County Champs ...

... this weekend - Archery, that is. Eldest son was competing and I went along to support him ....... and catch up with a few friends. Still not shooting myself at the moment otherwise I'd have been competing as well - lol! Weather was reasonable, although a bit breezy yesterday as, this year, he was shooting both days. The actual Championship day was today though. He had a bit of a disaster a little way into the shoot yesterday and he ended up having to shoot in a totally alien way to what he's used to. Despite that he came 2nd, missing 1st place by just 12 points. Today he had to continue to shoot the way he ended up yesterday, having had no time to put his equipment back as he's used to. We think, because he's not used to shooting 2 days on a trot, that he suffered from tiredness - lack of stamina - today and he wasn't comfortable or happy with his score. He wasn't in the first 3 places and we won't know for sure, until the official results come out, what position he ended up in for the Championship but, we think it may be 4th. All told, considering the problems he encountered, not a bad result but he's not happy with it - lol!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Looking good ...

... already - our back garden that is. Mind you anything that's done to it can't fail to improve it as it couldn't be any worse than it started out. I forgot to get a proper 'before' photo but I've taken a couple after the ground had been more-or-less cleared of the wild garden - lol!! Weather has been quite good today so the landscapers have progressed really well, although I was amazed at just how much they did in the the constant, and very heavy, rain yesterday.

Here's a photo of the 'nearly' before. OK, so it's one of my stitched photo's - or rather 2 of my photo's stitched to make it panoramic - lol! Most of the undergrowth had been cleared when I took this but reckon you can get the idea.

Here's another taken from a slightly different angle from the top decking.

Thoughts are now turning towards what to plant the one bed with when it's finished. I want evergreen shrubs that will look after themselves and grow to a nice mature bed. I know I'd like a Photinia (Red Robin) but it's a case of doing some research to find interesting evergreens that will suit chalk soil. Any gardeners or plantsmen that may read this blog - any advice would be gratefully received - lol!! I'd also like some bamboo as a screen between us and our back neighbours. I don't like windows overlooking and I miss the trees that we used to have at the bottom of the garden which gave us some privacy. I would also like some large containers planted up with plants that will take care of themselves - lol! (You can tell I'm no gardener can't you?)

I have a half barrel water feature to be installed but need the electrics to be put in place for that so it will have to wait for a little while and I've also got bird feeders and bird bath to find a home for. These last items I've had for a few years now, in storage, ready for the project completion. Yes, I did say a few years ........ lol!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Well, what a surprise ...

... NOT!! I'm not "flying tonight" as I suspected I wouldn't be - lol! - and here's why ...............

The orange blob in the bottom photo is one of our landscapers who have both been mad enough to work in this weather today. They became like drowned rats very quickly - bless!!

Still, forecast for tomorrow is better :o))

Thanks for dropping by .....

Spellbinder's Nestabilities (Wizard)

It never hurts to post links to sites/blogs that can help people who have questions that need answering before making a substantial investment in crafting equipment. Nestabilities seem to generate a lot of these questions and there is one blog that has the answers to most, if not all, questions that crafter's raise regarding these amazingly useful dies. It's Nicole Heady's Capture the Moment blog so, to have any questions you may have about Nestabilities answered, just pop along to Nicole's blog, read, digest and then enjoy your purchase - 'cos you know you just have to have them ..... lol!!

Click to be taken straight there ....... Capture the Moment.

Enjoy!!

Wet, wet, wet ...

... and no, it's got nothing to do with Marti Pellow!! We had the guys come to start the bottom of our back garden yesterday and they dodged the rain well but there's no dodging it today as it's constant. Waiting for delivery of the hardcore, gravel and other stuff for the hard landscaping so there's not much can be done until it arrives. Everything is prepared as far as can be though. Can't wait for this to all be done as we'll have a garden back - which we've not had for years - but a very, very low maintenance one, which suits me fine! There will be a flower bed. Well, shrub bed really 'cos that's what I'll be planting it up with. Things that will look after themselves mainly as I'm no gardener. I'll scatter a few containers around to soften the area and I'm looking forward to having some sort of bird feeding station. We might get more than seagulls, starlings and squabbling magpies to look at - lol!

Seems we do still have our foxes as well, although I've not seen any this year. The landscaper disturbed one the other evening. It was sunning itself but out of sight of our windows. He says it was a 3/4 grown one so would have been born this year but it was, unfortunately, a bit mangy. Couldn't have rid them of it last year as I'd hoped! Whilst on the wildlife topic - our baby seagulls are now pretty big and they've been wing exercising regularly. Don't think it'll be long before they start 'fledging'. I'm hoping that the weather will improve enough to get another photo of the 3 of them before they depart.

