Getting ready!!

Gardens are more work than I realised....this photograph shows the side of the house where work has begun ready for the porch to be built and a low maintenance garden developed.

Our front drive needs to be flagged.... sturdy enough to take our vehicles, the fencing and gates re-painted and a well built in the centre of the front lawn, where I also hope to have a log seat.

Today we are shopping for the back garden in preparation for 'Jade's' barbecue. There's flowers to be bought, as well as flags to finish the patio, more pots to buy.... our list is endless. There's also a lot of staining going on to fencing, decking, trellising etc.,

All of Jade's garden ornaments have been taken out and had their yearly wash, and need replacing.

Tomorrow the work will continue [Vin has been a godsend while I have been ill] I shall be filling hanging baskets and pots etc., etc., whilst Vin is his usual busy self.

I finally start back at work on Saturday, it's been a long time feeling unwell for me and I still don't feel one hundred percent....


Today's thought:-

"All great accievements require time"

Maya Angelou, Author.

Grandchildren

What more can I say!!!!

Thought for today:-

"There is a time for work and a time for love. That leaves no other time"

Coco Chanel, Fasion Designer.

Poppy Fairy

I received this beautiful embroidery from my friend Sheila this morning. I am thrilled to bits and can't wait for it to be framed so I can put it up.


Thought for today:-

"Happiness....it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort"

Vincent Van Gogh, Artist.

Sunday morning

Over a week has passed by and I am still not feeling very well, which I find very irritating.... I also feel as though I am playing truant from work.

It's my mums 70Th birthday tomorrow, I can't let the day pass without taking her prezzies so I hope I haven't caught anything contagious....it does feel like a virus.

I ordered her card via moon pig which if they turn out as good as they look on the computer I will be thrilled to bits. I uploaded a photograph that my mum has been wanting for a while so I think it will be a nice surprise. The price is very good too.

This morning I was early in the garden and found that my first sunflower had opened,[which I am thrilled about....our rabbit ate last years, lol], the rain and the sun are really doing there job. The gladioli haven't flowered yet but appear very healthy. My french marigolds are in abundance looking lovely and colourful. Our herbs and veggies as well as a few of the flowers I have already put on my blog continue to bloom. A few others look a bit wilted from the heavy rain.

We are looking forward to plants opening that have been recently potted into new pots we bought on our return from France. I love going into the garden and finding newly opened flowers. There's often a nice surprise because we have forgotten what we have bought, and where others are planted. Also some of last years are reappearing, the nasturtions in particular looked lovely last year around 'Jade's garden', and they are now winding there way around her water feature. It would be fantastic if they were in blossom for the barbecue.

We are late this year with our hanging baskets, I want them nice and fresh for Jade's 10Th memorial barbecue on the 23rd August. I was going to arrange yellow and white but have decide to go for pink, lilac and white where possible.... Those were the colours Jade looked prettiest in.

Today's thought:-

"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand but in what direction we are moving"

Oliver Wendell Holmes. Writer.

Returning home.

Finally it was time to return home here you can see us leaving Calais, onboard the ferry and arriving at Dover and the famous white cliffs.

Today's thought:-

"Even God cannot change the past".

Agathon, Greek Poet.

A few friends

We visit France and Belgium at least three times a year....May bank holiday is our main working weekend at the crater.

June/July is part holiday part work, the service then normally we travel onto our favourite farmhouse...Varlet Farm....in Belgium. This year was cancelled so we could be home for Casey's birth.

Our third visit starts in Belgium {staying at Varlet farm} enabling us to attend the evening service on the 10Th at Meningate. We then travel to the Somme in time to meet up with The Friends of the crater for the 11am Armistice service.

We have mainly camped whilst on the Somme staying at a couple of B&B's This year we left the tent at home and stayed at Mash Valley B&B which is where we are booked for our following four visits....as with Varlet farm we always book a good year ahead.

