Koninginnedag

Today the world here turns orange in celebration of the Queen's birthday. I was up early to get to the supermarket when it opened at 7am as there is a 'rommelmarkt' on the carpark by the local shopping centre and I wanted to be sure that I could park and get in and out quickly. I was amazed by how many people had already set up their stalls - barely any room over!! I had not realised it would all kick off quite so early! Anyway I was able to do what I needed to and come back home within half an hour which was fine by me! Since then I have done the housework and finally, yes, finally, written up my first case study for my course - yippee!!! It is just Parkinson's Law working its magic - the amount of time one gives to a task is the amount of time the task will require. One of the very first laws or rules I learnt when I went to train as an Occupational Therapist over 30 years ago and still valid to this day!! Knowing that I have got to hand it in in a week but that I have my study group meeting tomorrow where we are going to share our case studies, was the final push I needed to get it written down. Whether it is any good or not, is a completely different matter but at least I have accomplished the task I set myself, and can take it from here.
These pictures were just taken outside the front door as the village band played the children's parade through the streets and into the park. I love a good drum!!! It is lovely weather though a little breezy but it was fun to see everybody enjoying their day. The one of the cats was taken here in my little study as they love sitting on the windowsill on their cushion as the sun streams in here of a morning. My reward to me is going to be a huge mug of coffee in the garden now - bye!!
Sue xx

All very lovely wasn't it?

I did enjoy watching the whole royal shenanigans  today, and am delighted that there were no hiccups or unexpected disasters and that everything went off according to plan, precisely. As are we all, no doubt - all 2 billion estimated viewers around the world!! Ann and I exchanged several texts as events unfolded which was fun as it made it feel a more shared experience. I loved the dress - simple and understated but extremely intricate and well designed. Not everyone was well dressed with one or two fashion faux pas happening, even in the most royal circles....I really don't know how Bea and Eugenie manage to get it so wrong every single time!!!! And that hat was simply ridiculous, I'm sorry to say!
Our Queen was sweet too - and obviously happy to see her grandson get married, and got a good cheer from the crowd. I loved those trumpet fanfares and the music, especially the newly commissioned piece played whilst they were signing the register. But then I am a fan of Rutter's work no matter what it is!! The whole day was a delight and I am sure made memorable for all the very best of reasons. Where were The Red Arrows when the flypast went by?.......surely they could have done their signature red, white and blue smoke!!!
No doubt the partying in the palace will go on for hours; I've heard Harry is in charge and has ordered bacon butties for 5am tomorrow morning!!!! Will he see more of the maid of honour do we think?...........several hints being made out there, folks!!
And no one could be in any doubt about where Diana was today - numerous mentions and references and conversations included her at every chance there was. She was there, no doubt about that. All in all, a good day was had by everyone. And all those street parties happening throughout the country!
My lasting memory of the one in 1977 has to be Pete's dad's home made wine. That was so strong, I remember dancing back down our street with my dad, something he never normally did!! And having to go to the Green Man pub the next morning with Pete for the 'hair of the dog'. I distinctly recall my bed moving around as though I was in a hammock in a force 10 gale way out at sea, the whole night long........yuk!!
This time it was a glass or two of sparkling rose, and numerous cups of coffee, nothing more. Cheers!
Sue xx

A right royal wedding day!

Having turned my TV on just now, BBC 1 is already full of news stories about the wedding and how the country will be celebrating it today. Cheering hoards behind the camera crews, waving flags and banners, it is all fantastic to see and be a part of. Our flag is outside too - tomorrow the street will be a mass of Dutch flags as it is The Queen's Day here on 30 April every year, but for 'one day only' the Union Jack will take centre stage - yey!
I wonder if our friends are already in their places somewhere along the processional route - good luck Clare and Alice if you are out there somewhere!!! Hopefully it won't rain until later on today - given all the beautiful weather recently it would be a shame if today it rains.........but we have no control over that really.
It looks as though it will be a nice day here though much cooler, with a rise in temperatures during the weekend. I have to admit that I am looking forward to some uninterrupted sleep as for the last 4 nights the alarm has been going off ridiculously early so that Tim is on time in the bakery. At 3am this morning, I was not a happy bunny!!! After that I slept fitfully, so in and out of deep sleep, and now I feel really tired with pricking eyes and a heavy head. Ah well, this morning all I have to do is sit with the cats and enjoy a wonderful moment in two people's and a nation's history.
Sue xx

Daily Mail online....

...this site has wonderful images of the dress rehearsals the armed forces had in the early hours of this morning. I do love a man in uniform!!!!!!
It all looks so spectacular and truly British - warms the cockles of me heart, it do, m'dearies. I must admit to getting a teeny bit excited about watching it on Friday. We will hang the Union Jack out and frighten the neighbours! I am a real sucker for all that pagentry etc and seeing all those magnificent horses and the flags and the people, well, one can't help but get in the mood for a right royal wedding!!
Sue xx

An indoor forest?!!

It is getting interesting in Westminster Abbey!! Apparently there is going to be an English countryside theme going on...with these Maples trees lining the way to the altar!! I can't wait to see the finished thing! Wedding fever has certainly taken over in London and the whole UK. Every time I read the papers or listen to the news this is the main story, and I can see how easy it is to get caught up in the whole event. There are even people camping out in front of the abbey for the last 3 nights to ensure they get the best view of the happy couple!! My dedication does not go that far though friends of ours are going to be in London on Friday so I wish them a super time. Kentish wine is also being served at one of the palace 'do's' so that is keeping it all nice and local too. 

