Today was a FAB day.

Went shopping in West Quay.

I hate shopping, hate crowds, however, I was desperate for a pair of shoes. In the main women are desperate for shoes when the 66 pairs they possess, do not match their varnish on their toes for the day. I need a pair of shoes why cant I find a pair that fit?

Whilst I was wandering around I looked at the fashion. Its going back to the late 60s style. It was a flashback for me. Mauves, orange, yellow and black. In my teens I had a yellow mini-skirt (pelmet), see-thro blouse, suede high-heels and a yellow floppy hat and, oh yes, floral knickers. Everyone had floral knickers including the blokes. And the music Flowers In The Rain, Where Do You Go To My Lovely, San Francisco oh it was so great. Still have it all, except the knickers, and listen to it frequently.

If you ever want a great site for lyrics go to Lyrics Vault on the net its one of the best music sites I know.

After an hour I resigned myself to the fact that ladies shoes do not match the shape of any foot that I am familiar with. Guys have you ever looked a women shoe fashion who the f..k has arrow shaped feet.

So, off home for an hour, to have lunch and cup of tea, and then out for a treat. Then down to Port Solent to see The Invention of Lying. Caught the 4.00 p.m. performance, yes, me and 8 other people, who probably, were the same opinion about the movie. Not what I expected. The trailer was great and the best lines are in that trailer. It was a soppy love story with a biblical background. I should have gone with District 9.

Tomorrow Im off to Brighton, see an ex-boyfriend for a chin-wag, and maybe have a stroll round the North Lanes and St. James Street. Brighton is I suppose the place where I feel most at home but I also hate it. Going to take my camera, see if I can get some good shots.

Oh happy days.

I don't know whether you are familiar with the psychology of colour and fashion however it gladdened my heart when I was Marks and Sparks this afternoon.

 

There's colour everywhere.  Bright greens and yellows.  A positive rainbow.

 

The best times financially for the country if you look back in history are when we dressed colourfully.  And it's starting again. 

 

So this evening I'm going to wear orange trousers, lime green t-shirt, purple jacket and red rose in my hair. 

 

I'm going to be a positive spangle.  That's if you can remember spangles.

Today was a good hair day.

 

10.00 a.m. sharp at the hair salon in Fareham.  The girl who did my hair last time is poorly.  So I had Alex.  Not in the Biblical sense dear ones, more in the artist hairdressing sense - does that make sense?

 

Anyway Alex is a dream.  Gorgeous looking with a French accent - except it's not French - it's Serbian.  I would think he is about 30 something - maybe late 30s.  He washed up on our shores by mistake or rather marriage.  Which can be a mistake as we all know.  However, this walking creation met a British girl on a Cruise liner and ended up here.

 

Me thinks after talking to him he won't be here forever, even though he loves his wife.  He's homesick for Belgrade.  He speaks great English, she doesn't speak Serbian - and that was the deciding factor where to live.  I will take bets she either learns Serbian or .......................

 

So was Alex a good hairdresser.  Oh yes.  Very much so.  And attentive.  Obviously the Serbs mix service with service.  OK I'm an old bird and flattery quite frankly passing right over me.  Had years of flattery being a ex-glam model and it's lip service - or rather it wasn't - excuse the pun.  Couldn't help that.

 

It lovely spending 3 hours just being pampered by a charming and very educated young man.  And pampering doesn't mean what you might think, it means getting a cup of coffee, and half hour later - would madam like another cup of coffee.  It means a guy listening to me for 3 hours chattering.  It means asking me if I'm ok every half hour or so.

 

This hairdresser is certainly not a subservient Serb, he had opinions - we discussed psychology, and creations of personalities because of fixation during our childhoods.  He listened and he wanted to learn.  We discussed music and the psychology of music and it's affect on us and our brain waves.   We chatted about his father, his brother and Belgrade. 

 

Belgrade is now on my list for a visit.  Cafe's and bars where people sit outside and chat and pass the time of day.  Bit like Italy - which is the love of my life.  Oh dear, Hampshire is looking rather boring.  Might go back to Brighton which in many ways is Cosmopolitan and at least fashionable.  

 

Hampshire is beautiful and central to many areas - but it lacks the cafe society.  Bit of a hypocrite really as only drink tea usually.  But today I drank coffee.

