Catching Up

Happy May Day everyone. Did anyone wash their hair in the May morning dew today? No, neither did I but I can tell you - it works.

Twenty-seven years ago I walked around the grounds of Pendley Manor in Tring, Hertfordshire in the early hours of the morning of May 1st (I remember because I walked with M, who was my new boyfriend at the time). We got soaked because it was raining - you know, that fine misty rain that fools you into thinking you're not really getting wet. In the weeks that followed I had so many compliments about my hair. Never had it looked so good. I put it down to the May day dew. Or perhaps it was love, who knows?

Anyway....

A few weeks ago I won my very first giveaway prize:

Donna at Brynwood Needleworks drew my name out of the hat. My prize was waiting for me when I returned from my extended holiday. An Alice in Wonderland bookmark.

Thank you so much, Donna. I'm thrilled.

You may remember that I also received this award from Funkymonkey and Vintage at the Corner House:

I was to list five things I enjoy doing. So, rather belatedly, here they are:

CAR BOOTING

I love it. I feel so happy when I'm walking around talking to the stall holders, picking up a bargain. As a child I was always searching for treasure. I guess this is the adult version. I'm thrilled the season has started again, but it looks like being a washout this weekend. Sigh.

DAYDREAMING

Oh the hours I've spent doing this. It's one of my favourite occupations and it's a must for writing fiction. Many of my stories have evolved because of my musings of 'What if...?'. And of course, it's a world only you control - anything can happen.

GARDENING

Even a year ago this would not have appeared on my list. For some reason, an interest in gardening has just exploded within me. Right now I'm so excited to find the garden changing daily with things growing, opening, appearing. We are fortunate to have quite a large garden but it's a bit boring. Just a lawn and a narrow bed running in a straight line either side. A few apple trees, a few shrubs and that's it. Well, things are about to change! I have such plans and a lot of enthusiasm. Just hope my back holds out!

THEATRE

Going to it and taking part in it. When I walk into my community theatre I feel so at home. I love being involved in a play, watching it develop along with all the characters. The absolute fear before curtain up and the elation after. Wonderful. Going to the theatre is one of the few things M and I share an interest in. In fact we met because of the theatre. Would you like to hear the story?

Once upon a time my theatre group was putting on a review called 'Rags to Riches'. I was singing Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. Now, I thought I knew where the audience might laugh and was prepared for it. Unfortunately, when a lone, loud laugh (M's) exploded from the audience at a place in the song I hadn't expected a laugh, I'm afraid it threw me (had my wig slipped? Had my robe come undone?) and I forgot the next line of the song. After the show M went backstage wanting to know 'Who was that fantastic blond?' and I went backstage saying 'Who was that *%@!** @*$#!! who put me off my song?'

We've been in love ever since!

FAMILY TREE

I began my research many years ago when it involved taking time off work to go to St. Catherine's House in London and spend the day heaving huge ledgers off the shelves and fighting for a space on the tables on which to put them. It is SOOOO much easier now that many records are on the Internet and I have found out so much more than I ever could because of it. I am interested in everyone, but mostly my female line. There's something about the womb-to-womb trail that intrigues me. I have a set of Russian dolls, one for each woman starting with the smallest which is my daughter. It helps her to memorise the women we came from. There are nine dolls. I need to go back just one more generation to complete the set.

Blessings,

Andi xx