tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448493939926109702024-03-05T18:44:53.090+00:00day in the life of Syb'sTravel Tales, and family news,Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-81733400545331509092012-08-23T20:02:00.000+01:002012-08-23T20:02:29.781+01:00village happenings, Box Rocks Circus, Thomas Tank Engine<br />
Hello Friends,<br />
<br />
Once again it is past time for me to be doing a blog....sorry....<br />
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This past couple of weeks we have had some celebrations in the village that I think some of you may be interested in so here goes...<br />
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I am not sure if the stories of Thomas The Tank Engine is read in the USA where I know many of my friends who read his blog of mine live..but over here every little boy and probably girl has read the Thomas Stories...There was even a TV programme for a long time all abut Thomas the tank engine and his friends the other trains...Well it may come as news to some that the Rev. Audrey who wrote the books was inspired to do so for his Son when they lived in the village of Box quite near the famous Box Tunnel (just where I live also)...and two weeks ago the house where they lived ( now a B&B) has had a plaque unveiled on the wall commemorating the fact...Rev Audrey's Son and Daughter and grandchildren came to do the unveiling. I am not sure where I put the photographs but when I find it I will post it for you all to see.<br />
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The next big event was the official opening of <br />
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“ Box Rocks Circus”<br />
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The Rock Circus is an installation of rocks and sculptures that has been built so that the ancient and modern stories told by rocks, fossils and minerals can be more widely known.<br />
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The circular area on Box recreation ground is intended to be a space for everyone – to meet, learn and play or simply enjoy. <br />
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The four huge quarried blocks document Britain's slow movement over the last 400 million years from the southern hemisphere to our present position. <br />
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The obelisk is built from Box Stone, and illustrates the importance of this famous building stone, upon which the origins of this village are based.<br />
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Children are encouraged to climb and explore the two sculpted blocks, which are packed with different minerals and fossils, or they can make rubbings from a wide variety of fossils that have been set into a Box Stone table.<br />
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Imaginations, young and old, can run wild making-up stories to explain the two sets of dinosaur footprints that run through the circle!<br />
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A team of skilled craftsmen has built the circus under the leadership of stone mason Marcus Mitchell.<br />
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The project is the brainchild of Box-resident Elizabeth Devon, who is a geologist and Earth Science educator.<br />
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I wish you could all see and admire this wonderful work of art and imagination. I for one could never have thought that we had such a rich supply of stones just a few feet underneath our feet.<br />
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Within the stones and rocks there are many fasinating fossils that the childern are encouraged to rub and to wonder at what they see.... such as an Ammonite dating back 190 million years,a Dragon fly 140 million years, a Pterdactyl 150 million years, the complete skeleton shows all the individual bones including the skull with teeth !! there is a Spade fish 50 million years, you can even see eggs in the body cavity of this female specimen..there are many more that can be seen and I can just imagine the fun and learning that is going to come to children and adults who wish to learn more are going to get from this marvelous new exhibit in Box. We are becoming quite a famous little village.. I will try to make the "Box Rocks Circus" my header photo...<br />
I have never yet discovered try as I might to get my pictures embedded in the script !!<br />
So although Mary and I have not been doing a great deal we have certainly "seen" a lot going on...<br />
I had hoped to be able to tell you all about my new car which was due to be delivered last Friday, but unfortunately it has been delayed ...again...so watch this space...<br />
Masy is getting ever stronger and just loves the long walks Lynn my dear neighbour takes her on, she loves to meet everyone and of course most folks just love her she is so cute today she is 4 months old...She does not like the rain..or high winds..but as we keep telling her here in England we have more wet and windy days than other days so she had better quick get used to it !!! <br />
I do hope that you are all having a good week and enjoying life...<br />
never for get to love yourself and that way you can pass that love on to all who you meet...<br />
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Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-48218293514421755862012-08-03T21:12:00.000+01:002012-08-03T21:12:17.909+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">Hello Friends, at long last I am sitting down to try and get my blog done. I have actually started umpteen times but got interrupted and as I didn't get back I started again...so fingers crossed all will be quiet this evening. Thank you first of all for mostly being better than me and writing such interesting blogs, that I do manage to read !! what with my blog friends and facebook not to mention Masy no wonder my days seem t pass much to quickly. Mary did indeed return from her annual holiday to Edinburgh mid July, she had had a nice time visiting lots of friends despite the almost continual rain The day she returned the weather was nice in Edinburgh...on arriving at Bristol guess what Rain torrential rain, in fact I don't think I have ever driven over and back from the airport in such bad weather. We certainly have not had a good summer....so far....we keep saying that perhaps we will have an Indian summer !!! It has not been really cold at least not for us here I suppose with the exception of a few hot days the temp has been in the mid 60s most days...when it doed rise to 70s we all almost faint with the heat LOL... Mary was delighted to see how much Masy had grown and although she still gets a bit concerned that she (Mary) can't move quick enough to catch her when she is up to something !! Our lives seem to revolve round "DOG" she is such a lovely wee thing I had forgotten how much time a puppy takes up. She has now had all her jabs and so can go out into the wide world and meet people and other dogs. The vet organises "a puppy party" to get the puppies socialised. The first one Masy went to she was barely 11 weeks and so tiny, everyone laughed when they saw her ! and she certainly did not like the other boisterous pups...and quickly tried to hide behind Peter or me !! then last Wed. we went again...well she was like a different dog. She is much bigger and only wanted to play with all the pups there of all sizes and there were one or two who were not at all sure of her !! next step will be puppy training and perhaps we will start that next week. Last Saturday we had a lovely afternoon out. There is a nursing home nearby in the hamlet of Shockerwick and they have an annual Dog show and Fete</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had never been before but thought it would be a good first outing for Masy..It was, it was much bigger than I had imagined but once Masy gt used to the crowds she was ever so good. especially as everyone wanted to hold her and indeed run away with her LOL Other than our day out to the Dog Show we really have not been going very far. I am still TRYING to house train her !!!! there was me hoping that a couple of weeks we would have it cracked...I get really quite tired jumping up and down grabbing her and making her go outside, Mary gets a bit cross but I know it is because she feels sorry she can't jump up and down as quickly as me. I am very thankful that a neighbour Lynne has offered to take Masy out for walks. She started about 2 weeks ago and took to the lead with no trouble at all. Lynne's dog died just about a week after my wee Dee so Masy is helping her as well...so she says...Yesterday she was away for over 3/4 hour and when she got back she was still full of energy....wish she could infect me with some of it LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have had a few church meetings this last month and something very wonderful has happened that is a real answer to prayers. We have been given a very very good anonymous donation that will enable us as a church to employ part time aprox 25 hours a week for 3 years a church worker...we have still to give him/her a title We envisage that he/she will be able to visit a lot in the village and also all the organisations that use our church premises and find out just what is needed to enable us to grow. At the moment our minster who is wonderful just has not got the time to do much pastoral visiting etc. we share her with 5 other churches...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway it will take us a few months to get everything into motion but hope that by January everything will be in place for us to take the leap into the unknown future... I still can hardly believe it is all happening...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope that you have all been able to look in on the Olympic games from London. Mary is nt into the games very much but I love most of them so I have to share stations with her, but once she goes home after 6pm I can enjoy all evening. There have been some great competitions and wonderful gold silver and bronze awards...At the moment I am half watching the start of the pentathlon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well friends...if I have any still out there !! I leave you as always with God Bless and</div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE ONE ANOTHER</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-36957306073822615732012-06-30T19:38:00.000+01:002012-06-30T19:38:44.904+01:00masy's first week<strong>I must thank you all for having had the patience to wait for me to return to my blog. It is such an age sinse I wrote almost a month...However although it seems to have been a busy month it has actually been a very quiet month and I can't believe how fast the days have gone. I don;t usual update my blog unless I have some real news to share but the news was onlt that as a household as we were awaiting the arrival of our new puppy Masy.( great news for me but not sure about everyone else!!) Well the happy day arrived on Sunday 17th. Peter Mary and I went to collect her from the lady who we bought her from. There had been 5 puppies 3 dogs and 2 bitches we had Masy and by the time we went to collect her 3 others had gone and only one brother remained and he wa soon to be on his way to Guernsey. a long way for a wee pup to go.. Masy was luckier she had only to be popped in a basket we had taken with us and driven about 15 miles here/ She was so good never seemed to mind at all. (she was so very tiny.only 8 weeks In fact I thought she was a bit young to be away from her Mum but the breeder seemd to think it was ok.).the first night I had expected lots of whines etc. but I was so surprised that she settled in so well. I took her through to my bedroom in her wee bed said to her to go to sleep and put out the light. and that was her until I got up about 6am that first morning. I have what are called puppy pads (rather like our old newspaper system for training !) and had put two down and she had at one time got up and then put herself back to bed.. Mary left to go to Edinurgh on Thurs. 21st. and sinse then I have had Masy on my own. Thankfully Peter has been very good and comes every day to play with her...and boy does she love to play. especially pulling things and playing ball..She is still not house trained and I think that might take longer than I would have liked but it will come she is only almost 10 weeks. now. She went to the vet the first Monday we had her and had the fisrt injection and I take her again on Monday for the second. She loves the car I have a carry bag for her and just pop her in and she sits or lies there quite the thing..making no sounds at all..</strong><br />
<strong>As this has been all about Masy I have to ask you to forgive. I have not been out anywhere since she arrived as she is a bit small to leave. However tomorrow I am leaving her for 3/4 hr then Peter will come in play with her then we will leave her again whilst we go out for lunch...so fingers crossed that she will be ok. She has met most of the neighbours all who have fallen in love with her and is very well socialised which is a good start. Mary send evryone her love from Edinburgh. she will be back 12th.July and hopefully by then I will have done something that I can share with you all.</strong><br />
