Autumn seems to have arrived suddenly this year

Well, it was a busy weekend, daffodils are the new trending garden treat. Those little jobs you have to get on with have arrived, planting bulbs, Tulips, Daffodils and grass seeds that can take on the shade. A trench was dug, trench was dug deeper, Susan 10 cm is so like 20 cm to a lazy digger. Dafidals were randomly scattered most accurately, covered and then we scattered lawn grass seed and watered. That was just the front garden, the back had many tasks and I was feeling brave. Cut the lawn, planted lawn seed in the shady part of the garden, fed the plant with plant food, and fertiliser, and took a long look at what Michael and Matilda had done to their olive tree. Root bound and the lack of water and fertiliser was the obvious answer. I must admit that I asked Plant Parent, an app that has a huge volume of information.

The other news is that Dan has grown into his ears and just started university at Michael’s old university. Gary and Claudia took the wee boy to his fresher's week and then he on to his first year at university. Freshers week is about getting familiar with all that the university has to offer, clubs, drinking clubs, more drinking clubs and a little tennis. The future is now, for that wee lad and I have a feeling he is going to do well.

We were fortunate to have a beautiful sunny weekend with no wind to talk about and the holidaymakers have all returned to their dreary existence, setting the scene for a weekend of activities. Michael did a full marathon in Richmond, somewhere in Greater London. From all accounts did well, 42 km in 3 hrs and 52 minutes. Knowing the traffic in London, he must have passed many a frustrated motorist, not only is the volume of traffic horrendous but then they are stopped to let the runners through who are moving faster than they can. 

Susan also did a marathon, all for charity, her time was slightly better than Michael’s, just under 2 hours I believe. It’s true, the medal is attached and a photo of a very hot lady, she is one for the whole red flushed look when competing. Something she has worked on for many years, helps her fellow competitors to strive for bigger and better times. She did play it down and congratulated Michael for his achievement. Such a big heart.

Talking of marathons, Michael, Dee, Matilda and Gary are doing the Maverick marathon in early October. Now this is one I will not miss. Michael has told me it is 52 km and that is over the Purbeck mountains and back to the lowlands, sorts out the runners into groups of ability before they are 10 km into the race. My money is on Dee, such a natural athlete and has the power in her legs to run forever.

On a more worrying subject, exploding handheld devices to be more exact. With what has gone on in Lebanon and their pagers and walky-talkies, blowing up for no reason, next could be their smartphones. I have decided that it is best to be cautious and I now rely on my landline until this madness is over. Do not despair, I will check it once or twice a day, with all the protective bomb deposal recommended attire, cannot be too careful.

Diva Competition

Now, onto the best part, we are looking for the ultimate Diva, this is restricted to our extended family and all you have to do is put your name forward to be considered. A brief Diva CV or motivating letter of not more than 100 words will enhance your chances of being the Ultimate Diva for 2024. This is an international competition, those from Africa and surrounding areas are very welcome. 

Other suggestions to sway the judges in your favour would be a photo of you in your most Diva-like attire. We will photoshop a beautiful crown into your head when we announce the winner. 

To enter, just go to my contact page and all is there for you to impress the judges from the Most Diva Like Society. Best of luck.

Lady Mally and Travel

On a more encouraging note. Lady Mally from The Laurels Estate has taken her new VW Campervan for its first trip. She went for a road trip, yep all of forty miles to a National Trust Property. Hinton Ampner in Alresford, Hampshire. Well her feelings are, why put too many miles on the new van for nothing and it does look good on her driveway. Also good for people to see and if she is driving all over the countryside, passes bye will not see it and therefore will not be impressed. Sound logic, also Mark has to charge and connect the battery every time Lady Mally wants to use it. 

Getting back to Hinton Ampner. Lady Mally did say that there is lots of fun to be had at Hinton Ampner. From running, jumping, skipping and chasing in the garden and wider estate, to cream teas and a place to park your VW Camper Van in style, something for everyone. By all accounts, the food is all grown and prepared from the estate's gardens. Lady Molly and her friends had filled croissants with smoked cheese, ham and sundried tomatoes, complemented with a glass of dry vintage sherry. Lady Mally has a simple philosophy for life on the road in her new VW Camper Van.

What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs, and stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like skies at night:

(Image of Alresford Hinton Ampner)

Just a little history on Hinton Ampner

1540

Hinton Ampner's story begins with a large Tudor manor, believed to have been constructed in the

1793. 

