Barney and Lunch

I woke myself up during the night ~ I was sobbing and the tears were rolling down my face wetting my pillow ~

I don't know if I had a bad dream ~ if I did I can't remember what it was about ~

My daft ~ Scatty little Barney ~ you know the one who loves to chase the Postman ~ and next door neighbours cat must have heard me ~ because he had crept into my bedroom and jumped onto my bed ~ he gently put a paw on my shoulder and wanted to lick the tears from my face ~ he was making a soft grumbling sound ~ as if trying to talk to me ~ then laid beside me ~ when I was fully awake I told him off for being on my bed ~ and had to laugh at the look on his face ~

He seemed happy that I wasn't crying anymore ~ so hopped down and went back to his own bed ~

Lyn gave me a nice surprise today ~ she had booked for us to go out to lunch at the Red Lion in Drayton as an extra Mothers Day present which was really lovely ~ a Carvery and I had Turkey and Gammon and lots of veg ~ new potatoes ~ and every thing else that goes with Turkey ~

DRAYTON - RED LION   Link to a bit of the history

 

"Blue" KA

Lady was a special Yorkshire Terrier who we had the privilege of being her owners from a puppy to 17 years old ~ she was so tiny when we went to collect her and she fitted into my hand ~

She favoured Dick to me and would follow him everywhere ~ he even took her to work with him ~ and when he couldn't take her he would nip home a couple of times during the day ~ just to let her in the garden ~

One day on  going home he saw a fire engine parked outside our bungalow ~ and our Grandson was there ~ seemed he had just dropped by in case anyone was home ~ but could see a lot of smoke in the kitchen ~ but couldn't get in ~ and was worried because he knew Lady was inside ~ so he called the Fire Brigade

Every where was Locked and they could only get in through the bathroom window ~ that had been left slightly open ~goodness knows how the Large fireman managed to get through such a small space ~ thankfully he did ~ so they didn't have to break a window ~

Seems we had left in a rush that morning and had left a pan on the stove which was burning and gushing smoke ~

Luckily Lady was OK ~ and had no ill effects ~

The next day we noticed the Firemen had left their ladder at the Bathroom window ~ so they had to come back for it ~ which pleased the children as they got to climb all over the Fire Engine ~ and they met the Firemen ~ who were just great with them ~

Just to add a footnote my little Ka passed the MOT today so I shall keep her ~ Well I never intended getting rid on her anyway ~

Thanks Laine for my lovely tag ~

 

 

Sorry looking Garden

I have been searching for signs of Spring in the garden today and was surprised by what I found ~ it has been quite warm today ~ and it was a pleasure just to sit and watch Nin and Barney following the trail of  our neighbours cat that roams our garden when they are indoors ~

There is a lot of new life just starting to come through and it is always exciting to watch and see what comes through first ~

The Apple and plum trees are covered in Buds ~ and I look forward to seeing the blossom ~

With last years Harvest we made Plum wine ~ and apple jam ~

The Black pole in front of some of the pictures is the Basketball net ~ which the Children just love to try and get their ball through ~ must admit I like to have a go as well ~

am going to post this now as I have typed this three times and just been cut off 

 

Ally

 

 

Dogs and Cars

Whichever Vacuum cleaner we choose to use ~ Barney always has to have a fight with it ~ Nin usually just sits and watches ~ but decided to join in this time ~ we call this vacuum Henry and it is the one we use in the garage and to clean the cars ~ but had the bright idea if we left it running Barney would get used to the noise  ~  but it didn't work ~ he even got his tongue caught in the hose but that hasn't put him off ~ maybe it has made him worse ~

Ended up having to put them in their cages in the car to be able to finish cleaning ~

 

Lyn has changed her car today ~ she still has her SURF but is going to get it cleaned and serviced then put it up for sale ~

Her new car is a Land Rover "Freelander" I think that is the right name ~ will take a picture of it later ~

They keep asking me to change my little KA ~ but I have had it for eight years and never had any trouble with it ~ I remember how well it started after standing in the snow for nearly a week ~ it is due for it's MOT next week ~ and has only done 45,000 miles ~ and I really can't imagine being without her ~

