As you (didn't) like it, Mike,Nige Jane and the journey from hell

I guess I am a bit of a populist theatre goer, as I am not a fan of Shakespeare. I remember enjoying The Taming Of The Shrew with a stunning Vanessa Redgrave in Theatre Clwyd in the 1980s, but apart from that and Emma Thompson's ("My heart lies on the windy side of care") lovely Much ado about nothing, I have had little experience or indeed interest in the Bard. To be honest, I didn't really enjoy As You Like It, at the Sheffield Crucible, but I did get pleasure from parts of the ambitious production. Eve Best (pic) made a winning Rosalind; she comes into her own towards the end of the second act when the ambiguous sexuality of the narrative really gets going, but I thought Sam Troughton looked rather lumpy as suitor Orlando. Nigel enjoyed it greatly, and as usual it was good to see him and put the world to rights over a pizza and a bottle of wine ( even though the bastard has put my toothbrush that I left at his house on e bay!) -http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140089726993

Caught up with Mike before the theatre, for our traditional pint in All Bar One. He still feels a bit down at times and it is so hard to see him feeling blue and not like his usual sparky self. I wish sometimes that I would listen more to friends and comment less, but I guess I am too long in the tooth not to give my opinions, but It was good to see him and by the end of two hours we were laughing at the absurdities of life! helped along by some posh continental beer!

Before catching the coach back to Manchester ( more about that later!) I met Jane in the Millenium Gallery cafe for coffee and a chat ( she does look more and more like Laura Linney) . She kindly walked me to the bus station as British Rail (as was) cannot connect Sheffield with Manchester over the average weekend!

I knew the journey was going to be a bummer when the pathologically cheerful and over familiar Sheffield coach driver looked at my ticket. "Where is this you're going to!?" he boomed! "Wales!" I said thinly and he laughed loudly like Brian Blessed shouting helpfully "You are going to have a bastard journey then!" .................many a true word!

The coach was full of the usual students,shoppers and a smattering of American tourists on the way to Manchester Airport and the English passengers all went noticeably silent when the loud fat common driver started his "spirit-that won-the-war", banter! Undeterred by the lack of replies we had to endure a whole series of jokes, dirty silly noises,apologies for the British Rail service, and numerous telephone calls from his friends and colleagues who could hardly string a sentence together! (they were indeed on speaker phone!). Cramped in my seat I thought to myself that the situation could not get any worse, but boy was I wrong! as we drove past Chatsworth House ( why did he drive that way?) he actually started to SING!!!! Yep SING...... "Is this the way to Amerillo?"...........at that point I turned up the air conditioning to drown out the noise

When we finally got to Manchester the passengers collectively were all praying for death to take him, and scuttled off the bus like rats down a drain pipe, I just felt sorry for the Americans who sat dejected, waiting to go on to the airport! Hey....Welcome to Britain!

Nice to be back home with Chris ,five and a half hours after I left. In one way and another, he knows it's been a hard week ! I do love him

x

The Veiled lady

At last I have found a photo of my favourite statue- the veiled vestal at Chatsworth House
The 6th Duke of Devonshire ordered the Veiled Vestal statue when he visited Raffaele Monti's Milan studio in October 1846. The statue, which is carved from three pieces of statuary marble, was delivered to England in the following year, most probably to the Duke's house at Chiswick, London. It came here as recently as 1999 from another property owned by the Duke at Eastbourne, in Sussex, England.
The realistic veil is the result of straightforward carving of the marble, making use of its translucency to achieve its effect.

Quite breathtaking!

Hell is..................................................,

Hell is being trapped in the Belingo with an incontinent dog! and ear ache, believe me ! This morning I put the dogs in the back of the car as usual. Thought I would get to the beach early as Janet needed some help with Hattie's (cat) medication. Anyhow going over Gwaenysgor hill George, beside himself with pre walk excitement, let loose with the largest, wettest and smelliest dumps I have ever had the misfortune to experience. At the same moment we passed two horses being ridden through the village, and all four dogs started to bark and leap around the boot of the car! In seconds dirty great shit stains started to appear on every window and the stench became indescribable! I hate to dwell on this truly disgusting situation, but it did get worse when I parked alongside all the other dog owners at the beach and finally opened the hatchback! Oh the shame! as two perky middle aged women walked passed with a pristine trio of west highland terriers, my four, shit covered monsters tumbled out smelling to high heaven.

Anyhow Janet and I walked them on the beach and washed them all in a rock pool. The back of the car took a good hour to spring clean !( two kitchen rolls and a whole container of jayes fluid)

I feel crap today and have a temperature and ear ache, so I could have done without it all! On a brighter and all together more fragrant note, Nia called from Australia! It was a lovely surprise, as I am truly a child of the sixties, and find that speaking to someone on the other side of the world is a wonderfully novel experience! Great to chat for 25 minutes!!!!!!

