Marching, Morris and A Lion!

Good evening

This posts title sums up my weekend rather well!

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. 

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.

This weekend their march was remembered by many groups in the town and headed by the town band - now a British Legion Band.

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!

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.

 

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;

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.

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.

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;

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!

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!

 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!!

Right - that's all for today. Time for a wander and to see what others got up to at the weekend.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Good afternoon

Just a few spare minutes to myself so time for one final look at blogland for 2013.

Those that read regularly will know 2013 has been one heck of a roller coaster ride here in the VV household - however on balance despite life seeming like a dodgy soap script at times it hasn't been all bad. There's been a new hobby, new friends, a fantastic new house, a gorgeous squishy new nephew, plenty of fun, that long hot summer, lots of camping, loads of live music and best of all, those wonderful boys of mine have grown up so much are just the best a Mum could ask for.

Here's just a few pics from the last few weeks;

The mantalpiece is becoming more cluttered with Christmas stuff - just how I love it :)

Cards from both boys of course but this one from Big Son made me laugh loudly - I think it rather sums up my new life rather well!!

I finished this stocking for my new nephew rather quickly - had completely forgotten I'd made them for the others when they were small - I expect come Christmas morning it will be full of parcels for his first Christmas.

Christmas jumper wearing - we've all got them - just need to get a photo of the 3 of us together.

 Little Son off to play in his bands Christmas concert - I went with a friend and we had a good evening singing along :)

Big Son off to the 6th forms charity dress up day - they raised over £500 in local towns for 2 charities.

Straining this years Sloe Gin - such an awful task ;)

Sampling time - with a shop bought mince pie - I know shocking!! I will get some made it just life is all rather hectic at the moment. Looking forward to closing the door on Christmas Eve after the carol service and sitting down with another glass of sloe gin.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

2 weeks to go!!

Good morning

Ok so in 2 weeks time it will be Christmas morning, Santa will hopefully have been and its likely that my teenagers who can sleep for England will be awake early and sitting on my bed opening their stockings!

Where has 2013 gone? Even the last month has just whizzed past. Well there's 5 minutes now and time to quickly update my little online diary.

This post will run back to front - so newest pics first - why not - convention is boring ;)

The boys and I put up our Christmas tree at the weekend. Firstly there was problem with the lights - Big Son spent an hour untangling them and at the last knot the cable broke and we rushed into town to buy a replacement set. Then there was a hunt for a box of decs - after all when we moved in the summer we didn't think about remembering where Christmas was stored!!

We've decorated other bits of the house too - rather like the fireplace - once the stockings are added on Christmas Eve and a drink and mince pie for Father Christmas it will look even more festive;

 Still not convinced that there are enough things hanging from there - I keep looking at a box of spotty baubles - I may just add a few of them!!

Saturday morning I went to watch Little Son play carols at an event in town;

He's a few more engagements before a well earned rest from playing for a few weeks.

Last Thursday (told you I was going backwards) we awoke to the most amazing skies - red skies forewarning of the dreadful weather and flooding that followed. Luckily our litle town is ok - no tidal rivers. But many nearby places I know and love have been flooded and homes/businesses damaged.

I've said before how much I enjoy live music. Last weekend I went out with friends to a fab concert and danced all night. The weekend before I went to a local pub with a friend so see a local group - The Broadside Boys. I really love these two - fab music and a wicked sense of humour;

Nearly there - just two more pics to go.

Did anyone else watch the 50th Doctor Who celebrations? Well here at No6 we are big Doctor Who fans. We decided to watch in style - we cleared the coffee table and Little Son hunted out lots of monsters and Doctors and set them up around a big bowl of jelly babies (Whovians will understand why);

We loved the episode - complete silence here. No talking, no texting and no facebooking!! I don't think any of us even moved for the whole episode!!

Lastly for now - its been rather hectic here. Getting the house sorted for Christmas, the shopping and the keeping up with who is here at any one time. Those boys of mine have hectic social lives now and coupled with mine it take some remembering at to who is suppose to be where and when!!

My new favourite way to unwind - candlelit bath, bubbles and beer!!

Right time to make some packed lunches and make sure those boys leave for school on time!! Roll on the end of term!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Its that time again!

Good evening

Well actually its tomorrow but heyho for once I'm early!! Yep tomorrow is St George's Day here in England - he's our patron saint but sadly unlike our Welsh, Scottish and Irish cousins we don't seem to celebrate him as much as they do their saints. Perhaps its because things have got muddled and celebrating St George's Day is muddled with the less savoury characters who have adopted the flag for their own means?

Anyhow - the little town next to us celebrated yesterday - they played a parade and invited the band along. As it was sunny and the service outdoors, I went along to support little son.

 Waiting to march - oops we forgot to book a haircut so he wasn't looking his smartest - never mind!

 The band with St George behind them - also hidden there was the 'dragon'. During the service we were treated to a rather weird version of the story, over acted (badly) by members of the church. Entertainment was short on the ground until a heckler joined in - a cross between Monty Python and Punch & Judy was their style and to be honest the heckling improved things rather a lot!!

When he started marching several years ago, Little Son was somewhat smaller than his counterpart - this photo doesn't show it well but he now towers above him!!

It felt strange not having a Morris dance out this weekend - the weather was perfect for it. Never mind I thought we'd have a drink with the band after the engagement was over - it didn't happen, it seems Saxmundham doesn't have any proper pubs anymore - despite a growing population they all seem to have closed :(

Good news - there's a dance out for me next Sunday - in a pub. So expect more pictures of dancers and pints :)

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

One weekend in the VV household

Good evening

No Downton Abbey this weekend and I'm lost!

