Another day in Funchal - visiting the Sé

As Funchal is the capital (or more to the point major town) in Madeira, Mum and I went there most days. Not necessarily to the same place, although the Sé was a different matter (but that was because my camera decided to start playing up, and refusing to save images, so I had to borrow Mum's camera, so the pictures in this post are a mixture of her camera and mine).

The Sé is one of those places that stick in my mind, simply because the interior is so spectacular. The outside is rather plain, and doesn't give any hint at the splendour that lies within.

Outside of the Sé

Can't remember who this is...

Inside the Sé, it's almost like entering another world. The workmanship is phenomenal, and the artefacts on display are something else.

The view from the left hand bank of pews

The main Altar

One of the side chapels - this is on the right hand side of the main altar.

Close up of the chapel

This is to the right of the chapel and the main Altar

Think this is an image of St Micheal the Defender

Part of me wishes that I had a really big flash on the camera, as the workmanship on the walls and altar was spectacular, and my poor little flash barely illuminated anything, so I guess that the true splendour will have to remain as a memory.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I need to go and sort out a few bit…

Back later

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

How do you parallel park a cruise liner?

With great care, especially when one of the liners in question is P&O’s Arcadia. There were supposed to be two cruise ships in, both of them were due to arrive about 08:00.

Well, as luck would have it, I was awake and fully dressed when I spotted Arcadia arriving. I expected her to move down towards the Sea Wolf’s berth, but for some reason, she stayed at the top of the harbour, near the end of the berth.

 The Sea Wolf (or more correctly Lobo Marinho) pulled out just after 08:00, and it brought home to me just how big Arcadia actually is.

Then it was the turn of the second cruise liner. I cannot remember for the life of me what it was called, but I do know that it was a German ship. It waited patiently for the Lobo Marinho to pull clear, and then started one of the most amazing manoeuvres I have ever seen with a cruise liner.

The manoeuvre started normally enough, with the pilot swinging the ship around, so that it could reverse into the harbour – no problems there.

Then, much to my amazement, it looked like the pilot was starting to parallel park the ship!

I’ll grant the pilot his due, he was very skilled, and to watch the way he parked the second liner was incredible, but I still don’t like boats (or ships!)

Ah well, time to call this quits – I’m back into the playpen tomorrow, so I’ll finish updating tomorrow night – if I can face looking at a computer screen again!

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Jardim Orquídea and the Botanical Garden

Mum and I decided that one of the places that we really wanted to revisit was Jardim Orquídea. So, as it was quite a walk (it’s a fair way out of the city centre and is up some tremendously steep hills) we decided to take a taxi.

Now normally, this isn’t a problem, but the taxi driver seemed only too keen to wait for us, telling us that we wouldn’t be there that long, and that he would drive us to the Botanical Gardens.

We politely declined the offer, and walked into Jardim Orquídea, with me carefully taking my camera out, ready to start taking photographs of the fabulous plants. As per normal, Mum and I split up, meaning that we both got different photographs of the various orchids (most of which I cannot identify to save my life!)

I can recall that this one is Macropelata ...

Paphiopedilum (I think)

No idea - think it might be a Miltonia...

No idea.

Think this one is a Dendrobium

Cymbidium

Phalenopis (no idea of variety)

Vanda

Think this one is a Cattalaya

In total, Mum and I spent about 2 hours there, walking around, taking photographs (and I was cursing the fact that I don’t have the right environment to keep some of these beautiful plants.) However, Mum fell for a plant and bought it. I think it was a little Cattalaya, but I know that it was only €12.

It was then time to head to the Botanical Gardens, which is allegedly 500m from Jardim Orquídea. What the guide books don’t tell you is that you almost need a mountain climbing kit, and the agility of a mountain goat to get there.

Because Mum was (and still is) suffering from Sciatica, we stopped halfway there (ok – we sat on a wall) to get a brief break before making the final ascent to the Botanical Gardens.

Once there, it was a case of walking to the coffee shop / café, where I left Mum and made my escape around the gardens. I know it sounds awful that I left her on her own, but she was quite happy as she had a couple of guide books and the paper to read. Me? I escaped with my camera, spare batteries and a bottle of water as it was quite hot - I think it was about 27 degrees Celsius (no idea what that is in Fahrenheit)

So, it was off to explore, and in my case, head straight for the Cycads.

These plants are the remnants of the mighty plants that were munched by the plant eating dinosaurs in the Jurassic age. Me? I adore them, as I think that the actual structure of the plant makes for some really stunning photographs.

