Once in a Blue Moon

Some time ago, herself won first prize in a fund raising raffle at the local hospital where she does volunteer work every Friday afternoon providing moral support, tea & sympathy & various other comforts for patients in the Emergency Department, all in all a worthwhile way to spend time. The prize was a nights accommodation plus dinner & breakfast for two at this fine establishment Hotel du Vin. Unfortunately, due to stuffups & misunderstandings, we missed out. Or so we thought. The lady that organised it all asked how we enjoyed, so herself told her the sad story. "Not good," says she & got in touch with her brother, who is one of the head banana's there & suddenly, it was "Yes Cinderella, you can go to the Ball after all." We had our weekend there this weekend. It was lovely..

This picture was taken from the front deck of our cabin on a rainy Sunday morning. The high wire fenced enclosures aren't, as I initially thought, POW yards for recalcitrant petanque players, I have been reliably informed they are tennis courts.

The evening meal was wonderful. The whole megillah. Silver service, formal dress, collar & tie etc. As we didnt have a flunkie for a group shot you will have to put up with individual shots of us. Herself is the pretty one..























Thats us.. the next one is a general shot of the dining room.. Intimidating innit ? The other shot is herself looking relaxed after some very nice food & a few glasses of wine..




















Speaking of before & after shots check these two out. This is a before & after shot of the dessert sampler for two. I warn tou, the after shot isn't pretty






















Like I said, not a pretty sight. Neither is this next one.. This Herself and me nekkid in the spa pool & well, I'll leave the rest to you imagination....


Now you really didn't think that I was gonna show that do ya? And anyway, who the hell would hold the camera ?

Anyway, we stayed on for lunch on Sunday Along with the live jazz band there. A lovely way to spend a weekend it was.. Glad I didnt have to pay for it though because they charge like wounded scrub bulls. What we gnawed our way through on Saturday night would have cost $280.00 alone. The service though was awesome. And it was nice to be served by someone called Hanne or Yogi instead of the usual Sung Mae, or Egg Fu Yuong. Our every need was well catered for. Even 3 choices of water to have with your meal.

Oh yes, & there really WAS a Blue Moon too... When we walked from our cabin to the restaurant on Saturday night, I happened to look up & the moon had this beautiful blue halo around it. We stood & watched it for about 5 minutes, it was that pretty...

This Weekend, I said goodbye to an old friend

She has been sitting on the lawn casting envious glances at the brazen hussy that has taken her place inside. She of the good looks & smooth ways has supplanted the old girl that has served me faithfully the last 10 years or so. Whilst I am totally enamoured of my new love, it was not without a tinge of regret that I left her sitting in the driveway of her new home.

I know her new man will treat her gently & not expect her to extend her abilities the way I have. He wont put her into situations that really are out of her depth, but still parting has its pangs. I have finally found someone that will love my beloved old "Cool Change" as much as I have. Our trusty old 12" parker Craft has been turned over to an older gentleman that I have worked with over the years. I know he will look after her & doesn't intend to go out very far in her.

Meanwhile roll on settled weather so that we can get out in "Top Dog" Its going to be a good summer this year. Still, it IS rather strange to see that empty patch on the lawn out there .......

Well, there's my weekend stuffed

You just don't realise how much damage a simple thing like weather can cause. Admittedly, the damage at our place was of a fairly minor scale compared to some. A few branches down off trees, the cladding stripped from our chimney & the gardens just absolutely devastated. Fortunately, our beautiful Silver Birch tree at the rear of the house & in the most exposed position, survived magnificently, only losing the tip branches which it does usually do in a gradual process over the winter months. Still, its taken me most of my weekend & a Jumbo bin to clean it up. You have to feel for those who felt the wrath of the weather in a somewhat more intense fashion. AND they have more coming up North as well..

WHEN INTEREST BECOMES OBSESSION

I guess I should be flattered really. Over 12 months ago we had a falling out with an acquaintance over something that I had written in my blog. 12 months or so later, this person is still checking my blog site at least once a day. I guess he is hoping that I'm gonna say something mean about him still.. Well, here you are then.. This should keep you visiting for another 12 months.. At the very least, I thank you for keeping my statistics looking healthy..

Well, thats about me. The poor old body is stiff & sore.. Nap time followed by a soak in the spa with herself...

Sometimes words fail me

Honestly, They really do..................................