Back to normal....

Hello it's good to be back!

This is a photo heavy post - you have been warned...

This was me on the morning we sailed from Liverpool to Belfast. We stayed overnight in a 'Premier Inn' but when we arrived in Birkenhead in the afternoon it was cold and the rain was lashing down. We chilled out for the rest of the day; cancelling any idea of taking a ferry across the Mersey - next time perhaps - and got up bright and early on Saturday to catch the ferry.

The view from the ferry of Liverpool.

We had an extremely relaxing time on our two week trip to Ireland. We did very little except visit three sets of relatives; one set in Mullaghmore and Grange in Co. Sligo; another set in Mohill, Co. Leitrim and the final visit was to Edenderry in Co. Offaly.

We had a few warm, sunny days but mostly it rained; it was Ireland after all! One evening the wind was so ferocious the mobile home seemed to rock from side. I thought we would be blown over, for sure.  We had a short snow storm one day and although the snow didn't settle on the ground for long it remained on one of the mountain tops until the next day.

The outfit I wore above was all charity shopped except the boots; present from daughter. Trousers by Zara, polo by Uniqlo and top by Laura Ashley. The jewellery was all charity shopped. I wore this outfit the day we went to Edenderry; where a very strange thing happened. When we arrived there we decided to look at the charity shops before going to see the family. There used to be two charity shops along Main Road but that had increased to four since we were last there. I found a dress, a jacket by Cos (on the 1 euro rail) and this stone head; for 5 euros.

I thought it was a Celtic artefact because of the circular patterns but when I looked it up online it seemed to be from South Africa. It's now hanging on the back wall of our garden. Anyhow, when we were on our way back to the car to go and visit the family; we heard a shout 'Veronica', Veronica'. I knew it wouldn't be anyone from the family as in my family I'm called Vera. When we'd located the source of the voice to a car parked across the road; it was one of my walking friends from the Saturday walking group - Rose! It wasn't that strange really as I knew her husband came from the same town as my father's family. They were visiting her husband's relatives and I was visiting mine and we happened to coincide on Main Street, Edenderry in Ireland!

Apart from visiting relatives in Co. Sligo; cousins Doirin; Liam and Martina; we visited Sligo town for a rummage and went to Rossnowlagh Beach and Maghera Beach and Caves (both in Co. Donegal). I didn't swim but we had lovely walks along both beaches which are both a couple of miles long. We also drove around the Glengesh Pass in Co. Donegal before going to Maghera.

Rossnowlagh

Maghera Beach

View from Glengesh Pass

The 'Secret' Waterfall near Maghera Beach.

On our drive to Glengesh Pass we spotted several chickens around this Irish cabin but by the time I'd got the camera focused only one was left. I liked the play on perspective; that isn't a giant chicken...just a small cabin!

I'd almost forgotten we visited Derry where I had hoped to walk round the city walls; the rain put paid to that -  as it did on my last visit to the city. One day I'll get to walk round the city walls when it's not raining. We did manage a rummage and I bought a colourful jacket for £5.00. It's such a shame that the lovely building above (Austin's Department Store) was unoccupied. It had amazing stained glass windows fit to grace a church.

The Guildhall.

I hadn't spotted this plaque before on previous visits...

Just a couple of outfits worn on holiday. Everything charity shopped. Boots above as before. I didn't wear two of the skirts I'd brought with me and one top, so my packing was pretty good. I usually pack too much; which is daft as I have quite a few clothes in the mobile home part of a permanent wardrobe I keep there. I wore the skirt below on three occasions; once as seen; another day with a navy blue top and another day with a green top and green tights.

We either ate out each day or OH cooked which was a lovely break from cooking for me. On the last day of the holiday we packed up the car and the mobile home and drove to Belfast where we stayed in The Lansdowne Hotel on the Antrim Road. I'd recommend it; lovely hotel and staff and everyone was so helpful. We had time to register and unpack our stuff before we set off to catch a bus to the city centre where we went for a rummage. I was hoping we could use our bus passes but the bus driver said they weren't valid in Northern Ireland; why, I don't know - it's meant to be part of the UK after all. (Updated to say the bus pass scheme is a national one only not a UK one). Instead, we bought a ticket for just over 4.00 each which allowed us - if we'd wanted - to travel on and off any of the city buses all day. I do like Belfast as a city. It's full of beautiful buildings many of which I've featured here on the blog before and the charity shops we found were pretty good. I bought another Matroyshka doll to add to my collection and a BNWT M&S skirt for 5.00. We caught the ferry the following day; the ferry port was just a ten minute drive from the hotel and we arrived home just before ten the same evening.

