Reminders ...

The photo opposite is of my half-sister aged 7 years old, taken in 1937. My cousin delighted me by giving me this just last week. I had never seen it before, but then I never met my half-sister, so it's not surprising. The first thing that struck me was that she looked so much like my father.



By the time I was born to Dad's second wife, my mother, the little girl in the photograph was 17 years old. She died aged 40 years, when I was just 23 years old and had just given birth to #2 son.



I have never been really curious about her because she was too far removed from me, (her living all in life in the USA and me in the Welsh Valleys in South Wales) but seeing this photo of an ordinary little girl and realising that we had the same dad, has made me wonder more about her life as a child.



The last time Dad saw her she was ten years old, so this must have been his last memory of her. It's all so sad, but then all divorces are sad, and it's hard for the children who are caught up in it. I had both my parents, living together, until my mother died, and then Dad stayed on his own. My own children were not as fortunate. Their Dad and I split up when they were 8 & 12 years respectively.



Somehow this photo has made me melancholy and I don't know why. I shall treasure it though and buy a nice silver frame for it. It will be a reminder that life is fragile and circumstances unavoidable. I believe that everything is mapped out for us.

Wimbledon History

History was made this evening at Wimbledon. When the rain started early evening, the newly constructed roof came over Centre Court for the first time. The crowds were cheering and the flash bulbs were flashing, the atmosphere was great. I would loved to have been there tonight.



Andy Murray has got through to the Quarter Finals. What a match! I sat on the edge of my seat most of the time. It went to 5 sets and lasted 3 hours and 55 minutes. Murray was exhausted. Just as he was walking off court some T.V reporter walked up to him and started interviewing him. How silly. The guy could hardly breath, and this interviewer kept asking him silly questions like 'what does it feel like to play under the new roof ?' He probably didn't even notice.




Anyway, he's through to the next round. He plays again next on Wednesday. I am enjoying the tournament this year, but I can't settle to watching women's tennis any more. It seems so slow after the men's game - sadly I don't enjoy it as much these days.

End of the birthday weekend ...

My birthday weekend was rounded off nicely with another treat, which was a birthday meal out from Mrs H. We went to a place that we had discovered at Christmas and had a super meal. Thank you Mrs H it was a lovely afternoon. My calorie counting diet has gone through the roof this weekend!


It is humid tonight, the threat of thunder is tangible. A good storm will clear the air - and save me watering the garden - me and thousands of others I suspect.


Well, the end of another birthday weekend, another year older. I wonder what this next year will bring?



College tomorrow, and I am presenting my Commentary for appraisal. If it is okay I will present it in that form for my Final Assessment. I hope it is acceptable as I am getting a bit weary of homework. It's been a long haul since January!

Slices of my life ....

This chap on the left is Fergus. Fergus the Frog. He is a birthday present from my friend Bee. He will live on my bed and on occasions my nightie will live in his tum. You see Fergus is a nightdress case! He was one of the many lovely gifts and cards I received for my birthday, thank you to those of you that are blog followers ..... xxx's to you all.

This morning I went to St. Woolos Cathedral to support a friend who was being ordained as deacon. It was a lovely morning, very joyous and emotional. There were friends there from way back in my life, from a very bad time in my life and current friends and acquaintances. It was a like seeing slices of my life. Wonderful. I thought my birthday couldn't get any better ...and it did!

Son #1 came and picked me up lunchtime and took me to his home where we sat by the pool on this glorious day, sipping lovely exotic ice cold drinks. When granddaughter #3 had finished playing football, we all went to The Celtic Manor for a late lunch. What a fabulous place. I didn't know how much it had developed since the days when I used to go there. Way out of my league now. The glorious sunshine kept beating down as we overlooked some superb views of the beautiful Usk valley. This is a side of Newport that many people don't see. The surrounding countryside is as stunning as any of our neighbouring counties. What a glorious birthday this has been.

