More photos (or I Like Trees)

This should really follow on from the previous post.

wooooo hoooooo

That's my attempt to make a noise like a ghost, didn't really work did it. Anyway, we went to Sutton Hoo again this afternoon and I took 63 photos and had a jolly good walk. OH borrowed the buggy for the bit of the walk that it can manage and then after tea and cake he went in the exhibition hall and I went for a walk down a couple of the less beaten tracks. This photo kind of sums up one aspect of the place but I got some lovely tree pictures too which I will share in due course. The trees are not really turning that well this year but some have a bit and maybe in a week or so they will look better. Hubby reckons it will be too cold for him to go soon. I had a top up practice in his car too, just getting my brain round driving the automatic from time to time means I don't worry about the possibility of having to drive it in an emergency. It's a lot bigger than my car too. So all in all it's been a great weekend

Sunday Stealing 25/10

Sunday Stealing: The Halloween Meme

You may find a theme beginning to emerge in this, move over (for a little while) Bryan

1. What is your favorite written work of horror fiction?
- The Haunter of the Dark by H.P.Lovecraft and Dracula by Bram Stoker

2. What is your favorite work of science fiction/fantasy?
- Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

3. Who is your favorite monster?
- Dracula

4. What is your favorite Horror movie?
Frank Langella's version of Dracula

5. What horror movie gives you the most chills?
- Frank Langella's version of Dracula

6. What character from any horror film would you most like to play?
Anyone who gets bitten by Frank Langella

7. Freddy or Jason?
- Frank

8. What is your favorite Halloween treat?
Watching Frank Langella's version of Dracula

9. Ghosts or goblins?
Vampires

10. Friendly-faced jack-o'-lantern or scary one?
Friendly but with pointy teeth

11. What is your scariest encounter with the paranormal?
Saw a UFO once

13. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho?
No thanks

14. Favorite Halloween costume?
Big black cloak with red silk lining

15. Best thing about Halloween?
When It's over

16. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?
Guess it would be my cousin as it's her birthday

17. Are you superstitious?
NO

18. Share an unusual Halloween story.
Haven't got one

19. What did you do for Halloween as a kid?
Wasn't celebrated (if that's the word) when I was a kid but my cousin did have a couple of parties with pumpkin lamps

20. What's the best Halloween party that you've attended?
See above

Lovely day, lovely day...

I have you know, I've had a lovely day. Woke up when I was ready to - always a good start. Hubby already up and porridged, he was feeling well which always cheers me up. Usual chat with mum at 8 then off for a walk through the woods to get hubby's paper and some chicken from our terrific butcher. Saw two people that I knew. Off to Ipswich to get shirt for hubby, things from the craft shop to make Christmas cards and then to Arlingtons to meet easternsparkle for lunch. She is my friend I met on the internet about 50 years ago. Time always flys when we meet and the next step is now in the planning, which is the meeting of the husbands! Got waylaid in BHS on the way back to the bus stop.
Had a little rest then cooked huge pan of chicken and tarragon stew, froze some for us, some smaller portions for mum and the juice with pearly barley and lentils for soup. And had a glass or two. Now considering my artistic endeavours for my other blog.
Ain't life grand!

Oh Dr Beeching......

