More Than a Busy Month - Part 3

10th of June and return home day. Most of the journey was without hassle, but just south of Worcester things began to change. There were the odd heavy shower and the traffic suddenly ground to a halt. Just to rub it a passing car threw stone at us making a large chip on the windscreen. (Later in the week it was repaired by an 'Autoglass' man. He found the stone chip lying in the shelf in front of the windscreen.) We eventually arrived at service station, had refreshments and changed drivers. The delay meant that we were in rush hour traffic from the Birmingham section and along the M42/A42.

Shortly after arriving home we were treated to thunder and hail.

I was able to put in a couple of hours marking in the evening and get my camera kit ready for the Saturday11th wedding.

More marking during the morning interspersed by fixing a white ribbon on the car bonnet. While Irene was helping get the hall ready for the Bexton wedding I was taking David, the groom, to the registry office and waiting to take the first photographs. In fact we all waited and waited. The bride was late and was not allowed to park near the office and her mother was even later. But the ceremony got underway.

The cake was pretty special.

The next task was to meet the 15th June deadline of marking 1280 items. Since it looked doable I got my head down and had achieved this by Tuesday; hitting the bonus. However, this was not the full number of items contracted to mark. There was some leeway for this, but at midnight on Saturday more items would be available for any marker who had completed their allocation.

Working on the marking and preparing the photos and DVD slide show for Alan I completed this by Friday and also the photo task.

Sturday 18th was going to be a busy day. In the morning we visited Nan at High Clere. In the afternoon we went to give Izzie her birthday present and Iona a shared present. We are told that the girls think 'Labyrinth' is the best game in the world. I think they told us.

This is the large 'Scrabble' set that Margaret gave Nan for her birthday.

Izzie asked for a few pencils

The game was well received

The evening was spent helping my brother and Veronica to celebrate their Ruby Wedding. It was good to meet up with them, their children, Anne, Sid and George and Aunty Mary, cousin Rita and her husband John. It was a 60's do, so we were able to join in some of the dancing. The food was too good.

Names withheld for obvious reasons

This was the long weekend of the long month. From 2.00 pm. to 8.00 pm. I was carrying out the Castle Donnington wedding assignment.

The Hand Fasting ceremony - Hands tied and drinking punch - Hands tied and jumping a broomstick

The wonderful cake

By Wednesday the exam work was over. The wedding work was to begin, bringing to end the long month.

Return to Hodsock or Snowdrop Time Again

It has been seven years since we last went to Hodsock. The plan this year was to take my sister Anne, her husband Sid and son George. It turned out that Saturday was the only weather window and so with t/rusty SATNAV we set off for Nuncargate and the far north (of Nottinghamshire).

Hodsock is called a priory, but it has never been one; nor has it ever been a castle with a moat. It is claimed that Hodsock has been inhabited for 2000 years with the Buchanan's taking over management from January 2006. There is a more detailed account of the house on the Hodsock website http://www.hodsockpriory.com

The imposing entrance gateway

The priory as it faces the main lawn.

The lawn shows some of the beds of snowdrops radiating from steps down.

Off on the trail of snowdrops. We started our walk in a different direction to which we had done previously. This meant that we did a reverse cycle of the lake ending at the formal gardens and the house for a beverage and cake.

Reflections of white trees in the lake

A bank of snowdrops and miniature daffodils

When we got back to the house the gardens were covered in an array of photographer pointing their cameras at the very over-photographed snow drops.

These are members of the Doncaster Photographic Society

Following morning tea we set off back to find the snowdrop woods. In the woods we came across a hot dog stand. But, best of all, a warming bonfire.

These are the intrepid explorers pausing for a photo in the woods.

From left to right are George, Anne, Irene, Sid and me. (Spot the remote control)

We spotted what seemed to be some red rubbish on a stump. It is very likely to be orange-peel fungus.

Orange peel fungus

Lunch followed. My intention was to have a bacon butty sandwich, but I was floored and had to make do with sausage rolls.

We had a final photo shoot before exiting through the plant sales area.

A beautiful specimen

We stopped off at Anne and Sids'. They all seem to be building houses and impressive they are.

This is the exterior of Anne's house. The electric lights can be seen through the windows

This is the interior. Every room has lighting

A fire glows in the parlour where Dr Who sits reading a book.

In the kitchen mother sits.

The cooker sizzles and the washing machine goes through its washing cycle.

Sid's house is to be a pub. The thatch on top is being carefully laid and is pretty authentic looking.

We look forward to seeing future progress and thank them for being part of the great day we had together.

Aunty Mary is 90

This has been a busy week and although I thoroughly intended to blog earlier many tasks prevented it.

The news of the week is that Aunty Mary is 90 years old. She is very fit both physically and mentally and has certainly kept her good looks.


The party was at cousin Andrea's house on a lovely summer day. I enjoyed the befores, but was called away to 'Tea and Talk' at Leicester House before I could tuck in to the very tempting looking goodies to follow.

Anne, Sid and George were able to be there, but I was particularly pleased to meet my cousin John and his wife Norma. John was almost a brother and a close cousin and it is sad to think of how long ago it was since I met them. They are retired and well. John looks very much like my last memory of Uncle Gilbert.

My thanks go to Rita and Andrea for making the day so special. I hope that we will have more opportunities to get together.

Visit to Sister

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.