I have taken photo's of a few of our friends, I didn't always remember to take photo's so some of our friends are not shown here in particular George and Sheila Roberts and Ann. It was strange this year because one of our friends...Jules...didn't make it for the first time, so I am adding a photograph taken of him and Vin taken previously. Jules is Australian they are both wearing hats.

As is becoming the norm we didn't manage to fit in all of our invites. Meals out, barbeque's, get together's including drinks and nibbles keep us busy. The day after my arrival we were taken to a school gala, from then we were kept busy....in a really nice and enjoyable way.

Vin was able to take part in a trench dig so I have added photograph's of a couple of items they found.

Evening of the first of July.

We are all kept busy on the 1st, when the evening arrives every one does there own thing. Quite a few attend a meal in Albert, others go for a meal at the poppy ect'; We normally meet a few other friends at Tommy's bar run by Dominic. There is a barbecue and pipers, it's a very pleasant and relaxing atmosphere

Dominic is pictured playing the pipes and with his partner who also plays the pipes.

Mametz Wood

Another nasty battle took place in Mametz. The Count who owns the woods invites friends of the crater, French and others to lunch on the 1st. The meal takes place at his hunting lodge. This year is the 30th anniversary of Richard buying the crater, the friends presented the Count with a gift to commemerate his connection to the crater, what he represents and his significant contribution.

After the lunch we pay our respects to the soldiers who died in the wood in one of the nastiest battles that took place. Harry Fellows also rests there having survived the war. He was a war poet who has produced many poems as well as a dvd describing the battle and the part he played in the war.

Harry's son Mick leads the wreath laying....his wife is pictured previously selling poppies at the crater....Mick is pictured holding a red book. The other person pictured here is George Heron who reads a piece of Harry's poetry.

The wood has been left undisturbed.

Somme/France

I am feeling a little sorry for myself....I have been unwell since Saturday, it's now Wednesday and I have gradually felt worse instead of better. Nice for Vin though cos I almost lost my voice for four days lol.

We have so many friends who travel to The Somme as well as friends who live on The Somme. A lot of them work on Lochnagar Crater....a memorial to remember those who fell and died on the 1st July during the explosion that caused the crater, and also during the battle that took place that day.

The service that takes place, starting at 07.24 is always very moving, it attracts a very big crowd of people around one to two thousand on average.

It is very difficult to capture a photo of the crater reflecting it's true size. The photograph I have chosen shows about a quarter of it's size.

Many wreaths are laid during the service.

A lot of work goes into maintaining the crater, as you can imagine lots of brambles grow in the crater and the grass takes a lot of keeping down around it.

The owner Richard puts lots of work into ensuring the service is how the public and the lost soldiers would like it to be.

The maroon goes up with a very large explosion at 7.24, the whistles are blown, a piper appears and walks towards the cross where the service takes place. Richard leads the service speaking in both French and English. The wreaths are laid, whilst soldiers are remembered. various people are involved including the Vicar, dedications and war poetry is read out. There is an interpreter for for the French visitors. Children are involved, one singing abide with me, later at the end others hand out poppy leaves with the adults who then throw them into the crater where the centre has been prepared with more poppies. The lords prayer is said in English, French and German.

The friendship and togetherness that is felt amongst us is enormous. We take the work and the service very seriously but we also laugh together....as you can see when Kay put on her floppy hat to sell poppies....We also meet a lot of people who visit the crater who like to stop and chat they come from all over the world, and includes lots of children of all ages.

Richard is photographed....in a grey suit....taking a step back.

Our Garden

Another quick post before I leave for my first of four night shifts. Time has runaway from me since we returned from France, I have lots to post from our visit so need plenty of time to do it justice.

When we arrived home the garden was almost jungle like. Vin has worked really hard getting it back into shape....I wanted to help but only had a little time free. We managed to visit a garden centre but need more time to finish.....if you ever finish....lol.

These are some of the flowers, herbs and vegatables that are out at the moment.....


Today's thought:-

"Tomorrow to fresh woods, and pastures new".

John Milton.