Hi Brian

Think you had your show yesterday so hope it went well and am sure it was great seeing eveyone's beautiful workmanship displayed.

It must be hard waiting from the call from Canada and wondering how they are all managing but I am sure Mrs B is a great support to you (and vice versa).  Any news on how your brother in law is doing too?

Yesterday was just lovely here and after usual supermarket walk and the gym, I actually managed to sit in the garden and read for a couple of hours - felt very pleased with myself.  Had the grandchildren from around 4 o clock and both tucked up and asleep by 7.45 (Zack was down by his usual 6.45 so was able to have a game of tiddlywinks with the eldest lad). As you can see I am up at my usually early hour but no stirrings yet from their bedroom so am enjoying the calm before the storm with a cuppa and slice of toast.

Bit chilly outside just now though still 19 degrees indoors so not need yet for any heating. It is supposed to be another good day so once the boys are collected - mid morning - I will head off to the Artisan Market and see if anything takes my fancy (have begun the keeping my eyes open for seasonal and birthday gifts). Fingers crossed I may spend time in the garden again (it may be my last chance for a while as outlook a bit grim (as if we had not had enough rain last week!!). The fresh air will do my cold good (typically started first day of my holidays).

Take care of yourself and kind regards to your and Mrs B and the family.

Glad the tablet is working well now (just needed to get to know you ha ha) and you found good bargains to go with it. Does Mrs B get a look in?  Jules x

Hi Sue

It's nice to be able to get get up and potter without watching the clock (on those days when I normally work!!).  I am fitting in the gym still and then went into town.  Did end up with a couple of bits for the wardrobe, the added bonus being that I have gone down a size (another excuse to replace a few items and take others to charity shop for 'recycling'). For the first time in ages I am actually the owner of  cream jeans (usually stick to dark colours on my lower half!!). though will probably curse them later when they show the dirt ha ha. 

Spent a couple of hours reading in the garden yesterday and have the grandchildren for a sleepover at the moment.   Blissfully they are still sleeping (my daughter will be amazed!!) and I have had my breakfast already and am awaiting the madness that  nearly 2 and nearly 7 year olds brings.  Will go out for my Sunday walk once they are picked up. Well spoke too soon, I hear little feet so will luv and leave you and hope  you have a peaceful day.  Take care  Jules xx

Morning Jules, sorry to see that you have a cold. I would say we typically get them when we stop for a rest but, as you are always on the go, it seems doubly unfair that the little blighter crept up on you. Hope you vanquish it asap.

Cream jeans, lucky you. Bet they look great too, just don't forget to change before heading out into the garden. Your lost llbs seem to have made their way to me so I am stuck with black jeans. I lost a stone and a half earlier in the year which, although probably a bit too much, was the only benefit of all the "fun". I have now gained back a stone of that and rising which I am blaming on the hormome therapy of course, nothing to do with all the bad (but good) stuff I have been consuming!

Hope the sleepover went well, such lovely but lively ages. Well done for wearing them out so much that they had a "lie-in" this morning!  The Market you mentioned to Brian sounds good and with the weather cooperating again today I hope you have/had fun wandering around.

Glad to see that you are regaining your enjoyment of a good garden read. I did the same yesterday, couldn't resist the lure of the sun and chatting to the birds. Off for the weeks supplies shortly then hoping for more garden sitting after that.

Take care and happy pottering.  Sue xx

Hi Sue

Glad to say cold not a hindrance to my plans (though chatting is restricted due to being very husky). Enjoyed having my grandsons for a sleepover and then company of my daughter yesterday for a few hours too (son in law joined us later). We all went to the farmers market and had lunch at the cafe nearby before returning home to 'play' until they were picked up. Today have been shopping for ingredients to make some cakes for daughters McMillan Coffee Morning this Friday (will see how they turn out before inflicting them on others ha ha) - I do not usually make cakes so will be very interesting!!

I have only lost a couple of pounds (not trying to lose weight) but the gym sessions seem to be working in the 'toning up' areas (will find out how much tomorrow when I have 10 week assessment and new programme set up). To be honest I eat better now but still need my comfort food fixes and enjoy them when I need them if that makes sense. Back to black leggings today ha ha.

Despite it being wet it is still pretty warm so am sitting here with the patio doors open watching a pair of collared doves seeing off the starlings from the bird table.  Am now being a little lazy but will do the chores after lunch. Do not want to spend every day keeping 'busy' as need to take some time to relax otherwise not much point being 'on holiday' from work.

