Thursday 21 April 2016

Odds and Ends

Can you believe that we have lost yet another 'National Treasure'? Maybe it's because they are people that I grew up enjoying so it's made more of an impact, but Bowie, Alan Rickman, Ronnie Corbett, Terry Wogan and now Victoria Wood? .... and we're only in April. I heard a lovely tribute poem to her on Classic FM as I was driving back from the school run. Apparently, she loved Christmas music and so they played John Rutter's 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' for her. It was strange hearing a carol on a sunny spring day, but rather lovely and moving nonetheless. I really hope, however, that we've had our quota for this year; enough.

Thank you for all your comments regarding my cushion. After much debate, I decided that my version wouldn't really fit the cushion pad and the bagginess would annoy me, so I was brave and tinked the lot. It was quite satisfying in a funny sort of way.
 On Saturday morning we had this:

I know there are people in some parts of the world who will be laughing in a 'call that snow?' kind of way and I realize that it's not exactly a scene from Soulemama, but some of us were very excited. The individual flakes were huge. Sadly, it wasn't cold enough to stick but E and Hamish made the most of it.
 Even if someone had to be wrapped in a blankie afterwards to recover from the ordeal!
... and it was a good excuse to light the stove:
 Other shots on my camera this week:
Yet more daffodils:
 My new planters from the racecourse:
The above one has herbs and the one below a foxglove! I love them but something always eats the ones in the garden, so I hoped I'd have a better chance if it was in a pot:
I'm looking at you, Deidre! Here she was this morning investigating the wire mesh that R had put round his beloved Cordyline in an attempt to protect it from little munching jaws. Not that there's much left to protect!
Fergus and Katie (named after the storm) enjoying the remnants of the All Bran packet. Fergus is on full alert after another male jumped on Katy whilst they were being fed by the back door. Fergus flew to defend her honour - I've never seen pheasants fight before; it was rather impressive.
 L has finished her latest batch of exams, so we celebrated with a trip to Hungerford today. A toasted sandwich and a cream tea between us at The Tutti Pole, followed by a walk along the canal was just what was needed.
Anyway, that's all for this week. I'll leave you with 90th birthday wishes for Her Majesty. May she have many more.

Toodle Pip for now. x

8 comments:

  1. Good to catch up with your news! No snow here for us this year, but I understand your excitement with just a few flakes!! xx

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  2. Good to hear that L has finished this batch of exams. That cream tea looks stunning. We'd be running outside and screaming if we saw snowflakes like that as well, it doesn't take much to set us off. I can't imagine a cordyline is a good eat, a bit tough I would have thought. But clearly I'm wrong, it must be a delicacy in the world of deer. Wishing you and yours a good weekend. CJ xx

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  3. Yes, we'd have been excited too at the sight of snow. Wintry showers are forecast for this weekend, but I'm assuming it'll be hailstones again. Hamish looks like he enjoyed himself and your stove looks very cosy. Glad your cushion is going better - starting again is sometimes the only answer. I'm glad that L's exams are over, and love the idea of a toasted sandwich/cream tea celebration. Have a good weekend.
    Cathy x

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  4. I don't think I have ever known a year where so many well known faces have sadly left us and the list seems to go on and on. Good to hear that L has finished her latest batch of exams and a great way to celebrate at The Tutti Pole, we visit there when we visit Hungerford. xx

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  5. I grew up laughing at Victoria Wood's humour in the 1980's and feel so sad. My friends and I could quote whole scripts off by heart. Glad you were able to celebrate the end of your daughter's exams in style. Have a good weekend! xx

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  6. It is sad when so many national treasures pass away so close together. I think it may be our age I'm afraid. All these people were part of our adolescence ;).

    We had that snow too, the flakes were huge weren't they, didn't last long tho'

    I am glad that you came to a decision with your cushion! Happy knitting!

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  7. hurray for celebrating end of exams, and special birthdays x

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  8. Glad you got that cushion sorted. It's sad to see how much talent is leaving this world....now Victoria Woods,I always enjoyed her humour.Just loved the deer and pheasant, and your snowflakes, at least you got to enjoy the stove.xxx

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