New Days

When Jenson waits at the door for Susan to get home and she is away, he does not understand. Routinely, she would be home by 7 and we would enjoy an evening meal. That routine for him is just as important for us, we rely on the beauty of the constant, the joining of two people after a day apart, getting together again. Getting together is the cornerstone of a relationship, something you can depend on when that day you have had, has left you doubting yourself, it needs consistency and to be with the one you love.

Why all this melodrama? Susan is away visiting the home of Lego in Billund, Denmark. They are lucky to have her and as she always says, make the most of the occasion or you might regret it later.

Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door. This happens to humans as they get to a certain age when they are slowing down but want to enjoy every day. Susan does not want to waste any day that might have a glimmer of sunshine, so slowing down does not seem to be an option. We can dream.

I played in the shadows of giants turned to stone, behind green hills, where two people can be alone.

There are a few people who are still giants in our memory but have since moved on. This Easter, like on all memorable occasions, your mind prompts those times of remembrance, rest in peace, my giants.

Where were We - Kingston Lacy

That was a tough one for those who do not frequent the National Trust in Dorset. To be fair, I have blogged about this property on numerous occasions, some might say too much but it is a place I always want to be.

Must mention Gemma’s birthday. We went over to Julia and Peter for a BBQ birthday in honour of their daughter, Gemma. The great feast of superbly done meat on his new BBQ with a cake worth a second slice. The Mole from the book, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse has a lovely expression.

If you don’t succeed the first time, have some cake. The boy asked the mole if it works?

‘Every time,’ said the Mole.

Michael has joined us for the last two mornings on our walk on the beach and a swim. With the water temperature just over 8 deg C, he is a brave boy. Really good to have him joining us and it does make it into an adventure, a good thing, as it is a routine for us and he is quite animated when first diving in.

Sunshine has been the weather for the last few days and with a gentle breeze, who could ask for a better time to part take of the water. I am hoping Russell will be coming over soon, he is an enthusiastic cold-water swimmer, with years of experience.

Talking of swimming, Gary sometimes joins me but that is a rare event and we relish every moment. He is a busy man, with many children of all ages in his house, life is complicated. I must say he has a number of stock excuses, on why not to come. These he has used more often than not.

Gary excuses;

1. Fixing the fence - this is an ongoing issue, Molly their dog goes awol most days. Personally, I think she has fox in her.

2. Time for food

3. Not going to make it

4. Tiding the house

5. Buying food

6. Got the flu

7. Claudia gets back from work at 10 pm (this one always makes me laugh, our walk is normally at Lunch time.)

Not sure about everyone else but we have tidied the garden in readiness for spring. I do believe somewhere on God's earth, spring has arrived and hopefully, Brexit will not delay it for too long.

On Easter Saturday we drove to Cranbourne to essentially have breakfast at the Cranbourne Garden Centre, which did come highly recommended, only a 30-minute drive via Wimborne and Holton. Gary and Alex met us there as they also needed breakfast and wanted to buy Passiflora edulis plant.

Wikipedia says; The passion fruit is so called because it is one of the many species of passion flower, the English translation of the Latin genus name, Passiflora. Around 1700, the name was given by missionaries in Brazil as an educational aid while trying to convert the indigenous inhabitants to Christianity; its name was flor das cinco chagas or "flower of the five wounds" to illustrate the crucifixion of Christ, with other plant components also named after an emblem in the Passion of Jesus. Seemed fitting as it was Easter weekend.

I wouldn’t rush back to Cranbourne Garden Centre, the food was just OK but as for the plants, they were overpriced and looked a little neglected.

Where are we?

It was an old Saxon settlement and the foundation of the church dates back to the beginning of the 8th century when the sisters of the King of the West Saxons endowed a monastery here. Apparently, this was a foundation for both sexes. The present church, with its twin mottled brown towers dominating the town, dates back to the 12th century. The church contains an interesting chained library of theological books. It is also home to the famous Quarterjack clock, a 14th-century astronomical clock.

The Priest's House Museum is an extended mediaeval house, originally the home of priests of the Minster. It is now an exhibition of Victorian life, with a large number of artefacts from a bygone age.

There are a number of cafés and pubs in this town, a favourite of ours for breakfast or afternoon coffee. There are many antique, curio and other individual shops in the town, as well as a modern shopping centre. An antiques market is held each Friday, a flea market on Saturday and a combination of both every Sunday.