tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108477682024-03-07T06:41:00.300+00:00Liverpool LeftoversMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-3808480697898401212015-02-11T13:17:00.000+00:002015-02-11T13:17:17.893+00:00A change of view come evening<br />
Yesterday we noticed a cherry picker at the street light outside next door. Assumed the bulb had gone and needed changing. But then puzzlingly it stopped at every single street light down the road. To be honest I didn't think about it much, the council does what the council does, seemingly for no good reason often. But come evening, the lights go on as usual, but instead of the orange sodium glare we have white light! The skies are very overcast at present, so until we have a clear night I won't be able to tell if these lights make it more possible to see the stars. Fingers crossed!<br />
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The other weird thing was two nights ago I dreamed of my Mum. I think this might be the 3rd time I've dreamed of her since she died in 2007. I dreamed that she joined the Green Party! For a dyed in the wool Tory it seems extremely unlikely, but maybe she's had a change of heart in the afterlife.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-9301202742611827062015-02-07T16:17:00.000+00:002015-02-07T19:31:32.199+00:00Wolf Hall part 1 (BBC2)This is still available to watch until 22.05 on 20th February 2015.<br />
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I've just watched the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gfy74/wolf-hall-1-three-card-trick">first part of Wolf Hall</a> again, for I think the third time! In many ways it's true to the book, which I'm currently re-reading, but in others it wanders from the timeline. For me the most obvious one is when Liz Cromwell dies of the <a href="http://theconversation.com/what-was-sweating-sickness-the-mysterious-tudor-plague-of-wolf-hall-37194">sweating sickness</a>. In the book their daughters Ann and Grace live on for at least another two years before succumbing in 1529 to the same <a href="http://discovermagazine.com/1997/jun/thesweatingsickn1161">sickness</a> that killed their mother (I have to say that I'm not sure the dates are correct at all - see <a href="http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/sweating-sickness-english-sweat/">this account</a>, or they may have died of different complaints). But the change from the book gives us one of the most touching scenes of Thomas Cromwell, bereft after the deaths of his wife and two young daughters across a single day and night, standing alone in a colonnade outside his home.<br />
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It seems to me that after this blow Thomas becomes much more capable of taking risks, has less care for his own safety. An epiphany of sorts maybe. The image above shows him immediately after his great loss, looking out across the courtyard at Austin Friars into a future that is in some ways meaningless. But he still has his master, Cardinal Wolsey to serve, and so life continues. Though the time of quarantine is not shown in the film - and there would have been time for all to stay in the house to not spread infection.</div>
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For some reason this reminds me of the painting <a href="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/images/paintings/gm/large/gl_gm_174_large.jpg">The Annunciation</a> by Botticelli, which we saw when we visited <a href="http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/">Compton Verney</a> back in 2013. There just happened to be an <a href="http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/events/210/bellini_botticelli_titian_500_years_of_italian_art.aspx">exhibition of Italian art</a> on when we arrived. Two different collonades, one in damp England following a death, one in bright Italy foreshadowing a birth.</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-48807793534355864612015-02-06T17:22:00.000+00:002015-02-06T17:22:41.211+00:00First Bumble Bee of the year!<br />
Today has been interesting. After my rather late bath I finally got dressed and just as was about to come downstairs I looked out of the bedroom window to the River Mersey, and saw what I think is the biggest ship I have seen from here. Bound for Eastham, the <a href="http://www.shipais.co.uk/showship.php?mmsi=308773000">Maracas Bay</a>, 175 metres long! A chemical/oil products tanker. She was riding very high in the water, and had a tug boat at her stern. Later to be followed by <a href="http://www.shipais.co.uk/showship.php?mmsi=218731000">Leander</a>, at a mere 145 metres, but similar capabilities and headed for Stanlow. I didn't get to see Leander though, as was rushing to be ready for my Dental Hygienist appointment.<br />
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After having my teeth thoroughly cleaned and rattled in my skull I sat out in the front porch continuing my re-reading of "Wolf Hall". A must re-read since we're enjoying the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02gfy02">BBC2 adaptation</a> so much. It was surprisingly warm in the sunshine, only had a thin jacket on. Was delighted to see my first bumble bee of the year briefly. So briefly I couldn't tell what kind it was, but it wasn't one of those huge queens you often see in springtime. Sort of beige-ish, and about standard medium bumble bee size. But a promise of Spring!<br />
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Now I have freezing feet, as I sat out a bit too long and I'm wearing my posh shoes (have to look respectable when go to the dental practice) and not my sheepskin boots. The sky is now pearly and beautiful, might grab my boots and go out to sit for a bit longer to watch the colour changes as the daytime ends.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-57799878826012978482013-05-07T18:09:00.000+01:002013-05-07T18:15:49.117+01:00River Mersey seen from our bedroom window<br />
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slashed by the trees </div>
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soon to green up </div>
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and hide our view of the ships</div>
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the sandbanks and the high tides.</div>
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Bounded on the far shore by a skein of amber lights.</div>
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Proof of roads and people over there.</div>
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Further away the hills of Deeside,</div>
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And further still the wilds of Snowdonia.</div>
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At our old home I could see Snowdon from my bed.</div>
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Here I see a river and hills </div>
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but not a mighty mountain.</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-73408656415904197072013-03-13T20:16:00.000+00:002013-03-13T20:16:58.415+00:00Book cull!<br />
Spent afternoons yesterday and today at our old home sorting stuff to a limited extent.<br />
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After spending most of the time there yesterday sitting by a nice open fire in the living room with me feeling "carp" we decided to take a look at the books that John had brought down in 5 boxes from the bookcases in our bedroom. After some time going through them all, we filled 2 boxes to go off to <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">Oxfam</a>, so now only have 3 of those boxes to come back to new home. I kept a load of stuff that maybe I should have let go? Neville Shute for one. Will I ever read them again? Doubtful. But I don't quite feel ready to let them go yet. Rather like my Mum's china ornaments. Elizabeth Goudge books too. And a few more random books!<br />
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Today those 2 book boxes went off to our local <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/local-shops">Oxfam shop</a>, along with a box of stuff from new home too - trousers that don't fit John any more, and a couple of DVDs. I washed the lower side windows in old home living room so I could see the sunsets better. John will have to wash the top ones, as I can't clamber onto a ladder (or the back of the settee) these days to do them due to dizziness - apparently "mild left vestibular disorder" according to the very nice lady neurologist I saw some years ago now. <br />
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Progress is very slow! But anything is better than nothing!<br />
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Meanwhile in a pot just outside our new home front door the lilies that we bought at the Chelsea Flower Show last year are beginning to sprout despite the cold weather.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8554636461/" title="random stuff car lily shoots 001 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="random stuff car lily shoots 001" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8554636461_f620282a32_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-24459145724577045322013-03-10T17:55:00.000+00:002013-03-10T17:55:33.261+00:00My ME/CFS comes of age...<br />
Well, yesterday it was 21 years to the day that I had the virus (?) that preceded me getting ME/CFS. Difficult time, but also joyous in that a few days later (we thought I was recovered) we went to Birmingham to a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Great_Wide_Open">Into the Great Wide Open</a>). I think when I really noticed things were getting strange was when we went to the wonderful <a href="http://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/">Birmingham Botanical Gardens</a>, and in the hot house I was crying to think of how the <a href="http://www.palmhouse.org.uk/">Palm House in Sefton Park</a> was not open any more. I mean, why cry over something like that, sad though it may be! The Palm House is back with us again now, but I still haven't been back to see it again since it re-opened.<br />
