Wow, we had such a fabulous time in Rome! It really was a whistle stop tour though!

Here is the inside of the Colluseum, completely different to how I imagined! I thought it would be grass inside. I guess all this would have been underneath the 'stage', where the killings and Galdiator fights took place. It really is HUGE!


The Pantheon. It is Soooo ancient. Unfortunately it was shut because of easter and we couldn't go in.

The fabulous Trevi fountain. Actually I was a little disappointed, it didn't seem as big as I had imagined! Maybe because there were so many people about.

A lot of the buildings were this gorgeous terracotta colour.

The Sapnish steps. It seemd that anybody who was anybody in Rome were on those steps on Easter Monday! Such stylish people. And mostly Italians, not very many Americans or Japonese.

This wonderful view is from above Piazza del Popolo. It is looking towards th vatican city (those high walls) and that large dome is St Peters Basillica

One of my favourite shots! Part of a fountain in Piazza del Popolo.

And the Colosseum! It is so big, and so much part of the city. Awesome!

I just love this, a photo of Maurice taking a photo of the church of San Giovanni en Laterano

Finally, we were pleased with ourselves becasue we mastered the public transport system! Not that hard I know! But quite a thing for us. This is the double decker train we caught from Fiumicino airport right to our hotel! (well 5 mins walk to it anyway)

Back with more tomorrow. I did take 252!!! (and I haven't deleted very many) So you will have to see some more.

WE are off to Rome!

WE are off to Rome for a few days! My last and final 50th birthday celebration. We are catching th 8am flight from gatwick so nice early start, and coming home on Wednesday evening. So expect lots of photos!!

Happy Childhood

We have swapped round the computers a bit here. I now have Dad's computer, because it is much better than mine. Nicholas has sorted it all out for me this week. What I wnat to tell you about though is the cine films I found on here! Dad had all the cine films converted to DVD a year or so back with the idea of editing them - he never did! But there are 4 hours of old cine film on this computer!!! They are absolutely wonderful - my 6th birthday, family weddings, beach holidays, relatives visiting etc. I am going to watch a bit every day. Most of the film dates back to the late 1960s early 1970s, and it is just fabulous to see us all so much younger and moving! Just wish I knew how to show you a bit(LOL) but then you really had to have been there to appreciate them!! Maurice and SIL Lynda used to hate it when we got the old cine films out! And of course we always had to watch the bit where we went down the slide off Weymouth pier into the sea backwards - several times!!!

Remembering Dad

yesterday we had a man come to take away the big machine tools from Dad's garage. The garage was Dad's domain, none of us knew anything about the tools or what he did out there! He had a lathe, a milling machine, a bandsaw, a vertical drill etc. But that's what Dad did! He made some fantastic things for us and the grandchildren. I have a shaker style seat in the conservatory, and a bookcase in my bedroom. We have a doll's house which I have tried to decorate and furnish!! In the loft are a castle, a farm, a dolls bed and 2 desks! He also made a full size rocking horse for my brother's children.
As a child I can always remember Dad in his garage. We had a small garden with the garage in a compund, but it was at the back of our garden, so there was a door into it from the garden. He was out there EVERY night! His hands were always black with oil and grease! In those days he fixed cars, and did alot for the Austin 7 club. He machined the cylinder blocks for the engine for restored Austin 7s. He was involved in a record attempt in the late 1970s with Austin 7s round Goodwood circuit. (Andrew and Maurice went to reunion before Christmas - 30 year anniversary!) When I first bought a moped when I was 17, Dad rebuilt the engine! And then I bought a Suzuki 50cc trail bike which I blew up the engine, and he rebuilt that too!
It was the right time to clear the garage. Any sooner would have been more painful, but any later and the tools would have started to detierorate. But it did feel like a little bit more of Dad gone from our lives!

New challenges

Now I am 50, I have decided I need new challenges.

