After a long day this morning, if you see what I mean, came home, slept, ate and continued the long day this evening too!  Went down to The Quays, a new development in our village, which leads you down the estuary and to the sea... it took a while to get to the beach, and the tide was just starting to come in, we had seen the river starting to fill on the way down, litterally!  It was like a mini tsunami as the water flowed in and up....

As we stood the water just poured in over the beach and the ripply sand from this mornings tide, the sand looked like it was covered in something from a distance but was just the shade...

Pippa above keeping a look out at some other dogs further up the beach!

We let her off the lead and she ran about like a whippet!  She is now sleeping!

A water spout thing above, not sure what it was, or where it was coming from, but up came the water any how!!  met a man just up by here, chatted about Spain, and for a while we were back speaking Spanish!  Bizarrely.

This is a lovely conservation area, and there is a massive car park, i.e. lay by for five cars!!!!

Ice cream on way back, now exhausted and smelling of sea salt...

TTFN
Marian

Some extremely random photos today amigos!  Above the three that came down, not looking quite so huge now!  It was more the length than the girth that made it so big!  Unusual ring pattern though don't you think?  The color difference is really odd, something must have happened to it when it was a young sapling?

Who knows, its gone now sadly, trees trying to walk just cannot be allowed to happen!

This is a beautiful little 'Forget Me Not' flower, just peeping out from a piece of slate on the steps up to the patio level area a third of the way up the garden!!  Forget Me Not....

And above, in the muffin tins, something I saw on a web site the other week, and at last had a go of making, they look good, and you know, they actually taste very good too!  I made a bit of a rooky error though, I haven't got any of those stone bead things you put on pastry to stop it expanding when you blind bake, so put in some rice, which I saw someone do the other day, a chef, obviously not noticing the paper that was put between the pastry AND the rice!  So, these had a little secret layer of rice, where there shouldn't have been, most of it came out... and I suppose if I hadn't owned up to it, Franco would have been none the wiser!

This morning, I went to town!!!  I feel like I need to get to a meeting of AA, or something similar, as no alcohol is involved of course! But some meeting where I can stand and say "my name is Marian, and I went out alone today!"  then, round of applause, and the meeting rests....

I have been out, to walk Pip of course, most mornings, although a few times less the last few weeks, just too tired... anyway, I digress... I have only driven twice since I came back in February!  Once to see a prospective job location, and another time to come back from dropping Franco off at the station!

This morning I had a great chat with a mate on the phone, got in the car and drove to town!  Parked and had a wonder around the shops, here and there, went into M&S and spent about £150, well in my mind!  Got some groceries from supermarket and drove off, didn't go home, instead I drove to another out of town supermarket!!!  Same brand, just different place, got a few more things!

I just feel so strange still, not knowing anyone when I walk around town, no familiar faces, I feel so, so, oh I don't know...

So, there is a Butterfly count going on at the moment here in the UK, was thinking this morning how I have only seen one butterfly in the garden, and that was back in Marc, and sitting in the sun this afternoon, I saw a Cabbage White!  And then another one, or maybe the same one?  I think it was drawn to the butterfly's on the duvet drying on the line!Which would be the only thing, no butterfly friendly plants to draw them in, need a Buddleia type of thing...

TTFN
Marian

Above our fallen tree, still looks pretty much like this too, garden guy will be back....!  With assistance!

Well, that's another birthday come and gone, why oh why do I have these great expectations on my birthdays!!!

I did work it out last year didn't I, something to do with when I was little I always expected my Dad to mysteriously turn up, really was never likely, especially after he died when I was only ten!

I still wake up all excited "its my birthday!!!!" yeah, the day can be good, usually is good, yesterday on the radio to Tenby they were playing music from the '80's, which really is nearly all the theme tune to my life!  So that was good... Tenby was lovely, then.... its almost like my birthday is over, and what? This awful feeling of disappointment hits my like a wet fish right across my face and a punch to my tummy!

No one else's fault, always mine....

TTFN
Marian

Red red wine.....

