Goodbye 2013

We mark another year of the “quiet” country living! It has been anything but quiet here as the village seems to get busier as we do, with visitors and caring for our canine friends. We have a little departure from what has become as New Year tradition as we intend to celebrate 2014 when with friends back in Scotland, well just, Melrose in the borders, but in the first week of February!

The Street Market was a success for our bric a brac stall, raising funds for the causes in the village but the major fund raiser for us was the Game Cock’s 7th Anniversary and Halloween Charity Night, raising £1374.20p for Austwick School.

Our personal funds have been enhanced by regular visits to the Gala at Morecambe! Although able, Frank is not driving so I’m the chauffeur meaning I enjoy the Gala experience too! Writing this annual note, it is over a year since Frank was taken ill at the Gala, amazing recovery with superb NHS care, something we are grateful for, so much words cannot express our feelings. Perhaps I’m more Scottish than I thought!

We are not sending Merry Yule cards this year as the social media seems to be more effective at this than a privatised mail company. However our greetings are as before and we will be thinking of our friends, no matter where they are, at the holiday time.

So what of 2014? With Scotland backing, by an overwhelming majority in the Parliament, the general principles of the equal marriage bill, we may transfer our 2005 civil partnership, a) because we can (we would have the transfer in Scotland as our CP is registered there) b) any excuse for a party but c) on a more serious note, just like the fight for our civil partnerships, the effect of the message it sends out in society, beyond any of our borders, is vital to the state of equity. Our rights have been hard won, but complacency could now be the enemy from within! What are the other aspects for the coming year we know about? Alec hot coal walk in aid of children affected by cancer and his pot hole experience with Clapham adventure centre, no more need to be said except, health and happiness to you all, and of course prosperity in everything you do in 2014.

Game Cock Halloween

What a brilliant night at the Halloween Charity Auction Night at The Game Cock Inn! We everyones help it raised over £1000.00 for Austwick School and celerated Eric and Maree's 7th year at the pub! Thanks to all who paricipated, assisted wi...th the village wander, donated items for the auction, bid and bought the goods, cooked the wonderful pies, and stayed (late) for the pub quiz, congratulations all round for a great scary Halloween - and it was scary! Some fabby constumes, well we think they were in costume! Hugs for Joanna for doing our make-up and all the best for your future in Switzerland!See more

The first cut

Reflection continued- so powered up, again thanking neighbour of demonstration, the mower started first and subsequent times as with five lawn areas, the need to empty the cutting, although the bag seems to compact the cutting well saving the need for constant visit to the compost bins, the job was done. I would like to think I can get a better result but that has been more me that the machine, as you can see! Now sure if anyone will make the connection was Honda, but yes, we did buy the Honda Civic car for less that the Honda Izy! So happy days all ready for the winter! Em - does one cut the grass in winter? A special mention to Ernest our neighbour, now in his 80's who has cut the lawns for the last 15 years. We do appreciated his support and work with a hope that once regaining his health he will find a Honda Izy 415SD a dream to use!

First cut with the Honda Izy 415SD

Reflection




HONDA IZY 415SD

 

As one gets near another year older reflection is not something to do lightly. However it can be joyous and dangerous, as our recent purchase demonstrates. The time was when the interest and excitment was the new edition of "Aramis", rushing down to Fenwicks in Newcastle to make sure they had it, but more important, to see if there was a free tester so you could smell of it! Then party on! But now Mr Gala of Morecambe fame has provided the resources for us to purchase a lawn mower, not just any lawn mower but a Honda Izy 415 self drive lawn mower! After some assistance from our neighbour Russ, the item was found on www.justhonda.co.uk purchased at a fair price, delivered free, although the delivery guy, Craig, was on his own and I had to help get it off the van, me with a reputation of accidents, damaged quads etc, I think he thought it might have been better to do it on his own! That apart the box was damaged, which Craig duly noted, but the contents seemed fine. Now the challange of putting the pride and joy together with lousy instuctions consisting in the main of penciled picture, what can on expect from the French? Elements against me and Frank supervising, started to assemble, so in the course of time had a Honda 415SD ready to fire, oops, given my history of garden fires and burns and considering petrol used, perhaps the wrong word there!  

Minnie

So sad to know that Minnie, of 16 dog-years, has gone, after her quality of life deteriorated so much that Debbie had to make the brave decision. However life does go on and their new golden labradors, Jip and Blue are getting the love and affection that Minnie so much deserved.
Folk will remember when Frank was taken ill Minnie was in residence with us and saw me through many a lonely night!
We will miss her so much but know that she will be remembered.

Same sex marriage in Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b030jhhc/Reporting_Scotland_27_06_2013/

Some very familiar faces here and the link to the excellent campaign video from the Equality Network
"it's time"

http://www.equality-network.org/its-time-equality-network-launches-scotlands-equal-marriage-video-campaign/

Launched to mark five years since the Equality Network started Equal Marriage, the UK’s first campaign for same-sex marriage, in June 2008, It’s Time is Scotland’s Equal Marriage video campaign. The video campaign aims to help build momentum for a change in the law as MSPs decide how they will vote on Scotland’s equal marriage legislation. We also hope that it will help focus the minds of MSPs on the positive issues at the heart of the bill; love, equality and freedom of choice.

Wheels

After the Honda Logo's exhaust fell off and attempts to fix it that resulted in nothing been done, we are now pround owners of a "P" reg Honda Civic - not wanting to invest in a car at our grand old age - Frank is 66 next week - so wheels on, exhaust there and engine running we can go and collect bird food from Clapham!

Red one like ours!