tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65209633622996944962024-03-13T10:04:51.473-07:00HomeSweetHome2015C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-54796016745087411252018-05-08T12:38:00.001-07:002018-05-11T13:42:48.702-07:00Hotter than HonoluluThe first May Bank holiday, and it was a record breaker - reaching 28.7C (84F) it was the warmest early May bank holiday in UK history.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxo2sdWoE90/WvH8d6XWgmI/AAAAAAAACHM/nmwnXI6miBkHTkmKXDkLU3khqxXy1IbWQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-315087849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxo2sdWoE90/WvH8d6XWgmI/AAAAAAAACHM/nmwnXI6miBkHTkmKXDkLU3khqxXy1IbWQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-315087849.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> So how did we enjoy the lovely weather? Stuck indoors installing a floating floor in the playroom 🙁</div><div>It used to be an integral garage, so only had a concrete floor which was cold, and also there was a step down from the house. So we added a floating floor (insulation with flooring over the top) to bring it in line. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTR5Zu6BjGk/WvH8aQUk38I/AAAAAAAACHI/3wphmAvWM6kFlx64HwSN2dYNAzdyiIPHwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--237744094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTR5Zu6BjGk/WvH8aQUk38I/AAAAAAAACHI/3wphmAvWM6kFlx64HwSN2dYNAzdyiIPHwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--237744094.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Do0dJDaMIno/WvH8hyO6l3I/AAAAAAAACHU/Bl4GHIN5sCI7kDQl8SEzmwrXb-xYWpQNACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2090428081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Do0dJDaMIno/WvH8hyO6l3I/AAAAAAAACHU/Bl4GHIN5sCI7kDQl8SEzmwrXb-xYWpQNACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2090428081.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking out of the room towards the hall, you can see underneath the house, where the step was. This has now been filled in, but I still go to step down whenever I go in the room!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s6iFzDvpY6s/WvH8lq7EgPI/AAAAAAAACHY/Qdk09mki4SEdwbJ6yyO6r4fUQlG45ctegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1176462348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s6iFzDvpY6s/WvH8lq7EgPI/AAAAAAAACHY/Qdk09mki4SEdwbJ6yyO6r4fUQlG45ctegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1176462348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were a bit worried that the floor was going to make a noise, as when just the insulation was down it was a bit squeaky when you walked on it. But once the flooring was laid on top, it just feels like a normal floor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mg4xWwQSO8A/WvH8Rxc5h8I/AAAAAAAACHA/nEu9G_3HqQI2zoKl9cY3FiMJ0iBeR8B2gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2089548562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mg4xWwQSO8A/WvH8Rxc5h8I/AAAAAAAACHA/nEu9G_3HqQI2zoKl9cY3FiMJ0iBeR8B2gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2089548562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everything that was stored in the room had to be taken outside, so our drive resembled Steptoe's yard!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4ssihrOPhg/WvH8WXGGYoI/AAAAAAAACHE/3_HvoVVt-M4jwTLIUD68SqIKf9D7Pxl3wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-116992413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4ssihrOPhg/WvH8WXGGYoI/AAAAAAAACHE/3_HvoVVt-M4jwTLIUD68SqIKf9D7Pxl3wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-116992413.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was lucky to get a bit of a reprieve and some sunshine when I tidied out the greenhouse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A1kxJM4qSys/WvX9w4o_PRI/AAAAAAAACH8/ZoowerWf_VUG9_MlZ7JNollpNPSkoyCPQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-809589797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A1kxJM4qSys/WvX9w4o_PRI/AAAAAAAACH8/ZoowerWf_VUG9_MlZ7JNollpNPSkoyCPQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-809589797.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've got three raised beds in there that I wanted emptying so I could move them. Little Boy offered to help, and I gave him an incentive by paying him 20p for every plant pot he filled. £1.20 later, he'd emptied one bed and we stopped for tea and biccies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QbPyvWPVLsc/WvX95zY9SJI/AAAAAAAACIE/AuTlfbX8sHErApxzlrwOVievIFLWO17IQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1660565618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QbPyvWPVLsc/WvX95zY9SJI/AAAAAAAACIE/AuTlfbX8sHErApxzlrwOVievIFLWO17IQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1660565618.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once the contents were emptied out onto the lawn, and the floor swept it was already a vast improvement...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rlX3WczShYc/WvX92WT0X_I/AAAAAAAACIA/AsKAZgkJ7coEvFcMeW8zUIwIKRsDem9MwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--657517950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rlX3WczShYc/WvX92WT0X_I/AAAAAAAACIA/AsKAZgkJ7coEvFcMeW8zUIwIKRsDem9MwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--657517950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are lots of staging and shelving ideas in garden centres and online, but the majority are expensive. We had a few garden tables surplus to requirements, and they are just the business. The smaller one fits nicely on top of the big one, and I have room on the larger one for a potting tray with a chair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2jzHTNcDI2w/WvX9qgNZuNI/AAAAAAAACH4/1VkqkbrqJ34ViRVEpx2xOsjzW77qlsOXQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1277156320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2jzHTNcDI2w/WvX9qgNZuNI/AAAAAAAACH4/1VkqkbrqJ34ViRVEpx2xOsjzW77qlsOXQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1277156320.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Next time, I've got HeApS of photos to show you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-7400664977437846092018-03-07T09:35:00.001-08:002018-03-15T09:45:02.608-07:00Sad snowmanIt's hard to believe that a few weeks ago it was freezing cold. This picture was taken ten days ago - it's the remanants of the snowman built by OH and the children, now looking rather sorry for himself but was still hanging on for dear life even though the sky was blue and now warm enough to venture out without a coat on. In fact I even did a bit of gardening (you can see a pile of deadheading on the floor by the bird feeder). <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOJjVd-g2fA/WqAi1crhorI/AAAAAAAACEw/ZQXutt75XosZ5IUrA4ts75FrzM8MLGFngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-423041650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOJjVd-g2fA/WqAi1crhorI/AAAAAAAACEw/ZQXutt75XosZ5IUrA4ts75FrzM8MLGFngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-423041650.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Only four days before he was being built. How fickle is the British weather?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I8OCfnmR3xM/WqAiquAJ2RI/AAAAAAAACEk/1oj5fMAhrR4Ky6IPca_2gWRfbQu-d_n7QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--5395342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I8OCfnmR3xM/WqAiquAJ2RI/AAAAAAAACEk/1oj5fMAhrR4Ky6IPca_2gWRfbQu-d_n7QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--5395342.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He grew to rather an impressive size...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HokFI52-OAQ/WqAi5A4gujI/AAAAAAAACE0/wh-vKoGjZnM_3R3cNCECeLFqvShlgvJrgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1319622628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HokFI52-OAQ/WqAi5A4gujI/AAAAAAAACE0/wh-vKoGjZnM_3R3cNCECeLFqvShlgvJrgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1319622628.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Beast from the East was most definitely a monster wasn't it, that wind was bitterly cold. The children were pleased though, as they got two days off school. I couldn't stop thinking about all the poor homeless people. It doesn't bear thinking about having to sleep out in weather like that. I also worried about the wildlife, so first thing I did every morning was don wellies and a big coat, and put out some rolled oats, bread, bird food and fresh water. No sooner had I come in on the first day then Mr Blackbird had swooped down for his breakfast. I was a little worried I may hurt him, as I had put hot water in the drinking bowl (so it would last longer before freezing up again) but he had a few sips so he must have enjoyed his hot cuppa!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also spotted a pair of magpies, a little wren, and was excited to see my first fieldfare. Apparently they are social birds, but this one was quite happy finding food by himself. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of him/her, as the zoom on my phone camera wasn't strong enough to get a clear picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lAI98IAlbo/WqVleG8dpmI/AAAAAAAACGk/TAGNjYWr7k0bioOFLuIxT9i9dlmi2UdwgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1248381852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lAI98IAlbo/WqVleG8dpmI/AAAAAAAACGk/TAGNjYWr7k0bioOFLuIxT9i9dlmi2UdwgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1248381852.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHltShukh_8/WqAixtIanOI/AAAAAAAACEs/y_T2ABuR4pwr37JEeo5rBYx3EdyRi7nbwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--907091698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHltShukh_8/WqAixtIanOI/AAAAAAAACEs/y_T2ABuR4pwr37JEeo5rBYx3EdyRi7nbwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--907091698.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FyBCrlAWRNs/WqAimw87zHI/AAAAAAAACEg/5sh8qBG7ssQSB6Z1ByexglKit8VT6NlMwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-335442227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FyBCrlAWRNs/WqAimw87zHI/AAAAAAAACEg/5sh8qBG7ssQSB6Z1ByexglKit8VT6NlMwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-335442227.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WszaWrqfaY8/WqAiuC5fg1I/AAAAAAAACEo/0jyMn3KRwmMB2V2TlOyOFfoiilbLoJqkgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1712803842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WszaWrqfaY8/WqAiuC5fg1I/AAAAAAAACEo/0jyMn3KRwmMB2V2TlOyOFfoiilbLoJqkgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1712803842.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Strange to see photos like this in March. In fact they are pretty much identical to the photos I took way back on the 10th/11th December. Don't you just love opening the curtains in the morning and finding a snowy blanket. Even better when it's still a pure carpet of white, untrodden upon except by the occasional little bird who ventures out in the cold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ii2rzYZ544w/WqVZHkh35gI/AAAAAAAACFM/xMF7l05uNt4HFqwlTr7YLH3NuwU8YmAMQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--418017567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ii2rzYZ544w/WqVZHkh35gI/AAAAAAAACFM/xMF7l05uNt4HFqwlTr7YLH3NuwU8YmAMQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--418017567.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-31Hu7bSn9D0/WqVZqL1R4XI/AAAAAAAACFg/qTYWJNz3MmYOg6ZSGRe3gzkOKHcyrbLkwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1498988622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-31Hu7bSn9D0/WqVZqL1R4XI/AAAAAAAACFg/qTYWJNz3MmYOg6ZSGRe3gzkOKHcyrbLkwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1498988622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1GWg8GQAEW0/WqVZmmctBJI/AAAAAAAACFc/2maqQBVmgAY2eGwTzIxUaJi2AZdnvQbegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--173309023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1GWg8GQAEW0/WqVZmmctBJI/AAAAAAAACFc/2maqQBVmgAY2eGwTzIxUaJi2AZdnvQbegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--173309023.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Snow angels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCzo8ET2LRI/WqVZjjOoemI/AAAAAAAACFU/5zu-S6XsUhsFwkPOOB5b6p0knzppTiamACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1493666599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCzo8ET2LRI/WqVZjjOoemI/AAAAAAAACFU/5zu-S6XsUhsFwkPOOB5b6p0knzppTiamACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1493666599.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And snowmen (he looks cute but a little alarmed doesn't he!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KUm7nsjbjJE/WqVZ0F0GgiI/AAAAAAAACFw/_Aihh_N2dO0wgw7xiYHh9W3DwzSKSJTQQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1345011648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KUm7nsjbjJE/WqVZ0F0GgiI/AAAAAAAACFw/_Aihh_N2dO0wgw7xiYHh9W3DwzSKSJTQQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1345011648.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was a good eight inches of snow fell, and temperatures dropped to -7 overnight and in the early hours of the morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nArWVVjmRdQ/WqVZMHESnOI/AAAAAAAACFQ/R91OFefL3ssNPEUw9gjHFDZKqXtsTpzJwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1101773845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nArWVVjmRdQ/WqVZMHESnOI/AAAAAAAACFQ/R91OFefL3ssNPEUw9gjHFDZKqXtsTpzJwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1101773845.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my favourite snowy photo. Even though its evening and the sky is dark, the snow lights up the ground and gives it a magical appearance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xc2QAELTlm0/WqVZwvWrqsI/AAAAAAAACFs/kwABoLWvvDA66CAE1LCoqISGUyZSd-0yACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--921454220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xc2QAELTlm0/WqVZwvWrqsI/AAAAAAAACFs/kwABoLWvvDA66CAE1LCoqISGUyZSd-0yACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--921454220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCwFbPFTTYM/WqVZtZI7nnI/AAAAAAAACFo/B0cimUZeV74aNlZsLSyXqOKl9z59eF4pwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--668472480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCwFbPFTTYM/WqVZtZI7nnI/AAAAAAAACFo/B0cimUZeV74aNlZsLSyXqOKl9z59eF4pwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--668472480.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KqyEWlY7KlE/WqVbO5LKxlI/AAAAAAAACGE/Etah1ExRJ0ELq8OmRqf4qsrqjEE7EkCUQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1064813995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KqyEWlY7KlE/WqVbO5LKxlI/AAAAAAAACGE/Etah1ExRJ0ELq8OmRqf4qsrqjEE7EkCUQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1064813995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oKAPn-Tw-T0/WqVbSeRJhqI/AAAAAAAACGI/vb3_kMLdbXg1ZRuMfrjTsJJ6wXCgQW-mQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1028240082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oKAPn-Tw-T0/WqVbSeRJhqI/AAAAAAAACGI/vb3_kMLdbXg1ZRuMfrjTsJJ6wXCgQW-mQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1028240082.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It wasn't until I ventured out into the garden I realised how much snow was resting on the roof of the greenhouse. That much weight on a sheet of glass didn't seem very safe, so I carefully slid it all off with the broom</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dCEs4FZQEiA/WqVbVpAqdxI/AAAAAAAACGM/TaGGFl6UK94qF8Kq1wWshEEQADn_DcwRgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2074913434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dCEs4FZQEiA/WqVbVpAqdxI/AAAAAAAACGM/TaGGFl6UK94qF8Kq1wWshEEQADn_DcwRgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2074913434.jpg"></a></div><br></div>That's it, I'm all snowed out, well done if you've reached the end! Hopefully that's all the snowy photos done for the year (unless we have some more in December). The warmer weather has lulled us into a false sense of security though, as apparently this weekend we are going from double figures to just above freezing during the day, and bitterly cold winds again 😩</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br><div><br></div></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-28646559646229739962018-02-19T12:46:00.001-08:002018-02-19T13:08:10.249-08:00British Camp walkHalf term is upon us in our neck of the woods, and so plenty of ideas for entertainment are needed, particularly ones that don't cost lots of money. A good one, which also ticks the exercise box, is a walk up the hills. So today we had a jaunt up British Camp, the most recognisable of all the Malvern Hills. It is thought to have been the location of a hill fort dating from around 3,500 years ago in the Bronze Age, and stands at an impressive height of 338m above sea level. