Phew! Is it Friday all ready?

Congratulations Flassie!




This just seemed so apt!
I don't think anybody would ever dare to venture into our house!
Elsie sleeps downstairs, by the door and Wilma sleeps at the top of the stairs!


This Week's Caption Competition features our other German Shepherd, Elsie.
Now what do you think ahe was thinking?

Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the barrel, we've got the blues on the run
Zing boom tararrel, ring out a song of good cheer
Now's the time to roll the barrel, for the gang's all here

Yesterday I had a cooking session after I had taken Wilma up the lane.
This is the one day every so often when I cook for the freezer.
I slow cooked a beef curry, lasagne, chicken & veg in a white wine sauce, mince & mixed veg, and shepherds pies.
At about 12 noon I received a phone call asking me if I could teach on the afternoon.
A class of 8 year olds.
The school is only 5 minutes away so after some frantic reorganisation of my cooking, ie I put everything into the slow oven, I got changed and by 1pm I was teaching!

I returned home after school and picked up where I had left off.
The freezer is now full and I don't have to cook for at least another 3 weeks.
I will sit and do the menu plan sometime today.
This saves so so much time and money.

The weather is still dreadful.
It rained heavily during the night and the skies are looking very grey. I am sure there will be more rain today.
This is annoying as there are jobs in the garden I want to do, but the next dry day we have I will get out and plant my bulbs.

Today I am going to Whitby to do some shopping.
I got new glasses last December and something is just not right. To be honest I feel as though I need new glasses! This is so ridiculous so I am going in to the opticians to see if we can sort something out.

We have no immediate plans for the weekend.
The weather forecast is not good, so we will just have to see if there is any chance of going out on the motorbike.
I am not holding my breath.

Tomorrow I am on the hospital radio again.
I am now doing a monthly environmental feature.
Tomorrow I am talking about "Food for Free!" so I will share with you the idea sheet I will be preparing.

I want to pick some brambles this weekend too, it all depends on this weather.
I have this idea of making apple and bramble scones.
Trouble is, when I do bake and the scones come out of the oven I always want to sample them! LOL! Not good for my diet!

I have lost 9lbs since joining our local Slimming World Group.
Basically it is down to eating a good selection of vegetables/pasta OR meat/fish.
I do tend to eat a lot of vegetables with eggs and it seems to be working.

The reason I decided to cut down on the food I was eating was due to my winter bike trousers feeling too tight. They were very uncomfortable especially when I was on the bike, so the next time I put them on, (and lets face it, the next time we go out on the motorbike it WILL be time for our winter gear!) I should feel a difference!

So Friday all ready, another busy day in the Nesbitt household!

What are your plans for the weekend?

A thought for Thursday...

Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage.
Agnes Repplier


Like many other bloggers I too am taking part in today's campaign against abuse, in my case animal abuse and in particular puppy farms.
We always imagine it is happening somewhere else, away from our current situation.

However, for us it is a subject much nearer to home, in fact it was Birmingham.

Five years ago we lost our German Shepherd, Inca.
Like all of our dogs she led a long and happy life, she was 15 when she died.

We always have 2 dogs so we set out to find a companion for Max.
Now Inca was indeed a beautiful dog and in her early days she had been a show dog.
This stopped when she became ill and had to be spayed, this is the point we bought her through a contact our vet passed on to us.

When we started the search for another German Shepherd we contacted the German Shepherd Rescue Society, in Newcastle.

A few days later Alison, the manager contacted us to say she was travelling down to Birmingham to collect two 5 month old bitches.

We went up to Newcastle on the following Saturday.
In a run, inside a kennel where the two puppies.
They would not come outside.
Jon went into the kennel and brought the two puppies outside.
They were clambering to get away from the human interest.
We went inside the compound and again the two dogs cowered.

One of the dogs already had a home to go to, we said whichever dog was left we would happily give a home to.
We left our details and travelled home.

We hadn't been home long before the phone rang.
It was Alison saying we had been approved as owners following checks with our vets.
The other puppy had gone to its new home.

