tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842350157960314422024-03-13T16:26:44.631+00:00"Southhamsdarling"Do all things with love, and fill your heart with kindness.Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.comBlogger772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-28708417415762266312023-03-07T13:04:00.001+00:002023-03-08T04:51:30.728+00:00International Women's Day 2023For many, many years I have written a Blog Post to celebrate International Women's Day which is held every year on the 8th March.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_dfe2_c953_4be_9045" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EBKfDguLsUX21srxRdVWFdVfnKrq9fC3UqQpCiR7quT3mxdqZcn2z65VeiYeuTye16Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I think it is important for us to celebrate women everywhere, all over the world, and to recognise the progress that has been achieved, and to give thanks for all the courageous women who have fought so hard for equality: to promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3770_d2ce_c531_ea45" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hBQb9uzG6yC67YkISfA3XkmlvoXex87xUyouXbMip4f274_WA0uxSebLkLGN0ID6zrk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Celebrating women's achievements and increasing visibility, whilst calling out inequality is key. IWD is about so many things. It's about celebrating women forging change; it's about elevating the visibility of creative women; it's about building the sort of workplace where women can thrive; it's about improving equality for women in Tech; it's about empowering women's choices in health, and applauding equality for women in sport. These are all the Missions for 2023.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_abc2_94e0_10aa_ca1f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Zvq-CK8OlvjE5k2NCGFz9KVfx-c862QyCELBBedqJBd26aoaIa1PMp-4fqhoumN7_UU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div>We also need men to be our allies in this quest - both in the workplace and at home. Leadership drives progress, so it goes without saying that if the majority of leaders and those holding top positions, are men, then their activity plays a crucial part in overcoming gender disparity. There are stages of 'allyship' from men - from being apathetic at one end of the scale (having no understanding of the issues) to being an advocate at the other end of the scale (being committed to proactively championing the inclusion of women). Here are a couple of facts!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>77% of men report doing everything they can to support gender equality so work. However, only 41% of women agreed with that. </div><div><br></div><div>48% of men felt there had been a positive increase in men's awareness around the discrimination that women face. However, 60% of both men and women agreed that it was rare to see men speak out against discrimination.</div><div><br></div><div>I am fortunate that my husband is a true Ally and a proud Feminist. He worked tirelessly promoting anti-domestic violence campaigns in the 80's. Today he works for our local County Council and puts a special emphasis on making our streets safe for women. He believed that sexism was generational, and couldn't believe the stories that my granddaughter tells him of men of her generation. In fact, he gets very upset about <font size="4">it. </font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_236e_5918_73a5_70ad" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2C_wlPWWNDHX_yOY0aI7veWOqEPxv4KXjD7sGgT5-fMZi3YSbkLtyXrJA_l9KyhqRLc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Of course, we are seeing a steady increase in women's leadership positions across the business world. But when we look at the actual data, women being taken on in leadership positions, are working in Industries where they are highly represented anyway. There is still a significant disparity in the Industries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. </div><div><br></div><img id="id_1910_d438_2e30_84b7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lS8V2oTqofQ9F1JiXuXMXh6K97CVU-hpsKV0J2oHlCaDi1nKc3iC9N5QrcGJPa8s1pc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div>At this stage, I have to admit that I, personally, now take an even greater interest in this subject, and that is because my amazing Number 1 granddaughter is such a strong advocate for women's equality.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3d1b_bfd8_c8ff_7896" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/rJlthueBcD4xz1oCgx5r5V96KcMoBQr8p0CJnA0DEEeHmM02vpvDphH7oydYKg0vQtc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Older readers of my Blog will know that my granddaughter and her best friend (after gaining their Masters at IE University) launched their own Tech based Company three years ago, where they help Companies to prevent, report and resolve workplace misconduct. They also provide a platform whereby employees can report any sort of harassment in the workplace. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e79c_67ba_f164_e347" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eLDFgvQQgS7Qn9Fum9lyUXOtHkJB-qUIurHtW7Fk4e6CpFrCHiYO1wEsYZX-NnHaIZE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>She has a real passion for the Tech Industry and why girls should get into this important and ever growing Industry. In fact, she is already mentoring to get more girls and women involved. </div><div><br></div><img id="id_57e2_bca5_6330_2540" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kyPFw_u0RnhPQ-qI2KeyoSi1idWWcxBcTf0JG0vuQKOtHYCXQeJn3duFRQeqwSe8P9k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br> This pic was taken last week for a Podcast hosted by Jo Youle @theresetrebel, where Eleanor was interviewed on starting up her own Company, and her career to date. <div><br><div>I am beyond proud that my granddaughter has chosen to go down this route, and how she is actively empowering women to find their voices in the workplace, the tech place, and to speak up and report incidents of misconduct, abuse, and feelings of inequality. </div><div><br></div><div>My number 2 granddaughter is only 13, but I can see already that she will become another strong advocate for women. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d3b4_7531_a7ae_b1dc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/q1sLU8SFE2t-gnp76ImGUAW507nl3SobQMnUEU9K4jISF0v87_D9xRqHxSwiBnZljP8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br> Now for the 'proud grandma' moment! No 1 granddaughter was invited, and will be giving a speech to NATO in Brussels TODAY! The Conference, in aid of IWD, is entitled "Innovators and Game Changers : Women in Tech Shaping The Future".</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8245_4092_3b0c_3bac" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EbD0JPh6wEkhkTAz090C4H57SiCCw9ECEgU-lvZusjCJlVc_Druo7-DH3yI9PoUaU2s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_666f_1855_2831_e207" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/82KFPGvJWb9V3ew1xwTByUxpnGFT7j_0t0PklMCrNReI2-euQ6jNtCv6Rqwr-rkcuWc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy Post! I'll close by wishing all you amazing women out there, a very Happy International Women's Day. Be proud of who you are! </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1d5c_69bd_7ec_81ce" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/JFXLHkQGpCnvnFqD74-RvIC9fkrPxWgQeI9v6P29oOIhWKqyVvZchNeyLklBM9XByRI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 855px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br><div><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-64205986610434508122022-10-01T15:06:00.001+01:002022-10-01T15:50:58.158+01:00Autumn is creeping in ....<img id="id_2342_54a5_a859_bcd8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UJuktAR1R8WZSOYkfZ1giOZD8siy3c2bHkegosWJ7XwCv8vk7Xm-yMzIzu2cXlk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br> <div>Hallo again lovely peeps. Here we are on the 1st day of October. My goodness me, another year is hurtling past. </div><div><br></div><div>We are now approaching the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. I have always loved that expression, and living here in my little corner of heavenly Devon, I actually see it happening, with the blackberries all around and the mists rising over the fields. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_74ae_5833_f51c_8e47" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/R4ldEeAbRznvw-R03hHV-pgg7im6ngl5UChVhlgfhohtbgIJavrAP0bqJFU_H9o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I have a fondness for Oscar Wilde quotes, and I think this one is so lovely. It describes the change of Seasons so well ....</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_20a2_d98e_dc2f_529d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NXJFLRT_Gb5sKxf0LU1ZKQCUTUB9idnwltYx8JQFQb6OyLJXdrTA-0ot-x1549E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Life sometimes can appear to be very complicated and often we tend to overthink things. Perhaps we should try to concentrate on the simple things. Not always easy I know, but we do need to try to block out our worries sometimes and think about what really matters in our lives. Life really is too short to sweat the small stuff. </div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Hold your family close and make time for them ❤️</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Take time to live well</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Eat ice cream</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Pod some peas</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Skim a few stones</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Go barefoot</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Read all afternoon</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Tell a story</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Find meaning in small things </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Watch clouds</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Smell the sea</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Be quiet</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Feel the wind</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Open all the windows</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Count your blessings </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Bake bread</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Climb a hill</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Send postcards</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Turn off your phone</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Snuggle in</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Have an adventure</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Drink wine</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Ride a bike (unfortunately I am unable to do this.. I have no sense of balance whatsoever!).</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Hang twinkly lights</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Enjoy being alone</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Like sunshine and showers</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Make time for the simple things and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings when you’re out on a walk</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><img id="id_ca19_40b1_8ee7_e4be" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3gnY8xzrF4LlaowE8X93pBrSUQQC1soC8VH9bsD2yk86j5kiSPLEL3OKh9AGuXk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Decorating for Autumn is very popular over here now. I know how my American friends used to decorate their homes and gardens when I was staying with them.. it certainly helps to brighten up the darker evenings. My mantelpiece looks very cosy in the evening when I turn on the twinkling lights. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><img id="id_b60a_cca7_dd68_ea40" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mhtVzlvQltzrKFbdhELlXUMzWKeZf_mCf3G1_BNExjC6sz1gbuq_Fpbp07UQrOg3Mg4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3fcf_c1ca_be3a_b096" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/e-9aKZqTV9pPMAxeFFWTBm-rXnUkxBi-kydinPJy7zKvH0QVSfRy3zNBYM1qzIW1YXU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br><br><img id="id_1a96_fd6c_f118_f672" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c4wFZyna5eAhWlpkrf_FIQ5x0mU9yY5B4gpQd2z49IRuYi8T-5sbyBbp_L2398U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Talking about gardeners, here are a couple of photos of my Autumn garden. The leaves make a carpet of gold ....</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><img id="id_8796_4843_ed77_e8ca" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IRHFBzWBuVpy4h2uAM-s9WodNAlyh4zhQV_c19hGvTlT-bSFjvBQfQCaPnWAAxo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d72c_1eda_7eec_4853" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lG-v5RixqZAd-T2EyIInD2OWGuXNUUtQuvxE-6-CMz5eyCB1tl9hjk-FlWP1KVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div>I cannot really end this Post without mentioning the passing of our dear Queen. Although she was 96, it was still very sudden at the end, and the whole Country was shocked. But what a wonderful send off we gave her. It was a fitting thank you from the Country for her 70 years of devoted service. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b42_ef69_5bb0_30b5" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fm6CFRhxIPBFoMXypFQorvn_9ry8Q48NG-8yvaz1dY4Iza065bQsQvwwWRai056Vgqc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This next photo was taken only a couple of months ago, to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. We shall miss that lovely smile. She really was a constant in all our lives. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_68df_29a_f2e3_92ae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uoifnuAFyb13yTiMvvUS82nfa1yFgMmqsGXkNxLZBha7SEKr8V_mNRKr1_I_9qq9oqg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Well, I’ll leave you again for now, and this is what I wish for you all as we enter the new Season (I’m talking here about Autumn, but I’m aware that many of my readers will be appreciating the onset of Spring and the promise of longer days to come!). Oh! Remember, it is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice ❤️</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a882_88b8_16cb_31cb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6NAAdrJhrm3b5eNSI3Tg7VZc3hBuEW2cnKw-xv-x0uu50kmgGn4wdjs7UDLiz2E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-50275934544030014092022-04-01T14:11:00.001+01:002022-04-01T14:23:38.535+01:00Here's to AprilWell, hard to believe, but here we are at the start of April. I love April - mainly because it's my birthday 🥳 month, but, also, because the days are getting longer and the garden is full of Spring flowers. Well, here in heavenly Devon anyway!