In The Pink

Image Credit: The Wizards Wireless

As all pet owners will know this is not a great time of year for animals; it would be but 'the powers that be' do insist on selling small explosives to the public! I have to say it has not been too bad around here this year and thankfully although our dogs are not completely happy with the firework associated noises they do not get really distressed. We are however, planning a pet friendly fire works night and celebrating at home. We have been out to displays in recent years which I love doing but this year we are staying in and having baked potatoes and tomato soup. We are also planning to watch V is for Vendetta which is such a wonderful film in the spirit of rebellion and revolution, and the evening will culminate with sparklers in the back garden! I figure that if we leave the dogs in the house with the curtains closed they will be unaware of our small explosive celebration but we still get to light something! Does anyone still have children coming round with a home mad...

Well I have mentioned a time or two before that is has been a slow blogging year for me, all for good reasons, but since term started again there has been even less time! I am back to thinking about lots of potential posts but not having the energy or time to create them! Teaching is so much fun, I am currently doing pests and diseases, woodland management, business management, forest and woodland skills, investigative project, commercial experience, tree biology, taxonomy, soil science and woodland ecology...phew! The rest of my time is made up of dog walking, house keeping, sleeping and devouring the current series of books I am reading: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin (On TV as Game of Thrones). His books are those odd ones you come across that mean so much you cannot wait to finish them but dread them ending! The first book was just shy of 800 pages, the second marginally longer, I am on the third and there are 5 in total! So fellow bloggers my plan for this eveni...

We had a fabulous holiday in Wales again this year. I was reading a historical novel while we were away which had some Welsh history in it which really brought the countryside alive for me and made the trip we made to Caernarfon Castle  much more meaningful too. Here is a selection of our snaps taken at the tent, the castle and on the many beautiful walks we did. Its nice to know what that amazing place name means! I still cannot say it in Welsh but Mr Dancin can! The mid point of a great walk on Anglesey and a chance for the dogs to have a swim! A huge Crab Apple on the way to Aber Falls. Aber Falls. A farmer with a sense of humour! Storm front moves in! The beautiful Snowdon seen from a third of the way up Moel Hebog. The view from Moel Hebog summit. Beddgelert Woods. Fun back at base. Taking a moment. Campfires in the evening. Aberglaslyn Pass. Taking a dip. Views from Aberglaslyn Pass. Views from Aberglaslyn Pass. Views from Ab...

I got this made before we went on holiday although I did not have time to put the picture up. 6 jars and one tub in total. Not bad for my first attempt! (Friends and family be warned, I will be bringing some with me on any visits planned soon.)

We are now on the final count down to our summer holiday! Yey!!!!! I have been starting to collect up the camping gear and the camping lists are printed and updated. There are a lot of little items we do not want to forget but have done on many previous holidays. Oddly enough the most common forgotten item is sheets for the airbed! We are going to Wales again this year to stay on a friends farm in Snowdonia so I have been looking through our photos from the last visit there two years ago and have been remembering the amazing walks we did and what a great time we had. Here is a small photographic summary which you can click to enlarge. I can't wait to get there and get the tent up and the camp fire lit! I have to say Scotland is my favourite holiday destination and when we don't go there for our summer holiday we are both always a little sad that we will not be exploring a new area of Scotland, but Wales is beautiful and does not have midges!

Well the apples are drained and have yielded about 6 litres of fluid which smells and tastes lovely, I am actually loathed to add sugar to it! Here is is: I tried to take a few artistic shots of the tubs it is currently in and failed miserably so thought I would just go with a close up of one showing the beautiful colour. It's in plastic containers at the moment hence appearing cloudy. I may experiment with some of it and try and come up with a few soft drinks as it really does have the most lovely flavour as it is.

In addition to the farmers being out harvesting their crops it is time again to pick the crab apples off the tree. The past few years we have been able to leave them until we return from holiday but the long Spring and Summer seem to have caused them to ripen early and I did not want to risk loosing the fruit. So yesterday I cut 12 lbs of apples from our lovely, small John Downie. The apples are currently stewed and draining in the kitchen and the smell is wonderful. I am making Crab Apple Jelly this year although on the suggestion of my Mum will be trying Crab Apple Wine next year which sounds lovely. I have found a couple of recipes for it here  and here . I have not made either Crab Apple Jelly or Wine before although from the looks of it the wine will be more of a challenge but I look forward to having a go and enjoying the results the year after.

