Getting washed out

Oh, the rain we have had in the East today has been called "biblical" and one of my friends joked that he was googling Noah's phone number so we could ask Noah to swing by in the ark and pick us all up!  

[image from whybaptism.org]

The rain has pelted down, flowed along the roads, swished into people's driveways and forced them from their homes in some of the local towns; the river banks have slipped here and there, and there has been more water than our guttering could cope with at times.

The vegetable beds are rather sodden, and the leeks look more like rice in a paddy field.

I was going to go north to Lincolnshire this afternoon to see my aunt and uncle after the last gymnastics session, but the rain was coming down so hard that the spray on the road was making it very hard to see the car in front, and we had all slowed down to 30mph, so I could just hear the FH saying to me, "You must be mad to go out in this!" and he would have been absolutely right, so at the next roundabout, I turned around and came home.  We had only just left the local town so we hadn't got very far.  I rang my aunt when I got home and she agreed that we had made the right decision as the rain was coming down hard there too.

We are hoping for a more settled day tomorrow, but we know that the rest of the weekend may be a bit dodgy as the remants of ex-hurricane Bertha are expected to affect this area at the moment, unless the trajectory changes.......let's hope!

The girls and I spent the afternoon watching a horror film called "You're Next" and I was knitting as well, concentrating particularly hard on the knitting when the gory bits occurred!

Holiday snaps

I suppose that when you send two teenage girls on holiday together, you shouldn't be surprised that when they show you their photos, 75% or more of them are "selfies" and being thus, the selection I am able to share with you all is a bit limited!  However, here are the best of the rest:

Strange statues lounging around the ship

The view from their boat across one of the harbours they moored up in - quite spectacular scenery!

Norwegian fjord scenery at its best.

 The glacier that they went on a coach trip to see with Grandad.

 One of their extra snacks!  There was plenty of food on board.

Low cloud - obscuring the view, but still a quaint scene

 Beautiful clear waters

They had a lovely time and have some fabulous memories of fun times that they have had together.  Given that we are into the last four weeks of our time with the EFG at home, times and memories like this are to be cherished xx

Random thoughts

The girls and I have been in hysterics this evening, laughing at some videos that the EFG took on her phone whilst they were on the cruise - I laughed till my sides really did hurt!

So glad that the washing machine repair man came this afternoon and got the machine working again - more hairgrips in the drain - so pleased that I have got insurance.  Well worth the small amount it costs each month.  The only household machine I have got insured, though.  Three loads done since he left, and two loads dried out on the lines in the sun and wind.  How did the weather forecasters get it so wrong today?  We got none of the heavy rain here at all - a gloriously sunny day and the temperatures were considerably higher than we were expecting.

Uncle John has done amazing work in the garden today and cleared the paths between the veg beds.  Ideas on how to keep them clear? Don't know - mulling that one over....membrane?  bark chippings?  internet research on the cards - what do you think?

One week tomorrow until the EFG gets her exam results, and we may know where she is going in a month's time......

Only a month?!?!?!

Enjoyed watching the Great British Bake Off tonight with the girls.  Enjoying being together and sharing an interest.

Finished another OCC hat, and just about to cast on another.  Aiming for a dozen boxes this year, since the knitting group decided not to help this year....

Day Three of five over today for the gymnastics holiday club - we have a fantastic group of children and the days are flying past - really good fun, the kids are progressing well and no hassles!

The YFG turns 15 next Wednesday - how did that happen?!  FIFTEEN?  

Rather random assortment of thoughts today - all sorts of things running through my mind at the moment, but nothing too miserable.  I continue to give thanks for everything - each morning, I am thankful for so much, and each evening, I reflect on the day and thanks soon come to mind for that day.  Eucharisteo.

Lights out, candle burning

(image from the Royal British Legion)

We have lit our candle in our front window tonight, and we sit here in the dark.

Although we are remembering the outbreak of the Great War of 1914, I can't help but think and pray for all those people involved in and affected by wars all over the world today - these wars go on and on.  "When will they ever learn?" [Peter Seeger] indeed.

My pirates are home!

Yes, they are back and making themselves at home already, with a friend here overnight for a sleepover, and they have had fajitas and are playing Harry Potter Cluedo around the dining table - I am shortly off to bed with my book and leaving them to it!

It has been a good week for quiet reflection and getting some things done, but I didn't get as much done as I had thought I might, but some time "off" has been a good thing for me, I think.  Having said that, I am so glad to have them home now - it was getting just a little bit too quiet!

They have taken some lovely photos and I hope to share a few of them with you over the weekend.  Chapel in the morning and then we are setting the gym up for the week's holiday club tomorrow afternoon.

Ups and downs in a big way......

Ups: the girls are on their way home :)

Downs: just when they are coming home laden with washing, the machine has just this morning conked out on me.......

Remembering

(image from islandmeadow.co.uk)

There is a commemorative event at the Royal British Legion tonight, and UJ is coming over so that we can go together.  I have had a quick look at a programme this morning, and there will be readings, sketches, songs, prayers, and a Drum head service, as well as an act of remembrance, reading out the names of all local lads who were killed.  It will last just over 90 minutes, and I think it will be well worth attending.

Editing to add that we have had a lovely evening - some local singers, lots of war poetry, rolls of honour read out and remembered, the village band playing their hearts out, and some great company.