The Last Leg - From the Greens to The Deens

So it was back to Worthing, on the south coast in Sussex, where we have a home too. Soon it will be lived in by Jim's daughter Jenny, her husband Matt and their son, due in August!

As Jenny and Matt are moving in on 4th July, we spent some time trying to clear the place up and take more stuff to Ireland. It transpired that Jim's great nephew Sam Burgess was going to be playing rugby league for England on Saturday evening so all 3 of Jim's children decided to come to us and watch the game. Sadly the only tv we have working there is a very small one! So Ali arrived with Poppy! Woo hoo, happy me. She was asleep when she arrived but happily for me, she woke up shortly afterwards and we were able to play with her for the evening. Here are 3 photos of Poppy and Jim, the proud Grandad:





Isn't she lovely?













She is all giggly now












She thought the camera flash was funny







Of course Poppy should have been fast asleep but we had a great time playing with her and keeping her amused. It wasn't until after 10 that she got a bit grotty and Ali had to take her home. I found her a bowl and wooden spoon to play with!





I love her surprised looks!













Jim took several photos of me holding Poppy, but I look hideous in most of them! This one is the best of a bad bunch:





Another of Poppy's surprised looks!












Jenny with Poppy, Ali and Russell













Jenny is practising for the arrival of her baby. I love their expressions.
















Ali looking thoughtful. Poppy caused a bit of damage with that spoon.






As for the rugby game, England absolutely slaughtered France and Sam scored a try and set another one up, so although the game wasn't really exciting, Sam did well and was mentioned several times as usual.

On the Sunday, 14th, Russell and Caz were taking part in a protest down by the sea front. The council built a lovely cycle path from Worthing to Shoreham by Sea, which they have now closed, in their infinite wisdom! So there was going to be a mass cycle ride and protest. We went down to support and I took some photos of course:



Caz in blue, Russell and Jim waiting for the ride to start













Lots of cyclists of all ages took part












The lead cyclist with a board showing what it was all about













Russell and Caz riding past and off to Shoreham











Jim was standing on the other side and took this photo of Russ and Caz!



















Can you see this laid back chap's Irish flag?














Jim on the rocks!











Jim took some of me too!




Me at Splash Point, Worthing, with the pier behind














I think I need another haircut!!
















I rather like this arched shelter











One of the gardens behind the beach. We sat and eat ice creams on a bench there







Sadly we had too much to do to be able to spend any more time on the beach. We were catching the overnight ferry from Pembroke and had to leave Worthing with a car full of stuff by 8pm. So it was back home and work for us until then. The journey was made much more bearable by the wonderful sky that changed throughout. I'll just pick a couple of the dozen or so I took.




It started with wonderful streaks in all directions











It gradually reddened














To this





It was very beautiful. We arrived and our ferry, The Isle of Innishmore was waiting for us and we quickly boarded. We usually bed down on the seats in the drivers' lounge but it was pretty packed as there were a couple of coach parties with us. We just managed to find 2 benches and slept our way across. We arrived about 7am and then it was the long drive up to Clare. It wasn't too bad really and we love the countryside. A while ago I blogged about a large tower that had gone up in Waterford. Well, it is now the support for a bridge and I managed to photograph it from the car. There really wasn't anywhere suitable to stop.



Do click on it to enlarge it. It still isn't finished














From a bit further away. The cloud formations were wonderful on this journey too.








There was one dark dark sky, then rain, then a rainbow











It was an eerie light













The last photo of our journey home. The clouds hung low over the hills of Tipperary





It's now a week since I left Suffolk and I miss Jack especially.

The builders are getting on with the ceilings in the extension. My room, the spare bedroom and our bedroom have been done. Just the bathroom (which is small) and sun room (which is big) to finish.

Before Jim left Ireland he took this photo of the first strawberries he had picked. We have had lots since.





Jim took them to the UK and ate them there!







