We, at our house watched the rugby today - Wales v Italy followed by England v France; very exciting and emotional games for the fans but how very moving it was when the call for silence to remember the dead
and the families mourning them in the NZ earthquake was total and very loving and caring. Well done you rugby fans of all the countries involved.
Saturday 26 February 2011
Friday 25 February 2011
Friday
It has poured with rain today and I actually found myself in the park. soaked to the skin, watching my grandson
kick his rugby ball through the uprights about 5 thousand times! When we returned home he had to have a complete shower but I divested myself of my top layers of clothing and washed my hair; as I finished the job the telephone was ringing and it happened to be some friends in Spain on skype. We had a lovely long chat and
said 'goodbye' after which I was thinking how well and happy they looked as I dressed.....then to my mega embarrassment I realised I had been chatting for half an hour in my undies with the camera on.........didn't they notice or were they being polite?
kick his rugby ball through the uprights about 5 thousand times! When we returned home he had to have a complete shower but I divested myself of my top layers of clothing and washed my hair; as I finished the job the telephone was ringing and it happened to be some friends in Spain on skype. We had a lovely long chat and
said 'goodbye' after which I was thinking how well and happy they looked as I dressed.....then to my mega embarrassment I realised I had been chatting for half an hour in my undies with the camera on.........didn't they notice or were they being polite?
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Library
I have just sorted out a number of books to go back to the library in the morning and it has just hit me that with the threat of closure hanging like the sword of Damacles over their future how very sad it will be when it happens.
I have used the libraries since my father used to take me, as a very small girl, with him every Saturday afternoon to get some books for the coming week. Over the years I learned to use books for pleasure and for reference and to value quietness (as libraries were quiet in those days!) and we would come home with a bag full of books feeling very chilled - as the young say nowadays.
The Internet has taken the place of Reference books and the new Kindle (??) might well take the place of
paper books in the future. I can only imagine how costly the libraries must be to run but there are certainly MANY things I would close to save money than our libraries.
I have used the libraries since my father used to take me, as a very small girl, with him every Saturday afternoon to get some books for the coming week. Over the years I learned to use books for pleasure and for reference and to value quietness (as libraries were quiet in those days!) and we would come home with a bag full of books feeling very chilled - as the young say nowadays.
The Internet has taken the place of Reference books and the new Kindle (??) might well take the place of
paper books in the future. I can only imagine how costly the libraries must be to run but there are certainly MANY things I would close to save money than our libraries.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
New Zealand
Dreadful news last evening (our time) as details of the serious earthquake in NewZealand we spent an anxious time worrying about our son though we new he was a long way away from the epicentre - the after shocks can spread for miles as we knew from the sunami so it was good to hear from him before we went to bed.
Our son was safe but there are many people whose sons and other loved ones are not safe and our hearts and loving thoughts go out to them.
Our son was safe but there are many people whose sons and other loved ones are not safe and our hearts and loving thoughts go out to them.
Friday 18 February 2011
Spring
I have only just noticed how the days are getting just a bit longer, it has crept up quietly upon me who would banish winter if I could - today it wasn't dark at 5.30pm and even now close on 6 o'clock it is still dusk...
Spring is on it's way....Yhey!
Spring is on it's way....Yhey!
Wednesday 16 February 2011
Parent/teachers
Yesterday I went to school to meet my grandaughter's teacher and hear about her progress.
It was all very good to hear and her books were a credit to her hard work. Today was her
brother's turn and again we have no complaints as his marks though not as high as his sisters
are good and consistent and like his sister his behaviour at school is rated as 'very good'.
Sooooo! pleasant smiles all round but what a difficult time it is for the children when this kind
of thing is hanging over their heads - I am so glad I don't have to do it any more.
It was all very good to hear and her books were a credit to her hard work. Today was her
brother's turn and again we have no complaints as his marks though not as high as his sisters
are good and consistent and like his sister his behaviour at school is rated as 'very good'.
Sooooo! pleasant smiles all round but what a difficult time it is for the children when this kind
of thing is hanging over their heads - I am so glad I don't have to do it any more.
Monday 14 February 2011
St Valentine
How is it that this day 14th February has become synonymous with romantic love?
Apparently there have been 14 martyred saints of this name of which nothing is known. One Valentinus, was martyred and buried at the Via Flaminia, outside of Rome on the 14th February and his name means worthy, strong and powerful - is that he?
The St Valentine we celebrate today could be one of the 14, one was a priest in Rome, one a Bishop at Interamna and we know little or nothing of the others. This Feast Day is not actually recognised by the universal Church nor by the Orthodox Church and it is thought that Geoffrey Chaucer and his followers first associated Valentine and romance in the 14th centuary.
