tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515778312995789802024-03-18T07:04:34.362+00:00Vintage VickiVintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.comBlogger566125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-40137383997308124362018-08-28T20:08:00.003+01:002018-08-28T20:08:38.787+01:00FolkEast 2018 - Happy Anniversary to us!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Though we've been back from FolkEast for over a week now, this is the first time I've had chance to sit down and blog!! This not working for 6 weeks is great but I am filling my time up fast!!</div>
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Anyhow back to the festival - now in its 7th year - the 6th on the Glemham Hall estate, this festival is probably our favourite for many reasons. S spent 5 days before the festival crewing and helping to build the site. It meant long days for him but it sounded great fun - where else can you drive around in a golf buggy with a giant rubber duck strapped to the roof?</div>
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By the time I went over with him on the Thursday morning the site was pretty much ready - a few last minute jobs needed doing - and once our camp was built, I went out in the torrential rain to help him.</div>
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We've camped in many things over the years - a borrowed tent, our late but much loved caravan and now this year we have a new toy - our bell tent - all 4m of brightly coloured canvas. We love it - it easy to pitch up, plenty of space for the 2 of us and oh so much more cozy than the nylon tents we've both camped in before.</div>
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Plenty of room for the two of us and all our stuff - we don't travel light these days!!</div>
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Our little camp - I love cooking outside - even if its just a simple breakfast of bacon butties and proper coffee.</div>
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This year the festival has added entertainment on the Thursday for those of us who were camping the whole weekend - a ceilidh with an amazing band called Stumpy Oak (who did our wedding ceilidh last year) and also music in the Moot Hall tent compared and collated by Mat Bayfield who is a bit of a local folkie legend in his own life time. Very proud to call him a friend - he is a man who has over come some pretty tough hurdles in his own life and is so full of positive energy & love.</div>
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Mat is the one next to the double bass on the right hand side. His gig was well attended and hopefully this means the festival will repeat both this and a ceilidh as a Thursday night offering every year.</div>
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The Friday morning dawned bright and sunny. Our first wedding anniversary - that year has whizzed by. We made coffee and exchanged pressies and opened cards. S had put together an album of photos from our first married year - he'd listened when I said I regret not printing photos out anymore instead they just get stored online or shared in Facebook albums. He'd been very sneaky and raided my google photos and printed out some for each of the past 12 months. Leaving me space to keep adding each month in the future.</div>
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I'd asked one of my talented sisters to paint one of our wedding photos for him;</div>
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For the first time we weren't dancing at the festival - we've hung up our sticks and boots for the year as we've needed to concentrate on other stuff this year - we might go back when the new practise season starts in the autumn. This meant we had time to explore the festival and all that it offers - many workshops, stalls, an amazing art arcade with many, many talented crafts men and women, 5 bars - from a tiny pub with one ale to a full sized one with a big range of beers & ciders all for just £3 a pint. This is as well as a full music line-up and several dance workshops and ceilidhs each day. Oh and a knitting/crochet tent run by the talented Social Knitworks ladies.</div>
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Two of my sisters had created big pieces for this tent - one a knitted deckchair;</div>
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and another a traditional seaside peep board (the knitworks tent had a seaside theme this year);</div>
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The Friday night headliners were Oysterband a favourite of S's who he introduced me to when we first met - in fact one of our first dates was to one of their gigs. They were as ever amazing and we bopped and sung along with a group of friends.</div>
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After they'd finished we went over to another venue to see the festival patrons The Young'uns - great fun and perfect harmonies. These 'lads' use real stories to create wonderful songs which are easy to sing along too.</div>
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Afterwards we called into the ImaGINe Gin Bar for anniversary cocktails!!</div>
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I love this picture that a friend took of us earlier in the day - its us to a tee!</div>
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Two happy hippies in their favourite field!!</div>
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Saturday was another sunny morning - more bacon & coffee required. We knew we were in for a busy day - my littlest sister, her husband and two little boys were coming for the day. We met them in the children's area - we nearly didn't leave!! It had so many fun things and the two boys and their Uncle were having lots of fun!!</div>
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Only the promise of dancing and food persuaded the boys away!!</div>
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A lunchtime family ceilidh with Stumpy Oak was the attraction - the tent was packed with adults and small children - our older nephew was in his element - dancing with me, S, our niece who was also there, his mum and S's Mum too!!</div>
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We went our separate ways for a while - the boys wanted pizza and we wanted to watch a pottery throw down - the 3 contestants, John (one of the festival organisers), John Spiers (melodeon player - exBellowhead) and a Viking!!</div>
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It was great fun - especially as the Viking is part of a trio of street entertainers who appear randomly at the festival all weekend - they have a love of Abba and The Bee Gees!!</div>
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Time afterwards for some silly jumping on Uncle S games followed by more time in the children's area!</div>
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We spent the Saturday evening in the woods - listening to smaller bands. The area is powered by a solar double decker bus and it is gorgeous. Lots of emphasis on eco friendly and recycling. In fact the whole festival encourages this too. This sculpture of the festival totem animal - A Jackalope - was created from plastic bottles - it highlighted just how much plastic families use that just gets thrown away.</div>
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The woods area was just gorgeous at night - lots of fairy and laser lights which people old and younger were just entranced by;</div>
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Sunday seemed to pass so quickly, we spent time in the Art Arcade and bought some lovely things for us and the house. All handmade and very much one off creations. I love my new dress upcycled from a vintage tablecloth!!</div>
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All too soon it was bedtime again - the weekend was almost over :(</div>
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Time for one last campsite breakfast before tidying up and packing the car;</div>
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That coffee pot and mugs have got about a bit this summer - they are packed again for another adventure later this week!!</div>
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Car packed, it was time to say goodbye to FolkEast for another 12 months. By now even our flattened patch of grass will have cattle grazing on it again and the whole site packed away as if nothing had happened.</div>
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FolkEast is certainly a festival I would recommend to everyone - its relatively small, a friendly crowd of people, with things for everyone to enjoy. The food stalls are good and prices reasonable and of course who can say no to beer at £3 a pint. Early bird tickets for 2019 are already on sale and selling well.</div>
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We shall be there either as punters or dancers but we will be there. Celebrating the weird and wonderful in a field in EastFolk!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-74846289538803968622018-08-17T19:15:00.000+01:002018-08-17T19:15:09.070+01:00One year of utter craziness & happiness<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi :)</div>
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If I have done this right, this post should appear on Friday 17th August 2018 - one year after I married the most amazing man. We will be back in a field at the festival which we had most of our wedding at - we married in the gardens of the Hall next door.</div>
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I met S only a few months after I'd split with my ex. We hit it off straight away and and he soon was my morris dancing partner of choice. He was silly and made me smile. For many months we were just friends though the others in the side were already thinking it might be more.</div>
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It nearly wasn't - a proper date was arrange for the autumn - on a cold and wet Saturday - and we'd planned to head to Southwold!! Both of us were under the weather - he'd hurt his back and I was coming down with a chest infection!! Anyhow it wasn't a complete disaster and we still kept messaging. Another more successful few dates happened and it seemed to work. </div>
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Fast forward to June 2016 and at the Medieval Fayre in Colchester Castle Park, S suggested a walk by the river and then handed me over a parcel. Inside was a box he'd decorated and inside that was a proposal and ring! I didn't see it easily as my eyes had clouded up with tears of joy.</div>
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<img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wDqzD11hIUf1I6wEzuXpOEXEsIfOYxncTIgd1q6Yh0lO7s3jwed-tyYZUMRhwA0AXyDKGXdCeVDXyjgLQNB0w6k9K07usAEGEsjBKfy93bXkyaGOg9g4-cP8KqP9gGiGu2tmGtYvEDJa2vG0F9obwTZjBYgHz1yO8IfN-L-uK0hNoQO5gBsQ1wGAJAQgXQP9YwMbXoNnbrSu9aRclLI-uBqtZdgyQgklJ2OxypEJWtgd42o0qUjHEOCIbeOxsNM76BgtyConZhq2XYltQfi9QPv_IWPVuB-Ax9Nw0tKZctyDtNl3BT4ovmTmKNhpVexz_7SSr-XOUIMP31yp6OqeI9bqUj8mNRNNZpmg30pV1jaDtB7BT0N6x2Vy54fGSJYFfQcEGOaw2OGHwuHsy-HqloW1hMH4hAAIbVhyYST3bDxkqJ60l4PZs84t3thpveOzfcFTn-as0uNlI0-qPexQKIqQ1Tz8zwBOZO7yG_7G_LPT961aqyom7D3M1yvrxu26epSGuv471SZ2QpfowYLxMxlnc0xN8GzI1l-A1zja5tFXk-Pvc2Af_UWOeb3Pk-qyFCacp3mMFaGhTLJJvY6tSXb4N47LEKo75wBiFH4=s619-no" width="640" /></div>
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Once I'd calmed down and said yes - we called both boys. Both were thrilled and very happy for us.<br />
