The Garden

I don't often venture into the garden at this time of year because I know it's such a dismal sight. After weeks of frost and rain everywhere is dank. But a couple of days ago the sun was shining, it was quite mild so I had a look round. 

Hellebores can be relied on to bring a bit of cheer.

Every year I tell myself to get more of different colours, then I forget!

The pyracantha

with the pretty winter clematis climbing through it has been lovely.

And a young winter clematis is looking good

The same cannot be said for the buddleia, it's feral. Grown from bird droppings or wind blown it has loads of straggly branches with feeble flowers at the end of them. Every year I hack it right back and every year it just keeps growing.

This year I'm going to ask my son-in-law to chop it right down.

The viburnum has been loaded with blooms but it will need a good prune.

Miss Hawaii, Mr Otto and Duke enjoying a bit of sunshine.

My daughter bought me these, they are my favourites.

Mr Happy is still looking good, Mr Bashful is ok

Mr Jolly is looking decidedly anything but and has given up! 

I can't remember the one on the right.

I think they will both be replaced this year.

I don't know what has happened to Mr Pink.

Elsewhere there are lovely welcome signs of spring

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Boring Read

Constance: The Tragic and Scandalous Life of Mrs. Oscar Wilde by Franny Moyle tells the story of Constance in the aftermath of Oscar Wilde’s trials and imprisonment.

Constance had held a privileged position in society, one half of a gilded couple. She was a popular children’s author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women’s rights. A founding member of the magical society The Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of life. Constance was ahead of the times, a remarkable woman in her own right.

This was a book club choice. I’m sure there are some very interesting books about her life but this isn’t one of them, this is an encyclopaedia of facts, so many facts, oh it was boring. I skipped a lot of it and eventually gave up.

Polly x

A Round Up of 2025

 

Burns Night                Happy Birthday               Brisbane Art Gallery

Arlo & Lenny               Wallingford                Open For Business

A Midsummer Night's Dream        Morris Dancers        A (Fairly) Nice Day Out

Rayleigh                Poppies on the Pier                Christmas Tree Festival

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x

Time

Here we are at the start of a new year and once again I'm asking myself how does time pass so quickly? but at the same time when I think back and remember my childhood Christmases - the simplicity and magic, believing in Father Christmas, being happy with just one or two simple gifts, chicken for dinner was a once a year treat then, and, when my mother took the decorations down I was so upset because the next Christmas was so very far away, time crawled along. So how can time be passing so quickly now when it crawled along then? I think that is a question that even the great philosophers would struggle with.

My take on it is getting older and new inventions and technology speeding up time.

One think I know for certain is that however time passes, pass it does, so I'm going to continue doing as much as I can, my mantra is "While I can do it, I will do it" . 

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Barrie by Seán Laidlaw
This true story became a viral news sensation. Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had collapsed. At first he thought it was a child but further inspection revealed a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings. The terrified puppy initially rejected Sean's advances but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable. When Sean returned to the UK he had to leave Barrie behind but when his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to go back for her and after a long and difficult battle he was able to bring her to the UK. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that made headlines all over the world. Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can help save the other.

It's a lovely heartwarming read.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Dear reader, I wish you a happy and healthy 2026

✶ Polly ✶

A Good Read

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

Benny is a big girl with a big heart. She and elfin Eve have been best friends for ever, growing up in sleepy Knockglen. Their one goal is to get to Dublin, to university and to freedom.

On their first day at University College Dublin they meet fellow students - Nan, beautiful but selfish, and handsome Jack. Before long trouble is brewing for the circle of friends, in the form of passion, tragedy, and the independence they yearn for.

It’s a good story with interesting characters.

I enjoyed it.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Christmas

Seasons Greetings

Happy Holidays

Dear reader, however you spend the festive season I hope it will be full of cheer.

🎄 Be warm and well 🎄 

Polly x

My Great Mince Pie Survey

Oh my word, how time flies, it's tasting time again.

 I've done this so many times now it has earned the label of traditions!

Tesco Rum & Raisin

very nice but not a huge taste of rum! 

Morrisons 

All butter pastry, mincemeat infused with brandy and cider and warming spices. Very nice but I couldn't detect the brandy or cider, but I liked it enough to have a second one!

Aldi shortcrust pastry, mincemeat and a light dusting of sugar.

Very tasty but the pastry is a little bit stodgy

Waitrose Brandy Buttercream Mince Pies

absolutely scrumptious. Four in the pack, I didn't share them!

Waitrose Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac, always my favourite

and extra delicious warm with a dollop of cream (mulled wine optional) 😊

I did share these.

Co-op Irresistible all butter fruit and apple mincemeat

with brandy and port - delicious

Aldi All Butter Mince Pies Infused with Cognac,

Ruby Port and Dry Cider - very delicious

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas Tree Festival in a nearby village was, as expected, a resounding success with more beautiful, imaginative displays.

Jingle Bells by

Riding For The Disabled was my joint favourite with 

The Starry Night inspired by the Vincent van Gogh painting

by The Sewing and Craft Club

Catch-Up-Cafe Christmas Kitchen

When Santa is Away

I think some of the elves were misbehaving!

Hearts by The Link Club

A joyful heart is good medicine - how true

How clever is this

Austeritree

by The Guides

and this one

Fire & Ice

by The brownies

Robin Hood's Archer Tree with a casket of gold

The inscription reads

In Sherwood's shade where legends are told

Robin Hood smiles on the shimmering gold

"Be fair and be kind"  the brave hero would say

"Take JUST ONE treasure and skip on your way

one keeps it merry - more isn't ok".

The 'gold' was chocolate coins.

Come Dasher Come Dancer Sensory Arts

was lovely

Cymru by Chelmsford & District Welsh Society

Chelmsford Men's Shed showing images of days gone by, workshop things,

items of interest, cups of tea and custard creams! Great stuff.

This was adorable

Teddy Bear's Christmas

And this was very clever, The Fallen Tree by 1st Beavers

The cute beaver has felled the tree!

Bee Merry by 1st Guides

it's a shame I couldn't get a better view. It has little bees on it, bee sayings and bee homes, and the little packets of seeds say "scatter me to help a bee"

Fab..Yule..Ous

by Vanessa Brett Millinery

Girls Can Do Anything by 2nd Brownies

displayed women of influence throughout history

from Marie Curie to Taylor Swift. 

Our WI tree was similar but most of our women were from older generations, although we did include Dolly Parton and Michelle Obama

Trauma Teddies from our neighbouring village WI. They are donated to emergency services to give comfort to young children and help to distract them from emergencies happening around them. 

Cracking Tree Gromit

I'm a huge fan of Wallace & Gromit

unlike the Grinch, I hate it but I think this was very good

Come Fly With Me

How cute is the little balloon

100 Years of the Shipping Forcast

the photograph is Vice Admiral Robert Fitzroy. He 

was an English officer of the Royal Navy, politician and scientist.

and finally

It's a Wrap

rolls of paper attached to a white board, simple and very effective.

I hope you have enjoyed the Trees.

🎄 Be safe and well🎄

Polly x