Some good news though, we exchanged and completed on the sale of Mobile Home land. This has been a thorn in our side for a couple of years now. We (together with neighbours) were forced into buying the land and mobile at an exorbitant amount, the alternative was to be faced with a gypsy encampment and wholesale flouting of planning regulations. We managed to sell a small building plot, (replacing the existing mobile home), allowing us to recoup some of the money. We have come out of this a lot poorer, but at least without a mass of caravans etc next to us. So at least, with luck, all our house prices have not been depressed.
Category Archives: home
In Praise of cats
Simba joined our family as a 6-month old via vet brother-in-law Peter and came all the way from Cornwall. She was always one to climb, thieve food, scrabble furniture & carpets and generally misbehave. She was also an outrageous tart around any male visitor whether human or canine. Her great claim to fame was washing father-in-law’s border collie’s face for him (obviously she had thought it dirty), which totally ruined the dog’s street cred. In her pre-mother days, she managed to knock over a bottle of whisky and we found her absolutely blotto in her basket. I rather fancy she’d washed her paws clean after walking through the spillage, there were certainly sticky footprints everywhere.
Selina and I chose Simba’s mate at a local breeder. We thought him very handsome with a wonderful nature, but Simba thought otherwise and managed to rip his ear on her second conjugal visit to him. But, even so, we all saw Rizzi being born in March 1989. We were delighted when we saw Rizzi had pink pads because that meant she had her Sorrel Abyssinian father’s colouring.
Rizzi’s full name was Adkrish Apricot Rizzini, but she was always known as Rizzi. She was that gorgeous sorrel colour of her father but some ignorant humans thought she was an odd coloured, ginger moggy and therefore male! For some reason, Rizzi was never as friendly as her mum and rather inclined to hiss and spit. She became very much a one-person (Rosemary) cat after Simba’s death. Like most cats, she could disappear at the drop of a hat and once did so to such an amazing effect that Rosemary was summoned and had to drive home 50 odd miles from work to help look for her. She eventually materialized and you could have sworn she was saying she thought she’d better hide while all the shouting, calling and crying was going on. Like her mum, she could never understand the human idea of bringing flowers and plants indoors, other than as something to play with and chew, although cacti presented more of a challenge, but did not defeat her. And for an indoor cat, she had a shocking kill-record of birds, mice and sundry insects. She was an excellent companion when Steve was away during the week and upheld her end of the conversation usually better than he would have done.
Simba was put to sleep in March 2003 and Rizzi in July 2006. Rosemary was privileged to be with both cats at the very end.
In Praise of Cats
Simba joined our family as a 6-month old via vet brother-in-law Peter and came all the way from Cornwall. She was always one to climb, thieve food, scrabble furniture & carpets and generally misbehave. She was also an outrageous tart around any male visitor whether human or canine. Her great claim to fame was washing father-in-law’s border collie’s face for him (obviously she had thought it dirty), which totally ruined the dog’s street cred. In her pre-mother days, she managed to knock over a bottle of whisky and we found her absolutely blotto in her basket. I rather fancy she’d washed her paws clean after walking through the spillage, there were certainly sticky footprints everywhere.
Selina and I chose Simba’s mate at a local breeder. We thought him very handsome with a wonderful nature, but Simba thought otherwise and managed to rip his ear on her second conjugal visit to him. But, even so, we all saw Rizzi being born in March 1989. We were delighted when we saw Rizzi had pink pads because that meant she had her Sorrel Abyssinian father’s colouring.
