HomethoughtsToAbroad

2006-08-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

4 days - can I contain myself?!

I hope you enjoy KL when you eventually get there - I just hope that your flights back to M'chester aren't delayed at all. After all this time I don't know how I would cope with that!

We are having the Sykes (how DO you do a plural for them?) and David Thorpe for lunch on Wednesday to say thank you for the DVD of Knowsley, so I have been having one of my mad cleaning sessions! Duncan has almost finished the library so we will have to start the big book sort out - long overdue mind you.

Can't wait till Friday now - look after yourself and SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!! XXXXX

2006-08-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

10 days ...
Nice day today - it was GM's birthday and she & GPJ and Uncle David came for lunch - we had a chocolate & raspberry torte for pud which was glorious! I put 1 candle in it - couldn't manage 82!
After lunch GPJ, UD and I took Pops out.
Duncan and I have also cleared out the top shed today and thrown out all sorts of junk - the 2 old 5-man tents have gone and lots of the stuff you all used to have in them to make them into proper bedrooms! There's loads of room in there now and we put in some of the stuff we had cluttered the cottage with whilst you have been on your travels. The pickup is absolutely full, ready for a trip to the dump!
Jennie and Unc D are added to the list of people for your do - Jonathan can't make it as he's got a prior booking. Michael is in Majorca, so we'll ask him when he returns. GM & GPJ will come on later after a golden wedding celebration they are going to.
Sleepy now - I got up early to see David while he had his b'fast, so I'm off to bed - night night! xxx

2006-08-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

11 days to go!!
It's getting closer and I'm getting more & more excited - we expect the delivery van packed with branflakes to arrive in the next couple of days!!
I'm organising you a barbie - so far it's me, Duncan, Anna, Rob, Elsie, Katie, Jez and Gems in the evening - GM & GPJ will be asked tomorrow, as will David et al, Andrew and anyone else I can think of. I'll invite Unc. Robert & Auntie J in a few days time - they are just dealing with the death of Janet's Dad, so I think it best to wait a while.
Today I popped into town to collect D's piccies from Orkney and then went to Oliver's to organise Anna & Rob's meal next June - such a lovely man and we arranged that I would take A & R next time they're up.
Then a nice walk - long causeway and round today for a change - and more gardening - we're making progress!!
Take care and tell KT to drive carefully on your road trip xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2006-08-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

Tesco's! (13 days to go!!)
it was very exciting - we spent lots of time and money!
Last night we went out for a meal to the Millbank to say goodbye to our friends Sally and David who are going to live in Spain.
More gardening yesterday and today and then a curry at the balti house in Keighley with Steve and Carla to reward us for our hard work and to celebrate Steve's b'day from last month.

2006-08-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

keith - in earlier times

2006-08-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Keith
Declares
His
Love
For
Sally . . .

. . . his secret love is no secret anymore . . .

2006-08-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

17 days to go ...
can you tell I'm counting down?!
Yesterday was a good day - June came for lunch and she invited me to go for a long weekend pampering in the Algarve in January - well, you can't refuse, can you?!
In the evening we had a super time at the Sykes's house - do you remember Auntie Jane? She & Malcolm know David Thorpe who did the original conversion of Knowsley in the '60's - and he and his family made a video of it! It is absolutely fabulous - we were fascinated and we have a copy to show you. One of the main differences to me is that the aspect was so open then - no thorn hedge, no trees in the paddock and none on the heather bank - I bet it was even more wuthering then! The cars were great too! We invited David Thorpe (via the Sykes's) to come and see Knowsley now - I bet some things haven't changed at all ( like the carpets and curtains!) - I hope he comes.
I was hoping to do more gardening today, but it's raining already and I'm not that keen!

2006-07-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

Very Big Garden!!
No photographs today - just some chat!
We are doing our best to make the garden even more beautiful ready for Anna and Rob's wedding - I know we've got ages, but it's very big, particularly since Duncan started on the field!
This morning he hacked back brambles from under the tree house (he has had a request to repair it time for the nuptuals) and I have been tackling the bit along the lane that was very nettley and sycamorey (just inventing new words here - don't worry!). Got attacked on my face by a particularly vicious nettle, but I got the better of the b****rd!
Had a chat with Anna yesterday about decorating the garden and got the go-ahead for a rustic, flower covered arch way!! Yeah! Thought it would be nice for some piccies! Sarah, A's friend, is supplying bunting, so we will be very festive!
Duncan has now gone out to take the pickup on it's inaugural trip along the new bit of lane into the field and I'm waiting for GPJ to arrive to come on a Poppy walk with me - it's GM's day at the old people's home and his day off! We'll see how far we manage - it's much cooler today, and showery, so that will help - we (Pops & me) have only been managing quitwe short walks most days recently it's been SO hot!!
All for now - enjoy NZ again - can't remember what you will be doing, but I'm sure it will involve lots of fun - love Mum xxx
PS - tomorrow you will be coming home THIS month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hurrah!

