BettyWestern

The view from here

2011-12-15T19:34:00.004Z

Well.....

I honestly thought I would write SOMETHING a bit sooner but then life has a way of getting in the way, and who knew what was around the corner.

It's been an age since Betty AKA my Creative Director featured here and, at the risk of appearing like a batty cat woman, today was an appropriate day to feature her on the front cover as it were. Inspired by a new find on the net, Susan at e-i-e-i-omg (what a great name!) I thought it was well beyond an acceptable timeframe for saying nothing. Not that I believe anyone at all will even be bothering to check in any more....(shout if you do).

Summer was upon us, in fact it had all but gone on our return from Kefalonia (and man that was hot). The garden harvesting was in full swing, work was busy, life was normal.

5th August 6.00am 'Bleep' went the cat flap. The lovely new high tech, chip reading, installed in a glass panel at an exorbitant cost cat flap designed to keep the right cats in and importantly out, as a certain cat in the neighbourhood was inclined to pay us ininvited visits.

6.30am I'm afraid some cats like the taste of birds a whole lot more than others. Thankfully Betty has only ever really been interested in the pre-cooked variety or at least the 'delivered to your door' type i.e. if Cat A has done all the work and she moves in to clear up. I'm afraid Basil is in the Cat A category and at this point, I spied him enjoying his latest target over on the lawn. I stood and watched. I am not squeamish and in fact had to finish one off for him earlier this year as his boisterous play was not the kindest thing to observe, clearly tweety was on his way.

7.00am 'Bleep' "Basil, you are a bad boy...we saw you" "Are you coming in now? Are you done?" "No you can't come in here, I'm going for a shower" "Go on, out"

7.10am. Doorbell. "Do you have a white cat?" "I'm really sorry"........

We were always nervous about that road. Not an A road, not a city road, but our busy residential road and a risk. A risk highlighted by the lady from the cat rescue centre weighed up against not re-homing cats who end up in there for months and months. A risk we took. And lost.

Betty has been a fixture for 11 years. She's always been very shy, and the 'neighbourly' cat to which I referred had become something of a nuisance to the degree that she'd been afraid to leave the house some times, the cause of cystitis brought on by stress. Long story short, we decided to fight fire with fire and Basil was brought in to reclaim some territory out there. He took to the task like a man and those pretty pink ears were soon battled scarred and leathery. Betty even started to poke around outdoors a bit more, and join in the 'negotiations' in a kind of two pronged attack; her brains, his brawn.

But Basil, like thousands before him, was no match for half a ton of moving metal. Gone in the blink of an eye.

Monday 12th December

6.00am Puddle on the bedroom floor. Cystitis. Vet. £62

Tuesday 13th December

5am Twelve puddles on.............the bed. This is no longer cystitis. There's blood.

5am-8.30am A puddle every 30 mins.

8.30am "Hello? .....It's alot worse" "Bring her in"

We have a great vet and thankfully he is just around the corner; Betty screams from the minute she is 'encaged'.

Thursday 15th December

6.15pm. She's back home. A little bald patch. A bloody test tube of bladder stones as a souvenir. £630. And she's purring her little head off.

Worth every penny.

Just add Basil

2011-04-13T13:48:00.007+01:00

Sooooo, ok back in January I was bemoaning the lack of colour around here. And at some point I also promised to be a regular blogger again. Well, I apologise for the latter if you are one of my six (six!) followers - thankyou those of you who've chosen to keep up with my pathetic efforts! It's a complicated story but boils down to sharing one laptop to run two businesses, keep up to date with news (we have no TV) and the laptop in question having the most annoying whiney sound, dodgy screen and fickle nature. Anyway, colour in the garden has or soon will be sorted thanks to my inheritance, pictured above. If you've read this blog over the last year, you'll know about my dear sis. Lesley had a passion for gardening that knew no bounds. During the hardest days of her ongoing treatment, the garden and veg patch were her paradise & solace. During 2009 she acquired a greenhouse - a gift, the sort that gardeners are so good at! Free to anyone who will take it away. And so, that greenhouse was carefully photographed (very important if you have any chance putting it back together again), dismantled and stored in the allotment shed awaiting the right time. Unfortunately for Lesley, the right time never came and with her passing, we had to let the allotment go; the practicalities of keeping it on were just unworkable. But, the greenhouse had to be saved! And I, who had longed for one too, had now inherited it along with a gazillion packets of seeds, you see pictured at the top. Last year was just crazy and although, thanks to a kind neighbour & Mum & Dad, we did have time to plant a few tomatoes and peppers, giving us a harvest before the Summer was out, I didn't get into my stride at all.

Until Spring 2011 that is. I am sure I have waaaaay too many plants for the limited space available but inspired by a fantastic course at West Dean College (remember my chilli pictures) I have gone all out for a bumper crop of pretty much everything. If I do have too many plants, the nicest thing will be giving them away to friends and family or selling them for the church funds - whatever, I don't care, as long as I am growing.

And Basil?

Well, actually I haven't sown any yet!

No, he's the cute new addition to the family who's got Betty in a daydream.

Like me, he's loving the garden.

And If there's another 3 month gap between posts, it may well be because I'm curled up with this little chap.

In need of greens (and reds, yellows, purples....)

2011-01-08T18:57:00.003Z

Gosh, I really need some colour right now, don't you?

January really is a tough month; reality bites with the continuing dark days of Winter, the post-Christmas blues (both money AND trousers tight!)....but, Spring is coming. Today I got outside and inspected the very wet borders and there are signs of Spring, just a little bit here and there poking out the ground from under sodden leaf fall.

I had meant to post pictures of my very orderly broad (fava) bean patch that survived the snow and is looking, so far, so good. And, best discovery of the day, the garlic is up! Planted at the same time as the broad beans, which are now a good 4" high, the garlic has finally decided to make an appearance. It's my first time growing either, so I am, as you can tell, a bit excited. Looking forward to getting alot more from the garden this year (to be less reliant on store bought produce) which is both enjoyable to grow and of course, much better to eat. I can't tell you how I rhapsodised about cucumbers last year, but I am not kidding, I was transported back to my childhood just tasting a REAL cucumber!

Talking of which, if you are unfamiliar with the building below, (see Susan's comment), it's commonly known as the Gherkin, which in America would be a dill pickle. Now do you get it? I think the pickle building sounds so much better!

