JANUARY

The snow has gone but the cold wind and ice is still with us and is set to stay for quite a while yet.
Yesterday I treated myself to a new camera,so I went out this morning to take some photos to practice,so I have posted a selection for your perusal and comments.I forgot to put headings to photos,they are of---
ICE ON THE POND
ICE ON THE STREAM
THE FIRST GORSE FLOWERS
A BEACH TREE WITH A HOLLY BUSH GROWING OUT OF IT'S TRUNK
NATURE TAKING OVER A ROTTING TREE STUMP

I am getting instruction from my son on photography,as this new camera can do a lot of things that I do not yet understand,so watch this space !!!!!
You can enlarge pictures by clicking on them.

FLU OR SWINE FLU,THAT IS THE QUESTION

I have flu !!!

I went to the chemist to get loads of various medication,something for a sore throat,head ache,aching body,feeling hot then cold,if you have had flu you know what I mean.I was asked by the the assistant if I had swine flu.How do you know if you have swine flu or ordinary flu ? I had my annual flu jab which has probably lessened my symptoms but without a swab being taken I don't know the difference.With all the hype about swine flu,with hind sight I should not have gone out in public but I only went to the chemist and no one else was in there and I did not cough or sneeze while I was on the premises,then back to the car and home to bed.
This was a couple of days ago,I am glad to say I am much better now,bit of a tight chest,cough and a stuffy head but I do not feel ill now.
Swine flu is not mentioned on the news any more,it is not headlines in the news papers,is the panic over,has it died,gone away,did I or did I not have it,I suppose I will never know.

WALKING THE DOG

ARE YOU READY YET,COS I AM !!!!

Meet Charlie,our collie cross,faithful friend.Charlie is playing up a bit at the moment,because we left him with the dog sitter so long while we were away.Andrew spoiled him rotten and now Charlie expects to be taken out now on demand and if I don't go when he wants to,he runs off back to Andrew,I then have to get in the car to fetch him back,or Andrew drives him back.This has now become a bit of a problem,how do I get him to stay here ?He has the run of 14 acres of land ,gets taken on lots of walks,has a settee to sleep on,what more can I do.It seems the term,FAITHFUL is a bit one way at the moment !!!!

WINTER WONDERLAND

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Selection of pictures of my grand daughter on the lake and her snowman.
The big freeze is still with us and we have not been able to get into town for over a week,running short of supplies now,so I hope we get a thaw soon.Only way down the mountain at the moment is to slide 6miles down hill on your backside !!!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010

I hope every one had a good and happy Christmas Holiday,I also wish you a very happy New Year.
We had an eventful holiday,the travel arrangements did not go as expected,due to adverse weather conditions,our departure from Waterford airport was delayed because all the aircraft were snow bound in the UK so we had to sit it out in this tiny airport with little comfort ,though they did give us vouchers for a free sandwich and a cup of coffee.Eventually we arrived in Birmingham and my daughter was there to meet us,but the roads were treacherous on the journey back to her house.The whole holiday was spent mostly in doors as the freezing weather did not let up and driving was near impossible.Our journey home was much the same,stuck at Birmingham,because the runway in Waterford was frozen solid so no planes could land.
Despite this we had a lovely time with my daughter and son inlaw and our grandchildren,and we both had the rest we really needed.
This year I plan to have some computer lessons as my skills are very limited and I am not using the computer to capacity and even the computer book for dummies has not helped much !! I also am planning to do some much needed decorating as the white washed stone walls now look black from fire smoke.It is amazing what hits you when you return home after a holiday !! I never realised how shabby the walls were and the carpets need cleaning etc etc,so I will not have time to get bored this year.
As I have only just returned I have not had time to catch up on every one but will be with you all in the next day or so.
Carolyn