I came home and took some phone calls from various friends and now Bee is coming for a good old fashioned 'cuppa' early evening. I have had a really special birthday. Love and thanks to all of you that made it so special, with your cards, invitations, gifts and most of all for giving me your time.

p.s Bee brought a tiny little birthday cake - I didn't bother to count the calories, after my lunch it seemed pointless!

Flowers for me!

Tomorrow is my birthday - 29 years again! These flowers came from my sister this morning, she knew in advance I would not be in tomorrow. The colours are vibrant and somehow capture the month - June.

I have had loads of cards and presents (as yet unopened) but more of that tomorrow.

The Vicar was with us in the office this morning and he looks very well. It is the first time I have had a real conversation with him. He is a quiet, very private man, but extremely intelligent, dry, and witty; he's a good conversationalist too. I like that in a person.

Today cannot pass without the mention of the death of Michael Jackson. It was reported on the BBC news that Websites were struggling to cope last night as Internet users read about his death.

Prescription painkillers have been cited as the cause, what a waste of a life. I know very little about his music, but found him fascinating to watch. His absolute mastery of movement made him compulsive viewing whenever he was on television. May he find the peace in death that was so elusive to him in life.

Busy Bee Me!

What's that kiddies song?

I'm a busy, busy, busy bee, I'm as busy as a bee can be.

Well that has been me. I took on far too much this week, in fact the whole of June has passed me by! It is, in no small part, due to my final assignment being due in at college and the deadline date of July 6th is drawing ever closer, but also I took on too many commitments. Next week is better, so I will have time to relax and spend more time on the blog - and watch Andy Murray at Wimbledon, if he's still in! A good match yesterday, I managed to watch a good bit of it before going out last night. He did good !!! That's what we want from him, imagine the pressure on him though - it must be immense.

Off to man the parish office now.

Pottering and other things .....

The owl pictured opposite was made in my kitchen today, but not by me - but by Miss Music. (so called for the purpose of this blog because she is a piano teacher) We started pottery together back in January. Miss Music came for the day and we duly set up a pottery studio in my kitchen which quickly spread into rear garden. It was all good fun, but the sheep I was trying to make did not work out, so I ended up with just another bog standard bowl! Miss Music however, had more success with her owl.




These pottery days are innovative and useful practice, but they are hard work when you are doing it at home - there is so much cleaning up to do!




MU tonight, I really didn't feel like going, but then I never do . The curate was speaking tonight, she was very good. She was a solicitor before she went into the Church (this is quite common among solicitors - I wonder why?) and she spoke about the law in relation to Canon law. (the Church legal system) It was interesting. She spoke about the age old differences between Church and State, a subject in which she was quite knowledgeable. Then the subject came around to Church traditions, good and bad, and I said that I had to be *'churched' after my eldest son was born. She was amazed that this was still going on in 1967. I, and many others there this evening were subjected to this awful ritual. We were relieved to hear that this practice ceased in the Church of England in the 1940's but no one, including the curate, knew why it was abolished so late in the century in the Church in Wales.



Our vicar is back in work after his mini-stroke, well back in the Parish at least. As he cannot drive for a month his duties are limited, but it's good to know he is on the mend.



* To be 'churched' - to bring a woman to Church after childbirth to be cleansed and forgiven for her sin.

A smile line for today ...

Teacher: 'What is the shape of the earth John?'
John: 'It's round.'
Teacher: 'How do you know it's round?'
John: 'All right, it's square, then. I don't want to start an argument with you.'

******

Wimbledon Starts!

Arriving at the parish office for my stint this morning, I found the Church wide open, people milling about and children singing. I was perplexed to say the least! No one had told me that there was a service. Worried sick in case I had forgotten something, I gingerly went forward to open up the office. No worries, it was an end of term assembly for the Toddler group, nothing to do with the Parish office, therefore not my responsibility. (I sound like Jobs Worth!)

