Friday 2nd April - Good Friday

[adesmith]

Its a very grey and cloudy morning in South Wales. We are off for a day out and picnic but I think we will be dodging the rain. We are going to go to Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire. Our church doesnt follow the church calender as strictly and so we dont really mark Good Friday with a service. We do celebrate Easter with more of a family service because we get so many more visitors - I am speaking on Sunday which I have been working hard on. Rupert and I had fun yesterday collecting Easter branches to decorate and then we made chocolate cornflake cakes and Easter biscuits. You know I like celebrating things and I do like Easter.

Hope that everyone has a wonderful few days.

[GrantP]

Had a fine day here in New Zealand with a clear blue sky and afternoon tempurature of 23 deg C. We had a frost a couple of weeks ago and a few cold wet days but now seem to be having an Indian summer.

I had a long day yesterday so had a quiet day today lounging in my favourite armchair with 4 kittens sleeping in my lap for a few hours.

When our children were younger (youngest is now 24) we always made biscuits and had chocolate easter eggs. The local Salvation Army always has a "sonrise" service at sunrise on Easter Sunday at a nearby lake followed by a Gallilean breakfast (fish and bread) and then a family celebration service later in the morning.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Grant.

[Linda]

Grant, that sounds really lovely...#

Have a great day Adrian

the sun is shining brightly here and the snow is melting...had hopes of grass cutting this weekend but think thats on a back burner for now!

[Liz]

Its a very grey and cloudy morning in South Wales. We are off for a day out and picnic but I think we will be dodging the rain.


That's very brave Adrian! Have a lovely Easter.

[Brenda]

Linda, how our situations have changed! We've been thinking that we'd better get ourselves a new lawnmower soon because it won't be long before the grass starts to shoot up. Back at Skinner's Pond, we wouldn't have thought of that for at least another month. And poor you, getting more snow so late in the year. I hope it melts away very quickly (though not quickly enough to case flooding) and you are soon enjoying the warmth and green of spring. B.

[colleen]

Happy Easter to everybody. May the Easter Bunny bring you lots of goodies. Love, Peace, Joy and Good Health.

[Kath Mulligan]

It started off cold and dry here, then the sun came out and it warmed up a bit, but has now gone back to cold and grey again, in fact looking out of the window it has just started to rain, so not picnic weather here I'm afraid. I have been shopping in Stockport with Claire - went for a pair of black trousers, came back instead with a pink and black dress with soft raspberry coloured jacket for my brother's wedding! I very rarely wear a dress these days so have quite shocked myself with the purchase!

Then to round the day off, Claire asked if I fancied another trip to Cornwall later in the year for Elizabeth's birthday - silly question, when am I NOT up for a trip to Cornwall. So we have been online this afternoon and have booked this cottage http://www.cornishseaviewcottages.co.uk/our-cottages/glendorgal/default.aspx for a week in November. And yes, it is adjoining the Glendorgal hotel and cottages, but not actually a part of them, so will be able to experience the views that Derek enjoyed in his youth. So, after bidding a tearful farewell to Cornwall last week, thinking I would not be back for another year, here I am with only 7 months to wait instead.

Some serious saving of pennies to be done now!!

Kath

[jane jackson]

Bright sunny day down here interspersed with sleet showers. My friend Linda is staying with her 3 yr old Cocker Spaniel so we've been on Sennen beach this morning (sorry Kath!) and then to Godrevy to look across at the Lighthouse this afternoon ~ sat in the car in the sunshine eating an icecream cornet. We looked across to St Ives and when we were in sunshine they were covered in a big black cloud then it swapped over so we all had a share of the rain.

[Liz]

Then to round the day off, Claire asked if I fancied another trip to Cornwall later in the year for Elizabeth's birthday - silly question, when am I NOT up for a trip to Cornwall. So we have been online this afternoon and have booked this cottage http://www.cornishseaviewcottages.co.uk/our-cottages/glendorgal/default.aspx for a week in November.