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Fast forward through a year of planning and it was our wedding day. In the rose garden at Glemham Hall with a ceilidh reception on the FolkEast festival site. You really didn't think we'd be in traditional stuff did you ??<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mr19bvPmL-O0A03e1xtpOyxc1VTuTKc6RuQqEPo4oHrbsSu60xkQU0zsZobeqUDettkyFh8rIAwAR08Blh4RTtMwxjoQ2Q-0OLQyxmXjtgHtru9i_AUPkQcYyNCh-9QKbFXii_7v6Yub1O3pGo7aWo0cIQSXsEVSokGYiyd7evpnqSz-Tuw3Pakdw4S5vno1YvhvZ0obSPfhxJm0_MyicolrqSRLISeKvkpVN5atCMqo6CFUpycN7iwR93E6IbWiQ9uH-omc8lunNfJAhG9s1ZBcR1UqoF9fm40EMY1o6mbBpxfRRziuK-AMuMiNKPxhDmLlmDiIzz6k807set9kPwhh5G3UkaMqvdqFx5QdkkXFOYKO8Cak2qYRWALD0flXgFqRecPli6i_gFmYBc049on7_IKkah1GBhd4RZNpWJBWSrWaxV1NixJCc85N4i-WWZifPap6z_nOjugNYkX7zbWUmiFHQCGAxe11IstxFuTcSFAjARSn6Xy4fczk2XI4HZvuE101zRxV_mX2712v8rmtMq8ZxXIizXICHxN31W71gEdC7KEs4eEv-OYWKuJrRayA78F88pxtoZfH9EmDcL9KEE_bmL7mfOpIWRc=s619-no" width="640" /><br />
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After all the nerves it was a perfect day - I was walked down the aisle by both boys and they handed me over to S with the words - 'she's all yours'!!<br />
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Here's us with the giants;<br />
<img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WojdFiiqOrBVJ4doHSxISXM2b7o2RF4LC6CxCCuC15tiOt-Cn-Ojd4yFQn-nQ3hZ0zX3YXDWsBK0ub-nHr6UEro6aClEODZ4-qwnZ7kcxCn52szcn9UIOAVTCtFJoa-dulrA1AcBu7hjbv0wpnnCUdU9GH9KqxFb8wc8GHpmL_4_Nns8_Zy3l7mqhWN-zbVX8g2xjgtWAcF6e8bpMKZ4mFiuZKJ8Tt9B_ECw7bUG6UvBrLF7mR3PPTrT1ahcv-LE-ezJ-GSTxBxwPwgupZP7BUTlnyQVDt-_ksEtwIu5SLHxi82IsP5LwGe_E0rl1rS4Q_nXne5bXsy3X71m8woWqe-N5O00ZuwX7_k4_9KNJpYt4YSRIwgXn4r9PeQfOB_nT0Tqsk0acGG3qrKsqilrEfpqAwS2PlkEXoJ6tLsJexjJefAQv7jvXjv53VIRh0c1uhhvOuw_3ZKlm3yOI-TSYE5z4oS_4tPxRl8pOtjlpVHwzDsjPWaN8-kj_J5xrC_f32tqnqupPlBDDdercI8UPmbjp_yk7rB_24MV5nKYxkTOnzqg4RPeh9pM_kMXVHeFvOzGWufhM7hz2Q6TF_B9uG0eQPpxqb-PYjTCC0M=s619-no" width="640" /><br />
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and then midway through the ceilidh - the giants changed completely - I'd just swapped my glittery shoes for my flowery <span style="background-color: white;">Doc Mart</span><span style="background-color: white;">en b</span>oots!!<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VXGLxYOXiMA_iWFLrorP4zINkcJAaAdSdYOclqjT-Uzk1Czs-9W6Jv_g6rrjFIlVloOYiZhX3p4VJrnfdYLs1M2xijiz5u9uocVsrcqT6qAmFhZDQK2WCfdqdoGBX_hZOA9C9FCVbSYCxmurJWgPHPiiZANSA8WIPUsKnnrSpB8lQRzrbob8XNUrhRN9b8EqKUEn_WGAP6n9GLq8dhRGG56a5IQ6Lt9VxUdGBBTvRwcN5nTjEPxDwe0wvhe_2ledS76wVwQLE-28q_7O1j6uBwwddY0ms3KsvUhy6QKej61SKPFk9-h1fTctTAdl7dJroFpta-ANaT5MxGlJ7dxOmEIhX9x1j-FFFLSnNK7dOmRXXwwRdw-FmCT9YBNBgKOn9m98LF2i7iin8nGP8hiaqX37A7oO3kr_fCNnskLqsFKh5TLrP-QL_fz4BY3e7NaRWGzhOxz2GXBERDXBmUK6I-XZ-bBRxnzmvcomJWkDnpVXthOjump4b7QxQu-S7E9Q_vSN-AwiIqGjY0bTx9_xA3ZoKrwZFxzBkQkQj756Qkx3lFQt5e0DbPvlf54KO_JmRUNCrXifRMyXcjNwGMlB_hdc9o7WbMCMLJ-pBk0=s619-no" width="640" /><br />
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The boys camped the whole weekend - we had our own section of the field which was saved for family and friends. It meant everyone cooked for the boys - they never turn a meal down!!<br />
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I just need to show you one more thing - this hanging was made by friends & family and put together by a dear friend who co-ordinated the whole thing - its amazingly gorgeous and we shall treasure it forever. It was the first thing that got put up when we moved to our little house;<br />
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<img height="629" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/02r8QEemqD3DqjyaZRZgzniQ3PoudYudR7aUSXS8_biU-1vMZnrYmKJjz229S4vUFTDlmksVGfSu0PJpbV3b97nPNg0ZoMgKKWuM1smL8t7lG4ELLX9K61oq_vmKI4LeUSP3RKHK9n7V4udfhVWOyManBSVdnDwTP3NglyRVyxL2a6_f-RESF05HmphQn90gHZnPAuKjds5QMUPa57IC2-WdxwiiNunfPU4zRn1w-NphDMGsHpu7CSXVdjSLzGw9M5WCsHBJp1Hjkfh-nBsR0hfwJ9vGtTejwEkPE43Owevm_MrQ1ZmTCjkrkbnA9qjC-CQeEcq0B9tugeX_FX4-5M2DGpcGUWA5Gi2r0lUFAlYb9c0ekiOl5rjmJNTEzqTp1LS-ZLcRdLnV4_ZFKCiT8us53r3Ww8OyH-AAot5ltQaUcjVYJAAfgTiY_Au-zoCP3COwxOhcCsix_HkioK-6eW-dMsRetmU1a7nNv53C9DQHh46hXKuL6KloSNtfJSihLwO8pqw1UPxsNyu9EHIszieG9_pQoTbq-VNvYzFegFTsglk24QiJceeVrUDUmkHBpFB2m26DR2VnPgv9CSrTE-MuIlDSRsVymeSjNDo=w629-h619-no" width="640" /><br />
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Anyhow if this works - by the time you read this it will be midway through our anniversary day.<br />
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Both of us have been sneaking about sorting pressies and the festival have booked us a special treat - our fave band are headlining the main stage that night. So we shall be down the front - singing and dancing. Pretty sure there will be plenty of pictures of that weekend to follow too!!<br />
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See you soon - thanks for reading<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-27040776846956605112018-08-13T15:53:00.001+01:002018-08-13T15:53:05.935+01:00Happily still being green!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Funny how so much from my old life has seamlessly joined with my new life. I've always been a bit of a green/hippy/eco-friendly sort of a girl.</div>
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If you follow some of the labels in my sidebar you can see mention of recycling etc going back to the beginning of this blog - and before that to be honest. </div>
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As a teenager I spent many a happy afternoon at a jumble sale with my friends - buying clothes which we'd alter to suit our tastes - making jeans skinny before the invention of lycra and turning old mans shirts into trendy collarless ones.</div>
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My first home certainly contained many old and upcycled things - a book case made from wine boxes - a Christmas gift in 1969 for my ex-husband. I delivered it back to him the other week when furniture came out of storage - whilst I loved it there is no room for it here so it needed to be back with its original owner.</div>
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This house is certainly full of recycle and upcycled things - along with those collected from charity shops, car boot sales and junk shops. Both S & I can't resist a good rummage through others peoples old junk - our little town contains 11 charity shops and we often do a full tour when we have the time.</div>
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The latest upcycling project - our old wooden bed into a garden bench!!</div>
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Made from about 95% recycled wood - the old bed and some pallets - only the front posts are from new wood!</div>
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It's almost built now - and partially painted - just need summer to return so we can get it finished!</div>
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Another project this week has been getting my bike roadworthy again. It spent 18 months in an outbuilding as we had no space at the flat. S has repaired the brakes and checked it all over. I have tidied the basket up - the wicker has got caught on stuff on many occasions and it was looking a bit sorry for itself - I decided to repair rather than replace;</div>
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I need to use my bike tomorrow - most days I can get to where I want on foot but I need to drop something off a couple of miles away. Am a bit apprehensive as the roads are busy here and my cycling skills a bit rusty!!</div>
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With the house we inherited two greenhouses (one full of tomatoes) and 3 raised veg beds - 2 of which were planted!! We have ended up with a glut of tomatoes and courgettes - time for inventive cooking!!</div>
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A rummage in the freezer for some mince and hey presto - the base for a lasagne!</div>
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We also inherited some squash plants - these were really quite tiny and seemed to struggle at first - however a bit of rain and some attentive watering and boom they grew like crazy. It was only after a veg gardening book was acquired on a recent charity shop trawl we discovered they like to climb!! Fortunately when the large bamboo plant was removed our friend saved the canes - more upcycling!! These now are supporting the ever growing squashes - come the autumn I will need some new recipes I think!!</div>
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Another step to becoming a proper blogger again is taking place as I type - my little camera is being charged!! Going to try to use this as well as my phone to get photos as it does take rather lovely pics.</div>
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Right I had best go and hunt down our camping gear - we are off to FolkEast later this week - to celebrate one year of being married!!!</div>
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See you soon with plenty of festival photos!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-82367470149245479772018-08-08T10:09:00.001+01:002018-08-08T10:09:48.633+01:002 have fun in Dorset<div style="text-align: center;">
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We are not long back from a fabulous mini break in Dorset - staying in a Shepherds Hut next to a steam railway line - just how Famous Five is that!!</div>
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We booked this trip in the cold and damp early part of the year - before we'd sold the flat and when we were caravan and tent less. (Our little caravan has retired to be a children's play hut - it was no longer fully road worthy & had some furry visitors living in there over the cold long winter).</div>
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We'd looked at cottages but nothing had really appealed - had almost given up when S showed me a picture and I immediately said 'Yes'.</div>
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This took me several attempts to get!! Those steam trains don't half move fast!! Outside was gorgeous - but inside even better. A cosy bed, plenty of storage, a little stove for cooking, a fridge for keeping tonic & cider cold and even a proper flushing loo!</div>
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One worry was whether it would be too hot at night but the windows allowed through breeze and we both slept so well - possibly aided by lots of walking and some Dorset beers & ciders!!</div>
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We left home early on the first day to make the most of our 4 days. We were on the beach at Studland by 10.30! and in the sea not long after we'd set up camp. Two things to note - Vicki's do not normally do the sea nor do they wear a bikini! However the water was calm, not to deep and very inviting - also I had found a perfect 50's style bikini which covered bits I am less keen on and actually flattered my curves!!</div>
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Just lovely to feel the sand between my toes.</div>
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We spent several hours on the beach - in the sea and then having a picnic and reading. </div>
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We left early afternoon and headed to the campsite - unfortunately we chose to arrive when the campsite office was shut - so decided to head into Corfe Castle village for a wander and to get some essentials. S remembers visiting here as a small child and we went to find the pub his family used to visit - currently closed for a refurb - never mind there were plenty to choose from, we ended up at one in the shadow of Corfe Castle;</div>
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One pint of Dorset beer and one of Dorset cider - all accompanied by a one man pub singer who played a montage of popular tunes!</div>
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As we had been up since 4.30 we weren't late to bed!</div>
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Up early next day as the sun was peaking through the curtains. Time for coffee and bacon sandwiches;</div>
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We had planned to spent most of the day in Corfe at the castle and then a trip into Swanage on the steam train.</div>
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We found possibly the last parking space in Corfe and headed up the footpath to the Castle, stopping for a quick game of Pooh sticks;</div>
