Dwi um tryoch siarad Cymraeg

Well now after being (as many of you will know) fascinated by the Welsh language since I was a boy I am now having a go at learning to speak it!
Here I am at 60 years of age trying to come to grips with a new language??? Actually I only started last Thursday 14th May and I am finding it quite fascinating.
I was pointed to a web site by a welsh speaking friend (Lois) who still does not know what she has started!
You do not learn to read or write in welsh, just speak it. I can therefore do it at work as it is all in down loadable mp3 format. Just put it on a mp3 player and away you go.
Below is the link to the web site so that you can have a go, believe me it is quite easy once you get started.
http://www.saysomethinginwelsh.com/home/
Below is the link that will take you directly to the downloads (I am doing the southern version)
http://www.saysomethinginwelsh.com/lessons/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11
I am on lesson 2
Dwi um tryoch siarad Cymraeg, by the way, means in welsh I AM TRYING TO SPEAK WELSH! I do not know if it is spelt right but that is how it sounds.

Well who would have thought it!

Well who would have thought it. After having Oscar for all these years we discovered at 1830 last night that HE is a SHE and we have to call her OSCARINA.
She proudly produced an egg and we expect at least 2 more before she finishes. Of course it is infertile as there is no male involved HA HA!
Is that a virgin birth?
We started to guess that something was different a couple of weeks ago when she started cooching (Welsh slang word for cuddling) up to me and bit Sue quite hard, something she had never done before. Though of course we never guessed at the time but hindsight is a wonderful thing!
So let me introduce you to OSCARINA though I should imagine that we will have a bit of a problem getting her to say it after she has been calling herself Oscar for all these years.

Allotment update

Well thanks to good weather and a star named Rob Evans! I managed to get up there yesterday under the watchful eye of my beloved Sue and just about got it up to date.
The runner bean sticks are up and ready, all beds are ready to be planted and just one bed, the fruit patch needs forking over around the bushes that are there already (see below).
Runner beans in pots ready, 4 rows of potatoes in, a row of cabbages in, tomatoes & cucumber in grow bags in the greenhouse.
I got 2 gooseberry bushes in the fruit patch to go with the 2 blackcurrant bushes already there.
Rob helped me with all the heavy lifting that had to be done putting the slabs down in the greenhouse etc.
Showers and sunny periods today and my bald patch got burnt enough yesterday!!!!!!!!
Again Many thanks to Rob Evans who has the plot next to us!

Off Sick

I am a bit peed off really as I tore some muscles in my shoulder whilst delivering to Next in Truro on Saturday last. Not too bad on Sunday, Sunday night I had a job to sleep or get comfortable as the pain was quite bad! Hoping it heals by Thursday so that I can get back to work?
Tried to rest it over the next few days but in the end had to go to the docs today (Thurs) and he laughed and asked if I really expected it to heal in 5 days?
As I said to him "you can always hope". Well he has signed me off until next Thursday and said it should be OK by then!
I AM BORED ALREADY! any suggestions as I cannot even get up the allotment. We are going out later to get peas, runner beans etc. to start off in the greenhouse but there is so much more I would like to get done up there. Well at least most of the heavy work is done so it is only pottering and I have no doubt Sue will have to come up to "keep an eye on me".
Well happy days at least the sun is shining.

Sharon, Danielle & Natalie, Race for life

Sharon, Danielle & Natalie are doing this years Race for Life in Memory of Sue (Mike's late wife) & Natalie's Late Grandmother Lee Bourne who's passing was announced in an earlier post.
It is on 31st of May in Milton Keynes and all donations will be very gratefully received.
As this is a charity close to all our hearts lets be generous!
Donations can be made (very simply) online, the link is below, it must be easy because I did it!
We look forward to some pictures and a report from Sharon when it is done!!!!
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/sharonhowe1

March 2009 Holiday in Splatt

Having been back nearly 2 weeks now I thought perhaps it was about time I posted about it. Mind you pressure of work has also had a lot to do with it being delayed!

I think it is safe to say it is the best spring holiday, weather wise, that we have for some years as we only had one shower and that was during the night.

Consequently we went out most days, some to look at National Trust places and others just to take in the sights and enjoy the fantastic weather.

