Impromptu Afternoon and Evening

This afternoon Paul decided that he wanted to try towing the caravan for the first time. Mike had said he would join him as moral support, and so off they went, with Paul looking a little nervous to say the least!

In the meantime, Sally~Ann and I stayed home with the 2 dogs, and I made the engagement card to beat all engagement cards for Jamie and Phill.... Hope you like it guys, I can't wait to be able to blog a picture of it LOL

Having worked out the card and put it all together I then finished off Mike's birthday card. All the time Sally~Ann gave her expert opinion on my creations, and offered some advice on them.

At a quater to 5 we hit the gin bottle! - well the sun was over the yardarm somewhere in the world! The awful part is that I insisted on commenting on poor Pams blog after my first glass of gin - not wise - Sorry Pam, I'm such a naughty girlie when I'm inhebriated LOL - no you can't go and see what I put, it was not suitable for public viewing I'm afraid!

The lads arrived back about an hour and a half later - by this time we were more than half cut on gin and the lasagne we were having for tea was willing me to stay sober enought not to burn it!

Mike and Paul had had a good experience with the van and Paul was far more relaxed about the idea of towing it to a holiday destination for us. They were even more relaxed after a little of the Chateau Portreath Red that was opened when they got back

We all sat to supper and stuffed our faces with the aforementioned lasagne, salad and garlic bread, and then watched the Dance for Sport Relief show, whilst we chatted about how good or bad the contestants were.

The evening drew to a close very quickly, as all good things generally do.

A great day guys - thanks and Happy early Birthday Mike x

Birthday Boy

Today, finally, after a few pre celebration days, it is Paul's birthday...... we spent much time trying to decide what to do to make the day special for him. What I did not want, was to make his day miserable, with me being cranky, like I usually am on his birthday, because of it being the same day, and therefore the anniversary, of the day that I lost my Dad

One of my lovely followers suggested coming up to Looe and Polperro for the day. Little did she know that this was Paul's old stomping ground as a teenager. His favourite weekend break from Birmingham with his friends. And so in that moment, as I read out the comment from her, the decision was made by Paul. Thanks for the suggestion chick x

We collected Sally~Ann and Mike and drove up the A30 to Polperro, parked up and headed on down into the village, where Paul wanted to see one of his favourite pubs, the Naughts and Crosses. Unfortunately, it was all closed up and is on the market. A great disappointment to him.


All of the lovely shops were closed, and the village itself was quite deserted, but we took the opportunity to take a few pictures on the harbour....

and watching the fishermen re pack their nets, before their next outing, then it was back to the car, via the Crumplehorn Mill. Another photo opportunity methinks....

When we left Polperro, we headed on over to Looe, where we grabbed the obligatory Fish and Chip Supper in a local chippy - I think Paul was in heaven at this point LOL

I mean, look at what he had in front of him!

We continued our stroll around the harbour

only for me to be met with this lovely boat, with a very significant name, considering the date

and all this time, I was just happy to ensure that Paul had a great day - seeing this boat name just made me feel that my Dad was watching over our fun.

We continued around the harbour and then over the bridge to the other side of the water, where we went to see Nelson's special dedication

Nelson was a one eyed seal that frequented Looe for many years, and upon his demise the locals decided to honour his love of this particular place

The large statue is beautifully placed on the rocks, with 'Nelson' looking out across the water, right by these lovely arches

When we were worn out, we headed on back to the car in readiness to drive home, but hang on! Trago is en-route - we must have a mooch around there LOL

We had been parked for a few minutes and were just heading inside the store, when Sally~Ann spotted this fat little Robin. Another sign from my Dad, as he was renowned for a certain little song and dance depicting a Robin, that always got acted out at family gatherings and parties!

Thanks for spending the day with us Dad, we know that you were watching over us and giving the day your seal of approval.

It had been a very full day for the 4 of us, and we finally headed back home to our patient little doggies, and I think we certainly were allowed to collapse and rest after all of the walking we had done.

A lovely day out with friends - thanks for coming along guys xx

Daddy Bear....

Today is not a day I can forget easily.

10 years ago, at 10.30am, I received a telephone call telling me that you had been taken from me.

How could the universe be so cruel as to take my best friend and my Dad all in one go!

It was so fast and unexpected, and I know that this is exactly as you would have wanted it.

I miss you so much, and love you always.

We shall be out today celebrating Paul's birthday, so I know that you will be there with us, raising that little crystal glass of yours in a toast to him.

