THE BONEY M experience and a Father’s Day perspective.

I never liked Boney M when I was 18 but

Loved this interpretation 

It’s 6 am and I’m doing my first long day at the hospice today in two and a half months ! 

My arm weakness is no better….physio booked for Thursday 

😟

And changing the mood somewhat ……..

It was Father’s Day in the Uk two days ago.

I wasn’t really a good son

I was angry and petulant at my father for the most part when he was alive

He was distant, and often angry and not skilled in the art of parenthood 

We were not a good fit.

I reconciled much with him, in the year of his death  

But it was never quite enough.😞

Years later I know I compensated when I was a good son-in-law to my ex husband’s father

We talked often after my husband disappeared to bed on his father’s visits to wales 

Sat in the living room together, or on the back patio, with the dogs on our knees

We put the world to rights

And he shared family worries to someone who didn’t judge. 

A flawed man who knew he was flawed

As we all are….

I remember him telling me, after many gin and tonics how proud he was at me joining his family and we shook hands clumsily in the dark like conspirators. 

Me and my father in law in the early days of the Ukrainian village

I still, remain proud that I always made an effort with him.

That’s why I went to his funeral, an event I should never have put myself through

Hey ho

I wish I had known my father as well as I knew my father in law

I wish I had been a father too🙏🌈

Leaving On a Jet Plane

 Travelling still can be a bit of a palaver as in the olden days most of the leg work was done by your travel agent . But at least we don’t have to order travellers cheques any more. 

Oh the ease of debit card. 

International travel, for the most part is easy. 

I’ve just booked a car to pick me and Ruth up at Madrid airport for peanuts

30£ for peace of mind

I’ve worked out our metro journey to the Auditorio National, sorted tickets out for The Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Everything is organised. 

It will be hot so my hastily ordered linen pant Amazon purchases have arrived 

I will look cool and collected and floaty in cream and pale green

( trendy Carol eat your heart out) 

Gone has those gauche days when travel was terrifying

When me and my sister first went to Spain in the 1980s and she followed the toilet instructions printed in almost English All Solids To Be Placed In Bin TO THE LETTER 

And SHAT in the bin

Bidets were something you washed your feet in 

And the water from the taps was something to be feared like leprosy 

My ex husband and I went to Malta in those early days and it was only his second time on a plane

He was terrified which amused me greatly 

I felt a seasoned traveller back then having a few trips to New York already under my belt 

I still get nervous on take off

But I still see flying anywhere as a treat

And I think I always will

Hey ho

Ma Manley’s Book

 

I’m not the only village historian of sorts. My history blog https://trelawnydhistory.blogspot.com/ has been complemented and surpassed by Ma Manley’s beautifully designed book Trelawnyd Map 

Karen has been working on the book which is a work in progress and it looks at points of local historical interest, with gossipy asides and home drawn illustrations. It’s quite charming

 

As well as the book, Karen hopes to organising a quilt map of the village in a similar style which hopefully bring villagers together with their own corners of Trelawnyd to sew or stitch.

I’d love to be a part of this initiative .

On the way home I noticed that the beautiful Flower Show posters are up

And the village Telephone Box is suitably packed

Leg rubs

I’ve just found Weaver’s weak spot 

 

Bodrhyddan Hall

The ceramic fayre was busy and quite lovely. Roger gets much attention which he secretly likes

Lots of exhibits to see and we shared a small pizza and watched the world go by

Finally I bought these metal hens for the garden

 

Seguidillas de La verbena de la Paloma- Grupo Talía

The lisping Choir at their very best, that final note from the sopranos lifted the auditorium’s roof as I recall

This “new” view of part of the Zarzuela ( a typically Spanish staged drama, comprising of popular songs, Opera, and dancing) features the happy anticipation of the townsfolk to an 1894 towns fair- The Fair Of The Dove

I can’t believe I will see them again in just two weeks time.

Those that know Madrid, any suggestions to visit?

I’m trying to be frugal until then, but I have splashed out for a 5£ ticket to go to the ceramic Fayre at the nearby Bodryddan Hall on Sunday. It’s beautiful ..have a look below

https://www.bodrhyddan.co.uk/

Watch the video, you can see Gop Hill in the distance to the right 

How To Train Your Dragon

 I’ve not seen the animated first version in full but the live action remake of How To Train Your Dragon seems at first glance , to be a faithful-to-the-original blockbuster which will please a whole new generation of kids. 

The story of Hiccup (Mason Thames )-gentle natured son of a brusque Viking king, and his friendship with an adorable night fury dragon called Toothless, ( a cross between my old Albert and a wide eyed puppy / reptile) is pure Lassie Come Home Hollywood 

The movie really comes alive when boy and dragon fly together, ( aided by John Powell’s soaringly impressive music ) but I suspect the animated version of fifteen years ago was much better

The late Albert doing his Toothless impersonation 

Study Day

 

I was’nt looking forward to the study day if I was honest. It a new mandatory  one centred around mentorship and relates to student nurse support. 

To be honest I seldom see a student nurse nowadays and in my 42 years as a nurse I must have mentored hundreds, but I need to do the training! Again! 

So be it.

So I chose a two day course which I could complete from home.

Teams was downloaded

The Welsh were walked. 

And with a mug of coffee in hand with the art wall tastefully on show behind me. I waited to be logged in

This was at 9.24 am

Suddenly was a loud crack from the village transformer outside the school. 

The electric went off and dogs near the green started to bark

God is Good I said to myself 

The village Facebook page burst into life with messages about the power outage, some on the top part of Trelawnyd had their electricity restored within minutes. 

It’s going on three pm and there is nothing where I am

The Welsh have gone to Trendy Carol’s as planned and I cleaned the kitchen and have scrubbed the patio clear of detritus. 

I repotted geranium, and petunias, and planted out the wisteria , Ann had given me for my birthday. 

I watered the dry planters and gave Flower Show Programmes to Animal Helper Pat who called over the kitchen wall to say hello.

So the day hasn’t been a total bust.

How could it?

It feels like a summer’s day