Wishing any onlookers a belated Happy New Year and hoping that those of you passing by, might leave a comment, pickle related or otherwise.

Architectural Wonder

2010-12-09T21:19:00.001Z

Went here today.

Bit disappointed it wasn't in a big jar of vinegar.

To this!

2010-12-02T18:40:00.003Z

Perhaps not alot of snow by your standards, wherever you are looking in from, but enough to be 'snowed in' round these parts.

And very pretty if you don't need to be somewhere.

If you're wondering, soon after I took this, I did go and clear the bird table & bath so that the birds had some food & water. If you put out food for the birds, don't forget to keep the supplies up, especially water in the cold weather. And if like me, you are bird crazy, here's a great book idea for Christmas. I got mine as an early birthday present, thanks Dave. X

Even the most common birds are fascinating if you watch them for a while, and this chap (maybe a she, haven't got that far in the book yet!) is part of a small colony that regularly hang out beside the kitchen window.

A word of warning if you do hang feeders, be prepared to be sweeping up grain every day, so don't hang them over precious plants or areas where you want to avoid weeds. But the dropped seed provides for the ground feeders, so try and not be too precious about the mess.

Whatever the weather this weekend, make like a character in Mary Poppins, and feed the birds. (Although you'll find it's considerably more than tuppence a pound these days).

Have a great weekend.

A change is as good as a rest

2010-11-26T16:55:00.005Z

From this......
To this.

I really should have had a before, before the after shot (pre-demolition) but you know how you live with things for such a long time, that you don't really see the problem. Or see how bad it is. Or see how you could have done so much better.

Ahem.

Well, now's not the time.

But my garden has seen a major transformation this Summer. And no, that's not why I haven't posted for 7 months, it didn't take that long! There were other things happening.....

I wake up every morning and look out on this scene and I could not feel happier about it. From the greenhouse, inherited from my dear sister who never got to see it put up, to the lawn (the third one I've done - this one is staying!), to the rose against the wall on the right (now added to since this shot is about 2 months old) - all of it makes me smile a big beaming smile.

ALOT has changed this year, some of it I want to share here...and some, well, those who've been around me will know, is perhaps left in the past.

If anyone out there still looks in on these pages, I hope to keep a more regular appointment with you.

But if I don't, you'll find me, most likely, in the garden.

Beauty is in the eye ....of a needle

2010-04-15T17:33:00.006+01:00

I have a thing about patchwork quilts. And if you've been paying attention, you'll know I started one last year. It has progressed slowly, as with everything outside of work, a hobby is a luxury these days, whatever your job it seems. I have even chucked out the time-suck that is tv which I thought would free up a few hours each night but now I find that whereas I used to sew no matter what mindless crud was on the box, now I'm always just doing stuff! No matter.

So, I was thrilled to buy an original, hand stitched, genuine American quilt during my travels - isn't she a beauty? And a bargain at $99. Made around 1900, yes it's worn & faded, but so would you be aged 110. I think it's darling. Check out the detail.

Picked up a few other treasures too; wool, string, rocks (I know, say it, I'm weird) and some more regular souvenirs...

That corn sack will be turned into a wall hanging, the wool may be washed and spun but right now it smells of lanolin and memories; the Dr Pepper crate is a shelf unit waiting to happen (and don't ask what came all the way home alive in it, you don't want to know).

And the quilt? What else but spread across the bed as her maker intended all those years ago.

Sheep Deprivation

2010-04-11T16:31:00.002+01:00

Bleary eyed and missing those critters.

I Heart Missouri

2010-04-10T13:52:00.006+01:00

Those of you who have been following where I've been this past week, will perhaps know a little bit about the farm and if so, will know there are an unusually high number of heart shaped rocks to be found on the property. In my week there, I picked up 3 and probably spotted half a dozen others.

Whatever the geological reasons may be, I prefer to think there are other forces at play. During my week long stay, I was truly welcomed into the home and hearts of Susan & Joe and brought back with me (along with the rocks!) a head full of happy memories which will stay with me a lifetime.

As I sift through the 200+ photographs and get through the jetlag (ughh), my heart aches for the wide open spaces I've left behind. Not to mention the Good food, Great company and Gorgeous lambs.

It's 'G' year for lamb names this year, read this for an explanation on naming and some useful background on the flock breeds. Whilst my naming suggestion for the little girl pictured above has yet to be taken up (G-Spot.....and what is wrong with that?!), did you notice something over her right shoulder?

Go on, take a closer look.

Bloggers of the World Unite!

2010-03-30T08:28:00.004+01:00

Finally, I am setting off to a place I have heard/read about for 3 years. From finding a link following a radio show about food bloggers, I have enjoyed a wonderful 'penpal' type relationship with Susan from the farm. This really is the power of the net, enhancing what humans have always had a need to do - communicate, share and discover.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter.

Baaaaaaaaaye!

2000 watt smile

2010-03-09T22:32:00.005Z

Lesley, my dear sister

21/06/62 - 12/02/10

I've held off posting something so private, and painful in part because I worried someone looking in would be a friend I have yet to tell and in part because a blog posting seemed a trite way of communicating a personal sentiment. But, it's 2010. I have a blog because all along, I wanted to share thoughts, pictures, feelings to friends, family and a community of perhaps future friends - that's the power of the internet.

I also wasn't sure of my choice of picture - this was taken last Spring and clearly, the physical side effects of chemotherapy were already in train. There are perhaps, more flattering photos in our family album.

However, I keep returning, not only to this photo, which I love, for that wonderful smile and the memories that come back but also since my last, almost prophetic posting, I'm reminded that there was a time when I was grateful for the days on which she sounded good. None of us knew then just how little time was left.

I still have reasons to be cheerful and I have learned much about my sister in the days since her passing. And the most important lesson is one she inspired, and that is to keep smiling.

_________________________________

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky,

you'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

(Chaplin)

Reasons to be cheerful

2010-01-08T18:21:00.003Z

The little robin, perched on top, enjoying the winter sun
Helping a friend in need
My tax bill being far less than I budgeted for
Skype-ing friends in far-flung places
Spotting a forgotten box of chocolate from Christmas sat on the shelf
Cracking the seal on a new bottle of gin!
Planning a trip
Seeing a neighbour doing great following a stroke
Remembering fun stuff
My sister sounding good today.

