ROYAL INVITE!

Hey we have been formally invited to a garden party by the Lord Warden of the Stannaries on the 2nd July for Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and The 60th Anniversary of HRH Prince Charles becoming the Duke of Cornwall at Trewithen in July 2012. We had to reply and then we get further information, i.e. dress code how to behave! etc!!!Now I am not sure but Pete thinks that wells might not be acceptable??? and seeings as I have either got wellies/flip flops or work clothes that pre date my children!!! I guess I need a new dress, now that should be fun, me and pete in the big wide world looking for a dress for me, can we handle it???? Pete reckons his suit will be fine, but we will see, I just think he can't face doing two outfits!!!! But should be good, I hope I can take a few pictures! We must have arrived being invited to such things eh...We must be good at something!

VANDAL BUG

This small little creature flew like he was on some sort of kamikaze mission right into my outside light and cracked it, I couldn't believe it I have no idea what it was but they are flying about early evening and they are mental, just the oddest biggest bug I have ever seen with maybe only one brain cell by the looks of it, unless there is method in their madness that I am missing!??

NEW CANADA GOSLINGS!

I haven't ever seen baby Canada geese, But this family of 6 were at Par Duck pond, the mum and dad seemed to be very proud of them and flanked them wherever they went, really big aren't they??!!!

DUCK RESCUE

We were just walking back from the beach up by the river when we spotted a mum duck shouting to her babies who looks like they were in trouble and couldn't get to her, they were trying so hard to get up a mini waterfall and the mum was getting worried, well it looked that way!...So Pete got in the water down steep bank to rescue the ducklings they must have only been a day or two old, so tiny....He waded up the river with me holding the dogs and of course the camera! it got up to his thighs and eventually we got the ducklings to get up to the rock with the mum and so to cut a long story short she took them then to safety. I had to then help Pete up a really steep bank, we couldn't get him out so I sent a dog lead down and braced up the top to pull him out, we finally managed but it was funny, I wished I could have seen us. But rescue mission was a success!!

SUMMER IS COMING

My poppies I put in have grown surprise surprise and they look great even if I do say so myself! My favourite wild flower, The Mill area is really coming together looking like a real home now, its been a hard journey though for us, still not done but at least we are through the worst of it.

SHADOW

What more do I need to say , I have a talking dog with an attitude! I ask her if she wants to go for a walk she answers me in a funny fashion that I must video, as its really like talking all the sounds that come out... She says yes gets all excited then a few meters down the path she is on her back mucking me about, I thought she had grown out of it but no...if she doesn't want to budge there is no way you can shift her hairy backside!!!

NEW GUEST

I got home to find this little guy in my kitchen... and for a change it didn't need money or food, so that was good, unusual to find something that doesn't seem to need anything in my kitchen...Well I say kitchen ...but its not I still haven't got a ruddy kitchen!!! But I am pretending so I don't go over the edge  ha ha I think the bird is a swallow as we get a lot nesting here, could have gone mad but I think thats what it is. Pete and I are getting in to this bird watching lark...ha lark do you get that,... not intended!... Instead of watching Tv for the hour we sit down we sit out side and see what wildlife we can see, you would really be surprised how much if you just sit still (thats a challenge in itself!), we have a owl that flies past regularly , he sits on the box but never goes in, we have bats, horseshoe and the little ones, jays, buzzards, coal tits, finches, blue tits and a yellow hammer I think we saw, Pete saw a woodpecker with a red head and greenish body, which I really wanted to see, so I am not sure if he is just telling me he saw it to wind me up or whether he did see it, you never know!!  But yes loads of stuff out there in the evening

NEW PATH

I have been waiting for ages for a bit of dry weather to get the path done from the deck to the bridge and then a ramp up to the bridge as it was a bit of a trek before! Once it all starts to grow in I think it will look great, I have planted some plants but not sure if the sun has taken its toll on them, they might be ok, as I am so green fingered...cough splutter!!!!

PAR BEACH!