For reasons that are not very positive and therefore have no place here, I haven't been very inspired this week and so even skipped Sunday Stealing and my two arty challenges. But last night I was reminded of a happy time when I watched a terrific little jewel of a programme called Railway Walks. In it the presenter, a very healthy young woman called Julia, walks along stretches of disused railway lines, mostly ones that were closed down by Dr Beeching in the early 1960s when the railways were "rationalised" and the seed was sown for the chaos and utter horror of driving on our now far too busy and congested roads. As my mum never learnt to drive we used to travel on trains a lot and whn I started work I used to travel around by train a lot too for my job (but that's another story) What I was particularly reminded of though was that my grandfather bought a house that had been a crossing keeper's house and I remember walking along the old line and the lovely scenery and the fascinating assortment of small skeletons left by the numerous animals that had met their demise under the wheels of a train years previously. I'm not sure how much of this will resonate with my non-English readers. The places where the line crossed the road were, back in the day, controlled by a man who lived in a house by the side of the line and had to physically go out and close the gates across the road when a train was coming, no automation. And as a child it was the most exciting thing to come along and find the road barred and know that a train was going to hurtle across, even though you might have to wait 10 minutes for it to do so. I find myself back on the bench seat of a old Rover, the smell of leather upholstery and the gleam of the Bakelite knobs. Aha, that's provided me with the idea for a picture to put at the top of this... I'll have to tell you about all the wonderful old cars we had another day.
And the song?
"Oh, Dr Beeching, what shall I do
I wanted to go to Birmingham and they've taken me off to Crewe
Send me back to London
As quickly as you can
Oh Dr Beeching what a silly girl I am."

My Auntie Joan

This is a positive story, in accordance with the ethos of this blog, although it may seem sad to start with. My mum's sister died this morning. Her daughter rang me at about 8:00 to let me know and we have spoken again this evening. Auntie Joan had a stroke about 10 years ago which took away her speech and paralysed her down one side but she remained cheerful and positive. Later she had to go to a home when it became too difficult for her husband to look after her, even with carers coming in three times a day and in the last few weeks she had deteriorated a lot and gone into hospital. But she had a strong faith, as do many of her family. I am glad she is over her pain and I am glad that I and her husband and my mum and many others can be so sure that she is in a better place and that we will all be together again one day. I do really believe that.
Anyway, we have been thinking today about her and about some fun memories and I'd like to share a couple.
I used to go and stay for a week in the summer holidays when I was a lot younger and one year I totally disgraced myself. After I had come home Joan phoned my mum. She had tried to get her younger daughter to put on her new pyjamas and she had said "I don't want those bl**dy things on" She was about 5 or 6. Joan, horrified, asked why she had said it. "Well, Janet says it"
We used to go and visit quite often in the day time, mum and me. We would get off the train and then walk along a long road which got a bit much for my little legs. I can feel myself now, holding my mummy's hand, somewhere about my shoulder level and the feeling of rejection when she said I was too heavy for her to carry! But I loved visiting, There was the tree we used to climb in the track at the back of their house, the hedgehog we found in the garden, my cousin going over the fence into the school gounds next door and nearly getting caught and the night my Uncle put fat in the little boiler that made the hot water tank boil so that steam came out of the taps. I shall have to write all this down for my cousin, as I don't know if she remembers it all. I did tell her something today that she didn't know, which my mum told me and that was that her mum threw a whole rice pudding at her dad not long after they were married, dish and all. She was really happy I told her about that and is sharing it with her sister and their children.
Rest in Peace Auntie Joan

Monday Miscellany

Today has been a days of several parts. In accordance with tradition, Monday is washing day in this household, although it is so easy when you have a machine to do it that it hardly seems a chore. No boiler to be lit and brought up to temperature, no yellow soap to rub on the collars and cuffs, no soda to redden your already chapped hands, no steam filled kiitchen, no mangle to trap the baby's fingers and no sheets to heave in and out of the bath tub. Aren't I lucky - I hope you are too.
In the afternoon I go to Bible Study at the Vicarage. I go for my lovely walk through the woods to get there (and back again) and today was dry and sunny.
Now I have to bring my brain to bear on an award wot I have been awarded. My friend easternsparkle sent me this award and now I have to get my head round the rules of acceptance which are:-
1. Thank the person who gave this to you ....Thanks Sparkle

2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog - Done!