It has been a very long week this week and so I am starting my Saturday in the style of days gone by. I am sat on the couch, wearing my goony (dressing gown) and drinking tea. The only thing that is missing is something cool on the TV! I used to love Saturday morning TV as a small child. We would watch The Flashing Blade, Champion the Wonderhorse, the Six Million Dollar Man, the Monkeys and the Banana Splits. I know nowadays there are lots of great shows for kids on the TV, and dedicated channels for them, but I don't think they have the appeal that some of my childhood favourites did. I have recently been thinking about Monkey, which was another childhood favourite, and The Waltons which I loved and also associate with the weekend after it was last repeated on Sunday mornings. I even looked at the box set of The Waltons on amazon but that show has kept its value a little too well! I looked out some images of the shows I have mentioned to remind you (in case you needed it) ...

I went to the library in my local town today to return some books and get some new ones out. I tend to get 4-5 out in one go, dependant on what catches my eye, but I always return them as I read them so that someone else has the chance to take them out and also for the experience of visiting. It is such a peaceful and quiet place and despite my recent decision to get a Kindle at some point I will never loose my love of being around books. I like to wonder round and view the shelves, searching for a title or cover that attracts me, and I came away today with some great books. I got the next Giles Brandreth mystery book featuring Oscar Wilde, and two books by Ian Mortimer AKA James Forrester, centred around the Middle Ages which is a favourite historical period of mine. Its an odd time. I always fantasise myself living happily in that period given the simplicity of life but from reading about it know that the reality was quite a different story and I would have been lucky to surv...

Well as the year continues its still very busy but exciting! And I have been managing to keep up on my reading which is great. I joined the public library recently and have been raiding their shelves, and have also downloaded the Kindle software onto my PC to make the most of the free books. The experience has really sold Kindle devices to me, having originally thought they were not for me, my favourite tools being the immediate access to books and more impressively the dictionary tool. Often when I am reading I come across a word I do not know the meaning of and as it is not always practicable to grab the dictionary every time to look it up I often move on, missing some of the meaning of the material I am reading. I now at the click of a button can look up a word and swiftly move on. I have especially noticed the benefit of this while recently reading some older literature such as my current book The Tales of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle. Anyway, the Kindle ...

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Hello Blog! Compared to my output last year I have been pretty absent from the blogging world this year but all for good reasons. Things have really kicked off for me personally with my photographic hobby, and professionally with work abroad and a change in career paths. However one of my favourite things about blogging is creating a record of just what you have been up to in the time you have which flies by so quickly. Someone told me the other day that the older you get the quicker the time flies by which is a little worrying however I have found that when I record my events for future reflection it does remind me that I have actually been achieving a lot, so although my perception of time is that it flies by in the blink of an eye, I know I have used some of the time wisely, by my standards. So here I am today, taking note of the of the events of the year. Its half term at the moment so I am not working at the college this week although I am using the time to over prepare for th...

John Sullivan died last month, he was only 64, well writing that's put a song in my head! Anyway, he wrote one of my all time favourite shows, Only Fools and Horses. There was a short tribute show on yesterday which I watched and subsequently learnt that he also wrote many other shows I watched and loved over the years, most notably for me Just Good Friends and Citizen Smith. Additionally he wrote for comedy shows such as The Two Ronnies, another family favourite. I have many of the Only Fools episodes on DVD. In addition to being a huge fan of the show and all of the characters I am a massive David Jason fan...and I do mean David Jason and not just Del Boy although I feel much affection for his character in Only Fools. So I thought I would treat myself and look up a few classic clips on You Tube for some of the episodes I don't have copies of yet, and share them here, in tribute to a comedy genius. Enjoy! There are loads more clips on the wonderful You Tube i...

