With apologies

The cunning plan to get Husband strimming while I mowed fell at the first blade: after strimming for ten minutes yesterday he was aching. So it's a no-no for now.

With apologies to Younger Son who is an environmentalist, there's something about a mowed lawn that sets a garden off nicely. Even with scruffy edges. 

As a concession to No Mow May though I am leaving one patch of grass untouched. And it's nothing to do with me trying to cut down on my mowing, honest.

I found a conker tree growing in our flower bed.

So have repotted it and will return it to the wild when it's old enough.

* * * * *

I had written about two-thirds of my next magazine article (deadline tomorrow) when I changed my mind. Spotting convolvulus wrapping around my rose I remembered the piece I wrote for The Bay on the subject. It was one of my most-commented-on articles. So I've put my original plan to one side for next time - I hadn't worked out how to finish it anyway - and have revamped and shortened my old article. I'll tweak it a bit more later when i come back to it.

* * * * *

Feeling a bit ropey now so think I need to sit in the sun and read.

Sometimes I think

Went back out and mowed the back lawn. It was long so satisfying to cut as I could see the difference it made. After my fight with the strimmer last time I decided it would be less stressful if I cut the edges on my hands and knees with the shears.

Husband came out when I was doing that. "Why aren't you using the strimmer?"
"Because it hates me and won't work."

Of course it worked for Husband. (Note to self: for future reference, Husband can now manage the strimmer in short bursts.) 

There is so much to do in the garden. I never appreciated how hard Husband worked out there before.

Son-in-law was just going back to the car when he called, "Have you got an onion?"

I am regularly mocked for my hearing so I checked with Husband. "Did he ask if I had an onion?"

"I think so."

I gave him two.

Not a bumbag

I've planted out some very pathetic-looking cosmos and California poppy seedlings.  I just hope they grow before I forget where I've planted them and pull them up thinking they're weeds.

I was going to mow the lawn but I've come in to get a hot Lemsip. Husband has a bad throat and cough while I have a tickly dry mouth. Trying to fight it off, but very thankful it didn't happen last week.

I admired hers last time we were in Italy so Nuora made me this lovely bag.

When I say I admired hers what I mean is that I said, "Oh, will you make one for me please?" I hate carrying stuff in my hands when I'm walking so this is ideal for phone, keys, doggy bags and treats. My grandchildren are calling it a bumbag but it's much prettier than that.

And some final photos. Maybe.

* * * * *

My latest article for Gower Community magazine can be found here. Page 34.

A week of fun

Inspired by a friend in church I was going to cook tuna pasta bake for dinner but discovered I have no pasta. The result of having our half-Italian family visiting. It reminded me of a friend I used to work with, Gari with an I. He would make tuna surprise, the surprise being it didn't contain tuna.

Now, where to begin? The beginning I suppose. I left you at the start of my Day of Firsts. 

First on the list, though not for the first time, I visited old friend, Shirl, and we sat and chatted for a pleasant couple of hours. I'd driven safely to Bristol by this stage.

Next up, to the pictures by myself. Easy peasy. Once I found the way in that is. The Penguin Lessons was good, a bit Dead Poets' Society with added penguin, but not as good as DPS, which is one of my all-time favourite films.

Next on the list was, 'Go to pub,' but I noticed that the cinema was in a mall-type place with several restaurants and called into the Pizza Hut instead. They sat me in a corner and left me to it. I even managed to order and pay for my food with my phone! Impressed, aren't you? I sat there for a while and read but eventually moved on to the airport, and after waiting a bit in different places - moving to escape charges - finally met Younger Son, Nuora (daughter-in-law in Italian), and my two gorgeous grandbabies, though not so much babies now, at six and eight.

YS drove us home by which time the children were asleep and I was close to it. It was about one am by now.

Which takes us to Saturday and the first day of holiday fun. Now shall I put this all in one long post or break it up? One post I think. I suggest you fetch a cup of tea and settle down.

Saturday

Everyone was desperate to get to the beach so in the morning we walked down the front. Castles were built, mud was squelched in, and much squeaking and enjoyment was had. That was followed by a family barbecue. Remember I saved those great big boxes?

A ship and a house were built.

Sunday

A walk to the pier, many crabs found; I found an eel but only I saw it. GrandSon4 found the biggest fish of the day, Younger Son got his finger nipped by the biggest crab of the day.

Adventure playground in the afternoon.

Monday

To Pobbles for the day and my first sea swim of the year. Strictly speaking, it was a sea dunk. The children, however, were fearless.

In the evening we went to Prezzo - a special deal - main course for 99p. Potentially a cheap evening except for all the drinks and the afters the children - and I - wanted. Missing a few family members who had other commitments but the three grandsons there got on well, telling tales about onions growing in the sea and on the moon, and GrandDaughters 2 and 3 and I danced in the toilet. And they held hands at the table.

Tuesday

We had a ladies' lunch, a belated celebration for Nuora's birthday, and afterwards, she and I walked a little along the cliffs. Vernon Watkins, Welsh poet, part of the Kardomah Boys with Dylan Thomas, lived nearby and is commemorated in several places, including this poster in the coffee shop in which we ate lunch.

In the evening it was off to Caswell to meet up with Elder Son and GrandSon1. Children again fearless even though the evening was shadowy and cool and the tide in and the waves comparatively big.

Wednesday

Took Toby for a walk in Clyne Gardens. Discovered numerous dens and plenty of tree climbing.

The new story tree has recently been unveiled.