Whatever your plans this weekend, take time out to remind yourself of the good things in life.

I saw one ship...

2009-12-21T08:02:00.001Z

The tide is turning

2009-12-20T09:08:00.004Z

Like most people, I'm looking back on the year and reflecting. There's been too much drama, not enough laughter and sometimes it's just been a blur.

But the year is ending on a much more positive footing and I can't wait for a new beginning.

Those of you expecting a Christmas card from me (in vain) I'm sorry; you'll understand why when we speak. I'll find you all in 2010 and make up for it.

On this cold December day, stay warm, stay healthy and stay in touch!

Square Eyes

2009-12-05T16:57:00.002Z

That winter project, 2"X2".

Fleeting

2009-10-24T18:46:00.003+01:00

Autumn, flies by. It seems like it has only just arrived and already the leaves I'd planned to photo are on the ground. So, this is Autumn colour 2008. With an arty twist courtesy of some basic photoshopping.

The weather is a mixed bag so my winter project is well underway and now I crave a wet & windy day for the excuse to do nothing but sit & sew. That said, we are sofa-less at the moment, and neither armchair is affording me the comfort to sit for hours. Oh I hate to say it, but roll on December, when the humungous 4 seater arrives!

If anyone out there still reads my nonsense, please drop by and say hello. It's been a busy few months as ever and finding the time, not to mention inspiration, to post anything has been, well, non-existent. I really appreciate the care & detail others seem to cram in and am always in awe of other people's creativity and humour. Check out a few of my favourites listed to the right.

Hot 'n' Spicy

2009-08-09T19:07:00.006+01:00

Well, some long overdue sunshine brought out the crowds at this weekend's Chilli Fiesta, here at the beautiful West Dean Gardens in Sussex. Man, it was packed, so packed in fact it took us 30 mins to find the car afterwards, the car park seeming to have quadrupled in size whilst we were visiting.

Whilst I didn't take a camera today, these pics were taken about a month ago at a less busy show at the gardens. The greenhouses are just stunning; I have a thing for Victorian greenhouses and want one of my own one day (replete with Victorian gardener perhaps, a la Lady Chatterley?)

Anyway, that's enough hot 'n' spicy for you. Isn't the neat row of pots (all full of different chilli varieties) just adorable?

I've been busy trying to get some gardening of my own done this year (you'll remember I have two four-legged handicaps). Some successes, some failures but it's a complete addiction and I have my eye on a scrappy corner of the garden that is soon to become a raised bed and composter. Unlike Farmgirl Susan, for me I grow most of my veg in the front, and if you saw how small that is, you'd wonder why I bother. The hardest part is learning what plants become completely rampant (baby pumpkins, courgettes) and knowing when to only try a few seeds. Check out Susan for some invaluable tips, she's absolutely right but she's got 240 acres, so a little more room to go mad!

Anyway, here's some more of those fabulous gardens - do check it out if you're ever down this way.

P.S. Some of you may have been experiencing problems loading this site, apologies, I think the offending widget was Radio Betty which has been consigned to file 13.

Pandora the prize-winning pig

2009-07-26T07:55:00.002+01:00

Congratulations Suzy & Stu!! Want to see more pork? Click here & here.

Morning Glory

2009-07-11T17:40:00.000+01:00

5 Years Old today!

2009-06-18T17:54:00.004+01:00

And still a couple of scamps...remember this? And this? Or this? Apologies for the grainy quality of this shot; as you can see, from an early age, these two needed locking up - a quick trip to the hardware outlet saw us creating these makeshift pens from aviary panels in an attempt to let the little ones enjoy part of the garden but without destroying it.

Oh how wrong could we be?

Six months on and this is what remained of the lawn (number one, oh yes, a second was laid and destroyed before the year was out). See that pile of twigs top left? Mmmm, tasty lavender. To be followed by rosemary, jersey lillies (not a good move) and well, pretty much anything green. It all became a sea of mud pretty quick.

Ah but, that was soooo long ago. And all is forgotten. Happy Birthday boys.

Been gathering up pics & thoughts in my blogging 'down' time. Those aviary panels came in handy this Spring - updates to follow as & when I get round to it. P.S. Does anyone want any new music on Radio Betty. Time for a change maybe. Your suggestions are always welcome.

Gone but not forgotten

2009-05-22T21:25:00.003+01:00

A lovely horse is always an experience.... It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words. ~Beryl Markham

Time Out

2009-04-06T09:36:00.003+01:00

Tired of scratching around for inspiration & in desperate need of a new laptop (aaaargh!). Taking some time off from blogging. Back in a while.

Roberto Formaggi

2009-03-13T20:46:00.003Z

Or cheesy-bob to you & me. OK, probably just my sister and I then.

I recalled our nickname for the common wood louse this week whilst chatting at work. I was convinced someone would know what I meant but they all gave me that look reserved for the village idiot.

When I told my sister tonight though, she said it was 'our' name for the little bugs. How did we come by the moniker? We can't remember. But it has passed into our family's folklore.

Do you have a name for something known only to your family?

Oh, and I had no cheesy-bob photos (how weird do you think I am?), but instead this brightly coloured Italian bug. Answers on a postcard please.

Career tips - part one

2009-02-24T18:30:00.005Z

Well over a month since posting - if I have any readers left, please forgive me.

Don't remember where I picked this up from, but it always makes me laugh. And we all need that don't we?

Pig of a Week

2009-01-18T20:23:00.004Z

First of all, I must credit a much more professional photographer for this shot, whose name I don't know (Suzy you must tell me so I can list the credit). If you are a regular on these pages though, you will have encountered these prize-winning pigs before and you'll know I have a rather soft spot for them. See more of them here, here & here.

Every week it seems, is another busy week - but I know plenty of people working harder than ever for what seems like, less & less - I am not alone.

In the early days of creating this blog, I had plenty of outdoor photo opps, but since selling Bunny, weekends seem entirely taken up on, well....other things. So the blogging has all but ground to a halt. And, at this time of the year, evenings are a write off. Too much tv.

As an aside.....

Why do husbands always leave the room with the tv on a channel/programme you can't stand, when you've just got comfortable, laptop on lap (where else?) and the tv remote is 10 feet away?

Anyway, I can't remember the last time I wrote from the top of my head, so apologies if I'm a bit random. It maaaaay be the vino consumed over dinner.