The rest of the morning was quiet and I met some nice people for the first time, who go to the early morning Eucharist, so it was the first time we had all met up.

An afternoon watching Andy Murray in his first round match at Wimbledon was relaxing, although I was on the edge of my seat once or twice, but he pulled it off - he's through! I am not sure the pressure isn't too much for him though, and I am not convinced he will get through to the final - but I hope so.

A Busy day ...

After college today I drove straight to Hereford to visit my cousin. Her husband is a a very talented artist, who has kindly agreed to illustrate my Final Assignment. The journey from the City to their house is straightforward and an easy 45 mile drive.



The story is for 5-7 year olds and is about a little girl who is taken to the seaside for the day and then gets lost. Children like illustration at that age, and although the tutor has pointed out that this is not a graphics course, it will be appraised more favourably if the story is illustrated. I will write more about the story as the weeks go on, but at the moment I have put so much work into this assignment, I am thoroughly sick of this child ... even though she came out of my head!!!

I rang my sister before going to college to say Happy Birthday! If you read this blog today A ... Have a super time and loads of love from me xx xx

Summer Solstice

Today, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.


I just heard on the news that sunrise over Stonehenge this morning was quite an event, with Druid ceremonies, music, Morris dancing and much merriment. However, overcast skies obscured the sun, so it was not as spectacular as was expected.


Well I suppose it's all down hill from now on. Next month is July; therefore we will be seeing adverts for 'Book early for Christmas'. How depressing. Why can't we enjoy the seasons, enjoy what is here now, not start planning Christmas in July. All this means is that by the time it comes around everyone is thoroughly fed up with it.

Stolen - one bell push!

Whatever next? When Miss A came around today, she asked where my doorbell was. When we looked the 'bell press' part that used to sit beside the door, on the wall outside, was gone! It hadn't dropped off as it was not on the floor on anywhere in the vicinity of the house.

It was probably children. Nobody in their sound mind would take the 'bell press'. It is one of those ones that plugs in to an electric socket inside, and when pressed outside it connects. Totally useless to anyone except me

Unfortunately, we live in a world where mindless things like this are all too common, and I have to be thankful that this was such a minor thing. It could have been a lot worse.

A new doorbell is required now. I think I will get one where the outside part is screwed to the wall this time!

Help & Helplessness

Help and helplessness sometimes go hand in hand. When I went into the Parish office to give a helping hand this morning, my colleagues were all looking pretty grim. 'Busy week?' I asked. That was an understatement. Our Vicar had suffered a stoke and was in hospital. The Parish team, both clergy and laity, are stretched to full capacity to keep things running smoothly.
Thus the feeling of helplessness that we all feel. It isn't until something like this happens you realise how much some of the clergy put into their Parish, and this is a big Parish.


If you are a Christian reading this, please pray for all stoke victims at this time and the families that are left devastated by it.

The picture above is a pale yellow hibiscus.

Today Rain ...

I spoke too soon yesterday about the weather. It has poured down all day. The sun came out just briefly and that gave me the opportunity to go outside and plant the geraniums I had given me yesterday. Then the rain came again.


Still, what it did mean to me is that I was able to get on with working on my assignment. I am so cheesed off with it! I remember feeling like this at the end of last term. You get thoroughly cheesed off with the characters you have created.

Doing the Commentary has been exactly the same. There is only so much you can say about a piece. All that said I have really enjoyed my time at UWN - and I shall be back for more of the same next year. In the meantime I have got another four weeks and a lot more work to do!

Today Beautiful Sunshine ...

Wild flower meadow.

What glorious weather we are having this month. The long term forecast says it's here for the summer. I certainly hope so.


I Went to see Miss L today, and we walked through her wild flower meadow (above) which was lovely. She took some photos with my camera as she dropped something heavy on hers over the weekend. I got lucky - I was given some clumps of these pretty geraniums (below) for my own garden.

