Starting 2009 Well - NOT!

Where to begin here?
Yesterday, I had a letter in the mail - it arrived @ 2pm - whatever happened to post @ breakfast time, the old norm in the UK???
It had also, taken ten days to reach me & came from our wonderful NHS [National Health Service].
I was invited - now, @ one days notice - to go along for an assessment, that might lead me to taking part in a new radical drug trial!!!
This morning was bitter & icy, but I headed out - caught my two buses across town to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Sat in line for two hours, to be rejected!!!
My Doctor hadn't sent in my full medical history - presume they hadn't the invite till yesterday like me, so no time!
But because I am Osteopathic & take what I call the 'fireworks' drugs, I'm not suitable for the trial.
And, am considered too young too!
So, headed off home, then OPPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
That's when I slipped on the Black Ice in the hospital car park.
Crash!
Thankfully, I was carry my wicker shopping basket - planned to buy groceries on way trhough town.
I hit the ground HARD.
My basket - thank heavens - broke my fall on my wrist.
I impacted on my left knee & head instead!
But, @ least I was in the right place - I was quickly scooped up & taken to Casualty [Accident & Emergency]
Several ex-rays & a ambulance taxi home later, I can now report - incredibly NO broken bones.
My left wrist is sprained & swollen nicely.
My knee cap misshapen from previous mis-adventures is HUGE, previous cracks show up on the ex-ray but TY nothing new.
And, my Black Eye - Jeannie, can we exchange profiles, is swelling & throbbing with vengeance.
Ice packs of frozen Peas are the order of the day, along with lots of Paracetamol.
It's only day seven in 2009.
I worry what comes next!
My Christmas Tree remains up!

Another Sorry Tale & My Knight in Shining Armour!

After yesterday's some what silly post about Twelfth Night & me, being upset about loosing my tree, I never did get to sit & enjoy it last night, as I ended up with NO lights, let a alone Christmas Tree lights!!!
I still have no explanation as to what occurred; but, whilst cooking supper, I was suddenly plunged into total darkness.
My mains Electric Trip Switch had tripped - all power was out & I couldn't get it back on.
This has happened in the past, during Dreamingspires floods, when, the water seeps into my houses foundations & saturates a junction box, that's lies on the bare earth.
It is totally inaccessible - to correct the fault requires MAJOR, costly building work like tearing up my ground floor that's part concete & timber - a no, no!
Anyway, experience has taught me how to juggle my individual trip switches for lights, heating, power points etc & get limited Mains power back into my home.
Yesterday, I'd no water under my house & every trip switch combination of I tried, failed miserably.
I was depressed, in the cold & the dark, with candles & a dodgy torch!
Panic set in.
I rushed, tearful & tipsily to Pussycat Paul, my friend & neighbour, two doors away.
This quiet, gentle, young guy - well, mid Thirties - came to my rescue again.
After umpteen attempts to get restore power, something clicked in & everything worked again.
The foolish upset, I'd felt when I'd blogged, boiled over big time!
But, for once I had a shoulder to cry on & someone to hug me.
We share a common bond as his Father died of Bowel Cancer a few months after my Mother.
Paul, a lawyer specialising in Accident Ligation, by pulling strings via his medical contacts, was instrumental in my early surgery when I broke my wrist in 2007.
This Professional, now a Senior Partner in his Law firm, never makes me feel POOR or SMALL or BELITTLE'S my chosen life style, as others, in the locality do.
He'll not read this, but I am very grateful for his affection & friendship & loyalty.

Re my Christmas Tree - it is staying up for Epiphany!
The Wheelies, my Teddybear Hug & I will enjoy tonight...

Two fer Tuesday - Water Power!

Now, never let it be said that I don't blog, every holiday photo of mine taken!
A week to day on my stay with Molly & Taffy...We visited Cromford, home of a World Heritage site!
Why?
Because in August 1771, Richard Arkwright, a very important industrialist - the Victorians gave him the accolade 'Father of the factory system' - began building in Cromford the world’s first successful WATER powered cotton spinning mill; a vital step towards full scale factory production.
The mills at Cromford with their water powered machinery, large workforce and village became models for others throughout Britain & abroad.
The site has now been preserved & the water courses, to the different mill levels can be seen....Arkwight was also, responsible for the opening of the Cromford Canal in 1793 to convay his cotton away on.
The end of the now, derelict line...We all had an interesting walk around.
This is Jonna's meme - to participate, all you need is two or pairs of photos, the subject is your choice!

Twelfth Night & Cards!

Today, marks the end of Christmas for me.

It makes me sad, very SAD!

For one thing, I DO worry about where I will be this time next year?

But, most of all I'll miss my tree!

I always count my 12 days of the holiday from Christmas Day, which is, in fact incorrect.
It should start from Boxing Day, & run through to Epiphany, which is tomorrow.

That marks the Star bringing the Three Kings/Wise Men from the East; the Magi, to Bethlehem & their visitation of the baby Jesus!
Only last year, due to Blogging & Research; did I learn that that's, when, the figures of the Kings are finally added to the crib scene in Catholic Church's.
Also, that some believe, Epiphany is when Christmas Gifts should rightly be exchanged because of the gifts brought by the Kings.
But, I'm not particularly religious - far from it - hence, as usual, do things my own way!
So, this evening I'll admire my Christmas Tree & it's lights for one last time, with the aid of wine!

And, that goes for my many, many wonderful cards too!