Time for a quick blog about our weekend.

Of course it included this;

Thank you to everyone who bought poppies - I was able to add £28 to the Poppy Collection :)

 Christmas Cake prep - just love the smell

 The fruit soon soaked up all the fruit juice & brandy.

 Watching rugby whilst crocheting and drinking cranberry juice - I've not been well this weekend - I think a trip to the Docs is in order tomorrow :(

 The devastation in the kitchen once the cake had been mixed - whilst there was a mess I thought I'd strain the Hedgerow Gin too - almost a litre of the stuff - I've hidden it till Christmas Eve.

Part of the band on the march back from Church this morning. The veterans were pleased that the youngest cornet players played the last post. They are always pleased to see the young members of our band on parade.

As it was sunny today, it was perfect for the 8th week of Autumn Views photos;

 The blackbird enjoyed a quick splash just after I'd taken this picture.

 The leaves on the birch that remain are all a lovely golden colour.

 These 3 trees have almost lost all their leaves now.

 The cherry leaves have all changed colour now too and are falling off rather too quickly.

I hope whatever you did this weekend you had a good one? I've had a quick scan of blogland and seen many pictures from parades today.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Boats, Bands, Samba & Sunshine

Good afternoon.

Hope you had a good weekend? We were so lucky here in Suffolk - extremely good weather on Saturday and not to bad on Sunday - both days were dry and warm enough not to have to wear a coat :)

Saturday afternoon saw me heading to Woodbridge with MrVV. He'd been asked to play with another brass band as they were short of a tuba player. I went along too as I rather like Woodbridge.

The event was to celebrate 1000 years of Maritime history in Woodbridge and was based along the river-front. Lots of stalls and lots of people - best of all - blue skies and sunshine :)

 

The view across the river to the Tide Mill

Such a pretty spot - lots to watch - rowers, small boats and lots of ducks.

 As part of the celebrations there was a re-enactment of 'something' - sorry I wasn't really paying attention. These 18th century soldiers had a camp set up and plenty of people were wandering around chatting to them and learning stuff - me? I found a spot in the sunshine and sat listening to the band, having an ice-cream and reading a book!

Sunday was another band - this time with the normal band - both MrVV & Little Son were involved. A family favourite - a trip to Henham Steam Rally - we've been here so many times with the boys and both love it. So much so that BigSon even came out of his lair for the day!! Whilst the two brass players played - we walked miles around the site several times - finding things we both wanted to see.

 BigSon managed to squeeze himself into this little electric Renault Twizzy - amazingly he could fit himself into the back seat too. Not sure its the most practical of cars - no idea where your shopping is supposed to go!!

 A proper Romany Vardoe - beautifully painted.

 Lots of lovely classic and beautifully restored cars to see - I of course was attracted to something less 'classic' this little Fiat had been given a makeover - complete with ladybird spots, false eyelashes and a clockwork handle on the back which turns when the engine is running!!

 Inside was equally as wacky - fake grass on the parcel shelf and a collection of small toys having a picnic!!

 We heard the samba band before we could see them - very colourful - just a shame they had no dancers with them.

This gorgeous vintage caravan caught my eye. Restored to its former glory by a lovely couple who were happy for me to have a good look around and take photos.

After all the playing was done - it was time for a quick trip to the vintage funfair. BigSon terrified another band member on the big wheel - she was squealing at him to stop rocking the seat so much - rotten boy ;) LittleSon and MrVV went on together;

 Seems that teenage facebook pose is catching on with the older generation ;)

Like father, like son - manic grins all round!

A lovely day out - ended off with a takeaway for dinner and then a glass of wine and Downton Abbey :)

See you soon

Sunday at Somerleyton Hall

Good evening

Thanks for your kind words on my last post - am feeling much better - still giddy at times but the tablets are working. Hopefully after an ENT visit tomorrow then an MRI scan on Wednesday I should know more - even if the 50 mile round trips to hospital wear me out. Even if I could drive (which I can't) I'd not be allowed to at the moment - am braving the buses for part of each trip!!!

Anyhow - Sunday - a brass engagement at Somerleyton Hall nr Lowestoft. Fairly close to home but somewhere I've never visited - we've visited other parts of the site including Fritton Lake but never the Hall itself. What a fab location - the Hall a Tudor-Jacobean mansion is stunning - I wish I'd gone on the tour around it. The gardens were amazing - am sure that during June/July they'd be even more lovely with everything in full bloom.

What a garden - what neat lawns - I wonder if the Gardeners want to come and sort our garden out - lets just say the VV garden is very wildlife friendly at the moment!!

I didn't take many pictures because my camera batteries ran out :(

 This building was an aviary - so pretty and full of colourful budgies who wouldn't stay still for photos!!

Despite the grey skies it was warm - great for a wander around followed by listening to the band;

Hopefully the Hall will have us back next summer - there's a maze I fancy a wander around and of course the inside of the Hall to see.

How are your back-to-school preparations going? We're just about sorted - Little Son packed his bag earlier - he's back on Wednesday. Big Son has a little longer - 6th Form registration tomorrow with a start next Monday.

One final thing - my crafting mojo has returned - rather handy as I've Craft Fair table booked for next month with a sister and 2 blankets that need making for next year!! One is a large one for a special persons 'big' birthday and the other for a new niece/nephew who is due to arrive just before my birthday :)

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx