In the garden again!

Monday was a beautiful spring-like day, warm and sunny.  Can not believe it after all the rainy and cold weather we have been having.  Ian and I spent the whole day in the garden, potting up, weeding, cutting the lawn, re-planting flowers etc. We are going to widen the border along the lawn as we have such a lot of stuff still to plant and no where to put it!   I think I must have over done something because I now have a sore lower back.  Had a hot bath in the evening which helped a bit.

Must put some photos of the garden on this post!

Mum's birthday bash

Had a great time meeting up with the family at Mother's 83rd birthday party.  We had drinks in her house and then to David next door for a sit down lunch - there must have been about 30 of us with all the family plus some of Mummy's friends.  Just as well it was inside because the weather was awful, it just rained and rained! 

Lindy made the starter of smoked salmon and Susie and Laurence cooked the main course of duck.  I unfortunately drank too much and became totally drunk.  Eventually I ended up in Mum's house (don't know how I got there!)  I was then sick which was unpleasant for everyone concerned.  I then lay on the bathroom floor for about 3 hours - out for the count.  What a  way to behave!  But everyone seemed very forgiving about it.  But what an idiot I was.  I shall be very careful with the wine from now on.
Anyway ....... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER!!

Norfolk

Had a great time in Norfolk in the caravan.  We went to a place called Denver, not far from Downham Market.  This is the second time we have been out in the caravan so still a lot to learn from my perspective.  I drove the car with the caravan which was a first and actually quite easy - no problems at all.  The site we stayed at was small - only for five caravans.

 There were two fishing lakes and the land around was pretty water-logged with all the rain.  We made a bit of a mistake when we first arrived because we drove into a particularly muddy part of the site and promptly got the car stuck.  The man who owned the site came and pulled us out with his four wheel drive, but by then the car was covered in mud from the wheels spinning!  I can now fill the water barrel and connect it.  I can also empty the grey waste and re-connect.  (I left Ian to empty the loo waste. YUK!)

Charlie enjoyed his holiday in the caravan.  Here he is having a little sleep on my legs.

This is a fishing lodge that the owner of the site is building.  We had a look inside and it looks very nice.  Three separate flats all fully furnished to a high standard.

We visited Sandringham House which was really lovely. The guides in the rooms obviously work for the Queen and they were so old fashioned - difficult to explain but it felt like they were from another era.  I think a lot of them lived in the village, born and bred.  Lots about the history of the royal family and about the house.  Very interesting.  Worth a visit.  We also went to Castle Acre Priory (English Heritage) which was good.  We went round listening on the phones about the priory and the monks who used to live there.

Another view of Sandringham from the front.

We also went to Denver Windmill.  They make their own flour.  (Our neighbour, June, who had suggested this might be a place we could go, asked us to buy her some flour because she makes her own bread which I believe is mouth-watering!)  Had a cup of tea at the mill cafe.  Unfortunately the sails came off the mill last summer.  They are trying to raise money to replace the sails but this will cost in the region of £100,000.  June and Paul stayed in the cottages on the site when they went up there.

Below is a good photo of the sails taken from the top of the windmill which are still lying on the ground from when they blew off.

The weekend

The weekend began on Saturday morning.  Ian went up to the church to help with the churchyard Spring clean up.  Derek and Sharon arrived at about 11.30am and not long afterwards Jo with her two children Tommy and Katy arrived.  We had roast chicken for lunch which was rather long and lingering.  At about 4pm we decided to go for a walk.  The weather turned out well and we enjoyed the fields, the church and the sunshine.  Came back and teatime.  We then had a couple of games of Rummikub with Katy and Tommy, although I think the adults enjoyed it more!   Then Jo and the children left at about 6.30pm.  We then had a light supper of ham salad and some leftovers from lunch and watched a bit of telly before turning in.  Had a lie in before breakfast at 9am and Ian opened his presents - some dalhia and gladioli tubulars from Derek and Sharon and a satnav for walkers from me, as well as various cards from different people.  Then off to church.  We then went to the Duke of Wellington at Hatfield Peveral for lunch which was good.  Got back just in time before Charlotte and Scott arrived with birthday presents for Ian.  Said goodbye to Derek and Sharon who now have 3 hour trip home to Yate in Bristol.  It was nice to see them and spend some time together.

Tuesday

Went to Morning Prayer at the church this morning at 9.15am.  Gemma is on holiday this week, so it was only Stuart and myself.  When I got back, Ian and I spent some time over coffee thinking about a new bath for upstairs.  The bathroom is a bit tired and would be better with tiles on the floor rather than carpet.  I fancy a Victoria-style roll top bath and dispense with the shower, so it will literally be just a bathroom.  We are also in the middle of getting our kitchen updated.  The man from Wickes came over yesterday to measure up and was here quite a long time going through everything.  We will need to go in store and sort out the final details.  Can't wait!!  The kitchen is old - the doors keep coming off!
We spent a long time in the garden, dodging the showers, tidying up and gardening.  Ian cut the seats off the old wooden garden bench so I can use the table part as a potting bench - just the ticket!  I can keep the pots and different bags of soil underneath the table.
Ian then cut a branch off the damson tree that was looking a bit dead.  And then whilst he had the chain saw out, cut down the little walnut tree at the side of the property.  It will grow huge and there just isn't the room for it.  Sorry tree but it had to be done!
We then had to bath Charlies which is a bit of an explosive event - Charlie barking etc.  He had poo on his bottom and the only way to deal with it is to bath him.  He is now nice and clean - and sweet smelling!!
Anna coming over tomorrow to do an Arbonne party here in the evening. Hope it goes OK and everyone turns up!