I have just finished a really good book, but for the past three years I have really stepped up my reading and have read so many good stories. I also watch a lot of films but what has struck me recently is although I think I've seen some really good films they never touch me in the same way books do. Its not just the way that books can convey so much extra detail and supporting information, or that they allow your own imagination to put faces to the characters, perceiving them in your own unique way: its that they so very often impart pearls of wisdom, ideas or thoughts, phrases and sayings, that really hit you hard and make a posative difference to how you see the world and your life. There have been very few films that have had that affect on me, but many, many books. At the beginning of last year I read Dan Browns latest book 'The Lost Symbol' which introduced me to Noetic Science. I took so much away from that book, and know I need to read it again as there were...

MANCHESTER CITY 1 - MANCHESTER UNITED 0 2011 FA CUP SEMI FINAL WEMBLEY

Well after the last dog walk I returned home and decided to give the rest of the day over to blogging! A worthwhile pursuit I think! I have created a weekly event called In Bloom over at The Green Man which I hope bloggers will participate in. My intent is to provide a collection of weekly shots from around the globe showing what people are growing and what is growing where they live. For some time I took part in Sky Watch Friday , a similar weekly event, and it was brilliant to see the skies around the world, I hope the same will be true for all things that grow! If you want to take part the first post is up and the link list will remain open for the next week and a half while I try and get the word around, just visit The Green Man Here .

I had the biggest sleep in this morning! I am happy to say that I am gainfully employed again and although it is not my usual job it is a job, it's local and I do shifts and so have time at home in the day even when I am working. I am however still getting used to the new routine and have for the past 6 weeks been constantly tired!!!!! Sorry actually I mean TIRED!!!!!! I am getting a little fed up of it actually and hope that my body soon acclimatises, it is intefereing with all of the other things I want to do and my family, friends and out of work activities have all suffered. Anyway, I have a day off today and having slept in until 10.30am!!! (I am almost too embaressed to put the actual time!) I should be caught up on all required sleep. So after spending a bit of time blogging, which is a pleasure I have not had for a few weeks, I will still have half a day to play with. As usual there is an abundance of activities I could choose to do which range from continueing the ...

As I type there is a Blackbird building a nest right outside our living room window in the branch crotch of a small tree. I am delighted that we may have a view of the event from the comfort of our sofa but concerned as it is only at about 1.5m off the ground and in no way safe from cats, of which there are many in the area. I am loathed to disturb the building...I may have to fashion some kind of cat deterrent. I also hope that the noise that is bound to come from the dogs barking at some point does not disturb them too much. If anyone has any thoughts or advice I would be happy to hear it.

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It is glorious outside today but a little too misty for photos. I took some macro shots, more for practice, and am quite pleased with the results but the two most beautiful photos I got are below. The first one dipicts a hot pup cooling off having run round like an idiot until he over heated and the second shows a pup taking a drink having been kept out of the cold river by me! I am happy for the pups to paddle and its great for cooling them off on hot days but Roxy pup likes to swim in deep water and as there is still frost on the ground and she takes hours to dry off properly she was retricted to a foot paddle for the sake of her health and aching limbs!

Well I am very happy to say this sun is shining and the birds are singing again this morning however I did not wake up in a fabulous mood! I had a trying afternoon yesterday and a bit of a wierd nights sleep culminating in a dream about my paternal grandmother who sadly died about 10 years ago now. Although it was lovely to spend some time with her again, albeit in a dream, I woke up feeling very sad. I have always really treasured time spent in dreams with people who are nolonger with us. It is as close to sharing time with them as you are going to get, but it can also unlock emotions either un dealt with or buried deep. Anyway, I refuse to let yesterdays events and last nights dreams impact on this day in a negative way and so with the help of two buckets of tea (bucket is only a slight exageration, I have a wonderful and huge breakfast mug) and a long walk outside in the fabulous company of the pups, the birds, the sunshine and the ever encroaching Spring I am sure I can shake...