I was thinking about a change of job. (I always intended to be a career girl, not a SAHM!) But it is hard to find anything right now with the economic slow down, and the job at the moment fits in very well with family and dog! I would need a part time job near home so that I could get home easily for Merlin. But I knew that when we decided to have Merlin, so I am not complaining. I will get a bit more challenge with my voluntary work at the Family Centre as the volunteer coordinator. I can probably do more than I am doing! (And this may lead to something else later on) I do quite like the cleaning, I like the fact I am finished work for the day by 9.30am, and that I am my own boss, and that I don't have to bring my job home with me!

So then I thought about a physical challenge. I quite fancy swimming. Trouble is, our local swimming pool is ancient and horrible! There are a couple of gymns locally with lovely pools but they are expensive! I would like to challenge myself to swim 50 lengths of our local pool by the end of the year. All I need to do is to find a quiet time in the pool once a week.

My main hobby is crafting, and I continue to challenge myself with new projects, always several on the go at once! I have recently completed several projects (our wedding album, 2008 album, and almost finished Scrap Your Day). I have a new CJ, and one half way through. I ought to look for a new challenge CJ, maybe a fabric one.

I love photography, and have signed up for another of Cheryl's online classes - this time people! I have a bit a mental block about taking pics of people. I feel embarrassed asking if I can take someone's photo. So that class will definately be challenging! Also I have just started 'Take a Photo a Day'. I am going to do that for the whole of the year I am 50. I think it will be achallenge to remember to do this, and then upload the photos! They are on my photo blog.

My newest challenge is to take my advanced driving test! Maurice is very keen that I do this. I am doing it in part because of him. There's been lots of talk about driving here over the last few months because of Lucy taking her test, and it has made me think about my driving. Sitting next to Lucy I realised that I anticipate alot more than I thought I did. But equally, I often drive out to Ferring in the mornings for a dog walk, and find myself somewhere completely different! I have driven on automatic pilot! So this will be a massive challenge - I don't overtake ever! So I have to learn how to do that. I have to learn to rectify my bad habits (not looking in the mirror enough), and to put up with Maurice's comments! (He has already comendeered my Advanced Driving book!)

Wish me luck!

OMG I am 50!

Yesterday was my birthday and now I am 50! OMG I cannot believe it! half a century!

I have had an amazing lot of presents and the most gorgeous birthday cards! Thank you so much everyone!

We had a fab day. After opening presents in bed, Maurice made me a bacon and egg breakfast, then we took Merlin for a quick walk. I had a new macro lens for my camera so you will see lots of close ups from now on!LOL We then went to Mum's (she gave me a gorgeous sewing box), and we went to Nyman's garden for lunch mmmm! I took loads of photos with my new lens! Then back here, Lucy went to fetch Tom, and Andrew and Lynda came round for a drink and to give me a presnet (gorgeous earrings!). Then Lucy and TOm went to fetch an Indian takeaway YUM! I spent the evening watching tv, lying on the sofa, my favourite decadent waste of time!

Today I am having a quiet day looking at all my presents and cards, and want to sort out my sewing stuff later!

More Birthday celebrations!

Here's some more photos from my fabulous birthday celebration!

Here's Andrew, my bro, with his wife Lynda.











Andrew and Sarah. Sarah is one of my 'Friday morning' friends. We met when the children were babies, some 20 years ago! Unfortunately, my other 'Friday morning' friend Angela couldn't make it. Angela and Sarah's husbands were best friends at school.









Stewart and Sue. Stewart is a 'biking' friend of Maurice's so I have known them both since I met Maurice (32 years!) Stewart was Maurice's best man. We didn't see them very much sfter our children were born, but are seeing them regularly for a Staurday night out now.









Sarah and David. Sarah was my best friend at school! So I have known her for 35 years!!! They have lived abroad for David's working life, but are now living back in the UK, not far, so we do meet for coffee, lunch and the occasional evening.







Nick and Claire. Nick worked with Maurice on the Y2K project at American Express. So we have known them for about 10 years. Their children are just getting old enough not to need a babysitter, so we have started meeting for a drink on some Friday nights!











Claire and Jacquie. These two are my NCT friends. Claire was a breastfeeding counsellor, and Jacquie trained to be an antenatal teacher with me. Our children are all similar ages.
Unfortunately, Jacquie's husband Andrew couldn't make it tonight.