 

Well today got up at 6.00 a.m. Sunday. I know, not the norm for most people.

Drove off into the New Forest, slight mist and sunshine breaking thro. 70 mph and clear road, I smiled to myself all the way to Ashley Heath. Driving in my 206cc. Glancing from side to side at the view. I love the New Forest and it's practicaly on my doorstep. Bliss.

Music playing loud - on a beautiful sunny Sunday. What more could anyone want.

Arrived and paid my 50p for the booty. It's very big at Ashley Heath. Takes about 2 hours to walk around. Had a bacon butty and tea for £2. Has to be done. Even when we are trying to lessen the waist.

I love the atmosphere there. They allow dogs on the site. So many little puppies tucked under arms. Staffies with scarves around their necks. Poodles with bows. The air is full of chatter, and laughter at Ashley Heath. I have to say it's a great day out. As I walk through the stalls I'm smiling all the time. It's simply siblime.

Anyway, bought a few bargain. 5 nectarines for £1. Pineapple for £1. Couple of tops for 50p each. Load of seeds for £1. There's a guy there with a house-clearance stand. I know he's not very well. Heard him tell a punter that the test came back bad. He's a lovely Irish guy probably about 50 ish. Everything he sells is either 50p or £1. On his 4th marriage by the chit-chat I hear. I just listen. Great way to learn is just keep your mouth shut and listen! In my heart I really wish him well. Think about that 'wish him well' - and that is the message.

Anyway continued around the cars. Bought a couple of DVDs to watch over the next week. I'm on holiday - YIPPEE.

An old friend texted me yesterday to say that his life had turned around. He's just had 3 heart ops. He was kinda closing up his life in my opinion. Told me I was a beautiful person and that he was re-evaluating his life. Death kissing him on the lips made him really think. I'm not sure that someone stating I'm beautiful on those terms really makes me feel good. However, any compliment when one is 55 is good. He's rather cool actually - good looking, a year older than I. Great personality. Funny.

Later today saw an old girlfrield. Loads of chat - you know us girls - never stop. And now.............................

Got home around 4.00 p.m. The sun shone and I sat in garden with Pebbles my cat. I sat in my Directors Chair - you know the cheapy chairs that are really comfortable. Poked my face in the direction of the sun and chilled. Glass of Claret in one hand - stroking Pebbles with the other. And what can I say. Blissful. The heat on my face - looked in the mirror an hour later and yes - a tan. Wow - who needs to go abroad.

And now I'm sitting here listening to music. And life is really great. Tomorrow I'm off to the hairdressers to remove the grey bits. And then Chiropractor to re-arrange my skeleton. To straighten me out. After all I'm straight - well most of the time. And that is another story.

The other day Aaron at work showed me a photo on his phone of a mouse. It was sitting on our waste paper bin in the office posing, large as life.

Luckily the boss that deals with little invaders is on holiday. We borrowed the 'kind mouse trap' from the factory downstairs and put in all sorts of goodies last night for our furry diner. Bit of left-over banana, grape, pasta and biscuits. The flipping thing had a better tea than I did.

The factory hasn't managed to catch any mice, so we reckon the mice like a better class of person - yes, us in the office.

Anyway we set the trap last night.

Got to work this morning and I was volunteered to dispose of the mouse in the field across the road. I was very happy to do this. Walked well into the field, we didn't want a return visit, but I bet he will tell all his mates of the feast we laid out in the trap. They will be queuing at the flipping door.

Shook the trap - nothing. Shook it again and out fell something. Which proceeding to run up my trouser leg. Had to shake my leg - it tickled, that was the mouse - they are furry you know. And quick as a flash mousey charged off across the field - in the direction of my works again.

We reset the trap at 5.30. Me thinks this is the beginning of a long season of the Mouse Trap.

Why do we say that. Odd.

Or Sleep tight - two themes on that one. Tightening of the ropes holding the mattress and also sailors tying themselves into their hammocks.

Anyway back to bed. Or sleeping. Dead to the world dreaming about work, about a delivery of furniture - except it was gipsies delivering everything, and setting up camp and dancing in the carpark. And not only that they turned up after closing hours and I had to stay late.