How sad is that to get attached to a car ~ can always remember selling my little Mini the first car I ever owned ~ hope I am not the only one like this about their car ~

 

Surprise Gift

 

Lyn was out yesterday collecting some medication for me ~ and visited one or two different villages in our area ~ she parked up in Aylsham and had some  spare  time to waste ~

There was an Antiques Market and she wandered into the hall to have a look ~ she saw the little purse in pictures above ~ but didn't buy it straight away  ~ had a look at all the other stalls and the wonderful bits and pieces they had on display ~

But was drawn back to the purse ~ It is quite heavy and in immaculate condition ~ So bought it for me with the intention of giving it to me on Mothering Sunday ~

But she couldn't wait for me to have it  ~ So I got it a few days early ~

It is so pretty and just sparkles whichever way it is turned ~

Can just imagine some elegant Lady dressed in her finery going of to a Ball ~ with this purse held in her hands ~

The embroidery is so delicate ~ such tiny stitches ~ and still full of it's original colours  ~ This is something I will really treasure ~

 

 

 

Going to the Dogs

                                      

 

When we were young we didn't have a lot of money to go to many places ~ so we had to plan our outings as cheaply as possible ~

                                               

Norwich at this time had two Dog Tracks ~ one in Sprowston (not quite sure where) and one at the Boundry ~ Which I did know as it was just near where we lived at the time ~

The gates would be open for the last three races and we were allowed in free ~

Dick ~ Myself ~ Dicks sister Celia and Barry her husband would be waiting to be let in ~

                                                 

 

It was all very exciting ~ and we would watch them lead the dogs round the track before the race ~ so you could pick which one to put your money on ~

As we were watching Celia was taken by this beautiful Black Greyhound walking towards us ~ his coat gleamed ~ he was a very handsome dog ~ and she was shouting with excitement this was the one she would put her money on ~

It's name "Capitalist Blackbird" ~

This dog sauntered over to where we were standing ~ right at the front of the barrier ~ and promptly cocked his leg up Celia's coat ~

Well of course that settled it for us and we all put some money on him ~

                                            

He came in last out of seven ~ but that didn't spoil the evening for us and we laughed all the way home ~

There must be a moral to this story ~ but I cant think of one ~

 

 

Saturday

 

                                 

 

The Company I worked for had a very active Social Club ~ Evenings would be arranged where we would all get together ~  competitions were played  in lots of different  things  ~ Teams were set up for Darts  ~ Pool ~ Cricket ~ Football ~you name it there was always something going on ~  

"This was the company that entered us for the Raft Race "~ all the men are Qualified Engineers ~ and it was the apprentices who built the Raft ~ 

At the end of the year a Dinner dance would be arranged  ~ and we would all dress up and get ready to have a good time ~

Trophys had to be handed out and this was done after we had  eaten ~ and before the dancing started ~ this was always a long drawn out ceremony ~

Then of course there would be the Raffle draw ~ after all the  prizes were handed out ~ the disco would take over ~

Those who had won the Trophys were taken into another room to have their Photograph taken as a group ~ this would end up on the wall in the Canteen and would remain there until next years Dinner Dance ~

                                            

 

 

 

Back to almost Normal

The pictures are taken over the range on the Farm ~ we had great fun on those bikes ~ I didn't drive one ~ but had a ride on the back and it was great ~

I think the events of the past few days must have addled my brians ~ as I have been under the delusion that to~day was Saturday ~

It was not until a short time ago that I realised it was Friday ~ after rushing to the Calendar to check this out ~ I cannot believe that this has happened ~

I know when I quit work they said the days would roll into one another and you could get muddled as to what day of the week it is ~

Well today has been one of those days ~

I could put it down to Sammy being taken into hospital ~ or that Cressie had to drive to London to attend her Grand~dads funeral  ~ after the trauma of her son being in hospital ~ but what ever caused it I hope it doesn't happen again ~ it could be that I have been feeling under the weather most of the week ~

It is a most perculiar feeling losing a whole day ~ or perhaps I have gained a day ~ as I still have Saturday to come to~morrow ~