There's something 'Count Dracula' about him...

 My collection. Some were gifts but most found in charity shops and car boot sales. When the collection reaches the end of the shelf I'll stop...

Whilst we'd been away the garden had gone into productive mode. The tulips -  before we left and when we got back.

The wallflowers were out.

The Pansies had come on leaps and bounds

I hadn't killed the Euphorbia after all...and another piece of good news; the Magnolia tree I thought I had pruned back too hard was showing a couple of green shoots - hurrah! The Wisteria, too, was full of green shoots and tiny leaves. In fact in the two weeks we'd been away the trees everywhere no longer had bare branches but were covered in green and blossom was everywhere. I even spotted flowering Wisteria.

Everything charity shopped. Trousers from 1.00 rail somewhere; top by Cos from my Barnardo's and pumps bought last year. All jewellery charity shopped. It was brilliant to wear fewer layers and lap up the warm sunshine.

Our first full day at home proved to be busy. I did 4 lots of washing which were hung out to dry involving the clothes airer as well as the washing line. I went to Aldi and Lidl to do the grocery shopping and whilst I was there I bought some Petunias for the front window box and a lovely orange Thunberga plant. OH was busy getting the garden into shape as it had gone quite wild whilst we were away. We planted out the Honesty seedlings; the remaining Fritillaries and the Gladiolus bulbs. OH got the garden hose out and gave everything a good soaking and I tidied up and watered the front garden. Our fig tree had lots of new leaves on it - I thought I'd pruned that too hard, too, but it looked green and healthy - whew! I made dinner and quite later on in the evening we lit the fire using some of the turf we brought back with us. The evenings were still chilly despite the warmer days.

Everything charity shopped. Polo from Primarni via charity shop; red jeans by Laura Ashley; tunic by Store Twenty One and pumps bought last year. All jewellery charity shopped.

Although I was home on Monday I didn't go to Barnardo's as I knew there would be a lot to do at home. I did go to the food bank, however, on Tuesday. The warehouse was strangely empty; there were gaps where previously there were crates full of food. The warehouse manager said we were issuing three times the amount of food we used to (pre-pandemic) but that donations were down. This time of year donations do decrease but I wonder how much the increase in the cost of living has contributed to it? Time will tell. I made up lots of hygiene packs and restocked crates as much as I could; we had run out of toothpaste and I hoped supplies would have increased by the time I went back the following week...

On Wednesday, the group walk was from Hinchingbrooke Country Park (in Cambridgeshire) and what a wonderful walk it was. The weather was beautiful; warm, sunny with a bit of a breeze. From the park we walked to Brampton; then onto Godmanchester, into Huntingdon and back to the country park; 7.5 miles in total.

Samuel Pepys lived in this house and went to school locally:

Godmanchester. The bridge was being repainted so we didn't get to cross it but went around it. The houses banking the river (Great Ouse) had boathouses with balconies like the one below.

The town offices in Godmanchester.

View along the river Great Ouse.

I collected the youngest grandson from school and stayed in my walking clothes all day. I renewed my resident parking permit online. Mine had expired and I hadn't realised; part of the council's cost saving exercise not to to send out reminder letters; when we got back on Sunday there was a parking ticket attached to my car. I paid it over the phone on Monday; just in time to stop the fee from doubling to 50.00! I made dinner for both grandsons and OH and as we had lit the fire the night before; cleaned it out and relaid it. It was definitely back to the normal routine for me...

Although I didn't need to do food shopping on Thursday it was still a busy day. I went for a swim and managed to do 48 laps (1 mile). Then it was off to the hairdresser and to the sorting office to collect a parcel which wasn't there - it had been returned to the sender - aaarghhh! Did you know that if a parcel isn't claimed from Royal Mail and there are no sender details to return it to; it gets send to a Royal Mail Depot in Belfast where they open it and decide either to dispose of it or send it to charity! So, it's a good idea to include your details if you send a package to someone...I know I'm probably preaching to the converted.