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I spent most of the day back at old home re-acquainting myself with various parasols I bought in the run up to my parents' deaths. While my Mum was getting more and more demented (but we didn't know that at the time) I tended to hit eBay and buy stuff. At least there was a reason to buy parasols, I did a course run by my friend <a href="http://www.costumeclassroom.com/">Penny's website</a> on renovating parasols. I have some silk ready to work with the parasols I have. I hope that I can actually get down to it and renovate some of the lovely parasol skeletons that I have!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-12621405893640423652013-01-23T22:13:00.001+00:002013-01-23T22:13:54.038+00:00Red Double Amaryllis<br />
Sarah and Mark gave me an Amaryllis bulb for Christmas. It was a bit of a laugh at the time as it had completely white shoots coming off it! So I planted it up immediately and put it in the utility room to get some good light. Now it's in our porch, which can be a bit chilly, so every day I light night lights in lamp and "chandelier" thing... Good to keep the flower cool, but best to not let it get frozen!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-1919316509364233232012-11-13T15:22:00.000+00:002012-11-13T15:22:24.690+00:00Heron<br />
Look what just landed on a roof down the road!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8182311948/" title="Heron by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Heron" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8182311948_1187c4b7ae_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-84483972444331031752012-10-28T20:57:00.000+00:002012-10-28T20:57:37.120+00:00Stealing Sheep at Liverpool's Doctor Marten's shop Thursday 11 October 2012<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080429438/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 002 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 002" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8080429438_c32f437faa_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We took a cab down from home, stuffed wheelchair in, cabbie very helpful. and dropped us off fairly close. Not far to go, and it was dry when we got dropped off. And it stayed dry while John trundled me to the shop... Easy access, so great! First person we saw was Emily, and she recognised/remembered us from Port Eliot Festival. She greeted us, and then went off to put her lippy on. Smile!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080451381/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 022 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 022" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8080451381_cd433f577d_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Becky had some nice new Doc Marten's.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080428866/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 006 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 006" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8080428866_1946a6ce63_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here's Emily and Becky working together over the the keyboard....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080434739/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 011 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 011" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8080434739_6c6d9b4c3a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Smiling Becky.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080427872/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 017 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 017" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8080427872_e9c673f982_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Lucy talking with someone.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080433913/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 021 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 021" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8080433913_1d1d2af07d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Emily tuning up...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8080433445/" title="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 025 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep 11 October 2012 Liverpool Dr Martens 025" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8080433445_9cdaafde56_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I sat at the front of the venue, we talked with an ardent fan from the Wirral, who I hope gets to see this post. It was wonderful to be so close to the band in such a small and intimate place. Thank you to Dr Marten's Liverpool for such a great and accessible place to see such a great band!<br />
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Here's one of my favourite songs, Circles.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IiTc_jJr4_c?list=UUHx3k8EFQkbuENvoRrYfdJg&hl=en_GB" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Here's another of my favourite tracks - ShutEye. This and the track it segued into closed the gig.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7CK0HY2plI&list=UUHx3k8EFQkbuENvoRrYfdJg&index=1&feature=plcp"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7CK0HY2plI?list=UUHx3k8EFQkbuENvoRrYfdJg&hl=en_GB" width="560"></iframe></a><br />
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This was the last songs of the evening. As we left Emily told Becky that we'd been at Port Eliot to see them. So we left on a high, and found that it was only mizzling outside. Parked wheelchair under a sheltered part of L1 so I could have a ciggie (shameface) and when the rain more or less stopped John yomped the wheelchair over to the road where we were lucky enough to get a cab immediately! And so ended a wonderful eveining!<br />
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I videoed the whole wonderful gig, you can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmOuPC4Rv4UOpXB2J1tjSLzlpyVIz1iBQ&feature=view_all">see it here</a>. Though in my usual disorganised manner I seem to have put everything up twice! Ah well, it's good to listen to plenty of Stealing Sheep!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-34403537288288102212012-09-27T22:14:00.001+01:002012-09-27T22:14:11.760+01:00Weekend and choir in Liverpool Cathedral<br />
It seems this is my 200th blog entry here! So this is a post about a weekend at home in Liverpool, and I promise I will return to Port Eliot Festival again soon... It will be good to re-visit some of the best weather we saw this summer as well as returning in memory to a magical place. <br />
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Our friend David came to stay last Friday with his partner Nell and her mum Jenny. Nell had organised a weekend singing workshop at various venues round Liverpool, the workshop was led by <a href="http://www.stephentaberner.com/index/home.html">Stephen Taberner</a>. Saturday morning David was able to visit the <a href="http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/hod014476e">Cast Iron Church of St Michaels in the Hamlet</a> once he'd helped deliver Nell and Jenny to the morning's workshop (In the Crypt of the Catholic Cathedral), then it was off to Elmswood so he could help John record some of his songs.<br />
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Come evening saw a wonderful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dog">sundog</a>, so knew that we were in for dirty weather... Well, I do watch the weather forecast too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8030557756/" title="Sundog 002 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Sundog 002" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/8030557756_9e4374ac75_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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On Sunday David and John went to visit the <a href="http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/hod014383e">Unitarian Church on Ullet Road</a>. Both Churches were open as part of the <a href="http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/town/liverpool">Liverpool Heritage Open Days</a>, which this year are extended from a weekend to a month as part of the Liverpool Biennial. Then back to Elmswood again to finish recording, and so David could bring his equipment back here ready for the journey home to Cambridge.<br />
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I would have loved to join John and David on their visit to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ullet_Road_Unitarian_Church">Unitarian Church</a>, as when I first became ill with ME the Liverpool Central Group of the ME Association used to meet in the Library there. A delightful pensioner called Alf (I'm sure he was in his 90s) used to open up the room for us, build a coal fire if it was cold, and brew us some tea. But we'd been invited to attend the final session of the workshops, where the choir would perform in the Anglican Cathedral, so I knew that I could only do one or t'other.<br />