Tonight we had a lovely dinner of home grown salad leaves with herbs, gammon steak and Jim's fresh brown bread. Followed by strawberries and cream. What a treat.

We have been clearing up as best we can around the builders. Jim has been doing some work for the Horticultural Society and mowing and I've been mostly planting all the flowers Jim has grown! I have just a few more to plant tomorrow, if the weather is ok. We have been promised a week of good weather, warmer too, from Sunday afternoon. I'll take a round of flowers in the garden then.

Tomorrow I'll blog about all the wonderful things I have received through the post. Don't miss it.

Away to the UK, Thurs, 11th to Weds 17th December

Well, here I am back at my desk. Nothing else is the same since the builders arrived. More of that later.

We travelled on the ferry, the Isle of Innishmore as always, from Rosslaire to Pembroke and as usual slept most of the way. We'd had to leave about 4.30am so were pretty tired. We took pillows and a blanket each and snuggled on the benches in the drivers' lounge. We call it our bedroom. Cheaper than a cabin.

The journey on land was pretty awful as it was foggy most of the way and it was also very cold. Jim drove as he mostly does. Because of the tablets I take, I often only last about 30 minutes before I start falling asleep. Luckily it doesn't seem to bother Jim and he just gets on with it.

It took us much longer than usual to reach Worthing and the house was freezing. We wound up the central heating and put on the gas fire in the lounge plus a fan heater in the bedroom but it still took 24 hours before it was anywhere near warm. Come back Ireland, all is forgiven!

We had intended to go and see Ali and the new baby but decided to leave it until Friday. Of course we couldn't wait and Poppy is just adorable. I took far too many photos naturally. Ali and Joe, the new Mum and Dad are doing well. Tired, but that's to be expected. Joe has to go back to work on Thursday (today). We stayed quite a while and hadn't had breakfast or lunch, so when we left it was off to the local shopping centre for lunch.

I had my eyes tested in Tesco and happily they haven't deteriorated in 2 years! At least one part of me is holding out! Jim's long lasting cold seemed to have abated at last but now he is in the full throws of another one! The hacking cough from upstairs just reminded me!

Just a couple of 'Poppy' photos!

Joe, Ali, Poppy and Purdy the cat. 13.12.08 Poppy 13 days old.


















I love this photo I took of Poppy Rose. Here eyes are still somewhat battered from her birth.











Grandpa Jim as proud as punch holding his first Granddaughter

















I look about 100 in most of the photos. This is about the best of the bunch. Poppy looks content.











That's enough for now.

Saturday evening was spent preparing for our trip up North. I wrapped and packed and Jim finished his presents. Then it was bed and collapse.

Saturday we headed up to Suffolk to take presents to son Jason, Sam and Jack. We managed to reach them by lunch time and bacon sandwiches provided by Sam soon revived us after the journey. Jack was thrilled to see us of course but has a bad case of conjunctivitis. We did lots of playing and Jack loved having Grandad there for a change. I hardly took any photos as my camera was in the car and it was too cold to go outside! Jim took one or two for a change but I look 150 in those. Need a face lift. A take away kebab rounded off the evening well, plus the semi final of Strictly Come Dancing. Come on Tom..... As it turned out, all 3 couples went forward to next week's final.

As I've previously mentioned, Jason and Sam are having their double garage converted into a flat for Sam's Mum. It's all divided up into rooms now and it's quite amazing how much room the builders have managed to make. They have also built a 'Suffolk barn' style detached garage to replace the converted one, which looks just superb. Rene, Sam's Mum, will be moving in after Christmas. She lives in a grotty part of London called Thamesmead where she daren't venture out at night. What a wonderful change for her.

We intended to leave for Derbyshire on our next 'hop' at 1pm Sunday. Friends Ivor and Maureen and their son Paul were coming at 12 mid-day, driving up from having visited Ken in London (who lost his wife to cancer a few months ago), so we hoped they'd be in time. Indeed they were so we had an hour with them. Sam had made us a lovely breakfast of croissants, those choccy pastry jobs and Belgium type buns. Wonderful.