<div><br></div><div><img id="id_7437_73f1_77ac_4186" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XY8-ThAw91MYGGaySoJikErw03WsBIP3E4Uwy8-Zu8_Nr5CKu3VYptX9eDZI-_35Xko" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 706px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8c9b_3439_7730_2d1b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jPc3cktlyhqA83pDuOVL0IBEUPrr-p2TlKe-j0poFzKyCTCTsSFEaGlIT9e5tCgFOdw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 706px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_100d_fb8f_57bb_6c12" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yyaokCRhU0MtmrDnTacGisleCF7vn_JmXykpxaMGaEqe0FjqKNRC9aKfVHAusOQb2WA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 706px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The word April comes from the Latin verb Aperire, which means 'to open', and it is the first sign of the Zodiac. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9724_bed9_18e1_deed" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MdiOvm116JJPyBbyTrnoeqn4DAfPBUzhwfX-N8Q02IxnCGWUBAgOa8WMikpqx8ts5CY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 706px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I wish you all a very happy April, which this year will include Easter. May it be a time of new beginnings and renewal for all of you. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1790_ad0c_449b_1d6a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Cs_xAW2NuEvKMBVJDDeCqnBDH7dGpu8_aqac57argbUoFgOMn9I25F0NxWRZRyQT-dM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 706px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>All images from my garden, with the exception of the last one, which is courtesy of Pinterest.com</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-18708402315335336522022-03-08T09:39:00.001+00:002022-03-08T09:39:20.827+00:00 International Women's Day 2022<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 23.760000228881836px;">Today, on the 8th March, we once again celebrate International Women's Day. It is now the year 2022, and no Country in the world has achieved gender equality. My, but it's a slow process! The theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias. The Campaign asks you to cross your arms in solidarity to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping. Together we can forge women's equality. </span></div><div style="font-size: 23.760000228881836px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><font color="#222222" face="PT Serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_bd39_d704_d8b6_42d1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9PhbUqq5ZSS9BF-s0j6RBjlUvsHQVi7QOtZbxhsqtu-kc_Yn6Q0DtB5clbY2DTs" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think it is important to talk about this event each year on my Blog, as we celebrate women everywhere, all over the world, and recognise the progress that has been achieved, and to give thanks for all the courageous women over many, many years, who have fought for women's rights. Rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_9586_8af0_5ea8_23a9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nr9iia-dFEQ/WL__nmYeBRI/AAAAAAAAIp4/lW7BW8lS9Uc/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 904px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Huge strides have been made over the years. Certainly since the 1960's when I was a young woman. We didn't have a lot of the freedoms or rights that women have these days. Women certainly were not allowed to get credit under their own name. So a mortgage would be out of the question. Women at that time were very much looked on as mothers and homemakers. Hard to believe, but right up until the late 60's, women were not allowed to wear trousers in the workplace.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><img id="id_f454_1260_a168_799b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KqNQzfkMnFKT2WiwYfiXQqERtRdIsWdGDZDnn3b1wxgvGHr5rtWTK7Pj6p6vdWs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course, if modern mums want to still be stay at home mums and raise their children themselves, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, in my eyes, that is to be lauded. Many women these days, of course, HAVE to work, purely for financial reasons. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Personally, I feel that the #metoo movement has been such a good thing for women, and I applaud women who have had the courage to speak out. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1370_a210_50ba_1ef3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rO7GpUSzs-zja9hziR-G3afRvE-5to0tMrwS4jzIR9POneSOcGQQadUUL_zpdPU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I suppose my point is, that the younger women now have CHOICE, which was certainly not available before, and that, surely, has to be good for everyone. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_57f0_31a6_d9d6_f009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGkjIyFy6eo/WL__oYKZWZI/AAAAAAAAIqA/0tRoz01ipnQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_c296_901a_5917_d777" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVGCe5yZjN4/WL__nhp9EdI/AAAAAAAAIp8/qN6WuGpTbg8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_69b6_dfc4_bd84_7fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6jAppDf1Vc/WL__pbMA_JI/AAAAAAAAIqI/W03J-t6waXg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My wish is that my granddaughters will live in a world where they can be anything they want to be. I also take this opportunity of celebrating all the women that follow my Blog. Remember, you are ALL special and you are ALL important. </span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also honour my two daughters and two granddaughters today. My eldest granddaughter runs her own Company with her best friend, which tackles sexual harassment in the workplace. It truly saddens me that, in 2022, this is very much still going on. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today I also think of all the poor women in Ukraine, and all that they are suffering at the moment. My prayers go out to each and every one 🙏🏻🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦</span></div></div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-24419572512699655612022-02-08T14:11:00.001+00:002022-02-08T14:21:39.376+00:00Linchpins of our Lives....Hi there everyone. Well, here we are in the month of February, and, my goodness, I am so glad to see the back of January. I am well aware that I say this every single year. You would think by now (and at my advanced age!) that I could come up with a way of dealing with that dreaded month .... but, no! Every month I moan about it (and I'm not really one of life's moaners - truly I'm not!!).<div><br></div><div>Anyway, here we are in the month of February, and the days are gradually getting longer. Oh, deep joy! For some reason, this month always gives me hope. I think it's because the garden is very slowly starting to awaken, with the pretty snowdrops everywhere, and daffodils starting to appear once again in the garden. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1000_c1cd_a872_33de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Iy0fkbisD6QpYkAm9ydZvhpi2mRjZpedrmHD31sVqxibffYqDL-SO_P6HfV6lciB31A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 975px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_87ee_99f0_12a9_44e3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/85Jq54yoZNJlEvjlpFtm5KAmgcc2jrUEBKv-F0v20O-90pEpUrIJ6SJOrzDOzAXOsPI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 975px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I was casually thinking about life the other day, as you do, and thinking just what WAS important in our lives. I think this dreaded Pandemic has really focused our mind on that. Whilst lots of different things bring us joy and give us moments of happiness, I think most of us would agree that the linchpin of our lives are family and friendships. I think the absence of hugs over the past couple of years, has been a really big thing. Thankfully, I am now getting hugs from the family again, but I've noticed that even very good friends are much more reticent to hug each other at the moment, which is quite sad. </div><div><br></div><div>This next photo shows a nice cosy scene and the image after that is a pic of my Summer garden. </div><div><br></div><img id="id_66a7_bf32_9360_83b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JNAwPc7Svou-kK7v5KOMtz_6AX_hHTkt41d53yyiiUTN3VEiK8uwWZ0OVw0dXKXUi2M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 975px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><div><div><div><img id="id_2a39_517f_9bef_951c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Au-yo3faj3AnewqabowqKDPgG5v8SDqRtASBisIUx6nlCqgkVluUz6-QV5mb7k1i6ME" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 975px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I hope you are all looking forward to brighter days once again - although many of you, of course, will have Autumn approaching, and the shorter days - and so the Seasons come and go. I am just thankful to be able to enjoy another year of looking forward to Spring, to hear the birdsong and to see the garden bloom once again. </div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I wish you all many happy and joyful moments in the year ahead, and I hope you will feel loved. </div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-46859102021571302192022-02-01T08:57:00.001+00:002022-02-01T09:14:40.296+00:00 Proud to be a Devon Maid!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My hometown City of Plymouth is known as Britain's Ocean City. It is a vibrant waterfront city which is surrounded by water, and with the hills of Dartmoor close by. I love living in heavenly Devon, and I'm proud to be a Devon Maid 🙂</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_2ffd_c7d1_c38d_3751" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yggujJJDzs4/WDyQoglBG9I/AAAAAAAAIWc/W5cGI24qn8s/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The magnificent Plymouth Sound with the art-deco lido, where I learnt to swim, over 65 years ago. Seems like only yesterday 😂😂.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today I thought I would take you on a tour of the historic Barbican, with its cobbled streets and Elizabethan buildings. To me, it has always seemed remarkable that these buildings are still standing after the continuous bombing, known as the Plymouth Blitz, during the Second World War. The city suffered a series of bombing raids, which flattened many parts of my home city. My parents were involved in one of those raids. In March 1941, my dad was returning home on a short Leave from the Army. As darkness fell, he turned the corner of the street where they lived, and the house was gone, reduced to a pile of rubble, and my poor mum was buried underneath. Neighbours were scrabbling at the bricks with their hands, desperately trying to get to her. Fortunately, she survived, but her back was badly damaged and she suffered for the rest of her life with severe back problems. After the Blitz, very little of Plymouth remained, and the whole City had to be rebuilt. During the 59 bombing attacks, 1,172 civilians were killed and 4,448 were injured. King George the sixth is pictured here visiting the devastated City. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_ca23_ea5b_4fbb_31af" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4SkhF0pDms/WDyQkROVNNI/AAAAAAAAIWY/8vsqUlIyz3c/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 897px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Image courtesy of Daily Mail archives. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But now it's time to continue with the tour. I hope you will enjoy these photos, which were taken on a glorious Summer's day last year. You can just double click on any of the photos if you want to make them larger. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_3363_4b69_df6d_d5a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-18ntgkLTukQ/WD3gjRRcaTI/AAAAAAAAIXU/5elfrw1voZY/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 908px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_af22_94d2_958a_988b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IazuBQZ4O_U/WDyQzDMIWII/AAAAAAAAIWo/BKhPelR9vIo/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_c0a0_9071_f0a4_8409" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XwLPs4T036s/WDyQ7bRQ8hI/AAAAAAAAIW0/gaiQjTH_RWo/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_8968_abc3_59e_ef57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nm1fTDlZZGY/WDyQucflLPI/AAAAAAAAIWg/iNbajFJEqcw/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 903px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_79d9_5a5d_1bd8_b9cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8aTsl12hCWM/WDyQw8YansI/AAAAAAAAIWk/3NkeXqDxZxc/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_db36_56bb_ab06_dc2b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Sx-LAOR-t8/WDyQ3B1p89I/AAAAAAAAIWw/JFyrnJvpl6Q/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_cb7a_a093_5258_e9bc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvjJ47FtH9g/WDyQ2XiDk3I/AAAAAAAAIWs/4Uv0-W5U3Ac/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_cde0_c436_3434_c3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3yBebctuhaU/WDyQ9wunRKI/AAAAAAAAIW8/E2LsA57dss4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_ea0b_9d10_c57f_69e9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKp9e-JM5OU/WDyQ9qH3cuI/AAAAAAAAIW4/wIgAgnbEmgk/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The quality of the following photo isn't particularly good (I took it from Plymouth Hoe looking out to the Sound) but I thought the old with the new was pretty cool 😊.