Wales

 We have been away for a few days, back to Wales, staying locally to hubby's sister and brother, our trip primarily to visit hubby's elder brother after all the worry of his health in Spain, who is now back to brilliant health.

 Husband on one of our walks.

Hubby is from South Wales, his home town of Abertillery is full of coal mining history, almost every family had links to the pits.

In his grammar school years, there was a pit disaster at 6 bells pit,  this is a monument to those who never came home. It's only a few years old, set on the old mine location. 

Towering above everything, hubby is in photo for scale, his family had no loss at the time, hubby's dad would not allow any of his older brothers to work underground. Reading the names in the base is really sobering, I'm from Somerset, so this is all very different for me.

Just because it's pretty.

I love dry stone walls, 

and loved this bench.

We are headed for home today, an easy drive, motorway most of the way. Hubby enjoyed seeing his family, we bumped into loads of his school friends, so many people never left the valleys.  Loads of walking, a couple garden centres, and nice meals out, the weather gods were kind to us.

It's been a restful few days, just what we both needed, I check home and Grace each day, our lovely neighbour comes in to feed her and sits for a while. I have been reading your post but sadly not able to leave comments using my phone.

Now back to home life, family and gardens, hubby purchased me a lovely gift for the garden, photo in next post.

August already

This is the final book my sister in law gave to me to read, and the 6th book I have read from this author, she has a medical background, so it features in all her very different stories. This was the best book so far, very different story line which I enjoyed. Book 16 read this year. 

I decided on Tuesday not to go to meet with sign group, many of the ladies are older than me and I did not want to pass on my bugs. Hubby and I drove to Stokes bay for lunch and a walk along the sea front, lunch was fantastic as always, I love having a few nice places to eat out. The walk was sunny and breezy, but enjoyable, we stopped for a while and watched everyone doing their stuff, one lady was swimming. The sea and sky look grey here, they were both blue.

Our coast is almost parallel with the coast on Isle of Wight, it looks so close, the Solent is always busy with vessels of every size. At the moment it's Cowes week, huge in the sailing calendar, Cowes is to the far right on my photo's, but the sailing takes part in all of the waters, it was good sailing weather, and good to watch. We choose our day well, all sailings were cancelled on Wednesday as the winds were too high.  

More felting fun, I got a cheap plastic mould for making daises, I used these yellows, which I have loads of, the petals are too thick, and the centre is too big, but it's a flower. I felted it on some wet felt I made at my day class, but it could have a pin added to the back and be worn. I have my crochet hook out again, being brave and trying something new to me.

Wednesday was a day at home, the winds were really bad, the rain less than recent days, Hubby popped the shelves back on my book case, I didn't put the books back, I wanted the paint to set hard before I filled it, he made a new fourth shelf and made all new side blocks to hold the shelves, all now matching and looking very neat. It will be very handy to have an extra shelf, but it will be already half filled. 

Thursday was laundry day, bed stripped and on the line, the morning promised to be dry, everything dried, but it stayed a dull day, we managed a walk and Pilates was good. 

I have been proof reading my 2020 book, it's not easy reading, George was so tiny and poorly and then as the muck hit the fan in our lives, it's done now, I hope to publish soon, just looking at the hugely inflated prices and hoping for discounts. I am working on 2021, it's a much easier book, and over 20 less post, re-joining the world kept me busy, less time to ponder on things. 

Today, no plans, lets see what the day brings. I have been totally lost on what day it is, so today is the second Friday of my week.

Portsmouth

 We took the bus into Portsmouth, first time for us, we got off at canoe lake, a popular place near the beach, not too busy today, it will be full in the coming weeks.

The main pier, with a funfair at the end, our beaches are all shingle, there are loads of work happening to ensure the beach stays looking this good. Further along the seafront is closed for improvement works.

The very end of the pier was open, normally a spot for fishermen, it was empty and very scary walking over the grids, looking down at the sea, I walked around the edge, gripping the rails, probably will never do it again.

We walked from Southsea into old Portsmouth, stopping for a lovely fish and chip lunch. I adore this area, everything here is just so interesting, this is the narrow stretch of the water, often you see loads of people here when the big vessels come and go from the naval base. Gosport is across the water.

The working part of the shore, I have memories of walking here at 1am on a Midnight charity walk for a local hospice, many years ago, it's much nicer in the daylight and interesting.

Spinnaker tower from a different angle, we are across the water in Old Portsmouth. 

View from the lawns, Southsea has fantastic open spaces, we watched the gardens being weeded, people painting and other maintenance works, getting ready for the busy period. 

Always loads of vessels on the water, we saw Isle of Wright ferry, fast-cat and hovercraft, the huge continental ferry going in to dock, Gosport ferry making the short journey across the water.

We have not seen this before, decided not to got a on this time, maybe somewhere to bring Will.

We had a fantastic day, using our bus passes for the free journey, it was always our plan for a long walk, loads of chatting,  seeing how things has changed. We had lunch and later coffee and cake for our treats, at no point was it hard work, there are many steps in Old Portsmouth, but everywhere was enjoyed at a leisurely pace. 