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RCItUWNN8s/Wos3iSueiXI/AAAAAAAACD4/HBR-259M3RYPkSNXkI4stjbyLf6IRMg5gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-539531572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RCItUWNN8s/Wos3iSueiXI/AAAAAAAACD4/HBR-259M3RYPkSNXkI4stjbyLf6IRMg5gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-539531572.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The photos aren't the best as it was quite overcast, but it wasn't as windy and cold as I thought it was going to be. Sometimes when you reach the top its bone chillingly cold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Boy and I headed straight for the top, whilst Big Girl decided to cut around through a valley and head up the side of the hill to meet us. She underestimated how steep it was, and got a bit stuck on the way up! It's steeper than it looks on the photos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjyfvfjh7no/Wos3V8pYTRI/AAAAAAAACDs/Q5c_uIxWBS840b_jhaMDWmsIlVL8txBFwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1411758132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjyfvfjh7no/Wos3V8pYTRI/AAAAAAAACDs/Q5c_uIxWBS840b_jhaMDWmsIlVL8txBFwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1411758132.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iol_AvP6xTY/Wos3elW9WPI/AAAAAAAACD0/XC43EcbALu8L607zOrKtr6YEHCljUSbHgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1719014266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iol_AvP6xTY/Wos3elW9WPI/AAAAAAAACD0/XC43EcbALu8L607zOrKtr6YEHCljUSbHgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1719014266.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we reached the top we found a QR code on the floor, which when scanned with my phone came up with a History of British Camp article (from which I obtained the info about about British Camp in this post!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love this photo, it looks like a path to nowhere...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sLt2hkZ43E0/Wos3lwpwSWI/AAAAAAAACD8/m6Ti-P67UboO3UDE8W-ViDqdjFmVeN9zgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1836912242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sLt2hkZ43E0/Wos3lwpwSWI/AAAAAAAACD8/m6Ti-P67UboO3UDE8W-ViDqdjFmVeN9zgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1836912242.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6LpCO4SfrsQ/Wos3Spp7Y9I/AAAAAAAACDo/WFg-4XZjFFUz8Sb6tQx0lzsPe_lL2u_kwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1891612131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6LpCO4SfrsQ/Wos3Spp7Y9I/AAAAAAAACDo/WFg-4XZjFFUz8Sb6tQx0lzsPe_lL2u_kwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1891612131.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The British camp reservoir, owned by Severn Trent was built to supply Malvern with water, but hasn't been used for several years. On reading an article online (dated Sept 2017) I was surprised to read that the firm were hoping to partially or completely drain the reservoir by cutting a notch at the bottom of the dam to allow it to drain. Whether or not this is still going ahead, who knows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U3joGYbNTrg/Wos3bao30cI/AAAAAAAACDw/-Il969AORFE-QkBNiflHa815wVcwi75UQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1060213571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U3joGYbNTrg/Wos3bao30cI/AAAAAAAACDw/-Il969AORFE-QkBNiflHa815wVcwi75UQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1060213571.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were a few scary moments, as Big Girl decided she didn't want to be boring and use the paths, she was going to run down the side of the hill. Fair enough, but then Little Boy decided he wanted to as well 😮. Who am I to crush a little person's bravery, but there were a few heart in mouth moments as his little legs struggled to keep up with how fast he was going. He did face plant into some sheep poo at one point, but thought that hilarious, picked himself and carried on. I have a video of them both, but don't yet know how to insert it (if anyone does, please let me know). I've seen online tutorials on inserting videos onto your blog from YouTube, but mine is just a video from my phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7eEQ67rDJiU/Wos8N5yRyhI/AAAAAAAACEQ/RjfKEAvplQ4apXe8gxAgeyvFieW0E-4iACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-127695533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7eEQ67rDJiU/Wos8N5yRyhI/AAAAAAAACEQ/RjfKEAvplQ4apXe8gxAgeyvFieW0E-4iACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-127695533.jpg"></a></div><br></div>On the way home we popped into Waitrose and picked up some scrummy cakes for tea (well we had just burned a few calories on our walk so I think a reward was justified!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-24548851960982735122018-02-03T05:47:00.001-08:002018-02-11T01:16:35.160-08:00A February walkIf OH is working on a Saturday which means we aren't going anywhere special, I like to get the children out of the house and go for a walk somewhere. Last weekend I thought we would have a hike up British Camp, but that idea was squashed when OH phoned and asked if we could drop some materials off to where he was working. As I drove down the lanes to the address, we passed many footpath signs, so I decided on the way back we would just pick one and go for a surprise walk. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QMjzl879OXY/WoAAEXeOjPI/AAAAAAAACB0/hq8k-ntJqyMkD0OfIeiY2Ar3rNhC-LjugCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1353602654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QMjzl879OXY/WoAAEXeOjPI/AAAAAAAACB0/hq8k-ntJqyMkD0OfIeiY2Ar3rNhC-LjugCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1353602654.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jlgFxvh7ZwM/WoAB-ZsPBEI/AAAAAAAACCE/KLlF4rYdfRI20aeTWzBySptCgtEFikDBwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1912562987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jlgFxvh7ZwM/WoAB-ZsPBEI/AAAAAAAACCE/KLlF4rYdfRI20aeTWzBySptCgtEFikDBwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1912562987.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BUULoLcPcFk/WoAIoeTGePI/AAAAAAAACDE/gNhpv_vhVSclJvx8ZjBjoeAx07ryEr8RgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--456868578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BUULoLcPcFk/WoAIoeTGePI/AAAAAAAACDE/gNhpv_vhVSclJvx8ZjBjoeAx07ryEr8RgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--456868578.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There were signs of Spring - catkins, hellebores, snowdrops....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cZOSmFpmFVw/Wn__YUVjhLI/AAAAAAAACBc/Cpj3T1FRyV8sg7I0vIvEQU369zZDdeEUACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1041470466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cZOSmFpmFVw/Wn__YUVjhLI/AAAAAAAACBc/Cpj3T1FRyV8sg7I0vIvEQU369zZDdeEUACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1041470466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61ZdEdXInFE/Wn__VSmmG9I/AAAAAAAACBY/6pf-2dvMpgM87KeAmTTqVuqS5fO4IoUWQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1437843918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61ZdEdXInFE/Wn__VSmmG9I/AAAAAAAACBY/6pf-2dvMpgM87KeAmTTqVuqS5fO4IoUWQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1437843918.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EEDxVX-dAfc/Wn__SdDM03I/AAAAAAAACBU/CVNAEUJqCvYJTv018egb7efNSXvSVTTeACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1924795289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EEDxVX-dAfc/Wn__SdDM03I/AAAAAAAACBU/CVNAEUJqCvYJTv018egb7efNSXvSVTTeACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1924795289.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Little Boy pointed out Peter rabbit's house, and we did see a few rabbits too but they were too fast to photograph....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V4YfjB9lVs/Wn__9fV2dsI/AAAAAAAACBs/s4U0svo43hwfpGbGuXQl6TesdAXsaJDdwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1056719005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V4YfjB9lVs/Wn__9fV2dsI/AAAAAAAACBs/s4U0svo43hwfpGbGuXQl6TesdAXsaJDdwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1056719005.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And Postman Pat - can you see him?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-23IHcpP97dY/WoAAA9RjRLI/AAAAAAAACBw/v4M1fTnwc640iKguJxGwKHK3sjvVSB9HgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--93599324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-23IHcpP97dY/WoAAA9RjRLI/AAAAAAAACBw/v4M1fTnwc640iKguJxGwKHK3sjvVSB9HgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--93599324.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qjw9IfDA4g/WoAIhvh_lUI/AAAAAAAACC8/feisU0XmUO8a6bHdLQuo6iCKCS1w3CsnQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-128302864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qjw9IfDA4g/WoAIhvh_lUI/AAAAAAAACC8/feisU0XmUO8a6bHdLQuo6iCKCS1w3CsnQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-128302864.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>There were several horses dotted around, and some lucky person had a huge posh new stable block </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r2pL2CHOBHM/WoACY7gfxcI/AAAAAAAACCM/F8rrwbikwy0TLOVF6RsCoSH_mVd-AoXCwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1886553938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r2pL2CHOBHM/WoACY7gfxcI/AAAAAAAACCM/F8rrwbikwy0TLOVF6RsCoSH_mVd-AoXCwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1886553938.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXHMYB0l38w/WoACiwgw3AI/AAAAAAAACCY/qY2P9ACJVo8RtLX7Gh1yP1rtNH0g98iigCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--204314181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXHMYB0l38w/WoACiwgw3AI/AAAAAAAACCY/qY2P9ACJVo8RtLX7Gh1yP1rtNH0g98iigCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--204314181.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We had no idea where we were going, and how long it would take, but then we turned a corner and I realised we had done a full circle and were entering the village near where we left the car. Outside one house someone had a collection of gnomes, with rather a 'cheeky' little one at the front...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HEzSMUyNxys/WoACfWQCJqI/AAAAAAAACCU/noNdtzfG2OAk3mid76XB9QT2Aat_rcqqACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1625328655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HEzSMUyNxys/WoACfWQCJqI/AAAAAAAACCU/noNdtzfG2OAk3mid76XB9QT2Aat_rcqqACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1625328655.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_LyV-N50ig/WoACmF82JyI/AAAAAAAACCc/haXLNixDqns_xedBwf0YzzJAczpj_5ZHwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1594475589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_LyV-N50ig/WoACmF82JyI/AAAAAAAACCc/haXLNixDqns_xedBwf0YzzJAczpj_5ZHwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1594475589.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d6oGIhoGz80/WoACce6liOI/AAAAAAAACCQ/GlaFiVRC3B4-bHMpBlqQ72MONToqRdXeQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-701207560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d6oGIhoGz80/WoACce6liOI/AAAAAAAACCQ/GlaFiVRC3B4-bHMpBlqQ72MONToqRdXeQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-701207560.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Sadly even garden gnomes can't escape modern technology - there was even a gnome with his face stuck in a mobile phone....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jvccFOWFPXQ/WoACVgav6GI/AAAAAAAACCI/7Hx8sAjvtmkJwscn8Rx-DrtNAzHWmIoGACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-452229171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jvccFOWFPXQ/WoACVgav6GI/AAAAAAAACCI/7Hx8sAjvtmkJwscn8Rx-DrtNAzHWmIoGACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-452229171.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This photo tickled me - however often I ask Little Boy to please move out of the way so I can take a photo, there is often a little head photobombing my blog photos. It's like Where's Wally!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rwgZBdOwUHk/WoAIrvvZcEI/AAAAAAAACDI/sfj56b8cIwQeVYPXckIp6mXTyuFHC2tyQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--465920491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rwgZBdOwUHk/WoAIrvvZcEI/AAAAAAAACDI/sfj56b8cIwQeVYPXckIp6mXTyuFHC2tyQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--465920491.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjPrdLXOb-A/WoAIycSxBqI/AAAAAAAACDQ/QpiPeSAvbqIlcKPLoDsR7b4Y6tc6BiXgACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1892325384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjPrdLXOb-A/WoAIycSxBqI/AAAAAAAACDQ/QpiPeSAvbqIlcKPLoDsR7b4Y6tc6BiXgACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1892325384.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-woAw2PHqcVQ/WoAIeIDdzII/AAAAAAAACC4/1BfmD4lGF9EX3bS1nT9oNcu32k2lYtj7ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-374129995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-woAw2PHqcVQ/WoAIeIDdzII/AAAAAAAACC4/1BfmD4lGF9EX3bS1nT9oNcu32k2lYtj7ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-374129995.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A signpost pointed the way to Stanbrook abbey, and you could just spot a tower pointing up in the distance between these two wonderfully shaped houses. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jqIXz7yt090/WoAIkvUmODI/AAAAAAAACDA/jjerNKog1oUkNY-dln0JkSZqxSPnTM9AQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-864117809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jqIXz7yt090/WoAIkvUmODI/AAAAAAAACDA/jjerNKog1oUkNY-dln0JkSZqxSPnTM9AQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-864117809.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I couldn't get a decent photo of the abbey, but looking at it online it sounds a great place to stay if you've got the spare cash. The abbey was originally built to house Benedictine nuns in 1838 but in 2010 was sold and converted to a luxury 55 bedroom weddings and conference venue, with 50 bedroom suites that were formerly cells belonging to the nuns!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XbvU3iuuCl8/WoAIu7qv6UI/AAAAAAAACDM/_7M7pZ-UIL8QewIDBYGWMBezRrdoyTNDQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--250998693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XbvU3iuuCl8/WoAIu7qv6UI/AAAAAAAACDM/_7M7pZ-UIL8QewIDBYGWMBezRrdoyTNDQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--250998693.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By now Little Boy was flagging, but luckily the car was just around the corner. When I checked my fitness tracker on the phone, we'd done 1.78 miles so I think he did quite well for little legs. We all enjoyed our surprise walk, so I think we will do something similar again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-46531770819312190782018-01-11T09:36:00.001-08:002018-01-11T09:40:11.528-08:00A bargain dinnerI had to pop out in the evening for a parents evening at Big Girl's school a few days ago. It was to help us to help them, by showing us relevant websites to go on at home and things we could download. Science I can cope with, as I've got a science degree, and English I was always good at so that's not a problem. But maths? Oh dear - algebra, it's come back to haunt me. I somehow managed to scrape through my GCSE maths without really understanding it, but now I'm stuck as I have a daughter who doesn't understand it either and I now have to try and explain it!<div><br></div><div>Anyway, I hadn't had any tea before going out, so thought I'd pop into M&S on the way home to grab something to eat. I'm so glad I did, I got heaps of bargains! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VeLOdif7FBI/WleghBXVCEI/AAAAAAAAB-8/l42rOcEzeLQvH7BaTARl8UiWDfbiKPArwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1020306196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VeLOdif7FBI/WleghBXVCEI/AAAAAAAAB-8/l42rOcEzeLQvH7BaTARl8UiWDfbiKPArwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1020306196.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Most times if you turn up at reducing time, it's mobbed, but this night there was only me and a few other people. And the lady doing the reducing just kept coming back with more and more stuff, my basket was overflowing. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A basket full of goodies came to the grand total of £8.65, and I couldn't wait to get home and find out the proper price - an unbelievable £73.60!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMrZMfFIRxU/WlegeDZSLJI/AAAAAAAAB-4/XHR_nzNyv2ssSf9dEsK4XqMB3lwz0x55wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-78386374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMrZMfFIRxU/WlegeDZSLJI/AAAAAAAAB-4/XHR_nzNyv2ssSf9dEsK4XqMB3lwz0x55wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-78386374.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>I think the Best Buy were the duck breasts - £7.50 down to just 75p. I don't think OH will eat the plum sauce, so I will have to think what to do with them (any suggestions gratefully received, although he doesn't like anything fancy). