May Bank Holiday

An absolutely glorious afternoon

and so my cousin and  decided to spend it at a little bay

Monk's Haven.

The wild garlic

is growing there profusely

and  it is just beginning to scent the air!

I really love it when the flowers

are starting to fade

and the scent of the garlic gets stronger and stronger.

Apparently chefs love it as it's flavour 

isn't as strong as the usual variety!

The bluebells are also starting to open

and, as you look up through the trees there is

a blue haze amongst the ferns!

We stopped near the beach

and sat on a seat that gave a lovely view of the bay.

Unfortunately, the photos of this 

are on my phone

and I have not yet worked out how to get them

onto my computer.......sorry!!

We came across a lovely little bunch of violets

hiding on a grassy bank!

At length,

after wandering along a white-thorn edged path,

we saw the watch tower

standing proudly guarding this part of the coast.

It was a little like......

......the hedge of thorns 

surrounding the bed 

where the Sleeping Beauty lay!??

Too far-fetched???

Can you see the path in the photo?

Well, the path was overgrown with thorns

and I was glad to have a jacket

to protect my arms!

It was years before I discovered this tower.

We always used to turn in the other direction 

when we went for a coast path walk!

Isn't the view from it lovely...

except, of course,

that my cousin decided to get in on the act!!

There are all sorts of ideas.....

about what exactly it is..??

Some say a folly that the monks in the monastery used....

....others that it was a watchtower for the coast.

There's actually a fireplace there...

and lots of windows.

It also looks as if

there was a second floor

as there are steps outside going up

and also you can see, inside, 

where the floorboards would have been positioned.

A pleasant walk in the glorious sunshine!

We walked back down to the beach

and to the car,

past a lovely little church.

As for what's happening with us??

Well, I had a enjoyable coach holiday last week.

We went to the Isle of Wight.

We being some friends and I......

hubby didn't want to come!!

It's a place 

that I have always wanted to visit 

after I saw a programme about Queen Victoria 

and her love of the house and the island!

I will post about it next time 

when I have worked out how to transfer photos 

from my iPhone to this computer.  

In the past I have emailed them to myself 

but there are too many of them this time to do that!!

When we arrived back in town 

a friend gave me a lift home and, unfortunately, 

as I was trying to get into the back of her small car, 

I twisted and hurt something.  

My back's been stiff 

and uncomfortable for a few days 

but today I am in agony and can barely move my left leg.  

I had an emergency appointment with an osteopath this morning who eased it slightly but it's still pretty bad!

I've been  trying to get on with my studies 

as I have an assignment due this week.  

(Luckily I've managed to get an extension of 2 weeks but really don't want to use all of it as my exams are on 7th June!!)

I had planned to study today but, as I'm on lots of painkillers and in a lot of pain, I just cannot do it!  Panic .....panic!

I've been reading all sorts of books since I last wrote.  I took

several Mills and Boon romances on holiday with me and really enjoyed them.

Sarah Morgan's books never disappoint!!  

This one, 

'How to Keep a Secret' 

is a little different from her usual way of writing.

 It tells life stories of several different people whose lives intertwine.  It is so compelling.....

 ....and bewitching 

that I was really sorry to come to the end!!

There is another book that I so enjoyed 

and I haven't stopped telling anyone I meet about it.  

It is 

'A Grand Old Time' 

by Judy Leith.  

Again, I wholeheartedly recommend this book!  

I cried with laughter, 

held my breath as the heroine looked to be getting in over her depth, and grieved as well!  

I believe that it is Judy's first book 

and look forwards to, hopefully, her next!  

It was such a good read 

that I can see it being a tremendous comedy film!!  

I do hope somebody will 'discover' it!!

Right, I think I have wittered on long enough!

Those of you that I failed to return visit...

I am sooo sorry!

The Latin study has really taken up so much of my days.

Only another month to go ,,,,,oh help!!

#agrandoldtime #judyleith #netgalley 

#howtokeepasecret #sarahmorgan #insiders@millsandboon #millsandboon

Primroses

Yesterday I was lucky enough

to spend the morning

with three of my grandsons.

I say 'lucky' because

it means 

that I get the chance 

to do things that otherwise......

I would probably not bother to do!!

