Eternal Refuge

Happy St George's Day everyone.

Although much of England are apparently celebrating next week!  The Church of England moved it, as apparently tradition says that no Saint's days should be either side of Easter.

But, sorry, I am celebrating today - Shakespeare's Birthday!

So, I shall be wearing my red rose to work this afternoon ... but maybe that means I can sneak in again next week as well!!



Work went well yesterday, so hopefully today will be similar.  I am actually working slightly less hours today, and in fact this morning have already done some housework and ironing.

Tomorrow Claire and I are going out for the day to a National Trust property.  It's the one I went to with Brenda back in the early part of the year.  Hopefully I get to see all the house this time, and not just the couple of rooms that were open then.

So -



23. What is your favourite kitchen gadget and why (excluding the large appliances such as the oven/fridge/freezer)?
I am not really a gadget person - but have an electric mixer, and a Tupperware mixer for batters/eggs etc, and I do use both.

24. On average how far do you walk every day?
Not as far as I should!
I do try to get in the habit of regular walks, but recently with this ongoing infection I have tried not to push myself too much!




Right, lets get on

Let me start todays post by wishing you all a very Happy St George's Day ... I do hope that, like me, you are wearing a red rose..  It's often the least remembered of the 4 national days in Britain, but as I'm English it is the one I both remember, and celebrate.


So how is your day going?

I walked into Exeter this morning for a haircut.  I had originally planned to meet up with Brenda, but both her schedule & the weather conspired against us ... so a day at home.  However my hair was getting "long" ... well, as long as it get's now.  I get frustrated because it get's very bushy and feels "heavy".  However I am so, so pleased that my hair is still thick, and the mild curls still exist.  So, positive ... altough annoying in some ways!

I then walked home, so 4 miles done, and have now had lunch.  Once I have done this I am going to try to work on a few icons, before doing some baking.

So, am off soon, but like yesterday I will try to catch up with you all later ... but as ever ...



23. What memory of yours feels real but is most likely false?
Wow - I would like to think that all my memories are actually mine

24. Do you prefer popular music or relatively unknown music?
I tend to stick to music I know, or era's (such as the 60's) I like, but at work the radio is often on ... although never really noticing anything that really is something I would listen to again



Right, I'm off - if not later, I will catch up on Monday x

Sorry folks - I had an amazing holiday ... just so full on, so much so I am all behind with my personal journal, let alone here ... but I will post some of the photos and history at some point.

As ever I am all behind with comments.  I also haven't (yet) posted the photos of my day-trips I did over Easter ... and they should be up later (fingers crossed).

I also didn't post on Monday or Wednesday - so belated wishes ...


I work with a Kiwi, so made some ANZAC biscuits to take in.

Any way if I have missed any news, please PM me, as I am disabling comments in the hope of eventually catching up ... and as I am posting more later, I don't want to be swamped ... in case there are still people out there who read my rubbish!

Just a fly by visit to wish you all a Happy St. George's Day.

I had hoped to be back by now, but it will be another couple of days at least. I am getting unpacked, I almost have a lounge and bedroom again. However I have been delayed by the tooth work and Dad not doing so well.

Miss you, see you soon.

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

William Shakespeare, "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1

Happy St George's Day ... sadly for the first time in years I wont be wearing a red rose to work (as uniform wont allow it ... and my hear is too short to have that as an excuse either).  But in my heart it will be there.

Have a super day - whether you are English or not!

And for those who want to read a bit more, just have a look at this website

I hope that you are all wearing your Red Rose and flying the flag the morning, to celebrate St Geoge, England ... and William Shakespeare.

For those who don't know about the man - just follow the link to St. George

I thought I would share a couple of videos with you - The first is of Vera Lynn singinging "There'll Always Be An England" 



This second one is part os a film - "The Scarlett Pimpernel", and had Lelie Howard quoting (at 5.48)

This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

-William Shakespeare, Richard II,



Happy St George's Day

A local pub in a near-by town. At least this is proof that I took this picture today!



Happy St. Georges Day.