♥ Multi generational living and life in Wales

Dog 'thinks' she has won the war.

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Finally, I've managed to sit on the couch.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:50:00 +0000

Saint Dwynwen's Day
St Dwynwen's Day falls on the 25th January, Wales’s own day of all things related to cariad (love). St Dwynwen, the saint of friendship and love is Wales's female equivalent of St Valentine.

The legend
St. Dwynwen lived about 500 A.D., one of 24 daughters of King Brychan Brycheiniog.

Dwynwen fell in love with a prince, Maelon Dafodrill, who wanted to marry her. The reasons they could not marry are not certain; some say that her father had promissed her to some one else whilst others say that she had decided to become a nun.

In her grief Dwynwen fled to the woods. Dwynwen begged God to help her forget Maelon. In a dream or vision, an angel came to her and gave her a potion which was designed to erase all memory of Maelon. It also had the surprising effect of turning Maelon into a statue of ice.

God then granted Dwynwen three wishes. First she wished that Maelon be unfrozen; second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life.

Dwynwen founded a convent on what is now Llanddwyn island - Llanddwyn means Church of Dwyn(wen). The island is just off the coast of Anglesey (Yns Mon) in North Wales. Also located on the island is Dwynwen's holy well. The belief exists that the movement of sacred fish in the well could predicted the happiness and fortunes of visiting lovers. It is reported that if the fish movements cause the water to “boil” then love and good luck will surely follow.

One of her sayings was, "Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness." A saying that is as good now as it ever was then.

St Govan's Chapel

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:24:00 +0000

We found this an amazing and spectacular place. After I got home I researched a little about it and what I found follows below.

From the cliff the descent to the chapel is by fifty-two steps, although legend tells us that the number of steps cannot be accurately recorded and are never the same going down as coming back up again.

Picturesque little hermits' chapel - near Bosherton, Pembrokeshire

The chapel was definitely here in the 11th century, and it could possibly date all the way back to the 6th century.

Legend says that pirates from either Lundy Island or Ireland tried to capture St Govan and that the fissure in the rock at St Govan's Chapel opened miraculously so he could hide there, closed over him, then opened miraculously for a second time once the pirates had left.

Small cave within the chapel depicted above, click to enlarge.

In gratitude St Govan remained in the area for the rest of his life and lived within a small cave in the cliff, until he died in 586. The present chapel of limestone was built over the cave and inside there are a few little steps that lead up to a small cell, which bears rib like markings. Legend says they are the imprints of St Govan's body as he lay hidden in the fissure of the rock.

St Govan was thought to have taken water from two nearby springs. Both are now dry; one was where the medieval chapel now stands, the other, which was lower down the cliff, later became a holy well.

Another legend I found interesting states that King Arthur's knight Sir Gawain lies buried beneath the stone altar of the chapel.

Looking back towards St Govan's Chapel, now entirely hidden in the rock.

Go there if you get chance, it's really rather worth it.

Cwm Gwaun

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:20:00 +0000

We parked at the P, then turned right and headed for You are here.

C'mon guys, hurry up.

A short but beautiful walk.

Wind and Webs

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Well if you've been around in the UK during the last few weeks you'll have noticed the wind. "Wind eternal and ever lasting Wind." I never thought it would stop. Some nights it's kept me awake - I'm a natural born worrier. Amongst other things I was most worried about the trees we are surrounded by falling on us, or on the house, or on the electricity cables.

Post biggest storm we went out to survey the damage. Preseli Mags mentioned on her blog how their trampoline blew away. It prompted me to check ours - which is out of sight of the house. Thankfully one benefit of having the trampoline sited on a near 45 degree slope is that the legs are buried in the ground one side and staked down at the other. It's going nowhere. We did have a casualty though. The greenhouse lost two panes of glass.

