3rd day of Birthday in July

So we rested up and watered the garden and unpacked our case, phoned our friends to see where they were........... on the same trip but different coach and different hotel!! Their driver was not as considerate as ours and they had quite a walk in Haworth but enjoyed the trip.

In the evening N and J came round bringing PJ pressie - and I gave him pressie number three!!

These three packages are all different flavoured sausages - he really doesn't need to tell me he loves sausages!!!!

N & J's pressie is a visit to a Japanese water garden

 and included is a river cruise with a cream tea - this can be on a separate day.

So we have two more days out to look forward to!

York River Cruise

We arrived in York at lunchtime with about 3hrs to browse - lunchtime........ and we are cooking in the heat!!
The coach park was by the river so we decided to go on one of the cruises and really enjoyed ourselves.  The Captain pointed out places of interest as we cruised and it was great............


This is where we were going .................

Passed this house, built long ago by a rich man from Italy ........in Italian Style

We were being followed by a small flotilla but they passed us when it came time to turnaround



We went as far as the Bishop's Palace - rather good photos as I think the swan enjoys having his photo taken.................







This is a very modern bridge and would look out of place if it was nearer the city...............

some of the local folks have bought these flats in converted mills and some have bought boats like this one called 'Happy Days'!!!

We went for a short walk round afterwards and saw this on our travels, maybe next time we come to York we will visit, but till the time to return to the coach, we sat on the bank and watched the world go by.

We stopped for a McDs after the driver dropped us off in Brum and then straight home to bed.................. and cool down..............

Haworth visit

We visited Haworth early in the morning - left the Hotel at 08.30hrs, that's early!!!

Strange to think that we saw sights that the Bronte sisters would know...........

The driver dropped us at the top of the hill, which meant that there was only a short walk to the 'Parsonage' - too steep for me so we took a path that was suitable for wheelchairs, and ended up at the top of the main street in Haworth itself.  

It meant we would not visit the Parsonage but ........

 We had a good look round, the Church, the Pub with its notices and then started off down hill to the station.

Halfway down the hill this bench called us over to sit awhile and contemplate the view ............ we did gratefully!

Then onwards and downwards we went.......

Just imagine walking up to your house which is just off the main street .......

a view to the distant hills through one of the many archways as we came down the street..........

towards the bottom of the hill stood this Church - sounds good!






Through the park (with an ice-cream of course!) and we reach the bottom of the hill.............

Wonder if this old warehouse stood there when the Bronte's were here ........... 

maybe this train was running then.............

going along the flat road to the station the houses are built on every crook and cranny ...........






PJ was still upright ..............

local view with massive Gunnera leaves alongside.................

 we reached the station and waited for the coach driver to come and collect us so that we could travel on to York City.

This is what they are doing to most of the warehouses round about nowadays - progress!

Ouch!!

I want to take this opportunity to make people understand that when out in the garden one must be extra careful.  It is not just the forks, canes, hose pipes etc. that one must look out for but also 'hidden' dangers.

When placing a hand upon a flat surface, like a fork handle, please check first that the space has not been already taken!

Bees like resting there, even Bumble Bees!

For the second time in my life I have been stung by a Bumble Bee, and in the same place!

She was on the fork handle as I placed my hand there to get balance before I started to move the Bean runners.  

She didn't like me putting my hand on her!

Ouch!

Double Ouch!

ooooohhhhh!

We don't have 'Blue Bags' any more so the next best thing is an ice cube - aaaahhh!

Luckily no long term damage has been done - the little bee flew away.

My hand is a bit sore but usable.............. to type not move Bean runners!

2nd day of Birthday in July

PJ has his birthday this month, I used to be envious ........... mine is just before Christmas and gets forgotten in the rush to 25th.

I am no longer envious - this is only the second time I have celebrated his birthday away from home and in the heat - not good.

The arrangement was that we would go to York to see the trains at the museum there.  Six special ones, from around the world and included in this trip was a visit to Haworth (Bronte country).

In the Museum these engines were lined up in a semi circle so that lots and lots and lots and lots of photographs could be taken from lots and lots ...... of angles. 


It was very hot and crowded with adults and children and babies.  It was fairly noisy as well!!  PJ and I separated while taking photos and then met up again and decided to sit a while and try to cool down.

We then went into the actual museum part, but didn't stay there long ........... too hot!!

We crossed into the old station to look at all the Victoriana - including the Queen's coach, decked out as it would have been when she and Albert travelled the country.


It was rather cool here so we sat till almost time to leave and then wandered back.  We will probably come back in cooler times - when the 'visitors' above have gone and the children are at school.  For a free visit it is very good.  This engine greeted us as we entered the Main Hall and I can just imagine the cleaning of those pipes!!!

We travelled on to the Hotel, not five star but clean and the staff were extremely helpful.  Arranged the Happy Birthday Banner across the table and chair, even put three candles on his cake for me!!!  Of course, we all sang Happy Birthday - the whole room - I just wish I had my camera but .......... did I tell you it was very hot!!!  
Oh! and I gave him the second present ........