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So cool in the shade of the trees - quite a contrast as we walked up the castle mound;</div>
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W eventually made it up there - the views were stunning - even those of a trackside fire caused by a spark from the steam train!!</div>
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Seems this happens quite often and Dorset fire service have a cute little 4x4 which can scale the countryside to reach places the bigger engines can't!!</div>
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After all that excitement - time for a cream tea in the National Trust tea rooms;</div>
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and then a quick wander to catch the train - they were running again at this point.</div>
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You do get a lovely view from the train;</div>
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Even one of our hut as we passed the campsite!</div>
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Swanage is a fairly typical seaside town - lots of shops selling postcards, inflatables for the sea and all sort of holiday souvenirs. We opted for fish & chips on the seafront washed down with ginger beer (what else!).</div>
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Time then to head back with some more cider and watch the sun set;</div>
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Day 3 and up early for a similar breakfast to yesterday. Then time to get the chain ferry over to Poole and catch a ferry to Brownsea Island. I am not a boat fan but the water was dead calm and soon we were on our way;</div>
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Brownsea Island is gorgeous - I have wanted to visit for years but the boat fear has always stopped this.</div>
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We got a map and headed off on a long walk around the island - the views are amazing;</div>
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We did manage to see red squirrels but they were far too quick and no photos were managed.</div>
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My giants were both Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers so I wanted to visit the site of the first scout camp - 111 years ago;</div>
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I loved the huge collection of brightly coloured scout scarves from all over the world;</div>
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Time then to make our way back to quay for lunch before the return ferry;</div>
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You are always guaranteed a good pasty from a National Trust tea room!! This one was no exception - keeping it safe from the gulls was a bit tricky!!</div>
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Time for one last campsite dinner and then packing to do.</div>
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We spent a final morning on the beach on Monday morning before coming home.</div>
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It was a short but packed long weekend and we are already planning a longer trip next summer in our bell tent. We treated ourselves to one this year once we knew for certain we'd be moving and have space to store it;</div>
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Here it is at Ely Folk Festival last month - it has another festival to go to soon and camping trip is planned for the end of the holidays too! Next time I will get pics of the inside - we have this glamping lark sorted - a comfy bed, colourful rugs and a proper duvet all make camping great fun - oh and fairy lights too!!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
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VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-22371313687010952092018-08-02T20:15:00.000+01:002018-08-02T20:15:49.010+01:00A Grand Day Out<div style="text-align: center;">
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When I first met S we created a mental list of places we'd like to visit and things we'd like to do - we have ticked a fair few off but one place we had never managed to visit together is Cambridge. Work or life had got in the way as well as numerous festivals, a wedding and lots of family stuff too.</div>
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Finally at the beginning of the week we went - its only an hours drive from where we live and the park & ride goes straight into the city centre and costs only £3 each - much easier and cheaper than city centre parking.</div>
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Kings College - it wasn't too busy when we walked past first thing - easy to take photos without 100's of tourists getting in the way.</div>
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The Corpus Clock is a very popular attraction - getting a photo without anyone walking past or getting run over by a bicycle is tricky - I survived!!</div>
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No trip to Cambridge would be complete without watching the punts on the Cam. We didn't go on this time - August is a month with several trips away and we were watching the pennies.</div>
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Now long term readers of this blog will know I have a thing for vintage style bicycles - my own one finally left its barn storage this week and will hopefully be road worthy again soon once we've had time to give it a thorough service and a few essentials like brakes are replaced!!</div>
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Cambridge of course is full of such bicycles - ridden by undergraduates and very clever looking people - all in a rush to get from A to B.</div>
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This purple one I would happily own myself - one of my favourite colours. Perhaps my own bike might get a respray!</div>
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As well as gorgeous bicycles there are of course 100's of lovely houses. </div>
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and the ultimate picture for me - gorgeous house with a bicycle outside!!</div>
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After all of our walking - in total we walked 10 miles that day - it was time for a pit stop - drinks and a snack in Bills before making our way home.</div>
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Time for one last photo - me & him outside Kings College;</div>
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We are both lucky - we work in the same school as support staff so we have time off over the summer. I get the full 6 weeks whilst S uses a mixture of holiday and owed hours, meaning this year he is off all summer apart from 4 days!</div>
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We have plenty of other adventures planned - off to Dorset to stay in a shepherds hut near Corfe Castle, our first wedding anniversary back at Folkeast and a trip to Norfolk in our bell tent. There's lots we'd like to do to our cottage as well - walls to paint, pictures to hang and a garden to spend time in!!</div>
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Time now to say goodbye till the next time - there's a garden to water and gin that needs drinking!!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></span></div>
VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-28584966482719706452018-07-26T16:50:00.001+01:002018-07-26T16:50:41.412+01:00The Big Move Ok so another short blogging break wasn't planned but here I am. New chromebook to type on and a wonderful Google photo account which uploads straight from my phone.<br />
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Obviously there is a back story which many of you won't know so here is a quick run down. I fell out of love with blogging in 2013/2014. I had split up with the boys Dad and the boys & I moved to a gorgeous Victorian semi. We had 3 amazing years there so much happened - the boys grew into young men, finished school and both went to Uni. I met a really lovely man and we got married last August (more on that another day).<br />
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The Victorian house was sold in March 2017 as I was by then living with S in his flat in South West Suffolk. I had a full time job in the same school as him and all was wonderful. We married in August 2017 and after that decided we really did need more space for when both giants were home from Uni. Many of mine & the boys things were in storage as the flat was just not big enough.<br />
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We saw this little cottage on my birthday in March 2018 and put an offer in the next day. A tense few months passed before we got the keys on the last day in June. <br />
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The cottage dates from 1880 and is quirky & colourful with the most gorgeous wildlife friendly garden. We have been here just 4 weeks but it already is our home. We moved the flat contents in one day and had it all unpacked by the end of the first weekend! The stored things came the beginning of the next week and we have worked like crazy to get them sorted and either unpacked, or sold or given to charity. Proudly only a tiny amount has gone to landfill - our local recycling centre really does have facilities for recycling everything!<br />
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Anyhow - less waffle more photos!!<br />
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One of many stained glass windows.</div>
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You know a house with a bat doorknocker is going to be fab!</div>
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The kitchen is a favourite space - I have discovered my love of cooking again.</div>
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The open shelves are wonderful - its great having our favourite things on display and at hand.</div>
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We have this little area at the bottom of the garden - a wisteria covered gazebo - its our favourite space to sit of an evening - glass of gin in hand. By day its pretty but at night it sparkles with 100's of solar fairy lights - a proper grotto. I must take a picture one evening!!</div>
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Just another picture of the kitchen - our collection of vintage kitchenware is growing. I love that S totally understands my love of vintage and floral and I love his collection of more folk / pagan inspired things - and the 2 collections together work wonderfully.</div>
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It was wonderful to unpack treasures that had been stored for 18 months and put them out again. I culled quite a lot and only kept things which had really special meanings. I have quite a few of my childhood toys still and many of these are out on display - waiting for small visitors to come and use them. 70's Fisher Price toys were made to last - the camera was for my 5th or 6th birthday - and has been used by all my younger siblings, my boys and all my nieces and nephews.</div>
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The orange room is our front room which also doubles as a study and spare room! Hard to believe 2 weeks ago it was full of boxes - it had its first visitor this week. Small giant came to see the new house which was lovely.</div>
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We have Big giant here living with us whilst he has a break from things after 4 tough years at Uni. The final months were not easy - exam stress and losing both Great Grandma's in the space of a week.</div>
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Right I think that's enough for today. I promise I will be back soon - there is so much to share. </div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxx Vicki xxx</i></span></div>
VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-19354911628101151332018-06-13T21:36:00.000+01:002018-06-13T21:36:18.693+01:00Signed and sealedThanks for all the comments and message both here and on Instagram xxx<br />
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Today something amazing happened - something that has at times seemed like it would never happen!<br />
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S & I exchanged contracts on our first bought together house.<br />
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Those that have been with me for a long time, will remember my last move and the reasons behind it. My boys & I moved into a gorgeous Edwardian house when we became a family of 3. We were incredibly happy there - so happy that blogging got put off and eventually ceased to happen. There were many many happy times there - our first christmas together, the boys growing into young men, finishing their A levels and then both going to Uni.<br />
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4 months before Smaller Giant went to Uni, S proposed to me (more about that another time) and we started to make plans for our future. We talked to both boys at length and plans were made. No6 would be sold first, then we would sell S’s flat and buy a home where we could be together when the boys weren’t at Uni. So in October 2016 No6 went on the market - and I moved in with S as I had been offered a job in the same school he works in (again more another time). Eventually after several false starts No6 sold in March 2017 and we put the flat up for sale. This process ended when a buyer pulled out a week before exchange and just a month before we were due to get married!!<br />
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We decided to remain in the flat and remarket in once the wedding was over! Then along came other things and then Christmas! The flat eventually went back on the market in Feb 2018 and sold quickly and we found a gorgeous quirky Victorian cottage just a mile from where we are now.<br />
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Today contracts were exchanged and we have a moving date for the end of this month - 16 days time!<br />
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So there will be more blog posts but a bit hit and miss until we are packed and moved. After all when your husband has spent hours getting you access back to your blog when you cannot rmemeber the log in details nor to which of the many email accounts it is linked too - it would be rude to give up!<br />
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Blogger has changed so much in 3 years and I am still battling to upload photos to a suitable platform - hence the stock pic today!<br />
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There have been some amazing highs in the past 3 years - 2 gorgeous little nephews, our wedding, many days out with and without my giant boys. 2 fab jobs! As well as numerous gigs and festivals!<br />
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Hopefully more pics and posts about these soon.<br />
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Vicki xxx<br />
<br />VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-37930780703300111382018-06-11T07:08:00.000+01:002018-06-11T08:00:13.759+01:00Dipping my toe in the waterWow - almost 3 years to the day since I last logged into blogger, one comment on Instagram and hours spent by my patient husband (yes you heard that right) getting me access to my account once more and I am typing a test post!!<br />
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What has happened in 3 years ? Well apart from gaining said husband - absolutely loads. My life now is very different to where we left off and is about to take another leap (hopefully) this month!<br />
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For now I will leave a photo here and hope I still have followers and then we can see where we go from here!!<br />
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<br />VintageVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07179792021814112528noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-75686229823779392472015-06-11T16:07:00.001+01:002015-06-11T16:07:13.553+01:00The taste of summer<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's been a mixed few days with the weather - some days it feels proper summery and others the temptation to find socks has been very strong.</div>
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Last Friday was a very mixed day - warm but thundery and at times extremely rainy and thundery. The weather almost scuppered our Friday evening plans. We'd found an abundant supply of elderflowers and our plans included turning them into cordial - well the first part.</div>
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We decided to double the recipe and picked 60 gorgeous flower heads which once de-stalked were left to soak in a sugar syrup for 24 hours.</div>
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After we'd got back from a fun day out at a Medieval Fair, it was time to strain and bottle the cordial.</div>
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We'd got a collection of bottles ready and began the process. Whoops our maths was a bit off - more cordial than bottles! A call to a nearby friend produced a bottle and she was happy to take some from us and a promise of things from her garden in a few weeks was made. A mad dash to a supermarket and we bought the last litre pop top bottle in their kitchen section!!</div>
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My share was 2 litres of cordial which tastes like summer in a bottle - mixed with fizzy water or fizzy wine its lovely;</div>
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Should last me a while - though there is a vague plan of making elderflower champagne or cordial another weekend soon when time allows.</div>
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Am off dancing tonight and taking me camera - might even this week manage to take some photos!!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vintage Vicki xxx</i></b></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-71332645211891352642015-06-08T17:49:00.001+01:002015-06-08T17:49:42.532+01:00House and garden<div style="text-align: center;">
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Thanks to those who've visited since I dipped my toe back into blogging this month :)</div>
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Still getting the hang of taking pictures on a camera and especially for here. Had a crash course at the weekend on how to upload them onto my new toy and also how to use a programme to edit/resize - the one I used before was very very old and not compatible with this new lappie of mine.</div>
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In recent weeks its been very domestic here at times at No6 - my dining room was looking shabby, overstuffed and the radiator had sprung a leak :( Time to give it a makeover. Coats of fresh paint in a neutral cream, new curtains that actual fit, a new non leaking radiator and tomorrow a new carpet in a colour I like and that won't show every mark, thread or crumb.</div>
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Here's what we've done so far - very happy with it and also the fact I've not gone over my limited budget :)</div>
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The room had felt overstuffed so when big son was home at Easter we sorted out the two bookcases that were in there and condensed them into one - bookcase was sold and I sold lots of the books at a boot sale this weekend.</div>
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New tablecloth from Aldi which the boys actually quite like - they were worried it would be a very floral room but so far they approve.</div>
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The two huge paintings were done by one of my sister for her GCSE and A levels exams many years ago - I love both of them and they will always feature somewhere wherever I live.</div>
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One of the first things we bought for this house - now rehung and filled again with clean china - still have the stuff from my dresser to do tomorrow so once the carpet is down that too can be refilled.</div>
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The arrival of spring and sunny weather made me look at the garden and realise it needed work doing on it. I spent hours weeding, cutting back and sorting out. Then when S was over we went to a local garden centre and I chose things to fill gaps, tubs and new tiny veggie plot. Here's just a snapshot of what I've been doing;</div>
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Just a few strawberry plants - this year in pots but hopefully next year in a proper bed.</div>
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Tiny tomatoes appearing - we chose varieties which crop heavily.</div>
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Trying to disguise the less pretty bits with tubs of geraniums.</div>
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Waiting for this one to flower - it's called Apple Blossom and the petals look beautiful.</div>
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Bargain hanging baskets filled with car boot find bedding plants.</div>
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It was so sunny when I took these pics you can't see this one too well - must get the hang of my camera again - anyhow its full of pink, blue and purple and a as one lot finish another should burst into colour.</div>
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A practical bit - storage with strawberries and a few leftover geraniums on top.</div>
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Just realised I forgot to take pics of the little veg bed and the raspberries behind it - they are looking very promising this year - handy really as we've run out of raspberry jam!!</div>
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Right that's probably enough for today - there's dinner to cook, washing to get in and of course things to water later too.</div>
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See you soon - we've been productive this weekend and there's the first foraged make of 2015 to share with you.</div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vintage Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-11438218048642316862015-06-04T12:32:00.001+01:002015-06-04T12:32:21.388+01:00Home is where you park it :)<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again</div>
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Still getting the hang of reading blogs again and commenting on them but slowly, eventually I will catch up - blogland echoes real life very much these days - happy news and some sad.</div>
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We are mostly happy here in No 6 - will be even happier in 10 days time when big son is home from Uni for the summer - we've missed him lots and it will be nice for the house to feel full again. he has finished his first year exams and has a couple of weeks of fun,sorting and packing to do. Plus catching up on his sleep and probably nursing hangovers!</div>
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Little son has just 2 more AS exams to do then its onto A2 courses and Uni visits before he gets a summer break. Then he'll probably spend his time sleeping, making You Tube Minecraft videos and podcasts and working hard selling ice-creams again.</div>
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One thing that has made me very happy in recent months has been the purchase of a little caravan (I sold the old bigger one to friends when I moved house). S & I had been talking of getting something but nothing small and cheap enough had been found until a friend spotted something for sale in a little back road and called me. We went to visit and it was perfect - well the right size and price. The inside was very grim and there was lots of work to do on electrics, gas and water as well as giving the interior a good scrub and colourful makeover.</div>
