Another July Scavenger Hunt and a Saturday Snap

 

A photograph, each Saturday- Quirky or Serious?, Fun or Interesting?, Real or Abstract?

A comment or not, a thought, a quote or whatever-Let the pictures do the talking

 

Butterflies seem to be everywhere at the moment and they particularly like this Buddleia / Buddleja bush in our garden.

 

And as usual for the beginning of the month I have joined in with Sophie at CGDN  for another Scavenger hunt. I took a bit of liberty with some of the interpretations- but still managed to get them. So here's my July Photos:

 

Message

A car sticker message that I spotted whilst waiting at some traffic lights.

 

In between

This plane is in between flights- being refuelled, restocked and luggage boarded.

 

Brim

Lots of brims on these summer hats, found in the airport shop.

 

Healthy

A healthy alternative fast food stall- full of smoothies and fresh juice

 

Aloft

High up- a fairground attraction ride at the Rewind festival- You wouldn't catch me up there!

 

Summer

A summer festival- Rewind 2013

 

Cool

My sister's very cool camper Humphry.

 

Peaceful

A very quiet and peaceful walk through the grounds of Scone Palace

 

 Record

Some old vinyls found at a second hand stall at Preston Market

 

Barbeque

Instant BBQ, coals and firelighters for sale in the supermarket.

 

Sand

Tidal sands

 

Skin

Not quite skin- but hide:)

 

 

So that's it for another month. There's going to be a slight change for next month- a show and tell- so it will be interesting to see if I can think of something to come up with.

 

Until Next time,

 Amanda x

52 weeks of busy!

Well, it's been more of the same here- busy, busy and totally out of routine- I think I'll be glad in a way to get back to Borneo- if only for the sense of normality. Many apologies for not keeping up to date with posting and/ or even reading anyone else's pages. But a big thank you for those that still pop over to have a look and see what's going on over here on Graham's Landing.

It's been a very strange couple of weeks. Dad ended up back in hospital and is still there, so life is revolving around hospital visits. We're not really sure what's going on-so everything is up in the air. I've still managed to find some 'Happies' though- albeit a bit late!

 

July 29th-August 4th

 

Dad's 70th Birthday

Dad's birthday was last week. We had a quiet celebration tea at home as he'd just come out of hospital, but it was nice to do something.

 

A new book

I spent the weekend down in London with Deb and Lizzy. A girly weekend treat :) It started off with a very pleasant train ride down- a great chance to catch up with a cup of tea and a new book to read.

 

Champagne Afternoon Tea

 

Well, why not? The National Gallery Restaurant on a Friday afternoon- what a great way to spend an afternoon.

 

A Welcome Visitor

 Back at home, this little wren was spotted hopping about on the patio. I haven't seen a wren for a long time in the garden- so I was most impressed. They are just a cute little bird.:)

 

 So that's it for now. I have lots of photos to upload of my goings on in London and roundabout here. Hopefully I'll get to show a few. Hope everyone is having a good week.

Amanda x

 

 

 

 

July Made with Love Scavenger Hunt

Happy August. Linking up with Greenthumb at Made with Love and taking part in the July photo scavenger hunt.

 

Numbers

A list of flight numbers during my journey back to the UK.

 

Smile

 A serene smile from a churchyard angel

Black

The Black Horse pub in Preston, Lancashire

Bright

Brightly Coloured fireworks at Rewind

Coins

 A collection of Scottish Coins

 

Feet

Wellie clad feet at the festival

 

Wheels

Aircraft wheels 

 

11

I landed at gate B11

 

Umbrella

Playing hide under the umbrella!

 

Something Very Old

Castlerigg Stone Circle. Keswick, Cumbria

 

Technology

High tech audio and video at Rewind

 

The Great Outdoors

The Lake District Northern Fells.

 

Hope to see you for August's list :)

Amanda x

 

52 Weeks of Happies

This is another late posting as I was without internet over the weekend, whilst I was at the Rewind festival, stuck in a tent etc etc.I'll tell you all about it later:)  But anyway here goes- My Happy photos: 

July 22nd- 28th

 

This is one of my favourite view from home- Despite this being on a very dark and rainy day, I love the sweep of the view. This is heading towards the Caldbeck Fells. This is taken from the top of Calbeck Common looking toward Carrock Fell and High Pike. The Northern Fells are a bit stark, but still beautiful in their own way- and they certainly do not get the heaves of walkers and tourists that dominate all the other fells.

 

 

 

Rewind Festival- Well what can I say! Jason Donavan, Human League, Tony Hadley ... The list goes on. Definitely a happy 80's weekend!

 

This is Izzy and Zepp. They love it when Aunty Manda comes to play- as I'm the one daft enough to play ball games and throw things for them endlessly! I always seem to forget how much fun it can be having two excitable Labradors to play with. Despite leaving my sister's house covered  in dog hairs and slobbered all over, I always love having them around.