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAJArPfnn6Y/WlegbDjQ3bI/AAAAAAAAB-0/B3tOmTPBWygyhn6rAJL7JE9UKZsrypLagCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--965192672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAJArPfnn6Y/WlegbDjQ3bI/AAAAAAAAB-0/B3tOmTPBWygyhn6rAJL7JE9UKZsrypLagCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--965192672.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You often end up with a fridge full of things that need eating right away when you get reduced food, but I struck lucky with meat and ready meals for OH. I can make eleven meals out of this food for him, and they are all in the freezer so no need to rush eating them. The crispy breaded turkey and cheese flatties were great too, at £5 for two down to just 50p, and I grabbed three packs of those. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For tea I had pea and ricotta ravioli, followed by a rather scrummy chcoclate eclair (I grabbed two boxes of those as they were suitable for freezing). Shame none of us like egg custards, as there were boxes and boxes of those, at just 20p for a box of four. Maybe that shows that not many other people like egg custards either!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hR9luvmCams/WlegkGNRwqI/AAAAAAAAB_A/C0YuHIUTaC4UcbqBFJsbHhEjYvx7_50_gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--19785350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hR9luvmCams/WlegkGNRwqI/AAAAAAAAB_A/C0YuHIUTaC4UcbqBFJsbHhEjYvx7_50_gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--19785350.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Speak soon </div><div>XxXx</div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-8801112618514198702017-12-24T13:42:00.001-08:002017-12-24T14:02:36.080-08:00Elf on the shelf - Dec 17-24th<div>Christmas is nearly here - one more sleep!! Well, by the time you read this, it will be all over, but I can be excited whilst I'm writing this. A bit of a mammoth Elvis overload, as I want to get it all done before the Big Day. </div><div><br></div><div>December 17th</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vd0LmorvLvw/WkAhI0PI0TI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/xYNAjzj42HU1oi90GFkSmcjVbbtZDELZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--761551927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vd0LmorvLvw/WkAhI0PI0TI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/xYNAjzj42HU1oi90GFkSmcjVbbtZDELZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--761551927.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 18th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think Elvis could do with a comfier mattress...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNhVhVd1HnI/WkAhLwbWmpI/AAAAAAAAB9U/0JCxtyw4Nx8zQvkM0qY5zqm-bGdWSacSwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1547465636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNhVhVd1HnI/WkAhLwbWmpI/AAAAAAAAB9U/0JCxtyw4Nx8zQvkM0qY5zqm-bGdWSacSwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1547465636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 19th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ahoy there ye land lubbers! Fighting off a killer squid to get the treasure chest...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDFToJLNX4A/WkAhUmv57bI/AAAAAAAAB9g/fsDD0pc_e7Asvmr3ovC-VsCINTcoHiLqQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1341902454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDFToJLNX4A/WkAhUmv57bI/AAAAAAAAB9g/fsDD0pc_e7Asvmr3ovC-VsCINTcoHiLqQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1341902454.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 20th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope Elvis isn't after fish fingers for tea...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6FD6PdMeoCI/WkAhO8z7LJI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/b0ngvfUCq94b24BYbaDqnGEsTbkJejjJACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1572421848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6FD6PdMeoCI/WkAhO8z7LJI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/b0ngvfUCq94b24BYbaDqnGEsTbkJejjJACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1572421848.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 21st</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IdHsMIoldhs/WkAhaVrq0LI/AAAAAAAAB9o/pnDKzJDjg_ojqM7l9Pkizg0iS9B6L6WJwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1286812198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IdHsMIoldhs/WkAhaVrq0LI/AAAAAAAAB9o/pnDKzJDjg_ojqM7l9Pkizg0iS9B6L6WJwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1286812198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 22nd</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8c7SS78bS3Q/WkAhRkunnBI/AAAAAAAAB9c/dR1CqM7hUao_Gt4e-XLp26V48smSZBTEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--898973697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8c7SS78bS3Q/WkAhRkunnBI/AAAAAAAAB9c/dR1CqM7hUao_Gt4e-XLp26V48smSZBTEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--898973697.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 23rd</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uc4IiAaA4-I/WkAicOUrt0I/AAAAAAAAB90/WHucEYKiPh8teMqG4AWXjmqHwkQozgJPwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1777538886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uc4IiAaA4-I/WkAicOUrt0I/AAAAAAAAB90/WHucEYKiPh8teMqG4AWXjmqHwkQozgJPwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1777538886.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 24th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's farewell from Elvis for another year, and he's left behind a few festive books for Little Boy to read...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-111Jlrk8zo8/WkAhXTLLiBI/AAAAAAAAB9k/zSuyaF5_yI89mDZwV2zNoqK4XtPjeLUkACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--189681020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-111Jlrk8zo8/WkAhXTLLiBI/AAAAAAAAB9k/zSuyaF5_yI89mDZwV2zNoqK4XtPjeLUkACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--189681020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EPVKRF1peE/WkAhFRbIQ2I/AAAAAAAAB9M/uPU2w7LQSfkNSWhPAZO4qz2dZmF3kcCgQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--780054671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EPVKRF1peE/WkAhFRbIQ2I/AAAAAAAAB9M/uPU2w7LQSfkNSWhPAZO4qz2dZmF3kcCgQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--780054671.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Well that's it, mince pie for Santa and carrot for Rudolph are ready on the fireplace. Stockings are ready to be filled. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have a very merry Christmas, and I'll speak to you in the New Year!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-72473777910190308172017-12-16T11:43:00.001-08:002017-12-22T11:16:49.080-08:00Elf on the shelf - Dec 11-16th<div>Oh dear, I've just gone online to do an Elvis update, and realised my last post was still in draft - doh! Now I'm even more behind than I thought I was. </div><div><br></div><div>December 11th</div><div><br></div><div>Elvis the elf was on Christmas tree maintenance today, ensuring all the presents were neatly arranged under the tree. Have you spotted him yet?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5NZ-P3gYiQo/WjV3oV93jhI/AAAAAAAAB78/LrsESCwspawnwcn1CUnKO1Djj41bqmPJgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--174803457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5NZ-P3gYiQo/WjV3oV93jhI/AAAAAAAAB78/LrsESCwspawnwcn1CUnKO1Djj41bqmPJgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--174803457.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shall I move in a bit closer for you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nFzHNXzaHmo/WjV8J0xHNZI/AAAAAAAAB8k/Z8QCEXJE44QfueD1sLPNXKtHSytXVWSrgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1039853751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nFzHNXzaHmo/WjV8J0xHNZI/AAAAAAAAB8k/Z8QCEXJE44QfueD1sLPNXKtHSytXVWSrgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1039853751.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hello Elvis!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F1tWfYSxGwU/WjV8EfVp8mI/AAAAAAAAB8c/2lXATRAZmGoeb7yegShnKosRpg_nAX1PwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1297750463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F1tWfYSxGwU/WjV8EfVp8mI/AAAAAAAAB8c/2lXATRAZmGoeb7yegShnKosRpg_nAX1PwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1297750463.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 12th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elvis was a bit naughty today. We woke up to find he had helped himself to OH's advent calendar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0KD9uIC_KqM/WjV8HFCTeCI/AAAAAAAAB8g/pT-dp7uynfIOSYM0ng5FJuDfMXEpChEyACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--993881261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0KD9uIC_KqM/WjV8HFCTeCI/AAAAAAAAB8g/pT-dp7uynfIOSYM0ng5FJuDfMXEpChEyACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--993881261.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just look at that face, like butter wouldn't melt (but the chocolate has, all over his cheeks!)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jdanfQBdG7w/WjV70kq0I7I/AAAAAAAAB8I/I-P_d-xhazkes9R6jeO5BxKBBuNhJ_9NQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-774817690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jdanfQBdG7w/WjV70kq0I7I/AAAAAAAAB8I/I-P_d-xhazkes9R6jeO5BxKBBuNhJ_9NQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-774817690.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He wasn't the only naughty one though, as I know he had taken more than one chocolate out of the calendar, but when we got up there was only one left. Who was him accomplice? I can tell you he is no longer, but he certainly had a substantial last supper...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PM8qLyjQI1M/WjV8BUqVWqI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/CgMa3-8U5JoRLXGLP1E8Y-fHJE5obkjJQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-253016227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PM8qLyjQI1M/WjV8BUqVWqI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/CgMa3-8U5JoRLXGLP1E8Y-fHJE5obkjJQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-253016227.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Yes, a naughty mouse helped himself to the chocolate too, and ate about three times his weight in chocolate before he met his untimely end. We now have those sonic mouse deterrent things plugged in every free socket, and a new trap set, just in case he had a girlfriend still in residence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 13th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There may have been snow outside, but Elvis decided to keep warm and make his snowman indoors...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3iXBderoCe4/WjV76lJiRoI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/XEPk7MdzQ6wG33Q4IufT2qlo8SLquBYsgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-685999882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3iXBderoCe4/WjV76lJiRoI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/XEPk7MdzQ6wG33Q4IufT2qlo8SLquBYsgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-685999882.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 14th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think Elvis has been working too hard, and got run down. He has a bad case of Elf flu - let's hope the National Elf Service takes care of him!! 😂</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aUrGuwIebD0/WjV8MoN-kzI/AAAAAAAAB8o/Npgxq0r4otc0UQgLewFzAatiir1eL4BgQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-891287061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aUrGuwIebD0/WjV8MoN-kzI/AAAAAAAAB8o/Npgxq0r4otc0UQgLewFzAatiir1eL4BgQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-891287061.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He must have been feeling really bad, as he didn't turn up for work on the 15th. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 16th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One rule when you have an elf come to visit is that you mustn't touch him. So Little Boy was very pleased when he found Elvis today...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GI3z5kUFaTo/Wj1Y9_1r6bI/AAAAAAAAB88/GA5fLhUpKMgYhP8FVs_uszIzarnpB-p8gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--934187758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GI3z5kUFaTo/Wj1Y9_1r6bI/AAAAAAAAB88/GA5fLhUpKMgYhP8FVs_uszIzarnpB-p8gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--934187758.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mWtCwBJdid0/Wj1Y69_zhEI/AAAAAAAAB84/HwkJOaenLDs5MWexf2rlN9UR8ypMiW-_QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1108634930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mWtCwBJdid0/Wj1Y69_zhEI/AAAAAAAAB84/HwkJOaenLDs5MWexf2rlN9UR8ypMiW-_QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1108634930.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Boy loved the fact that he could 'hold' Elvis, and took him everywhere - to make breakfast, sit at the dinner table, showed him his room, watched tv with him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiX-A48h2v8/WjV7-LBgSeI/AAAAAAAAB8U/FlP_Bg3uu5IxH8-R21Tdc7g-1wJN7ID8QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--944000352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiX-A48h2v8/WjV7-LBgSeI/AAAAAAAAB8U/FlP_Bg3uu5IxH8-R21Tdc7g-1wJN7ID8QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--944000352.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pvq8VdqBLy0/WjV73aBCb-I/AAAAAAAAB8M/TLqY0N9j1x8u8-YToXQ8nlZsXdTdeGmbgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-529194452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pvq8VdqBLy0/WjV73aBCb-I/AAAAAAAAB8M/TLqY0N9j1x8u8-YToXQ8nlZsXdTdeGmbgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-529194452.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Another update soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-88003851731021086762017-12-10T05:34:00.001-08:002017-12-10T05:50:27.404-08:00Elf on the shelf -Dec 6-10thAnother elf update. Daily posts don't seem to be happening this year, so I'm aiming for four or five days per post. Here goes...<div><br></div><div>December 6th</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Boy was not himself yesterday, not sure whether he was just tired, but he was just a bit naughty. Elvis appeared in the morning with this note from Father Christmas...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--hsQG_L4GaM/Wi0325XIhnI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Xb2ietzwlwg73dYEEhQL0r-EHUDkKzRpACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1349759785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--hsQG_L4GaM/Wi0325XIhnI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Xb2ietzwlwg73dYEEhQL0r-EHUDkKzRpACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1349759785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 7th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elvis was a bit cheeky himself the following day, we caught him having a movie night (at least he wore headphones so he wasn't noisy in the night) but he had helped himself to my expensive chocolates I got for my birthday...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGxJVdOtR7s/Wi0623WNnSI/AAAAAAAAB7s/QW4wRdehwRoHCZvoAHMGP_5K1WB2eKaJACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1207577839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGxJVdOtR7s/Wi0623WNnSI/AAAAAAAAB7s/QW4wRdehwRoHCZvoAHMGP_5K1WB2eKaJACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1207577839.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 8th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Riding on Tatty teddy Santa's sleigh...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aXC6ksgsfEU/Wi06w8Va85I/AAAAAAAAB7k/E80X9o8L4JYqB_L0S48H2pP4wR5EjT01QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--190491994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aXC6ksgsfEU/Wi06w8Va85I/AAAAAAAAB7k/E80X9o8L4JYqB_L0S48H2pP4wR5EjT01QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--190491994.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 9th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think this cold spell made Elvis wish he was in warmer climes. We found him floating in a boat in the kitchen sink, whilst enjoying a fresh orange juice...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ASXzXXKFduM/Wi06tgFsAcI/AAAAAAAAB7g/dKI1tqptumcjvz67WPtCQK5WOmfzJ--8wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-796290043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ASXzXXKFduM/Wi06tgFsAcI/AAAAAAAAB7g/dKI1tqptumcjvz67WPtCQK5WOmfzJ--8wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-796290043.