My rescheduled balloon flight should be happening today but can't see it going ahead as, although not as windy as last time it was cancelled, the breeze is getting up and I don't think they'd fly in the rain either ....... will find out for sure this afternoon!

At least I'm feeling somewhat better - in myself anyway, although I'm now left with a hacking cough which is, fortunately, getting better by the day!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Uuurgghhhh!.....

Well, I now feel awful! Woke up this morning and have barely no voice - not a bad thing some peeps would say - lol!! Very headachey and no energy. I've decided that it doesn't pay me to have time off to relax as it's become the norm for me to pick something up when I chill out! My body obviously drops all defences, even those I don't want it to. Anyway, will see how I am on Monday morning and if not showing signs of improvement I'll be talking to the balloon company, methinks. I most definitely don't want to do the balloon flight feeling lousy - it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and a pressie and I want to really enjoy it ....

Thanks for dropping by .....

Not now ...

...please!!

I had a sore throat start Tuesday evening and then started a 'heady' feeling with it on Wednesday. Since then it's got no better but it hasn't got any worse, until late today. The throat has got worse and I now have a rasping cough. I don't feel ill but neither do I feel 100% - :o((

Hubby has just gone to get me some hot honey & lemon and then I'm off to roost. I do not want this to develop into anything bad as I've my balloon flight booked for this coming Wednesday and, sod's law, it will go ahead if I'm not feeling well. I've got everything crossed that I'm feeling well or, if I'm not, the wind and rain come beating down - LOL!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Sports day ...

... or perhaps that's more of 'have a go at different things' day - lol!! Weather was glorious Tuesday afternoon but a little cloud cover would have been welcome. There were a few competitive races although nobody was declared a winner. The main thing was that the little ones enjoyed it. Not sure of the full age range but there were a good few around 6 years old and at least one of nearly 33 - LOLOL! There were about 12 different activities and they got to do them all. Here's a few of them ....

Trike race ..........

.......... Sack race (I love this photo!)




Egg & spoon race..........
Well, that's what it should have been but by the time my little grand-daughter got to that rotation they'd run out of eggs so, it became a bean-bag on the head race instead - lol!!








.......... Obstacle course.


I decided to try a bit of video recording on my camera - having only just remembered that I could use it for video snatches as well as stills and, here's the result. The 33 year old child (well, he will be in 3 weeks time and is my youngest) is in the green and young grand-daughter is facing camera with hat on. The voice is the organiser of this particular game and is the school caretaker, who gets involved with every event the school holds - bless him!

I spent the afternoon, when there was nothing much going on, playing 'hunt the shade' as was very hot in the full sun - lol!! Now here's the anoraky bit - I know, it's getting boring now but it's my diary/ramblings and I like it and ... it's relevant to this post - lol!!

This is the view from the school field - looking west towards Brighton. Only 2 photo's stitched this time.

Thanks for dropping by .....

Saddo here! ....

...... another photo stitched project. This time it's only 3 photo's stitched together. It's the view from my Dad's front garden in Woodingdean (check out where he's based from the map in the sidebar). Note the horses at the top of the field to both the left and right. Horses are kept in this huge field but are not always visible as there's still loads of it out of view to the left and right. Sometimes cows join them!! Photo's were taken on Tuesday when a lot of the country were suffering heavy rain and thunderstorms. It was forecast for us as well but never arrived. Same today .................. lol!

Thanks for dropping by .....

I just luuurrrve ...

... this photo stitching software. OK, the panorama's aren't perfect as there is some 'ghosting' but then I'm taking the photo's standing in one spot and turning my body. Not the best way to try to take a series. Need to sort out a tripod to get it as near perfect as possible. Probably need a better camera as well but I like my little Casio point and shoot - lol!

I took the photo's for the panorama below - 5 in total - from the top end of the path/roadway (called Old Parish Lane, Woodingdean for anyone who's into Google Maps as much as I am) leading to the school I attended at primary level (4 to 11 years of age) and which my youngest school-age grand-daughter now goes to. I was on my way to her sports day yesterday. It is also just over the road from where fellow imag-e-nationer, Joyce, lives. Unfortunately Old Parish Lane (which is 90% farm track and goes between Ovingdean and Woodingdean - and the bushes at top of this photo are bordering it) is also well known in the Brighton area as the lane in which band-leader Ken Lyon's son was murdered back in 1967. His killer/s has never been found. (Click here for an article from the local paper's archives or here for a more recent article in The Guardian)

To the left, in the dip between fields and housing, is the main road from Rottingdean to Falmer and the bypass. The houses make up the southern part of the village estates and I live right down near where the smoke is in middle of picture. The sea is obvious, in the distance, which is roughly 3 miles from where I live and you can see why we (that is the whole village) get lovely aroma's occasionally - being surrounded by farmland ...... lol!