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One thing about not blogging is I have got out of the habit of taking my camera with me so the following pics are taken on my phone and recycled from FB and IG.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf9EZkGDNvA/VXAzm0kXbKI/AAAAAAAAH0E/T3sQIhud_ts/s1600/van2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf9EZkGDNvA/VXAzm0kXbKI/AAAAAAAAH0E/T3sQIhud_ts/s640/van2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not the best picture but here she is - as yet un-named and in her first home of a friends field!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZlLiytbMw/VXAzmzY1bgI/AAAAAAAAH00/jaMA8ACReB0/s1600/van1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZlLiytbMw/VXAzmzY1bgI/AAAAAAAAH00/jaMA8ACReB0/s640/van1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Recycled from last summer camping - a flowery welcome</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmhQSklxm2A/VXAzmxe7KBI/AAAAAAAAH04/GUSx7R8Y2Gc/s1600/van3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmhQSklxm2A/VXAzmxe7KBI/AAAAAAAAH04/GUSx7R8Y2Gc/s640/van3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A small but functional kitchen space - we are slowly filling the cupboards with existing bits and preloved treasures.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqY5pEA7nQQ/VXAznoEwjdI/AAAAAAAAH0k/fpttbYTEJKc/s1600/van6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqY5pEA7nQQ/VXAznoEwjdI/AAAAAAAAH0k/fpttbYTEJKc/s640/van6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We soon decided that the carpet was not our colour - cheap and colourful indian rugs now hide most of it and are easy to clean after we've been away.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra5rtIMB0Ls/VXAzoKedhSI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Vaiz2qD3DqE/s1600/van8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra5rtIMB0Ls/VXAzoKedhSI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Vaiz2qD3DqE/s640/van8.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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The other end doubles as a living and sleeping space - the sofas combine to make a cosy bed - so much more comfy that last summers airbed in the tent! The ceiling was a bit tatty but a throw covers this and gives it the feeling of the cosy aspect of a tent.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7pf5pK-mx4/VXAznM1FAmI/AAAAAAAAH0w/J4vyUMk-gNM/s1600/van4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7pf5pK-mx4/VXAznM1FAmI/AAAAAAAAH0w/J4vyUMk-gNM/s640/van4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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When we had our first trip away we decided that each time we'd have fresh colourful flowers in there to make it seem welcoming. The red leather tankard was my birthday pressie from S and we won Pingu on the funfair at Rochester Sweeps Festival.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y6HZa3L2Hs/VXAzoOYw8QI/AAAAAAAAH08/S-yD8Tbk3bs/s1600/van7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y6HZa3L2Hs/VXAzoOYw8QI/AAAAAAAAH08/S-yD8Tbk3bs/s640/van7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Pictures and other bits have appeared - our tastes are slightly different but the mix of gothic, pagan and shabby chic seems to work together!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2qb1pP7yhE/VXAznS9OM3I/AAAAAAAAH0g/kbBSycv3uB4/s1600/van5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2qb1pP7yhE/VXAznS9OM3I/AAAAAAAAH0g/kbBSycv3uB4/s640/van5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We made one door panel into a pin board for our collection of morris badges - a friend had already used this fabric in a cushion and bunting she made for my birthday so we chose to use this again and base the colour palette for the van around it.</div>
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We've had one lovely trip away and plenty more are planned over the summer. One downside is neither of us have outside space at our houses so the van has to live elsewhere :( - we both have a small pile of extra bits to add next time we take her away and I promise more pictures.</div>
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Right that probably it for today. I have found my camera and its packed for tonight - an evenings dancing out at a pub and then this weekend we've a day out planned and the camera will come along too!</div>
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Thanks for reading - see you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vintage Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-32599732006139540892015-06-02T15:20:00.000+01:002015-06-02T15:21:21.540+01:00You don't remember me - do you?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good afternoon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Long time no see - entirely my fault, life got busy and I stopped blogging. Also my old desktop PC died and its taken a while to save to get a new shiny laptop and learn how to work it - even now I am unsure if this blogging lark will even work and if it does whether I can get back into the swing of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lets see if I have learnt how to save photos and also if I can get them on here!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtktYqY42O4/VW23_Idy8NI/AAAAAAAAHzA/i6skGu9epM4/s1600/nov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtktYqY42O4/VW23_Idy8NI/AAAAAAAAHzA/i6skGu9epM4/s640/nov.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The easiest way to catch up is a photo mosaic from each month I have been missing.</div>
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So November - a smallest giant treat an afternoon of archery, Remembrance Parade, my other half took up Molly dancing my initial role to make a Molly style raggy for a Christmas display, a birthday cake for S and a treat night out - a Bellowhead gig.</div>
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December - so much stuff I got roped into Molly dancing, big son came home from Uni for a month, little son played his last brass engagement, we went to the panto (twice - 2 different ones) and we celebrated Christmas in style.</div>
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January - more dancing both Molly and Border, little son turned 17 and he gained a title!</div>
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Feb - we visited big son at Uni for his 19th birthday, there was Valentines day and Shrove Tuesday to celebrate.</div>
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March - more dancing, my birthday, mothers day, little nephews birthday, the eclipse and we bought a little caravan (more on that another time).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgp5iYXwQGw/VW26X640LOI/AAAAAAAAHzo/-0CNBN9Rwx4/s1600/april.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgp5iYXwQGw/VW26X640LOI/AAAAAAAAHzo/-0CNBN9Rwx4/s640/april.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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April - we danced for St George, celebrated Easter, had a very sunny day out at Southwold and spring began to appear in the garden.</div>
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May - more dancing and little stumble!, visiting big son again, decorating my dining room, garden sorting time and my first ever trip crabbing.</div>
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Ok so that's the past 7 months in brief - I will be back with proper posts soon and I want to catch up with bloggy friends and their lives.</div>
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Sorry its been so long</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx Vintage Vicki xxx</i></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-8046003304741966772014-11-11T09:16:00.000+00:002014-11-11T09:18:02.596+00:00I've not really vanished!<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning</div>
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As the title I've not really vanished completely - however life is rather busy and my pc which is my main blogging space is rather creaky and temperamental. Sometime soon it will get sorted - a newer tower is sitting here waiting to be swapped with my current old tired one - its just a matter of copying all the important stuff across - and it takes time and there's not been much spare!</div>
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I just looked and its 3 months since my last post - so much has happened and so many photos taken of places visited, days out, days at home and family life in general. Here's 3 mosaic pictures which condense it rather a lot;</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2hogSB2rdc/VGHR-QdWqtI/AAAAAAAAHwg/zLDDGw43s14/s1600/august%2Bmosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2hogSB2rdc/VGHR-QdWqtI/AAAAAAAAHwg/zLDDGw43s14/s1600/august%2Bmosaic.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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August - a long weekend in Wales - mainly to take the boys to the Doctor Who Experience - very much loved by us all, 2 wonderful festivals - Folk East and Shrewsbury Folk Festival - dancing at one and just paying punters at the other.</div>
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September - so much foraging and jam making happened - enough to last us through to next year. Little Son started 6th form having passed his GCSE's with flying colours. Big Son also passed his A levels and we said a tearful goodbye mid September as he started his new undergraduate life at Uni.</div>
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October - Little Son passed his CBT test and bought his first moped - meaning he can get to work easier and not rely on lifts and public transport. As the days shorten its been time for fairy lights and candles and also the dreaded raking of the leaves in the garden. S & I had a short holiday in Dorset - we spent one day on the steam trains which run down to Swanage. Hard to believe that on Halloween, we sat on the beach in t-shirts, eating icecream and watching little witches paddling in the sea!!</div>
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We had a busy start to November - last weekend we made the trip north to visit Big Son - oh what a happy Mummy I was - first cuddle from my giant boy in 6 weeks :) and the best bit - its only 4 weeks till we head up there again to collect him for Christmas!!</div>
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Where has 2014 gone?</div>
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I can't make any promises about regular blogging - I do miss it and the reading of everyone elses - but I will try to by a less slack blogger!!</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>xxx Vicki xxx</b></span></i></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-5333784861776057752014-08-04T10:28:00.003+01:002014-08-04T10:28:39.959+01:00Suffolk Sunshine<div style="text-align: center;">
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Another sunny morning here in Suffolk - weather seems to have got it right at the moment - sunny days and rainy nights :) We've been spending lots of time outside - we've rather mastered the art of cooking over fire and Big Son seems to have assumed the role of chief flipper of burgers and bbq food.</div>
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We had a day out en-masse last week, - me, S, Little Son, Big Son and his girlfriend. We headed over to Thorpeness first and hired boats on the Meare;</div>
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Just a gorgeous day - sunny and breezy and despite the empty looking Meare in this photo it was in fact rather busy.</div>
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We were in 2 boats - we left Big Son and his girlfriend in one and we headed off in another. They took a while to get the rowing mastered but eventually they were getting around rather well.</div>
