A blustery Sunday walk....

After a nice lie in and lunch at The Woodman with Andy, Dan, Lyndsey and Mum in law Betty I was welcomed home by the very excited little Tink who was very keen to get out of the house for a walk. I donned my walking boots and coat and off we went. It started off just very windy, with grey skies overhead but as we got out onto the golf course the wind really picked up and it started to spit with rain. We walked over to the castle and I was surprised to see so many people out and about. The bay was wild with frothing white water and I could clearly hear the waves as they came ashore. I stopped and just let the wind take my breath away and with it went my slight headache. All the cobwebs that were left over from last night's Joe Schmo gig at The Plough & Harrow were swept away and I found myself laughing out loud as the wind whipped my hair over my face and puffed out my coat so I looked like a michelin man! Tink was scampering around with her nose to the ground loving all the new smells that were there and the wind blew her ears and fluffy coat about till she looked like she had been in a tumble dryer. We headed home, me smiling and Tink's tail wagging, back home with a cuppa and a cuddle on the sofa with Andy, I felt more relaxed than I have in ages....who'd of thought a reluctant walk in grotty weather could leave me feeling so content.

Saturday thoughts....

On Saturday/Sunday mornings when we don't have guests staying, I have the delightful luxury of staying in bed until late morning with my hubby. Usually this is the result of a late night due to his gigging with Joe Schmo. I treasure these special lazy times, waking without an alarm clock, cup of tea in bed, read a book and chat about the weeks' events and plans for the coming week. We are usually joined by Tink my little pudding, she brings her cuddly bunny and plays tug for a while before snuggling up for some cwtches! When the kids were little they used to pile in too and often when they come home to stay now they will still hop in our bed for a chat but of course they kick Dad out to make the tea! These are lovely special times that cement the bonds of family and love and although I could feel guilty for being lazy, I don't... I just feel incredibly blessed and savour every moment.

Today is Friday and I am sad.........

I awoke this morning with a heavy feeling in my heart....my lovely friend Anne is returning to America tomorrow so today is the day for goodbyes and I hate it. We see each other so infrequently but whenever we do we seem to just pick up where we left off. We write and email sporadically but we each know that the other is there no matter what. I am blessed to have such a good friend that I share a long history with....she is like a diamond in the sand and I truly treasure her. Safe journey back and we'll see you soon and love you always.

NEW PHOTO'S ON "REMEMBER WHEN PAGE"

Just to let you know there are new/old pics on Remember When and Gates of Sandy Lane pages....enjoy

Comments....

So sorry folks, I didn't enable the comments function on all the pages, doh! It is now enabled and you can leave comments to your hearts content.

COWS!!!

We have for several years had intermittent problems with the invasion of the "Ninja Cows" and they are back again. They munch and pull up everything, push over fences, churn up the ground and worst of all they poo everywhere! It's all over the place , you can't escape it when walking, my shoes are now cow pat coloured, the dog is cow pat coloured and the final indignity after I slipped and fell, my jeans are now cow pat coloured too.
I call them Ninja Cows as this phrase was coined by my shaken up Hubby after he encountered them unexpectedly a couple of years ago in our garden at night.....he had taken the wonderful Blue out for a wee before bedtime and they went to the top of our steeply sloped garden via the steps. Blue was doing his thing and Andy turned around to find himself eye to eye with what he describes as an 8ft black cow (I feel that fear magnified the beast)  that had appeared from nowhere. Screams and yelps followed as man and dog dashed for the door, squashing past each other in their desperate race for sanctuary. When he could make coherent sentences again,  he insisted that the cows had come from nowhere and from then on referred to them as Ninja Cows.
Following this incident a few weeks later I looked out of the kitchen window to see 8 or 9 of the bloody creatures ravaging the garden, I flew out with stick in hand shouting like a wrangler but to my utter dismay I was treated with complete disdain by the cows. They looked up from their chewing briefly eyed me up and resumed said chomping. I couldn't get them out of the garden no matter what I tried. In desperation I telephoned the local constabulary for some advice. The very nice policeman on the end of the 'phone asked me what the trouble was and I told him, I asked him if as they were trespassing on my property could I shoot them? (I was very angry and desperate at this point). He didn't know and went to ask further advice, he returned to say that partial as he was to a nice bit of steak I cannot shoot them without a specific license to do so. He did however say that I could phone the local authority and they would come and collect them.
I called the council who duly sent someone out to round them up but they had gone...not just wandered off a little way, the Ninja Cows had completely disappeared, nowhere on the lane were they to be seen and the council men left obviously thinking I was hallucinating or barking mad.

Felix..aka Stinky Pinkerton, hates Yellow Pages!

