Naughty boys

Hols

Pandy Mill House

We arrived on Saturday afternoon - lovely , 4 bedroom house with a good size dining kitchen with table to sit at least a dozen.
W and the boys arrived in the evening, AJ the following afternoon and B and family arrived on Saturday evening just as W was leaving for the airport to collect MK (2 hours late due to her plane not being allowed to land in Florence)
By this morning we were all here and rearing to go.
Porridge for breakfast and then a walk in the sunshine (some) to see the waterfalls just across/along the road.
The Fairy Glen/ The Conwy Falls with a salmon leap are so beautiful.
Yesterday they were a rushing torrent, this morning, much quieter and lower.
Where had all the water gone?

After lunch, the families went to Betwys Coed to buy boots for the children ready for the Snowdon ascent, tomorrow.
AJ and I opted out, eventually staying in as the rain was impressive.
We prepared poached salmon and local organic sausages, served with a medley of vegetables, between us - alarming amount of food consumed by six adults and four hungry youngsters.

We've watched "University Challenge" and "Only Connect" to remind ourselves how limited our knowledge is.
Bed calls.
I'll try to post photos........

Llangollen.

Lying in bed after a good night's sleep, admiring the wonderful view from Geufronhall Hall, across the valley to Llangollen, thinking about getting up to enjoy a Welsh breakfast.
All wonderful and recommended for a quiet getaway.
Dined at Gales, in th town last night - big wooden tables, great house wine and steaks and good company of walkers and locals.

We drove down yesterday via Etwall, to collect some odd lots from Hansons (Laura Ashley Overmantle for £37- new), as well as some fascinating vintage bits and pieces.
We stopped in Nantwich, for a potter and coffee and Wrexham, to show how nice Nantwich was.
We did come across an Auction House there and view.

Treated royally here - tea and homemade Welshcakes on arrival and a fascinating room with amazing views.
Exploring, food shopping and then on to Betwys Coed for early afternoon to meet AJ, the family arriving later.

Glad I took photos earlier as the mist has descended into the valley, lambs still bleating to their mums .

Happy Birthday.

to my younger son.
He probably won't read this, being a very busy person, so I could risk a photo of his present, purchased at Hansons Auctioneers last week.
I guarantee that this will not be duplicated.
KP in the school play this afternoon, so a perfect birthday!

I'm having my second cappuccino, to celebrate!
Yesterday I embarked on my "Paleo" diet - only meat, fish, cheese,  fruit,veg, nuts and coffee.
Bacon, egg and tomatoes for breakfast,
Veg soup for lunch,
Plaice, sweet potatoes and peas for dinner along with some delicious blue Shropshire cheese.
I did weigh well over a pound less this morning, pure chance, I'm sure.

Doing some housework as little done for the last month-  4 weeks today since my eye op.
I shall be so pleased when I can drive again as I want to be a free spirit and/be of use  again.

Badger Activity.

The Badgers have been very busy over the last couple of days, perhaps because they have young .

I have some good photos of adults, but none of young.

The star is a small mouse with large ears who likes to be on film; I fully expect him to do a song and dance routine, complete with hat and cane, one of the days.

Car Booting.

A very different day on Sunday as there was so much stuff around, cluttering up the place, 

K is an expert so we went to the car boot sale at Furnace End.

That sounds simple, but involved planning and packing which took most of Saturday - I 'm not a great deal of help as My sight is still pretty poor looking down - a thick black line across the Middle of my eye and smokey grey below.

The black line is the liquid surface and so wobbles a good deal with even the smallest head movement.

Strange/ weird.

We were on the field by 5.30am, flask and ham rolls on board, and selling before 6.00pm, mainly dealers early on then loads of buyers from about 8.30am.

We cleared up by 2.30pm, really tired with grubby hands and the odd broken nail.

We sold loads of stuff and took loads of money so I hope to find time and transport to have a manicure.

I did have a couple of brief potters around the field and bought a Mason's ironstone cheese dish at a bargain price of £5. - well washed and in use.

A lazy afternoon to recover, dinner, Poldark (brilliant!) and an early night.

