Merry Christmas
to
All My Readers
Love you all!
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Monday, 23 December 2013
The Christmas Tree....
I know you've read this before but I'm posting it in remembrance of my Dearest Dad, as I will every year.
They were dirt poor, living in a poor neighbourhood but Christmas was always a magical time for Kit. There was no money for fripperies but Kit needed a Christmas Tree.
"Joe, make me a Christmas Tree" she said to her youngest son.
"What? How am I supposed to do that?" he asked.
"Use your imagination" said Kit.
Why did she always demand such things of him, Joe wondered, just for once couldn't she ask one of the others to come up with the impossible. Oh well, there was no use in sulking, he would just have to get on with it and do his best because his mother would not accept anything less.
On his way back from work that day he decided to take the short cut through the park, as for once he didn't have any errands to do for Kit or the neighbours to whom she so readily offered his services. Busy wondering how he could fulfill Kit's latest request he was not looking where he was going and suddenly found himself flat on his face having tripped over a broken branch off a tree, which had fallen as the result of the storm the day before. Drat it, he thought as he dusted himself off, then *ding* a lightbulb lit up in his head - he could maybe do something with the branch! It was quite a big branch with quite a few forks and twigs attached so he grabbed it by the thickest part and dragged it as carefully as he could along the streets until he got it back home.
Once home he found a bucket and filled it with stones and soil and planted the branch carefully so that it was secure and standing proud. He searched the cellar and found some white paint and set to work to paint the branch. Whilst the paint was drying he searched the house for anything that would liven the tree up; bit of tinsel from a previous Christmas, a couple of paper chains Kit's grandchildren had made at school, a small doll one of the grandchildren had left lying about dressed in crepe paper would make a fairy for the top of the branch. He carefully moved the branch to the front room and set it in the front window, it actually looked like a Christmas Tree he thought when he'd finished dressing it!
"I knew you wouldn't let me down" a delighted Kit told Joe.
Soon word got round the neighbourhood that Kit had a Christmas Tree, something no-one else had, and that's when the frequent knocks on the door started. Neighbours arrived asking to see the Christmas Tree bringing little gifts to hang on it - an odd earring, another piece of tinsel, a long forgotten fripperie from more affluent times. Before long the Christmas Tree was shimmering and sparkling and was truly magnificent. Kit was thrilled and so were the neighbours who claimed part of The Christmas Tree as their own. On Christmas Eve Kit's family and neighbours gathered in the front room and sang traditional Christmas Carols whilst marvelling at the Tree. Everyone agreed it was the best Christmas Tree they had ever seen and vowed that every year they would do the same thing again.
This is a true story - Joe was my Dad and Kit my grandmother.
They were dirt poor, living in a poor neighbourhood but Christmas was always a magical time for Kit. There was no money for fripperies but Kit needed a Christmas Tree.
"Joe, make me a Christmas Tree" she said to her youngest son.
"What? How am I supposed to do that?" he asked.
"Use your imagination" said Kit.
Why did she always demand such things of him, Joe wondered, just for once couldn't she ask one of the others to come up with the impossible. Oh well, there was no use in sulking, he would just have to get on with it and do his best because his mother would not accept anything less.
On his way back from work that day he decided to take the short cut through the park, as for once he didn't have any errands to do for Kit or the neighbours to whom she so readily offered his services. Busy wondering how he could fulfill Kit's latest request he was not looking where he was going and suddenly found himself flat on his face having tripped over a broken branch off a tree, which had fallen as the result of the storm the day before. Drat it, he thought as he dusted himself off, then *ding* a lightbulb lit up in his head - he could maybe do something with the branch! It was quite a big branch with quite a few forks and twigs attached so he grabbed it by the thickest part and dragged it as carefully as he could along the streets until he got it back home.