The shopping centre, Gunwharf Quays is next to the bus station, we stopped for our coffee, popped into M&S outlet, purchased nothing, watched the Royal Marine band play and march around the shoppers. After 12,000 steps we were ready to catch the express bus home, no rain, the sky darkened a couple of times, but the weather gods were kind to us.

This is something we promise our selves we would do more of, with express busses to Portsmouth and Southampton, and the bus lanes through the cities, it's a nicer way to travel, and our bus passes make the journeys free. I hope to take hubby to the older parts of Southampton, along the walls there. 

 

Midweek

We daily walk through our local park and can you imagine the joy of seeing tree's being planted, they had 5 different trees for this section, having already planted a Magnolia tree in another part of the park. These are much bigger tree's a couple of the ones planted  before had been snapped, hopefully these will survive. I know we are very lucky still to have a council run parks department, they do get loads of sponsorship from local businesses, most roundabouts have company names on them. 

The pink squares are finished, I have also done the gaps in the Spanish flower section and added 2 more boarders from the design, this section is done for now. I will stitch on the left side and bring the level lower so I can put the longer side frames on. I am having a bit of a ponder on what to do next, I had a design in mind, but I don't think it fits, so I need a rethink. 

These hexagons are growing, I'm am resting for a few days, my sore finger needs to heal before I make any more, I have a leather thimble, which I can't get on with and my metal one slips off unless I cut my finger nail right back, I'm not prepared to do that, they take so long to grow. Changing the inner hexagon colour does make the flowers look different, I will be making loads of repeat flowers. 

I've started reading again, I have not read this author before, I started the book in December and put it down, so I started it again, I enjoyed the story, very easy to read, I would read another book from this lady. Book 2 read this year

I got these bulbs/corns in Wilkinson's, cost me £11, they were on my list  for the garden this year, the Lilly of the valley is for under the raspberry canes, the begonia's for various spots which need more colour, the Astrantia I have never grown before, but I've wanted one for ages. Have I broke my no spend in January rule, I did say no spend on craft, so garden things are OK?

We took the bus to town on Monday, and passed more trees being planted along the route, can't wait to see what is growing, we are just so lucky. We only went for fresh fruit and veg, sadly the stall was not there we did not go into many shops, there is nothing we require, so once back home we drove to Lidl and get a fresh veg and fruit plus a few other bits, hubby wanted some fish and a pie. 

Last week our food spend was £23.43, which for us is very good, this week will be more. We normally pop to a shop to get a couple of things and come away with a few bargains, which are always used, I am hoping we can get out of the habit of walking to the shops most days, with a good supply of fruit and veg and milk, hubby makes bread twice a week, and eating from the freezer, it should be another low spend week. 

Tuesday morning sign group met again for the 1st time this year, only a few of us there, so many bugs going around, we split into pairs to ask each other 5 questions using sign and answering each question, Linda and I both got 3 questions each right and struggled on the other 2, I really enjoyed it, practice is what we need.  

Midweek break.

We stayed just outside of Coventry, in the beautiful old house, Brandon House Hall, we had a room in the back of the house, they had build accommodation for huge numbers, our room was big, modern and comfortable, but it lacked any of the style of a grand old house. We had a brilliant few days, we caught a bus into Coventry from the local village.

We wanted to visit the cathedral, I love these old buildings, so full of interest, I love a photo with the old looking out on the new, the big arched windows are just so beautiful. 

This blue jacket was everywhere I went, 

he kept purchasing me coffee and cakes.

This wildlife centre was close to the hotel, we had a walk for a couple of hours around, and saw so much wildlife. 

The wood management was brilliant, everywhere there were piles of logs left to rot, and loads of beautiful carvings. 

Just a few of the signs, this is a wonderful family location, there were paths throughout the location, it was so big as we walked around we felt alone most of the time. 

This blue jacket had as much fun as I did, we both love our camera's, and love taking photo's, our styles are very different, so as we look through our photo's back home, we rarely take the same view at the same angle. 

We both feel recharged, the break was just what we needed, time together away from home is very different from time at home, we both relaxed. In Coventry we also went into the motor museum, I didn't take any photo's hubby took loads, it was an interesting afternoon, I enjoyed the displays, not as much as hubby, but it was worth the entrance fee.

Back home all is well, cats were fine, our neighbour and their children care for them, most of the day they both sleep, we have a camera set up in our sitting room, so we can check up on them whilst we are away. My water butts are looking much fuller, and the ground has had a good drink. we are fore caste thunder storms later and over night, they should fill the water butts. 

The laundry is on the line, we did our shopping yesterday at Lidl's, I had a £5 off a £40 spend, which had to be used , our fridge is again full. Hubby is out most of today, I have a few things to do and then I hope to get a couple hours in the garden, working on my project. 

Somewhere different

We went for a walk on Tuesday morning, about 10 minutes drive from home, this is Port Solent, we do love it here, all the boats are interesting to look at, this marina is full. Sadly most of the shops have closed and its mainly a place to come and eat out. It was a dull grey day, but a gentle walk after such a busy weekend, it does get very busy here at weekends, I do love we are so close to the water front.