"Pour me another one hon whilst you are in the kitchen."

Mustn't grumble, life is good. January (surely the bleakest month) is nearly through, the tax bill is paid (even if someone else is now owed), we are fed & watered and I for one am looking forward to those loooong summer days.

Hypnotic

2009-01-04T17:24:00.004Z

http://vimeo.com/1309452

And tell me you don't end up humming it all day.

Peace on Earth

2008-12-24T18:33:00.003Z

Time to wish all my friends & family, 'virtual' or otherwise a Merry Christmas and as always, give thanks for reaching this point in the year in good health if not always, good mind. But, I count my blessings and hope you & yours have reasons to be grateful also.

In lieu of having anything decent to say, below is my absolute favourite poem. I can't remember if I posted this last year, if so I make no apology. And whilst the theme is bleak (google it if you want an academic take on it's meaning), it paints a different, more superficial image in my mind.

And what would Christmas be, without superficiality?

Merry Christmas one and all. Love from Betty.

Whose woods these are I think I know,

His house is in the village though.

He will not see me stopping here,

To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,

To stop without a farmhouse near,

Between the woods and frozen lake,

The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep,

Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Deadwood

2008-12-07T15:15:00.002Z

Trees are your best antiques ~ Alexander Smith

Homesick

2008-12-01T21:32:00.004Z

When I was little, I used to get the most incredibly homesick on the rare occasions that I was ever away from home. I guess it's not something 'grown-ups' tend to talk of, particularly those of us away on business, but the sensation is still there, sometimes. In the most part, it manifests as broken sleep, weird 'reality' dreams, etc. Over the years, being away from home for work, comes with the territory.

This evening, sat in another hotel room, due to the wonders of technology, I can chat with a friend, who like me is also away on business. We talk about her daft Dad and the perils of spam emails. I make coffee. I call home and chat through the details of the day, between yawns - a long day at both ends of the phone. My brother emails me about fixing Mum & Dad's computer. I watch tv. I listen to music. I eat. And I have time to breathe.....think......write.

But it's not home.

Long Time Gone

2008-11-23T18:40:00.010Z

Well events have, as usual, overtaken even the simplest of hobbies such as blogging. If you can appreciate I've found absolutely no time to do something I enjoy, can you imagine how behind I am with some of the more mundane tasks? Mmmm.

The hiatus was not at all bad, a trip to Rome snuck in a couple of weeks ago but I'm afraid there are few photos to share - it was a catch up visit with some good friends and many of the shots are of people and as I've said before on this blog - I don't do people. Having been fortunate to visit la bella citta many times before, I'm afraid I was not in tourist snapping mode.

Over at the Caffienated Cowgirl's new home, I was reminded of the importance of familiar music whilst abroad, particularly if you are always on the move as she is. Well CC, this one's for you - a new station I think you'll enjoy which, ironically, would have been your local station back in the UK.

Ciao!!

Knock, Knock

2008-10-16T17:49:00.005+01:00

Discovery

2008-10-12T17:16:00.003+01:00

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

Mon Dieu!

2008-09-29T19:11:00.003+01:00

Couldn't resist this shot during August's visit to France - those cheeky French, eh?

But 1000m?

Decidedly Blue

2008-09-24T14:28:00.001+01:00

Setting Moon

2008-09-18T21:37:00.001+01:00

Variety is the Spice of Life

2008-09-14T19:22:00.003+01:00

It's been a colourful week. Work, as always dominates, but through a series of chance conversations/meetings, I caught up with some old colleagues some of whom I had not seen in 10 years aswell as meeting some new & interesting people.

On the road again for a few days, apologies to Smoo (aka 'number one fan') who used to expect her daily updates - I'm afraid (and she knows it) real life keeps getting in the way.

Whatever your week holds in store, I hope it has variety, colour and always a little spice!

Retrospective & Introspective

2008-09-07T16:32:00.009+01:00

Sifting through some old horsey pictures for a friend and came across this one again. I make no apology for repeating an old favourite. Mind you, I've just realised the front page is a little dominated by black & white, so for some more colour, here's the retrospective part two.

That jacket strapped to the saddle has always bothered me about this shot, but when you've been caught in a Montanan hail storm on what had been a t-shirt-is-all-you-need May afternoon, you'll never make the same mistake twice.

As the rain pours down again across many parts of Britain, my thoughts go out to all those dealing with the resultant mess. I'm convinced the increased flooding each year is due to changes in our land management, but it's not an area I understand much about. And, like many other social, economic, urban and rural problems in England, preventative action and long term solutions, seem to be lacking.

Time for 'Change' over here too I think.

One For The Girls

2008-09-03T18:40:00.005+01:00

Have you ever been flicking through the channels and, hang on a minute, let me re-phrase that...you are watching tv whilst the man of the house is flicking through the channels and Oh! "Go back a minute .... who is THAT?" The 'THAT' in question was Tyrone Power Jr

Star of the silver screen in the 30's - 50's, tragically he died of a heart attack whilst filming a typically swashbuckling scene in Spain in 1958 at the age of only 44 (I have learned all this from the wonderful worldwide interweb) Phwoar as they say in these parts.

And so, pardon the departure from normal topics/photos, I felt I should share with the girls. (Or boys of course, if that's your thing)

Been busy round here of late, usual stuff. But the fun part was picking up a new (ish) car today, Italian of course! And far more economical, fantastico! So, I was thinking about cars, movie stars etc. and thought I'd start up a MeMe. Here goes:

1. First car

2. Fave star

3. Oh bollocks, I'm bored with this, make up your own ending.

Ciao tutti!

Pugliese Flower Power

2008-08-21T21:20:00.004+01:00

Time to brighten up the pages with a few bursts of colour.

Fleur du France

2008-08-18T08:34:00.004+01:00

When you are a 'Big Dog' you fly from Seattle to France with no fuss, you know how to deal with the paparazzi, you are comfortable in your own hair and you can show a stuffed hedgehog who's boss.

When you are a 'Big Dog' they name a town after you (oh yeah, and some unknown philosopher bloke)

When you are a 'Big Dog' you contemplate chasing the kite thingy but in the end, decide to just take in the view, conscious as always, of the camera following you.

Big Dog Fleur... a dog to match my mountains.

