Eternal Refuge

The first visit of the day was to Compton Castle, which is not a castle, but a fortified long house. The building was started in the mid 14th century, but was built on and "upgraded" by the Gilbert family in Elizabethan times ... they are the same family that founded Newfoundland, and had a half brother ... Walter Raleigh.

It fell into ruin in the 18th century d=ue to the family moving to another of their houses. The present family bought it in the late 19th century and much of the ground floor are are as they were. Although it is now owned by the National Trust, it is still lived in by the family, so sadly no photography was allowed inside, and only 5 of the rooms were open to the public. However it was still lovely ... especially as we could dress up in Elizabethan clothing.

Welcome one Wench ... and a Lady ... Type-cast???







( The old kitchen ... and views of the house )

I have actually been overall better - but in feeling mostly better I have tried to (slowly) get caught up with a few really outstanding housework tasks, and get things like a hair-cut ... you know ... Life!!!

Those boring everyday things that need to be done, yet really are totally boring, both to do and to talk about!

While I have been working on some slower shifts I have been busy and completed a set of 10 icons, following 2 lines on a bingo card. I am not 100% happy with half of them as they weren't done on my normal program, but at least I was able to get a set completed, so am giving myself a tick for that!

The first 5 are season 1, the other 5 are season 3 ... all BtVS though.

1 - Peridot	2 - Frozen	3 - Raspberry	4 - Kiss	5 - Youth
6 - Friendship	7 - Frozen	8 - Bow-tie	9 - Family	10 - Warm Colours

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons


I had hoped to have tomorrow off, but both shifts had the people call in sick yesterday ... so am working all day, but had my Monday shift cancelled ... so have managed to make plans to go out and enjoy myself. So, the earliest I shall be back is Tuesday, so here's a catch-up, and ahead planning ....





19. Do people shorten your given name, and if they do, do you mind?
Unfortunately, yes. I love my name and most people at work are good at keeping it correct ... but all the family shorten it (except Dad), and some people at work think it's frienlier to shorten my name. But, by choice, I am Deborah.

20. Are you left-handed or right-handed? Would you like to be ambidextrous?
Mostly right-handed, although can slowly write left handed as I had to when I broke my right wrist last year..
However when I was an osteopath I preferred working left-handed.
I did judo left-handed, could not get my head around right-handed holds.
With fencing I learned my techniques right handed, but could fight either left or right ... my teacher actually said my technique was cleaner on my left hand!

21. Do you live near any trees? What’s the tallest tree nearby?
Yes ... most are similar heights, about the height of a 3 or 4 story house.

22. Do you have many lamps in your home, or do you rely on overhead lighting?
I have both. I have a spotlight where I sit, so when I am jigsawing then I have good light.

23. Do you own any clothing you only wear for a specific activity?
Not now ... although a coule of dresses (like the one I am wearing) I tend to keep for work, but not for any specific reason.

24. Are you good at packing when you go away, or do you pack all the things ‘just in case’?
I do pack "just in case" however much I say I wont!!

25. If you ended up on a deserted desert island, what luxury would you want to have with you?
My camera ... or my Kindle.








Right, I will try and catch up somewhat before heading off to work!

Well I decided to split the post into 2 ... so this set are the chapel (which you get to from the 1st floor), and the gardens -





( The Chapel )


( The Gradens )

I posted the 2 entries yesterday, and was due amend my main post to comment about VJ Day, to answer your comments, check on your posts etc ... and my computer totally froze.

I was more than frustrated ... but then it worked out for the best, for me!

I went downstairs to get a cup of tea to see if the computer would reset without a restart ... and realised that the VJ Day commemorations were just starting.  So, in the end, I watched that and ate lunch, before heading off to work.

It was good to hear actual memories of those difficult days in the "east", and I certainly think the hardest to hear were the 2 ladies who had been prisoners-of-war for the whole time ... however one was 5 when "captured", the other 9. 

So ... a very special service overall.





Work went well ... nicely busy, so that the time drifted alomg OK.

I have done  bit of housework, and picked up some shopping, now want to try and get some photos edited from our girls day out.  Then, am off to work.

So ... will get the questions for the weekend up ... and get on ...








16. It’s National Roller Coaster Day – are you a fan of roller coasters?
I don't like heights, so travelling alone on a roller coaster is not for me. Although, when I was in Disney I did go on one on each of the 2 days I was there!!

17. Do you make your bed every day?
Yes




Right, I must get on

Sorry!

Actually Wednesday endd up as a bit of a non-morning.  So I was a good girl and listened to my body, rather than thinking of the missing photos!

Then yesterday, I picked up Claire and we drove to Tyntesfield, near Bristol, and met up with Brenda.  We had a super girls day out ... which means loads of photos to come!  It actually rained a bit on our way there, but when there it was a perfect day ... both in the weather and in the fun!

So, here are the missing questions - photos to follow ...








13. It’s National Internet Friends Day, which celebrates the special connections we form online. How do you feel about your online friendships?
I have some great internet friends.
In fact the person who probably knows the most about me is an internet friend.

14. Have you ever haggled and got something for a cheaper price – or would you never do that?
No - I am not good at that ... even when I was in Turkey where it is normal.

