If Joe Has No Idea - Neither Do I

Yesterday mum and I set off for Wales in an empty hired van. It was a mainly sunny day. The van was pretty much packed by tea time. One of Joe's friends had invited us to a meal and we joined a number of other students for excellent food and good conversation. After the meal I was Joe's friend's provisional licence driving supervisor. We collected some stuff for another of Joe's friend, delivered it and had a cup of tea and more conversation with another student friend. By then mum had cleaned the kitchen and was aiming to clean the house from the basement to the cellar by the time we left.

We got up to complete cleaning and packing tasks, mostly in the usual sort of Welsh weather. (Perhaps it is unfair to blame the Welsh; it is probably more to do with the geography of Wales.)

Before we left there it was inevitable that I should take photos. Here they are:

Joe across from his house with the uni in the background.

Joe outside his house.

Joe with four years worth of belongings on the van about to leave Lampeter

Bluebells at Dale

Today we went off to Dale Abbey woods to see bluebells. The day was bright and the sky blue. The wind was strong and cold. The ground was the driest that we have seen at Dale. It is always pleasant in the woods itself and its still a surprise when you walk out onto the open hill tops. I took a number of photographs. I am pleased with them and not worrying in the least about their sellability.

These are two of my shots. The first shows the light breaking through into the wood and on to the bluebells and the second shows the hill top divided horizontally into two shades of green.

Joni's Birthday and the £52,450.55 Meal

Yesterday mum and I set off to Stoke to celebrate Joni's 21st birthday a day early. We picked up Joni and Fionna from Bath Street and set off through Leek in the direction of Buxton. Once out of Leek you are in the spectacular countryside of the Peak District. We passed some amazing rock piles and then concluded that we had passed our destination. The road to Tittesworth Reservoir is poorly marked; as is the information that the visitors centre has a restuarant. It would have been good food for centre visitors, but we wanted something more birthday appropriate. So, back to the rocks or at least to 'Ye Olde Rock Inn'. It was a good pub meal in pleasant surroundings. But none of us thought that it was worth the £52,450.55 that the card machine billed us for.

We made a quick exit back to Bath Street, collected some of Joni's bits to bring home took him off to study at university. (Saturday!!!) On the way home collected compost at B and Q and home for our usual Saturday night.

Today we are selling plants, cards and framed photos at the Community Centre. We might make a little profit this time.

Then its off to St Helen's with Jan and Lawrence for the evening service.

Cluedo

Yesterday we made our usual trip to Milton Keynes, but the evening was different. We had invited Jan and Lawrence to a meal, to be followed by a game of Cluedo.

After the meal Jan, Lawrence and I did revisions to the wedding coffee table book.

Then we got down to business. I won the first game remarkably quickly. However, this allowed a second game to be played, giving Lawrence the opportunity to proclaim that he had won two out of three games. He did win decisively and I wondering how.

We had tea and a chat before they went home.

Today we are off to the Community Church Derby, were we will meet with our friend Sue Shuttleworth.