Third trimester

Both Nichola and Jody have reached their third trimester which is really exciting. Both bedrooms for the babies are almost ready and sound lovely....i can't wait to see them.

We already know Nichola and Justin are having a girl....no name until she is born. We don't know the sex of Jody and Paul's....a few names have been chosen for a girl but at the moment undecided...if it's a boy it will be Ben Lewis [not sure if they are using that spelling]. I find that strange because Libby is Libby Hannah...my paternal grandmother was called Hannah...and my paternal grandfather Lewis..my dad and brother also Lewis and i don't think they had considered them when they chose the names.

For some reason i think Paul and Jody's will be a boy but another Libby would be lovely.

I have been unable to pin Jody down to take a photograph...she hates her photo being taken but here is Nichola looking radiant...these were taken by Justin.

When they are all together next month at mine i hope to get a photo of them both together. Everyone moans at me when the camera comes out especially the boys.

I still haven't got over leaving my camera behind when we went to France and Belgium with Nichola and Justin. We had such a special few days i can't believe i didn't capture them must have been the excitement of the trip.


Thought for today:-

"Make it your habit to listen carefully to what other people say and, as far as possible, be inside the mind of the person speaking."

Marcus Aurelius [121-180], Rome

Garden

Flowers that caught my eye.....due to commitments the garden has been neglected more than it should have been. Once Vin returns we are allocating time to put this right together...so fingers crossed.......

These flowers are in Jades garden.

Quotes

Today a completed LEO...a three day course that was very interesting and informative.

In the booklets periodically are quotes. These quotes are inspirational, i have chosen three to add to my blog....the first comes from the start of the course and the final two came at the end.


"For each of us as individuals, empowerment means placing
ourselves in the position of being creators of the organisation
to which we belong.
Empowerment is embodied in the act of standing on our own
ground, discovering our own voice, making our own choices."

Peter Block 1993.


"The task of leadership is not to put greatness
into people, but to elicit it,
for the greatness is there already."

John Buchan.


"Before you are a leader, success is all about
growing yourself. When you become a leader,
success is all about growing others."

Jack Welch.


Thought for today:-

"Enjoy the little things. One day you may look
back and realize....they were the big things."

The new book of quotes i have bought does not give me and author for all the quotes found in the book.

Cbeebie time

Lee and Sam are in Ibiza for Sam's 30Th birthday tomorrow.

As usual after breakfast and reading books it's Cbeebie time.

Casey's with me until Sunday tea when i drop her off and pick up Libby.

Thought for today:-

"At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment."

Benjamin Franklin [1706-1790], USA.

Mums birthday card

Create and craft

An enthusiasm for card making has taken off since starting Nichola's album.

My first attempt was a fathers day card.....compared with the shopping channel create and craft it was quite basic but it appeared to impress.

Libby's thank you card pleased her mum and dad, so now it's almost my mum's birthday it's time for me to make one more.

Watching create and craft TV is quite mind blowing....i already have Christmas craft on it's way.

Since meeting Vin i have spent a lot of time in craft shops and have been quite envious of his talents...... Deciding to make Nichola an album has turned me into a craft shop shopaholic!!!!


Thought for today:-

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another."

John Dewly. Philosopher.

Libby's seeds

Just short of a month ago Libby changed the soil in her pot and replaced it with new. She then used a small piece of wood to make small holes in the soil.

Having chosen a number of different seeds she dropped them carefully into the holes and covered them gently.

We promised to water them for Libby when she is not here. As you can see the seeds are growing quickly.

Libby was very surprised and excited to see how quickly they are growing, especially as we are not sure which flowers they will turn out to be.


Thought for today:-

"Work spares us from three evils, boredom, vice and need."

Voltaire. Philosopher.

Happy second birthday Casey

Thought for today:-

"You have all the reason in the world to achieve your grandest dreams."

Dennis Waitley. Author.

More from The Gambia

It's two months since we returned from The Gambia.

We have regular contact with the school and the search for children to sponsor so they can attend the school continues. The rainy season has begun and it is very humid out there, so every ones looking forward to the school holidays which are also about to begin.

Our monthly draw has taken off and had it's second winner. Remaining money has been sent onto the school as a much needed and appreciated monthly transfer.

One of the children who will benefit from the school is Isha pictured here waiting for the new term and her school uniform.

Legal paperwork has been completed as a security for the school.

As i have mentioned the school is found in one of the poorest areas. There are two children who are nephews of a Dr who grew up in this area who benefited from a school like Jofi. This is very motivating, information like this encourages Joseph and Fiona who are busy preparing work for the children's return hoping to achieve similar success for the children who attend JOFI.

