This broke my heart just a little
Ponies
The ponies from the riding stables had broken out into Rhodfa Arthur just after dark tonight and an array of residents and riders blocked their escape onto the main road by marshalling drivers to park their cars over the T junction .
The three ponies were spooked and unpredictable but eventually were herded rather spookily down the lane , past my cottage to their field past Trendy Carol’s house.
Good humour and relief was much evident in the air.
I love moments like these where people join together without thinking
We need more of them
Pineapple Chunks
Ive finished the last of my Christmas cards this afternoon, and my mind wandered over a coffee at the kitchen table.
I noted that I’d not sent my ex mother in law a Christmas card since my separation. I had not wanted to. Within a day she had cut me from her life without even a text and that had stung, and wounded me greatly.
But that was five years ago now and I was led by Going Gently to happier times
My memories wandered to a conversation on Broadstairs beach
Sometime almost two decades ago
The Prof made himself comfortable as Sorrel and I had a chat about nothing....these "nothing"conversations drive him to distraction.......which makes them even more entertaining.
Sorrel " I love slices mango and melon"
John: " Do you?........I am a bit partial to pineapple chunks myself"
Sorrel: " Really?"
The Prof " harrumphs" at this point.
John " yes......especially tinned pineapples"
Sorrel" thats strange, I would have thought you'd go for fresh
Brief silence
Sorrel: " Do you like raspberries John?"
John " I've gone off them a bit "
Sorrel " hum"
John:" they are a bit bland, the ones from the supermarket"
Sorrel " What about strawberries?"
The Prof then sighs very loudly and shifts in his deck chair
John" Oh I love stawberries ! ........"
Sorrel " I love them too"
Prof ( under his breath ) " oh For fuck's sake"
Long silence
Sorrel " John......what Are your thoughts on passion fruit?"
The Prof screaming into the wind " OH MY GOD........I WAS ADOPTED!!!!!!"
I smiled at the memory
And on impulse wrote her a Christmas Card
Pride
I am always proud of Roger, several times now he has been used to socialise overactive puppies.
Through good humour and mirroring ( and a gentle telling off) he has calmed many young dog down
This is him with Rory my sister’s new pup. Good natured and friendly
It’s Sunday and we all need some lisping choir to blow Darragh away;their children’s version of Carmina Burana is quite delightful.
Darragh
Darragh woke me around 3am.
I’ve lost one slate from the roof so far.
South of the village , at Mia Hall several large trees had been felled, almost closing the main road.
I cooked sausages for lunch, giving Mary and Roger one each as a treat
And before going to bed ( I’m on split nights this week which is a bugger) I lifted my Christmas Wreath from the wall and brought it in.
My sister made it and if you look closely you can see two black kittens plating in the foliage
Storm Darragh
Leaving work, there was an ominous red sky in the morning view across the bay towards Trelawnyd ( far in the distance )
I replaced Bluebell’s windscreen wipers ( served by a snide workman from Halfords ) then drove to meet and old friend for brunch at Chester’s Grosvenor Garden centre which was a bit of a nightmare at times as it felt packed with focused grey hairs fighting for table space. We held our ground at a small table and had a lovely talk and an average fish and chip brunch.
Tonight I’m writing Christmas Cards
Storm Darragh approaches
Going Gently Christmas Card
The first one is an AI wish
The second is an I remember
Going Gently
Namely John, Mary, Roger, Weaver and bouncy Bun
Sends blogland
Our Christmas Greetings
For 2024
Thank you for cards received
I’m hanging them in an effort to surround the living room as per!
Conclave
If you want to see an intelligent, tense and enjoyable thriller go and see Edward Berger’s Vatican based drama Conclave.
It’s a great ride.
Conclave is the claustrophobic Sistine Chapel based event where some 160 cardinals vote in the next Pope, often over a much protracted period of time .Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence a loyal and principled manager of the Conclave. Although eligible to be Pope himself , he oversees the run for promotion with diligence and fairness only questioning all of the top delegates when troubling information alights some of it from the dead Pope himself.
This “ whodunnit” features some cracking scene stealing characters. The African Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) confident in his continent’s support, the fiercely ambitious liberal Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), the flamboyantly traditional Italian Cardinal Tedesco ( Sergio Castellitto ) who steals one scene by puffing on a vape! and the obsequious American Cardinal Trembray ( John Lithgow) all want the Papal position but each are thwarted by the twists and turns of a plot which is satisfyingly advocated and superbly played by Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence.
It’s a wonderful performance , one of Fiennes’ very best in fact and the whole film is beautifully choreographed and shot by Stéphane Fontaine , who makes the most of the Papal uniforms and wonderful Vatican City backdrop.
I loved it.
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