3. Link the person who nominated you Easternsparkle


4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know
OK, I'll go for the things that the people reading this probably wouldn't know
1. My mum was convinced I was going to be a boy and I was going to be called Mark
2. My big round vaccination mark is on the sole of my right foot
3. I knew a murderer
4. I went to the same school as the actress Joan Sims (but not at the same time!)
5. My mother's cousin invented OMO
6. I have had a conversation with Cliff Richard
7. I have never seen "The Sound of Music"

5. Nominate 7 bloggers for the award, post links to their blogs and leave a comment to tell them that they have been nominated

Now I have a problem here because I am not a very busy blogger and so almost all the blogs I know seem to have already had the award from someone else so you'll have to make do with this one for the time being and then I'll add some more when I find them.

Illustrations vert pistache

Sunday Stealing 11/10

The Magical Mystery Tour Meme
Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Today they ripped this meme off a blogger and blog called Magical Mystery Tour. He's from the UK where they spell words strangely.

Sunday Stealing: The Magical Mystery Tour Meme

Can I just comment that we spell "words" the same way you do. Colour, catalogue, favour and many others however.......

1. Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet?
-No, because it would mean gravity was going wrong and we would all soon follow

2. How do you flush the toilet in public?
- I don't understand this question. The flush flushes the way it flushes

3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
- Yes, why are meme-ers obsessed with this

4. Do you have a crush on someone?
- Bryan Ferry

5. Name one thing you worry about running out of.
- Far too well organised to run out of stuff

6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
- Years ago someone said I looked like Jane Wyman - these days it's more like Bill Wyman

7. What is your favourite pizza topping?
- Not really a fan of pizza - I make scone bases sometimes and just put lots of onions mushrooms and cheese on it

8. Do you crack your knuckles?
- Used to

9. What song do you hate the most?
- No, not going there, don't want to even think about what it might be because I have anticipated the next question!

10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
- See above

11. What are your super powers?
- I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you

12. Peppermint or spearmint?
- Spearmint

13. Where are your car keys?
- In my handbag

14. Last song you listened to?
- I've got a Leonard Cohen CD on at the moment, he's just finished 1000 Kisses Deep

15. What's your most annoying habit?
- Not putting things away when I've finished with them

16. Where did you last go on vacation?
- Years since I went away on a proper holiday. Last time was Portugal in about 1985

17. What is your best physical feature?
- Depends on who's looking

18. What CD is closest to you right now?
- See 14

19. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
- Orange Juice (ours), Soya Milk (mine), Stewed Apple (his)

20. What superstition do you believe/practice?
- I am not superstitious

21. What colour are your bed sheets?
-Mauve

22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
- Bird, I can't swim but have always wished I could fly

23. Last thing you broke?
- Can't remember

24. What are you having to eat tonight?
- Not sure, depends on how hungry Hubby is

25. What colour shirt are you wearing?
- Not wearing a shirt, pink jumper

26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing?
- As it is Sunday I would love to go to a church service in Canterbury Cathedral

27. Do security cameras make you nervous?
- No, quite pleased to see them

28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
- I have already started it and it's called "Church Halls I have stood about in"

29. Last time you went to a cemetery?
-1992

30. Last concert you went to?
-It would have been something at Snape Maltings but a long time ago

31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
- Can't think of anything

32. Next concert you're planning to attend?
- Don't go anymore, can't sit for that long

33. Do you talk to yourself?
- Isn't that what I'm doing now?

34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet?
- Not since I was a child

35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born?
- Yes, seen puppies and pigs being born

Fiddling about on Friday

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day so I am trying to take my mind off it by getting on with my weekend challenges in good time. In fact, both of them are Friday Challenges but one posts the theme a lot earlier than the other one so I've done one here it is and then I have made a birthday card for a friend and maybe now I will go and help hubby eat some of the buns I baked yesterday. The sun is shining so I really ought to go for a walk too, before it starts to rain.

This was going to be a film review but.....

