow, and we had to sit tight until the local lads dug us out. Then we joined up with our rescuers, to dig out other villagers. Now that was serious snow, and possibly what some other areas of the country are experiencing at the moment.

The Christmas decorations are all down now, but I must remove the holly wreath from the front door as soon as I finish this - I usually forget that.

A Short Retrospective of the Festive Season

Now I've more or less got the hang of things, can't reach 12th night, which will soon be upon us, without mentioning that we had a really good Christmas. Singing carols in Lichfield Cathedral, accompanied by the Chase Salvation Army Band and the Cathedral Singers was a good start, especially as our friends D & D came with us. When the big doors were opened to let us out at the end, the scene couldn't have been more seasonal - lights twinkling on the large Christmas tree, stars twinkling in the clear sky, and everyone wrapped up warmly against the cold, frosty night. Then a quick drink in the Kings Head to the accompaniment of a band playing raves from the grave before setting off home.

Christmas Day with the extended family at L & R's home was perfect, with a magnificent meal and lots of family fun. The conditions on Boxing Day couldn't have been better for my traditional walk (been doing it for over 25 years) to Shenstone, across the frosty fields and under a clear, blue sky, arriving in time for the start of the Mummers Play and Morris Dancing, performed by Green Man, and meeting up with old and new friends.There was also the candlelit carol service down at church - very peaceful.

K & A came to stay a night with us last week (lovely to see them again), and the following morning, along with emergency kit in case of snow, we all set off to Hathersage in Derbyshire for the mid-day carols at the Little John, where traditional and local carols were sung with great gusto and enthusiasm - something we haven't done since we left the area over 30 years ago.

New Years Eve we spent on our own, in our warm, comfortable house, with a lovely meal and wine, followed by bubbly to see in the new year. Just one complaint - the folks on the hill opposite our window didn't put on a good show of fireworks this year! Was this a sign of the times?

New Year and New Beginnings

Monday, 4 Jan 2010
Well, here I go! Having thought about it for some time, I've decided to become a blogger, and what better time to start than at the beginning of a new year and new decade. How long I can keep it up is anyone's guess, but I'll do my best. I already have quite a few interests to keep me busy - all the gardening, the walking club, family history, reading (mainly factual books, particularly on travel and most particularly on Greece), painting and drawing (mostly on holidays), music of all (or most) types, and playing the keyboard, cooking, and enjoying the company of friends and family. Then there's the half plot allotment at Hill, taken on just over a year ago, although I did have various plots there about 25 years ago. I even have my own girlie shed , complete with striped curtains.

It's a beautiful, crisp and icy morning, with a clear blue, sunny sky, and a walk down the fields is beckoning, once I'm showered and dressed. At the moment I'm wrapped in my thick dressing gown, and sitting next to the radiator.

Yesterday we had the family round (bar Elin, who had to work, poor thing) for a meal - roast duck with redcurrant sauce (currants from my plot), chipolata sausages, burgers for the grandchildren (the preferred choice) , roast potatoes, roast squash (from Hazel's plot), and green beans (from my plot), Our granddaughter decided on a family 'Britain's got talent', so we took the part of judges and acts (not in the biblical sense!). Once Elin had joined us we told her about Rich's juggling, but this was a hidden talent we knew nothing about, and before long there were apples and oranges rolling about the floor and under the chairs as everyone had a go. What a lovely afternoon. Took our minds off other matters. Today Mike starts the first of 15 sessions of radiotherapy for one of his secondary tumours.

But enough for now.