I was going through my photographs and those shared with me, and discovered an interesting fact. Michael has shared 744 images over the years since he became an adult; well, 2013 was his first shared photo. The interesting fact is that since the 14th August 2025, he has shared 210 images, and there is only one image that does not have Sadie as the subject. Seems when humans have their first child, they see the world differently. Michael is seeing his daughter grow up by the d

St. Augustine's Well - Cerne Abbas Cerne Abbas The Middle Smiths accompanied us on a trip to Cerne Abbas. I was interested to see the Benedictine Abbey and the old church in the centre of this small Dorset village. Also has the famous Giant Chalk Figure with an emphasis placed on his erect manhood. It is said to be a symbol of fertility, and young couples will walk to the figure and touch it, in the hopes of having a child. Meaning and Origins  Cerne: Thought to be derived fr

St Patrick’s Day I do not want to seize the day, I want to gently poke it with a stick and see if it moves  17th March and it is St Patrick’s Day; I have been told not to wear my orange t-shirt today. Green is the colour to wear, as the mythical leprechauns can’t see green. I have never seen a leprechaun; maybe you need to go to Ireland to see leprechauns. Taking of Ireland, there are no snakes on Ireland, well, that’s according to the Irish and some leprechaun academics. Sai

Saturday morning was looking promising, weather-wise, and we were inclined to take ourselves off for a pie and a pint at the Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, near Swanage. As in all plans, this was changed, and we decided to go to Wimborne St Giles, stopping at a ruin of Knowlton Church. I have driven past this ruin many times, not knowing it was an old church. I delivered Dried Fruit and Nuts to the local pub in Wimborne St Giles.   Quite a gem. Compared to the great sto

Short Version Friday 5 hrs journey up. Stone-chipped window, rear tyre pressure low. Pizza for dinner Stayed at the Travel Lodge, basic but functional  Saturday   Breakfast at the Ruddington Arms. Good food, coffee not that great. Caught up with Wendy Bell-Brown, mother of Lauren. Coffee at ØKENDE, one of Robert and Laurens ' favourite haunts.  Walked around West Bridgeford park and debated potholes. Nottingham city centre in the afternoon. St Peter’s church, rebuilt 5 times

Merry Christmas, I hope it is a good one, without any tears. Talking of tears, does Christmas come at the end of the year, or does it provide its turning point? Is it a moment when we close the door to all that has passed in the month that has preceded it, or is it a time when we open our arms and say, 'Come, we are ready, we will embrace it all'? Christmas begins with a baby, Christmas is all that is unknown, all is cherished and all we must shield from the winds of fortune

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. Where has the year gone? Well, it has, and we have to accept the inevitable. What happened in the last year? Well, Susan and I both put on a few pounds, which will no doubt carry on into the festive period. It is those mince pies, full of fat. Matilda was the winner; she steadily gained weight from January, getting quite chubby. Then she decided enough was enough and lost quite a bit of weight,

🍂 At Kingston Lacy This Autumn I felt the need to go out and get some photos of the colours of autumn. Kingston Lacy was the chosen venue. Two reasons: the colours are normally spectacular, and it has a good little coffee shop. The Middle Smiths joined us with Daniel and his girlfriend Ellie, who were down from Cardiff, Wales. I know, but some people do live there. Anyway, they joined us, great seeing the boys again. Kingston Lacy did not disappoint us. Autumn is when the wh

Swanage Challenge Events - Triathlon  Sunday 29th June 2025 - (1500m swim, 38km bike, 10km run) Official welcome message on their website...

Worth Matravers is famous for the small pub, The Square and Compass (pie and a pint) pub. Lovely little pub where the pints are good and...

This blog was originally about Wi-Fi, but like all my blogs, which start in my head and when it comes the time to translate them from my...

Majorca and the incident of a Loose Screw The trip to Spain started out with the inevitable Ryan Air debacle. Boarded the aircraft in...

Joan Mitchell's painting called Iva The difference between our house and most other houses in England is that we have beach towels and...

Spring We have had a funny spring. Heavy clouds cover the sun, and the high winds from the north seem to try their best to dampen our...

What is Love I have always said love should be instant and effortless. When you find that person there is no struggle, no drama, you get...

Society grows great when old people plant trees, the shade they know they will never sit under. Good people do things for other people....

Susan and I were talking about life, our lives and how time runs through your fingers like water, you think you have forever but you...

The planning for what we would have for our Christmas dinner was meticulously thought through a week before the festive day.  Starter: ...

First, let me wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year you can be proud of. Secondly - To everyone I have offended this year, work...

I have just worked out what is wrong with my brain. The right side is not right and the left side has nothing left. Finally, I have made...