Une bonne weekend

2008-08-14T20:34:00.007+01:00

"Where there is friendship, there is our natural soil." Voltaire

High Sky

2008-07-27T21:56:00.003+01:00

Fair weather this weekend and it was nice of our friends to have us over for a hog roast. Yes, the very same pigs as pictured here and here but not the ACTUAL prize winners!

I thought long and hard about posting the pictures of dinner cooking, but decided you might not appreciate it. But take my word for it, it was great to taste real food with zero food miles (apart from a short trip to the ... well, you know where).

Back to work tomorrow, looks like being an interesting week. I am reminded of this.

And the Winner is...

2008-07-20T20:15:00.003+01:00

...a pig called Miriam! Well done guys.

Seems everyone's gone to the fair this time of the year; check out some really nice shots over at The Farmer's Wife.

Meanwhile, we're casting around in search of Summer. Or that could be birds.

Choc Full

2008-07-16T20:31:00.002+01:00

Busy ole week.

Looking ahead, it's show time again this weekend - Good Luck Suzy.

Wow Factor

2008-07-12T19:20:00.001+01:00

Best Foot Forward, all 4 of them

2008-07-08T20:24:00.002+01:00

If you were reading last June, you'll remember this. Nice one Renee (and thanks Abi for the shot).

It's been a while since I posted any horsey pics. Bunny went off to pastures new (literally) back in May and so I haven't been in the company of horses for a while. It was lovely to get this and other pictures through today, and in time, I hope to have one showing Bun in her new home in the Yorkshire Pennines.

(Betty) Western Sheep

2008-07-05T19:44:00.002+01:00

Pics from the Royal Show a couple of years ago. Click here to read about yet further problems to beset our producers.

A word or two

2008-06-29T21:03:00.004+01:00

This blog started out with no pretensions of being anything other than a place to put up some pictures of my favourite things. The 'theme' if you like, was I guess, outdoor/rural/country. I'm not religious about it and of course the odd (sometimes very odd) thought occurs and I put something out there. I admire people who have taken blogging to another level - I always thought blogging was the preserve of pseudo-political gobshites, people with no real talent but an overpowering need to see their often glib observations in 'print'. They are still there of course, if you look hard enough.

A few days ago, I came across a writer with a different edge. He's using blogs to compile news stories linked to and intertwined with his thoughts on rural issues, and he wrote the book I've just finished reading - see the new link to the right. Do check him out - the book was a real find.

Meanwhile Ian's writing has inspired me to look a bit harder at the state of our countryside. Whilst TV chefs lobby greedy supermarkets and the Sunday supps bang on about my carbon shoe size, farmers just try to keep going.

Biscotti Totty or Hobnob Heaven

2008-06-24T11:17:00.005+01:00

When I was little, my parents said my middle name should be 'Biscuit Tin'. We always had a tin of biscuits on the go in our house (for what is a cup of tea without a biscuit, huh?) But I wasn't allowed to hog the tin otherwise, well, of course, I'd eat them all.

Nowadays, I have more restraint...ok, so maybe just 5 or 6 at a time. I don't really have all that sweet a tooth but come on, when there's an open pack of Malted Milk on the go, or a loose wrapper on some Rich Teas, or perhaps you dropped a packet of Custard Creams so you ought to open it and just check the damage...oh the temptation is too much.

The biscotti pictured above were a holiday favourite; they came in a great big sack which of course meant they needed to be finished off quite quickly...well, there are fewer worse culinary mishaps than stale biscuits, am I right?

For those of you similarly affected by God's own snack, I highly recommend you check out this little worshipful site, dedicated to our love of biscuits I seriously laughed out loud on a number of occasions. Don't forget to take their very important Business Meeting Biscuits poll.

So, what's your favourite biscuit?

Realisation

2008-06-19T12:47:00.002+01:00

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction . . ."

Antoine de Saint'Exupery

4 Years Young

2008-06-17T21:07:00.002+01:00

Happy Birthday little dudes.

Digging the Dirt

2008-06-17T20:28:00.008+01:00

Post holiday and time to take stock of a few jobs at home. The 'tree' in the back garden needed thinning out and so out came the loppers. You can see from this picture a distinct lack of colour, all growth being confined to shrubs as yet, untasted by you-know-who. If you read this last year, you'll appreciate gardening chez Cocker is a bit testing to say the least.

As if to prove my point, whilst I was busy creating my own pile of branches, the boys thought they'd try their paws at a little gardening of their own ...

They really put their backs into it ...

Thankfully, there's life in the front garden and, although the veg patch didn't work out (too many slugs, too little diligence), June is busting out all over (well almost).

Olive Blossom

2008-06-10T21:14:00.004+01:00

I've never seen anything so delicate.

A Game of Cat & Salamander

2008-06-09T22:00:00.006+01:00

Obviously, not something you see everyday, at least not at home and so, keeping veeeerrrry still, and almost standing on my head, whilst not breathing, I got these shots of two salamanders soaking up the late afternoon sun. Two? Come on, if you look really hard ...

..there you go.

Rush Hour

2008-06-05T21:09:00.004+01:00

The clock struck 9am in the Piazza known locally as 'The Living Room', and as you can see, it was pandemonium Pugliese style. For us little ole tourists it was just about time to sit down outside the cafe and contemplate the day's activities with a capuccino & cornetto. For the uninitiated, a proper capuccino is much smaller than the bucket sized offerings you get in coffee shops at home (I won't insult the Italians by even naming the offending outlets) and a cornetto is the croissant equivalent.

The activity plan, such as it was, revolved mainly around where, when & what to eat. My Italian is pretty near non-existant but the little I have picked up over the years, enables me to translate menus pretty well. Plus if you spend time eavesdropping on Italian conversations, you'll find they spend an awful lot of time planning where, when & what to eat. So, we fit right in!

Anyway, I'm still coming down from my holiday high; apologies if it takes a while. And God bless the internet for bringing me the cheesey sounds of RadioNorba that accompanied us through that week. If you have a low-cheese-high-octane-prattling threshold, get a load of this. Arrivederci!