 

 

 

Maybe this is a bit self indulgent- but I'm feeling quite pleased with myself at the minute. Coming home this summer has been a time of reflection and reminiscing. It's been lovely to catch up with everyone and even more of an ego boost when everyone says how well and happy you look. (Even more so when you bump into your ex boyfriend who says you look amazing- a very nice ego boost, thank you very much!) I know I have a great life abroad, I probably feel the fittest and healthiest I have in a while and even though I know that this can't last- I am going to have to come back here sooner rather than later-I feel I'm ready to make the most of my next year in Asia. Changes are definitely ahead- but for now I'm just going to enjoy life as it's thrown at me:)

 

Hope you're having a good week.

Amanda x

 

Looking back at Glastonbury 2011

A few weeks ago I posted a couple of teaser photographs. Did you have a guess at 'Where am I' on my Saturday Snaps?

 

 

For those that guessed Glastonbury Festival- Yes you were right. I'm off to another festival today- Rewind- an 80's festival up in Scone, Scotland. Not quite the same as Glastonbury!


Oh it would have been fun to go. The fact that tickets sell like hot cakes, I have to work and I was 8000 miles away- still doesn't mean that I can't wish I was there.

I was very envious, as my Sister, Brother in Law and Niece  all managed to go to this years festival :(

  

I'm not one of those seasoned festival goers that have been going for years. It was my first time in 2011 and now I can see why there is so much hype about it- I loved it!
 

For some it's all about the music...



For others, it's all the other attractions, in all the other fields...



And some love the weird and the wonderful...


Whatever the reason, just being there, soaking up the atmosphere, is enough...

 

 Cos there's nothing quite like it!

 

 

 

 

Oh well, maybe another year?
In the meantime I'm off to Rewind to see Jason Donavan, Belinda Carlisle and  Human League amongst others. See you after the weekend- Now where did I pack that Neon?!

 

Amanda x

 

 

Wordless and Happies

Many apologies for not posting anything this week so far- I'm behind with everything. That includes, writing blog stuff and reading everyone else's blogs, so I'm sorry. Aside from catching up with everyone- it seems that age has caught up with my dad- and so he ended up in hospital at the weekend too- Needless to say with one thing and another, my poor blog has been neglected.

Anyway, things are more settled down now, dad is back at home and I have a little bit of time on my hands- so here goes.

 

 

52 Weeks of Happy

July 15th- 21st

A school performance. This week I popped into my old school to visit everyone. Not only did I get to see my old colleagues and some of the pupils I used to teach- I must have timed it right as they were putting on an African dance performance too. I love visiting school- I went there as a child and then ended up working there for 10 years before going into international teaching. It's as much a part of me as anything and so I still love to visit and make that connection once more.

 

This was a bit of a silly moment-This is me, lying down on the upper shelf of our airing cupboard at home. My mum and I had spent a long time tidying up, getting rid of old blankets, duvets etc and generally having a good old sort out. We'd just cleared the shelves, then I climbed up and took a book with me. We first moved to these houses when I was about 8 and for the next few years my favourite place in the house was the airing cupboard. I was always squirreling my way amongst the bedding, book in hand and would stay there reading for hours. Now here in 2013, having made space, I had this sudden urge to do the same- climb up and settle down- however more sorting was still be done and so I only had time for a photo shoot!

Another favourite old pastime!

When ever I come back home I always get the feeling that nothing ever really changes and that  despite being away things invariably stay much the same-Monday evening was a prime example. This was me, having a paddle and catching fish in one of the local 'becks' (River) with some of the local Brownie pack. I went to visit my friend Anne Marie who's the Guider but couldn't wait to get in and have a paddle myself! It was a bit strange to think that I used to do the same when I was a Brownie, then as a Brownie guider-and now just visiting!



My favourite thing this week was a reunion.

 I went to Manchester to meet up with some of my nursing friends. We started our training together in April 1986 and after all this time it was great to catch up. We went out to Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant and then for a couple of drinks after. I don't think any of us stopped talking or laughing the whole evening:)

 

So that was some of my happies- just being here with my family and friends is one big happy- despite their illnesses and setbacks. So I think for the rest of my time here, I'm just going to appreciate what I have and make the most of my time with them.

 

Wordless Wednesday Picture

But I couldn't leave without leaving a wordless Wednesday picture. I haven't been out and about as much as I would have liked, having spent a lot of time visiting hospital- but I have managed to take an odd shot or two of my local area-

 

Enjoy!

Amanda x

Saturday Snaps

I feel I have been neglecting my blog this week, partly as I've been here, there and everywhere -and partly because I keep forgetting to take photos! I will get back on track and post some first week at home stories and photos.

 As it is - I'm rushing off down to Manchester for the day- I shall tell you all about it tomorrow:)

 and so I will just leave you with a short and sweet Saturday Snap.

A photograph, each Saturday- Quirky or Serious?, Fun or Interesting?, Real or Abstract?

A comment or not, a thought, a quote or whatever-Let the pictures do the talking

 

 

This is the view from my upstairs window at home, looking west. It wasn't meant to be a panorama, as you can see they are all at different angles and lengths- but you can get the idea. The back and side views look out onto fields too!

 

A bit different from the view I get in KK-

 

So I am enjoying the greenery when I can :)

See you tomorrow :)

Amanda x