<strong>Love and keep well.....................Remember to always LOVE ONE ANOTHER. xx</strong>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-53578575712484701212012-06-04T08:25:00.002+01:002012-06-04T08:25:59.971+01:00exciting days..<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hello friends, when I finished my last blog I said I had some more exciting news to share with you and that is certainly true...Indeed since I said that there has actually been quite a few exciting things happening in the Wilson household....I will go backwards...and try to remember everything !! I am sure it has not passed anyone's attention that here in the UK as in many many places in the world we have been celebrating our Queens diamond Jubilee. It really has caught us all celebrating in our own way. In Box we have been trying to organize a weekend of fun for last few months. As a village the three churches St.Thomas a Becket in the village, St Christopher's in Ditteridge and ourselves the Methodist church had said that we would all have flowers festivals for the long weekend...In our Methodist church we decided to ask all the organizations who use our church throughout the week to donate a floral arrangement. We were delighted when all but 3 agreed and those three gave us a donation towards flowers. We are very fortunate to have a friend of the church who is a professional flower arranger and she offered to do all the main arrangements. Oh how I wish I could show you all the wonderful arrangements. Every window sill and doorway was bedecked as well as various tables even the tiny tot's got involved with their Mum's and made a ginger bread house with window boxes and little people all with their flags flying and even some with crowns !!( I have taken lots of photo's and at some time I will put them on a smilebox for anyone who might like to see them.) The outside of our church was also decorated with flowers and as we are right in the centre of the village on the main street we were very prominently positioned. We were having strawberry cream teas on the afternoon of Sat. and Sun. and we had around 70 people in to view and enjoy their tea, I have heard that the other churches were equally well supported. I did not have time to attend any of the others. Last night we had a united songs of praise on the recreation park in a huge marque that we had all contributed to and it had been in use all weekend by various groups doing other celebratory things !! I have not said a lot about the celebration that went on in London itself for the Queens Jubilee as I am sure you must have seen the wonderful scenes from the Thames it was such a pity that it was so wet but that's nothing unusual for a holiday weekend !! ( we were lucky in Box as we had a lovely day Sat and only a few showers Sun)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Another exciting day although perhaps exciting may not be the right word relaxing day would be better was last Wednesday when Peter Mary and I went to the Royal Bath and West Agricultural Show. I have always for as long almost as I can remember been responsible for organizing “things” outings, holidays etc. and I have to admit enjoy doing it but Wednesday Peter took over the driving and that was the start of a great day. He knew where he was going so I was able just to sit and watch the countryside roll by, at the show ground we had organized a scooter for Mary which we picked up just at the gate..we had arranged that Peter would go his way and Mary and I ours. Having obtained the programme and a map of we set..First stop was the pigs !! then the sheep. Next my fav. The poultry especially anxious to see if there were many or indeed any Slikies bantams on show. I was pleased to see there were 5 specimens...now as a child I grew up with my Farther breeding and showing Silkies and I can just imagine his disgust at the condition of these show hens..they really were quite tattie looking...It is a good job the owner was nowhere to be seen or I might have had words with im !! ( I did speak to one of judges who just nodded !!)At lunch time Peter met up with us and again he took control and we were soon tucking into filled rolls and strawberries and cream and home made lemonade..during the afternoon we again went our way and Mary and I did a bit of shopping and looking at the flower tent ( where I lost Mary more about that perhaps another time) we had left home around 8am. And arrived back home around 5.30 after a perfect day. I said to Peter that it was as good as a holiday for me not having to make any decision etc. </strong></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Now for perhaps the most exciting thing to be happening.....soon.... I am going to have a new little puppy. I know..I had vowed never again after my wee Dee died....but....a few weeks ago I started to look for an other daxi but was unfortunately unable to find one within a reasonable distance of us here, however I did find a breeder of Yorkshire Terriers who lives very near us here and so we went off to...just look at them...daft thing to do, as soon as I saw the 5 wee pups my heart was won over to a little bitch. They were only 3 weeks old and so tiny...we went back again last week and she has already grown a little and was trying to walk all over me and her wee tiny tail was wagging and she was making little m m m sounds, her Mum came up beside us ...just to make sure nothing was happening to her pup !! and so in less than two weeks now on Sunday 17th. Mary and I will be bringing home out latest edition her name is Masy (maisie) Ma = Mary sy = sybil hence masy !!</strong></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Now I really must go and get my day started. I have typed this in Office so that if it did disappear on me I would at least not have to retype !!</strong></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Remember always to Love One Another.</strong></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-40978366619124647462012-05-14T21:10:00.000+01:002012-05-14T21:10:26.869+01:00CRUISE PART 3Hello Friends,<br />
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After another lovely day here in Box we are just having a wee shower of rain, this will help Peter as he thought he might water the potato plants tonight !!<br />
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Now I better get the last part of the cruise story down before it all becomes a distant memory !!<br />
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The island of Lanzarote certainly was different from any other I have visited in many ways and certainly in the way that they grow the vines that make the lovely Spanish wines. On our way down from the top of the Volcano (one of only about 10 on the island) we stopped at a vine yard where we were all given a glass of wine...it was very nice !! pity it was only one LOL. All around was the vine growing area which stretched up the side of a hill. The “earth” of course is volcanic and so a very dark colour almost black actually and the vines are not grown in the normal “lines” but are enclosed in quite small horse shoe shaped walls built from the volcanic rocks. There is an indent in the middle where the vine is planted and where they grow protected from the dry winds, any moisture is retained within the hollow...I have put on a picture but they are not exactly as clear as I had hoped. Anyway Lanzerote was good so good were our guides that they did not realise the time we had taken and we were supposed to be back on board our hip by 1.15...it was 1.30 when we rolled up !! we were rushed aboard and almost before we were on they were bringing up the gang plank !!!<br />
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Our last stop on the trip was Vigo which if you look on a map is in the top left hand of Spain. We stopped there last year. We did not organise a tour as we knew just where we were going and knew that we could get around the town fairly easily. It is only a short stroll from the ship and although once again it was not as warm as one would have expected at this time of the year in Spain it was ok for getting around. The town is actually in two parts the lower area and much higher part. To get up to the top part one can take a lift (elevator) in a shopping complex up to the 3rd. Floor and exit from there take a walk across a bridge and there you are at the top of town..once up there we were met by a Spanish band playing...music ?....well they seemed to be enjoying themselves !!! then we headed back into the shopping mall for the usual coffee...and back on board our ship....<br />
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You may be interested in some facts about the independence of the Seas..<br />
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it is 1,112ft long, 185ft wide, has 15 passenger decks,14 elevators,aprox 3,634 guests, 1,360 crew. The Alhambra Theare holds 1,320, 3 main dining rooms hold between them 1,885 guests, of cousre there are another 4 eating places a self service area that holds 774 a cafe with 74 and two smaller dining rooms as I have never been there don't know how many they hold !! so it is all in all a pretty large ship. It amazes me that especially when the sun is shining most of the areas look fairly empty !! oh I forgot there is also a British style pub and a champagne bar !!!<br />
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and so the story ends...where it started back in Southampton where Peter was waiting to bring us home.<br />
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Next time I come back I will tell you what we have been up sinse we came home which has been equally exciting !!<br />
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Love One Another .Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-32736913094571590922012-05-13T19:29:00.000+01:002012-05-13T19:29:28.555+01:00cruise update 2<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good evening again. What a lovely sunny day we have had here it has even been quite warm !! forecast says back to rain tomorrow !! Have made most of the day though, after church and lunch Peter and I visited a Nat. Trust property near here in the village of Lacock where they were having a “hawk” experience day...more about that sometime. But before I forget I will get on and try to get the next episode of cruise Lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finished episode one just as the worst of the storm left us and the Captain decided to that we would not stop at our first scheduled Island .... Madeira...We were all rather disappointed as we had been looking forward to seeing the many spring flowers there. However as we had ..lost...7 hours sailing time it was the best way to just go on to our next stopping place which was the largest ( I think) Canary Island...Gran Canaria..We were fortunate to have been able to book wheelchair friendly transport for each island that we stopped at, as soon as the ship docked we were ...off...as were I think most people, probably glad to be on tera firma after the storm !! Our coach took us first to a town called Maspolamas where we had an hour to look around, to be honest there was not a lot to see but we did have a stroll round a shopping centre, back on the coach and along pretty roads the eventually took us down and round many corners to a pretty village called Magan. I could have stayed there quite easily it was so pretty, the houses all led down to a small harbour full of yachts etc.the streets were all narrow lined with white and pink painted houses festooned in beautiful flowers the bougainvillea was particularly gorgeous. We managed to have a bite to eat in a little cafe in a square whilst being serenaded by a lady playing pan pipes..just perfect..All to soon it was back on the coach and back to the ship. Our next stop was the island of Tenerife, Our coach took us high up into the Canadas national Park it has a rather bleak barren volcanic rocky terrain. We stopped for coffee one point and the ..rain came down !! we were informed that it had only rained twice this winter!! this was the second time, Thankfully our driver drove on to another very nice cafe where we were served lovely coffee and biscuits...and even better, was that the owner would not take any money from us !!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next day found us at Lanzarote. This island is different from the other canary Islands, in fact different from anywhere on the planet. It has an unusually striking appearance, often descibed as Lunar or Martian like. The landscape the result of the islands volcanic origins.As the climate is very dry and there is little erosion the terrain looks much as it did right after the last major eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries.We really enjoyed this island and found it fascinating..we were driven into the Timanfaya National Park and when we reached nearly the top we stopped at a restaurant for coffee and were able to see just how close the the surface the volcano still is as it was only about 2 feet down the we were able to gaze in wonder at the still hot lava...A guide gave us a handful of gravel like stones and they were to hot to hold in ones hand I had to throw them from hand to hand till cool enough...this after the last eruption in I think she said 1802 or thereabouts. On our way back down it was great to be able to take photo's of the lava flow etc. and near the bottom to stop at a vineyard, where we were given a lovely ...free ..glass of wine !! I will leave to next time the description of how the vines are grown quite unique to Lanzerote. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So there we are part two...I will try to get the final part written tomorrow!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">God bless and remember to </div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-81721591537706975462012-05-12T19:52:00.000+01:002012-05-12T19:52:34.078+01:00cruise part 1<div style="text-align: center;">Good Evening Friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How are you all, it seems an age since I was last here giving you any news but time just seems to fly when you are having fun...and fun I sure have had these past three weeks or so. As you know it was cruise time for Sybil and Mary again and so on Sunday 22nd. April we were whisked down to Southampton, Peter driving us down in my car ( it is easiest using ,my car to transport the wheelchair) Soon we were aboard the independence of the Seas. The same cruise ship that we were on last Sept. It was great to be aboard and knowing where everything was, made it all the easier to get around. Our cabin was not quite ready so we made our way to one of the cafe's and had some lunch before making our way to the 10th “floor” where our cabin was, it was identical to the one we had last time but one level up. Before we left port we had the mandatory safety drill, was it my imagination or were there many more attending the drill....maybe the grounding of the cruise ship recently had something to do with it !!