Tuesday 8 May 2012

Bernard Manning, I tell thee...

Weirder sightings this week in the town. Driving off to Yorkshire on Saturday for a christening, we passed (and I apologise for the lack of photo here) a man dressed up as a woman. Not that strange, I hear you cry, knowing the "sorts" I've spotted recently.
However, this man was a dead ringer for Bernard Manning, bless him, and he had a ruddy face and more stubble than a burning field. And  he was dressed in a leopard print mini skirt and heels. At 10.30am on a Saturday... this place gets more nuts by the day.
And we were pretty sure he wasn't off to a stag do. He was a tad too mature. The husband and I were speechless. Maybe the sea air does something to people here...
Anyway, we had a hellish five hour journey to Yorkshire. The Princess had a washing-up bowl wedged beside her "just in case" (she wasn't, thankfully) and the Prince...the dear sweet Prince (I say with gritted teeth) decided to cry and whinge for the duration. Until we were two minutes away from our destination and he fell asleep.
But we had a good time up there. The husband was godfather to his brother's children and I fell in love with the baby niece I hadn't met yet and it was good to catch up with everyone.


The Princess and her cousin (born 8 weeks apart and they are very close)


 My sister-in-law and I both have the same first and middle name which meant that when we married brothers, we also ended up with the same surname. It is very confusing and I've never met anyone with exactly the same name as me.

Me and my sister-in-law (sporting identical names) and her beautiful peach

Can anyone tell I am a wee bit broody?
Look at me going "she's ALL mine!"


I bought a lovely soft cardigan from a charity shop which I wore today. It cost me £2 and is a kind of waterfall shape which I am never sure about but I love the soft, muted lilac tone and the fact it goes with everything.

And then after putting it on this afternoon, the sun came out.


I picked the Princess up from school and we hit the beach. It was gorgeous, it feels a long time since I felt the sun on my face. I worship the sun, in fact I swear one day I will look like the old woman from There's Something About Mary. The one with the brown leathery boobs.

She went and chose the most expensive cake...

The £2 cardie. Loves it, so I do

Skippy and happy due to the sunshine!

Me and old gorgeous chops (who WILL NOT pose)

Fun in the seaside park
 Onto other things, my giant granny square is.... a giant hankie now. In six months time, I predict it will be a giant napkin. These things take me time!

Let's face it, I'll be a bloody granny by the time I get round to finishing it...

And then last night I finally finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.  I can't say anything other than.....go and read it. Now. The best book I've read in a long time.


This is my "Don't get emotional" face


I feel quite bereft now it's finished, but seeing that I am hosting the Book Club on Thursday night and haven't actually read the chosen book, I may be slightly busy tomorrow night, page skimming!

 Oh and the weekend before last, my bestest, oldest friend (we've been friends for 32 years) came to stay for the weekend with her hubby and baby. It is a good arrangement as the hubby and hers get on like a house on fire so we're all happy. The weather was pants but we had a right laugh.  And all the kids behaved which of course makes things sooooo much easier.

She's the main reason I miss "home" (other than my family living there) and I wish I could see more of her and her beautiful little girl.


Ooh, and  I shall be getting a little more regular freelance work, following on from last week's brief which is wonderful. It means I can afford to go and treat myself to the odd thing now and again guilt free! And that will mean more charity shop scouring! Yippee!

Watch this space...

10 comments:

Grateful4Crochet said...

congrats on the freelance work!
love the photos, you look beautiful, what a cute baby!
The other night my sister was over, and she and I went for a walk and I was showing her the house where I am positive a serial killer lives, when she became overexcited and started pointing madly at the house next door, where there were 2 chaps dressed as sumo wrestlers going at it!!
it was awesome!!!
Now I have serial killers and sumo wrestlers in the neighbourhood

Grateful4Crochet said...

I realise that broken dolls and early morning cross dressers are also awesome neighbourhood accouterments, and am super jealous :-)

Missy said...