And then I was rescued from overtime, woke to the noise of slurps. Half asleep these slurps became louder as I woke up. On my bedside cupboard was Pebbles. Pebbles is my black rescue cat from the PDSA. Rather overweight from her previous owner's treats.

I had, notice the word 'had' a full glass of water beside my bed. Pebbles had her nose in it slurping up the liquid. This cat will drink out of anything except your own water bowl.

She will drink out of the pot-plant bases, the bird-bath, sink and puddles. The expensive bowl inscribed 'cat' gets ignored.

Everytime I take a drink of water now in the night, I will be thinking - is it safe. Good job it wasn't a G & T.  We would have had a pissed pussy.

 

Went to Allington Lane Booty this morning - came back loaded with cheapo goodies.

A fantastic skirt and top for 2.50 - an evening type Alexon thingy. A rug - the absolute correct colours of my house. I'm into interior design and colour. I work for manufacturer of sofas and sell them (when we are not in a recession). So I deal with colour, design, fabrics, that sort of thing and I'm real good at it.

But the treasure of the day was 3 CD's - 1 each. New Woman Collection 2004, Sad Songs, and Happy Songs. That's 123 tracks for 3 - bargain.

So my first chore is to upload the CDs onto my computer in my Creative Zen Library and Sleek Player.

I'm a Creative Fan - have been for years - you can stick your I-Pods. I have Creative Zen speakers and Super Woofer on my PC - woof woof. Great sound. Oh by the way - I'm into music big time.

So opened up the Creative Zen library on my PC - it's corrupted. The end of my world is nigh. Anyway. No worries - I have all the CDs and a back up on my Zen player. But what a pain that would be.

Got a glass of wine - always helps, numbs the distress.

I've never read a computer manual, or anything similar. I just press buttons until it works. And luckily I'm good at that too. So found a button that said 'import music'. Great stuff - imported everything from my files. Can you imagine having to sort out 8,000 tracks from my CDs - I'd rather 'go blind' which is a great track from 'Chicken Shack' - lovely blues number. You should seek it out and play it.

So from Revelations we get back Creation.

On a scale of 1 - 10 losing my music would be an eleven.

I'm now a happy bunny - thinking about lunch and making Parmigiana di melanzane from my own Aubergines that I've grown and my own toms. I was married to an Italian for 19 years and if one cannot cook - you wouldn't last 19 days. My ex-mother in law taught me how. Her chicken in oil and vinegar I still haven't accomplished.

And yes better do an update on my Creative - I know it was that damn Real Time Player upgrade I did the other day that messed it up. But you can't listen to tracks on sales sites without the Real Time.

Have a great day.

My neighbour across the road - Angela is 72. Young for her age, fit, golfer. Divorced her husband 2 years ago for adultery.

Proof there's life in old dogs. Woof woof

She's given me her keys to water her plants this weekend. She's off to Spain with her mates.

On a couple of occassions she's met people from the Telegraph Dating Service and complains. Apparently there's an awful lot of 70 year old guys out there just wanting to get their leg over and walk away.

I say to her tell them to get stuffed. Her stock phrase is "think of England" and look at the ceiling.

From years ago an ex-boyfriend said to me "romance never dies, ever". One still wants to date into our 70s, 80s even. It never ends. Just gets slower.

She has a 'boyfriend' with a yacht in the Caribbean and says 'I really don't want to go to Antigua again' - scuse me "I DO".

Woke up this morning and MSM Messenger refused to work unless I downloaded the new version.

 

I hate change.  I liked the old Messenger.  Bit like trying to improve on a Rolls Royce - you can't.

 

So had to download the damn thing. 

 

The new look is awful - hate it.  Also my tool bar changed and I lost form fill.  Now I have a dreadful memory and I used form fill all the time.  Spent some time searching the net for a way to repair what Microsoft have done.  Well - there is a way but it's so complicated - running certain codes and then going to a web site that isn't there lol.

 

So what do we do.  We do system restore to yesterday.  We remove the MSM Icon and ignore it.  We download Yahoo Messenger.  You can't remove MSM Messenger or you lose the toolbar - the newly resurrected one with the Form Fill on it.