We set off immediately and travelled to Newcastle.
We brought our new puppy home.
That night we named her Wilmaha, Wilma.

She found a corner in the kitchen and stayed there for the best part of 2 weeks.
She soon trained in the garden.
Over a period of 6 months she eventually found the courage to come and look at us as we sat and watched TV, a few more months and she would stay in the lounge for a few minutes.
This slowly increased and she would lay on the carpet and stay in the room.

A neighbour who breeds German Shepherds told us the story of Wilma had made the front page news in many dog journals.
She had been bought in order to breed from.
She had been reared in a back yard with no socialisation or mixing with other animals or humans.

We also heard that her sister and mother had been so distressed they had been put to sleep.

We knew we had a difficult journey ahead of us, but 5 years down the line Wilma is here, currently at the top of the stairs having a nap waiting for her morning walk.

Her previous owner was prosecuted but these days that counts for little.
Only this week in our local press a man who previously had been banned from keeping animals caused endless suffering to yet more animals.

Puppy farming is horrific.
It is the result of greed.

To read more about it, read about the work of the Hope Foundation.

A DOGS PLEA
BY:ANONYMOUS

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no
heart in all the world is more grateful for
kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for
though I might lick your hand between blows,
your patience and understanding will more
quickly teach me the things you would have
me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice
is the world's sweetest music, as you must
know by the fierce wagging of my tail when
your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and
wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no
longer accustomed to bitter elements.

I ask no greater glory than the privilege of
sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot
tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp
and play and do your bidding, to walk by your
side, and stand ready, willing and able to
protect you with my life, should your life
be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am
very old, and I no longer enjoy good health,
hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts
to keep me going.

I am not having any fun.
Please see that my trusting life is taken
gently,

I shall leave this earth knowing with
the last breath I draw that my fate was always
safest in your hands.

ABC Wednesday!

J is for.............


JANNDENISE




This was just amazing!
We were out on the motorbike on Sunday.
I took the camera.
I went out with one intention.........
to keep an open mind and to observe, from the back of the bike and lok out for "J" subjects.

I was getting a little worried by the time we reached Scarborough....so I went for a little walk along the harbour!

and look what I found! LOL!

Rain, rain go away!

Photo of the Day
25.09.07
View from my Study Window.

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me.

When I look back on the weekend I am amazed at the lovely weather we have had and how we managed to fit our jobs in so successfully.
Jon has made great progress with fitting the window and one of the doors into the shed and I managed to work on my shrubbery.
Then there was the bike ride to Scarborough!

Yesterday however saw a deluge of rain!
Monday morning , the start of the new working week saw me pegging washing out.
I always have the washer on at night, so when I get up I can peg the washing out.
I had washed a white load during the night and was all set to peg it out and load the next load, the dark coloured stuff, mostly Jon's work clothes etc.

The weather soon put a stop to that and as I resigned myself to finding places round the house to dry the clothes the rain stopped and the sun put in an outstanding appearance.
I rushed outside and pegged the white washing on the line.
The sun stayed out for just over an hour.
In the strong breeze my washing was soon dry, when lo and behold the rain returned.
I rushed outside like a woman possessed and got all the washing inside!


It always makes me laugh really, I see the washing of my neighbours billowing in the breeze then frantic door slamming as we all rush outside to rescue the washing! Then, we watch for the sunshine and rush out again to get the washing back on the line, Sometimes this happens 2 or 3 times before we give up!


I took Wilma up the lane but the rain caught us out and we returned home soaked!

Today the chimney sweep is coming to clean our chimney, so the AGA will be lit by the weekend I would have thought.

Yes, winter is creeping in!

David has set another topic for us to think about...best childhood friend?

I had a good think about this (in the bath) and my choice would have to be our neighbour John Cooper. He was my best friend from the age of 6 to 11, when his family emigrated to South Africa.
We had great adventures.
We invented our own games and exploits.
I guess it was in the days when we could allow children to "play out" in the streets and surrounding areas. Having said that we didn't go far, usually just in our back yard or the alley way.
Our favourite game was secret agents.