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_ae0f_4d61_87d_6160" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0wKpedIbF2Y/WD3ggpA9VPI/AAAAAAAAIXQ/fMRDIk-pIhk/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 903px;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I do feel very blessed living in this little corner of heavenly Devon! On that note, I'll love you and leave you until the next time. </div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-74912936394766818432021-11-09T13:17:00.001+00:002021-11-11T08:39:18.040+00:00Lest We Forget<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 41px; font-weight: bold; background-color: rgb(255, 242, 204);">Just simple images of remembrance in my Blog Post today, to remind us of all those men and women who died that we may be free. </span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_4c09_eda8_b642_2ab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QhB0AnVs5xo/WgY0f5ssqsI/AAAAAAAAJJw/Tw6E4QqJPl4vvc7JA0KjwjekYiNCKjFZACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_6ce6_cadb_a8cc_b04e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TuVtdatECD0/WgY0gGmmSWI/AAAAAAAAJJ0/_xh7vbslQtUCpCI2i3SKLcYB7AFWptcbgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_c363_9ab6_611b_f823" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e1WYF53YCLc/WgY0fM87CaI/AAAAAAAAJJo/UzJJWFil3fMYDjzDfGKZQnNjCW8zSv1CwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_7701_304f_d7_4de9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pwXWBy2zMqc/WgY0eQ93TyI/AAAAAAAAJJk/CQIfCK3fXfE5AtHePnR3VCBkyU6sNtOuQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 903px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_bfea_f98b_20e_1ef6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hqmSOtTe70k/WgY0fvljhBI/AAAAAAAAJJs/nCyAKBxUl6YxWmCip0gLtAYPQQeN-XE-gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 41px; font-weight: bold;">Let us remember all those brave servicemen and women, who made the ultimate sacrifice. I will be thinking of a Grandad that I never knew, my dad’s dad, who died on foreign soil, aged 27 years. My grandad was killed at the Battle of Ypres in Belgium. The Battle of Ypres was a series of engagements during the First World War, and during the five engagements, casualties surpassed one million. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 41px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_de85_d7a1_98ca_206f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kg0CzvdHXcCv3NudQEuGier0bavngAa_jodfAuHgGlj3sfXsxmqIN_APWvY" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Every year, since 1923, there has been a British Legion Festival of Remembrance, held at The Royal Albert Hall in London, which remembers all those who have lost their lives in conflicts. </div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-37437376286427820942021-11-03T08:49:00.001+00:002021-11-03T08:49:15.959+00:00A Month To Give Thanks ...<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img id="id_484c_bdb6_1e37_3982" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IMeaGwa5Xc0EB9P3DUj0mTzuszBCkb9hTS6V4bbSvxZe7QC0QyTPbxvpNdfWUBltSr4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Here we are at the beginning of another month - the penultimate month of the year. (I know - I can't believe it either!). When I was young, I used to love Anne of Green Gables, and there is a lovely quote in that book ....”It was November, the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-song in the pines”. To me, it is also the month to remind us to be thankful for the many positive things happening in our lives. We do not have Thanksgiving here in England, but I really wish we did. I suppose the nearest thing we have over here is the Harvest Festival, which is, of course, a celebration of the food grown on the land. We have given thanks for successful harvests since Pagan times. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_77c_199e_179a_58e0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Q4FVR9A84o/Wf3Qo8bp1XI/AAAAAAAAJJA/RTudA-b48n8EIDxfiEiiVAyyLLRU2OHfQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;">In fact, although we do not celebrate Thanksgiving over here, it was the early English settlers who first brought the idea of harvest thanksgiving to North America., when the first celebration took place in 1621. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;">The November flower is, apparently, the chrysanthemum, which would explain why the Americans love their displays of colourful ‘mums’ at this time of the year. This past week here in heavenly Devon, the weather has been just perfect for Autumn walks. I have been out almost every day, savouring the wonderful sights and colours which surround the countryside at the moment. The golden and red leaves still hanging on the trees, and the smell of woodsmoke and bonfires in the air. We also seem to get wonderful sunsets at this time of the year. Here are a few photos taken this week ....</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_e951_39d4_9fc6_a501" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P9GEfT_r2cw/Wf3Q8wkC2VI/AAAAAAAAJJM/w-vaBfX6cQIuRk9rTfCmQgOe3vPWaXlfwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><img alt="" id="id_a176_28d4_f6e5_69d3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5tTg4M3mCgg/Wf3Q96Xxy2I/AAAAAAAAJJQ/uhorD_bdXH0rmWsScOt5Yi4mOR54lFdcwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_9d08_1286_f8b_db45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GKQG4oTLzQs/Wf3QWgk4RVI/AAAAAAAAJIw/1IQ6D4o5I_0FM9ymqTQq5Tkmx3BcHhiKgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_720c_860a_78c6_56d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-43rxYOcyZAM/Wf3QaY50IjI/AAAAAAAAJI0/z1gmsWEFbIQZhQ3a9AoXQROZqaqVFHSTACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_5f64_5742_cfe4_db90" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zz8GIX-Sn7s/Wf3QifDyC8I/AAAAAAAAJI4/7Tp5YPVO1MosW1ZVyrC6Jl2Zw3F7sVQcwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><img id="id_6a15_b731_1d87_704b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6liBqpWhShBYoRpNFvVzr_tsfAeLwjIqMpf5bX9TdQEHg3stU52vgw0ZJreqLoO0kSE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br> <div>'Older' Followers of my Blog will know that I have family who live in Ibiza. After not seeing them for two years because of the Pandemic, I was finally able to visit them a couple of weeks ago, and I give thanks for that. Here are a few photos of that beautiful Island. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a5e7_ce5_36d0_46f7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8fTaZqGAmq2rFGwrDuGwvu5EiXh4gugHtRsknJjwhpQScBUs3lU5NiScN66LXRFGiCY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_1eb5_c3a3_d437_e353" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q5MuvMr0W0IIr0_lQ8Tl8Y1lLcyX4A0IvQ214-jNV3nSH2tY3k8wIJ0jhhyCUIxilZU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7ff3_6c8c_ee09_d527" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tyIDiXuIzmTL6uVOzTaj1eJs5745Da9Rhmk7EsE14TS4LZP-3627A7mIrNOIkNNZaR4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_bc50_e6cd_6754_51d1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S2TmTFGMZ_nDQXN6ThPmfanl-f14E1UrHJFuXhhtJypYzxRNEqerIDOG9nhvUbWZOQ4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3e71_ea0b_7be5_ae8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Ieyfpx_EauukhYFQqfradzWBqm_4CifZFPQf0t-K4MCXozv-FpL3qTFJ4MQAq6b1I8Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>On that note, I will say cheerio - hoping that all is well in your little corner of the world. 💕</div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-6873722483392989242021-08-14T13:09:00.001+01:002021-08-14T14:33:16.618+01:00Was Ignorance Really Bliss?Well, hello! I don't know if anyone is still out there. I've just realised that I haven't written a Post for so long....the end of January to be precise. <div><br></div><div>Any old how, I was just sat here ruminating on this Saturday morning about this and that, when I decided to put pen to paper once again. Remember those - pen and paper?! Such a shame that the art of letter writing seems to have gone out the window - I used to love writing and receiving letters, but I suppose they're not needed anymore, when we can be in instant contact with people through our phones. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b540_6860_beb1_b81e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zSWFEjmja06_xlkqNI2R4UCra4lo_iZHCgHWUB6-7fu1CmL-jdHpCdqfIAtM_pVmgMU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I was reading something the other day, when the sentence "ignorance is bliss" came up. It was a saying that used to be said quite a lot, and, in view of the events of this past eighteen months, I'm beginning to wonder if there's something in it. Covid-19 is the first Pandemic of the Information Age, and there is so much information out there, but the trouble is, a lot of that information is incorrect, with some bordering on real scaremongering. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fa23_f6cd_a109_c480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6WM2YqXob2f0K0ycRDteNAV6Xy8M7W2GuMPXAtQU1EqvscyRZ-F6RV51HDhsxltkvZQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Of course, the media need to keep us informed, but in my opinion, a lot of their reporting during this time has been increasingly frantic, causing a great number of people to feel increasingly scared. This is, in this Country, despite the very successful vaccine roll out. We have been literally bombarded with information from all angles. My goodness, I never realised there were so many 'experts' out there who saw fit to pontificate their point of view. The trouble is, not many of these experts seemed to agree with each other, which didn't really give me much faith!</div><div><br></div><div>I'm sure there are a lot of people reading this that will totally disagree with me, and that's fine. Thankfully this isn't Twitter, so I'm unlikely to be torn to shreds! </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, on to brighter things! Today my daughter and two youngest grandchildren are flying to Ibiza to spend the week with my eldest daughter. They last saw each other last year, so I'm happy for them to be getting together again. The adults have been vaccinated, and the grandchildren had the appropriate tests to enable them to be able to do this. They will then be tested again before they fly back to the UK. People keep saying, surely you can go without a holiday this year. Hallo!!!! For thousands of us, it's not about going on holiday, it's about being reunited with our loved ones again. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8814_5fa3_24fe_d790" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i63elCZqsNNw4nAF8WV9JT40DcJKLiDCgumInn5j25F8pmvAmMGMdFcMyIs0PXeIS5E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I haven't actually seen my eldest daughter and my eldest granddaughter for almost two years now, but I'm very excited to say that I've booked a flight to Ibiza at the beginning of September (which is where they live). Just have to hope that nothing new rears it's ugly head in the meantime, so that I actually get there. </div><div><br></div><div>I thought I would just end with a few quotes that I hope you might like ....</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e8ed_1ef5_5337_d1ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XqgbpBXrlQKaJJDdxL9hhOFxcF-KmysgmXGeQElWeUX_E15syPxuTwwR8yTPIwmpDRM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f9b3_3958_9498_c26" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ScO_d_oBP1Jjczg6s3O-W0AeiNbs0WiTIhIf9EMFTv7er7Kx113vpagCVL55Pj_2kOQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ab6_cf5_af2e_4bdb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0rLqKonRKjDk7Hu2Zb__81iA2ilFRZNYPrO2koavUQl-ig52qTxYrEN0z7UHSBFGO4k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e1bf_8baa_16ac_696b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xynvgLgfUJeezdHT_BK880WzPcKJmiTdR53pQE2IOJxVO9CuBh-PBE8l2RZvTo8CFV4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e8d0_8275_59fe_737d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/J3cD7q0dNr0WGKhD1ZxHF0suzkPLYvPvBuiKS5t8cIooAaW7DT6o0FUTWaX4iqq_p2s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Thank you for reading this, and I'll try not to leave it so long next time! 💕</div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-25457909558402398742021-01-30T16:53:00.001+00:002023-01-19T09:40:28.397+00:00Be The One That Makes Others Feel Special<img id="id_4fb5_7f9e_8508_5936" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NH2vLnDESchslVQmpb5K6p-yAbsF4jsUSSv22X-LryTU26uNDiiuuYqqBTprZi0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br> <div>Hallo again everyone. After weeks of rain here in Devon, we are finally having a few days of brightness, although it has turned much colder, but i would much rather have that. Here's Benji, my little Cavapoo, when we had a dusting of snow yesterday. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8462_556e_bcf4_e020" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rJs_udg6zmIcLwvdn1z43-eyDdsPgReTUqn53n33yIERSuqmFULrztqhkzTRcuDt4OE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div>I've faffed around a bit today (I'm pretty good at 'faffing' I'll have you know. In fact, it's probably one of my strong points! Motivation...not so much. Patience....that's definitely a no-no). Anyway, I digress - as it's the afternoon now and I'm just sitting around, I thought I would write another Blog Post.</div><div><br></div><div>Don't you just love the first quote above ? Surely we can still be kind and civil to each other even if we don't agree on a certain subject? What I don't like, is meanness, which can take many forms.... unkindness, unfairness, spitefulness, to name but a few. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_40de_e639_b52a_c348" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7d7uefYP5w0IJiDLN5zLUtNQp50UW1lJ2F1Nfcl11ASQPMD86Bo-uHFKlCNo8gg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I'm not on Facebook quite so much now as, because of the algorithms (no, me neither!) they use these days, sometimes Posts from my friends don't appear until several days later. I use Instagram much more, where there are so many like minded women, who post photos of their pets, their gardens, lovely images of their walks etc, and it just seems like a much more serene place to be. Everyone is very kind and always very encouraging to each other. Now I'm not naive - I realise that Trolls appear there as well, but I haven't encountered any. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f144_195c_935a_efcb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pDnld2rg9mREf-r86Fb3osKa-RRpLqBH8igwpSNdc-W9EVDkTpts3pE_L6zb3VQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I always love to read the School Reports of my grandchildren (that is when they were actually going to school), and, obviously. I was delighted when they had done well in their various subjects, but what I loved most of all, was when the Teacher used to say that they were always kind and caring towards their classmates, and considerate towards others. You can't ask for more than that, and I always used to tell them how pleased I was to read comments like that. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_bc7c_4ea1_6658_f8d2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XD7jUOtT-Y9xuDUxBFGaMUwmRmVJ4HnwfReLbJR1gbsQDEbwnTc6nHwiy9m9_rQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Caring about others, and giving to others, helps us as individuals as well. Not only do we physically feel better, but our self-esteem benefits as well, if we can shift our focus to what is around us and not what is within us. None of us knows what may be going on behind the scenes as it were, in someone else's life, so, surely, it's worth going that extra mile to be kind to all those we come into contact with. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5d1b_1d25_8573_17e2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kibmpDr--qpwSFdWJmLxkZYCzjWmwJyth_UuSNBon7tAM6iVu6mys8eGJOTJ42Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>So then, on that note, I will leave you once again. I know it's a bit late, but I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. May 2023 be kind to all of us. </div><div><br></div><div>All quotes today courtesy of Pinterest.</div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-38895115112223270302021-01-25T13:33:00.001+00:002021-01-25T13:36:32.632+00:00 The Month of January is Almost Over .... <div><br></div><div><div class="fauxcolumn-outer fauxcolumn-right-outer" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; overflow: hidden; right: 0px; width: 180px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 21.600000381469727px; font-weight: bold;"><div class="fauxborder-left" style="position: relative; height: 14377.5px; background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat repeat;"><div class="fauxborder-right" style="position: absolute; right: 0px; height: 14377.5px; background-position: right top; background-repeat: no-repeat repeat;"></div><div class="fauxcolumn-inner" style="height: 14377.5px;"></div></div><div class="cap-bottom" style="position: relative; height: 0px; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;"><div class="cap-left" style="height: 0px; float: left; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"></div><div class="cap-right" style="height: 0px; float: right; background-position: right bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"></div></div></div><div class="columns-inner" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; min-height: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><div class="column-center-outer" style="position: relative; float: left; width: 1090px;"><div class="column-center-inner" style="padding: 0px;"><div class="main section" id="main" name="Main" style="margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;"><div class="widget Blog" data-version="1" id="Blog1" style="position: relative; min-height: 0px; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.4;"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><h2 class="date-header" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0.5em 0px; position: relative; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); min-height: 0px;"><br></h2><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer" style="background-color: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; padding: 15px 20px; margin: 0px -20px 20px;"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="position: relative; min-height: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 21.600000381469727px;"><a name="1112255641584123350"></a></span><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; position: relative; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Summer Memories Of A Garden In Full Bloom</h3><div class="post-header" style="font-size: 21.600000381469727px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1112255641584123350" itemprop="description articleBody" style="width: 1088px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 34px;">The month of January is almost over, and I am very relieved about that. I'm sure we're all mightily fed up with the Coronavirus at the moment. Suffice it to say that we are still in lockdown over here in the UK, and will be for a long time yet to come by the look of it, so we are all struggling a bit at the moment. That is why I have decided to concentrate on brighter things as I write to you today! </span><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_d1ce_f9c7_bbd2_ebed" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqGWn60hE7I/WmzQ9bgSb3I/AAAAAAAAJRg/cslq8ySsO68Lef8_63avaWvC1W62uq4KACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;">The days are gradually starting to lengthen, and I am so looking forward to when I can start on my coastal walks once more. It might be a few months yet, as we are not allowed to drive anywhere for exercise at the moment, but one day....At the moment, the footpaths would be far too muddy. In fact, with all the rain and storms here in the South West of England, much of our coastline is eroding away, which is quite worrying, especially for those with houses close to the sea. What happens then, is that the cliffs have to be shored up, sections of coastal paths closed and routed away from the sea. The shoreline really does take quite a battering during these Winter months. </div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_b2a1_6c07_af3f_68fc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8DyfQMetg-M/WmzRj6EvdUI/AAAAAAAAJR8/YB7VcWSWVBMxrVz-8YDvLNuuutVrGgFQQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;">For newer Followers of my Blog, I thought I would share some photos of my garden as it looks in the Summer. Looking out of the window at the moment, it’s hard to imagine it being full of blooms. But I know that time will come round once again, and even by the end of February, quite a transformation will have taken place, as new life starts appearing. The changing of the Seasons really are a wonder to behold, and I always say a silent prayer at the start of each new Season, that I am still here to appreciate it. </div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_7232_fbd_d3d7_71c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HlhVuNChNN4/WmzRlNuxf2I/AAAAAAAAJSE/caLMnKfGIMIk78SedLy_jcaifXMmUIkzQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><span style="font-size: 34px; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><img alt="" id="id_cd02_cdba_7d1e_4141" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rb_RJl0ddVg/WmzRk1ZIMrI/AAAAAAAAJSA/Ci_gn_64_kEJ6BswrUP7VAHcJ5TK_ujXgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><span style="font-size: 34px; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><img alt="" id="id_6384_d7f0_fac4_dd50" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3lMB64Y1ls/WmzRA9K_FtI/AAAAAAAAJRk/9f9tWqTEigYCsitSiQC2xKSJkcVU4Q5lwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><span style="font-size: 34px; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><img alt="" id="id_2895_2cef_a12d_e417" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KeA9h57lN-I/WmzRGtbCW4I/AAAAAAAAJRo/PX0nKo6sGvMNNaFDnnQGZoSOvI9kN_sEwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><span style="font-size: 34px; width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><img alt="" id="id_3a5e_28a_aeb5_ad3f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kOF3IG29KIA/WmzRQpgpPKI/AAAAAAAAJRs/q3F_t7I6giICUTAuyKQF9EmJaQKR2gsJACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_5660_78c9_d888_47fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOx0UmjKDKU/WmzRanuVWlI/AAAAAAAAJRw/6Dt9iCfNfGUwQAQ5gKBCm_E7s1moPbdfwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;">Just looking at these photos has lifted my spirits, as I sit here enjoying a nice cup of green tea with lemon. A garden can be hard work, but, my goodness, it’s worth if when everything falls into place. </div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_45a5_dbac_a25b_95c4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dl8Wfp1-oEM/WmzRf7lvvxI/AAAAAAAAJR0/UHI65odQ8loMeNV7jUT3vQlFWQtHsX-uwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;">If you want to enlarge any photo, you can just double click on it. I hope you’re all keeping safe in your own little corner of the world. I know that there are a couple of my bloggy friends who are coping with certain things in their lives at the moment, and prayers are with them that all will be well. Look after yourselves everyone.</div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><br></div><div style="font-size: 34px;"><img alt="" id="id_8141_ab9e_cecf_d2d3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XvRT1GTMfK4/WmzRh6-S2nI/AAAAAAAAJR4/VRHlDeSZW5s0g3Ld4EeNcfhXktUZa9JswCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 34px;">Photographs are my own, apart from the quotes, and these are courtesy of </span><font size="4">Pinterest.com</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11827px; left: 168px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11658px; left: 341px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11827px; left: 341px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11491px; left: -5px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11491px; left: 168px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11658px; left: -5px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11491px; left: 341px;"></span><span style="width: 18px; height: 18px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11827px; left: -5px;"></span><span style="width: 28px; height: 28px; position: absolute; z-index: 101; top: 11652px; left: 162px;"></span><span style="font-size: 34px; width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_497b_4a64_fb6f_db6d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0iLchR2dIEuakq5reS-MXb0E7TLJ-rt-S3LiutkQTQt9g_1u9ev54GSbGxwLNq4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 968px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-78408935406263933982020-10-17T17:07:00.001+01:002020-10-17T17:09:11.959+01:00Come For A Walk With Me ....<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; position: relative; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Time for another Blog Post, and it occurred to me that many of you might not know where I come from here in ye Merry olde England. Actually, the name of my Blog is a bit of a give away - yes, I live in the South Hams, which is the most beautiful part of heavenly Devon (although others might tell you otherwise!). Anyway, I’ll let the views speak for themselves. All of the images today were taken by me whilst out and about on my coastal walks.</h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5569568054467687870" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 1088px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; position: relative; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_cb56_9126_e926_23db" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8dEIvQnB1Dg/W5faHsSAb3I/AAAAAAAAJnE/vjx4OEhaj4gbUh4fsxBh5CBbhWU2_a_6gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The beautiful County of Devon is right down in the South West of the Country. Next to Devon, you have Cornwall, which I’m sure many of you will have heard of, from various novels and TV dramas - Doc Martin and Poldark, to name just two! After leaving Cornwall, you just drop into the ocean! That’s one of the things I love about living here, the ocean is always around us. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_eaa6_9a0a_1e31_2b51" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OZSOfvF7aNZbGAhOq0sP7A7_GGKmGpplMTCUpz_60PJDjoREIe_C9-K1T9l7OaI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This next photo is one of my favourites and reminds me of why I love this area so much. You can be walking along a narrow path, and then, there it is, the blue sea right in front of you. Heaven!<br><img id="id_bd25_3721_cbb8_fc6d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xstb7Cq1c42sGi_vPdz61lwUGL04xRiNrmmPQHFPOGKcUeWH0mxvkOPOmSiaOdQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>These next four photos were taken at Hope Cove. Walking from Thurlestone to Hope Cove is one of my very favourite coastal walks.</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_965d_2157_89ae_80f8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUo-s2Gb66w/W5faIvkLS7I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/7AziO506HJwSjcCUTNtRjCBHVW-mTSP8ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_e15c_e59a_5a1d_9201" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--m9gJCl64zc/W5faIE_K91I/AAAAAAAAJnI/CUlf5sbTVXMsDpxFG8zEByWs17LiOfgYwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_3a5b_28be_2e1c_5771" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sm_eqMngwFs/W5faIj9d9xI/AAAAAAAAJnU/C4R3Dq13Sa8EyHwYHX3dkZSJQgZ8AZ9jQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_c182_c344_ff54_4de4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_5xec8cafGc/W5faIZaLy5I/AAAAAAAAJnM/WlI5luToTCYablGoI3uMuX63XzmN7CxZwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div>The photo above with the path leading to the sea, always reminds me of the poem by John Masefield, called Sea Fever .... “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..... I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide, is a wild call and a clear call, that may not be denied......”</div><div><br></div><div>We are surrounded by the sea, and I love nothing better than setting out on a coastal walk. I used to walk for miles, but I have a problem with my legs at the moment, which has curtailed me somewhat over the past twelve months, but I do try to walk as often as I can. I actually live right at the foot of Dartmoor, one of our National Parks, but, to be honest, it has to be beaches and the sea for me every time. Devon is known for its hills and some of those hills lead right down to the sea, and the lanes leading to the sea are narrow, with very high hedges, so that you can’t always see vehicles coming in the opposite direction!</div><div><br></div><div>This next beach has to be one of my very favourites....Bigbury on Sea. Would you believe that I’ve been going there for over 73 years, as my mum and dad took me there from the time I was six months old, so it’s almost in my DNA.