I woke up early this morning which is a bit of a shame as I was working until late, but on the other hand I was woken by the birds singing and became immediately aware that the sun was shining! It is amazing how much of a difference it makes. Now granted I have only made it downstairs for breakfast so far but I am up, the sun is out, the birds are in good form and it is going to be a beautiful day! I have developed a timetable to help me monitor the projects I am pursueing outside of work. Today is photographic study so I can learn how to use my camera better. But first things first, more tea needed! Image Credit: Ryan W Smith

Well the sun finally made an extended appearance today nicely timed for my day off! So I went out and about with the pups and soaked it up. Although many of the plants in the garden have sprouted new buds, leaves and flowers, it is still too early for the trees, but Spring is truly on it's way!

I have so many cool things going on in my life at the moment and so much to do! I have been itching to come here and blog for days but really do not know where to start! Anyway for now here's a picture I took of Niagara Falls on my birthday, top birthday treat! More to come!

Blimey I am tired! I have had a fairly busy day but no more than others for but for some reason I am feeling really tired in body and mind! Sleep tonight is going to be good! Anyway, all chores are now done and I am treating myself with a glass of wine and the first Underworld film. What is it with vampires and werewolves, why is it so interesting? The romance (obviously referring to vampires there), the immortality, for the chaps Kate Beckinsale in rubber clothing? I particularly like the werewolf (Lichen) leader Michael Sheen. Anyway, given how sleepy I am feeling this is not a topic I am going to ponder now! Sleep well bloggers, and dream not of today.

I have just added a widget to my blog that includes on each post a selection of previous posts that you, my valued reader, may enjoy. Please let me know if this impacts on the upload speed of my blog. There are a couple of blogs that I visit that take forever to upload and I don't want this for my blogs. If it slows things down I will get rid of it. Muchly obliged!

Tomorrow night I am going to play the piano!!!! I do not have one at present and although I have been kindly offered an organ it is specifically the sound of the piano that I love. (Plus in our current house we have room for neither a piano or an organ!) I had one for rent for a while and was working on the two following pieces by Michael Nyman. The film The Piano may be the only movie I have seen and preferred to the book. The performances were amazing. I found the scenes between Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel to be incredibly passionate and moving and I hated Sam Neill for years as a result of his performance as the frustrated and jealous husband, although I sympathised with him somewhat. But the music was what made the film for me. Anyway I bought the music score for the film and will be off down to our church tomorrow night to get my eager little fingers on their piano for an hour or two, hopefully as a weekly event, to remind myself of what I had learned of these pi...

Despite the grey, rainy day outside I am feeling chipper! This is such a cheery song I thought it was a good one for a Monday!

January 2011 has brought some interesting challenges for me. I am job hunting from the position of being unemployed which is always naff, and have found myself outside of my comfort zone in a few other areas. Yesterday I had a really bad day of it. One of those days where you feel like a child again and fear takes control. It is a horrible feeling. I have tried to describe it in words and its not easy. I have memories of feeling like that as a child, most strongly when I had to stay in hospital for a few days. I felt terrified and completely vulnerable, and cried uncontrollably! Anyway yesterday felt a bit like that, and although during the day I had lovely conversations with my family who as always brought cheer to my heart I decided it was time again to call upon my old friend and enforce some strength. I have posted about this before and have looked out the old post to remember how I expressed it. I am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and am not ashamed to admit it; ...

Dedicated to my wonderful family and friends for their kind thoughts, messages and good company.

It was an odd week last week; death featured heavily and after the sad departure from this world of several famous people as mentioned I also learned of the death of an old friend which spun me a bit. I wrote a few draft posts about it but I am not going to put them up. I do find that blogging, I suppose the same as keeping a diary, is therapeutic sometimes and just the act of writing something down and voicing your thoughts and feelings can answer your needs without then wanting to share them with the world. Anyway, the week finished on a high note with some promising news on the job front. I was laid off from work before Christmas and have been trying to sort something out. I now have a couple of jobs that look good and another interview for later in the month. Finally my parents made a last minute visit to see us this weekend and we had a lovely evening of chatter and music last night. One thing about being out of work is the joy of Monday mornings at your own pace. Ok so I ha...

I feel a little bad for posting so much bad news on my blog this week however three significant folk have passed, two of them today, and I want to remember them here. Mick Karn, Gerry Rafferty and Pete Postlethwaite. Image Credits: Listen JP,   181 FM, Shropshire Star