Remembering Mum who died one year ago at the Winter Solstice.

“How we remember, what we remember and why we remember form the most personal map of our individuality.”  


The abiding memories from my childhood include Mum teaching me to read before I started school. Throughout my schooldays, she was there, encouraging, helping me revise for exams and attending Parents' Evenings, Summer Fetes, and Speech Day events. She taught me the value of working hard and saving for things I wanted as well as spending wisely without incurring debts.

It gave me great satisfaction  to find a marble statue for the garden that will remind me of all this. The statue is called 'Rosemary' (in the manufacturer's catalogue) but her real identity is that of the goddess Minerva (Athena) holding a book.

As patron goddess of learning, Minerva, frequently features in statuary at educational establishments.  To me, she is a reminder of the wisdom traditionally passed from mother to daughter and the very special place my mother held throughout my formative years.


The statue is not very tall (85cm) and will be placed beside the Rosemary bush on the newly-restored patio where Mum loved to sit in the sun when she came down for a visit. MWNN has given me Christmas money to spend on herbs and plants for the raised beds. I think some heathers would be nice, as the large raised bed is filled with Fenland soil, rather than the chalky stuff in the rest of the garden.

 "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember."  Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 4.

Paperback edition

Some of you may know that I published a book in 2002. One thousand copies were printed and I thought we'd never sell them all. Everyone on the publishing team was relieved when we broke even with 400 orders pre-launch.


Afterwards, numbers of copies dwindled slowly over the next six years. Contacts through the website steadilly increased until we were down to less than 20 copies in 2010.


I began to think seriously about an e-version when requests from the US and Europe increased reducing the numbers of copies available to single figures. The cost of postage sometimes matched that of the book.

Kindle version cover

Last week, I  publlished a Kindle Version for Amazon. It's available in the US,  UK,  and Germany at the moment. It came as a great shock and disappointment to learn that e-books attract VAT in the UK.


I was also a little disappointed at the Kindle's conversion program which rendered the Contents, index, and footnotes inoperable but, given that there are so few copies left (6) this is the one way of 'owning' a copy of the original 2002 text and (apart from the front cover) images.With a lot of trial and error, ( a steep learning curve) I managed to revise the first conversion attempt and now Contents' page and footnote links work and the pages look correctly formatted. Picture zoom and text to speech are aso enabled and I adjusted the pricing to absorb the VAT.


The Kindle edition should be available for download in the following countries:
Austria
Canada
Germany
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Switzerland
United Kingdom (including Guernsey, Jersey, and Isle of Man)
United States


Please sign the e-petition against VAT on ebooks. You need to verify your registration once you've signed up to the petition for it to take effect.

when it works. But when it doesn't, it's a right royal pain.


I spent most of Monday trying to get my PC to talk to my ancient (2003 series 2) iPod (battery totally dead and won't hold a charge) without the official sync/charge usb cable. I'm fairly sure the cable is on the boat. I did manage to get the two communicating just long enough for iTunes to wipe everything from the iPod before telling me it couldn't sync as there was no device on the USB port. I ordered a new 'classic'(silver) and resigned myself to keeping the old iPod as a wall ornament.

No sooner had I paid my dosh to Apple when the ancient i-pod suddenly re-appeared in iTunes and a full sync happened, I can keep it plugged permanently into my Altec Lancing speakers and use the new one as my travelling companion.


One problem solved and another one worsened.

Since returning from France, my two-year-old Dell laptop (which remained in the UK) started behaving strangely - frequent 'freezes', refusal to shut down, and no access to 'Task Manager'. After a whole day of getting nowhere with cache clearing, disc check, full virus scan, and abortive attempts at de-fragging on Monday, I contacted the help chat at Microsoft early on Tuesday morning.

To cut a long story short, I was taken through the prescribed diagnosis route (with an hour's break for lunch at 2pm) when what I wanted was someone to answer my questions about why I couldn't access task manager. On returning from lunch, I found that the malware scan (provided by Microsoft support)  had found about 10 viruses that my earlier scans had failed to find. Having removed them from the laptop, it booted up correctly and seems to be working OK. Had it not done so, we would have moved on to letting Microsoft have access to the laptop so that the 'expert' could fix it remotely.

I later checked online for the most common cause of task manager failure - yup virus.

By six o'clock, I was so knackered and stressed that I almost decided not to go to singing group. And then I remembered how relaxing singing is - and went - and it was - very (relaxing).

ETA 13:01 Laptop problem was not solved. Have now lost access to support technician and am running a hardware test on the Vostro as per Dell techical support instructions. Aaaaaaargh - need another singing session  and advice as to which OS to buy should everything fail to solve the problems.