</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_c1f_2740_fb91_895b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dwH0I4U63Y/W5faIzrwSTI/AAAAAAAAJnY/lZwvTGeI16EyY1vu4hARfQ6sMvALyDfhwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_30f2_1914_fca9_1c8f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vh-97dxPFuI/W5faJI0asAI/AAAAAAAAJnc/wV3_3hZOUeMBmGUFU5Sds147y2elwIXdwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This next photo was taken at Salcombe. I really am so lucky to live in this wonderful spot, that I call heavenly Devon, as all these places are only 20 minutes from where I live. </div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_ff3c_c409_68ac_46b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-21p7P5yOpj8/W5faJkhFyJI/AAAAAAAAJnk/GdEz5QGpzh0vZOyADeGZ7TESF_KLOPtvwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>On a lovely Summer day, it’s one of the best places in the world. Oh, okay, perhaps I AM slightly biased. I was playing with a new Camera App with this last photo. I have very fond memories of visiting Salcombe with a friend, a few years ago now. It was a boiling hot day....too hot to do much serious walking, so we sat under the sun umbrella on the terrace of a lovely Hotel, which had gorgeous views all along the estuary, with brightly coloured boats bobbing up and down. We started off with morning coffee and warm, buttered croissants, which drifted into lunch, accompanied by the obligatory glass of Rosè, and, believe it or not, we were still sat there at 4pm, so decided to have a Devon Cream Tea, complete with lashings of Devonshire Clotted Cream!</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_3fb6_3331_cd55_83fb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TLRm_xlMfa8/W5faJYXkF5I/AAAAAAAAJng/AeeStL_5d2gm-bokCMiV3t0j0kuJZYDQgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed the little tour, and I’m sure I’ll be back again soon. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my Blog. I really do appreciate it.</div></div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-19427909081760099912020-10-11T12:07:00.001+01:002020-10-11T12:07:58.354+01:00Time To Light The Lamps And Snuggle In .... <div><br></div><div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; position: relative; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda";"><br></h3><div class="post-header" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-745428599104691367" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 1088px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; position: relative;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; background-color: rgb(255, 242, 204);">In a couple of weeks, the clocks will be falling back an hour, and it’s time, once again, to make our homes as cosy as we can, so that we don’t start to feel ‘down’ with the onset of the shorter days. Summer is now becoming a distant memory, with the exception of certain people! Daughter number 1 who lives in Ibiza, keeps sending me photos of sandy beaches, hot sun, and stunning sunsets. I am starting to go off her! 😉. This is the latest photo she’s been teasing me with. No wonder she loves it so much over on that beautiful Island. </span><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_2698_5836_6910_5892" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Drsw0KDXxGU/WfJHZ3bQveI/AAAAAAAAJHg/1SgcA40wa7gj1Jriw6oKnyTm4_I0TAwgACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">But, meanwhile, I shall be lighting the lamps and the candles (although I tend to use wax melts more these days) and getting through some lovely books from my bookshelf. With all that’s going on, I certainly don’t want anything too heavy at the moment. Something to lift the spirits is the order of the day I think. Although I’ll never say no to a good thriller! </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;">Have you heard of the word ...Hygge? It’s pronounced hue-gah, and comes from a Norwegian word meaning “well-being.” In other words, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, often achieved with good food, drink, comfy surroundings, warm blankets and candlelight. So, as you will see, Autumn and Winter are just made for us all to practice some Hygge. Colourful throws on the armchairs, potpourri scented with smells of orange and cinnamon - anything to bring us cheer whilst these darker days are with us. Of course, I’m aware that in many parts of the world, you are approaching Springtime. Forgive me, but I have to write as it is with the Seasons in my homeland! </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;">Most of the colours are fading in the garden at the moment, but I took this photo of a wilting rose earlier today. I think it still looks quite beautiful. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_b9aa_3be2_db40_9284" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UDvbJEc384s/WfJHsyrUahI/AAAAAAAAJHw/HsLUW2d6U8YPj8SJxAetvjooPN1f6AABACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;">I love this photo with my youngest grandchildren enjoying playing in the Autumn leaves 🍁 </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img id="id_b6c9_44b6_3a12_d4fb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4b6qQ_Olwdo5VlGSS0z1gv5woncmxxnesfqP1VwyjPvUMn6rLHkymdVmZXPG-xg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_deb2_6242_654_e537" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/x44E7bMLpsxVbRlntkneYKSaErGSuJFJNP6r39_ZHiFMCQ4HmKguMuX-TlVc-kI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e6d_739d_502b_ec6c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pK8OUs2jULkKyudZKNsC5XijlOPPk-6J3Y6CU696A0cUDv_jU-IGDTUoZNdyMWU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Just came across this little quote, which I thought I would include in my Post today. It’s so true ...</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img id="id_9f88_3dcd_1545_d67b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iM-zF2kck0PnCkfbHv9r48zqVhAT38NjsSlwqKc7eXHmOgBop4WINRm7m6FX49o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;">So my friends, may your lives be filled with Hygge during the coming Season. See you again soon. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_aead_2567_ce8f_f7af" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cGddpq5AtdE/WfJHhRgzcgI/AAAAAAAAJHk/buTMTbbJFO8wSzL844Sznm41r1ofilhcwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Image courtesy of Pinterest.com</div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-89265335386585997352020-09-01T08:10:00.001+01:002020-09-01T08:10:35.145+01:00Start September with Positive ThoughtsHallo again everyone. It's been a while! I hope you are all keeping in good spirits as we start the new month and start to enter a new Season. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_76a7_ef1b_e598_f640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/THGYpMyLvrxRqA25D4rwG3VCPHmQwEnAsmnj_TA25xzMo_dtL9kECxaMqaNmbtc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Can you believe it's September already?! Even in this most strangest of years, the days, weeks and months still seem to be galloping by. This will certainly be a year that we will never forget! Even though people are gradually out and about a bit more now, everything is so different. But oh the joy of meeting up with a friend and actually going out for lunch after five months! Something that I used to do all the time. My, how we used to take things for granted!</div><div><br></div><div>As you can see from the above photo, this is the time of the year when I start cutting back in the garden, which I was doing yesterday. I always call it putting the garden to bed until the next year. Fortunately, the roses are still doing splendidly, and the geraniums are still giving plenty of colour. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7f16_1145_4460_237c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j8fJjdKI4qPgMYvZed4nqCv02vOS8VK9ezrBRqpTUi0SOzshx31ISIVyI6ShXU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_dcaa_d3eb_7e8d_6088" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/amYFjT4zozNdEg_r2W6Vy6yK78T-fxLiXMnT2BKQKesr81XTQ9lAI0p5kA8MYSc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to start the new month with some positivity, and so I am including a few quotes courtesy of Pinterest.com. I think we can all do with these. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_164a_7ff9_f3b9_8a7b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Tdb897wagEdrMHvzqehGAwYiM3ZEswUbn91InFKABRcrP_J_EvBSxspqDNvlGLM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 964px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_770b_3716_d6b0_4cb5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xbnNdxbvqRu4XoQfIgEFyI0uXkZIC6L1drUyWcVMKxUFa7xyWyv2hMsZadBLELw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d7b8_7012_de85_d02d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z5amy63AEBpR0a209ohja-7sLoue18a2tsjgu22YD_uU7ISoZHQLiyxPFR6PBDk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e376_9eff_a63a_c4d9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eVf0WcWyVBfaVJCpHnipt49vZQYSOHydvYAxYvO30j09qGX5pUuUm5xLH7h6WJE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Don't forget to hang on to HOPE. There's never been a better time to say......this too shall pass....and it will. Look after yourselves little peeps and keep safe. </div><div><br></div><div>I'll leave you with a couple of pics of little Benji, who loves to play hide and seek in the garden. Hopefully they might make you smile 😊 </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1dda_c523_e94c_ba6c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aj9NMU7C_BECbDAbhDuwjX75hw3MF5uFgOF9nvN3dPqmCXyb9696UwqIDQ6H988" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ef2d_e67c_96fc_4608" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FpP_eH5q-znqaexPXjMPD-0iJuMhjlOkmnvZDp-0oxdo8wiTgH_TBNrAJzT-RoM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-88863314808129920422020-08-04T16:49:00.001+01:002020-08-04T16:50:21.657+01:00 The Magic of Italy ....<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you love opera, and you also love Italy, as I do, you have really missed a stunning spectacle if you haven't been to the Verona Opera Festival. (Even if opera is not really your thing, you could not fail to be moved by the ancient setting). </span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I went a few years ago with a friend, and as it was her 'special' birthday, we decided to do it in style and opted for the best seats in the house (Poltronissime), where the Italian men wear their tuxedos and the ladies wear long evening dresses. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_7a50_64cc_52eb_537c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-arKSYMR89_o/WJOpKjsXeAI/AAAAAAAAIlY/e3Buf7Kp_aA/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 897px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Before entering the Arena di Verona, it is a good idea to eat at one of the many restaurants in the small streets that surround the Amphitheatre. This way, you can really make the most of the charged atmosphere, whilst doing some serious people watching at the same time. There are lots of gorgeous, designer shops for you to feast your eyes on (I particularly remember the Louis Vuitton shop, which was immediately opposite the ancient Arena).</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6ef0_49f_bfc8_db94" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WugAnPU44QQ/WJy1pf6KkWI/AAAAAAAAInY/Xxn62Kze1qI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Once inside the Arena, be prepared to be blown away by the sheer scale and magnificence of it all. The Arena sits 20,000 people, from the best seats on the floor of the Arena, right up to the unreserved places on the upper (very upper!) stone galleries, where you are perched high on the topmost ramparts of the original Stadium, which was built in 30 AD. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_a054_2d8c_eca7_7ce4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NlzVZwc0me8/WJy1gKiArDI/AAAAAAAAInU/U1hxMD22iB8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_43a6_e2ec_f4f3_c188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GrP98wptUk4/WJy1qDJ1RJI/AAAAAAAAInc/zDqIL71pQzI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When one thinks of opera, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Sydney Opera House, and La Scala all spring readily to mind, but you will find that Verona combines a quite unique setting with productions and performances of a consistently high standard. Where else could you be watching, on a hot Summer's evening, a performance of Aida, as I was, when at the start of the second act, immediately behind the stage, a huge, full moon rose majestically above the ancient stone walls, and literally hung in the dark sky, surrounded by glittering stars, for the remainder of the performance!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_60c0_b9ce_8e31_9a7a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Knx3cKphFSg/WJy1qvoTgZI/AAAAAAAAIng/GhCJk6MGVgM/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Italians really do have a love and flair for the dramatic performance, and they are a very demanding audience, which seems to bring out the best in performers and musicians alike. When the audience is appreciative of a certain Aria, they will stamp their feet, cheer and clap, so that, even though the performers are in the middle of an Act, they will perform the Aria again, to even more spontaneous applause!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It really was a magical experience, and one that I will never forget. </div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-4339880718157975842020-07-18T12:36:00.001+01:002020-07-18T12:42:09.919+01:00The Power of Female Friendship....<img id="id_a148_4529_871c_b7a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CGEM1lRDvFemqymafXWd2FZ2SUlCdQWRbAVz1eTflD-aRl9TbxRe1GePBHq2S_M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Well, very gradually and slowly, things are starting to open up over here in England. This week has been quite an exciting one for me (!). First of all, a very good friend of mine, of some 50 years standing, came and sat in the garden with me for a couple of hours. She has been shielding, so hasn’t left the house for four months, so it was a big day for her as well. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_6641_6069_8763_d216" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pS6vBeN73qfXBnVcBAQdUWKNOpgQF2Seqk8ly47LT_ypGvbOxelK6m4g2lmK8q0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>We always used to see each other once a week, to either go to the cinema, or out for a meal. So this past four months has been a long time for both of us. We have been video chatting, which is fine, but just not as good as the real thing. Obviously, still social distancing, and no hugs! </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6b5e_2f95_3807_ad5" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/S0Kl9tujTfNq1CIUJVMmO7rQ6DBFVSAfNSsgF8XiDfoNw3P2qjb0O_YHNK37um4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Whoever thought that something like this would ever happen. It’s all so alien to the very fabric of our lives, isn’t it?! After all, what have we got, if we have no human contact. </div><div><br></div><div>The second exciting thing, is that I actually put my jewellery on once again (!) and went out to lunch with another good friend, TO A RESTAURANT!! How lovely it was to eat a meal cooked by someone else, after all this time. Everything was very well organised and I felt very happy and comfortable eating inside. The Pub\Restaurant is a favourite of mine, and only five minutes away. It was good to go along and support them, as they were only able to open again last week. What a time it has been for the hospitality industry - as well as so many other businesses and venues, of course, that haven’t been able to open their doors since March. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7085_a11b_eab0_ada9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8rVUXVQbjQ_HsnXXH6YF9Zg5-HmK1HbBOA8tNNifz3Q38zu6ZPsj1d_lQ2sQzDE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_6054_3f6f_ddaf_f1b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WcocR0GR1ZRoJ8nXPJ7yts7Qx3cKz3nGOU4GfUZ7wFoh2Cphqyz-mYp26JkvAKw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Then - yes! I told you it was an exciting week!! - I met another girlfriend for coffee at our local Garden Centre. The Cafe part was only able to open last week. Again, I was very impressed by the whole set-up. We were met at the entrance to the Cafe and our full details were taken for contact purposes. It was table service only, and a one way system was in operation. </div><div><br></div><div>What a trying time it is at the moment for businesses, large and small, as they try to meet all the standards required of them, due to COVID 19. I really do take my hat off to all of them. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a19_8d2a_6c5d_224f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Cy8DQcJwJKsrWhyGOxjd02rjtQGP3LTbJxvGyykSF7ehd-8o4jMSf4igUjDzkOs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Apart from missing my family during this time, of course, not being able to meet up with my girlfriends is what I’ve missed the most. I think a lot of you know that I’m an only child, so my female friendships have always featured prominently in my life. Most of them I’ve known for 30, 40, and 50 years, which is a long time. True friendships are to be treasured, and, yes, nurtured. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_570d_b6e9_d7b7_8ae4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xZ0ZtaB7y6eICUI2bc-sRK01P7j26oOExU7i_jbg0FDiCHQ5ZZbNMvHzRf2L37U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I have been blogging for ten years now - I’ve actually stuck at something for once 😁🙈 - and I’ve made a lot of friendships during that time, from all over the world. We might not have actually met each other in person, but I know we all feel that we do know each other, and it would be great fun if we did actually meet up! We have seen our families grow, we have shared the happy times, and we have tried to all support and encourage each other through the bad times, which we all have to go through at some stage, for that is just part of life’s rich tapestry.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7c1b_a973_b32e_e2aa" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kZvIuzx8G8ll0Cy3CBUsCVdliGq_z52eat4sQw6NIWE2U_L74lB5ps8UA2uWnG8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>So, little peeps, as I close again for now, I wish each and every one of you, friendship in abundance. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_caab_21fc_f2d7_d36" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/t03o30qVXBT7eoCjDOzmKnEk-t3as8tmNYB8xS_vsAw4WgjTyBAVw-9Y7nFAl68" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-66276123527594996052020-07-07T06:00:00.000+01:002020-07-07T06:00:01.929+01:00Just One Word Today....Kindness<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%; background-color: rgb(255, 242, 204);">Just a simple little post today, from me to you, and it features one of my favourite words .... KINDNESS. </span><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_c86c_7baa_36f9_a4b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ow_KwOntjjg/Wa5WIIXLFGI/AAAAAAAAI-g/aC2mOWE0UVwvOZWpIp9Z5nXSayBQOWxaQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 912px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_86a0_8b59_9e6c_ab6f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s9HcXVGImW0/Wa5WLGAzncI/AAAAAAAAI-s/TTC29c64l8wtM3385pElV3epsFptoA7GQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 905px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">We need more kindness in the world today, and, yes, gentleness and respect. We need far less hate and aggression. Less pulling people down, and more building people up. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_ab6_46e8_e952_933f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8lEyWqgmhY/Wa5WL9Ax00I/AAAAAAAAI-w/79d1kBJqtOQRmolke3uVIQqo8czxOlSbwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 902px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_c72d_c73d_fc17_5fcc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HV96NZWCZn4/Wa5WMtwisnI/AAAAAAAAI-0/cB4DyFbJJrINpEUWnIdL4MlVgETXlHNjgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 909px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">The quotes today are all courtesy of Pinterest. I came across this Interview with Roald Dahl, and I couldn't agree with him more....</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">"I think kindness is my number one attribute in a human being. I'll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity, or anything else."</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Interviewer.. "or brains even?"</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">"Oh, gosh, yes. Brains is one of the least. You can be a lovely person without brains, absolutely lovely. Kindness - that simple word. To be kind - it covers everything, in my mind. If you're kind, that's it."</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_f5b8_1209_1b1c_2fe1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6T7b75R_58/Wa5WJoyDCEI/AAAAAAAAI-k/gqOTvDlQCQEBsIK7ZwbCkrshMxDjhAQjgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br><img alt="" id="id_39f8_3228_f1b2_9248" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oLRWrO57ogg/Wa5WK4fYkcI/AAAAAAAAI-o/_qoaoanlZKU711gTsbDGHIwE1rm1l0NQACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Perhaps you might have your own favourite word as to how life should be lived ....but, to my mind, if you're kind, you care for others, you love, you have empathy, you have generosity of spirit, and you want the very best for that other person. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">May you be surrounded by kindness as you go through your week ❤️</div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-87408095789645096782020-07-05T08:37:00.001+01:002020-07-05T08:59:14.759+01:00A Wandering Mind<span style="font-size: 32.07600021362305px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Because of very damp weather here over the past few days, when I should be out working in the garden, I find myself confined to the house. What to do ... shall I tackle that pile of ironing, get the duster out, or.... write a blog post. Well, as you can see, I opted for the latter option, so here I am to entertain you once again 😳.</span><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Isn't it funny how our mind works sometimes? Well, this girl's mind anyway and, yes, even at my age, I still think of myself as a girl, albeit a slightly 'worn out' girl. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><font size="5">Last evening I found myself thinking of school milk, back in the 50s. Ugh! In the Summer, the crates of<font> </font>milk used to sit there in the heat of the classroom until the Milk Monitor (a much fought after position) distributed them among the pupils. </font><font size="7">Then, in the Winter, the bottle tops would be frozen. </font></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_3acd_ab61_128_cbe6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CWbK5YAnziM/WR7dtTsWWTI/AAAAAAAAIyY/2OuaU7oz8vwmSjzoBR4YQzOszls47j_FgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 907px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_8479_95b1_5b0c_15d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPrK-NQknQw/WR77u2gnEpI/AAAAAAAAIy0/1A-8ZmjizJggzHvOExx805UNvfAgoWhvQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 886px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Incidentally, who remembers Jack Frost making patterns on the INSIDE of their bedroom windows? Not forgetting the liberty bodices we wore as little girls. Although I don't remember mine being quite as posh looking as the one in this picture. (All images today courtesy of Google). </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_20f7_9568_72c1_eb2e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OmDTx_Ot7Sg/WR7dsS2L6RI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/wO4msFcseXE4HIs686DsfwClSZhoOekMACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 954px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">I'm including this next picture, again from Google, because this little girl looks exactly like me at that age. In fact, I think it is ME!! 😂</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_6dd9_9369_c2a_9d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s7S24j1NJR8/WR7dtOiZteI/AAAAAAAAIyU/VMoy4XEgY6gdsQDP29aDlZfoxNE0qkekwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 907px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">My mind then turned to roller skates. Almost every child in my neighbourhood had a pair of these. I remember them being great fun. As you can see, they were the height of sophistication - NOT!</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_26b7_225a_8dc9_3919" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04__VdaEPUw/WR7duyDMC2I/AAAAAAAAIyg/cYqX4xqsckcwdZ4qsBJiF9xUgR8YGSs5gCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">I then moved forward a few years to the navy blue regulation school knickers we used to have to wear when doing PT, or netball and 🏑 hockey. I remember them having a sort of fleece like lining. All the girls hated them and would try to hide in the changing rooms, rather than having to parade around outside in them. Horror of horrors!! Until the Gym Mistress used to stride in looking for us. Oh my goodness, the Gym Mistresses of the 1950's. My, they were a frightening lot. Just think of the most officious Sergeant in the Army, and you still wouldn't be close! Bear in mind, this was a totally different era. We were total innocents back then. I'm sure these days, the girls would be taking selfies of themselves and posting the photos on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat! </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_4997_bec5_3493_a191" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oIYXipxVzVo/WR7dtYwYBBI/AAAAAAAAIyc/SDKzAvhFiQAVAI9sO4EGN1cG2uqac2pzgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 956px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">Talking of my early school days, I found this photo of my first school class, which would have been taken in 1952. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img alt="" id="id_f324_644b_833d_32b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LbMkjcknsX8/WR7d1E7y1PI/AAAAAAAAIyk/rmICYruC1UsGD3pudOchOJaXUSQ1pvlPQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 900px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;">I came across this photo recently - I used to love the donkey rides across the beach as a child. Happy days! </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><img id="id_26f0_44f9_b46d_6757" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GKk_3wwOHWJFr5L9r7pdjGGpgops56ihUQXmKiF23dFRJiJ7ldPFWxi-UZS0Fs8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 964px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="font-size: 32.07600021362305px;">I hope you have enjoyed my reminiscing today, and perhaps it might have brought back some memories of your own school days. Anytime you want to enlarge a photo from my blog, just double tap on it, and that should do the trick.</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><span style="font-size: 32.07600021362305px;"><br></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><span style="font-size: 32.07600021362305px;">Bye for now. Hope you're all keeping well. </span></div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-26222996376222573482020-07-04T07:55:00.001+01:002020-07-04T08:04:25.136+01:00Come For A Walk With Me....<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="margin: 0px; position: relative; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><span style="font-size: 32.07600021362305px;">If you are a new Follower, it occurred to me that you don’t really know where I live, although for readers in the UK, the name of my Blog might be a bit of a giveaway!</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5569568054467687870" itemprop="description articleBody" style="width: 1088px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 32.07600021362305px; position: relative; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 135%;"><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_cb56_9126_e926_23db" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8dEIvQnB1Dg/W5faHsSAb3I/AAAAAAAAJnE/vjx4OEhaj4gbUh4fsxBh5CBbhWU2_a_6gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Yes, I live in the area of South Hams, in the beautiful County of Devon, right down in the South West of the Country. Next to Devon, you have Cornwall, which I’m sure many of you will have heard of, from various novels and TV dramas - Doc Martin and Poldark, to name just two! After leaving Cornwall, you just drop into the ocean! That’s one of the things I love about living here, the ocean is always around us. </div><div><br></div><div>The first four photos were taken at Hope Cove. Walking from Thurlestone to Hope Cove is one of my very favourite coastal walks.