Geranium

When I came home and sat in my little garden (well, more of a yard with a border actually) I had to smile. It is about as far removed from Miss L's as you can get. I still remember the days of acres of garden, but I couldn't cope with that now on my own, but it was lovely wandering around someone else's all the same.

A relaxing day - Nice!

Results!

I was told in Church this morning (Yes, there again) that the pastries table (Cake stall to regular Coffee morning attendees) made £55. Not bad? The whole morning netted about £160, so I guess proportionately the cake stall did quite well!

Guess what Blog followers; I don't go there again until Friday!!!

From Church to Pub!

Everyone has heard the old adage 'from Church to pub’; well that was me last night. Miss A and myself went to Church - (yes, again - I seem to be there an awful lot), to hear the Gwent Police Male Voice Choir. It was a Charity event and it was a great night. Their repertoire was extensive and they sang quite a lot from musicals as well as the traditional Welsh hymns.



When it was over, it was still quite early- and light- which was a bonus, so we thought we would go and get a nice cold drink somewhere. I couldn't face the Church crowd again!!! We went to a small country pub that I know and what should be on, for Saturday night only, but a guy with an electric guitar singing sixties music! He was great, so there was Miss A and myself mingling with the crowd and singing on the tops of our voices. From Welsh folk and classical, to sixties 'pop' in about eight minutes flat!!!



Last night I looked like a lobster! I decided to do my revision in the garden yesterday afternoon, between my attendances at Church events! When I went to shower, my face arms and neck were bright red, so I took some teasing last night. I just suggested it might just be a healthy glow!!!

The cake seller!

A glorious day, the sun shining, the temperatures soaring and where was I today, flogging cakes at the Church summer Coffee 'n' Cakes morning INSIDE the Church hall!

Although a city centre Church, there is loads of ground around our Church and I thought it might be nice to string up some bunting and put the tables up outside, some in the sun and some in the shade, and attract some passes by. No, we couldn't do it that way as it has always been done this way - in the gloomy Church hall! Then, when we didn't sell much, the complaint was because it was only Church people that had attended the event! Passers by are not going to wander into a Church hall, where the people in there are so 'clicky' that they would feel uncomfortable, are

they?

Maybe it's just as well, the last time I manned a cake stall outdoors (Oh, and it's called the - pastries table now not the cake stall!!! - since WHEN?) a dog had got away from it's owner and went under the table where I had stored the surplus cakes, in boxes, in readiness for replacing the sold items. He wolfed down the lot! So, maybe this was not such a good idea!

Last Chance Harvey.

Another trip to the cinema last night to see the latest Dustin Hoffman film. This was a romantic comedy, a bit slow in parts, but didn't detract from the story of Harvey Shine (Hoffman) an American jingle-writer who goes to London for his daughter's wedding and meets Kate (Emma Thompson) and they fall in love.



Yuk - I can here you saying, but it wasn't like that at all. Very tastefully done, there were great performances by Hoffman and Thompson. While the plot was not ground-breaking, the film was amusing. A different, more mature look at an otherwise stale story.


A McDonald's afterwards finished off a very pleasant evening!



This morning saw me at an office desk for the fist time in *!* years. I started as a volunteer to help run the Parish office with a group of other like-minded people. The set up is excellent, I know a lot of Parishes that would give a lot for a set up like this, and actually adjacent to the Church. The time went quickly and I enjoyed meeting new people. I left with a feeling that I had been of some help. I am looking forward to next week already.

Frustration and sadness ...

The Welsh news on BBC1 this evening brought the news that the proposed multi - million shopping mall planned for Newport has been shelved. The Contractors have pulled out. What a surprise!

We have spent millions on our road systems and several multi story car parks have been built to serve the City centre. Now, no City centre - well not one worth visiting anyway. Shops, large and small have pulled out in readiness for the new mall with it's 'posher' large stores and riverside cafes, and what now - nothing!

