Sunday 10th May 09

Went over to Dad's this afternoon and found him sat on a seat behind his house chatting to a neighbour. The neighbour has lost his speech, but Dad just chats away regardless. He's wonderful! I sat on the bench in the glorious sunshine admiring the view and realised that this telephone pole was immediately in front of us. I love the pattern the radiating wires make against the sky, feeding all the houses in the close.

Saturday 9th May 09

Had to fill up with petrol today, so thought I would take a leaf out of Deb's book and record the price for future generations! Not a brilliant photo, but the price reads 93.9p a litre for unleaded.

Friday 8th May 09

Me and my shadow, just to prove that the sun has been out today, although it started out raining.

Thursday 7th May 09

I had a foul day at work today, was dead on my feet, and so needed some comfort food. Nothing better than rice pudding! I heated it up, stirred in a large spoonful of jam and sat down to enjoy. I wondered why it tasted a bit oniony, until I looked at the jar of 'jam'. It was tomato and onion chutney!!!! I went to bed at seven o'clock!

Wednesday 6th May 09

I wanted to go to the bluebell woods in Bishopstoke for a 'photo shoot' this morning because I was teaching near there this afternoon, but Dad had a 'funny turn' yesterday and I insisted he see a doctor, so I took him to the surgery this morning instead. My photo for today would have been of the lovely bluebells so this is one I took on Monday of Harry in the woods in Petersfield.

Tuesday 5th May 09

I've finished the socks I was knitting. They fit really well and are lovely and comfortable. I've joined the Ravelry knitting forum and have read so many tips and new knitting ideas about casting on and finishing off and patterning. These socks were knitted from the cuff down but after reading up about socks I'm keen to knit some from the toe up and to use a different heel and toe arrangement and a 'magic' casting on method. I think I'll still stick to a plainish pattern for now until I get a bit more confident with the shaping.

Monday 4th April 09

I've spent a super day today with my daughters and their menfolk, and my grandchildren. After a superb roast beef lunch cooked by Alex we went to the school where he works to see the flock of Jacob sheep and the new lambs. These ones were only one and two days old. Harry collected eggs in the hen house to take home for his breakfast tomorrow and we had a lovely ramble through the bluebell woods. Unfortunately, Sophie fell asleep after the lambs so not many photos of her. It was very difficult to decide which photo to choose out of the 200 I took, but I think these lambs have won.

Sunday 3rd April 09

My blackbird friend is getting less shy. He followed me around the garden today whilst I cut the grass and let me take a few photos of him. Not brilliantly in focus, but I didn't want to get too close and scare him off.

Saturday 2nd May 09

To celebrate National Scrapbooking Day we had a Lucky Dip at my crop today. I had eyed up all the goodies on offer and really wanted this felt bag kit. However, my name just wasn't called out and I was sure that it would go before it was my turn to choose, but I was in luck. My name was the very last one and no one else had chosen it. Made up, it will do very nicely for my knitting. Thanks a lot, Nicki!

Friday 1st May 09

What a difference a month makes. The border is now full of greenery and the first of the flowers are out. I have to go out daily and pick the snails off of the lillies.

Thursday 30th April 09

It's been an umbrella day today. The children at school haven't been able to go out for playtimes or games lessons so were quite fractious by the end of the afternoon.

Wednesday 29th April 09

Thought I'd try a close-up of a raindrop today. This is as close as I could get with my little camera and still be in focus. The water had collected in the leaves of the plant in my front garden. I don't know what it's called, but it has nondescript green flowers when in bloom.

Tuesday 28th April 09

These Aquilegias have just come out in my front garden. their other name is Columbine. They are so pretty and always remind me of fairies in frilly dresses.

Monday 27th April 09

The rain clouds are gathering. I had to turn the light on at 4 o'clock this afternoon because it got so dark. Within five minutes of taking this picture it was pouring with rain. I've been lurking in the back bedroom off and on today today trying to catch sight of the blackbirds that are nesting in my palm tree but they are too quick for me.

Sunday 26th April 09

One of the layouts I did today at my weekend retreat. I've used a photo collage I did in Picasa of the snaps I took on Mothering Sunday of the little Physic Garden in Petersfield that Catherine and I visited.

Saturday 25th April 09

The hotel in Guildford where I stayed for Scrapper's Paradise. It's a lovely hotel inside, but the grounds aren't up to much, just a lot of carparking space.

Friday 24th April 09

I'm off to Scrappper's Paradise for the weekend and am packing these two books. I've almost finished the Kate Atkinson one and can't wait to read the last few chapters. It's been a jolly good read, full of wry humour and subtle characterisation. Crime fiction at it's best. The other book will be a bit more sober as it's about a Jew in hiding during the Holocaust, as recommended by Debs.

Thursday 23rd April 09

St. Georges Day and I thought I would take a photo of the English flag flying , but I haven't seen any!
It's also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare in 1616, arguably England's greatest playwright. He is suppposed to have died on his birthday, but his birth was never recorded. However, he was baptised on 26th April, 1564 and babies were usually baptised three days after birth, so it's nice to think that it was his birthday as well. This plaque is on the wall of the school I work at.

Wednesday 22nd April 09

I've been thinking of doing a couple of canvases for my walls, but thought I ought to try it out on paper first. I've used an old photo of adorable Harry on this so shall get a more up-to-date one taken for the real thing. I'm glad I did a trial run first as I found out all the difficulties and can put them right next time. The other canvas will be of the adorable Sophie.

Tuesday 21st April 09

Part of my spring-cleaning routine involves sorting and tidying, and so I have sorted out my albums and magazines, and finally, have them in some sort of order, all labelled so that I know what is in them. They all now fit neatly on the top of my computer unit.