Just being ME




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05/04/2012



dear Mum ...

Ten years have passed, and it only seems like yesterday.
I love you Mum, and really miss you.

A Twitter friend of mine sent me these thoughtful words and a big hug - Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

o

03/04/2012


my photo

bargain buy books ...

I found these two great hardback books shoved in a box outside the Mind charity shop today, both 49p each!

Eden by Tim Smit and Fast Flowers by Jane Packer.

Creativity by the bucket-load!

Jane Packer, florist and businesswoman, born 22 September 1959, died 9 November 2011

o

02/04/2012



Roger Eliot Fry 1911

studies of Studland Bay ...


Studland Beach 1912 - Vanessa Bell Virginia Woolf


Virginia Woolf & Clive Bell at Studland Beach

o

01/04/2012


my photos

discovering Studland Beach and Nature Reserve in Dorset ...

Four glorious miles .. not to be missed!





Sea, sunshine and shadows .. sky-blue, sailboats and sand!

What more can you ask for, and in March!



Just us on this part of the beach .. oh how that will change come the school holidays!





A great area for wildlife, with sand-dunes, heath, and cliff-top walks to explore!



Studland played a vital role in the lead-up to D-Day, and the legacy of WW2 is still here today - NT.

What a view across the bay from Fort Henry, a concrete observation bunker.





Owned by the National Trust, there's a shop and places to eat at Knoll Beach .. and don't forget to display your car sticker in all car-parks for free parking!



Can't wait to go back!

o

18/03/2012



Thinking of you, my lovely Mum on Mothers Day. I shall love you, and miss you forever and a day.

o

22/01/2012


my photos

down Bournemouth way ...

A welcome break if only for a day or so, to break up the monotony of work and to aid recovery of a persistent cold virus is just what was needed.

Having to get back for duty on Saturday we could only book for one night's accommodation which as it turned out was a bit of a bargain, £19 for the room, yes £19! which included buffet breakfast choices and a full English, kippers or scambled eggs with smoked salmon ..!



The hotel was modest, but the dual-aspect room overlooking the sea was perfect and passed all scrutiny with top marks.

Ideally situated on the clifftop adjacent to the superb sandy beaches of Bournemouth, with Boscombe Pier being just a short distance away, and just right for an early morning walk before that blowout breakfast!



The weather was cloudy but mild, and setting off just before sunrise was not particularly the best of light for taking photos, but when in the bleak of midwinter is it ever.

.. that doomed surf reef!



.. and a row of beach huts, stretching 'til infinity.



Only really meeting with a few joggers and dog-walkers, it's the best time of day to get out and about, with just the sound of the surf for company.



We intend to return sooner rather than later, and no doubt like on this trip we'll stop off along the way at Gunwharf Quays for a spot of retail therapy, with a pit-stop at McDonalds thrown in for good measure!

.

05/01/2012



Christmas 2011 ...

Well that's it for another year .. the cards are down, and just the skeleton of the tree (and lights) remain. Christmas votives (most of them) and decorations have been packed away.

The cards will be recycled (most of them) although the sheep is staying .. as I love it too much!



.. as is this rib-tickling image of Wallace and Gromit, and the cute snow baby designed by Michele at Cowboys & Custard.

Christmas-time was spent with family and friends, and quiet moments to ourselves .. many mince pies were eaten, and glasses of mulled cider drunk .. there were lots of presents to open, crackers to pull, and jokes to tell.

How do snails keep their shells shiny .. they use snail varnish!
Why didn't the skeleton go to the New Year's Eve party .. 'cos he had no body to go with .. boom boom!



.. and as for seeing the New Year in, it was great!

The folk band The Shenanigans and the hog roast were just the ticket for New Year's Eve .. as they say eat, drink and be merry!

I'll chink my glass to wish all my good friends a great blogging year ahead.

,

01/01/2012



The forecast for today .. blustery with rain!

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