Kath


It looks beautiful Kath so pleased to hear that you will be going to Cornwall again this year.
I can't wait for our holiday in May - I'm counting off the weeks and the days.
I keep getting out the maps and planning where we'll go, although we've been going for years there are still lots of new places to explore.

[adesmith]

Thats exciting news Kath! An extra trip to Cornwall to look forward to.

I do like the idea of the 'Son rise' service and the Gallilean breakfast Grant.

Well we enjoyed our day out even though it was a bit rainy. We had a really interesting visit to Chedworth Roman Villa. I had forgotten how lovely the setting is and how beautiful the mosaics are. My favourite is the mosaic in the Triclinium (Dining Room) where there are the four seasons in the corners. Winter is the best preserved and it is portrayed as a man with a leafless tree, a hare (not sure of the relevance of the hare) and the man is wearing a Birrus Britannicus. A Birrus Britannicus is a British Coat or Cape, designed for our weather that was exported to the empire. Its a bit like an early duffle coat. Whoops I am rambling archaeology again! Rupert enjoyed himself running around and doing an Easter egg hunt. After this we went to Great Witcombe Roman Villa and ate our picnic (a lavish one that Rachel had put together). There isnt as much at Great Witcombe apart from the outlines of the walls so rachel wasnt quite as impressed. She was even less inmpressed when we stopped off at Woodchester Roman Villa on the way home. We slipped and slid across a muddy field (Rupert and I were laughing) and Rachel was a bit disappointed to discover that the 'Great Pavement', a 47ft mosaic (the biggest in Northern Europe) is below the ground and there is just an information board to look at! I tried to get her to imagine it but I think 3 Roman Villas in one day was one too many! We drove home after that ready for a nice hot cup of tea.

[Linda]

Kath, how gorgeous is that...and a terrific surprise to boot!! lucky you!

Sounds like a great day Adrian, gosh it would be fun to do that, I do miss that ability to go off and see things especially with being tied to ferry times.........we are hoping for a ride out round the island tomorrow...I think, not sure, depends on weather etc....its always interesting to be 'nosey' and see whats changed over time...

[Linda]

Brenda the sun has shone brightly enough today that quite a bit of snow has melted what a relief...at least we can get up the lane without me standing in an awkward position inside the tractor which is meant to take only one person sitting down ...my feet get caught under the clutch, using my shoulder to bolster myself and leaning over Jeff hoping my chin doesnt hit his head! :):)

[Kath Mulligan]

Adrian, I think my sympathies lie with Rachel, 3 Roman villas would have been a bit much for me too, especially if one couldn't actually be seen and had to be imagined! But glad that you had a good day out overall. Perhaps it's Rachel's turn to choose the next trip? :haha:

Liz/Linda, I am still reeling with shock at the speed with which our holiday decision was taken! When Claire and I set off to Stockport this morning, booking another holiday was the last thing on my mind. I've told her, she is a very bad influence on me!!!

Glad your snow is beginning to go, Linda, that tractor ride sounds a bit dodgy. At least you're not having to worry about getting out to go to work. I've just heard that spring will return around mid week, just as everyone goes back to work - and isn't that just typical?! So often in the past I have spent soggy Bank Holidays either at home, or cooped up in the car somewhere, only for the sun to shine on the day I went back to work. At least now I have the chance to enjoy the sun whenever it chooses to put in an appearance.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Oh Kath.........how wonderful - I'm thrilled you have another trip to Cornwall booked.......fabulous daughter suggesting it and to have come out of the blue makes it even more special. Will take a look at your booking in a while.

