Lay the Favourite Film

Why do the days go past so fast?  I cannot believe it is the weekend already, I am not ready for it and I have too much to do before it arrives!!!

As far as the legends of the title go  - I have been contacted by a cousin, the daughter in law of my Dad's older brother!!!  wow! She contacted me through the Ancestry site so we shall see what develops, would be great if there was a swapping of information and I learned something new.

On Orange Wednesday we watched 'Lay the Favourite' with Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta Jones et al.  Very good film, a few laughs, thrills and altogether a good watch.  Story line had a few twists which I enjoy and Vegas was Vegas.

After all the weather changes this week, I have managed to get into the training garden and tidy up the signal box garden and spray the Lupins.  The poor things have been under attack from the largest aphids I have ever seen, I am sure they are aliens but the Men in Black were missing!  I have been out this morning and cleared the small border in my garden and it looks 'shackled and shorn' ((shackled and drawn being a song by Bruce Springsteen))

I cannot decide whether to go see the Olympic Torch pass by on Sunday, it is terribly early for me and Sunday mornings so I am having to think about this - I could always watch it on BBC website lol
heigh ho! let you know what happens ..............

2 Mugenkyo in Solihull

Just heard that Mugenkyo will be in Redditch in August!  yeah! 
Oh! no! 
We have accepted a preaching invitation in Manchester for that weekend. .............  we accepted the Great Commission a long time ago, so sorry, The Lord's Work must come first.  It will be good to meet up with old friends and get out on the streets with straightforward evangelism. 

I remember when back in May the weather was dry and sunny so we resolved to get into the gardens, spending a couple of hours mowing and weeding at S and then after a lunch break - to recover - went to N.

We planted up the pots and Hucheras in the borders, doesn't look much but they will spread.  N wants hanging baskets now as well as the fence and it is getting a bit of a pain.  I don't mind S as she leaves us alone and I have managed to thin out her plants to bring some order to her borders. I shall repay the favour by planting up with some plants from my garden.  We have to go buy for N as they like instant but I don't have the confidence to know what to buy, so am plagued with doubts when I shop for them.

We went into Solihull for the concert and visited http://www.yosushi.com/restaurants/solihull-touchwood.  They have a 'blue Monday' offer whereby they only sell blue bowls – bowls of food are colour coded for price.  As we had tickets for the concert we had two free bowls – great.  Even more of a bonus was that PJ loved it, a real bonus as I have been trying to get him to come eat Sushi with me!  We shall visit on a Monday again, just so we can try some more!

The show was up to its usual standard, once again we were two rows from the front and chatted to people nearby, our Tshirts sort of encouraging it!!

The Lady next to PJ didn't like it at all and left at half time which encouraged the guy to move next to PJ and engage in conversation.  We spoke with the members after the show and then came home.

Scotland by train part one

 In the early hours a motley crew gathered in the car park of the train station, and a kind gentleman opened the gates so they could pass onto the platform.  The Earl Mount Edgcumbe stood there quietly steaming and waiting for us all to board.  The air was filled with noise and excitement.

The first class passengers and premium dining were allowed on first as their seats were allocated at booking.  PJ and I were at a table for two, our friends (P, R & D)sat across at the table for four, and so we started our journey.  We slowly steamed up onto the Main Line and then started to pick up speed, it is an entirely different feeling to travelling by diesel or electric.  The whistle blew as we passed through stations, passed photographers with their cameras and video recorders. 

We stopped at several stations on route to collect more passengers and each station had platforms covered with photographers.

Onward we steamed, going at a fast pace through the English Countryside and then chuffing away up the hills, stopping now and then to let the local and Pendolino trains come past.  

 

Photographers lined the route, in fields and on roads, wherever they could get to, making you feel like royalty.  I had to wave, even if it was just to spoil their photo!!!  P couldn't understand why I waved but on the journey back ........ we were all waving ..... although the competition on their side was to see how many would wave back!!!

Our meals were served throughout the day by a friendly, attractive and efficient staff.  The food was excellent considering it had to be prepared within a small space and by several members of staff, our Chef was not a small, shy person!!!

We had Breakfast choice of porridge or cereal – did I say we were going to Scotland!!! Followed by a full English and toast. 

We had stops at Carlisle and Crewe – bear in mind Geography geograffy geography is not my best subject!!!