I was reading about the wedding in the Dutch papers at work yesterday and it was fascinating to see the difference in what is being reported or talked about, even with my colleagues. One of them was surprised that William is not having a wedding ring - how was that going to work in the ceremony she wondered - but we have different traditions to other countries and it is no big deal really. I am hoping for a degree of informality in the midst of a truly formal occasion however, as it really is only all about a boy getting married to his girl..............and love. Aahhhhhhh. I am a romantic at heart that's for sure!!!

Sue xx

The complications of tax forms

Things change here when your child turns 18 so I am trying really hard to figure out what I need to do as regards tax information, and probably getting into a helluva pickle in the process!! I have no idea whether I am doing right from wrong, but I am trying so hard to be an honest and upstanding citizen however, so my intentions are 100% honourable, your honour!!! I think I may need to seek advice yet again...........either I will end up paying too much tax or not enough, and we all know who usually wins in this race, right?!!
So anyway, I hope I have sorted out Tims health stuff by sending in the forms via the internet this evening but as to my own - well, another story entirely.
I have had no luck with the job applications. Didn't really expect I would so disappointed but not down-hearted this time. It is summer and my colleagues all need holidays so there is enough work to go round for the coming 3 months. I expect I will be more worried once they are over, so the autumn will see a return to my anxieties on this score unless something comes up out of the blue before then. Please!!
At the moment my thoughts are turning to trying to complete everything for the first year of my study. I need to start learning things off by heart for the theory exam, which means basically knowing all the different approaches to counselling as well as the ethics and code of conduct etc. One go at this exam is included in the course fee for this year so I d... well need to pass. It is an oral exam so rather nerve-wracking I feel, as there is no hiding whether you know the stuff or not!!! Scary thing is you have to book it yourself, when you think you are ready to take it; I know for sure that I am telling NO-ONE until after I have passed!! That's right, not even you!! This week I have to concentrate on my written work so I am sort of hoping for cooler weather and a desire to sit indoors at the computer and want to write and write and write. Think it will happen?
Well, today it was cooler slightly and I worked all day which was enjoyable. Tim is up early all week so that means I set my alarm clock 5 minutes after his goes off, listen to see whether he gets up or not, and then once I hear him get his bike and go, I try to sleep again. Sort of works most times, only my anxiety is greater than his so I tend to worry when he doesn't move as fast out of bed as I think he ought!!! His responsibility......I know...............
Sue xx

Its back to normal tomorrow!

The Easter break is almost over for another year. This time it was truly sunny and hot and delicious just spending time out of doors - everywhere. So many people out on their bicycles and motorbikes - even me!  I managed two rides over the weekend - mostly after having eaten too much first - and it was very pleasant. Must do it more often! There were also many, many boats in all shapes and sizes on the water around where we live - from the fancy to the very basic, 'this is still afloat isn't it'? variety. The cats have been in and out like jojo's, seeking sun or shade depending on how hot they were feeling at the time. The preferred evening spot is now the mat in front of the front door, where the sun shines in just perfectly for cats. I have the sun blind down so there is no chance of a few rays whilst sitting on the settee until later on!
I did some window-cleaning too. Not a job I enjoy cos I am terribly bad at it, but it was overdue really and I decided it would give me something to do in between bouts on the sun lounger. Pat on the back for getting it done, Suzanne!!! Still a lot of paperwork that I have to attend to this week....really, I do. But tomorrow I am working, and Tim is doing 4 days in the bakery getting ready for 30 April. So 4 mornings of early starts - hope that alarm clock doesn't let me down tomorrow morning!!!
Sue xx

Easter pictures

Finka & Genghis snuggled up together.

I know its my birthday - let me sleep!

This is where the sun is first thing in the morning!

My favourite flower.

Easter Blooms!

The serious shelf.

Old favourites shelf.

Where I do my dreaming shelf!!

So this is a selection from yesterday when I was using the camera to shoot birthday photos of  Genghis. It was so warm he was hardly outside, so hence these are all indoor shots. He went for a short wander from the back garden, to the corner, and round to the front door, but that was it!! He is currently lying asleep on the window sill here in my snug whilst I type this up!! The two cats are inseparable, that's for sure. I suppose being Siamese, that makes sense.............

Then I took some shots around the room, of our pretty flowers - which were mostly lying scattered under the table this morning curtesy of Miss Finka - and some of the bookshelves. In some things I am very ordered - not obsessive ( well, a tad, maybe) but I like to be precise with books. Have the ones I love the most to hand, for a spot of reading every now and then. And my study books are increasing steadily so they have a whole shelf already!!! My dream shelf has books about England and places to visit in the world, and interior decorating, cos I love that. Then there is a gardening shelf underneath as they are the largest books and the heaviest I guess.......and then there is always the Other Book Case - the one with.............maybe I'll shoot that one today!!!

Sue xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...........

to our beloved cat GENGHIS KHAN who turns 14 today! Yey!! He is the sweetest, most affable, most quiet, most loving creature and deserves nothing but love in his life, which he gets in abundance from us.
So enjoy the sunshine Geng, and the treats, and sleep your way through your special day with us.
Sue xx