I have also been working hard promoting a new side-line for our business. Diversity is the key in these hard economic times. I have occasionally created websites... but now I'd like to focus on this area a little more so we have branched out into hosting them too. A sister site to run alongside our main business website was in order, specifically promoting design and hosting. Creating this new site has been another learning curve for me - as this is the first time I've used Joomla. Joomla is a CMS (Case Management System), where the web designer designs the look and feel of the site, but the client can create, edit and manage the content. I've always liked a challenge. I'm most definitely not clever... but I positively enjoy the learning process and the satisfaction of problem solving is really rewarding. Our new site is still yet in development - but hopefully it's shaping up nicely.

Apologies for this ~~shameful plug~~ little bit of self promotion. I don't know what's come over me!

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda \ Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:50:00 +0000

Not functioning on all four cylinders this morning; so as a picture paints a thousand words I've taken that shortcut.

Iechyd da \ Cheers

Farewell 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:59:00 +0000

It's a bit sad saying goodbye to you. You've been an up and down kind of year, but with an awful lot of very dear memories packed into your days and nights.

2011 is going out in a damp squib weather wise. It's unseasonably warm though, strange following two such hard winters. We've taken advantage and been out and about with visitors, Tenby was a great hit.

Tenby in late December, still beautiful.

Wednesday we decided to walk around the dam (as an antidote to Christmas telly), about 6.5 miles. Last year we would have required snow boots and sledges. This year it was a tad damp underfoot due to all the rain we've had just recently, on finishing I was most relieved that we hadn't fallen in the deep muddy tracks; as it was we had to pile in the wet room together - clothes on!

But still nothing puts me off and there's nowhere else I'd rather be all the same. Which is just as well, as it's here I shall be in 2012.

Brooding skies.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.

Fuel Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:01:00 +0000

In the UK, fuel poverty is said to occur when in order to heat a home to an adequate standard of warmth a household needs to spend more than 10% of its income to maintain an acceptable heating regime.

Hmmm. Living out in the sticks we don't get access to gas, and therefore cannot benefit from the dual fuel discounts that are offered by many energy companies. This makes my blood boil, which does help me to keep warm.

We are not centrally heated... I know when some people walk into our home they think it's cold. It's going to be. It's old and has poor energy efficiency. There are a lot of drafts and thick solid walls.

Her and Him Next Door live in the extension built with modern insulating materials and know how. They do have oil central heating, but this winter are being more economical (they previously kept it turned up high to keep Gran warm and snug). We all now put on that extra jumper instead.

Last time we filled up with oil (2489 litres which services both homes) it cost us an eye watering £1358.73. This lasts for approximately six months.

Our family also heats water and cooks with oil. To compensate for not having the benefit of central heating we increase the Rayburn temperature to keep the core of the house warmer, especially on those very bitter days.

The oil guzzling monster.

We have two electric radiators to supplement the range, these are situated in the one up, one down part of our home which is our snug and master bedroom (a separate house originally that has been knocked through). These radiators check out the temperature of the room and do not let it fall below a chosen setting (which can be individually programmed into a seven day variable cycle). Rather than heating the area, we tend to use the radiators set at a level to just about stop the rooms from actually freezing!

Hopefully our solar panels will also help reduce the hefty electricity bill, which has been approximately £2,200.00 per annum - again for both properties.

The ever watchful radiator...

We are also fortunate enough to have an open fire and a wood burner. We use the wood burner a lot in the snug (which also negates the electric radiator coming on in the evenings by increasing the room temperature). We are lucky in that we live surrounded by trees, so have a handy source of wood. We also find the Ecofan effective, it works by pushing warm air from the wood stove out into the room. Circulating the heat increases efficiency and apparently is particularly effective when the stove is recessed in an inglenook. It's also free to operate as it's powered simply by the rising heat from the wood burner.

Our trusty wood burner, with resident Ecofan on top.

In total our fuel has cost us knocking on for £5,000.00 per year between us. It's a lot of money, no matter how you look at it. Paying for fuel is making us poor. I'm going to start knitting that extra thick jumper now; with matching socks and vest.

Post Script
One benefit of our heating 'system' is we'd be fine in a power cut. Them Next Door would soon be rushing round with their tails between their legs. Our Rayburn can run without electricity and their fancy pants one cannot - so we'd have some warmth, be able to cook and have gallons of very hot water. And of course the wood stove would carry on as before.

