Poem Of The Week

I wandered lonely as a clod,
Just picking up old rags and bottles,
When onward on my way I plod,
I saw a host of axolotls;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
A sight to make a man’s blood freeze.

Some had handles, some were plain;
They came in blue, red pink, and green.
A few were orange in the main;
The damnedest sight I’ve ever seen.
The females gave a sprightly glance;
The male ones all wore knee-length pants.

Now oft, when on the couch I lie,
The doctor asks me what I see.
They flash upon my inward eye
And make me laugh in fiendish glee.
I find my solace then in bottles,
And I forget them axolotls.

[From ‘Mad Magazine’ 1958]

This poem is dedicated to nature-loving 10 year old Evie Hill from Leicester. Visiting Bridgend, Wales Evie and family were by the "Dipping Bridge" when she spotted something in the shadows. It was a Mexican Axolotl. Evie saw it had damage to its tail and stomach. She managed to catch it, and put it into a plastic tank. 

The family cut short their camper-van holiday and returned home with the creature. They sought expert advice and discovered they are allowed to keep the axolotl at home. 

"Dippy" now lives in a large tank. The National Centre For Reptile Welfare say Evie probably saved the creature's life. This is the first documented discovery of an axolotl living wild in the UK. There has been a surge in their popularity as pets, since they appeared in video games like Minecraft and Roblox - but the NCFRW says many people do not know how to keep them and discard them in rivers. These creatures are an endangered species, experts say there are less than 1000 globally. Here's a close up of Dippy - who is about 23cm long

Well done Evie, thank you for saving him ... and apologies to Wordsworth for the parody of his poem. [It is the only axolotl poem I know] I'm not sure I would have recognised it if I had been paddling in Wales [although I suspect Rosie would have done]

Mama's Little Baby...

 ...loves short'nin', short'nin' 

I have been doing much shortening and altering this week - some for myself, some for my neighbours

• 2 pairs of trousers
• 2 zip replacements
• 2 dresses, sleeve adjustments

It is lovely to sit in the sun and handstitch garments.

We were also sitting outside on Tuesday to eat our lunch. My neighbour called over the fence "Can I give you those trousers now, Angela?" I took them from her. Then a few minutes later she called back "Do you two want some cake with your lunch?"

She passed me a plate with two huge slices of freshly baked Victoria Sponge. 
Bob says he greatly approves of this arrangement where I do the shortening and he gets to eat cake!

I have completely missed out on The Wiggles but this video was more fun than the original Andrews Sisters clip. 

On the subject of children's TV, what's the story in Balamory? My grandson is incredibly excited, as his classmate's Dad works at CBeebies, in MediaCity, Salford. This chap came in to school and now George tells us he knows all the secrets behind the production!

I'm On the Train!

I had carefully planned some activities for the 9 hours I was expecting to spend on trains over the weekend. "The best laid plans of mice, men [and enthusiastic grandmas] gang aft agley" said that Scottish guy [almost] Bob bought me a newspaper at the station, while I got a croissant  - I'd got a flask of coffee in my bag.

 When I boarded the train, well before 8am on Saturday, I was thrilled to find a table seat. I folded the paper back to the crossword. I was joined by a very chatty woman going to Leicester to watch her son play rugby. She was accompanied by the son's girlfriend and his shorts, which he'd forgotten to pack when he left earlier in the week! 
She chatted all the way to where they changed trains. The girl dozed [or pretended to!] I now know all about burial customs in the French Cameroons [where she regularly visits her late mother] and grape-growing in Norfolk. They got off, I began my crossword. Filled in two clues. Then the next person came and sat opposite me. She also started up a conversation, I put down my pen. 

A delightful woman, a charity worker, en route to a surprise birthday party. "Do you mind if I put my make up on? I didn't have time before I left?" She managed to do amazing things with brushes and palettes whilst conversing about anything and everything. I learned, among other things, that the phrase in use when I retired from teaching "high functioning autistic" should now be replaced with "twice blessed" [Duly noted] She de-trained just before Sheffield.

My final travel companion was off for a girls' weekend with old friends from Uni. Her two children were the same age as George and Jacob, but she was confident their Dad would cope. She had been a teacher, but after the children arrived had moved to a part-time admin job, which was less stressful - and finished at 'hometime' - not evening marking and prep work! She got off and I had half an hour to myself. I finished my lukewarm coffee and my crossword.  Steph and Liz met me at Manchester Piccadilly. Liz had brought a book with her to lend to Steph, and I speed-read it over the weekend. 

