An amazing maize maze!

What an amazing place! This picture above is my friend in a maize field, which was designed and planted as a maze. It was a hoot walking around there; the maize is so tall we were given tall red flags so that we could lift them if we got lost!


We went for a Bank Holiday day out, four of us. We had discovered this place in early summer through attending their craft barns where pottery classes are held. The guy that teaches us pottery actually designed this Maze - he really is a versatile guy. The maize will be harvested at the end of September; the cows in the neighbouring fields will be eating it! Then new plants will be planted next year to create the 2010 Maze!


They were telling us today that before they harvest it, they are going to hold Torchlight Nights - get lost in the dark! You can buy supper of corn-on-the-cob and chilli in the cafe and then when darkness falls navigate your way around the Maze with flashlights. Sounds fun!

Binding together.

Invitations from the Church in Wales

The Church in Wales invitations for 'Back to Church' Sunday were given out this morning. This all happens on Sunday on 27th September. Anglican churchgoers are preparing to invite thousands of people 'back to Church' thereby joining in the UK-wide evangelism event.


The Family Fun Day this afternoon (which did go ahead) is all part of a big initiative to bring the Church and the local communities together; it's also part of the mission mandate for our Church. Today was a forerunner for the commencement of Street Pastors in the city and the aforementioned event on 27th September.


These are huge urban challenges for us, as sadly there is little influence from the Church in the daily lives of the communities in cities all over the UK. This is sadly not a local issue but a world wide issue. The event this afternoon wasn't terribly encouraging, not in the sense of lack of support for the fun events, but certainly there was a palpable disinterest in anything 'Church'. It leaves me wondering how successful any of the initiatives will be, but as Christians we have to try; if we don't, then the question is raised 'What's the Church is doing'?


I don't know the answer as to how we get a wider acceptance of the Church within a community, but I personally feel the Church is a solid foundation for my own generation, but what will happen to future generations? This is why it is important to keep trying to make the general public more aware of the human face of Christians, not just the Sunday 'do gooders' that, sadly, is all they see.

A birthday celebration!

A spectacular display of fireworks finished off the evening at the family celebration last night. We were all gathered together to celebrate the fifth birthday of one of my little great nieces who was born in Wales. They say a star does not die without getting noticed; well the second half of this firework display might have frightened the starts half to death! They were very pretty, super, but also loud. I bet we were popular with the neighbours!!! My brother-in-law told me afterwards that the most spectacular of the fireworks were the cheaper ones of all the ones he had bought. Isn't this often the case?



It was a super afternoon and evening, just 22 of us in all, including the four little ones and some of my own grandchildren, a nice enough number to still appreciate socialising, conversation and a sense of 'being together' in recreation. My sister and I spent some of the time preparing and cooking before the others arrived, and my nephews were putting up colourful decorations in the form of balloons and streamers. A birthday cake duly arrives and candles were place. This, much later, was brought into the room for the Birthday Girl to blow out her candles (with a little help from her cousins who needed to get in on the act!).



Driving home at 1am this morning was a quiet and thought provoking time with virtually no traffic about until I reached the outskirts of the city. It was a reflective and peaceful time.



This afternoon there is a Family Fun Day locally, held jointly by the Police and local Churches, to promote recreation for young people. I am supposed to be manning a stall with the vicar’s wife, but as this is an open-air stall I don't know if it will be running in the rain. It's raining at the moment, so watch this space folks!

'A' level student ....

My granddaughter telephoned this morning with her A level results. Mostly A's, a few B's and 3 A *s. Am I proud? You bet I am. What a clever girl!

Congratulations ... my lovely girl, you have made your Grandma so proud!

Off Line and 'Off' week!

Just about how I feel this week!

Why is it sometimes we have 'off' weeks? It's not that we are doing anything different, all the chores are the same old ... same old ... yet some weeks, they are a HUGE chore and everything goes wrong. Is it our minds are not on the job, or that we are not mentally or physically ready to tackle small problems. I really don't know but this has certainly been an 'off'' week with everything I have touched going wrong.

This computer went down for no obvious reason Monday night, giving me the message Disk boot failure, insert system disk & press enter. What does that mean to me? After almost an hour of searching I found the original start up disk and inserted it. Nothing. So I went for a swim, switching everything off before I went, in the vain hope that when I returned it would have righted itself. My luck's not like that!


So, this morning I had to take it to a local computer repairers. A second hard, drive that I had forgotten had been installed for me, was not allowing the recent update from Microsoft to register on the original hard drive. The second hard drive was removed when it was discovered that it had been wiped clean during installation (that's why I couldn't get my Publisher docs off it!). The machine was then cleaned as a courtesy and BINGO I am up and running again!


