Wednesday 13 May 2009

So much to catch up on AGAIN!

Never seems to be enough time to do this any more. Such a shame cos I'm still taking a few photos with good intentions, and then end up with a huge backlog stored either on the phone still or on the laptop, and I keep thinking I must do my blog, I must do my blog..... Well it's raining, I'm still in bed (yes it's 10am but I was up at 7.30 to let Emma out, put out the bird feed, uncover the budgies, give the guinea pigs their cucumber, then I got back in bed with my coffee to do my quizzes on here YAWN, yes very boring I know.

Anyway, here's some photos and a brief bit about some of the stuff I've done over the past couple of weeks.

The first two are of a wonderful night out with a dear old friend of mine from the past - John Mann. I'd been back in contact with him again recently via email and was thrilled to find out he was doing the opening night concert of a newly installed Wurlitzer organ (originally in the Gaumont Theatre, Manchester) only down the road here at Folly Farm. http://www.folly-farm.co.uk/events.aspx?PageID=35 (Sorry don't know how to do the links that you click on) I used to be very into the organ world of concerts and travelled to USA a couple of times with the ATOS London chapter way back when. Anyhow I'd not seen the lovely John for over 25 years! Had a great night of music and brought back some wonderful memories for me, and then the following day Alan and I were invited to join him and some pals for lunch at a superb restaurant,highly recommended - http://www.cwm-deri.co.uk/ Great scenery looking out across Pembrokeshire, and super food and staff.





The next day was Bank Holiday and we went to a Classic Car event at Swansea, which was great, and then onto the Mumbles for tea and sat looking out at the sea. Had to stay inside the cafe though as it was a bit breezy and chilly. Would be great on a nice day though.







Okay fast forward now to last weekend, can't remember what I did during the week only usual stuff oh been working my socks off on the garden and getting it looking the best it's done for a few years even though I say it myself. Lots of tubs full of bedding plants, and loads of small seedlings coming along in the greenhouse, together with tomatoes, cues, beans, sweet peas. Oh hell yes, one day in the week we went to Sandy Water Park with Emma, been there lots of times, but did a different walk this time and found this in the woods ....

Its a sculptured wild boar made out of recycled metal.

Was very windy that day lol, as you can see from Emma's dumbo ears. Also was a swan nesting, very close to the bank, hope she will be safe.






Right now onto last Saturday, stayed local and went to the Woodland Trust woods near here in the afternoon, and saw all the superb bluebells everywhere, it was really magical, we did a very long walk this time, over 2 hours, and it's so steep there, but felt quite chuffed that I did it ok, I'm certainly a lot fitter than I was a couple of years back, would have been huffing and puffing more than Emma then. Surprising really being as I've put a bit of weight back on ....













Got back to the car park and saw this rabbit, seemed to tame, got very close before it hopped away, we think it may have been elderly though, def didn't have the dreaded lurgy.





Sunday we went to http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/attractions/parks_and_gardens/cosmeston.aspx Great time again, lots of lovely walks, Medieval village, lots of water birds, nice cafe (a major necessity...) Only saw a small bit of it, definitely want to go there again, but we were going to Alan's sisters later so not enough time, needs a full day there with a picnic would be good.

Monday I was up the farm, helping with the shearing which was great like last year. Weather has changed now though so I bet they are feeling cold and miserable, poor things. I was folding the fleeces and the lanolin was great for my dry old hands, I love the smell too. Tim the Shearer reckons there are another 4 ewes due to lamb - I expect they will wait until I am doing the farm for the week again next month.....

Anyway that's all now. Just nearly had a heart attack because I'd done all this and then went to publish and it said Blogger was unavailable for 10 mins (which was actually over half an hour in the end) but luckily it had saved most of it, I only had to do the last bit again, phew. I was about to vent and say that was the end of blogging for me if I'd lost all that lot!

Watch this space...

5 comments:

oldcrow61 said...

Wow, you have been busy. Great to hear that you had a good time with your old friend. Emma certainly poses prettily for the pictures. Got quite a chuckle out of the one with her ears blowing. All those Bluebells must have been quite a sight, gorgeous!

Betty said...

Ooh, we've missed you!
I say 'very exciting'! Sounds like a wonderful two weeks to me. Of course, my favorite picture is Emma at Woodland Trust woods...what a sweetheart! Glad you and Alan are having such fun adventures! And the sheep shearing...wow...I am impressed!

Tricia Ryder said...

Hey Jan - good to see a blog from you again; you've been a very busy lady by the sounds of it.

Those carpets of bluebells are marvellous and Emma looks as cute as usual :D

The Quacks of Life said...

love the carpet of blue bells.


emma looking well which is good.

any hoggy news?

Janine said...

Loved the bluebells and photos of Swansea. I have family there so was interesting to see.