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December10th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And finally, this morning he was discovered sitting on my chair, having a go at my knitting. I'm guessing he's still learning how to cable, as he was studying a knitting book at the same time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIUxYQ_Fpus/Wi06z_YJhiI/AAAAAAAAB7o/iFBNNxJ7xnU6PZBbC_ij9o7tTfEuF3jCgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--292520668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIUxYQ_Fpus/Wi06z_YJhiI/AAAAAAAAB7o/iFBNNxJ7xnU6PZBbC_ij9o7tTfEuF3jCgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--292520668.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-16201284765837480942017-12-05T08:17:00.001-08:002017-12-05T08:21:05.911-08:00Elf on the shelf - Dec 2-5th<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The children went to brush their teeth before school today, and found this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MJXqJ0W2-VM/WibGWoW7f7I/AAAAAAAAB64/ToGhkcxpgJ4aDi2VkgMuewoO3y3QHYGHACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1960537644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MJXqJ0W2-VM/WibGWoW7f7I/AAAAAAAAB64/ToGhkcxpgJ4aDi2VkgMuewoO3y3QHYGHACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1960537644.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elvis was having a sleepover, with Shrek & the Cookie Monster in the sink! Why in the sink, who knows, but they certainly weren't slumming it - they'd used a hand towel as a pillow, and as a blanket they used a hot water bottle cover I made (years ago when I first learnt to knit) from baby alpaca wool!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the look Shrek is giving Cookie Monster - it's like, 'Who farted?'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know I haven't posted daily, but the last few days were pretty uneventful. In case you want to know what he got up to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 2nd...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKyuYXkFvg8/WibGZWRz59I/AAAAAAAAB68/aL6-8uQxbwERGhz-CMGyaVBgiscsY4KxgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1715979404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKyuYXkFvg8/WibGZWRz59I/AAAAAAAAB68/aL6-8uQxbwERGhz-CMGyaVBgiscsY4KxgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1715979404.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just chilling with some winter pals</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December 3rd...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhSJU_NRkvY/WibGcc5DHhI/AAAAAAAAB7A/RUxmbFg8GEcU0BX-sGpLPj43PLyfi3I-ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1017079953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhSJU_NRkvY/WibGcc5DHhI/AAAAAAAAB7A/RUxmbFg8GEcU0BX-sGpLPj43PLyfi3I-ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1017079953.jpg"></a></div>Elvis must have done a bit of rock climbing to get up here! Yes, that is our lounge wall, most definitely a work in progress 🙂</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I almost forgot December 4th...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8EFhHu7X1iQ/WibGTdc586I/AAAAAAAAB60/GOm5enpvyJgCGDbmARzWC0ghfTHazhFAgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--390101831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8EFhHu7X1iQ/WibGTdc586I/AAAAAAAAB60/GOm5enpvyJgCGDbmARzWC0ghfTHazhFAgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--390101831.jpg"></a></div>Elvis made himself into a little advent calendar, and brought the children some chocolates. Amazingly, Big Girl managed to open her day on her calendar, on the right, without even noticing him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ETCpl650Ghc/WibGgARrgxI/AAAAAAAAB7E/liGZdCqozXIKhSkuJxnq8Agu7891GvAPwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--49965961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ETCpl650Ghc/WibGgARrgxI/AAAAAAAAB7E/liGZdCqozXIKhSkuJxnq8Agu7891GvAPwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--49965961.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Who knows what he will get up to next. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-47263794905182843392017-12-01T15:02:00.001-08:002017-12-01T15:03:01.621-08:00Welcome back Elvis!Those of you who have been following me since last Christmas, will remember we had a visit from the <a href="https://homesweethome2015.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/elf-on-shelf-arrives.html" target="_blank">Elf on the shelf</a>. Our little visitor was named Elvis, and he made his first reappearance of the year this morning.<br>
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The children came down to find Elvis lying on the kitchen table, with a note and a special present from Father Christmas....<br>
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C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-59105119950349291222017-11-30T01:45:00.001-08:002017-11-30T01:48:31.169-08:00Xmas? Bring it on!I'm sorry. I couldn't wait any longer. Christmas brings out the child in me. I've never done this before, but I have a confession to make - it's only November but the tree is up!!!!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ccJk70f9xE/Wh_TSNRPYxI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/ocLODm50HuEEM02MP3SCtnjKL0TBLtemgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-646771267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ccJk70f9xE/Wh_TSNRPYxI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/ocLODm50HuEEM02MP3SCtnjKL0TBLtemgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-646771267.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well my justification is that I finished wrapping my presents yesterday, and needed somewhere to put them, so of course I needed the tree up then I could artfully arrange them underneath (done since the photo above). I've never put up xmas decorations in November before, and I can't even blame over excitement in the children, as Big Girl warned me I shouldn't put them up until December. But she was singing Christmas carols the other day, which I've always believed was bad luck before December, so that's the bad luck curse out of the way. And it's the 1st tomorrow anyway, so what's a day amongst friends?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bring it on Father Christmas - we are ready for you!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-48460319560646627962017-10-30T09:55:00.001-07:002017-10-30T10:11:58.846-07:00Halloween horror?<div>Happy Halloween!</div><div>So what's been happening at our house - zombie attack? Chainsaw massacre?</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Te6wUuN3-aE/WfdZaJlqWaI/AAAAAAAAB54/sjGZt3IDD70R-tb8-sXqYSMF8hcjOi9ZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-758432354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Te6wUuN3-aE/WfdZaJlqWaI/AAAAAAAAB54/sjGZt3IDD70R-tb8-sXqYSMF8hcjOi9ZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-758432354.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No, don't worry, just me being clumsy, rushing to get things out of the fridge and dropping a container of beetroot all over the kitchen floor. (And if you aren't a regular reader and wonder why we have chipped floor tiles and bare brick walls, the kitchen is a work in progress.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can see why it makes such a mess when there's a gruesome murder, as the spray was that good it even managed to get some on top of the freezer in the room next door!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9_n3WEPQ0jo/WfdZXIUbjKI/AAAAAAAAB50/lETwADuqXvAoXLFJ6vAWsy9O_7uesCl_gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1683438212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9_n3WEPQ0jo/WfdZXIUbjKI/AAAAAAAAB50/lETwADuqXvAoXLFJ6vAWsy9O_7uesCl_gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1683438212.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Don't think I'll be wearing these trousers out any time soon, I think these may be my new gardening trousers :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TPyn15zzthw/WfdZoB1Ym1I/AAAAAAAAB6A/LomIMXkwowEO3Q6Juyd8WsVYL0HmZz9vACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1197429437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TPyn15zzthw/WfdZoB1Ym1I/AAAAAAAAB6A/LomIMXkwowEO3Q6Juyd8WsVYL0HmZz9vACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1197429437.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Xx</div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-41880759605324962862017-10-16T08:14:00.001-07:002017-10-23T08:47:33.017-07:00Car boot bargainsIt's getting towards the end of the car boot season, but due to the unseasonably good weather, they are continuing for a few more weeks. Our local one starts at 7.30, but we have been getting there around 8 as its still rather dark at 7.30. <div>Last week there weren't many booters, but I did really well. All the following things I got for just 50p each. The little rubber duck was new, and I thought he would look in our new bathroom. It wasn't until I got home and went through my treasures, it dawned on me we aren't having a bath in there, only a shower - doh! So my little ducky has been rehomed to the family bathroom where there will eventually be a bath. </div><div>I'm not sure where I will use the coasters, but I have a thing about coasters, and placemats....<br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6zoOcifeToE/WeTMcb6zKeI/AAAAAAAAB5A/eUKutDXBH9s5Wj4UbWD_QKCvQyXExQ_pQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-437960050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6zoOcifeToE/WeTMcb6zKeI/AAAAAAAAB5A/eUKutDXBH9s5Wj4UbWD_QKCvQyXExQ_pQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-437960050.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some travel/holiday goodies - a banana plastic pouch from H&M, I think would be good for putting toiletries in to go on holiday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The magnetic hangman will go in my bag to pull out as a boredom buster when travelling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sand claw was another brand new acquisition, and I think Little Boy will love it. You basically wear it like a glove, and use it to help you dig in the sand</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y_nVz0RnnMg/WeTMlFROTYI/AAAAAAAAB5M/CIR3MzZMFLYuU7bLXto7nc42gHaKrTQUgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1404372173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y_nVz0RnnMg/WeTMlFROTYI/AAAAAAAAB5M/CIR3MzZMFLYuU7bLXto7nc42gHaKrTQUgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1404372173.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seasonal items - Halloween napkins and a pack of plain black napkins. Easter nests on sticks - I guess so they can be used in floral arrangements, but I think I will remove the sticks and use the little eggy nests in a door wreath or table arrangement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxbcwBhESBw/WeTMzGrhLXI/AAAAAAAAB5g/sIUBXob5f0MtJOu9DtuR_Dajvg-shoDYQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--543062563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxbcwBhESBw/WeTMzGrhLXI/AAAAAAAAB5g/sIUBXob5f0MtJOu9DtuR_Dajvg-shoDYQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--543062563.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Easter card was a bargain at 50p, as it was still in its M&S wrapper with a £4.50 sticker on it. It's a 3D card and when I opened it out and saw how pretty it was I decided I'm keeping it as an Easter decoration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The magnetic picture frames are something I've had before (I've got some on my fridge), and these ones are now living on the side of the filing cabinet in my craft room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIPKVf9NGfs/WeTMZSzHytI/AAAAAAAAB48/lgNj2d1qsZYCK5WF54BiJljGQygZzKYqwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1242573382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIPKVf9NGfs/WeTMZSzHytI/AAAAAAAAB48/lgNj2d1qsZYCK5WF54BiJljGQygZzKYqwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1242573382.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The mug is a strange looking thing, with the odd combination of a duck on one side, and spots and stripes on the other. The reason I snapped it up was it was a lovely thick mug with a smooth, rounded lip, just like my favourite one that unfortunately got chipped in the dishwasher. This is its replacement, as it keeps the tea warm for longer and gives you a workout at the same time as it's quite weighty when full of tea!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwcLGkP-E-8/WeTMiJaz-PI/AAAAAAAAB5I/TJNByafAgpE04spv2ZGmAHQct21kcheuQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2041745791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwcLGkP-E-8/WeTMiJaz-PI/AAAAAAAAB5I/TJNByafAgpE04spv2ZGmAHQct21kcheuQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2041745791.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sandwich wrap was another brand new find, still in the wrapper. It's something I've heard about, but never used before. They sell on Amazon for over £11, so for 50p I haven't wasted much if we don't like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JrIrP8s2E0k/WeTMfhcS6HI/AAAAAAAAB5E/sld1eGai_1sDrjsG2qy1V_yRhoyZzQo2ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1553985086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JrIrP8s2E0k/WeTMfhcS6HI/AAAAAAAAB5E/sld1eGai_1sDrjsG2qy1V_yRhoyZzQo2ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1553985086.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The strange objects below are called Magic Gnomes. You push the end into a plant pot, fill it with water and the plant basically waters itself when it needs it. The lady was asking £2, so I went to walk away and she knocked it down to £1. I was prepared to pay that, as you could see they were new, but as I inspected them closer I noticed one of the clay bottoms had a big chip in it. As I took it out of the box it fell apart, so that only left one intact gnome. So 50p was offered and accepted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UOH0rAEzBAg/WeTMqgAAiiI/AAAAAAAAB5U/19n5JLNNPegfwmmNvNo13sTUIBdh8_TNACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1652024393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UOH0rAEzBAg/WeTMqgAAiiI/AAAAAAAAB5U/19n5JLNNPegfwmmNvNo13sTUIBdh8_TNACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1652024393.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two cards, one blank, one sympathy. The Emma Bridgewater had £2.25 on it, so I was happy to pay 10p per card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RB-moVIel7M/WeTMtuACHnI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/_H-sm-VkTYEZ6-bo7gt6C4JG1F2bszH6QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-590030018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RB-moVIel7M/WeTMtuACHnI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/_H-sm-VkTYEZ6-bo7gt6C4JG1F2bszH6QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-590030018.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A lady with a shoe addiction and a surplus to sell meant I got these lovely boots, worn once, for Big Girl for just £4. They are New Look, which is her favourite brand, so obviously they went down well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4PV7c6L6WA/WeTMwcBpKSI/AAAAAAAAB5c/8KBPZPiYEyY0AmYfQlsCmZ999NyiuyfBQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-660954299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4PV7c6L6WA/WeTMwcBpKSI/AAAAAAAAB5c/8KBPZPiYEyY0AmYfQlsCmZ999NyiuyfBQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-660954299.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And finally (yes I've reached the end!) I've saved the best for last. A gorgeous bright red angle poise lamp for my craft room. The lady only wanted £2 for it, so I was dubious whether it worked, but it does. A new bulb and a good clean, and its just the job for my craft table. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71Im9sKnai4/WeTMnhpwTWI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/k3wksuVeVmcJ5EWQpDOlfmZAsjPUQu04gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1836402479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71Im9sKnai4/WeTMnhpwTWI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/k3wksuVeVmcJ5EWQpDOlfmZAsjPUQu04gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1836402479.jpg"></a></div><br></div>So that's it for another week. Only a few more boots until next year. I shall miss finding all our bargains on a Saturday morning. You never know what you are going to come home with, but it's always for a fraction of the price you would pay in a shop, even though a lot of the time it's brand new things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-1158342040002282772017-09-22T12:37:00.001-07:002017-09-22T12:45:51.929-07:00I only went for bin bagsI had to pop to Marks & Spencer's a few days ago to get some bin bags for a friend (she likes their lemon scented ones). I didn't manage to get there until evening, and was so glad I did as I bagged some whopping bargains....