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">6pm was dinner where we met 4 very nice table companions an elderly couple (who came from Trowbridge a village only about 7 miles from us here in Box) and two ladies from near Manchester. After dinner we went along to the theatre for a Welcome Aboard Showtime, it was very good and from there it was, for Mary and me, bed time!! ( I have to say that it would appear that the ship wakes up after about 10.30pm but that is not for me !!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mon. dawned nice and sunny but a bit breezy...The Captain's voice then came over the tannoy welcoming us aboard for the second time ! And to inform us that we were going to hit some stormy weather going through the Bay of Biscay and that there were anti sickness pills available for anyone who might need them ...mmmmmmmm.....Mary and I decided we would be ok, probably woudn't be too bad anyway..famous last words...as the day went on the seas did get a bit rougher and by mid afternoon the Captain once more informed us that he was locking all the outer doors as a preventive measure as he didn't want anyone swept overboard....laughs galore !! by now the people wandering around seemed to drift away ( to their beds/cabins? Perhaps ?) Mary and I found our fav. Cafe on the promanade and a front seat so that we could watch the antics of various people as they tried to stay upright...then we heard crashing sounds as glasses went flying from a table nearby, next the shops closed as the wine and spirt bottles were in danger of flying through the air etc etc etc... At dinner that night we were two down as our friends from Manchester were in their cabin ! I wonder why ? I admit that mary and I did have an earlier night than usual that night....well there was not a lot going on. The storm grew ever wilder, we had a TV in our cabin where we could watch the forecast and see the wind speeds etc. also the ships speed which had dropped from aprox 19 knots to 7knots. I have to say that both Mary and I found it all quite exciting especially later when the Captain informed us that at one point the wind had reached hurricane speed, and it had been the worst spring storm he had ever had in the Bay...just think we survived it all. If you are interested, Mary, when the ship started to roll a bit just stood stock still and anchored her two crutches and feet as firmly as she could and waited till it leveled out again...only a couple of time she found herself grabbing the wall !! Because of the delay in getting through the storm we were unable to visit the island of Maderia which was a pity as I especially would have liked to see the spring flowers that it is famous for at this time of the year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This has gone on long enough.....next episode tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good night God Bless..... </div> <br />
.Love One AnotherSybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-70409782260133988062012-04-14T19:27:00.000+01:002012-04-14T19:27:53.010+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight rather than tell you what we have been up to this past week.....not a lot !!....I thought I woudl tell you the story about a famous wee dog that everyone in and around Edinburgh seems to know. He was certainly my favourite dog when I was young and we did not have a "real" dog. This dogs name is </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Grayfriars Bobby, He belonged to a policeman in Edinburgh called John Gray and this is what happened to him once his owner John Gray died.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>John Gray's faithful dog Bobby mourned his master for 14 years, until his own death in 1872.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>James Brown the keeper and gardener of the burial ground remembered John Gray's funeral and he said the Skye terrier was one of the most conspicuous of the mourners</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The grave was closed and the next morning James Brown the curator found the Skye terrier lying on the newly made mound of earth. Old James could not permit this, for there was an order at the gate stating that dogs were not admitted into the Kirkyard. Accordingly...Bobby was driven out.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Next morning the same thing happened again, Bobby was lying on the grave. The third morning was wet and cold; James Brown</strong> <strong>took pity on the faithful animal and gave him some food. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bobby made the Kirkyard his home. Often in very bad weather, attempts were made to encourage him indoors, but he was not having any of that.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>At almost any time during the day, he would be seen in or around the Kirkyard. He had made many friends.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>A weekly treat of steak given by Sergeant Scott of the Royal Engineers from Edinburgh Castle. Punctually at the sound of the One O'clock time gun, Bobby would appear at the Coffee House for his dinner.</strong></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The stone where Bobby sheltered had been there for many years. The higher one was put up in the year of the battle of Waterloo to commemorate a woman called Jean Grant and it is inscribed with a text from the Bible - which may well equally apply to Bobby</strong>. ‘<strong>With such sacrifice God is well pleased.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>There is a lovely bronze statue of Bobby near the churchyard throughtout the many many yeras he has sat there thousands of children and adults have stopped to give him a pat....including me !!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I hadn't thought if Bobby for a long time until a photograph appeared in an Edinburgh Paper the other week and it is this that I will put at the top of this entry.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>As Bobby loved his master all his life may you also be able to <br />
LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</strong></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-50031416269774053552012-04-03T20:01:00.000+01:002012-04-03T20:01:43.399+01:00missing days...<div style="text-align: center;">Oh my goodness I have never been away from my blog for quite so long...I am sorry if you have missed me...Mind you I sometimes wonder if I write this to a few friends and invisible number of folks and wonder if I should keep it up...But then I get the odd e.mail asking if all is well and that....well...starts me off again LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here goes... March has been an up and down month. My sister Margaret was in hospital and I spent most days going back and forth into Bath. However I have also been renewing friendships with friends who I am in contact with only occasionally. Early in the month my friend Margaret and her friend Clive (who I had not met) came down to Bath for a few days and so we all met up for a coffee which soon extended to a late lunch after a wonderful walk..or in my case a trundle...along the Kennet and Avon Canal that runs by a very old Inn called the George where we had had our coffee..and then lunch. As it was at least 10 years since we met you can imagine the chat and news we had to exchange. Poor Clive...mind you he could chat as well and he and Mary got on well whilst Margaret and I chatted away...It was a lovely early spring day and some of the canal boat owners were busy getting their boats ready for the season so there was quite a lot of activity going on. A little later in the month Julie (an adopted sister really more than a friend) arrived to spend the weekend. It is always lovely when she is here. As Margaret was still in hospital Julie joined me in visiting her so that was nice and we also had dinner out at the George..again...on the Sunday we met up with Beth and Max at Dyrham Park and had a lovely walk in the early spring gardens and a nice lunch in the National Trust Cafe...all to soon it was time for Julie to leave us once again and catch the train back to London....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully around the 13th of the month Margaret got home and although she is still very weak we are glad she is home and we have been able to get carers to come in 4 days a week and with Barbara my niece and I filling in the other days she will hopefully gain some strength....</div><div style="text-align: center;">You may remember that last year I was really lucky getting some new dresses....Well this morning when Helen came to do Mary's feet what did she bring ? you guessed...another dress ! it is a real beauty a lovely burnt amber colour in pure shot silk (the materiel is over 50 years old and was bought in Singapore apparently !!) it fits beautifully. I am so lucky...I will hopefully have a photo taken wearing it soon....probably on the cruise...and will let you all see it, I do know though that no photograph will do it justice....</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last 10 days of the month we have had the most amazing weather certainly borrowed days from summer I think we will have to remind ourselves when we moan...as we will...when we get wet days in July !! Mary and I have been able to sit out most days in between doing our usual daily things !!we have visited a couple of Nat. Trust gardens, and it is so nice to see the blossom on the trees etc etc Our fav, garden The Courts is very near us and I plan to TRY to remember to take a photograph from the same spot each time we go to show the changes in the year... TODAY though we had a bit of a fright !! winter has returned....cold wind and frosty morning. in Aberdeenshire there is a small that last week had the highest recorded temps for any March on record around 80deg I think....this morning they had 6ins. of snow !!! I don't think we will have snow here but certainly a few really cold days....so from nice cotton dresses back to jeans and jumpers !!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well friends please once again forgive me for my absence but remember that I appreciate you all</div><div style="text-align: center;">never forget to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-74574566583417707052012-02-25T21:28:00.000+00:002012-02-25T21:28:40.887+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">I hope that this finds you all well and happy. It has been a lovely few days here weatherwise with above normal temps. We really have been so lucky this past winter it has been the mildest for a number of years. The only complaint is from water boards as there has been so little rain that it is feared that come summer they will be forced to bring in water restrictions, I think wessex water who provide our water has said that our area is not one that is in a critical situation but one can never tell.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last week Mary and I seemed to be making good use of each and every day. Mondays as always we have Pam my friend over and then we all go to guild our speaker last week was explaining all about submerines ! not somthing I thought would be very interesting but it turned out to be better than I expected...Tuesday as we did not have bible study ( it being school mid term holiday and our minster tries to have the holiday with her son) we went to a place called Radstock. I had read that the museum there was having a display of over 200 patchwork quilts..normally it is about a 40 min drive to Radstock...however we hit road works and it took us over an hour to get there....never mind...lets get parked I said ,and we can have coffee before we start in the cafe, ( I had read up all about the museum!!) we got to the door and I pushed..no response..Mary had a go...same... now sensible people would have checked the opening time !! as you know by now I can occasionally LOL be not very sensible....the place did not open till 2.30pm we were there banging on the doors at mid day !! Now I do not really know Radstock very well at all so did not know where we could go so decided just to continue on the road that we had parked in hopeing to perhaps find somewhere....after about 1/2 mile Mary remarked that the road was getting a bit rough..I said ..no worries it's a back road...and drove on...another 1/2 mile on...and we came to a dead end !!! it certainly was not the best trip ever !!! but we plan to go again hopefully one day this coming week...in the afternoon this time LOL............ Thurs. found us up bright and early as we were going into Bath to see a recording of one of our fav. TV shows called "Flog It" people bring their antiques etc to be valued and if interestng will be filmed for the show...Peter took a day of work to take Mary and me...as we had to be there real early Mitch my BIL said if we parked by the house he would take us down town in his car as there was very little parking around the Assembley Rooms in Bath...This all went smoothly and we had a lovely few hours. I had taken a few limited edition paper weights to be valued but as they are comparativly new they were not of much value ! the autograph of Princess Diana that she signed in our visitors book when she visited Mum and I would have been more valuable if it had been on a page on it's own (when we asked her to sign we said it would be in the visitors book amongs others) it might bring £30 if I had wanted to sell...which I didn't. Peter took some old 78 records only one was of any value and that was an Elvis one which might get £70. !! but as we hadn't gone to really have valuations it was just nice to watch how the programme was made...another enjoyable day...