Felix the cat is originally a feral cat, her story is quite unusual, Dan was running a scrap dealership in Clydach many years ago and they had a colony of feral cats that roamed the yard. Dan tried to befriend them, tempting them with ham or sausage from his sandwiches but all to no avail. After  a year of trying one particularly cold day a grey & black cat came into the office and Dan took his chance to try the food temptation yet again and this time it worked. Over the next few months despite a few swipes and hisses he and the cat who he had named Felix became friends. The owners of the yard sold up, Dan was leaving and he wondered what would become of his little friend Felix. In conversation a few days after he left he heard that the new owners were having all the cats shot. He was really upset and went to the yard with cat carrier in the car to try to catch her. To his dismay the yard was locked and he could not get in. He put the carrier on the roof of the car and went to chat to the guys in the next unit. On his return he was astonished to see that Felix was sitting in the carrier waiting for him!

He brought her home and over the next 3 weeks we found that she was actually black and white and very lovely. She is quirky,feisty and very loving but she hates the Yellow Pages book and tries to kill it whenever it comes out...we caught it on video and here it is..

Mr Po and Mrs Po

One of the things that has happened in the last three years that I have not yet mentioned is that Mr Po did indeed make the lovely Jo his Mrs Po on 14th March 2009. We were honored and delighted to share in their day and here are a few pics just to prove it really did happen!

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Now it's in writing!

Not quite Mr & Mrs...

Add caption

Who sent the boys round?

Mr Po and his Mummy Mrs Pansy Pocock

Penny, Mr Po & Andy

Mr & Mrs Pocock

OOOHHH Mr Po!

Tracy Pocock having a real laugh!

 

Lush and green with sunshine and blustery winds......MAY

Not quite the typical weather for May but at least it's not raining. We have had a fantastic weekend, Anne, Wenny and Kevin are over from the USA and it's SO good to see them. Anne is one of my dearest friends and whenever we get together it's just like we were never apart...we can share anything and  I love her and her family dearly. We hadn't met Wenny's Husband Kevin before and it was a lovely surprise to find that he really is as great as everyone had told us. We had a celebration dinner on Friday night with all dishes specially requested by our visitors...Welsh Black Roast Beef,Yorkshire Pudding,Cauliflower Cheese,Roast potatoes,Creamed potatoes with swede,Roast mixed vegetables, broccoli with sweet chestnuts,buttered carrots and gravy!! Desserts were fresh strawberries from Kent, Yoghurt Pudding, Celtic Apple Cake, Joe's Ice cream, Custard and thick double cream.... we couldn't move afterwards. We were joined as well by Wenny's Brother Tony (Burl's Son) and his fantastic little dog Puck (Tink's in love) and Gillian Anne's Sister who we haven't seen for a number of years. Dan and Lyndsey ate with us too and the conversation around the table was lively and very entertaining. We watched video footage of both Wenny and Kevin's and Dan and Lyndsey's weddings and look at the photo's too, a few tears were shed and lots of roars of laughter too.This was of course lubricated with copious amounts of wine.....Good times folks. 

Saturday saw the arrival of our friend Gary, aka 'scrapdash' and his gorgeous Daughter Megan, full English for brunch and then a stroll to the castle and back over the golf course. The weather was horrendous with rain and high winds but the roar of the waves on the beach and the wildness of the area was exhilarating.
Off then to a charity fundraising ball for the Arwyn Harris Sports Foundation at The Liberty Stadium where the Rocktastic JOE SCHMO did their thing and had the place rockin! Home and into bed around 3am then up on Sunday at 9am for another full English breakfast and a walk down to Three Cliffs Bay. Gary and Megan headed home to Essex and the glamorous Gemma Bevs arrived to join us for a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings and to sort out Andy's knotted shoulder. Gem is a masseuse par excellence and comes to the house fully equipped with massage table and exotic smelling bottles.....she is truly a Gem and one of the most bubbly girls we know.
After all that we watched a film and fell exhausted into bed.....what a blessed life we lead, it's full of lovely people fun things to do and all set in the most special place imaginable....we are truly blessed and very grateful.

Bluehappybunny Rantings: Truly Inspirational

I came across this by accident and it humbled me....just watch it and count your blessings!
Bluehappybunny Rantings: Truly Inspirational

Remember when......

I was thinking about all the things that have happened on the lane over the years that I have lived here....fetes, parties, storms, floods, gales, meetings, incomers, outgoers and how rich a tapestry this has made in the fabric of my memories.
I decided to look for more of the old pics and try to share them so I will post some here and then start a page seperately for them which you will be able to click on from the right side toolbar (Pages).

Sebastian Andrew.

