Happy Birthday Kate

Kate Bush, 50 today. Wow.

Lucky

Have just been reading comments from Russell T Davies regarding the forthcoming Doctor Who "specials", series four and a bit I guess you might call them.



In addition to the now traditional Christmas episode, which this year features the Cybermen (my personal favourite foe) there will be in fact four "specials" for 2009. That's one more than I had been led to believe had been commisioned. I'm suspecting one for Christmas time 2009 and three spaced through the year. Easter, one of the May bank holidays and perhaps the August break..?

We are in deed lucky.

Generations

Thought I'd post this image of three generations of the family sat on my parents lawn this weekend. Think you can work out who is who.

And what a weekend! Summer has finally arrived to our small corner of the globe. Temps pushing 30 degrees Celcius (about 85 F) which ain't too bad for Britain. Added to that mum was home for the weekend and has held up remarkably well, admittedly she is having to take things very slowly with lots of rest in between but it's nice to have her home. The pain does seem to be getting the better of her now and she's relying heavily on the meds for relief and that does mean she needs to cat-nap a lot through the day.

She goes back to the hospice 10.30 sharp Monday morning and will likely spend at least one more night there while they assess how she coped. Maybe they'll allow her home again real soon, even just for a couple of days at a time. So on that note, here's a cheery picture to end this entry with...

Prison Break

All being well, mum is being allowed home Saturday morning for the weekend and back to the hospice Monday morning. Should be nice. Hope to get Little Lad in to see her and spend a short time with her. Sadly mum's blood tests have indicated a further deterioration in her liver.

Proud to be British

Today, because of Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, I am proud to be British.

While on patrol in Helmand Province he threw himself on top of a live grenade to protect the other members of his unit. Remarkably he survived and yesterday was awarded the George Cross for outstanding bravery.

For the full story, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7522535.stm

Ever Had That Feeling..?

Ever had that feeling when you wake and get overcome by disappointment that it's not Friday yet?

Ouch!

Damn that summer sunshine.

Or to be more exact we spend ages in this country moaning that we no longer get good summers and as soon as the weather changes we come over all stupid, forgetting to apply sun block to all exposed areas. D'oh!

Saturday

Today I took Little Lad to the hospice to spend some time with his Grandma.

So we had about an hour sitting in the hospital conservatory. He was able to spend some quality time with her and make as much noise as necessary without disturbing other patients or staff. He was all smiles and mum was over the moon.

This rather blurry image courtesy of my camera-phone but you get the idea. Must remember to carry my real camera more frequently.

To Lighten the Mood

The Olympics are coming up shortly in China, in case you were not aware.

Team GB have just over 300 competitors taking part however the BBC are sending over 450 people to cover the event. Go figure.

Mum

Mum is now settled in the hospice and is as comfortable as they can make her. She had a long day yesterday- forms to complete and lots of tests etc.

Fact?

Apparently the Welsh for Microwave Oven is Popti-Ping. How cool is that LOL?

Cancer News

Mum and Dad visited the hospital today- her liver is far worse than believed. Mum was given the choice whether to go into the hospice or receive 24hr care at home. For the moment, she has decided to go back to hospital and so they will admit her Thursday morning, how long for we don't know.

Race

Yesterday my aunt C joined over 6000 women from the Reading area to take part in the Cancer Research UK (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/) Race for Life. Needless to say she was running on behalf of her sister, my mum and we all went along to lend our support.

Due to certain restrictions, they actually held two races with approx 3000 in each. C was in the morning, when I guess it was a bit cooler thankfully. The course itself was 5km (about 3 1/2 miles) so not too long in itself but believe me there are some really steep parts. The going down might be fine but you've got to go up first! Anyway, well done C.


I don't know about you but for some reason I find Morris Dancers slightly disturbing. The prospect of a group of Morris Women in full traditional costume mostly dancing their way round the course is quite scary...

(Not) Wanted

Yet again my theory that film makers put all the best bits into the trailers, leaving the main film devoid of surprise, excitement or plot was proved correct.

What exactly was the point of Wanted? It offered so much for an action movie yet delivered each set-piece as if being ticked off a check list handed down from the execs at Universal Studios. We even had to endure a sub-Darth Vader "surprise" regarding the supposed villain and the hero. Bet no one saw that coming. James McAvoy narrates through much of this sorry tale so any sense of real danger or suspense for the hero evaporates.

I really can't imagine what an actor of Morgan Freeman's standing was thinking about, other than a very large pay cheque. This has got to be one of the most tedious films I have paid good money to see, equal to The Golden Compass or Hitman. If you buy goods or services and they fail to live up to the advertising or are faulty, you are entitled to a refund so can I get my money back please?

LastMinuteDotCom

No nothing to do with that well known travel website.

I seem to be leaving things later and later to organise and now I have been caught out. I called the college to re-enroll for ceramics in September only to find I have left it too late- the class is full. Whoops!

Gonna try photography instead, have just enrolled.