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We arrived at the Cathedral towards the end of Evensong, which was running a little later than usual as it had been an investiture service. I was in the wheelchair, so was very glad there was a lift up into the Cathedral! It was nice to sit and take a look at the Cathedral during the end of the service, it must be around 30 years since I was in it last! I was surprised that the stone it is built of is less dark and forbidding than I remembered it as being.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8030879014/" title="Liverpool Cathedral 002 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Liverpool Cathedral 002" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/8030879014_af0f2a3c90_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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There was some debate as to whether the choir would sing facing towards the back of the Cathedral (which would have been a nightmare for me as there was a flight of steps down towards the window you can see in the video below) or facing towards the main body of the cathedral. Fortunately for me the latter was decided on. While this was going on I was trundling around, and a lady looked at me and said "I have serious coat envy"! I thanked her, and she went on to tell me "I like all your yellow"! Hat, scarf, handbag and shoes... Well, I couldn't resist the chance of getting dressed up a bit! LOL!<br />
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Despite going prepared with my camera which shoots in HD and also has image stabilisation I only have two fragments of the choir singing to share with you. Battery ran out. And then back up battery ran out. When I come to think of it, it was probably before Port Eliot Fest that I last charged the batteries! So not surprising, but because they last so long I never remember to charge up before an Event. (slaps wrist) Will try to in future. I'm particularly sad I only have a short time of the very beautiful Georgian love song that is in the second half of Part One.<br />
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<b>Two day old choir singing in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral</b> - Part One<br />
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<b>Two day old choir singing in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral - </b>Part Two<br />
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After the concert was over I thought I recognised a face in the audience, somebody whose blog I followed while she was training to be a Curate (she is now a Vicar). So when I had the chance I trundled my wheelchair over and asked if possibly she might be Elaine L? And she was! So not only did I have some gorgeous singing to listen to, I met another Internet Friend in Real Life! Such a lovely surprise.</div>
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Tuesday John and I were sitting side by side at our computers when the front door bell rang. John answered it, and came back in bearing a lovely flower arrangement! Roses, carnations, stock, some kind of arum, and other flowers I don't know names of, so pretty and very sweet scented. A card with it showed that it came from Jenny as a thank you for the weekend.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/8030607045/" title="Flowers and sky 005 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Flowers and sky 005" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8030607045_f174bc68d4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you so much Jenny! It was lovely to meet you, and as I type these words the sweet scent of your gift of flowers is filling the living room.</div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-11272826894239627592012-09-09T11:11:00.000+01:002012-09-09T11:11:33.618+01:00Port Eliot Festival 2012, Friday 20 July, Part 3<br />
To continue the story...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638408178/" title="Offspringette, Becky and Knit Angel by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Offspringette, Becky and Knit Angel" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7638408178_fa14ff8492_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Offspringette, Becky and Knit Angel at the end of Friday's sessions in DoveGreyReader's Tent</b><br />
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I got yarn bombed by the Knit Angel, a decoration to my hat. Sadly we didn't get a photo showing it. But The Kayaker did, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyhats/7610968984/in/set-72157630670116562">and it's here</a>. <br />
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Once things began to be packed up for overnight at DGR's tent we did the zig zaggy trundle with the wheelchair back down the path to down by the river, and then along to the foodie places in front of The House. We chose wood smoked pizzas, and very delicious they were! While I slurped on some G&T from my pre-prepared "water bottle" John enjoyed a pint of <a href="http://www.tributeale.co.uk/">St Austell Tribute</a> from the nearby beer tent. Then around 8pm we trundled back along by the river to the Caught By The River Tent for the Stealing Sheep gig.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638467744/" title="Stealing Sheep setting up by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing Sheep setting up" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7638467744_c0833a97ee_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Stealing Sheep setting up</b><br />
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John managed to push me fairly well to the front in the wheelchair, after all I wasn't in anyone else's visual way! He squatted down beside me so he wasn't either. So I had a great view, and was able to video several full songs by resting my elbows on the arms of the wheelchair. <br />
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<b>Stealing Sheep - Gold</b><br />
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What can I say about Stealing Sheep that hasn't been <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/aug/09/stealing-sheep-diamond-sun-review">said already</a> in <a href="http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/4785/Stealing-Sheep-Into-The-Diamond-Sun.aspx">loads of reviews</a> of their first album '<a href="http://www.roughtrade.com/site/shop_detail.lasso?search_type=sku&sku=352980">Into the Diamond Sun</a>'? Well one thing that I can say is that they are a fantastic live band. Their sound doesn't rely on a lot of techy studio stuff that can't sound anything like the sound of the real band. They sound like themselves.<br />
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<b>Stealing Sheep - Circles</b><br />
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Emily, guitar player, shared with us all that it was her birthday, and invited the audience to go to the Rough Trade tent to share Champagne with her and the band. Which we did, when does a Liverpudlian refuse Champagne? Bought the new 7" single Genevieve, and the band signed it for us. Since then we have purchased the new album, the sparkly vinyl version, which is very sparkly and very pretty and the music's just great too! <br />
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I asked Emily about the band's name - why Stealing Sheep? She told us that initially the name almost put her off joining the band! But the name is to do with stealing ideas, you can read more about it <a href="http://thefourohfive.com/news/article/405-q-a-stealing-sheep">here</a>. She also said she thought of it as linked to falling asleep (counting sheep) and hence to the unconscious.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638576214/" title="Caught by the River and obelisk by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Caught by the River and obelisk" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7638576214_99d9c30ec4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The lighted obelisk that you see behind and above the stripy Caught By The River tent is a landmark we trundled by each day on the way to the Walled Garden where DGR's tent was. We didn't get a daytime photo of it, but John took a photo of the plaque placed in front if it later.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638637712/" title="Port Eliot part 2 and journey home 046 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Port Eliot part 2 and journey home 046" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7638637712_744e751e76_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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For the gift of Port Eliot</div>
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to his son at an early age </div>
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this finial, once part of</div>
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Westminster Abbey,</div>
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is erected in gratitude to</div>
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NICHOLAS</div>
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9th EARL OF ST. GERMANS</div>
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1914 - 1988</div>
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Back to our tent after a wonderful musical interlude. Put on multi-layers of clothes to sit outside for a while as it was a bit chilly! But oh how bright the stars were in a clear cloudless sky! When it got so cold that we could see our breath we headed for bed, me with my trusty hot water bottle. I'll leave the last word on this magical day to John:<br />
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And after midnight a miasma crept out of the Matmos and enveloped the City of SoGo.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-28297213741535337682012-08-31T19:04:00.000+01:002012-08-31T19:06:17.440+01:00When I'm 64<br />
Woke to a sunny morning, three buzzards wheeling over, and a flock of swallows swooping overhead. But by golly it was chilly! The bathroom was exceptionally frigid, so I put the central heating on to warm it up a bit before showering - I like to be clean on my birthday! Breakfast was an omelette, prob should have had muesli, but thought I'd skip it as it was my birthday, why force something so loathsome down on a celebratory day!<br />