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday I had a day of rest so to speak and did not go to church ! We had arranged to go to Bristol. Mary Peter and I to see the of Wildlife of the Year Photographic exhibition. I won't drive in Bristol so Peter was the volounteer !!! we met Beth and Max there and we all agreed that it was a great exhibition there were about 100 pictures taken by all sorts of people down to ages 10 !! Afterwards Beth and Max took us out to a very nice pub for lunch....another lovely day..</div><div style="text-align: center;">This past week Mary and I were at the theatre in Bath again, this week to see the play The Kings Speech..The production was a coup for Bath as it is one of only 5 places before it goes on to take London West End by storm. after that it heads for Broadway... It is certainly one of the top must see plays of the year. I hope that perhaps you have seen the film and but please if you ever get the chance to see the stage version do go . It is wonderful and there was a standing ovation at the end...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just before I came on here tonight I was looking at an article on the web site of the National Trust they were descibing some names of places for a walk and they struck me as so funny I thought that I should share them with you to give you a laugh as well....... so get your walking boots on and we can stroll through</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scrubby Bottoms in Wales, Booby's Bay in Cornwall, Windy Gap in Surrey, Slappers Rock in Cornwall, Kiss me Arse Steps again in Cornwall. Scratch Arse Ware in dorset, Cock up Bridge in Cambridge Pisser Clough in Yorkshire and our last one will take us over to the Isle of Wight where we stroll along </div><div style="text-align: center;">The Nostrals !!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good Night Friends and remember always to LOVE ONE ANOTHER....</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-31239668933319815512012-02-10T19:23:00.000+00:002012-02-10T19:23:45.714+00:00Africa revisited...<div style="text-align: center;">I am glad that you enjoyed the trip to the Game reserve when we were in South Africa. Mary and I do enjoy South Africa very much and another holiday we had was one when we stayed in Cape Town. This really is a lovely city which is dominated by the famous Table Mountain, take the cable car to the top, where there are stunning 360degree views across Table Bay, the Cape Flats and back across the chain of mountains making up Table Mountain. We then descended and drove through city, the tour guide pointing sites of historical and architectural significance, including the oldest building in South Africa, built in 1666, the Castle of Good Hope. We then continue to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which are famous for winning flower shows around the world. These gardens are especially lovely and they also had a very good place to eat....most important !!.... as usual there was a very tempting shop as well !</div><div style="text-align: center;">Later we head down to Hout Bay for a boat trip to view Cape Fur seals on Duiker Island. The seals I must say are a rather smelly bunch !! we had an opportunity to visit Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was help prisoner for so many years but we decided to give that a miss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No visit to Cape Town is complete without a visit to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve down the Peninsula, which the famous navigator Drake said it was "the most beautiful Cape in whole circumference of the world", stopping at the Penguin colony in False Bay and also at Cape Point in the reserve, where we take a funicular ride to the Old Lighthouse, built in 1860. We return via the famous Chapman's Peak Drive, which curves around the edge of the mountain carved out where granite and sandstone meet. This is a breathtaking experience of mountain and sea-scape's. There are many wild goats, sheep etc in the reserve as well as the baboons...they are a real pest if anyone gives them half a chance they are off with your handbag, wallet, whatever ...I did not stop long enough to be accosted by them !!!.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another day a visit to the winelands area of Stellenbosch which is synonymous with South African wine industry, was on our "to do list" Franschhoek and Paarl were the first two areas we stopped at for a wine taste then it was on to. Stellenbosch it houses the largest Uni. in the Cape being the second area to be established after Cape Town, back in 1679. It has saved most of its original architecture and we visit the Period House museum with antiques of each period and style of house dating from 1690 - 1850's. We stopped again for wine tastings as well in each town/village... It was a VERY MERRY trip !!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it two different views of South Africa...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have had a good week here in Box. The snow came last weekend and although it kept us in over the weekend by Monday it had all gone and my pal Pam was able to get over for her usual weekly visit. and in the afternoon we had our Wesley Guild meeting and despite the cold we had a good many members turn up. This week we had an elderly couple come to give us an update on charity work that their daughter does on the small island of Dominica (not to be confused with the other Dominica the large island in the Caribbean)</div><div style="text-align: center;">with the help of some of our guild members and many more people they are able to send much needed things over there by ship. The gueest Banana boat company have been very good at transporting things for us for many years now..</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday Mary and I went into Bath to the theatre we had vouchers and money gifts at Xmas and we used them to book a few shows. This week it was The Calender Girls...perhaps my US friends might not know of the Calender Girls they were a group of ladies belonging to an organisation called The Woman's Institute who had to think up ways of raising money for charity,,,they came up with the ...for them...shocking idea of doing a nude calender. Of course it had to be all done with the utmost discretion...and despite a great deal of opposition they did it. Having written that down it gives no real clue to the hilarious play that it was, the acting was wonderful I had tears running down my cheeks with laughter !!! (The actual Calender Girls has been made into a film as well as the stage play if you ever get the chance to see it please do)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now this morning we awoke to another fall of snow, again it is not lying to thickly indeed by this afternoon it has almost gone and certainly the roads are clear, our only fear now is if we get the hard frost forecast any wet on the roads will freeze so it will be icy in the morning. We will wait and see...</div><div style="text-align: center;">So there we are friends another glance at what Mary and I get up to both here and abroad !!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-1434547107688033802012-01-21T20:23:00.000+00:002012-01-21T20:23:43.500+00:00New Year, old Holiday thoughts..Hello Friends,<br />
I am so sorry to have kept you all so long awaiting news from this end. Thank you for the various e mails asking that all was well. It has been it just seems that 2012 has already started to rush along at breakneck speed. Perhaps also I should blame FB. I just knew I should never have become involved with it....( I soon may not as there are things going on that I do not like...we will see) Then I began to think about what I could actually write and tell you that might be new and fresh for a fresh new year and my old brain was blank..I could say my excuse is down to being another year older !! Mary and I have had quite a few meals out with various friends celebrating said birthday...nothing new about that... I have been visiting my sister MMargaret who unfortunetly is still very very poorly...nothing new about that...then tonight I have been tryng to clear out some documents etc. and started to read some of the diaries I have kept from our various holidays and thought....well that might be "new news" to some of my friends so that is what I am going to do so you can stop right here if you like....you now know that I am alive and kicking...or you can read on about the first day of a holiday in South Africa...<br />
<br />
After landing in South Africa there followed a 3 hour coach drive up to Bushlands Lodge Game Reserve, where the first 5 nights of our holiday was spent. We were a great group only 8 of us and we all got on so well. We were all very like-minded and so that was a bonus. Bushlands Lodge was WONDERFUL It is centrally situated in Zululand and surrounded by over 300,000 acres of national park that is rich in wildlife. It had it's own viewing hide close to a waterhole where we could go at any time The comfortable wooden lodges are set on stilts and connected by elevated walkways above a sand forest .This was the only thing that had worried me about the holiday as I hadn't a clue as to how the wheelchair could be got "up there" !! Never fear Saga here..the walkway leading to our room instead of being up steps was actually ramped the first little bit was on the steep side but only for a yard or so and I hopped out of the chair and then jumped in again and drove it up the rest of the way. I can't adequately describe Bushlands it was in such a wonderful spot. We were surrounded by bush..lots of monkeys, deer, other animals to many to mention. We had only a short walk/trundle to the restaurant and the bar. The Chef prepared succulent meals every day, the bar GREAT...prices fantastic a martini and lemonade for £1 !! The bar was further enhanced when the fire was lit beneath the starry sky and drinks were served by the boma (bonfire)<br />
<br />
<br />
On the way up from Durban Charmaine our young guide (who was lovely nothing was ever any trouble to her) had said she had good news and bad news for us...we asked for the good news first she said our first Safari had been organised for next day...GREAT WE ALL SAID...bad news...we had to start at 5.30AM !!!! we all groaned and she said..... well...we could make it 5.45am !! we voted for the 5.45am start !! We slept like logs that first night but all were up and ready for our early safari. We met our guide a great guy called Anton. He insisted that Mary got in the front up by him ( it was easier for her to get in the jeep that way) I was right behind, higher up and all the others were behind me, we all had a side seat..no windows..it took aprox. 35mins. to arrive at the Hluhuwe National Park....there the fun started. Anton had told us that sometimes nothing is seen other times a few animals all depended so we were not to be too disappointed if we didn't see much. We were in the park about 5mins and turned a corner and we were confronted by a whole herd of GIRAFFE (Mary's fav.) and ZEBRA (my fav.) words cannot describe the feelings at being so near to these magnificent creatures it was AWESOME as you can imagine the camera was hard at work..oh I do hope I can share some of them with you...after a wee while we went on and passed many many animals deer of all sorts/ I am afraid I will never remember which was which !! buffalo's Eland, Duiker, Impala, kudu and Nyala then around another corner...and...What should be right in front of us.... a HUGE bull elephant. He got quite a surprise....as we did...started taking photo's at once the suddenly this big beast started to swing his trunk wave his ears and paw the ground...our driver Anton very quickly got into reverse and we reversed back round the corner by which time the elephant had started to walk rather quickly towards us !!! he rounded the corner..Anton reversed again...the Whew...old Nellie, or maybe as it was a male he should be called old Bill !!! decided we were not a threat and he shook his trunk at us, turned into the bush grabbing a branch on his way and disappeared into the bush...how an animal that size can disappear so quickly is a mystery. but disappear he did. Shortly afterwards Anton stopped and served us all tea/coffee and biscuits before we eventually after about 3 hours returned back to the lodge for breakfast. What a start to the holiday... The food at the lodge was wonderful, well cooked, plain and plentiful. At breakfast we could help ourselves to all kinds of juices, cereals, yogurt (best we have ever tasted!) the waiters produced whatever cooked food we might want. Even cheese sausages !! yes cheese sausages we just had to try them they were ok. but a bit on the salty side as indeed was the ordinary sausages, eggs of any description, bacon etc. etc. plenty tea/coffee. It was a very lazy breakfast no hurry so it was almost lunch time by the time we were finished !! the afternoon was spent unpacking and getting our breath back. Mary and I had a wander along the walkways to get the lay of the land, and arrived at the viewing hide. As it was mid afternoon there wasn't much to be seen. It is best there early morning or evening. We had all arranged to meet up in the bar at 6.45. Again it was easy for us to get there it was just behind the restaurant really and to get there we crossed an open area where the Boma (bonfire) was lit under the starry skies, it had the most wonderful atmosphere...and smoke !! (by the end of our 5 days visiting the bar! we were almost pickled !! by SMOKE !!!!) The drinks were great and so cheap it was almost ridicules only a £1 for Martini and Lemonade...in fact all the drinks I think were £1 and the glasses of wine were huge..No fiddling about with measures in that bar. When our dinner was ready we all trooped round and first three of nights sat outside (4th 5th nights the Germans arrived and grabbed OUR table !!!) Dinner was again delicious at least 4/ 5 starters, Then as many different kinds of salads as you could imagine. Also every night there was a roast, beef, pork, ham, chicken, with all the hot vegetables. We never managed to get to the puds. but the others did and said they were great again a huge variety. So we certainly never went hungry. After dinner some of our party went back to the bar and watched the TV there as the rugby matches were on. We usually didn't. As we were actually quite tired by that time. So strolled back to our cabin surrounded by all the sounds of the bush. During the night we could hear squabbling monkeys sometimes !! And the sound of the bullfrogs went on and on. Thankfully I am a bit deaf so didn't bother me...occasionally Mary threatened to do them an mischief ..... <br />
