My Ozzie daughter has been away for a few days visiting friends, one in Sweden and one in Nottingham.

Bathing Belles

Chilling out at home. Lots of sun lotion and not staying out for long. I was sitting under the gazebo but despite the lovely sunshine the easterly breeze made me feel a bit chilly. 

Jigsaw mania

The bowls club that my son-in-law plays for has a lovely clubhouse with books and jigsaws for sale. People donate them for others to buy, usually for just £1, and then donate back, and so on. I found this one. 

It had an insert with it which was very helpful because I could refer to it whilst using both box and lid to sort through the pieces. It was also larger than the box lid, so better for my eyesight! 

My son-in-law did some of it and when my daughter returned from Sweden she helped finish it. My eldest daugher isn't a fan of jigsaws. I like this one and will keep it.

I particularly liked the tiny mouse in the corner!

I was on a roll now so randomly picked another one from my stash.

I think I bought this at a village fete.

I liked it, it reminded me of my childhood. We lived near the countryside and my mother used to go potato picking, backbreaking for the mums but we children loved it, playing around the farms (no health and safety then) roaming around the fields and waiting at fences alongside railway tracks for the lovely steam trains to pass.

The three of us all had a go and completed it in a day, that's a record! I didn't keep it, I gave it to the lovely little library in the nearby village, they always have a jigsaw on the go, and because it has large pieces I thought children might enjoy it.

Three years ago I won this jigsaw at a coffee morning raffle. I started it but every aspect of it is very difficult - the dark outer areas, her hair and skin, the fairy wings and her dress. I gave up 😞 but now its back, but it's a struggle - only placing two pieces after half an hour, I want to walk away from it. Hopefully with the three of us working on it it will get done this time. 

 ∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson is a moving and witty novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with remarkable and disturbing abilities.

Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates but inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. Lillian had to leave unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Then one day Lillian receives a letter from Madison pleading for her help. Madison’s twin stepchildren are moving in and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: when they get agitated the twins spontaneously combust, flames ignite from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but, reflecting on her dead-end life, figures she has nothing to lose. 

It’s a quirky read, I enjoyed it.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Swimsational

In my previous post I mentioned about my daughter wild swimming.

On Sunday she took part in an event at Rutland water, England's largest reservoir in England's smallest, very pretty county - Rutland. 

We drove up on Saturday and stayed in a lovely AirB&B 

It had a spacious lounge, dining room, kitchen, a snug,

3 double bedrooms with one en-suite and a small single.

a very nice tiered garden which we made good use of with glorious weather.

After arriving we drove to the event

for my daughter to register which saved some time

so early on Sunday morning she could go straight to the boat

that transported the swimmers to the start

which was way over there in the distance. This was where the finish was set up, between those two flags. There were 2k, 4k and 8k swims. My daughter did the 2k swim which looked daunting from the water's edge. She did it in good time but the start of it was difficult because there were lots of reeds and a strong current, but once she got past all that and into the straight bit she got into a better rythme.

I was so relieved to see her coming out of the water

and so proud of  what she had achieved.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

My Ozzie daughter J has never been to Brighton, so we had a trip there last week.
Brighton is a seaside town on the south coast of England. Originally a small decaying fishing town it rapidly turned into an established seaside resort for the rich and famous thanks to the Prince of Wales and its proximity to London.
In the mid 1780's George, Prince of Wales, rented a small lodging house overlooking a fashionable promenade. He had been advised by his physicians that his health would benefit from Brighton’s mild climate and sea water treatments, which included ‘dipping’ (total body immersion into the salt sea water). We didn't even dip a toe in the water, we were more interested in walking around The Lanes, a historic maze of narrow, traffic-free pedestrian alleyways known for traditional jewellers, antique shops, independent boutiques, and lovely eateries. 

I like this shop and had visited last time I was there

 it's full of tat or treasure

I loved this hat but didn't buy it, I'm such a practical person and asked myself "When would I wear it"? and the answer was "Probably never".

This is a very small selection of items for sale,

the shop was almost bursting at the seams! 

Brighton has two very different historical piers: the Palace Pier is an amusement park, while the historic West Pier is now a sad skeleton. It was closed to the public in 1975 after decades of declining popularity. In December 2002 it suffered major storm damage, followed by two suspected arson attacks in March and May 2003 leaving a rusted framework.

