Finished

 It’s Friday and I’ve finished the kitchen and it’s Friday and I’ve passed my filmed Counselling assessment I will have the opportunity to critically assess my own skills next week, as we have to write an essay review.

I hate seeing myself on video.

The weather is brighter today and Trendy Carol’s Hubby phoned to see if one of the dogs could go around to keep him company. I’ve sent Mary around because she loves a cuddle slightly more than Roger.

The kitchen now looks fresh and clean. 

I’ve used a Jasmine White only in order to allow the colours of the paintings to pop a little, but as you can see, nothing matches too well, which suits me just fine.

Can you see the felt scotch egg hanging from the window!!!

In The Mood

A local business sponsored our Christmas Tree at the hospice which was kind. And they set it up tonight which was also kind. My sister has been busy making wreaths for the Trelawnyd Fair and I see
 

That the Village Christmas Tree has been erected outside the hall, 

It looks cheerful enough.

The support worker I’ve been working with tonight brought me a curried Scotch egg

Which was bloody lovely.

At home tonight, my festive penguin is the centre of my decorations . I will never have a tree at home if there’s just me to see it, 

Confessional: The Scotch Egg Incident of 2011

 I first told this story to my group in University and on a roll repeated it to my table at the Village Casino night.

They say confession is good for the soul.

So my soul should be squeaky clean.

By now….

Picture this…..Trelawnyd 2011….It’s summer August 13th ….Sylvia Evan’s blood pressure is through the roof as she and us, her Flower Show minions, set up for another record breaking show. 

Domestic class entries are through the roof, this year and as usual I’m helping with the organised madness that is Judging Day.

It’s 11.55 am and setting up closes at midday.

Sylvia is very strict with her timings 

Mona Davies arrives breathless, with seconds to spare . Her entry, a scotch egg, the only one in its class , wrapped in clingfilm on a saucer in her hand .

The scotch egg, is huge, the size of German grenade.

It is a thing of pure beauty 

I almost heard heavenly music when I first set eyes on it 

Now I liked Mona. She was a spinster school teacher and elder sister of farmer Basil , one of the most highly respected countrymen of Trelawnyd . They shared the beautiful Ochr y Gop farm, a slightly dilapidated Georgian farmhouse at the top of high street, and I was lucky enough to interview them both for my history blog , oral histories which have now been archived by the National Welsh Library in Aberystwyth. http://trelawnydhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/mr-basil-davies-miss-mona-davies.html

Mona was strict and fair. She didn’t suffer fools either and was an amazing cook.

I fell in love with that scotch egg the second I saw it

Look closely the egg can be seen centre table to left

Now of course Mona won first prize for her glorious egg. 

The elderly judge, who was not know for flights of fancy , even commented how magnificent it was and gave it a comment of merit which was a rarity 

Now fast forward to the Flower Show final moments which have always remained a complete bunfight

The hall is packed with winners collecting their winnings (coins placed  in tiny brown envelopes) and exhibitors grabbing their certificates, exhibits and extra cakes bought from the tea table manned by Irene Murray .

And in just a few minutes the hall can be stripped, like a carcass surrounded by hyenas .

I noticed that the scotch egg had been abandoned at the end of the day

Mona had left it ! 

I was joyful 

Excited 

And devious.

If it had been abandoned I was having it.

So I pocketed it as deftly as if I was jewel thief and

I hid it in my Flower Show bits and bats box as the show folded and the doors closed. 

I had swept the floor, put away the rubbish and said goodbye to most of the committee, before there was a small knock on the Hall door. 

It was Mona and she was late collecting her scotch egg.

Sylvia found the saucer and Mona’s first place certificate but was thin lipped in anger at the thought someone had taken the egg home. 

We shook our heads at the awful thought someone had stolen it 

And Mona took her certificate home with a slightly heavy heart

Am I ashamed ? 

Of course I am

But do you know what? 

It was the best bloody scotch egg I have ever tasted

EVER!!!!