From this vantage point you can see 3 other villages/towns. Saltdean, to the left and, in a larger view, a crane can be seen. This is where Butlins used to have an hotel - called The Ocean Hotel - but it closed down a few years ago and is now luxury flats. In the middle is Rottingdean, a quaint, old smuggling village - very olde worlde - (big white building is flats right on the sea) and is also famous for it's windmill which can be seen right on the brow of the hill. It overlooks the village and can be seen for some distance. To the right is Ovingdean and St Dunstan's, holiday home and rehab centre for blind ex-Service men and women. It's where I started Archery and where I met my hubby - and no, he's not blind but perhaps he should have been - LOL!! I used to be a voluntary escort for a while here. A few hundred yards along the coast road from St Dunstan's is Roedean School, the very famous private girls school (would probably be in view if it wasn't for the bushes on the right - lol!).

Here's a Google Map to show where I took photo's from and showing the places mentioned. OK, so I'm being an anorak now but I just love maps and I think I'm finding an interest in another 'craft' - lol!!

View Larger Map

If anyone, after clicking on the photo to enlarge, would like an even larger copy (if you're as sad as me you might do - lol!) just leave a comment and ask for one but I'll need some contact details....

Thanks for dropping by .....

What a great ...

... weekend and over all too soon. Could easily have stayed a few more days - :o)). Brilliant views, good weather and totally chilled. It was soooo peaceful. Nephew, who works there, was given time off from when we arrived on the Friday until 10pm on the Saturday which meant he could spend a fair bit of time with us but we still got to see him performing, which was great. I had my full body massage and a facial and it was wonderful, especially as we did get a discount as well - BONUS!! Me & sister-in-law (who had a full body while I had my facial) have decided that we could definitely be ladies who do .... we just need the men who can - LOLOL! We did a couple of local trips .... to Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth, but nothing too strenuous and ..... s-i-l and me managed to empty 3 bottles of white grape juice between us on Friday night - lol!! It went down very nicely with the Chinese take-away ..... and I stuck to the J20's for the rest of the break with the exception of my last drink Sunday evening!

I took a good few photo's of the view from the caravan and I've been playing with a trial version of a photo stitching program to join some of the view photo's together.

This, above, is the result of one play (click on it to enlarge) ..... It looks very cloudy but it wasn't really. The clouds were moving so ended up in each frame! The front of the veranda looks curved because the view is taken from both sides of the van and the front so the prog has to curve what should be straight, to get the whole image in. May try playing with other formats though - lol!

Here's a piccie of (l to r) sis-in-law, eldest nephew (Naughty Ned), youngest nephew, Bradley Bear & me (urgh!) ...

... my 'little' bro (he wishes - lol!)

... and here's a couple of pics of eldest nephew performing (sorry, photo's are rubbish - too far from stage for my little camera's flash - lol!) He's far right in bottom photo and the middle in the top one.


Below he's Rory the Tiger with (l-r) Greedy, Naughty Ned, Anxious, Polly and Bradley - :o))








Thanks for dropping by .....

All packed ...

... and ready for an early off tomorrow morning! Probably won't be logging in at all in the morning so this will be my last post for a few days. There is no itinery for the weekend so I've arranged my massage and facial and really looking forward to it. Not cheap and nephew can't get staff rates 'cos there ain't none for the Spa :o(( I didn't actually expect a discount anyway so I can't say that I'm disappointed because I'm not. How can you be disappointed in not getting something you weren't expecting anyway - LOL!! It seems as though we have a caravan, with verandah, overlooking the bay so we may be able to sit, wine in hand, watching the dolphins play. I do hope so. Just need some reasonable weather and it will be just what the doctor ordered - lol!

Managed to get a really good photo of our resident wildlife today - of the feathered variety. The babies are really growing fast now and exercising their wings but this was of Mum (or Dad) who has taken to popping down to a small feeder, we keep full of water, on our patio/terrace.