Q. Who lives in a house like this?

2008-06-03T19:10:00.005+01:00

A. We did, for one glorious week.

But first up, by now I should think you are all a little sick of the lettuce pic. Sorry for that but I have a couple of reeeeally good excuses. First up, Peggy (the camera) had a little spec o' dirt which wasn't moving, so we had to take her away and give her a bit of liposuction. Then it was the turn of the laptop (never thought of a name for her/him - although called it a few many times). Apparently some spywear came in and had a look around and decided not to leave. So, off we went to the geeky hospital (why do they take soooo long to tell me stuff I have noooo interest in?)

Anyhoo, then we went on holiday. It is impossible for me to put into words how great that was and so I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Besides, I don't want y'all knowing where I was in case you get any ideas about going there too...it's a secret.

OK, the clues are there, as we go through the keyhole....

It's not easy finding greens

2008-05-08T20:12:00.004+01:00

So I just caught up with the doings over at Farmgirl Fare (puppies!!) and scrolling down I see her bit about spring salads - I really should take her advice and plant up. Why? I'll tell you why.

I'm driving home from a two day business trip, a 3-4 hour stretch and having sorted through the mental detritus of work/home, I'm half hour from the front door and thoughts turn to dinner ... as in what's fer...? It's been a glorious day, about the third consecutive sunny, warm day (something not experienced much during the whole of 2007 and to be celebrated like the second coming) and my tummy says 'a huge bowl of salad' please. I swear I would be stick thin if I lived in a hot climate.

And so, nearing home, I stopped by the supermarket.

Not a single chuffing lettuce leaf to be had. A true sign that Summer has arrived. Not for me the harbinger of Summer in the form of swallows on the wing, butterflies, country fairs & car-boots, no. For me, the first sign, is no sodding lettuce on the shelves.

_________________________

I may have to cheat for a few days on the photos as Peggy is in the camera shop for a clean-up. I'm sure the people at Allposters won't mind me using the odd image, as long as I give them some free advertising, huh?

All in a day's work

2008-05-02T20:44:00.002+01:00

Yep, work has been like that this past couple of weeks (that's me in the green dress by the way).

Love Me Tender

2008-04-23T20:34:00.003+01:00

Today is the first anniversary of my adventures in Blogland and it occurs to me that I've never let you see this pretty boy. Elvis 'left the building' as it were 3 years ago and we still miss him and wonder whether he might stroll back in one day. For everyone out there missing a friend, this one is for you.

Thanks to all of you near and far, named or anonymous who have looked in on my little corner of the world and made a contribution.

At The Movies Part II - The Breakfast Club

2008-04-18T21:01:00.001+01:00

At The Movies Part I - What Lies Beneath...

2008-04-14T08:25:00.001+01:00

....the shed?

The more it snows...tiddely pom...

2008-04-07T21:07:00.006+01:00

Not that we had a great deal of snow, it came down for about an hour and a half and was gone by teatime in the Spring sunshine.

Short lived though it was, it momentarily made a scruffy border almost photogenic...

...and a practising photographer look kind of clever.

No hope for these two though.

Snow day at the office

2008-04-06T21:41:00.006+01:00

The pictures say it all.

Well not quite all I guess. This lasted about an hour in an otherwise sunny day. Typically British weather I suppose.

Seems I'm not the only one obsessed with the weather. Pop over to the Mountain Dweller for some stunning pictures from a very photogenic part of Europe. Salut!

Storm's a comin'

2008-03-09T17:45:00.002Z

They say we're in for high winds and high tides tomorrow. Whatever your weather, have a good week.

Missing those Summer days

2008-02-27T21:56:00.002Z

Back to Basics

2008-02-24T19:41:00.003Z

I love the foreshortening effect of this photo! This was taken back in September and yes, that's an English bridle. Bun was having fun on the lunge; the aim back then was to get her nice and trim so that we could find her a buyer.

Well, 5 months on and we have started again. That little leg 'sprain' took care of the Winter and now I am just about as match fit as she is, which is to say, not very. But today, we got on with the business of working those legs (all six of 'em) and I for one know, I'm going to feel it tomorrow.

If you are a regular on these pages, apologies for the recent lack of material; the start of 2008 has just been manic. But I love finding a comment in my inbox, from regulars and new visitors alike, so if you feel inclined to say something, please do. A few friends have admitted to not properly understanding the comments bit (not having blogs of their own). If you are one of those people, remember to type the mystery word as you see it, and click 'Anonymous' before publishing your comment. It won't appear straight away as I have editorial rights, but your message comes straight to me and I publish them as soon as I can.

Better still, if you are inspired to be creative, want to share your stories/pics with friends & family or simply want to vent, go on and get blogging! You can link to some of my favourite stop-offs on the right and hopefully you'll pop back here from time to time.

Amber-cam

2008-02-17T20:12:00.004Z

Uh ho...back up a little...

..there you go.

Pastures New

2008-01-27T18:37:00.000Z

Actually, going back home would be more apt. Tomorrow I'm bringing Bunny back to the yard where she was born. Her recovery on that strained tendon means it would be good idea to get out on the grass now but her current home is not ideal being exceedingly boggy. And so, although this photo was taken 2 years ago (I love it) it's time to take a last look over my shoulder and look forward to a hopefully more settled year.

Yeeessss...can I help you?

2008-01-16T20:43:00.000Z

Change of scene

2008-01-14T12:18:00.000Z

From grey to green

*Whoops, I should've explained better, how I'd like it to turn from grey to green...soon!!

Life coaching part I

2008-01-11T19:39:00.000Z

It's been a busy time lately. I'm sure I've started many a post like that but it's a constant theme. Time to sit in the chair (who put those choccy's there?) and dip in and out of the Gentle Art of Domesticity Yes it's twee, yes it's very middle class but I don't care... some of us fantasise about having no other commitments than being domestic! Now and again.

Anyway, it's a Friday and finally I've had a few minutes to check out some of my favourite blogs to see what everyone else is up to. If you are new to all this, you can link to these by clicking on the righthand panel named 'my favourite distractions'.

There's a couple of new ones, check 'em out. Esther over at London Mummy does a fab line in kid's stuff and those of you who know me, know I don't do the kids thing but if I did, I would definitely be in her shop all the time. She's turned a domestic skill into a business - do take a look.

There's also a really super photographic site over at Durham Township - this lady has won a ton of awards for her photos and it's easy to see why. I need to practise, practise, practise!

Anyway, whatever you get up to this weekend, find some time for 'ME' (that means you!)

Still Life in Winter

2008-01-03T06:57:00.000Z

Welcome in

2008-01-01T13:57:00.000Z

Wake me up next year!