The holiday was marred a little by the fact that we had to come back a day early (missing 2 days really as we would have gone somewhere on the way home) as Tony (Sue's brother) was to have an operation on the Friday, especially as the op was cancelled at the last minute and Sue was already on the train going to Chichester when she received the phone call.

This is possibly the nearest you will ever see Sue to a bull! Still I suppose she gets enough from me?

Godreavy Island & Lighthouse (near Hayle)

These pictures were taken at All Saints Church, Dunterton. Illustrating the difference a lens can make! The left one was taken with a fisheye & the right with a normal wide angle!

All Saints Church, Dunterton. Again taken with a fisheye lens. notice the curve of the tower!

I just love using this lens. Ha ha!

I found whilst out for a walk on the nature trail this very small fly who seemed to be so photogenic that I just had to try to get it with the macro lens (above & below)

A mother and her 2 sons. I hope they will be luscious steaks in the not too distant future. Ha ha!

http://www.splattfarm.co.uk/index.htm

More Karis (how she grows)!

Tresmeer (North Cornwall Railway)

As many of you will know I have always had a healthy interest in railways so recently we have been holidaying at a place called Splatt in Cornwall.

Next to the cottage we stay in intrigued me as there was a disused railway line and station. The station house is still lived in.

Me being my usual nosey self wanted to know more, so here we go.

Above picture. Up Railcar at Tresmeer c1960.

Tresmeer was part of the North Cornwall Railway that ran from Meldon Junction to Padstow.

The Stations In Order From Meldon Junction To Padstow

Meldon Junction.. Maddaford Moor Halt.. Ashbury.. Halwill Junction.. Ashwater.. Tower Hill.. Launceston..Egloskerry.. Tresmeer.. Otterham.. Camelford.. Delabole.. Port Isaac Road..

St. Kew Highway.. Wadebridge.. Padstow.

Of course this line became a casualty of the Beaching Axe with the last train running over the line on 28th January 1967.

Above picture. Railcar at Tresmeer just before closure c1966

Above picture. As the station looked in the 1960's. The goods shed, far left is also a dwelling house today.

The above two pictures are as Tresmeer Station is today. These were taken by me (from the bridge shown in the top two pictures) on 24th March 2009. Note the station sign (arrowed) in the top picture still surviving after all these years!

Above. The very last train to run over the line waiting to leave a very wet Padstow station to return for the last time to Meldon Junction on the 28th January 1967.

If you want to see more look at. http://www.northcornwallrailway.co.uk/

Link to the cosy cottages we stay in.

Very comfortable and welcoming. http://www.splattfarm.co.uk/index.htm

Sarah

Lets go back a few years to when I first met Sarah. She was working at a Next in Salisbury. We seemed to hit it off straight away as she had a sense of humour. Lets face it you need one to be around me.
Sarah is a very pretty girl who has a wonderful personality and is very easy to get along with.
Well as time went on she became delivery manager and moved to the new shop on the retail park when it opened.
While she was there after a while I noticed Sarah was losing weight, that was fine to start with but it just went on and on! I was starting to feel that she may have some sort of eating disorder? As I only go to the shop to deliver periodically I supposed I noticed the difference more than those who saw her every day. One day I got there and she was looking really drawn and ill and again I spoke to her about it.
Well to cut a long story short the next time I went Sarah was off sick!
Unfortunately at that time I lost contact with her as I had no phone number or anything. I thought & prayed for her often.
Well I was delivering to Cotton Traders at Wilton yesterday and to my great surprise and delight Sarah came up to speak to me as she was there having gone out to get a bit of fresh air.
Next have terminated her employment as she has been off so long which I must admit I was disgusted about when I heard it from her work colleagues, as were they!
Well it is a eating disorder but Sarah has now put on a stone since she has been off work and is now looking forward to the future. It is still going to be a battle and an uphill struggle.
I am still praying for her and would ask all those who read this to do the same.
We can at least keep in touch now as we swapped phone numbers and she is going to look for me on Facebook so hopefully keep in touch that way as well.
Sarah may be coming near us to a clinic in Bristol as an in patient for a short while so I will obviously go to see her and take Sue to meet her.
Well God Bless you all
Glyn

The Late Lee Bourne

Is is with some regret that I have to report that Andy's Mother (Louise's partner) passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness (cancer).
Our thoughts & prayers are very much with Andy & Jojo and their families at this sad time.
If anyone would like to add to this feel free to leave a comment or email me a photo and I will add all to this post?