15. Would you rather read a romance novel or a mystery novel?
Historical romance ... I used to read any romance, but have gone back to historical ones in preference. Although when I read fan-fic they always have my favourite "pairing".




Right, hope to be back soon with some photos

... Yes, I am pleased to report tha I am beginning to get my life on track..

Yes, I am still tired, yes I still have some disorientation ... but overall I know that I am beginning to be "me" again.

I have been going through some eeply personal things recently, that only one other person is aware of.  However that's a story for the distant future ... but last week I relised that I still have unresolved sadness from family upsets in the past ... and I still struggle with the bullying I went through while I was at school.  So, overall this weekend has been a bit of time of healing.  No, things are not resolved ... nothing really has changed overall, but being aware that the pain is there is certainly the first step in healing.  First steps are truly small, but important.

However realising what is happening, really helps me settle the chronic fatigue again .... I was able to use the lessons I have been taught a few years ago to begin to get my life back on track.

Can't say it's going to be the full answer, but at least I know what's happening ... so I am going for a "win"

As I wasn't working over the weekend, I managed to catch up with someone who I have known for 30 years.  She and her husbnd used to be patients of mine and her husband died at about the same time.  Since then we have met from time to time and spoke on the phone.  We hadn't caught up for a long time, so I drove to Bude, the town I used to live in.  It was lovely ... we had lunch, chatted, laughed, and chatted some more.

In actual fact I went the "long way round" to do some sightseeing, of which I will have photos to share at some point.

Seeing Kathy really did me good ... doing something for the day really did me good ... all in all a super day.

Actually on Sunday, at Church, the service was bout suffering ... so really helped my ongoing thoughts.

Now it's monday ... and I am at work later.

I have photos to share ... and questions to share ...




6. Would you rather go on a city break, a seaside holiday or have a staycation?
City break - as a sightseer there's more to do.

7. This week in Bristol in the UK is the National Balloon Fiesta, a time to celebrate hot air balloons which draws thousands of visitors each year. Have you ever been in a hot air balloon (or would you like to?).
No ... and no!!!! Would love to see the view, but don't like heights!!!

8. Do you own or rent your home?
Own

9. Boop-Oop-A-Doop! Everyone can get their ‘boop’ on because it’s time to enjoy and celebrate Betty Boop Day! Are you familiar with Betty Boop?
Yes - but only the basics.

10. Are your fingernails strong and in good condition? How long are they?
Pretty long, now - years of having to keep them short are over. I wear nail-varnish ... the only make-up I ever use.

11. Have you ever made a sandcastle on a beach?
Of course ... the last one was last year!





Right - photos to sort ... and to share, tomorrow!

... both with all your news, but also with both my photo challenges.

I have decided I just need to make a list of the missing prompts for the last few weeks, and then head off with my camera in my hand.  Ironically I make like harder for myself in doing that.  As I am a keen photographer, I always have hundreds of pictures on my computer that would fit all the prompts.  I do that with my Photocrowd competition entries.  However with the LJ prompts I always take the photos as new for that week, so that will keep me hunting round my house, and the local area to see what I could find.

I want to catch up with you, both your posts and your comments to my last couple of posts.

However, whatever else I have to remember that although I am slowly getting my "normal" back, I must not push myself.  Chronic Fatigue is a pain, but luckily I have been given some good "rules" to help me cope with things.

Yesterday it was a tough shift as it was raining everyone seemed angry, and somehow much of it seemed to be my fault!  I am clever, but even I can't add parking spaces to a busy car-park, I can't clear roadworks, etc, etc!  However the lovely thing was that one of the volunteers brought in a large bag of plums from his garden, and the other volunteer didn't want them as they were windfalls ... so I came home with them.  Yum, yum!

I am off to work again later.  So, let's see what that brings!

Before that -






5. How often do you check what paid subscriptions you’ve signed up for (e.g. an App on your phone, a TV channel, a subscription to a magazine, a membership to an organisation).
Photocrowd & LJ are the only ones on my computer I pay for  ... and yes, I check them as much as I can.
I get a quarterly magazine that I read cover to cover and I get a monthly crossworpuzzle magazine that I work through cover to cover.



Right ... let's get on

Wow, that’s been an odd week.

My Chronic Fatigue kicked in so I have been sleeping almost 12 hours a night. Luckily, as I have been “trained” by my consultant, I also remembered all my “rules” so was able to continue at work.

However, I am sure it must have been a week of full moons! There have been some very odd people out and about throughout the week.

One of the many parts of my job is registering disabled badges, and (for example) yesterday I only worked 4 hours, and in that time, I was presented with 5 badges that were out of date … one by over a year. And, all of them were upset … with me. They wouldn’t accept that I couldn’t register an out-of-date certificate. And, so the week continued!

Fortunately, the weekend is a weekend off work, so I plan to do some basic grocery shopping, and then just have a nice walk .. and spend some time reading. Sunday (tomorrow) will end up even lazier, as I shall go to Church and then be lazy. The weather looks as if it’s going to be good, so that means I will gain some vitamin D.