Christmas austerity (aka Scrooge like tendencies)

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Well times are tight... how to economise on the Christmas time spending spree? Hmmmm.

I'm sorry, try as I might we still shop at Tesco. One beneficial side effect of this is their double your points offers (part of their reward scheme). This year I took full advantage and bought some toys and alcohol direct in the store - with vouchers that during a specified period of time can be exchanged for double the face value. I do think you need an A level or something in how to redeem vouchers, but I was on a mission and nothing would deter me from it.

Although I was pleased with myself, I had to go back and buy a toy I didn't really want as I was one penny short of my voucher sum - and you have to spend equal to or more than the total value. (I was informed of this by someone who took rather too much pleasure at the prospect of making me stand at the back of the five mile queue again).

I bought quite a few gifts at local craft fairs. Good value for money, locally made. Result.

I thought about culling the card writing... but still can't bring myself to do it. We've many visitors over December so all cards and gifts that can be handed out, are being. Just to save on the postage.

I received a few items ordered from Amazon. Unfortunately a smashed nail varnish in one parcel ruined the packaging of the other items contained therein. Amazon replaced immediately and did not want the originals returned. Of course this is great service and they now have a loyal customer who will continue buying from them. I have re-packed the affected items myself though and they are still going to be gifted - albeit smelling pungently of ethyl acetate.

G10 is looking to wrap up some pre-loved books to share this Christmas.

If I could I would make beautiful things... but I am just not talented enough.

I try to buy thoughtful presents. But they will not be expensive things I'm afraid. J and I rarely buy much for each other - just a small gift so G10 can see us giving and receiving. This saves us money. If there is something we particularly need or want we can always treat ourselves in the January sales and pay half the price for it.

We've never bought much for G10 either. She asks for little. She is always pleased with whatever she gets. Certainly until she was 7 or 8 we could have given her a cardboard box and she'd have been happy with that. We try to save for her regularly though instead. And of course she has grandparents and a large family that spoil her. She does OK. I also think that it's important not to get everything handed to you on a plate just because you asked for it. Santa has limits. (Perhaps I'm a cruel mummy).

I refuse to go into debt over Christmas.

Ahh the Christmas tree. Now they have become expensive. But really it's our only decoration. We have a few other bits and bobs around. But the tree is predominantly it. OK I splurged here - but it's a gift to all of us and our friends and family visiting over December and the festive period.

Nadolig Llawen i pawb.

Our Christmas treat.

Today we escaped to Yesteryear....

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Continuity - in one day.

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:36:00 +0000

This morning I went to church and passed the newly dedicated seat to Gran and Grandad that Her Next Door had organised.

Sweethearts together again...

You've seen lots of pictures of Gran, but here is Grandad in his younger days looking very smart in his Scout uniform. And next to him my daughter G10 wearing her Guide outfit ready to take part in a concert and play her violin this afternoon. She's following in Grandad's footsteps and made us all here, and those looking down on her, very proud.

My lovely Grandad as a King's Scout circa 1930 and G10 today.

No Man's Land

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:36:00 +0000

When either J, G10 or myself are out, Topsy likes to sit on the curve of the stairs. This is so she can wait and watch for the door at the same time. Only when we are back altogether again will she join us and sit in front of the fire in the snug.

A family dog.

The Letter T

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:37:00 +0000

This week's prompt over at Taras is the letter T. Well I had two this morning... tense and trees.

I became a little bit agitated when G10 at the last minute before leaving for school, decided she had to take a memory box to Guides this evening (and she is not coming home in between times). Scrabbling around to find items to go in (and take out - really why a plastic dinosaur?) Of course we had to share a moment to wonder and stare at G10's first baby grow. Was she ever so tiny? I felt quite broody. For a nanosecond.

Anyway I digress.

The next panic was trying to find G10's spellings. We hunted high and low, I accused J of having them last so it was obviously all his fault. Actually he hadn't and it wasn't but I was blowed if I was going to admit that. At the very last second we found the errant spellings in Them Next Door's place. Even though G10 had looked there herself - I've come to the conclusion that she really does not have eyes that see.