2006-07-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

Look how busy

we've been!

A decked veggie patch (no raspberries!!), the M62 diverted over the heather bank (so we don't have to drive thro' Colin & Kim's to get into our field) and a fire pit ready for the wedding bonfire (it used to be where we were going to put a pond!)

2006-07-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Long Distance Super-Influence Ray

sally will come home

Sally Will Come Home . . .

2006-07-24T04:39:00.000-07:00

Michael's Bash!

Some people you might recognise! (in the backgrounds too!) There's a lovely one of Anna and Katie, but Elsie is looking very suspicious! (and sorry - I can't turn them tound!)

2006-07-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

A taste of Orkney!

Some of the things we saw and loved ... sunsets over Stromness (which were very closely followed by sunrise!), the seals (I adored them!), an iron age lady just being dug up at a dig, fabulous white beaches with turquoise sea, a little white cottage by the sea that I fell in love with (and it was for sale for £60,000!), and stone age houses complete with furniture (just like the Flintstones!)

2006-06-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

How do you like

the scale model of the Acropolis in the courtyard at the Cedar Court hotel where Anna and Rob are getting married?!

We should get some 'classic' photographs in front of it!!

2006-06-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

Anne Hathaway's cottage
in Stratford was beautiful - we were shown round by a lovely lady and saw the bench that Shakey and Anne did their courting on!

2006-06-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Email from the Stones Fan club - Sheffield date not changed
---------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Stones Fan,

With the news that Keith Richards has made a complete recovery from his accident and is ready to return to the concert stage, The Rolling Stones have unveiled today their re-vamped European Tour Schedule.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood & Charlie Watts will now kick off their 'A Bigger Bang' European Tour at the world famous San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on Tuesday 11 July 2006.

There will be 21 stadium dates in 11 countries across Europe and these shows will be all the Stones will be doing in the summer of 2006. Concert promoters CPI/TNA have made every effort to accommodate fans in as many countries and cities as possible

2006-05-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

The future's bright ... the future's .... orange!!

OR Orange Wednesday ('cept it was Monday!)

OR Elsie gets stuck into GrannyFi's world famous bolognese sauce!

2006-05-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

Katie goes to French Open . . .

and rushes onto court.

2006-05-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

Becks is the beer of choice . . .

for Elsie on a lunch-time session.

2006-05-28T07:18:00.000-07:00

Best in Show!

The Daily Telegraph garden was the overall winner at Chelsea - beautiful it was (to quote Yoda!)

2006-05-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Off for a day trip to Hogwarts!!

We were very excited to see we could go through the wall at King's Cross and visit Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid! It almost made up for not seeing Alan!

2006-05-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here's Charlie ...

2006-05-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here's Rachel ...
but where's Alan?

2006-05-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

Poppy comforted after traumatic day . . .

what with gales and beasts Poppy thinks that it's time she had some peace and quiet, lots of fuss and some smelly cheese rind if possible.

2006-05-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

The Beast in the Attic . . .

Fiona shows where the beast emerged . . . Following strange and terrifying noises from the loft, Duncan investigated to find a wild beast in the attic - wild ? - it was absolutely livid!

A starling was caught up there with the water tanks and boxes. It subsequently descended and was captured in a towel by Fiona prior to release.

Fiona was heard to say, "Don't panic - make room - this is a job for SuperBirdCaptureWoman!"

2006-05-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

Furious Storm Hits Knowsley . . .

here are the remains of the greenhouse window torn away by the 12mph gales that lazed across the west riding. Wood rot and rust can not have been a factor in so great a storm. Duncan thinks that this can be re-built with the right technology.

2006-05-17T01:46:00.003-07:00

Very Darling Buds ...! (and it was May too!)

Here's Duncan with Jo and Derek in their garden after yet another gourmet meal and 3 bottles of Grand Cru Bordeaux!!

It was about 8.30 in the evening by this time - and the next day we left for the UK where it has been raining, cold and miserable ever since we rerurned! WHY do we live here?

2006-05-17T01:46:00.002-07:00

We visited lots of 'antiquities'

in St. Emilion (as well as sampling quite a lot of different wines!)

