Market Bargains! ...

We miss our 'girls' that gave us such lovely eggs each day, so I was pleased to find these really large fresh ones for £1 this morning.

These cakes are M & S 'seconds' if you can call them that! Absolutely delicious and at £2 just the thing with a cup of coffee after a hard morning trailing round the stalls!

Isn't he lovely!! That moustache! They don't have them like that any more. Although my grandad did - his was for straining tea through!!!

Anything that will help with arthritis is a good thing.

It all seems so simple. Just follow the illustrations.

In the 1980s I had a course of acupressure from a lady called Pola Rest (unusual name and she went off to drive lorries across America I think!). However, it was a life-changing thing for me. Don't ask me how, but I became a fitter, brighter, more confident person after my sessions with her, so I have always felt drawn towards acupressure and reflexology type things. Acupuncture seemed to do nothing at all for me when I tried it.

I realised, when I got the book home (another £1), that I already had a copy, albeit an older one, so I think something/ somebody is trying to tell me that I need another session or some self-treating.

If I end up looking like the lady on the front cover I shall be well pleased.

Seriously though, have you tried it or practised acupressure and have you found it helpful?

The author has quite a comprehensive web site if you want to find out any more about him.

~

Hope you have all had a fruitful weekend. Just off for a cup of tea and a piece of cake!

~

Ann x

Rain, rain, rain ...

Because the weather was so bad we were glad to be going to see The Iron Lady.

I loved the film. Thought the filming, photography, makeup were fantastic and Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher absolutely astounding. I know a lot of folk will disagree with me entirely and think it is a disgrace to make a film about the dementia of someone as important as Mrs Thatcher and the fact that she is still living makes it even worse. However, anyone can get this dreadful illness and no-one knows how they, or anyone else will be affected and it is important to learn something about it and how it may be dealt with. It surely affects everyone around the sufferer, as was well shown in the film.

~

It rained at the front of the house

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It rained all over the front door!

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It poured down the kitchen window!

It had done the same thing yesterday - when the friend to whom we gave a lift to the cinema said that it was so bad she was just glad to get out of the house to go to the doctors'!!

~

Hope your day hasn't been too wet.

~

Ann x

~

Gratefuls:

1. Coffee and cake at the theatre

2. Warm woollen coat, scarf and hat!

3. Finally finishing the apple and elderberry crumble!

That was Then ...

Lammas Street Carmarthen

Royal Welch Fusiliers monument, Lammas Street erected in 1858 to commemorate the men of 23rd RWF who died in the Crimean War, 1854-56. (Photo taken in 1893)

~

A Parade of circus elephants in Lammas Street in c1900. Photo by J F Lloyd 1900-1905. That must have been a wonderful sight to see for the little boy in the foreground .

~

This is now ...

Towards the Fusiliers Monument, 2012.

English Baptist Church. Could not find out anything of its history unfortunately.

~

This is Lammas Street in Carmarthen this morning. Not nearly so interesting.

Rather foggy and wet and drizzly and not an elephant in sight!

Rather busy, hot shops fully of damp irritable people (me!).

We were glad to get home.

What happened in your nearby towns in bygone days?

~

Ann x

~

Gratefuls:

1. Packs of ready-made sandwiches

2. Ever ready compact camera

3. Pancakes with sugar and lemon.

~

I got the idea of doing the above comparisons from this lovely blog by Nilly. I hope you don't mind Nilly.

In the Garden Today

An early morning visitor to the bird bath! We have seen this attractive looking smokey grey and white cat several times, but have no idea where he/she comes from. We also get visits from a black and white cat and also a dark tortoiseshell. We like to think that our garden is the best for them to visit!

~

During a bit of clearing up in the sunshine (much needed) it was grand to see the crocuses appearing from between the mass of old leaves and sticks of the winter.

~

The mahonia blooms were shining in the sunlight and letting us know that spring and summer are on the way (we hope).

~

Hope you all had a sunny Sunday too.