Anyway I was stressed and a little bit tense. As I walked towards the office I could hear the stream... sounding louder than normal due to the ~~drop~~ torrents of rain we've had recently.

I thought to myself, take 5. So I took 5; I stopped and stared at the magical light that the soft sunshine and slight mist were creating in the trees and the soothing sounds of rushing streams cascading down the valley. Then all was right with the world again.

The wood looking exceptionally beautiful this morning.

Are we making any money?

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Thought you might be ~~vaguely interested~~ agog to know how we are doing with our new solar PV panels.

Well here goes, I've had to use the calculator so hopefully all figures are correct. If you notice any glaring mistakes feel free to let me know, maths has never been my strong point.

The two weeks before we had the panels fitted we consumed:-
279
185 kWh

Then the two weeks after (I've disregarded the week we had them fitted as mid week) we consumed:-

137

119 kWh

No actual sunshine, but still generating.

For the full four weeks we've been 'live' we have generated:-

33.8

29.2

43.7

30.8 kWh respectively.

That's a total of 137.5 kWh units (not bad for October). For each unit generated we receive 43.3 pence, plus a further 3.1 pence for any kWh exported back to the grid. Our FIT electricity supplier calculates the export figure simply by halving the figure we generate.

That means in cold hard cash terms for this four week period we will receive a total of £61.67 tax free from the government, for both the kWh generated and exported under the FIT scheme.

On top of generating and exporting we are also of course reducing our electricity bill by using as much as we can when we generate, so for example I delay my washing machine to come on when the sun is up and plug in all mobile devices to recharge their batteries in the day. The daytime energy consumption is helped by the fact that there are four of us at home in the day, throughout the day.

How we work out exactly how much we are reducing our electricity cost is a little difficult to calculate as there could be times when we do not use absolutely all of the energy generated. I thought instead, simply as an interesting exercise, I'd contrast last year's readings from our electricity meter against this year's readings.

October          1st Week      2nd Week         3rd Week      4th Week       Total Used
2010               183                223                    270               237                 913
2011               137                119                    135               203                594

In short a saving of 319 kWh. All the reduction of kWh usage in this comparison obviously cannot be put down solely to the installation of the solar PV panels, other variable factors should be taken into account. For example; external temperature conditions, general home energy conservation strategies implemented, whether we were home in the evenings etc. Still I like the figures.

One last little thing. I still haven't got used to seeing how our home energy monitor now sometimes goes down when we switch a light on. That's simply because when we are generating more than we are using the monitor reflects the credit available. When we switch something on, the figure on the monitor reduces because that electrical item consumes some of the generated electricity available for free use.

The Inverter

IMPORTANT: Government reducing FIT payments soon?

There is a rumour that from December 12th 2011, the tariff payment will reduce to 21p/kWh for solar photovoltaic systems of up to 4kW. I found this information on the energy saving trust website, note that this proposal is not final.

Falling costs in solar installation, (the Government) quoting a fall from £13,000 to £9,000 for an average system since the tariffs began, mean that homeowners should still see a decent rate of return on their investment, quoting figures of around 5% return. But that's well shy of the 10% return owners are currently getting. In short if you are considering it ACT NOW.

Bear in mind too that it can take some time for your application for FITs to be received by your FIT licensee (FIT electricity supplier). It will of course always be after the date on which your PV system is installed.

Faces

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:33:00 +0000

The theme over at The Gallery this week is Faces.

The first picture albeit from a few years back, was taken at the Bristol International Kite Festival held at Ashton Court, a really fantastic family day out and highly recommended. So many faces to see and wonder at up in the sky. There are also plenty of beer tents which helps to oil adult relaxation. You can eat there of course - the choice of eateries and the smells emanating from them is mouth watering, or like us you can take your own picnic.

Simply relax and watch the amazing displays above you.

The next two are of G10 in Majorca when she was about 4. She was born in water and has been a water babe ever since. Him Next Door (aka Grampy) has helped pass on this love of all things water related and you can see the pure joy of this in her little face.

Unadulterated Joy.