But there is a positive outcome though - it now serves as a protected roosting site for local starlings.

oOo

We have been doing some retail therapy, enjoying afternoon cream tea, and going to a lovely lake where my eldest daughter does wild swimming. J and I walk around the lake and then have a picnic in the shade until A joins us.

Last time we were there we jokingly said the ducks were having a meeting to discuss what they were going to do about all those humans in their lake.

Yesterday it looked as if they were intending to sabotage the swimmers! They wouldn't though, ducks and swimmers exist in mutual harmony. 

On the subject of waterfowl I saw the Canada Geese family recently. The gosling with the deformed wings was preening itself and then spread it wings and flapped them and they looked perfect fully open, so hopefully it will be able to fly. Maybe it's just a problem when it tucks them back in. 

oOo

We have been to watch my son-in-law bowling this evening. It's a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with a glass of something chilled. The birds were chirping before settling down for the night, the very quiet bowling and the sound of the bells from the church next door, it is the quintessential English village. 

My son-law's team won.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

She's Here

My darling Ozzie daughter arrived on Tuesday and will be here for a whole month. She has never been to Brighton so yesterday my eldest daughter drove us there for a day trip. I thought she might be too tired but she has acclimatised very well. My eldest daughter has created an excellent itinerary (we love an itinerary), so we have lots of things to do as well as down time just sitting in the garden with wine and nibbles chatting.

I am so happy.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games #3

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, her home has been destroyed but her family is safe. Gale has escaped and Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

A Nice Day Out

On Wednesday my WI group had a lovely trip on a canal boat

There were lots of people on paddle boards

It was a lovely tranquil trip on the water

and the weather was glorious, sunny with a nice breeze

The only dissapointment was we didn't know the cafe closed at 4 which was when our trip finished, so no coffee and cake ☹

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Spot The Parents

It's very difficult to identify the parents from the children now!

I'm pretty sure this is a parent

One of the goslings has deformed wings. The Essex Wildlife Trust have received

a number of calls but there is nothing they can do. I've asked around and other wildlife organisations say the same.

The poor little thing won't be able to fly, it will have to do the best it can.

I know it's nature, it happens but it's distressing, and I felt very upset. But watching it for a few minutes it is behaving exactly the same as its siblings, cleaning itself, eating and chasing off any of the ducks attempting to steal its food. A good friend B said "It might surprise you and end up being the strongest" I hope so.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Happy Birthday

Yesterday my village pub celebrated the first year after re-opening. The AGM was a couple of weeks ago at which we shareholders were pleased to hear that the pub is doing well.

It was busy all day.

A guest singer was in from 1 - 3 and the regular singer was in from 3

The garden was popular

the weather was glorious

everyone had a good time

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig

After much searching, happily married young couple, Amber and Stevie think they have found the perfect spot in Grimaldi Square. Despite the rundown pub across the way, the overgrown garden and a decidedly nosy neighbour, number 4 is the house of their dreams. Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness. But... upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from - eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy - who has decided that she's not going anywhere. Dorothy will be the first in a line of life-changing surprises.

There are lots of lovely, quirky, friendly characters in the community.

It’s a lovely, touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical. Some of it is a bit twee but still a good read.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

See How They've Grown

Not much is happening here at the moment. We've had work done to the house, cleaning patios, general tidying up, and I have done a lot of work in the garden which is looking lovely.

My friend M and I went to Colchester last week. It was a trip organised by the U3a with an optional onward trip to Wivenhoe. We've been to Wivenhoe before so we decided to stay in Colchester, there are some very nice shops and little alleyways and courtyards with individual shops.

On the way home I did my usual stop at the neighbouring village pond to check in on the Canada Geese goslings.

They spotted the food

Their tail and body markings are developing

They will soon be as big as their parents.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games #2

Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even, after all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance, Peeta has turned his back on her completely, and there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour the stakes are higher than ever. For the entertainment of The Capitol during the games (and to aid their survival) Katniss and Peeta pretended to be deeply in love. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that that is still the case, the consequences will be horrifying.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x