Monday is washing and shopping in the morning and Bible Study in the afternoon. It has been drizzly today, very autumnal, but cold and damp. On the walk to the Vicarage I saw a lot of those spider's webs all picked out with the rain drops. Next misty morning we get I shall be out there with the camera. Hubby still feeling a bit grotty when I got home so put my feet up in front of the tele with the CD of Frost/Nixon. I enjoyed it. I remember all the fuss at the time so for me it was interesting to find out a bit about the background. Also, I am a Frank Langella fan. He was gorgeous about 35 years ago in "Dracula" but hasn't made many films, he's more a stage actor I think. And I knew David Frost's mum. His father was the minister at Beccles Methodist Church (before I was there) and his mum lived in Beccles and was a member of the congregation at the same time I was. I liked her. I remember watching That Was The Week That Was, with Millicent Martin in her lovely black cocktail dresses singing the topical song every week. Do I really remember the one when JFK was assasinated or is it just that I have seen it since? Did I say I enjoyed the film? Yes, well I do recommend it.

Sunday Stealing 04/10

I think I shall have to do a few Memes of my own, questions relevant to ladies of a certain age. This one wasn't too bad tho'

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
- My horse chestnut pill

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
- In the kitchen of our last house

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
-Don't know, is it a board game?

4. Name someone who made you laugh today. What was it about?
- My husband describing the Formula One

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
- 9:30, cream crackered

6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and why?
- I'd like to be able to afford to go and rent a house in a different place every six months or so. Lots of places I'd like to live for a while but Cathedral cities would be top of my list

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
-Yes

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
-Carolyn on the Heath

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? With benefits?
- Don't know, never tried it

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
-No

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Really hard as opposed to just sniveling?
- Day before yesterday. Don't get me going again

12. Who took your profile picture?
- Hubby

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
- Hubby

14. Was yesterday better than today? Why?
- Today hasn't really got going yet but yesterday was a whole lot better than the day before (see 11)

15. Can you live a day without TV?
- Yes and I often do

16. Are you upset about anything now?
- Yes but don't get me going again (see 11)

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
- Absolutely

18. Are you a bad influence?
- Of course, much more fun than being a good example

19. Night out or night in?
- Never go out at night

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
- My glasses

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
- Hubby

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
- From easternsparkle with the number of a man who might help fix my computer

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
- Unsettled

24. Do you hate anyone?
No

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
- Last thing is arranging lunch with easternsparkle

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
- Yes

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
- Too modest to remember

28. What song is stuck in your head?
- "Senza Mamma" from Puccini's opera "Suor Angelica" - had the CD on yesterday and it's still going round in my brain this morning

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., whom do you want it to be?
- It would have to be someone with a ladder, does the man from Littlewoods still come calling?

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you’re 50?
- No, didn't want children, haven't got them, over 50 now

31. Tell us your Saturday night.
- Trying to finish off the customer accounts for work

32. Do you think too much or too little?
- Way too much

33. Do you smile a lot?
- Yes, but through gritted teeth sometimes.

Me, the intrepid explorer

The large town nearest to where I live is Ipswich (UK) Won't bore you with statistics (mainly because I can't be bothered to look them up at the moment) but like so many places of similar size it has a shopping centre and then it has the bits that are not quite in the centre, often with shops that have closed, boarded up, grotty etc. Today I had to go exploring in the depths of one of these areas and I was amazed at what I found. Hubby had ordered some boots and wasn't well enough to go and collect them so, doing my wifely duty, armed with his exact directions, I made my way out of the comfort zone and went almost 500 yards into the dark interior of the exterior. At least one person who will read this will laugh when I say I went past the Radio Suffolk border and down Norwich Road. Anyway, I found a Polish shop (no, not a shop selling stuff to brighten up your silver, a shop selling goodies from Poland) a Jamaican snack shop, a Halal shop and a shop selling European and American goodies like Hershey bars and goodness knows what else. And there, amongst all these small independant and exotic emporia was Coes, an amazingly large, well appointed and up market gentlemans store which seemed quite out of place. I mean, so out of place that when you go in (and come out again) you can't help wondering if there is a wormhole just on the threshold.