I took it to the boat and read the following (during breakfast and at night) over nine weeks.







Trollope
Domestic Manners of the Americans (Fanny)
The Belton Estate (Anthony)
An Eye for an Eye (Anthony)
The Man who kept his Money in a Box (Anthony)
Ralph the Heir (Anthony)
Harry Heathjcote of Gangoil (Anthony)
Miss Mackenzie (Anthony)
The Vicar of Bullhampton (Anthony)

Gaskell
Half a Lifetime Ago
Lizzie Leigh
A Dark Night's Work
Wives and Daughters
The Poor Clare
The Half Brothers
The Moorland Cottage

M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Lady Audley's Secret


 Bronte
The Tennant of Wildfell Hall (Anne)

There is no way that 17 books would have been carried in my suitcase, nor is there room for that many on the bookshelf on the boat - not to mention they were all free from various web archives.

I also had several 'Friday Play' podcasts from the BBC which I was able to listen to through headphones. I have to admit, I listened to only 2 as we were so busy.

We've just returned from taking Ron for a walk before the rain hit. It is really important that we try to keep his activity levels similar to those he had when we were in France. Before we went away, he was somewhat overweight. After nine weeks of a lot of exercise, he has lost 2kg and is looking really good.

Port 'estate', looking north(ish)

We spent most of those nine weeks in port. The Port de Plaisance is 2 hectares of security-fenced grounds - plenty of space for strenous ball-chasing or general off-lead mooching.

The down-stay

I availed of the facilities to add the 'down-stay' to Ron's repertoire. He's reluctant to play that game with his precious (Billy Ball) so I used a stick or pine cone. Once in the down-stay, I walked away, increasing the distance at each session. 

The 'fetch'

Then I'd turn and give the command 'fetch'. He soon got the hang of it. Unfortunately, it seems to have been place-defined as we had to train him all over again when trying it out at the local 'rec'.

He's also sulking a bit because his 'home estate' is tiny in comparison to his watery one. Which might explain why he's refusing to take part in eradication the mice which colonised the house during our absence.

Nine weeks of working on the boat - I hoped for a rest when we got home. So far, we've disinfected the utility room and kitchen. Evidence (poop) is also in the front room, the staircase, and my bedroom/study

The new Berlingo outside Le Chauderon

We wasted almost a whole day in a fruitless search for a canal bridge full of graffiti that MWNN wanted to photograph. We differ in our recollection of where the bridge was and there are some bridges that are inaccessable by road.

However, the day was not totally wasted. On our third circuit around Menessis, we found ourselves  on the way to Jussy. It being almost 1pm, we stopped for lunch at 'Le Chauderon'. We'd discovered this great little workman's restaurant during our week in Gite no2. On the first visit, MWNN discovered leek pie; this time, he admitted to liking rabbit stew. The tiramasu which he chose for dessert was 'delicious'. My 'fruit rouge' tart was the best I'd had since I was a child.

Ron on the Port 'estate'.

We ate at an outside table and Monsieur le Chef came out and made the mistake of going up close and staring at Ron in his travel crate in the back of the Berlingo. Who would have thought that the dog in the photo (right) could turn into a ravening wolf at such provocation? I took him out of the crate so that he could greet Monsieur in his usual cheerful manner (especially when I explained to Ron that this Monsieur was the chef who had cooked the rabbit of which he had been given a fair share.)



There was a full moon a few days ago. On the final clear(ish) night, I decided to have a go at taking photos from my cabin, using the night and timer seettings on the camera as I'd left the tripod at home.

Some pics came out rather well. This one is probably the best and may make it into next year's calendar in some form or other.

St Quentin Leisure Centre

We completed two test runs, one yesterday past the new Leisure Centre (swimming, bowls, ice rink and restaurants) that is behind the Port alongside a new 'promenade' as far as the town bridge to the north of the town, the other on Friday down as far as the first lock south of St Quentin.

There were a couple of leaks to which we had to attend and a new galley sink hot water tap connection to fit. All seems to be well now and, good weather permitting, we'll head out for a a couple of weeks' cruise on Bank Holiday Monday.

Speaking of weather, it's been the most wonderful five weeks so far - warm to hot during the day and cool at night. Keep everything crossed that it continues for the next couple of weeks.

During the first couple of weeks at St Quentin, Ron found that my suitcase made a rather wonderful bed. He claimed it the first night at Gite No 1 and continued to use it at Gite No 2.

It's impossible for him to use it aboard the boat because his bed is the 'top bunk' on the cover over the hip-bath. He's complained bitterly on a couple of cold nights as his boat bed isn't as easy for him to use as an igloo beneath his travelling fleece.