2007-12-31T20:54:00.000Z

The last word for 2007 should of course go to my Creative Director and sometime muse, Betty. I think she said it best when she declared the whole New Year thing as a bit of a yaawwn.

But, in signing off, I feel I'd like to thank all the friends, family, strangers that have tuned in to BW this year; thanks all (three) of you for your interest in my nonsense and your lovely comments.

Above all, wishing you everything you wish for yourselves in 2008.

Bird Dog of Alcatraz

2007-12-28T17:32:00.000Z

For Jane

2007-12-23T17:28:00.000Z

There'll be laughter even after, you're gone.
I'll find reasons to face that empty dawn.
'Cause I've memorised,
each line in your face,
And not even death,
can ever erase,
the stories they tell to me.

I'll miss you.
Oh, how I'll miss you.
I'll dream of you,
And I'll cry a million tears.
But the sorrow will pass.
And the one thing that will last,
Is the love that you've given to me.

There'll be laughter even after, you're gone.
I'll find reasons and I'll face that empty dawn.
'Cause I've memorised,
each line in your face,
And not even death,
could ever erase,
the stories they tell to me.

Iris Dement

Delight

2007-12-17T16:58:00.000Z

...comes in many forms.

This morning's post brought this from a very talented friend. See more of Victoria's work over at Hares To You.

Breathe in

2007-12-02T09:19:00.000Z

.... and take a moment. Apologies for having gone AWOL for a while; thanks Mr Tubbington P DeWinters McGilacudy Furry Bottom for giving me a nudge. Sorry too for the grainy picture quality, I was on maximum zoom in poor light but a winter's sunset over the Isle of Wight was irresistible. And thought it appropriate for the 'homesick' Caffienated Cowgirl Thanks CC for tagging me absolutely ages ago (sorry!) Apparently I am to state 7 random facts about me - Oh Lordy, where do I begin?

OK, so after not too much thought...

1) My favourite colour is yellow - not a garish, primary yellow but the yellow of custard, autumn leaves, summer sunrise, perfectly ripe bananas, macaroni cheese, lemons and candelight glow;
2) I am a 'morning' person to my very core;
3) One day, I'd like to teach adults to read;
4) I believe fireworks should be banned for sale to individuals, I am now officially sick of them;
5) I love and appreciate a well-placed swear word;
6) I am rarely random - exposing 7 truths about myself has been monumentally difficult!
7) I suffer from hyposmia.

I'd like to tag the following bloggers for their ability to post far more interesting articles, views and insights about their lives and hobbies. Girls I applaud you and am constantly inspired by you. Farmgirl Susan, Farmer's Wife Suzanne and Karbon Kounty's very own Karen.

Over to you if you can find the time!

Here are the rules. 1. Link to your tagger and post these rules. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird. 3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them). 4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Montana Morning

2007-11-15T06:30:00.000Z

I am an early bird.

These days it seems it's because I need to catch up on work during the quietest moments but when I am free to do as I please, I still need to get up and at 'em before everyone else.

This photo is a case in point. Two years ago, on a ranch holiday in Montana (check the link for the Rocking Z on the right), I was up before the other girls every morning. And so as not to disturb my roommate, I would just put a jumper on over my PJ's, boots, gloves and off I'd slip to make coffee in the lodge house or as on this morning, would grab my camera and go for a wander.

Imagine his surprise, when this shepherd came over the hill and was confronted by a wild haired tourist, in her pyjamas taking photos of sheep! Zack, the ranch owner told me later that most of the shepherding in the area is done by Peruvians, another case of the pay/conditions being too bad for Americans to consider it worthwhile.

Anyway, I remembered all this reading comments on Karen's Blog over at Karbon Kounty Moos - check her site out for a flavour of the real Montana.

Sleepy not Sulky

2007-11-05T07:41:00.000Z

But just to show there's no favouritism ...

Reflection

2007-10-31T09:20:00.000Z

"I am I because my little dog knows me" Gertrude Stein

Henspection

2007-10-25T07:59:00.000+01:00

Bunny update - looking good so far. We're off to the hospital next week for a scan to try and see what's gone on.

Eggspecting a good outcome!

Little things ....

2007-10-23T08:12:00.000+01:00

...please little minds (and little trousers fit little behinds as my Mum would say.)

I was recently given a big bag of buttons from a good friend, mostly passed down to her from her mother & grandmother. As I was sorting through them to find a few for a particular project, I was subconsciously arranging them into a shape on the table. So, adding a few more round the edges, I created my own Turner Prize winning exhibit. (Oh yeah, in my world I have won the Turner prize, Booker Prize and an Oscar OK?)

Anyway, the arrangement turned out better than the project fyi.

Talking of things passed down the maternal line, I am researching my Mum's family tree. It is so thrilling to find a name, a date, an address, an occupation on an old register and I feel like a detective piecing together the clues and stories from our shared past.

Mum, if you are reading this, I am back to Ann McConnell, married to James somewhere in the early/mid 19th century. It's getting a bit tougher now as I think I'll be crossing the water to Cork for the next installment. Haven't found the McCulloch link yet but I'll get there.

Early Morning View North from Duncton Hill

2007-10-21T17:19:00.000+01:00

Bunny Bulletin: So far, so good, as twice daily hosing and lots of TLC from assorted friends (thanks all) appears to be having the right effect. Next bulletin follows when vet comes again on Wednesday.

Not a Happy Bunny

2007-10-18T08:41:00.001+01:00

Oh dear. If only they could talk. A torn tendon. Did she trip up the stairs, slip in the bath, run for the bus, or overdo it at aerobics? Or did she just fancy spending all Winter indoors? Mmmm.

Shetland Smiles

2007-10-11T07:50:00.000+01:00

So, which is my best side? This one?

Maybe this one?

Ah, go on and scratch my nose, you know you want to ...

Ooh baby, that's it, right there ..

C'mon, your turn.

Peekaboo

2007-10-07T16:37:00.000+01:00

More of me later.

Of dogs and hogs

2007-10-04T20:17:00.000+01:00

I have learned to keep my leather gardening gloves handy. Not for me a bit of late night weeding, nor do I plant by the moonlight as some gardeners recommend.