Adrian as per usual you take my mind back to Easter with our small boys..........happy memories. I can picture the fun with Rupert, making chocolate anything is so much fun. I forgot to mention I have some wonderful petit fours to tuck into this Easter......of the Kath variety. I am such a lucky person as they look divine and I will be rationing myself so that I don't eat them all at once. I was going to start them this week, but feeling so rotten I haven't faced much in the way of eating. Feeling better today after some meds, which is just as well as we have a long journey tomorrow.......up and out by 5.30am at the latest!!

You have all been so busy today and I have done very little. Jeff's birthday yesterday......I know April the 1st.........he was the best April Fool joke I ever had.........so the chaps and Nina were here yesterday evening and Jeff and Nina stayed overnight, to the delight of the dogs........they do miss them when they go.

I echo Colleen's wishes for a Happy Easter to All my lovely friends here.........re the Hare Adrian, I think John would be able to explain that one but I think it is a bit of a mystical, spiritual thing. John has a lovely painting with a Hare leaping through the sky that he hadn't realised he had painted until he looked at it when it was almost complete........haven't explained that very well, but it has a great deal of impact.

[Liz]

I've just heard that spring will return around mid week, just as everyone goes back to work - and isn't that just typical?! So often in the past I have spent soggy Bank Holidays either at home, or cooped up in the car somewhere, only for the sun to shine on the day I went back to work. At least now I have the chance to enjoy the sun whenever it chooses to put in an appearance.

Kath


Retirement has its compensations!

[jane jackson]

[QUOTE=Kath Mulligan;52279Then to round the day off, Claire asked if I fancied another trip to Cornwall later in the year for Elizabeth's birthday - silly question, when am I NOT up for a trip to Cornwall. So, after bidding a tearful farewell to Cornwall last week, thinking I would not be back for another year, here I am with only 7 months to wait instead.

Some serious saving of pennies to be done now!!

Kath[/QUOTE]

What lovely daughters you have Kath ~ I'm so glad you'll be coming back to visit Cornwall later in the year. Now you have your brother's wedding to look forward to with your adventurous new outfit which sounds really great ~ photo required at the event! ~ and then a wonderful hot and sunny summmer????????? with all the anticiption of your November holiday to come.

[Kath Mulligan]

What lovely daughters you have Kath ~ I'm so glad you'll be coming back to visit Cornwall later in the year. Now you have your brother's wedding to look forward to with your adventurous new outfit which sounds really great ~ photo required at the event! ~ and then a wonderful hot and sunny summmer????????? with all the anticiption of your November holiday to come.

Hope you're right about the hot and sunny summer, Jane! And yes, I not only have the anticipation of my November holiday, but also my Norfolk one in September. I shall only be home for about six weeks from Norfolk when I am off again - just the thing to set me up nicely for next winter! The girls and I have been planning some of the things we want to do whilst we are down. Elizabeth is hoping for a bit of wild weather (but not too wet!) so that she can get some good waves shots on her camera, and I think I shall invest in a pair of waterproof overtrousers after the soakings I had in St Ives and Penzance recently!! We shall be down from 6-13 November and Claire has suggested maybe a Sunday lunch at the Pottery again if anyone is up for it? If not, we shall go on our own, and no doubt the lemon meringue pie will be sampled once again.

Kath

[Sybille Weber]

Kath, great to hear you are in for another Cornish holiday later in the year. What a lovely surprise.

Pleased to hear the snow is melting at your end, Linda. Wouldn't have thought you should get so much snow again at this time of the year, but then some parts of Germany have had snow again, too (incredible after last week's 24 degr.). We have been lucky so far in our area. They had forecast very cold and wet weather for the long Easter weekend, but Good Friday was sunny and the temperature up to 13 degr. Today is just the same at 14 degr.
Had a lovely stroll in Villa Huegel Gardens here at Essen yesterday. More and more flowers in bloom now, mainly daffodils and carpets of tiny blue flowers which I don't know the name of. The camelia buds showed a little red at the top but were still closed. The magnolia buds looked as if they were ready to burst open. Will try and post a few pictures later on.