Rizzi’s full name was Adkrish Apricot Rizzini, but she was always known as Rizzi. She was that gorgeous sorrel colour of her father but some ignorant humans thought she was an odd coloured, ginger moggy and therefore male! For some reason, Rizzi was never as friendly as her mum and rather inclined to hiss and spit. She became very much a one-person (Rosemary) cat after Simba’s death. Like most cats, she could disappear at the drop of a hat and once did so to such an amazing effect that Rosemary was summoned and had to drive home 50 odd miles from work to help look for her. She eventually materialized and you could have sworn she was saying she thought she’d better hide while all the shouting, calling and crying was going on. Like her mum, she could never understand the human idea of bringing flowers and plants indoors, other than as something to play with and chew, although cacti presented more of a challenge, but did not defeat her. And for an indoor cat, she had a shocking kill-record of birds, mice and sundry insects. She was an excellent companion when Steve was away during the week and upheld her end of the conversation usually better than he would have done.
Simba was put to sleep in March 2003 and Rizzi in July 2006. Rosemary was privileged to be with both cats at the very end.
Wedding anniversary
Decided to visit the Plough and Anchor for lunch, one day until our wedding anniversary. Rosemary and I had an excellent lunch from the a la carte menu. Rosemary chose the Shredded Crispy Duck, and I the Steak Neapolitan. After the meal we lay around like sleeping dogs. Managed to get out and mow the paths through the fields after the rain had stopped for a while.
England are out of the world cup
The weekend was very hot and dry. Saturday reached the dizzy heights of 30 degrees, Sunday was even hotter at 33. The met office is giving out warnings about the heat, dehydration and old people.
BBQ warmed up for lunch, we had some excellent, very good local English lamb chops bought from a recommended butcher in a local village Launton
Watched the football match as we were beaten by Portugal. The behaviour of Portugal was disgusting. The whinging of Ronaldo all the time was disgusting, and the falling over and playing hurt by Portugal went beyond a joke. The ref should have yellow carded a few of them. And as for the treatment of Rooney, it was unbelievable, a red card, no, yellow maybe yes. It looked so accidental.
Think the cat was terrified at my shouting and cheering.
England out of the world cup
The weekend was very hot and dry. Saturday reached the dizzy heights of 30 degrees, Sunday was even hotter at 33. The met office is giving out warnings about the heat, dehydration and old people.
BBQ warmed up for lunch, we had some excellent, very good local English lamb chops bought from a recommended butcher in a local village Launton
Watched the football match as we were beaten by Portugal. The behaviour of Portugal was disgusting. The whinging of Ronaldo all the time was disgusting, and the falling over and playing hurt by Portugal went beyond a joke. The ref should have yellow carded a few of them. And as for the treatment of Rooney, it was unbelievable, a red card, no, yellow maybe yes. It looked so accidental.
Think the cat was terrified at my shouting and cheering.
Wotton Underwood Open Day
Today we went to the Wotton Underwood open day. Did not visit the house, we had seen that two years ago. Instead we rode on the 15 inch railway, taking a ride on on the Steam Powered Train. The track takes you a mile or so through the contryside.
After the ride, we went for a long walk around the lake. We saw masses of dragon flies, and fish jumping out catching the low flying dragon flies. The estate is doing a massive amount of tree planting. It is very beatiful, quiet and restful around there.
Vintage Cars
Visited Waddesdon Manor, where there was a vintage car day. Over 90 of these cars turned up and parked in front of the Manor. Picnicked on the lawn in front of the house, and snoozed in the warm sun. Suitably refreshed went home to start the lawn mowing.
Cambridge benefactors luncheon
17th June 2006
Made our way over to Cambridge for the buffet lunch given to Gonville and Caius donators. Met up with Richard & Andrea. Pictures to arrive shortly. Saw the new Master of Caius Sir Christopher Hum MA, KCMG. Master from January 2006. Previously had a career in HM Diplomatic Service,culminating in postings as British Ambassador to Poland (1996-1998) and to China (2002-2005). Continues to follow the politics, economics and international relations of contemporary China.
Selina and Graham arrived after supper to give me my father’s day present. Thank you very much Selina and Graham. I have very few Who CDs, like none, and I really must get some more.
Kingswood Chapel
Group of us from the village attacked the near derelict chapel, cutting the grass, cutting down the scrub, which was growing up. We must really find some thing, which can be done to the chapel before it falls down.