No, I need the gloves to frequently carry a hedgehog from our dog-proofed but seemingly not hog-proofed rear garden to the safety of the front garden. Safely away from the dogs who delight in the company of their new prickly friend, rolling him around, picking him up (I'm not kidding) and generally keeping him (or her, who knows) from finding that special place to nap this Winter.

Maybe all dogs do this? Do they also chew slugs as though they were licorice every time it rains? Crunch snails as though they were ferrero rocher? Suck frogs like jelly babies?

I'll spare you those photos.

In the moment

2007-10-03T16:56:00.000+01:00

Never work with children or animals.

Actually this shot was fairly simple. After the inevitable cheesy grin shot, then asking a couple of times to move her hand out of the way, and then finally suggesting she didn't look at the camera, the willing subject gave us this peach.

She shall remain anonymous for the purpose of the blog as readers will know I don't like to give too much away. But thanks to her Mum & Dad for letting me post it.

Reservoir Hogs

2007-10-01T21:07:00.001+01:00

Lookin' back on the track for a little green bag .... Ha! Couldn't resist.

Blogging should be fun. It can be political, meaningful, useful, informative, artistic, whimsical, humorous or serious but the author needs to feel a drive to keep on posting. Cherry over at Pixie Wood has been feeling guilty for not replying to people's comments - silly girl! I've felt a bit bad leaving long gaps between postings (thank you Smoo for nagging me). I am also quite self-conscious sometimes and spend forever trying to write the right thing. Then it's not fun and so I leave it for a day or so.

Anyway, today, you got pigs AGAIN. I make no apologies. These dudes are so photogenic (to me anyway). If you could see their expressions when they hear the shutter whirr...wos that?! Did you hear it too?! Makes me die. And then I sit there, for far too long in the mud and take 20 more pics.

Anyway, have been thinking of a few ways to pep up the blog, returning to some original themes. Perhaps you have some ideas/requests?

*I have to credit Husband with the amended title - why didn't I think of that?

Time out

2007-09-28T20:11:00.000+01:00

Been way too busy of late. But it's Friday and I'm off to the farm tomorrow to check on these dudes, have a little girlfriend chat and generally forget about work.

Have a great weekend.

A Grand Day Out

2007-09-17T12:05:00.000+01:00

If they still looked like this, I'd go everywhere on one!

And just look at the upholstery. What a work of art. Nostalgia never felt so good.

Working Hard

2007-09-14T20:31:00.000+01:00

Glad it's the weekend.

New arrivals

2007-09-13T21:43:00.000+01:00

Say hi to Hester & Hillary. Not so 'Large' Blacks. Not yet anyway.

Inspirational

2007-09-10T21:28:00.000+01:00

Today, as I sit down to write something of my usual ramblings of pigs, dogs and sunrises, I have learned of the death of Anita Roddick. And I am truly overwhelmed.

I was fortunate enough to meet her a few years ago, a chance meeting through an odd circumstance that resulted in my having coffee with her in her kitchen. What a warm, unassuming, and truly inspirational woman she was. In the years since, I have often thought of writing to her, reminding her of that encounter and suggesting we might find a joint venture, a meeting of minds, some way of sharing a passion, a vision.

But of course, I never did. How would I have looked? A desperate wannabe, hoping that some of her talent, her style, her wisdom would rub off on me. Of course, that would be true. But there was something about her that made me feel valued. She engaged with you totally, she held your gaze and for a few moments, you were the centre of her attention.

I am certain it is these qualities, not academic qualifications or the 'right' accent, that gained her the global recognition she entirely deserved. How many other 'businesswomen' can you think of that have really broken the mold, who really shaped a whole new vision, a retailer that appealed equally to 12 year old girls with only £2 pocket money to spend, aswell as middle-aged men searching out a face-scrub for the very first time. And behind it all, a passion for fair trade that has only now become something the big marketers have latched onto; she was 30 years ahead of the game. As a stay-at-home mum in the 70's, looking for something to do while hubby was away, she created a global phenomenon. If her story doesn't inspire anyone who ever had an idea, it's hard to imagine what would.

She was truly an inspiration and 64 is no age. To her family I send my heartfelt prayers.

Rise & Shine

2007-09-04T07:11:00.001+01:00

Quite a few bloggers are commenting on the change of season and it seems, like me, many are big fans of Autumn.

It would be easy to say that we've not really had a Summer this year, and there have been many days when that felt like the case. But the heating hasn't been on since some time back in March, fleeces and scarves have become buried in the farthest corner of the wardrobe and so although there's hopefully still a few weeks left to go, there is now a definite feeling of Autumn approaching.

I L-O-V-E love the early morning and rarely set an alarm to rise with the birdies. For me, the approaching season means I can take full advantage of getting out on foot with the dogs to a vantage point that makes the best of the rising sun. And so here was the view at 6.20am.

I should add that it also helps if one of the said dogs wakes you at 5.30am being sick on the carpet.

Hotdog

2007-08-29T21:23:00.001+01:00

Rip-Off Britain

2007-08-28T21:27:00.000+01:00

I may be in the wrong job.

The hedge (leylandii) shown above spans the front garden, parted by a crumbling iron gate, it's perhaps 20 feet long and a good 3 feet wide. Since the photo was taken, it has sprouted a messy amount of growth what with all the summer rain we've had and, lacking the time, willpower and a long enough ladder, I've been looking for a 'man who can' so to speak.

I know, that with the right electric whizzy thing, a long ladder and some good gloves it would take 1-2 hours to trim and clear away the mess so HOW ON EARTH can someone justify charging me £90 to do it?! Is he going to give me free legal advice as he prunes the straggly shoots? Or perhaps a feng shui reading for the driveway? Maybe he's going to help me with my tax return when he's up the ladder? Or throw in a bit of life coaching as I make him a cup of tea.

Mmmm, nope. 3 jobs like that in a day, even just 4 days a week, would do nicely I think.

So I'm off down to B&Q to buy a new ladder.

Good friends

2007-08-24T20:27:00.000+01:00

Girl friends, best friends, long lost friends, school friends, friends reunited, old friends, boy friends, work friends, furry friends, pretend friends, forgotten friends, friends to the end, cyber friends, a friend in need, pen friends, new friends, forever friends, friends of the earth, dearly departed friends, friends for life.....

And horses.

Coming soon ...

2007-08-23T22:09:00.000+01:00

But not soon enough!