Happy Birthday Dad....

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'Thinking of you on your birthday dad, we talk of you still. We haven't forgotten you, and we never will'.

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Hello from the Hovel on a chilly December day. A special day for me because it is my dad's birthday on the 5th of December. He would have been 87 if he had lived. I wish you were here dad so I could give you a hug but I send you one with lots of love......

My dad when young...

Sadly I cannot visit my dad's grave as he is buried over 3oo miles away but he is in my heart....

Flowers still blooming on the last day of November.........

What a busy few weeks I have had, especially last week. I had my son and my three grandees staying with me due to a family crisis and after ten days they returned to their home on Saturday...phew!!!! It is now quite and tidy since their return..lol..but I got to see them again today however....
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But what a week we had last week...The worst day would have to be Wednesday, especially for my two oldest grandees. The morning began very early and was hectic to say the least. My son and the little one had a hospital appointment and I was left in charge of Korenza and Dylan. The mission was to get these two little ones to their nursery in the next town... easier said than done.... Not being a driver myself public transport was the order of the day. So finally after much ado we arrived at the train station only to discover the train had been cancelled....and the next one also. No problem, contact the helpline....wrong!!! After 6 calls to the Unhelpfull helpline and with no satisfaction we were still stood on a very cold and windy station....

'Ok Nana, we're getting bored now'

Only one thing to do, phone hubby (he works for a taxi company some 5 miles away in St. Ives). Bless him, he sent a taxi for me. Only problem was it was a car and I had a double-buggy and could we collapse it....no!!

'Nana, I want to get out'


So off went the taxi...thankfully I had brought lunch with me so the grandees had 'meals on wheels'..lol..

'Ok, time to torment my brother'...

By this time you can imagine, after over an hour of waiting, my patience was wearing a bit thin. There are only so many songs you can sing to entertain the grandees....But my hubby didn't give up and sent a mini-bus, was I pleased to see that...You may ask why I didn't just go home, I nearly did, but I wanted the children to have some normality in their lives after the weeks they have had....plus I'm stubborn..lol.....

Bless them, within minutes they were asleep....No Korenza's hair didn't turn blue despite the cold weather..lol..goodness knows what it is!!!

Well, we all arrived safe at their nursery, Flying Start, in Camborne. Thanks to the excellent staff there who were understanding about our late arrival. And a special thanks to Mark of Acecars for getting us there and my hubby for arranging it...and that was Wednesday but on Friday I went to Truro....

A small stream running under the road I was walking up....or should I say hill..

My destination at the top of the road!!!

Finally arrived....

No, I'm not in trouble, my son was attending the Family Court and I joined him there for support. Good ending for the time being.....

'Oh no, I've now got to walk down the road'..lol..

Mind you, the view from the rear of the Court is good, this is Truro Cathedral

Some flowers seen in Truro late November

But not all the days were as busy. I did get to spend some quality time with my grandees...

What a smile from my youngest grandson Blake....

A visit to the park on a cold and wet day....the grandees loved it

As day turns to night....near where my son lives...


Hopefully the next few weeks will be uneventfull, I have not even started getting ready for Christmas yet....ha well. Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

Happy Thanksgiving To My Friends Across The Pond

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Just a quick hello to my friends across the Pond to wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving....

Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

A Cup of Tea in the Rain...

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Thanks for dropping in at the Hovel. The days are certainly wet and colder here in Cornwall, which is to be expected with winter just around the corner....

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Well, I have had a busy few weeks, especially when I was preparing to have a hand operation. Yep, back for another op. I've never been to a hospital so much as I have in the last two years, if not for me then for a member of my family. I joke I should have a room named after me..lol..

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I was only in for the day thankfully and fortunately they were able to do it this time. I was booked in to have my hand operated on in October but I had a cold so they sent me home. Luckily I only live ten minutes walk from the hospital, St. Michaels in Hayle, a lovely hospital with brilliant staff.

