Sharing our lives with others

One of my daily highlights is coming home and catching up on my blogs; not the one I write, although I enjoy my “drabbling” enormously, but the ones I follow.  I’d never thought of blogging until I “met” Sarah from Rhinestones and Telephones but since then I’ve discovered several other amazing blogs.  I particularly enjoy Melissa Stramel’s “Lilac Lane” as I am in awe of her fabulous sewing and designing skills.  By following links I’ve come across many wonderful sites, including  April Kennedy’s “Funky Vintage Lovely”. I feel really lucky so many people worldwide share their lives in this way

Driving with Miss Daphne

Nerea's been out driving in Daphne on several occasions with Andy. He's got nerves of steel and is quite happy to accompany her; I'm not sure if I went out with her it would do either of us any good! Nerea's still at the stage of gaining confidence so at the moment they're revising lessons and concentrating on navigating the quieter roads in the area.  We're happy she had several lessons before getting the car as it seems to have paid dividends.  She's able to use the controls and understand the driving concept.  Hopefully it all seems to be coming together

The Chilterns

It’s almost Easter and we’re experiencing a raised level of excited anticipation as a consequence of a spur of the moment decision. We’re off to the “Deep South” to spend a few days with Richard and Mavis who live in the beautiful Chilterns. It’s no surprise that several famous British TV programmes such as the Vicar of Dibley and Midsommer Murders have been filmed locally as the area is comparatively close to London; almost at the end of the “Metropolitan Line”, but it’s defined by rolling hills, beech woods any many quintessentially English villages, creating a delightful but accessible landscape

Caching local!

The weather was lovely again this weekend (Me? British weather obsessive? Nooooo)so I decided to hunt down several local geocaches that until now, we haven't had time to grab. Several involved solving highly inventive puzzles which required considerable effort (on the part of the cache owner to put together and then) for finders to solve. As Nerea wanted to go driving in Daphne, Andy accompanied her while I went off with Molly for company on Saturday but I had the pleasure of both Andy and Molly with me on Sunday , when we put the last few, finally to bed

Daphne, the yellow peril

“Daphne the yellow peril” arrives today.  She’s comparatively old but looking good for her years and will be Nerea’s first car.  Nerea has been learning to drive since March and is now at the stage of needing to practice in preparation for her test.  Unfortunately, she isn’t able to drive “our” car as it is one that Andy gets from work and she needs to have been driving for a year after passing her test to become a named driver. Consequently, we decided to buy an elderly, baby sized Fiat!  Nerea is totally over excited and can’t wait for 7pm!

Pocket Money

I laughed out loud today on hearing about the antics of a friend’s daughter. School holidays meant that Heather had spent the day with her grandparents.  And, as usual, before going home, Granda said Heather could have some money to buy sweeties.  But on this occasion, instead of handing a pound over to her, he handed over his wallet and told her to help herself. And so she did!  To the total contents of £160.  The “gift” only came to light when she told Mummy that Granda had given her “this cash” and she produced the fat bundle of notes!

Jesmond Old Cemetery

I’ve been to Jesmond, an historic “bijou” area of Newcastle, for a variety of reasons over the years but had no idea this wonderful oasis of calm existed.  Hidden by a 10ft high wall, the grave-yard occupies a slice of land between 2 main roads and is the resting place for many of the former great and good citizens of Newcastle.  I especially enjoy social history and find graveyards to be compelling places because of the stories they hold. It’s particularly sad that this tranquil location has fallen into disrepair but thanks to the “Friends”, hope of restoration is rising

Catwalk!

 Nerea tried her hand at modelling last week at the school charity fashion show.  She modelled “superdry” leisure wear, a hat and a big bag. She was a little disappointed not to have the opportunity to wear a prom dress but was glad to be taking part. The evening was in aid of  hospice charities and must have raised a lot of money as it was very well attended.  We were lucky enough to win a £20 voucher off a Chinese meal which was an

absolute miracle as we never win anything; now we just need to pick the date!

Mountain Madness

Nerea was out on the fells too this weekend, undertaking a practice expedition for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award.  She went off on Friday, laden with her enormous rucksack full of “tasty” mountain meals (which, incidentally, seemed to be most expensive ready meals available for sale  Modern technology enabled us to receive a couple of glorious photos via the iphone  and a text early on Monday to say she was on the top of High Spy, on the return route.  Sadly the weather had deteriorated somewhat but at least it was all down hill (figuratively speaking) to the finish.  

Balmy British Weather

 

The weather took a turn for the better this weekend; it was positively balmy, enabling that rare occurrence of me casting aside my vintage fleece and baring my arms to the sun’s rays.  Poor Andy is STILL suffering from a lingering cold (even I admit it’s not man flu) so keeping our aspirations realistic, we went for a moderate walk in the deserted fells above Haweswater. Apart from a couple of other walkers and a horseback rider, we didn’t see a soul all day until we dropped down to the lake shore for the last mile back to the car.  

British Justice... not at any price

Last Thursday was a sad day for the English judicial system.  Despite significant local opposition, Hexham Magistrates Court closed its doors for the last time . Following a swift and insubstantial “consultation” that adopted a previously unseen degree of opacity around the decision making process, the Government imposed the sentence of closure on a judicial institution that has existed for 900 years.  All future “local” justice will be meted out in the city of Newcastle, which is not only a considerable geographical distance away, but is worlds apart in topographical and socio-economic terms.  Progress?  I think not.

Get your Twix on the A66

Caroline on A66

We’ve our own Route 66 here in the UK.  It’s an arterial road that adopted the route of a Roman road across the north of England, linking the Cumbrian coast at Workington  with the North Yorkshire coast at Middlesborough.  It’s rather more infamous for being closed when the first winter snows fall on Stainmore than any iconic song lyrics but never the less, it’s a significant road in the lives of many travellers for few will be unaware of Sedbury layby at Scotch Corner. After all, it’s where we “get our Twix on the A66” (or preferably a bacon butty!)