I am not going to bore you with the other things that have gone wrong, we all have weeks like this not just me, but it's so damn frustrating when we do, everything takes twice as long. Perhaps now that I have put it all down 'on paper' as it were, I have eased my frustrations and exorcised the jinx!

Christmas Crackers!

This weekend I felt as though I had been whisked up from my life, probably by an alien from DR. WHO and planted back down again four months in the future! Ms.A and myself walked into a pub Saturday night to be greeted by some very skimpy skirted Santas, a beautifully Christmas decorated pub, a Christmas tree with presents underneath and plenty of Holly and Mistletoe.

No. I haven't lost the plot - but I thought I had Saturday night. There we were dressed in our short-sleeved summer outfits, admiring the beautiful hanging baskets outside and we simply stepped inside, into another world. I am one of these people who tear my hair out because of early advertising and piped Christmas carols in September. It was still August wasn't it - well I thought it was when I left home? All this should come after Harvest Festival, after bonfire night and ducking apple night. Logical, yes, but when was capitalism ever logical I ask myself?



Soooooo, Ms A asked at the bar what on earth was going on? A Charity event. This soothed our thinking no end, and our sanity! We were given rather smart Christmas hats to put on and if we took them off we had to pay a fine. It was a fund raising event for the Church next door. We were both okay with that and entered into the spirit of the evening - or Christmas - however you want to look at it! We had a really good evening actually, there were two guys there, mature in age, just like us, playing sixties music which is why we had gone there in the first place! We had a super evening.



Then when I got to Church this morning, the chap that has been helping me with my nativity project had put the finishing touches to my stable (see picture below). This is the basic thing; I now have to decorate it, which is the next step

So what with Christmas festivities Saturday evening and my stable making it's debut in Church today, it's been a real Christmassy weekend. For someone who doesn't even like the Christmas season, I thought I handled it all very well.



Now back to August, a summer Songs of Praise in Church this evening - that's more like it!!!



P.S It was dark when we left the pub and it was extraordinary to see it from the outside with Christmas trees twinkling inside and beautiful hanging baskets in full flower cascading down the walls outside - and I didn't have my camera with me!

Funereal Experiences

A lady whom I sit by in Church thought it was not quite right for me to go for this mornings echo cardiogram on my own, despite assurances that I would be fine, and usually did these things on my own. My appointment was 9.50. I set off in plenty of time to find parking as this is a nightmare when visiting the RGH. This sweet little lady flagged me down as I approached the meeting place and instructed me to park in the local undertakers, opposite the hospital. As I started to protest, she said she was a friend of the family and it would be fine. I snuggled in between two big shiny hearses and we walked over to the hospital. It was only 9.30. I was settling my new friend into the waiting room, when my name was called. I hadn't even sat down!



The echo cardiogram completed, I returned to my chaperon and we duly returned to the car. It was exactly 9.49! We had parked, walked to the cardiology, had the procedure, returned with a minute to spare before my scheduled appointment time.



The undertakers waved us off from their office window (Why did I ever doubt this lady?) and I soon dropped her off home before going into the office. Before we parted I thanked her for accompanying me and said I would, of course, inform her when I needed to go again and would be glad of her company!!! You must never look a gift horse in the mouth, and with parking at the RGH at a premium, I would be silly to refuse her offer. Mercenary I know!



When I got to the office, there was a funeral scheduled for this morning. Part of my duties is to provide all visiting undertakers with tea & coffee. All was going well, when into the side room where they wait went a young woman who started to breast feed her baby! I had about three minutes, to round up these sedate undertakers, all smartly dressed in their top hats and tails and herd them around to another part of the Church. My fellow office worker was in stitches with laughter and said I looked like a demented 'Bo-Peep'! Thank heavens we were well out of sight of the mourners - I think!

The edge of my seat .....

I went to the cinema last night with friend Bee. We went to see a horror film - ORPHAN. This film is a recent release and it IS violent, but it kept me in suspense all through the film. Those of us watching it had no idea which direction the film would take. It was realistic in as much as the adoptive parents were credible, they could have been your neighbours or mine. You take a liking to them and that made it hard for the viewer when things were going badly wrong for them.



The orphan herself is called Esther and you can't help taking a liking to her initially. I would think this is one of the better thrillers you will see this year on the big screen. Even if you are not too keen on horror films I would recommend ORPHAN.



During the day I met my cousin W in Monmouth. We managed to dodge the showers, by finding coffee shops ( and subsequently loos!) when it rained, but most of the time it was dry. Where is this Bar-B-Q summer we were promised? It's getting a bit late now!

