Through the window

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Sitting in the Barnicle cafe, Fenton town hall, Stoke-on-Trent. I looked up and saw the ornamental cherry tree through the window and the stained glass above. The lights were on inside the cafe because the clouds were dark and low, but it was a pleasant place to have a lunch break. Cheese oatcakes and fruit loaf toast were our delicious meal. Sometimes a simple recipe can be as effective in sating your hunger as a complicated and over fancy meal. The friendly atmosphere and warm welcome made it even more pleasant.

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Last year’s Tulips

I’ve not had much time in the garden recently and missed most of the daffodils and tulips so here are some tulips from last year. Things have also got a bit squashed by some building and gardening work, I want to get back out there and tidy things up.

There are a few patterns created by duplicating the photos using the layout app on my phone. I hope you like these.

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Finding time?

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What a week! I’m in the midst of campaigning in the local elections. I won’t go into details or mention the party I’m standing for. I don’t want to get into a political ramble here.

It’s just been mad. I’ve hardly been home. I haven’t had time to blog. My legs feel like they are about to drop off because I’ve done so much walking. My back is aching from jarring it coming down some steep steps. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve spoken to lots of people and met some really interesting characters. I want to help with their problems and try and make a difference. The only problem is politics has become a real antagonism to some people. With everything going on nationally it is having an effect locally.

So life is busy at the moment. But I hope to try and fit blogging back in again soon.

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Spooky tap

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I went to use the ladies in the hotel where we just held a craft fair. I walked in and the lights were off, no one else was in there. The lights came on automatically. As I used the facilities I heard the tap go on (but no one was in there with me). And when I opened the door the tap (which was one of the push down types) was still running, it was just spooky. I know the building is old. But why would a tap switch on?

I pulled up the top of the tap and it shut off. I didn’t feel scared, just surprised.

Plains Zebra

The weather here is very wet and windy so I’m concentrating on doing some painting. I decided to paint a zebra yesterday. I sketched it out last night but didn’t start on it properly till today. I’ve extended the muzzle and made its mane black and white. It seems to be shaded with brown dust. Possibly it has been having a dust bath. I hope to finish it and my owl painting today. It’s also taking my mind off a toothache I have after eating a cashew nut.

Keeping warm

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My cats on their cat tree. Keeping warm. The weather is a lot colder now than it was last week. I gave up and put the central heating on. We were out in the rain earlier and I got soaked. We are having hefty April showers. The sky turns dark grey and then hail and rain pour down. The temperature is about 10 centigrade lower than it was a week ago… Typical British weather.

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Cherry Blossom

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Has anyone got a pot of glue? This was the result of heavy rain and strong winds over the last couple of days.

They had looked like this before the weather got involved. DSC_1837_optimized (6)

The beautiful pink blossom is from ornamental cherry trees I think. In the meantime the blossom on my cherry trees in the garden is equally bashed. I hope the insects like bees and hover flies have been able to pollinate them and they have set fruit.

Happy Spring!