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFGJRY0k9n8/WcVmSAsM9qI/AAAAAAAAB4k/OlyS6fguGUA7zl_-_g8Jv1_8BfjReBdEgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1402158391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFGJRY0k9n8/WcVmSAsM9qI/AAAAAAAAB4k/OlyS6fguGUA7zl_-_g8Jv1_8BfjReBdEgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1402158391.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't remember the exact amount, but it was around £26 of food, and I paid £2.50! It was nice to try things that I wouldn't normally buy, and some were yummy but some things were just ok, but seeing as most items were only 10-30p I wasn't bothered. Something that surprised me were the apple slices and peanut butter - delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xo5IjUYiXwE/WcVmLkszfZI/AAAAAAAAB4c/4VS39i39q9MGH7vh9g0OoQ5-uuMUnb2RACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-396083063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xo5IjUYiXwE/WcVmLkszfZI/AAAAAAAAB4c/4VS39i39q9MGH7vh9g0OoQ5-uuMUnb2RACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-396083063.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zi8J_onP7Zc/WcVmO2R9V2I/AAAAAAAAB4g/mxFwHm8A9-E4HlK9ZJw4IsnhqZq1EPfZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1305510603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zi8J_onP7Zc/WcVmO2R9V2I/AAAAAAAAB4g/mxFwHm8A9-E4HlK9ZJw4IsnhqZq1EPfZgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1305510603.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The best buy was the turkey mince. I found a recipe on Pinterest for turkey burgers, which involved putting a pat of butter inside each burger (as turkey can dry out when cooked) and OH said they were nice (being vegetarian I have to take his word for it). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jz9lRsN8PNY/WcVmVBtg0sI/AAAAAAAAB4o/OMC7RYqqAdQXccwblNrhJc2rTVAg-60twCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-77087271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jz9lRsN8PNY/WcVmVBtg0sI/AAAAAAAAB4o/OMC7RYqqAdQXccwblNrhJc2rTVAg-60twCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-77087271.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ef_WP4kMzEg/WcVmYe9B0AI/AAAAAAAAB4s/wxqdxz3HZdY3Oq_j26Wi_DJkNK8twJo-gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1618546940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ef_WP4kMzEg/WcVmYe9B0AI/AAAAAAAAB4s/wxqdxz3HZdY3Oq_j26Wi_DJkNK8twJo-gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1618546940.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Can't complain - four homemade turkey burgers for 35p. Think I'll have to pop out for bin bags more often!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-84794372678862858892017-08-31T09:18:00.001-07:002017-08-31T10:04:41.528-07:00Wyevale bargains and a chocolate prize<div>We had to pop to Worcester today so whilst we were there I decided to pop into Wyevale. A few weeks ago the packets of seeds were half price, so I was hoping it was now time for the annual 50p clearance. Yippee, it was!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3p_R9DtG2g8/Wag2zEJuQ4I/AAAAAAAAB2w/5_UL4OyQ0G8-CXBAt177rIsMIPfBBx7ngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1232507754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3p_R9DtG2g8/Wag2zEJuQ4I/AAAAAAAAB2w/5_UL4OyQ0G8-CXBAt177rIsMIPfBBx7ngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1232507754.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>All of the vegetable and herb seed packets were 50p. I would never normally buy seed mats as a) they are more expensive than a 'normal' packet of seeds, and b) it's just lazy! But for 50p I couldn't resist a few. The colourful cauliflowers look amazing, imagine those on your plate. The cactus seeds were picked by Big Girl. Her room is full of cactus plants that she buys really cheaply from the car boot from a man who grows them as a hobby. They take years to grow, then he sells them for a few pounds, but he says it keeps him amused. So even though she gets them really cheap, Big Girl would like to have a go at growing them herself, and at 50p for a packet of 30 seeds it's worth a try. </div><div><br></div><div>I also got a few Christmas presents for children in the family. The build your own mini greenhouse, with cress, coleus and sunflower seeds to grow was £12 before. I checked with someone before I put them in the trolley, as I couldn't believe they would be reduced so much, but they were 50p too. I also got them a Grow Your Own pizza topping (basil and tomato), and sunflowers. Each box has a mini board game to play too. So a great present for two children, worth £33 altogether cost just £2!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9tVfX1MmAhg/Wag2v9b6rbI/AAAAAAAAB2s/Q_e0B6NSRtwnf20ioTe8WDlQlRKIPSm5ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--411319670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9tVfX1MmAhg/Wag2v9b6rbI/AAAAAAAAB2s/Q_e0B6NSRtwnf20ioTe8WDlQlRKIPSm5ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--411319670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I couldn't resist adding up all the seeds, including the ones above. Total real cost £62.51 - cost me £7. Happy me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't think I need any more courgette seeds any time soon. This is what I got from one plant yesterday...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ni7qQuXh4WQ/Wag8mTVpJlI/AAAAAAAAB3A/BoG_WpOiNEAZDNHbT1A8vjaFBOahKiO5ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--598083840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ni7qQuXh4WQ/Wag8mTVpJlI/AAAAAAAAB3A/BoG_WpOiNEAZDNHbT1A8vjaFBOahKiO5ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--598083840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I put the 50p there just to show how GiNoRmOuS these babies are. Luckily I've discovered a lovely recipe for courgette and cheddar quiche. I also grabbed some tomatoes whilst I was in the garden. This is just a few, there are loads more ready. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S_fQWiy7dmY/Wag8p9jMrUI/AAAAAAAAB3E/LPVxgG_Vf809UsuX8J7j0INMHqTUmZV7QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-478699334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S_fQWiy7dmY/Wag8p9jMrUI/AAAAAAAAB3E/LPVxgG_Vf809UsuX8J7j0INMHqTUmZV7QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-478699334.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You may have spotted some split ones in there, which usually happens due to infrequent watering. The plants dry out, then get a good watering and the tomatoes swell and split. I really want to install an automatic watering system. I've put one out the front for the window baskets and having the plants watered twice a day has made a huge difference. They look gorgeous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back to bargains, I also got a huge chrysanthemum for just £2. It was a bit squashed on one side but looks great squeezed in next to the asters I grew from seed...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2WL5rKnX9Y8/WahBY7hbbnI/AAAAAAAAB3U/87k_OUK_fXsBOg0tfr_f7c6VzsxyGeIKQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--13661394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2WL5rKnX9Y8/WahBY7hbbnI/AAAAAAAAB3U/87k_OUK_fXsBOg0tfr_f7c6VzsxyGeIKQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--13661394.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The reason for popping to Worcester was to pick up a prize that Little Boy won a few weeks ago. That chap is one lucky boy, he always seems to win stuff! When we were at St Peters garden centre a few weeks ago there was a competition running to celebrate National Honey Bee day. Little people had to find the honey bee images hidden around the garden centre, and write down the name of the plant they were by. As usual when you enter a competition you think you'll have a go but won't win, but I was pleasantly surprised when I had a phone call saying that Little Boy's name had been chosen and he'd won! I thought it was only a chocolate making kit, but when we got there it was wrapped up with some honeybee chocolates, a bag of flying saucer sweets, a biscuit dinosaur (not sure how those two link in with bees?) and the box of Make Your Own Chocolate bee lollipops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uR6_K3OghWI/Wag8tsjIjMI/AAAAAAAAB3I/yoxQbcvnoHgle8FbAD68mfNiJVoUreYwgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--32367916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uR6_K3OghWI/Wag8tsjIjMI/AAAAAAAAB3I/yoxQbcvnoHgle8FbAD68mfNiJVoUreYwgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--32367916.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The only problem is he keeps winning everything. He has just entered a colouring competition to win £150 worth of Playmobil. I only posted it this morning, and he's just asked when we can go to the shop to get his toys. He has to learn unfortunately that you don't win everything. Maybe I should get him to pick some lottery numbers, seeing as he seems to be so lucky!</div><div><br></div><div>Speak soon</div><div>XxXx</div><div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-66532789793862756312017-08-25T00:57:00.001-07:002017-08-25T01:00:34.829-07:00Floral distractionDo you ever get distracted in the garden? I went out after tea last night, to check on the seedlings growing in the greenhouse. As I stepped in I noticed the secateurs on the side, so decided whilst I was out there to cut some flowers for the house. About 45 minutes later, after picking and deadheading, I had this...<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YM5qU4I6nHc/WZ_YhKO41dI/AAAAAAAAB2c/orjMS1usoRo0SJ8VXuXUzbc4_bDXk-XfgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1430466767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YM5qU4I6nHc/WZ_YhKO41dI/AAAAAAAAB2c/orjMS1usoRo0SJ8VXuXUzbc4_bDXk-XfgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1430466767.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>You have to excuse the awful photo quality, it was nearly 9pm and I took this in the utility. The vase on the right is full of amaranthus. I've called it the Sideshow Bob arrangement 😄 (if you've ever watched the Simpsons you'll get it). The vase of flowers at the back just has an assortment of flowers in it, including cosmos, crocosmia, rudbeckia, antirrhinum, and nicotiana. It just goes to show you don't need a huge garden to have a constant supply of fresh flowers for the house. It's not very clear in picture but there are a few bits of greenery sticking out of the top - they are actually bird seed which the birds have spilt when feeding, and I left it to grow! I knew it would come in useful one day. </div><div>The two small arrangements were a last minute add on, one for Big Girl's room, one for Little Boy's room. </div><div>And after all that, when I finally came in and sat down, I realised I had forgotten to do what I actually went out for - check on the seedlings! I must do that today, and maybe some weeding whilst I'm out there...</div><div><br></div><div>XxXx</div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-53228604712082484952017-08-14T11:20:00.003-07:002017-08-14T11:31:26.287-07:00Lounge ceiling down<div>
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A completely irrelevant photo to start off, but the rest aren't very pretty ones so I thought I'd include this! The sweet peas in the garden are going mad, we can't keep up with picking them. But I'm not complaining, as we get pots and pots of lovely flowers to dot around the house. </div>
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Right, back to the subject of this post. The children went for a day out with my sister on Saturday, so how to make the most of a child free day? What should we do - a romantic day out? A relaxing day in? No, we knocked down the ceiling in the lounge!! Well it needed doing sometime soon, to put in new electrics upstairs, and to add some sound proof insulation between the lounge and the bedrooms. Far easier to do it without little people in the way. </div>
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The room once emptied of stuff...</div>
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The sofa had to stay in with a dust sheet on as it was a nightmare to squeeze through the door when we got it. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The brick fireplace and corner unit had to go, as I discovered a lovely tv corner unit on Pinterest to go in its place - I just need to persuade OH to make one for me. I've also spotted a gorgeous flame effect gas fire with a stone surround but it will be a very far in the future purchase as there are LOTS of other more important things to buy first. </span></div>
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Big Girl wanted to keep the brick cabinet as she really likes it (but then she likes woodchip wallpaper and anaglypta too, I think she was born in the wrong era!) and she got her way for now, because as we lifted the wooden top off we discovered it must have been installed when the house was built as there are no floorboards underneath. It's a big hole straight down under the house! At some point soon all the floorboards have to come up in here when we put in insulation, so when that's done we will add a floor in that bit and the bricks can come out. </div>
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The view below is looking from the lounge, through the dining room and into the new garden room. The old patio doors that went out to the conservatory are still in, so we can use that room as a dust free place to store everything from the lounge. Once all the messy work is finished we can rip them out and it will be more free flowing and open. </div>
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And here it is once the ceiling is down, certainly makes it a lot darker in there...</div>
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Work in progress...</div>
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As the bricks above the fireplace came down we realised that the plaster behind was loose so that all had to come down too. </div>
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And this is what it is like when we'd finished. Rather rustic looking but at least all the visible dust and mess has gone. By the way it's Little Boy watching Paw Patrol on the tv, not me - honest!</div>
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Do you know what the best part of the day was? Having a shower! Don't you just love it when you get filthy dusty and dirty, and how lovely it feels when you wash it all off and put clean clothes on. Then we collapsed on the sofa with a pizza and chips, a beer for OH and a big cup of tea for me!</div>
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So it was a hard, dusty, dirty day but it's one more big job crossed off the to do list. </div>
