The Travellers is Open - Hooray!

Sunday day out at the Heritage Centre, Elsecar, where a special Seaside event was taking place. 

Not quite the beach

Lots of fun for children though

Donkey rides for all

A variation on the carousel

and a chance to hook a duck

 And after working up a thirst... we headed for a pint. Spoiled for choice we ended up back in Birdwell, where we now have a pub at each end of our road, the Cock, down by the motorway, or the newly opened Travellers Inn, on Sheffield road. So we opted for one drink in each.

We have watched the work going on at the Travellers Inn since we arrived in Birdwell in February. Delighted to see it opened this weekend we first popped in for a pint on Friday, early doors. Out with the traditional pub look, and in with the new, spacious, wooden floor, dare I say it, a little more up market establishment. We can't wait to try out the food, which is to be served as from Wednesday. Maybe next weekend we'll treat ourselves to a pub lunch.

Topping off a perfect day, the family came a visiting. My how grown up are our two lovely granddaughters. They didn't stop long, but it was great to see them.

I'm waiting to hear when to start my new little voluntary job at Royston. More about that when it happens.

We bought some daffodil, snowdrop and crocus bulbs in Barnsley, yesterday, so I feel a bit of gardening coming on tomorrow.

I'm all set for a creative week ahead. But now it's bedtime. Night night, sleep tight!
Love Jane x

Ups and Downs!

Beautiful days are filled with laughter, this one ended in sadness.

Say it with roses! A gift from my lovely sister. There was laughter in Monk Bretton, where we tripped off to on the off chance of finding lost relatives, Roystons or Clarkes - no luck! (Probably lucky for them). We ate lots, walked a little, consumed a fair amount of alcohol, and just as we were going through the box of old photographs, we got the news that our cousin (well, half or second, and I'm never sure which it is) had sadly passed away. Paul Midgley, the first son of my cousin Lynn, also no longer with us. He was only 50 years old, and diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks ago. The cancer also caused a tumour on his brain, and just after midnight on Saturday, he died.

I remember Paul being born, and together with his younger brother, Richard, they were part of my close family circle. Their mother, Lynn, was like a sister to me, and I alway looked up to her. Lynn, was a working mother, their father, Melvin, was a lecturer at Hull University. Our paths would cross from time to time as they were growing up. But despite the infrequency, I always felt very close, a blood bond. Yet, looking back, we were not that close at all.

Then, as families often do, we became more distant. I went to live in Crete, Lynn died, and the boys had their own families to concentrate on.

A few years ago, Richard and his partner, Linda, came to visit David and I in Crete. We caught up on all the family news. Paul had gone to live in Norwich, he had left his partner, and was bringing up his two boys, Liam and Alex, by himself, and by all accounts making a damn good job of it. We continued to be connected on Face Book, and a year or so ago, he opened a shop selling Vapour Cigarettes, in Norwich.

Sadly, Melvin has lost his son, Richard has lost his only brother, and Liam and Alex their wonderful father. My heart goes out to that immediate family. I ask God to keep Paul safe in his love, and to watch over those closest to him.

Love Jane x

My Barnsley Bear

Unwanted bear finds new home in Barnsley.

I just can't resist a little Teddy Bear. As David and I were taking a walk down the road to the Edmunds Arms in Worsbrough village, we came across three children selling their old toys, at the bottom of their garden. Very enterprising, we thought, and of course couldn't pass by without buying something from them. I call my new bear, Jumble, as he came from a jumble stall. I could have bought a lovely necklace, or any number of plastic penguins, but the bear, being somewhat strange, was irresistible. He reminds me of a poem I wrote recently: 

(James Kennedy who wrote the original lyrics to Teddy Bears’ Picnic, lived at Staplegrove Elm, Taunton, Somerset, which was at the edge of a wood).

Zombie Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Do not go into the Staplegrove wood,

in the light of day, or the dark of night,

it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

Be warned, they picnic on fresh brains and blood,

and once you are hugged, they will hold on tight,

do not go into the Staplegrove wood.

If you reach the edge, think twice, it’s not good

to disturb the bears as they reunite,

it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

When Zombie Teddy Bears picnic, they rub

eyeballs in soil, suck tongues, they’re not polite,

do not go into the Staplegrove wood.

If you go down to the Staplegrove wood,

you’ll be in for a big surprise, all right,

it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

You’ll never believe your eyes, when the bite

rips into your flesh - there’s no time for flight.

Do not go into the Staplegrove wood,

it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

Hope you enjoyed that one. Well, I'll keep a close eye on Jumble, and keep him away from picnics. 

I have also been creative this week, this is my latest painting. 

Yorkshire women having a natter.

And now to do a bit of music practice. Talk again soon.

Love, Jane x