This is one of the skirts I bought from Barnardo's and took to Ireland but didn't wear. The top by Falmer's was a 1.00 rail find; the denim jacket was a charity shop purchase last year. The pumps by New Look via a charity shop. All jewellery charity shopped except earrings bought from eBay. 

From the sorting office I drove to the Farm shop to buy coal and kindling. The coal had increased in price by 5.00! I then went to Sainsbury's and Aldi for forgotten items from Monday's shopping trip. I went to B&M for bird food supplies; dropped of a bag of donations to the Hospice shop and then decided to go for a rummage in the Castle Road charity shops as I'd broken my large tea cup just before we went to Ireland. I found one! I also found a book and a pair of summer trousers by Topshop. After packing away all my purchases from the day I had a bit of a wardrobe swap over. This was my second swap over having put most of my heavy winter coats and skirts away already. I put away heavy cardigans, dresses and jackets and brought down a bag of summer clothing - jackets, skirts and dresses. There were still two bags of summer clothing in the loft containing tops, trousers and night wear; they will be taken down in due course depending on the weather. I swapped over ankle boots for shoes. I keep my sandals in a basket under my bed so they just get pulled out to remind me I have some; I only really wear sandals when it's very hot. And talking of temperatures it reached 19 degrees on Thursday and felt like summer! On the way back from my Thursday rummage I spied some gorgeous blossoms and had to take photos:

I suffer from Wisteria envy...

I met some of my walking group friends on Friday at noon having gone into to town first to buy a couple of items I needed. We met in Bedford Park in the cafe and after tea, cake and a chat set off on a 6 mile walk to see the Spring flowers in the local woods. First stop was at the community orchard:

On the left is a Medlar tree (Mespilus Germanica) or as it is known colloquially; 'dog's arse' (for the shape of the fruit); on the right some apple blossom.  I've never tasted a medlar but I did know they had to 'bletted (allowed to rot) before they can be eaten! From the orchard we wandered over to the pond which was full of tadpoles and saw some cowslips and snake's head fritillaries. Primroses were everywhere, too.

On to the woods;

Wood anemones

Bluebells in Clapham Park Wood.

On the way back from the walk; I was shown a path I didn't know existed. It takes you into the cemetery then exits into the park. I'll be making use of that path in future; especially if I don't want to climb 'Cemetery Hill' - our very own 'Hill of Doom'. On the way back from the walk having come prepared; I gathered a bag full of pine cones outside the swimming pool. They make great kindling.

I wore this outfit. Everything charity shopped; t shirt from Primarni; Mom jeans by Next; shirt by M&S and pumps as before. All jewellery charity shopped. I also wore my boiled wool navy coat on the walk as it was a much cooler day than Thursday with a sharp wind. I wore these same jeans on Saturday and Sunday as well.

During the week I had caught up with blog land; finished one book and started another; watched 'Secrets of the Museum' but hadn't watched any other TV. I got my crochet mojo back a bit in Ireland; I crocheted 11 further squares for the 'Circles into Squares' blanket #2 I started over a year ago! I hadn't picked it up since I got back but I must; I need 100 squares for the blanket and I'd only made 39 so far -  a long way to go.

On Saturday the weather was cool with a chilly breeze but at least it was dry; which was just as well as it was the 'Unlock London Walk #39: In the Shadows of the Tower'. Cancelled for the past 2 years thanks to Covid; this years walk was in East London (London Borough of Tower Hamlets - hence the title) taking in 6 churches in total. We walked from Whitechapel, to Mile End, to Stepney, to Bethnal Green, to Spitalfields where the final church was 'Christ Church' and the oldest one of the 6. The other churches were relatively modern with the most recent being constructed in 2018. At each church there were refreshments and you made a donation. All the money raised goes to charities. We caught the 08.10 am train from Bedford and got back home about 6. 45pm; having walked 10.6 miles. We were both pretty shattered I can tell you, but it was a most enjoyable day.

William and Catherine Booth; founders of the Salvation Army started out in the East End.

This monument to the father of the Bangladeshi nation was in someone's front garden.

FATHER OF THE BANGLADESHI NATION BANGOBONDU

SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN

7TH OF MARCH

TO 15TH OF AUGUST 175 UNVEILED BY

SURANJIT SENGUPTA. MP

MRY OF PAL ADVISOR BANGLADESHAAMMLEAGLE MINISTRY OF LA JUSTICE AND PARLIAMENTARY

17TH DECIDIE FUNDED BY

AFSAR KHAN SADEK

শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি বাংলাদেশ হাইকমিশন

I had to include this blue plaque!