I played 'camps' with Jack under the stairs before the guests arrived. Jack's imagination is brilliant. We had to cook our food (which was a large black basketball) then eat it, then go off with our cars. After that, we were tired and had to go to sleep! Then it was up again to cook the food.... Grandad took over for a while and he added new variations to the game! What fun to play at 60+. Some 'Suffolk' photos:


Jack, still gorgeous even with a poorly eye








Playing with Grandad Jim in his rather small camp under the stairs


















Jack and I made aeroplanes out of pegs. Friends Ivor and Maureen look on










A rather bored looking Paul, Jim and Jason having a chat. What do the gaps in between signify?









I'm not quite sure what daughter in law Sam was doing here. Practising for 'Night Fever'? On the mantle piece is the advent calender I made for Jack last Christmas, all re-filled








So then it was off to Derbyshire on our next 'Deens on Tour' stop over. We made good time and arrived at tea time on Sunday. It was lovely to see K, Rachel and Luisa plus the odd visitor and of course Lina and Kirsty (my other Granddaughters) and later on, Tony (first Grandson) and David, (Tony's Dad). Confused? You should be!

We chatted and swapped presents. My step grandchildren also turned up and opened their presents straight away, as did their 2 children! Kirsty and fiancee Jamie fooled about as usual but loved the papier mache bin I had made for them, filled to the brim with sweets and peanuts! Lina really wanted to open her main present from us, so I let her and she loved her red and black raggy bag. I had made her a little pink one as a small child but she wanted a 'grown up' one! She is now a very grown up eleven.

Tony has been having a few problems with his girlfriend but managed to drag himself over. I was so glad he did, but he was clearly exhausted and after almost falling asleep, went home again as he has to be up with the lark for work. He is at college studying music and is doing brilliantly, getting merits for most of his work. I love this photo I took of him as he collapsed!





Tony still managed a smile







We were royally entertained over the time we were there, coffee and tea flowed, plus a bottle of red for Jim! K was naughty and enjoyed a single malt, but it is nearly Christmas. We also had a splendid lasagna cooked by K, salad by Luisa. All wonderful stuff.

Rachel's book 'An Ungodly Child' still hadn't arrived and for one reason and another, the Sunday book launch had had to be cancelled. I had ordered a heap of copies for Christmas presents, as had many others. Would you believe a box of 20 turned up on Monday, AFTER we had left of course!

Rachel mostly busied herself at the computer or doing' Christmas stuff' but it was, as always, lovely to see her. I took a couple of great shots of 2 of the dogs:


The most handsome Bear



















and hormonally charged Trixie, causing chaos as she is in season!!














We had a great time and collapsed into bed at a reasonable hour - ready for the next 'leg' on Monday.

A few more Derbyshire visit photos:







Lovely photo of K approaching my car in Chesterfield













A fun photo of Connor, my Great Grandson (step)
He's a real character













Kirsty (left) and Jamie enjoying a cuddle in their most trendy designer specs! (they went to Spec savers)










Lina's at that 'I'm going to hide if you point that camera at me' age!










After a lovely breakfast, Jim and I headed down the motorway and back to Worthing. It was Ali's birthday on that day (15th) and Jim's other daughter Jenny's on the 17th, so we were having a joint 'do' at Ali's for them both. Russell and Caz (now married) also came as did Jenny's husband Matt. It was great to be all together and Poppy was the star of the show as usual! We indulged in far too much Chinese food and Jim was able to drink the red wine as I was driving. I did take the odd photo too!



Uncle Russell loving holding Poppy















Sisters Ali and Jenny. Ali puckers up to blow out the candles!!









Jenny joins in















Finally, Poppy on Grandpa's lap












It was another super family evening but we didn't stay too late as Ali and Joe were tired and we had much to do on Tuesday.