 

So what is the result of Microsofts wonderful new Messenger:

 

1.     I won't use it - it's now hidden as far as I'm concerned.

2.     I've started using Yahoo mail again because I have Yahoo Messenger now.

3.     I won't be using Hotmail now - it's become defunct.

4.     Resulting in loss of revenue for Microsoft and more revenue for Yahoo.

 

Yippey Yahoo.

 

What a bunch of idiots changing something that was perfect.  Typically American they don't know when to stop.  They keep going and ruining a really good thing. 

 

You've only got to look at their plastic surgery - I don't have to say anymore do I?

 

 

Woke up this morning on a lieu day off to turn on the news.

 

Dear Patrick Swayze died - it was a matter of time however, after seeing him in an interview about how he was coping with pancreatic cancer I thought he'd go on for ever.  We all think that don't we?

 

Then a news flash Keith Floyd also passed away.  Heart Attack.  Loved his flamboyant approach to cookery - great stuff.

 

Two totally different lifestyles.    A great dancer, actor and fitness advocate and a great chef, who was never without a glass of wine it seemed.

 

It's not really about strictness of diet, or exercise, not about whether you like a glass of wine - when your number's up unlike the lottery, we all lose.

Today I did something I've never done before.  I stroked a duck.

 

Went to Ashley Heath Bootsale.  I was wandering around not really taking much notice of anything.  Looking for bargains.  And as I looked down there was a duck at my ankles.  It took me 30 seconds to gather my senses.  I asked the woman at her stand where the duck had come from.  It was hers.  Like a dog she took it out.  And this duck liked to be stroked.  It was a gorgeous white duck.  So today I stroked a duck and just like a dog it responded wanting more.  Love it.

 

Then bumped into Haley my best friends daugher who was selling her wares.  This girl is a banker and to earn less than £50,000 is below the povety line.  I did Sociology you know - that is what we call 'Relative Povety'. 

 

Absolute povety is a different matter.  On the way back from the Booty went to Sainburys.  They were collecting food for Croatia outside the store.  They gave me a list of what they needed.  Pasta, pulses, baby food, oil - non-perishables to stop people perishing.  What was fascinating as I gathered up some rice, pasta, and baby food was how empty the shelves where getting.  All the basics where disappearing.  What a day for Sainsburys - what a great day for Croatia.  I spent a tiny sum of the bits and deposited it in their trolleys.  It was very important to me to buy some baby food that wasn't just sustinance.  Needed to find something I would love  - so banana custard for babies.  I love bananas.  Sometimes even in our deepest despair we need a treat.

 

Anyway back to the booty - am half way through watching a really lovely movie I bought for a quid.  With Sandra Bollock and Keanu Reaves - "The Lake House".  It's just lovely.

 

Yesterday at work was a bit peculiar.  A guy came in to browse.  He's a customer from 6 years ago.  It was quiet and he said to me "would I like him to strip off and run around the Showroom naked?".  Yeah right!   Ok this guy is in his 40s, not ugly, in touch with his self obviously.  Declined his kind offer.  Ten minutes after he went had silent call.  Then another after  5 mins and a little voice on the other end "would you like me to come back and run through the Showroom naked?"  Now one has to weigh up potential customers or possibly fruit heads!   Did the best I could to say p...ss off at the same time welcoming him back to purchase furniture.  He's a nice looking guy but like most men doesn't have a clue.

 

And there we have it - men are clueless.  

 

It’s elementary dear Watson, dear Watson, elementary dear Watson.

Tonight just cooked a steak.  It was on offer so couldn't resist.  And with that great steak I'm eating home make ratatouille,  most of which came from my own garden with the exception of the onions.  Even the potatoes were from my compost bin. It was scrummy.

 

Today went to Ashley Heath, got their early thank goodness.  It rained after about 9.00 a.m.  Bought a chair - a dining chair - 1940s.  Paid £2.  It will cost about £50 re-upholstery from Ken one of our guys.  And that's very cheap.  Have to say it a lovely chair.   Heavy so I think it's Victorian.  God they loved heavy furniture.

 

Also made a chocolate cheesecake today - will let you know how it tastes tomorrow - it has to chill - bit like Champagne I suppose. 