Once home he found a bucket and filled it with stones and soil and planted the branch carefully so that it was secure and standing proud. He searched the cellar and found some white paint and set to work to paint the branch. Whilst the paint was drying he searched the house for anything that would liven the tree up; bit of tinsel from a previous Christmas, a couple of paper chains Kit's grandchildren had made at school, a small doll one of the grandchildren had left lying about dressed in crepe paper would make a fairy for the top of the branch. He carefully moved the branch to the front room and set it in the front window, it actually looked like a Christmas Tree he thought when he'd finished dressing it!
"I knew you wouldn't let me down" a delighted Kit told Joe.
Soon word got round the neighbourhood that Kit had a Christmas Tree, something no-one else had, and that's when the frequent knocks on the door started. Neighbours arrived asking to see the Christmas Tree bringing little gifts to hang on it - an odd earring, another piece of tinsel, a long forgotten fripperie from more affluent times. Before long the Christmas Tree was shimmering and sparkling and was truly magnificent. Kit was thrilled and so were the neighbours who claimed part of The Christmas Tree as their own. On Christmas Eve Kit's family and neighbours gathered in the front room and sang traditional Christmas Carols whilst marvelling at the Tree. Everyone agreed it was the best Christmas Tree they had ever seen and vowed that every year they would do the same thing again.
This is a true story - Joe was my Dad and Kit my grandmother.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
A wedding.....
Sorry you will have to wait a little longer for the next part of our Canada trip as I have to tell you about my niece's wedding, which took place on 23rd November. We had to meet at a designated meeting place in Manchester to board the coaches which were to take us to the church. Here we are waiting for the coaches. Youngest son and his family went to the church under their own steam as they live not far from there.
The wedding was at St. Hubert's Church, Dunsop Bridge, Near Clitheroe in Lancashire.
The Roman Catholic church of St. Hubert's was built to the design of Edward Pugin, from, it is believed, the winnings of the racehorse Kettledrum owned by Colonel Charles Towneley of Towneley Hall, Burnley in the 1861Epsom Derby. The Toweneley stud was at Root Farm. The Towneleys' agent and patron of St Hubert's, Richard Eastwood, is entombed outside the front entrance to the church.
In 1992, British Telecom installed its 100,000th payphone at Dunsop Bridge and included a plaque to explain its significance - the plaque reads "You are calling from the BT payphone that marks the centre of Great Britain." The telephone box was unveiled by Sir Ranulph Feinnes.
We took our seats and listened to the entertaining and moving speeches.
Rachel and Dean relaxing
We had a superb meal after which Rachel and Dean cut the cake.
After the meal we retired to an ante room whilst the staff cleared the remnants of the reception and prepared it for the evening. There was a singer entertaining us and we took some candid shots of the family enjoying themselves.
We were soon able to go back into the reception room where Rachel and Dean had the first dance
Rachel and Dean have been together since they were 15 years old, nine years to be exact, they met at school. The wedding had been two years in the planning, I hope you enjoyed seeing my family enjoying a very special day.
Me and Harry
Daughter-in-Law, Harry and Sam
Eldest grandson Sam
Mother-in-Law and eldest son, Nick.
MWM, his mother and Nick
The wedding was at St. Hubert's Church, Dunsop Bridge, Near Clitheroe in Lancashire.
The Roman Catholic church of St. Hubert's was built to the design of Edward Pugin, from, it is believed, the winnings of the racehorse Kettledrum owned by Colonel Charles Towneley of Towneley Hall, Burnley in the 1861Epsom Derby. The Toweneley stud was at Root Farm. The Towneleys' agent and patron of St Hubert's, Richard Eastwood, is entombed outside the front entrance to the church.
In 1992, British Telecom installed its 100,000th payphone at Dunsop Bridge and included a plaque to explain its significance - the plaque reads "You are calling from the BT payphone that marks the centre of Great Britain." The telephone box was unveiled by Sir Ranulph Feinnes.
Pronounced Man and Wife
Just Married
The service was beautiful and the church was crammed full, as there were a lot of guests and it's tiny.
Rachel & Dean outside the church
After photographs at the church we boarded the coach again to be taken to the venue for the reception, Browsholme Hall in Clitheroe, where we were greeted with a glass of champagne in the Tithe Barn before walking up to the hall for more photographs. The Hall is an Elizabethan House claimed to be the oldest surviving family home in Lancashire. Since 1954, it has been designated a Grade I listed building. You can read more about it here.