Hope you enjoyed the good weather yesterday too. This time of year we just have to grab it and enjoy it when it happens!!  Take care and chat soon. Jules xx

Hi Jules,

This is the first time I have had to reply as the last three days have been very busy. The show went very well and I sold a lot of my products. I used to do a three day show at Bentley woodfair and the last one I did there I only sold slightly more with over double the cost of the stand. So am well pleased plus we picked up at least one new member for our club. I also won second place in the Asembled Turning catergory for my lighthouse, so even more pleased. Over all it was a great show and I met a lot of interesting people. Photo attached of my stand.

Yesterday I went as a visitor to the woodfair but it was like a quagmire, mud everywhere. The second hand tool stands were charging virtually the new price for tools so didnt buy any. Did however buy a carving for Mrs B. It was a half round piece of a tree trunk with an owls face carved on the front face. Today I have unpacked all my boxes and repacked them properly as we only had 30 minutes to pack up on Saturday so it just went in any box that was handy.

Sorry to read you have a cold; they can make you feel quite poorly. Not the sort of weather to get out in the garden today but at least you didnt have to go to work in it. Will post again shortly when I have managed to catch up. Theyare trying to get my dad into a hospice and Brother in law has got his endoscopy tommorow so hops they can find out what is causing him problems in swallowing/eating.

Take care Jules, Best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

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 A bowl turned by one of our members from the top of a monkey puzzell tree.

Hi Brian

What a wonderful display your stall produced and am so pleased that the show went well and you sold some pieces. Congratulations on the award too. You deserve to be chuffed to bits and getting at least one new member is lovely - new blood always welcome I know. Love the sound of the carving you found for Mrs B (have seen similar at Shows I have visited but so far have resisted the temptation ha ha.

Hope your brother in law's endoscopy can shed some light on the problems he is experiencing and also that your Dad can be made comfortable in a hospice which will make it easier for the family too. A difficult time for all who love him.

The cold will run its course and the only thing it will stop me doing will be my visit to Mum as really do not want to spread it amongst the residents who are vulnerable enough without my germs!!(plus with a very husky voice would not be easy with the usual one-sided chat). Have already phoned to let the staff know so they can explain to Mum. 

Shame about the weather but the constant watering is certainly keeping the flowers going for longer and giving my arms a rest from the watering can where the container plants are concerned. The pair of collared doves are now regular visitors to the table alongside the robin, blue and great ***. Still awaiting return on the usual pair of blackbirds but the goldfinches are getting through the sunflower hearts very quickly so must be stocking up for the colder weather to come!  Magpie has also suddenly begun to drop in and snatch the suet so plenty to keep me amused outside my window (though they are usually too quick for any photography).

Hope you have more of a restful day today and send peaceful thoughts to you both and the family.Jules x

Hi Brian,

As Jules has already said, what a lovely display you put on for the show, no wonder you did so well.

Saw this picture of a carved owl so naturally thought of you!  Sue

Hi Jules and Sue,

Just a quick post to say I have had a phone call from my sister in Canada to say my dad has been fransfered from the hospital to the hospice. He has rallied a bit the last few days just like I thought he might. The hospital has told her he may only have a couple of weeks to a month but I know being the determined man he is he will continue to fight till the end even though he is very weak. They have got his pain under control at least. He was lucid enough to send his love to me yesterday when my sister told him she was phoning me.

I have also just had a phone call my my sister in law to say brother in law has had his endoscopy and its not good news. He has a perforated ulcer which is what has been causing the pain, and also a tumour in his gullet which is why he has trouble eating. He now has to have an urgent ct scan which will take about two weeks, and then they will decide what if anything they can do. They have given him a prescription for tablets for the ulcer and were told the pain should ease fairly quickly

Mrs B has just like you, come down with a very bad cold. I hope yours is improving and are feeling better.

Thanks to both of you for your kind words regarding my stand. One guy said to me, "I dont like your stand". I was a bit puzeled until he said, "You have too many nice things and you also have so many different things I am having trouble deciding what to choose". The only problem I has was as I had such a big stand (12 foot long) it took me longer to pack up. Which is why I have been keeping several ice cream cartons so I can pack all the smaller items in them with bubble wrap and this should make it much easier.

Thanks again for your kind words, take care both of you, Brian.

Hi Sue,

Just wanted to say what a beautiful owl sculpture. The craftsmanship is wonderful. Have a good day.Jules x