I'm a great fan of X-factor and in fact American Idol (sometimes).

 

This evening it was predictable, with one exception.

 

JAMES AFRO.

 

He did Kings of Leon. 

 

And he did it amazingly.  On U-tube there's other stuff he's done - however, it's amateur, it's noisy, too much drunken background - not good.  So what's difference? 

 

The difference is good backing track, good production, no drunks (well - not that we know of). 

 

As soon as X-factor vid available I'll add it.

 

I think we have to watch this space - me thinks Jamie Afro is going places.

Went to the New Forest early this morning.  Before the crowds - before the rain set in.

 

It was quiet, still, nature at it's best.  Till a car full of kids turned up.  Never mind the New Forest is a large place to hide in.  Took some pics. 

 

What I love about the place is there could be no-one else on earth, once you have got away from the car full of screaming 4 year olds.  When you walk a little distance from the car park, you can't hear the road, you can only hear nature.  I stopped to listen - the robin.  I recognise a robin anywhere - my favourite bird.  In the Summer they lose their red-breast - go brown bit like me really in the sun.  Except for the one year's ago one June when I visited my mother's grave.  It sat on her headstone, with the brightest red-breast you'd ever seen.  Clucking away.  Made me think!

 

Drove back through Lyndhurst - what a mistake.  What a dreadful place.  If you drove through there at 3.00 a.m. you'd still get stuck in a traffic jam - full of tourists.  Trust me the place isn't worth it.  Over-rated. 

 

Wednesday 19th August - half-way through my hol.

 

Had a lie in - got up at 8.30 a.m.  That's a lay in for me.  You ask my ex-hub he hated that I was up at 7.00 most Sundays.  But he loved it when I went to bed at 10.00 so he could watch the tele in peace. 

 

Then dashed off for the 11 o'clock Wednesday Boot Fair at Allington Lane in Fair Oak.  It was ok.  Hot, sunny, in a field, next to nature.  Spent the grand total of about £6.  And that included the entry fee.  A lovely black & white skirt (Spanish style) from M&S for £1.50, a couple of DVD including Tarantino Jackie Brown.  I'm a great fan of Tarantino - Pulp Fiction has to be the next best movie ever made, next to Blade Runner.  Kill Bill - fabulous stuff. 

 

I bought the Tarantino movie along with a slushy romance DVD.  That's me all over from the Subline to the Ridiculous.    Also bought a belt for 50p and a dish with a portrait of a black cat on for 10p.  Home with the spoils.  Now off into the garden to sun myself and have a Rowntrees Fruit Pastill Lolly - my fav. 

 

PS Looked up the cat plate on the net by a guy called Derick Bowh - they go for about a fiver on ebay.  So purchased at 10p - you work out the percentage profit.  Pity can't do that with every purchase eh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well yesterday I reached 55.  My day consisted of having my hair done and very nicely too.

 

Then off to Marks and Spencers and spend two hours trying on all the lovely bits and pieces.  I spent £90.00.  You might think that is extravagent.  However, it isn't.

 

Every now and again I like to feel normal and go shopping like other people.  So I go through the motions, get the buzz, try everything on.  Bring it home.  I usually keep a couple of the cheaper pieces.  In this case a pair of £9.50 leggins and a long white & black T-Shirt for £15.00.  The rest I leave in my closet for a wee while with the labels on.  Then I take it back for a credit.

 

I must have done this about six times this year.  So if you have shopping habit - note the above - get the buzz without taking the drugs.

 

At 5.30 p.m. I tottered over to The Talisman my local.  I use the word tottered, not because of the couple of glasses of birthday plonk I'd consumed but the semi-high heels I had on.  I haven't worn them for about 4 years.  They are actually 25 years old but classic.  I paid £100 for them 25 years ago - Gabors.  Lovely shoes.  One thing that doesn't get bigger with age (once through puberty) is your feet.  Thank God for that.  I like my little 5.5 cuties.   The traffic stopped to let accross the road - is that because I'm an old bird or they liked my heels?