Mum, 1941

Today is a Bank Holiday, because May day fell on a Sunday. It's also the 93rd anniversary of my Mum's birth - May 2nd, 1918. I've missed her a lot during the last month. When we're in France, I used to send her a postcard at every Halte Nautique and phone her when there was a kiosk available. She loved following our progress on the map and was interested in the towns and villages we visited, especially those in well-know wine regions as she knew there would be local wine heading her way on our return to the UK. Our boat is featured prominently on the cover of the Cruising Club brochure and, when I saw it, my first thought was 'I must send a copy to Mum'.

Mum (left) with her sister C1958

We're still in Port, thanks to a glitch with the fridge and the loo.
I'm cooking a cassoulet for this evening's dinner and will serve champagne in honour of Mum's birthday. She and her sister, Anne, loved a drop of wine and Mum's tastes became rather sophisticated once we'd discovered the wine regions and the village co-operatives of the South of France.

 and Alain, the President of the Cruising Club of Haut Picardie, threw a surprise 'dessert party'.

I thought I would offer to serve Pimms in honour of England's National Day but withdrew rapidly when I saw the number of bottle of Charles de Fere 'blanc de blanks' the President had supplied.


The 'desserts' were fruit tartes - lots of fruit tartes - huge party-sized apple, cherry, strawberry, raspberry and mirabel tartes as well as individual ones. There was enough for two helpings each and third helpings for the hollow-legged guests.


Four of the boat crews were British, the rest were French. It was a delighful evening, out in the shade of the cherry trees, the tartes and champagne set out on benches and the picnic blanket (which Elodie claimed just as Ron began his mad play-bowing and lunatic dashing hihther and thither). Ron and his lady-friend, Elodie, were very well behaved and were given tidbits as reward for their constraint. The champagne was still flowing when I left at 9.45pm to give Ron his dinner.

The President again toasted the beginning of the season with well and good camaraderie to all.




 The following day was Easter Sunday and, thanks to my new slow cooker, I was able to cooker Easter Lamb, the gravy from which was used as the base for beef in beer on Monday.

Our neighbours, Bob and Anna, were returning to UK early on Tuesday so they were our dinner guests. Anna provided a trifle for dessert and Bob had chilled a rather nice bottle of Cremant de Loire.

a rose garden.

But I was promised a holiday during the 2 weeks of gites prior to the boat re-launch. Week 1 in Gite No 1 while finishing the exterior boat painting and interior cleaning. Week 2 - finishing the boat ready for re-launch and having day-excursions from Gite No. 2. What have I had? So far, 3 weeks of hard work, 2 while in Gites 1&2, 1 while repairing various leaks and getting the interior habitable now the boat is afloat.




So, I have no lovely pics of the beginnings of a cruise on the St Quentin canal, just some pics taken at Gite No 2 the day I 'pulled a sickie' after I'd caught a chill working outside in the cold.











 The 'duvet-day' turned out to be rather nice, so I did all the washing (3 loads) and took pictures (trying out the timer on the camera) of my second seamless cardigan.






Once the boat was in the water, the weather changed and we've been enjoying 27 - 29 degrees of sunshine all day every day. The nights are cool (10 - 14 ), so the boat has time to cool down before dawn.

After all the boats were safely back in the water and those coming out secured on their blocks on land, all the club members were given a four course lunch in the club-house. There were so many of us that there was an 'overspill table' outside, at which the President and Capitaine hosted the meal for the crane crew. I took some photos and will endeavour to upload on my next visit to the wi-fi.

This is where we spent the first week of our trip. We had the self-contained  flat with the five windows from the left on the first floor. There were 3 bedrooms, sleeping 5 people. There was a lounge/diner with only one armchair so we used a recliner from the boat. The table seated 6. The kitchen was well equipped, although there was no dishwasher. The ancient washing machine was situated in the ancient cellar. The bathroom had a bath with shower over. Across the corridor from our flat's 'front door', there was a BALLROOM with tables for about 30 people. Goodness knows where they would all sleep if you needed to use that room.

We move to Gite No. 2 for the second week of work on the boat before she goes back in the water next Friday. Gite No 2 claims to have wi-fi but we have yet to learn how we subscribe to it.

Work on the boat is progressing. We now have shore power restored and I have de-rusted and primed the starboard side of the boat ready for painting the coachlines and the black gunwales. MWNN is busily de-rusting the battery box before installing the new house batteries.

The Consultant dermatologist confirmed that my rash is eczema. He prescribed cream that has to be covered with clingfilm at night. Last night's application removed a layer of skin (and with it the rash) where the clingfilm stayed in place.)

Tonight we are in a hotel as we do not take over tenancy of Gite No 2 until tomorrow evening.

