Cake!

This was my last day at the hospital at which I work.
Although I am very much looking forward to going back into the Ambulance service, I was sorry to leave some of my work mates today!

The reason for the title is, today and yesterday we have had cake to celebrate my leaving, yesterday Sarah made an amazing malteeser, areo bubble, chocolate finger cake!! Today Jacky made a strawberry and fresh cream cake. I just had to post the photos.
Right now I am feeling a little Meh! But that will pass I am sure!

Jammin'

We're Jammin, and I don't mean in the name of the Lord, like the Bob Marley song. I mean we made Jam, lovely apple and blackberry jam. (Well I hope its lovely, it looks it and smells it but I have to wait a couple of days before I try it!).
I was only able to do this with the help of my amazing cooking friend Rosie, she makes the most amazing cakes, breads, soups jams.... pretty much everything really, my favourite of all her amazing gastro treats are her cheese straws, I have never tasted anything like them!
Anyhow, I went round this morning with Blossom and she helped me make the jam. I will post a follow up on how it tastes but until then, here are some photos.

8 Working days.

I have eight days left at my present job before I leave, then I have four days before I begin my new job, which is in fact not a new job as such but a return to my previous job albeit with a different service.

Nuff Said!

Wasp!

My house is very quiet! Too quiet!
The Northern Bird and the Northern Chic have left on their journey home! I took Blossom home this evening too as I have work tomorrow.
My Husband, although he was supposed to be on a night shift and has been given the night off, is studying and he is always quiet anyway.
Tomorrow I will be back at work. The holiday is over............................................................................
............But next year Blossom and I will be going North!!! Something to look forward to.
In the mean time I have 13 shifts left with my present job before going back to the ambulance service, another thing to look forward to!
Oh and the wasp? Well I got stung today, then found out all my epipens were out of date!

The picture is from Calvin and Hobbs, one of my favourite cartoons.

Five go down to the beach

Today was supposed to be overcast and cloudy! The Northern Bird and I decided that the forecast was going to be wrong again, just like it was yesterday.
We were right! It even started off lovely. We made up a picnic lunch grabbed swimming things, towels and buckets and spades then set off to our closest beach.
Having been here quite a few times I know that there is a streach of beach which never seems to get crowded. We decided to walk the short distance to get to this part of the beach. Once there we sorted everything out and the girls immediately ran off to play in the sea, which is pretty much where they remained for the whole day only coming out for their lunch then returning to it straight afterwards.
Northern Bird and I sat on the sand in the sun and had a good natter.

Five go off for a ride!

This morning as it was overcast it scuppered our original plans and we had to resort to plan "B".
Sadly the fifth member of the not so famous five was unable to come with us for this little excursion, so the dog stayed behind. After tacking up the Northern Chic and Blossom took turns to ride Mouse whilst Northern bird made sure they didn't fall off and I led the Mouse!
Once we got back we gave the mouse a hose down and shampoo. Randomly the overcast day turned into a very hot and sunny one even the kids were asking to be hosed when we hosed Mouse!

The secret seven!

I know, I know, bare with me here!
Today the not so famous five became the not so secret seven (Gotta love Enid Blyton) with the addition of  Seal and Logan! we met up and had a wander to a play area where the kids all immediately ran off and played together as if they had all known each other for years, when in fact, Logan and Northern Chic were meeting for the first time!
When they had had enough we walked the short distance to the Lifeboat station. We looked round  for a while then sat on the beach so that the three kids could paddle.
Suddenly there were lifeboat crew running in all directions,(we later found out that there was an empty kayak found and the crews of both the Tyne class and the RIB were mobilised to help search for a possible man over board!)
We all go to watch both vessels launch and head off to search. Talk about putting on a show, the kids had front row seats!
Later in the afternoon we went for a wander along the shoreline and managed to pick a rather large bag of black berries, Black berry and apple pie for dessert tomorrow me thinks!

Five on a secret trail!