Anyhow I have taken some paracetamol, Maddie,George and Meg have gone round to Carole's to play with Celt and Samson and I am now lying with my ear on Chris' hotwaterbottle! half-watching Rikki Lake

a different night out

well I cannot believe that Llandudno was sold out! when Hazel and I went to see Pan's Labyrinth! Very disappointed !
so upset and deflated we went to Prestatayn's one and only wine bar for a chat . Had a nice time and I think we realised that we are ( as sudden friends often are) very similar! in most aspects of our lives
I am looking forward at seeing Nige on Friday for a night at the theatre, and hopefully meeting mike beforehand; for big boys chats and catch ups.

The Scala Phoenix and other things

As I was in Prestatyn today dropping Richard off at the station, I was pleased to see that work had started on the new Prestatyn art centre and cinema! (see artists impression) . After years of in fighting, public argy-bargy and debate, the funding has been sought and I am set to be able to travel a mile and a half to see a good flick ( I am quivering uncontrollably at the thought!)

Richard met Steve (Village spokesman) this morning, and was greatly amused by his story of his own grave in Trelawnyd Churchyard. Steve has prepared his own family grave to his own specifications! and even had his father's body transferred from one Church 30 miles away to his own plot ! Richard laughed like a drain as Steve recalled eating a bacon butty in the grave as he prepared it! "I am the only person to dig my own grave and eat in it!" he said proudly !

I packed Richard onto the train with a goody bag of nibbles, mini bottle of red wine and a copy of "anglers weekly", so I felt that I been the ideal son-in-law. To be honest he has been an easy house guest but I do feel that he would be comfortable enough to help himself to things like cups of tea and breakfast.Perhaps that is just a generational thing. Sorell is visiting in April and soon after Chris' Uncle, Aunt and cousin come up, so we have nearly had the entire Burton family in one season!

Planted the rest of the spring and summer bulbs this afternoon, then a load of spring stocks and the Camellia that Chris had given me.

Joan still hasn't learnt to use the new cat-flap, which has caused several bladder clenching moments. Meg and George haven't helped as they have been play fighting for what seems like several hours now (right in front of the cat flap!) Perhaps her tiny brain can figure the complicated contraption tomorow.

Jobs a good 'un

Had a couple of hours sleep after night shift this morning as Richard cracked on with the jobs at the cottage. He has kindly painted the back door and the outhouse (pic)- weird but in this photo he looks remarkably like my father!

Work ended up slightly stressful as we had admitted a 6 week old baby for full ventilation at 7 am!. The junior staff all desperate not to get the sole responsibly of caring for her, all were suddenly busy around the unit when she arrived (me included) but we should not have worried as the senior staff always assume responsibility.The most stressfull thing was checking and rechecking all the paediatric drug calculations which seemed such a hard thing to do after 12 hours on duty! Hope the little scrap survived!

I love Sundays

I have had a lovely Sunday so far. The aforementioned Broadcasting House, has merged into The Archers and now Desert Island Discs. When listening, I have prepared a cracking Sunday lunch (Pork,Mash,leeks and crumble) and all is right with the world. The weather is beautiful and while Chris and Richard are playing Brokeback Mountain at the stables I took the dogs for a walk above the village on the Llanasa road. The shoot is in full flow, and the distant putt-putt of shotgun fire echos around the hills! yes all very Emmerdale farm! Our own adopted Pheasant still lives in the orchard by the hen house and remains safe ! As we are being all natural my first crocus is out too!

As a child I always hated Sundays. My parents viewed the day as an apathetic day of nothing! so as children it always felt boring and somewhat sad! Indeed I cannot bare to hear the signature tune of Sing Something Simple with the dreaded Mike Sammes singers as it always reminds me of those days past!

Today I love Sundays! to me they mean Radio 4, the antiques roadshow, a drive out,good films,gardening, preparing and eating a nice dinner, walks and breakfast in bed! Oh and catching up with letters and e mails! Nice to hear from you today Nia!!!

A morning in bed with Joan & Osborne House

I love Broadcasting House on radio 4 on a Sunday morning. No dogs this morning, only breakfast in bed and Joan keeping me company. Makes a welcome change not to have ginger and black canines fighting for attention, and it was lovely to have a relaxing catty bonding session with the old girl! I think she has been a bit overfaced with the new cat flap and is in need of cuddle!

Osborne House was lovely last night, the best food we have had since comming to Wales! We were very impressed. I had liver, (I was always frightened by liver as a child as my mother always massacred the cooking of it), and the meat literally melted in my mouth ! lovely

The cafe has been decorated beautifully and" feels" very French, It was a great treat. Made a change not to be wearing my wellie slip ons! Richard seemed to enjoy himself too!