24/01/2009 The late Berkely John "Jack" Dowdle (Updated)

I am sorry to announce the sad loss after a long illness of the much beloved Berkely John "Jack" Dowdle. My ex father-in-law, Sue's uncle & my children's grandfather.
I have very fond memories of him and have had a lot to be thankful to him for over the years.
After an accident, some 2 years ago now, he spent much of the time in a nursing home in Trowbridge and I know he will be very much missed by us all.
Rest in peace Jack.

If anyone would like to add to this feel free to leave a comment or email me and I will add to this?

Pictures of Karis from Lindy & Nick

These were all March 2009

Siskin (updated 16/03/09)

Now up to 7 of these very pretty birds started to come into the garden during the recent bad weather. They seem to like the thistle seed feeders and so far have stayed.

Although smaller than the 8 to 10 goldfinches that are resident with us they do not take any crap from them and more than hold their own when the goldfinches try to chase them off the feeders. It is quite funny to watch them at times.

This is a male and as is usual in the bird world the female is nowhere near as colourful.

March dates to remember

We only have one date that I know of this month and that is
12th Joel (Martyn's son) Is 2
31st Nicky is getting OLDER (all of 38) lol

18/02/2009 Lainie's Big Night

It is called Lainie's Big Night because it is the first one that she has ever spent away from Stella.

How it came about was Stella was spending the week in Chippenham with "her new man" (Richard) and thought it would be nice to spend some time as just the 2 instead of the usual 3!

We were only too happy to agree to have her for the night, but at the crunch Stella was not too sure.

As it turned out everything was fine and Lainie could not have been happier having a sleepover with nanny & grampy. It made her feel like a big girl and as usual she was as good as gold.

Stella on the other hand was apparently a nervous wreck!!! I think they enjoyed the time alone even though Stella had a hangover the following day.

Lainie & Nanny then went on to make Welsh cakes and Rock cakes in the morning as I was going to work, so I saw very few of them, as Lainie had to show them to mummy!

I just want to say what a joy Lainie was to have around as Nannies shadow and look forward to repeating it in the not too distant future?

03,05 & 06/02/2009 Snow in Trevethin

Snow drifts on the bridle path in Lasgarne Woods

Snow plough at last

Snow on holly leaf

Outside back door

The garden

One snowed in car

Well this was the sight that greeted us on the 3rd of Feb. a sight to behold for those snow lovers like Sue!

Thankfully the snow plough got to us by mid afternoon but too late for me to go to work. Such a shame that lol.

We managed to get out to attend Jack's funeral on the 4th but early morning on the 5th in it came again! On the 6th we had a blizzard so alas I only got to work one day that week. Still I did enjoy the enforced holiday he he!

As I look out of the window now there is still traces of snow to be seen on the mountain tops across the valley over 2 weeks later.

21/01/2009 Karis Annie Hornby

If you had told me 5 or 10 years ago that Lindy would have children, you would have had to pick me up off the floor from laughing!!!
After the sad miscarriage last April (see earlier post) she had a very healthy Daughter born to her and Nick by C. Section at 0559 on 21st January 2009.
Mother and Daughter doing just fine as we understand from the 6 week check up that Lindy had last Friday.

Karis Annie




Karis & Lindy (Just call me Rudolf)

14/01/2009 Diabetic Clinic

Would not normally put such a mundane thing on here but it was a milestone as perhaps you will understand as it unfolds.
My average B/S was 7.9 and a bit high so I have been put on yet more tablets to try and get it down. I am now just 1 tablet a day short of going onto insulin!
This is where the Dr had me in tears as she told me the fantastic news that N.I.C.E. have just passed a new synthetic insulin that does not induce hypo's so therefore it can be prescribed to ONLY those people whose livelihood depends on their licence, eg. LGV & PSV drivers.
It is apparently very expensive but as a LGV driver I qualify and can get it prescribed. As prescriptions are free to me it is great news and a great relief hence the tears.
I can only say THANK YOU Dr. BALBOA for the news and the hug!