Feeling a little frustrated today as I'd really like to pop to Solihull, potter around the shops then collect J and Th from school as usual on a Monday, but Solihullis a nightmare journey without a car.

Eclipsed!

What a day!

Started with a bright sunny morning giving a great view of the eclipse, which was amazing.

I remember watching one with W and B when they were small, mirrors to reflect an image onto black paper on the garage door, to protect their eyes.

I went back to bed afterwards and fell asleep, so missing a meal and enjoying grilled tomatoes on ciabatta with olive oil, for "brunch".

I've dried two loads of washing on the line - 13 degrees with a light breeze.

Perfect.

I have a lovely crisp, clean bed to sink into shortly.

To cap it all I've just sold a large inlaid marble trayon e bay for £59.99.

It was made by the descendants of the men who built and decorated the Taj Mahal, price label on the back for 3500rp (£350)

I paid £3, so a good return.

I have another for sale............

Lawns will want mowing soon but I can't see down very well yet and don't want shaking about as the fluid in my duff eye wobbles about too much.

Strange.

Bargain Hunt!

No blog since Monday as it's been a quiet week involving a lot of sleep.
All that will change today as K is taking me to Hansons - first day of the 3 day sale at Etwall and hosting "Bargain Hunt".
I went to the celebrity BH eighteen months ago and it was great fun and very profitable as a lot of non-buyers taking up space.
If I sound like a professional, profitable dealer, that may be inaccurate, but it's fun and this time next year..............

I was taken to Alcester on Tuesday, had a lovely potter around and lunch in the cafe by the church - it's a very attractive little town with lots of passageways and interesting byways of the Main Street.

My vision's improving - almost half of my field of vision, the top half, has returned.
Have to watch where I'm walking and look carefully to the right!

Home again.

At last, I've had the long soak in a bath full of bubbles that I've wanted ever since being told that I couldn't have one, after my eye operation.
To be accurate, I could have a bath, but the whole thing, including getting dry and dressed, could only take ten minutes and I wasn't to rush.
Not much time to soak, hardly time to get wet really.
Anyway, the bath was great, followed by scrambled eggs on toast, watching the recording of the final episode of "Wolh Hall" and now, bed.

We were up early this morning as B brought me home by 7.00am, before he went to work.
M and M dropped in for coffee, K popped in for a chat and P came after work with some beautiful lilies.
Three delivery men came, necessitating opening the front door, one with a wine delivery, one with a parcel and the final one with a dog to leave at the kennels.
 A day out tomorrow - I realised on the way home that it was only my second trip out in three weeks.
It does cut down the shopping oportunities!

Barista in training.

Still convalescing in Bicester Garden City and catching up on my sleep now that I can sleep in my normal position, with out the eye patch, waking up to shout "Ship Ahoy" on the hour, every hour!
We lunched in Woodstock yesterday, which was a treat, then dined on fish and chips between at' hectic evening events.

Comic Relief entertained us between naps during the evening.
Is Mr Bean funny?
Amazing at the array of talent that appears - full marks to Stephen Hawking!
A visit to town seems to be on the horizon after coffee, made by the "BIT"

Where has the camera function gone to - I"ll add  when that little icon reappears.

Bicester Town?

Catching up on the exercise, taking care not to veer into anything on the right hand side, we walked to school, back for chat then a gentle walk into Bicester and a mooch around the shops until 2.30pm, then home, laden with M&S food to cook for dinner.
After a cup of tea, back to school for KP, home for a second cup of tea and iced bun, then back for T (digital leaders/IT stuff.
A good day and lovely to be out again, but now tired.
Watching Masterchef -really good.

Much discussion on the news about the decision to change the name of "Bicester Town" station, to "Bicester Village"
Demotion or bowing to the pressures of commerce?
So where does this fit with "Biscester Garden City"?
Will it need a cathedral?

Looking up!

A brilliant day!

A strangled screech from a chicken at 8.00am, followed by sightings of only a lone hen caused me a good deal of grief this morning, then, looking out of the kitchen window at 11.00 am, on my hourly, ten minute walkabout, I counted two chickens in the drive.