There was one monolithic church carved out of a solid cliff - it was massive & reminded me of the mines of Moria - all looming, dark and mysterious! ("they mined tooooo deep.....!!")

These are the cloisters - very peaceful and beautiful

2006-05-17T01:46:00.001-07:00

Here's the van

on the site near St. Emilion - I think this was after it had been burgled & it still looks beautiful doesn't it!

2006-05-17T01:46:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous lake shots!

Here's the lovely lake at the site we found near St. Emilion - Poppy relly enjoyed charging round here and trying to make friends with the ducks!

None of them were friendly tho' - kept diving into the lake to avoid her!

2006-04-26T02:14:00.001-07:00

And here's one

of the gang having lunch on one of Paul's mega walks in the Brecon Beacons. We were just about to walk up Fan Y Big! What great names these Welsh have!

2006-04-26T02:14:00.000-07:00

Just in case...

you thought we haven't done anything except take photographs of Elsie (tho' they are the most important of course!), here's one form the Keswick weekend of Derwentwater looking beautiful!

2006-04-21T03:31:00.001-07:00

Elsie likes to play air-saxaphone . . .

along to KennyG

2006-04-21T03:31:00.000-07:00

The passengers get scared . . .

as Elsie hits 95 mph on the M34

2006-04-18T12:40:00.001-07:00

Elsie visits Fiona on her Birthday . . .

and has a few too many sherberts herself!

2006-04-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Elsie examines Duncan's new hair style . . . before telling him to get it tidied up.

2006-04-02T11:30:00.001-07:00

Here's Elsie....

with her doting granny, looking gorgeous in Auntie Sally's dress from 23 years ago!!

2006-04-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Here's one from the recent past - fiona's gone down to Bristol to get some close-up attention.

2006-03-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

Elsie is now developing her hypnotic powers . . .

"You will let me stay up late to watch the footy,
you will let me stay up late . . ."

2006-03-28T10:14:00.000-08:00

Be Jealous . . .
whilst in Barcelona we visited the Marine Museum which happened to have an exhibition dedicated to "Pirates" and their evil deeds. In fact, the "Pirates" turned out to be "privateers" given permission by the English crown to harass and capture any Spanish ships upon the high seas. It just goes to show that one Spaniard's Pirate is another Englishman's patriot. He He He! Didn't enjoy that a bit.

2006-03-26T10:14:00.001-08:00

The Lesser known . . .

piratical submarine.

2006-03-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Sally is getting warmer . . .

unlike our friend who's tied up for the minute.

2006-03-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

But Elsie is also jealous . .

of what we saw in Barcelona.

2006-03-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

Elsie is delighted . . .

as her Dad falls for the old bucket of water
over the door gag.

2006-03-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

You'll be jealous . . .

We're back from Barcelona and you'll be jealous when you hear what we went to see . . .

. . . but how will you know that you're jealous?

2006-03-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

Excited?

2006-03-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Poor old Poppy
she had to have a shower before going to see Boris for her holidays ...

2006-03-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

... but it was worth it - see how beautiful she is now!!

2006-03-12T11:22:00.005-08:00

Paradise Lost.

2006-03-12T11:22:00.004-08:00

Paradise Found.

2006-03-12T11:22:00.003-08:00

The Duchess gets her arm tattooed . . .

So the Duke retaliates by wearing the bottom half of
a post-box on his head.

2006-03-12T11:22:00.002-08:00

Elsie improves Rob's diction.

2006-03-12T11:22:00.001-08:00

Snow has come back to Knowsley this March.
But fiona's plan to feed-up the wild birds with plenty of seed seems to be working . . .

2006-03-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

Superbaby practices her powers.

After some concentrated exercises Elsie now shoots down flies - mid flight - with her laser vision.

2006-03-11T08:44:00.002-08:00

What a lot of Marys! Phew? - no, lots!

Sally missed a merry gathering of the Marys recently at Knowsley when Anna, the right Mary brought Elsie, the left of centre Mary, to see Fiona, the far left Mary, and Mary.

2006-03-11T08:44:00.001-08:00

Sally's fish were glum at not seeing her for a while - look how sad Spiro was! But after a chat and some fish flake food(fff) they became more resigned to their limited company.

So 10 mins later . . . .

2006-03-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Elsie continues to grow up fast.

Elsie now likes to do the Daily Telegraph criptic crossword. She was doing quite well with Thursday's (always quite a hard one), until she got stuck on 5 down . . .