Man came about the tree today, has to come back, one man and a tree.... no good, we need scaffolding I think!  We had a friend visiting then man above arrived, then neighbour knocked on the door, Pippa is in 7th heaven!  She is such a diva, I truly believe she thinks everyone just comes to visit with her!!

Just looked to see when I last Blogged, this morning!  Crazy girl I am, had forgotten all about that, never mind eh!  By the way, have colored my hair again, sooooo much better now, what a state I looked!  Scary!

I just can't seem to wake up in the mornings anymore, more tired than usual... I think now I am almost more asleep than awake, or so it seems, yesterday at Frano's Moms for dinner, I could have fallen asleep at the dinner table!  I need more 'wake me up' foods perhaps?

Haven't been drinking any of the above photo in case that's  what y'all thinking!  That was a moonlite night in Spain!  Not a windy night on the Brecons!

Having an away day tomorrow, thanks to family, cheers M!  Off to a seaside town I've never been to before, one that Mom visited with her BF years ago, so no doubt, as in Bournemouth, I will see her there... in my minds eye of course!

Got another book in publication now too, so take a visit over there to PublishedByMe.blogspot.com to check it out!  A Book trailer for last cartoon book too, turn up the volume for that one, expect the unexpected, shall we say!

Puppy next door came a visiting yesterday, in the house, and in Pips bowl, she was not happy and sulked again, for the rest of the evening, I think I may have managed to block up the path little pup was taking, although time will tell, either it worked, or he will get bigger and not fit anymore soon!

I had so many dreams last night about travel, wasn't sure where I was when I woke up eventually this morning!  I was packing cases all over the place! Must check that out...

***If you are packing and unpacking multiple times, it points to an unsuccessful attempt to deal with far too much in your waking life, so reach out for help if you need it.***

Looks like all the 'stuff' I was packing then, each were symbols of the many things I am trying to deal with, and that I must sort out my 'life'case then!

I remember a friend wrote a beautiful letter to me years ago, about a blue bag, which was stretched, the seams darker than the bag where the original color still remained, she was carrying it, and she dropped it, the contents spilling all over the road, but I was there, to help her pack it back into the bag, and the things she couldn't fit in any more I carried for her, helping her with her burden...

After a day of rain on and off the sun is coming out now, so fingers crossed the sun will shine tomorrow...

TTFN
Marian

Today I have borrowed a reading from Facebook!  So many of you may have seen this already, its been shared nearly 200,000 times already!




 

A sweet lesson on patience.

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Above night time shot of the local power station!   Its not this close of course!

And little Pip, standing on the window sill as usual!  Surrounded by hearts and sprinkles!  Awww my baby!

Been very luck with the weather the last few days, we're having a down pour at the moment, but overall its been okay here, we had an 'April' shower this morning when I was coming home from town, but been in the garden cutting back those ever growing brambles, will have blackcurrants in abundance soon! It'll be blackcurrant pie, blackcurrant jam, blackcurrant pudding and just plain.... blackcurrants!!!  I always remember a sweater I had when Mom and I went blackberry picking on Northchurch common, I got the juice on the cuff and the stain wouldn't come out!

Er, yes I was a kid, so a while ago, of course!

I tried a new product to take out my hair color, just temporarily, there was a whole page of why it wouldn't work on the back, which makes me realise now why it didn't work!  I think it took out any dark color I have put in over the years, but left the red!  Took ages to do, ages to rinse, and washed it again yesterday to try to control the huge head of hair I now have after all that product abuse!  But, don't worry folks, coloring it again tomorrow!!!  And will forever more!!!

Neighbours dog got in our garden the other day, he is just a puppy, but already nearly the size of Pippa, beautiful blue eyes, Pippa was horrified, she is fine with dogs bigger than her, but smaller... forget it, she sort of froze while it bounded around her wanting to play, and Pip just kept on turning, until finally snapping at the poor thing!  Managed to collect it in my arms and hand the little puppy back in one piece! No harm done, then Pip was all moody for the rest of the day, diva!

TTFN
Marian

Today some photos of Pippa and her pals on the move from Spain to Wales back in February!

She is such a diva, ears up and on the alert for anything that might be important to her!