 

I found my mates in the bad garden of the pub.  Said my hellos and turned to buy myself a drink.  Marion said sit down we'll get that in a minute.  10 mins later as the drought was setting in, I gave up and went to the bar.  Our young Aaron bless him was at the bar and after much arguing he bought me a drink.  I wish he hadn't he's on a salary that a mouse couldn't survive on.  I really didn't want him to.   Then ordered ham, eggs and chips.  I love ham, eggs and chips and as the my mates were paying I chose the cheapest thing on the menu.  I actually fancied a burger but that was £7.00, so had my 2nd favourite pub grub.  As it happened they ran out of money so I put a tenner in the kitty.

 

In a way I'd wished I'd not seen my mates.  Then I would have gone over the pub had exactly what I wanted to eat, not felt guilty because a drink was bought for me and would have relaxed more.  And I wouldn't have worn the damn high-heels. 

 

I hate it that they feel sorry for me being alone. I actually I prefer it.  I don't have to talk about crap that I don't want to talk about.  I can do what I like, when I like. 

 

My work mates mean well and I love them to bits.  And next year I'm putting my foot down and it won't have a high-heel shoe on it either.

 

Today been in the garden - had to destroy all my tomatoe plants - blight has set in.  What a waste.  All those huge toms just gone rotten.  I wanted to cry.  Split the chives up and re-planted them.  And the corriander.  Later after I've been to the foot doctor I need to pick some beans. 

 

Tonight is bream night.  Lightly dusted in flour and shallow fried in a tad of oil.  With a salad.  And a glass of left over wine from yesterday.  Today is a good day - and

the sun's out shining on me, well I like to think so.

 

Here are the leggins and black & white t-shirt - good choice to keep me thinks.

 

 

Well it's now the month of my birth - another 2 weeks and I'll be 55.

 

Not having had children and definitely not having a husband - does help maintain a woman's youth a little.  I said it - however, it is a scientific fact.   It's a fact that a married man will live longer than a single man.  It's a fact that a single woman will live longer than if she were married.  Men are pretty hopeless really on their own.  The question is has anyone done a statistical study of two guys who married - to each other?  Answers on a post-card please. 

 

Anyway back to the Birthday Month.  Having my hair done on the 17th.  And having that week off work.  Yippee.  I'm going to have lunch out that day.  Not sure where but Hampshire is full of great pubs.  Loads of rivers here and streams with pubs nestled on their curves.  The Meon Valley - well there's a pub on every corner.  The Shoe at Exbury is particularly good. 

 

I was toying with the idea of moving back to Sussex.  Yesterday, I drove to Ashley Heath in Dorset for a booty and avoided the main road on the way back.  Came back through Cadnam.  A leisurely 30 - 40 mph through the New Forest.  It is so beautiful and only half hour or so drive from my house.   Had to stop for 5 minutes whilst a calf sat in the middle of the road, but the sun was shining and no-one was in a hurry, especially the calf.   Hampshire is one of the most beautiful counties in England - it's a tad slower than Sussex.  It takes me approximately 15 minutes to walk to Whiteley Woods.  10 Minutes drive to The Hamble.  As mentioned the Meon Valley - that is the most beautiful area around here.   And let's face it - fashion, well there isn't any here.  But one can visit Brighton and sit and take in the sights. 

 

I love the fact that I can drive to Dorset and Devon so quickly.  There's even a station within 10 minutes walk of my house with a direct line to Brighton and Gatwick. 

 

So I threw the toys out of the pram.  Hampshire is pretty good. 

 

And apart from Trendy Brighton what do I miss about Sussex?   People that won't speak to you in the street (they do here) . Seagulls - hate the noise they make.  Bad roads - the road system in Sussex is appalling.  Here it's pretty damn good.  Health Service is much better in Hants.  Less Crime. 

 

If anything I would move Westwards.  I love Dorset and Devon - not Cornwall so much (too bleak).  Or maybe Wiltshire.  I shall ponder on my future years past 55.

 

 

 

 

Overcast today.  However not cold, nor windy - so ok

 

Went to Ashley Heath Boot Sale. 

 

I have to say that this boot sale is the best in Hampshire/Dorset area.  I did well with my few quid and came home with many a spoil.

