Too Much to Catch Up!

The trouble is, when you're all behind it gets harder and harder to make the effort to catch up. I can't possibly do all that has happened or this will be like War and Peace. Suffice it to say we've had a stream of visitors and I don't seem to have had any time.....

The Suffolk trip was wonderful as you may have seen from the previous post. Having just about sorted myself out, Jason brought Jack over to us on Sunday 29th August late at night. Jack was so excited and it was quite hard to get him settled but eventually he fell asleep in the little bed I'd made for him in my office!

Aha, I seem to have exceeded my photo quota on here so will have to purchase some more space. This takes another 24 hours! Why can't life be simple? LOL. All my photos are on Facebook, however, and anyone can go and see them:

This is the Jason and Jack's visit to Ireland album if you have time to go and take a peep. We were so lucky with the weather. It was really sunny and warm and the 2nd day we went to the top end of Lough Graney where there is a very shallow edge to the Lough and some sand. It's known as 'White Sands'. Jack spent ages in the water and Jason and I paddled while Jim had a nap on the shore. We had a picnic and then I had a nap too!

The first day we went to Coole Park but Jack was so tired he actually fell asleep in Jason's arms, a real rarity!

We have had a huge pile of gravel delivered and Jason and Jack helped spread it around the yard. Well, Jack climbed up and down the heap and generally had fun!! Jack also helped 'Grandad Jim' pick some apples and some carrots and beans from the vegetable plot.

He is such a live wire it's hard to keep up with him. On the day we went to White Sands they were off home again - a really short stay but lovely all the same. Jack slept on the way to the airport and has talked about his trip since. He really enjoyed it and we loved having them.

The very next day, Wednesday 1st September, we picked up my younger son Ben and his girlfriend Hayley from Shannon - our car knows the way now! They arrived at 9pm so we just chatted the first evening - it was great to see them again.

I have 2 albums from their visit on Facebook if anyone would like a look:

and

I know it's not the same as having them on here but it's the best I can do.

Ben has never seen my home before and loved it. He spent ages wandering around the garden taking photos and exploring.

We visited Galway or course, which both Ben and Hayley really enjoyed. Again, we were very lucky with the weather. We sampled McDonagh's fish and chips again and in the evening went to a pub in Scarriff to meet up with one of Ben's friends. It's an amazing coincidence, but Kevin, one of his friends from Puerto Banus in Spain, was getting married on September 4th in Scarriff, which is only a short distance from where we live! We met up with Kev and his fiancee Christina on Friday in Scarriff in 'Johnny's Bar'. Quite a few of the guests were there and it was good to see Kevin and meet Christina too. I didn't drink as I drove home.

On Saturday it was the wedding and we drove Ben and Hayley to the church. Coincidentally, it was also the day of the Scarriff Show, which Jim had entered! So we went off to the show as they went into the church!

Jim had entered 2 pots of jam, a photo, a vase of flowers and some potatoes. His vase of flowers won first prize and the potatoes 2nd but that was all this time. Still, he made a small profit. The day hadn't started too well weather wise but the sun came out and it was beautiful from then on.

Jim and I had a great time. We watched the dog show and quite a bit of horse jumping. Ate chips and hot dogs and had a lovely ice cream. We headed home at tea time and had an evening alone, as Ben and Hay were staying overnight in the wedding hotel.

On the Sunday we again met up with the now married couple and Ben and Hayley in Scarriff. There was a sort of large shed at the back of the bar and a group played and in true Irish fashion, a sing song developed! Kev was very much the worse for wear by the end of the evening but was still going when we left!

We also managed a lovely walk to the lake and again the weather was fabulous. I have some lovely photos of Ben and Hayley on Facebook.

Sadly they had to leave on Monday morning. We had an extra guest overnight Sunday - a friend of theirs from Oz and she slept on the settee which she said was 'like a marshmallow'!!

Ben and Hay slept all the way to the airport but woke up just enough to say our goodbyes and see them on their way. Oh, it was also my birthday on that day, Monday 6th September! Ben bought me a huge box of Dairy Milk (which I'm consuming right now), a lovely mug with bulls on and a key ring with a bull mosaic on it.

It was a funny day really - very quiet but we had some time in the garden and just generally chilled out after all our visitors.

When I can upload some photos, I'll show you the garden's progress. Our wall is almost finished! It looks splendid.

Love to everyone. I'm sorry I've been so rubbish at blogging and visiting blogs but will try harder!

Trip to Suffolk for Jason's 40th Plus!

Jason with his 40th Birthday Cake! Call the fire brigade!

I've been very naughty and not blogged for a week. Bad girl. Ah well, I was worn out from my trip. I set off late on Thursday 17th and Jason picked me up at the airport. It was about 11.45pm! Poor boy is normally in bed well before then. We stopped at a garage and Jason bought coffee for us both. We chatted all the way home of course.