This street lost 22 men in the Great War and erected their own war memorial to them.

Regent's Canal

What a fab idea for a window box!

These 2 places we passed on the walk made me laugh and might be worth a return visit! You can see me in the window reflection on the left with Tina one of our walking group.

Christ Church, Spitalfields.

If only the sky had been that blue on Saturday!

The interior of Christ Church, Spitalfields.

I went for a swim on Sunday morning and struggled to do my 48 laps. I think my muscles were still tired from Saturday's walk. Did the usual housework and cooked Sunday dinner. Middle grandson came to stay for a few days.

I had a surprise on Monday morning; I got a call from the manager of Barnardo's to say that because of staff shortages the Great Denham shop was closed and could I go to Kempston instead. I could and I did. It's a much bigger shop and carries much more of Barnardo's own goods as well as furniture and baby goods such as cots, buggies etc.

Pumps and denim jacket as before. Skirt bought from Barnardo's and top from 1.00 rail at Barnardo's. All jewellery charity shopped. 

I was very busy serving customers all morning and before I knew it it was home time. I stopped at Lidl and Aldi on the way home. Having done the weekly shop on Easter Monday instead of a Thursday as usual; I kept running out of items. It'll be back to the normal Thursday shop this week, thank goodness. I did a towels wash and hung it out and I finished putting my winter clothes away and taking the rest of my summer clothes down from the loft. I got rid of quite a lot of clothes and filled another black bin bag ready to donate. I am determined to buy less second hand clothing and just shop my wardrobe for the next three months to see if I can do it. For example, I have 22 pairs (!) of patterned light weight trousers which means I could wear a different pair every day for 3 weeks. I should do this as a challenge -  but I would get bored wearing trousers everyday; I'd miss wearing skirts and dresses. However, I did find this:

It's a small scarf by Liberty - a neckerchief. After making dinner I spent the rest of the evening catching up with blog land and writing my own.

Everything charity shopped; trousers and pumps by New Look. No label tunic but I love the design; show me a floral print and I'm hooked straight away. All jewellery charity shopped except the earrings which were from eBay; I think.

Back to the food bank today where I was busy making up hygiene packs, restocking toiletry crates and putting donated toiletries away. The big gap on the warehouse floor was filled up again. The food bank had to buy a considerable amount of food items to make up for the shortfall. After I'd finished I dropped off another black bin bag of donations to the Daycare Hospice shop. I'm just off for a short walk before I start making dinner for OH and grandson. I'm dining out tonight at my daughter's house who is making a vegan meal for me; can't wait. See you in a fortnight!

Off to Ireland again....

Just a quick update as by the time this is published we'll be on our way to Ireland. I'm backtracking to last Wednesday when I walked with my group from a village called Preston; which was near Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It was a beautiful day. We'd been enjoying a week of warm sunshine and it makes for a beautiful walk. Hertfordshire is not flat like Bedfordshire and so we were climbing up and down small hills; a lovely walk. When we stopped for our break on the walk on Wednesday we stopped in a church yard and the ground was littered with huge fir cones. I stuffed my rucksack full of them as they make good kindling for the fire. I stayed in my walking gear all day and went to Aldi on the way home to buy stuff for dinner and picked up the youngest grandson from school. In the evening we finished watching the Belgian drama 'Black Out' and I started to watch 'Hidden;' a current BBC 4 Welsh drama series with subtitles for those of us who don't speak Welsh. I've enjoyed both of the previous series of this drama; it was very dark and slow moving but worth watching.

On Thursday I led my walk of 5.5 miles; an amble. There were 6 of us plus me and it was enjoyed by all. We started at the garden centre in Milton Ernest then walked in a loop to Thurleigh and back again. The wonderful weather helped. I came back and changed then set off to do the Thursday food shop and farm shop.

Everything charity shopped. Wide legged pants by White Stuff; polo neck by Zara; navy blue lace shirt; no label and coral sneakers by BJ. All jewellery charity shopped.

