Hedge, mountain ash, summerhouse.

Hedge, mountain ash, summerhouse., a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Up on the roof....

Up on the roof...., a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Two Tels for the price of one!!
Graham kindly came up for the day on Thursday to help with the high up bits on the summerhouse. It was nice to have a quick catch up with him too.
We are now working on the roof and the outside walls.

Tiara and veil

Tiara and veil, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Joy

Joy, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

So it was a wonderful occasion. A very moving moment when Kate walked down the isle to "I was glad" .... was followed by many more touching moments. Joy and hope.... excitement and cheering.

Vera Lynn

People celebrating

Put the news on quick.....

People are cheering .... waving flags.... and in true British style camping out all over London on the eve of the Royal Wedding.

Its lovely to see.

Untitled, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

The Milkyway…

The Milkyway…

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

It was a very busy but very enjoyable weekend in Wigan and Manchester.
Highlights were.... seeing Mike on his 40th and laughing about The long Pass ... seeing Laura looking slim and lovely ..... cheese, bacon and worcester sauce toasted sandwiches by Ros.....seeing James and Matthew and Florence and Joseph.... trying on hats with Roger over breakfast.... swapping presents with Charlotte and Ang.... visiting Paul and Emma in Chorlton..... seeing a Citroen DS in the street and generally catching up with everyone. x

Super yellow

Super yellow, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Its all about colour at the moment.
We went for a short walk last night and took some photos of this field of rapeseed.... the camera was having trouble focusing on the yellow.

Bluebells

Bluebells, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

"The bluebell is the sweetest flower that waves in summer air
Its blossoms have the mightiest power to soothe my spirits care."

Goldfinches

Goldfinches, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

When a photo becomes a painting.

Lets talk pork?

We went to visit a local farm today to discuss ordering a selection of their sausages and burgers for the garden party. They gave us a free tray of kebabs to try. We also spotted their amazing pork pies in the fridge..... could be something to add to the order.

Beautiful trees in church yard

Beautiful trees in church yard, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

I think they are copper beech.

20 wooden stakes in a bundle

25 wooden stakes in a bundle, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

My 2 week old sweet pea seedlings

My 2 week old sweet pea seedlings, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Week

It has felt like a busy and tiring week....

There was a team meeting on Tuesday about the future of our jobs.

On Wednesday I helped with the village litter pick... in the rain!

Yesterday I had to keep calm as everything seemed to go wrong.... well not wrong.... just not to plan.

and we ve been cooking on our gas camping stove for most of the week after the switch broke on the oven.

So last night I had a glass of wine and tried out my new concealer pen (for under eye dark circles and blemishes) and some luxurious volume hair thickening mousse.

Thin hair, bags under my eyes and tiredness.... the joys of being 40.

Getting old

Getting old, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

On a trip to the vets last week to pick up some flea drops.... the vet was asking how Wilson is doing. I said he sleeps a lot and is looking thin.... looking at his records she said "so he came in, in October and we found that he had a heart murmur". This came as a bit of a shock as we are sure she didnt mention it at the time.
Poor old Wilson.
He s got a lump behind his ear, looks a bit scruffy, howls a lot and has a heart murmur.
Only we could love him.

Nigel Peake

Nigel Peake, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Bright

Bright, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Friendship

"Grief can take care of itself.....but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with"

"A real friend is one who walks in when others walk out"

ROSEMARY CLOONEY - MAMBO ITALIANO

Cheery tree blossom

Cheery tree blossom, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

I have seen some beautiful magnolia trees this week.... white, purple and even one with golden flowers. But today the old cherry blossom tree in the field is really showing off... and looks spectacular in the sunshine.

Lambs

Newborn lambs should not be kept in fields next to dual carriageways or fast country lanes... its dangerous for drivers (me) who want to glance sideways to look at them ...whilst moving at high speed.

The light @ 8.00am

The light @ 8.00am, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

The light @ 6.30pm

The light @ 6.30pm, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Beautiful light. Super greens.

Never far from my thoughts this week x

Never far from my thoughts this week x, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Dancing at my Mums surprise 40th birthday party x November 1985.

the Hardwick

We went to the Hardwick nr abergavenny last night for a special meal and enjoyed it very much.

The food was lovely. The service great and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

My 21 day dry aged Johnny Morris ribeye steak with slow roasted italian tomato, portabello mushroom, triple cooked chips and bearnaise sauce was delicious.

It is run by chef Stephen Terry and his wife Joanna.

Last week I bought a £4.99 bottle of Kir Royale from M&S.... I thought it looked like a bottle of fizzy fun.... Tel thought this was very funny!!

As an aperitif last night they were serving Kir Royale at £8 per glass.

www.thehardwick.co.uk

Peanut Puffs

I ve discovered a crunchy corn snack called Peanut Puffs.

"A quality corn snack made from real peanuts"

On the packet it says they are perfect for sharing????

I think thats going to be tricky.