Friday, June 18th. Jason's big day. Well, it was a funny day really. Sam had booked me into the hairdressing college for a trim and colour so we were up with the lark - took my lovely Jack to school then Sam dropped me off. What a strange experience it was. Everything the student does has to be checked and double checked so it's a bit of a long process. I chose a colour, 'light golden brown'. Well, it's almost black!! Still, I'm getting used to it. Luckily it's only a semi permanent so will wash out. Jason decided to work as we were out!!

It was back to J and Sam's and Ivor and Maureen (Ivor is J's Grandad) were there. We all went for a meal in a pub, which was lovely. Rene came too (Sam's Mum).

Jack was more impressed with his pudding than dinner:


Sam bought Jason loads of presents including an England football shirt with 'Green 40' on the back!


She also bought him a 40 year old bottle of wine! Plus lots of other bits and bobs. I chose 3 photos I thought Jason would like, that I had taken and Jim printed them off. Jason loved them and the frames we put them in.


Me and Jack before the meal.

We were all very full and headed back home to watch England play their next game in the World Cup. It was good of them to arrange it on J's birthday! Thankfully England won - but next we have Germany. AAAH!

There was an amazing sunset in the evening and I couldn't resist it, could I?


This is a joiner of the sunset. Do click on it if you have the time.

Sam took this rather lovely photo of Jason and me:


Jason and his Mummy - that's me!

And I took one of Jason and Sam:


I think Jason enjoyed his day - and we extended the celebrations with Jack's school Fete on the Saturday and a trip to a County Fayre on the Sunday. Gosh it was so busy.

I love school fetes, everyone was having fun, in spite of the odd heavy shower of rain! We had great fun in the 'Welly Wanging' contest too! Jason threw the furthest of the men and Sam threw the furthest of the women! What a pair of winners. No prize though, just the prestige. Here are a few shots:


Can you spot the Welly? This wasn't the winning throw.


I love this shot, not just because it shows Jack's fantastic throw (!) but all the people having fun too. Jack is so lucky going to such a lovely village school. It even has a little outside swimming pool.

Sunday was the Country Fayre and it was excellent too. It was a large affair, with lots of charity stalls doing tombola, craft stands and all manner of food stalls! There was also a dog show, but we missed that, although we saw dogs at every turn.


This gorgeous horse is known as a 'Suffolk Punch'. Everyone loved him.


Jack enjoyed a cuddle from this rather plush dragon.


Jason and Jack had a go at archery. Jack did very well and was very good. Jason scored 2 bulls eyes.

Kitty spent the day looking adorable!


She is beginning to form a few words now, such as 'ook' (look), Jack, Mum and Dad of course. She's not quite walking but stands for some time and has taken a step or two.


There were beautiful birds of prey.


This amazing chap decided to display its wings for us.


Jack shared his ice lolly with Kitty. Aaah.


Kitty collapsed!

What a great day it was.

On Monday Jason worked while Sam, Rene, Kitty and I went into Bury St Edmunds, having dropped Jack off at school.

We popped around the shops and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. We went to our favourite cafe for lunch, where Kitty charmed the waitress:


I did a bit of gardening in the afternoon, clearing a bed for Sam to plant with annuals.

In the evening, Jason ran me to the airport again. The time seemed to whizz by.

Back in Shannon, the sky was wonderful:


It was a lovely break but it's always good to be home.

Sorry it's a bit long - I took 100+ photos in all.

My Week Away Part One - I meet Kitty

I'm sorry I've been gone so long. It's taken me ages to sort out the photos from my trip to the UK to stay with my son Jason, his wife Sam, little 4 year old Jack and new born Kitty Elizabeth. I arrived at tea time on the 4th June and they all picked me up from the airport. I had a peek at Kitty but couldn't see her very well in the car seat. Jack was all excited as usual. Back to Jason's and I had my first 'hold'.



She seemed a good size for a newborn baby but she was 8lb 4oz (the same weight as her dad).








The necklace I am wearing has a photo in it of Kitty number one, my mother.

Sam and Jason were tired of course but Jack was full of bounce! Jason took this photo of us together before his bed time:



I think Jack was trying to take my shoe off.













It was lovely to see Jason feeding Kitty











We all retired to bed fairly early. I started to read 'Euan's Torch' by Naomi Nielson, her first novel. Amazon recommended it and it is published by the same company that published Rachel Green's first novel. The publishers are 'Discovered Authors'. By the end of the week I had finished it and I do recommend it. I couldn't read it fast enough.

I was up with the lark on Friday as Jason and I were going to do a trial 'school run' for Jack. Sam cannot drive yet as she had a Cesarean section, so I am going to do the driving. Jack loves his nursery. It's an easy journey, one even I cannot get lost on. I have no sense of direction.