The programme we watched was "Man from Uncle" back in the 1960's.




We both had old transistor radio aerials which we would extend and say those immortal words from the programme "Open Cheannel D, Come in Mr. Waverley"

I had an old small brown case which I kept my secret agent tools in, infact we both had such a case come to think of it.

We would search local jumble sales for bargains.
I remember on one such visit as my mum sat with John's mum, Nancy, who I referred to as Auntie Nancy, (infact come to think of it in those days we referred to every woman as "Auntie")
and on our way out Mum shouted "Don't forget me fur coat!"
Well, we were then on a mission and sure enough I found a fur coat at the Salvation Army Jumble Sale.
I was so chuffed and ran home to show mum.
Ofcourse there had been a reason why somebody would donate a fur coat to a Jumble Sale, but mum wasn't taking any chances and it found its way to the rubbish bin...fleas and all!
We had roller skates which we used to skate up and down the local streets, again a thing of the past.
When they were packing up to go to South Africa Auntie nancy called me in.
They had an upright piano which had pride of place in the front room.
I had always liked the piano, No I couldn't play it but liked the look of it.
"Would you like the piano Denise?" she asked.
"Ooooooooooooh yes please Auntie Nancy!"

The piano was pushed next door to our house.
"What do you want that for?" Mum enquired (well more or less her exact words!)

And so, we got a piano.

My uncle Moss had an Austin 35 car.
One night he came round and asked mum if he could borrow a wire from the back of the piano.
He went away with a wire and over the next few months I noticed more and more notes on the piano would not play! I was trying to teach myself to play the piano, but my progress and development was hampered by the amount of keys which could not play. Eventually it went to the rag ad bone man! LOL!

We heard via the odd letters and Christmas Cards from Auntie Nancy and John, I often wonder what they are doing now.

I certainly remember the happy, carefree times we played together, inventing our own games and making our own toys and games.

Being an only child I guess I was quite resourceful and independant, but nevertheless looking back it was an incredible few years of adventures with John Cooper.

Thanks David...a good topic!

Tickets Please!

Photo of the Day
23.09.07
Whitby, today!

The Wheels On The Bus

The wheels on the bus go
round and round
round and round
round and round
the wheels on the bus go
round and round
all day long.

We have had a busy 24 hours!
I worked in the garden yesterday afternoon and last night I cooked roast lamb for dinner.
Jon's ssiter was staying the night so we had a lovely meal together.

After lunch today Jon had done what he could in the shed build so we decided to go out on the motorbike.
Initially we were heading towards Teesside as Jon wanted to have a look at some patio doors for his shed.
However, as we rode towards Teesside we could see the black clouds, as well as feeling spots of rain on our helmets. Looking towards the sky we could see blue clouds over the moors, so we turnrd round and went to Whitby!

I was glad i took my camera as the vintage bus just pulled up for a few minutes, but enough time for me to take the photograph!

We stayed in the Whistestop Cafe and chatted to a couple of our biker pals before heading off to Scarborough.

It was sunny at Whitby, often meaning it will be dull at Scarborough.
However we were in for a pleasant Surprise.....Scarborough was glorious.


We parked the bike and had a walk along the harbour.




There were a few boat trips in action!



Speeds for all tastes!




There was lots of really interesting views.
In the picture below, the hill in the background is Oliver's Mount race circuit where we were last Sunday!






We sat by the Seafront and enjoyed the afternoon sunshine.








I love Scarborough.

On the way home I had a good think about what I have to do this week.
In the Garden.....
I have to weed my dry stone wall and possibly plant up some more succelents in it,
Weed the front bird area and plant up some bulbs in containers there,
Sort out the gravelled area which runs along the front of the house,
Plant up other bulbs in the shrubbery and possibly the dry stone wall.

DIY
I need to press on and complete the final bits of stripping the stairs.
Try to strip the paint from the kitchen door surround.

