Best quote

"Tony Blair! Tony Blair! he puts two poems up in a bus shelter and calls it a university.!!"

Thelma Barlow as Dolly in DINNERLADIES

Close every door to me

Janet came round tonight as Ned and son Ed had gone off to the pub. We all had a bottle of wine and watched some weird programme about Joseph and the technicolour dream coat, with more gay contestants than you could shake a stick at! well it made us laugh, especially as most of the "guys" spent their time crying and hugging the opposition. we voted for Dan who decribed himself as:-

"obviously I love to sing and act, but apart from that I love to cook, go walking, read (although not as often as I should), go to the cinema and go out for dinner with friends. I love eating, and sleeping is a favourite of mine too!"

hummm.........gay or what?

Very tired today, 3 large walks, more veg planted and a bit of sunburn

normal day!

"Thank you Rhyl.and goodnight!"

I have never liked rock music, and certainly am not a fan of working men's clubs, so tonight's visit to Rhyl's Navy Club wasn't something I would have chosen to do on a Saturday night, but Andrew was performing in his first public "gig" for sometime, so we felt a bit of support was in order.

Ann, Tim, Janet, Chris and I all wore our "our brother is in the band" T shirts and joined Jayne in the council estate- wallpapered events room! There was four bands performing and all members were in their late forties and early fifties, indeed they all had a sort of William H. Macy/ lived in look about them all!

To be fair the music was professionally done (though not my cup of tea), and it was worth going just to watch a more distant family member bouncing around like The Wreck of the Hesperus after one or two small sherries!.

We escaped at 11.30pm, and I did notice a lot of cocaine use in the toilets which was sad but I guess in fitting with the rock n' roll lifestyle motif of the evening!

Things change, things stay the same....

On the drive through Glossop to Sheffield, I was sad to see that the town's old fashioned chemist had changed owners! Gone was the 1930's sign stating the pharmacist's name - Finlay McKinley, and it seemed end of an era, especially as I think I got inspiration for Fin's name from seeing the sign on a regular basis.

Sheffield has changed too. Buildings are shooting up all over; old cutlery workshops down Trippett lane are getting a revamp and the old school opposite All Bar One is well on the way to be developed into a hotel and bars. It is nice to see. Ambled around the city for a bit and took some pictures of the completed Peace Gardens and City Hall, which give the city an art deco feel then met up with Jane and Mike, who managed to get the night off from their respective partners to come out. Mike was on excellent form, obviously leaving his job has lifted him considerably, and Jane looks every inch like her Laura Linney double! It was good to meet and chat, and coming over gave me the boost that I needed,

Left Sheffield this morning after a bit of shopping at Coles and the drive over the Peaks was lovely as Ladybower was stunning. Took a few nice shots of Derwent and was home for lunch!

Later this month I am going over again to see Nige and Kathryn, I hope to fit in a visit to the revamped Weston Park Museum which looks very impressive

20 lbs of ugly fat

Total weight loss 20 lbs! just 15lbs to go!

Off to Sheffield now..........destination Cole Brothers for Chris' birthday pressie

Back tomorrow

Farming starts

Potatoes, shallots, sprouts, the rhubarb, garlic and tons of nasturtium and I have used nearly half of my first bed!

Before going to weightwatchers tomorrow (and then on to Sheffield) I hope to get some of the beans and peas in.

The beautiful weather has made today highly enjoyable, if not slightly tiring, I have also got a bit of a tan.

The Station Agent, Hazel & Otto and rhubarb

Watching The Station Agent (2003) Was the only saving grace in two rather boring night shifts . I had forgotten how sweet and moving this film is, as it gently recounts how quiet people need love and support to escape from their lonely lives. Peter Dinklage as Finbar an isolated "small person", Patricia Clarkson a grief stricken mother and the ubiquitous Bobby Cannavale as bored Italian hotdog salesman all find each other in a small rural town and become friends. On reflection I think the message in the narrative is not just one of loneliness and redemption through friendship, it is about human kindness in its many guises. It is a little gem of a film.

Hazel's new dog is a right character, perfectly suited to his name of Otto He is an Affenpinscher or a "german monkey dog" and seems quite a bruiser, especially as he does indeed LOOK like a small black monkey
Chris and I have decided that we are going to get another male Welsh terrier later in the year. I know we will never replace Fin, but Meg looks so "uneven" without another larger terrier around her, having two just seems right.


Tomorrow I can get stuck in planting out the allotment. Rhubarb(right) goes in tomorrow as does all the potatoes. Thursday is city day! meeting Jane and Mike in All Bar One! ....B L I S S!

The Veggie plot is ready!!!!

Finally finished my first plot this morning! and celebrated this afternoon by ordering my new 12 hen poultry house complete with electric fencing and solar panel! It has been back breaking work, but at least after my next two night shifts (tonight and Monday), I can get stuck in planting out!