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There were many swans about and racing across the Meare to be fed. They are surprisingly tricky to photograph - turning their heads at the last moment - eventually I managed a picture!!</div>
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After a lunch of chips and ice-cream on the beach at Aldeburgh, we dropped the teenagers back home and S & I headed up the coast to Southwold. As big kids we spent time playing on the arcades and continuing our Air Hockey battles - I always seem to loose whatever dirty tricks I try!!</div>
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Still one of my favourite views - Southwold seafront taken from the end of the Pier.</div>
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Lastly for today - a mosaic for July - very hard to limit it to just 6 pictures - its been a lovely and busy month;</div>
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Both boys proms, more dancing and plenty of festival fun.</div>
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August is shaping up to be busy too - we've a holiday with some Daleks, more festivals, a carnival and of course 2 lots of results days!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-7506685380209002832014-07-21T20:48:00.003+01:002014-07-21T20:48:44.853+01:00Marching, Morris and A Lion!<div style="text-align: center;">
Good evening</div>
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This posts title sums up my weekend rather well!</div>
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Firstly marching - our little town commemorated its involvement in WW1 this weekend. The main employer at the time of the war was the Garretts factory which amongst other things made steam engines. They were also the sponsors of the town band - the company headed the donors for the first set of instruments - these were purchased in 1886 and the band mastered these in time for the celebrations of Queen Victoria's Jubilee later that year. </div>
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Anyhow I've wandered off already. The band were at the time all Garretts employees and when war broke out many signed up to fight for King and country. They marched up to the station in the town and caught their train - many never to return. Their instruments were taken back to the band room on a horse and cart.</div>
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This weekend their march was remembered by many groups in the town and headed by the town band - now a British Legion Band.</div>
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Little son has played in this band for about 6 years now with his Dad and this weekend, he was marching just behind him - now only a few inches shorter than him!</div>
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In recent years when we've had events in town one of the biggest problems has been stopping traffic from coming face to face with a marching band. It seems no longer a job for special constables or community support officers and its often left to the parade to sort something out. Its seems for this one the perfect solution was found - British Legion motorcycle outriders who soon stopped traffic.</div>
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It is always a lovely sight and sound to hear the band marching through the town and this weekend there was a wonderful turn out of townsfolk and visitors to watch and listen;</div>
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They made their way on a long route on a hot muggy day - through the town - up the hill to the old station where some of the band left the parade and put their instruments on a horse and cart as happened a century ago. Little son was one of these and when I realised he'd have been the right age to sign up and go to war, it might have made my eyes leak a little bit.</div>
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Afterwards marching to only the beat of the drum the parade made its way to the school field for an afternoon of music and community events. Sadly I'd already agreed to be at another event in the next town so had to miss this.</div>
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Yep - we were dancing again - a very hot afternoon to be dressed up in our finery and face paint. Luckily not to long a dance spot and we were sharing it with another side. They did an audience participation dance and several of our dancers joined them;</div>
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Yesterday was another hot one - so all sensible people headed to the coast - many of them visiting Little Son now nicknamed Ice-Cream boy due to his holiday job at a lovely ice-cream parlour in Aldeburgh!</div>
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However I am not sensible and certainly S isn't. We were inland at an event in his home town and he was dressed as the mascot for the sport centre he works for! Yep temperatures hitting the high 20's and he's dressed as a lion!</div>
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My role? Make sure he didn't stand on any small children or fall over any picnics. Also stop tweenagers trying to knock his head off - good job I've perfect that 'don't you dare look' over the years!!</div>
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Right - that's all for today. Time for a wander and to see what others got up to at the weekend.</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-82932656408194779262014-07-15T09:20:00.000+01:002014-07-15T09:20:29.190+01:00Festival fun - in the mud!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was festival time at the weekend - Ely Folk Festival - not as dancers but as paying public! We were lucky and sent our tent ahead with friends who were arriving early in the afternoon - they secured us a good spot which was easy to find late at night after a pint or several ;)</div>
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All tents need bunting and windmills don't they! And purple fairy lights inside too - and a later addition of a colourful flag as well! We've quickly adapted to camping together and can get everything set up quickly so the beer can be opened and the fun times begin.</div>
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I'd never been to Ely FF before but friends and S had and they were right - it was lovely. Quite a small festival - very friendly. There are shuttle buses running all day and evening into town and back. We headed out on the Saturday to watch the Morris parade and dancing;</div>
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The end of the parade - dancers gathered beside Ely Cathedral.</div>
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Love the rainbow outfits of this side - Gog Magog - they always make me smile.</div>
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Green Dragon - lots of friends of ours in this side.</div>
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One of my favourite border sides - Witchmen - they are brilliant and it was lovely to be able to watch several of their dances without having to rush off and dance ourselves.</div>
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Thai street food for lunch whilst watching this lot dance in brilliant sunshine - blissful.</div>
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Sunday morning the Witchmen ran a dance workshop - we went over - and whilst S danced, I took photos and video and spent time chatting to a couple of the Witchmen dancers about all things Morris and teenagers leaving home to go to Uni!!</div>
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When we were watching a set on Saturday night - they announced the winners of the Club Tent competition - the prize is to open the Main Stage on Sunday night - it was fab to hear that friends of ours had won!</div>
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They got a 15 minute set this time - here's hoping after playing a blinder they get a longer set or two next year.</div>
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Despite mixed weather - brilliant sunshine and then torrential downpours of almost biblical proportions, we had a fab weekend. Each day started the same - I make coffee and S cooked a proper breakfast for us both;</div>
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We tried over the weekend several times to get pics of us together with no Morris kit on - now it seems the art of the selfie is more tricky than teenagers make out - we gave up in the end and a random stranger did the job for us!</div>
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Felt weird yesterday - getting dressed and not adding the flowers to my hair - luckily its only a few weeks till back to back festivals - might just have cleaned the mud off my boots by then!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-6511326602217976612014-07-08T15:15:00.000+01:002014-07-08T15:15:10.715+01:00A quick catch up aka where did the time go?<div style="text-align: center;">
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Ok who is making this year whizz by so quickly? How can it be July already?</div>
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Here's a mosaic for June - very hard to pick just 6 pictures for the month;</div>
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A birthday with a theme song - and of course the answer was yes ;) An anniversary worth celebrating - 45 years! A rare snap of me and my boys, the first batch of home grown raspberries, many meals in the sunshine and me and my Morris man.</div>
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On to July - 3 big events all running back to back - Big Son's leavers dinner, Little Son's leavers Prom and a big Morris event up on the north Norfolk coast;</div>
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Big Son - all 18 1/2 years of him</div>
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With his gorgeous girlfriend</div>
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Little Son - ok so not so little anymore</div>
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With his girlfriend - they travelled with 6 friends in a very smart stretch Lincoln limo.</div>
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Both of them had a fab time with their friends - celebrating ends of eras and beginnings of new chapters.</div>
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3 pics from a fab if wet weekend away dancing - 2 taken by someone else and one snapped by me;</div>
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Someone got confused - he heard the phrase 'dancing' and thought it was a pole-dancing event ;)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtluqRBwUAA/U7v65FH680I/AAAAAAAAHmE/I6l5HGCgqqw/s1600/july+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtluqRBwUAA/U7v65FH680I/AAAAAAAAHmE/I6l5HGCgqqw/s1600/july+5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Camping gear has been sorted, washed and dried and is sitting on the front room floor awaiting another trip soon - folk festival time - here's hoping its a bit drier - still haven't got any wellies!</div>
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See you soon </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-60395069748426490972014-06-23T09:39:00.000+01:002014-06-23T09:39:46.312+01:00Summertime fun<div style="text-align: center;">
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Another sunny start here - with an increase in the pollen count too - which means I am sneezing like Mr Sneezy from the Mr Men series but hey ho.</div>
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Its been a lovely and busy past week here at No6. I have to keep a written note of who is doing what/when/where. The best thing - big son finished his exams and whilst he still is slightly 'shell-shocked' from the whole finishing thing, his big smile has appeared and the stressed look from the past few weeks has gone.</div>