Family History

Miss L and I spent the morning in the County Records Office. When I agreed to help her with her searches I didn't think I would find it fascinating! One of her hobbies is Family History, so we found ourselves in a 'search room' in the CRO, looking through numerous listings which the staff there make available to you. This service is actually FREE! We were looking for information about people who resided in the geographic area of the former County of Monmouthshire.

We eventually got some of the information Miss L was searching for. I left after three hours or so but Miss L stayed on and ultimately got what she wanted, which will enable her to go forth to the next part of her research.

I admire her tenacity, I couldn't do it. I am not sure whether I haven't got the patience or simply don't have enough interest in my ancestors. Either way I believe that it becomes a hobby somewhere along the line, which is fine, but it's not for everyone, like all other hobbies, it's an individual thing, personal to yourself.

The sea wall

The sea wall at Goldcliff - looking East.

After supper tonight I went out for a ramble on my own. Now that I have started doing this, I would like to continue, so I took myself down to Goldcliff and walked along the sea wall. It certainly blew the cobwebs away down there.

I was chatting to one of the locals who was telling me of the concerns regarding the sea defences. It appears that they need to be raised due to the projected effects of global warming. Uskmouth to Chepstow in particular are at risk. I am told £70 million is required to complete all the work before rising sea levels over the next 20 years destroys the area. Homes, farms, schools, indeed whole communities could be wiped out.

I asked what the Environment Agency's views on all this were, and was told they are aware of the potential threat but currently the cost is prohibitive. So much for my peaceful walk for some time to think. I did a lot of thinking alright, but about climate change. My own problems seemed small after that!

Although it has been a nice day weather wise, nice enough to spend the afternoon sitting in the garden with a friend, but this evening there was a rather fresh sea breeze that kept peoples coats firmly on their backs! The whole evening felt like an 'end of summer' evening and I felt somewhat melancholy coming home. We must look for the positives in the Winter months, not the negatives, as we endure the dark cold season. Easier said than done I think!

Sirhowy Valley Walk

After lunch today my friend and I decided to go for a walk. We decided to explore the Sirhowy Valley Walkway. Rather than explore the obvious we took the flatter, straighter route to see where it would bring us out. It was a lovely route. We found ourselves about forty feet above the Sirhowy river which was flowing quite fast below us. It was so clean, like drinking water to look at. Beautiful!

We came across this seat (photo above) and when we saw it in a distance thought we would have a half way sit down. This was not to be, as the seat had no seat!!!

I used to walk a lot for recreation, but due to this wretched arthritis in my right knee I can't do so much now, but this weekend I have made a start. I must try and walk two or three times a week. It certainly is a pleasure living in these parts. My walking is more of a ramble, but you see more when out rambling.

Every twist and turn on our route we were discovering something different. It was a super afternoon, but then the whole weekend has been pretty good!

A coastal walk.

Teasel's growing along the embankment.

Miss L and I went for a walk along the old coastal road between Newport & Cardiff today known locally as 'The Lighthouse'. The lighthouse is still there, disused now, and is well known as Bed & Breakfast accommodation. It's has recently been featured in the television programme 'The Hotel Inspector'.

Yellowy-orange Lichen growing on the rocks.

All nature is there on this coastal walk, and unfortunately so is a fair amount of rubbish. Why don't people take their rubbish home?

Driftwood - March 2009

Further evidence of vandalism was this superb piece of driftwood taken earlier in the year and photographed by me extensively last year (2008). Today it's gone. All that was left was some pieces of hacked up driftwood. It's presence was distinctive on the skyline, now it is as if it was never there.

....... as if it had never been - August 2009.

The sun came out for a while just as we were leaving, but even though I have pointed out the not so good things about the area, it is still a lovely place to walk. Miss L and I called into the Lighthouse Inn for a drink before heading back to the car. Although the day was more akin to a late April dull day, rather that a mid August afternoon, we enjoyed the ruggedness of the area and enjoyed our walk.

The West Usk Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast.

Print Exhibition

Chris Jacobs 'Lancaster Montage' print.

Met up with a friend from pottery this morning. We went to the Museum & Art Gallery in the city where there is an exhibition of famous prints on at the moment. I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I did (I was just going for company for her) but it was excellent.

There was nothing there I could afford, but at least three I would like to own if I had the money. The ones I liked were all by the same artist and all limited editions. They started at £795! My friend was saying that both her sisters own prints by at least two of the artists on display - lucky them.

Newport City Centre hasn't got a lot going for it, but to be fair there are several extremely noteworthy art galleries to please lovers of exhibitions and all things art related. The surrounding Gwent countryside is magnificent, so why is the City centre such a mess all the time? It's exasperating!

Nativity Figures.