I tried during my stay to do the washing up most of the time and look after Jack and do anything else Sam needed doing, such as the hoovering. Nanny Maureen and Great Grandad Ivor came over for lunch that day and it was good to catch up with them. Maureen often does Sam's ironing which is great. I played Pirates and Mothers and babies with Jack then we did 2 jigsaws. The days seemed to go pretty fast.




Kitty on June 5th












Sam looking remarkably cheerful considering her lack of sleep. Jason and I tried to get her to have a sleep during the day, which we managed sometimes.












It was a lovely day on the Saturday and Jack and I played outside. We had great fun with the pebbles round the new Suffolk Barn (garage). He has such an imagination. We stacked the stones into an old water tank, which became a train! Then we put them into bricks, which were jelly moulds! A little chicken popped in from next door and trailed us around most of the day. It was a bantam I think:






Isn't it cute?














A lovely photo of Kitty I took in the morning.












Jack and I went for a little walk and I took this photo of him in front of a field of barley:









Then he took this one of me







I think my camera was too heavy for him!!








In the afternoon we went to Ickworth, our favourite National Trust stately home which is quite near to Wickhambrook. This is what their site says about the house:

A Georgian Italianate palace in an idyllic English landscape

• Explore acres of parkland and woodland on waymarked walks
• Have fun in the play area, family cycle route and 'Trim Trail'
• Enjoy the licensed restaurant and tempting gift shop
• Join in many special events and activities throughout the year
• Learn about historic Ickworth House (now open at 11) and collections
• Relax amidst the idyllic parkland and seasonal beauty of the park, gardens and historic Pleasure Grounds

It really is a beautiful house which has a 'Rotunda' where all sorts of lewd and bawdy parties were held! Do go and visit if you are ever in the area.

There was an amazing wedding going on and I took this photo of the bride with her father? Or maybe it's the groom!

It was obviously a designer dress and the guests all seemed pretty well heeled.











Jack took his scooter and we had a fabulous time there. I took a few photos of course! Makes a change from babies.




I love this border with the mauve nepeta















Sam stopped and fed Kitty while Jason played with Jack
















Jack wanted to show me how they did a 'wheelbarrow'











But he soon collapsed in a heap!














We walked through this lovely archway but not before I had photographed this stunning honeysuckle



























This was the family church and is in the grounds. It is being restored by English Heritage.
















We walked to the lily pond. I was very pleased with this shot










Then it was across this old wooden bridge.













Past a couple of fabulous wonky old gates


















As you head back up to the church, you can see the Rotunda on the horizon












Jack had to do some running repairs to his scooter! Back up to the church






We then let Jack play in the park for a while. He loves the 'death slide' even though he's really too young to go on it!







Here he scattered the children on the platform!











Then it was back home. We were all pretty tired by then. Kitty was fed and here she's being 'winded'. She likes to keep hold of her wind!


















I think that's enough for part 1. I hope you've enjoyed it so far! Only 6 more days to go.

Unexpected Night Out, Gorgeous Garden Days 30.5.09

Gosh, the weather's been just lovely the past few days. Summer has come at last and we're loving it. Yesterday we gardened of course, mostly planting things that Jim has grown. I tackled the back of the sleeping shed. I had started it a little while ago and thought I'd finish it. It's also in the shade so more comfortable to work. It was all full of brambles and stinging nettles and buttercups, which I removed as much as I could. Some time ago we have used many of the stones holding up the bank for our road and the larger ones had just tumbled down and landed in a haphazard fashion, which is where they stayed. I thought I'd have a go at moving some stones to hold the bank up again and ended up creating a rough rockery with a flat section at the bottom, which Jim seeded. Now we'll be able to walk around the back of the shed (when the grass grows) instead of fighting through stinging nettles, etc. This is the end result:
I'm really pleased with it. The flat section is a bit hard to see but it's behind that little bush just to the right of the shed. I planted the rockery with wild flowers and garden annuals that Jim had grown from seed. It should look good then. Do click on the photo to enlarge it. I then tried to carry on weeding around the shed. We have a nesting box on this end and the 2 blue tits were going frantic with me there, so I gave up on that idea and moved round the other side of the shed, so that they couldn't see me!