Snow!  She seems to have her attention on something above!!!

Not entirely sure what she up to above, probably not the perfect moment to be caught on camera!!!

Look at my little darling girl here! Up she goes, how far can she see now, that golden lab is thinking, "What the...." is that a dog or what?

And to now, today, I had a coffee with a new friend today!  Two weeks ago I went into a local shop to buy sugar, I think it was and came out with a new friend!  She called today and I visited her in her shop and sat behind the counter with a cup of coffee, we chatted lots and in between customers came and went, I haven't said 'hello' to so many people in one go since a busy day back in Alhaurín el Grande! Seeing the cigarettes for sale we chatted about my old job back in Torrmolinos as promoter for the tobacco company, in Nottingham, and she said about one of their brands having a built in breath freshener??? You press a bit on the filter and it blasts mint breath fresh in your mouth!!! Just google'd it, its called Fresh Burst!  Well well, whatever next eh!  I remember the Marlboro ciggies 'Cool' I think they were called, and you could actually feel the cold coolness in your lungs!!!!

I came home to dinner cooked and ready to eat!

I was sore this morning from the gardening I did yesterday afternoon, not just my muscles but the many scratches and thorns!  Funny how you don't notice at the time, and how red and infected they are the following day!  I haven't had a tetanus shot since 1983, I know that's when it was as I was ill from it!

Not that you really want to know, but I have a very strange toe nail! Perfectly formed of course! but its slowly over about 2 years turned totally white!!!  The doctor has done tests, and although odd looking is not at all infectious or a nail disease, which is good in one way, but could just be something to do with my kidneys or liver!  Hey ho!  Anyway, he says I can paint it, and I will do!

And on this delightful note I will bid thee adieu....

TTFN
Marian

out of sinc post, due to out of sinc writer!

Still amazed by our garden here!  Look at it! Beautiful!

Been very windy here today, been out and about, no real rain, yesterday we had a massive downpour!  Some trees were down apparently someone said, who knows where!!!

Went down to Neath Abbey one evening this week to watch some filming of a TV series about Da Vinci, couldn't really see a whole lot, the amount of equipment, cranes, trucks, vans, cars and people!  It was early evening and they were gong to be there until 3am, supposedly!  Then be back again in the morning, the series in based in Venice!!  I think Franco and I were probably the nearest thing to Italy they had!

They had needed extras, but we were a month late in applying, we read this in a local paper after we got back!

I am still to-ing and fro-ing with an organisation here, about something, its been worrying and scaring me, and after nearly three months is still not worked out, feel like I am being alienated!  I understand certain things are put in place for reasons, but being asked questions that make so sense to someone who has lived in the UK since I was 18 months old just takes the biscuit!


This has been on my mind for the past few months, every day awaiting the post man, getting like I said on Twitter earlier, a real love hate relationship with the post-man, unbeknown's to him, will he bring good news, good mail, good things, or more bad news in the form of more form filling in!  The other day Franco rushed me out of the house so fast to sort something out I was still in my slippers!  and in tears! Great eh!

I've been told by my doctor to avoid stress, and this is certainly making it worse! Blood pressure up, heart rate up, more heart medication!

Anyway!!!

Went to the local market this morning and stocked up on meat for the freezer, should hold us for a while, huge amount of food for not alot of money, minted lamb, peppered steaks, lamb shanks!  Red meat?  Was there a warning about that earlier in the week!  Oh well what the hell!

Resolven was quite busy, lots of people, its all undercover, so kept most of the wind out!  Had mug of hot chocolate as per the norm!

Went into town first, I had all my meds to collect, its so nice just handing in my card and picking it up!  The other day in Boots [the chemist] I was lost, a member of staff asked me if I needed any help and I told her what I was looking for, she took me to it, then afterwards saw me looking lost again and asked if I needed the pay desk now?  Yup! She walked me there and took my things, we had a great chat, its so nice to have the shop staff talk to you so pleasantly, they are so helpful here, always cheery, well 99.9% of the time, its great!

The car has a new MOT now, new certificate, its just a piece of printed out paper, the old one had a sticker incorporated to take out and stick on the windscreen as a date reminder!