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First card opened was from John. We both agree that the red sailed boat is surely Ruddy Duck!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7900539278/" title="Card from John by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Card from John" height="120" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/7900539278_a792cb8332_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Yes, I still need you<br />
Yes, I'll still feed you *<br />
Now you're 64...<br />
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* subject to the usual negotiations<br />
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Sarah's card arrived yesterday with a large parcel, but I held off opening both till this morning. Strong minded or what! Sarah is well acquainted with my love of hats obviously. The one I wore to her wedding to Mark is marginally smaller I think, but not much! My purple Chelsea/Port Eliot hat might be approaching this size though!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7900538200/" title="Card from Sarah and Mark by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Card from Sarah and Mark" height="317" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7900538200_b808565462_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638813494/" title="Maggie by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Maggie" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7638813494_a949e2699f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So then I was able to rip open my parcel, and delighted to find this book inside.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7900536506/" title="Just Vegetating by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Just Vegetating" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7900536506_50d1fd632b_n.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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John then put up our shark windsock again. The lashed up bamboos had broken in a gale last week, we were lucky to catch it before it disappeared into the next door field. But he found some more bamboos and has lashed it up again... Showed a lovely west wind, but since then the wind has backed (usually a bad sign!) to the South West. And the hills began to disappear, and now it's completely closed in and has been drizzling.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7900764862/" title="Cloud closing in 001 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Cloud closing in 001" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/7900764862_846647f990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After the windsock went back up I became a Boat Widow again... Three hours later he came back, more boat problems (centreboard jammed half way down), so off into Abersoch to talk to some people. Meanwhile Duck is on a borrowed deep mooring. <br />
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Now he's back again, and we are listening on BBC iPlayer to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00wyyl7/Interactive_Lunch_31_08_2012/">DoveGreyReader on Radio Devon's Interactive Lunch</a> (begins about 2.08 in). (Note: this will disappear in a week from today) So lovely to hear dear <a href="http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/">DoveGreyReader</a> on my birthday!<br />
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And then it was time to listen to <a href="http://stealingsheep.co.uk/">Stealing Sheep</a> on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m6b50/Womans_Hour_Inga_Bejer_Engh_sperm_donation_Astrid_Bonfield_and_Stealing_Sheep/">Woman's Hour</a> (about 33.55 minutes in) from this morning. This is another one that will sadly only be available for a week. But a great live acoustic version of their new single 'Genevieve' on it, so do have a listen. We went to their gig at Port Eliot, which I haven't managed to blog about yet, but here's the video I made then of 'Genevieve'.<br />
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Chicken in the oven, so think I will sign off for now.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-8934525646051212022012-08-30T19:42:00.000+01:002012-08-30T20:05:42.601+01:00Port Eliot Festival 2012, Friday 20 July, Part 2<br />
Once the new tent was up and decorated and running we all scroogled in and waited for Tracy Chevalier to arrive. I was entertained to see a big bumble bee lazily floating around the flowers in the tent. Unfortunately I didn't manage to capture it on camera.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7894543124/" title="Flowers in the new tent by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Flowers in the new tent" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/7894543124_89ab585b2e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Dove Grey and <a href="http://www.tchevalier.com/index.html">Tracy Chevalier</a> began the session with a "show and tell" about their quilts. Dove Grey's quilt was one she started for her firstborn, Tom. Who co-incidentally was the dovegreyreader official photographer, as well as being about to reach his 30th birthday! Still not finished, but she assures us that she <strike>will</strike> might in time for his 30th.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638417376/" title="Quilt show and tell by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilt show and tell" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7638417376_3f35de0471_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Tracy's quilt is, I think - not enormously up on quilting - a traditional American quilt pattern. Before reading us an extract from her new novel, Tracy told us a little about how she likes to work. As part of the research she does for writing she tries out the things that she is writing about. She also mentioned that research can go too far, citing a novelist who went several times some hundreds of miles to find out about making guns, that eventually resulted in about 3 lines in the final novel. Her new novel is about a Quaker woman who after emigrating to America gets involved with the "underground railway" for escaping slaves.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638414282/" title="Quilt show and tell by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilt show and tell" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7638414282_5e24fb3618_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The extract Tracy read to us told how her main protagonist is trying to make sufficient quilts so she can get married. Her future sister-in-laws are prepared to lend her quilts, but want to have them replaced as part of their own dowries. Our heroine makes quilts by piecing, in the English fashion, her new (about to be) family complain it takes too long, and suggest she should stop making quilts in that way, and make them using applique which is faster.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638415562/" title="Tracy Chevalier by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Tracy Chevalier" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7638415562_92d4af174c_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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After questions about 'Girl with the Pearl Earring' amongst others, Tracy signed books... She has recently edited a book, '<a href="http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/support-us/why-willows-weep/pages/synopsis.aspx">Why Willows Weep</a>', sold in aid of the <a href="http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/Pages/default.aspx">Woodland Trust</a>. She was kind enough to sign my copy to give to my dear Mum-in-Law who had broken her wrist and was in hospital at the time.<br />
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Once this session was over, I caught a photo of Dove Grey with Michelle Roberts, who was to speak on Saturday about Angela Carter.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638411940/" title="DoveGrey with Michele Roberts by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="DoveGrey with Michele Roberts" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7638411940_6ca8cec85f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Tomorrow is my Birthday - I'll be 64. I may well not manage to continue this saga tomorrow... So I'll share a picture of the view from our caravan with you before closing this post.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7895538140/" title="Caravan pictures 059 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Caravan pictures 059" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/7895538140_f6f8c31cdb_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Lots more to come, including <a href="http://stealingsheep.co.uk/">Stealing Sheep</a>!<br />
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And then the moon began to rise! So have to share this. It's a Blue Moon on my birthday tomorrow!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7895694102/" title="Moonrise Bwlchtocyn and Snowdon 003 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Moonrise Bwlchtocyn and Snowdon 003" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/7895694102_268e7e004d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-84555927002873725472012-08-28T20:24:00.000+01:002012-08-28T20:24:53.113+01:00Dr Dorothy Morris, Deemee to me, has died<br />
This morning an email dropped into my Inbox from <a href="https://twitter.com/TomKindlon">Tom Kindlon</a>, from an email he had received:<br />
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<pre wrap="">I regret to advise that Dorothy passed away last week from a rare form of cancer. She battled hard for the past year and eventually to treatment and the drugs took their toll.