A personal thank you to the exhibitors at Maenclochog Craft Fayre

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000

The room was made beautiful, thanks to all the exhibitor's displays.

From healing massages to Aloe Vera products, jewellery and beads to personalised and special cards, weaving to cross stitch, toys to driftwood art, make-up to skin care, bags and aprons, handmade bunting, Christmas decorations, towels, cottons and ribbons, woollen items, door stops, jams, pickles, honey and wonderful cakes. The list goes on.

Llysyfran church members doled out tea and coffee and at lunchtime delicious home grown and home made soup, ran a raffle, manned a 'nearly new stall' and provided a children's play room with activities. The children had a whale of a time.

If nothing else the day proved that this area around Maenclochog is full of little treasures when it comes to artistic, creative and business skills. I really believe as a community it's so important to support our small and local businesses; use them or lose them! They can't be matched for personal service, their carbon footprint is small and money spent with them stays in the local economy. A win all round.

It was great for me to meet all the stall holders personally and I can't thank everyone enough for the effort that was put in to the day.

Beautiful displays. Inset: "Kathryn's Krèche"

It was quieter in the afternoon; I blame the rugby (we lost), the weather (it was a beautiful day) and apparently there was also a YFC Eisteddfod on too.

Still we managed to raise over £600.00. Not bad. We hope to do a similar event next year. We'll build on the feedback from our exhibitors and the things we've learned ourselves. Taking everything into consideration it promises to be an even bigger and better Craft Fayre for the local community to enjoy in 2012.

Hellraising...

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:10:00 +0000

It's nearly here. The big day. The title got your attention huh? Actually it's fundraising; but at times it's felt like hell.

I have been working tirelessly, well on and off, for it seems like months. I started in August, it's now October... gosh it really has been months.

There are only a few of us who attend our little church, and although I am not particularly religious I do like the community it helps to bring together and the building itself is beautiful. And whoever you conceive Him to be it is his house - you can feel that.

St Meilyr's Church; rather beautiful.

I outlined my thoughts of a fundraising day on the church website and the interest started rolling in. So much so that we've had to hire an extra room at Maenclochog Community Hall. All good but still I'm panicking a little about how to cram all the exhibitors inside. Luckily Claire (from Cake Carousel) has been a star. Having laid on similar such events before she's in the know and is cool, calm and collected. I don't know where I'd be without her help.

Lists are everywhere... thank goodness for the computer as they are continuously being remodeled.

I'll still forget something though.

Him Next Door has been very busy producing flyers and posters to advertise the event. They've gone up everywhere and been handed out to anything that moves. We've advertised in the local Community News and on Radio Pembrokeshire. Her Next Door and I have leafleted all the local villages and the myriad of houses in between. Notably every single one of them seemed to have a long drive and a letterbox that eats fingers for fun. Oh and the dogs. It really wasn't worth risking life and limb for at one particular house - so I retreated gracefully, never turning my back on the whirling dervish.

My biggest worry is that nobody will turn up to browse or buy. Bit like arranging a huge party and it ending up resembling the Marie Celeste. I shall feel totally responsible to all the lovely exhibitors (they are my children now) and I will be on tenterhooks all day. If they do badly I suspect they won't be coming back next year. (Oh yes I'm thinking of making this an annual event). The other (admittedly smaller) worry is that we become too busy and every one ends up squeezed in to the hall, like sardines. Unable to see what's on offer, people in their droves simply turn their backs and leave. Empty handed. Stuff of nightmares.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my time after Saturday; but I sure as hell will get a better night's sleep.

Strike? Not in this house.

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:55:00 +0000

Violin with Him Next Door.
Maths-Whizz with Her Next Door.
Cooking with Daddy (cooking with Mummy would be a non starter).
Spellings and reading (Welsh and English) with Mummy.
Cycling with Daddy.

G10 checking her spellings.

G10 will be glad when today's strike called by the teaching union Ucac, is over... she can go back to school for a rest tomorrow.

Flaming September

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:40:00 +0000

How satisfying....

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:03:00 +0000

Sun shining, first day off the grid generating our own electricity.

Green light means we're generating. kWh reading stopped in its tracks.