Love you loads Daddy Bear xxx

Pams Paintings

Any of you who love art, will love Pams blog. Blogging is completely new to her, but she has been talked into it so that she can showcase her work to a wider audience.

Pam loves painting, and works mainly in water colours and oils, and was very successful last year, when she sold many of her wonderful pieces at a local art exhibition.

I am very lucky to have been given one of her paintings, and am dying to hang it in our living room, once we have redecorated.

Please, stop by her blog and have a look, I know you won't be disappointed.

Day 2 of Pauls Pre Birthday Celebrations

Sunday carvery out with friends was the order of the day today.... We arrived at our usual lovely carvery - The Inn For All Seasons, and loaded up our plates - I even managed to get 2 yorkshire puddings, just because I was cheeky to the chef LOL

Having stuffed ourselves senseless, we all chatted a while, and then decided we just had to have a pudding - it was Paul's birthday tomorrow after all LOL

I had Rock 'n' Roll Chocolate Cheesecake, and Paul had Trifle

.... just look at that cheeky grin - I think he enjoyed it!

The next question is, what to do tomorrow? Eden, Goonhilly, Blue Reef? who knows....

Happiness, Happiness....

I've had another award, YAY!

Mama Syder has awarded this to me - thank you so much x

Now, as I have received this one before, and I have already hit a load of you with an award this week, I have decided not to pass it on individually.

What I would like to ask, is that any of you lovely readers who want to add it to their blog, please do so and link it back to me here...... that way you hopefully won't all get grumpy with me for passing it on, as it will be your decision to accept it or not, LOL

Enjoy your evening everyone, I can here a little glass of gin and lemonade calling my name! Well it is Paul's birthday on Monday LOL!

Birthday Weekend for Paul

It's Paul's birthday on Monday and so we have booked ourselves some holiday so as to have a long weekend off together.

This means that for the next few days the world is our lobster, as they say! So what does he want to do?

After a lazy morning we headed off out for Kingsley Village and also to find the South West Clothing outlet that we kept hearing the adverts for on the radio.

We found the clothing outlet first - it is certainly a hidden gem, and is full of named brand stock at rock bottom prices - I think I'll be going back soon, with a friend LOL - what do you reckon Sally~Ann!

Then it was on to Kingsley Village. Paul did really well spending his birthday money from his Mom, along with the Christmas money he still had not got around to spending.

Having let the moths out of his wallet for a bit of fresh air, we decided a cup of coffee was in order....

and then on the way out of the food halls, we saw the hot pork baguettes calling our name, along with some tempura onion rings!

yes that really is a look of sheer pleasure, upon taking his first bite of baguette LOL



It was then onward back down the line to Hayle and Penzance, where we managed to find a lovely little craft shop, allowing me to buy a couple of essential bits for a card that I have been commissioned to make for a friend.

The weather has been totally glorious today, and the drive home took us back along the coast road, where I snapped a few shots on my phone...

Here is St Michaels Mount from the back window of the car....

The coast road between Godrevy and Portreath allowed me this lovely shot

and then we drove through beautiful Portreath, that was in the sunshine I promise, but we were driving through the shadow of the hillside LOL

It's been a great day, despite the rest of Britain being under snow. Lets hope the weather holds off and we have another great day tomorrow.

Sooooo Tired

It has been a very big day for me today.

After 5 weeks of sick leave and recuperation following the dreaded double operation, I went back to work today.

To say that I was anxious about returning was an understatement. It has been such a long haul to get well enough to be able to drive and return, that I was not sure what to expect when I finally stepped foot back into my office again.

I need not have worried. As I pulled the car past the security gates, and began to drive around the building to find a parking spot, I was accosted by one of the men - he stood right in the path of the car and then came on around to the window for a chat and to see for himself that I was OK. He is such a lovely man, and had been sending his regards with each visitor. A good start to what I was expecting to be a terrible day.

I was not able to get a space too close to the works entrance, but I took a very slow walk up to the doors and again was stopped and welcomed back, even before I could clock in!

I got hugs from my personnel manager and office manager, and as a constant steam of people made their way in to the office for various reasons, on seeing me back in my seat, they welcomed me back and said how nice it was to see me.

Yes, of course I clock watched, and yes I was tired and, not particularly comfortable, but, I worked my shift, and was pleased to be back with my friends again.

1 down and 4 to go LOL!