post script to above

   It suddenly dawned on me yesterday that, with the death of my Aunt, that now makes me the oldest living member of my Mother's side of the family and what a sobering thought that is!!!
  We've had a trip to local theatre cancelled today because of bad weather.
  Now the question is  should I make a Snowman?

Early January 2013

Starting off my Blog for 2013 on rather a sad note with the news of the passing of my favourite Aunt aged 93. She was a remarkable lady, dearly loved by all who knew her. To me in the past few years she has seemed the mainstay of our family the last direct link to my Grandmother and my Mother, her elder sister, both of whom died some years ago. My Aunt, like my mother, was a devout Catholic and the Church played an important part in their lives.

It must have also helped my Aunt a great deal in coming to terms with the loss of her Brother-in-law at the end of the war, followed by the loss of her dearly loved twin sister from Pneumonia at the age of 33. She then took on the responsibility of bring up her Sister's Son, and although engaged to be married continued to live at home, caring for her Mother and nephew until her mother died. She then married (aged 40 ) her long time suitor, and went on to have two lovely girls, but tragically lost her husband, many years later, when he died suddenly while they were on holiday abroad. It was a blow to us all as he was also greatly loved and respected by all who knew him, a carpenter by trade who prided himself, rightly, on his skill and doing a really perfect job. Dovetail joints every time! As he died abroad his body had to be sent back to this country for burial in a sealed coffin, although it was apparently rough wood I remember my Aunt saying that he would have been pleased as the joints were dovetailed. After his death she concentrated on the bringing up of her 2 teenage daughters, her sister's son had by then left home and married, and doing work for the Church. She made several trips to NZ to visit friends who had emigrated there and continued to enjoy her life. One of her daughters came to live with her, with her family, some years ago and she in turn has cared for her Mother. Now my Aunt has gone she also is left to care for 2 daughters. My Aunt had 3 sisters, all of whom died before her (2 of Cancer) she herself kept in fairly good health was very good at needlework, also craft work, in fact was in the middle of doing an embroidery  when she died, . Years ago she would make all her own clothes, as would all her sisters, a talent which unfortunately did not pass down to me or my sister! Marrying late and having children seems to have happened a lot in our family, my mother married when she was 27. but my other Aunt had her children later on in life, and I did not marry until aged 40. Luckily all our children have been normal healthy people and grown up to be a credit to us.

My Aunt was kind,compassionate , fun loving and someone you always felt a joy at meeting,she will be sorely missed. May she RIP..

October and Temporary break

Just a few photos taken this month before I lose my internet connection hopefully, only temporarily!

a snail munching on a flower head

a spider with a piece of cat food

after the rain

rose after the rain

sunset to the east on the 3rd October

sunset same day to the south west

Royal Botanical Gardens at Ventnor Isle of Wight

Here are some photos taken last Saturday at the Botanical Gardens - we were so lucky with the weather

a short break

Just come back from a short break at Sandown on the Isle of Wight.
Weather was good on the Saturday and Monday but very wet on the Sunday.
On the Sunday we went on the Steam Train and afterwards, we were supposed to be going on to Ryde but, weather was so bad we went straight back to the Hotel.Everyone was wet through.
Lovely hotel room overlooking the Sea and food was very good as was entertainment at night.Here is a view of Sandown Bay from our Bedroom when we arrived

it was a bit of a different view on the Sunday!

a few more photos around Sandown

looking towards Shanklin

We also visited West Cowes, Yarmouth, Ventnor and eventually Ryde.

Cluny House Gardens

If you are visiting Scotland and anywhere near Aberfeldy do go and visit Cluny House Himalayan Gardens, you won't regret it, it is a real delight.

There are 33 separate parts of the garden to see.  If it.s a wet day you may need the Wellies as it can get a bit wet underfoot in places.

 Some photos I took while there.

                               the Himalayan Lily that flowers in early July

                       you are usually sure of seeing a red squirrel or two

             a view above the treetops from the highest point in the gardens

                                                  an odd tree bark

Turks Head Lily