So what happens next? The answer is not a lot, not for a long while anyway - if ever. Local people and visitors are going to go to Cardiff and Bristol (Newport is sandwiched between these two fine cities) and the smaller, but more modern, Cwmbran. What a waste of money. Facilities that have already been provided now have nothing to serve! Crowds simply do not flock into Newport as it is.

All this does not surprise me. I have been in this town (for that's what it is - a town) for over forty years and it's always been the same - A town of missed opportunities!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was very sad tonight to read that the blog I have been following for nearly two years is to be discontinued. I, and many others, have been following the journey of John Bridenbecker as he fought with prostate cancer. The, blog written by his wife Pam, was compelling reading. It outlines the horror of this disease graphically, and was written to encourage men over 40 years to get themselves checked out. Now, after his funeral Pam has ended the blog.

Pam will be in the hearts and thoughts of many in the coming weeks and months, and those of us that followed her journey wish her peace and much needed rest.

An ordinary day really ......

I helped my friend Bee with some stuff that she was falling behind with from her day job. Percentages - ugh! I did it that's what counts!

This afternoon I went for coffee with one of my pottery friends. Just 37 years old and in remission from breast cancer. The prognosis is not good. Listening to her attitude to life makes me feel ashamed that I complain about anything at all! That is one brave lady.

I thought I had a problem with the car on the way home, but if I did it has rectified itself, we will have to see what tomorrow brings.

Then this evening 4 hours on my Assessment for college. It is starting to take shape, but I may have to type it out again in the Word format, as presentation wise it is unacceptable as it is. Watched Eastenders at ten o'clock and that completes a day in the life of me!

Reflection

Today has been a day of reflection. Thoughts for someone I once new who died recently of alcoholism aged 47 years, for my friend Miss L who took the service at the crematorium earlier today, and for Pam in California, a fellow blogger, who buried her beloved John also today. My thoughts and prayers have been with you all.

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A day of thought in college too. The time of the Final Assessment is upon us agin. There is hard work needed from us all, some will find it more difficult than others, but we must try. Thoughts about all those issues too.

A visit to Usk.

This afternoon Miss A. and myself took ourselves off to Usk. There were two reasons for this, Miss A had never been there before, although she has lived in this country for nearly twenty five years, and me because I wanted to suss out exactly where the castle ruins were and the access road etc.


The mission was partly accomplished. Miss A got to see Usk, which she loved, we walked around and had a coffee - then along came the rain - heavy rain!


I did, however, have a chat with a guy in an antique shop (where we were sheltering from the rain) and he told me how to get to the castle. I also managed to establish that there is a car park there. The rain seemed set for the afternoon and anyway I did not have my camera with me as this was just a reconnaissance mission - so we made for home.


I want to photograph Usk castle, as I keep reading how lovely the ruins are and the setting is suppose to be beautiful. All I know of it is that it is a Norman castle thought to have been founded about 1120, the same time as the town itself.


A project for the near future I think, when college is finished and my assignment finished.

The picture above is Usk Castle taken from a tourist brochure.

Cramping his style?

We have all seen the signs in the back of car windows saying 'Baby on Board'. Coming back from Somerset last night we saw one that read:

EX
HUSBAND

IN

BOOT.

Congratulation to whoever thought this up, sounds a man/woman of some experience!

'The Walled Garden'

The entrance, the garden and Bill Moore, Potter.

What a super day I have had. I spent a day doing pottery in 'Barley Wood Walled Garden' in North Somerset. The rain had stopped before we left Wales and when we got to Bristol there was a watery sunshine which lasted all day.

The walled garden was originally part of the estate of the Wills family, the cigarette manufactures, of Bristol. For more than 25 years the gardens were lost to brambles and neglect, but after careful restoration they now house, a homely 'posh' cafe, a thriving community of talented artists and have award winning organic producers tending the land. There is a farm shop and a good display of work by local artists where you can purchase goods if you so wish. All this set at the foot of the beautiful Mendip hills.

