Home Alone!

Well, my daughter is still living the high life in Ibiza, my granddaughter returns to school today, and my son-in-law is at work, so I am home alone! Wonder what mischief I can get up to?!

It's been a long time since those films were out, but I used to love watching them with my daughters, and the little boy was SO cute!!

Of course, I'm not strictly alone, because I am looking after little Alfred, who is looking up at me now with his big eyes, so I guess it's time for me to take him out for a walk.

I spoke to hubby on the phone yesterday, and he was feeling a bit lonely.  Then I heard little voices in the background - my daughter had just arrived with Eli and Ruby, so he would have been delighted to see them (and I bet you can guess who's missing them, can't you?!)..

It was the last Bank Holiday of the year (apart from Christmas) over in England yesterday, and, apparently, it was hot and sunny, which is almost unheard of! LOL! I expect everyone was heading off to the beach to make the most of the sunshine.

This is our local beach, which is about a 20 minute drive away.  It really is a delightful spot, being in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The waves gently lap the beach, which is flat, so it is ideal for swimming, even with little children in tow.  The beach is also dotted with rock pools, filled with marine life, so we always take a little fishing net when we go there.

To me, being on a beach always takes me right back to my childhood, as my mum, dad and I used to go there every weekend on the bus during the summer months.  How is it that, thinking back to your childhood, the sun always seemed to be shining in a perfect blue sky?! In fact, I have a photo of me as a baby, with my mum and dad (well, I wouldn't be on my own, would it?!) on this very beach.  It is an old black and white photo, but I love it.  I must put it in a post for you to see when I return home.

It's that first glimpse of the sea through a field gate as you are driving along, and then taking your shoes off and feeling the sand beneath your toes.  Then looking behind and seeing your footprints in the sand - pure heaven!

This is a photo of Eleanor when she was nine, having fun in the rockpools :

They're very lucky because when they go to the beach, they always take their vintage VW Camper Van, which is great fun to ride in!



“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.”

-- Michelle Held





Sunday Snaps!

I thought I would give you something a little different this week for my Sunday Snaps feature, so I have included a few photos of Alfred whilst having a bath a couple of days ago.  We had a little heater on for him, and warm water, because he's a little woose!

He was so soft and cuddly afterwards - and he smelled delicious!!

Greetings from Gay Paree!

Greetings my little bloggy friends.  I hope all is well with you.  I have tried to be good whilst I've  been over here with my family, and not gone on the computer very much, so I'm missing out on all your news.  I'm sure if you had won the lottery, you would have sent me an e-mail to let me know. Hee Hee!

Anyway, I thought I would just send you this postcard from Paris to let you know that I was thinking of you all.

I will just tell you this little story of when I boarded the plane at Exeter Airport.  My seat was by the window, and there was this man sat in the aisle seat.  He had made himself very comfortable with legs spread out, and about six newspapers all spread out  over the seat that was MINE!! I just tapped him on the shoulder and said, "excuse me, could I just sit down please."  He just glared at me and made this huge thing of collecting up all his newspapers (meanwhile, there was a queue of people now behind me, trying to make their way to their own seats) to make room for little old me!  I sat down and he immediately put his arm on the armrest and opened up a large newspaper to read it.  I should point out that half of the newspaper was now in front of me!

"So that's how it is going to be" I thought to myself.  "I won't be eating my banana, or getting my book out to read then."  I just didn't have any room to manoeuvre at all!  My daughter said that I should have started to read out a piece from the newspaper, saying "gosh, that's a really interesting article, isn't it?"  But I'm a wimp, so I said nothing!

I'm pleased to say that my two daughters have no trouble in speaking up for themselves, but why is it that some people just don't seem to think of others at all. 

Enjoy your weekend my friends, whatever you might be doing.  I'll be in touch again soon.

Will the Men All Look Away Now Please!!

Hi there everyone.  I'm having a little break from blogging whilst I'm in Paris, but I've written this post to tie in with Carol over at facing50withhumour, as she has told me that it's my turn today in the Mini Skirt Contest, so, as I said in the title of this post, no men are to go peeking over there today! Hee Hee!

In my defence, I would say that I was standing up for "women of a certain age" but, on reflection, I think that should be "women past their sell-by date."  Oh well, it's too late to have second thoughts now. Just promise that you will be gentle with me!  Trouble is, I've made a huge mistake, because I tried to bribe the main Ajudicator (yes, that's YOU, Desiree), and she's been a bit sniffy with me ever since.  Ooops! Perhaps I should have offered her a bit more!

Anyway, it's in a very  good cause, as this is all leading up to a BIG PARTY here on the 16th September, courtesy of our dear friend Carol, in celebration of the launch of her first novel, "Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines".  I have read the e-book version and also have the paperback version, and it really is such a hoot.  If you enjoy reading Carol's blog as much as I do, then this is the book for you.  Mind you, quite what her hubby, son and poor mother think about its content, I dread to think!!! 

I know that this party of hers is going to be so much fun! Our little bloggy friend The famous author is now working very hard, getting everything ready for the big day,  so thank you for that Carol! I shall be the first one knocking on your door - eeeek!! And here is a photo of the lady herself. Crikey, she's scrubbed herself up a bit since the last photo I saw of her!

I've heard it on the grapevine that the now very famous Ms Wyer is also going to be speaking to us through a video link on the 16th September.   That will be worth the price of the entrance ticket alone! Let's hope that those elecution lessons have paid off!!

Eeek! I've just realized that perhaps there are people out there in bloggyland who  might not understand the British sense of humour so, to cover myself, I should say that I love Carol to bits and everything is said in jest!

Sunday Snaps!