Rachel and Dean
Bridesmaids and Bride's Mother (my granddaughter Gracie the little one in the centre)
Emma (on the left), Rachel's sister, chief bridesmaid
Father (my eldest brother) and Mother of the Bride
Youngest son and his family
My family
After the photocall it was time to walk back down to the Tithe Barn for canapes and another drink before the reception. The venue was beautifully decorated.
Father of the Bride making his speech
We had a superb meal after which Rachel and Dean cut the cake.
After the meal we retired to an ante room whilst the staff cleared the remnants of the reception and prepared it for the evening. There was a singer entertaining us and we took some candid shots of the family enjoying themselves.
Eldest grandson Sam
Eldest Son and MWM
Nick and Dan, our two sons
Me and MWM
G
Gracie, Sam and Alison (my DIL)
Me & Nick
Me with my baby brothers, Tony & Stewart
before everyone else joined in and we were able to take some more photographs of the rest of the family.
My youngest brother, Stewart, middle child Lauren and his wife, Karen
My youngest brother's children, Bradley, Lauren and Kirsty
Cousins Lauren, Emma and Kirsty
Liam (the bride's brother) and his friend
Nate, our youngest grandson, and his Mum, Fiona
Harry and Kai (grandsons) enjoying a coke
Rachel and Dean have been together since they were 15 years old, nine years to be exact, they met at school. The wedding had been two years in the planning, I hope you enjoyed seeing my family enjoying a very special day.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
A special day.....
I had a very special day yesterday. It was my birthday (don't ask how old I am) so MWM and I went to Manchester for the day to visit the Christmas Markets, where we bought some special cheeses, Christmas Cake and enjoyed a mug of mulled Glühwein.
Then we did a little more shopping where I stocked up on cosmetics and MWM bought himself a new coat, before going for lunch in our favourite restaurant Bella Italia.
We had a lovely meal with a bottle of Prosecco, which was free, Bella Italia had kindly sent me a voucher for it for my birthday.
After lunch we went to get my birthday present off MWM, a bottle of my favourite perfume - Jo Malone 154 Cologne and the assistant also gave me a whole load of samples of the various Jo Malone colognes.
Next we went to a lovely little wine bar, Hangingditch, for a nice glass of Malbec.
Our next stop was a little underground bar called Corbieres.
We were hungry again when we left Corbieres, so we made our way to Cafe Rouge at The Printworks where we had a sharing board of pâté maison, petit saucisson, houmous, olives, aromaticcured pork, marinated goats cheese boulée, red pepper tapenade & rustic breads washed down with another glass of wine.
Stuffed full of plumptiousness we decided to catch the tram back to Bury, where we had one more drink before phoning for a taxi to take us home. Once home and the shopping unpacked we had a cup of tea and went to bed.
I had a lovely birthday!
Next week I will resume telling you about our Canada trip, so join me then for Canada Part 5.
Then we did a little more shopping where I stocked up on cosmetics and MWM bought himself a new coat, before going for lunch in our favourite restaurant Bella Italia.
After lunch we went to get my birthday present off MWM, a bottle of my favourite perfume - Jo Malone 154 Cologne and the assistant also gave me a whole load of samples of the various Jo Malone colognes.
Next we went to a lovely little wine bar, Hangingditch, for a nice glass of Malbec.
Our next stop was a little underground bar called Corbieres.
We were hungry again when we left Corbieres, so we made our way to Cafe Rouge at The Printworks where we had a sharing board of pâté maison, petit saucisson, houmous, olives, aromaticcured pork, marinated goats cheese boulée, red pepper tapenade & rustic breads washed down with another glass of wine.
Stuffed full of plumptiousness we decided to catch the tram back to Bury, where we had one more drink before phoning for a taxi to take us home. Once home and the shopping unpacked we had a cup of tea and went to bed.
I had a lovely birthday!