I had left my handbag at Jason's and Jim lost his 'maestro' card, so we had a bad time as far as losing things goes. Sam, in her ever efficient way, posted my bag which arrived at about 12.45pm Tuesday, so we could finally draw some money on my card and go shopping! This we did, I managed to buy some good things for Jim and he rushed about with one last trip to see Ali, Joe and Poppy. Oh, did I mention we left my camera at Ali's? Well, we did, thus the trip back there!

Much car packing ensued. The cement mixer has come over this time plus the remainder of my craft things and Jim brought some books. We left at 7pm for the overnight ferry back to Rosslaire and the long drive back to The Deenery at about mid-day. I'll leave the rest of the tale of our return until tomorrow.

Suffice it to say it was a most successful trip, presents were unloaded at all points and we also came back with many many parcels. Thanks for your hospitality one and all.

Playing Away. The Mysteries of Stanley

I'm not sure whether I'll be able to finish my blog as my new computer has died and this old one keeps conking out too. Fingers crossed.

Thursday, 13.11.08
After about 4 hours sleep on Wednesday night, we set off at 4.15am for Shannon airport, arriving at Stansted at 8am ish as usual. Sam and Jack were waiting for us in the car and we headed off to Lakeside for Sam's shopping fest! The Christmas decorations there are just gorgeous and Santa's grotto was a real treat. Jim and I were both really tired, but managed to keep going for the day. Jack was thrilled to see us both and was so good, as he always is.
















Sam and Jack amazed by Santa's Grotto. The figures all moved too.















If you look carefully at the photo on the left, you can see Jack between the lights going up the escalator with Sam behind him. What timing for that shot!









Another section of the Grotto. Look at all those huge sweets!











We 'did' Lakeside then went to Ikea for some curtains for Sam. Sadly none suited, but the meatballs were great! Jim was keeping going on will power by then, so we headed up the country and back to Sam and Jason's house. Jim and I both slept most of the way home. We played play doh with Jack and made a garden, which Jack enjoyed destroying!





Granddad Jim and Jack in Ikea car park












Jack in Ikea, his feet are sticking out of this rather splendid 'hiding' chair!





















Jack came rushing up to us and told us that Granddad had fallen asleep in a chair in Ikea! He thought it was a huge joke!
Jack and Granddad also had fun doing the various puzzles placed around the store!














We had promised Jack a go on the little park outside Ikea. Here his is going down the 'pole', a bit blurred but that shows his speed!

















I was rather pleased with this colourful photo of the bench beside the playground.






Friday, 14.11.08
On Friday, Jack went to 'school' in the morning. Jim could hardly move as his back doesn't like Sam's spare bed much! Still, he got himself moving and it improved as the day wore on. Ivor and Maureen, dear friends, arrived about 11am with a shower for Rene's 'Grannie flat'. J and Sam are having their garage converted into a flat for Sam's Mum Rene, so she can move away from the dreadful estate she is living in in Thamesmead, London. Ivor and Maureen have just put in a new shower so the one they brought was a spare. The work starts Monday I gather, all being well. Next time I visit it should be almost complete.

We all piled into Sam's car and headed off to pick Jack up from school. He was highly entertained by the fact that we were all there at once (except Daddy, who was having to work). We went to Argos to return an item bought by Ivor and Mau and Jim did his best arrogant customer and they eventually gave them gift tokens as a replacement. Then it was off for lunch in our favourite cheapo cafe opposite the bus station.


l-r. Me, Jack, Ivor, Maureen, Sam, Jim











Jim caught a bus to London after the meal and I waved him off. He then went by train to Worthing and in the evening, was in the pub with his son Russell. Can you spot him?