Catch Up

Well it has been some time since I have posted anything on here due to lack of interest among other things. Now I thought that I would keep it up to date as short term memory not so good and I can remind myself of all the good things and bad that has happened over the years.
I will try to get them in chronological order as far as I can?
SO HERE GOES!

Number 31

The Great Spotted Woodpecker visited the garden yesterday morning and takes the garden bird count up to 31.

I have not been able to get a shot of it yet but will post a photo when I do. This borrowed one will have to do for now.

My Jesus

A SPECIAL MESSAGE ... Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, but they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. I Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.

Holiday to Cornwall

Well we are back and refreshed after a great week at Splatt. The weather was very good to us and only rained during the day on Tuesday morning.

The people (Mervyn & Rachel) who own the barn conversion (ex pig sty) are very nice and welcoming. We had Sunday lunch with them after church and they are fast becoming firm friends.

Here is a couple of pics just to keep your attention! lol.

The top one is at Bedruthan Steps & Sue is at Crackington Haven.

This is a link to the farm where we stay and we have stayed at both Buttermilk and Shepherds rest with the rest of Sue's family.

http://www.splattfarm.co.uk/about-splatt-farm-holidays.htm

Dates for October, sorry its late

Birthdays
3rd Keaton is 14
4th Lisa (Glyns foster or 8th child as she is just like one of my own) is 24
7th Alice (Liz's Daughter) is 12
18th Wayne is the BIG 40
19th Ben (Richards son) is 19
19th Ashleigh (Richards Daughter) is 13
29th Nick (Lindy's partner)
31st Nathan is 35
31st Martyn is 33

Wedding Anniversary's
30th Lee & Lucy

If you know of any more please let me know?

Footnote. Do you realise it was 4 years ago on the 24th that Uncle Doug died?

I've Been Busy!

Bathroom before
& After!
They say while the mouse is away the cat will play so I thought we would have a new laminate floor in the bathroom as it has been fitted for nearly a year now and looked a real mess.
Sue found it a nice surprise on her return except she now has to decorate it and then I can fit the finishing trim and beading.
If the basin looks at an odd angle, it is because I used a fisheye lens to get more in the picture.

Dea & Amy's visit to Jersey

Emma & Mum (Denise)

Amy & Mum (Denise)
The 3 Girls together and it proves Emma still sticks her tongue out behind mums back! lol

(Posted with Emma's consent).

Nuthatch

This is our latest visitor to the garden feeders, a solitary nuthatch.

6 Years of birds at Trevethin

Isn't it amazing what a difference 6 years can make?

When we moved here just under 6 years ago we were lucky to see 3 different types of bird. We now have a garden bird list of 30 species.

We feed and water them all the year round and I am putting a picture on here of the feeders we use. Also I am putting a list of the birds and the most we have seen together at any one time.

21 House Sparrow
5 Greenfinch
8 Chaffinch
5 Starling
3 Blackbird
1 Wren
2 Magpie
2 Song Thrush
7 Great Tit
4 Blue Tit
2 Coal Tit
1 Sparrow Hawk
10 Goldfinch
5 Dunnock
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Brambling
3 Robin
2 Jackdaw
1 Crow
1 Rook
2 Blackcap
2 Jay
2 House Martin
2 Swallow
2 Bullfinch
7 Long tailed Tit
2 Siskin
3 Collard dove
2 Linnet
1 Nuthatch

We have seen many others around here including:- Green & Lesser spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Chiff Chaff, Goldcrest, Buzzard & Swift to name but a few.

September & summer (what summer)?

Well here we are at September the 1st and it seems spring has gone directly into autumn!

As to the allotment it is also a washout and it has been alot of hard work for very little return, (yet again). Last year was a very wet July and this year not only a wet August but also very cold. So far only 2 tomatoes in the greenhouse have ripened. We should have been picking and eating for at least the last 4 to 6 weeks. It is making us wonder if it is worth all the effort as we start 3 to 4 weeks behind anyhow due to the altitude.

Dates for September & they are many

Well it seems like it is going to be an expensive month for some of us!