Well, why not stick with the Famous five theme!
Today the five of us went for a walk in a country park.This country park has separate paths for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. We packed a picnic lunch some squash and set off.
It was supposed to be a five mile walk, but somewhere along the route we missed a turning and managed to cut the walk probably in half by walking down the cycle path! It was still a nice walk and with a list of things to look out for put together by my husband we wandered the girls pointing things out and crossing things off the list. Once we had arrived back at the car we broke out the picnic and relaxed, well Northern bird and I did together with the dog! Blossom and Northern chic ran off as soon as they had eaten, to go and play on the rustic climbing things.
All in all a good day even if it wasn't quite a "Secret" trail.

5 have plenty of fun.

Although today was a replay of yesterday, in that we were back at the steam fair, the weather was so much better and the Northern bird had not just driven stupid miles, so she was able to enjoy the day better. We made up a pack lunch and all including the dog set off. Northern bird got to drive a steam roller, the girls had about three rides on the gallopers, the dog got plenty of fuss and we all drank lashings of ginger lemonade! Oh and me?? I got to sort out 17 wasp stings, two soot smuts in eyes and one grazed knee!

steamy

Today I went to help at a steam and vintage show. I did first aid cover for them, as Blossom is with us for the week I took her along also. After collecting my radio a
and catching up with some friends who I bumped into whilst wandering round before the show opened, I made my way to the first aid point and set up ready for the off. There were the usual sounds and smells from any steam event, which I have to be honest and say I absolutely love, then there are the other sights and sounds unique to this particular event.
Today was slightly different though as half way through I had a radio message telling me that the northern bird and the northern chic had arrived! They had set off extra early and although they had stopped for four comfort breaks, they made excellent time and were here to share some of the days steamy events... (almost as steamy as a dream Northern bird told me about but not quite!)  Ha ha
Sadly due to the rain, the turn out wasnt as good as they hoped for but there is always tomorrow as this is a two day event! See you there tomorrow!

The not so famous five!

Tomorrow, the Northern Bird will be travelling south together with the Chic, to come and stay with us, so, together with Blossom and the dog, I think we make the not so famous five, I wonder what adventures we will get up to??
Oh! As an aside, I handed my notice in at work on Wednesday and will be returning to the Ambulance service. The second count down is counting down the days until I start back!

Four words!

One of my friends posted on facebook that she had to find four words to describe herself!
If I had to find four words to describe myself, would anyone else use the same four words to describe me? Would my friends use the same words?
Is it in the context of how we know each other that makes us think of people in a certain way, or do we see things in people that we wish we had in ourselves?
Why do some people appeal to us and others not?
Why do we choose the friends we have and why do we sometimes dislike people as soon as we meet them?
If you know me, what four words would you use to describe me?

Friends

I went to see one of my friends today, although we live only three miles away from each other we both have busy lives, so today was it was lovely to sit with a cup of tea, (and a bowl of home made soup and home baked chiabatta bread, and even a huge piece of home made victoria sponge) We had a good catch up and put the world to rights.
It made me think about friends, friends are the people you have fun with, who make you laugh who you can tell your inner most secrets, they hug you when you hurt and it doesn't matter what you say they will always be loyal.
I have a lot of acquaintances, and a few really good friends, it doesn't matter how far away they live, or how long I have known them.
Friends are friends end of!

Marmite sanswiches

I thought I should post a few updates as there seem to be a few things going on at the moment.
Firstly Mouses Sweet Itch is getting better really quickly! Her mane is starting to grow back her rump looks better and the sores on her tail have healed. I am slavering her in baby bum cream every morning, spraying her with Avon SSS oil, and citronella spray twice a day, giving her Global Herbs Itch powder in her feed and one slice of Marmite sandwich a day! (Oh yes!).
Secondly one of my count downs is now at 8 days, This particular countdown is for the Northern Bird and the Northern Chick coming down to stay with us. Even if we live hundreds of miles away from each other as soon as we get together its as if we saw each other yesterday! That's what friendship is!
The other countdown is at 40 this one I still can't say much about except, next Wednesday all will be revealed.
I have just laughed out loud. Lets face it, who actually reads this?  And who of those who do, really care what is happening in 40 days, and then again, doesn't the one person who does read this already know whats going to happen in 40 days!

Imminent

Changes are imminent...