We headed back to Sam and J's and played with Jack, chatted to Ivor and Maureen and generally put the world to rights. Ivor and Mau went home at tea time and then it was time to watch Children in Need! I did enjoy it but didn't think it was quite as good as some had been. The news readers did 'Abba' which mostly featured the women, the men only having a small part at the end.

I headed up to bed, as did J and Sam and watched until 12.15, when Will Young sang his latest single. Must put his CD on my Christmas list.

Saturday, 15th November
My books from Rima had arrived and I had fun browsing. Jack woke me up with a cup of tea and we poddled about. Sam had some shopping to do, so it was off to Sainsburys. Jack is such fun in the supermarkets, though like many small children, he never looks where he is going. We ended up in their cafe of course and enjoyed a quick snack.

The Christmas Fayre was next on the agenda. It was actually quite small and we didn't buy much, but went to the park in beside the hall afterwards. Sam and I had fun watching a local team from Wickhambrook play football and Jack enjoyed the park, playing with a group of children covering the play equipment with leaves.


Sam pushing Jack on the swing


















Football on Wickhambrook Playing Field














Jack throwing leaves up in the air

















He threw them so fast it was blurred















A rather plain bench in Wickhambrook Park





















These 2 houses are opposite the park. I loved the display of Chinese lanterns on the grass verge










Jack and Sam made crispy cakes. They were gorgeous too













We watched Strictly Come Dancing in the evening which was excellent.

Sunday, 16th November
On our travels yesterday, we had spotted another Christmas Fayre that was on on Sunday, so we decided to meet Ivor and Maureen and go and see. This one was at a school and more like a craft fayre. They had some excellent stalls there and I bought a basket of goods all wrapped in cellophane for Jim's daughter Ali's new baby (when it comes). I also picked up one or two other presents and bought Jack a chocolate 'on a string' which he found hilarious! We also found the refreshments and partook of some. A tombola stall didn't bring any of us a prize except Jack and he won a bottle of rose scented bath salts. I can't tell you how thrilled he was with this wonderful prize and he carried it everywhere. 'I won because my ticket had the special number' he kept saying. Bless.

Back home and a full Sunday Roast was later served by Sam. It was gorgeous too. We were all so full we could hardly move! Come to think of it, we did an awful lot of eating all together!

Jack and I played with his cars. We made a huge 'traffic jam', a game my youngest son Ben used to love.













Jack also had a bath with his new bath salts floating about in it. He thought it was wonderful and it certainly had a powerful scent.
Monday, 17th November
Jack went to school on Monday morning and I had a bit of a lie in. It was a really cold, windy day. The workmen turned up to start the work. First they are building a detached garage to replace the garage being turned into a flat. They cleared the ground really fast and had a bonfire to burn the rubbish.



The garage which will be a flat! 'Before' photo















Jack on the lawn mower in the garage







Sam and I picked Jack up from school. As Sam walked in to his class, he said 'I love you Mummy' and everyone went 'Aaah'!! What timing.

We took Jack to one of those Play Barns and had our lunch there. We tried to be a bit healthy and had jacket potato. Jack had a great time and made friends with several children. We stayed for a couple of hours then headed home as I was catching my flight back later on.

I packed my things and then played with Jack, making another traffic jam! Here he is proudly showing it off:













All too soon it was time for Sam to run me to Stansted. Jim was getting his flight from Gatwick and we were meeting at Shannon. It all worked out rather well and there was Jim waiting for me! My flight was very bumpy as we had loads of turbulence. It was like riding a big dipper.

We drove home and Jim tried to light Stanley. As if to punish us, he belched black smoke everywhere so Jim poured a couple of cans of water on him to douse the fire. Then about half an hour later, he was burning away happily, no smoke either. Hmmm, work that one out. How to light Stanley. Put a firelighter in with some wood and peat blocks, allow to burn, throw water over the fire, leave for half an hour........

Phew, we were both pretty tired and fell into bed after much chatting and cups of tea. Jim had taken a photo of his lovely, pregnant daughter Ali: