What an amazing day!

What a beautiful day.What a bonus in February.We had decided we would go to an antiques centre,have a browse and then have lunch out.But the weather was just too nice to be in side .We ended up having a walk at Parkgate and then having lunch at the Boathouse pub SAT OUTSIDE in the sunshine.What a spirit lifter that was.

off to Cambridge this weekend and then into London and the Hockney exhibition on Monday.So exciting.Little Ziggy will be in the cattery for the first time.They have promised to cuddle and play with him.I hope he isn't too traumatised!

What a sweetie!

This is Ruby,4,our youngest grandchild.We looked after her on Thursday and Friday while Mummy did two days supply teaching.Here she is at our house having a great painting session.She is such a good girl and no trouble at all.We had hoped to get her out for a walk but it was soooo cold she refused point blank to leave the house and suggested I went on my own and she would stay with Grandpa.I don't blame her it was perishing!We took her back each day in time to pick big sister Emily up from school.
There are celebrations in our house.Wales have just beaten Scotland in the Six Nations Rugby.I watched it until half timewhen the score was 3-3.I went to do my welsh home work and when I came back it was 27-6!Our son was actually at the match with five friends who are Scotland supporters so he will be feeling pretty pleased.I actually managed to do some sock knitting while the game was on with Ziggy asleep next to me.That is the first knitting since we have had him that has been done with him in the room.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am in two Book Groups,one a little more serious than the other.These are what we are reading at the moment.Pure by Andrew Miller was suggested for my lighter Book group.It is a book I would never have picked myself but I am finding it really interesting.It is set in Paris in 1785 in and around a cemetery,a cemetery that has to be cleared!It won the 2011 COSTA Book of the Year and has had good reviews.
In my other Book Group this month we are reading John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.I used to be a great Steinbeck fan and it is now on the school curriculum.I am looking forward to revisiting it after umteen years and just hope it provokes a good discussion as I suggested it!!There are 8 in our group and we all choose a book.Coming up in the next few months are
A.S.Byatt The Children's Book
Nemesis .Philip Roth
Stranger's Child .Alan Hollinghurst
Death at Pemberley. P.D.James
Before I go to sleep. S.J.Watson
Gillepsie(and me) Jane Harris.
Have any of you read these?Some a bit heavier than others methinks!
Have you any recommendations?
Would love to hear.Barbarax

My postcard hobby and noswaith dda

I thought I would show you some postcards from my collection.But first of all "noswaith dda" which is "good evening " in Welsh.I have decided to give learning Welsh another go.I did try a few years ago but gave up so here goes again.We are meeting every week,just five of us so far,with our teacher being a lady who was a Welsh teacher.As it is a U3A group it is free we just have to buy the course book.Wish me luck!

I have a recently new hobby of collecting old postcards and I thought I would share a few with you.The first one is a Mabel Lucie Attwell pc postmarked 1922.I tend to buy on e bay.Usually they go for about£5 but I bought one tonight for £1.04.

This is a WW1 pc posted in 1917 to a soldier serving in France.

This a 1901 Victorian pc .You were only allowed the address on one side and no other writing.
This changed in 1904.

This is an example of a Raphael Tuck pc.He produced loads in different categories but they are lovely cards.This was posted in 1906 from Bournemouth to Miss Wright in Sheffield.It says "I am suffering from mal de mer after a rough voyage".

One from my "comic" section.It is a Donald Mcgill from 1948.

It is a fascinating hobby,fairly cheap and a wonderful documentation of social history.

P.S.Ziggy is doing well.

What a week.

No pictures today.What a week we have hadIit started last Friday when our 3yr old grandaughter had a nasty fall running from the car to the house.She cut her lip but didn't end up at the hospital.The same day I started with the most awful cold/flu which has knocked me for six.I didn't leave the house for four days.Saturday -our d's car failed it's MOT and cost £300+.Not what you want just after Xmas and you are on a tight budget!(Bank of Mum and Dad came to the rescue).Monday-my son in law had his car stolen in Liverpool..It seems they turned up in a tow truck,broke a window,took off the handbrake and towed it away.The police said he won't get it back.Tuesday -our 6yr old granddaughter was playing chasing games with said son in law,her daddy,when she crashed into a door and knocked out her top two front teeth!!They are,luckily,her first teethA trip to A&E was needed..We had a phone call to say could we go and collect Ruby and take her home and put her to bed.It's an hour's drive from here but off we went.Em was OK,no stitches needed.Thursday -Sarah had dizzy spells so we were off again.Thursday evening we were on our way to a wine tasting in my car when we realised I had a puncture.We had to change to our other car and C was changing wheels at 11pm in the pitch black because I had to take him into hospital on Friday and I don't drive our big car.
Anyway,he has had his op and seems fine.Its my birthday tomorrow so I am hoping for a better week!!!I know this is a boring post but it explains why I havn't been posting or commenting.Normal service will resume shortly!

Meet Ziggy

This is the new addition to our family!Ziggy ,an 11 week old kitten,we have had from the local cat rescue.Hope he behaves himself!

Our 45th wedding anniversary

Today is our 45th,yes,45th wedding anniversary.I can't believe it.Where did all those years go.We had a slow start,exchanged cards,had phone calls from both our children and then out we went.It has been a miserable wet day so our planned trip of a drive through Snowdonia had to be postponed.Instead we decided to have a bit of culture and visit the Lady Lever Art gallery in Port Sunlight.We had lunch there and came back home via Brimstage Craft Centre.Then it was home and a late afternoon visit from our daughter,son in law and two gorgeous granddaughters Emily and Ruby.This was a real treat as we havn't seen them since Xmas Eve.Tonight we are having a meal out so all in all a great day.