Birthdays
4th Lennon (Gary's son) is 5
8th Alex (Sharon's step-son) is 8
8th Robyn (Wayne's daughter) is 17
9th Sharon is 41
12th Emma (Gary's wife) is over 21 again!
15th Debbie (Wayne's wife) is also over 21!
15th James (Sharon's son) is 17
24th Damon (Gary's son) is 16
25th Gary is 42 (if I remember correctly)
25th Lucy (Lee's wife) is not as old as Gary!

Wedding Anniversary's
27th Mark & Nicky's 11th (Sue's son)
30th Martyn & Sarah's
30th Glyn & Sue's 14th

If you know of any more please let me know?

Footnote from Mike
"I have to spend the day in hospital on 9th and 16th of Sept. for further tests on the old ticker".

Pray that all is well and goes well for Michael.

Love to all
Glyn

Fuel Shortage

Well I went to uncover my bike yesterday to go to work only to find some barstuard had taken it apart and robbed me of about £14 worth of petrol.

Apparently this seems to be a growing trend nationwide as the price of fuel increases according to the police and csi who came yesterday.

Still when I had time to look at it properly this morning it all went back together just fine and apart from a crack in a bit of plastic is perfectly rideable. They even left me the reserve (3 1/2 litres) to get to the nearest garage, bless them!

Glyn

St Fagans with Liz & Co

Emily, Liz & Alice.


L to R, Sue, Alice, Liz & Emily. (bodies not heads!) lol

We had a curtailed visit to to St Fagans with Liz, Alice & Emily last Friday, curtailed as it was wet in the morning so got there just in time for a picnic lunch.

You must think we are getting fed up with going there, but not so, as we still, after so many visits have not seen it all as it is so big. Also Sue & I not being so good on the pins as we were take so long between places and have to rest more. It is a good job there is no entry fee!

Denise & Andrew wedding anniversary

It Seems I owe Dea & Andy an apology as it was their wedding anniversary recently and I did not add it to the blog.

Alas I had forgotten. You see you have to tell me these thing as old age does not come alone and I am not telepathetic (telepathic) lol.

Happy 34th Wedding anniversary
Denise & Andrew!

News from Dea about Emma

Thought you would like to know that Emma is coming home from Jersey to the UK.

Emma has been accepted for an internship for worship leading at a Church in Cheltenham called Holy Trinity. http://trinitycheltenham.com/ They seem a big church with four main services a day, they get together as a church on the race course, as the church building is too small for all to meet together, personally I had never heard of them until Emma talked about them.

Emma has accommodation through word of mouth, Sue at church has a friend at Cheltenham church who told a friend who told a friend who told a friend resulting in a phone call that afternoon to offer accommodation. All she needs now is a part time job to support the 15 hour internment placement within the local community.

Emma is due to start there on 1st October, (which is two weeks after the others), due to her job not being completed until the end of September, she is coming across to join in with an inauguration service for it on 14th September so we thought we would join her with that, it's at 5pm.

edited by Glyn

Lindy is pregnant!

Well it looks like grandchild number 13 is on the way as we heard yesterday that Lindy is 12 weeks pregnant.

After the disappointment in April they are thrilled.

She had the scan yesterday and everything seems in order.

Congratulations to Lindy and Nick!

Get plenty of sleep while you can lol

Love to all
Glyn

Michael's holiday in Egypt

Mike & Camel

Mike & Wayne

Just to say I had a lovely holiday in Egypt, as I thought it was far to hot for me between 36 and 44 degrees.

We visited the sphinx and pyramids in Cairo and had lunch on the Nile. We also saw the gold of the Pharaohs and King Tut in the Egyptian museum, a fantastic place to visit.

We also went on a glass bottom boat to look at corals and fish some wonderful colours.

Day out at St Fagans (The Museum of Welsh Life)

I Did this!!!
Stella throwing a pot (and she never even had a tantrum)!


Stella & Lainie at Picnic site.


A Fly on wet hedge. Taken by Glyn.


Of coarse the inevitable bird, a male Tufted duck.

We have had a wonderful day out today at The Museum of Welsh Life.

Stella and Lainie are staying for a few days and we thought it would be nice to pay a visit here.

We all returned knackered but happy (that is excepting Lainie who still had plenty of go in her).

Here is just a few pictures to keep you all laughing!

By a very tired Glyn x