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We decided to celebrate the end of exams for both boys at once and properly. It involved takeaway pizza, their favourite beer/cider, a huge water fight with water bombs& super soakers and this monster paddling pool;</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V4GoMtmDFg/U6fiqGVXpWI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/u5bdZafDU5o/s1600/june+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V4GoMtmDFg/U6fiqGVXpWI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/u5bdZafDU5o/s1600/june+29.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Doesn't look too huge in this picture but here's how it looked when we blew it up and propped it up overnight in the dining room;</div>
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It's large enough for those two giant boys of mine to lounge around in/throw each other and me into as well.</div>
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Here's big son on his first day of school 13 1/2 years ago;</div>
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Apart from one leavers BBQ today at lunchtime, that's the end of school till results day in mid-August.</div>
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This past weekend of course was the summer solstice/midsummer. Our Morris side headed a few miles inland to the village where we practise and to their Midsummer Folk Festival. The weather was perfect for dancing and camping. I've topped my tan up nicely.</div>
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As I was getting the camping stuff and kit sorted for the weekend I snapped this pic of our morris kit;</div>
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Oh yes, I've tweaked my kit again and added a corset top - surprisingly comfy to dance in.</div>
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Here's me and my man together yesterday;</div>
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One last photo for today - a snap from the garden of one of my favourite things about summer - the geraniums coming into flower;</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQTdkvcvTV8/U6fi6L6UalI/AAAAAAAAHko/4U2n6wD6bxc/s1600/june+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQTdkvcvTV8/U6fi6L6UalI/AAAAAAAAHko/4U2n6wD6bxc/s1600/june+26.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Right I'd best go and wake little son - he seems to think he might sleep till school for him restarts in September - sadly I have other ideas!!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-33093051611963165402014-06-18T20:29:00.002+01:002014-06-18T20:29:49.698+01:00A handful of good stuff<div style="text-align: center;">
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Its that age old problem again - lots to write about but not enough spare time to sit down and do it.</div>
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Part of the busy bit comes to an end tomorrow - Big Sons final exam. We've something planned for tomorrow night which involves water, cider and lots of fun - must remember to take a photo or two!!</div>
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Here's just a few good bits from the last week;</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsrR1AgBV1M/U6Hm8NA-L0I/AAAAAAAAHj4/vvUYBGLvoOs/s1600/june+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsrR1AgBV1M/U6Hm8NA-L0I/AAAAAAAAHj4/vvUYBGLvoOs/s1600/june+25.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Picking the first raspberries from the garden.</div>
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Opening the curtains to find its another sunny day.</div>
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A leisurely weekend breakfast - just me - the boys were still asleep.</div>
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Warm, sunny evenings - perfect for another BBQ.</div>
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A very rare photo - me and the boys together - at a get-together with my family.</div>
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I promise to be back soon with photos from tomorrow promised celebrations and also from a weekend of folk music and Morris dancing which I'm taking part in.</div>
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BTW did I mention - last exam tomorrow! I'm almost excited as Big Son is!! </div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-13193371796490269752014-06-09T11:04:00.000+01:002014-06-09T11:04:00.349+01:00More sunshine - more dancing<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning</div>
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Where has the past week gone? In a blur of exams for the boys and just a very busy life here for all of us.</div>
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Another 10 days and its all over - no more exams for either boy and a long summer break for them both. Holidays have been booked for us all - one for the boys & I is very special - off to Cardiff to see the Doctor Who exhibition - not sure who is most excited!</div>
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Anyhow back to the past week. Firstly car boot bargains - lavender plants to make a hedge for the front garden - amazing the difference it makes - hopefully soon they've grow bigger and attract lots of wildlife;</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEGIZQfDE2U/U5WEq0ncBxI/AAAAAAAAHiA/QC_4tLUT5_0/s1600/hedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEGIZQfDE2U/U5WEq0ncBxI/AAAAAAAAHiA/QC_4tLUT5_0/s1600/hedge.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even after just a week they seem bigger and starting to flower.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIKe2EdnCV8/U5WEsC-ZxMI/AAAAAAAAHic/llXddyj06hs/s1600/thunderbirdsarego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIKe2EdnCV8/U5WEsC-ZxMI/AAAAAAAAHic/llXddyj06hs/s1600/thunderbirdsarego.jpg" height="640" width="550" /></a></div>
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The picture at the top is big son and his 2 best mates taken a couple of years ago on a 6th form charity dress up day. When I found the 2 Thunderbird figures for sale I knew they'd go with the Brains from a birthday cake I made for him a few years ago and I'd be able to recreate this favourite photo!!</div>
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This past weekend I've been dancing again - this time in Aldeburgh on the seafront. It was a perfect day - sunshine, blue skies and a slight sea-breeze. We shared the spot with another side and a great time was had by all. Even little son came to watch me dance for the first time - though perhaps I need to rename him as you can see - he towers over me;</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEWLpNOoT0s/U5WEslYiLKI/AAAAAAAAHig/SF1G-CqIDh8/s1600/june+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEWLpNOoT0s/U5WEslYiLKI/AAAAAAAAHig/SF1G-CqIDh8/s1600/june+16.jpg" height="640" width="330" /></a></div>
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I as usual had loads of fun - twirling around and flashing my bloomers!!</div>
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As well as Little Son, a further 11 members of my family came along to watch - my baby sister took the photos of me;</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UwV9KX4nxo/U5WEsT3EVWI/AAAAAAAAHiY/dmM1PsKMFls/s1600/june+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UwV9KX4nxo/U5WEsT3EVWI/AAAAAAAAHiY/dmM1PsKMFls/s1600/june+15.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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As you can see - I'm having far too much fun!! and best bit - it happens again on Thursday night - we're off dancing in Southwold down at the Harbour Inn.</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>xxx Vicki xxx</b></i></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-68194917629351563832014-06-02T10:52:00.000+01:002014-06-02T10:52:28.521+01:00A fab night out :)<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning</div>
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I could be wandering around the house with a hoover but instead its time to have 5 minutes in front of the computer and blog! I have been good though - laundry all done, kitchen tidy and bank account checked and balance reconciled - one thing I have got really good at over the past 18 months - checking my balance and managing my spending accordingly.</div>
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Anyhow I left off last time saying I was off to a gig with friends. Ok so some of you know via Facebook and Instagram there is someone special again in my life and it was this person I was off out with. </div>
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We were off to see some friends play a gig in Bury in aid of the local hospice - in fact out of the 10 musicians involved that night - 8 are friends of ours.</div>
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I didn't take any pics during the evening but this one was taken last year when I was in the same theatre having danced in public for the first time!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sv3N7zUGjc/U4xHoR7bVzI/AAAAAAAAHhU/Z286sF5Peb8/s1600/hounds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sv3N7zUGjc/U4xHoR7bVzI/AAAAAAAAHhU/Z286sF5Peb8/s1600/hounds.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Afterwards we headed back to our hotel - a rather lucky find. Cheaper than the chain budget hotels and much much nicer. A gorgeous country house in the middle of nowhere;</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLklvKtk6PU/U4xHqrgkF-I/AAAAAAAAHhg/ymv2wFhJVmQ/s1600/may+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLklvKtk6PU/U4xHqrgkF-I/AAAAAAAAHhg/ymv2wFhJVmQ/s1600/may+19.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The breakfast was amazing - I took this pic to taunt Big Son!!</div>
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Sadly these days I can't clear a plateful like this - I tried blooming hard though!!</div>
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We headed home late morning but via John Lewis - time to treat myself to something I've wanted for ages - a DAB radio that I can take around the house and garden so I have music to work to - big dilemma time - what colour! I opted for a deep reddy/pink colour;</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfHoX7CyAQ8/U4xIofb40OI/AAAAAAAAHhs/5Z6GkU4EerY/s1600/dab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfHoX7CyAQ8/U4xIofb40OI/AAAAAAAAHhs/5Z6GkU4EerY/s1600/dab.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Right back to work time - I have a mountain of paperwork that needs copying and I keep putting this task off!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-26738693442536154642014-05-28T08:44:00.000+01:002014-05-28T08:44:10.671+01:00Weekending<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning</div>
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Oh what a difference a few days makes - we were so lucky here in Suffolk at the weekend, sunshine and shorts weather. Yesterday was yuck - wet, very wet for most of the day - I managed to get out to see my Grandma during a break in the showers and timed the walk back well too.</div>
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I love weekends - always have done - as a child it was a break from school and now as an adult its a break for work and housework. Weekends for me are for nicer stuff - time with friends & family, a spot of gardening, more time to cook different things and of course a good wander and rummage around the car boot sales and charity shops.</div>
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Here's a few bits from recent weeks;</div>
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I think you've seen the little painted tray on the right before? I found the little one with daises on a few weeks ago and finally yesterday both were hung on the kitchen wall. Had one of those minor diy days - hanging pictures, attached hooks to doors and hanging new curtains.</div>