The delightful Mona Davies

Shortly before her death in 2021

The egg in close up

Scotch Egg Resus

Dorothy was poorly this morning and refused her breakfast

This worried me greatly as she hasn’t missed a meal in five years, 

So I fussed around her as she lay quiet on the kitchen reading chair and even contemplated not going to Chester to meet my friend Ruth for lunch so worried I was 

But Bulldogs are not bulldogs for a reason and by four o’clock , the scent of a sliver of bespoke scotch egg wafted around the kitchen brought the girl back from the brink of death

Ruth treated me from the butchers in the new Chester Market

I gave Dorothy a half egg ( a true prize in this house) to clinch her full recovery

The Future and another “Happy Birthday”

 

I wrote the previous blog whilst in the library in college.

It’s boring as it is bland.

I picked the dogs up from a friend in Craig Y Don, who had been watched them and we drove into Conwy

Where I had to ask a stranger to hold the dogs when I went into the famous Edward’s Butchers for a chilli Scotch egg. 

In the end I bought a black pudding scotch egg too, and we sat on the quayside and shared them together

Bloody lovely they were too.

I went to Conwy for a think.

From September things will be rather different 

More academia, more need for personal discipline, and some serious self reflection 

Between then and now I have Venice, Barcelona and Rome to enjoy then it’s knuckle down and work

Funny how things can change 

Five years ago, I had retired and was planning to leave the village

Now I’m embarking on a new career and a new direction, a journey which is scary and exciting all mixed together and I’m part of village life more than I’ve ever been.

We sat in a line on a bench. Dorothy to my left, the Welsh to my right.

I kept the chilli scotch egg for myself , but the dogs loved their third each portion with a small bite taken out for me. 

It’s four of us against the world now

And sharing a scotch egg is a luxury only we know how beautiful

We were all late back home after a full tiring day. So much so Dorothy refused to leave the back seat and had to be carried into the cottage. 

I missed choir 

Which was unfortunate

But this video was sent to me by Hattie 

Our choir’s tradition of celebrating everyone’s birthday 

It moved me greatly 

And perfectly ended the day 

Meet Up

 I’m meeting one of my fellow bloggers . 

It’s Libby and she’s on holiday in Llandudno .

We are meeting at Osborn House , the boutique hotel/ restaurant where I was married. 

It’s ok, I’ve been once before and that visit didn’t trigger any sentimental reactions . 

Now I don’t go out of my way to meet my fellow bloggers. Blog friendships are odd and often just one sided as perhaps they know all about the you, well the you want them to know and you often don’t them as much. 

Having said this , all of the bloggers or followers I have met have been delightful characters,  David Travel Penguin , Steve ShadowLight, Ilona Meanqueen, Diane and Gary who came to my biggest Open Allotment days are just a few that spring to mind and I have around five or six others that I just know I would get along with very well if they turned up in Trelawnyd with a few beers and a scotch egg or two .

There are also a couple I’d dearly like to meet over a glass of wine and a romantic meal but that would be telling lol

Today’s cooking

Spiced Korean pork, wrapped in cabbage leaves and homemade mini pork and herb patties

 

Basil Davies

 

Covid and long term illness has meant that several of the old characters of Trelawnyd  have been effectively isolated from everyday village life. 

Basil Davies , was one of those characters. 

Today was Basil’s funeral. He was 85. 

Born and bred in Trelawnyd, Basil farmed Ochr y Gop most of his life. A bachelor, he shared his beautiful Georgian farmhouse with his sister Mona, who was famous in my eyes as a champion scotch egg maker but who also was the school mistress of Gwaenysgor village school for many years.

I had a great deal of respect for Basil. 

When I had my small holding up and running, he would often stop at my gate for a chat and when I held my open days and ran the flower show, he would always turn up in his Sunday best to support the event.

Quiet and measured, praise given by him , always had extra gravitas and meaning and I remember once feeling near tears when he stopped to thank me for what I had “done for the village”, once one of my open days was over.

I was always grateful to him too as he always took the time to ask how My husband  was and always referred to Chris by his name. That acceptance has always had my respect and was never ever forgotten .

