The hubby ...

... came home yesterday *grin*  Hopefully he'll be here longer this time.  Hopefully he'll not be going back at all!  He's much brighter, although very tired but that's to be expected.  Now it's move on with life and, if things continue to go well we may just get away for a short break sometime towards the end of the summer.

Last Saturday youngest came home and told me there was a very large moth at the front door.  He dislikes moths big time but I remembered that a couple of years or so ago I found a very large caterpillar at the front door.  Hoping that very large moth may be a result of a very large caterpillar I grabbed my camera and - lo and behold - very large moth was indeed a result of a very large caterpillar.  Never seen one before and unlikely to see one again but I've now seen the before and after ...... a privet hawk moth.

My finger in pic, on ground next to it.

£2 coin - yep, it was a big moth *lol*

Paviers are 9.5 x 19cm to put another perspective on the size of this moth

We think that it was a new 'hatching'.  It kept shaking it's wings and, initially, we thought it may be dying but after moving it to the shingle it wasn't there long before it disappeared.  We now think that the wing shaking was them being dried out ready for flight.  Also, it never opened it's wings fully whilst I was with it.  There are white stripes at the bottom of the wings near the body and they're not really obvious in any of the photos although you can see where the stripes are in places.  Beautiful piece of nature.  Privileged to have witnessed it, as was youngest despite his dislike of moths -*lol!*  Can't say as I'm keen but outside, it being so big and pretty docile I could cope *wink*

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I'm tiring myself ...

... out!  I had a delivery on Friday.  I'd been considering buying a 2 in 1 cross trainer for a while.  Mentioned it in passing to eldest son, as he's got one, only to be told not to be too hasty as it was possible that his would be going.  Newly bought and had become a coat hanger, apparently - lol!  Anyway, said cross trainer was delivered on Friday, after my exercise class.  It's big!  It's probably quite a bit bigger than the ones I had been looking at.  Definitely more substantial as I was looking at folding ones.  This one's not.  They look easy.  They are not!  I can't even start with the recommended 'easy' start because of my breathing problems so I'm adapting them all to suit my capabilities.  I'm doing little but often so when I pass the bedroom I pop in and just do 4 or 5 minutes on the machine.  The walking bit I can only manage about 1½ minutes on the lowest resistance but I up the resistance on the bike bit and finish my 4-5 minutes on that.  I'm finding I put in roughly 6 sessions a day this way and I'm feeling a difference.  I plan on keeping it going.  It's easier with the machine permanently available.

Had a bit of stress over one of my sales last night.  The bow buyer raised a dispute with eBay saying that it's not in the condition stated in my listing.  He raised the dispute before even contacting me.  It was listed as used and had 6 photos, some of which actually showing where there were small paint chips on the riser.  Not sure what this guy was expecting for his money but worse, he won't tell me how it's not in the condition stated in my listing.  He keeps giving excuses as to why he can't tell me yet but says he'll be posting it back on Monday.  He also bought a brand new arrow rest that I listed and he's saying that's not in the condition I listed either.  It's brand new, in a sealed box, for heavens sake!  How can it not be?  More like he bought it as a spare for the bow, as I had it, and as he's decided he doesn't want the bow then neither does he want the rest.  Personally I think he bought the bow for himself and has found it's not suitable.  He sniped the auction at the last minute and hadn't asked any questions, although all the info he would have needed was within the listing so I'm at a loss.  I think he's trying to find a reason to return it that pushes it onto  me and not himself.  It's not that it's been damaged in transit either as I would have thought he'd have said.  There was a lot of correspondence going back and forth last night and every time I asked for more specific information which wasn't forthcoming.  The last message I sent pointed out that we were on eBay's time scale as he'd raised a dispute and that if he didn't answer the questions I was asking he'd probably have to answer similar to eBay if the dispute escalated.  This morning he had closed the dispute as 'I'd requested him to'!  I hadn't asked him to at all and our correspondence will confirm that.  Pity, in a way, as I feel pretty confident that eBay would have found in my favour just by looking at my feedback .... just as described, well described, excellent eBayer .... and not just for the items I've sold recently but over time.  Anyway, he can return it and I'll refund what he paid for the bow and I'll either do a 2nd chance offer to the person he sniped (who did ask questions beforehand) or list it again.  He won't be getting his postage back though and he'll be in for a surprise when he finds out how much it's gonna cost him to return it.

