Life of a Blanket

I was enjoying a well earned rest this afternoon (believe me I needed that rest, I'd forgotten how energetic and curious little ones are once they discover movement!) Anyway while young Nathan was recouping his energy during his afternoon nap it suddenly occurred to me that the little blanket I'd thrown over him had quite a history.

It was woven from shetland wool and bought way way back in 1965 from a craft fare when I was pregnant with my first son. My first born son is young Nathan's Grandpa. At that time it was a purchase that took much consideration as it wasn't cheap and we didn't have cash for luxuries.

It was a cot blanket and a pram blanket but in this photo it's thrown over the back of the sofa. Then two years later Number two son Darrin is pictured using it to keep him warm during an early spring holiday. Then later after another two years number three son, Jason, also benefitted from its warmth.

I'm sure it was used from time to time for Nathan's Mum and Uncle when they stayed with Nannie.

Quite remarkable, three generation later and the blanket is still useful, although it's sadly now, showing signs of old age.

Not quite wild swimming

The Peterborough Lido opened this morning for this summer season and wouldn't you just know it, the weather turned cool and wet. Over this last two weeks has been wonderful. Warm and sunny. This morning dawned grey and right on queue at nine o'clock the rain started.

I arrived at the pool just as the Town Hall clock 'bongs' were striking ten. The time for the official opening and there in the covered entrance to the Lido was the Mayor, Council 'suits', and various hangers on being photographed, filmed and and fawned upon by the Evening Telegraph reporter and some film crew.

The pool was duly declared open and us hardy regulars, patiently waiting at the back, for the 'suited' mob who clearly had no intention of braving the waiting waters, eventually got through to the changing cubicles.

Despite the grey skies the water looked inviting and once you plunged in and got through the first length you quickly realised that it was actually warmer in the water than out of it. Bliss. No shrieking school kids with their teachers shouting over the noise to be heard. No doddery old ladies complaining that the water was freezing and who then proceed to stand talking in the middle of the swimming lanes. No smelly cleaning chemicals clinging to the lining of your nostrils. Just space and fresh air. Wonderful.

The ET reporter continued to photograph one of the Councils hand picked representative jumping in the water until he was satisfied he had the shots he wanted then all the 'suits' and 'hanger ons' disappeared to the room over the entrance for coffee and sandwiches. We on the other hand continued our long awaited swim and looked forward the the rest of the season swimming in the fresh air.

The Search is Over.

Finally, after weeks of Himself trawling the Internet car sites, doing the rounds of local garages and car showroom sites, referring to the '`Used Car' bible, looking up specifications etc, etc, etc, he narrowed the search to the cars he approved of. Then the search was on for specific cars with me in tow to approve or disapprove.

On route we found a candidate not on the hit list that I found comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It was a very economical dual fuel car and priced reasonable for the manufacture year. The very nice sales man actually talked us out of going for it. His reasoning made sense so that idea was binned My ideal small very economical idea of a car was fading fast as Himself was sneakily nudging up my budget ceiling.

Knowing how uncomfortable I've been finding getting in and out of the drivers seat with a 'duff' knee I finally 'fessed up to himself while talking to the very nice sales Man. Himself had decided he wanted an up to date model of the Astra. The very nice sales Man suggested looking at a Vectra, larger roomier but just as economical to run.

So back to the Internet, then yesterday armed with list of cars to view we set off once more. The cars on the Internet sites are not always to be found in a local showrooms they could be in and of the companies showrooms around the country. Two rejected cars later we tried one forecourt with a promising candidate. The sales people were inundated with business so we sneakily decided to go back to the car and phone them to see if the car we were interested in was here locally or in some remote forecourt in a distant city. The last one was in Glasgow! He promised to ring us back. So we headed off to Wisbech to view a promising candidate there.

The car here proved to be acceptable to Himself, right year registration, right price, (for him too expensive for me!) right model. He liked it, did I? He took it for a test drive, I stayed in the showroom with Nathan and sipped machine coffee.

As Estate versions of most of the models we were looking at are as rare as hens teeth now days this is a Hatchback but very roomy. Good for large suitcases for fetching people from airports! I got in the drivers seat but declined to go for a drive. I'll get use to it later. We did the deal, after haggling the price down a little more and scooted off home. So now we pick our new vehicle up on Monday evening after I've sorted Insurance for it. Just for a few short weeks we'll be a two car family once more as my poor old 'girl' is just too old and battered to bother trading in as part exchange. One dealer offered a measly £50 I felt aggrieved and insulted as I'm still very fond of her. She's carried me around faithfully now for 14 years and only stopped once when her battery needed replacing. I hope her replacement gives as good service.

A Hard Days Night

Yesterday and today Himself and Myself have been baby sitting and and exhausting job it is too.

To be fair little Nathan is a really lovely happy chappie, good tempered and good natured but he now, can crawl and stand and he's inquisitive. Doors are there to be opened, buttons to be pushed books and magazines to be investigated. Ornaments and table surfaces to be tasted to see if they're teeth friendly.

Watch out she's got that little black box again!

OK What have we here?