Whenever I've tried to get a photo before they've flown away. This time they chuntered but I got several photo's using wide-angle and zoom. Here's a couple - one to show how close they are to the house and the other on zoom to get more detail of the bird ......

Thanks for dropping by .....

I finished it ...

... the ironing that is - and I finished it yesterday as planned - lol!! Strange what you think about and notice when you're engrossed in something so stimulating (??!!??) but ...............

I was ironing one of hubby's T shirts and looking at the logo when I realised just how old this shirt was. 12, yes that's TWELVE, years old this year! How do I know? 'Cos it's one of the T shirts he was given in 1996, the year he took part in the Paralympics. The Olympics and Paralympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA that year and he had his sport's (Air Target Shooting) Forward Training Camp in Pensacola, Florida - and that's where the shirt was for. Here's a piccie of the logo on the shirt. I can't believe that this shirt is still in use - and barely showing any wear - some 12 years later!! Mind you, I can't believe I'm photographing it either - lol!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Just added ...

... a map of my home area to the side bar with a few places of interest - to me, if not to anyone else - lol!! Wonder how many more will spring up now, hehe!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

I've been tagged ...

... by Jak (thanks pal - lol!). Not sure how this tagging lark works 'cos I only found out I'd been tagged by visiting Jak's blog. Do you hope people pick it up when they visit your site or do you have to contact them and if so - how??? Never mind, here's mine anyway and I hope that those I'm tagging pick it up by visiting me - lol!

TEN YEARS AGO........ It's around this time that I had to reduce my working hours from full-time to part-time due to family circumstances. I was working in finance. Always had done, except for 4 years when I was a motor underwriter (well, being in the insurance industry, albeit on the finance side, thought I'd give it a go - lol!) . We were also preparing for youngest son's wedding at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton and also Mum & Dad's Golden Wedding in the October. There was a lot going on 10 years ago - lol!

FIVE THINGS ON TODAY'S 'TO DO' LIST...........
1. Well, the first one has just been cancelled ........... again! That was a visit to the dentist but she's ill and this is the 5th time they've cancelled the appointment but they've finally got another dentist joining the practice so I'm now booked with that one - for July!! I'm doing this tag instead - lol!
2. Morning visit with Dad to take his daily papers & vacuum his stairs.
3. Do more ironing - started yesterday, hope to finish today. Haven't done any ironing (well, not mine anyway) since Mum died so there's loads of it!
4. Afternoon visit with Dad - cook his dinner.
5. Draw up Dad's care instructions for while I'm away so those taking over know what needs to be done .

SNACKS I ENJOY.........
Difficult, this one, as I don't really 'snack'. I rarely eat between meals and I don't keep things like biscuits, crisps, sweets etc indoors. Don't usually buy them as we're not huge fans of them. I'm going to pass on this one 'cos I really can't think of anything other than fruit - mainly bananas - but even those we eat as a sweet after dinner and not as a snack. Oh, just thought - a cream cake, with Dad, on the day I do the shopping!

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WAS A MILLIONAIRE ...........
Make sure that the family were taken care of. Not sure after that but I'd like to travel a bit.

PLACES I HAVE LIVED.........
Brighton area always and - apart from 6 years in my life (first 3 years of my life and first 3 years of married life) - always in the village of Woodingdean, on the outskirts of Brighton. Just moved streets (last move was 20 years ago in May!)

The people I am going to tag in return are:-
Cally,
Greta,
Cazz
Jackie (no rush Jackie, just get it done NOW - before you go away - lol!)

Thanks for dropping by .....

Zippedy Doo Dah!!

What a wonderful day - lol!!

Old bit of carpet up. New bit of carpet (all 6 foot x 3 foot of it!!) laid. Final run to the tip from Dad's place done. Place vacuumed & dusted (maintenance cleaning). I've FINISHED, totally, at Dad's. Just normal day to day house running & feeding type stuff now. Will make list of minor jobs to be done which will probably involve a few phone calls, but that's all. I feel as though I've done a huge journey. I've lost 3/4 of a stone in weight and that's without being on a diet. Just as well really, 'cos I don't do diets - lol! Just goes to show it's more about exercise than anything else 'cos I reckon I've actually been eating more! Mind you, I haven't cooked one proper meal since Mum died. The nearest I've got to cooking is shoving a ready meal in the microwave but ........................ I have this brilliant hubby who loves cooking and, he took over the kitchen so I've had some wonderful meals. He plays, making it up as he goes along, so I'm never too sure what I'm going to be eating (I don't think he's always sure either) but I've not had a duff meal yet - lol!.