Would be great if the weather stayed nice for all of us over Easter, but whatever the weather, I wish everyone here on this forum a very Happy Easter. Have a lovely time all.

[gloria townsin]

We had a wet journey to Yorkshire this morning but a quite pleasant return journey, only a bit of rain. Some of the competitors at the show had come down from Scotland and have been without electricity for several days.
It was a long day as we left home just after 5.30am and once there I judged for 6 hours.......my feet, legs and back feel as though they have climbed a mountain.

[jane jackson]

That sounds like a pretty gruelling schedule Gloria especially judging so you had to concentrate a lot too. Hope you enjoy a lie in tomorrow ~ forecast is for a good day down here so hope it is with you too. You will also be able to enjoy your petit fours ~ have fun!

[jane jackson]

We shall be down from 6-13 November and Claire has suggested maybe a Sunday lunch at the Pottery again if anyone is up for it? If not, we shall go on our own, and no doubt the lemon meringue pie will be sampled once again.

Kath

Count me in! I've written your dates on the calendar. Linda and I took the dogs to Long Rock beach this morning when it was dry. We then went to Porthleven amd walked around in the rain but at least we managed to park the car overlooking the harbour to enjoy our ham rolls. Then on to The Lizard where we drove right down to the cafe at the bottom and went in for coffee and teacakes. Sharon Davies came in with a bulldog on the lead which promptly rushed and growled at Linda's spaniel who was being very quiet under the table! Domino then spent the rest of the time sat on Linda's feet as far away as he could get from any other unfriendly dogs that might pass by our table. It was Linda who recognised Sharon and if I hadn't seen her on "Strictly" I wouldn't have realised that she was 6 ft tall. When we got back to PZ Bryan said they'd only had one shower!!!!!!!

[Kath Mulligan]

Glad you will be able to join us for lunch again, Jane. I'll bet the weather down at Lizard Point wasn't anywhere near as good as it was for us back in October. That truly was a "day lent", wasn't it? I have often looked at the photos I took that day and marvelled that it was just like midsummer (except probably much drier than most of the summer had been!).

Pity Sharron Davies didn't have her bulldog with her when Jason Gardiner was being so obnoxious to her on Dancing On Ice - she could have set him to attack that horrible little man. Ooooh, I've just had a delicious vision of him fleeing with the dog savaging his legs (if it were a bigger dog, it could have been his throat!). :lol!::insertevillaughhere

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Now, now our Kathleen..............have to say the vision is now stuck in my mind too........unecessarily cruel comments at times. Though I have to say Sharon Davies didn't click with me and her costumes were horrendous........whoever thought that constantly putting her in a jazzed up swimming costume week after week was a good idea? But what fun to 'spot' a celeb. Cornwall hits the spot for so many people it seems. One of the lovely things having Jane here are the daily Cornwall reports........brilliant! With Jane's posts we're never far from the wonderful West Country.

Did I say the scaffold is now down and gone from Bryher? A step in the right direction. I will be there very soon again with my bucket and mop at the ready. Feel there will be good need for them both..........and the cloakroom loo........well let's just say I will be chucking a lot of germ killing stuff down it, sorry about the climate thing, but it's either that or a new loo!! After 18 weeks builders use during which time the thing couldn't be flushed due to no water.......well I don't have to say anymore. We are replacing it, but didn't want to do it yet.......however I feel another trip to B&Q coming on!!

Yes I shall be breaking out the petit fours today!!! When I showed them to Eddie Memorial Weekend he thought I had bought them they look so professional, but to tell the truth that doesn't do them justice as they look far better than what you can buy in the shops. Pity my little shop in Mullion is now a bead and bangle type shop, I could have opened an old fashioned sweetie shop with Kath as supplier of up market petit four!! Of course it would have meant Kath moving to Cornwall........