We alighted at Carlisle and went for a walk round.  The day was hot and I was not really coping with the heat, especially as this was such a change and the sun was shining straight into our side of the carriage.  We had also found out that we had to catch a local train to Lithlingow tomorrow to board the train as he was not allowed back into Edinburgh – boo! British Rail! Hiss! Boo! This had not been on the original booking arrangements but we know that steam engines are at the mercy of British Rail.

  We found a small café selling homemade cake so we had a lemon drizzle cake with a cup of coffee and then went back towards the Station and decided to sit just outside the Citadel gates and watch the world – well….Carlisle …….go by!!

We were served a three course lunch during the journey up to Edinburgh and arrived at Waverley Station about 20.30hrs. 

Turning left out of the station we found ourselves behind the bridge where we caught the coach back to Dalmally on our previous trip.  We were on the other side of this bridge and actually looked down on this road thinking - that's the station, wonder where the hotel is?  We were soon to find out.  A 10mins walk according to the paperwork.

Our hotel http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-2039-ibis-edinburgh-centre/index.shtml had been booked by P and it was a short walk away ……… all uphill and I mean up



notice the slope of the car to the left!

We had been in this area when we came by coach so felt we knew the area, although it took me some time to walk and D kept coming back to me but eventually PJ told the others to carry on and we would meet them at the hotel.

The Architecture was amazing, not that I managed to see much as I struggled up the hill! lol

The hotel had a lift and we were all on different floors so that was good, and the room was very pleasant being aqua and white, overlooking the square at the back of the church.

We checked everything out, like the telly, and settled down for the night.

 

Weekend in Prickly Green part one ............

The weather has not improved since although it was good at the weekend we went over to our friends at Prickly Green.  As our friends N&E had arranged a Barn Dance that was being held in the village hall we had said we would go and support them - I just LOVE a Barn Dance!!  They would put us up overnight and then perhaps we could help out in the new house by lifting a few weeds so everyone was agreed.
The village is not on the map and N&E live out in the wilds, neither their house nor their daughter's across the road can be seen unless you look for them, amazing place.  Sooo England .............. reminds us that it still exists!
Anyhow off we went and after a catchup we went across to H&G to get changed and unpack.  Beautiful cottage and our place was self contained.  We arrived at the hall first as N&E had to open up and get sorted.  The caller was a Black Country girl and her husband - sooo funny ......... she was an entertainment in herself.  Apparently, they formed a Folk Group with their two children but then the children grew up, and the group became a duo and then branched out into 'calling'.  They could sing, play the accordian, guitar, and the spoons  - well!  it's a long time since I have seen them played like that!
I think it is the first time I have been to a Barn Dance where nearly everyone was up dancing.

  

So off we go in sets of eight!  swing your partner, doh see doh and all the rest!

Lady on the left - our caller

PJ managed to sit out  for one or two but that's all!!

      

Young lady on the right's first time -
doesn't want to wait 12 months to the next one!!!

We formed arches, chains and waltz around

a full hall every time and many partners, I love progressives!!!



only a rear view of me as I move too fast for the camera!!!




and then we stopped for a fish &chip supper when this young lady (Doris - G's mother) was surprised with a birthday cake! 
Note the candles - yes! that's 98!

Bright as a button as I sat next to her and can confirm it

 And then off again we go .....................

A really good night, we stayed behind and PJ helped to clear away and then off back to our Bed for the night!!!

Men in Black 3

Last week as the weather has been so bad we decided to do the 'Orange Wednesday' and took ourselves off to Solihull to see Men in Black in 3D.  I don't know what we were expecting but we both thought that the 3D side could have been played up a bit more, although the film itself was very good, well up to its standards and the prosthetics on the two B players were excellent.
We went to Pizza Express on the Orange Wednesday treat and had another great meal, although I think we enjoyed this one a little bit more as we were seated in the window overlooking the road and could watch the rain coming down.  When it rained it was amazing, for a few seconds conversation dried up - excuse the pun - and there was silence except for the sound of the rain hitting banging into the windows.  We watched the clouds run away and when the sun came out we made a dash .......... see walk fast! .............. for the bus home.