Claire and Andy moved down here from Sheffield when the children were little, so we have known them for about 16 years. Our children are the same age and we have taken it in turns to host dinner parties over the years.












Michelle and Izzy, my 2 nieces. Thsi phot really captures their personalities! Michelle is the older and looks poised, Izzy has that cheeky smile!










Jacquie and Maurice. Nice photo this one!

Have you noticed something? There were 21 people there for dinner which included 3 Andrews, 2 Lindas (well a Linda and a Lynda!), 2 Sarahs, 2 Claires, and 2 Nicholas's!! (There would have been 3 Nicholas's if Anglea and Nick had been there!)

None of our friends know each other (except Claire and Jacquie), but you wouldn't have known that on the evening! They all got on very well. There turned out to be quite a few connections, for example, Sue worked with sarah briefly 30 years ago! Andrew S knew Sarah L's Dad, cos they played cricket together, adn Sarah L's Dad worked with Sue!!!

What a great night! So glad we did it!

Let the birthday celebrations begin!

It's not my birthday until Wednesday, but we had a big celebratory dinner on Saturday evening at the Black Horse pub in Findon. I invited close family and friends, 21 of us in total!

Here's a few photos:
Here I am with Nicholas and Mum.







Me with Mum and my brother Andrew















Me with Lucy and Tom

















Lucy bought this balloon and drove up to the pub on Sat afternoon with it and a birthday cake that her and Tom had made as a suprise!

Here I am at the end of the evening with Maurice!

Lots more photos to come - will upload again tomorrow.

woohoo!

Lucy passed her driving test yesterday! First time and only 3 months of lessons! Clever girl! Here she is ripping the L plates off - we won't see her for dust now.....









She treated me and Tom to lunch at 'Food' restaurant - mmm lovely. They do a very nice excellent value lunch for £5. I think I will take Angela and Sarah there next week.

Then at 5pm, Lucy came with me to have coffee and cakes with the girls from work. We went to a little Lebanese cafe called The Levant near work. Gorgeous cakes, and we had non-alcoholic cocktails, mmmmmm! Very refreshing! They bought me a helium balloon, and a gorgeous necklace.

After tea, we went to the Black Horse to give in the menu for Saturday, and have a celebratory drink. What a fabulous day!







This is why I went back for my camera this morning! The weather is so gorgeous at the moment, and the blossom is well and truly out! These blossoms are in neighbours gardens, and make a really gorgeous scent as you walk along.









Another attempt at a daffodil! Quite pleased with this one. I took pains not to get another one too close. And I focussed on the middle.










Fianlly, this is what it was like down the beach this morning. Look at that blue sky!

Foggy to sunny

First of all, here's a better picture of a daffodil called Jetfire. I have a little clump of them in my front garden. I love the darker yellow centre!
















When I went to work at 6am this morning it was really light (hurrah!) and no fog, but I could see a grey line in the distance. After about half an hour a really thick blanket of fog came down! I guess it's because it is a bit warmer these last few days. The fog was burning off as I walked the dog, but I tried to take a few photos.
































Yesterday was the most glorious day! Gorgeous sunshine and quite warm too! We had a lovely walk along the beach. I do love these little wavelets at low tide. And here's Merlin trying to find a stone in the pool at the end of the breakwater! He loves these pools and always goes in, sometimes they are quite deep, and catch him out!

Spring has sprung!

First of all, my lovely bunch of daffoldils. I would so love to take a really good photo of a daffodil, but I find it really hard to get the focussing right! I shall practice again this year! They are soooo cheerful though aren't they? I love having a big bunch like this in the kitchen.








We went for a short dog walk on the downs at the back of Sompting on Sunday morning with MUm. Look at all the little baby lambs! They were very young and very gorgeous! We had to keep Merlin strictly on the lead.






















Finally a couple of photos from my garden. I love this heelebore - just look at the markings! And the polyanthus are in a pot just outside the back door.

