William

I am surprisingly chilled about the prospect of loosing the allotment and/or the chicken run. Obviously I will be gutted if things run to the letter especially after 4 months work, but I am aware that I cannot do anything about it at the moment. I am however trying to find out if another field could be rented in the village but have been unable to locate the relevant parties. Allotments can always be moved, all that takes is a great deal of hard work, and that I am used to. I do worry about the chickens however, as I really do not want to get rid of them all. Best not to think about it all at the moment and hope that the agents for the land are sympathetic.

Chris has a friend visiting later today, which is a rarity for him, so I am just about to get my hostess head on! Had a reply from Susan our dog breeder (Our dog breeder?) she has a male 2 year old welsh with a good nature and a 5 month old male puppy, either one we could have. I am going over to see them very soon with a view of returning with the male that can take over as leader. Perhaps that's why I seem more chilled at the moment? The new dog I would like to name William, as it was my aunt's suggestion when she came to tea the other night and I kind of liked the feel of the name. Maddie,Meg,George and William; it sounds rather good. Strange but I really do miss Finlay today....Hey ho.

Tempests

The Tempest at The Royal Exchange in Manchester was a awfully dreary affair. Pete Postlethwaite as Pospero was good enough but the rest of the cast and the general production was rather irritating and self indulgent. Hazel and her dynamic sister Kate ( with quiet partner Rob) decided to leave at half time, but a couple of white wines and good conversation helped to pass the evening by and we all had an enjoyable evening.

Got back to Trelawnyd late but very tired as I had no sleep last night worrying about the allotment. I have written a letter to the Parish Council explaining my position and apologising for any misunderstanding (in many ways it is one or two of them that should be apologising) and hope that it will quieten things down a little so I and the vegetables can duck under their radar.

Up and down....,weightwaters & fields

Well, in a village you always seem to have the ability to upset someone, albeit unintentionally. The Parish council are upset that I have started work on the allotment without express permission. Now I won't go into why I thought I had received permission; suffice to say that I indeed thought I had and had started work with all good intentions. Last night and today I have spoken to Parish officials and the secretary to try to smooth over bad feelings and hope to sort the whole thing out with the estate agents officially soon, but I am upset that it looks like they will insist that the allotment be removed ( the field is grazing land only apparently). I
wonder if the chicken coop is safe also, which IS worrying. Watch this space.

The good news ! (humph!) is that I have lost another three pounds at fatfighters so am down to 13 stone (total loss 35 lbs) only a few pounds to go to ideal weight. Off to the theatre in Manchester with Hazel later which is a nice change and will brighten my mood. She used to live in Didsbury so we are having a small tea in a cafe there before the theatre.

(pic is my violas by the front door)

Celie and Nettie meet again

This video of the film THE COLOUR PURPLE, always makes me cry.sisters Celie and Nettie meet again after 60 years......enjoy

Nancy

Sad news today, Nu's mum, the powerhouse Nancy died this morning after a fairly long illness. I have fond memories of gin led discussions of the merits of royalty versus presidency, at her home in Thornton, of the warm Irish/Liverpudlian welcome I and a score of others was always given when visiting, and the interaction she always had with Nu her sisters.
A sad day.

size DOESN'T matter

Well it's tiny but one of the new girls has actually laid their first egg! It is a milestone!, rather like a the coming of age thing.

Planted the sweetcorn this morning and weeded the allotment . An old boy went past and complemented me on my neatness and order! which was nice. Now off to Prestatyn bistro for lunch with Chris, unfortunately working tonight but hey it has to be done.

No news from Nu today.

Touching bases

Finally caught up with Nuala in Liverpool yesterday morning, and it was good to be able to give her a hug, a bunch of flowers and some time. I cannot believe that Nancy has hung on for 9 days and the family vigil at her bedside must be a total nightmare. Her tight-knit family is blessed with an infectious sense of humour which has been sorely tested time and again over the past 2 weeks, and are coping....just!


Got to Sheffield mid afternoon and went shopping to Cole Brothers and bought a shirt that was, .....wait for it.........A MEDIUM!!!!!!!!!!!! I have bought a MEDIUM sized shirt!!!!!!! I was so excited as I cannot really remember when I last wore a medium ANYTHING!


Popped in to see Mike, Bev and Maisie then sporting my MEDIUM shirt I went to ALL BAR ONE, to meet Jane. When I was waiting for her to turn up, touched base with friends Vince and Peter who were having a bottle or two of Chardonnay! They have not seen me for a long time and I absolutely loved their comment of how well and slim I looked........it has been a long long time since I had such a good preen! (have I ever?)


Jane as usual was fab and after too many wines and gossip we caught up with Kim at Sarah's house. Both Sarah and Kim looked great! (I have no pics of Kim but this one of Anne Heche is almost a dead ringer for her) Living in St Albans means that we all don't really get a chance to catch up with Kim very often which is a shame , I miss her.

Absolutely knackered this afternoon, so it is great to be sat in front of the fire relaxing.

Fatfighters, Nu and Lino excitement!!

Total weight loss at fatfighters now 32 lbs! (2.5 lost this week) So I feel nice and confident when meeting up with the "girls" tomorrow night! Went on a very quick power walk this morning, much to the amusement of some beautiful dairy cattle near the Gop.

The lino had been laid today, lighter and fresher than that awful black stuff that George attacked. (pic) I could not wait to get everything in the kitchen sorted, clean and neat, as the mess in there was sparking my compulsive neurotic disorder with gusto!

Tried to meet up with Nu today but things seem pretty bad, hopefully I will pop over to Liverpool on my way to Sheffield tomorrow depending on what is happening

Ann came up today and gave me the thumbs up for the allotment! I seem to have done most things right which is a boost! She has a friend who may want to have a plot of land off me when I officiall rent the church field, nice to have connections and networks.