Just thinking that I'm still waiting to hear back from the car insurance agent in town, she has been corresponding with my insurance company in Spain to get my no claims bonus sent over, four months of emails, four months of me writing to my old broker, her writing to my old broker, my old broker phoning, emailing the insurance company, its just an email, just a fax even? Just one simple piece of information she requires!  In Spain they do not give the person who has the no claims discount the information, they will only forward it on to the new insurance agent/broker, although saying that, even this seems an impossibility to achieve!

Franco has had numerous interviews, a three day system with one company! Lots of promised calls back, all, so far, leading nowhere!  At least I had an interview, and a call back, I am sure my health issues didn't help in that job, I needed to be able to lift heavy'ish stuff, and already being signed off sick, I suppose I didn't have to apply or even go in the first place, but I would like to work, even a few days a week, if I can find something that won't make me suffer!

TTFN Amigos!
Marian

                               



Two random photos of a drive out the other day, we went past Richard Burtons house, well, where he was born that is, but too quick to take a photo, was hard to spot the plaque as they have built a small lobby on the front of the property with the plaque inside!  But eagled eyed Bonelli super sleuth saw it!!!


Where the church is and the house below?   Not too far from Port Talbot, about 5 or 6 miles from Maesteg... too many places with far too many letters for me to remember them!

Today we took Pippa out for a walk, after her regular morning walk we went off about 1pm, planned on just going to an old railway track we have walked to before, but I wanted to walk in the other direction, so we did, the old line had been carved through the mountain and so many years ago that lichen and mosses hung down and out of the cracks, trickles of water coming out of the walls like stars being lit from the sunshine, absolutely beautiful.  And of course it turned into a very long walk, luckily I could sit down here and there, and we had water, for Pippa, but me too!  After leaving the old track, no line anymore, just the straight walk, we asked for directions from two men who just happened to be stood talking out in the middle of nowhere!

We came back straight down to our road, a small miracle in itself!  Our journey had covered, fields, fences, metal gates, narrow passing places, a field that had been a pond!  A river, we wouldn't have had to cross it, but for a herd of cows!  So we had to cross it, without my boots on, treading on stepping stones, ie random placed rocks, under or just above water level, then through a field with some more cows in, and back over the river again... once again boots and socks off, almost to civilisation and we had to navigate our way down a what should have been dry river bed, so the man had said earlier, but this was on the wet side of dry!  And just rocks of various and slippery sizes... until at last we ended up in a park!  Beautiful water falls, carved trees, an old water mill!  Then continued down the narrow lane and out onto our road!  Uphill journey till the brow of the hill two minutes from our house then downhill at last!

Pippa had to have a shower first, she will sleep well tonight!

Washing had dried on the line by the time I had finished with Pip, all brought in and put away, next lot out now!

Tired now!

TTFN
Marian

For absolutely no reason, the castle on the hill in the village my grandparents left, Quaglietta, in the hills outside of Naples, Italy...

Monday again today, funny how it comes around like that!

What's been happening, proof reading, editing, publishing, another book ready for the off soon, a compilation of four children's books by Peter Maddocks...

Weather has been good and bad, alternate days, doesn't stop Pip and I heading out in the mornings, bit of drizzle never did anyone any harm!  Only trouble is wearing a coat, its not cold, and still seems odd wearing a coat in June!

I have missed another cousins' wedding in the states, the photos are beautiful, the bride gorgeous, the groom handsome...

I spend so much time Twittering, advertising books and reposting and retweeting, thank goodness for the site I use, I can have my Tweets twittering while I sleep!!!

I have found a few more places to work on for advertising, its just not easy, when you want it for free!  Luckily Peter Maddocks is a well known, already published Author and his books leave the eBook shelves on a daily basis, and with high quantities, but me being me, would like more to sell, I realise I can't get them to reach the sales of the past.... but I am trying!  Very trying!

I have friends I should be phoning, family I should speak to, things I have to write, but seem to still be in limbo, and its a limbo without free drinks or an inclusive all you can eat menu!