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Sundays boot sale was great - big without being too much. The vintage Famous Five book was a must - my favourite story of theirs which I remember reading over and over as a child during the school hols. </div>
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Brand new Cath Kidston flip flops - just £3 - ideal for slopping around the garden in.</div>
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This little enamel pot was a CS find - it will be perfect for when come Autumn it will be often just me and little son for dinner - might help me learn to scale my cooking down from dinner for 3 to just 2!!</div>
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Another weekend favourite thing is when the boys and I are all at home - happens less and less these days as we all have busy social lives. However the other weekend it happened AND the weather was lovely - time to drag out a new toy of mine - a fire pit;</div>
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As you can see this was before the garden had a jolly good tidy up!</div>
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It was lovely sitting there - cooking dinner and then afterwards toasting marshmallows.</div>
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One last favourite weekend thing this time of year - sitting in the sunshine with a book or magazine - and when it all gets too warm - time to retreat into the shade of the apple tree;</div>
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Thanks for reading. Time to have a wander around blogland then get myself sorted. Off out later today - one of my favourite things - a gig with friends.</div>
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See you soon</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-89326598134788585692014-05-26T17:19:00.000+01:002014-05-26T17:19:29.047+01:003 @ No6 - settling in rather well.<div style="text-align: center;">
Afternoon</div>
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Well nothing for ages and then 2 posts in 2 days and photos taken for another!! Blimey not quite sure whats happened - perhaps its the sunshine?</div>
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We've been very lucky here in Suffolk and its been a mostly lovely this weekend. I've spent time with some of my family - sitting in the sunshine yesterday at one sisters and today I've been to the big local boot sale with another. Have some purchases to show you another day.</div>
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Thanks for the welcome back. I thought I'd show you how well we've settled into our new home - been here 9 months now and it feels forever. All the big expensive jobs have been done and there is decorating which needs doing which should start to happen once exams are over and teenagers are about to help with the heavy lifting and high up bits!!</div>
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Have spent the last few weekends trying to get on top of the gardening - apart from a quick lawn cut nothing really happened when we moved in and there have been 9 months of weeds to clear - slowly getting there and now the fun bit of adding colour can happen.</div>
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The patio got jet washed and we have been eating out here lots. The hammock is permanently outside so power naps can happen when it all gets too much!</div>
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I forgot to take a picture when the apple tree was in blossom - trust me - it was gorgeous. See the bottom of the garden? Those are raspberries - going to be a bumper crop if we beat the birds!!</div>
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A car boot sale purchase this morning - Norbert the Gnome - I love these little fellas - he's the first of many I hope for this garden.</div>
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Tomatoes growing in a sunny sheltered corner.</div>
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Even the boring fence panels have started to get prettied up - strings of bunting to brighten the view from the kitchen window.</div>
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Now inside - I took these pics this morning and then spent this afternoon, tweaking things, moving things about and hanging more things on the walls! I am getting a dab hand with a hammer - tempted to buy a drill soon and learn how to use that!!</div>
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The dining room is a sunny spot - I spent hours in here the other day getting reacquainted with my sewing machine. I bought muslin months ago to make new 'nets' for the front room - finally I hemmed it and they are up. More muslin to get tomorrow as my bedroom needs new 'nets' too. I've ordered some gorgeous red velvet curtains so when all is done I can show that space off to you.</div>
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Still my favourite room - the front room. One sofa died and a second armchair was acquired - now both boys are happy and have man-chairs - complete with crocheted and handmade cushions and quilts!! This is one room which needs painting - we had to replace the radiator in January and the new one doesn't cover the old space.</div>
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My spot - complete with reading pile, project bags and my ipad.</div>
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The ever growing photo wall - still space left and I've loads more pictures to get printed and framed.</div>
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For once the fireplace is almost tidy!</div>
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The fireplace in the kitchen got shelved out and its proved most useful - I can fit so much stuff on there - must just paint the wall behind it one day!!</div>
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See that flowery thing to the side? Well its going to get used now - the ironing mountain is rather huge and I want to wear some of it this week!!!</div>
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See you soon with some pretty car boot bargains to share and (hopefully) pictures of a rather lovely WIP new skill I am learning!! </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-70280536529353451912014-05-25T09:19:00.000+01:002014-05-25T09:19:38.136+01:00Hello again <div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning</div>
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Well that didn't last long - nearly 3 months away from blogland and a little look to see whats been happening and reading a few favourite blogs again and here I am - resizing photos and trying to condense the past 3 months into one managable post!!</div>
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Things have been busy here at No6 - both boys have been working hard towards exams - Big Son is doing A Levels with a view towards leaving home and going to Uni in September and Little Son is almost through his GCSEs and is planning on going to 6th form in September. Both are also preparing for end of school Proms - can't wait to see both my boys all smartened up and ready to party with their friends and girlfriends.</div>
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Anyhow - where did we leave off? Oh beginning of March - here's what happened afterwards;</div>
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I had a birthday and was thoroughly spoilt - flowers, balloons, cake and 2 nights out with friends. Little baby nephew turned one and we had a big family party to celebrate. Then it was Mothers Day and my lovely boys spoilt me again.</div>
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April - a belated birthday celebration with someone special. A Morris dance out at Snape Maltings. Easter with loads of chocolate. My cute nephew with a cuddly orange I'd just bought him.</div>
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May sees that start of the proper Morris dancing season. We headed as a side down to Rochester in Kent for the first bank holiday weekend. We had a massive camp area with about 7 caravans and 10 tents. We danced all day on the Saturday and half the Sunday. One of the things I am now getting use to is having my pic taken by random people and I love hunting them out on Flickr at a later date. Here are just a few pics from the weekend - some taken by friends and others by random strangers!!</div>
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Me and some of the other girls in the side</div>
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Me again </div>
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and again</div>
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Just one more!!</div>
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Once the dancing for us was done on the Sunday we headed to one of the pubs to a gig by a band we are good friends with and despite us all being tired most of us danced the whole gig!!</div>
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The following weekend I watched the Ladies Tour of Britain come through Suffolk - what a difference a week made - it was wet and a bit chilly but those girls didn't seem to notice as they whizzed by.</div>
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Last weekend was actually spent at home! Time to make an assault on my garden - weeds to clear, grass to cut and tubs to plant. Once it was all done - time to build the hammock and spent a little time studying the inside of my eyelids!! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcMuLDLIxeI/U4GmAXyAWxI/AAAAAAAAHdk/QhStFCP6G9k/s1600/may+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcMuLDLIxeI/U4GmAXyAWxI/AAAAAAAAHdk/QhStFCP6G9k/s1600/may+10.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Right I think that's enough for today. Time to get sorted, hang washing out and then head to see one of my sisters and my little niece and nephew. I saw cute pictures yesterday of someone who is coming to live with them in a few weeks time and I need to hear all about it!!</div>
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See you soon </div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351577831299578980.post-53647277894579376172014-03-08T13:39:00.001+00:002014-03-08T13:39:48.908+00:00Time to say Goodbye<div style="text-align: center;">
Good afternoon</div>
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Its been a long time coming - I've been pondering this decision for the past six months since we moved into No6. Whether to keep blogging or to stop. I've tried to keep going but life has changed so much in the past 12 months and even more so in the past 6. It's time now to say goodbye.</div>
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For many reasons - our lives have changed and how we spend our time has changed. Those boys of mine are growing up fast and they are less keen on having their photos taken and their lives shared online. There have been changes in my life and again some stuff is not for sharing as not everyone is happy with stuff being 'out there' online - all of this is fine with me. </div>
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There's also the age old problem of people reading stuff who you'd rather didn't - I could make this blog private etc but I think its rather too much like hard work.</div>
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Instead I'll thank everyone who has ever read or commented on here. </div>
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I am not disappearing entirely offline - I still have my Instagram account and can have a bit more control over that - I've now set it to private so existing followers can still see my pictures but I can control any new followers - sounds horrid doesn't it but one bad apple etc etc.</div>
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Thanks again</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx Vicki xxx</span></b></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com35