Finally, days of sunshine! David and I have had a splendid week inside and outside. We ventured out in the evening on two occasions, one for the Cock Inn pub Quiz Night, and one to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to enjoy an hour of comedy with Lee Pollard. Both excellent nights out.
Anyway it is all in the shedcast so I'll leave you to listen in. I will post photo's of the week below, they say it all. I have a busy day ahead as I am helping to edit the upcoming Shortlands Poetry Circle Anthology to commemorate their 110 year anniversary. So, it will be an afternoon in the garden, doing what I really enjoy - reading poetry.
Our visit to the theatre - The Crucible in Sheffield. We looked like aliens, but then so did everyone else.
We went for a drive in the new (as yet unnamed) car, and had a little picnic in the countryside.
And, if you haven't seen my phone-art, here are some of the little pictures that I have created with my phone and index finger, on my new phone. I love doing this instant artwork.
I don't appear to have created a Happy Monday, I'll work on it for next week, meantime, I hope you have all had as good a week as we have. David is in the garden this morning, painting his little shed and the sun is shining.
Have a lovely weekend, keep safe and keep smiling,
Hi old friends and new, and our new friends this week are, Lou and Lee who are 'mine hosts' at the Cock Inn, Birdwell.
Once we realised that the pub at the bottom of our road had opened, we were there like a shot, (no pun intended). So much for our conversation about not going back to pubs and sticking to our own little garden shed-bar. There is no way we are going to spend the rest of our lives in our back garden. We are well and truly 'out'!
And what joy it was. Our first foray was on Wednesday afternoon, the sun was shining so off we went. We were met by Lee, who pointed out the 'log in' poster at the entrance to the beer garden. Now, I know I've a soft spot for tall, dark, handsome young men, but putting that aside, he's a smashing bloke, who made us feel welcome the minute we set foot in the car park. It wasn't long before Lou came over for a chat and we were filled with the joy of conversation. Yes, conversation, not on the phone, not on a WatsApp video call, not, box to box Zoom, a real, live, person to person conversation that was more than a 'hello, how are you?' as you pass fellow walkers in the street.
So, cum Friday, and blessed with dry weather, I put on an extra layer (i.e. me vest) and a bit of lippy and headed off for the Cock Inn once more. This time with the intention of making our shedcast while taking in the reality of the new, Covid world. I can tell you, for me, it was quite an emotional hour. My memory went all to pot at the realisation that life has picked up a pace.
Or was it the Prosecco? Whichever, I think more vitamin B12 is called for.
A big thanks to, Lou and Lee and Jen for being there, just as David and I were hitting the edge of the insanity of solitude. Enough said, here is the little Shedcast we made while taking in the wonderful atmosphere of the Cock Inn, Birdwell:
And here is my painting of the week - Rave, following the first post Covid Rave which was held last week as an experiment to see if such a gathering is once again safe.
A bit of family history came our way last week. These wonderful photographs and newspaper report about the Shorrocks, David's mother's side of the family. David's granddad was, John (known as Jack) Shorrock. This is a very special picture, Granddad, Jack, is the man with his hat in his hand.
Our week would not be complete without a walk into the countryside. This is our, in search of bluebells jaunt in between the showers:
And, bringing a smile, The Fairy Grove, created to entertain I'm sure:
So, that's us for another week, I hope the weather picks up, but I suspect the outside table may have to be inside for the next few days. It's raining!
Bye for now, lovely people, keep safe and keep smiling!
It's been one of those poety weeks, head in the clouds, floating lonely, doing my own thing while David was away visiting our daughter in posh Penge. Actually, I've enjoyed the solitude. There has been lots of cello practice, lots of reading, and lots of writing. And in between all of that I tripped into Barnsley with Higgs Bottom (my new novel) to introduce it to the Chronicle Book Shop. Following that visit I am pleased to announce that now in stock at the Chronicle Book Shop in Barnsley, is Higgs Bottom - tadah! I was so pleased with my little promotion trip that I went into the Cooper Gallery for a cup of tea in their lovely cafe. I was in good company, lots of elevenses ladies, coffee and cake, the sensible shoe section of society who prefer a little slower pace. So much so that the sign on the wall that says, 'Wake up and smell the coffee,' seemed a particularly pertinent instruction. The counter, festooned with homemade cakes was very inviting, but I resisted, even though the chocolate brownies were very tempting. Back home I just had time to go through with the vacuum before the boiler men came. The old boiler had packed in and within hours a new one was being fitted. Something else to celebrate. The guys did a splendid job and it was all done and dusted by midday. Plumbers are wonderful people, aren't they?