Joseph, two Kings, two sheep and a donkey

These are the first pictures of the Nativity figures I am painting. This is the family, well some of them, that will occupy my stable when it is built. They need to be 'stressed' now to make them look old, after that they can be fired. These, of course, were all done in molds by the people who run the class, all I do is paint and 'stress' them.

Next week I start on Mary and the Angels. No one has said to me yet where Jesus is, I hope he shows up in class soon or there will be no nativity!

Popular Poetry Corner

Soon I have to start reading poetry in preparation for my journey in Poetry & Prose next term at college. To mark this remarkable adventure for me, as I am not a huge fan of poetry, I am including in the Blog a 'Popular Poetry' corner. It is situated just above 'Pause for Thought' on the left had side of the Blog and will be changed regularly.

It will consist of a few opening lines of a popular poem with the name of the poet underneath. This may encourage some of you to look up the poems, if you are taken with the opening lines, and can then comment to me what you thought of the poems. Your comments will then be published on the blog. There will be no personal reply, as my knowledge of poetry is limited.

This exercise is to find encouragement from Blog followers and help me to understand something of what I am going to be taught in the coming academic year. So, don't be shy, let me know if there is anything that you want to say about the opening lines I have published or send me anything that you like and I will include it on this Blog. I hope to hear from some of you soon.

Reflections ......

When I was a young wife and Mum, my friends and I made picnics that were a sort of pot luck, where everyone brought their favourite dish for lunch and all the children ran about flying kites and so on. Well, it wasn't quite like that today, I made a Weight Watchers picnic and a friend and I sat by the river in this glorious sunshine to eat our lunch. It was a peaceful time, and a great start to the weekend.



As light as the atmosphere was with us I am always aware of her illness which is terminal. I have never met such a brave young woman. A casual meal, carried to an outdoor setting, the simplicity of it gave her so much joy, as it was a surprise for her. I could only try and guess her thoughts.

Horse Fly bites!

While out taking these photos at the beach yesterday I was bitten by a Horse Fly. They are real pests for the bites they inflict. I was told earlier today that the Horse fly is able to bite through a light garment, which is what must have happened to me, as I can assure you blog followers, I was not flashing my legs in a swimsuit yesterday, just combing the beach.


The tops of my legs are itching like crazy today and will continue to do so for a few days before gradually subsiding I suspect.

I have had these things bite me on previous occasions and it is painful. Someone in the office said that the horse fly is a sort of mutant mosquito. Now I am unsure about this, but I do know the itching is severe. I have been dousing the bites with vinegar all day, I must smell like a Fish & Chip shop - a bath next I think!

Pottery and Pictures .......

Today I brought home my first project from pottery painting Summer school. This is my first attempt at painting a mold in this class - not bad eh? Maybe one day I will be able to form a hand made jug! (Huh ... in my dreams I think!)

'Proposal' with Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds

As the rain poured down this afternoon, so it poured down on the hopes of friend Bee and I doing anything outdoors, which we had planned. So we went to the pictures instead. We saw 'Proposal' with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

I hadn't heard of Reynolds before today, and he was good (as well as good looking) but I think Sandra Bullock is one of the most likable and skilled comediennes around in the film world. The chemistry and comic timing between these two talented people was hilarious. We laughed (really laughed ... not chortling) all the way through. Some of it was set in beautiful Alaska; the scenery took your breath away.

The story is about the 'romantic antics' of a couple that, by agreement, got into a sham engagement. I am not a huge fan of comedy, but this was really good from beginning to end. This film had everyone in the cinema laughing, and it's not necessarily a 'chick flick!'

Plastic Confetti?

The throwing of confetti is one of the most well-known of wedding traditions, although the custom had been in decline recently, largely because Churches and other venues do not like the mess. Confetti traditionally is small, thin pieces of paper - usually shaped and coloured - that are thrown at the bride and groom after a wedding.


When I got to Church this evening, there had been confetti thrown after the wedding which took place this afternoon. It was plastic confetti! I have seen everything now. They were quite large shapes and felt quite hard. The first thing that came to my mind was that they are not bio-degradable, but I should imagine it could do some damage if it caught you in the face or the eye even.


I sound like one of those killjoys whom I loath, that have a reason for people not to do anything. This is not like that at all, I just thought it was irresponsible. On a more practical note, our Vicar who is on holiday, will return and see all this in the Churchyard. He is one of those Vicars that allows the traditional throwing of confetti. I wonder what he will say about the plastic stuff that will be embedded in the grass for a long time to come. Some people give these issues no thought do they?


When in the 1890's confetti became popular at society weddings and soon went into mass production, who would have thought that it would become such a divisive issue in years to come? Messy paper stuff or hard plastic it's becoming controversial. Such a pity - I like to see the small paper stuff blowing about on a wedding day. It's - well - Traditional!