So there you are something different to read as a start to my new year.... <br />
Again thank you for your letters, e cards phone calls, etc. You are all the bestest friends one could ask for and I thank God for you all each and every night. <br />
Remember to thank God for your friends as well and to tell them that YOU LOVE THEMSybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-66979641537337080902011-12-31T16:41:00.000+00:002011-12-31T16:41:38.408+00:00Christmas/ New Year 2011/2012Hello Friends,<br />
I know from reading all your lovely blogs that most of you have had lovely Christmas celebrations and I am sure you realised that I was not looking forward to Christmas with my usual passion, however we had a very pleasant weekend. Beth and Max came over Christmas Eve and we all went out for supper which was lovely. Christmas day started for me around 5.30am !! could not sleep so decided that I was as well up and getting on with preparing the turkey that our local butcher had kindly delivered at lunch time on SSaturday. As I stood there rubbing the garlic butter under it's skin etc. I had a sudden thought that it was actually the first time....ever....that I had done a turkey !! well Mum had always done it, and for the last 35 years at least Sarah and John had done all the Christmas dinner preps !! anyway I soon had it basted to perfection....I hoped !!........Mary came over at her usual time and we were soon on our way up to the early morning Christmas service, It is always such a lovely service to be able to greet our friends etc on such a special morning. It is a short service as our minister Rachel has to go to one of her other churches shortly after being out at Box.. Nice we were back home Peter came along and we allowed ourselves to open a few presents which is always exciting....the bulk of them we left till after dinner..........this was a real change for me as it must have been the first Christmas ever that I had not opened our presents around midnight..ever since I was a child Mum and Dad had got me up and allowed me to open gifts and go back to <strike>bed</strike> with a fav. probably knowing that then I would sleep long into the morning !!! Anyway lunch turned out to be very good and enjoyed by the three of us. We had Melon to start then the Turkey with roast potato and roast parsnips (that Peter had done) sprouts, carrots, and swede and beetroot, then we had the usual Christmas Pud. with double cream/single cream and brandy butter....mmmmmmmm <br />
Once things had been cleared away we got down to the serious business of opening all the exciting parcels..Mary and I are so very lucky and have such kind loving friends. Our gifts are to numerous to mention but I have to say that my gift from Mary has been a real winner...it was a lovely "kindle! reading "book" I just love it already, Thankfully Peter is good at getting all our "teccy" things working for us and before long I was able to start having books downloaded....he also got Mary's new mobile from me all set up for her. The days between Christmas and New Year I always think of as funny days it is difficult to settle at anything. I have been over a few times to see Margaret my sister who has been quite poorly over this period....and now we have only a few hours left of 2011. Mary is sitting knitting and the TV is on in the corner we are watching the surfers and life guards on Bondi Beach in Australia. I will not be staying up this year as has been done most times,....I expect we will have a few wee drinks before Mary goes over home though.... And so dear friends I just have to say a very BIG thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support that you have given me during what has been a very difficult year. What better words can I leave you with than the words said by our late King George V1's<br />
<br />
I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.'" <br />
<br />
God Bless you all and remember to take every opportunity to LOVE EVERYBODY each and every day throughout 2012Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-82708343667039927902011-12-21T19:45:00.000+00:002011-12-21T19:45:34.967+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hello Friends,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you so much <span style="background-color: yellow;">for</span> all the lovely letters e.mails and phone calls regarding the death of my poor wee Dee. I have to admit that the last couple of weeks have not been easy but life goes on and with Christmas fast approaching I have just got to let go and get over his death....Indeed today I was perhaps able to help by writing a few words to a near neighbour who has just had to have her little dog put to sleep.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>On Friday 9th Dec. We had a Christmas Celebration Evening at church.This took the form of singing carols, which were intercepted by readings, poem etc. Pam my friend and I were both involved I did a reading of a poem about Christmas Eve and the reindeer's...It was well attended and we had a closing collection and managed to raise over £250 for the homeless charity in Bath. That set me to thinking about poems and ones that we liked best etc... for me the John Betjmen poem "Christmas" has always been a fav. a friend of mine actually added an extra verse...we hope Mr Benjemen would not object. As this will be my last blog before Christmas I think I will leave you with the poem including Bronwyn's last verse...</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>May you all have a very Blessed Christmas, and may each day bring Joy your way in the year to follow..</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Christmas by John Betjeman</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The bells of waiting Advent ring,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Tortoise stove is lit again</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And lamp-oil light across the night</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Has caught the streaks of winter rain</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>In many a stained-glass window sheen</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The holly in the windy hedge</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And round the Manor House the yew</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The altar, font and arch and pew,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>So that the villagers can say</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Provincial Public Houses blaze,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Corporation tramcars clang,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>On lighted tenements I gaze,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Where paper decorations hang,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And bunting in the red Town Hall</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And London shops on Christmas Eve</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Are strung with silver bells and flowers</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>As hurrying clerks the City leave</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>To pigeon-haunted classic towers,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And marbled clouds go scudding by</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The many-steepled London sky.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And girls in slacks remember Dad,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And oafish louts remember Mum,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And sleepless children's hearts are glad.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Even to shining ones who dwell</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And is it true,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>This most tremendous tale of all,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>A Baby in an ox's stall ?</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Maker of the stars and sea</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Become a Child on earth for me ?</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And is it true ? For if it is,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>No loving fingers tying strings</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Around those tissued fripperies,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The sweet and silly Christmas things,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bath salts and inexpensive scent</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And hideous tie so kindly meant,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>No love that in a family dwells,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>No carolling in frosty air,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nor all the steeple-shaking bells</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Can with this single Truth compare -</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>That God was man in Palestine</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And lives today in Bread and Wine. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>But is it all? No, there is more</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>In compassion and love for us, God came himself</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>To earth; forsaking heaven’s glory</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>For suffering, injustice and death itself.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: red;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>That same God still reigns supreme</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And lives today in you and me.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</strong></div><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<div align="center"><strong></strong></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-77936282347007826712011-12-08T19:26:00.000+00:002011-12-08T19:26:15.929+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">Hello Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;">This will just be a brief posting as I know one or two of my readers are wondering what has been happening in my neck of the woods.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it is with Christmas fast approaching that I am feeling a bit "blue" This will be the first Christmas in over 30+ years that we have not all been celebrating together at my sister Sarah's....Oh what fun over the years we have had...so many fabulous dinners etc etc. including one very memorable one when there was I think 23 of us crammed into the dining room including friends from New Zealand. I have never seen so much food eaten in all my life !!...and laughs...what wonderful remembrances.. This year I have said to Beth my niece that I think we should try to start our own new traditions...and to that end I will stay here at home with just Mary and of course Peter our neighbour who although he has a Father down south he prefers to to stay home..it will certainly be different....To cap all last week my wee dog Dee started to take fits during the night of last Sunday. I took him to the vet Mon. and again for blood tests wed. the upshot was that he was diagnosed with a serious liver problem that really could not be treated as well as the fits..and so I decided as I loved him so much that it would be kind to have him put to sleep...It was even harder that I had imagined as he deteriorated so fast I had to call the out of hours vet and take him to be put to sleep after midnight on Thurs/Frid. I even had to call Peter out of bed to come with me....Those who have lost a loved pet will understand just how empty I am feeling and so not really up to doing a longer post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I promise I will be in before Christmas..</div><div style="text-align: center;">Till then remember to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-87140279759477047232011-11-22T20:06:00.000+00:002011-11-22T20:06:49.160+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hello Friends,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I do hope that you have all had a good week and that you have been able to get out and about to enjoy it. We have been blessed with warm days not at all like November, when I think back to last year we had deep snow and Mary and I were marooned !!!....The forecaster tells us that perhaps the mild spell will end this weekend and it will become more winter like....we will wait and see...I for one would be quite happy if it stayed this way till spring came !!!