Lyn is keeping a close eye on me ~ lol

 

Ally

 

 

 

 

Sammy

 

Sammy's operation was a bit bigger than at first we knew ~ they did an exploratory incision ~ as they were not sure it was his appendix ~ went in to do a search ~ and as I told you yesterday it was an inflamed appendix ~

He hoped they would let him go home today ~ but as he has been sick there is no chance of that ~ probably won't let him home at the earlist tomorrow afternoon ~ if everything is OK ~

Having just typed that ~ Tom just rang and said they may let him home tonight as he has perked up and is eating and walking about ~

Jake and Sam are both keen footballers and play in their School and also the Village football teams ~ Sam is Man of the Match and I think he is more upset about not being able to play this weekend ~

 

 

Jake in grey Sam in black ~

 

Ally

PS : It was the Game~boy magazine he requested not playboy ~ but it did give us a laugh

Sammy

They operated on Sammy this afternoon ~ and successfully removed an inflamed appendix ~

It has seemed such a long day waiting for news ~ we cleaned the house from top to bottom ~ or I should say Lyn cleaned the house from top to bottom ~ I have felt really off colour today ~ I think I came out in sympathy with Sammy ~

He has asked for some reading matter ~ and wants the magazine "Top Gear" I think that is right ~ and also he asked for "Playboy" I hope he has that name muddled with something else ~ lol

 

Sammy sitting at Lyns computer ~

Lyn has just gone off to the hospital to see him ~ I am so glad he is OK  ~

Must thank Stuart for helping me to put my pictures in my journal

Thanks Stuart you are a star ~   ALLY

 

Samuel (Sammy)

Photo is of Sammy my 2nd Oldest Grandson and Amber his sister next to him ~  Sammy has been admitted to Hospital today with suspected Appendicitis  ~

He has been off colour for a few days which is unlike Sammy ~ so Tom and Cress took him see an Emergency Doctor over the weekend ~ who told them to take him home and give him an apple to eat !!!  I am still trying to figure that out. Cress wasn't happy with that and to~day took him to see his own Doctor ~ who told them to take him to the hospital ~

Anyway they have admitted him for an overnight stay to do tests ~ and operate if necessary ~  

 

Ally 

 

 

 

The three youngest and Dad

This is a very old picture ~ it is of my younger brother Ivor ~ My Dad ~ my sister Joy ~ and me at the end ~ it was taken in Chapel Field Gardens ~ the Church in the background is the one My Mother attended  ~ where she used to sing solo ~ and we were so proud of her ~ such happy memories  ~ ALLY

Gt Yarmouth

We would spend nearly every weekend when it was sunny visiting Great Yarmouth ~ there was always so much to do ~ visit the Fun Fair ~ play on the beach ~ and all the other entertainments they have at a seaside resort ~

At this time we had a little black poodle "Lulu" who we took every where with us, walking along the sea front a young girl came walking towards us ~ eating Candy Floss ~ 

Well this was more than Lulu could take and as she reached us Lu pounced at the Candy taking most of it in one go ~ I felt terrible ~ but the Youngster thought it was great and gave Lu what remained on the stick ~

These days we go to the quieter resorts ~ where there is not so much going on ~ Living near the North Norfolk Coast we have plenty of choices ~ Cromer ~ Sheringham ~ Salthouse ~ we take Nin and Barney who both love to run on the Beach ~

I just like to sit and watch them ~

 

Trying something out

Holiday in Bonnie Scotland

 

We were on Holiday in Scotland a little place called Laggan

We had hired a holiday cottage and were really surprised when we eventually found it ~ it was just lovely set way back from the Road and it was delightful it had a real fireplace and logs were ready to light a fire.

Although the weather was Sunny and warm we decided to light it. just to see the flames go up the chimney

The cottage was well equipped ~ washing machine ~ fully stocked fridge ~ every thing you would have at home ~ nothing had been forgotten ~ even down to washing powder ~ the Beds had been freshly changed and it was just perfect.

We had Roxy and Nin with us ~ Nin was just a pup ~ and this was the last holiday we had with Richard Lyns Hubby ~ as he died before we had arranged another holiday.