~

Ann x

~

Gratefuls:

1. Sunshine

2. Apple and elderberry crumble for supper (not burnt this time!)

3. Happy family text messages.

Amroth to Colby

Although it doesn't look like it, this Strollers walk started in the sunshine and it was very warm, a welcome change for all the cold and rain of late.

~

Our Strollers walks are usually fairly short, 1 to 1½ miles for those unable to do the longer ones.

~

We started off in Amroth car park - already set up for summer picnics.

~

Rupert posed for his portrait. Rupert has been very ill and his Mum and Dad are so happy to still be bringing him on walks. His vet was astonished to see him so well at his check-up this morning as he was not expected to last into the new year. In spite of being completely blind, he doesn't look his age and outruns everyone as well as looking and being extremely fit and lean!

~

Past leafy hedgerows.

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Only two members wanted to kiss this fellow that we espied crossing our path!

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The path took us into Colby Gardens with the daffodils appearing in the background, but not yet in bloom.

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One 'arty' member thought this tree stump 'looked just like a flake' so I zoomed in to get the effect!!

~

Running water is always tranquil.

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Signs of spring beginning to appear

~

On our return to Amroth, the Pirate cafe and shop were already getting ready for the 'season' or perhaps they had never been unready!

~

Gratefuls:

1. Warm and happy friends.

2. Ham and pineapple toasties.

3. My trusty SLR.

~

Ann x

Dale, Pembrokeshire

Dale is an unspoilt village in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The traditional activities of agriculture and fishing still take place and have been joined by tourism as a major aspect of the area. ~ Yesterday (Valentine's Day) our U3A Walking Group set off in some rather misty weather! ~

Our walk is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast path and took us up to the headland

looking towards Milford Haven docks where vast tankers load up

with LPG and oil.

~

The coastal fields are already ploughed, ready for some spring planting (don't know what in this exposed place) and the soil is looking rich, dark and healthy.

~

When we reached the halfway point our romantic leader produced a heart-shaped box of chocolates for everyone to share (bless!)

Naturally no-one refused!

We all had a jolly, happy walk and ended with drinks and lunch at ...

The Griffin Inn, on the harbour front in Dale Village.

~

Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day.

~

Ann x

(if you click on the photos you will get a larger, better image)

New Laptop ...

Just making sure that I can still upload pics to blogger.

Still learning to use my new 'wonder' laptop with Windows 7 and Office 2010.

Although I have used computers for years (over 20!), then I knew what I was doing, now I am miles behind, so have been trying to understand the many tutorials.

I try to keep up with modern technology, but don't have close access to a 10 year old!

My young grandsons don't live nearby unfortunately!

Can you keep up with it all?

~

Gratefuls:

1. Internet tutorials

2. Long-suffering Other Half.

3. Faster internet speed!

~

P.S. Just burnt the top of the apple crumble and set the smoke alarm off!

Popped it under the grill to brown up the top and spent too long on the tutorials!

~

Oh well! Ann x

Disruptions!

Arrgh!! They're back again.

The road/traffic disruptions.

Digging up roads and pavements, wielding loud, vibrating, pneumatic drills.

Bending your ears with noise and filling your eyes with dust!

~

Does it happen in your town?

There was so much going on I turned it into a photographic session!

~

The more it goes on, the worse it gets!

~

I'll be glad when they've used up their Council quota and got it all finished!

~

Ann x

~

Gratefuls :

1. Lunch in front of afternoon TV bowls!

2. Getting rid of frustration to my lovely bloggers!

3. Camomile tea!

Remember Warmer Days!

As its only -1 degrees here, I thought it would be nice to remember

some sunnier and warmer days!

~

Coffee and brandy by Fuerteventura Harbour

~

Can't get much fresher fish!

~

Lobos Island

~

Happy holiday memories.

~

Gratefuls:

1. Cinema trip with friends (War Horse)

2. Central heating

3. Homemade soup

~

Ann x