[Kath Mulligan]

Now, now our Kathleen..............have to say the vision is now stuck in my mind too........unecessarily cruel comments at times. Though I have to say Sharon Davies didn't click with me and her costumes were horrendous........whoever thought that constantly putting her in a jazzed up swimming costume week after week was a good idea? But what fun to 'spot' a celeb. Cornwall hits the spot for so many people it seems. One of the lovely things having Jane here are the daily Cornwall reports........brilliant! With Jane's posts we're never far from the wonderful West Country.

Did I say the scaffold is now down and gone from Bryher? A step in the right direction. I will be there very soon again with my bucket and mop at the ready. Feel there will be good need for them both..........and the cloakroom loo........well let's just say I will be chucking a lot of germ killing stuff down it, sorry about the climate thing, but it's either that or a new loo!! After 18 weeks builders use during which time the thing couldn't be flushed due to no water.......well I don't have to say anymore. We are replacing it, but didn't want to do it yet.......however I feel another trip to B&Q coming on!!

Yes I shall be breaking out the petit fours today!!! When I showed them to Eddie Memorial Weekend he thought I had bought them they look so professional, but to tell the truth that doesn't do them justice as they look far better than what you can buy in the shops. Pity my little shop in Mullion is now a bead and bangle type shop, I could have opened an old fashioned sweetie shop with Kath as supplier of up market petit four!! Of course it would have meant Kath moving to Cornwall........

Don't think it would be cost effective to do that, Gloria, they are very labour intensive! Mum did once do some for a local delicatessen-type shop up here and they sold like hot cakes but the shopkeeper had to charge quite a lot for them, and Mum couldn't keep up with demand so the idea was dropped. Perhaps if a group of us were to come down early next year for M/W, I could do a teaching session and get you all making them. They are actually quite easy, just fiddly and your hands do get very messy and colourful!!

So glad to hear that the scaffolding has gone from Bryher at last and that soon you will be able to get stuck into some serious cleaning up. How long now before the builders etc are gone, do you know? Sounds as though the end is in sight at long last and you can soon be making your move to Cornwall permanently.

Re Sharron Davies, I didn't particularly like her either, and thought her "costumes" were mostly awful, but no-one should have to be on the receiving end of such personal and vile remarks as she was from Gardiner. He annoyed me intensely with Gary Lucy too, constantly telling him he was boring and that his skating was boring, when the professionals like Robin Cousins and Karen Barber were complimenting him on the high quality of his skating. Think they know far better than he does on skating technique.

I agree too about it being great to have the regular updates from Jane on Cornwall, even if she does keep making me very envious of her doggie walks on Sennen Beach (only joking, Jane, it's lovely to be able to visualise you, Bryan and the girls on there).

Kath

[Linda]

I keep trying to get Nancy onto the forum so that we can have St Just updates too...just imagine with all the updates from across Cornwall.....wouldnt it be just lovely...I love hearing about the dog walks and weather from Jane.....and the photos Jane!! whilst it makes me feel amost there it also makes me feel frustrated that i am not there...Kath I found a wonderful place on Miller Countrywide its not far from Cot valley although no sea view but its, 14 acres, just right absolutely just right!! for cats and me and all, and I could let Nancy have part for her donkeys and stables...if only we had this place ready for sale and were on the market...just about every other property on Arran is for sale. (its a bit pricey too! but other than that oh just right!!)
http://www.millercountrywide.co.uk/content/006_Results/002_Property/property-sales-rpsMIL-PNZ100074-1270030729

[gloria townsin]

Hey Linda that looks just right to me...........in fact perfect. Why not get your place appraised pricewise and have a go with an offer? It's a big decision but I have a feeling your heart is so much in Cornwall that you will always yearn for it. With things that have happened recently to various friends lives I have come to the conclusion even more than ever that we should live life to the max., as much as we possibly can. There's no point in continuing doing something that really gets us down or living somewhere we would really rather not.

[jane jackson]

I will be there very soon again with my bucket and mop at the ready.........

