Take me down to the sea ....

Well, the weather here in the UK has been hot, hot, hot over this past week, with temperatures being the highest ever recorded!  Fortunately, here in heavenly Devon, it's been a little cooler than the rest of the country, but still very pleasant indeed, and the gardens over here have been looking glorious.   

As most of you know, I live close to the sea and I head there whenever I can. The sea always calls to me and it refreshes my soul. I am proud to be a Devon maid through and through, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else, with all this beauty a mere stone's throw away.

The historic Barbican is always a lovely place to stroll around, as there is always something going on out in the water....

The following quotes say it all for me....

On another note altogether, my beautiful, eldest granddaughter had her Graduation 👩‍🎓 Ceremony in Madrid a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't be more proud of this special young lady. The world awaits her!

I'm blessed with my other two young grandchildren as well, and they only live five minutes away 😊.  My grandson will be starting at the 'big' school in September, so a big step for him. 

So I have so much to be grateful for, and grateful, also, for all of you who take the trouble to read and support my Blog. So THANK YOU ❤️

I've changed the Featured Post today - see the sidebar on the right hand side - talking about the birds and the bees!

Trying To Make It Snappy!

Hallo again - it’s me, writing from heavenly Devon.  Whenever I’ve glanced at any advice about writing a Blog Post, invariably they tell you to start off with a snappy title, to draw people in.  Hence the title of this Post!  So then, did it work?  Were you all agog to see what I was going to be writing about today?!  Oh well, it was worth a try 😊

Hard to believe, but just for a few days last week, Summer suddenly arrived. No Spring - just Summer!  Everyone had their shorts and t-shirts on and, suddenly, everyone looked happy, as they basked in the warm temperatures.  Here are a few photos of the delightful little coastal resort of Salcombe - a haven for tourists during the Summer months, but at this time of the year, still relatively peaceful, which is just how we locals like it. I mustn’t say that really,  because Devon and Cornwall rely heavily on tourism.

I was also able to pay a visit to one of the best National Trust properties here in the South West, on a perfect, balmy day.  I have to say that I count my blessings every day, and especially for having the good health to be able to get around to do all these things.  Something that I never, ever take for granted.  A few photos of the magnificent gardens at Stourhead. 

I have been giving some consideration to starting up a completely new Blog, in addition to this one, but one that focused on gardening and my own garden.  But, on reflection, I thought that might get a little confusing, so I have decided to incorporate gardening photos in with my Southhamsdarling Blog.  

These two photos are special to me - the first one features a new garden fairy, given to me by daughter number 1, and the second shows lovely tulips and anemones, which were bulbs given to me by daughter number 2 in the Autumn last year.  Did I tell you how blessed I am with my two beautiful daughters?!  Also, of course, I am very blessed with three healthy grandchildren.  So much to be thankful for.

I hope this Post might have been of some interest to you, and I will try to think of some ‘snappy’ titles to use in the future 😊.   Sending best wishes to all those who ‘follow’ my blog, and thank you for your support. 

Meanwhile, something to ponder on, as I leave you ......

Last two images courtesy of Pinterest.com

Not Friday Again Already, Surely?!

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening folks - there, I think I've covered all the greetings for wherever you might be in the world as you read this little Post. 

I simply can't believe that it's Friday again already - my life is simply disappearing before my very eyes, and at my age, that's not such a good thing !  I suppose I'm in the Autumn of my life.  Well, Autumn can be quite delightful, so I intend to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

To be honest, I am very grateful to still be around. I have lost several friends over the years that have died far too young.  A couple very suddenly, and a couple after suffering illness, but I'm grateful that they were in my life, and for the happy memories that they left behind. 

In this country, we talk about the weather quite a lot, but, my goodness, I'm thankful that our weather is fairly steady, when I look at what is going on in America at the moment. 

Raging fires in some States, the devastation in Texas, which I touched on in a previous Post, and now they have Hurricane Irma threatening to hit Florida quite soon. I pray for all those involved and that all my bloggy friends down that way will keep safe.  What a worry that must be!

My last Post involved the word Kindness. It's really spooky, but I have seen that word mentioned on Facebook quite a lot since I wrote it. I really like this picture ....

There is a little story behind the photo. Harper Collins UK made this postbox so that all those working in the building could post kind notes to each other, to coincide with publication of that little book on kindness. 

Well, my youngest grandchildren went back to school this week, so I won't be seeing them quite so much again now, but I'm grateful for all the fun and happy times that I spent with them during the Summer holidays. Memories made and precious times to be treasured. 

My eldest granddaughter returned to University this week, and I am so proud of her, as she starts her third year at Madrid University.  

So looking back, yes, it's been a good Summer and once again, I feel thankful. 

So little peeps, I wish you a happy weekend ahead, and for those in America affected by the weather, I hope you all stay safe. 

This one made me smile ....

This And That, Some Memories And A Few Photos.

Good morning peeps.  It is I - had you forgotten me?!  I see my last post was dated the 25th June - eeeek! Where did that time go, and here we are approaching the month of August. 