Yet another glorious day on Friday. I met up with a few of my walking group friends and we walked in Codicote in Hertfordshire; between Hitchin and Welwyn. We saw some magnificent houses:

This was Node Court. I adored the thatched roof turret and the the bridge on the drive. It was closed off so I had to take photos from behind a metal barrier. A Grade II listed building; Node Court was built in 1928 for an American businessman as a model dairy; then further developed as racing stables until 1972 when it was sold off to various business interests. It was the victim of arson attacks in 2015 and 2019. According to our walk leader it had been bought by someone and was being slowly restored.

This 16th/17th century beauty sat in extensive grounds.

The public footpath ran along the left hand side so we were able to have a really good nose!

Side view.

This beautiful pond, part of the above estate, was well stocked with huge fish and Koi carp and had been planted with coloured heather which made it very striking.

Not far from the above house we passed a plant nursery. Run by Isabel aged 81 years as a charity to help homeless people, people with mental health problems and ex-offenders; and called  'Making Life Beautiful' we were welcomed in and offered tea! I bought some lovely Saxifrage plants in deep pink and pale pink which I picked up after the walk. The nursery was in Isabel's 0.3 acre garden where I had my photo taken alongside a life sized metal giraffe!

In a few weeks this wood will be carpeted with bluebells.

Below, Magnolia blossom.

Once part of the Danesbury Estate; this fernery was where we stopped for a break. It looks so peaceful and tranquil but the A1 motorway runs along behind the trees in the distance.

After our 7 mile walk we stopped for some lunch at a local pub then I drove home to get ready for my Mother's Day outing.

I bought this dress at the 'Mercy in Action' shop for 5.00 last week. The label had been cut out but it's made of broiderie anglais. The jacket by BHS came from a 1.00 rail and the shoes were bought online last summer. It was the first day I went without tights or socks. The red bag was a birthday present from my daughter. All the jewellery was charity shopped. We went to the Swan Hotel in Bedford and had afternoon tea. It was delicious and I couldn't finish it all. I brought home a doggy bag containing a mini lemon curd tart and a mini carrot cake which I ate the following day - for part of my breakfast!

Our week of fabulous weather had reached its penultimate day on Saturday. I still had birthday money left to spend and wanted to go for a rummage. OH had a busy day ahead as he was going to try and fit the new shower. I set off for Newport Pagnell alone at 10 am and had a very enjoyable morning browsing. I found some (more) walking boots but in leather this time. (I gave the pair I had bought previously to my daughter who tends to wear trainers when she walks. Walking boots are far kinder to your feet). I also bought a red tiered maxi skirt; a black and white spotted James Lakeland winter jacket; some bangles, a necklace, 2 brooches and a terracotta plant pot. In Age UK, I also found a rather nice pewter jug (4.00). It's by Craftsman of Sheffield; an offshoot of Viners dating from 1926 -1939. I then went completely mad and found the matching teapot and sugar bowl on eBay and spent the rest of the birthday money on them! I removed a few items from my wardrobe and filled a black plastic bag ready for donating to a charity shop.

This was Saturday's outfit. I bought the dress in the summer in a charity shop. It's handmade and lined. The top was a charity shop find originally by Papaya and the pumps were retail from Primarni; bought in the summer. All jewellery charity shopped. I spent the afternoon making a Butternut Squash, Chickpea and Green Lentil Moroccan Stew. I also took my grandson to buy his mum some flowers for Mother's Day and read my book. Daughter and I went out for a walk after 5 pm and walked for 4.5 miles; it was almost dark when I got home. In the evening we started to watch a French drama called 'Trauma' part of the 'Walter Presents' series and found it both gripping and bizarre. It will keep us going until we leave for Ireland. Sunday was a cooler day but we still had spells of sunshine. I made dinner for us all on Sunday and did the usual boring housework. I received more cards and presents; plants, chocolates and flowers as it was Mothering Sunday here in the UK. I am such a lucky woman!

You might have noticed I didn't mention swimming on Sunday. I didn't go as firstly I actually got up too late; the clocks changing always discombobulate me;  secondly after walking for 4 days consecutively I felt I needed to give my body a rest. The last time I walked for 4 days in a row I ended up with a painful knee. I will be swimming on Thursday morning as usual and was looking forward to it.

This was Monday's outfit worn to Barnardo's. I bought the denim pinafore dress by Tu recently but can't remember which charity shop. The top was from a 1.00 rail and the tights and boots were bought online. The necklace is the one picked up on Saturday's rummage in Newport Pagnell; all other jewellery charity shopped, too. 