Sweet Itch!

Mouse has sweet itch! This, for the not so horse knowledgeable is an allergy to midgie saliva, poor Mouse was rubbing her mane and tail bald! to mention nothing of her back and bottom.
I was given lots of advice from fellow horse owners at the yard where I keep her, some sounded crazy others made sense. It turns out that even the crazy sounding things make sense if you dissect

the information, for instance, "Give her Marmite sandwiches!" Well vitamin B is required to help heal and the Midgies don't like it! Marmite is high in vitamin B. So as well as Marmite in her feed, she has daily baths and has thick white cream (Sudocreme) rubbed into her mane, tail and back. After two days she has already calmed down with the itching and the sore areas are no longer looking angry. I hope things are on the up for her!
Once the itching has calmed down she can come in for the evening and night which is when the little pests are at their worse, but until then she will continue the strict hose down and cream up.
(Please note the two images have been borrowed from the internet, they are not of Mouse, hers is no where near as bad as these luckily)

31 July

Today is my Birthday, Happy Birthday to me, and to everyone who shares this day as their Birthday too. Its a great day to have a Birthday, I never ever went to school on my Birthday because it was in the summer holidays, and to date, I have never been to work on my Birthday either. Today my husband took me out for the day... Hang on rewind. Today I was woken up with breakfast in bed! Lovely way to start the day, then my Husband and I went out for the day, we went to one of the many national trust properties and had a wander round and a cup of tea, then he took me out for lunch at one of my favourite pubs, where I had the most amazing fish and chips, with pea fritters, minted pea mash and home made tartar sauce the batter of the fish was an ale batter and so light! Delicious. My Husband had Roasted lamb rump, with dauphinoise potatoes  and roasted root vegetables. Once we had eaten we drove over to another National trust property, (Making the most of our membership!) and spent a lovely afternoon wandering.
This evening both my daughters are coming over, which will round off the day nicely!
What a lovely way to spend the thirty first of July!
Oh and here is a poem, it was on the Birthday card my Mum sent me!!!!!
YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T RESIST IT
WHEN THERE'S COCKTAILS TO BE TASTED-
SO PARTY ON AND HAVE SOME FUN
AND GET COMPLETELY WASTED!
(Purple Ronnie)

Its ok to count the days as long as you make the days count!

ITS OK TO COUNT THE DAYS, AS LONG AS YOU MAKE THE DAYS COUNT!

Scones.

When ever we go to National Trust properties they have scones for sale in their café's. They have plain ones with jam and cream, and cheese ones and sometimes watercress or caramelized onion in them. Both my husband and I love scones, he prefers the jam and cream ones but I prefer the savoury ones. Today I decided to try and make some, I know this is a simple thing to bake, but I'm not very good at cakes and things like that I prefer cooking meals.
Anyhow, I made two batches one for jam and the other with cheese in. And even though I do say so myself, they are really nice! All I have to do now is work out how to say it! Scon, or Scone??? Any ideas which is the correct way to say it?

A walk in the park.

Today was Blossoms last day with us this week, we took her to one of the many National Trust property's. We had a look round the house, and gardens, during the holidays they put on trails and events for kids. Today we had to follow animal foot prints to find the animal which made them. Blossom did very well.

Stick!

Today Blossom, Seal, Logan and I took the dog for a long walk in a nearby woods, its the only way to walk the dog in this heat really, under the shade of trees! We walked for about a mile then decided to have our lunch, we had already decided to have a picnic.
After eating Blossom and Logan decided to build a bridge then a den. Just as the den was finished the rain came down. Lovely big splatty drops of rain lovely!
Really good day chatting and putting the world to rights whilst the kids played.
As for the stick..... The dog had one in her mouth 90% of the time and both the bridge and the den were made of sticks!

Amazing Grace! No no I mean Amazing Cake!

It will shortly be my Birthday, I happened to mention to one of my work mates that I had not been made a birthday cake in years! Yesterday she brought a cake in that she had made, for my Birthday... Is this not the most amazing cake??

Its a boy!

Congratulations William and Kate on the birth of your son!