Next week I will resume telling you about our Canada trip, so join me then for Canada Part 5.
Monday, 11 November 2013
In Remembrance....
Remembrance Day
Armistice Day
Veterans Day
Whatever you call it, let us remember them and thank them for our freedom.
LEST WE FORGET
11/11/13
Friday, 8 November 2013
So excited!!!..........
I have just booked our next big holiday for September 2014!
This afternoon you will return to the USA by entering New York State, which is also famous for its wonderful autumn colours. You’ll stay overnight stay in Rochester.
There’s a whole range of optional excursions available to help you get the most out of your time here – just talk to your Tour Manager, who will be able to give you plenty of advice if you haven’t already planned every minute of your time before leaving home!
Perhaps take a cruise around Manhattan, head to Harlem, visit the enigmatic Statue of Liberty, or even treat yourself to a helicopter ride over the famous skyline. For all you shopaholics out there, Fifth Avenue is the place to be, and when the hustle and bustle gets too much, slow the pace down with a leisurely Hansom cab ride through Central Park. In the evening, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants – from diners serving burgers to five-star restaurants, New York has it all, and of course, the smash hit shows of Broadway are a real to-do. You’ll be planning your return before you even leave the city!
Doesn't it sound fabulous??
Can't wait!!
New England & Canada in the Fall with New York Add-on
Here's our itinerary but we have an extra few days in New York to do exactly what we want and hopefully meeting up with a longtime blog friend namely Daryl. We leave England on 15th September and return on 30th September.Day 1: UK/Boston
Your holiday begins with a flight to Boston, Massachusetts, the natural starting point for any tour of New England and your base for the next three nights.Day 2: Boston
At one time, Boston was a hotbed of revolutionary activity, perhaps the most famous act being the Boston Tea Party. These days, it’s a modern, cosmopolitan city that takes pride in its revolutionary past, preserving it for future generations. The narrow, winding streets and squares of the old quarter provide an abrupt and delightful contrast with the city’s modern skyscrapers and bustling lifestyle. Boston also boasts perhaps the finest seafood in the world. An included morning sightseeing tour takes you along parts of the famous Freedom Trail to the Granary Burial Ground, the harbour (site of the Boston Tea Party), Beacon Hill, Quincy Market and Cambridge, home of Harvard University. Your afternoon is free to enjoy this wonderful city before returning to your hotel.Day 3: Boston
Feel free to explore more of Boston independently today, or join your Tour Manager on an exciting full-day optional tour to beautiful Cape Cod. Renowned for its up-market coastal resorts, Cape Cod’s shores are a playground for the rich and famous. In contrast to this is Plymouth, where America’s founding fathers first set foot in the New World.Day 4: New Hampshire
Today is where the views really become something special as you drive into New Hampshire. The countryside is reminiscent of parts of Britain, but on a much grander scale, with thousands of square miles of forest ready to burst into multi-coloured splendour every autumn. Greens, golds, reds and oranges all work together to create a magical patchwork landscape that is unrivalled. Tonight, you will stay in North Conway.Day 5: New England
Enjoy a leisurely day amidst New England’s glorious countryside today as you drive through the White Mountains and Franconia Notch State Park into Vermont. You won’t want to put your camera down for even a minute, as there is just so much to see at every turn. A short visit will be made to Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the USA, before continuing to Stowe for an overnight stop.Day 6: Vermont
Drive northwards through the gentle Vermont countryside to the Canadian border and on to Montreal. The magnificent bilingual city of Montreal occupies an island at the junction of the St Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, and although hundreds of miles from the sea, it is a major port and Canada’s second city. Montreal’s cobbled streets, 17th century buildings and beautiful parks and gardens are an obvious draw for the many visitors that come here each year, as are the fine restaurants and countless open-air cafés. Take any opportunity you can whilst in the city to relax in one of these cafés to indulge in a spot of people-watching. A sightseeing tour of the city this afternoon will give you an excellent overview of life in the city and introduce you to a selection of its finest sights. With three nights in Montreal, there’s plenty of time to discover more for yourself.Day 7: Quebec City