Her funeral will be held in Leongatha, Victoria, tomorrow.
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I am not sure what age she was. My guess is 70-75.*
Dr. Morris, who had M.E., did her PhD on M.E.: "Double Disability: Lived Experience of Australian Tertiary Students with ME/CFS." She was a former teacher.
Tom
*I like to give such information as I imagine many people, like I am, are interested in/concerned about risk of death.</pre>
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<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; white-space: normal;">I was fortunate enough to meet Deemee at the MERUK Conference in Cambridge back in 2008. I was very saddened to hear that she has died. We had quite a correspondence years ago when I was early on in my time as a Co-Cure Moderator. I remember how much she loved roses, but had to lose them from her garden due to drought. It was a real joy to meet Deemee at the Conference.</span></pre>
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<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: normal;">Have heard from another friend that when Deemee moved house she was able to plant roses in her new home. Which is some comfort in a way.</span></span></pre>
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<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: normal;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/2528538797/" title="Deemee by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Deemee" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2232/2528538797_773c1542e8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></pre>
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<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: normal;">Thank you Deemee for your friendship, and for all you did to help ME Patients.</span></span></pre>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-6606515447808457002012-08-27T22:32:00.000+01:002012-08-27T22:32:26.592+01:00Port Eliot Festival 2012, Friday 20 July, Part 1Friday morning we woke up pretty early to a lovely sunny morning, after mug of tea in bed I donned my wellies over my jim jams, plus my trusty jacket, and crutched the nine mile hike towards the dreaded toilets. Was warned off before I made it all the way - two ladies told me that they were all full. Thank you ladies, saved some of my precious energy! So crutched back (good thing I wasn't desperate!) to the tent, and made use of the bucket we'd brought "just in case". (NOT the flower bucket in case anyone - Fran? - is worried!) Next time we'll take <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-khazi-Khazi-Portable-Toilet/dp/B001TQ5KC2/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url">something like this</a> with us. OK, TMI, but it had been something that worried me! I guess it's all part of the rich festival experience!<br />
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John fired up the little gas
stove again and we had more tea followed by a bacon, egg, tomato and fried bread
fry up followed by another couple of mugs of tea. I had woken several times
in the night to the thunka thunka of music, which went on till about 3am
I think. But was cosy wrapped in my duvet cuddling my hot water bottle,
so slept pretty well all things considered. Some of our neighbours had
found the music more intrusive, and all who passed as John was cooking
were almost visibly drooling!<br />
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After breakfast we set off towards <a href="http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/">DoveGreyReader</a>'s tent in the Walled Garden. I had a bucket (not THAT bucket!) of flowers brought from our garden that I was clutching against my knees while also trying to hang on to a pair of crutches and a walking stick. We did stop off at the toilets en route, just to be on the safe side.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637812404/" title="The dreaded toilets! by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="The dreaded toilets!" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7637812404_253324820d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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John had found a zig-zag course up the hill, past the Elephant Field, that did actually prove mostly possible for the wheelchair, though once or twice I got out and crutched it so he could get the chair over the roots growing across the path. I was so glad that John had searched out this route, as it meant we didn't have to ask for more help from the friendly people in the site office who had said they could arrange a buggy ride. Much better to be independent if at all possible in my experience.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637797874/" title="Port Eliot Elephant field by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Port Eliot Elephant field" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7637797874_191413cf86_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We finally found our way to DoveGreyReader's tent, through a lovely doorway that reminded me immediately of the entrance to "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Garden">The Secret Garden</a>". I asked a bearded man (I had seen photos on DGR's blog before) if he might be Bookhound, and he acknowledged he was, made us feel really welcome. Dear DoveGrey arrived soon after, and gave me a big hug. It was a very emotional time for me, as have been following her blog for ages (6-7 years?) now, and she was so incredibly kind to me 5 years ago when my parents died. Got ensconced comfortably in the entrance to the tent, and began to do some knitting. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638371330/" title="Maggie knitting at dovegreyreader's tent by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Maggie knitting at dovegreyreader's tent" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7638371330_333ddbe0a0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Oh, also managed to deliver the bucket of flowers to Fran (in charge of the entry to The Flower Show as well as floral decorations in DoveGrey's tent), who managed to make some nice arrangements combined with lots of other flowers that she had brought along too. I apologised for the "fragrance" of the Elephant Garlic flowers (they were rather pungent!), but she pooh-poohed that, said that one of the flowers she'd brought (I sadly didn't catch the name - Hen something?) had rather stunk out her car on the way!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638422074/" title="Flowers in DGR Tent by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Flowers in DGR Tent" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7638422074_f8bcedd9e2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We did have a couple of heavy showers in the morning, I sheltered under DoveGrey's big garden umbrella, and at one point I was entertained to have the gazebo lifted up and over me and it! I should have taken some photos.<br />
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Our first author in the DoveGrey Tent was Susie Parr, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Story-Swimming-Susie-Parr/dp/1905928076">The Story of Swimming</a>. She spoke about loving to go into the sea to swim, take a look at what <a href="http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/dovegreyreader_scribbles/2012/08/tracy-chevalier-porteliotfest.html">Dove Grey had to say about her talk</a>. The main thing that I took away from her talk was what she said about going to visit Byron's Pool. She went there, it was horrible and polluted and full of litter, had council warnings about not swimming... But she had travelled so far to visit that she decided to swim anyway, foul thought it was. This is the pool that <a href="http://www.orchard-grantchester.com/grantchester-group/">Virginia Woolf and Rupert Brooke</a> are reputed to have swam in together naked. Very sad that it isn't really available to swim in now. But how many rivers are?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638359358/" title="DoveGreyReader and Susie Parr by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="DoveGreyReader and Susie Parr" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7638359358_3310189c87_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After Susie Parr had spoken we all had to leave the tent, so it could be struck and replaced with a bigger one. John gave a hand taking stuff out, removing bunting, and so on. While this was happening the rest of us sat outside and knitted!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638428784/" title="Knitting! by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Knitting!" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7638428784_26dea24c76_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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It was amazing how fast <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/sets/72157631276854900/">the new tent went up</a>. Meanwhile Tracy Chevalier had arrived and met up with DoveGrey. It's a shame this photo is focused on the wall behind, but I love the big smiles!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7638347460/" title="Tracy Chevalier and DoveGreyReader by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Tracy Chevalier and DoveGreyReader" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7638347460_7be8831106_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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More on Tracy Chevalier, and our Port Eliot adventures soon.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-32104315517837508312012-08-25T19:56:00.000+01:002012-08-25T19:57:23.689+01:00Port Eliot Festival 2012 -18-19 July Travel and ArrivalI'm very late posting about our wonderful time at the Port Eliot Festival, but want to keep a record of it so I can look back.<br />
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I've been following <a href="http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/">DoveGreyReader's blog</a> for well over 5 years now. The last few years I've been reading her descriptions of the Port Eliot Festival, and kind of wishing I could go, sit in her tent and listen and knit...<br />
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Earlier this year we decided to try doing some more exciting stuff following the house purchase and renovation, so we visited the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/sets/72157629996349388/">Chelsea Flower Show</a>, though I wasn't sure how well I'd manage in the wheelchair! And it worked OK once the heat of the very hot day had passed.<br />
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So when DoveGrey began talking about this year's Port Eliot Festival I suddenly thought 'Why don't we go?'! We looked at the Port Eliot website, and we looked at the camping, and before we knew it we'd got tickets and booked a <a href="http://www.porteliotfestival.com/information/hotel-bell-tents/">Hotel Bell Tent</a> to glamp in! First ever Festival for us, at age 63 and 66!<br />
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Wednesday morning at 11 am saw me limping round the garden collecting lavender, roses and thyme flowers to help decorate DoveGreyReader's tent, with a few purple dead nettles thrown in for good measure along with some Elephant Garlic flowers - very "fragrant" these!<br />
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We left just before 4pm on Wednesday, travelled as far as Taunton and stayed overnight there as we were worried the journey was too long for me in one go. It clocked up as being 307.1 miles from outside our house to the Festival Car Park, so I think we made the right decision<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637816372/" title="Entrance to Festival by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Entrance to Festival" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7637816372_24f73c34e2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Arrived at the Festival site on Thursday at ten to 12, were fairly well up the queue to get in when the gates opened at midday. Managed to find the disabled parking, and as the stewards didn't know where the Hotel Bell Tent encampment was John phoned Roberta (Bobbie), who was disabled liaison as well as covering a number of other tasks. She was a bit busy at the time, but arrived sooner than expected and drove me and the heaviest of our gear (thank you Bobbie!) down to Hotel Bell Tent, where the crew carried it all to our pitch. I felt a bit like an explorer following a line of porters!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637824808/" title="Hotel Bell Tent encampment by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Hotel Bell Tent encampment" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7637824808_d471742664.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This was Hotel Bell Tent's first time at Port Eliot, and the land they were allocated was right next to the swamp ("this area prone to flooding"), which John immediately named the Matmos. It took John a further 4 trips to get all the rest of our stuff (!), but in the meantime I began to sort out our luggage in the cavernous tent, and make up the beds. We had two queen size air beds (already blown up thank goodness!) but had decided to take our own bedding plus a hot water bottle for nesh me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637814942/" title="Glamping in a Bell Tent! by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Glamping in a Bell Tent!" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7637814942_d9a08e62ce.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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After something of an explore, we were warned we would never get the wheelchair up the hill to the Walled Garden, we returned to tent, sat outside and surveyed the view while John sampled some Symonds Scrumpy Jack and I had a G&T.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637815564/" title="Sitting outside the tent on the first evening by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Sitting outside the tent on the first evening" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7637815564_b7197bfbe4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Looking out of our tent we saw two rows of bell tents in front of us, then two huge oak trees, and an encampment of tipis beyond. To our left Port Eliot House, to our right more tents across an arm of The Matmos, behind us the main body of The Matmos, further still behind though out of our sight The River.<br />
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While I was sitting out in the wheelchair a family with two small boys came past our plot. One of the boys looked at me and kindly asked "Did you break your leg?" I replied "No, I didn't, I just ran out of energy." At which his Mum responded "So you have to eat up all your sausages and vegetables so you don't run out of energy."!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7637796470/" title="Our tent is just to the right of the bronze flag lit by the sun. by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img alt="Our tent is just to the right of the bronze flag lit by the sun." height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/7637796470_3e8547a3db.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Our tent is just to the right of the bronze flag lit by the sun.<br />
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By this time I was pretty tired so got curled up in bed while John went off to find some food. He came back with a burger but I'd gone to sleep and he couldn't wake me - I was very tired after all the travelling. So he ate the burger himself, and told me the next day it was the best one he'd ever had in his life!<br />
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Then he went off to explore some more, found a possible way up to the Walled Garden that might be wheel chair possible ready for Friday, and managed to catch the Bayou Brothers in the Cabaret Tent. He even snagged a gold necklace from the beads they threw into the crowd.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-67583599253790878702012-05-12T18:25:00.001+01:002012-05-12T18:25:45.899+01:00<br>
What can I say? Long Time No See! Sometimes Life just keeps Happening! But here we are in our new home, been here a while now. I'm crazy gardening at the mo with more seedlings than I know what to do with in the kitchen, utility and porch... It's been so cold and wet it hasn't been nice enough to begin hardening most of the plants off, though today I've finally got some broad beans and Cherokee Trail of Tears beans out in the front garden.
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The back garden is looking wonderful after all of the rain we've had recently, though the lawn really needs mowing again. Here's the beautiful azalea in full bloom.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7181847160/" title="Azalea by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7181847160_85665055e2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Azalea"></a>
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I did plant some peas and beans in root trainers that we kept outside (well, we stuck them in the blow-away green house if it was going to be horribly cold at night when they were just sown). Took so long to come up that I thought they'd all died, which is why got so many seedlings in house now as chitted some on wet kitchen paper and only planted when they began to sprout. But here's the ones that were planted outside. Soon as John gets the bean frame built we'll plant the Trail of Tears beans and the (climbing) Telephone peas. The broad beans and early peas will have a space in the other side of the veg patch when I've finished weeding it and moved the Love in a Mist (Nigella).
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7181846530/" title="Peas and beans, beans and peas. by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/7181846530_96f7ed8f67.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Peas and beans, beans and peas."></a>
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We have a female woodpecker who has been visiting very often the last couple of weeks to feed on Coconut Treats (suet with insect flavour!). She is very greedy and stays feeding even when we're out on the patio - usually she is very shy and flies off if she sees us. Suspect she may have a brood of hungry youngsters, so is catching food for herself when she can.
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Today, 12th May, is Florence Nightingales Birthday, and also International ME/CFS Awareness Day. Had my 20th MEversary back in March. I continue to be disabled, am very limited as to what I can do, but as I hope you see from the above I still enjoy my life. You can see my previous International ME/CFS Awareness Day posts over in the right side bar, right underneath the Blue Ribbon Logo: MY ME/CFS AWARENESS DAY POSTS.
