ABC WEDNESDAY- J is for

JUXTAPOSE... (and japanese)

with a little help from my COLLINS CONSISE tome AGAIN...

I thought I would try to juxtapose some images  

I may be wrong with this train of thought, I hope not...

here is the definition from my tome

'to place close together or side by 

side, esp. for comparison or contrast.'

60ft Oak tree  on the Isle of Wight 2008

8 inch J-apanese Bonsai in my back garden - summer 2008

I bought this is from a supermarket bargain bin for pennies, all the leaves were brown and crisp. 

 l trimmed it, watered it and I read up about Bonsai,

many people make the error of placing them inside the home, 

with central heating and dry air, they are just not compatible.

Treat it like any other tree and it wll flourish, put it outside, (sheltered in winter) et voila!

http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to stop by Mr.  LINKYat Mrs.Nesbits place, to see "J" posts from all around the world. And....we'd all love it if you left comments, or, even better, if you want to join the fun.

A Photo Opportunity for PHOTO STORY FRIDAY

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Whilst on the Isle of Wight this summer, we came across some fishing boats at Steephill Cove.

As I drew closer, I saw a whole metal fence covered with fishermens'  floats.

 I thought it was a 'photo story' opportunity and a potential watercolour project too! 

photostory friday Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Happy Holidays ...Part One

I had never visited the Isle of Wight before so I was really looking forward to driving there with the kids.

We left home at 4am, to avoid the hot spots on the motorways and completed the 335 miles trip in good time. We stopped for a full greasy spoon breakfast at 6am and arrived at the Red Funnel terminal at 10am.

on the Solent

The trip across was a treat as the boat had to navigate through the yachts and boats in full competition mode!

We met my husband in Cowes, he had been there from the start of the week doing his corporate entertaining thing on one yacht and then crewing (if that's not the correct term l'm sorry) on another yacht in his spare time. We had our dinner with him a little early around 5pm as we were beat from wandering around Cowes and our long drive. Then we left to drive to our authentic vintage vacation destination.

in the marina

Our trailer was a 1962 Airstream Safari and is in immaculate original condition bar a few small reconditioned elements.

For a gal who loves all things vintage and retro, it was a pleasure to be able to experience the trailer, in its full glory. Vintage Vacations uk is the brain child of Helen and Fraser who both manage and run the whole show. They have 10 trailers and counting all told and will shortly be adding the option of a renovated old Mission Hall to the site and even more trailers are being refurbished.

The attention to detail is outstanding as Helen has added a pile of authentic vintage board games, magazines and books. The Babysham is chilled with the original glasses and a fresh cream tea was awaiting our arrival. Bliss!

Keep an eye out here for details of her innovative and uniquely original

'SHOP IN A BOX'

Check out their site http://www.vintagevacations.co.uk/ for more info.

this was our accomodation

And here we stayed for the rest of the evening, planning our adventure for the next few days.

view from a very chilled and chilly chair!

THE BIG 50!!

Well it has finally happened and l am still here, I am still alive, and I am all in one piece!


The world as l know it hasn't ended, aliens haven't landed or if they have l haven't noticed!


My hair didn't turn white overnight, my waist line hasn't disappeared, well not totally!



l didn't wake up to find myself wearing a nylon frilly nightdress that resembled my great Aunt Margaret's, a hair net, incontinent pants nor bed socks and liver spots haven't appeared on my hands or anywhere else for that matter!




All my faculties are still intact and in good working order. the wheels are all well oiled and the white matter is still clunking away!


I still fancy the pants off Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Jackman and Gerard Butler in any order, l'm not fussy, but if you push me Gerry's my man!

I spent last Monday evening out with the girls; 20 friends, family and work colleagues, we had fun a few drinks, good food and in great company, what more could a girl ask for?

On Wednesday the kids and I drove down to Southampton to catch the car ferry to the Isle of Wight for a break. When l woke up on Saturday morning, my kids presented me with birthday gifts, cards and chocs they had kept hidden from me all the way down. Surprisingly the chocolate didn't melt in the heat of the car boot! And l even have some left!

We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast outside the trailer in sunshine and then we packed up and drove off to Kent to visit with my folks for the weekend.

I was spoiled by my kids, friends and family and so haven't experienced any of the expected after shocks!

Although it is a little bit surreal, l must confess seeing a room full of pink cards, festooned with images of handbags, cakes and chocolates (do they all know me or not!) and large silver 5o's all ove rthe show! I have to keep saying to myself this is me!! And it doesnt feel like it, not one bit ... I don't know what I was afraid off!

It is just a number ... for heavens sake just get on with it girl and smell the roses! AHhhhhh!!!