It was stocktaking day at Barnardo's and the shop was shut until we had completed it. We finished by 11.30 am - there were 4 of us in - and then I decoded the men's section and processed donations. I went into town in the afternoon to get my eyebrows done and to run a few errands for things for the caravan. A Poundstretcher shop had opened recently at the back of the bus station so I checked it out. I bought some dehumidifiers for the caravan and picked up some new nailbrushes for home; another plant and a plant pot. As an opening incentive everything was 50% off in Poundstretcher which was fine by me. After sorting out the fire - yes, we're still lighting the fire in the evenings even though the days have been warm and sunny; I hung out my towels wash and washed the kitchen floor.  I then made dinner and caught up with blog land. I also started on my packing for Ireland. Only 3 days until we left for Liverpool! OH continued to tinker with the shower assuring me I'd be able to have a shower in the morning - at last. Unfortunately, it didn't work; the water was freezing. Help was needed to get it working properly...

There was a definite change in the weather on Tuesday. As I was about to leave for the food bank I realised it was raining and that my washing was still on the line. I rescued it before it became thoroughly wet again and set off to the food bank where it was chilly and the rain drummed on the corrugated iron roof the entire time!

Boots bought from local FB buy and sell group; skirt picked up on Saturday's rummage; polo neck by Primarni via Daycare Hospice shop and jumper by M&Co; from the 1.00 rail at Barnardo's some time ago. All jewellery charity shopped. After making up 50 hygiene packs and restocking the crates at the food bank; I stopped at the chemist on my way home to pick up my prescription. I also went back to Barnardo's as I bought 2 skirts whilst I was there on Monday and forgot to take them with me. They're both cotton patterned maxis but are coming to Ireland with me;  I'll wear them with leggings underneath. One is red (I've gone from having zero red maxi skirts to 3!) and the other one is orange with a yellow trim. When I got home I finished the bulk of my packing; packed away heavier winter skirts from my wardrobe to go into the loft; and hung up my bed linen wash. I missed hanging the washing outside already.  It rained all day and remained chilly. I finished my book and caught up with Blog land then did the fire and made dinner.

Everything I wore was charity shopped except the boots which were donated by my daughter and the Snag tights. Skirt by Red Herring; jumper from Barnardo's. Scarf and all jewellery also charity shopped.

I got up on Wednesday expecting to walk with my group but when I went to check the postcode for the Sat Nav; I realised I'd got the date wrong and the walk was scheduled for next week - when we'll be in Ireland. Undeterred I put  my walking boots on and set off on a new walk. I walked 8.5 miles from Ravensden to Wilden to Renhold and back to the starting point. With a few tweaks it will be a walk I can lead for the Autumn Walks Programme. It pays to be organised! On the last leg of my walk I bumped into a small group of the Saturday group walkers; it was good to see them as I hadn't walked with the Saturday group in a while. A little while after that I saw the black pigs that are kept on the estate I was walking through and was delighted to see a mummy pig with 3 gorgeous piglets. I gave them the biscuits I'd brought with me but there were no photos taken as I'd left my phone at home; doh!!

I came home and got changed then went to Lidl to do a very small shop as I had a 10.00 off voucher and didn't want to waste it. I bought stuff we can take to Ireland. Ireland's food prices are more expensive than here in England so I took advantage of it and did some of my food shopping, for Ireland, here. Of course, I couldn't buy anything perishable. I also went to Aldi for a couple of things and to Sainsbury's to buy some printer ink. Something I'd forgotten to do for more than a week. Having ran all my errands; I picked the youngest grandson up from school. After cooking dinner and taking grandson home I completed my packing except for the very last minute things. Only one day to go...

I woke up to snow on Thursday morning! Great big fluffy flakes in huge swirls. It didn't settle and by the time I'd walked to the swimming pool; where I swam 46 laps; there was no sign it had snowed at all! Then it snowed again in the afternoon once or twice. In fact the afternoon was also sunny but very cold and there was a strong wind. Just think, last week girls were wearing sleeveless dresses....OH and my daughter's partner could get the new shower to work so it's going back to the shop and we'll sort it out when we come back from Ireland. 

We don't have internet connection at the mobile site in Ireland and my eyes are not good enough to cope with reading much on phone screens so I won't be able to read or comment on your blogs for a couple a weeks. I shall miss you all. I hope you stay safe and well and warm!