When my family were here from Paris only a couple of weeks ago, they took Eli and Ruby to a local farm, so I thought I would share some of the photos with you today.



They all had a lovely time, and the little ones were absolutely shattered by the time they arrived back home! Happy days! It's always lovely when the family are all here together.

Oo La La!!

I love quotations of all kinds, but I think the one I have chosen today is just a little bit special!



“I  love  you  not  only  for  what  you  are,  but  for  what I am  when  I am  with you."

source unknown.

On Monday I am flying over to Paris to be reunited with my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and Alfred!  I seem to be very lucky this summer, as I am seeing them a lot more than usual.  They live just outside Paris, but I will make sure that I go in and take some photos for my blog!  I am hoping that it will be a lot warmer over there!

I am looking forward to relaxing, sitting on their Terrace in the garden, with a chilled glass of something or other - and, no, it won't be lemonade!

Whilst I am away I will be keeping a close eye on that cheeky mynx, Carol, over at facing50withhumour.  Most of you will know that she has a Mini Skirt Competition going on  over there at the moment (all of a sudden, there are a lot of MEN commenting on her posts! Funny that!!), and there seems to be quite a lot of cheating going on.

Now I believe that I am going to be featured early next week, so I will tell you more about why this competition is taking place  at that time.  Just to make sure you tune in to see my photo, I will give you a sneak preview below.


Hee Hee!!

Sorry I couldn't make it any more interesting for you today folks, but my inspiration seems to have deserted me just at the moment!



A Glass Of Wine Here, A Glass of Wine There ....

It's the 16th August and I am still waiting for summer to arrive!! Yes, we have had the odd day of sunshine here and there, but it really has been just that.  On the sunny day that we do get, I get all excited and then, bam, it's back to normal the next day.

Anyway dear bloggies, I still live in hope.  So much so that, yesterday, I was pretty busy making another little seating area in the garden.  I rubbed down the old bit of wooden fence that was showing, and then rubbed down a very old little table and chairs set that looked decidedly sorry for themselves.  Then I re-painted everything  and dressed it up a bit, and voila! What do you think?

I've worked out that if I took a couple of bottles of wine out into the garden and drank a glass on every seat out there, I could be feeling pretty happy with the world! Hee Hee!

There you are then, short and sweet today!

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.Helen Keller.

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
Albert Schweitzer.

"She's A Star - She's My Star!"

Hallo everyone! I hope you're all having a relaxing weekend with those that you love.

I hope you'll forgive me today if I write as a very proud grandma of my number 1 granddaughter!

We have just heard that she has attained an A* (the highest mark) in her French International GCSE Exam -  and bear in mind she is only 13!  This Exam is usually taken at 15 and these are the Exams that are taken before they go on to study for their 'A' levels.

Eleanor moved to France with her mum and dad when she was six years old and has worked so very hard ever since then really.  In France they get so much homework, certainly compared to here in England.  I was always staggered by the amount that she had to study at home!

She is a lovely girl and I know that, if she were to meet you all, she would chat and chat and chat!! (She takes after my lovely son-in-law, as he loves to talk! My husband is quiet so, when they are all here staying with us, I think it's wonderful).

So, many congratulations to my much loved granddaughter - I guess we will have to hit the shops when I come over to Paris in two weeks time! :)

From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?
Karen Mortensen

A granddaughter is a gift from above ... one to cherish and to love.
Author Unknown

All Things Italian

Most of my 'older' Followers will know that Italy is my favourite place (Venice is in my heart!) and I thought today that I would post a few photos which, hopefully, will give you a good flavour of the country.

All images from Pinterest.

"You may have the universe, if I may have Italy." - Giuseppe Verdi.

"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." = Unknown.

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go. ~ Truman Capote.

Is there any place that holds a special place in your heart?

Wordless Wednesday! At The Zoo.



I caught Eli right in the middle of a yawn!



This One Is For The Ladies!

Along with my daughter, we're taking Eli and Ruby to the zoo today, so that should be fun!  I thought I would just write this little post before we go.  It was sent to me by a friend in an e-mail, and I thought it was worth passing on.  Forgive me if you have seen it before.

Gynaecological Visit

A middle-aged woman seemed sheepish as she visited her  gynaecologist.  "Come now", coaxed the doctor.  "you've been coming to me for years.  There's nothing you can't tell me."

"This one's kind of strange", the woman said.

"Let me be the judge of that", the doctor replied.

"Well", she said, "yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and heard a plink-plink-plink in the toilet.  When I looked down, the water was full of pennies."

"I see", commented the doctor calmly.

"That afternoon, I went to the bathroom again, and plink-plink-plink, there were 5p pieces in the bowl", the woman continued.

"That night", she went on, "I went again, and plink-plink-plink, there were 50p's.  This morning there were £1 coins!"

"You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!" she implored.  "I'm scared out of my wits!"

The gynaecologist put a comforting hand on her shoulder.  "There, there", it's nothing to be scared about", he told her.

Are you ready for this ........

I'm warning you ......

Still not too late, you've still got time to go onto the next post on your blog roll ......

"You're simply going through the change!"

Sunday Snaps!

I have to start this post on a very sad note indeed, and would ask for prayers and loving thoughts for a very dear blogging friend, Belle, who lives in British Columbia.  Her much loved grandson, aged only 21, passed away very suddenly a short time ago.  Dear Belle, please know that we are all sending you our love and prayers to you and all the family at this sad time.

Now that the grass in the adjoining fields has been cut, the livestock are now back, so here are a few photos that I took earlier today :



This is just one of the apple trees in the orchard, and we have a good crop this year - the horses love them!