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C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-7155187021806957262017-06-19T09:27:00.001-07:002017-07-28T01:31:08.558-07:00First proper harvest of the year<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We've been harvesting lettuce from the greenhouse for a while, but this weekend we harvested our first 'proper' veg - a courgette! It was delicious, they are so much firmer when freshly picked than the ones you get from the supermarket. Big Girl and I had it sliced and grilled with sliced red pepper and halloumi in a burger bun, with chips and salad. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm not new to veg growing, we had a 30m x 30m veg garden in New Zealand and grew everything from carrots to giant water melons. The problem is it was so big an area we spent more time keeping on top of the weeds than actual planting. So it's quite nice now to have a little garden big enough to have some spare space to grow a few fruit/veg but also small enough to maintain. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DGwdO-4L7mY/WUf7SLIVkUI/AAAAAAAABy4/ZTV4Gef1PasPwT7PT02ub4Xpt_h-Xv0dwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1238501060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DGwdO-4L7mY/WUf7SLIVkUI/AAAAAAAABy4/ZTV4Gef1PasPwT7PT02ub4Xpt_h-Xv0dwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1238501060.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lots of perfect shiny red cherries, unfortunately it is an ornamental cherry tree, so the fruits are tiny, about a fifth of the size of a normal cherry....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jMBZPg9_2Pk/WUf7VdEojWI/AAAAAAAABy8/NOUfLU4_T54tfKbNapgMfROKV1BkYUc0ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1562478198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jMBZPg9_2Pk/WUf7VdEojWI/AAAAAAAABy8/NOUfLU4_T54tfKbNapgMfROKV1BkYUc0ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1562478198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A raspberry bush, bought for a few pounds from Morrisons. It struggled in the first year, but seems to be improving with time. Okay, it wouldn't win any beauty contests but they taste good so that's all that matters. I won't be making raspberry jam any time soon but I get one or two fruits when I pass by. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4gaQQNHlcxg/WUf7YX3aUXI/AAAAAAAABzA/SLHVEfz6Uw8ModfBhWduC0AGg5X-A6m5gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--143362527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4gaQQNHlcxg/WUf7YX3aUXI/AAAAAAAABzA/SLHVEfz6Uw8ModfBhWduC0AGg5X-A6m5gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--143362527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A dwarf apple tree, Fiesta (Red Pippin) bought recently from a plant nursery sale. I didn't know until I got home though that it needed a pollinating partner. It had about six small apples on it when I got it, now there is only one left....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BkGFeW9oUOs/WUf7OyFxlDI/AAAAAAAABy0/JINDGsuIEOkJmi6pobaMyQdetAKpHiEkgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1878689974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BkGFeW9oUOs/WUf7OyFxlDI/AAAAAAAABy0/JINDGsuIEOkJmi6pobaMyQdetAKpHiEkgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1878689974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have several planters with strawberries in them. I decided to inter plant the strawberries in this one with lobelia, with the idea it may confuse the birds and they won't notice the strawberries. Seems to be working so far, as it isn't netted and we don't seem to be losing any. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D9UaAMSqYkI/WUf7L76boKI/AAAAAAAAByw/YPThYvpE81UsZwAlDTmmI7yZXi8OgFaYgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1409859668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D9UaAMSqYkI/WUf7L76boKI/AAAAAAAAByw/YPThYvpE81UsZwAlDTmmI7yZXi8OgFaYgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1409859668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another Morrisons buy, this time a blueberry bush. There's quite a decent crop this year, let's hope we beat the birds to these too...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkL64IMOw2Y/WUf7bTEwkII/AAAAAAAABzE/ZafvI2lM7eANsGc3R-sxprWtAQzO2Uj8QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1046263072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkL64IMOw2Y/WUf7bTEwkII/AAAAAAAABzE/ZafvI2lM7eANsGc3R-sxprWtAQzO2Uj8QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1046263072.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I like a cottage garden planting style, intermingling flowers with veg. In this spot I have put in some courgettes, lettuce and a Brussels sprout plant amongst the sunflowers and achilleas....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P0C76rlVLEs/WUf7eZeoCuI/AAAAAAAABzI/fVx89kiVbU8FO08XCoU-RqWrmTFzWWHegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2106042092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P0C76rlVLEs/WUf7eZeoCuI/AAAAAAAABzI/fVx89kiVbU8FO08XCoU-RqWrmTFzWWHegCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2106042092.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Update - it's been a few weeks since I wrote this blog post, and with the bit of rain we have had lately the plants have shot up...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YKU8YvAxAp4/WXrrV4JHV5I/AAAAAAAABzg/T5ifw-ZJWvkUUrmc7g8DFaMi1KBgpb2XgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1340238330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YKU8YvAxAp4/WXrrV4JHV5I/AAAAAAAABzg/T5ifw-ZJWvkUUrmc7g8DFaMi1KBgpb2XgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1340238330.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X5kNWicGV88/WXrxib78MdI/AAAAAAAABz4/aY22Cd5_A50qSvLakL8MN72fma_s-SAZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-38408543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X5kNWicGV88/WXrxib78MdI/AAAAAAAABz4/aY22Cd5_A50qSvLakL8MN72fma_s-SAZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-38408543.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The courgette plants are exploding, I think if you stood still and watched you would actually see the courgettes growing! I picked these on the weekend...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q6vVriytnEE/WXrraDqexEI/AAAAAAAABzk/q0i-OgQS8lMzJsFJS2rmwLrY8J93a5-ngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--705909322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q6vVriytnEE/WXrraDqexEI/AAAAAAAABzk/q0i-OgQS8lMzJsFJS2rmwLrY8J93a5-ngCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--705909322.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now just five days later I popped outside to take some photos and spotted this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HJOiBkW0wbw/WXrrSrcBnVI/AAAAAAAABzc/KFHjvbrgNa0C7FEEpkerz31xBZqzYWIWwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-550699736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HJOiBkW0wbw/WXrrSrcBnVI/AAAAAAAABzc/KFHjvbrgNa0C7FEEpkerz31xBZqzYWIWwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-550699736.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In New Zealand we had pigs and chickens who would happily polish off the surplus courgettes, over here I just have to donate them to any passing friends/family/neighbours. If I get desperate I even hand them over to any visiting workmen, meter readers... I think I need to buy a spiralizer, like this one. Courgette noodles sound quite tasty, and apparently only need boiling for 20 seconds!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">tomatoes are ripening nicely in</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> the greenhouse, though the plants don't seem as full of fruits as recent years, and on some of the trusses the fruit seems quite spaced out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGEnOWLXfbU/WXrxnbHCvZI/AAAAAAAABz8/KrSf6MWf11gUCbLVQUpqvHKLRoXLg-4GACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--342754723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGEnOWLXfbU/WXrxnbHCvZI/AAAAAAAABz8/KrSf6MWf11gUCbLVQUpqvHKLRoXLg-4GACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--342754723.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">More strawberries...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sp9fP2VK25o/WXrxdif79OI/AAAAAAAABz0/UKq0A4CndBQQdbuI9Pj3OFkW0QaQChCsgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-430216358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sp9fP2VK25o/WXrxdif79OI/AAAAAAAABz0/UKq0A4CndBQQdbuI9Pj3OFkW0QaQChCsgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-430216358.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And finally, pumpkins! Big Girl planted these, and they are shooting up. She planted them near a pile of rocks, as we thought the pumpkins might like the heat from the rocks to help them grow. Now they are growing though I am beginning to think it may have been a mistake - will the pumpkins just grow to fit the space, and have rock shaped dents in them? I think I may sit them on a bit of foam or something similar to give their bottoms a bit of protection. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--lSO__FbZnQ/WXrxssmtRHI/AAAAAAAAB0A/rJoTkQxQWw0y1zlAafhN1inZ0g-hG7sbwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-613797688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--lSO__FbZnQ/WXrxssmtRHI/AAAAAAAAB0A/rJoTkQxQWw0y1zlAafhN1inZ0g-hG7sbwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-613797688.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So that's what is growing in the garden at the moment. Plenty to keep me busy in the kitchen. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Speak soon, lots to tell you!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">XxXx</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-2784572867670201142017-06-19T08:40:00.001-07:002017-06-19T08:57:10.145-07:00What's in the box?A knock on the door the other day - a parcel for me! It was quite large so I couldn't think what it could possibly be. The delivery driver read out the name of the sender, nope that doesn't ring a bell. Then he read out the customs slip which describes the contents of the parcel - two mugs. Nope, still not remembering. I explained I enter a lot of competitions, so maybe I had won something. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xEO8eNuLIg/WUfwTweaYkI/AAAAAAAAByQ/7QXGyrXM5bMT7xWhZ-bzCSaUOvsLLtl1gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-935281359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xEO8eNuLIg/WUfwTweaYkI/AAAAAAAAByQ/7QXGyrXM5bMT7xWhZ-bzCSaUOvsLLtl1gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-935281359.jpg"></a></div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vbO4As9N0JE/WUfwLMxHMJI/AAAAAAAAByE/a4QPRtlCoYAvC8bgMxjQfm1U80PuQGMgACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1434177975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vbO4As9N0JE/WUfwLMxHMJI/AAAAAAAAByE/a4QPRtlCoYAvC8bgMxjQfm1U80PuQGMgACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1434177975.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So what was inside this big box with all the packaging? Three little bags of buttons!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ordered them online a few weeks ago for Big Girl for a Christmas stocking. Coming from China I was dubious of the quality as they were quite cheap, but I was really pleased with them. They were a good quality and a great range of colours and styles. I'd love to get some more for myself, but I'm very anti excessive packaging, and this was taking it to extremes. I guess they were making sure there were no damages, but I think a decent Jiffy bag would be fine for a bag of buttons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xrrprNFS1ZQ/WUfwQ6eodFI/AAAAAAAAByM/uQfNzHYQ35oKUkEoUa6hHmnuS9H2vkuLwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-233507483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xrrprNFS1ZQ/WUfwQ6eodFI/AAAAAAAAByM/uQfNzHYQ35oKUkEoUa6hHmnuS9H2vkuLwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-233507483.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well at least the box was put to good use - a lounge full of comfy armchairs and a sofa, and Little Boy decided to sit in the box to watch telly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZllK2HUSWQ/WUfwN5ERbFI/AAAAAAAAByI/y8VVx6s8UBowThFbHIOg0PC7Sfako1LZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-173309855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZllK2HUSWQ/WUfwN5ERbFI/AAAAAAAAByI/y8VVx6s8UBowThFbHIOg0PC7Sfako1LZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-173309855.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-53716022782942387442017-06-16T09:03:00.001-07:002017-07-06T01:43:30.657-07:00A scary skeleton surprise<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When we were living in New Zealand I missed going to the local auctions. I have only recently got back into viewing them. Unfortunately I couldn't make the latest one in person, so had to leave bids. One thing I bid on was a rather large box of Halloween bits and pieces, which I won for the grand sum of £15. I was sure the children would like all of it, but the main thing I was interested in were the two large metal pumpkins, with a little door in the back so you put a candle inside. I do like the fun of carving a real pumpkin, but they do end up a soggy, smelly mess on your doorstep after about a week. This way I get all the fun and none of the mess! They are brand new, still had a label on, and will look handsome either side of the door come October time....</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wTB59iRbIQQ/WUQBLGMiXWI/AAAAAAAABxk/lJoUufp55ckSnmU5feZIoKTfahgqlsKYwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-772620016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wTB59iRbIQQ/WUQBLGMiXWI/AAAAAAAABxk/lJoUufp55ckSnmU5feZIoKTfahgqlsKYwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-772620016.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The rest of the stuff was packed into a large cardboard box. I had rooted through a bit of the top layer, but it was so tangled up I couldn't get to the bottom of it. I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">couldn't wait to pick Little Boy up from nursery so he could help unpack our box of goodies....</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wF2AKlOzOFc/WUQA-hHJqDI/AAAAAAAABxU/QITCEcYfOzc-uE0nEfyHAXOSN5af0MZ1QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1863426120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wF2AKlOzOFc/WUQA-hHJqDI/AAAAAAAABxU/QITCEcYfOzc-uE0nEfyHAXOSN5af0MZ1QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1863426120.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's what was inside - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Three large, scary skeletons, who's eyes glow red and they scream and moan when you press a button. Little Boy was rather scared of them at first, but now we can't get him to leave them alone. He liked pressing the button to scare visitors. I think come Halloween we need to stack up on spare batteries!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-692Gv-uDvHc/WUf2wsoOCoI/AAAAAAAAByk/R8NCqZ2RnbkleygiI0_y0P91OdQi94-OgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1352712830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-692Gv-uDvHc/WUf2wsoOCoI/AAAAAAAAByk/R8NCqZ2RnbkleygiI0_y0P91OdQi94-OgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1352712830.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Five black cloaked skeletons, and a blonde (?) skeleton....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4lwTCAwmio/WUQBOScgV9I/AAAAAAAABxo/Am1n8e-sOZcocPY4v8kdTeUla0dbQErzgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1389042943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4lwTCAwmio/WUQBOScgV9I/AAAAAAAABxo/Am1n8e-sOZcocPY4v8kdTeUla0dbQErzgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1389042943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Five big broomsticks, and five child size ones. One of the big ones still had a £6.99 price tag on it....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c76koM-ohHs/WUf2thN1s2I/AAAAAAAAByg/cIssDB-a1jEHRxfbrbrErPyvGRExAVr3ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-309889889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c76koM-ohHs/WUf2thN1s2I/AAAAAAAAByg/cIssDB-a1jEHRxfbrbrErPyvGRExAVr3ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-309889889.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two 'Happy Halloween' banners....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4tjDL0jSwu8/WUQBBghSD8I/AAAAAAAABxY/R1KI5wmLvdEd4mtzFLZm2WPEu_8GtxqEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-734400190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4tjDL0jSwu8/WUQBBghSD8I/AAAAAAAABxY/R1KI5wmLvdEd4mtzFLZm2WPEu_8GtxqEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-734400190.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two large cardboard skeletons....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9TcaXsAxCjc/WUQBEyUkfAI/AAAAAAAABxc/Zweo_YKYApA1KqiHlNX2wb-dVVO6TrttgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1745457612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9TcaXsAxCjc/WUQBEyUkfAI/AAAAAAAABxc/Zweo_YKYApA1KqiHlNX2wb-dVVO6TrttgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1745457612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A rather smiley glow in the dark skeleton, wearing some of the pumpkin and glow in the dark skull tinsel (there was a box full of this)....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7MD4OLJOeds/WUQBIMsU1GI/AAAAAAAABxg/YFwDqqxTINg412goqvzt8i-W63tj5iWjwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1808200902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7MD4OLJOeds/WUQBIMsU1GI/AAAAAAAABxg/YFwDqqxTINg412goqvzt8i-W63tj5iWjwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1808200902.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Five spiders, three of which wiggle around when you pull the cord....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rG-1nmNLN2g/WUQDRVDiGDI/AAAAAAAABxs/1-xk_ETz6q0SEUcJWX9M4nXk5YEhpSpPgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-486469339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rG-1nmNLN2g/WUQDRVDiGDI/AAAAAAAABxs/1-xk_ETz6q0SEUcJWX9M4nXk5YEhpSpPgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-486469339.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eight witches hats (two adult and six child size), and two trick or treat bowls guarded by a rather cross skeleton, who leaps forward and tells you 'hands off my sweets' and other sayings when you go to take a sweet from the bowl....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EO9SS0HrRFM/WUQDUl076PI/AAAAAAAABxw/is6HyC-sc-oC9GNlN_82q0N0BBvvgcLtQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1278463608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EO9SS0HrRFM/WUQDUl076PI/AAAAAAAABxw/is6HyC-sc-oC9GNlN_82q0N0BBvvgcLtQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1278463608.