As double vision is a problem at the moment, I did have to "double check", but there were two.

Amazing.

Reincarnation or the power of prayer.

B picked me up at lunchtime, to go to Walsgrave for an eye check.

Brilliant again!

The surgeon was delighted, drops reduced, able to move about again, look up and sleep on my side.

I am so pleased and relieved that all has gone well - back in a month, by which time my vision may be getting back to normal - about the top one third is working at present, as the gas bubble is replaced by liquid.

Walking a bit laboured at present as the liquid surface has a black line which moves like the surface of any liquid as I move about, so very impaired but improving daily as the line falls (actual image inverted)

Home with B for tea and sleepover.

I shall walk into Bicester, gently, in the morning, after the school run/walk and have coffee.

Bliss!

So what will happen to J C this time (Jeremy C,  the famous/ infamous one!)

Can he threaten/hit a colleague and not be sacked?

Can he walk on water?

Washing day.

I've just got into bed - getting into a bed with freshly laundered  bed linen must rate as one the best moments in life, especially if it's been dried on the line in the garden.
My new Seally bed is so comfortable, I only hope that President Obama is as satisfied with his (assuming that the salesman in Dreamers had his facts right)

Hi lights of today:
a visit from a friend for a chat, bringing a bunch of daffodils and dark blue hyacinths.
They look fantastic.
Is this why Europe chose yellow and blue?

Selling my shabby Myott fruit bowl on e bay for £9.99 - not a fortune, but my first solo e bay sale.
It felt so good that I reduced the prices on all of my other items in the hope of a similar high tomorrow.
I now have recouped £35 of my Hansons purchase so a way to go before I'm into the money!

I seem to have regained the top halVf of the vision in my duff eye, then the wavy line separating vitreous humour from gas and blurr.
As the brain inverts the image received on the retina, I guess that this is what I expected - I have a hospital visit tomorrow - perhaps the penance will end and I will be able to look up and go out again.

One mole caught on the top lawn, a second has arrived on the side lawn.
Bother.
Rob ( neighbour) mowed his lawns today - it seems very early for such activities.
                    

Conserving energy.....

Or "getting fat" as I see it.
Day 13 of the enforced sitting still, head bent, or lying on my stomach.
I see the surgeon again on Wednesday afternoon, so live in hope that all is going well and I may be allowed up and out again soon.
On the bright side, it' a grey, blustery day.
Even the yellow bits of daffodils that I could see yesterday in the field, have disappeared today.
I had a camera facility yesterday at the bottom of the page.
Anyone know where it's gone to?

Still blooming!

Up the Villa!

The match was on from first to last kick - a shame about the fans and a couple of questionable decisions, but some good news for locals, at last.
Th will be thrilled.

I realise that I won't be given an assignment until my eye is fully functioning - a Granny with an eye patch does look seriously dodgy - but I can practise my technique whilst sitting in the waiting room at The Eye Clinic, chatting to other "pirates", very soon knowing their life histories and financial situation!

To occupy myself during this hiatus, I have just listened to "On your Farm" on Radio 4 - a return to Sir Henry Plumb's farm, in Coleshill, fifty years on, to mark his 90th birthday.
A very different style of broadcasting today.
Fascinating.

E baying is slow but interesting - I take photos of an item for sale during my ten minutes "up" time, then fill in the listing, looking down at my I pad - have a look at my China and glassware, "Whitefriars pewter/smoked glass jug" will find me.
Should sell today as it's beautiful, rare and has 5 watchers.

What do you call a cutlery set with a condiment spoon, pickle fork and butter knife?
I have a lovely EPNS one with green handles, in original case, but can find no collective name anywhere.

AJ and K did the tables at a Coffee Morning in NW yesterday and took about £50 in total, so a little for the church funds - a lot of hard work involved.

Another day bowed penitently or lying down, reading the spy manuals!

Granny spies.......

