lizblog

Visitor lovelinesses

Lovely flowers from Jac .... thank you.

It's a beautiful thing when people come to visit that they often arrive bearing gifts. Totally unnecessary, of course, as they are invited because you just want their company, but nevertheless, a loveliness.

My problem is that, having just moved house, many of my things are still in boxes.
Ruth was the first to get flowers and they went in the only vase, however, when Jac brought the ones above, I moved Ruth's sunflowers into the water jug. They looked fine in there, though maybe I should shorten the stems.

Sunflowers from Ruth ... thank you.

However, when Rebecca and Ian arrived last night ...... well, we drank the wine and very nice it was. At the moment the flowers are residing in the lid of a CD spindle, fortunately watertight. I'm sorry, Rebecca, it's not the best receptacle, Today I will search for a better one.

Thank you, Rebecca.

Seahouses

These are my favourites from the photos I took from the boat.

Sadly I moved back inside the covered bit just as Bamburgh Castle hove into view, it looked great from offshore. Never mind .... maybe next time!

Druridge Bay

My friend, Ali and her daughter, Joy have come to visit us. We took advantage of the beautiful sunny afternoon to go to the north end of Druridge Bay. As you will see, it was very crowded.

This little man waved to welcome us .....

I was fascinated by the long rows of concrete blocks. Sea defenses? Left over from WW2 to stop landing craft? Useful resting places?

It was beautiful, unspoiled, clean, empty of people, peaceful. We enjoyed it.

Out of gas

This morning on Newbiggin beach.

Shakalaka, baby? No, no, no.

My old shack, a week ago ..... just about to be packed up.

And there I was, lacking any form of shack. I worked hard to create order in the rest of the house, then yesterday, I devoted my time to setting up a new shack.

Here's Billy.

First I built Billy to go in the corner. He's red and from IKEA. Cheap, heavy and functional. Still awaiting full contents.
Then I made the table and set up my computer. Lastly there was internet connection to consider. I'd bought an airport card, which Apple had kindly delivered very quickly. We put the card in, but then I realised I didn't have the arial. Disappointment.
Then this morning I had a flash of inspiration. The arial was in my filing cabinet drawer ... I knew ... I found it. We attached it, still no internet.
Finally we saw a little lead, half hidden inside the computer which was the arial lead from the airport card to the external arial .... a fact which wasn't mentioned anywhere on the card and which Apple had singularly failed to inform us about when we rang to enquire about it. We plugged it in and ... Hey Presto! .... I now have my shack back on line.
Yay!!!!

My new shack, complete with original-style sack curtains and my own private hanging baskets, maintained for free by the Council.

I must go down to the sea again

It wasn't until Monday that I finally managed to go and walk by the sea.
I'd managed several trips to the Co-op and other local shops, a wonderful evening at Jason and Toni's, where we were royally feasted, but no sea.
Monday was bright, sunny and warm ... so finally I gave myself the looked-forward-to trip.
I wasn't disappointed.

The sun, the sea, the sky, little boats, rocks and even ........

rockpools.

Is it just a week ago?

Empty ........

well, almost.

These are the boxes still to come which I will pick up at the weekend. It feels much more than a week since the excellent and hard working Ian and John came and packed all the stuff to bring to NBTS. The thought of more boxes doesn't exactly appeal at the moment, I feel as though my life has been ruled by lifting and moving boxes for the past week. If muscle development is gauged by stiffness and aches, then I must be building up a lot of new muscle.

Louise took the day off work to help me and give the proper mother/daughter emotional support .... thank you Louise, it meant more than you know.

Well-earned rest and reward.

Left behind

We planned Andy's trip well. We knew everything he needed to take, then disaster struck. His crown fell out and we had to find a dentists and make an emergency appointment. Which we managed to do though the cost was somewhat astronomical.

I also had to go and fetch a Burco boiler from school as we were informed that there was no hot water in the house due to the boiler being condemned. This turned out to be untrue, the gas man who had checked the gas appliances just hadn't noticed the virtually new combi-boiler and thought that the house and water was heated via the back boiler behind the fire downstairs. The fact that it wasn't actually connected didn't seem to have given him the clue that there could be any other form around. Never mind. We found out before Andy set off, and so he left the Burco boiler behind along with:

My engagement ring needing repair as a diamond has fallen out. Thanks GPO.

His pillows so he had somewhere to rest his head tonight. Thanks Antonia and Jason.

Our new kettle so he could make a drink. Thanks Blyth Asda.

Tea, coffee, sugar, cup, spoon. Thanks again Blyth Asda.
I could go on.

Thanks also to Ian and Rebecca and all the other people who have offered help. We will be taking you up on the offers, Oh, yes, yes indeed.

I am pretty boxed in now, I just have some stuff in the kitchen to pack and I'm ready and I have all tomorrow to do that. Louise has kindly offered to take last loads to the tip and the charity shop, which will save time on Wednesday. Dan has volunteered to unattach the washer and dish washer etc, so we're all ready to go.

The builder is due to start work next Monday, so the house should be back on the market by mid August. I feel things are finally coming together and looking up. At this point please add any other meaningless, but generally positive sayings that come to mind.

NBTS, here I come ..........