It was to one of the craft tutors that I went today, Bill Moore, the potter pictured above. He is an extremely skilled potter, and today, with his help, I had my first session on the potters wheel. I can now boast that I have actually 'thrown a pot'. It came out very well, all of those done on the wheel were good. I know we had help, but he did let us do it ourselves until it looked as if we were loosing control and then he stepped in. It was magic! What a bonus to have one to one tuition. We did four items each, three modelling items and one thrown pot. We did not stop for a break, and worked right through to the end of the session, but the time seemed to fly.

There is a Maize opening in the garden on 11th July, fun for adults and kids alike. It it covers two acres and will take 30 minutes to get to the centre. It has been designed by Bill Moore, the pottery tutor, he is a really clever fellow.

The 'posh' cafe where we had our lunch was homely, the food was excellent and the presentation was beautiful; again overlooking the Mendip hills. This venue is open to the public, it is not just for booked parties of potters and growers.

Want to know more?

Visit - wringtongreens.co.uk

You could enjoy a really nice lunch and have an afternoon out there.

The Anniversary Cross

The Anniversary Cross

I kept my appointment at Church today to photograph the Anniversary Cross (see posting - Sunday 31st May). The Cross has been mounted on the north wall of the Church commemorating 50 years of the re-opening of the Church in 1952, after the fire of 1949.

There are ten Christian images, each one made individually, by a Church group or member according to their talents. They were then joined together to form a large crucifix. It is far more stunning than this photograph, but this was the better image to give the overall view. The Cross dominates the north wall, and is what the eye is drawn to as soon as you sit down in Church, surpassed only by the stain glass windows behind the Alter and the Lady Chapel.

While meeting with the Parish office team this morning, I found myself agreeing to become part of their team. As they were clearly undermanned, it was difficult to say no!

Open Forum?

I went out early this morning to cast my vote! The day was glorious - not too hot. Walking back I thought about the conversations I have had over the last ten days or so, with various people who have been verbose about their political thoughts and leanings; I put it down to recent happenings.

I have been mildly surprised at some peoples choice of party to support, no surprise at others, but quite shocked by some.

Is this a new thing - people openly discussing their political leanings? As a girl, growing up in the Welsh valleys, no one spoke openly about politics or religion, or declaring their interests to anyone who would listen. These were private matters. I suppose, like everything else, it's the way things have changed. For better or for worse I wonder?

Sadness

This morning I checked the blog that I referred to yesterday. John (Mr. Indi) died in the early hours of this morning.

I have followed his struggle for almost two years and, although very sad, I am glad to hear he is at last at peace. This fiercely independent man, who in the end had to allow his wife to change his nappies and wash him down, we can only imagine how that felt. As for her she did it willingly and with love, while struggling cope with his size in comparison to her own. She fought her own fight valiantly.

Thoughts and prayers are with you today Pam.

Pottery and Prayers

Today's temperatures have been much more manageable, but we still had to have all the doors and windows open in the pottery class as the kiln was on; that gives out a lot of heat. Great in the winter though ....

The class today was all about finishing up bits and pieces as the term ends next Wednesday. We are doing traditional cream teas next week to celebrate the end of term, so there won't be much work done. I have enjoyed this class and have decided to return in the Autumn. If I was going there for serious tuition and to learn an art skill, I would find another class, but as I am doing it for part learning and part social, this will do.

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This past eighteen months, long before I started blogging myself, I have been following a blog written by a lady in California, who was originally a girl from Birmingham. She has charted the progress in a brave and personal way of her husbands illness - prostate cancer. The blog is dedicated to all men who are fighting this disease. This week has brought the words that all her followers have been dreading to read,

'I feel he is beginning to walk through that last door'.

I went to a small Church opposite the pottery class at lunchtime, one which I knew stayed open during daytime hours, and said a prayer for them both. This lady is not a Believer, but that doesn't matter to me. God will receive Mr. Indi's soul whatever we on earth think.

