Hobie

Our beautiful, handsome feline geezer cat is silvering with age. The George Clooney of the cat world. He's nearly 20 years old, and still sprightly enough to be waiting for me to exit the bedroom at 6am, and lead me (all be it a little more carefully now) down the stairs for his breakfast. Absolutely my first job of the day, and the most important. He still howls loudly and often, since his sister passed away 18 months ago, and is spending more time sleeping. He has only been to the vet on a handful of occasions for a check up. He's THE best, and rather needy.......thank goodness....as he is a key member of our household.

Traditional English Fayre

I wasn't going to get her back on the road because of the risk of a bleed out should I happen to crash, but I was fed up with the concessions already restricting my life now, and so got her serviced and MOT'd. The beast is back, and it was wonderful to spend a solitary morning speeding along on all of her 1200cc power. Like a horse to it's owner, she hadn't forgotten me, and riding her again came smoothly and naturally. I went over to the Purbeck Hills, past Wareham, through Creech, and eventually through the hills that follow the army live firing ranges around Lulworth. It felt good.

That was a couple of weeks ago, and oddly enough we found ourselves back at Creech today, and more specifically Creech Grange, the old manor house of the area. They were having a traditionally English fayre in the grounds. Tombola, raffles, vintage Morgan sports cars, donkey rides, cream teas and Pimms were just a few of the distractions on offer.

Of course we started off with a glass of Pimms before wandering around.

People were invited to guess where Ted had been for his holiday, and the winner would receive a prize. My number was on Alaska, and Amanda's was on Thailand.

In a raffle we unexpectedly won a rather nice bottle of red wine, and so carried off our spoils to the garden and lake for a rest, and to finish off our Pimms.

It was all very nice and 'English', and the estate owners allowed everyone to wander and explore their delightful grounds.

We also met a couple who live in this beautifully restored vintage caravan, hidden within the woods. It transpired that they divide their time between here and London, preferring the simplicity of a small space, wood stove, and only Radio 4 and books. Transport was provided by the pale blue vintage Ford Mustang. Rather a cool couple, and I felt quite jealous of their lifestyle. 

Work is still full on, but will quieten down after October/November,

We have however managed to take the big step of employing somebody full time. They start in October, and I shall make a proper introduction on here then.

Whitesands Bay

It's been a struggle, I can't deny that, but the body does what it does, and we have to cope the best we can. Energy and motivation are quite low still, and so we took ourselves off for a week with the family to a place of retreat that as a couple we go to now and again. Celia, Claire, Dom, Joshua, Ella, Bex and Matt, and us two made for an interesting mix, as we have never all been together for more than just a few hours at a time, but it all went rather well.

We travelled in three vehicles as a convoy to St. David's in Pembrokeshire, and prepared to set up our tents for the week. As a first for me, we forgot the tent poles, but hastily turned the van into our home complete with fairy lights and heater. 

We had all come to this place with our various issues and tensions, but over the first couple of day's it was good to see people slowly 'switch off' and find their own head space.

We took them to one particular place that is close to both of our hearts, a headland that faces Ramsey Island, and here we talked, ate and rested. 

Matt has made this movie of it.

Purple Rain

Can't believe this skilled musician is dead. Another sad loss.

Reality Isn't So Bad

It feels like a lifetime ago that we were in Marrakech, enjoying the heady atmosphere of eating in Jemaa el Fna, or watching and talking with fellow gardeners.

Although not the type of climate as in Morocco, life as a gardener here in the UK is still pretty satisfying, if not usually easy.

Spring is just about upon us, and sometimes the weather is  good to us, and at another time not so.

On the good days we manage to do additional pruning and tidying.

And on the bad days we do the same.........but get wet.

You've gotta love the UK.