Mixed emotions

I haven't written for a while, it's been a little difficult. I don't know where the time goes! Ive had some ups and downs. One of the ups was a lovely few days away in Windsor with my older daughter. We stayed with friends who live by one of the gates to Windsor Great Park. Such a lovely area. We explored Windsor, waked in the park, saw the polo field, went to the castle, Virginia Water, Coworth Park and got some insider tips on HRH's life in Windsor!
I also took my Dad, Mum and sister to Deganwy in North Wales for a few days. We had an apartment over looking the Conwy Estuary, stunning views. We got around quite a lot, it's a great area for exploring by foot or in the car. And we hit the shops in Llandudno!  On the way home we called at a little chapel on the Rug Estate, Denbighshire. If you are ever up that way, call in, it's beautiful.
My children remain busy busy! And work is a delight as ever although a little over shadowed by looming cuts to our budget.
The big downer is that my lovely Mum has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I now know every thing there is to know about this horrible disease. For Mum, there is no treatment only palliative care. We are dealing with and treating her symptoms as and when needed. I call every day and try to give them all the support they need which is all I can do. I've taken Mum to every appointment, every X-ray, scan, operation that she has had. Next week hubby and I are going on holiday to Majorca. I'm praying all will be well but it's with a heavy heart. Jane xxx

A quick catch up

I can't quite believe we are heading for the middle of March! The last few months have been a mixture of work and trying to look after my Mum who has been quite poorly. Thank goodness she seems to be stable now and with the spring coming will hopefully feel better.
My youngest daughter has just had university interviews for her nursing degree and has had two offers of a place so that's brilliant. As an ex nurse I did try to put her off but she will make a brilliant nurse and I hope she loves the profession as much as I did. My elder daughter has been busy renovating a bathroom which looks great and is off skiing with goodness know how many high school children at the end of the month. And my son, still in Sydney and working in an artisan brewery! And at the moment he and his girlfriend are in Melbourne for the Gran Prix, great!
It's a lovely morning here, my little daffodils are out along with crocus, iris and primrose. Off to work, a very happy Thursday to everyone! Jane x

Happy New Year

Christmas walk

A walk around Powis Castle parkland and courtyard December 2014

A few photographs from my daughters wedding May 2014

Happy Christmas

After having my right hand in plaster for nearly six weeks following hand surgery I'm enjoying the Christmas preparations. We had a lovely weekend in Menai Bridge at the beginning of December.
The house looks quietly festive, shopping is done, a bit of tidying tomorrow and then cooking and preparation on Christmas Eve. Some friends to catch up with, a carol service and then lunch for eight on Christmas Day. After my Mum cooking for so many Christmases I'm now repaying her! So lunch will be me and hubby, my Mum Dad and sister, eldest daughter and husband and younger daughter. My son will be much missed but he will be celebrating in Sydney with his girlfriend and her family.
A very Happy and Peaceful Christmas to everyone, enjoy family and friends and the special meaning of Christmas, Jane x

Changes

I haven't written for a while. After our daughters lovely wedding I just needed to pause and just be still for a while. What a lovely summer we had, the long days, the sunshine, the warmth. It was bliss. After a lovely relaxing holiday in Majorca in August life has been back to its usual busyness! Our holiday was just what we needed. We stayed in a part of Majorca that we hadn't stayed in before. We had booked a small bed and breakfast in the old part of Cala D'or. We loved it, very quiet away from the main busy areas, but just by beautiful Cala D'or beach, old pueblo style buildings, great Spanish food and lovely walks. I can highly recommend Andre and Sindys hotel Casa Ceiba Maria. We soaked up the sun, read, walked, ate and generally enjoyed Spanish island life for a while!

 Since then, both my mum and mum in law have been poorlyBut both better now thankfully, work is busy but great, my youngest daughter has started an access to uni course so she can apply to study nursing. And my son, my lovely William is at the moment in Singapore en route to Sydney to spend a year out there. His girlfriend lives there, she spent some time with us in the summer so we got to know her. He has given up his job for new adventures. Although I shall miss him very much, I am so pleased and excited for him. And very proud! I feel enormously proud of all three children, hopefully we've given them the best start, encouragement, love and all else they may need in life. The house is a lot quieter and a lot tidier but in my mind the three of them are still here. I've read lots of lovely blogs over the last few months, with sentiments echoing how I feel. Thank you everyone, Jane x