 Another book finished, I liked this plot, normally I read the DCI Roy Grace crime thrillers by this author, this book was from the other side, the villain and his victims, I felt it was a bit tongue in cheek, in a funny way. Book 25 read this year. I have been to the library and picked more books. 

This cactus was full of blooms last November, it stays in our down stairs bathroom, again it is blooming, not so many flowers, but stunning colour. 

I've done very little crafting, my sewing machine is out, I have started on the household sewing which needs to be done, I have very little enthusiasm for anything, I am hoping the sunny days arrive and I can go outside in the garden, that should get me going. We are now walking each day, to get our steps up and to get me motivated. 

Wednesday I drove to daughters in afternoon to sit with youngest whilst she picked up Will from school, the rain was heavy and relentless. 

Briony asked why our Magnolia tree can be hard work, everything on the tree grows huge, the buds, flowers, seed head and leaves, the tree is next to our lawn, so everything that drops needs to be picked up, often I am picking up many times each day. The leaves are the hardest job, there are just so many of them, plus each year the tree needs to be cut back, we get professionals in every other year, the following year we cut back the new growth, this is to keep the tree a smaller size, they can grow huge. BUT as I always say, it is a labour of love and the blooms on the tree are stunning. 

At the weekend hubby got wet feet, his shoes have a tiny hole in the sole, he must of stepped on something sharp, and I said to him his jeans are now baggy and makes him look scruffy, so he had a shopping trip, he got new shoes, jeans and a jumper, I was really good and got nothing, as I want nothing. 

Close to home

I love Portchester castle, to have this within walking distance of home is fantastic, we have walked here many times with grandchildren or just the 2 of us, it's a place I will always want to visit. 

Inside the grounds are as lovely, with the Keep, Tower and church and plenty of grass areas for families. We renewed our vows in St Mary's, on our 25th wedding anniversary. 

We have a well kept park in our village, this is less than 5 minutes walk from our home, we walk through many times each week, diverting our walk to the shops to pass this way. Our grandsons love the play area, I love the tiny bandstand. 

This area is the closet to our home, we walk here often and not just on sunny days, at different tide times, so it's an ever changing view, popular with families and dog walkers, plenty of space. Walking this stretch of our coast, you can start from the castle and walk up to the football club and wreck, and then on past a golf club and into Fareham, you can also from the wreck walk to Gosport, in all cases you would need your walking shoes. 

We have a football club, which is by the wreck, which is a huge open space next to the waters edge, we drive to this area, it's about 10 minutes from our home. 

There are loads of trees and shrubs and large swaths of wild flower beds, you can walk for hours if you want, at this time of year there are loads of blackberries to pick. With a skateboard park and a basket ball court, and these views it's popular with all ages. 

Lee on the Solent is about 20 minutes drive from us, it's not huge, but walking along the seafront is fantastic, with views over to Isle of Wight, most of our local beaches are shingle. 

Everywhere beach huts. 

Southsea Portsmouth, is about 40 minutes drive away, there is a huge beach, which again is shingle, here looking toward the Pier, beyond you can walk to Old Portsmouth, and the port, there is loads of naval history here. 

Looking towards Eastney, Portsmouth

The sea walls in Gosport, looking toward Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower, this is just behind my friends house, again about a 25 minute drive, the hovercraft from Portsmouth to Isle of Wight passes here through out the day. We have taken our coffees sat and had a chat here many times. 

The whole area is tidal, and can be interesting watching the wading birds in the rich muds, small boats stranded waiting for the returning tide. 

This is Emsworth, it's about an hours drive from our home, but there are loads of similar places all within a short drive, we are now in West Sussex rather than Hampshire. 

With all the negative news, and our need to stay at home and local, I have been thinking of how lucky we are to live in a lovely part of our country,  being so close to the sea with the changing scenery. Everywhere sailing clubs, boats of all sizes bobbing on the water or resting on the mud, waiting for the tide to return. We have a posher area with very expensive boats, you can walk along the boardwalk and view others lifestyles, we have not visited Port Solent much this summer, it's not a place to easy self distance if crowded, there are loads of places to eat out, so it has always been a popular spot. I do love to watch water sport, and people enjoying the water. I do also like to see the sea on a windy day, the power of the water does impress me. We do also have some lovely country parks and green spaces, but the water does call me. None of these photo's are new, I have posted them before, but this post does cheer me, our season is changing.

We decided other than a visit to family in Somerset we would not travel this summer, I really do not want to get on a plane, we had plans to do a couple more city breaks, visit friends in Spain, but all have been shelved, so we enjoy our lovaly local spots. 

I have done very little in the past week, it's turned much colder, and we have had the much needed rain, so most of our time is spent inside, we do wrap up warm and walk to the above places, feeling safe with so much outside space. I hope to pack tender plants into the greenhouse and start changing the garden to it's winter setting this weekend, it's a sunny cold day, so perfect for being outside.