An evening Out

We had to pop down to see Danny to arrange some cat feeding while we're away. Joe mentioned that there was a bit of a do on at Cannys Pub in the evening. The local councillor Pat Hayes was hosting an evening to raise his profile and his brother, Martin Hayes, was going to play the fiddle with a couple of other musicians, one on squeezebox and one on guitar. We made up our minds to go. Now Martin Hayes is an internationally renowned fiddle player and it was too good an opportunity to miss. The following is a little bit about him, so you can see the status of the man:

MARTIN HAYES is regarded as one of the most extraordinary talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music. His unique sound, his mastery of his chosen instrument – the violin – his acknowledgement of the past and his shaping of the future of the music, combine to create an astonishing and formidable artistic intelligence. He is the recipient of major national and international awards: most recently the prestigious Gradam Ceoil, Musician of the Year 2008 from the Irish language television station TG 4; previously Man of the Year from the American Irish Historical Society; Folk Instrumentalist of the Year from BBC Radio; a National Entertainment Award (the Irish ‘Grammy’); six All-Ireland fiddle championships - before the age of nineteen - and cited by the Irish Sunday Tribune as one of the hundred most influential Irish men and women in the fields of entertainment, politics and sports in the year 2000, as well as one of the most important musicians to come out of Ireland in the last fifty years. He has recorded two acclaimed solo albums, “Martin Hayes” (1993) and “Under the Moon” (1995) on the Green Linnet label. Martin Hayes is the Artistic Director of the Masters of Tradition Festival held in August each year at Bantry House in Bantry, West Cork, where Ireland’s most distinguished traditional musicians are invited to play in an exquisite chamber music setting. In January 2009, Martin Hayes will lead a group of Masters of Tradition musicians to the Sydney International Festival where they will perform at the Sydney Opera House for two nights.

A native of County Clare, to which he returns for extended periods several times a year, Martin Hayes has been based in the United States, now living in Connecticut, for the past twenty-three years. He has drawn musical inspiration from sources as diverse as the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, the Spanish viola da gamba master, Jordi Savall, and the jazz genius, John Coltrane, but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in his own locality, Maghera, Feakle, East County Clare where the music which he learned from his late father, P. Joe Hayes, the legendary leader of the long-lived Tulla Ceili Band, profoundly influenced his musical accent and ideas forever after. In his younger days he played in an experimental electric band in Chicago; recently he has composed scores for film, theatre, and modern dance, and has collaborated with like-minded musicians from other genres, such as jazz guitarist, Bill Frisell and eclectic violinist Darol Anger. He views these explorations as a means of shedding light on his ongoing artistic journey, as well as a challenge to any rigidity of thought. The fundamental artistic quest is to go deeper and deeper within traditional Irish music and himself.

It seemed the evening wouldn't start until about 11pm, which is normal for Irish events. We donned our glad rags and off we went about 10.30pm. Mary Leonard was there, a local we know through the Gort Show, so we sat with her. Martin Hayes was there but not playing and Joe and Hilary turned up shortly after our arrival (our neighbours). Pat Hayes eventually arrived and it was gone midnight before anything happened! Martin played his fiddle and it was, without doubt, breathtaking. We have seen quite a bit of live Irish music but his playing was something else, as you can imagine. What a privilege to watch him - and for free! Pat seemed a good egg and bought everyone in the pub a drink! We also had some rather splendid sandwiches and a fair amount of Irish dancing went on too. It was a great night, we were thoroughly entertained and all so totally unexpected. Jim took a few photos but it was a bit dark. I'll post them anyway:




Martin Hayes is in the white shirt















Martin and some of the dancers














More dancing. Look at the size of that chap's belly on the left. He could hardly move.








Jim also took a little video with his camera. The light wasn't strong enough but you can hear the sound and get a taste of the terrific atmosphere that there was.



We left about 2.30am and it was still going although the musicians had stopped by then. What a crazy place. There was one man propped up against the wall and he was fast asleep. I kept worrying that he would fall off his chair!

Jason, Jack and Kitty

In the Green household, Jason has put some photos on Facebook and I snaffled 2 of them! They are just wonderful:

Jason feeding Kitty. I don't know why it's so small









Jack and Kitty. Look at Jack's little face... aaah.











The Garden

With the sun out, the tortoiseshell butterflies were out today, feeding like crazy. I took a few photos:
























































I also took a lot of flower photos but maybe I'll keep them until tomorrow!


It was the final of Britain's Got Talent tonight and the much feted Susan Boyle came second and the thoroughly deserving winners were Diversity, a dance group of friends and relations. They were utterly brilliant throughout.

Buster

Buster was far too hot today. Here he is cooling by the bench on top of the Fairy Hill














Then he decided to walk off with a hedgehog ornament under the bench!
















Wind Farm

We can see a vast wind farm on top of the hills from our gate. It's not always clear but today it was, so I made a panorama:

I'm sorry it's small, please click on it to see the wind machines properly!

I also took a photo of the Tipperary hills from the meadow:

It's a bit of a poor join I'm afraid. The sky was wonderful.

Finally, this is Martin the farmer's field, bursting with buttercups.

Flowers tomorrow then!