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Have been having a lot of pain in my right shin for about a year now, so went to see my GP to get it checked out back in November (I think). She suggested I might be Vitamin D deficient (she told me that deep muscle pain can be a problem if you're Vit D deficient) and a blood test proved she was right. I guess that given I am fairly housebound it's hardly surprising. So am now on supplements, though they haven't had much effect on the pain in my shin yet. I'm also working on getting out and sitting in the sun to expose my limbs... Well, currently it's only my arms as far to cold to expose legs! LOL! But I wonder how many other ME/CFS patients are Vit D deficient. Pain is just regarded as part of the illness, I wonder if some of that deep muscle pain might be down to Vit D deficiency. Recent guidelines suggest anyone over the age of 60 should supplement with Vit D anyway. And also it appears that vast numbers of the UK population are Vit D deficient due to the advice to avoid the sun and put on sunblock - it's all been a tad overdone!
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I also have high "bad" cholesterol, so have had to change my diet considerably - we're eating lots of fish now, at least 2 portions of oily fish a week, plus other fish too. As usual, exercise is something that can help with high cholesterol, but it's not something I can do.
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So that's a bit of an update on what's been happening round here.
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I've been really enjoying a blog called <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a> recently. Two young parents in Richmond, Virginia, doing up their home frugally. It's a lot of fun to read, and I commend their efforts to be as environmentally friendly as they can be as well. It's made me think that maybe I should retrospectively take a look at the rebuild and renovation of this house. While we haven't done the work ourselves, it will still be fun to look back on it in the future. And we certainly took enough photos to be able to write about it all.
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This is what we started with.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5252008306/" title="House 16 October 2009 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5085/5252008306_14c545efae_n.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="House 16 October 2009"></a>
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And this is what the house looks like now.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5494425092/" title="Blinds up in the house by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5257/5494425092_9d9a5e39a7_n.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Blinds up in the house"></a>
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Well, about a year ago! Front garden is a bit different as we got rid of the gruesome poisonous laurel bushes and have replaced them with some climbing roses. We just got some trellis to train them up (over?) and John treated the trellis the other week, he's left some interesting patterns on the front drive!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7182597262/" title="Garden stuff 040 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7182597262_4320d455c5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Garden stuff 040"></a>
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We wouldn't normally make such a mess, but the drive has to be replaced as soon as we can afford it as lots of the flag stones are broken from the skips being dumped on them during the extension and renovation.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/7182617758/" title="Garden stuff 003 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7182617758_7c85bf56dc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Garden stuff 003"></a>
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We've been in for getting on for a year now. And still have to get lots of stuff over from our old home. Hopefully we'll be able to do more sorting now that the days are longer and at least the worst of the winter should be over by now! Though have to say a couple of days this week it's felt more like winter than spring.
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<br>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-5112370387880534152011-09-13T19:30:00.003+01:002011-09-13T19:34:09.295+01:00The Liver Building as you never saw it before!We didn't get to any of the celebrations in Liverpool recently, but this video is amazing!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/26827092?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="705" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/26827092">Luminous Flux</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/themacula">the macula</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-91736273091927607082011-05-11T13:18:00.003+01:002011-05-11T13:32:43.137+01:00Hardest HitToday thousands of disabled people and carers are marching in London to campaign against benefits cuts. I wish I was there.<br /><br />This video from The Guardian is from a demonstration outside Atos Orgin offices. The last testimony is particularly saddening.<br /><br /><object width="460" height="370"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.guardian.co.uk/video/embed"></param><br /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><br /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><br /> <param name="flashvars" value="endpoint=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/video/2011/may/11/disability-protest-atos-origin-video/json"></param><br /> <embed src="http://www.guardian.co.uk/video/embed" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="460" height="370" flashvars="endpoint=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/video/2011/may/11/disability-protest-atos-origin-video/json"></embed><br /></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow is International ME/CFS Day. Florence Nightingale's birthday.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-72747136842604218342011-02-14T14:36:00.006+00:002011-02-14T14:57:02.135+00:00Esther Rantzen's daughter Emily cured (again)Emily Wilcox has been <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1356316/At-I-discovered-secret-Emilys-14-lost-years-Esther-Rantzen.html"> cured again</a>. I truly hope that she has found the answer to her ill health. But I think she has all down the line been too fast to try and persuade people that the latest thing she did was the cure for her.<br /><br />I no longer have the energy to write a properly referenced post about this, but would like to send you to ChronicallyMe's blog post to <a href="http://chronicallyme.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/ha-i-knew-it-no-miracles-there/">read all about it</a>.<br /><br />But I would just like to make a personal comment - So much for the Lightning Process!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-74459669971018153402010-12-21T16:59:00.002+00:002010-12-21T17:01:42.097+00:00I think this video sums up very well what the disabled folks of Britain will have to deal with over the next year and more.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qKdKzalMhXc" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />It makes me so angry I don't feel able to comment on it, other than to thank the young lady who sings the song.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-39963542746306008212010-11-08T21:05:00.004+00:002010-11-08T21:41:42.306+00:00House buildingThe renovation and building on the house is coming on fast. You can see the photos on my Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/sets/72157624914189608/">House Renovation</a> set.<br /><br />We've reached the point where we need to decide what to do about the central heating, we've been looking at a system called <a href="http://www.thermaskirt.com/default.aspx">Thermaskirt</a>. At the weekend they had a stand at the Homebuilding and Renovations show in Harrogate, so we went to it, and met with our builder there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Trip to Harrogate - Homebuilding & Renovating Show</span><br /><br />Saturday was a really gorgeous sunny day for our trip to Harrogate. The trees still had quite a lot of leaves, and we saw some lovely autumn colours, the beeches especially seemed to glow in the sun.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5155079098/" title="Trip to Harrogate 75 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1344/5155079098_bd1773a7c0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trip to Harrogate 75" /></a><br /><br />Took photos from the car as we travelled, they're up as a set of 94 (!!!) on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/sets/72157625205394799/">here</a>.<br /><br />I really enjoy photo shooting from the car, there's a randomness that takes over! :-D I was taking a shot up the side of a house when we were stopped at traffic lights, and just at the crucial moment a pedestrian walked past, completely unaware. I think he made the shot. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5153826215/" title="Trip to Harrogate 62 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5153826215_77cdabbaca.