Business
I have a design to complete for customer approval early this week
I have to order materials for another commission.

So I think I have enough to keep me busy!

Still, it was good planning on the back of the motorbike, in the sunshine, returning home from Scarborough!

Are you going to Scarborough fair? parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seams nor needlework, then shell be a true love of mine

Tell her to find me an acre of land, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand, then shell be a true love of mine

Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And to gather it all in a bunch of heather, then shell be a true love of mine

Are you goin to Scarborough fair? parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine

Up the lane!

Photo of the Day
Handale
Yesterday

Take me home country roads,
to the place I belong!

I thought I would give you a change from a walk on the beach with Wilma.
I thought I would take her for a walk in our village.
I wanted inspiration! I also wanted a new picture for my header!

We left our house and walked just a few yards to Handale Bank.

As we turned up the lane I let Wilma off the lead.
I could see nobody was around, so we had the place to ourself!

A few of our neighbours greeted us with a cheerful smile!


and some shouted from their houses!




If you look behind the large white barn you can just make out the red brick roof of our house!

These horses belong to our neighbour.
They are racing horses in training.
They often gallop in the field next to our house.

In the background you can see the sea.

The new addition!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

As we walked I checked the hedges for berries.

I remember picking rose-hips when I was at junior school.
We picked sacks!
I think we received a badge in return!

The elderberries will be ready very shortly!

The perfume of this honeysuckle in the crisp Autumn air was astounding!

Next time we come I will pick some brambles!

When we returned home I had a good look round the garden and planned a few jobs which will certainly keep me busy over the next few days.

Nephew 1 is coming over to pick the apples off one of the trees, so I will be making chutney ready for the Village Harvest Supper and Auction, not sure when it is, but it wont be far away!

I have my bulbs to plant too and I need to cut back some of the shrubs.

Jon has been very busy with the shed build and has made great progress!

The weather has been wonderful today and I really enjoyed being outside.

Tomorrow we are hoping to go out for a bike adventure so watch this space!

I came across this poem today, it just suited!

Nature Nature is quite today.
Nature seems to be enjoying in itself.
There are many creatures playing with the nature.
Nature makes a sweet sound.
Everything is lost in the nature.
There is a melodious song playing in the nature.
Nature itself sways and makes us sway.
The world itself is lost in the nature.
The music is also mixed with the nature.
God also takes rest in the lap of nature.
Nature is our mother.
We are its children.
Nature loves us like our mother.
Nature does not take anything from us but gives.
We play and frisk in a cheerful way with the nature.

Pushkar Bisht

Last Week's Winner....

david mcmahon said...

Just don't pull the pin - it could be a grenade!

I did have a laugh at all of the comments and must say Flassie deserves a special mention!

This week's picture!

A little different this week....what do you think Wilma is dreaming about?


Today is a special day, it is International Peace Day.

This is my commitment....



and this is my poem...

P IS FOR Peace I want you to share
Everything that is nice, all the time, everywhere.
Always know I want you to find
Colourful blessings, of every kind
Etc etc what more can I say


This is my humble contribution, For International Peace Day!


With Love to my friends
Denise

I often share songs which we sing in primary school.
Without a doubt this song seemed so appropriate on such an international day of peace.

Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
words and music by Ed McCurdy

Last night I had the strangest dream
I'd ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room
and the room was filled with men.
And the paper they were signing said
They'd never fight again

And when the paper was all signed
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads
And grateful pray'rs were prayed

And the people in the streets below
Were dancing 'round and 'round
While swords and guns and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream
I'd never dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.

Progress Jim, but not as we know it!

Aesop said..
"Little by little does the trick."


Photo of the Day
20.09.07
Our banister 5 minutes ago.

My DIY project is continuing, but wanted to give a glimpse of progress.
The wood of the banister is finally revealed.

It is indeed a slow job, but as the layers are stripped back to reveal the natural features I feel the house is beginning to breathe.

Watch this Space!

ABC Wednesday!