ETA - Forgot to say - the gite pictured above is next to a lock on the St Quentin Canal.

Not any more, you don't.

After just four months since I began learning to play the bodhran, I'm chuffed to be able to improvise an accompaniment to The Irish Washerwoman jig without having to use the 'slow down' software.



Played with an Irish hawthorn tipper made in County Antrim on my 14" Rosewood Deluce deluxe tuneable bodhran.

Mum (and Dad) passed on to me a love of music, especially singing. Mum was one of 250 children who sang with the Manchester Children's Choir.( Read more... )

We are safely returned from The North (in which I feel distincly alien) and counting our blessings for the comfort and peace of our own home. (photo Autumn 2007)

Mum and me, c1954

Born into a working class family in Manchester in 1918, she knew what hardship was all about. Her Dad worked hard and played hard. He enjoyed a pint at the local pub and would bring home a ’milk stout’ for my Granny, who was from a family where 'ladies' didn't go to the pub. Mum remembered her Granny as a 'fine lady' who wore beautiful hats. Mum was the second of four children and, when it came to her outlook on life, took after her Dad. She married my Dad the year before the ourbreak of WWII and had the double difficulty of looking after her first baby, my sister,  throughout the war years while Dad did double shifts at the aircraft factory and on 'fire watch'.  She and my sister were 'evacuated' to a big house in the country during the 'phoney war' but returned home after only a week as my Mum was homesick and needed her family close by to help her look after a young baby. After the War, there were years of rationing and other hardships ahead and it wasn't until the year after the NHS came into being  (and 11 years after my sister's birth)  that she gave birth to me in Withington hospital.

Mum returned to work as an office clerk as soon as I began nursery school, having taught me to read before I started there. Granny would take care of me after school until Mum returned from work. We lived on the same street as Granny and Grandad and Mum's younger sister and her family until I was five.

When I passed the 11+ and gained a grammar school place, it was Mum who attended every parents’ evening and school fete. (My Dad was often working 'overtime' in the evenings and weekends.) Despite her own basic level of secondary schooling, Mum helped me as much as she could with my school work, testing me during revision periods for upcoming examinations and letting me off my ’chores’ during that time. I know that both Mum and Dad were very proud of my educational achievements and I have them both to thank for making that possible, especially their decision to send me to an excellent State Primary School as it gave the best possible start to that education. The church school I should have attended was a bus ride from home and my Mum wouldn't allow me to travel that far alone.

Mum was never over-protective or demanding.  I was raised without the need for physical chastisement and enjoyed a very happy childhood. Mum raised me as her mother had raised her; sent me to Sunday School even though she'd 'converted' to Catholicism on marrying my Dad.  She kept close contact with her siblings, especially her younger sister with whom we frequestly took holidays in the same small Blackpool hotel. An annual celebration around Christmas time was a tradition that began before I was born. This usually took place at the eldest's home, with the children (my cousins) playing in the fields behind the house if the weather was fine, the women busy in the kitchen, preparing a post-Christmas tea and sampling the sherry, and the men upstairs in one of the bedrooms, playing card - with beer.

Mum didn’t suffer ’empty nest’ syndrome when I left home for University because she worked until retirement age and had a busy social life with family and friends. She was devastated when her younger sister, Annie, died following a series of strokes not long after my Dad died. Mum loved holidays and, when money allowed, travelled with Dad to Spain, Italy, and Malta where she made many new friends. After Dad’s death 15 years ago, she was unwilling to holiday alone but enjoyed visiting MWNN and me, travelling  on coaches or trains until her own health began failing,

After a fall one icy Christmas, she stopped going out and for the last 7 or 8 years, we communicated by phone. She would often surprise me during our regular phone conversations. Topics about which I thought she had no interest would enliven her, especially when I related the latest nugget of information I'd unearthed about her mother's ancestors. Nonetheless, she wasn’t sentimental about family and our relationship was never very close. She was a good mother who did what she could for me without asking for anything in return (apart from a regular case of wine in her final years.)







Raise a glass to her today, the day of her funeral. She would appreciate it.

My Mum died earlier today.

Thanks to those who already know and have sent their condolences.

I have disabled comments as I know you will all spare a thought for me at this very difficult time.

First - apologies for the long absence here. Life sucks at the moment.

Quick fly-by as I'm super-stressed by continuing illness and family worries.

I have a vague memory of a lovely Christmas banner or manip of Spike dressed in a Santa suit. I need one for the thing I'm planning in lieu of cards this year.

Can anyone help? As far as I remember, Spike was reclining on his side, facing the 'camera'. This was not nekkid Spike. It definitely had a warm fuzzy Spuffy vibe.