Our beautiful new Grandson, Sebastian Andrew was born at 17.39 on April 27th 2011. Weighing 7lbs 4ozs.
Kaye's waters broke ot 00.30 on Tuesday morning and as not much else was happening,  she was sent home from Hillingdon Hospital. Andy and I drove up and arrived just after lunch on Tuesday. 
Kaye started to labour later that night and we stayed at home until 06.30 on Wednesday morning,  when she needed something for the pain. We got to the hospital and once the staff found out I was a Midwife, became quite defensive and difficult! 
After a couple of confrontations and differences of opinion Kaye was transferred to the labour ward at 15.50 and by now was 8cms dilated and going great guns on the gas and air; She stayed upright and mobile and soon wanted to push, she started pushing at 16.55 kneeling on the bed, Simon rubbing her back and encouraging her, Andy holding the fan on her face and me twitching, but, remaining calm, on the outside at least!! She soon realised that this position was not right for her and hopped off the bed to adopt a 'Sumo' stance at the side of the bed. In a few short pushes the baby's head was visible and with two more he was delivered into Midwife Tina's hands. I helped untangle him from his cord and Simon cut it enabling Sebastion to be popped onto the bed for Kaye to see him.....you can just imagine it...tears all round especially from Gandy, who had a grin from ear to ear for over 48hours. He had tried to discreetly leave the room but Kaye was having none of it and asked the staff to get him back...she wanted her Papa there.
In that short time I saw a side of my beautiful and talented Daughter that I didn't know she had. I can only say that she showed a grit,determination and fortitude that would not have been out of place in the gladiatorial arena. What a strong woman I had raised. I could not have been more proud of her, both as a Midwife and especially as a Mother.
My blessings in life continue and believe me I am truly grateful.

A quick catch up ..........

Where shall I begin.... it is 3 years since I last posted on the blog, I abandoned it following some issues that a vindictive person caused in my professional life. Those that know me well,  know who, what and how and I will not go into it all here and now. If you want the dirty details you can email me and I'll spill it all out for you!

I have missed my blog, I was getting so much out of it and getting some great comments from others about it so I thought I would amend some stuff have a re think and start all over again.

Of course life moves on at a rapid pace and I will have to write rerospectively about the changes that have had the most impact on my life.

My eldest Son Karl separated from his wife and came home to live..things were very difficult for quite a while but he has now settled into domestic bliss with none other than the beautiful Pippa and her son Finn. He sees his children regularly as do we and things are moving along nicely now.

My Mother Joyce died in June 2008 at the grand age of 86 and my Sister Sharon and I gave her a send off she would be proud of.

Eldest Daughter Danielle and her family have moved into a bigger house in Malvern Wells and she has aquired a Dalmation dog called Dixie, a rabbit and some chickens!! As if six kids wasn't enough to look after, but, it keeps her busy.

Our beloved dog Blue was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes and major organs in February 2009 and he was gently put to sleep at home on 3rd April with Andy, Dan, Lyndsey and myself there with him. He was buried with his favouite cuddly gorilla under the lilac tree and he now has a little "Blue Garden" in his memory. The pain of losing that most devoted and faithfull of friends was unbearable and poignant. We are thankful that we had him for 11 wonderful years and the space he has in our hearts will never be lost.

Daniel our youngest Son met and fell in love with the beautiful Lyndsey and they happily tied the knot on February 6th 2011. She is a wonderful woman and they are so in love...all you could wish for your kids really and they are currently staying with us in the cabin.

I found work very stressful and my health began to suffer...and with great delight I took a flexible retirement in October 2009, I now only work 22.5 hours which is a really new thing for me.

In April 2009 Andy started a new job with the PHS group and was rapidly promoted to a Managerial position...he loves his work and is extremely busy, often flying off to Europe for meetings and projects.

He is still gigging like mad with the great JOE SCHMO and he still loves it big time. He has also got together with two mates Ian and Lawrence, to found an originals band that have lots of material but as yet no name!

2009 also saw Mr Po marry the lovely Jo and we were honoured to attend their celebrations down in Newbury. That year also brought our dear friend Ian Rees aka Chalk and his fab wife Ruth and their two kids back to Pennard after so many years in Bristol it is really good to have them back!

Perhaps for Andy and myself the biggest thing that happened in 2009 was our 25th (Silver) Wedding Anniversary...Oh my how old does that make you feel. We celebrated with a surprise(for me) holiday in The Hilton Hotel in Hurghada Egypt. We spent 2 glorious weeks being pampered, swimming, snorkelling, diving, dancing, eating and drinking. A once in a lifetime holiday that I will write about in more detail later.

For my Birthday in August 2010 Andy took me to Pembrokeshire and we came home with a new addition to the family my gorgeous little girl, Tink. She is a Chonzer which is a cross between a Miniature Schnauzer and a Bichon Frisse. She is the cutest and most delightful little dog and has gone a long way to easing my heartache over the loss of Blue. 

Sadly in 2010 Hammy (Mr Hamilton) of Redcliff  died after a short illness. We have a new member of Sandy Lane now in Redcliff, Liz who has set about making the place a bit more to her taste.
I am very proud to announce that on April 27th 2011 our wonderful Daughter Kaye and her partner Simon, presented us with a new Grandson..the totally gorgeous Sebastian Andrew, weighing 7lbs 4ozs. Both Andy and I were there for his birth and I can't tell you how proud of Kaye we are..she was FANTASTIC! I'll be posting some pics soon.

I know there are lots more happenings to talk about and I will get to them in due course but, that's all for now folks. 

By God it's good to be back!