However, he may not be a recognised Saint but as one Pope said....
'He whose name is justly reverenced among men may have acts known only to God'
Happy Saint Valentine's Day.
Apparently there have been 14 martyred saints of this name of which nothing is known. One Valentinus, was martyred and buried at the Via Flaminia, outside of Rome on the 14th February and his name means worthy, strong and powerful - is that he?
The St Valentine we celebrate today could be one of the 14, one was a priest in Rome, one a Bishop at Interamna and we know little or nothing of the others. This Feast Day is not actually recognised by the universal Church nor by the Orthodox Church and it is thought that Geoffrey Chaucer and his followers first associated Valentine and romance in the 14th centuary.
However, he may not be a recognised Saint but as one Pope said....
'He whose name is justly reverenced among men may have acts known only to God'
Happy Saint Valentine's Day.
Saturday 12 February 2011
w/e here
Quite a mild day yesterday as we drove over the Mendips to lunch with friends in Wells. Just back in time to answer a call from my sister in law in South Africa so that took care of the next hour!
Today I did a tour of the Cathedral and met some very nice people from Wigan who are on holiday in West Country.
The first pictures of Wellington have arrived from our son and it looks delightfull - I am so glad he sent a lot as
we feel we know it now and won't have to make that horrendous journey of 23 hours or so to visit!!
Today I did a tour of the Cathedral and met some very nice people from Wigan who are on holiday in West Country.
The first pictures of Wellington have arrived from our son and it looks delightfull - I am so glad he sent a lot as
we feel we know it now and won't have to make that horrendous journey of 23 hours or so to visit!!
Thursday 10 February 2011
the amazing skype
Skyped Wellington this evening (morning for number 2 son of course) what an absolute miracle it is
to be able to talk for so long for free - the picture from our web cam wasn't great but the sound was perfect and we were able to get up to date with all the news of the flight. He arrived in Wellington without his luggage
but it arrived today by courier so he has nothing but praise for Qantas.
The children feel better now they have spoken to him and so do we his aged parents.
to be able to talk for so long for free - the picture from our web cam wasn't great but the sound was perfect and we were able to get up to date with all the news of the flight. He arrived in Wellington without his luggage
but it arrived today by courier so he has nothing but praise for Qantas.
The children feel better now they have spoken to him and so do we his aged parents.
Wednesday 9 February 2011
Time zones
We have been plotting the journey to New Zealand by our number 2 son. It started yesterday morning as he flew from Dublin to London Heathrow and then the long haul flight to Bangkok and all went well as he slept
the whole night through and text this morning from Bangkok where it was afternoon local time. That was when we lost it as he had three hours before another 9 hour flight to Sydney and then another three hours to Wellington. I am exhausted just writing this down and trying to remember where, when and what time: the world might be a small place when you see five jumbo jets all taxiing down the runway within five minutes and all heading eventually for Sydney but it still very confusing.
the whole night through and text this morning from Bangkok where it was afternoon local time. That was when we lost it as he had three hours before another 9 hour flight to Sydney and then another three hours to Wellington. I am exhausted just writing this down and trying to remember where, when and what time: the world might be a small place when you see five jumbo jets all taxiing down the runway within five minutes and all heading eventually for Sydney but it still very confusing.
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Birthday
My dear one had a birthday yesterday and after hours of discussion and contemplation I didn't even buy him a gift. He refused all offers except a new car which is a bit out of my league so we decided to have a hotel
break later - it is amazing when you are aged how little you can think of that you want until that is long after the event when you suddenly find something you can't do without.
break later - it is amazing when you are aged how little you can think of that you want until that is long after the event when you suddenly find something you can't do without.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
web cams
We set up a camera on the PC today as all our friends with Skype ask constantly why we don't have ours set up - well the reason was when we first downloaded Skype my sister in law and I were shocked after not having seen each other for many years at just how old we looked so we both decided not to use the camera.
However 2/3 years have passed and they like to see their daughter and grandchildren in Oz via skype and now that our son is leaving for New Zealand we think we will want to see him too so hence the camera went back today. I still look old and wrinkled so nothing new there then but who cares your loved ones don't count wrinkles just loving words.
However 2/3 years have passed and they like to see their daughter and grandchildren in Oz via skype and now that our son is leaving for New Zealand we think we will want to see him too so hence the camera went back today. I still look old and wrinkled so nothing new there then but who cares your loved ones don't count wrinkles just loving words.
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