Good Reasons to Have Children

As I get older I often wish we had children. Grown adult children. Strapping boys able to help their old folk out with the tasks that are now too heavy for old muscles. I said this to my sister when she told me her youngest was cutting the grass. While she cleaned the back of the fridge that he'd just hauled out of it's slot in the kitchen. She told me it's "cheaper to hire in 2 young Polish men" when needed. I'm sure that if I'd had sons I would have loved them - regardless of the expense.

Knowing my luck we would probably have bred girls.

Updated:

Which wouldn't have necessarily been a bad thing.

London Olympics 2012

Now the Olympic focus has turned to London 2012. Everyone is wondering how we can 'top' the Beijing Olympics. I hope we don't even try. I hope as the Mayor of London suggested the British will provide a different and quirky element to the 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

I believe that we should look back to the previous London Olympics of 1948. Austerity and thrift were still in place. Rationing was tighter than during the recently ended World War 2. I think London should put in place a Thrifty Austerity Olympics where the focus is on the taking part rather than razz ma tazz. If you think this is a good perhaps you will contact Bo Jo the Mayor of London and pass on ideas.

While I am - on the subject of the London Olympics 2012 I read today on Retired and Crazy's blog the petition for the Red Arrows to be part of the opening ceremony closes in mid September. There is still time to add your signature. I did highlight the petition in a post in April. I agree with retiredandcrazy, we should pass this on to as many people as possible. We should be proud of our British heritage and should be able to highlight the few things for which we are renowned world wide.

Where the Bee Sucks ....

I am a dreadful gardener in that every plant that seeds itself has to have the opportunity to develop where it first put down roots. it leads to a haphazard planting scheme and occasional happy accidents. When I first saw this Hebe several years ago growing out of a fissure in some cracked paving I didn't expect it to live for long. I was wrong. Last year it flowered for the first time. I was pleased to find it is a totally different colour from any other of the large Hebes in my garden I wonder how far it's seed has travelled before it found a welcome niche here. This year it is putting on quite a display and on closer examination I found it a veritable hive of bee activity.

To Share in Love

Hadriana recently asked me to accept and pass on this award.

The award originated on "memoirs of a mummy blog" and she explained that the rules are to

" SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog." As you'll see if you click on the link there is a serious purpose on her wish for this award to be passed around.

I'm hoping that any one who calls in here during the next few days will take it up and pass it on.

Brophy's Coffee Shop Sidmouth

It's surprised me just how many hits my blog entries on Brophy's coffee shop have generated. They brought a wide range of readers to peer at this blog and some then leave a comment. Having written a few times about what used to be my favourite meeting and eating place when in Sidmouth I couldn't see why so many people ended up Googling 'Brophy's' and then falling onto my pages. I googled Brophy's myself and then found that these blog entries came out quite high along with Brophy's of Soton. So now I know. Well, I think I do. I assume they are in fact trying to find out more information about this Brophy's.

But just in case there are a few folk out there trying to find out whether or not Brophy's in Sidmouth is worth a try - then may I point you in another direction, in a friendly manner towards:

1. The Chattery - (I love the name) I've yet to try it as it has been crowded when I've tried to get in. I have heard very good reports from many people. Informal, relaxed, good coffee, good food.
2. Fields Coffee Shop: all round good value for money, excellent friendly service. If you ask for a glass of tap water they ask if you'd like ice and a slice in it ...
3. Baraza: excellent coffee (not quite up to Gary's standards but well that was perfection...a once in a lifetime experience ... sigh)
4. Clock Tower in Connaught Gardens - wonderful cakes, good coffee splendid views in fine weather

As you will see from this link of businesses in Sidmouth there are many eating places, from formal restaurants, to pubs, to coffee shops. I have enjoyed a snack and a place to rest weary limbs in many of these places. Most are very friendly. Brophy's appears conspicuous by its absence from this site. I wouldn't say that is a great loss.. .. the best I can say about it is - the seats are comfortable, it is spacious, it is not very crowded and the waitresses, Angela in particular, are friendly..

When the Cat's Away ....

When the Cat's Away the mice play they say ... Well, I've just enjoyed a very rare hour alone while MyMan has been out for a treatment. I wanted to sit and just enjoy the solitude with perhaps a good book. But then realised it was too good an opportunity to go through the kitchen store cupboards and clear out all the old stock of unopened jars and packets which had long gone by their 'use by dates'.

I even managed to find something which I think used to be a pinkish Thousand Island dressing with a 'best before 08/2000' date. As it had turned blue I binned it.