Yesterday we decided that we had better start the business of visiting our relatives. On a wet Monday afternoon Irene and I made the journey to Nuncargate. Anne and Sid were well and we had a good time. Anne and Sid busy themselves with making really excellent dolls houses.
We hope to visit soon and possibly go on a walk together somewhere in the Peak District.
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Tuesday 21 April 2009
'Conkers'
Just when we thought that Easter was over, we had a visit from the Norwood (MK) family. Tim, Isla and girls arrived on Thursday afternoon. On Friday morning they left for the Peak District intending to do a 4.5 mile walk which they succeeded at. On Friday evening Iona, Izzy, nan and I settled down for great game of Cluedo.
On Saturday we all went to Conkers. Conkers is an environmental activity centre near Ashby. Amongst the energy conservation things was the plasma ball. As you can see Iona let it go to her head.
Recently the subject of funnel web spiders has come up. I did not realise that we had them in the UK. I guess not the deadly poisonous sort.
Once out of the exhibition area we were confronted by a very jolly train, with loud jolly music (or rather jolly loud music) and a jolly driver.
It took us to a play ground area where we attempted and finally succeeded in getting coffee.
From here we did our wander into the southern part of the park and returned for lunch. There was amazement expressed at the fact that nan had bought a cheese board. But, it was a good lunch.
After lunch we went on into the northern part of the park.
First came the listening area, or rather the place to make a lot of noise.
Then we came to the sculpture trail where logs could be used to create things. Iona thought that she could be a sculpture.
Then came the forbidden adventure trail. Forbidden to under thirteens if you enter it at the starting point, rather than come across it in the middle as did most people. Iona showed amazing determination to go against the flow and climb up the down side. Well, there were no notices prohibiting her or saying which end to get on.
We finished up quietly feeding the ducks.
Then it was we driving north and Tim's crew driving south after a very enjoyable few days.
On Saturday we all went to Conkers. Conkers is an environmental activity centre near Ashby. Amongst the energy conservation things was the plasma ball. As you can see Iona let it go to her head.
Recently the subject of funnel web spiders has come up. I did not realise that we had them in the UK. I guess not the deadly poisonous sort.
Once out of the exhibition area we were confronted by a very jolly train, with loud jolly music (or rather jolly loud music) and a jolly driver.
It took us to a play ground area where we attempted and finally succeeded in getting coffee.From here we did our wander into the southern part of the park and returned for lunch. There was amazement expressed at the fact that nan had bought a cheese board. But, it was a good lunch.
After lunch we went on into the northern part of the park.First came the listening area, or rather the place to make a lot of noise.
Then we came to the sculpture trail where logs could be used to create things. Iona thought that she could be a sculpture.
Then came the forbidden adventure trail. Forbidden to under thirteens if you enter it at the starting point, rather than come across it in the middle as did most people. Iona showed amazing determination to go against the flow and climb up the down side. Well, there were no notices prohibiting her or saying which end to get on.
We finished up quietly feeding the ducks.
Then it was we driving north and Tim's crew driving south after a very enjoyable few days.
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Easter Traditions
Easter Sunday would not be the same without the tradition of sharing the chocolate eggs on Easter morning and breaking the boiled eggs at tea time. Despite our church commitments we were able to achieve both.
After sharing in the tradition we had a good Easter meeting and lunch; courtesy of the Dales. It was good to be able to meet with all of our little church and also to meet. Bob (Robert) Dale's mum.
Easter Monday was a different day. We headed for South Wales, to a village west of Swansea called Cross Hands. Here was the location of our Travel Lodge motel, costing £9.00 a night. We were given a choice of rooms and elected to stay in the disabled room on the ground floor. These room are a little larger than the standard room. The area of the motel had the usual 'Little Chef' restuarant. But there was also an Aldi supermarket.
With the afternoon to spare we headed for the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. The central feature is the 'Great Glass House' holding displays of Mediteranean climate plants.
We were fortunate in being able to see a 'dog and ducks' display.
This mum's favourite flower.
We had noticed how heavy the bank holiday traffic was returning from Pembrookshire and we found a back road to Cross Hands. This revealed that the size of the village. It had a cinema and numerous shops. At one time it even had a Kwik Save.
On Tuesday morning we made our way to Lampeter. Joe had the house clear and was busy preparing food for his evening 23rd birthday banquet.
We decided to take him out to Aberystwyth for his birthday lunch. The town was incredibly busy, but we found out of town parking and walked back in. We came across a 'shop' serving Tai meals. It was pretentiously very unpretentious. My Tai meal consisted of four skewers of bits of burnt meat, a pot of pale brown paste and salted peanuts and a dozen chips. The trouble with being world travellers is that we know what a Tai meal is. Having had this repast we walked down to the peir, along the shore to the castle and back to the car.
Back in Lampeter candles were put on cake, lit, the song sung. Joe made time to serve up a great stir fry, then back to motel.
Having waited for Aldi to open for milk, had breakfast, packed we were on the road again. Empty dual carriageways through Welsh hills; shades of NZ.