This is a few pictures of the nearest beach that we try to walk the dogs on at some point every day its about a 40 minute walk there and same back obviously! and the dogs have a quick swim and we turn around and get back, but its good exercise especial if you don't hang about! So thought I would share it with you as some people don't rate the beach, but its so safe to swim in and perfect for rock pools when the tide is out its even got a little island and about a mile of sand I love it...can you tell?!!! I wish I could upload the video of Gem with a stone, she gets so excited and rolls around making a weird yelping noise at the stone and digs it with her nose around the beach, but no other dog is allowed near it! I have a great video but I am not sure you are allowed to upload here, maybe u tube eh!

21st TIM!

Tim who works with us in Purl Design turned 21 this week, so Laura and I thought we would make a kids cake for him so we set about cutting a 2 and 1 out of some cake that we made...16 eggs it took!! and then decorated it with as many sweets as we could find and a little tub of bubbles on the side!! Happy Birthday Tim!!! Hope you enjoyed the cake!

WELL DONE LAURA

Laura had her 2nd year results through, and after a difficult process of not much tuition for our money!!! She did really well, a few sleepless nights and a few early morning drives back to uni, she passed her second year, a mixture of 2.1 's and 1st results made a fantastic average for her. I am so pleased, as she tried really hard. The tutors get paid vast amounts of money but only offer one or two tutorials and some don't turn up for lectures. Sometimes I wonder if the right arm knows what the left arm is doing, a far cry from the organised learning and professional approach I was expecting, especially as her particular course was so hard to get in to, only a select few. Anyway she did well so that's great, mine and Pete's work load to pay for the degree hasn't gone in vain, I always had every faith in her, I knew she could do it, that's why we work so hard! Well Done Laura!! And this week she is in Guernsey playing her flute in a band/orchestra for the Queens Jubilee, alright for some eh!

WHEN YOU SHOULD GIVE UP!

I had been poorly all Sunday and thought I was better on Monday but had to be rescued in the Dentist as I went to pass out. Pete drove in and got me and I was a bit dodgy for the rest of the day. Tuesday wasn't much better and the doc has given me more tablets ..like I need more of them!... SO when on Tuesday Pete said I need to show a client around our house, I was really happy about that...I hadn't tidied up, so flew up stairs chucked everything that was out in a cupboard and hoped to find it at some point, and as my brain was not working on any cylinders at all, the likelihood of me finding anything again is slim!!! So Greeted our client with relaxed smiles...if only he knew.... I saw some wet on the floor and as we had oiled the porch thought it was oil but seeping out of the wood, Pete said it couldn't be, he asked if it was wet...so I touched it, and as I did so someone said oh...lucky was there earlier...OMG I had just stuck my hand in dog wee in front of my client....this day could only get better, until I saw Mum pop around the corner (mum and dad had just popped out with a rescue meal, I think Laura let it slip I was poorly!)..I thought what was she doing, I thought it was her being her wondering who he was and wanted to be introduced....But no...much worse ...she had a dead mouse behind her back that she had scooped up to look tidy but was sprung as she was trying to dispose of it... OH HECK...;;;;I really didn't need this, I could nearly keep standing up let alone compose my self... but after a walk around and a up the summerhouse he went and loved it...he must have been impressed as he has asked us to meet his Italian business partner,, that should be interesting, lets hope for no mishaps, and for once just things go to a sort of plan!!!

STILL BUSY

The Mill is coming along, still no kitchen and we are busy every night until late filling holes and painting and oiling the oak, there is so much to do still, you think you are nearly there but its all the fiddly finishing off bits that take the time.... I can't imagine ever sitting down of an evening and thinking ...mmmm what shall we do this evening, drawing,photographs, guitar, BBQ ....that would be a luxury.....maybe one day... Glad to report Purl is busy too at the moment, so really glad about that given the magnitude of our borrowing until we complete, its like a game really....who dares wins, see if we pass the finish line before our bank!!! Come on Mr & Mrs Buyer you got to want to live here, its beautiful at the moment, yoga re missing the best part of the year at Woodmill!!

OLYMPICS!