The weather has been pretty bad since then, although we have managed to get into the garden a few times but it is now getting very boring, sitting at home and finding jobs to do - those who know me also know that housework does not feature high on my list!
I have taken to cake making.
It's a long time since I baked cakes and I am finding it quite interesting.  For my first attempt I made some fairy cakes, well ............they were supposed to be muffins but I only had a small quantity of mixture!  I shared it out between my six cases and put cherries in two, caraway seed in another two (funny thing is that PJ swears he never had one of those!!!) and sultanas in the last two.  Very successful even if I do say so myself. 
I have been using PJ's cake tins but we looked in the garage and found all my old ones.  I am so pleased as the little cake tins were my Mother's and the trays for the tray bakes were also there.  What memories!
When the children were small we used to spend most of Saturday making cakes, and traybakes.  We also coloured and flavoured them, pink ones tasting of peppermint, green ones tasting of chocolate, blue ones tasting of strawberries .......... what fun! ........ and the fights to lick the bowl!!!  I think that's one of the reasons I resorted to traybakes and fairy cakes so that there were at least three bowls for the children to fight over!   I can remember M being there one day and helping us.  She was amazed at the coloured ones and I gave her one of each to take home for her parents.  Her father just would not take a green one as he did not believe that it was a chocolate one!! 
I can remember all this now as I bake and look on the Internet ......... the fashion seems to be for brightly coloured cakes but so far have not found the flavours to be there as well!

I shall spend tomorrow cleaning all my cake tins, they have rusted over the time they have been in the garage but I am sure that with a 'bit of elbow grease', and Brillo pads, they will be pretty much restored to a usable condition.  I suppose I could get away with just washing them as I shall be using paper cases and linings but  ...... it's just me............

I am washing all and sundry at the moment and have washed some of the woollen jumpers in the machine.  Only I could stand out in the rain washing a clothes horse!!!
But I did and the woollies are draped over it in the front rooom, I have PJ's Aran jumper washing at the moment, this had enlarged over the years (I was always a loose knitter) so we have both agreed that if it shrinks it could be a good thing.  I will let you know how it goes!!

Railway garden

The weather, back on 22nd May, was overcast but dry so off we went to train(ing).  The plan for me was to strip the centre bed of all the bulbs and re-arrange tthe perennial flowers ready to plant up the summer bedding.  

During the course of the day I was involved in little train trips so the camera was brought out.  This is the view that Visitors get when they first see 'my' garden ....... impressive ain't it?!!

 Behind the walls are all the flower beds and then down the side of the 'Bothy' is the signal box garden.  I am gradually changing the planting so that Cottage Garden plants, in character with the Steam Train Era, will be growing in all of these beds.  They should need little attention but be attractive all year round so that the garden will be well used.  Here is the centre bed with all the bulbs 'going over'.  I spent most of the day on here, pulling, digging, chatting - guys come for a smoke and chat while they're puffing!

 So now the bed is ready for me to come back tomorrow and I am completely kn******d as the sun has been shining for several hours and now I have finished I retire to the 'Support Coach which has shade, seating and .... more importantly ........ a cup of coffee.

While I am seated enjoying my coffee, I am told to stay there as the engine needs to be shunted onto another line.

Free ride!!!

I'm staying put!

So now you get a short tour of the engine locomotive works. 

This is  my the garden seen from the shunting tracks, the centre bed starts just past the fence.  These firs are the same size as the ones that were originally growing in the centre bed so there has been a massive change.

On the other side of the tracks is the office, just an old railway building that houses the main

admin office and the 'Boss' office inside.

This is the view as we travelled down the line, from the office past the engines locomotives being repaired, refurbished or just rusting going to be used for spares!

  

  and then comes the workshed.  Most of the cleaning, welding, painting and repairs is carried on inside.  Most of the 'Tuesday' volunteers are working away inside.  There is an overhead gantry which is cleared and used by visitors on Open Day so that the current work can be seen. 
We were shunted more or less back into position and then PJ and I packed the car and came home just to start again the next day.

Fortunately for us the next day was fine again and PJ was coming into the yard to help get 'Lizzy' ready for her weekend trip.  She would be going down to Llandudno.  Various trips across the country are made during the year by various engines to help out with the finances.  She is going down to London for the Jubilee celebrations and PJ is getting very excited, he wont see much as he will be in the support coach but at least he will be there.  There was a delivery of coal ready for the trip and that was a new experience for us both ......... the coal comes in on a truck and is then loaded into the tender.  You can see the crane emptying the coal, which meant that quite a bit of coal fell on the floor - and what about the paint!!!  There was quite a large pile of coal scattered about so another had to shovel up into buckets and pass up to PJ so he could throw it all into the tender. Nothing was wasted ....... all costs money you know!!!!!

