Friends, family, festival and flowers

Enjoyed the 40^th Wedding Anniversary celebrations of a lovely couple in Clapham, North Yorkshire, birthplace of The Dalesman. Mazeltov Jackie and David. Great atmosphere. We met up with longstanding friends, ate wonderful food and danced the night away at the Ceilidh.

L to R Dave, Ronnie, me, Joy, Andy and Kath

Spring Judging for Yorkshire in Bloom took place this month and, as always, it is a real pleasure and privilege to visit and mark the entries. We were lucky with the weather too. Always inspiring to see what volunteers can achieve as was a regular visit to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, Harrogate

Now that's what I call a potting shed

We knew that the weather forecast was bleak when we set off for the coast, and when the heavens opened and the wind rocked the caravan and we could hear the roar of the waves, we felt as if we were on a boat. Our visitors who were coming the next day phoned to say they were snowed in!
However we managed a visit to Flamborough before the weather took a turn for the worst.

The old lighthouse in which a fire would be lit

The headland

The theme for this session’s class of flower arranging was cupcakes and here is a picture of my lemon and raspberry ones which will grace my table on Seder Night. (There will be a pic when I work out how to download from my mobile!)

All prepared for Pesach (Passover) and ready for the Seder (when we tell the story of Pesach and have a meal). It is, as usual, a boisterous affair with much singing, debate and reminiscing. The grandchildren participate more each year and we pass on generations of tunes and customs and they add to the family tradition by teaching us new songs they have learnt.

Our annual Pesach picnic took place at Saltaire. We visited the heritage village, park and Salts Mill, set up by a friend from my youth, and enjoyed the Hockney portrayals of East Yorkshire. We bought some small prints of Sledmere and the Yorkshire Wolds which are now hung in the dining room.

Our small, garden pond is now relined and, too late for frog spawn, I brought some tadpoles from a friend’s pond.

I went over the Pennines to visit my sister and her family from London with my other sister and my aunt and uncle. It was nice to see the children again as they grow and change so quickly.

I attended a book launch for local writer Linda Lewis and learnt some useful tips. She delivered an interesting and fluent talk and I wondered if I could do that. What was I thinking about! I should be so lucky to be in that situation.

Recently I have read (a displacement activity for writing?):

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Room by Emma Donoghue; both excellent reads and recommended to me as I would recommend to you.

I am currently reading the Book of Tomorrow an easy read by Cecilia Alhern, whose life story to date sounds like a book in itself.

Other bits and bobs:

Finally the sign has been erected at the coast

Hat trick - certificate, medal and trophy

Her first attempt at flower arranging - not bad?