It's a plumber's technique!
So there was a bit of a mess before it was all put together again. But who cares, I'm all ready for the cold weather now, not that I'm in a hurry to bring it on. I didn't talk to another soul until Friday, but like I say, I made good use of the solitude. I wrote a poem for a lady whom we met a few weeks ago at the Dearne Valley Farm pub when we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, Clare. She asked me to write a poem about her, so here it is, just for you, Clare:
Clare
with red hair
We met at the Dearne Valley Farm
one sunny afternoon,
when blue skies
and temperatures,
unusual for June,
invited us to take the air,
cross the park,
stretch our limbs,
run like teenagers in love,
laugh at the silly things.
We made for the pub
crossed the field,
a short cut through the gate,
where we lingered
to kiss, lovers' lips,
like on our first date.
It was cool inside,
there were fans,
we chose a window seat,
the carvery looked great,
we decided to stay and eat
You were sitting at the next table
you smiled as we sat down
I, content with my lovely man,
and looking all around,
didn’t realize the sadness
behind your public mask,
but while our men
got the beer in,
you leaned across and asked,
‘Is
it a special occasion?
you
seem so much in love’
And I could tell
from your voice
life for you
was not so good.
‘I lost
my man
he
died, you said,
one
minute there
then
gone,
three
young children without a dad,’
it's hard to carry on.
My
life’s in a thousand pieces,
I
know that time will heal,
But right
at this very moment
I’m
lost, that’s how I feel.’
It was a brief exchange
between women,
what could I say?
I uttered my condolences,
there will be better days.
You made me see how life can go,
how fickle fate can be,
And when you left
you winked, and said,
I’m Clare,
write about me.
David is back now, we had lunch at the Cock today (Sunday) and it was scrumptious as usual. How fortunate David and I are to have each other. I have been writing a Press Release for Higgs Bottom this afternoon. I have lots to do this week, not least prepare my manuscript for A Poet in Barnsley - coming to Amazon very soon. And on that subject I have been asked to read at a couple of venues, more news of that next week. Our daughter is to visit on Friday for a girly night out with her mum, her sister-in-law and her niece. Bring on the music! I hope you have had a good week dear reader. I'll update you on my exploits next week, so until then, don't get too bogged down in the Brexit politics, keep smiling and enjoy the September sunshine. Love and hugs, Jane x
Right! Let's get this show on the road. I'm so looking forward to our little do next Saturday in Penge. We all need the pick-me-up of a little laughter in these days of political unrest, so I hope you can spare an hour to recharge your fun batteries. And if for any reason you can not come to see us on Saturday, please consider this: Christine and I are up for a repeat performance at another venue, so do get in touch if you think we are just what you are looking for to provide a couple of hours of entertainment, (I will post a video sample of our act). Just mail me at janesharp_creta@hotmail.com for information. Now, what have I been up to in the past week? Well, never one to sit still for long, I attended a workshop with the famous Toria Garbutt, in Barnsley, and later joined her and a group of Barnsley poets in an open mic session. It was an inspirational afternoon, enjoyed by all, as you can see. By the way, the man lurking in the background is setting up for the musicians who followed on after the poetry, it was just an informal do, not the Albert Hall, but that's where Toria is this coming week.
So, next up is Penge. I've had my hair done, I've got my winter woolies ready for the cold weather that's forecast, and I've got my new boots.
David and I went out for Sunday Lunch today, at the Cock Inn in Birdwell, it was absolutely scrumptious. Then we had a lazy afternoon, and we are now going to settle down and watch Countryfile on the TV. Our evening viewing is sorted, Doctor Who and The Little Drummer Girl, then it's an early night. My book at bedtime is The Muse by Jessie Burton, I've just started it and it beckons me on. I'll let you know what I think when I've finished it. And tomorrow I'm off to Meadowhall for a mooch around.
Whatever you are up to, I hope you are happy and have good things to look forward to. Keep smiling, and don't let Brexit get you down. "Brexit, Brexit, will we stay or exit/When will Theresa May say up your bum to Juncker?" Well, that's what I think!