I've been doing some investigating.  Coming back from my exercise class yesterday I found a visitor trying to get in the front door.  It nearly made it as well, until I found something to move it further away.  I found this .....

It was humungous!

  Very pretty in it's colouring but huuuuuuuuuggggggggggggge! (see my left hand digit finger?)

Apparently it's a privet hawk moth caterpillar.  It was probably looking for somewhere to bury itself so that it could pupate,  Not a lot of luck in our front garden as it's laid to gravel with membrane underneath it.  It would find somewhere eventually as we've a few plants so there are spaces in the membrane.  It digs deep to pupate and in June/July next year will emerge as one of these .....

Britain's largest moth.  As large as the one I saw in Cyprus 2 years ago (pictured in my Cyprus photo book [page 39] and also a hawk moth)

We've no privet in our garden, which is it's primary food source, and there's none near so the only place I can think it came from was our lilac bush as that is one of it's food sources.  It's only privet, lilac and ash and lilac is the only thing close.  If the daft thing had gone down to the base of the bush it may have been able to bury itself there.  Anyway, there's no sign of it now.  Perhaps I should have kept it and given it a pot of soil to bury itself in.  I might have got to see the moth next year ....

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Spring has gone ...

... and it's back to a dull, dismal day today.  It's dry and quite mild but it's overcast and not at all cheerful.  I did go for a short walk yesterday and I felt so good afterwards.  I wish I could have walked further but I walked as far as I felt I could and was puffing like an old train by the time I got back to the car - and that was with regular stops to take photos - *lol!*

Palace Pier (oops, sorry, Brighton Pier) from Madeira lift, Madeira Drive

Royal Crescent

I've some domesticated sort of stuff (aka, boring)  to do today but, if I get done early enough ... before it starts to get dark ... and providing it doesn't turn to rain, I may just try and go for another walk today.  It won't be as enjoyable as walking in the sunshine but ......

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Weather!

You wouldn't believe it! Can't remember the last time we've had this weather this early in the winter season, except it's not winter yet ... well, not officially! In fact, it's not usual we have it at all.  We started the year with it and looks as though we're gonna end the year the same way.

The majority of the country has been hit with really heavy snowfall. The north and Scotland got dumped on last week and are still getting dumped on. We, in the south, got a share this week. Eldest son (who's 38 today - happy birthday son - lol!) got it a little earlier than us, he being treated over last weekend. Ours arrived on Tuesday. Not enough to worry us too much but that all changed Wednesday and Thursday. Fortunately Tuesday was MRI day for Paul and we managed to get there. We may have got there OK on Wednesday but had it been yesterday, well - no way José! Well and truly stuck and so much so I had to cancel a doctor's appointment I had for today. Couldn't get there. Seems main roads are now clear and passable but side roads are dangerous and I couldn't get car out of drive to find out.

Wednesday 1st December, just before midnight.

Thursday 2nd December, just after 9am and it carried on snowing!

Today there's been a bit of a thaw. Looks as though I'll be able to get out tomorrow but not because of the thaw as it's still deep in places. It's because hubby has been out and he's cleared ....

• the double ramp at back of bungalow to his car hardstanding, on his own.
• the front of the bungalow (including round my car), with the help of a neighbour.
• the snow off of my car (including the roof - lol!), on his own.

He carried on and cleared all down the drive, which is the whole side of our bungalow, and some, and on a steep slope.  He then cleared the snow off of his own car .... a big 4x4 Volvo estate.