The reason for the op was that I had a trigger finger and a large splinter embedded in my thumb, thankfully both on the right hand...Yep it hurt when the local wore off and I also had a general anesthestic. You can imagine the fun I had with being right-handed!!!! Hubby was a gem though, especially the first few days when I had to wear a sling...

Cumbersome thing!!!!

The guilty hand


Thankfully it is on the mend but I am still limitted with certain actions, carrying bags, etc. But it doesn't stop me having a drink of tea or coffee, as can be seen below....

Yes, you guessed correctly, it is outside in the rain!!! But I was sat under a umbrella..lol.. I was in Camborne waiting for my son who was attending a family meeting. Yep, he is a single-parent again but with three children this time. It's been a difficult time as you can imagine but he is coping brilliantly....

At least I had some greenery to look at while waiting...


It will be sometime before I sit outside drinking tea again however...

Talking about cafes brings to mind another favourite one of mine. I have mentioned Johnny's Cafe in Hayle before but did not show any photos, so I will now....

Johnny's Cafe across from Hayle Harbour on a warmer day..

A place to relax and have a coffee and cake...Yes that is sunlight you can see!

Discovered during renovations so the owner decided to leave it like this, I'm glad she did..

Old school desk. I feel old, I had one very similar when I was a school!!

Nice rusty radiator


The cafe was originally a house and next door was a organic shop owned by the same person. The owner decided to knock through downstairs and open a cafe. As she did she discovered some interesting features and left them as they were. All furnishings are mis-matched and work well together. I would love to live somewhere similar...hang on I do, it's called the Hovel..lol..Seriously, if you like rustic you will love this place....

Another gem revealed, hidden behind years of paper and plaster..

To the Ladies we go..

On a wall inside the Ladies, an appropriate saying..lol..

Great baby-changing area..

Now I'd like to take you outside to show you where I usually sit with a hot drink or snack....

I may sit here so I can look towards the beach in the distance..

Or I may sit here so I can glance across towards the harbour to see the boats waiting for the tide to come in...

Interesting seating but I've never sat here

I love this table..

Well, unless it remains dry I will not be having tea and cakes outside for a while. Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

Remembering Why We Wear A Poppy

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Welcome to the Hovel on this day of Remembrance. A day where this year we remember the fallen at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011...This is why we wear the red poppy to remember those who sacrificed their lives so we could live in freedom then and now....

'With Best Love from Jack'

The War Memorial in Hayle, Cornwall
Showing the names of the men of Hayle who died in WW1 & WW11

Until we meet again I'll pray for you,

Until the clouds depart, and the skies are blue;

Dark tho' the night may be, love's star will reign,

God keep you true to me, untill we meet again.

GOOD-BYE, DOLLY GRAY

I have come to say good-bye, Dolly Gray

Good-bye Dolly, I must leave you though it breaks my heart to go

Hear the rolling of the drums Dolly Gray

Have you heard the way he died Dolly Gray


Let us also take the time to remember all the animals that took part in war


Animals in War Monument, Brook Gate, Park Lane, London
(Curtsy of www.animalsinwar.org.co.uk)


Eight million horses, mules and donkeys died in WW1 and many mules served in WW11. Hundreds of dogs and 300,000 pigeons served Britain in both world wars. Many other animals also served in these wars including camels, oxen, cats, etc....
They did not know why they were there but served with loyalty and dedication with the men and women fighting for their country's freedom...
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It is with gratitude and respect that I am thankful that they did for without them I would not have been blessed with the family I have. Thank you for allowing my child and his children to live in freedom today...

My darling grandson Dylan, that smile says it all...

My adorable grandaughter Korenza. Although a sad look I think it's a beautiful image..

Enchanting

I love the expression on Dylan's face..

Korenza with her daddy, my son Christopher....The things you do for your kids. Korenza insisted that her daddy wear this all the way home from nursery. And he did..lol..


Until next time, take care. Hugs Chrissy xx

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With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

~ Laurence Binyon ~

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