Autumn arrived whilst we were away.

We've spent three days in Shropshire, at The Bear Inn in Hodnet, which was great and an amazing bargain through Travelzoo, booked months ago.
Lovely staff, great food and ambiance, all set in a beautiful little village with Hodnet Hall, gardens and remains of a castle, 10/14 th century church and thatched cottages owned by the estate.
The Bear thinks it has a bear pit in the cellar, but this was actually built 30+ years ago by the local garage mechanic (who now restores vintage cars in a workshop opposite the pub) for a previous landlord, who upset the RSPCA by having live bears in crates on the car park for the grand opening..

We went to the auction at Halls in Shrewsbury on Wednesday but were limited in purchasing power as we were in the Lotus, the Volvo having refused to start!
Three e bay sales whilst away, just packed, Th and friend E here for the day, having a great time with the new goal post.
Three cheers for teacher training days!

Coffee and cake

A great way to spend a morning with friends.
This morning we had coffee cake, baked cheesecake and small, freshly baked scones with cream and jam to accompany the chat.

I collected the Volvo from Witton, cured!
Apparently the sunroof wasn't closed correctly hence the water in the foot wells.
This has got into "the electrics", causing the problem.
Fine and a joy to drive, again.
I delivered spare cake to absent friends, then it was dark.

I spent yesterday gardening, tidying and planting - mini daffodils on the rockery and pansies in the borders.
I swept the yard ......again, whilst being bombarded with acorns.
Another bumper year.
I have to keep having a look to appreciate them before they disappear under leaves again.

Some e baying to do tomorrow (free listing this week) then Solihull then J and Th school pick up, tea, etc".
Must find time and flexibility to do my toe nails, after the holiday.
No mean "feat" after a day gardening!

What's brown with red spots?

Me after nearly a month in the sun.
We spent a few days on Rodus/Rhodes, staying in a small hotel in the old town, exploring.
We took the ferry to Tilos, the next, small island for ten days, staying in an apartment run by a great young couple, in Livardia.
The weather was five degrees warmer than anticipated and too warm to do much walking, apart from round the bay along the promenade early in the mornings.
We made use of the local bus to visit the local sites and beaches, bathed, read and relaxed.
We hired a scooter one day to add to the excitement, visited the deserted village - every island seems to have one - and the capital (museum, two cafes and a shop)

We then ferried on to Nisyros, a larger volcanic island whose centre is the cauldron with bubbling hydrothermal pits.
We stayed in an apartment with resident large hairy spider in the bathroom, who only had to be evicted when he went walkabout - just about fitted under a tumbler
Some lovely small towns, high up, with typical narrow passageways, only wide enough for a scooter and more great beaches.
Buses didn't exist so we hired a car for  three days.
The nice tan had the red spots added, mainly during the one evening spent in a local bar next door to the shop, with fruit counter.

After a week we ferried on to Kalymnos, the sponge island.
The weather was a little cooler by then.
We explored on foot and used the local bus to travel from our green little valley of Vithi to the city.
On Monday we took the overnight ferry to Athens, spent a couple of hours in the Flea Market, a good lunch , then the long journey home.

Where were you when the Labour Party elected JC?

Having listened to "many more than a few words" from Tom Watson ( most of them a waste of air time -who stands for a prominent position without having a concise speech of acceptance prepared!)

we eventually heard the leadership results.

A shot in both feet for the party?

At least he can make a good speech, from the heart.

Could someone give Andy Burnham a hanky to cry into?

More good news, especially for J, Goldie the goldfish is thriving and almost twice as big as he was when adopted.

The sun's shining after a night of heavy rain so no watering needed today, apart from the tomatoes in the greenhouse - I ate the first one yesterday, delicious but small recompense for the energy exerted.

Autumn in the air......

A chill in the air this morning and a heavy dew.

Chutney then?

The greenhouse tomatoes are trying but none eaten yet.

Next year......

My birthday present, to be planted after harvesting, putting in the raised beds, erecting the netting......

A shrews' nest found under one of the tents in the field.

I watched them yesterday, gone this morning, by choice, I hope.

Not too bad for 7.00am really, a good couple of days forecast.

I hope that this temperature suits the Volvo, which wouldn't start yesterday, for the first time in about six months, after being declared to have nothing wrong.

Dentist this morning then M&S to spend my £5 voucher on something decadent!

My new little shopper......

Only joking.

An unsold item from the Yard Sale.

And a few more.......

It was a great success, lots of interesting people and plenty of sales in the sunshine.

Nearly £40 put in the Lifeboats box for "free" teas and coffee and healthy amounts for the church and school.

We worked from 7.00am to 7.00pm, fetched fish and chips, then crashed out.

A number of items will be adorning local pubs and a few decorators pieces will be in local houses.

Just been to Communion, taken the service at NW, back to Sh for a PCC meeting then home to make bacon ciabatta rolls and coffee.

3 e bay sales to wrap and an afternoon in the garden in the sunshine.

Hey ho!

And so to bed.

This has been a tiring week, or perhaps it's my age, as it was only a four day week, allowing for the Bank Holiday on Monday, when we planned a walk, but it rained hard for most of the day.
We did manage to go to a kenilworth to visit K's mum and explored the lanes on the way home.
J and Th came for the day on Tuesday, a wet day, but we did manage a walk around the village and half an hour in the playground before thumbing a lift home with K in his van as the heavens opened.
I went to Manchester to meet MK and DK for his hospital visit to have his plasters removed.
All went very well, he was such a brave little soul and walked across the room as soon as the plasters were off.
It did rain for most of the day, but was a good day.

Yesterday we started getting things sorted out for the "Huge Yard Sale" that takes place here tomorrow.
I did manage a trip to the hairdresser and toe nails painted, here, in the evening, along with Jan.
Fabulous!

Today has been spent preparing the sale and getting rid of those who wanted a preview.
All going according to plan, a really morning to get the rest out.
Just had steak for dinner, from Tuckeys as no lunch.
Brill!
Even had three e bay sales, packed and posted.