We had intended to go to see the owls.

But....

as the weather 

wasn't to good it meant that the owls 

would not be out flying

so....

we decided to go to Scolton Manor.

A large Victorian country house

(that had been used as a convalescent hospital for servicemen during the second world war)

but now is the responsibility

of the Local Council.

I have to say that I was really impressed

as it had been a very long time

since I last visited

and it had certainly been

restored and dressed really well.

They, also, had spent a lot of time and effort

in thinking of ways

to entertain the children.

My grandsons certainly, were soon

holding clipboards and trying to find various

objects in the rooms

so that they could gain a prize!

There were also craft rooms for them to use

and several other ways where

we could have spent a lot of time... 

and this was only inside!!

I have the feeling we will be visiting there again soon!

I think that we will leave it a few weeks yet 

so that the ground can dry up

and we can take advantage..... 

of the woodland walks etc.

What else has been happening?

Well, I have been bows under trying

to complete my fifth assignment for my degree course..

which has been extremely interesting....but....

caused me an inordinate amount

of stress!!

I had an extension, 

as my health has been so poor,

and I have had to be backwards and forwards 

to hospital so much that I lost a lot of time!

I only have one more assignment to do

in the middle of May...

and then the exam 7th of June.

I shall have to make a start on revising!

scary!!!

How did your Easter Holidays go?

We have had a lovely time 

and spent quite a lot of it with some of the grandchildren.....always fun!

Apart from that

and too much chocolate

we haven't done much as I was busy studying!

I have done a certain amount of craft work

and posted some of it on my IG account.

I was trying a couple of pictures, from my iPad to show you, but it's just not happening.....sorry!

I have been so tired this last week that I usually

fall into bed and sleep.

I have managed

to read a Mills and Boon compendium of books..

under the title of.....

'A Bride for the Playboy Prince'

authors:

Sharon Kendrick, Sandra Martin and  Maisy Yates.

somehow the title caught my eye.

After all... we have a Prince's wedding

happening in the UK

in the not too distant future.

You can't go far wrong with Mills and Boon

and this was 

an enjoyable and easy read!!

I particularly

liked the last book where a wedding planner

had a very exciting time...

No....I'm not telling you any more!!

So ...those are the pictures

of Scolton Manor.

The paths along side the woods

were full of primroses...

really beautiful

I love the scent of primroses!

It's hard to see as the light was quite poor

but, interspersed with the yellow..

were some deep red..

and pink primroses......

Really lovely!

#millsandboon #abridefortheplayboyprince #netgalley

Summer??

It was a glorious afternoon

on Sunday

The first, official, day of Summer

so my cousin and I 

decided to go for a walk on a local beach...

Broad Haven.

The rock on the right is called

the Lion rock.

I suppose that it does look a bit like a lion??!

It seemed that we were not the only ones

who had decided to celebrate summer

by walking on the beach!

There were a lot of people

and their dogs.

Then a group of girls arrived....

riding their ponies!

The ponies really seemed to love it....

as did the girls!

The mothers put out some tall sticks....

and the girls and ponies

did a sort of slalem

through them.

You can tell I know nothing about ponies!!

It was brilliantly sunny

but....

bitterly cold!!

Even so....I saw some children...

and their game parents..

paddling..brrrrr!

I suppose the dog owners and ponies 

need to make the most of it

as from 1st April until

1st September

dogs and horses will not be allowed

on this beach.

Some large beaches

have an area where dog owners can walk their dogs.

My cousin said I could post pictures

with her in so here we are!

Then she went a bit mad.....

I suppose modelling had gone to her head!!

.......or feet!!

She accused me 

of hoping she would fall in

and I suppose...

.....I might have!!

Apart from all of this

I am, once again, head down

and trying to get

my next assignment done!

It is due in on Thursday

but there's no way I can manage it.

This new condition of mine means that I regularly

spend half a day in the hospital.

Yesterday

I had to do an hours drive

to a centre where the Disabled Students' Association

wanted to review my needs......

and know how to help me.

I must say over these last few years

they have helped me so much..

the only problem

that was another half day gone!

Tomorrow afternoon

I have to go back into hospital

for more injections.

Oh Joy!!