Spot Toby.

Then it was off to Daughter's for GrandDaughter2's early 10th birthday party, where we had delicious curries, and pavlova birthday cake.

Son-in-law had acquired some bikes that were just the right size for these two so they managed to fit in two bike rides as well as everything else. Not me. Cycling makes my hips hurt. That's my story anyway.

Thursday

Another beach day, Caswell again this time. Another swim for me, and I actually stayed under for longer than two strokes this time. (Four strokes.)

Followed by ice cream at Verdi's. No, that can't be right because we were back at the pier Thursday evening for fish and chips. Oh well, all these things happened but maybe not in this order. 

Some brilliant castle building, and, again, swimming. Not me but GrandSon1, GrandSon4, and GrandDaughter3.

Friday

Then, all too soon, it was over. Back to Bristol airport, and a sad granny driving home.

If you've made it to the end, well done!

We had glorious weather all week and that helped make it such a good week.

Wearing white

Waterstone's is very clever: it keeps books for children at the back of the store so you have to walk through and past all the displays. I tried very hard to give myself tunnel vision but it failed when I spotted, out of the corner of my eye, the new Penguin Archive series. 

I enjoyed Lupin when it was on television but hadn't really realised there was a book about the original Lupin - the one the television Lupin refers to. I think. Or am I getting confused?

Then when I got to the counter with my two children's books and my Lupin, the bookseller pointed out that one of the books had a Buy One, Get One Half-price sticker - so I had to buy another one for me.

* * * * *

Have Toby for the day so we went for a lovely walk in the woods. Today Nature is wearing white.

Now must do some of the things on my list before I finally get around to telling you all about last week. Prepare for a photo avalanche.

Odds and ends

I am the heaviest I have been - well, for ever I think. So the diet starts today. None of my clothes fit me and I don't feel happy. 

In town this morning looking for presents for GrandDaughter2. What on earth were so many people doing in town on a gorgeous day like today? I know I was there but that's because I've had a busy week and not had time before. (More on that later.) Also, where have all the shops gone? There are plenty of shops but none of them sell anything good.

Remember I had a dentist's appointment but she wouldn't see me because I had the beginning of a cold? And then I had another appointment and I got there to find the server was down so the dentist couldn't work? Well, I waited for them to call me back to give me another appointment but, of course, they didn't so I rang again.

"The reason we didn't call you is that your dentist went into premature labour and is on maternity leave."

They'll let me know when she comes back.

And finally, my lane of choice is the middle lane. It gives me scope and it isn't scary.

A day of firsts

Bev, my lovely cleaner, didn't come this week because it was a bank holiday so I had to do some cleaning yesterday. That was a nasty shock to the system.

But today I'm going to do two things I've never done before.

I'm driving to Bristol to see my blogging friend, Shirl. (I've done that before.) Then I'm going to the pictures on my own! Fittingly on World Penguin Day, to see The Penguin Lessons. After that I'm going to a pub on my own! I'll be all aflutter. 

Finally I'll drive to the airport to pick up Younger Son and family from Italy. I've never done that before either so, strictly speaking, that's three things I've never done before. All on one day.

Husband said, "Have you got all the locations entered into google maps?"
"I've written them on a bit of paper."

The airport parking is quite complicated. Trying to work out the cheapest method has proved to be a challenge but I think I've got it sussed.

* * * * *

This morning I asked Husband if he would take the dishes out of the dishwasher.

He said, "I knew it! You're going to get me doing everything!"

It is literally the first thing I have asked him to do since having his op.

I'll let him off this time because he's anxious about me going off on my own today. I was fine yesterday but now he's made me nervous!

Ninja not me

Took the two oldest grandsons to Ninja Warrior this morning. Offended that the girl didn't even bother to ask if I were doing it too.

Paid for an hour but ended up there for two and half hours. The boys had fun - some of their friends turned up - and I got stuck into reading my book.

Then it was to McDonalds before I was going to take the boys home - but they wanted to come back to our house to hang out. I didn't find out until afterwards that GrandSon1 was supposed to go home to revise for his exams next week.

They also made some cookies, which tasted nice but a bit under-cooked. Also we should have spread them out more as they turned into one huge cookie. Also also I should have put parchment under them because they stuck to the tin. The boys like them though.

* * * * *

Last night thirteen - thirteen! - hardy perennials turned up for Zac's, once more under the portico of County Hall. Sam talked about the power of prayer and we prayed for the city. I especially prayed for protection for all the transgenders in the city in the light of the recent ruling.

It's over

Husband had his post-op check-up this morning. All is well and they don't want to see him for another year. 

So it's over. But it's not. Because he's still not back to full health, energy, or fitness levels, so there's still a limitation on what he can do. So it feels a bit anti-climactic. I feel we should be celebrating but he's not up to going out much.

Which is why, I think, I've been feeling a bit restless this afternoon. Last year was a horrible year healthwise for him and that's all over, so hooray. Don't get me wrong: I'm delighted the op went well and his recovery is proceeding apace. I guess there's just been all this internalised stress that needs an outlet.

So . . . you know you get a good idea and then when you've started to implement it you think, "Was this really a good idea?" 

Sorting out a kitchen cupboard was definitely a good idea but I was doubting it when I had taken everything out and wondering how it had all got in there in the first place.

But look at my cupboard now. A place for everything and everything in its place. For today anyway.

I also have a huge pile of things to go to the charity shop, as well as the pile that went in the rubbish/recycling bins.