Had hair cut and brows plucked this afternoon so at least I shall be tidy for my weekend away at Devon Cliffs, near Exmouth. Replacements organised to look after Dad while I'm gone and I've found a couple of books, in case I get a chance for a read but - reckon I may just give the on-site spa a go if little (?) bro & s-i-l don't have an itinerary planned for the weekend. Fancy a bit of pampering right now! Looking forward to seeing my eldest nephew at work as well. I've never seen him performing so it should be interesting - he's dance captain of the entertainment team (& Rory the Tiger - aaahhhh!).

Jobs for this week - well, job really! To tackle the 6 foot pile of ironing that's built up over the past couple of months - 'cos I need some clothes to take away with me!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

What kind of?

I've just done one of those silly 'for fun' things and here's the result! Only those that know me best will know if this is true but I reckon it's pretty much me and have to say it rather surprised me!

I am an Apple - apparently!

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times. You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble. You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you. You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture. People have accused you of being a snob, but that's not accurate. You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality... not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

I guess I'm strong but powerful? Probably not but I can definitely be stubborn - lol! I'm not really sure about the 'adventurous and charming' bit - hehe!! I do love travel but don't get much chance these days and I have definitely been accused of being a snob, when I'm certainly not. Choosy/picky, maybe but deffo not a snob - lol!! That's been since my school days. Then, because I was the only one in the street that went to a grammar school and since, because I'm quite reserved (yes, really!!) until I get to know people, although as I've got older that's not been so obvious...... Mmmm, appreciating quality. Is that what they call 'having expensive tastes'? - LOLOL!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Friendship Bag

Not something I'd heard of before but I received one a couple of days ago from a friend on the imag-e-nation forum. It had me in tears and if you want to find out more about it, what it contained etc then take a trip over to my Ramblings blog and read all about it. It's something I shall remember for a long time ....

Enjoy!!

Whoopy doo!!

I've finished!! Well, just got to change the bit of carpet but that'll be done tomorrow morning. The deep cleaning is finished though and to say it's been hard work is a bit of an understatement - lol! I'm now going to make a snagging list of the bits that have to be sorted out but it doesn't involve 'hard' work as such. I can now start to relax ready for my weekend away but, more importantly, I can take my time getting ready. (Having hair and brows done tomorrow afternoon - hehe!) It's not going to all be left 'til the last minute as I was expecting it to be.

I can also start to plan the onslaught that I want to make on my own home! It has been badly neglected, since Christmas really, so now it's time to deal with that and then .................. dare I say it? .................. my CRAFT ROOM!!! I'm sooooo hoping that nothing now comes along to stop that finally happening as it has done over the past couple of years. I'm fed up of it being a 'work in progress' - lol!! We have a landscaper coming in on 8th July so our back garden will finally be finished by the end of July and then I can look to planting it up. Our garden is just another thing that's been done over a number of years, as and when finances have allowed, after it became a builders yard when we had a large extension, car hardstanding and access ramps built a few years ago. The lounge needs a decorator - badly! We'd planned for that to happen last year but, as with other things, it just didn't happen. Not sure it will this year but if not it will definitely be top priority for next year. It won't just involve decorating but re-carpeting and a new suite. Apart from the staircase I've usually done the decorating myself but I just can't face it now. Much rather pay to have it done but, well ...... we'll see - lol!

Oh yes ............ and I've changed the date of my balloon flight. Instead of the 16th July I've brought it forward to the 9th - all dependant on the weather, of course - LOL!!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Piccies ...

... of Kim's Friendship Bag and card! Touched base long enough to take them today so here they are - with the missing candle. Yes, my personal Bermuda Triangle gave it up. It actually came out of the bag with all the other stuff but I certainly didn't put it in there 'cos it was definitely missing! Twilight zone, or what - eh??


Here's the bag (click on images to enlarge) ...

... and here are the contents. Each one of these were individually wrapped in a (largish) piece of paper which had the appropriate sentiment on. (see here)


This is the card and beautiful it is too. I've discovered ('cos I've just got to have it) that it's the Hero Arts Dandelion SB/G4917.
















It's available from the Glitterpot, amongst other places so guess what I'm going to buying next time I'm there - lol!! I just love the way that Kim has highlighted areas of it with irridescent glitter and, what doesn't show in the photo's .... it's stamped in a lovely pearlescent ink so I'm guessing it's Brilliance. Beautiful and this stamp has soooo many possiblities - a true 'jack of all trades' - lol!

Thanks for dropping by .....