We don't have a shovel so he used a big bass broom and a large bucket (soft broom for the cars) I started off trying to help but had to give up as lungs wouldn't allow me to so I've been on tea/soup/food duty.

It must have taken him about 5 hours and he didn't come back into the house in all that time. It's a big area and even bigger when you consider he's nearly 71, has a hand that is need of another op and he suffers with it.  Is in permanent pain with his back, just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and .... is in a wheelchair! He puts me to shame when I'm more physically able.

Hubby in action on the bottom section of the ramp having cleared from the patio doors, across the patio and to the bottom of the first section ....

... and here's some pretty ones. 

I loved the lone track in the virgin snow, which was sparkling.

 Then I saw a magpie in our neighbour's garden so the zoom came into use. Not as clear as I would have liked but then the bird was quite a distance away.

Top up shop needed tomorrow, if we're not dumped on again ... hmmmm ... and a snow shovel, methinks - lol!

 

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Missing in Action ...

  ... again! Not through illness, thank goodness, but just busy, busy. So glad that I'm back to where I was before the illness and up for doing things. I've made a few cards using the novelty of my new craft area. Can't show them to anyone yet but it was great to have the space to do them.

Then there's been a couple of days doing my most favourite job ... NOT! Ironing! Especially NOT as the weather has been wonderful.  It's been my ideal of a happy medium but now it's getting hotter so perhaps summer has finally arrived! 

   

Anyhow, haven't done any ironing for so long I had to spread it over 2 days but it's done. I've also had to start sorting out my wardrobe again. There's no space for the new stuff I've bought 'cos wardrobe is full of clothes I can't get into any more. Dogs Trust trip coming up again methinks - *LOL*! Reckon I should open my own secondhand clothes shop. I've certainly got enough, including items that still have their tags on that I bought 3 years or more ago! To think, I recall commenting on all the items Mum had with labels on when I sorted her clothes after she died. Hmmmmm!

I've also sorted out what I'm taking, craft-wise, for my week in Spain, although I have thoughts of adding some bits. I've nearly decided what I'm taking clothes-wise. Need to make final decisions as have to pack. Flight is Thursday morning .... Yessssssssssssss! 

 

Continuing catchup (think it might be nearing an end - lol!) -

Moving towards midweek, pain started coming back.  Couldn't do anything about it as Dad took up early part of week with meetings at the apartments and chiropodist visit but I didn't linger longer than I needed to with either.

By Thursday night I was in agony and could barely breath.  Friday morning appointment made with a female GP - a face to face appointment!  Consult over and diagnosis ... pleurisy!  Antibiotics, heavy duty painkillers and rest (not that I could actually do anything else)  Somewhat different to heartburn/indigestion.  If only doc had listened to what I was telling him the week before 'cos it weren't any different to what I told doc this time!  Anyways, a week later the pain was gone and I could breath again - well, as well as I can breathe normally, which isn't always too good.  Absolutely blasted though and no energy at all but ... I'm now back to full health - yeah, right!  Apart from my long term, permanent health problem I'm back to full health ... and strength and actually feel as though I want to do things which, in my book, is all good.

While all this was going on the pond had a visitor ............. a large red damsel fly (yep, that is it's common name).  Beautiful!

Doesn't the waterlily look amazing?  They flowered for the first time last year.  This year they're back in more numbers and even bigger than last year.  Stunning flowers.

 

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Simples today ...

... tooth out yesterday, sore at mo but no pain so that's good! Last tooth extraction was in 1974 ... aaaaaaaaaaages ago ... wisdom teeth out under general in hospital. This one done under local - loadsa needles (aaarrggggggghhhhh!) - not good for my phobia but was best option so plenty of deep breathing and gripping of chair arm while needles went in and it was all over and done with in less than half an hour. A few weeks after my wisdom teeth came out I discovered I was pregnant with youngest son. At least I won't have that following this one - *LOL*!!