Tools! Not quite like my Uncle Chris's but I can handle these.

Phew it's hard work all this investigative work. I need a nap!

I DO NOT SNORE. THANK YOU!

Mummy has been incarcerated in the office upstairs researching and writing essays. Medical sciences are a complicated exhaustive subject to write about. Mummy thinks peace and quite are necessary a requirement of study but I need some one to supervise and mentor me while I do my studying.

Aggression in the Garden

My normally peaceful tranquil garden seems to be turning into a fight arena over the last few days. There's the little grey squirrels who run along the boarder fence or leap through the trees to seek out the bird food being attacked harried and hassled a magpie. If they stop and shake their bushy tails at their persecuters they risk a sharp peck of the nether regions. I think the magpies may be nesting in next doors trees.

Mr Blackbird who normally tolerates any bird coming to feed or bath in the stream has turned the garden into a no go area for any bird larger than himself. He gets extremely aggressive and fights off any bird that doesn't respond to his warning tweets. It's actually quite funny to watch.

Mrs Blackbird sits placidly on her clutch of speckled blue eggs in her nest tucked in the gazebo coming out occasionally to feed then darting back well guarded by Mr Blackbird.

Even the heron who tries to catch my pond fish has been the target of severe aggression. Not by Mr Blackbird though but by a clutch of big black crows who are not going to tolerate him in their air space. Yesterday the fight got serious when the heron was chased off the roof screaming alarmingly instead of his usual raucous cackle. This morning he managed to fly down into the garden before the crows spotted him and honed in at him. No fish dinner today then! Thank goodness.

A New Family Member

Introducing Imogene Sophia G. weight 7 pound 2 ounces born April 16th. A little Cutie isn't she. She's my niece, Bev's daughter, so that makes me a Great Aunt once again.

April Turns to May

Sad news arrived early on Easter Saturday. Dave's favourite Uncle had finally succumbed to the cancer that had been attacking him for the last couple of years. He was 88 and up until he turned 80 he regularly made the journey in his car, from his home in Manchester, down to visit his sisters and brother scattered in south Lincolnshire. He always made a point of coming over to see us and I can still hear his booming gravelly voice as he came in the house saying 'Now then young Lady.'

On April 16 we packed the car, connected up 'Mr Tom' and headed up the A1 towards Manchester to say our final Goodbyes to him and see family we rarely see. The journey North was smooth and uneventful. It was unexpectedly warmer and sunny after a dull start.

We made good time and 'Mr Tom' guided us well, so crossing the high Peaks in the Peak District National park we decided to break for lunch at this splendidly isolated stone pub.

Despite the sunny day there was a welcoming warm fire in the lounge bar and a really good menu. Continuing our journey across the moors we came to queuing traffic in the small towns approaching Manchester that hindered our progress. Hoping we hadn't lingered too long over our meal we pressed on and arrived in time at the Crem. 'Mr Tom' had done excellent job delivering us to the gates without a hitch.

After the funeral and wake we said our good byes and headed north into Yorkshire to Rastrick to spend the weekend with Himself's brother and Sister in law. This part of Yorkshire changes from rolling green fells, to craggy stone cliff faces, to stark industrial areas and decaying derelict mills. Below is the view from Julie's garden at the top of a sheer cliff face looking over the industrial area of the Calderdale valley.

Back home after a pleasent weekend I found the ducks had returned and was using our little pond as a feeding ground. The same ducks seem to appear every spring. Usually two males and one female. This year the female has only one suitor. As they cause such a mess in the pond and the garden I'm afraid they are evicted each year. Shame as I secretely like them and wouldn't mind some cute fluffy ducklings strutting around the garden.

As April slowly progressed to May the garden continues to come to life and the creatures continue to be a source of amusement. The squirrels that race each other along the fence and sit on the bird table munching merrily on the bird food. Yesterday I watched as a magpie chased the squirrel along the fence and when it stopped and shook his bushy tail, the magpie promptly pecked his derriere.

The tadpoles in the fish tank indoors continue to thrive Unaware of the escape they've had from being duck breakfast. They're slowly being reintroduced to the pond where they disappear into the stones at the bottom before hopefully continuing their life cycle and turn into fully fledged frogs.

These lovely miniature pale yellow tulips have come through at last. Last week they were just leaves, with no sign of a flower bud. A few warm sunny days worked wonders.

The tiny green bud s of the lily of the Valley will soon open and their warm perfume will scent the garden. Their roots will need curbing a little this year after they have flowered as once established they spread rampantly.

The strawberry plants have recovered from their dormant almost dead state and are now flowering well. The juicy berries if they can be picked before the birds or slugs get them are food for Daisy. She does like a ripe strawberry to munch on making a change from grass, daises, dandelions and lettuce. The bluebells and aquilegia are ready to do their bit brightening the garden.

Oh, and all the blackbirds made us laugh chasing each other around the garden a few weeks back have all now paired off and disappeared to play Mums and Dads. All except for one pair that have nested in the overgrown ivy of the gazebo. So there'll be no coffee breaks under the gazebo until the eggs hatch and the chicks fledge. Or the neighbours cat gets them!