I may review this later! The journey back was good. I boarded the train with a couple of similar age who were going right through to Norwich, and on to Yarmouth for the racing. We chatted for a bit as we settled in, then he did a huge crossword, she put in her earbuds, and I sorted out my cross stitch. Having established which colours I needed beforehand, I made three strips of card, drew the little symbols and numbers and cut and threaded lengths of yarn.

I was pleased to have my threads ready for beginning the project. Then I read my book right through!
I can't review it yet, Bob wants to read it first! Yes I know "Murder under the Mistletoe" is somewhat unseasonal.

It was a birthday gift from my old schoolfriend. She is still  in hospital, and unable to shop. So is wisely regifting her Xmas presents, and felt a book by a Rev was one she could happily pass on to me.

I did pack a second book, but I suspect I have left that in Manchester...

How do you pass the time on long train journeys?

.

Siblings On A Sunny Sunday

First thing, Steph and Gaz went off to the Starting point, and met up with their good friend Rob. They started off running together

Meanwhile, Liz and I took the boys to the park, then walked along the footpath back to the house. Why was one street sign in Welsh?

Things were going quite well, until Steph and Rob noticed their trio was now a duet. Actually, Gaz was behind them...
Steph was running faster than Rob, so he urged her to go on ahead, which she did...

By now, we were back home, Liz put together a picnic lunch and I encouraged the boys to use the loo. We walked a few yards round the corner and sat down on the pavement to eat our lunch and wait for our runners to come past

There was an online system for tracking, but neither Liz nor I could get it to work on our phones. But Christine [Rob's wife] who was near the finish line, and Bob [In Norfolk] kept us supplied with the necessary information. 

Eventually all three ran past - my first picture of Rob was spoiled by a very large man running in front - but here is the rear view of our friend going by.
Steph and Gaz both diverted and gave the boys quick hugs.

Once we had done waving., Liz and I took the boys home [Can I watch some TV now, please? asked George] 

Christine actually managed a video of Steph 200m from the finish line...

Steph's time was 4.09.11, knocking nearly 40 mins off her previous Personal Best. Liz went for her train, and I fed the boys, bathed them and got them in pjs. We watched more SpongeBobSquarePants. I do declare that programme is drawn by drug crazed insomniacs. I cannot make head nor tail of it! [my family will insist on calling it AngBobSquarePants] 

Christine met the three at the finish line, with fresh clothing, and they all had a brief celebration. [How does Steph look so bright, and nothing like someone who has spent 4 hours running?]

Mum and Dad finally got home around 6.30. The boys were overjoyed and larked around wearing the medals...

2015, 20224 and now 2026. Steph says that she does not plan to run any more marathons [that orange vest is at least 11 years old now] But I am one very proud Mum this week. 

Not just proud of Steph - but of sister Liz giving up her weekend to come and help with the boys. And two little brothers who were very supportive. And these two cool dudes in London, who stayed at home with Dad. [And well done Rob and Gaz for running, and thanks to Christine and Jon also in their supporting roles] 

The boys were so good

I Came To Manchester For The Marathon

But I can at least look after my grandsons while their parents run ...
And after this morning's school run, I shall get the train back to Norfolk

Life Is Not A Sprint...

 ...it is a marathon

Thinking especially of Steph and Gaz as they run the Manchester Marathon today. 

I Brought My Own Bag...

Usually when I go out to do a proper supermarket trip, it is planned in advance so I have the bags. But sometimes I am out, and buy something unexpectedly. More than 30 years ago, my SIL went to Oz to visit her family, and brought me back a nylon folding tote bag.

It packs up very small [credit card size] and so I carry it around in my handbag. But last week I realised it is really wearing out - all the seams are on the point of giving way. I have a couple of other folding bags, but they are nowhere near as compact as this one.
Barbara's son and his family are now living in Australia. She sent me this birthday gift

This cheerful kookaburra print bag is a few inches square when folded into itself, but opens up into a full size tote bag.

What perfect timing! I can discard the dodgy old one, and tuck the new one in my handbag for my Manchester trip today

And that means fewer plastic bags or bags-for-life being purchased. Good for my wallet, good for the planet. Thank you Barbara!

When you were at school, did you sing the song "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree" as a round in your music lessons? We did, but I don't think I had the faintest notion as to what a kookaburra looked like

SORRY ABOUT LATE PUBLISHING. Just realised it didn't post.  currently catching up whilst sat on a train which is held up outside Grantham!