1st day of Birthday in July

PJ is often oblivious of what goes on in my life - as most men are methinks.
I forgot his present when in Solihull on Wednesday but, when he wanted to go back in on Thursday, I bought it on a very fast trip to Lakeland!!!  Well, actually there were three.
On Friday C came round bringing his pressie (another one!!) and a card and a badge and a balloon............. and I gave him his first pressie.  Photos were not taken as I had been baking most of the day and it was very hot both inside and outside.


But this was his pressie from me

and I had made a smashing card for him as well.  I coloured the image very subtley - he missed the connection but I will explain to him later ...............


He wanted the complete uniform of an engineer but it was very expensive so he has the scarf.

Someone gave him a hat.

He looks after 6201 engine which is red and black.

He has travelled up and down the shiny tracks.

His boots leave lovely black bits in my hallway - I clean them up and he rarely notices them.

Before we married he was wellknown at Church for his odd fluorescent socks!

And of course there is the love............ 
So there we have it  ..................
I forgot to say that C bought him a DVD of Despicable Me ............. says it all.

Two Weeks Later..........

I find it difficult to believe that we are half way through July and on the downward slope to Christmas ........ it is 29.8C out in the shade and 38C in the sun but it would appear that the Craft Channels are thinking Christmas!!!
We have been extremely busy this past fortnight and it is only now that I am able to take a break!!  
I should have gone to Training today to water the gardens but for me (and the cat!)..........

 it is too darn hot to move so I am sitting here in front - literally - of a fan and trying to catch up with emails, Blogs etc.
We have only managed to see one film since PJ acquired his spaceboot - Fast & Furious 4 - which we thoroughly enjoyed.  I was a bit dubious as it is not my type of film but there was a good storyline, amazing stunts and some good acting - and a surprise twist, several actually!!!
This meant that the next time we went into town we bought the set of DVDs, the young man that served us was gutted that he had to wait until the weekend to see it!
We haven't had chance to view them as yet, we're still trying to catch up with a couple of TV series that we follow, but by the time we come indoors - I only go out in the evenings - we are too tired to sit up any longer - they will keep until it rains again............

Friday happenings

While updating my card and ATC records - boring but necessary otherwise I get in a muddle and we don't want that ............ alright ..... more of a muddle, bordering on confused!!
I happened to look out of the window and saw this:



We usually see this sort of carriage etc when there is a wedding  going on but Friday night?!?!?

So I had to watch ......... can you tell it is pouring down with rain? Well, it is and those poor horses stood so patiently while the guys put on all the harnesses.  
It looked like four generations of the same family and once the horses were hitched 'Grandad' stood roadside holding on to them.  Thankfully most car drivers slowed down to pass, and one or two stopped and chatted!

Purple feathers for the horses heads, bows on the side lights, it was all dressed up - in the rain, such a shame.
Then the 'grandson' appeared all in top hat and tails, 'dad' went into the van and changed while the 'Great grandson' wiped the horses down, stroked and generally loved the horses.  After the seats were wiped over, off they went.  

They trotted round and it looked like they were coming along the road at the back of the house so I managed to get this blurred 'half' picture.

While we were having tea, the carriage went past with a young couple in and the girl was wearing a purple evening gown.  We think they were going to a 'prom' ball, which seems to be all the rage now.  
Thank goodness we never had those efforts, it was enough to feed and clothe the children, let alone try to outdo the neighbours with prom clothes etc.  Most of the time the children were just glad to leave school.

ooooh! steaming............. Bring Back the Trees!

I am 'off on one' today.
I have just had a conversation with a Council guy across the road who is measuring a tree  - not a tree hugger as, apparently, the 'gentleman' over the road to us has complained about the tree outside his house.  The tree stands on the pavement and, not only looks good, but is cared for by the Council and gives out oxygen.  Okay, it drops seeds, and leaves and when the wind is strong some branches, but these can all be swept up etc.

When the 'gentleman' first told me he was going to ask for it to be chopped down, I asked him - 'so where will you get your oxygen from?'  He didn't understand so I had to explain that trees and plants put the oxygen into the world and you need to replace any that are removed.

Obviously he didn't either understand or didn't care - the latter methinks!

Will the people of this world ever understand this small equation - earth minus trees & plants = massive carbon gases = ozone layer destroyed.  

Not difficult is it?
Plants and trees produce oxygen (they take in carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen) so if we continue to remove them there will be no oxygen left for us.

It is quite simple to me and I try to provide lots of oxygen with my green garden.  
Some people come along and dig everything up so that cars etc. can be parked on frontages and pots can be placed on paving out back, removing all their oxygenating equipment (greenery) and then expect to breathe in MY oxygen -  which is provided for me.... if we're going to be selfish.

So I am ranting and raging at PJ and getting in touch with the Council to ensure there will be a replacement tree planted.

It is so simple - yet World Leaders spend thousands of pounds on meetings about reducing Carbon Emissions when really all they need to do is plant more trees and plants and preserve the forests and jungles.

When our Government brought in the new legislation so that frontages had to have porous paving, I had hoped that they would follow through with preventing people from completely paving or concreting etc, their land but it appears not to be so.  The houses are built to comply with these laws and then the residents move in, dig up the gardens and pave etc.  

Flooding - bring back the soak aways - gardens, proper green gardens, even if it is only grass.
Climate change - bring back the greenery
Hole in the Ozone layer - close it with more plantings.

Thank you!      I feel better now