Remembering my Father Today...

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''To Live in the Hearts we Leave Behind is not to Die''

~ Thomas Campbell ~

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Hello from the Hovel....I post today to remember my father who died thirty years ago on August 22nd 1981. It only seems like yesterday and not a day goes by that I do not think about him. I still talk about him and ask his advice. I had a strong bond with my dad and felt cheated that he died when I was only in my twenties. He was only 56, my age now....

My parents taken about 1960...I'm the cute kid in the middle...lol..

My mum and dad with my older sister 1953


''Photographs are Precious Memories.....

The Visual Evidence of Place and Time and Relationships...

Ritual Talismans for the Treasure Chest of the Heart''

~ Robert Fulghum ~

My dad is on the left wearing the striped tie....less than twenty years old. Yes he did like a drink..


But my father would not like me to be sad and I am not. I am honoured to have had him for a dad. He's always there, just not seen.....

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I had hoped to post last week but have been very busy so I would like to wish a belated memorial birthday to Patrick Swayzee who would have been 59 on August 18... a beautiful, talented man taken too soon. Of the many films he performed in the most memorable ones for me are Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Yes, I know swooning isn't the word for it..lol..


There can only be one Patrick Swayzee...


But my all time favourite is North and South.....


Classic series...


Any style or colour of hair works for me...


In Memory of Patrick Swayzee...


Sorry it's been a bit of doom and gloom post but life can be like that. Not only was it a day to remember my dad I also visited my son and grandees. Now that is joyful and a reminded that my dad lives on in his grandson and gt. grandchildren....Love you dad x

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Talking of films I have just watched 'Wuthering Heights', the B&W version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, the best one in my books. I have a passionate interest in anything Bronte related. What prompted me to watch this was after a conversation with another Bronte fan...

You can't beat a good old black & white film, there's something magical about them. But the next one to watch is North and South, mentioning it here as tempted me. So if you don't hear from me for a while it's because I've time-travelled back to the 1860's..lol..Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy x

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''Greive not, nor speak of me with tears but laugh and talk of me
as if I were besides you there''
~ Isla Paschal Ricahrdson ~

Sad Times For Britain But Cornwall is Still Beautiful

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Hello from Cornwall, sorry I have been quite of late. The intention to blog has been there but life has a habit of getting in the way. There have been many reasons why I have not posted as regularly as I would have liked but those reasons pale in comparison to what has occured in my country this last week. Shocked, appalled, angry and disgusted with some of my countrymen is putting it mildly. The enormity of the scale of destruction was hard to comprehend. What began in London spread with such speed throughout the country and resulted in what can only be described as a War Zone. My heart went out to those innocent people who had to stand back in horror as they watched their world crash about them. Lives have been lost, people beaten up and robbed, homes, business and belongings destroyed. And all because man's greed and uncontrollable violence took over this land. Sadly our Green and Pleasant Land became Dark and Ugly.......

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One such event symbolizes the extent of the destruction. A building which housed a family business for nearly 150years no longer stands. This building which had survived two world wars and whose business had survived the 1930's Great Depression was destroyed in a matter of hours by one man who chose to set fire to it. Thankfully this man has been caught and charged. But for the Reeves family nothing will compensate for their lost....

House of Reeves 1890 (curtsey of their website)

The House of Reeves Furniture Store was founded in 1867 by Edwin Reeves, a barrel maker from Sherbone in Dorset. It was one of the oldest landmarks of Croydon. So much was it a part of this town that the corner on which the shop stood was called Reeves Corner....



(Curtsey of the House of Reeves Website)


And there it proudly stood for nearly 150 years until the day a man decided to burn it down....

(Curtsey of BBC News London)

This once Proud Building is no more (Curtsey of BBC News London)

I would like to say how proud I am of the Public Services who were outstanding, Thank You.

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Sadly the knock-on effects of this weeks events will continue for years. We are already in a economical and enviromental mess, this just might be one of the last nails in the coffin for Britain.

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Now for something cheerful because life does go on......My family are doing well dispite my son having had his car stolen and set fire to (no this wasn't the riots it was some weeks ago!!). It was a shock and I was very angry because the car obviously belonged to someone with children. But I will not rant here.....

Christopher and his partner Dee with Dylan, Blake and Korenza July 3 2011

Blake is growing well as are all of my grandies. But not content with having three young children Christopher and Dee decided to rescue two small dogs, Maggie and JD. What Maggie failed to woof in their ears was that she was with pup.....six to be precise...

The Pups are now 4 weeks old and Maggie is a brilliant mother



You would think that would be enough, they thought so too but add one ex- stepmother of Dee's to the pot and what you get is a much larger dog coming for the weekend and being abandoned.....hence Menace the Rottweiler is now part of their family..



He is a soft sweetheart

JD the Proud Daddy


So I am now the proud grandmother of nine furry canine..lol..

Beautiful Summer Scene


This beautiful photograph of my local beach was taken by Lucy, my niece's friend. Yes, my niece Beth and Lucy came from Eastbourne to spend a few days with me. They are both 16 and just left school and wanted a break before starting college in September. It was great having them and we had some fun days out. One of the places I took them too was Hell's Mouth. Although much smaller Hell's Mouth has the same reputation as Beachy Head at Eastbourne....unfortunately a place known for suicides....

Beth on the left with Lucy

A Part of Hell's Mouth, the drop is steeper than it looks here

Beth too Close to the Edge for my Comfort!!!

Beautiful but Deadly at Times

Can you see the nose at the top of the cliff!!

Cornwall at it's best

Rugged Cliff Side

Hell's Mouth Cafe where we had an ice-cream

Beautiful Wild Heather

I forget the name of these flowers, can anyone enlighten me?

Is it a Butterfly or a Moth?

