Three postings in one day...what next you ask???
Grandson and his friend Matt have come for a visit this week and this pic of them was taken just a half hour after they arrived....

OH YES, I think they are part fish!
They sure love the water and the beach.

Till next time...

As some of you know I'm cat sitting for the summer for my wonderful
neighbours.
In this pic Dixon spotted a large dog jaunting across the property and up
the tree he went where he stayed til the coast was clear. His buddy Sam
was no where to be seen.

I know it's been awhile since my last posting so here is another
beauty from my lovely garden.

How do you like this pic???

This what I spotted from my living room window
on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Life just doesn't get any better than this!

Till next time...

Lilly Lady this one's for you!

How do you like the results of last years planting?

Till next time...

OK, can you guess what this is??? MUSHROOMS!
I discovered them growing on a long board of wood which was up against
a small shed. Their grow was because of all the moisture we have had lately.
They didn't last long once the sun got at them.

Till next time...

I wanted to share these pix with y'all.
I spotted this work of art in a little village called Shingletown which is south east
of my residence. I was on my way to visit family and friends and run a few errands.
It amazes me that the artist could see such a beautiful gift hiding in an old tree trunk!

Till next time...

************** AS PROMISED......
Can't you just smell that glorious fragrance?
Oh, I hear you sniffing!!!

~~~~~~~~~ALL'S WELL HERE....JUST A LITTLE BUSY!

I think I need to start smelling the beautiful roses in my garden for a while and a little less of doing other STUFF!
I'll post some pix when the sun comes out!

Till next time...

***********ANOTHER THUNDER STORM!****************
We have had at least 3 thunder storms a day visit us in the last 4 days and now here it is Tues. a.m. and the rain continues. I must thank Mother Nature for saving me a bunch of time in watering all the flower beds and the grass.

#1 Son visited again this past weekend and gave me a hand to do a little edging. I'd rather be on the golf course but I've made up my mind spruce up my property with live plants. I can see Dear Husband grinning and giving me the "thumbs up". I am trying to have my flower beds look similar to the ones I saw in Scotland and England. The new plantings are waiting in boxes till the rain ends maybe later today.

Now I'm off to a workout class at the "Y"!

Till next time...

********* CON'T********************
Wed. we headed out of the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and Pound Sterling(like the rest of England and Scotland).
The cousins, aka Fire Boy(F.B.) and Moll, (I digress cause that's another story) took us to the town where our father was raised.

F.B. related to us about the strife the family went through and the sectarian violence that dominated the area.
We visited with Moll's sister and stayed for two nights with her brother in a very beautiful spot in the Mountains. The next day we ventured to see the grave of St. Patrick in Down Patrick and drove along the coast the Giant's Causeway which was very spectacular. Along the way we spotted a suspension bridge used by fishermen to get to their catch.

After saying good bye..."We'll Meet Again, Don't Know Where Don't Know When But I Know We'll Meet Again Someday!"
we boarded the plane which was late in take off by one hour and headed to Toronto. We had daylight all the way and dear brother-in-law was there to drive us home.

Now to get the new Bucket List started!

Till next time...

************* I'M BAAAAAAACK!*****************

On Mon. the 26 we headed with the cousins at the helm to Holyhead Wales to catch the ferry to Dublin and all went well.

We arrived in Dublin and stayed at the Jury's Inn near the centre of the city. It was raining when we got up the next morning but that didn't stop us and we hopped on a tour bus and saw the entire place. Dublin is large and has many fascinating spots. Our first was the Dublin Museum where we saw Viking ship being dismantled since the vessel will be sailed back to its original home.
Later in the day L'll Sis and I went to see the book of Kells at Trinity College that was so interesting but the Long Room which was upstairs just blew my mind. Google it to see for yourself.
To be con't....don't ya just hate that!!!

Till next time...

*************** OOPS! NOT THE LAST POSTING!!****************

Dear cousin Mike convinced us that it wasn't necessary to hang around all day packing and would we like to go to Wales for the day. Well, L'll Sis was almost doing
back flips at the suggestion of checking out Wales. You see she has taken a real liking to CASTLES. Yep, she even mentioned that she wouldn't mind studying them.

We left at 10:30am and returned at 8pm. We saw three castles and checked out just one but didn't go inside. The weather was rainy and cold so we didn't linger. We did manage to get to Betws-Y-Coed (excuse the spelling and it's late) a small village which has a very famous church and is also a favorite leaving point for hikers.

We have an early departure time tomorrow so...

Till next time...

************** A Day IN Bridge North*****************

Bridge North is a little community just north of Telford. It was and still has a wonderful market which dates back to the time of the Romans.
We did a little food shopping, watched a wedding party leave the old church and had lunch of fish and chips which was yummy!

Today will be a quiet one for us since we will be packing up and getting ready for the next leg of our adventurer to Ireland.

I don't know when I'll be able to blog next so hang in there!

Dear Jim and Jean, you have been with us all during our trip when ever we spot any beautiful gardens especially at Balmoral. I'd say to Toos, "Wouldn't Jim just love the sight of those gardens!"