Dad's new hearing aids are ready so he's having them fitted on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll be able to stop shouting at him to make ourselves heard but ... I'm not holding breath! We're also having a meeting with the Estate Manager as they're starting the catering facility at the flats and we need to find out more about it. Seems he'll be charged for it whether he uses it or not :0{ Pity they hadn't got it up and running before he moved in 'cos it's gonna be difficult to get him using it now - he's such a creature of habit! If it was there when he moved in it would have become part of his new routine at the time - now he'll have to change. Don't think it right if the residents are charged for something they don't use!

Little disappointed as I should have been doing a craft workshop at the Glitterpot tomorrow, with friend Cally but, it's been cancelled *sob*. Not enough take up to make it viable. Reckon it's because the kids are still on their Easter break so Mums have to be home instead of out playing *lol*. We're going to go 'shopping' instead. There's a new Range store opening in Worthing and they are supposed to have good craft sections so ... we're off to go have a looksee - at the whole store, of course *grin*.

Not quite finished with holiday stuff! A slideshow of photos of some of the nature and wildlife we encountered at Fundu ...

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Fundu Lagoon - Days 12 & 13 ...

4th March - luxury, luxury and more luxury!

Our penultimate day and definitely a day of chillaxing and pampering. Making the most of our new room, breakfast by room service - how spoilt were we? Message sent to say we'd got to be at spa for 1pm. No other clues given. An hour lounging on beach while housekeeping housekept then plunge pool 'til time for spa.  Low tide was getting later and not as low so there were fewer Mama's going out to cockle pick and they were getting a lot later going.  When we first saw them they were already out picking before we had breakfast.  Now it was getting on for lunch time before they started to go!  Not many days left before they wouldn't be going at all.

1pm - heaven had arrived - facial, manicure and pedicure! 2 hours of sheer pamper followed by late lunch and back to plunge pool to read until tide high enough to go for a dip! We had a visitor attempt to enter at the spa. Tap-tap-tap coming from window and there it was. A mangrove kingfisher, perched on back of chair, tapping to come in. So pretty but it wasn't invited *LOL*

Today was rounded off with our final BBQ :0{

5th March - and a day to make the most of!

Our last day - and a lovely one. Unfortunately didn't go quite as we'd hoped and, for me, a bit of an anti-climax, but was still really enjoyable if not quite what was initially expected - *lol*

Morning started well. Jackie went for morning dive off Misali with Filbert (Philbert? not sure of spelling). Note how few our boat trips had been this week - Monday, then nothing, except this one for Jackie! I had breakfast alone in room, planning on really chilling and spending morning in plunge pool once housekeeping had been - except, they were late and Jackie was back before had chance to plunge! In meantime I chilled on beach trying to get close up photos of Mama's on way to cockle pick. Got some lovely close, face fronting shots then ..... went and deleted 'em by mistake *doh*! Wouldn't get the same opportunity again!  Local lads were off  'somewhere' and were full of curiosity - *bless*.

Lunch at pool bar with Matt and Anie (who were both suffering a tummy bug and had been for a few days).

Plan had been for sundowners in room, local Mama doing henna tattoos, Liz dressing to show us her Masai finery followed by a private dinner for us, Matt, Anie and Liz but ... lunchtime it changed. Henna lady and Liz dressing up to come earlier so that we could do the sundowner cruise in Mama Cass, the resort dhow. Still a private dinner but on the beach instead. Trouble was, nobody told henna lady ... or Liz so - Mama Cass left without us :0(

Still, dinner was excellent (although no Liz and Matt and Anie still not well). Lobster (or rather, langoustine), giant prawns, fish kebabs ... all superb!

We finished the evening with farewell drinks and a nightcap at the bar. Jackie threw me out when everyone else had disappeared ... so she could spend 'quality time' with William (purely platonic, of course) *giggle* She wasn't keen on walking along beach, on own, in dark but ... I could *hehe*!

Had to prepare for early start next day ... homeward bound!

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