TTFN
Marian

Mmmmm, an 'old' photo of my Mom and I on my first birthday, posted it before, I know... but there you are!  Us on Alexandra Avenue, off Wiltshire Boulevard LA where we lived, check out the old car on the right there... heck it really was while ago wasn't it!  And you won't be surprised to hear I still have that blue top of my Mom's!!!  Quality in those days, its still as good as new!

In the last couple of days I have got another book published for Peter Maddocks, and also made a few book trailers; a friend suggested them to Peter, and I got right on it!  They have come out okay, check out on my PublishedByMe.blogspot.com web site>>>> over there!

The weather has been good alternate days!  The 'other' day hasn't been bad, just not as good!

Feel like I am clutching at words here, unusual for me... so many words but they're stuck in my head somewhere, so rather than rambling indecisively I will love you and leave you amigos....

TTFN
Marian

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

What a glorious day today too!  The sky is blue, the sun is shining.... Wish I was up in London today, Mom and I would have been there I know!

All the best everyone, here's to the Emerald Jubilee next!
TTFN
Marian

"If you take any activity, any art, any discipline, any sill - take it and push it as far as it will go, push it beyond where it has ever been before, push it to the wildest edges of edges, then you force it into the realm of magic."

Tom Robbins [b. 1936] Writer

Popped into town this morning, cannot believe was a lively buzzing town this is, there was me, trying to rush along purposely to a shop near the end of the high street, and I couldn't walk a straight line!! I was having to dodge left and right and all over the place!  People sat outside cafés people stood talking, just so many people, bunting up all over the place!

Realised today, the food tasting we went to the other week, bus be for the supermarket with the advert... "chosen by you"!!!  So, when a new product comes out, that'll be our fault!  Ooops!

Our neighbours had a BBQ again this evening, can't believe how many they have!  Just about every day, would be okay but its usually after we've eaten dinner and makes us hungry all over again!

We were in the cloud yesterday, but today wasn't so bad, warm enough, humid even, and at last after two days no headache!  No more whisking for me, wish I had brought my electric whisk then realised it had broken and I had thrown it away, that would be why I didn't!

Another book to start tomorrow and finish by Sunday maybe!  Edit and publish by Monday?  Why the heck not!  Book number 30!!!

TTFN
Marian
 

Castle on the hill, mountain, overlooking The Gower peninsular...

Made a load of notes this morning, keep forgetting what I want to say!  Too tired, too many headaches, again, too many pain killers and just too much in my head to remember stuff!!
 
Now, when I was in the back of the garden the other weekend now already, as I peered through, trying to see Pippa on the upper, well lower from up the there[!!!] I felt like Lucy in Narnia, looking back for the lamp post so she could find her way home!  Did I tell you that at the time??

Today, or yesterday on TV a guy was talking about bad substances in some alcohol found in stores, ripping people off, money wise, but also health wise, and one of the vodkas had chloroform in its contents!!  Which can effect kidneys liver etc, I remembered the month and year I bought some strong cough medicine which contained chloroform, it worked!

This week got book number 29 out for Peter Maddocks... 29! Can't believe it, another one on its way now!  All on the PublishedByMe site over there  -> -> ->


Apparently those brambles in our garden are actually blackberries!  Wonderful, one of my favourite fruits!  I'll always remember the pallet of them I bought on the day my Mom passed away, yes, blackberries in March!!!  They were imported from 'somewhere', and tasted absolutely revolting!
Yesterday we went to the big car boot sale market, to see a guy with a stall there, who wasn't there last Sunday, and again not there!  Couldn't believe the amount of people there, on a week day!  Been getting a bit empty on a Sunday but only one stall covered over, yes, the one I wanted!  Anyway, there were even stalls outside, massive!  After we left the market we popped into the auction rooms next door, they hold an auction every other week, lots of art there, I am sorry, they called it the art section, I thought it was absolute rubbish!!  And it seriously was!!  Its not that I'm just picky, but really, if those paintings and print they had there sold I would be shocked!  They had tonnes of furniture, I, of course, would fall in love with one particular piece, it was an Art Deco dressing table, oh it really was beautiful, stylised mirror, the curve of the table, the shape of the sides, it curved round gently, I pulled on the handle at the top of the side part and the whole side came out magically, revealing four or five shelves as deep as the table, so once pulled out, you see everything there, perfect for us ladies!  And this was the same of course for the other side of the dressing table, then there were 3 regular drawers at the front, and a small narrow curved drawer for jewellery beneath the mirror...  So I guess you can tell I loved this!