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Two weeks ago on Thursday we had a lovely day as my sister Margaret felt well enough to come over to me for our usual Thursday visit and then the 4 of us went out for lunch. we went to a very old Inn called The George set right beside the Kennett and Avon canal as it meanders into Bath some 4 miles away. It was some time since we had been there and it is now under new management. It was excellent. Even more so as I had a voucher and Mitch and I were able to have two wonderful sirloin steaks with all the trimmings at 2 for price of one...yummy....It was all the more special as Margaret got quite unwell the day after and has not been able to get out at all since....</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I collected my new glasses last Wednesday, They are varifocals and glad to say I have got used to them very quickly there are only occasional times whon I have to move my head up and down to get things into focus. Such as at our church quiz night, I kept getting the question master out of focus LOL. Pam and I were doing a raffle st the quiz and everyone was very kind to want to have a go, we did have some nice presents so that helps. I think that we made almost £97 and altogether the evening made just over £300 for church funds. Pam Henry, Mary Peter and I I am afraid did not do as well as we have in previous quizzes coming 7th out of 12 boo hoo, although Peter did win some biscuits in the raffle !!!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I am going to change my header picture tonight and will keep it up for a few days. It is a very old picture...the reason I am putting it up is to let you see what my dear Mother looked like at around age 6 tomorrow my Mother would have been celebrating her 100th birthday. what celebrations we would have had...She is the only one with a ribbon in her hair...she hated that ribbon as none of the other children had to wear one. Mum was brought up by her spinster Aunt who always insisted in the ribbon....little did she know that it was removed as soon as Mum got out of sight...but the day of the photographs of course she knew better than have it removed. I actually think it is an amazing thing to think that 94/5 years ago a school photographs was taken especially as it was a very small single class primary school the headmistress must have been well beyond her years to think of such a thing....</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>To all my friends in America may I wish you all a Very very Happy Thanksgiving weekend whatever you are doing I hope that you are surrounded by love and friendship.and take that opportunity to tell everyone that means anything to you that YOU LOVE THEM....</strong></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-27092464215073737912011-11-15T19:46:00.000+00:002011-11-15T19:46:15.890+00:00Hello friends,<br />
How are you all this week. i can hardly believe that we are half way through November already. Christmas will be here before we realise it. I will have to get my Christmas hat on and try somehow or other to get into the mood. I know that this year is going to be particularly hard with out my dearest sister but for the sake of other people I will put that smile on the face and get going...just that it is taking a bit longer this year ..<br />
i have a friend Marie who writes a daily blog....ayearfromoakcottage.org....it always amazes me that she can write such interesting stories every day...now me...it takes me all my time to wrote to you all once a week...and even then I never think that it is very interesting. On a Tuesday Marie writes each week what she calls a simple woman's page...or similar ! so i thought that maybe this one week I will give you a taste of what she writes by doing a simple page of my own...<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Outside my Window</strong></em>.<br />
It is all dark with just a few orange glows that indicate some street lighting in the village. up near the top of a far hill I see a white light travelling along that must be a car bringing someone home from work perhaps. I hope he/she has had a good day.<br />
<strong><em>I am Thinking.</em></strong><br />
How lucky I am to have such a lovely warm house. Mary has just gone home and tells me that the temp. outside is now 3deg.c. quite cold as we have not had real cold for some nights now..actually the weather forecast tells us that the clouds will soon be covering us and that will bring the temps up again.<br />
<strong><em>I am Thankful For.</em></strong><br />
All my wonderful friends and family and all the encouragement the give to me. <br />
<strong><em>I am wearing.</em></strong><br />
Black trousers, and a short sleeve pink top. I did have on a navy cardigan a wee while ago but the heating has come on now and it isn't needed.<br />
<strong><em>I am creating.</em></strong><br />
I have started to knit a few scarfs some will hopefully sell at the church table top sale in December perhaps others will be for extra Christmas presents. I am also sewing up blanket squares that Mary has been knitting, it is a lovely child's blanket this time in lovely colours of yellow green and a brilliant orange and will have a white border all round when finished...<br />
<strong><em>I am going.</em></strong><br />
After I finish this to do the drying up of the dinner dishes. Tonight we have had some ham that I roasted at the weekend with new potato's and some mixed veg. Peter our other neighbour joined us tonight direct from his work...Mary always washes up but is not so keen to dry up and put away !!<br />
<strong><em>I am reading.</em></strong><br />
Running out of Tears. it is the moving personal stories of Childline's children over 25 years by Esther Rantzen. My sister Sarah was quite involved with childline right from the start and indeed was partly responsible for making childline available worldwide in particular in India. It is quite a hard book to read it is so disturbing to read of the effects adults treatment has been to young people.<br />
<strong><em>I am hoping.</em></strong><br />
That tomorrow when I go to Bath to collect my new lenses that they will be good varifocals and that I very soon get used to them. Also that when I see my dear Sister Margaret she will be a bit better. She has been very poorly this week.<br />
<strong><em>I am looking forward to.</em></strong><br />
the quiz night at church on Friday evening..not exactly for the quiz ! but for the good company and laughs that we all share not forgetting the great ploughman's supper !!<br />
<br />
and so there we are, that is almost as much as I can think of to write tonight. Oh I nearly forgot Mary and I had a great Saturday afternoon at the theatre. The play was all about the last few months of Judy Garlands life. I can't remember who played Judy Garland but she was brilliant. She even looked like her and sang like her. there was a long standing ovation at the end. we were so glad we went even although we had great problems finding a parking place !!...<br />
<br />
Have a great week ahead, hope the days are sunny for you. LOVE ONE ANOTHER xxxSybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-40246188897828470192011-11-04T19:22:00.000+00:002011-11-04T19:22:48.067+00:00Guy Fawkes.<div style="text-align: center;">Hello Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another week has flown past and we now find ourselves in November. I can hardly believe it, we have been blessed with such mild weather. I still have my sandals on I don't think that has ever happened...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Trick and treat has been and gone and as always I have not had anyone knocking at my door. where I live in the village we do not have street lighting so I imagine the wee ones would not like that !! so all is quiet. Our next event is on 5th. November when it will be anything but quiet....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For 400 years, bonfires have burned on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The tradition of Guy Fawkes-related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed coup. The Plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November 1605. Already on the 5th, agitated Londoners who knew little more than that their King had been saved, joyfully lit bonfires in thanksgiving. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Soon, people began placing effigies onto bonfires, and fireworks were added to the celebrations. Effigies of Guy Fawkes, and sometimes those of the Pope, graced the pyres. Still today, some communities throw dummies of both Guy Fawkes and the Pope on the bonfire (and even those of a contemporary politician or two), although the gesture is seen by most as a quirky tradition, rather than an expression of hostility towards the Pope.(not so sure of the politicians though !!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". Some children even keep up an old tradition of walking in the streets, carrying "the Guy" they have just made, and beg passersby for "a penny for the Guy." The kids use the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky. when I was young my Dad was always in charge of the bonfire and fireworks. We usually had baked potatoes in the bonfire and when it died down we were able to grab those black half cooked potatoes and ate them with glee !! today we would probably die before we ate them and certainly health and security folks would probably be at our door LOL I do enjoy the wonderful display that the fireworks make but these days it is difficult as Dee and most wee dogs I know are terrified of the whizz, and bangs of the fireworks and so I have to keep indoors with the radio or Tv on at high blast to try to counteract the sound of the fireworks etc..It is bad enough on the actualy 5th. Nov. but it seems to go on for a week nowadays, although to be truthful this year it has been much quieter...thank goodness. But come tomorrow night I know I will have one wee cowering dog....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, in the South East of England, is famous for its Bonfire Night festivities and consistently attracts thousands of people each year to participate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please take great care if you are having fireworks or bonfire. There are so many accidents it is usually safer to go to an organised party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goodnight friends God Bless and remember to..... LOVE ONE ANOTHER...</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-40411545867495213542011-10-26T08:36:00.000+01:002011-10-26T08:36:55.433+01:00weather, friends,<div style="text-align: center;">Good morning Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;">This has been a quiet week so sorry not a lot to report on. The weather has been certainly getting colder and there has been a lot of rain very close to us here in Box with terrible flooding. It is hard to believe that only about 15/20 miles away they have had such flooding. We have actually had it quite nice although certainly getting colder. Yesterday Mary and I went into Bath as I was taking my glasses back. I only got them about 10 days ago but they were not as good as my old ones !! at least they didn't seem to be when I was on the computer the print was not as clear as it should be..Anyway after another check and various questions it was decided that I would be better with varifocals..so now I have to wait another couple of weeks or so for them to be ready. Thankfully they did agree that although I have had to pay extra for the new lenses they would deduct what I had paid for the ones I had just bought... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pam was over on sunday for church. Henry brought her over and as he is not a church goer he came down here whilst we were at church and made himself a cuppa ! after church we all met up for Sunday Lunch at the Bear our fav. hotel in the village. Pam and Henry had never had a meal there but enjoyed it. Pam was also over on Monday again Henry brought her over. That was great as we do enjoy our Monday together. It was actually the first time I have had time to really hear the news about her new shoulder joint. She is getting on ok with it but will be gald when she gets the sling removed as she is finding it very hard to find a sleeping position..We had guild in the aftrenoon and this week our speaker had made up a quizz for us ! there were 50 questions, it was made a bit easier in that all the answers were either a,b,or c.. you would never believe it but Pam and I got the exact same number correct 42/50 !! and as the winners we were given a big box of chocolates !! we of course shared them with everyone at the meeting and so they all enjoyed them... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Well friends I'm sorry if this has been a wee bit short on real news but hopefully nesx time teher will be more. I did have a "send" this week that I think is too good to keep to myself so I am actually going to pass it on to you all with my love...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.' 'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Remember the five simple rules to be happy: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Free your heart from hatred. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Free your mind from worries. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Live simply. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Give more. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Expect less. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="center"></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-15158958109546129692011-10-17T20:22:00.000+01:002011-10-17T20:22:37.172+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">Hi Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wrote an update last night only to have it “go AWOL” so I try again. Although this time I am doing it in Openoffice..and will paste when finished so fingers crossed all will go well..