Trelawnyd said goodbye to a dear son today

God Bless You Basil

60 Some Thoughts

Sixty.

I know it’s such a boring platitude but I have to say the words always said at these times…

Where does the time go?

I’m writing this at 5 am Albert and I are the only ones awake. Dorothy is gently chewing my pj bottoms, she’s dreaming she’s a puppy

Where did the time go?

I couldn’t tell you…I really can’t.

So , I have been reflecting …….like you do .

I’m reflecting until Wednesday when it actually hits me albeit gently ….square in the face

On the 1st , I’m working all day and we are short handed

I won’t have time to feel anything but fucked.

Here are just 20 thoughts, thoughts in the middle of the night just after Dawn 

1. Working where I do has made me realise that people who “hate getting old “ are idiots. 

You are allowed to hate becoming ill, becoming infirm , becoming depressed ….but don’t hate getting old.

I am lucky reaching 60 , I know that, and I am grateful.

2. Memory is a fickle friend. 

3. Strangely as it may seem sex is better now  than when I took it for granted ….however it is unfortunately more infrequent 

( refer to point 2!)

4. Certain memories last a lifetime and they will never leave you……I dip into a score as I lay in bed….

1968 Janet and I doing Tarzan impersonations out of our bedroom window. 1972 my grandmother smelling of love and cold cream 1973 my first viewing of The Poseidon Adventure 1980 a family party at Ann’s house. 1992 …..getting drunk with Nu in a Galway pub…… Dancing on a Sheffield hospital roof in the dark 1996 seeing New York City  from the air 

2002 meeting my first dog Finlay…..true love 

2015 getting married, 2016 Watching the cor de ballet in Giselle at the Royal Opera house 

Salsa dancing in Sheffield 

Happiness….a flash of realising I was happy, truly happy .

5. Being a nurse …and seeing people at their very best often when they are experiencing their very worst .

 

6  Now realising that when someone starts a conversation with “;I’m not being ……”; they always are

7 Actions always speak louder than fucking words

8 I miss not being a dad but I can now be a cool sort of uncle and grandadish …..a couple of weeks ago My “teenage” nephew Leo texted after a date and excitedly told me he’d just had his first kiss. 

It made me insanely happy.

9 friends are life …but at 60 they start to leave you…please treasure them

10. The Walking Dead needs a Uk Version, and I soooooo want to be in it 

11. I no longer have to pretend to put up with bad behaviour , bad music, bad films or toxic people 

12. I Don’t expect good news coverage on breakfast tv. I say what I think more  when I deal with any services and I won’t put up with shitty management at work 

13. Never talk about politics, gun law or post a seemingly innocuous blog without thinking about it on line. And if I do, expect a load of shitty responses 

14 I now recognise that real friends are real in so much that they don’t rationalise affection or praise or support. They just accept you. 

15 sleep if you can in an afternoon….every afternoon.

16 what did we ever do without phones and internet ?

17. Don’t be unloyal to yourself . I’ve done  it for too many years now. Don’t do things you don’t want to do. Don’t be what you don’t want to be and don’t expect others to do the same 

18  Eat a scotch egg , when I bloody well want one 

19  if you love someone , tell them . Tell them as often as you can 

20  to now move forward into my 61st  year by embracing a new skill ( professional counselling ), a new career , and new experiences …..I realise that inkind of deserve it ….

Hey ho, I’m almost sixty 

And I’m off to work…….soon……

So wish me a happy birthday next Wednesday  , I’m shallow enough , to enjoy every single comment 

Adv

Trelawnyd Pre Christmas

 

Mrs Trellis marshalling one of my field open days a few years ago

The Hat!!

It was dark yesterday afternoon, when there was a tiny tap tap tap at the Lane window.

It was so quiet even Mary missed it.

It was Mrs Trellis with a gift,a card and some bad news.

Farmer Basil’s sister Mona had passed away last Monday 

She was in her nineties and he is in his eighties, and they both had shared the glorious old  Georgian farmhouse overlooking the village  since they were children.