Goodness knows what price it went for, Franco thought about 50quid probably, you might be thinking the same, but I google'd similar items once back to the house, and some sell for hundreds of pounds! 

The rest of the goods at the auction were whatever, but something really awful hit me walking around there, on the tables, were boxes of bits, each with its own Lot number, per box, and I suddenly saw each box for what it really was, people had died and they're loved and now forgotten collections were in boxes and being roughly handled, turned through, picked and scoffed at, by total strangers, and in these boxes were peoples lives... and let me tell you, broken down like this in Lots, they looked so sad, men, mostly were picking up, looking in, rifling through, looking for that one thing, maybe, that would make it worth their while bidding on it, because whatever else might be in the box was nothing to anyone but their previous owner...

Then I imagines my Mom's things we had taken to an auction, and I could see them, like this, strangers with their hands in my Mom's things... it made me very sad.  If my sons are reading this, if you end up with boxes of my things, sometime, please don't take them to an auction... Don't care what you do with it, but not there, to be handled by uncaring strangers...

I've had a headache for the past two days, I think now, its either because we need a thunder storm to break the humidity or the Italian nougat cake I made the other day, had to whip up the egg whites, and realised I don't have an electric whipper thing any more so had to try to do it by hand, bad idea, think I did my neck in!

Fingers crossed I won't wake up with it still in the morning!

TTFN
Marian

Yesterday here in Briton Ferry, the Olympic flame came to town! Lucky for us, not every town will have this opportunity to see it!  Talking the other week I commented on the fact that I hadn't seen the Olympic flame yet... Then was told that the last time it was here, I wasn't!  And not just not in England, not anywhere yet!!

We waited a while, they were 'running' late, excuse the pun!  Lots of trucks and buses, and police all came past first, whooping the crowd into a frenzy!

We were sat on a wall of a house near the main junction in town, so wasn't too bad... Anyway, seen it now!  Probably never will again!

Bit like a strange excitement I have about the Queens Diamond Jubilee... We will never see this again, a Diamond Jubilee!  Whoever is alive now, will never witness a King or Queens 60th anniversary on the throne!  Charles won't make 60 years.... and nor will Wills, he is 30 already, and if he comes to the throne in, what 20 or 30 years? So this is a big deal...  Yes yes, I know being strange...

There was a car parked up a private driveway yesterday, I was a litter wary of it, incase someone jumped out!  Didn't even get too close, but this morning it was till there... so I got braver, going by the contents its a builders car, ladder bucket etc etc, but very strange it's still there, thinking it may have been abandoned...

Still the most wonderful weather, washed all the covers on the sofa today, all eleven of them, two separate washes and back on the sofa a couple of hours ago already!  We went down to the beach about 6pm I think took Pip for a walk among the dunes, still people in the sea...

I have prepared a tonne of boxes to take to the dump tomorrow, fed up with them, could build a house with them... Ummmm there's an idea!

I sat out in the sun earlier while my hair dried, starting reading The Magic by Rhonda Byrne...

Looks like its going to be an amazing book, I have already read and appreciated the Secret and the Power...

TTFN
Marian

My cousing Chrissie and her husband David, part of my new Long Lost Family!

We're down at Bournemouth for the day here... wonderful weather, couldn't have been better!

There in the distance... Zoom in folks some of those quirky beach huts that cost a fortune these days!

The pier!

And check out this massive walking man!  Don't ask me where we were, we were on our way home, it was about 9pm and this huge chap was... just there!  Will try and find out for you!  He was made of metal and we went flying past him!

The bridge back to Welsh Wales!  The sun was setting, a beautiful end, to a great day...