The heart of French Canada, Quebec City is the destination of today’s included excursion. The only walled city in Canada, it stands proud on the St Lawrence River and is an enticing blend of winding cobbled streets, ancient churches, Norman-style houses, stone buildings, public squares and horse-drawn calèches. Famous sights include the Cathedral, Château Frontenac, the Basilica, the Citadel, and Plains of Abraham, scene of the decisive battle in 1759 between the French and the English for the control of Canada.Day 8: Ottawa
Leaving cosmopolitan Montreal behind, it’s time to travel to elegant Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Proudly stood on the Rideau Canal, you’ll see some of its main attractions, including the Parliament Buildings and grand Chateau Laurier hotel. It’s then on to the exciting city of Toronto for a two-night stay.Day 9: Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and its commercial and cultural centre is dominated by the 1,815ft high CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures. It also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with world-class theatre, ballet and opera, and every style of restaurant. We will enjoy a sightseeing tour of this popular city this morning and you will have time this afternoon to explore at your own paceDay 10: Rochester
This morning we leave Toronto and continue to the mighty Niagara Falls, one of the greatest sights in the New World. Situated some 80 miles south-east of Toronto, the Falls are divided into two parts – the Canadian and American Falls. The Canadian Falls are the larger, 180ft high with a crest of 2,200ft, forming a curve known as Horseshoe Falls – truly breathtaking. For the most dramatic close-up view, you can don special waterproofs and ride the boat ‘Maid of the Mist’ close to the thundering waters (operates mid-May to mid-October).This afternoon you will return to the USA by entering New York State, which is also famous for its wonderful autumn colours. You’ll stay overnight stay in Rochester.
Day 11: New York
After the wonderful natural scenery of New England, it’s time to experience the wonders of New York, where you will stay for two nights in Manhattan, close to Times Square. An irresistible, exciting, eclectic city, New York truly is a 24-hour city, with no shortage of things to do and places to see at any time of the day or night.There’s a whole range of optional excursions available to help you get the most out of your time here – just talk to your Tour Manager, who will be able to give you plenty of advice if you haven’t already planned every minute of your time before leaving home!
Perhaps take a cruise around Manhattan, head to Harlem, visit the enigmatic Statue of Liberty, or even treat yourself to a helicopter ride over the famous skyline. For all you shopaholics out there, Fifth Avenue is the place to be, and when the hustle and bustle gets too much, slow the pace down with a leisurely Hansom cab ride through Central Park. In the evening, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants – from diners serving burgers to five-star restaurants, New York has it all, and of course, the smash hit shows of Broadway are a real to-do. You’ll be planning your return before you even leave the city!
Day 12: New York
This morning join an included tour of New York City, which takes you from Broadway, Times Square and the Empire State Building to Greenwich Village, then Chinatown, the Bowery and Wall Street. The rest of the day is then free for you to continue your explorations, and once again a range of optional excursions will be available.Day 13 to 15: New York
Doesn't it sound fabulous??
Can't wait!!
Monday, 4 November 2013
Dona Nobis Pacem...
Please join the Peace movement by flying a Peace Globe on your blog with your own message or quote for Peace. Together we can make a difference.
If you haven't already got your Peace Globe please go to Mimi's and get one then fly it with pride and sign the Mr Linky to let everyone know you have participated.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
"65"
Our weekend has been so busy - celebrating MWM's 65th birthday, which was yesterday.
It started on Friday evening when we took all our family to our favourite Chinese restaurant for a meal. Here's some photos from the evening.
Sitting down to dinner.
Back row - Sons Nick and Dan, MWM, Me, Daughter-in-Law Alison.
Next row - Eldest Grandson Sam, Kai, Nate and Harry
Front row - Granddaughter Gracie and Mother-in-Law Jean
Yesterday was MWM's actual birthday and we spent it with our good friends Tony & Karen. We went to Manchester and did a pub crawl before going to our favourite Indian Restaurant for a scrumptious meal, after which we hit a few more bars. Here's some photos of us enjoying ourselves.
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