The Mercian Gathering

I can see this Blog falling into disuse, I don't have the time, or the interest anymore. It was so different when we had our AOL J-Land. But time moves on, things change and as someone who always looks back on the past with rose tinted spectacles, it probably isn't surprising that I found myself, again, camping in a field in Warwickshire, celebrating the Old Ways and the Old Gods. Only of course this was without any of the unpleasant practices from way back when.



The Gathering is a gloriously happy weekend with like minded, organic, often veggie, music loving, people loving escapists, who for three days can dress as oddly as they like, put flowers in their hair and chat away until the early hours of the morning, with people they never met before.



One young man insisted on walking me back to my tent, even though it was only 20 feet away and thanked me for making their evening. I have no idea how I did that but it probably made my year! It's just that sort of event, I suppose it's a throw back to 1968, The Summer of Love.



My sister has already told me she is planning to go next year and I think we may need to get in early with our tickets because 2010 will be the sixth year and I think word will be spreading.



Here is a little taste of the times I had my camera with me. The music is from Endless Knot, who are fabulous live. They got me dancing for two hours last year in my wellies. This year I was in flip-flops, next year, who knows but they have been invited back. I can''t wait.

Catch Up !

What can I say? It’s been ages. I just can’t get to grips with this Blogger thingummy. AOL had its faults but I knew where I was and I liked the Alerts. Is there a way to get Alerts on here, I can’t sort it if there is.

I’m embarrassed to find I had comments on my last entry that I hadn’t seen, so thanks for those and I’ll try to catch up with you all but life has been very busy here.

You know me, I like to illustrate my Blog, this one is no exception.

So, what’s been happening?

Well, I’m expecting a second grandchild, which is exciting. This time it’s my son who is adding to the family and the baby is due in July. With his usual impeccable timing, he’s got himself sent to America for three months and won’t be back until the end of June. So poor Tori’s been languishing, alone (apart from bump) up in the wilds of a very wet Scotland.


To break the time alone tghere for Tori, I drove up there last week and we did lots of girlie things together, like tearooms and shopping and of all wondrous things the weather took an amazing turn for the better and we barbequed on two evenings, just chatting in the garden and meeting the neighbours. It was a very relaxing time.

But I had a surprise up my sleeve. As Simon is away while all this baby developing is going on, Mike and I offered to get a 4D Ultrasound scan done, so that Tori could then send the pictures to Simon. Tori jumped at the chance and it was a very special moment, to have Simon on the phone as he opened the link to the photos. He’d no idea what we’d done and then he came out with his own surprise, he’s flying home for a few days at the end of this month. And all this was when he’d just returned from the beach, where he’d watched the Space Shuttle launch. The wonders of modern technology!!!

Thanks to the scan, we were able to confirm that this baby will definitely be Edward, my father’s first name and he looks very much like Simon, even though on some of the picture he appears to have a moustache, LOL!! (It’s just a shadow)

Life in here in Worcestershire just seems busy, what with Mike and I working at home. Getting the garden sorted and keeping on top of things at the allotment.

Catherine and Flo have been having a tough time, as he is now on a three day week and because of that, Catherine’s done well, producing posters and now has a few cleaning jobs, to help supplement their income. Ten more people were made redundant this week where Flo works. He wasn’t one of them, which is a relief but still it’s upsetting. You can’t help but feel for the ones that have lost their jobs.

Mike’s son, Dave and his fiancée Sam, did the London Marathon. Sam’s Dad has Leukaemia and they chose to run for Leukaemia Care. We are so proud of them.

Mike and I celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary in April. We had thought we’d have a party but as Simon was away, yet again, we’ve decided to have a ’Do’ in October, when hopefully, they will be able to come down here, to Worcester and introduce Edward to all the family.

We went away for a night of absolute luxury, in Wales and although we only stayed away the one night, we managed to make it a two day event. It was just fabulous and well worth spending what would have bought us a week away somewhere else. When we went into the room, there was a bottle of champagne, on ice and a card from all the staff, congratulating us on our anniversary. So remember that, if you are ever booking somewhere, just let it slip that there’s a special occasion and you might get a free bottle of bubbly!! 25 Years! Wherever did that time go and to think people said it would never last! Our room was the old library and we had a wonderful view of the River Usk from the windows. We slept with the huge drapes shut but with the sash windows open, so that we could hear the river in the distance.