Surely anyone who has a Granny or who has watched "Miss Marple" could tell M15 that ladies of a certain age would make ideal spies - they never miss a trick, have eyes in the back of their heads,  take a real interest in other people and have time to chat over a cup of tea/ coffee, to fill in any gaps.

This is not to be mistaken for "gossip" or "nosiness", of course!

The helicopter overhead for the third day can now be easily explained, along with my bionic right eye.

I now need only my Ecco shoes with Velcro closing, complete with blades that protrude from the toes  (Rosa Klebb, "To Russia with Love") and stainless steel dentures, before I am assigned my first mission. 

I shall be perfectly camouflaged in the Volvo - I thought that the red, glitzy heart that had appeared on the front grid was from an admirer - I now realise it conceals the gunsights!

I shall refuse to undergo surgery to my left eye for implantation of the second bionic lens.

I didn't like the first op one bit, so there.

Today, life is still as normal, at the moment - sitting with my head bowed, awaiting the time for my next eye drops and lie down. 

Severn Trent have still not arrived, despite promises to be here first thing, having failed to appear yesterday.

They won't dare not to unblock my drains when M15 are in the picture!,

Be careful what you offer!

I'm definitely feeling much better today and have just eaten yesterday's egg - chicken's, that is, in a roll, for breakfast, in bed, expertly prepared by AJ.
I can't stand tea or coffee at the moment.
The only times when this has happened in the past was when I was pregnant.
As it,s just nine months before Advent, I'm a little concerned over what I may have prayed during those stressful few hours before and during surgery.
Perhaps the very antithesis of Mary would be an obvious choice for the second time round.
Perhaps an immaculate conception at my age would be more credible, then again, perhaps it's just the eye drops.

On a different topic altogether, a helicopter has now been hovering over Maxstoke ? Since yesterday lunchtime, like a demented dragonfly.
AJ thinks that it may be tethered to a pylon.
I don't.
Any ideas?

Not a lot doing otherwise - time to lie flat again as this bending forwards makes my back ache after a while - eye's looking and seeing much better, not a lot, but better.

I have just been outside for the first time in a week, to reprimand a delivery driver in a big heavy truck who drove up across my carefully tended frontage and parked by the gate.
I knew that he would have a delivery for the cottages at the end of the road - two of the four cottages in the terrace run businesses and they, unfortunately, share my postcode.
Even more unfortunately, about twelve years ago, they changed the name of the terrace from "Row", which is written on a plaque on the front of the building, to "Cottages".
This has resulted in most delivery drivers stopping here, often just leaving the parcel, which I then have to deliver.
Anyway, I feel much better for the brief few minutes of fresh air,.
I have eaten a bowl of porridge so am definitely on the mend - I did Google my three eye drops and find that one causes nausea - apparently I'm also nauseating.
Oh well. I can think of ways to become a better person over the next week - suggestions welcome!!!

Aj has just made me a cappuccino - wow.
Yesterday it took half an hour and three pods as the first two were put in the wrong way - we'll make a "barista" of her yet.

I'm planning a manicure when I'm allowed out as my nails/ cuticles are in a dreadful state.
I had planned to do them as I sat looking down, but I really can't see well enough........yet

Limited horizons.

On all fronts - Not allowed out, poor vision and sitting looking at my knees, still.
Only another ten days to go until my check up, when I hope that everything will have gone well and I can look up again and take some gentle exercise.
Aj cooked chicken for lunch yesterday and the family all came in the afternoon.
T had made some amazing cup cakes and Aj provided scones for tea.
I had sneaked off to bed for a while, so the day ended with all four grandchildren in bed with me, having a whale of a time.
I had been wearing "shades", to not look scary.
The grandchildren insisted that my eye looked OK, so there we are, shades not needed.
They had a great, noisy time in the garden with all available vehicles, despite rain and chill.

I'm still in bed as it gives some freedom of position, unlike the armchair.
Some flakes of snow earlier but now just a cold wind - Aj off to Coleshill for vittals - this sounds just like my Father's diary (page a day, Boots - compiled daily, including expenditure, without fail).
Oh dear!
Normal service will return, eventually - I can imagine W commenting that the interest level will not improve!