It was demolished by Henry Stawell Bilson-Legge .

So many things happened from then to then, some good, some bad but it is now old history and this being a blog, not a history lesson, we will skip to;

1960

It burnt down in April 1960 and was rebuilt by May 1963. The Hinton Ampner of today remains true to the work conducted during this period, but to a larger extent, it represents the life-long ambition of one man, Ralph Dutton, the 8th and last Lord Sherborne. (Source: National Trust)

2024

Lady Mally and Friends visited Hinton Ampner in her new VW Camper Van.

My Favourite Daughter

I am always amazed at my favourite daughter. I watched her putting makeup on just the other day. The calm approach to marking one's eyelashes with thick black glue, the long applicator just millimetres from her eye, almost a surgical-like operation. All the while talking to me, her children and the dog. A task that could see one damage ones eye, maybe even causing blindness, a warning, if you are not qualified, do not attempt this at home, seek professional advice.

Angela has her Masters Degree in Mascara Application. 

Talking of Standing and staring, Susan and I took ourselves off to watch a must-win cricket match in Dorchester, a market town in Dorset. Gary’s team had to win to be promoted to the division above the one he was in. Sounded like it would be an exciting time but alas they came second after a scoreboard malfunction. They had to rely on pen and paper, I know, who would be able to cope? During the lunch break, we went to Brewery Square in Dorchester. Recently built and was designed by an architect I know, so I was interested to see the finished work, I did see the CGI but the real thing was much more impressive. Took these images of our wander around Brewery Square.

Had coffee and a ring doughnut at a Turkish coffee shop, to be honest, there was only a Costa as an alternative but as I sat and waited for our hot drinks Susan made her way to find another coffee shop called Silly’s that we had been told about by a Polish furniture seller. Naturally came back with some form of cake. I did enjoy my ring doughnut and the coffee was not that terrible either. After our cosmopolitan adventure, we went back to the cricket but as we arrived Gary went out to a silly ball he played into the hands of silly mid on, Dan was given LBW to a ball that was almost ‘a wide’ and that took the shine off the cricket and we decided to tackle the trip back to Poole.

Christmas if under 3 months away and already our local supermarket is selling Christmas cakes etc. I will be buying mine close to the time, maybe the 10th December, I always seem to eat way too many Christmas pastries before Christmas and then have no appetite for anything Christmas on Christmas. Now the task that I am dreading is finding a present for Susan, what do you get someone who does not want a Christmas present?

Great British Plant Off

October is now with us and it heralds the month that Susan is going to embark on a bulb planting project, never done before, well in our garden anyway. She is going to try and plant several 100 daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Starting with the tall daffodils and then the dwarf daffodils, moving on to hyacinth and then the tulips. She wants to create a burst of colour and fragrance in the new year. We all hope she succeeds and will be there for her with refreshments and encouragement, go Susie Pie, make Britain proud again.

Birthdays

Claudia has just celebrated her Birthday and selected the 20090 restaurant to entertain her friends and family. Quite a night and unfortunately I have no images of the evening but did get this one, my main course - curry of excellent taste. I must admit the service was very good and by all accounts, everyone’s food was as expected, curry. Susan did come up with a classic remark, off the cuff. I remarked that a glass of wine 175 ml, a small mouthful was £ 7.95 and she responded with ‘Order a bottle.’ I will not disclose what that came to. Claudia was surprised at all the people who came but I do believe it was a chance for a free meal that tipped them over the edge. Happy Birthday Diva of the Middle Smiths.

Lauren when she opened our special gift.

In ending we have two birthdays this month. Lauren Bell-Brown, belle of Nottinghamshire and international jewellery designer had her birthday on the 30th September and does celebrate it for at least a month, so October is her month of celebrations. Susan and I bought her a much-needed pair of pink Birkenstocks, all-weather models with plenty of grip and comfort.  I have attached an image of the beautiful shoes but as I did not buy them I am hedging my bets on which style we sent her.

Robert did remark that life is passing by so quickly he almost has no time to turn at her glance and watch her feet, how they can dance: No time to wait till her mouth can enrich that smile her eyes began. 

Gary is having his birthday on the 9th October, and mass crowds are expected at Wembley Stadium to celebrate this milestone event, word has it that the Mafia are sending the Godfather to the event. Claudia, Diva of Dorset said these wise words on their long engagement.

‘Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.’

We wish them all a Happy Birthday.