 

A garden fork for £2.50, a dozen plant pots for 50p, a cat lounger for £2 after bartering it down from £5.  Drrr  who the f...k is going to pay £5 for a 2nd hand cat lounger.  There's a fruit and veg stand - and I have to say it's impressive.  4 x Nectarines for £1, 3 x Avocados for £1 and to die for cherries.  Got half a dozen bamboo canes for 50p.  Half dozen free-range large eggs for 90p.  Enough garden netting for 20p to assist in the war effort in Afganistan.  And several DVDs to keep me amuzed at £1.00 each.

 

I had a glut of courgettes.  For the first time ever.  I made soup.  Courgette and potato with herbs in season from my garden.  It was absolutely fab.  Frozen some and kept some.  I'm well pleased with that.  With the rest tomorrow I will make courgette cake.

 

Having a glass of red wine.  My ex-hub (the rich one) has Chateaux Du Neuf Pape as a regular tipple.  Well I've found a great red from Sainsburys that is well cheap and tastes, in my view, better.  Can't afford his tastes so tried:  Heritage Road - Moonstone 2008 Shiras Grenache.  Woow.  It's South-Eastern Australian - lots of sun - red grapes like sunshine - same as me.  And Grencache is a part of the Chateaux Du Neuf Pape make up.  Its 13.5% vol.  And I have to say I prefer it to my ex-hubs tipple.   What a result.  Smooth.

 

On the gardening side,  I have spring onions spinach, cucumber, courgettes, herbs, and lettuce.  Blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes, greenbeans, beetroot, rhubarb, carrots and aubergines are all growing well and will be cropped within a month I would think. 

 

I love the Summer. 

 

The addition to my household - Pebbles is doing well.  She's not Manfred - who was the most gorgeous cat on Earth.  Pebbles is cute, pretty, affectionate and at times attacks with great gusto.  I think she's been in a household with children.  She's used to self-defence (arn't we all).  50% of the time she's placid and has cuddles and then out of the blue she's Attila The Hun.  She's being trained - not putting up with that crap.  She will be ok. 

 

 

 

Sunday did a boot-sale.  Not a punter a seller.

 

Got all my rubbish out of the loft - been there years.  Not me the rubbish.

 

It was so hot one thought of the tropics, and those films where they wear white suits with  hats and sweat a lot.  Sorry horses sweat, men perspire and ladies glow.  Anyway I was glowing.

 

Sold loads of stuff and went home with it seemed as much as I took.  Made £70.00.   It was hard work - was there 6 hours.  Luckily I had one of those hats but I wasn't wearing a suit.

 

There was a purpose for the booty - I needed a decent haircut and Monday went into Fareham.  Walked into a salon called Nirvana - I liked the name - sod what the stylists were like.  They happened to have an a space for a cut and blow dry.  The guy that did my hair looked liked he just left school.  But I lived in hope.

 

Any way - what a lovely cut.  Well worth the money.  Feel rejuvinated.  Note to self - must do this again.

Farrah Fawcett  passed away - that is so sad.

 

Don't need to show a photo of her - who can forget a Charlies Angel.

Parked at the Marina - it's free.  Then a 10 mile hike to central Brighton (actually it's really 2 miles).  Felt like 10.

 

Walked past the terminal for Volkes Railway - the oldest electrically operated railway in the UK.  Thought I might take a ride to town but at £1.70 single thought better of that.  Anyway went on it when I was about 8, also sang on the stage at Peter Pan Playground.  Could never sing but I did so much want a lolly - that was the going rate for a kid to sing.  And in this case you got the lolly whether you were good or bad.

 

So walked into town, past the nudist beach, which is heaped up with stones like a crescent moon so you can't see anything.  Spoilsports.    Walked through Pool Valley into East Street, stood and watched the regular artist outside the expensive but rather ordinary restaurants at the bottom of the Lanes.  They're overrated, actually not rated much at all in my book.

 

Headed North up East Street.  Odd that - especially as East Street runs South to North.  Planning was pissed again obviously.  Crossed North Street into the Pavillion Grounds.  Strewn with bodies, eating soggy sandwiches and smoking.  Children chasing the pigeons.  Went West and headed towards the North Lanes.  Now anyone who knows Brighton understands that the North Lanes is the in place - mainly because it's cheaper.  Very arty, very studenty and touristy.  Eeeeee!  I love the area.  One can get pierced, pissed, painted, and predicted to all on one street. 

