Friday Smiles ...nearly missed it ...again.

Nearly missed it ....again but at least I remembered in time ....just.
The sun is shining but it is too hot  for me to sit out ... except early evening and early morning ...but it lifts the spirits.
 Its is one of those days that, if it were overcast, one could feel down, as I have just heard that a friend has had to cancel two things on his bucket list and go into a hospice for pain control....we hope he gets out to enjoy some of the things he has treated himself to....things he wanted to buy but kept putting off.

What did bring a smile to my face are these photos from my DIL....

Three little farmers go out for a picnic .... bless them

 Daddy gives  Jake, Ben and Olly a big hug

Take Care xx

Here Comes Summer ....I hope.

Yesterday the temperature rose from the  13ish C (nearly 60F) of a few days ago, to an amazing 26C( 78F) 

  ...so all other plans were shelved and we headed to the beach ...we are so lucky that this one  is only 2 miles away.

Robbie was a little sad when the tide rolled in ....so I tried to distract him by taking loads of shots to catch his attention ...here's Jay pointing to me and my camera .

 He was a little  bemused that the sand had all disappeared

 but I sat and explained that it was going to roll out again...

After some Kite Flying .... that I could not capture ...no matter how hard I tried ...they chilled out on the grass above the beach.

 They didn't want to move until we tempted them by a lunch at the cafe above the amusement arcade ...followed by some change to play with later, on the games.

 It was a great lunch ...Macaroni Cheese ...followed by this...... we only needed a very light evening meal

I just wanted to show you how happy Robbie is in the water ...hard to believe he was scared of it a few years ago.

Take Care. xx

Friday Smile ...Play-doh day.

What is it about the weather ??? ....it has been dull and over cast ....typical school holiday weather... so before bed last night,we promised the boys  a Play-Doh morning ....and they have a lot ....we got about half out on to the table, ready for them...and the boys got up in a playdoh frame of mind ....however...the sun was shining ...perfect for a day at the park ...could we persuade them to leave the house ....no it was Play-Doh or nothing.

Their determination....Robbies concentration on the project in hand ... and then watching them having a fun morning, brought a smile to my face.

You may wonder about the School Holidays bit, if you live in England .....Scotlands is much earlier ...July 1st to mid August.

Take Care.xx

A Day out along the East Neuk ....to Crail

This was my  trip to Crail last week,….alas the sun was not shinning and it was a little  muggy but at least there was nor a rain drop in sight..
This is about 1 1/2 hours from me by bus …thank goodness for my free old age bus pass.
This is what met me as I alighted .

CRAIL…or as it was once known, Karel ….was thought to be in existence at the time of the Picts …(early Celtic Medieval times)…it was a Trading and Fishing port in the 12th Century …and held the largest Market in Europe at the Market square.

  Burghs were created in Scotland from the 12th century. They had the right to hold markets, levy customs and tolls  and this was the original use for the Tollbooth shown above (the building with the tower).
Robert the Bruce, when King, gave it Royal Burgh status in the early quarter of the Thirteen hundreds and this entitled it to have an elected council led by a Provost  and Baillies (civic officers) who also acted as magistrates over local crimes. The Tollbooth housed accused criminals awaiting trial, and debtors. It also was where public punishment took place, having stocks and whipping posts outside and occasionally  it was the place of execution resulting in the  displaying the severed  head.

I stopped at two eateries ….firstly, morning coffee at Julia's Café on the High Street

....all walls were  festooned in art work … and the tempting home baking made it hard to choose …I went for Lemon and Poppy seed scones ….and was not disappointed.
 I chose a quiet time …but by the time I left it was full.

Lunch was at Crail Harbour Café …on the way down to the Harbour.

  ….although the actual wood smoked salmon  was wonderful the salad was boring and I hate crisps with a meal…the view from my table and the friendly staff made up for it though.

 Crail Harbour is surrounded by 17th Century houses and cobbled streets making it a popular spot for artists to sit and create.. …shame it was low tide.

 I had a lovely chat to this lady who was part of a group of artists who meet regularly at the harbour ...she had been up at 5am to capture the sun rise in a Water colour ...the colours she had used were beautiful.

Lobsters and crab are still landed at Crail …. and I love seeing the baskets piled up on the cobbles.

 This final shot is a little bit of a mystery …apparently there is no remaining evidence of the original castle and I cant find anything about a fort  so what is this turret and wall, high up on the cliff ….maybe I need a visit to the Crail Museum and ask.
There’s a lot more to see ... and history to research ... so I think I need to go back …and sample more scones of course.

Hope you enjoyed my day out 
Take Care xx

Goodbye China Doll

 CHINA ....2000 -2013

You Will Be Missed So Much

Sadly we lost China this morning ...she had not been well for a little while but after the last visit to the vet, last weekend, she had gone down hill rapidly. We new it was now time to let her go to Rainbow Bridge ...and thankfully, she went so  peacefully.

She was a beautiful cat whose personallity was all you could wish for ...she comforted us humans through down times...especially Jay and little Kris.... and chatted when she thought we just might understand.
It was particularly hard for Kris as he chose her as a friend when he first came to live with us and was confused about his life.
 Even though we have so many cats, each one is so very special to us ....we all have our favourite few and when one of those goes, it is even harder for that person.

Take Care xx

Friday smiles ...Smudge finds a cosy spot ...and a forgotten ATC.

Nearly missed it again ....knew the date was the 21st as my gorgeous twin grandsons, Ben and Jake, turned five today and I sang 'Happy Birthday' over the phone to them ...but the fact that it was Friday slipped by unnoticed ...almost ....except that it struck me that tomorrow was going to be Saturday !!!

The photo I wanted to use is in fact on my DD camera so will use it another day but Smudge created a photo opportunity for me instead.
I have a bag hanging on the understairs cupboard which is in a strange place ...just by the back door ...and it contains old tea towels and cloths ...ready for what ever  use ....and away from cat hair so I thought.
As I went to grab one, this is what I found ....

 Dont you just love the expression of annoyance to have his comfy space discovered ...and to be woken to boot.

Talking of birthdays ....GS Kris was 6 on the 16th ....why is it they want to pull a face when you point a camera ....he just wanted to giggle and was trying to stop. He had a fantastic day out with 12 friends at  bowling and crazy golfing....Jay and Vicki must be mad but they had it so organized that it all went to plan.

  Now lets get back to that bag ....that all 20 cats have totally ignored ...'til today ....I saw Barnaby trying to annoy Smudge when he was in it ....10mins later ....... this is what I found

Lastly I have to say this brought a huge smile to my face as I opened it ....a gift from Slovenia ...I am not sure whether it was a surpise ATC ....or I had just totally forgotten....I think the latter...

Thank you so very much Dolores aka Cardarian ....it is so beautiful.

These are things that made me smile this week ...I hope they bring a smile to you too
Take Care. xx

OMG its WOYWW 210 ....must say thank you.

There I was just sitting playing one of those Farm games that I have avoided for years .... when it struck me ....its Wednesday.
I did manage to create a few ATC's and these are the three I received in exchange and PIF.

Margaret sent me the gorgeous 'Colours of Snowdonia'...next to which is BJ's pretty ballerina and below In one of Annie's(Stich in Time) little works of art....they are all so amazing and I send hugs and so much thanks ladies.

I am making this short so I can link quickly
Take Care xx