On Tuesday she wrote;

'He will not go gentle into that goodnight' - Dylan Thomas.

Anyone who has been following this blog cannot help but admire them both, him for his struggle to beat this disease and her, so recently completed treatment for cancer herself, for love and sheer dedication to his well being. If this is to be the time, my thoughts and prayers are with both Indi & Mr. Indi.

If you are a man over 40 reading this, get yourself checked out is her message. It could save your life.

Magical Morning .........

After a ropey start to the day, having to get an emergency appointment with the Doctor for the bite on my eye (which was closed to a slit with the bag underneath large enough to carry all my handbag contents - well almost) my day turned around.






I met a friend in the City to go to an art exhibition, which was being held in The Newport Museum and Art Gallery'. The exhibition was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Welsh Group of Artists. I was persuaded to go in the first place because the admission is Free! Am I glad I went? My fledgling interest in art was complimented by my friends extensive knowledge and the whole Exhibition made me tingle with excitement.




Once we had seen the pictures on view at the Exhibition, we went on to look around the rest of the display. Wonderful ceramics, more art on loan from other galleries and some wonderful examples of Clarice Cliff pottery in pristine condition. What a morning. I could have stayed there all day, which we nearly did, as we had our lunch there and then went on to look at the Museum on the next floor.




Both the exhibition and the Museum were well laid out, ceramics all in modern cabinets, monitored by high security cameras. I felt it was possible to reach out and touch some of the exhibits.




I was taken with some of the work of Shirley Jones (not currently on display) I bought a catalogue from a previous exhibition that was held of her work in 2002 ( for the princely sum of £1). The etching above is 'Tirabad' one of her earlier works. . A very interesting lady, but more about her in another posting.




I bought another catalogue too, 'The Box of Delights' from a Children's Book Illustrations Exhibition, previously shown at the Newport Art Gallery (also £1). What a little find! This will help me decided on the sort of illustration I want for my writing assessment. A truly Magical Morning!

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The inflammation around my eye continues to subside, with any luck, I will be able to see enough to do some work on my pots tomorrow in Pottery class!

The Wedding Season.

I was told on Sunday, that the next twenty weekends are chaotic at Church - for the Wedding season is upon us again.

Browsing through our Church magazine tonight, I read this little rhyme. It made me smile. It is so typical of the Welsh.

The Wedding Report

The bridal veil was fragile net,

the bridal gown was lace.

The bride wore slippers on her feet.

a smile was on her face.

The bride wore gloves of softest silk,

bright garlands graced her hair,

her large bouquet was softest pink ...

Oh, and the groom was also there.

***

Heat, bites and lack of concentration ....

These temperatures are great if you have nothing much to do. However, sitting in a classroom, where you can't open the windows due to traffic noise and the once open door has to be closed because of other students accessing the corridor, was no pleasure this morning in college. It wasn't conducive to producing good class work!



Slightly better in the library after lunch with air conditioning, but overall I find these temperatures distracting - me and thousands of others I know! On top of all that I was bitten on the eyelid last evening when sitting by the river. All was well when I put my 'war paint' on to go to college, but by the time I got home my face resembled that of Quasimodo! Avoidance of people for the rest of the day is a must...


We were given our deadline dates for final assessment pieces this morning. This means that hot weather or not, I have some serious studying to do. You forget about all this when you finish full time education, I now understand how my grandchildren feel!

I have identified someone who is willing to do my illustrations for me; all I have to do now is write the story. That will be the easy bit, the hard part comes afterwards - with the editing

Children's writing is extremely difficult, much harder that adult fiction, as there is so many boundaries to stay within. Most of us in this college year thought children's writing would be 'a doddle'. How wrong can you be?

The picture is a pot of petunias I planted earlier in the year. They seem to have blossomed overnight!