Vin and myself cannot wait to return to continue work at the school. Until then people are still being generous with car boot items..... I am working towards the climb. And of course the monthly draw will continue.

Paddington bear

My journey home was a long one and at times quite uncomfortable and reminded me of Paddington bear. Like him i always seem to journeying somewhere. We set off from the Somme around two thirty on the 2ND....i arrived home at 6am on the 3rd.

Saying goodbye to everyone is always sad even though time passes very quickly onto our return visits. Some we see three times a year some twice and a few only once and that's usually for the 1st July.

Occasionally Vin stays behind this visit was one of the times.

The ferry was very busy, and the steep ramps a challenge for myself and the foot passengers i joined. The crossing was good compared to the one in November when the waves were huge and we seven hours before we could dock.

The next part of my journey was by National express taking me first to Victoria station where we changed ready to leave for Wakefield. The station again was very busy and multi cultural. I love to hear the different languages.

A taxi finally took me to my destination which of course was home.

Thought for today:-

"There is an eloquence in true enthusiasm".

Edgar Allen Poi. Writer.

Mametz Wood

I may have previously mentioned that one of the bloodiest battles took place in Mametz wood.

I may have also mentioned this is where Harry Fellows ashes remain alongside the many undisturbed soldiers he fought with.

Following our lunch we pay our respects to Harry Fellows led by Mick his son. Wreaths are laid and prayers are are said. A piece of Harry's poetry is read out...this year it was the one that had just been presented to the new Marquis.

The obligatory tot of whiskey is handed around to all those present.

This is an emotional day for everyone in particular Mick struggles with his emotions.

We have all learnt how to manage our emotions and some their memories. The fact that our friendship is so strong makes it all the more poignant.

From here we wish a few a safe journey home...until next time....others have different agenda's for the evening. We are pretty torn by the fact we are invited to join the 'Friends' for an evening meal and the fact that each year we meet up with friends at Tommy's. If we didn't choose to go to the Tommy we would miss out on other friends we have not yet seen...so this is how we end the day with more laughter and mutual respect for 'the boys'.

Hunting lodge

Sadly last year The Marquis de Thezy passed away.

The Marquis every year invited 'The Friends of Lochnagar' to have lunch at his hunting lodge. The hunting lodge is in Mametz wood...part of the vast amount of land owned by him and his brother the Count.

We have very fond memories of The Marquis and he was very much missed this year.

One of his nephews has inherited the title and land/properties. The new Marquis has chosen to continue the tradition of inviting the friends to the lodge for lunch.

Again we were made very welcome, a mixture of french, German and British. Both The Friends and Germans presnted the French with gifts.

The gift from the friends of Lochnagar was of a framed poem written by Harry Fellows [a war poet and father to Mick Fellows..a long standing friend of Lochnagar]. The poem was. presented in English, German and French. Photographs of the late Count de Thezy and of Harry Fellows had been added. It appears that the frame will take pride of place in the hunting lodge.

As usual the meal was a success. We were all made very welcome. There was plenty of good company, good food, nice wine, cider[their own produce] and of course plenty of chatter and laughter.

The sun was shining through the trees in the untouched wood and into the lodge.

July 1st

Regular readers of my blog will know that at this time of year....July 1st....we travel to the Somme.

At memorials around the Somme services of remembrance are held and many attend.

On July 1st our day starts very early.....Our destination....Lochnagar crater....after a lot of preparation in the lead up to the service we arrive to hand out programmes and welcome visitors.

Whistles in hand, piper at the ready, sound system ready to go, Ken waits at the far side of the crater hidden by bushes with his maroon waiting for the all important 7:28.....the time the boys went over the top and thousands lost their lives.

Richard the owner opens the service of remembrance. John the vicar followed with a very passionate and powerful sermon. Wreaths are laid the men are remembered in prayer, song and poem. The Lords prayer brings a special togetherness, it is spoken by everyone...a mixture of German, French and English.

The cadets are present the standards have been raised many ex service men wear their medals [some in uniform] with pride as well as other medals to respect the memory of great grandfathers, grandfathers, fathers, brothers and uncle's.

The poppy leaves are handed out and as Richard annually reminds everyone "where every poppy petal lands a soldier fell."

As a final act of togetherness everyone surrounds the crater, we hold hands and raise our arms. [The crater is a 6Th of a mile in circumference].

My grandfather fought on The Somme I Remembered him along with the thousands who fought beside him.

Thought for today:-

"Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion."

George.W.Hegel.Philosopher.