 

Took loads of pics then headed back up St. James' Street to Kemp Town.  Another great area.  The Gay area of Brighton.  And that's why it's so great.  Colourful.  With gorgeous unobtainable men standing around - what a waste.  Anyway have a look at the pic of 'Doggie Fashion' - a shop that has little jumpers for the pooch in your life. 

 

Then back to my car and the long drive home to Hampshire. 

 

Went to Brighton mainly to get the feel of it again - do I want to move back there?  Not sure. 

 

 

 

Manfred has now been confirmed as being run over by a car and was killed.  It's very sad as he had a gorgeous gentle personality.  I will miss him very much

 

 

 

 

My week off seems to be going too quickly.  It's Wednesday already.

 

My outing today cost £6.75 plus the petrol to get there.  West Dean is near Chichester and a tad down the road from me in West Sussex. 

 

I have to say that the gardens in the grounds of West Dean College were superb.  The best £6.75 I've spent in ages.  From the wonderful greenhouses, showing me how terrible my tomatoes are doing compared to theirs, to the glorious Downs views.  The Pergola is wonderful and pics are attached.  I'm certainly going to go back and next time I will do the 2.25 mile walk through the landscape park, I'll take my boots that time.

 

Can't recommend this place enough.  Couple of pics here but the rest in my album

I'm on holiday this week.  Not going away - it's too bloody expensive. But I'm damn well going out. 

 

Today I went to Winchester - which is around the corner from where I live.  My plan was to visit the charity shops, walk along the river and then have lunch at Loch Fyne - they have specials you know.

 

So the charity shops had nothing of interest this time - but I'm getting exercise having a little walk.  Then went along the river for a tad.  I'd packed the proverbial stale bread in my handbag for the ducks.  There was not a duck in sight - zilch.  Mmmm!  Saw a robin and I love robins so out came the bread.  I didn't know ducks had trained in undercover covert operations.  From nowhere 20 appeared.  It was lunchtime so they had bread and water.  Then to my amazement I spotted something brown - no, this is not reminiscent of Caddyshack and the twix - I squinted (note to me - get some new glasses) - it was a water vole.  Dragging a pile of debris into his den in the bank.  How wonderful.  They are quite rare these days.

 

Next I did a detour and went to see the Catherdral.  Did consider going in but they want £6 entry - and as I am such an athiest I saved it for lunch, no-one was around to change my wine into water.  It's a beautiful building - admired it from the outside.  Went around the back and on the wall nearby were lettering and the date 1620.  I touched the letters and followed the shapes.  Just as someone did nearly 400 years ago. 

 

Then off to Loch Fyne at the top of the town - in the 16th century jailhouse.  They've done a bit of decorating since then and it's ambience is very nice.  They usually have some sort of deal going.  Today was a starter and main course for £12.00.   I always consider costs but thought damn it - I won £6 on Euro lotto Friday, so blow the expense.  Ordered a glass of tap water and a glass of dry house white. 

 

I had fish soup and it was orgasmic, followed by grey mullet with salad.  The mullet - I just closed my eyes and tasted the freshness - wow.  On a dreadful note - bearing in mind I'm an alchy.  The glass of house dry white was not cold enough, not dry enough and was chemical in it's taste.  As the cost was £4 a glass I think it should have been half decent.  I sipped a mouthful and sent it back.  Asked for a glass of Pinot Grigio - can't go wrong with that or or so I thought?  I didn't have the heart to tell the young girl serving it was the same wine as before.  God it was awful - sent that one back too. 

 

The tap water was brill just needed a miracle to turn it into wine.  The food was superb for the price - then the bill came.  Damn cheek - they'd charged for two glasses of wine.  Sent the bill back.  They didn't question it - reduced it down to the £12 for the grub.

 

Note to myself - along the road from Loch Fyne is Greens.  So have fish at Loch Fyne - pay the set menu then go to Greens which is a great wine bar and their Pino Grigio, which is a tag dearer, is fabulous.  Also I have eaten then in the past - very cosmopolital, the chef does things like lasagna, mousakka,  green curry etc.  The foods is great too. You can get away with a really good meal and glass of great wine for about £15.00.   But today I fancied fish.