I forgot to put this on, We went to Newquay with our bikes on Saturday to see the torch, quite surreal in more ways than one, but best not put that on here!, not used to going out for a few hours. But saw the torch with the person not on Ebay ha ha. I think that is so terrible that some people sell their torch after being given such an honour, its a bit like throwing it back in your face really. I would have kept it, so just in case any one needs a spare torch carrier ...I am Here!!! I think who ever has sold it should donate their loot to charity and do some good with it.....who knows maybe they have...ever the optimist!

MUST BE A SONG?

" Is it you I am waiting for?" No I reckon its had a remix and "IS it cake I am waiting for!" Lionel Richie has no clue! The dogs would do anything for left over cake, I reckon Pete might have a chance with Shadow on Britains Got Talent if he gave her cake!... They look so patient and good here, don't be fooled...THEY ARE NAUGHTY NIGHTMARES!

PERFECT

Just like a little hideaway, which is exactly how I intend to use it...EVENTUALLY!!!! ...if we finally get settled and completed. It looked great tonight with the rhododendrons out oh and the oversize fire stove and the tiny little house, I reckon its perfect! Cant wait to have time to start making the log seats around the fire, we will all need to wear woggles! and sing ging-gang -googly!!

DUCKY!

There are ducklings around at the moment, I tried to take a picture of this little duck sitting on a rock and a little duckling beside her, the reflections looked so perfect, then the ruddy duck swam out of my picture!! so you will have to imagine that shot!

NEW LOUNGE CURTAINS!

AFter a disastrous order, these curtains should have been with us beginning of APril! But long story, at least they are here now and it makes it look like a real home now, we feel we actually live here, although no itched as yet and Pete is filling the holes on the walls now as we speak, could be a long night again!!

THE START OF THE PORCH!

The porch has been started, yippee, its sort of a cover area really not an enclosed one, but the timbers are 300mm x 300mm so Craig looks like a kids with a toy saw on this one, they had to mitre these in, and then lift the oak up, it was a heavy day!! Thanks guys looks great so far

HAPPY GEM!

Gem is a real beach bum and used to go body boarding with us before we moved to costa del woodmill, we haven't had a moment since we moved in 5 years ago, but Gems roots are firmly in the sand she absolutely loves it and even smiles for the camera!...Pete how ever was more money driven after seeing Pudsey and Ashleigh on Britains Got Talent, he now reckons he can train shadow, and as Shadow is the proud owner of a sandwich short of a picnic brain..... He has 2 hopes and one of them is No, never mind Pete I am sure you will hatch another plan!

BALUSTRADES UP!

Finally our balustrades are up on the front of the mill so no more danger of throwing my self easily out the window  ha ha.  They look great , even if I do say so myself!!! Excuse the washing in the window, we aren't quite sorted inside yet!! Front door looks fab though thanks Brian for making it! Oh and Craig and Gaz for fitting it!

WENT TO THE DUMP AND SAW THIS!

Me and Laura can't be let out anywhere, we went to the dump for our constitutional daily! and found this little man on the way back, so stopped the car and made friends with him just in case he needed a hug...really cute. I love donkeys mmmm say no more!

USE FOR MY XMAS PRESSY!

After keeping it safe for quite some time....my bit of rope I had for xmas (don't ask its a long story, you would have had to follow the blog for a long time to remember!)....well I found a use for it...on the stairs around the pole instead of a cover strip! I love it I reckon it looks great!

WE HAVE BEDROOM CURTAINS

We have a bedroom curtain thanks to mum taking it up for us, looks great too!...Just got to wait until she has a free day in her diary for the other one. Being retired she is extremely busy!!! They are never in, which is great make the most of every minute I reckon, there is enough rainy days eh...SO I guess maybe sometime in September she might be free...oh no that's the scillies, October maybe...no thats her birthday might be November then!   ha ha. We are in no rush we got one ok!...Dad still does our grass too which we are very grateful for, but he has his shoulder op again soon, Ant and andy are going to help us out if we get stuck..., so might have to put Dad on sick pay to keep him still!! that is in the form of food or help not money just in case you got your hopes up  ha ha!!!so I hope I have a kitchen so help feed them over there!