I read this as bucket and spade Gloria ~ thought you were heading for the beach! Great that the scaffolding has gone ~ you'll soon be there for good.

I got muddled as I should have said Dancing on Ice instead of Strictly shouldn't I, never mind you all knew what I meant.

Todays report: Linda and I went to Porthcurno beach this morning with the dogs but of course the man is now there wanting money to park so the season has started. The waves were wonderful though, lovely to watch. We then went on to Lands End but as it's £4 to park we drove in and straight out again! In the afternoon we parked at Newlyn in a residential road so not to aggravate my hip with walking up and down hills and walked along The Prom to the habour and had a look at The Scillonian all bright and shiny after her new season makeover. We then sat in St Anthony Gardens enjoying icecream cornets in a shower which wasn't supposed to come today but it didn't last too long and Bryan didn't get it in our garden at all! Lots of visitors around enjoying themselves. There were 2 young lads at the end of the pier by The Scillonian with their fishing rods having a wonderful time chatting away to each other, hope they caught a few fish.

[adesmith]

Linda, the place near the Cot Valley looks fab! It looks like there is a bit of a sea view from the photograph and the sea is not that far away really.

Pleased to hear that the scaffolding has gone at Bryher, Gloria. As you say, that really is a step in the right direction.

I was looking at some pictures from our summer holiday yesterday Jane and I was reminded that we spent the last afternoon on the beach at Porthcurno. I had the most wonderful swim but I was quite wary of the waves because the sea can be very powerful there. Do you ever go around to Porthchapel? Its not very easy walking and climbing down but it is the most beautiful beach. I used to go to Cornwall with some of the lads from church years ago (2 of them ended up marrying Cornish girls and 1 of them now lives in St Buryan) and we always used to go to Porthchapel. The waves were terrible there though and on occasion you literally couldnt get in or out of the water without being washed over and swirled around (a bit like being in a washing machine!). At the time we thought it was great fun but these days I dont think I would be quite as keen!

[jane jackson]

A few people have said how lovely Porthchapel is Adrian but if it's not easy walking and involves climbing up or down I wouldn't like to risk my hip so I'll content myself with Porthcurno.

[Linda]

I spoke with Nancy last night on the phone and she said she would look in again...... :)

[Kath Mulligan]

I keep trying to get Nancy onto the forum so that we can have St Just updates too...just imagine with all the updates from across Cornwall.....wouldnt it be just lovely...I love hearing about the dog walks and weather from Jane.....and the photos Jane!! whilst it makes me feel amost there it also makes me feel frustrated that i am not there...Kath I found a wonderful place on Miller Countrywide its not far from Cot valley although no sea view but its, 14 acres, just right absolutely just right!! for cats and me and all, and I could let Nancy have part for her donkeys and stables...if only we had this place ready for sale and were on the market...just about every other property on Arran is for sale. (its a bit pricey too! but other than that oh just right!!)
http://www.millercountrywide.co.uk/content/006_Results/002_Property/property-sales-rpsMIL-PNZ100074-1270030729

Linda, this looks just perfect for you. How about Jeff? Gloria and I decided to stop teasing you about moving to Cornwall since we were not sure Jeff fully shared your enthusiasm, and didn't want to stir up any domestic strife!! But, I have to say, that property does look just right for your needs, and you would be close to Nancy too.

Kath

[Linda]

Kath, I couldnt believe it when i saw it as I thought nothing like it would now exist down there...I just wish it had been around when I had been searching first time round! Its smaller than here land wise which is great. Its down a lane and its own track perfect...far enough away from the roads for the cats....just wonderful.... if ...if ...if....told Nancy about it and said about her donkeys and she too agreed. You can actually see it with Google maps...went there and had a visit!! :)

[jane jackson]

It does look great Linda. It would also be good if Nancy joined in the forum with her comments and musings on life in St Just with her lovely donkeys.