I seem to remember as a child that August was always a wonderful month, full of sunshine and blue skies, sundresses and sandals, swimming and donkey rides, lying on the grass watching the fluffy clouds float by overhead, and picking out shapes. 

I do feel lucky in that I think our childhoods (for people of a certain age!) were much more relaxed, and yes, with less expected of us. We were allowed to be children and to enjoy those precious years. 

We were being blessed with a lovely Summer this year, over here in heavenly Devon, but as soon as the children broke up from school, yes, you've guessed it, the sun disappeared and the rains came. Hopefully the sun will return. 

In fact, it had been so hot, that my daughter suggested putting up a pool in the back garden. The little ones had a wonderful time! 

Since I last posted, my grandson had his 9th birthday and will soon be as tall as me! 

I was taken out for a very special lunch, as part of my on-going 70th birthday celebrations, and this week, another friend is taking me to the Theatre. I do love these 'big' birthdays !

And, of course, I've been on some lovely walks by the coast here in heavenly Devon. 

My two daughters and their families are all together in Ibiza at the moment. It makes me happy, as a mum, to know that they're making memories together with their own families. 

I can't end without also posting a photo of my beautiful eldest granddaughter, who is also spending the Summer in Ibiza, before she returns to Uni in Madrid at the end of August.

So then, I feel very blessed.  Blessed to be able to do the things I do, and blessed with a loving family and some very special friends. 

I hope that you are all doing well at the moment and I'll see you again soon. 

I Am Still Here! ....

I see that my last Post was written on the 3rd February, and here we are, fast approaching the end of the month.  

I'm sure the cry has been going up all over the land (and distant lands too!) "where has Southhamsdarling disappeared?!"  Truth be told, you haven't missed me at all, have you?! It's okay, I can take it!

I could say how busy I've been, dashing here, there and everywhere, but I'm afraid it's just the old story of not really being able to come up with anything to write.  Well, nothing entertaining, anyway. 

I did have a welcome visit from my eldest granddaughter, who is 19, and studying International Relations at Madrid University. Only a long weekend, but it was so lovely to spend some time with her again. It had been eight months since we had last seen each other, so a catch up was well overdue. The thing that made me happy, was that it was her suggestion that she should pop over for that long weekend 😊.  

My youngest daughter and her little ones were very excited to see her again, also. 

 

 

As  always happens, the time went by far too quickly, but we had fun and made memories to last until the next time we all meet up. 

 

So, a brief little Post today, just to let you know that I'm still around.  I know there are still a lot of people out there that are feeling bitter and disappointed about recent events. I do care what is happening in our world....of course I do, and I admire all these people that get out there and protest and march for what they believe in, but I've learnt over the years to just be kind to as many people as I can and to be always caring and thoughtful to others.  Also to respect their opinions. I do think sometimes that these things can go out of the window if we're not careful.

I enjoy debating about politics and I actually participate quite often, as I suspect many others are doing, more so than they have ever done before!  But it's just that I refuse to make myself ill over it or get too 'down' about it all. For that road doesn't do anyone any good. 

As you read this, you might have a different opinion of course, but we should never forget how fortunate we are that we live in Countries where we have freedom of speech and that we can protest if we want to, without living in fear of our lives. 

I wish you all a happy and relaxed weekend, and hope to see you again soon. 

Keep Calm... it's Nearly Christmas!

 

Image courtesy of Pinterest.com

If you can avoid all the crowds in the shops, there truly is something quite magical in the season of Advent and Christmas. I suppose I am blessed, because my two grandchildren are eight and six, and they live  just five minutes away.  This really is the very best age, and I feel very fortunate to be able to share in their excitement and to see the magic in their eyes. I went to see Ruby in her little school Nativity play on Thursday. What a treat that was. It's so funny when all the little ones are trooping onto the stage - you can see their eyes anxiously surveying the audience to see if they can spot mummies and daddies, or grandmas and grandads. Then, when they see them, their little eyes light up and they start waving furiously!!  Here are a couple of photos from 2013...

 

 

Although we are still allowed to take photos at the Nativity Plays, we are only allowed to share photos of our OWN child on Social Media.  I remember a couple of years ago, the Headmistress asked if anyone objected to photos being taken. One lone mum stood up and did object, so the rest of us weren't allowed to take any photos of our little ones that year. Such a shame, but they seem to have got round that. 

 

The little ones have finished school now for the Christmas holiday, so I'm sure we will be visiting Father Christmas during this coming week. Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎅🏻🎄.  

In December last year, I had a long weekend in Madrid to celebrate my eldest granddaughter's 18th birthday, as she is at University in that lovely City. Here is a photo of the Christmas tree in Plaza Mayor, the main Square. 

 

And here is my lovely granddaughter ...

 

Here are a few of my favourite Christmas images from my Christmas Board on Pinterest. I hope you enjoy them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, this will be my last Post before the big day, so I'm taking the opportunity to thank you so much for your friendship and support of my Blog, and to wish each and everyone of you, along with your families, a very Happy and peaceful Christmas - I hope you will be surrounded by love from your family or friends. Look after yourselves and I'll be here again in the new year.  ❤️