RESCUE!

We rescue about 4 mice/voles/shrews or whatever they are a day and at least a couple of baby rabbits. Its a nightmare at the moment, you are either in bed and have to jump out and chase round the house  after a maniac mouse to stop it being frightened to death by the cats or first thing in the morning when you just need that cuppa to get you started, ..NO.....Its looney tunes round the house chasing a rabbit that thinks you want to eat it not save it!.... Once you have caught them they are quite tame though!

BRIEF WALK!

A small hint of normality came the other night only I got as far as the sheep at the bottom of the lane as I felt dodgy, typical eh!! But took a picture of the new lambs in the field, they are so sweet, I want one!...Not really sure Pete is up for that, and we haven't anywhere to put them now...Maybe our new neighbours fancy a few lambs!!!

CARPENTRY

Craig and Gaz have been doing our carpentry work at the mill, all the oak finishes, and there have been miles of it. If you ever want a very talented carpenter Craig is the guy you need. After the most wobbly of wall finishes and no amount of screwing would make the skirtings stay put, which is odd as we have had the whole building dot and dabbed but for some reason there are no straight walls or square edges to door frames although its all new! ODD!... But Craig never moans he just does his thing and makes it look great. They are making the porch as we speak actually! Craig came to us to trim the stairs in Feb and hasn't left really! Thanks Craig much appreciated!

SQUIGGLEYS NEW FRIEND!

Squiggley has a new pal, its stripe our stone cat! Not sure if she thinks its real, but she really loves it! Squiggley and squeaker are best of friends too, wherever one is the other will be. They were born really close together and heave been close ever since.

FLOWERS

After a hectic time there has been no time to smell the flowers, but I noticed the other day our new bed has started to flower, we will be able to see this from our new kitchen so be great if all the plants take.... All we need now and really sharpish is our buyers to move in, as our mortgage is crippling us , think got next month covered!! but its frightening to realise how much we have had to borrow to do this. so the sooner they get here the better. We always knew it would be getting there by the seat of our pants, and really hoping the thread thats holding 'em on will last!!!!

CUDDLES!

Shadow is juts a big baby and loves her cuddles, she can't get enough of them and makes you feel guilty if she doesn't get her allocation!!

LOLA!

Sally sent me these photos of Lola on holiday here last year, she is coming on holiday again his year with her two legged friends of course! Looks like she had a great time eh!

WHAT A NIGHT

After day after day and night after night of work we were really tired and I said we would stop at 10 and get an early night. Silly Silly me!!! After getting into bed thinking I was actually going to have some sleep, I was just relaxed when there was a knock at the front door. Laura wasn't in, so I thought she had forgot her key and was hammering on the front door, so I lept out of bed, shouting down the stairs "For goodness sake, Laura is that you, why can't you use other door and come in quiet, I was asleep"...then to my horror I got to the bottom of the stairs in my dressing gown and looking a state! to see an outline of a man at the door. I froze .....shouted for Pete "Theres a weird looking man here, come quick" My thoughts went into overdrive and by the time he spoke I had him down as a mass murderer or nutter!...But then their was a voice "Dont panic Michelle its Fred!"   FRED??!!!! OMG thats one of our clients and I  am in my dressing gown yelling at him to remember his key as I thought it was laura......both are bad but then to think he was a mass murderer, well got all three going on not a good plan... By this time Pete was down he thought...he wanted a meeting it was all a bit surreal really... I let him in, he was merrily rabbiting on about... But turns out he left his briefcase in our car after a meeting and lives in Plymouth so couldn't get in with out getting the case....

SASSY UPDATE

After countless sleepless nights as Sassy can't be left alone and all night long hits you with her cone on her head! or sits opt lies across your face, its really tiring, we are taking shifts at the mom..Laura has her tonight ..yeeee----aaaahhhh. Sleep for us eh! Apparently tail amputation is notorious for going wrong and quickly but we are past the worst of it and stitches are out tomorrow, she will be in for a while yet though. She has been lucky to get through this, as has my bank balance!