We stopped to explore Raglan castle.
This is a classic Welsh castle. Onwards to a motorway break where '7 out of 10 people prefer Costa Coffee'. Don't ask what to - use your imagination.
Then home.
After sharing in the tradition we had a good Easter meeting and lunch; courtesy of the Dales. It was good to be able to meet with all of our little church and also to meet. Bob (Robert) Dale's mum.
Easter Monday was a different day. We headed for South Wales, to a village west of Swansea called Cross Hands. Here was the location of our Travel Lodge motel, costing £9.00 a night. We were given a choice of rooms and elected to stay in the disabled room on the ground floor. These room are a little larger than the standard room. The area of the motel had the usual 'Little Chef' restuarant. But there was also an Aldi supermarket.
With the afternoon to spare we headed for the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. The central feature is the 'Great Glass House' holding displays of Mediteranean climate plants.
We were fortunate in being able to see a 'dog and ducks' display.
This mum's favourite flower.
We had noticed how heavy the bank holiday traffic was returning from Pembrookshire and we found a back road to Cross Hands. This revealed that the size of the village. It had a cinema and numerous shops. At one time it even had a Kwik Save.On Tuesday morning we made our way to Lampeter. Joe had the house clear and was busy preparing food for his evening 23rd birthday banquet.
We decided to take him out to Aberystwyth for his birthday lunch. The town was incredibly busy, but we found out of town parking and walked back in. We came across a 'shop' serving Tai meals. It was pretentiously very unpretentious. My Tai meal consisted of four skewers of bits of burnt meat, a pot of pale brown paste and salted peanuts and a dozen chips. The trouble with being world travellers is that we know what a Tai meal is. Having had this repast we walked down to the peir, along the shore to the castle and back to the car.
Back in Lampeter candles were put on cake, lit, the song sung. Joe made time to serve up a great stir fry, then back to motel.Having waited for Aldi to open for milk, had breakfast, packed we were on the road again. Empty dual carriageways through Welsh hills; shades of NZ.
We stopped to explore Raglan castle.
This is a classic Welsh castle. Onwards to a motorway break where '7 out of 10 people prefer Costa Coffee'. Don't ask what to - use your imagination.Then home.
Sunday 12 April 2009
Cross and Bunny
On Good Friday the churches held the annual march of witness through Stapleford. Despite the rain it was enjoyed by Christians from different churches.
On Saturday we made our visit to nan. During the week her Easter bonnet had gained first prize. The prize was a bright yellow, singing Easter Bunny.
On Saturday we made our visit to nan. During the week her Easter bonnet had gained first prize. The prize was a bright yellow, singing Easter Bunny.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
David the Gnome - Nan's Bonnet - Pois and Tomatoes
Not quite the end of things Kiwi.
First, David the Gnome having flown 24000 miles from New Zealand, has made his home in the windmill in the garden of 'The Oaks'. He looks to be an intellectual kind of gentleman and is happy in his sunny home.
On Monday Mum, Joni and I made a visit to Milton Keynes. The first stop was Nan. She seemed well and was looking forward to the Easter bonnet parade on Tuesday. We took her outside to look at the garden and spring things.
Joni won the Scrabble game, but Nan was a close second. Nan then put on her Easter bonnet creation.
From nan's we went to Tim's. We had changed from going to nan on our usual Saturday so that we could also visit our grand daughters and our son Tim. (Does this correct my Facebook error?)
Iona had just had her first skating lesson at X-scape and was still excited about it. Now must come the final Kiwi thing. We had bought the girls a pair of pois each. A poi is a ball on a cord, which is now used as part of a Maori dance presentation. Izzy particularly enjoyed swirling hers, and both settled down with mum to the task of transplanting the tomato seedlings that they had grown from seed. As Tim say, it was a good day.
Finally, I am considering editing my Google picture. Any thoughts.
First, David the Gnome having flown 24000 miles from New Zealand, has made his home in the windmill in the garden of 'The Oaks'. He looks to be an intellectual kind of gentleman and is happy in his sunny home.
On Monday Mum, Joni and I made a visit to Milton Keynes. The first stop was Nan. She seemed well and was looking forward to the Easter bonnet parade on Tuesday. We took her outside to look at the garden and spring things.
Joni won the Scrabble game, but Nan was a close second. Nan then put on her Easter bonnet creation.
From nan's we went to Tim's. We had changed from going to nan on our usual Saturday so that we could also visit our grand daughters and our son Tim. (Does this correct my Facebook error?)
Iona had just had her first skating lesson at X-scape and was still excited about it. Now must come the final Kiwi thing. We had bought the girls a pair of pois each. A poi is a ball on a cord, which is now used as part of a Maori dance presentation. Izzy particularly enjoyed swirling hers, and both settled down with mum to the task of transplanting the tomato seedlings that they had grown from seed. As Tim say, it was a good day.
Finally, I am considering editing my Google picture. Any thoughts.
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