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And finally, two cauldrons full of Halloween garlands and tinsel, three tea light holders and a box of tea lights....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EzhEYtNTA6g/WUQDXwZrhTI/AAAAAAAABx0/fnwwuH9EtOYJJVTdgSr4WdLhPBEvlB59QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-201988203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EzhEYtNTA6g/WUQDXwZrhTI/AAAAAAAABx0/fnwwuH9EtOYJJVTdgSr4WdLhPBEvlB59QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-201988203.jpg"></a></div><br></div>So we are well stocked up for Halloween, maybe a Halloween party is called for?! I think maybe I might sell some at a car boot and recoup my outlay, then we can enjoy the rest for free!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-11947964229748371522017-06-16T06:57:00.001-07:002017-06-16T07:23:39.817-07:00Rubble to the tip trips<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now the outside of the house is virtually finished, we can concentrate on the inside. Next job on the list was to knock down the wall that was the front of the house, but is now taking up room in our lounge. We could have had another grab hire but that would have meant weeks of rubble piled on our drive until we had enough to justify the cost, so we decided to take it to the tip ourselves. Seeing as OH has a van, and we don't have a permit for it for the tip, it was down to my poor car to be the workhorse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It doesn't look like there is much in the boot, but it was sure heavy, and so it took many, many, many trips to get rid of a whole wall. Good job the tip is just a few minutes down the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l8RCz8v7FEI/WUPjv_r4ttI/AAAAAAAABw4/FtoXlh5M_fYYmf459-q3NvdypDo7fyAogCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1578663238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l8RCz8v7FEI/WUPjv_r4ttI/AAAAAAAABw4/FtoXlh5M_fYYmf459-q3NvdypDo7fyAogCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1578663238.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">OH stayed at home, knocking down the wall brick by brick, then passing them through the window to me. We had to take our time and do it carefully as we still had all our stuff in the lounge and didn't want it covered in dust! I had the job of heaving it all into the car then heaving it all out the other end. I was worn out by the end of the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-48yrrnYitmU/WUPjlRGcbrI/AAAAAAAABwo/GtZOWP_7sF0k0Btb_7lPrFNuSV4crllBgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--934008873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-48yrrnYitmU/WUPjlRGcbrI/AAAAAAAABwo/GtZOWP_7sF0k0Btb_7lPrFNuSV4crllBgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--934008873.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The photo below shows OH in the extension part. It looks tiny, but once the inside wall was taken down it made a huge difference to the sense of space in the lounge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iYoK-8ykTlM/WUPjiian-bI/AAAAAAAABwk/rWECz6CmkSovI4zomE0cK-mwXFy4_midwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--128342277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iYoK-8ykTlM/WUPjiian-bI/AAAAAAAABwk/rWECz6CmkSovI4zomE0cK-mwXFy4_midwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--128342277.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My reward for all the lifting and sweating was a freebie! On one of trips I pulled up to the rubble skip and saw this perched on top. As long as you don't actually get in the skip they turn a blind eye if something decides to 'fall into your car'. So this beauty came home with me. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, just needed a bit of a clean. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbltdCLKKU8/WUPmSwF-OGI/AAAAAAAABxE/SB5uOEew9vUiYObPMtCO_gsZOUQb-Hs1wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1687414101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbltdCLKKU8/WUPmSwF-OGI/AAAAAAAABxE/SB5uOEew9vUiYObPMtCO_gsZOUQb-Hs1wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1687414101.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BPL24ZhNoUU/WUPjoMFpw4I/AAAAAAAABws/NZKk7J6cttAY-uigYiVfuVlmR0cjv37PACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-329659346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BPL24ZhNoUU/WUPjoMFpw4I/AAAAAAAABws/NZKk7J6cttAY-uigYiVfuVlmR0cjv37PACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-329659346.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Planted up with a grass and some huecheras it now stands guard at the front door with my other blue pot (which incidentally also came from the tip, but that one was a different tip where they sell stuff, cost me £2 if I remember). I just have to set up the self watering system then they will all look after themselves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qYWXeWuNiWM/WUPjqnTe-wI/AAAAAAAABww/5sZSE2XsHXoan4GSzR-WUh07Gbr4hLNjwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1154373083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qYWXeWuNiWM/WUPjqnTe-wI/AAAAAAAABww/5sZSE2XsHXoan4GSzR-WUh07Gbr4hLNjwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1154373083.jpg"></a></div><br></div>It's Fathers Day this weekend, supposed to be the hottest day of the year! Hope all you fathers out there have a fab day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-29362441727716304042017-05-29T00:06:00.001-07:002017-05-29T00:07:56.206-07:00First strawberry<div>We've finally picked the first strawberry from the garden this year, and it was deeelicious! Unfortunately only one was ready, so split into three it didn't go far (Little One was in bed, so we only had to share between three of us!). </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6d6LAvBnTw/WSvIgT7ee_I/AAAAAAAABvU/uS18kXBMp0EL7Vc8GTBcIHbKXNpMWMNuACHM/s640/blogger-image--2036092679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6d6LAvBnTw/WSvIgT7ee_I/AAAAAAAABvU/uS18kXBMp0EL7Vc8GTBcIHbKXNpMWMNuACHM/s640/blogger-image--2036092679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I originally bought one of these big planters, which holds loads of strawberry plants. It has some netting to cover over the fruit when it is ripening. I've learnt from last year not to put it on too early though, as if you do the strawberries just grow through the netting, then you can't take it off! It's great but I didn't really think when I placed it, as the plants around the back don't get much sun so are a lot smaller and don't produce much fruit. Maybe we should have put it on a spinning jenny so I could turn it around ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPMzTbUVKUs/WSvIbGmPqkI/AAAAAAAABvM/DWHPVTgyHLQUyPnk01GcazXKwUiQil5ggCHM/s640/blogger-image-1433329626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPMzTbUVKUs/WSvIbGmPqkI/AAAAAAAABvM/DWHPVTgyHLQUyPnk01GcazXKwUiQil5ggCHM/s640/blogger-image-1433329626.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year I decided to use a three tier basket to put some of the runners in from the plants above. This is where our first strawberry of the season came from. I've planted some lobelia in there as well. The plan is to trick the birds so they only see flowers and not my yummy fruit. I'll let you know if my plan works!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3cQx_P9V5ZM/WSvIdwQz7HI/AAAAAAAABvQ/0I7ppuI5DRYkdkfkMPgH76TvFGbN416kwCHM/s640/blogger-image--2089576778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3cQx_P9V5ZM/WSvIdwQz7HI/AAAAAAAABvQ/0I7ppuI5DRYkdkfkMPgH76TvFGbN416kwCHM/s640/blogger-image--2089576778.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speak soon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-7727959220332263982017-05-19T04:11:00.001-07:002017-06-14T08:27:10.334-07:00Building onwards, upwards & outwards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is what our garden looked like a year ago. Nothing special, a work in progress, but at least there was greenery, and a few flowers growing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHvPuaTBjog/WUFSL7pTV2I/AAAAAAAABwQ/fymh5kM8MNgilp0NE9ukTZ8vCF_kNyPjQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--418681344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHvPuaTBjog/WUFSL7pTV2I/AAAAAAAABwQ/fymh5kM8MNgilp0NE9ukTZ8vCF_kNyPjQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--418681344.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is what it looked like the same time (May) this year. Quite literally like a building site...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FPtvbwh_dBA/WR7StJ8YYWI/AAAAAAAABuo/8apnArGXMPI5IYEKM9y3FkFAzLXp-fKIQCHM/s640/blogger-image-147461632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FPtvbwh_dBA/WR7StJ8YYWI/AAAAAAAABuo/8apnArGXMPI5IYEKM9y3FkFAzLXp-fKIQCHM/s640/blogger-image-147461632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GjPDa8Y7p_U/WR7S3XwDnNI/AAAAAAAABu4/XhjBUdBCUfQAr8FI4F0gDy0h9u3ZGKGPwCHM/s640/blogger-image-531724934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GjPDa8Y7p_U/WR7S3XwDnNI/AAAAAAAABu4/XhjBUdBCUfQAr8FI4F0gDy0h9u3ZGKGPwCHM/s640/blogger-image-531724934.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sE8wURZT_0/WR7SlICVa7I/AAAAAAAABuc/ZM5ug_XnJ6Q5IJuYBFCG8xyRQ-kMpFO_ACHM/s640/blogger-image-849498763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sE8wURZT_0/WR7SlICVa7I/AAAAAAAABuc/ZM5ug_XnJ6Q5IJuYBFCG8xyRQ-kMpFO_ACHM/s640/blogger-image-849498763.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nick the tiler came, and hey presto, we now have a smart roof and a velux in the kitchen extension...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2krnya6g2P8/WTVxbAEsONI/AAAAAAAABvk/fVXHi1ycfb0HtOERJZ9TAmKk4gidY-N1QCHM/s640/blogger-image-666288643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2krnya6g2P8/WTVxbAEsONI/AAAAAAAABvk/fVXHi1ycfb0HtOERJZ9TAmKk4gidY-N1QCHM/s640/blogger-image-666288643.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyjslYIrVfk/WR7SqX6LxKI/AAAAAAAABuk/x5FNiPv3BNQVLdKW0-vp3Kg_U_URuI0sQCHM/s640/blogger-image-713528375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyjslYIrVfk/WR7SqX6LxKI/AAAAAAAABuk/x5FNiPv3BNQVLdKW0-vp3Kg_U_URuI0sQCHM/s640/blogger-image-713528375.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Boy is enjoying having lots of different things to climb on and jump off but also doesn't mind helping out. Give him a box to fill and he's quite happy collecting together all the timber off cuts or bits of rubble...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JyEVqkNl5as/WR7Snwud8wI/AAAAAAAABug/goJBEk1tuf4NlIPrkAzy7ucDE1QRFHfXQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1526471890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JyEVqkNl5as/WR7Snwud8wI/AAAAAAAABug/goJBEk1tuf4NlIPrkAzy7ucDE1QRFHfXQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1526471890.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Inside was rather an upheaval, as we needed to have steel uprights fitted to hold the big steel spanning the width of the lounge. That meant digging two big holes in our lounge floor...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IaDt53ufyYk/WR7Svgmt_FI/AAAAAAAABus/9eCGzkiYUhQz2FtWa-Gn_Bn0yT-iAg2wwCHM/s640/blogger-image--509014654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IaDt53ufyYk/WR7Svgmt_FI/AAAAAAAABus/9eCGzkiYUhQz2FtWa-Gn_Bn0yT-iAg2wwCHM/s640/blogger-image--509014654.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_S0aqSjxeHM/WR7S6MYNXZI/AAAAAAAABu8/-iAuWfoEdjU-9IHk0nxkApquEnDYqaOLwCHM/s640/blogger-image-60399281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_S0aqSjxeHM/WR7S6MYNXZI/AAAAAAAABu8/-iAuWfoEdjU-9IHk0nxkApquEnDYqaOLwCHM/s640/blogger-image-60399281.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The dust and noise was horrendous, and we had to section off a part of the lounge with heavy duty plastic backed dust sheets so we could carry on living there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also needed to take down units in the kitchen so they could knock through to get the steel in there too. So all the stuff had to come out of the units and be boxed away...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujdG2Krje7Y/WTV2LOHh_oI/AAAAAAAABv0/F9vAV1FLjXswLidI1f4czBKpK7sEszlxACHM/s640/blogger-image--1963341889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ujdG2Krje7Y/WTV2LOHh_oI/AAAAAAAABv0/F9vAV1FLjXswLidI1f4czBKpK7sEszlxACHM/s640/blogger-image--1963341889.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And more mess and dust 😩...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EMv3vFNmEfQ/WTV2N8ddHzI/AAAAAAAABv4/zyiGtW6ed_ErlnPMLg3yw5qTRDyKOpsaQCHM/s640/blogger-image--956054497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EMv3vFNmEfQ/WTV2N8ddHzI/AAAAAAAABv4/zyiGtW6ed_ErlnPMLg3yw5qTRDyKOpsaQCHM/s640/blogger-image--956054497.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nVTWMWUY-o/WR7SyFY1IoI/AAAAAAAABuw/qeAQWAVnUmUis3XannPCdvAIhnUO7B_0wCHM/s640/blogger-image--1705475949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nVTWMWUY-o/WR7SyFY1IoI/AAAAAAAABuw/qeAQWAVnUmUis3XannPCdvAIhnUO7B_0wCHM/s640/blogger-image--1705475949.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Big Girl wasn't too impressed as they had to knock three holes in her bedroom wall, to put in the acros to hold up the wall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rAkjiuzrP9M/WR7SiZluxzI/AAAAAAAABuY/Ef4BHMQOF4MHjq56Hh33iJo9A5WhqJoAwCHM/s640/blogger-image--132620810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rAkjiuzrP9M/WR7SiZluxzI/AAAAAAAABuY/Ef4BHMQOF4MHjq56Hh33iJo9A5WhqJoAwCHM/s640/blogger-image--132620810.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Then out came the old concrete lintel...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WncQ16VWiHU/WR7Sf7w_q4I/AAAAAAAABuU/_sq_S-KMsmckb3LEsRMkBCh0zRDnkkWnwCHM/s640/blogger-image-867980078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WncQ16VWiHU/WR7Sf7w_q4I/AAAAAAAABuU/_sq_S-KMsmckb3LEsRMkBCh0zRDnkkWnwCHM/s640/blogger-image-867980078.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And in with the new. We had to have extra help that day, as it was really heavy and took four of them to lift it all in place. It was a nervous time, as if anyone had measured wrong and it didn't fit we were in trouble. It was alright in the end, a bit too big but nothing a bit of bashing didn't fix!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfF5mhrkH8c/WR7S05vUhXI/AAAAAAAABu0/u8eYRTcsy642jw9nAWqznDpS5xtqELZDwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1584799194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfF5mhrkH8c/WR7S05vUhXI/AAAAAAAABu0/u8eYRTcsy642jw9nAWqznDpS5xtqELZDwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1584799194.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once the steel was in the front wall was soon up, roof tiled, new windows in and a smart new green door...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_p6IKH1fgw/WUFPrOXj1oI/AAAAAAAABwI/S4oQaJ58r9kmxVoxF2e_IW37rQMSIK9wQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1011847616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_p6IKH1fgw/WUFPrOXj1oI/AAAAAAAABwI/S4oQaJ58r9kmxVoxF2e_IW37rQMSIK9wQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1011847616.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DWDinndyCMg/WUFPuu1KBUI/AAAAAAAABwM/hhpc2tZUQtojYQQQRABZ-GVra6FXXp-2QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-501061329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DWDinndyCMg/WUFPuu1KBUI/AAAAAAAABwM/hhpc2tZUQtojYQQQRABZ-GVra6FXXp-2QCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-501061329.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm really pleased with the front door. I didn't just want boring old white PVC, and was tempted by the oak effect. In the end I chose the green, and I think it looks smart with the chrome accessories. Finishing touches will be an outside light and a new door number I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R1o0AmOPwvU/WUFUHDQkqOI/AAAAAAAABwU/FkqtFbHAkZACPlhqQ59UaofWReOQ36amgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-413797320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R1o0AmOPwvU/WUFUHDQkqOI/AAAAAAAABwU/FkqtFbHAkZACPlhqQ59UaofWReOQ36amgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-413797320.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now all it needs out the front is the window baskets re fitted and planted up, a fence put up, all the rubbish tidied away and some plants planted....</div><br></div>XxXx</div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-79521563602592247462017-04-21T12:21:00.001-07:002017-05-03T05:51:30.392-07:00Half term entertainment<div><br></div><div>It was finally back to school last week, after a longer than usual half term. Little Boy seemed a bit under the weather the week before the holidays. When I took his top off to get him in his pyjamas I discovered why...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vbl_YcCEqrs/WQOd9UrMpiI/AAAAAAAABrc/yoR9h5PacKErMqPrL-fSOQ6XQrHtTf8ywCHM/s640/blogger-image-1859597836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vbl_YcCEqrs/WQOd9UrMpiI/AAAAAAAABrc/yoR9h5PacKErMqPrL-fSOQ6XQrHtTf8ywCHM/s640/blogger-image-1859597836.