16 things about me

I read this on Ali Edward's blog recently and thought I would have a go! I have been thinking about what to write while out on my dog walk! Here's the latest picture of me, ice skating! Lucy and I went iceskating last Tuesday on Worthing's very own temporary ice rink! It was great fun. And we had a gorgeous lunch afterwards - quality time with DD, fab!

So here are 16 things about me right now:

1. I have been very happily married for over 30 years! YIKES!
2. we have 2 fab kids - Right now I am just loving watching them turn into independent young adults.
3. The dog is being annoying right now! Spring is very definately in the air with him, and he is a bit of a nightmare out on a walk - he pulls soooo hard!
4. I am still cleaning and volunteering. Right now I do Mon - Wed early mornings, then Wed evening for a 'quick clean', Thurs pm is volunteering, then stay on till 8pm cleaning. Fridays off!
5. I am loving scrapbooking best of all out of my hobbies.
6. I am looking for a new challenge for this year.
7. I am spending too much time on the computer!
8. I completed my first quilt and now am in limbo not knowing what to make next!
9. I still have coffee on a Friday morning with my 'best mates' Angela and Sarah, but we don't manage every Friday these days.
10. I am spending quite a lot of time with Mum, and still worry about her far too much!
11. I have made time for a bit of family history this year, and am beginning to research my paternal grandmother's family.
12. I did get out my old cross stitch again the other day to finish it as a priority, but haven't doen very much yet!
13. We are going to Rome at Easter to celebrate my 50th birthday.
14. I have organised a dinner at the Black Horse at Findon for 24 friends and family to celebrate my 50th birthday.
15. I do eat quite healthily, abeit a bit too much! (Really want to lose 7lbs before my birthday)
16. Right now I am very happy!

Nicholas

Nicholas came home for the weekend. I have just dropped him off at Worthing station for his journay back to Bath. I can't believe how excited I get when he comes home!

Nicholas always says he misses Merlin more than us, and he certainly spends loads of time playing with M when he is here! I bet Merlin misses Nicholas too!




It was absolutely gorgeous on Saturday, so we took Nicholas for lunch at the Cricketers - the pub where Lucy works as a waitress - and then a very long walk on the beach right along to the pier. As it was a beautiful sunny day we all took our cameras and took loads of photos. Here's Maurice and Nicholas foing 'artyfarty', and Worthing pier reflected in the pools of water on the sand. And finally, my attempt at 'artyfarty' with the pier structure.

The garden is awakening -slowly!

Just these last couple of days, there has been a definate change in the air, a smell of spring! The mornings and evenings are rapidly getting lighter too. So I went out with my camera to see what I could find in flower - not much I am afraid, but some snowdrops and a mahonia bush.

Of course Merlin always has to come out in the garden with me to see what is going on!

Last autumn, Mum came over once a week, and we did lots of gardening together. We have made quite an impact on the lower garden, but it has been too wet, too cold or too snowy lately to do anymore!

Here's my garden last week!! That's not a pond, that's a humungous puddle!!

My favourite snow pics

A little tiny snowman on the beach! Don't often see the beach this colour! LOL


















I just loved this bare Christmas tree decorated with rope found on the beach! Jenni has suggested suing it as this year's Christmas card, what a fabulous idea!LOL

















This gorgeous snowman was about 6 feet high and was built in Marine Gardens on the pitch and putt course! Love him!

Snow day!

Loads of snow today! We woke up to an overnight snowfall of about 2 inches, which is a an awful lot for us! I cycled to work, Ok in the fresh crunchy snow! And as it got light a magical winter wonderland unfurled! Gorgeous!! I walked my bike a fair bit of the way home because the snow by then had been crushed to ice by loads of tramping feet! Maurice was at home,- he couldn't get to work (transport completely up the spout), and Lucy was excited! During the day the snow mostly melted, but as it is getting dark it is beginning to freeze. It will be like a skating rink in the morning. Another casualty of the weather is my sewing class tomorrow. it has been cancelled, even though we are supposed to be making a snow scene picture LOL! I have more photos in my camera from our walk down the beach this afternoon, but here's Merlin doing his snow dog angel in the back garden!