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been another nice week here in Box, the weather has become much more Autumnal as the temps. Have dropped quite a bit especially over the weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Tuesday after bible study here Mary and I went to my wheelchair supplier as I had read about a new lighter wheelchair that seemed just what I was looking for..They had the model in and I was soon whizzing about in it until Andy came of the telephone..we then started to go into the pros. and cons. of it viz The one I have. It was certainly a bit lighter however once it was dismantled it would actually have taken up more space for instance on a coach etc. It would not have been as good at going over rougher ground etc. I think it was mainly designed for indoor use or flat pavements/malls etc. so all in all I decided against it but I was bitterly disappointed as I was sure this was going to be the answer to a more light weight chair...never mind one day something will turn up... On Thursday it was a nice day and we went to Longleat Estate I have described Longleat before so won't go into it again. We did not go to see the lions etc. but visited the gardens, and even part of the house. It was to be the last of the warmish days and it was great to be sitting out there without even a cardi. on...unbelievable in mid October... Saturday was another good day as we went into Bath to the theatre. I love the theatre but don't often go as it can be expensive. However we were very lucky last Christmas !! and had vouchers we had not used them so decided now was the time as quite a few things were coming up that we liked the look of, we have another three visits booked between now and Dec. Saturday's play was actually more of a monologue or should I say two..the first was called Mr. Chips and the second Dr. Marigold. They were both short stories written by Charles Dickens...indeed Charles Dickens himself had read those stories to his contemporaries way back in the 1800's. An actor called Simon Callow told us the stories. He was marvelous and we were all swept up in the emotions. Mr. Chips was actually a freak man (dwarf)in a traveling circus all he ever wanted was to be “normal” and able to take part in “Society” one day he won £200 and so asked to be freed from the circus and this was granted and off he went to join “society”. He was fete'd by one and all and he had a great time ...until he ran out of money...then he realized that “society” had not really accepted him but ad made use of him...and so he returned to the circus where he was happy ever after !!!! The second story was called Dr. Marigold a traveling salesman, to make it as short as possible it was all about a young girl he found being abused by her Father she was deaf and dumb and Dr Marigold asked if he could adopt her and did so...at some cost...and tried to educate her as much as he could until one day he met a Scottish schoolteacher who offered to take her and teach her for him. He allowed her to go and didn't see her for 2 years by which time she had grown up into a lovely young woman who now had a boyfriend. The boyfriend wanted to marry her and take her away to China. Dr. Marigold's heart was almost broken but as he loved her so much he could not stand in her way and so permission was given and of she went...a few years later she returned and brought with her a lovely daughter, who immediately seeing Dr. Marigold ran into his arms calling “Hello Grandpa “ so making the old mans later days very happy. They were both very sloppy plays but told with such feeling that many of us were near to tears ourselves !! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today has been our Guild day and Pam and I were the “speakers” and we decided to take them all on a “Cruise” they seemed to enjoy all of our experiences. I am glad to say that Pam was looking not to bad considering it is only almost 2 weeks since she had her shoulder joint replaced, she still has the stitches in will have them removed on Thurs. and then will have to have some physio to get the shoulder moveing again, but knowing Pam it won't be long before she gets back to moving the new joint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And so another week has past all to quickly. I just can't believe that we are well into October perhaps now that the colder weather has arrived it will begin to feel more like late Autumn.</div><br />
Xxxx Love One Another. xxxxSybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-66030969271832049092011-10-08T21:03:00.000+01:002011-10-08T21:03:43.369+01:00Last Cruise news...<div style="text-align: center;">Hi Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well how are you all tonight ? Hope that all is well with you and that you have had a good week. Our nice late summer has just about kept going this week only last two days has it really cooled down and we have tried to enjoy every minute of it...Last Monday we had our 2 Guild meeting in the aftrenoon this week we had a lady come to tell us all about the Salvation Army how it strated and where it was now etc. It was such a intersting afternoon, everyone enjoyed it very much. Afterwards we had our Church Council Meeting, this is a wee bit like an AGM when members and friends get together and are informed of all that is going on and that has perhaps been done in their name by the Leadership team. It is held twice a year and for the first time we held it in the afternoon hoping that perhpas more members could attend. It seemed to work well and we certainly had a few more attend than previously.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday was a very emotional day for me as I went up to New Malden which is near London to a dear friends funeral service. Revd. Dr. Angie Sheir Jones was our minister at Box nearly 4 years ago and was the most wonderful person anyone could ever hope to meet. She has had cancer for almost two years and died when I was away. She and I had a rather special affinity and it was particularily hard to hear whenever I got back about her death. Although I am happy that she is at last free from all the pain it is hard to believe I will never hear her laugh or see her infectious smile again. It is especially hard for dear Brian her husband, they had no children and at the funeral Brian looked so ...alone...it was so so sad. I am sure though he must have been overwhelmed to see over 300 in the church..... I was very grateful to Peter who took a day off work to come with me and do the driving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday,Mary and I had some shopping to do before we were able to sit out for a while. As always on a Thursday my sister Margaret and Mitch her husband come to me and I make lunch for us.. Friday they said might be our last warm day so Mary and I went to the Courts Gardens that I have told you about before. It was lovely there and very peaceful, a lot of the plants had been cut down ready fo winter but there was quite a lot of autumn colour in the borders. So thats been our week friends and now on with the last few days of our wonderful cruise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cruise part 3 I think !!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well our days on board the ship seem to pass so quickly it is our 11th whole day and this morning we docked in Portugal's Capital Lisbon. We had arranged to have a panorama coach tour of the city and as soon as we were allowed we were down the gangplank and joining our tour. It was explained that his was to be a no shopping trip ! But that stops would be made at various famous tourist places. As we had sailed up Tagus River into Lisbon we saw quite clearly on the far side the statue of “Christ the King” a monument built after the war to celebrate Portugal' s neutrality during World war 11...and this was the first stop we made once we had crossed the 25th.April Bridge built in the 1960s it is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Once we were back over the bridge we were in a suburb called Balem. There was a tower there built between 1515-1521 was built to protect the river entrance from Pirates and later functioned as a prison...Quite near there was a wonderful monument called the "Monument to the Discoveries". It is a modern sculpture by the riverside of a caravel and comprises various historic figures who were involved in the discovery of “new Lands” Prince Henry the Navigator is at the prow. There is an elevator inside that give some wonderful panoramic views...however we were not allowed to have time to do this. Thankfully Henry got of the coach and was able to take lots of photo's at each of the”monument shots” ! It took around 4 hours to do the panorama of Lisbon and it was very very interesting.. I have a wonderful painting that a friend of mine Pat did for me of the rooftops of Lisbon and whilst there it was so easy to see just these same rooftops....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next day our stop was in Spain in Vigo. It was a very hilly place and although we all disembarked it wasn't long before we had to admit defeat at getting the chair up the streets. Anyway we soon found the usual coffee shops and it was here that we had another laugh when we asked for tea for me and a coffee black for Mary. When they came I had a very large cup for my tea and Mary's coffee came in the tiniest wee cup you could imagine and boy oh boy was it strong..Mary never takes sugar but to try to drink it she emptied in about 3 packets of sugar!!! it was more like syrup by the time she finished ...we did laugh... We also met at the same cafe a couple of people from our ship who had with them another couple. They asked me to take their picture and explained that it was a sister and brother in law who had arrived by another cruise ship the Oceano and so they were able to meet up, wasn't that nice but odd at the same time to think they had had to come all that way to meet up !! All to soon it was ALL ABOARD...for our last day at sea. What an adventure it was. Certainly one to be done again and again. Mary and I are now we think quite addicted to cruising..we find it so very easy to get around, with enough to do to keep us both occupied and also plenty time just to laze around... </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you ever get a chance to have a cruise I would advise you to give it a try..Think how many more people that you could greet with a " LOVE ONE ANOTHER."..</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-79266670183591949612011-10-01T19:42:00.000+01:002011-10-01T19:42:01.680+01:00Late summer heat, and cruise part 3 !!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hello Friends,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>What a beautiful week we have had here, the sun has shone and the heat has built up and up...a real Indian Summer...I hear that it is soon to come to an end early next week so we are making the most of it until is does. Tonight I have all the doors and windows open to catch any breeze that might float past..It is getting quite dark now and I don;t want to switch on the lights as I am sure they generate more heat. On Wednesday Mary and I went to the Courts Gardens I have previously told you about only to find they closed on a Wednesday however on the gate was an invitation to go to another garden and house called Chalfont Manor. I am so pleased that we went, again it is only about 10 miles away and I had never even heard of it !! The Manor dates way back to the early 1400's and has hardly changed throughout the years..the gardens are lovely and there is even a moat surrounding it all..It is still a “lived in house” and only open certain days in the week by the National Trust. I was chatting to the lady of the house in the garden she was picking something up on the lawn and I thought it might be chestnuts (although I hadn't seen chestnut trees so I was being a bit daft.....nothing changes LOL) anyway what she was picking up were lovely walnuts I can't remember ever seeing anyone pick walnuts.. There were beautiful herbaceous borders full of lovely autumn coloured flowers. It was a truly lovely day out. Yesterday I had an appointment for an eye test so had to be in Bath quite early we left at 8.40 for a usual 20/25 min journey.....well the traffic was awful an dit took almost an hour to get in and parked. When I did I left Mary to walk herslef slowly down town and I took to my heals...metaphorically speaking....wheelchair at top speed...to make my appointed time...I got there...just....Turns out I needed new prescription and I have a small cataract developing, hopefully it will take a long time before I need to have it seen to...I will collect the new lenses in about 10 days..</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