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chickenpox!!!! Obviously he then couldn't go to nursery, so he was actually off for three weeks rather than just two. He was a model patient, and didn't itch at all. Whenever he had an itchy spot, he would come and tell me and I would put some gel on it. I veered away from the traditional calamine lotion, as I had read that when it dries it can actually be the cause of some itchiness, but instead used ViraSoothe. It wasn't cheap, at nearly £9 for a 75g tube, but it worked a treat. </div><br></div><div>So by the start of the actual half term he was feeling better. We don't splash out lots on days out, but we did have a few nice outings. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cotswold wildlife park in Burford</div><div><br></div><div>A day out for the children with Nanny and Grandy. Set in 160 acres of parkland, it houses a wide variety of birds and mammals, many of which are endangered in the wild. There's lots to see, including a walk through Madagascar exhibit, Reptile house, and children's farmyard. A miniature train takes you for a ride around the park, but you have to pay extra for that. The adventure playground is amazing, and big enough for adults to go on too (I may have tried it out, purely to keep an eye on Little Boy of course!). For plant lovers there are beautiful landscaped gardens in the walled garden. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hwq4XQOJmF0/WQnM9XmxfkI/AAAAAAAABtI/hr-n8s7sYmowl8jUpSiovEIOLIpSiPWcwCHM/s640/blogger-image--444812712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hwq4XQOJmF0/WQnM9XmxfkI/AAAAAAAABtI/hr-n8s7sYmowl8jUpSiovEIOLIpSiPWcwCHM/s640/blogger-image--444812712.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Did you spot Little Boy above with his red painted finger nails? Joys of having a big sister, you get your nails painted a variety of colours in the holidays!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UujdXcTgHUo/WQnNAGE5ULI/AAAAAAAABtM/oiZNoJ4dhJoJhb3Fk1OYqCtYSNvJwg19gCHM/s640/blogger-image-985499769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UujdXcTgHUo/WQnNAGE5ULI/AAAAAAAABtM/oiZNoJ4dhJoJhb3Fk1OYqCtYSNvJwg19gCHM/s640/blogger-image-985499769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFmU15CvfFE/WQnNCtqUQCI/AAAAAAAABtQ/JeXHyZxAXq4u1MPfCF35Ube5_Av0K2zhwCHM/s640/blogger-image--622999959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFmU15CvfFE/WQnNCtqUQCI/AAAAAAAABtQ/JeXHyZxAXq4u1MPfCF35Ube5_Av0K2zhwCHM/s640/blogger-image--622999959.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury</div><div><br></div><div>OH came here too, so a rare 'complete' family day out!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNgGTybD9rw/WQOgpt5s8BI/AAAAAAAABr4/OMmxJYXbA6AcJPYOTSETNLSyCjEHwTpjQCHM/s640/blogger-image--2116012689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNgGTybD9rw/WQOgpt5s8BI/AAAAAAAABr4/OMmxJYXbA6AcJPYOTSETNLSyCjEHwTpjQCHM/s640/blogger-image--2116012689.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NDrnCX_-xX4/WQOggE_8SpI/AAAAAAAABrs/PyyiCAYpK3wFn_sisLBOc6zAbcZHENAHwCHM/s640/blogger-image--497787637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NDrnCX_-xX4/WQOggE_8SpI/AAAAAAAABrs/PyyiCAYpK3wFn_sisLBOc6zAbcZHENAHwCHM/s640/blogger-image--497787637.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hkx3uoGtf1U/WQOo0CzhQkI/AAAAAAAABsY/Dl4nM1ar6qoVcEHN1ubaptlCeeJXneqiwCHM/s640/blogger-image-678745210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hkx3uoGtf1U/WQOo0CzhQkI/AAAAAAAABsY/Dl4nM1ar6qoVcEHN1ubaptlCeeJXneqiwCHM/s640/blogger-image-678745210.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHZjn1bcpI8/WQOnDOg148I/AAAAAAAABsM/huTpFNrzQUEGBfZvW7xzA24ZouYsW5PzgCHM/s640/blogger-image--951978007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHZjn1bcpI8/WQOnDOg148I/AAAAAAAABsM/huTpFNrzQUEGBfZvW7xzA24ZouYsW5PzgCHM/s640/blogger-image--951978007.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aRMZEMxLAyA/WQOdyFuOv2I/AAAAAAAABrM/0nSFkNpZhHQzJlSEhfU4044sATcic2ojACHM/s640/blogger-image--98478727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aRMZEMxLAyA/WQOdyFuOv2I/AAAAAAAABrM/0nSFkNpZhHQzJlSEhfU4044sATcic2ojACHM/s640/blogger-image--98478727.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not only is it great looking around inside the castle, but outside is just as fun, with an adventure playground, knight's maze, and junior assault course....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f1hrbh_-nz8/WQOd38V5AxI/AAAAAAAABrU/MOdLyv9xXpAaLh47wCkV9W8qLAOrWnYbgCHM/s640/blogger-image--438462896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f1hrbh_-nz8/WQOd38V5AxI/AAAAAAAABrU/MOdLyv9xXpAaLh47wCkV9W8qLAOrWnYbgCHM/s640/blogger-image--438462896.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DPXw_pMaep0/WQnSEXxW3hI/AAAAAAAABtk/vXlAdpO8fGMWGqkrtMFtx4WIszkDa-1hQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1856196766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DPXw_pMaep0/WQnSEXxW3hI/AAAAAAAABtk/vXlAdpO8fGMWGqkrtMFtx4WIszkDa-1hQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1856196766.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dq-G68HJ2_M/WQnSBYydKiI/AAAAAAAABtg/KsDSuFhuJNURSYsd6D3a4G_mRJ69yI9OACHM/s640/blogger-image--1999404274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dq-G68HJ2_M/WQnSBYydKiI/AAAAAAAABtg/KsDSuFhuJNURSYsd6D3a4G_mRJ69yI9OACHM/s640/blogger-image--1999404274.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's also home to the Land Rover experience, but at nearly £300 for a half day experience is a bit beyond our budget!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DeD7o5wq-XQ/WQnJ-zMKdkI/AAAAAAAABso/737cYMIpd58STZG_tUNccm9LnkMuydSFACHM/s640/blogger-image--753556749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DeD7o5wq-XQ/WQnJ-zMKdkI/AAAAAAAABso/737cYMIpd58STZG_tUNccm9LnkMuydSFACHM/s640/blogger-image--753556749.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A walk in the park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well it's not actually a park, it's Rose Bank Gardens at the foot of the Malvern Hills. We had a bit of time to kill and thought we'd have a mooch around. Not a lot in there, but a pleasant little walk around, with lovely far reaching views. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytu355-nY8Q/WQOgsTGTQ8I/AAAAAAAABr8/hnazvQeTJmUGpRh5r-Xv5bImrDpfqyDJACHM/s640/blogger-image-1099161871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytu355-nY8Q/WQOgsTGTQ8I/AAAAAAAABr8/hnazvQeTJmUGpRh5r-Xv5bImrDpfqyDJACHM/s640/blogger-image-1099161871.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA_v6mJpzMY/WQOgm5MYGNI/AAAAAAAABr0/cl2XIaXP9F4UMLzAeuzxaWsBCJFQ5vrrACHM/s640/blogger-image--110533795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA_v6mJpzMY/WQOgm5MYGNI/AAAAAAAABr0/cl2XIaXP9F4UMLzAeuzxaWsBCJFQ5vrrACHM/s640/blogger-image--110533795.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wrdD7K5c9s/WQnKBYeKvPI/AAAAAAAABss/7iHemKqxtoUNS9ac0T51mYl0cFptucECQCHM/s640/blogger-image-2086569514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wrdD7K5c9s/WQnKBYeKvPI/AAAAAAAABss/7iHemKqxtoUNS9ac0T51mYl0cFptucECQCHM/s640/blogger-image-2086569514.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Ooj2srnB64/WQOgi0vV8eI/AAAAAAAABrw/Q8mj8-QkXoYtBiNT-6J0CeY6P0GsFvVhwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1464860309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Ooj2srnB64/WQOgi0vV8eI/AAAAAAAABrw/Q8mj8-QkXoYtBiNT-6J0CeY6P0GsFvVhwCHM/s640/blogger-image-1464860309.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another walk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This time it was a walk with my sister and her dog in some woods near Suckley. The photos don't do it justice, as the bluebells looked gorgeous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xvwJjrnaYGA/WQnKJTWlKHI/AAAAAAAABs4/KbAGAkoKqhgnLcyS9dPabgxY_pCrrJpJgCHM/s640/blogger-image--405788178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xvwJjrnaYGA/WQnKJTWlKHI/AAAAAAAABs4/KbAGAkoKqhgnLcyS9dPabgxY_pCrrJpJgCHM/s640/blogger-image--405788178.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure Little Boy was a dog in a former life. His little hands are stick magnets, and we can't go anywhere without him zooming in on any stick he spies. He was actually struggling to walk with his twiggy bundle, until we suggested maybe he left it on the path for the next little boy who came along who might like some. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hvoNo0u7PGo/WQnKELllmvI/AAAAAAAABsw/uqYK0erLCDcoM2GJKMp8M9J-2HckstyiACHM/s640/blogger-image-1577472101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hvoNo0u7PGo/WQnKELllmvI/AAAAAAAABsw/uqYK0erLCDcoM2GJKMp8M9J-2HckstyiACHM/s640/blogger-image-1577472101.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the home front there was gingerbread decorating (Big Girl's on the left, Little Boy's on the right)....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FkFfNNeB788/WQOd08yzXiI/AAAAAAAABrQ/kiHw3qr81ikO4d9tKBbCxYrmKkwDJ7SzQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1319059851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FkFfNNeB788/WQOd08yzXiI/AAAAAAAABrQ/kiHw3qr81ikO4d9tKBbCxYrmKkwDJ7SzQCHM/s640/blogger-image-1319059851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mud pie making....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2nA6cXAkhM/WQOeAeugVpI/AAAAAAAABrg/GYwlYW6Es1g5CwjxbeW9JF9bJfnORUK3QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1349552494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2nA6cXAkhM/WQOeAeugVpI/AAAAAAAABrg/GYwlYW6Es1g5CwjxbeW9JF9bJfnORUK3QCHM/s640/blogger-image-1349552494.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And to wrap up the holidays nicely, I had a phone call from our local Countrywide store to say that Little Boy had won their colouring competition! Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of his entry (bad mummy) but it was an Easter bunny. His entry goes into the next round, and if he wins the national round he wins even more Tractor Ted goodies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4n1ziFDwsS0/WQOd6vfNoDI/AAAAAAAABrY/vz4kwE_anFkdf2F0kF06hVOHth46MBBbACHM/s640/blogger-image--1457664996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4n1ziFDwsS0/WQOd6vfNoDI/AAAAAAAABrY/vz4kwE_anFkdf2F0kF06hVOHth46MBBbACHM/s640/blogger-image--1457664996.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Well done if you reached the end, that was a mammoth post! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next time, I will show you the rest of the building works, as the outside is now finished!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6520963362299694496.post-6802389389130897802017-03-16T10:16:00.001-07:002017-05-19T03:47:23.990-07:00Over site - extension works continue<div>Right where were we? It's been six weeks since I last posted, the builders have been and gone already and I'm only just beginning to tell you about it!</div><div><br></div><div>Footings dug...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-neV2U2EOLx8/WMrIXCdX_1I/AAAAAAAABqs/pKfFRTJ5DZA/s640/blogger-image-1532208011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-neV2U2EOLx8/WMrIXCdX_1I/AAAAAAAABqs/pKfFRTJ5DZA/s640/blogger-image-1532208011.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More BIG piles of soil on our drive...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5wIar7wNAo/WMrIR3lNlfI/AAAAAAAABqo/ecvkQP45tGk/s640/blogger-image-1538137107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5wIar7wNAo/WMrIR3lNlfI/AAAAAAAABqo/ecvkQP45tGk/s640/blogger-image-1538137107.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here comes the ready mix...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5iVnJpzxiig/WMrIcjK1ZkI/AAAAAAAABq0/hnGPwfubqHc/s640/blogger-image-1838763515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5iVnJpzxiig/WMrIcjK1ZkI/AAAAAAAABq0/hnGPwfubqHc/s640/blogger-image-1838763515.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-msLXkN593IQ/WMrIZ1btavI/AAAAAAAABqw/iyWSBjnFp80/s640/blogger-image-609708921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-msLXkN593IQ/WMrIZ1btavI/AAAAAAAABqw/iyWSBjnFp80/s640/blogger-image-609708921.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we are out of the ground at last!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z4itaD5leqo/WMrIh217UCI/AAAAAAAABq8/BMBnYcHVOHk/s640/blogger-image-1874720641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z4itaD5leqo/WMrIh217UCI/AAAAAAAABq8/BMBnYcHVOHk/s640/blogger-image-1874720641.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had to sit back and watch the garden get trashed - diggers, wheelbarrows, piles of bricks. At least the garden didn't look to smart too start with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yutI5z58g2g/WMrIPHZH0qI/AAAAAAAABqk/EDfvbS3L5dE/s640/blogger-image--1352924849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yutI5z58g2g/WMrIPHZH0qI/AAAAAAAABqk/EDfvbS3L5dE/s640/blogger-image--1352924849.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HzDuDtzy6Wc/WMrIfS21k-I/AAAAAAAABq4/BtTxBhhXegE/s640/blogger-image-547592696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HzDuDtzy6Wc/WMrIfS21k-I/AAAAAAAABq4/BtTxBhhXegE/s640/blogger-image-547592696.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Out the front of the house there is a small extension to the lounge, to bring the whole of the house in line. It kind of looks like it's not worth the effort, but will make a big difference when it's knocked through inside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yzsymKrIHuc/WR7K_kjYo3I/AAAAAAAABt4/VRSKxjRVG5UfvI61VmLCTKnonlkwRCdNgCHM/s640/blogger-image--393356761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yzsymKrIHuc/WR7K_kjYo3I/AAAAAAAABt4/VRSKxjRVG5UfvI61VmLCTKnonlkwRCdNgCHM/s640/blogger-image--393356761.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Inside the house is chaos too. The one bathroom has been ripped out completely, and the toilet in the other one taken out too. The shower in that room is still there with some temporary pipe taking the water down through the ceiling, into the downstairs toilet and out through a hole in the wall! We have a toilet still downstairs, but upstairs now there is only a portaloo - with strict instructions for night time use only and definitely no number twos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75Mk-3wRk14/WR7LCFdZRnI/AAAAAAAABt8/mVkigTnJlMItmqu7nyqCtnsjJJqFjhXjQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1129655964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75Mk-3wRk14/WR7LCFdZRnI/AAAAAAAABt8/mVkigTnJlMItmqu7nyqCtnsjJJqFjhXjQCHM/s640/blogger-image--1129655964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Did you spot the iPad in the photo above, propped on the sink? He pretends he's busy, but secretly he's watching the football!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iy5EYxlTAaM/WR7K84JjGFI/AAAAAAAABt0/7hcelLxQK9ElYNXQWIQp1qcUdj6jGJ-PgCHM/s640/blogger-image--261441457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iy5EYxlTAaM/WR7K84JjGFI/AAAAAAAABt0/7hcelLxQK9ElYNXQWIQp1qcUdj6jGJ-PgCHM/s640/blogger-image--261441457.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The bath was so heavy OH had to smash it up so we could haul it downstairs. Boy was it noisy when he was doing that, it was like someone ringing church bells in the house - good job he's already got tinnitus as I think that noise would have started it anyway (he did wear ear muffs, but it was still loud). We left the pieces in the front garden and it soon disappeared. I won't name names, but there are certain people who patrol the area looking for scrap, and are quick to take anything off your hands. I would have taken it to the scrap yard myself to get something for it, but it was too heavy and big to manhandle into the car!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RkCOwT1owWg/WR7LE6ryCOI/AAAAAAAABuA/mYzCKBfx3rURR7WypkpGI3BbIztFi8BIACHM/s640/blogger-image-2057670178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RkCOwT1owWg/WR7LE6ryCOI/AAAAAAAABuA/mYzCKBfx3rURR7WypkpGI3BbIztFi8BIACHM/s640/blogger-image-2057670178.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I'll leave you with some cheery photos of the daffodils in the garden, taken in April but I forgot to show you 😊. I'm going to try and get at least one post a week done, as I'm just so slack at blogging at the moment but have so much to say. Too much to do and too little time to do it. I think we need a four day week don't you, or an extra four hours a day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">XxXx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X_TNlOSOoGc/WR7LHej-c-I/AAAAAAAABuE/LeZMUq-aPssA3rAa4_gZMirj98HxDjBMACHM/s640/blogger-image-33417644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X_TNlOSOoGc/WR7LHej-c-I/AAAAAAAABuE/LeZMUq-aPssA3rAa4_gZMirj98HxDjBMACHM/s640/blogger-image-33417644.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>C Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495263878842379014noreply@blogger.com0