This year due to joining in the DWB Christmas Card Exchange, as well as sending to other special blog friends, the post plopped through my letter box with unusual regularity in December.

To ALL who sent SEASONAL GREETINGS to me - a personal, Thank-You - you brightened my days immensely.

And, I do keep ALL my cards - treasure them.

Here's just a VERY few special ones - if your card isn't there & well, most aren't - it's not because I didn't like them.

I tried group shots but they all came out were blurred!

From both Molly & Taffy hoomans, and Katy, Cassidy & Harry, I had this perfect Ann Curran ie Ragtail Card....

I adored, angel Asta's saintly look...

The Thugglets offering had me in stitches...

BJ, who knows I'm a bear lover sent me this...

The clever arty 'Forever Foxed' Card from the Jax him-self delighted, yet it won't scan!

But, WFT's Agatha & Archie card from the Foxed range does & amused me...

And, to PL2 - loved the Boston snow scene Artcard - not shown here but, appreciated - TY!

Other DWB cards - old friends:-

And, yes, Boo your Xmas card made it, despite postcards taking forever...

Then, new contacts sent to me too - such as Irish Terrier Keeley...

And, Callie, Beethoven & Joe's whose blog I can't find - help please?

Tomorrow, I dismantle my decorations & weep!

Silly - I know, however I am sentimental about such things.

And, because in truth, I wonder if I will put them up again - always do!

But, this year, the thought bares particularly heavy with me.

Blue ponders on what the future holds!!!

Sorry - but I am BLUE.

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - The Hoodie!

Am going back to my visit to Castleton with friends on New Years Eve & sitting briefly outside in the bitter cold as there was initially no room in the Inn - Brr, Brr!!!

For Aileni's Monochrome - dedicated site HERE - this Maniac has adapted a photo of a certain Hoddie, who cuddled her Welsh Terrier for warmth...

Till Taffy & the Hood became one & my Odd Shot for Katney's meme.....

January Hoare Frost!

Dreamingspires usually misses the worst of the English Winter weather.
I know, NOTHING here, matches the extreme COLD experienced by my friends in North America.
But, we UK wimps, don't care for anything below freezing!
We're just not use to it, especially those of us South of the Scottish border!
I woke this morning to a White World.
No, not snow.
But, the damp & overnite cold had done a great job.
Mr Jack Hoare Frost had visited locally!
My garden bushes...The park locality...I love his beauty, it comes without the problems of Mr Ice & Mrs Snow.
The next few shots are from 'his' Mr Frost's visit to Derbyshire...Keep warm & cosy all.
I plan too!

Camera Critters Sunday - Marvelous Miss Molly!

Whenever, I visit Molly & Taffy, my Aire 'Niece' always seems to take an back seat when I come to blog about it.
That's because her Welshie 'Brother' loves the terrier limelight and hogs the camera & my attention!!!
But, Molly is a sweetie, the prettiest of Airedale Miss's
Her curiosity is insatiable "Whats over there?" ...
She will, now invite me to do a tummy tickle - that is a privilege...And, pose for a CLASSIC profile too - this is waiting in the cold for that warm space inside Castleton's George Inn...Camera Critters is the creation of Misty Dawn, & it's home site HERE!

Taffy attacks Santa!

As I didn't succumb to the Taffy look of hope, as seen on the earlier post today, he shook it out on poor Santa...Don't you just love his attitude???

Saturday Photo Hunters - Hope!

This weeks subject from host tnchick , suggests optimism to me.

So, in these troubled times, monetary & otherwise; I hope, my friends had what they wished for in their Christmas stocking; I hope, everyone saw in the New Year with good company & fine champagne as I fortunately did & I, sincerely hope, we all fair well in 2009!

Now to my photo - Taffy is alway hopeful that someone is willing to play with him.

This look is full of expectation & that hope...

"Go on Auntie Blue, play with me & my Santa tug. Please! Come on..."

Castleton Winter Wonderland!

This mornings Sky Watch images were taken shortly after arriving in the village of Castelton in the Derbyshire Peak District on New Year Eve.

I've visited there, many, many times before, but never during the Christmas period.

We, Molly, Taffy & their hoomans, my friends H&T walked around despite the freezing fog & temps [-5oC].

I admired the door wreaths, this 'Toad Hall' one amused me...

Then, hunger pangs struck due to the cold, the Inn lights beckoned...

But, there was no immediate room inside for us, for a late lunch.

So, we cuddled outside, under heat lamps, waiting for a table...

Then, Santa finally welcomed us inside, into the warm...

Fortified - forgot to photo the huge Steak & Kidney Puddings with seasonal veggies & chunky chips, that we each tucked into - we walked back to the High Street.

At this time of year, Castleton is famous for its Christmas trees & shop windows...

Did you spot the Santa ruck-sac above ? [far right on top pic]

Close up...

More shots...

The blue tinge to all the photo's & visible Orbs, is the fog descending even more as the afternoon drew in!

The following really 'spooky' shots were taken, as we returned to the Car Park, along Peakshole Water, a tributary of the River Noe that runs through the village.

All I've done is download them from my camera to laptop!

Sky Watch Friday - A Frosty Peak Morn!

The Derbyshire weather during my brief stay was on the chilly side.

On New Years Eve, freezing fog descended, and the line between the land & the sky merged in the mist...

But, the Hoare frost on the trees was impressive...

I notice I took both these shots on a 'tipsy' angle, but I assure you, they were taken before the celebrations & tippling!

To start the New Year by seeing other skies world wide, the Sky Watch site is to be found HERE!