ABC Wednesday - X

Oh my goodness I have had to put my thinking cap on this week. Not even many X words in my dictionary to inspire me, and certainly none that I had a photo for. I wanted to try and stay away from Xmas as it is only June so, how about -

this X-tra large bee, seen at the Eden Project at the weekend!



or, xxx (kisses) on my birthday card from my grand-daughter



Now I'm off to see what Xtraordinary words others have come up with.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter X, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - W

W is for Willow


Some corkscrew (contorted) willow that we grew and which I decorate at Christmas and Easter.



The Willow Man - a willow statue which stands in a field beside the M5 motorway near Bridgwater in Somerset. It is 12 metres high. I have never been quick enough to get a photo so this in one from the internet.



This fuschia is called "Willow Tinsdale" and is named for my grand-daughter. Yes really! Her maternal grandfather has established a new variety which, after many trials, was accepted two years ago and is now for sale this year for the first time. This is a photo of my plant (along with some lobelia) which was given to me when it first went for trials.


This next is a picture from the internet


and here is the young lady herself who will be 7 years old on Saturday. My grand-daughter Willow


Happy birthday Willow

For more detail click on each photo.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter W, please click here.

I've been tagged

I've been Tagged

I have been tagged by Monalisa.

I have to answer 10 questions that Monalisa has asked me, then think up 10 questions for 5 people to answer, sounds easy enough...

1. Which holiday destination have you revisted again and again?

Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands. Probably visited 6 or 7 times but not for a few years now because most of our holidays are now spent in Australia/New Zealand where our son/daughter live. Would like to go back to Lanzarote though.

2. Why did you start a blog?

Began when I retired. Meant it to be a diary of sorts but it has turned out to be more like jottings from time to time.

3. What is your favourite TV programme?

I don't really have a favourite but I do like things like:

Frost, Lewis, Frasier, Friends, Coronation Street, costume drama: Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford and Pride and Prejudice, chat shows like Parkinson and some documentaries - lately "Tribal Wives".

4. Red wine or white wine?

It has to be red as white wine tends to give me heartburn! Perhaps I should pay more for it!

5. What is the biggest lie you have ever told?

When I was arranging big birthday surprise parties for my husband and engagement party for daughter.

6. Have you ever won money?

Does £10 on the lottery count. Oh and one £50 win on Premium Bonds.

7. Your first childhood memory?

I really don't think I can remember much before I went to school at 5. I recall standing waiting for the bus to take me to school and I have various memories of being at school too. I remember the teacher (Miss Winterbottom) reading us a story called "Horrible Harriet".

8. Do you enjoy cooking or being cooked for?

Both. I do love to cook and have friends and family round and I love to bake and decorate cakes. I also enjoy going out to eat, prefer to friends but restaurants are good too.

9. Have you every had need to call the fire brigade?

Yes, once. Shortly after we moved house, about 17 years ago, we were doing some decorating and had lots of windows open (summer time). One evening, just after dinner we heard a loud bang from upstairs. I thought it was just a door slamming but husband wasn't so sure and went to look. In the back bedroom we still had some boxes not unpacked and they were alight. I called the fire brigade and husband managed to heave the flaming boxes out of the window so that by the time the firemen arrived, about 10 minutes, all was out. They checked everything and all was well. A burnt patch on the carpet and the contents of the boxes were lost (we managed to claim on insurance) but no smoke damage at all. Cause of fire - we believe that a throw-away lighter was in one of the boxes and had been leaking and with the heat in the room and packing paper in the boxes it had all combusted. No real harm done but it would have been a very different story had we been out. Husband used to work some evenings then too and if he had been at work I probably wouldn't have checked and that would have been another story! We were very lucky.

10. How many houses have you lived in?

From childhood - 12.

Now I have to list 5 people to tag. If anyone of you reading this would like to have a go, please feel free.

I am inviting the following to take part -

Sylvia from over the Hill

Jeanni

Gill

Winifred

Mara

if they take it up they should do as I have done, answer the 10 questions below, then set 10 new questions and tag 5 others to take part.

and here are their 10 questions.

1. How do you relax?

2. What possession could you not live without?

3. What makes you laugh?

4. What is your greatest fear?

5. Who do you most admire, living or dead and why?

6. What talent do you wish you had?

7. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

8. What single thing would improve your life?

9. What is your favourite song or piece of music?

10. What is your greatest achievement?

For those who love Cats

I first saw this video (there are seven now I believe) a few years ago and it made me laugh so much. I think it will appeal to all of you who have shared their life with a cat and may bring back some memories. This is for Pam too, who has just lost her beloved Frank. Hope it makes you smile Pam.

Simon's Cat Video - (make sure your sound is turned up)

ABC Wednesday - V

V is for:

Voyage

and this is a view of our ship that took us from Vancouver to Alaska and back, taken from the top of Mt Roberts Tramway in our first port of call - Juneau.


another view from the top



this man was very confident



For more detail click on each photo.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter V, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - U

Taking advantage of our recent holiday shots.

What can you see on the beach under the trees - an ursine shaped figure - yes! IT IS A BEAR! I was so thrilled even though it was at such a distance - um, well, you would want some distance between yourself and a bear anyway.



If you don't like that picture how about this one.



The undercarriage of the floatplane!

For more detail click on each photo and you really should see that IT IS a bear on the beach!!!

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter U, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - T

This week, having just returned from travelling, T has to be for:

Trains and tracks, trees and tops of mountains






and Totem Poles





The totem poles are a feature in Stanley Park, Vancouver.

For more detail click on each photo.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter T, please click here.

Planes, Trains and a Cruise Ship

Well, we are back from our holiday and have had a wonderful time. It was a trip that we had been wanting to do for a few years but for various reasons (children living on the other side of the world, work and other commitments and, of course the finances) we have only just got round to it. It was booked very quickly in February and we went with another couple (our friends with whom we have had several memorable holidays) and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

We flew to Vancouver and the following day joined a cruise ship and sailed on the inside passage to Alaska, arriving back in Vancouver a week later. Two more nights in Vancouver then it was "all aboard" the Rocky Mountaineer train for a two day trip through the Rockies to Banff, via Kamloops. Magnificent scenery all the way and some sightings of wildlife, which I found particularly exciting. Our weather was mostly warm and sunny so we were very lucky. We ended up in Calgary for our last day and there we had snow, so we had a variety of weather! We arrived back home on Sunday and yesterday I was exhausted and slept a good part of the day.

I've been getting to grips with the laundry today and on Thursday I shall be packing a weekend bag as we are off to Stratford on Avon to stay with our daughter for a few days. I will post some holiday snaps from time to time but in the meantime I will be trying to catch up with your posts.

As I said before we have had a wonderful holiday, it was an unforgettable experience but it is good to be home.