Shuffle.

My car radio/cassette player has finally given up.....time to think of another way to listen to music while I m driving.
So Tel very kindly went on line and ordered me an I Pod Shuffle....in a nice shiny green colour.
A few days later it arrived and the Postman left it on the step outside. He pushed a note through to say we had 2 more parcels that had gone back to the depot, as they needed a signature. These 2 items were a bag of screws and a new strap for the strimmer! A day later my old passport and my new passport were posted through the letterbox without the need for any signature. Seems odd to me.
My Shuffle is great... its tiny, a bit fiddly... and I can now listen to music in the car....music that doesnt sound like its underwater.

Is it a Painted Lady?

Is it a Painted Lady?
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

I snapped this amazing butterfly on our flowering Eucalyptus tree yesterday.
"Millions of painted lady butterflies are now arriving in Britain after an amazing 1000 mile migration from North Africa. This is a spectacular phenomenon."

Roy Barker

Roy Barker
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

On Saturday morning we heard the very sad news that Roy Barker who sailed at Penarth as part of the Enterprise fleet, had died the night before while out racing his dinghy. Roy had sailed at the club for many years. He was the father of sailor Ian Barker who won silver for Britain in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Everyone at the club is very shocked and will miss Roy very much.

Burning stuff.

Burning stuff.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

It was a busy Bank Holiday weekend of pulling up nettles, digging, fixing the compost bins, planting, and then having a big fire to burn lots of garden waste. We came away with lots of itchy nettle stings and insect bites... ouch.
We found time to sit around drinking wine... and yesterday we went out on a bike ride.

Long shadows

Long shadows
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Stag and Sunset.

Stag and Sunset.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

I wish....

...more of my friends had blogs. It would be great to see what they are up to...photos, ideas, trips, thoughts.... just the normal boring stuff. I suppose it comes down to "time" .... and maybe I have a bit more of that on my hands. But to me its also about "sharing" and keeping up to date with things.
I have managed to resist Facebook, Myspace and Twitter... and am sticking to my blog. Its my diary.... and my scrapbook.

Grumpy at the Vets.

Grumpy at the Vets.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Wilson has had his annual booster jab and check up at the vets. He was very grumpy... crying and hissing.... he was probably not very happy, as I had to wake him up to put him in his box for the journey into town. He is sleeping a lot at the moment....in the day and at night. Dont blame him really.

Evening on The Bay.

Evening on The Bay.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

We went out for some food and drink on Cardiff Bay last night.
In the day Tel went sailing and I went shopping. We both got wet and blown about.
We called in at Cathy and Grahams to give Rhosyn the rose bush we had bought for her as a birthday present.
We got home in time to watch Match of the Day and the happy scenes at Old Trafford." The Reds go marching on...on...on"

Tapping on the window.

Tapping on the window.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Beautiful big beetle.

Passport photos.

It says in the information leaflet...that a countersignature is needed, if you cannot be recognised from the photo in your current passport. I suppose this means if you now have a beard or have put on or lost huge amounts of weight?
My current photo was taken 10 years ago..... so there are some changes..... but its not too bad.
A new passport costs £72 plus £4 for the photos.

Another big duck.

Another big duck.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Big duck

Big duck
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Stones

Stones
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Good work

We had a great weekend....in the garden. The weather was with us and we did lots of work on the border, weeding, cutting grass, planting. We uncovered a lovely flower bed surrounded by stones, that had become really over grown by grass. We took off some big branches on a fir tree to let more light in ... we now have a space were we could possibly put a very small pond and a bench. Next jobs are mowing at the front..and trying to cut the nettles down.

No Kind Words

All shapes and sizes.

All shapes and sizes.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Huts/ Cabins/ Shepherds Huts/ Summerhouses/ Treehouses.... Tel has been scouring the internet looking for ideas. This one is from Australia.... the sides fold down when it is not being used. If you go to www.plankbridge.com and look at their gallery, you can see another great design.... a little hut on wheels. We have seen some lovely modern treehouses.... little pods hanging in the branches.

It has been reluctant to bloom....

It has been reluctant to bloom....
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

...but our Wisteria is now out and looking great. Its a real joy.

Worries and concerns.

Its been a week of tears and upsets. Four of the six people I went to see this week, were very upset and worried about things going on in their lives. There have been lots of cups of tea and listening.... I didnt refer to my aims and action plans too much. I realized early on in this job, that I dont have to cheer people up when I visit them or fix things for them before I leave ... talking things through can be a great help. Oh, and I have gently mentioned to them...that it is okay to cry sometimes. And if they do...I will probably join in aswell.

If Not For You - Dylan/Harrison Duet

Wedding Day.

Wedding Day.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

It was Jenny and Richards big day on Saturday.
Jenny looked beautiful as she came into the church. It was a lovely service. Terence went forward to read Love Never Fails....and I signed the register as Jenny's witness. There was bright sunshine as we went outside ...lots of hugs and kisses and congratulations for them both.
The reception was just round the corner at Dam House, where lots of photographs were taken by the water. The buffet was lovely...Richard made a short speech and they cut the cake.
It was lovely to be there and to see them both looking so happy. x

Jacket spuds.

Jacket spuds.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Mark and the kids came to stay yesterday. They were all at Cathy and Grahams on Saturday for Rhosyns birthday party.
James Anna and Lara helped me to carry some plants round to our neighbours house... and then we went to meet the new puppy across the road.
We made a fire at the top of the field. James thought it would be a good idea to finish off the jacket potatoes in the fire.... so we took them out of the oven, carried them up the hill, wrapped them in foil and put them in. They were slightly burnt on the outside... but nice and fluffy inside. Anna cut up the old cheese....and we enjoyed our spuds in the fresh air.
When we got back into the house...Tel made some slightly burnt custard to go with the ginger cake!!!!!
Lara was a bit worried about all the nettles....but she did well getting up and down the field.
We left our burnt jacket potato skins on a log overnight...and we went back to check on them this morning. Funnily enough they hadnt been touched by any wildlife.
It was great to see them all again. x

Victorian Dad or Bumface?

Victorian Dad or Bumface?
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

He ll always be "Mark" to us. x