The farmhouse is called ochr y Gop ( side of the Gop Hill)

I invited Mrs Trellis in but she refused due to covid, so we talked in the dark wet cold until my teeth chattered 

Mrs Trellis is cooking a partridge for Christmas dinner……a pheasant, she informed me, if Basil accepts a plate.

This morning I popped up to Ochr Y Gop with cake and a sympathy card , Basil is a darling man and one who has always been kind to me. His sister, Mona was the school mistress at Gwaenysgor School ( our neighbour village) in the 1940s, and also often cooked a mean ( and bloody massive) scotch egg for my flowers show’s cooking section….I remember that they looked like robust hand grenades 

( Their page on my history blog http://trelawnydhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/mr-basil-davies-miss-mona-davies.html)

The chimney still has not been fixed as yet so I’m relying on oil heaters to take the chill off the cottage

Without the fire , the living room lacks cheer so last night I lit the candles on the mantle to warm the living room 

Chic Eleanor has  just messaged……she’s had a hard week all told 

” Darling John “ she trilled breathlessly  “ Meet me for a G&T at 5 pm,……I insist ! “

I was touched as I always seem to be by her

The last bit of morning, I’ve been pottering around the village. I dropped off matching Christmas decorations to affable Despot Jason’s girls , both still in their pyjamas I must say. 

Liv, who is twelve tomorrow, lay on the couch covered in a blanket with her computer games. She saluted me cheerfully, eyes not leaving the screen.

I think I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a pre teen off school.

I dropped off final cards and got home after midday to a sweet bowl of hyacinths and card left by Bridget & Family who live on Well Street. She had pushed chocolates into the card envelope.

Colin the postie dropped me a personal card on his rounds, I left him a small bottle of port.

I’ve just opened the last of the posted Christmas cards

And sat quietly with the dogs at the melancholy some of them caused

Hey ho

The bulbs were infact a gift from the village nursery 

Anyhow !

Tomorrow I’m meeting up with Gorgeous Dave in the afternoon for a brusque ( brisk? )  walk, Villagers velvet Voiced Linda and hubby , for an hour, early evening with a bottle of nice Sherry  and my Sheffield friends Jane and Mike on zoom at 10 pm so socially Christmas Eve has seemed to have worked itself out alright.

I’m cleaning Bluebell in the morning at the jet wash.

A real treat in itself .

Thank you to everyone who has sent me a card or gift. I’ve been very touched by everything received

I will leave you with Madge & Bisket 

Chilli Scotch Eggs to die for

 

My obsession  love affair with scotch eggs is now the thing of legend. 

Just recently a I ❤️ scotch Eggs T shift was delivered to Bwthyn Y Llan and before that a gift of two,were left on the kitchen wall, wrapped in silver foil and an Aldi Carrier bag.

Tonight I was left a trio of bespoke chilli Scotch Eggs, a gift from the a hospice head housekeeper whose husband works as a Butcher in nearby Conwy.

Suffice to say my diet went out of the window

The butchers they came from is Edward’s Of Conwy 

https://shop.edwardsofconwy.co.uk/

And it must be said their chilli scotch egg is a thing of sublime beauty 

I ate my first without taking my clinical mask off, which is not an easy procedure in anyone’s books…and the second I savoured more slowly….like a Frenchman may do over six oysters and a glass of champagne

Two minutes later, I was finished

The third I shared with some colleagues. 

As I didn’t want to appear as greedy.

I am set up for the night now, and as I was placing my patient on his ventilation system he gave me a questioning look ….which obviously meant you,reek of chilli and sausage meat!

Borough Market

 

The Photographer’s Gallery visited this morning.it’s tucked away just off Oxford Street. Then clothes shopping. Then Tate Modern briefly, before meeting my great niece Ellie at Borough Market.

I’m knackered and just having a coffee before tubing it across town to Ealing to meet Nu

I had a Ginger Pig scotch egg for lunch.

I could hardly carry it

The Views continue

In the middle of the night we had a cake and cards 

Loved the giant scotch egg card from all on duty

The views from your windows continue to come in

How interesting and occasionally stunning they are too...

Send them to jgsheffield@hotmail.com