</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_965d_2157_89ae_80f8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JUo-s2Gb66w/W5faIvkLS7I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/7AziO506HJwSjcCUTNtRjCBHVW-mTSP8ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_e15c_e59a_5a1d_9201" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--m9gJCl64zc/W5faIE_K91I/AAAAAAAAJnI/CUlf5sbTVXMsDpxFG8zEByWs17LiOfgYwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_3a5b_28be_2e1c_5771" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sm_eqMngwFs/W5faIj9d9xI/AAAAAAAAJnU/C4R3Dq13Sa8EyHwYHX3dkZSJQgZ8AZ9jQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_c182_c344_ff54_4de4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_5xec8cafGc/W5faIZaLy5I/AAAAAAAAJnM/WlI5luToTCYablGoI3uMuX63XzmN7CxZwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div>The photo above with the path leading to the sea, always reminds me of the poem by John Masefield, called Sea Fever .... “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..... I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide, is a wild call and a clear call, that may not be denied......”</div><div><br></div><div>We are surrounded by the sea, and I love nothing better than setting out on a coastal walk. All the photos today were taken by me whilst I was out walking. I also live at the foot of Dartmoor, one of our National Parks, but, to be honest, it has to be beaches and the sea for me every time. Unfortunately, I am not able to walk the 8 - 10 miles that I used to, but I still manage to do pretty well, in view of my advanced age! Believe me, walking in Devon is no easy feat, as it is well known for its hills, so it really is all uphill and down dale. The hills lead right down to the sea, and the lanes leading to the sea are narrow, with very high hedges, so that you can’t always see vehicles coming in the opposite direction!</div><div><br></div><div>This next beach has to be one of my very favourites....Bigbury on Sea. Would you believe that I’ve been going there for over 73 years, as my mum and dad took me there from the time I was six months old, so it’s almost in my DNA.</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_c1f_2740_fb91_895b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dwH0I4U63Y/W5faIzrwSTI/AAAAAAAAJnY/lZwvTGeI16EyY1vu4hARfQ6sMvALyDfhwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img alt="" id="id_30f2_1914_fca9_1c8f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vh-97dxPFuI/W5faJI0asAI/AAAAAAAAJnc/wV3_3hZOUeMBmGUFU5Sds147y2elwIXdwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This next photo was taken at Salcombe. I really am so lucky to live in this wonderful spot, that I call heavenly Devon, as all these places are only 20 minutes from where I live. </div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_ff3c_c409_68ac_46b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-21p7P5yOpj8/W5faJkhFyJI/AAAAAAAAJnk/GdEz5QGpzh0vZOyADeGZ7TESF_KLOPtvwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 978px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>On a lovely Summer day, it’s one of the best places in the world. Oh, okay, perhaps I AM slightly biased. I was playing with a new Camera App with this last photo. I have very fond memories of visiting Salcombe with a friend, a few years ago now. It was a boiling hot day....too hot to do much serious walking, so we sat under the sun umbrella on the terrace of a lovely Hotel, which had gorgeous views all along the estuary, with brightly coloured boats bobbing up and down. We started off with morning coffee and warm, buttered croissants, which drifted into lunch, accompanied by the obligatory glass of Rosè, and, believe it or not, we were still sat there at 4pm, so decided to have a Devon Cream Tea, complete with lashings of Devonshire Clotted Cream!</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_3fb6_3331_cd55_83fb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TLRm_xlMfa8/W5faJYXkF5I/AAAAAAAAJng/AeeStL_5d2gm-bokCMiV3t0j0kuJZYDQgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 970px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed the little tour, and I’m sure I’ll be back again soon. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my Blog. I really do appreciate it.</div></div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-1874119909880811702020-07-03T15:15:00.001+01:002020-07-03T15:15:55.049+01:00Women Of A Certain Age ....<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was thinking just the other day about how fortunate we ‘women of a certain age’ are in the year 2020 (When I say ‘women of a certain age’, I think I’m being kind to myself, as I’m sure I’m now in the ‘women past their sell by date age’!).</span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_f576_e4ea_a1cb_150b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7UZO4uxXvqxLRg3U-l-8M64ABlRyeQEOwJbmtA0j1zOHE6FGoxNd7NUYtLo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>When I think of my grandma’s time, and even my mum’s time, I can see how things have really improved over these past fifty years or so. Don’t get me wrong, I realise that we still have some way to go. I’m a big fan of the “me too” movement, and it’s so good to see how that Movement has improved things for women over just the past couple of years. Now, at long last, talented women are achieving those top jobs, and getting salaries to match their male counterparts. When you think where we’ve come from, that really is worthy of huge celebration. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9988_47d6_f8c0_de5e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5eb4SFM4ohUpafzRn7qj1ItBjC2pfv4xxy8p7IYUGdc7fp9ZASOavnGHhEM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>There are so many amazing groups that women can join now, to learn new things, and to forge exciting new friendships. These things don’t just happen, of course. You have to go out and look for them. I know, sometimes, it’s easier to just carry on with the ‘same old’, and if you’re happy doing just that, then that’s fine too. The main thing is, we have CHOICE these days. Just remember the old saying......”life is not a rehearsal.” THIS IS IT!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ce22_6d27_11e3_4982" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SsxnvbDmOu8Q7U3kgudPcVvENbJ8LcMgGHrwknXPXYoonWLyTqu8MUoPBok" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I do think it’s important to keep a close circle of lady friends. As we get older, these ladies become even more important, and we realise how blessed we are to have them in our lives. Cherish these friends, and let them know how much they mean to you. Remember, life can change in an instant. Never be afraid to say “I love you”, or compliment them when they look good, or tell them when you like their new perfume, or lipstick, or whatever. Try to love all the stages of your life, for they are all magical in their own way.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9f68_fb70_b66b_7c71" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wh37nb_8r8TrLqMZD5G-4im7qGp4gKQobeaLiTmfN5vofXJmPydjgrLPr98" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I hope you have enjoyed all the little quotes I have included with my Post today - all courtesy of Pinterest.com. I’ll leave you with one that, hopefully, will make you smile, from the wonderful Dame Maggie Smith......</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5425_ee1b_29ca_d7f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ucrEz_If9wYHFxOG8EYmkjvn-fgyfeOfod2YILf2GmNxkhh-31P57omi5KM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>See you next time little peeps, and thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings</div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-62479763161890136232020-07-01T08:10:00.001+01:002020-07-01T08:12:10.058+01:00 A New Month - Half Way Through The Year Already. So then, how are you all doing out there in your own little corners of the world? I thought that, today, I would bypass the current situation that we have been in for the past few months, and try to spread a smidgeon of positivity. <br><div><br></div><div>Hands up all those of you who have spent quite a lot of time worrying over the years - often quite unnecessarily so. The following quote is so true, isn't it, and something that I have learned more and more as I progress through this wonderful life that we have been given. </div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_6e8c_316b_9323_5a9c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gdo8af4EPVc/WRhNQT3036I/AAAAAAAAIxk/N-xfbWWyvpwfIJYwBt7vFiHkfGYL34jygCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"></div><div></div><div><br></div><div>I thought that, today, I would show some quotes about worrying, and how, really, we should try to live 'in the moment' as much as we possibly can. Obviously, there are certain times in life that this is easier said than done, but I'm speaking generally here, and when we worry unnecessarily about what really are the 'little things'.</div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_c8d0_6b8a_864e_57b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddCePTjIkJg/WRhNTem0YhI/AAAAAAAAIxs/8us8dKRJkgQMtj4p8YS5c5Y_Sjl8yPqyACHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 912px;"></div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_2d29_bf4f_33ac_6738" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fDh3GfqGpj8/WRhNRM1jnKI/AAAAAAAAIxo/TtpbOiJovX4ShnGZOUKfyqa602Oq2lFxgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 912px;"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div></div><div><img alt="" id="id_4d8e_d467_1765_c008" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N3vHQ4A-yPA/WRhNYDe44UI/AAAAAAAAIx0/_t0X0l4vEtUJ1KwpATVXg4Uks7ZhVrwTgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"></div><div><br></div><div><img alt="" id="id_d4e4_80d_ea1c_79e7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rzMqFHgMz1w/WRhNWvyhr0I/AAAAAAAAIxw/p4jD1i25ixMwfoyfLdk6Ncw9dKeJhsClgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 913px;"></div><img alt="" id="id_8cc0_2b28_f7bb_ba1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AgXrqhEUncw/WRhNaZv-pmI/AAAAAAAAIx8/417C0KzAOpA9bjcuqFUuqiOZcE0nJ_QqQCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 900px;"><img alt="" id="id_62b0_8e12_f39c_b668" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DnkNp2637kw/WRhNZgtB1eI/AAAAAAAAIx4/aGBhULlGbMsqbwxQo_-onwkGBy1Pmg1PwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 903px;"><img alt="" id="id_6218_ebf5_d690_9cf9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f_fSwX1I5ug/WRhNao29OsI/AAAAAAAAIyA/jUeSfBfv4CAid4JXyDLZj03GrxVjzeyKgCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; margin: 4px; width: 906px;"><br><div><br></div><div>I hope that perhaps this will give you some food for thought as you go about each day. Meanwhile, hang in there. It's a new month and we can only hope that things will start to look a little brighter before too long. If only people would be sensible, and stay alert. Keep safe everyone ❤️</div><div><br></div><div>(All quotes today courtesy of Pinterest.com)</div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-29636609867172495862020-06-02T12:35:00.001+01:002020-06-02T12:35:56.825+01:00The World Has Been Turned Upside down...Hallo everyone. I think we would all agree that these are strange and worrying times that we are living in. At the moment, here in the U.K., restrictions were slowly lifted yesterday, so that we can see our grandchildren or a couple of friends in our own garden. That was a lovely moment for a lot of grandparents, and I am thankful that at least two of mine live close by, so I was able to spend a few hours with them. I know that, for many, it's still going to be a while before families are able to see each other again, as opposed to on a screen! <div><br></div><div><img id="id_4a41_5e2a_4275_6a48" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bYVTQovuVaRsJbeVGPj4L5ZjVgPgXcmgKus1zM9V57VOvJKuR9O-yXY2n-Bc9Jo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>My eldest granddaughter is also allowed out for certain periods over in Madrid, and I'm happy for her.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ff6b_9f6f_71a8_7f6d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QUrmeluEu3I1YUuLmc2CVkF3tK8ub21jNZsi1-m7jCLm-kVeX_3NqC2YejAtVPs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I was going to say that things are very slowly getting back to normal, but that would be wrong. I think we are going to have to get used to a different kind of normal for quite a while to come. I'm certainly in no rush to go out to the shops. Many shops are now open and more will open in a couple of weeks, but, because of the social distancing rule, there are long queues. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1173_7d88_a94f_7fe1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bPjasdfoHBXJiCxNhkZftNzF4t9hdUZXMA8Fwgr0063_i3L9BuM1hqJbRoR93sA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Everyone's top priority should be to keep themselves, their loved ones, and the wider community safe, but I'm sure that many people are feeling anxious or frustrated. To be honest, much of the media coverage doesn't help. They seem to only focus on the negative stories and frightening headlines. Whereas we all know how people are pulling together in our own Communities and doing a fantastic job. These are just ordinary people who are trying to show the very best side of humanity. </div><div><br></div><div>Someone mentioned that we are actually living through History - many years ahead people will look back at what is happening now, and be amazed at how much the world had to change. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_37fd_ae7b_369c_88bb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mOGEBTmx1Neb6vo2OIlbWlfGR2Mnp3_fjN7sDMXjL3SMWBGNgw4uAgwVbGYwbGA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I wish I had written those beautiful words! I think not being able to hug our family and friends during this time is very hard .... oh, and not being able to visit a Hairdresser! Over here, we still have many weeks to go. At least I have Benji booked in at the Groomers in the 18th June. He's starting to look like a little teddy bear 🙈.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8808_f705_9e93_2ae2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5b0JP-oaeS6yTsfl8dbBjsoP5fWeqCctNqzKjc3r8dR9Y2oGuJ0xvoRyOYU3zxw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>We have had amazing weather here in heavenly Devon during lockdown, over the months of March, April and May, with almost 700 hours of sunshine. The most since records began and absolutely unheard of. Even though a lot of people have just been working on their gardens, they look as if they've been on Mediterranean holidays! ☀️☀️</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_80a0_e67c_64eb_1a65" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nVNzuccei4f3rYxV2E0w1lP_4MVSN1ZEJv-wOjHh0o9OKMNoUPSJyxDBobdQkH0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I really can't end this Post without mentioning the tragic events that are happening in America at the moment, as the world watches on in horror. Black lives really DO matter - it's time to end this terrible injustice. The worst thing is - how many years have we been saying that, and still it goes on. My prayers are for all Americans, that you may all come together.