But, even though I haven’t been around, I have no news to pass on. As the week has been sleep & work … repeat!

So, here is the catch up ….




21. Have you ever traced your family tree?
I haven’t although I know much of the history going back to great-grandparents(and one great-great grandfather).
However, Tim did the research and went back on all 4 of our grandparents lines. My mother’s mother was related to Jasper Tudor (Henry VIII’s uncle)

22. Do you know how to play backgammon? How about chess?
I did play backgammon a lot in the 1970’s, and forgot how it goes now, but would love to re-learn.
I can play chess, but not to be able to plan ahead, just to be able to react to my opponent’s move.

23. Do you own a coffee machine? What’s your favourite type of coffee?
Don’t drink coffee!

24. How are you feeling today?
Not bad … after a rough week, it’s good to feel positive again.

25. If you plan a trip away for leisure, what would be your ideal itinerary?
My ideal trip, whether a couple of hours, or as long as I can make it, contains history & sight-seeing,. So anything that has that get’s a gold star from me!

26. Have you seen any good TV drama series lately? What’s the last thing you watched?
Nothing new. I have been re-watching Stargate Atlantis, and some old Hollywood musicals recently.

27. Do you like honey?
No, but use it in recipes for cakes, biscuits, etc




Sorry it’s only a short update, but as I said, no news!

I have got all behind with my A to Z photos and was going to catch up, but have decided it’s probably best to just re-start on Monday.

So I will try and catch up with past comments, as well as any news … and return on Monday x

I knew I wouldn't be round on Thursday as Claire and I had planned a day out (photos to come) ... but I just totally overslept on Wednesday morning, so no real reason at all.

Thursday the plan had been for Claire to pick up a few large plants at the garden centre and then after lunch we were going to Killerton to see the Art Deco clothes. Yes, that's what we did, but we went to a different garden centre, and Claire couldn't get what she wanted. So I suggested that we went to the "normal" place the following morning ... which worked out OK.

So, yes we had a lovely Thursday, and extended it into Friday! After our trip to Killerton I drove back to their place then we walked into the city and met Tim for a meal. Then back to their place, and sat on their patio and had an ice-cream. I returned the following morning, and ended up with a car full of "greenery", before heading into work again in the evening.

This morning was nice and lazy, then I picked up some groceries before heading here.

I thought I would share a couple of photos of flowers from my garden, in apology ....







And, some icons. This set had a theme of "vibrant colour" and I decided that I would make them from M*A*S*H as the series colouring is basically khaki, so the opposite of vibrant!

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons


So it's Saturday, and obviously I won't be around tomorrow ... so ...





16. Do you know any sign language? Have you heard of Makaton?
Only “Thank You” … I see a few people who need signing, but sadly I have to hope they can read, or at least lip-read.

17. If you enjoy tea, how do you make it – with a teabag, with loose-leaf tea, in a mug or in a teapot?
Love, love, love.
White English Breakfast Tea, with full-fat milk, no sugar … strong … made in a teapot.
Black English Breakfast tea … very week … made in a mug.

18. Are you good at arranging cut flowers? Have you ever tried Ikebana?
No

19. Do you like spicy foods such as chilli peppers?
No, not a fan at all.

20. Are there any artisan food markets or farmer’s markets held close to where you live? Do you visit often?
The Cathedral Green has assorted markets over the year, which do have artisan food stands. But, sad to say, I am “boring” … I really like simple food.






I will return on Monday, and hopefully by then will have the photos from Killerton to share. Until then, have a super weekend, everyone.

... And another few days missed.

As ever time got away from me.  I ended up working over the weekend, so life was hectic.  Add to that how hot it was I ended up being lazier than I should have been.  So, yesterday when I got up, I decided housework needed to be done before I went into work.  Yes I was going to drop in here, but really thought I should be a "good girl" and at least now my lounge is clean.

One thing I did manage to do over the weekend was make a couple of icons.  I only have a basic art program on the work pc, so not great, but still I had fun.  These are from the 1952 version of "The Importance of Being Ernest" and are with a theme of "Victorians".

    . . .

I have some more icons to make in the next couple of days ... and I also have the final post of my birthday trips, so am going to get on.

Before that -





11. Have you ever used an old-fashioned typewriter? Can you touch type (type without looking at the keys?)
All my patient’s notes (when I was an osteopath) were written on A4 by hand … but were all in envelopes, that I typed the name & address on the top right-hand quarter.
No, I tried learning to touch-type when I was between jobs … but couldn’t get it at all. Ironically, of my parents, my Dad was the one who could touch-type! He taught himself when he was studying for his exams pre-Theological College. He then re-trained when he was doing his PhD.

12. Do you like sushi?
No (I don’t like fish at all anyway!!)

13. Have you ever tried Tai Chi?
No – certainly not for me.

14. Do you enjoy mocktails/cocktails? What’s your favourite?
Love them. There are very few I don’t like, although would prefer not to have a Mahato. My favourites are Aperol Spritz and Moscow Mule.

15. When was the last time you saw any bees?
Yesterday – I walked into my back garden to hang out a towel to air, and they were around the flowers.





Right, I will try and keep up ... But there again, I have said that before!!

See you soon.