P.S.  Have discovered there are in fact 4 fish still left after the heron had his fill on Sunday.  So hopefully they will breed and we will have more fish.  We have put the net back over the pond.

Heron

This morning saw a mighty big heron at our pond and the bugger has taken all our goldfish.  ALL OF THEM!  If we get anymore we shall have to put the netting over the pond.  The heron was about 3 feet tall.

Good Thursday

Just back from the hospital and today I got the good news that according to the last CT Scan there is no evidence on any recurrence of cancer.  What brilliant news.  Thank you God for rescuing me!   I have a letter to see my oncologist on 10 May so that we can arrange follow-up for me.  I just need to have the two weeks of chemo pills and then its all over.  Hurray!

A Rainbow

A rainbow is a promise from God that he is with us and looking after us.  This afternoon we had a wonderful rainbow after a short shower of rain.  I hope it means that Anna finds somewhere to live and a job.  For myself I hope it means that the news from the CT scan on Thursday will be good.

Easter Day

Ian and I went to the 5.30am Dawn Service on Easter Sunday.  It felt very strange getting up so early and getting in the car in the dark.  It did feel a bit mad to be out and about so early in the day.  Got to the church to find some other mad people assembled!  It was a good service.  We started outside the church with the brazier burning.  The Easter candle is blessed and lit from the brazier.  We then process into the dark church with the candles lit.  This service is to commemorate the woman coming early in the morning to anoint Jesus body.  There had been no time to do it when he died on Friday evening and the following day, Saturday, was the Sabbath where you were forbidden to deal with dead bodies.  So their first opportunity was first thing on Sunday morning.  But when they got there they found that the heavy stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.  So where was Jesus?  He was alive and already on the go.  An angel told the women to go and tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.  We light the candles in the church to signify Jesus being the light of the world because he had overcome the power of death and darkness.
Afterwards we came back and fell asleep as we were due to go the Family Service at 10.30am.  This was a more lively service and many people from the village who don't normally go to church came.  The church was full and everyone dressed up in the best!
We came home and rested.  Well that was the idea but we got involved in looking at kitchens because we are thinking of updating our kitchen.  We spent ages trying to work out where everything will go, measuring  and consulting the categlogues.  In the evening we watched "Waking the Dead" - very intriguing but continues tonight.

Lots has happened

I can see that I will have to consult my diary as quite a lot has happened since I last wrote on my blog and I can never remember what I have done!  Anyway on Wednesday Ian and I went to the cinema and saw "Mirror, Mirror" which is a remake of the fairytale about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  I actually really enjoyed it.  It was quite funny but obviously predictable because you know what the story line is!  Anyway Snow White married the handsome prince and the wicked stepmother (Julia Roberts)... well, we don't know what happened to her but she seems to have become very old and haggard and actually just disappeared.  And Snow White's father miraculously re-appeared because  he had been under the spell of the wicked stepmother.  So all ended happily!!
Then in the evening we went to supper at our neighbour's house - which was very nice.  Drank lots of wine but no hangover the next day which was a bonus!
Anna and Jeremy had been staying with us for a few days but are now back at their flat.
On Friday, Anna and Jackie did an Arbonne presentation for Mimi's friends at the mill.  We had lunch together (sandwiches, crisps and mini pork pies etc and wine) and it all went absolutely splendidly!  They all bought something so Anna did quite well out of that.
In the evening Ian and I went to church to the Maundy Thursday service.  We were part of a number of people (12 actually) to have their feet washed which was to remind us that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples that night, the night before he died.  It was to  show them that they should be servants to each other and love one another.  After the service there was a Vigil in the chapel until midnight.  Ian and I stayed to 10pm.
Today (Good Friday) we went for a walk.  It was lovely and sunny and it was good exercise.  A lady at church gave Ian a book on local walks.  We will try and do them all.
Tomorrow (Saturday) we are meeting with Charlotte and Scott (and possibly Anna and Jeremy) for lunch at a new pub that has opened in Harold Wood.  Look foward to that!
Then Sunday is Easter Day.  Ian and I will be going to the Dawn Service at 5.30am.  The good thing about that, as well as being a good service, is that you get breakfast afterwards!

Hello bloggers

Have not been on my blog for a bit!  Anyway, today I went with some members of our church to a Retreat House at Pleshey in Chelmsford.  It was a very relaxing day including lunch.  Got home at about 4pm. Tomorrow we are off to Senior Screen and the film is Sherlock Holmes.  I think we have seen this but it was quite good so worth a second viewing.  And then tomorrow evening we have a dinner date with our neighbours Sue and Peter.  Should be an enjoyable evening as they are quite good fun.  We are very fortunate with our neighbours - all so friendly and sociable.