I am still planning

and was trying to show you some photos

but the 'puter is playing up!

I shall just have to show you some more beach photos

I haven't been doing much reading recently

that is ....apart from studying.

I finished 

The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale.

It is a magical book

obviously about a toymaker

who makes really magical toys, 

His two sons, who are each desperately vying 

with each other

to make a better and more magical toy!

It is interspersed with stories of their background

and how they became who they are...

it also almost has an ethical twist..

making the reader stop and think

The other one 

that I have just finished is called

Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson.

Such a lovely, friendly easy read.

Still the wonderful insight that she shows into the grief

of her main character

whose husband has died suddenly and far too young.

If I were still counselling

this would be a book that I would buy 

by the dozen

for anyone who has lost a dear one!

In fact ....I just have !!

Debbie also shows a lot of insight into the minds 

of teenagers.

There are so many hilarious episodes.

I would thoroughly recommend it!

I think that's it

I hope this finds you well and enjoying

whichever season you are in.

Will look forwards to visiting with you.......

#netgalley  #thetoymakers  

#summeratthecomfortfoodcafe

March Comes in Like a Lion?? Or Does It?!

This is the point where I should be showing you

photos of the snow covered countryside!

Because, although Pembrokeshire

doesn't usually suffer snow,

last weekend,

when 'The Beast From The East'

(as the weathermen called the really cold weather 

that we suffered)

we had snow for several days!!

In fact when the snow melted.....

so did the water pipes

and our mains water (and our neighbours')

was off for 3 days!

Hard enough for us.....

but a real worry was seeing to water for the cattle!

We sorted ours and then managed to help our neighbour.

Eventually all was well

but, even though our water has been back nearly a week

the quality of the mains water

we are receiving is foul and we are.... 

still having to use bottled water!

These pictures were taken on a walk

just before the snow arrived.

The first one is on the way to Fishguard

(where the ferries leave for Ireland)

The rock formation is called by some.......

Maiden Castle.

I suppose it does look a bit like a maiden 

looking at a castle??

The rest are taken at Goodwick

where the ferry terminal is situated.

Although the ferry had 

already left when we arrived!

It was a glorious afternoon

and we were so glad that we had braved the cold.

On one side, and in amongst the trees,

is a large hotel where there are many wedding receptions!

We have been to quite a few.

It's a stunning location!

I have been back

volunteering as a guide at Picton Castle.

They have changed the hours

a little so there is at least 

an opportunityto have a cup of tea 

and something to eat!

I love the way they have made seats

around the tree.

It used to be more overhung and secluded

but they've lopped quite a lot away..

pity really!

Some of the trees are incredible.

As you can probably imagine...

the children love... 

climbing and hanging from...

the branches!

The camellias are starting to open

and are looking glorious.

These photos were taken before the snow

so goodness knows 

what they look like now!

I must explore next week!

I'm not going this week

as I have to be in the hospital 

for another set of injections on Wednesday.

The pond was frozen so the tadpoles

had obviously and wisely, sunk to the bottom

but it didn't seem to bother

this dragonfly!

What else have I been up to??

Well, I am still

involved in decorating in my planners.....

and also my Travellor's Notebooks (TNs)

Isn't this a lovely kit?

Its from @sparklesdelight

I really love the colours and the owls are so cute!

I suppose I like them even more having seen 

the lovely owls at Picton Castle?

I am also very busy studying for my degree.

I find the Latin really hard

and, basically, remember nothing from my school days!

I had a good grade for my last assignment though

so I'm pleased about that.

Hopefully, if I pass the exams in June,

I will be on to the next level 

that I'm really looking forward to studying.

Don't get me wrong.....

the literature side of this course has been 

soooo interesting!

I love it!

I'm also, when I have time,

reading a very magical book called....

'The Toymakers' 

by Robert Dinsdale.

It is absolutely intriguing about an Emporium in London

and the old man who makes,

with his sons,

these magical toys that seem

to bring you back 

to the way you perceived things as a child!

Magical toys 

and

an old man with an unusual history.

I have a job putting it down!!

Well,

I suppose I had better close for now.

Once I start speaking with you

I don't want to stop!!

#sparklesdelight  #thetoymakers  #netgalley