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</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Now back to cruise mode :</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>After <em>Florence</em> our next port stop was <em>Citivechia</em> this is where most people got off to go on to <em>Rome</em> by coach a two hour journey in <em>Rome</em> the heat had been terrific and they mostly came back exhausted so we were glad we had not gone.anyway we had heard that it was not really suitable for wheelchair so once the rush to get away was over we slowly left the ship and had a lovely morning in the town. The streets were rather steep//to say the least ! But as usual I found a way around and we had a lovely time just mainly window shopping. There seemed to be an abundance of gorgeous bridal wear shops...and of course coffee shops... Next day was <em>Ajaccio </em>on the Island of <em>Corsica.</em> Here we had booked a coach trip and very nice it was. Renowned as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, <em>Ajaccio's </em>many squares and streets pay homage to the conqueror. We went inland and up into the mountains it was very beautiful ad we had an excellent guide who gave us so many facts and figures that I would have to have had an encyclopedic memory to remember even a 10th if the info she gave us...Suffice to say that I enjoyed the visit very very much and would like to go again some day...13th Sept was Pam's 70th birthday and we had decided we would not stray far from the ship ( I had arranged various surprises for her) but we did get off for a short walk into <em>Seville Spain</em>. It was an easy flat walk but I think Pam and Henry were a bit tired so after a while we left them behind to go back on baord and Mary and I walked a bit further into the town which if we had had longer to explore I think would have been a very interesting town. ...but.....birthday lunch called and we were soon back on board to visit Pam and Henry in their cabin. I had arranged for it to be all decorated and it was such a surprise for Pam. Their room attendant had done it beautifully with streamers and paper bells, etc etc and Happy Birthday Banner on the door... After lunch Pam decided to go for her one and only swim (she thinks she is overweight and didn't like to be seen in a swimsuit) It was great fun sitting by the pool encouraging her to stay in the water she also enjoyed it very much !! That evevning at dinner there was even more celebrating Henry had kept her present till evening and gave it to her at dinner it was a beautiful diamond ring...she was needless to say thrilled...even though it was a wee bit big and she has had to take it to be made smaller since we got home....at the end of the meal all the waiters around arrived with the cake we had ordered and sang Happy Birthday to her....what fun it was...To end the evening we all went to the Theatre to be entertained by a piano player called Bobby Crush who was way back in the early 60's a British “star” he was still very very good and we had a lovely end to the birthday day .....</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Only 4 more days of the cruise to go before you can all relax and imagine you have travelled with us !!!! If you are not bored out of your minds by now.....</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Good Night Friends.......... Love One Another....</strong></div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-37479134825688351042011-09-26T08:00:00.000+01:002011-09-26T08:00:34.642+01:00smilebox might be here !!!<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a59344e7a63314e7a513d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook" height="0" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a59344e7a63314e7a513d0d0a.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" width="0" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="center">Scrapbook design customized with Smilebox</td></tr>
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Click on the above...This should, might !! take you to a smilebox of a few photographs.....fingers crossed...Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-7083899097575436782011-09-25T19:08:00.000+01:002011-09-25T19:08:38.646+01:00cruise update 2<div style="text-align: center;">Our first port of call on our Med. Cruise was Gibraltar. It actually attached to Spain and there have been many times I the past when the Spanish have wanted to get back this small piece of land from the British and although the British Government would be happy to make such arrangements, there was a referendum in the late 1960's when the people of Gibraltar....voted very strongly against it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We did not go to the hill tops as that is where there are loads of monkeys who are very mischievous and not at all nice to tourists. Pam does not like them at all !! so we stayed in town. It was the first time I had visited Gibraltar and found it quite a pleasant place. Lots of lovely shops in particular jewelery shops that I can't resist !! I don't quite know how it happened but I found myself actually in one of these delightful shops and within a few mins was very easily persuaded that a new pair of diamond earrings might just prove the best buy of the holidays particularly as they were tax and vat free and I managed to get a 60% discount......in yet another jewelery shop Mary discovered herself walking out with a lovely gold bangle...again vat and tax free and 60% discount.....no wonder we had to find Pam and Henry and a tea shop to sit and recover !!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Second port of call was Toulon in Provence, France.. There were many museums in and around Toulon, however we did not have very long ashore and although the cruise company had laid on courtesy coaches to take us into town we did not have very long so other than a quick look around we did not see very much. A rather disappointing town altogether..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Florence in Italy...was our next day ashore. We had pre booked a tour to Florence and once we disembarked around 9.30 we soon found our coach. The driver was very helpful and got the chair into the hold without any grumbles !..our very nice lady guide was called Loretta she had a good way of describing the various places that we passed through on the hour drive. The coach was parked outside the City and it was a good walk into town. Mary walked with Loretta and so everyone walked at her pace. All went well with the exception of Pam and I !!! we were confronted by lots of steps down pavements....now wheelchairs and scooters don't really like drops on pavements and the Romans had not heard of drop kerbs LOL ( it would have been great for their chariots if they had....mind you maybe they didn't even have pavements in these days LOL.).. however the other folks on the tour could not have been kinder and we were soon masters at the art of me jumping out of chair and others pushing and pulling said chair into the road !! actually in the end I gave up getting back on the pavements and decided to take my life in my hands and stay on the road. We arrived on the Palazzo Della Signoria ( Palazzo Vechio) dominates the Piazza, with a copy of Michelangelo's statue of David adorning the stairway it was completed in 1314, what a wonderful sight David is. We were all but dead beat by the time we got there as the temp was in the high 80s so after an examination of David and some of the other magnificent statues Lunch and shade was the attraction. I soon found a nice cafe on the square and Mary and I enjoyed a cool drink and as we were in Italy an Italian Pittza was ordered between us !! very nice it was...Pam and Henry soon appeared as well and were soon relaxing at an adjoining table. I had remembered from a previous visit the story of a bronze pig at a market quite near the square so I asked the waiter exactly where it was and Mary and I were soon of in search.of it....now the story is if you rub the pigs nose you will return one day...as I never thought I would return, although I had rubbed his nose previously.....maybe it does work so I had Mary give him a good old rub....one day maybe we will return we both liked Florence very much....despite the pavements !!! The only sad part was that as on my previous visit I did not have time to visit the Ponte Vecchio Bridge this is the oldest bridge 'remaining in Florence and is now lined with Goldsmiths.....maybe be a good job I didn't get there !!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(In Bath we have a lovely bridge called Pultney Bridge that was inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in as far as there are shops on either side ) Actually the bridge was not far from where we were but it would have been a few steps too much for Mary...After an hour and a half we met up again with Loretta and were marched back to the coach. It really was a lovely day and enjoyed by everyone I think. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you are the first of our off the ship trips... None of the tours were very long, in fact all were a bit rushed but it gave us a taster for the places and you can never tell we may be able to go again one day... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting of and on the ship was really quite a military operation. when we boarded for the first time we were photographed and given a credit size shape card...this card was all we used all the time on board, it was a "cashless ship" if we bought anything from any of the shops, bars etc. we just showed our card and by the time we got back to our Cabins we could check our account on the TV and see exactly how much we had used. When I first booked I managed to get us all $200 spending money !! (free !!) and so we were well into our second week before we actually began to "spend" any money....This same card was used as we went off the ship and so they could check we were out and again on our return so that the ship would not leave without you it was also our room "key" and had our room number on it also the deck number of our dining room in other words a "magic card" Tonight I might try and get some photographs downloaded...watch this space... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Goodnight, God Bless, Love one Another xxx</div>Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744849393992610970.post-12064268006942137172011-09-23T18:01:00.000+01:002011-09-23T18:01:53.978+01:00Cruise of the Med.Hi Friends, I will try again to get news to you of our holiday. I made an entry last night only for it to go AWOL between me and the “blog” Grrrrrrrr.<br />
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Anyway what I was saying was that Mary, Pam Henry and I had a wonderful cruise in the Med. The taxi arrived on time and we were soon loaded and on our way to Southampton to board the Royal Caribbean's “Independent of the seas.” Once all the formalities were over it was all systems go...At first I was rather shocked by the size of the ship and the number of people who were milling around. I knew that Pam and Henry would not be liking it at all....We made first for the Windjammer Cafe as I remembered from last year that that was the best thing to do first....again it was packed, however we were soon tucking into some food which all agreed was good...then it was down to our cabins. Mary and I were on deck 9 Pam and Henry deck 6. We had by then discovered where the main dining room was and when we were booked in to have dinner, so we agreed to meet up at 6pm. The dining room was lovely and our waiters just excellent...The food throughout the cruise was delicious and served so promptly never a wrong step was made. ... After dinner we just had a further stroll around the ship trying to familiarize ourselves. As I say it was so big it was a lot to take in. <br />
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Day 1 at sea started with breakfast at 8.30. Now there were around 5/6 places we could have eaten from the Windjammer cafeteria, to street cafe's, dining room restaurant self service, or dining room full service...we opted to be served each morning...it is so nice to “come to and relax” first thing, before the onslaught of the day LOL By now we had began to get used to the size of the ship and people had started to find their own “places” and were not all milling around on the main street. Deck 5 was where we could be found if we wanted a bit of shopping extra coffee, food,. ...on the ship one could have eaten from 6am till the early hours of next day if one liked. I have never seen to much food being eaten....after the first day we decided not to have lunch served as we had had such a big breakfast. Mary and I could be found in one of our fav. Cafe's around 1ok. Having a croissant and cofee/tea, we were always helped by one of the lovely waiters who seemed to be waiting just for us to come along !! There was so much to do on board it was sometimes hard to decided where we should be !! Pam and I did three classes on jewelery making. I managed a lovely necklace, bracelet, and earrings for Beth, we tried our hand at scrapbooking, and napkin folding, but missed out on the towel folding as we were a bit late !!<br />
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If we had been energetic LOL we could have tried our hand at windsurfing !!, ice skating !!, wall climbing !!, even a game of golf or football or basketball...all on deck 13. of course there were the swimming pools I think about 4 large ones and a couple of childrens as well as various hot tubs. We spent lots of time just sitting people watching. If all that seems to be a bit hectic we could always find a quiet corner, Perhaps in the very large library where there were lovely deep leather chairs to snuggle down into, or there was always somewhere on deck that other people hadn't quite found...we were blessed with the most wonderful calm sunny hot weather. In the evening after dinner we tried out the various Theater's The Alhambra where there was a new show every night, The ice rink where there was spectacular ice shows...a few “bars” where you could always find some of the ships musicians playing for ballroom dancing, or classical or modern music, It was no wonder that we all found ourselves heading for bed quite early most nights !! I am glad to say that when we docked at all the ports we were able to go ashore which was a bonus as we had thought we might not be accessible for the chair. However the cruise company provded courtesy coaches every time to take us into the nearest town...usually just outside the port. I will stop now and next edition will tell about the various ports we visited and what we did there.<br />
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So for now. Goodnight, God Bless and Love One Another...Sybilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02516012178494813281noreply@blogger.com7