Glorious spring

It really is glorious - we have had nearly seven weeks without rain, and everything has sprouted. Most trees are wearing a splendid mantle of fresh green leaves.

The bluebells are rampant in our woods behind the house and everywhere else in the woods around. The scent is overpowering especially in the evening, and early morning. In fact the scent from blossoms everywhere is magical. Wish we could bottle it.

The Jellies just love running through the sun-dappled wood.

The wisteria was better than ever this year, and I took the Jellies out one midday, and got some really beautiful shots of a wisteria spilling over a garden wall along the River Wey. It was a cloudy afternoon but the pix are great. They are easily my most favourites of the early spring flowers.

Peperharow saga continues.

Well the carpets have been cleaned and every thing is back in its place bar a few items. I couldn't quite remember where I had put them; and some of the surfaces like the fireplace mantle need dusting. I did wash all my glasses and glass animals, they hadn't been done in years. Are back now on their shelf and don't they look sparkly. John just has to replace the lamps which at present are on top of our wardrobe in the bedroom. I suppose all the upheaval was worth it, and am feeling quite virtuous with our massive spring clean. All though the Jellies are doing they best to turn it back to the old filthy place. Exclamation mark = E M

I have also commenced in tidying up my workroom; as I wrote earlier Louise's Stop & Crop really motivated me. It needed it: see pix

Have tidied the top off my architect's chest of drawers,

as well as the first drawer and was able to put all my stamps and other equipment as well as special papers, sketch books etc. in it. Found ever so much stuff that I vaguely knew I had, as well as a lot I had forgotten. E M. So am getting ready for Altered Book # 6. Having sold # 5 I can't wait.

To be continued a.s.a.p: will tell you all about our most beautiful spring. Haven't had any rain in 7 weeks the gardens need it but the spring flowers, blossoms and fresh new leaves couldn't be better.......................................

Horrendous doings at Flat 1

Horrific is the word. Immediately after I got back, and I was getting the things ready for Ramster I needed to print out the items I was going to take found instead my HP printer refused to do anything, it just sat there, connected to the power and to the Mesh. But it kept telling cheerfully that it was not connected. I felt in a kicking mood pretty soon after. My good friend June, my guru came over on Saturday and even she couldn't get it to work, and if she can't - well there is no hope. We literally tried everything. And meanwhile I was unable to get onto AOL, there I kept getting the message that AOL needed to download some files, and that I would then have to restart the PC. This I did several times and each time I got the same message. It wasn't AOL as John downstairs had no such problem, and neither did I on 'the old faithful' my Mesh from 5 years ago. We also found I was unable to burn any CDs and several weird and wonderful message kept appearing. Finally we decided I had better contact Mesh as I have a 2 year warranty on site. At first they told us to disconnect the power to the hardrive, and this meant going inside the PC. June very bravely did this, but nothing happend so the Mesh people decided an engineer's visit was the answer. I was called fairly soon after to tell me that he would come on Thursday. This meant staying at home close by the Mesh all day, and ..............................

to cut a long tale short he didn't come. They had assured me that the engineers will take as long as it takes although the working hours are from 9 - 6pm. Mike and Rita came for a visit and as my kitchen was out of commission(more about this later) we had to go out to eat. We left the house at 19.30 as he still had not come. Bummer.

Next day however I was told he would definitely arrive, and he did at 12 pm, John just was taking the Jellies out for a walk and June was on her way here. He worked for nearly an hour and half, finally decided to put in a new motherboard only to find that the brand new one (we watched him unpack it from its cardboard box and plastic cover) didn't work at all and as he put it was D.O.A. All that time wasted, as he will have to come back again with yet another one. He thought possibly by Friday, but as I haven't heard yet I rather doubt it. We will see.

The Jellies are barking for their supper, so must go. To be continued........

Here I am, back from my travels.

Its a week since I returned from my stay with the Demetre clan, I had a really super time, I hadn't realised how stressed I had become before leaving, so it was great to be there. On the way over BA surprised me with upgrading me to Club Class, a pity they didn't do it on the return but I now know that I can travel quite well in Worldtraveller Plus, a bonus.

The Friday after my arrival we flew to Portland as Darren and Louise were going to visit the new house to talk to painters and floor men, so I got to see it once again I feel it has great potential, does need things doing to it, like a new kitchen, but I have the feeling that Darren can't wait to get stuck in. We also visited the new school, within walking distance, its a wonderful school with lots of facilities. Every child must learn a musical instrument starting with the recorder. Owen is already playing the piano and learning to read music. We went bowling, something I haven't done for nearly 50 years but much to my surprise I managed strike! Still all the others including Owen beat me and Morgan. But it was fun.

On Sunday 1st of April we celebrated Owen's 8th birthday by going to the Lego Convention which just happened to be in Portland. It was teeming children and grownups, many of the latter had made the most amazing and fantastic models.

The grandchildren have grown apace, and it was delight to be with them. Owen can read for himself and Morgan is beginning to, quite a feat at 5 1/2. Colouring and drawing is a favourite pastime.

Since I have been back my new (Oct 2007)Mesh PC went awol and I have been waiting for the engineer since last Thursday, it is now half way through Monday and he still hasn't come. Also John decided that all the carpets in Flat 2 need to be cleaned which was a major amount of work getting all the furniture and misc. objects removed.

It took us all Sunday cleaning all the skirting boards, windows and window sills. Lots of things found their way to my workroom which I was intending to tidy up and sort out, having been inspired by Louise's Stop and Crop workroom. As you can see it didn't come to anything, but I am still motivated.

I never knew I was such a lousy housewife! Shame on me.

To be continued....................................