Till next time...

***********Fun in Telford...******************

Telford is where the first iron bridge was erected. Cousin Mike took us on a tour of a Victorian village called Blist Mills. The village contains shops, homes, people and animals all in period costume, (not the animals). We really enjoyed experiencing the Victorian way of life and watching the school kids who were visiting. It brought back memories of the many school trips we ventured on.

In the afternoon we visited the "mall" for some Sat. shopping. L'll Sis and I really behaved ourselves since we don't want to over load the suitcases.

In the evening we visited with the cousins' son Pip and family. They are such lovely people especially their little son. Pip served on the Britannia and asked to see the pix I took of the ship which is docked in Edinburgh and I could only find two which really upset me. Something must have happened to the camera cause I remember taking those shots.
Maybe I'll find them when I download the camera then I get home.

Today we are into more visiting, genealogy discussion, and sightseeing around this area. We will be here till Mon. morning when we leave for Wales to catch the ferry to Dublin.

Till next time...

*************Stratford and finding the Bard!!!***************

This is the prettiest city. It is what I thought Bath would be like but it is half the size and no hills.
Our drive from Bath to Stratford was very beautiful and finding our accommodation which I booked on line was just perfect.
As we ventured out to tour Stratford we met some lovely women with whom we had a wonderful visit on the patio of the White Swan, delicious scones and tea.
Following an exchange of emails we were on our way to get the "hop on hop off" bus tour.
We had a blast viewing all the places of the Bard and a new respect and understanding for his life. (I can't think of a quote but I know some of you...the Ramps surely could help me out)!

Following a good nights sleep we were on our way to Telford to drop off the car. It was a good drive around Birmingham heading towards Telford and all went well with the drop off. The cousins met us and there was much frivolity, hugs, and kisses. We are here for a few days to enjoy the country side, some home cooked meals and lots of visiting and of course...getting the laundry done!
L'll Sis is in high gear chatting away and there is much discussion about genealogy.

Well, I can check off all the things on my "bucket list" and I guess a new list is due anytime!

Till next time...

********** CHEERS TO TOUR GUIDES!************

As I was planning this trip I logged onto the Bath web site and found a tour guide Paul Elliott and have been communicating with him. He gave us good directions to get into Bath and then we met hin in the lobby at 9:30 this morning and he guided us around Bath until 2pm.
Our tour, only L'll Sis and me until we met up with a bus group from the north of England and then Paul took us around the city when the bus tour was over. He showed us every little nook and cranny, the ins and outs of this very, very old city.
All the old Roman stuff and "what did the Romans ever do for us"?
Bath is truly a fascinating city. I didn't know that it is as big as it is...population 90,000.

We staggered back to the Holiday Inn and studied our map getting ready for tomorrows adventurer to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

I can now check off on my "Bucket List" another place I always wanted to visit.

Dear Cousins, Phill and Mike get that washer and dryer revved up cause our clothes really need a good wash!

Till next time...

********OH! OH! OUR TOOS IS SPEECHLESS!*******

Thanks Dee for your comments! Yes, to all your questions! It sure would be nice to read comments from others!

Sun. we saw Harrods...it was closed we were too early so we took some pix and charged on to St. Paul's in time to participate in the service of Trinity Sunday service...Old Bro#2 would have loved it...in Latin.

Now today we managed to get to Gatwick and leave London in our car...a Mercedes ("oh I couldn't eat another pea") and headed to Stone Henge. L'll Sis was Speechless!!!
Hey Ramp's Toos is running out of superlatives now her jaw just drops. Say a special "hi to Butch". Thanks!

Now we are in Bath at the Express by Holiday Inn (some of you will I know want to check it out on Google Earth...Enjoy)
Tomorrow our guide will pick us up in the lobby for a tour of the city.

Stay well y'all!

Till next time...

**********HELLO FROM LONDON********

We got to our hotel and all went well. Couldn't blog cause all puters were full and we were tired!

Sat. we really did London and managed to avoid the royal wedding...it was by invitation only!

We saw the Tower and the Crown Jewels, West Minister Abbey the Parliament Buildings and had lunch at the Sherlock Holmes pub. Then took a cruise on the Themes River all the way down to Greenwich.Oh yea we saw the building and the falling ball that marks the time for the world.

The Tube system is awesome and we have used it as well as the hop-on-hop-off buses.

Today we are going to Harrods and St Paul's.

Until next time...

******A WEE BIT OF A CHANGE!*****

Instead of going to Paisley we decided to go to Sterling Castle and "OMG"!!!
Dear Husband was really with us all day long since this is where his roots started with Robert the Bruce... aka "Brave Heart". Doug traced his genealogy back to the Margaret mother of Robert the Bruce.

Last night we stayed at a B&B in Sterling and then headed to Glasgow this morning. We are just putting in time until our train leaves for London. No more driving until Monday so I have a long weekend....

M. E. please tell your lovely daughters we were thinking of them as we toured Sterling!

Dear #1 Son, how is my wee hoose?

We wish y'all a happy May 24Weekend!