 BTW:  the blue car is our newest aquisition so here are two of PJ loves!!

During this time I continued to plant up the centre bed.  The plan is that there will be two Union flags surrounded by red, white and blue plants.  This is one of the flags!!

Hopefully this will be in full flower by Open Day, one of the fir trees is also planted out with red, white and blue and the hanging basket by the signal box ............ please cross everything that we get some dry weather to help these poor little things.  I have been growing them on since March when they were only a few leaves big.  I am worried about the colours as I have lost my ability to concentrate for long and several times caught myself planting white instead of blue.  Could be quite an interesting version of the flag!!!

If they do manage to flower for the 23rd I shall come in the day before and hopefully trim them into the correct colours and shape.  I may put a sign up saying something along the lines of the fact that I am a volunteer and have never attempted anything like this in my life.  We shall see..............

Radlett Theatre

PJ has managed to get in touch with one of his school friends, I am talking 'last seen 48years ago'!!

We found out that he is appearing in an amateur musical production so booked tickets and a hotel for the night.

The hotel was expensive but we used lastminute.com and so had a reduced price, unfortunately they didn't put the booking through to the hotel. 

The receptionist was very embarrassed and offered us breakfast free of charge which was good, even more so when we heard the guy next to us being charged three times what we were paying for a room!!!  Although the hotel itself was past its best the room was good – purple and white.

We had tea at McD's which happened to be almost next door, honest! We didn't know!

The theatre was an attractive building on the corner of a village/town street, well patronised.  The high street reminded me of a market town, very busy and a bit like Shirley High Street.  As with all set ups like this it was aided by Volunteers, happy to help and full of information.

The show was great, quite professional both in costume and presentation.  We had arranged to meet M in the Bar after the show so wemet up and had a good chat but this was interrupted, naturally, by people wanting to congratulate him and arrange further meetings so we arranged to meet again at the Pizza Hut to talk on the Saturday.

After a quite early full English, we booked out and went to meet up with M.  We were early and so we sat watching people as they moved about , the Hut complex was a Sainsbury's shop and petro station.
We met with M and had a couple of hours of chatting and laughing and then M had to leave for a matinee performance.

We travelled back through the countryside and at a pleasurable pace….. another good weekend.

Visit to Crewe (6201 AGM)

We went up to Crewe on the train (sounds like a song – which I sang of course! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-RpyLmIn3k )

Which reminds me:

My Grandad played an accordion and would sit in his chair for hours playing all the old Music Hall songs. As soon as I saw him take his jacket off, I knew he would be strapping on his accordion and I loved sitting nearby, reading the words and singing along.  His favourite song was Clementine and it was only later in life I found out that his darling name for Nanna was 'Clemmy'.

We managed to find the venue for the 6201 AGM not far from the Station.  It was an interesting occasion with a buffet lunch, a few sales and lots of chat.  After all the details, financial and otherwise, were delivered, a couple of chaps had their say under 'AOB'.  Could have Did turn into a slanging match but everyone calmed down and it ended on a goodish note and earlier than we expected.  We caught the local bus into the town and had a good walk round the shops, managed to buy myself a windmill (pink with diamante) and then went for a meal

……….. no change there then!!!

We arrived back home about 21.00hrs so it was a just long enough day.

We viewed this building from the train – looks fascinating but so far I have been unable to find out what it is ……….

Intriguing.

PJ was ill for a couple of days with exactly what I had, which ended with me in hospital for tests – which I refused as I didn't feel I had anything really wrong with me.  PJ complained of the same symptoms so – especially after speaking with other later on – we assume it was a virus going the rounds……….
And it rained and hailed and rained and thundered – great British Summer has started!!!

Creating Memories ........

So where have I been? 

Apart from down days when I have just sat and sewed …………….. creating memories!  That's what! 

I have been here, there and almost everywhere ………. Even to the Railway to plant up my 'flag' design.

My last post was after our visit to Wolverhampton:

We have seen them again, PJ has been ill, we went to Crewe, Watford and Scotland (this time by steam train…. woo! hoo!).

So while I am doing all this, I don't have time to blog  - simples.

Today I am sat down to write all these memories ready for posting so here they are …………..