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Trip to Harrogate 62" /></a><br /><br />When we got home and I loaded the pictures up to the computer I was amazed at stuff that we just hadn't noticed at the time. Round Bradford (I think) there are still quite a few old factory chimneys, and a lot of them are totally festooned in mobile phone transmitters. Here's one example.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5154357182/" title="Trip to Harrogate 54 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1207/5154357182_3a04e12f78.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trip to Harrogate 54" /></a><br /><br />And once we noticed those in the pics we started noticing all the other ones too...<br /><br />Coming into the centre of Harrogate we drove past the Winter Gardens, where there was "The World's biggest Real Ale and Cider Festival". Sadly we didn't make it to it, I was just too knackered after going round the show. But I did take a pic of it for John. Goes on till Sunday 14 November, so maybe we should go back next weekend. ;-)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5154534627/" title="Trip to Harrogate 87 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/5154534627_7a65482695.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trip to Harrogate 87" /></a><br /><br />We drove all round the Harrogate International Centre trying to find parking, but their car park was full. Hardly surprising at midday on a Saturday! We finally managed to park outside the Royal Baths (a Chinese Restaurant), just across the road from the centre.<br /><br />Discrete Heat (<a href="http://www.thermaskirt.com/default.aspx">Thermaskirt </a>people) had a brilliant position in the exhibition hall, just inside the entrance! "Mr Thermaskirt" himself, Martin Wadsworth, spoke to us. He seemed to me to be particularly good at including someone in a wheelchair in the conversation, looking at me from time to time to check that I didn't have questions. John did most of the tech talk though, as by the time we arrived I was pretty brain dead from the journey.<br /><br />We collected samples of the lambs tongue skirting, and the deco, which is what will run along (laid flat rather than upright) below the bifold doors I think.<br /><br />We trundled round most of the rest of the show afterwards. Saw some amazing glass wall panels and splash backs from a Cheshire firm called T<a href="http://www.thehouseofuglyfish.com/">he House of Ugly Fish</a>. It's worth clicking through for the large images in their Gallery to get an idea of the effect.<br /><br />Really exciting colour, just sang out compared to all the other stuff at the show, which was either neutral colour or to do with solar PV panels! ;-) I exaggerate a bit, but there were a huge number of solar and ground-heat pump firms there. At this point in time we're not really thinking about going down the solar route (unless we win the prize draw we entered!), but it's useful to get the info.<br /><br />I don't think John particularly noticed, but there was one stand with a lot of light oak furniture, really beautiful dining tables. Out of our price range, but lovely just to look at and drool a bit over! ;-) They did rather nice chairs too.<br /><br />The show was very crowded, and pretty noisy as well. But it was fun seeing some of the stuff there, and I think was well worth the effort. And it was a lovely day for a drive too, which helped.<br /><br />On the way home we cut off down a little side lane going towards a village called Weeton. There was an obvously "Grand Design" type build going on, just a bit after going under the railway bridge, that we smiled at. It's amazing how much you begin to notice builds and alterations when you're in the throes yourself! We parked up for a while just past that and a few other houses.<br /><br />John had a 3 bean salad, and I had a stiff gin and tonic. Much needed after all the noise and people in the show. It was very quiet, despite only being a little way off the main drag. Birdsong (not sure if robin or dunnock), and I thought I saw some Guinea fowl running along the other side of the hedge. Good view of Almscliffe Crag between the trees, which John would now like to go and climb!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/5155149766/" title="Trip to Harrogate 89 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/5155149766_87cd13392c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trip to Harrogate 89" /></a><br /><br />Lots more images of the Crag on Flickr if you search, including some wonderful shots of views of it in snow. <br /><br />Sunday we went to the garden, and John planted a LOT of garlic. I did some gentle pruning. Grass could do with a mow, but it was far too wet. John tells me that one of his colleagues said there was heavy rain in Liverpool on Saturday. We had a lovely sunny journey to Harrogate, and dry on the way back too, so that was a bit of a surprise.<br /><br />We finally managed to order the <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/230397937/Product.aspx">induction hob</a> from John Lewis on Sunday morning, by phone (Jump up and down with joy - we didn't have to drive in to L1 and go to the shop!). It's been out of stock for a while, and I was getting a bit worried it wouldn't be available by the time the kitchen guys come in.<br /><br />Both of us seem to be sneezing a lot and have runny noses. I'm hoping it'll have cleared up by the weekend.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-33235617890237989522010-08-25T19:27:00.002+01:002010-08-25T19:38:42.207+01:00Sun haloSitting on the deck just outside the caravan door on Saturday I saw this wonderful sun halo. While it doesn't always foretell bad weather, it certainly did on this occasion. Makes me think of Stargate!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/4927269368/" title="IMG_0920 by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4927269368_67c3c3dfc9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0920" /></a><br /><br />I'm being highly entertained by the flock of sparrows that come to feed off the bird table and various feeders we have on the patio here. They are very rowdy, but also shy - they fly off even if I just move around inside the caravan.<br /><br />Last week I was sitting in the van with the door open, and a house sparrow flew in and perched on the peg basket by the door. I'm not sure who was more surprised, him or me! A number of them have tried to fly in through the (closed) windows too. Fortunately they all have survived, but I guess it comes as something of a shock to them.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-82691874079312737602010-06-28T18:30:00.004+01:002010-06-28T19:05:05.381+01:00Got lost for a while<div><br /></div><div>Sorry been missing for so long, had immense problems logging in and have been too tired from gardening to spend the time sorting it out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The roses in the garden have been wonderful, despite the hacking back they got in the winter.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4743160576_fb2d67c2db.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Roses by the arch" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Potatoes are mainly flowering now. We did dig up one of the First Earlies (Lady Crystl) but despite delving deep we only found 2 spuds. But the garlic is good, and we've had our first meal from the garden.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>First garlic</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/4742532795/" title="First garlic by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4742532795_1c78fd06a2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="First garlic" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>First produce from the garden</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/4743165866/" title="First produce from garden by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4743165866_fdfb0dd302.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="First produce from garden" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>First meal from the garden</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpool-leftovers/4742525587/" title="First meal from the garden by ukmaggie45, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4742525587_7f9fe7b639.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="First meal from the garden" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The twins are 7 weeks old today, and growing fast. We spent the afternoon with them yesterday, were totally shattered afterwards!</div><div><br /></div><div>So we went back to the new house and chilled out with the living room window open for a while. Suddenly a fox sauntered across the lawn... He looked me straight in the eye, then kind of shrugged his shoulders, and continued his saunter up the central path, and presumably across next door garden and into the others along the road. Grey of muzzle, and quite a lot of grey on his coat too. Neighbour had already said she thought he was an elderly fox.</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10847768.post-59942293841358947122010-05-29T20:56:00.002+01:002010-05-29T20:59:41.156+01:00Woodpecker<div><br /></div><div>We're having fun trying to get to grips with the garden. Lots of lovely birds visit, but we are really happy to have a pair of woodpeckers call in and eat some of the food we leave out.</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XzsBj6sVQZE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XzsBj6sVQZE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com0