HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! and BON VOYAGE!

You might wonder why there are only 8 photos in this collage... the scanner seems to be broken and won't scan the wedding one. That will come as soon as possible. Hope you all have a good day.

I hoped I was on the way to having the national collection of buddleia untl I discovered it is here, where they have about 100 varieties as opposed to my 4!
As far as I can see it is a myth that butterflies like buddleia. I have lived in this house for 29 years and I have never seen a butterfly on any of these plants. There must be another factor.

Guess What!!

Today I started Christmas Shopping!
All I'm saying is that I miss Charis and Alyssa and that I have been to Hamleys.
No more details and definitely no photos.
You'll just have to wait and see.

Funny Peculiar and Funny Ha Ha

This lovely painting is on the staircase wall of our host's house in France. It a map of their homeland - Guadeloupe.These people are connected to their home island in the same way that I am connected to Scotland. Guadeloupe is a departement of France and is to be found in the West Indies near Martinique (which is also France).Very peculiar then that the week before I visited this very welcoming home, I should trip on a raised paving stone, and fall over. The result is to be seen in the photo below. Can you see the similarity?Do you think its a sign? If so, what of ?!
And now for funny ha ha.
We proceeded from La gare du Nord to La gare de l'Est where we took a local train to complete our journey. We were met at the station and all piled into the car. I was told to sit in the front since children are safer in the back. I did so and fastened my safety belt and wondered why everyone was laughing at me. I had gone to the driver's seat ( of the left hand drive) and not even seen the steering wheel!!

A BIG surprise!

Shortly before leaving to return to the UK, Hevs told me my return ticket was a first class one!! Entering the first class carriage was like going into a cathedral - every sound was deadened at source. The coach was no where near full and there were no children in sight - this was good when I only wanted my own particular children. I had a seat on my own - no need to make polite conversation.On Eurostar, first class involves a meal... a very delicious one, served with great concern for the traveller. For me yesterday, it involved a bottle of red wine and later, a glass of champagne!

The menu? Apple juice and a bread roll, salad, pork with a rosemary sauce, a French style strawberry tart, coffee and a chocolate. With the aforementioned red wine and champagne. The train was so steady that not a drop of these drinks was in any danger of being spilt.

It was all over far too soon thanks to 186 mph. It left me amazed that such luxury could dry the tears so effectively - maybe money does buy a better class of misery!!

Thank you very much Heather!

Mainly for my Children

One morning recently I opened the curtains too enthusiastically. The wooden rod unscrewed itself and several loops slipped off.
Ali, I called, could you screw the curtain rail together again for me. And he did, right then. It was only later I realised that he had left the loops dangling. He had done exactly what I'd asked.

When Dad explained this to him he unscrewed the rail and put the loops back on. This is not an easy job as it involves a rickety ladder and the glass in that window is not thick enough for window glass. I know, I put it in years ago.
The finished result for which we are grateful.
It reminded us of the time when Ali was about 10 years old.I was making custard when the doorbell rang. I went to answer asking Ali to 'watch the milk' and he did. He watched it boil over!

Sports Day!

Happy Birthday Evie! Love you lots

Did you know your daughter can fly?

What a lovely afternoon we all had on Thursday!

Oh look, Mummy's calling us to go...

And on the way home the heavens opened and we all got soaked!

Hospital Visiting

Once a week I go to the local hospital, as a volunteer,to visit patients in one of the wards. Today I popped into the cafeteria to pick up some lunch. There I met the Mayor of Islington who was very happy to be photographed and drew the rest of us into pose with him. At this moment I don't know who the other man is.