When I first started my Blog it was because I wanted to write about me having Cancer the treatment I received left me with a dodgy right leg and from an accident I had earlier in  my life I already had a bad right foot so running was the last thing I thought I would ever do.

Roxy was getting quite old ~ and we never had to put him on a lead as he was so well behaved ~ but what we did not realise was he was becoming deaf ~ we took both Nin and Roxy for a walk Nin was on a lead but Roxy was not ~ all of a sudden a baby Rabbit ran in front of us ~ Roxy just took off after it ~ we called him back but of course he could not hear us and continued his chase ~ Well I ran after him did not want to lose him in Scotland ~ sure he wouldn't find his way home ~ I eventually caught up with him ~ the baby rabbit had got away and Roxy looked quite disappointed  ~ but I have yet to know where I got the energy to chase him from ~

Lyn and me have often laughed about it as Lyns words to me echo in my brain "No Roxy don't need to go on a lead ~ he never runs away"

 

Spitfires

 

There has been a lot said about Spitfires on television today ~ which prompted this entry ~

Dick had a small collection of spitfires ~ they are made of glass and are very delicate ~ he told me many stories about them during the war ~ how they would do a Victory Roll when returning from raids.

From a schoolboys imagination he made these stories very exciting.

And as Grandfathers do he passed them all on to our Grandchildren ~ the boys would sit and listen to him in awe ~ They still talk about Grandad and his Spitfires with a lot of affection ~

 

 

remembering

 

Doggie Memories

I stood by your bed last night,
I came to have a peep
I could see that you were crying,
you found it hard to sleep I whined to you softly as
you brushed away a tear,
"it's me, I haven't left,
I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here" I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea
You were thinking of the many times,
your hands reached down to me I was with you at the shops today,
your arms were getting sore
I longed to take your parcels,
I wish you could do more I was with you at my grave today,
you tend it with such care
I want to reassure you,
that I'm not lying there I walked with you towards the house,
as you fumbled for your key
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said "it's me" You look so very tired,
and sank into a chair
I tried so hard to let you know,
that I was standing there It's possible for me,
to be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty,
"I never went away" You sat there very quietly,
then smiled, I think you knew
In the stillness of that evening,
I was very close to you The day is over,
I smile and watch you yawning
And say "goodnight, God bless,
I'll see you in the morning" And when the time is right for you
to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you
and we'll stand, side by side I have so many things to show you,
there is so much for you to see
Be patient, live your journey out,
then come home to be with me.

- Author Unknown

Pagentry

 ~  got a reminder yesterday about having to pick up my new specs today ~ so at last I am an organized person - no need for a PA or Minder ..

I have been reading journals to-day and still have a couple to read  which I will get back to.

Was reading "Wetdaysinwales" (link at the bottom) and it reminded me of something that happened a couple of years ago ~

I was on my Lunch Break and wandered into the City to the market place which is in front of City Hall ~ Crowds lined the streets four or five deep ~ and I wondered what was going on ~ a chappie told me the Queen and Prince Philip were visiting and at any moment they would be coming past us ~ I had a little shopping to do ~ but thought I couldn't miss this chance to see them.

So I stood and waited ~ time was moving on and if I wanted to do my shopping I would soon have to make a move and get back to work in time for Margaret to have her lunch hour.

I waitied another 10 minutes and decided I couldn't wait any longer ~ so quick as I could I did my shopping ~ and made my way down Exchange Street to St Andrews ~ feeling a bit disappointed I had missed seeing the Prince and the Queen.

As I stood at a pedestrian crossing waiting to cross the road ~ which was very quite for that time of day, but I figured that everyone was still waiting at the Market place.

Then round the corner came a cavalcade led by a Policeman on a motorcycle telling me to stand still and wait (the green light was on for me to cross the road) he was followed by some more motorcyles and The Queens car followed next.

I stood at the pedestrian crossing alone ~ looking over the otherside of the road were a couple of children ~ and as the car passed we got a beautiful wave from them both ~ sure I would not have seen so much if I had decided to wait on the market place ~~

 

 

 

 

http://journals.aol.co.uk/ow517/WetDaysinWales/