TTFN
Marian

This a Blog of trees!  Full of trees, at last today, after 3 months, I have finally made it to the end of the garden here!  I was waiting for the blue bells to go, well die back a little, I didn't want to squish them!  Got back from town this morning, and I donned my wellington boots, one gardening glove, [don't ask!] made my way to the furthest point I had gone before, quite a few times to take photos of the blue bells!  Then it was onwards and upwards!

Top photo of course is the wall! I at last reached it, but it was too tall for me, must have been well over six foot as I reached my camera up to take a photo over the top of it, but couldn't quite make it! Just great photo of the top of the wall!  And very nice it was too!

Next photo is the other side of the big tree with the blue bells now fading fast around its lower bows... the ground was a bit dodgy here, the dying blue bells all laid flat and like a skid pan to walk on, then it was uphill all the way...

Above is looking down again from near the top, looks like nothing is below doesn't it?  Bit strange that, but by here it really is well above town, the house just on the other side of the wall is called Seaview...

Still trying to make my way upwards, I had to keep changing direction, I had a really long stick, that I was using as a walking stick, or balance stick, and then I had a short stubby stick, that really looked pointless but now and again when I needed it it was quite handy being so low to the ground!

It was all ivy above, with loads of interlocking threads and strands, broken stuff, metal, glass, all sorts!  Bits of wood, not trees!  All sorts, and a pathway, that didn't seem to have been made by humans, it was very narrow and now boot prints, badger maybe? of foxes?

And the smell, beautiful wonderful smell of mulch!  the plants and undergrowth, just smell lovely to me!

I must admit I was getting worried as I climbed further up, going up is usually easier than going down for me at least!!!  And these tendrils of roots and brambles were going to trip me up!  But, as it happened, I got to the top, took a few pics and wandered up and down the length of the wall a bit, then started down, and found I went down faster than up!  I got my feel trapped several times and only kept my balance with the two sticks I had with me!

The photo above has Pippa in it!  Zoooooooom in!  Its a bit like one of those 'Where's Wally' questions about it!  She is almost centre, she has her back to the camera but her heard turned round to me!  Franco had left her up at the top patio bit, and she didn't know where to look, for him in the house, or me lost in the jungle!  arh, my baby!

And this last photo has a piece of word there that I didn't expect to see!  Do you?  Answers on a post card please....

TTFN
Marian

Photo of Pippa, little angel asleep in the cushions!

This morning, another trip to the doctors, the only people I know are people from the job centre and the doctors, that sounds bad doesn't it!  In town later I recognised someone, another bloke from the JC, now that's two people I have seen in town I know, both from there!

Any I digress, the doctors, I have to have another blood test in three months time, and if the result comes back the same I will be officially marked as having CKD, Chronic Kidney Disease! And I will continue to be monitored, he said I could stay at stage 3 for the next 20 years, or get worse.  Anyway, there we have it!  I have a check list, take regular exercise, check!  Keep my weight down, check!  Don't smoke, check! Avoid excess salt, check! and al final, avoid excess alcohol, check!  So nothing more I can actually do...

And so moving swiftly on...  We got the train to Abertawe, [Swansea], about a ten minute journey, you know it was cheaper for a return ticket there than a single bus ticket back to Briton Ferry from Neath which takes about 3 minutes!!!

Anyway, we went to visit a friend of Franco's in the market there, Franco managed to get me to pass my favourite coffee shop brand, which meant I had a tall café latté with bread pudding in the market, and very nice too, not as nice as a friend of mine I must add, and must text him to let him know I still think his is the best!

Lots of empty shops, La Senza gone now, couldn't believe it! We were there a couple of hours I think, then back on the train to Neath, we had a stroll around the town and were on our way for a hot chocolate in a local supermarket when we were pulled off the street and into the old town hall!  A lady [promoter] asked us if we wanted to take part in a food tasting!!  So in we went and we were each seated at different tables with different ladies, who took details, went for a tray of food, brought them back then us tasters had to give our opinion on the taste!  Which we liked best, how the flavours were etc, about 6 or 7 dishes, and a drink!  It didn't take long, about 10 or 15 minutes maximum I think, they said they would be having another taste day on Monday, it would be patés, so we might be back on Monday!!!