Two more for the countdown

Two Different Doctors

 

TWO PATIENTS LIMP INTO TWO DIFFERENT MEDICAL CLINICS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT....... Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement. The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is xrayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.     THE SECOND SEES HIS FAMILY DOCTOR AFTER WAITING 3 WEEKS FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THEN WAITS 8 WEEKS TO SEE A SPECIALIST, THEN GETS AN X-RAY, WHICH ISN'T REVIEWED FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND FINALLY HAS HIS SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR 6 MONTHS FROM THEN. Why the different treatment for the two patients?   The FIRST is a Golden Retriever. The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

Flying Cats

Sometimes, living so far away from my best friends is worse than others, today is one of them. I know one of my very best friends is hurting and there is nothing I can do. To be honest even if I lived closer I probably couldn't help, then again, I do make a good cup of tea!
I am thinking of you, even though there is nothing I can do xxx
(As for the flying cats..... whatever!)

Count downs

I seem to have several count downs going on at the moment, THE BIG ONE! which is at present at 65 and the other one, no less exciting but a whole bunch nearer is at 32, isn't it Northern Bird!!! (Yay) so today I shall post two count down numbers...

Mainly Mouse!

Today I got up earlier than I usually do at the week end, I wanted to go for a ride on Mouse before it got too hot!
Having groomed her and tacked up, I went for a ride round the block at a walk and slow trot so that she didn't get too hot! On the homeward stretch I let her walk in the river (forgetting we had borrowed HI VIS leg bandages from one of the girls at the yard). Once back the bandages were remarkably dry!! I hung them up in the ownerd stable to ensure they dried off properly and so that she would find them. Then set to work giving Mouse a bath, she has been so itchy with the dust and heat, I hosed her off totally including her face, she is so good about hoses and sprays, although she will still run away in the field if I try and hose her down.
Having let her back out into her field I tidied up the yard and had a cold drink before mucking out the field. When I had finished that I noticed a bee in her water, I put my hand in to rescue it and found the water to be really warm. Ahh well I had nothing else to do, so I emptied all the water and re filled it, I know it will only get warm again but hopefully it should be a bit cooler for a while. Before leaving for the morning I sprayed her with fly repellent (for what its worth!) And left her to graze.

PRAY

If you Pray, please pray.
If you hope, please hope.
If you meditate, please meditate.
For a four year old girl who needs, all your Prayers, Hopes, Meditations.

67

Blood

Blood blood blood! The story of my day!

68

Croquet

Today after work I drove over to a friends house, she was having a get together there were about twelve of us, She had cooked some delicious nibbles, and served a selection of soft and alcoholic drinks. (Why aren't alcoholic drinks called hard drinks???) The thing with this get together was we were going to play croquet.
It was hilarious and everyone spent the evening laughing and chatting, even though several of us didn't know each other.
Getting back to the Croquet, I won the first game!! Not bad since I have never played before! Then I came third. I has a great evening, Thank you Mrs N!

Un Happy Feet!

This morning I left for work at the usual time, but instead of going into the department I work in, I went instead to the clinical training rooms, where I was to have a phlebotomy course.
There were fifteen of us all from different departments in the hospital. The course was really well run, we had plenty of time to ask questions, the instructor was fun and approachable and we got the job done. (And not a flea in sight!)
We gave up our breaks in favour of finishing early and getting out into the sunshine, which meant I was able to get home and see my husband before he leaves for his night shift this evening.
Mouse was supposed to have her feet done this evening, but my farrier managed to give me the wrong date, he's coming tomorrow! Doh!

71

77 years!

Well what a day, up early to do Mouse before it got too hot, then off to church, then back home baked an orange drizzle cake, had some lunch, cleared the back garden, weeded the flower tubs then.... sat down to watch Wimbledon.
Andy Murray V Novac Djocovic well, what an edge of the seat match that turned into. I am not a tennis fan I thought I would just put it on and wander in and out whilst doing other things. Wrong! That was the best tennis match I have ever watched. Andy Murray must have something about the number 7.
On the seventh day of the seventh month, after seventy seven years a Brit won Wimbledon.
WELL DONE ANDY MURRAY!