Winter person

I know the sun is welcomed by most people, some even like the humidity, but I for one just do not function in the hot weather. I love a warm spring or autumn day but the height of summer is just not my thing - give me the cold and wintry weather any day, really, you will never hear me complain about that I promise! Anyway, for those of you who love the heat, enjoy! The forecast does say it'll break today, thundery rain - excellent, now I DO love a good storm!

Early for a Saturday!

Well, I was up with the larks this morning after a busy day with Rehome-a-Book stuff yesterday. Unfortunately on the street where I live we have parking meters and traffic wardens who - how do I say this nicely...are very efficient at their job! So, from 8 to 6 there is a charge to park so I had to get up and put a ticket on the van to avoid a big yellow envelope, while I was up I had a nice little walk in the fresh morning air and managed to get in before the rain came (again)!

Reasons to go for a morning walk

Now, to all those braving the mud at Glastonbury - I salute you, I cannot imagine waking up this morning in a (very) muddy puddle, I'm sure the atmosphere and music more than makes up for it though, we were watching the BBC2 coverage until quite late last night - some great acts on this year! Watched the U2 set - their recent stuff leaves me a bit cold but the Achtung Baby stuff and other classics last night really brought back some memories.Good luck!

Right, more tea needed, back later!

Woodpeckers

I was dog-sitting yesterday up in the countryside of Powys and had the thrill of seeing some fledgling greater spotted woodpeckers learning how to feed - although the parent bird was still helping them out a lot. They were so comical with their bright red spiky hairdos - watched them on the feeders for ages, it was fantastic. On the way home I also say red kites which is always a thrill, I pulled over into a lay by to watch them and hear them calling - talk about shivers down the spine - brilliant.

Libraries

I have been a supporter of the Save Our Libraries campaign since it started - they are vitally important. I was in my local one yesterday and it is amazing the things it offers even though it is a relatively small town library. I was so enthused that I wrote about libraries and their place in the 21st century HERE.

Father's day

Had a lovely meal at my folk's today for father's day, also brought another bag of veg from the garden, peas and spuds today, soon the greenhouse stuff will be ready too! It is so nice to have fresh veg, I know how lucky we are.

Got a busy week ahead, I'm dog-sitting for a day and possibly night then have a school fair to do with the business on Friday afternoon which will be nice, hoping for nice weather!

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Black dogs

This is currently my area of research - black dogs and hell hounds that is, not the nice old labrador I see in the pub! The folklore and mythology surrounding these things is great, and Britain is full of tales about them, it is a subject I have always found fascinating - I feel a research trip coming on!

Fire Sale by Sara Paretsky

Fire Sale by Sara Paretsky

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I love Sara Paretsky's books and I enjoyed this one as expected, it wasn't quite as much to my liking as some of the others but was still a good read.



View all my reviews

Exciting times in the veg plot!

I have just harvested the first broad beans of the season - so looking forward to shelling and cooking them! Also picked today were peas, radish, courgettes, cauliflower and spring cabbage - although these have been ready for a week or so. Soon the greenhouse stock will start, toms, peppers, chillies, cucumbers, aubergines...drool... It is so great being able to eat our own veg, cheaper too! I will be stocking up the freezer soon with things to last over the next few months, may get round to making some chutney this year too especially if we get lots of green tomatoes left.








A couple of helpful things I've written can be found here - veg tips!

How to successfully grow peas

How to prepare the soil for planting potatoes

Terry Pratchett

I, like thousands of others, watched Terry Pratchett's documentary last night about assisted dying and thought it was very good and well done. It is a personal issue that everybody has their own views on and this programme addressed those views well. It was hard to watch in parts, but was worth watching purely for the educational value of the subject - well done indeed.

Steam Train

I had heard that a steam train would be coming through today at 2pm so I waited and was not disappointed - it was a beautiful, green engine with lots of carriages, the sound of the whistle and the 'chuff chuff' of the steam are just magical - I always love seeing them go by, a sight that is rare these days.

Well, it has been another rainy day here, no sun. I went out with some friends last night and it was really cold - like February cold not like the middle of June! It was quite shocking really, having to wear warm coats and take umbrellas everywhere, hopefully it will brighten up in the next few weeks, I have a few events on with Rehome-a-Book, all of which require me to be outside! Fingers crossed.

Anyway, for now I must get on with some writing, then later some research for my book - that is unless I fall asleep before then...
Bye for now!

Nice evening

Well, after a day of mild stress (dentist) I now have an evening of ironing (which I find quite relaxing oddly) and TV with the wonderful Springwatch - one of my fave programmes followed closely by Autumnwatch of course! I am deciding whether to cook healthy fish or lazy pizza, I'm sure himself will help me decide in a while. Anyway, I hope you all have nice evenings too wherever you are!
X

Dentist

I woke up dreading my appointment at midday - dental check-up! I'm not as scared as a lot of people but anxiety does attack, especially as this was the third different dentist I had seen in as many visits, the practice are trying to recruit a permanent one but aren't having any luck - locums are filling in (pardon the pun) so who knows where they will be in 6 months time - sort it out Oasis Dental Care!

Anyway, I could finally eat when I got in and now I am going to put the kettle on - well deserved I think!

If you need some tips to get you through a dentist visit check out my Squidoo lens HERE

ER

Hi folks,
Had a busy but nice day yesterday at the Cockshut Medieval Day - the sun shone and we only had rain as we were leaving so none of the stock got wet!

One of my favourite relaxation things is to chill on the sofa with tea and something snacky and watch E.R - I watched the first episode back in the 90's and have all 15 seasons on DVD. I even made a Squidoo lens about it HERE , I loved all the characters and their back stories, the writers and production team did and amazing job to keep it fresh and thrilling...guess what I'm going to do now!

Happy Sunday all.
X

This week

Haven't been blogging - sorry! It has been busy but the best thing has been the return of Springwatch - one of the best progs on TV in my opinion, that and Autumnwatch of course! My evenings have been planned around it and I've enjoyed it all, this week has featured beavers too which I love.

Other things this week have involved work as usual, other-half's work stress and getting ready for an event this weekend with Rehome-a-Book - we have a stall at the Cockshutt Medieval Craft, Food and Fun day on Saturday which should be fun - hope for nice weather!

Anyway, just submitted an article so am a bit wiped, will turn in soon but first a bit of TV I think.
Night all. x