Community Spirit and Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Last weekend we went out to the Narberth Food Festival. What a delight, so much to tempt us, luckily we hadn't eaten and treated ourselves to some wild boar burgers. Mighty fine they were too. The sights, sounds and smells were divine.

We also went to Llangolman's Church fundraising. They were holding a Michaelmas Fair. St Colman's Church is a sister church to St Meilyrs and both are part of the West Preseli Group of Churches. I think it's great when we come together sometimes to support each other. It builds community cohesion and makes you feel part of something much larger.

Sunday Her Next Door and I walked for two miles to take part in a 24hr, 90 mile sponsored walk/run to celebrate 90 years of the British Legion. It was so well supported that in fact the anchor of the whole event walked 100 miles. Well done Carwyn Phillips - very impressive. I hope lots of money was raised for such a wonderful cause.

Now we are just having our solar panels fitted. Yesterday the raw materials were delivered and today they've gone up on the garage roof. Amazingly quick. I shall update you on the amount of energy that we can actually use for free and the money we recoup once we're plugged into the grid. We have opted to purchase and take full advantage of the Feed-in Tariff.

A more interesting view than normal.

Walking with invisible friends.

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:43:00 +0000

I was supposed to meet my friend with other friends of hers at 9:45 to walk around the Llysyfran Dam. As usual I was a few minutes late - and I only have to fall out of my front door. At five minutes to ten though unable to see my friend's car in the designated car park (there were only two cars and even I couldn't have missed it) I set off. I reasoned that perhaps she'd been given a lift. As it was a circular walk I thought I'd step out promptly and either catch them up or meet them half way if they'd set off in the other direction. Neither happened. It's a mystery. Maybe I should have confirmed... hmmm.

The path just enticed me further in and I had a thoroughly lovely walk in my own little world.

Follow me; where ever I might lead.

Come on Mum

A spot to stop and remember Mrs B.

'Blaen Wern' (Love Divine) played at Gran's funeral.

I came back refreshed, energised and feeling that everything is right with the world. So sincerely, thank you my friend.

Autumn is setting in.

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:25:00 +0000

On Saturday G10, Topsy and myself went for a lovely walk on Carn Bica in the Preseli Hills, with the wonderful Mags and her gorgeous family. You can read all about it here, instead I'll just share a photograph with you. Suffice for me to say it was lovely to have a guided tour of the world on my doorstep with some history thrown in.

A view to lift your spirits - looking Cardigan way.

Afterwards we were treated to pizza (home made of course) at Maggie's house. I was mortified when one member of my family let the side down and had a wee on the kitchen mat! There's gratitude after being fed. Honestly - we'll never be invited back (which would be rather a shame as it's the most wonderful place on earth with mouth watering treats being baked non stop).

Autumn really does seem to be beating a hasty path to our door now, the leaves are falling all around us and there is definitely a chill in the air at night. The evenings are drawing in too. I'm feeling a bit fed up lately, and this might have something to do with it. I am most definitely a summer solstice kind of girl.

One of my guilty pleasures is to remain in my dressing gown and to snuggle down in the spare bedroom and watch inane television for a few hours in between eating snacks; if they have chocolate on them even better. I like my own company, but sometimes I can overdose. I'm lucky I have wonderful friends and family and I live in such a magical, stunning place; which when I manage to get out in it can't fail to lift my spirits.

Sometimes

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Don't you want to escape from the world sometimes? I do.

At the moment it'd be nice to hibernate - it's all a bit overwhelming.

This is the yurt we stayed in on our little bank holiday break. I could live there forever in its womb like warmth away from modern day life. Wouldn't life be a lot simpler, cheaper and a whole lot less stressful?

Our temporary oasis...

Mrs Edith Barnett 1910 - 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Lins' lleisio) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:54:00 +0000

A celebration of Gran's life - she can be so very proud of her own little dash.

The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

Gran, always the life and soul.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

© 1996 Linda Ellis http://www.lindaellis.net/

Here's to you Gran, I shall wear the rainbow.
Anyone whose life you touched will always love and remember you. x