I is for......

Ireland.

Just by the Giant's Causeway Ireland

When Irish eyes are smiling, 

sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring. 

In the lilt of Irish laughter 

you can hear the angels sing. 

When Irish hearts are happy, 

All the world seems bright and gay. 

and when Irish eyes are smiling, 

sure, they steal your heart away.

With Jon being self-employed we can not book holidays in advance, we are more spur of the moment travellers. So one day in May last year Jon found himself with a few clear days. It was a Monday lunchtime when Jon told me this. "Do you fancy going to Ireland? He asked me over lunch!This was completely out of the blue to me and a surprise. The North West 200 Motorbike Races were due to take place that weekend and we had always said we would like to go.

Neither of us had ever been to Ireland before so I said I would phone our friend Kenny. He was the authority on travelling to various places of interest, especially Bike events.

I phoned Kenny and asked him how we went about getting to Ireland, ferry ports etc etc.
It just so happened he had organised a trip for the very times we wanted to go...and somebody had dropped out! There was room for one bike and 2 passengers...everything was booked. The return ferry tickets and the bed and breakfast accomodation! "The only thing is Denise, you will be the only woman with 13 bikers!" Well, it is a tough life and we have to do these things, so we went along.

We set off on the Thursday for the ride up to Scotland and travelled over to Belfast.
We had 4 days in a heatwave! (remind me what they are!)



Returning home was a different matter. On the Sunday as we left Belfast, the skies looked black. As we drove off the ferry at Stranraer the heavens opened and we endured 4 hours of torrential rain, only stopping once for petrol. As I got back on the bike I asked Jon if he wanted a break but he said he didn't think he would be able to get his gloves back on if he took them off...so we pressed on!

When we reached Scotch Corner I started singing aloud on the back of the bike as I knew we were not far from home.

We arrived home around 7pm.
It took a week for our bike gear to dry out.
It is a wonderful feeling to arrive home, somehow manage to extract yourself from soaking bike gear, have a bath and put lovely dry clothes on!

It is part of biking!

We had a wonderful time with our pals, needless to say we had many laughs, lost directions and waiting for people!
The Irish people were so friendly and all in all one of the best holidays we had. We would like to return one day!

Next year we are going to the Isle of Man TT Races. It is our first visit but it is our 20th Wedding Anniversary and we wanted something special!

Here are just a few pictures to give ou an idea of the fun time we had.

This was race day. Ideal conditions.

Approaching Stranraer on our return! See the difference!

Thursday, meeting in the Carpark just before we set off!

Waiting to go on the ferry!

Michael Rutter poses with my duck!

We visited the Joey Dunlop Museum.
Here are some of his racing leathers.

Michael Rutter in action!

Knock Knock...who's there.........Autumn!

Photo of the Day
Ronnie's field over the road from our house
taken 9th September 2007

The same field only yesterday!

Autumn Days

Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk is in a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn’t forget.

Clouds that look like familiar faces
And winter’s moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the milkman sings.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn’t forget.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes go comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered
And the taste of apple pie.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn’t forget.

Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn’t forget.

Estelle White.

Living in a farming community, we are all aware of the seasons.
Over the past few weeks the sound of the tractors and combine harvesters travelling from field to field has brought autumn ever nearer, Autumn brings Harvest time.

When we have been out and about both on the bike and in the car the tractors travelling along the moor road carrying the bailes is also a clear indicator that the farmers are preparing for the change in seasons, and so must we.

This morning I feel colder. The warm clothes must be brought out and at some point the sleeveless T-shirts I love to wear about the house must be packed away in the wardrobe.

Only yesterday I found myself discussing Christmas with my MIL!
It is to be here, at our house. In fact, just a few seconds ago she called to say she has booked the taxi for Christmas day!

I must press on with my DIY, the stairs await!
Jon is making progress with the shed, again the roof is now sealed and we are waiting for the doors and windows.
Timing has been so spot on!

“Striving for success without hard work
is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted”

David Bly