Oooh The Princess chose my favourite cake! Tarte Aux Fruites... freely available in Tesco. I feel all Thrench when I eat one. Good call, Princess.
Love that cardigan, what a great buy.
Well done on your crochet! I like the colours you're using, very Cath Kidston. Keep at it and before you know it you'll have a blankie.

xx

Musings Of A Gem said...

Love the cardi, amazing price! Why would anyone want to get rid of it??

I really want to read that book (got a pile to get through). It looks so sad though! I try to avoid sad things but will have to give it a go.

Glad to hear you've got more work coming your way : ) Woohoo!

Gemma x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

It is guaranteed that when I visit you, I will LAUGH, MUSE, and end up with a warm feeling in my heart, as if I knew you in person. Oh Gem, your opening paragraph was HILARIOUS! YOur account of this place sounds similar to an adventure me and Ruben had on our first and last trip to CAPE COD, Massachusetts. Famous and a MUST SEE PLACE, we were drawn there one summer and neither TRAFFIC nor long hours could keep us away from getting there. When we finally reached the desired spot, we started our sightseeing. We reached the very tip of the cape called PROVINCETOWN and all was "normal" until nighttime. We started to spot the very same type of characters that you describe on YOUR ADVENTURES. We learned quickly that P-TOWN was a place where this lively characters abide. teeheee.....

YOUR CARDIGAN IS SPLENDID and what better place to romp around in it than by the beach! GOOD TO SEE YOU SMILING with your pals and enjoying LIFE!

Thank you dearest for your visit and kind words. That means a lot to me, coming from YOU, a real writer! So happy to know you are getting more freelance work.

ENJOY THE DAY!!!!! Anita

Sarah said...

I was just thinking about you today and was going to drop you a line!!

Lovely pics as always!! You do look a tad possessive of your lovely niece, so nice to see her in traditional Christening garb.

Love the cardi, gorg pics of you on the beach!!

Congrats on the freelance work.

Just the thought of that washing up bowl makes me shudder!!

Love & hugs,

S x

BTW I once saw a last walking down Brighton seafront in broad daylight, stark naked save for a pair of large green Wellington boots!!

Sarah said...

* a lady NOT a last - bl**dy iPad!! Xx

Country Rose said...

What a lovely post.. sorry it's taken me a little while to comment. I've been a bit rubbish lately!
It looks like you had a lovely time at the Christening... even if you do look a little broody yes!! haha There's always time for another one...! ;-) And if not then hopefully there will be another ickle one born around December time that you'll be more than welcome to cuddle..!? :-)
We really must meet again soon, it has been Far too long already and Sarah and I had such a lovely time at yours that day.. we'll have to all sort something out! I wouldn't mind driving over to you again.. we can't be That unlucky for there to be a hugggee traffic jam again! haha
Congratulations on the freelance work, what brilliant news. :-)
Oh! I almost forgot to say, I have that exact same cardi.. I'm sure I got in Sainsbury's or somewhere but it's so nice I wear it to death!
Hope your doing well lovely,

Ashley xxx

Annaboo's House said...

Oh, Missus I just loves your 2 quid cardi so much- very spring-y and suits you to a tee!
And what a strange manlady you caught sight of... I always find it a bit difficult to explain to the children... Ah well.
Oh and I did laugh at Sarah B's typo- I had a brilliant one recently where I commented about a 'rainy day' project, but instead the iPad managed to correct it to a 'randy day' project! Ha ha! Much a-laughing!
Enjoy your Sunday - if you're in need of a day out, the Storrington duck race is from 12.30-2.30 and I will be selling...!!!
See you soon, my lovely.
Xx

Annaboo's House said...

Oh, Missus I just loves your 2 quid cardi so much- very spring-y and suits you to a tee!
And what a strange manlady you caught sight of... I always find it a bit difficult to explain to the children... Ah well.
Oh and I did laugh at Sarah B's typo- I had a brilliant one recently where I commented about a 'rainy day' project, but instead the iPad managed to correct it to a 'randy day' project! Ha ha! Much a-laughing!
Enjoy your Sunday - if you're in need of a day out, the Storrington duck race is from 12.30-2.30 and I will be selling...!!!
See you soon, my lovely.
Xx