We carried on and had chocolaté, and that was us done, and me done in!

Beautiful day today, the house was warm when we came in, wish Pip had opened the windows for us!

TTFN
Marian

Don't ask about the photo above, it is what it is, a bumble bee dog photo I could not resist purloin from deep within the www!

Todays weather was so wonderful this morning, walking Pippa around 8am, the breeze was warm, the trees now almost fully green, the deep smell of the May flowers wafting around, I stood in the wood just breathing in the smell of undergrowth and life... I always missed the smell of forests living in Spain, that mulchy plant smell, now instead I do miss the early morning smells of walking into town of cigar smoke, brandy and disinfectant!  Wouldn't want to wear it, as I know I have said before, bottle it maybe? the smell is just so Spanish!

We had a little rain about an hour or so, but its moved on now and back to blue sky and powderpuff clouds, picked some bay from Franco's Mom's garden will pot that out later, from little cuttings a mighty tree might grow!  We had lunch at her home today, also with her grandson and great grand daughter, she is a little angel... so cute!

Yesterday going into town a man was running to the curb, and it looked like he was being chased by a crisp packet!  It caught up with him as he reached the road side, he turned and looked down.... expecting a dog maybe, the movement having caught his eye... he looked so startled!  Then! Just a crisp packet, which beat him across the road no doubt!

I also have a new Blog, yes another one!  There on the right is the link, its all about ART, and I won't be talking much there, just a whisper now and again, as you would in a gallery, if you don't want to be asked to leave!  I will be 'borrowing' pieces of art to hang in my own personal gallery, its things I like, they will be varied, and sometimes a strange eclectic mix, but that's me isn't it!!

Holiday here tomorrow, seems strange now having a holiday not on the actual day of the real holiday!!!  Was on Tuesday last week, May Day, there is a fair down in the town so we will walk to that, camera in hand, so bare with.....

TTFN
Marian

How easily I am distracted... I uploaded these photos about an hour ago, and obviously left the page and just remembered they were here... Only my post was gone and so was the tab!  Found again okay though, its been far too long since I have posted, I have been busy with editing and publishing, and promoting... that's my only excuse really!

A few visits to the doctors, nearly on first name turns already,  and I am now getting letters reminding me I haven't had this or that done in years, ladies you'll know what I mean, so one of those I must get done!!  A test saved my life back in 1989 and I wouldn't be here without having had it done...  Living in Spain the last few years I was a bit lax in keeping up to date!

Yesterday I had another EKG done at the local hospital, and a very nice hospital it is too, Neath Port Talbot, it looks quite new still and the interior looks like a ship or ferry, everyone is really friendly, asking we were lost or needed help, that was my lost face I had on it seems!

A huge restaurant and a separate coffee bar, three shops run by the WRVS, is that right way round?  And even a bric a brac stall was open by the time we left!

The EKG went as per the norm, the machine was an older version than Malaga, but the test was more thorough and she checked out my heart in different places than before.

I had been feeling very strange, lonely, walking around Neath, a stranger in a strange place if you know what I mean, but the other day I bumped into someone I knew!  We said hello in passing!  Wha hey, the first person that I know, that I have seen in town.... Who was it??? Oh a man who works in the job centre!! Ha!

The three photos here are the garden, the blue bells still hanging on in up there, smelling sweet, and the huge tree, is it maple?  I have zoomed in above, but I am sure it is English, or should that be Welsh maple!

The weather this week has been strange, today is okay,  neither here nor there really, bit of rain yesterday and clothes dried on the line on Wednesday in just a couple of hours!

Long Lost Family on ITV these past few weeks has been good, self abuse though I think its called, I cry nearly all the way through, tears of happiness, tears of wishing...

I can't wait to meet the family who found me, hopefully this month, I will get to meet a cousin while they are on their holidays on the south coast!!!

I am trying at this moment to up load a book onto kindle, and its doing my head in, been trying on and off all day.. so back to it now!

TTFN amigos
Marian