We’re down to one chicken now, she did have another name but due to her bossy and aggressive behaviour, she’s now Attila, as in Attila the Hen! We can’t get any new ones until she’s gone, she’d just peck them to death but when she does go, I’ve seen what I want, they’re called Bluebell Rangers, ha ha, how camp does that sound?

I think that’s all for now, although I’ve probably forgotten loads.

Hope all is well with you. xx

Here we go, I'm finally having a go at a proper entry to this new Blog.

I've had a nightmare signing into here but I think I have it sorted now. I've been trying to keep up with my favourite Blogs but I've fallen by the wayside there too. Bloody AOL, I can't forgive them for writing us off like that.

Working from home for Mike has been far more time consuming than I imagined but it's been worth it. I love having my time at home and not wasting 40 minutes every morning travelling the four miles to school. Not to mention the Road Rage, the swearing, finger gesturing and horn blowing it was a disgrace and I think the citizens of Worcester will be glad I'm not doing it anymore!

To be able to roll out of bed at 8am, grab a coffee and catch up with the Breakfast news, followed by a shower and pull some clothes on while the computer warms up and then pop out to the chickens, or feed the cats, or set dinner on to cook inbetween work is just bliss. Although it probably doesn't help to make me any more organised, the reverse is probably the case.

Isabella is growing fast and has developed into a very amusing child, given to the odd tantrum. She started pre-school today and had a small paddy at break time when the children went to the table for their milk and biscuits. She didn't know what was happening and her mentor had just taken another child to the loo. So she started crying and refused to be consolled and wouldn't touch her milk and biscuits. When Mummy collected her, the first thing she said was , "IIII, dddddidn't hhhhave any milk. Sniff! Bless.




Mike and I were enjoying our first day off for two weeks and had a trip to the Snowdonia National Park. I'd discovered on the Internet that I'd never been to Blaenau Ffestiniog, if you mention it to almost anyone, they seem to know it has a Light Railway. Even my daughter knew that, which astounded me. Mike and I have been to places nearby and because the name was so familiar, we thought we'd been there also. Only when I saw photos I knew we certainly hadn't.

On the way we stopped for a coffee and to do some shopping at Harry Tuffins, his supermarkets are legendary in the Welsh Marches. If you've never been to one, well, how can I describe it. Like a warehouse that has all the shops you'd find in a town, only it's under one roof, they aren't all as big as the one at ChurchStoke but, honestly, we nearly didn't go any further, we could have walked round there all day. There are so many things you didn't know you hadn't got! LOL We had the oddest feeling of having been dropped in a parrallel universe!

If you ever have the chance, the road from Dollgellau to Blaenau Ffestiniog, is stunning. We've done other Welsh Mountain roads that have been beautiful but they have been, on the map, the white, unclassified roads. This road is a green road, the A470, I think. so it's an easy drive and the views make you breathless. Cader Idris was wrapped around in a white mist, in the most brooding way, whilst all the other smaller mountains were bathed in glorious sunshine, backed by a clear blue sky.

When we reached Blaenau Ffestiniog, we were a bit concerned that we may not find lunch. It's a place that has suffered an enonomic downturn but there are still several shops there and we were delighted to find the Bistro, which was modern, clean, inviting, with lovely Welsh speaking ladies, who DIDN'T try to make us feel uncomfortable as English speakers. We had a gorgeous lunch of traditional Welsh Rarebit, with salad. Mike had a glass of red wine and I had a Coffee Mocha, with a very large brandy, all for around £15.

We then had a walk around the town. Where can you be in the middle of a town and see scenes like this?


I thought there was a black splodge on the photo and then realised it was a couple of birds flying over.

The town developed through the slate quarrying, which is so evident today and still continues on a much smaller scale.

On the way home way stopped to see the Aqueduct, just outside Llangollen. I walked across to take photos, it was a very odd experience. Mike stayed at the edge, he and heights don't mix! LOL.





This last shot is looking down to the valley of the River Dee, a very long way below!

I've been busy with my Black Country Website http://www.blackcountrygob.com/portal.php
The Gallery, which is my special interest now has nearly 700 photos in it, dating back to the 1850's and up to the present day. I'm trying to photograph as many old Black Country buildings before they are demolished. http://www.blackcountrygob.com/Photogallery/

I'm glad I don't go out to work now but there still aren't enough hours in the day. Hope all the old AOL Bloggers are well and I shall try to catch up and post comments over the weekend.

Linda xx.