</div><div><br></div><img id="id_7258_1fd8_16ce_c7f7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TXkJwwf1-q9tyu0Mljm3aGQ2_DRKCVtVu5gkkJMcOD1vM5w2TJZEOvI8uet2Vvg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> I hope this Post hasn't been too depressing a read for you today, as I usually like to be positive on here - not spreading doom and gloom. Anyway, please take care and look after yourselves. ❤️</div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-41821313037263201082020-04-16T11:03:00.001+01:002020-04-16T11:03:46.397+01:00Anyone Tell Me What Day Of The Week It Is?!Hi there little peeps. Here I am again, just checking up to see if you’re managing to keep cheerful and positive in these rather strange times. A word that keeps coming up again and again at the moment is ‘unprecedented.’ Sometimes I think the ‘experts’ are just winging it, along with the rest of us! Like a lot of you, I am very fortunate to have a garden - just imagine how much worse this would be if we had no outside space to spend some time in. Granddaughter number one has been stuck in an Apartment in Madrid for the last five weeks. Fortunately she shares with a friend, but, even so..... restrictions in Spain and France are much tighter than they are here in the U.K. at the moment. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_9828_f4ec_28f1_f58e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nMJ2-9GxyYENrK1lbiBUpxkd-doCj5uxuvNP2TKigZ-agVcfvC80M33PgJt0-vk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_bd78_bc44_56cb_acb0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/B99ft_S0sCr_QktaAGVduHVj4t2ExcyRCQRJEmgs_XJVnSS9Kgzbg1uiZgXVCm0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>At the beginning of this year, I decided to start writing a Journal - for the first time ever. Quite ironic really, as I thought I would be filling it with lovely memories of times spent with family and friends, walking the coastal paths here in the beautiful South Hams of Devon, out for lunches, watching interesting films at the cinema, etc etc. Never mind, I’m still filling the pages every day - some pages are shorter than others! Still, if nothing else, hopefully all this will have taught us what is truly important in our lives - love, family and friendship. As an only child, my female friendships have always been very important to me, and even more so once the children had moved out, and I moved on to the next stage of my life.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5388_5069_7e_106a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/I7tnykZVatolveQHGuis0mOd3qDptPlky2fVJRed3I74v87mJFpz1pUL7TLYniM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I always feel that I should apologise to my Facebook friends, as sometimes they have already seen pictures that I post on my Blog. Oh well! Here are some images of my favourite places nearby. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I am able to visit them again. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_808a_9479_ece1_ebf1" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fD1RMml6TjHzJMuW8uixGjp-jvPQZGI59G-aXP_d8765JAv6x7hIb8mbt0y-hEE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8ba9_c368_8d18_7985" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kZExTOirwQVOPexC7uHrV5zTtHlW4kjKhgB4Go5Whx6Wy8cIly3AYsCXARZsops" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>So then, no exciting news, but I thought I would just pop in to say Hello and wish you all well. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e90f_7480_cb91_4dcb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ExI9iQ75aB9UQJ3Qq51SfGUNNJ9TKeNa7xXfh7sXDI6gXtOrzCLyk1Gr_xlv84Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 963px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-50620203321060290732020-03-25T09:36:00.001+00:002020-03-25T09:36:17.390+00:00Strange Old Times....Hallo to you all once again. How are you doing in this unprecedented, global situation that we all find ourselves in? This time, we really are all in it together!<div><br></div><div><img id="id_43c9_8b8b_e653_c631" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/H8Oh5Vb_sKDOFTA157O0h0-LA4J6zbUia9U9s8t7Sx8VGLhzB6vtWeu-nZq9aA4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I'm sure, by now, most of you have been told to STAY AT HOME. Right now, I feel so thankful that I have a garden to spend time in. It must be awful for those who have no outside space that they can use. I thought I would just share a little photo of Benji, my little Cavapoo, having a good snuffle around outside....</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a5fb_ab36_d1a4_b2f4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tp491e8NjNszwPqiLuPmUcrTjHx91zyqGWlR90gWjj76kaL2G_WBjB_fbh_qhj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Unfortunately. There are a lot of people who are still not taking this Corona Virus seriously. That is why so many Countries have had to take the action they have, and we find ourselves in a virtual lockdown situation. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7c7f_cdc9_ac36_f26f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xn9heJ3qyELwlxGFR3IKwhFpWhxrovQJcXjArQ4jUccq7H53UGO-NK6_dk7Aqcs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The Virus does not move - It is people who are moving the Virus. </div><div><br></div><div>It was Mothering Sunday here a couple of days ago. Normally, people would be attending Church and the children would be handed little posies of flowers to give to their mums. Restaurants would be packed with families, large and small, celebrating this special day. This is my dear mum, who is still thought of each day, even though she passed away some 24 years ago. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9f1e_6ec3_3978_12f0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sDAcKIlRdLGM4gVePfMr66uqzhK9iq1WYq_r1YOtwz7r1UT2Cfizp10ZytmscT4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 968px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br></div><div>This year, of course, it was completely different, as restaurants were closed and people were urged not to visit their mums, as most of them would be in the vulnerable category of being over 70. My friends and I feel we have aged ten years in the past couple of weeks, as we are so fed up with being labelled 'elderly'!! 🤣. I had a parcel delivered here a few days ago, and the delivery man asked for my date of birth. It was so funny to see him scrolling down for ages on his little machine until he reached 1947! We did smile - you have to keep your sense of humour, don't you?! Talking about sense of humour ....</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5945_e657_45db_6044" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1Vq_L79UvNMmlRhYcJUWRqO8ikKDJq4DP6zgPyUDvWXocdCCf1VvLFA7pkPBoxI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_9f02_24a1_37f5_dc27" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FxPLXZyx6P_RpHB6hFg5S1d__qkKWrQ5yINatuGAl-zz_IP4ptbltbjZ4A6-PC4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>Thank heavens for modern technology at this particular time! There are so many ways to keep in touch with family and friends. I particularly like the video chats via WhatsApp, Skype or Facebook Messenger. My daughters told me about Houseparty, and now all the family are on it, including the grandchildren. It really is fun! You can pop in whenever you want, and we have had the whole family on there together, which is great! Trouble is, you usually all end up talking at the same time! </div><div><br></div><div>To be honest, I'm having more social interaction some days than before, and I'm thinking ... 'I just want to read my book'!! It is so important to keep this contact going though , so that you do not feel so isolated from the outside world. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_60d8_ec26_1e2e_3bf3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9-rxIN-VfDfEM-C32xwTrQZ9r_5DJXLVKcHLqg8cDQIhVGi6tAz1h5avyDOcCGw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>I hope you are finding things to do during these times. I'm doing plenty of reading, I'm writing in my Journal, spending time in the garden, I've found a really good jigsaw App, and I've decided to have a go at watercolour painting again. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_18be_eae8_39e3_152c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/n_uVbuKcqd1-Hu7LPZRp9Kjx5bKFiWiMQr8iL81n7UEUisZD7sSCnFrA56uOV6I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>We had such a terribly wet Autumn and Winter, but it seems that someone is now looking after us, because ever since we have been told to stay at home, the sun has been shining brightly with clear blue skies. Still a little chilly, but that's not a problem. So! I am so grateful for that. </div><div><br></div><div>I've just realised that I haven't even touched on the panic buying in the Supermarkets - for goodness sake!! 🙈🙈. But let's not go there!! </div><div><br></div><div>So then everyone, please take good care of yourselves and KEEP SAFE. Sending virtual hugs to you all.</div><div><br></div><div>This was me sat in the garden yesterday, reading my book. Notice the blue sky! Bye for now ❤️</div><div><br></div><img id="id_d3eb_cee7_5827_ba01" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fx17Be6m9EICpKpiTqGgR2LzDwaIJi94T7CczN0yiR8yTb49dWLQWBT2xukFMeY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 502px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div> <br><br><br><br></div>Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884235015796031442.post-2602063190031845402020-03-08T08:37:00.001+00:002022-03-08T08:41:28.347+00:00 International Women's Day 2022<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-weight: bold; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 23.760000228881836px;">Today, on the 8th March, we once again celebrate International Women's Day. It is now the year 2022, and no Country in the world has achieved gender equality. My, but it's a slow process! The theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias. The Campaign asks you to cross your arms in solidarity to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping. Together we can forge women's equality. </span></div><div style="font-size: 23.760000228881836px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><font color="#222222" face="PT Serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: "Cherry Cream Soda"; font-size: 23.760000228881836px; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" id="id_bd39_d704_d8b6_42d1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9PhbUqq5ZSS9BF-s0j6RBjlUvsHQVi7QOtZbxhsqtu-kc_Yn6Q0DtB5clbY2DTs" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think it is important to talk about this event each year on my Blog, as we celebrate women everywhere, all over the world, and recognise the progress that has been achieved, and to give thanks for all the courageous women over many, many years, who have fought for women's rights. Rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_9586_8af0_5ea8_23a9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nr9iia-dFEQ/WL__nmYeBRI/AAAAAAAAIp4/lW7BW8lS9Uc/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 904px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Huge strides have been made over the years. Certainly since the 1960's when I was a young woman. We didn't have a lot of the freedoms or rights that women have these days. Women certainly were not allowed to get credit under their own name. So a mortgage would be out of the question. Women at that time were very much looked on as mothers and homemakers. Hard to believe, but right up until the late 60's, women were not allowed to wear trousers in the workplace.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><img id="id_f454_1260_a168_799b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KqNQzfkMnFKT2WiwYfiXQqERtRdIsWdGDZDnn3b1wxgvGHr5rtWTK7Pj6p6vdWs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course, if modern mums want to still be stay at home mums and raise their children themselves, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, in my eyes, that is to be lauded. Many women these days, of course, HAVE to work, purely for financial reasons. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Personally, I feel that the #metoo movement has been such a good thing for women, and I applaud women who have had the courage to speak out. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1370_a210_50ba_1ef3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rO7GpUSzs-zja9hziR-G3afRvE-5to0tMrwS4jzIR9POneSOcGQQadUUL_zpdPU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 961px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I suppose my point is, that the younger women now have CHOICE, which was certainly not available before, and that, surely, has to be good for everyone. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_57f0_31a6_d9d6_f009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGkjIyFy6eo/WL__oYKZWZI/AAAAAAAAIqA/0tRoz01ipnQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_c296_901a_5917_d777" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XVGCe5yZjN4/WL__nhp9EdI/AAAAAAAAIp8/qN6WuGpTbg8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_69b6_dfc4_bd84_7fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6jAppDf1Vc/WL__pbMA_JI/AAAAAAAAIqI/W03J-t6waXg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 906px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"> <br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My wish is that my granddaughters will live in a world where they can be anything they want to be. I also take this opportunity of celebrating all the women that follow my Blog. Remember, you are ALL special and you are ALL important. </span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also honour my two daughters and two granddaughters today. My eldest granddaughter runs her own Company with her best friend, which tackles sexual harassment in the workplace. It truly saddens me that, in 2022, this is very much still going on. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today I also think of all the poor women in Ukraine, and all that they are suffering at the moment. My prayers go out to each and every one 🙏🏻🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦</span></div></div> Southhamsdarlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285980805569582676noreply@blogger.com1