Pension age

Was 60 yesterday! Here's a picture Sarah took of me.



Had a wonderful day, culminating in a rainbow and star watching.

Lots of nice prezzies, more to tell when it isn't so late!

Abersoch eventually

For anyone curious, you can see the details of my parents' flat here. And yes, as it says, we have had an offer. Not counting any chickens yet as the surveyor is still to go in.

We finally got down here to the caravan lateish on Sunday. We've been eating courgettes ever since! Unfortunately we won't be eating them for much longer, as both plants only seem to be putting out female flowers, so unless there's some other plants nearby it seems unlikely that the flowers will get fertilised.

Tomatoes are all still green, but John was reliably informed that nobody round here has any red ones yet.

The passion flower behind the shed is doing really well.



The hydrangea at the side of the shed (on the patio side) has HUGE flowers this year. There are loads more buds coming, so I'll probably cut the first blush off and take them to Mary (MIL) to give the new buds a bit more space.



There's a really strange hole in the ground beside the shed on the field side. Anyone have any idea what it is? Looks too big for a mouse or an insect to me. A mole maybe? The white thing is an IKEA night light to give sense of scale for those who are unfamiliar with inches.



We seem to have mislaid the life jackets, so Sarah has bought us some new ones. We'll check the flat and the house, I'm sure they will turn up eventually, and will be useful as spares.

The sailors did two races yesterday... Came last in the first one, and next to last (improvement!) in the second.

We seem to have fewer butterflies this year, but it has been rather damp most of the time so far. Plenty of cabbage whites, but only seen one peacock and one red admiral. And a fritillary, and one of those orange and brown ones that I can never tell what it is - you have to count the spots in a wing spot and they usually fly away before you get a chance!

Flat up for sale eventually

We are supposed to be in Abersoch now, but I am too knackered to make it, hopefully later today.

Friday John began his holiday, we went to one of the 3 estate agents who valued my parents' flat for us, and it's now on the market. Or it will be when the HIP is paid for.

I'm looking forward to getting back - to check the tomatoes and courgettes and see the flowers. Here's how it all looked a week ago.

Been busy and then exhausted

Thought I'd begin with a few lamb bananas.

This one is by the Mersey Tunnel ventilation shaft building.



And this is in Kensington, just up from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.



Outside Lime Street Station entrance.



We had nearly a week away in Abersoch... Didn't make it till the Monday though. The previous week we did two test drives, and ordered a new Motability car. So we were fairly knackered after that and decided to try and have a rest day before heading for Wales.

Oh the car? Another Grand Scenic, but a diesel this time. With heated front seats, a sun roof, and a dash mounted 6 CD changer. Oh, and a rear parking sensor. If I get back to driving again I'll need it! It's going to be dark blue again, but this is much darker than my current Big Blue. Delivery mid September we hope.

The courgette plants are doing OK, and we had a tasty courgette and cheese starter for one meal.





We did have some nice sunny weather, and even some warmish weather, but this is the only picture John took of me this time...



At least I have a lovely garden to look at while all bundled up in blankets!



Here's the first agapanthus flower of the year.



Lots more flowers still to come, probably some are out already. But we were too shattered to get back to the caravan this weekend. Maybe next weekend.

Long time absent

I'm still alive! Grin!

We've been doing a lot of stuff (including ordering a new Motability car yesterday) and I haven't had time and energy to update.

But I'm trying to keep photos uploaded in a relatively timely manner on my Flickr account.

Back yard from the bathroom window



The back yard is looking wonderful at the moment - the lilies and the wonderfully scented mock orange are in full flower. My only complaint is that it's been mostly too cold to sit out and enjoy.

Mock orange



Wish I had smell-o-vision for the mock orange photo!

John took this photo of our back yard earlier this evening.