A wonderful visit

The title refers to the wonderful time my mum spent here with us; she left last week and it is strange to not have her here. It really was a lovely visit.

Again this update will be brief and to the point. We have not yet done any work around the place, I've not even been back into the old tool room to finish tidying it. This is mainly down to lack of cash and also lack of Bekir - he's hopefully coming for a week or so to do a few small bits around the place that are becoming urgent however we have decided to build up reserves, and also focus on Rosie, with the aim of maybe having a late building season to install a new toilet in the guest suite.

Mum doing some gardening

Out for a really lovely lunch

The waiter gave us this note - HOW AMAZING!!!

Dippy Duck Eggs on the balcony

Rosie with Grandma

Another Balcony Breakfast

Cuddles with Grandma at Elite

Play time, while Thelma waits patiently

Out for fast food

Final breakfast on the balcony with my mum

The pictures above tell the story. It was a relaxing time for us all, though I was working the day job every day. Mum had a totally relaxed time, with no pressure to do anything. She enjoyed herself pottering in the garden doing some weeding and helping me with collecting twigs together (I did some stuff in the garden, dragging more of the wood off the front grass area to clear it for strimming) but mostly she chilled, read, cuddled Rosie and had a lovely holiday. We were able to get some dippy duck eggs into us, the first of this year, but then Bekci killed our last duck and so now we have no ducks to produce eggs. This has led us to decide that we must find her a new home as she is also a little too clumsy around the little dogs and as Rosie gets to toddling we're a bit worried about that also. All in all it was a very lovely time, though there was some weather and we had a few lovely rainbows to enjoy. It was a sad moment to wave goodbye to her onto the bus back up to Sofia but hopefully she'll be returning sooner rather than later.

A dramatic cloud forms

A getting some chainsawing done

Power lines on the floor means no power

Thelma when she really wants to play

Nice to have breakfast on the balcony

Looking at the top bank

Strimmer repair in progress

Making a start on clearing the weeds

Front grass area cleared about half way along

Bekci and Rosie make acquaintance

Other than that I've a few pictures and videos above to share. It really hasn't been all that productive a time however that is perfect. Rosie takes our attention and when she isn't being cuddled I'm spending time on my D Day display piece (aiming to get it done for the 75th anniversary) and also getting an army ready for ArdaCon. A is back in the art room as well, producing wonderful amazing paintings. It's been a lovely few weeks though I miss my dad more every day. We had a major power outage one morning which prompted much panic trying to get the generator to run; I didn't get it to work, sadly. I have got out onto the front to use the strimmer, having got them both fixed in town (one is still at the shop as it needed a brand new engine as the previous one was seized totally).

Hacksaw to trim off a joint

Louise with her bone

Beautiful sunset

BBQ Bank Holiday

Looking back through the pictures I realised I missed out on showing the photograph of the huge goat leg, bought ages ago from Bekir for when Mum and Dad were both going to come to meet Rosie. It was so big I had to hacksaw it down to get a joint to roast. Suffice to say it was lovely, and the curry made with the rest of the meat was also amazing. There's loads in the freezer for another time as well. The girls also enjoyed the bones. Yesterday we had the first BBQ of the year. Rosie was out in her travel cot but by the time we got to eating she was asleep inside; it was overcast but warm and such a great way to spend some time.

Lastly I'll leave you with these videos; first of all a cheeky sparrow that was helping itself to our leftovers on Saturday, and secondly a video of Bekci playing with the rope with A and the puppies.

And so it is to work for me, while Rosie kicks and gurgles and giggles in her bouncer next to me.