Our next port of call was the Baptistry and Holy Well at Madron, near Penzance.....

Trees on the way

Clouties tied to a tree near Madron Well

Beth and Lucy


Here the walk ends I'm afraid. I will be continuing this trek shortly on my other blog Away With The Faerys. I think I've rambled on here long enough..lol..

One of the three dogs that came to say hello.

There is a story attached to this dog which I will tell you about in my next posting....Until next time take care..Hugs Chrissy x

Happy 4th July

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A quick hello from the Hovel. I cannot believe it is two months since I posted here, how quickly time goes by. Been very busy and had a bout of illness but today I wanted to say Happy 4th July to my friends across the pond, hope you've had a super day....

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

Belated Happy Mothering Sunday

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Hello again, forgot to wish my friends in the US a Happy Mothering Sunday. Hope you all had a good relaxing day.....

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


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Mother

When You're a Child She Walks Before You,

To Set An Example

When You're a Teenage She Walks Behind You,

To Be there if You Should Need Her

When You're an Adult She Walks Beside You,

So That as Two Friends You Can Enjoy Life Together

~Author Unknown~

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Celebrating VE Day

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Phew!! didn't think I was going to make a posting today for VE day. Excuse the pun but I was listing for England. Ebay had a free listing weekend so had to make the most of it....Yes I know some time ago I commented that I was not happy with Ebay's policies and stopped selling on there but needs must. I'm am sorting out so much to make more space so thought I would.....

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But back to the reason for me dropping in today...VE Day, Victory in Europe. May 8th 1945 was the day when WW11 Allied Forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces in Nazi Germany.....and I am glad they did because I may not have been here to talk to you today. Who knows what may have happened? Although my maternal gt. gt. grandfather was German I do not know from where. All I know was that he was a travelling musician. My other maternal ancesters were gypsies and my father was Irish. So a mixed bag of ancestors for me..lol..

Winston Churchill Waves to the Crowds in Whitehall on the Day he Declared that the War with Germany had Been Won...




Celebrations in Picadily Square May 8 1945. Photo taken by Sgt. James A Spence During his Service in WW11



Well, off to make a well-deserved coffee.
Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

May is a Month For Celebrations, Joy & Sadness

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Hello from The Hovel and what a wet month of May we are having at present. So different from the May of 1984 when we had weeks of hot, sunny weather. Why should I remember the weather of 27 years ago you may ask? Well, it was on May 4 1984 that I gave birth to my son Christopher. I know I'm a day late and should have mentioned it yesterday but I was babysitting for my son & his partner so they could have a few hours break...lol.. It's hard to believe that the toddler you see below is now a father of three...Belated Happy Birthday son...

Christopher, so cute





I was a 50's baby


But today is the birthday of a special member of my family who sadly is not with us. My darling nephew Josh would have been 19 today if he had lived but alas he only stayed 56 minutes to say hello. Happy Heavenly Birthday Sweetheart, always here just not seen....

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The Chinese believe that the butterfly is the spirit of a loved one that has passed and that it is smybolic of rebirth after death. I like this idea and the butterfly below is not only for my nephew but for my dear friend Alma who we said goodbye to 2 years ago tomorrow....






The begining of May is also a happy time for me although busy with sending cards. The 3rd of May was my friend Hannah's third wedding anniversary and a dear friend's 27th birthday. Yes, Lee and Christopher were born a day apart and have been good friends since they were born. His mother and I worked together and are friends to this day, seeing each other at least once a year. Would love to spend more time with my dear friends but 345 miles is a long way to go..lol..




Claude Choules 1901-2011 (photo curtisey of wikipedia)


Today also marks the passing of the last first world war veteran in the world, Claude Choules. He was also the last living veteran to have served in both world wars and the last seaman from world war 1. Claude died in Perth, Western Australia aged 110. His death marks the end of a generation of men and women who lived and died during WW1. I salute you and God Bless....

Lets hope the sun shines soon. Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

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At the Going down of the Sun and in The Morning

We Will Remember Them

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A Royal Wedding and Some More

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Welcome to The Hovel on this special day. A day where the whole world witnessed the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I wish this lovely couple every happiness in their life together. It was a refreshing change to see a royal marriage so relaxed and if not for the coverage the couple were like any other. Kate is a breath of fresh air in the Royal circle with Princess Diana paving the way before her for a more relaxed attitude....Congratulations William and Kate...

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The photographs below of William and Kate are curtsey of www.celebuzz.com











The Balcony Kiss


The First Balcony Kiss, Prince William's Parents 1981


A More Formal Affair on the Balcony. The newly married couple the Duke & Duchess of York 1923



A Royal wedding would not be a wedding without the traditional Balcony scene. It seems that Elizabeth and George were the first newly-wed Royals to go on the balcony to greet the public. The first recorded account of a royal member greeting the public from here took place in 1851 when Queen Victoria stepped onto it during celebrations for The Great Exhibition....

Prince George, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married 26 April 1923 at Westminster Abbey

Princess Mary (daughter of King George V & Queen Mary) and Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood married 28 February 1922 at Westminster Abbey

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip married 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey

Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones married 6 May 1960 at Westminster Abbey

Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips married 14 November 1973 at Westminster Abbey

Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer married 29 July 1981 at St. Pauls' Cathedral

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson married 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones married 19 June 1999 at St. Georges' Chapel, Winsor Castle



Today's marriage brought together people and nations from all around the world and for a day we were all united. I got quite emotional when I saw so many Union Jack flags flying and it made me feel very proud to be British...

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I do not wish to mar this joyous occassion but I would like to send my prayers and thoughts to the people of the US who have suffered from the devastating tornado, God Bless...

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


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A Wedding is a Fusion of Two Souls,

Two Hearts, Two Loves, Two Minds, Two Goals

Forever Into One

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