 

Aside from the Cycads, the Botanical gardens are a real treasure trove of plants and flowers – everything from the traditional endemic plants found on the island, to the commercially important crops (such as apples and Monstera delicosa) to flowers such as the Hibiscus and quite a wide range of cacti.

The flower of Monstera delicosa

 The one flower that I was really pleased to be able to finally get a photograph of, was the White Bird of Paradise:

 

Strelitzia nicolai

Other things that caught my eye weren’t actually the plants – they were animals. As I was photographing the Cycads, I spotted a white peacock. It was a true white, as opposed to an albino, as the eye was black.

 

But the one thing that really made me smile was a lizard. Yes, a lizard. I’d stopped for a drink, and was sitting on a wall when I spotted this lizard cautiously sitting near me. Because I found it hot, I let a couple of drops of water land near the lizard (I didn’t want to scare it off) and was rewarded with the lizard staying put, allowing me to photograph it.

The one thing that did make me go green with envy was the bougainvillea that was scampering up the walls near the coffee shop. The colours were superb, and seemed to glow.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits for now – I’ve still got stuff I need to sort out for tomorrow!

Back when I get the chance…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

First Day in Funchal

The first full day in Funchal, Mum and I took our normal walk into town and both of us were unsure what we would see, after the devastating floods in February.  To be honest, at first glance, there wasn't much of a change.

Or at least, not until we got to the first of the two rivers that flow through the centre of Funchal.  Last year, they were covered in Bouganvilla:

This year, it was totally different:

The bouganvilla had been swept away, along with the netting that it relied upon for support and the walls that it was attached to.

The bridge itself was also damaged:

But, once we got into the centre of Funchal, you wouldn't have know that there had been any flooding at all.  It was incredible to think that less than five months ago, this city had been inundated by tonnes of muck and gallons of water. 

However, when we walked down to the sea front that the amount of rubbish that was removed from the city became apparent:

Despite this, the island (or rather Funchal) seemed to be back to normal.  However, what the water had done to other parts of the island remained to be seen.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits - I've got to sort some bits out before I can do any more to my blog.

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Back to the blogging

Well, I’m back. And the reason for the lack of posts? I was on holiday in my favourite location - the beautiful island of Madeira.

Mum and I had decided to return to Madeira within about ten days of us returning from our previous holiday, as the pair of us were so relaxed (ok – Mum had metalwork in her leg that decided to make a break for freedom, but that wasn’t the fault of the holiday!)

As per normal, I’m going to group the posts into the memorable parts of my holiday – fourteen posts would be a little extreme, as there were a couple of days that were wasted (the first day – i.e. the day that we flew out – more on that in a moment) and a couple of days where the pair of us just did very little, apart from chill.

The fun started at 03:30 on the Monday morning. Simply because Mum and I were being picked up by the taxi at 04:30, so it was a case of manhandling both cases down stairs the night before, as I am not at my best first thing in the morning – and certainly not at that time (I’m out of practice because I don’t have to get up and tend to Flame anymore).

The trip to the airport was uneventful, and we arrived at Birmingham Airport at 05:30ish... Now the check-in desk didn’t open until 06:00, so it gave Mum and few minutes to kill (and I was praying that the scales we had been checking the weight of the cases with was reasonably accurate, as the weight limit was 20kg per case…)

The desk opened, and we were second in the queue. Not a problem, until the girl on the check-in desk spotted Mum’s walking stick, which was folded up in her flight bag. Now normally, this wouldn’t be a real concern, as Mum regards it as more of a “comfort blanket” than an actual necessity most of the time.

However, Mum and I had booked seats with extra leg room – i.e. ones right by the aircraft doors (we were by the doors that are just before the wing on the B757 – think it was row 12). This meant that we had to be seen by the flight crew (or cart tarts) as being fully mobile; otherwise they would refuse to allow us to sit in the seats, despite the fact that we had paid extra for the privilege of not being treated like cattle.

Once that little hassle was overcome, it was then time to head for the security checks that allowed us to go airside. As per normal, the queue was massive, and this certainly didn’t improve my mood, as I had someone who seemed determined to keep as close to me as was humanly possible – without climbing into my flight bag!

It was then a case of waiting for the flight to be called. Only there is one problem. Birmingham airport (in their “infinite wisdom”) don’t make announcements for the flights that are ready to board. The only time that a call is put out, is when they need to round up passengers from either the bar or the duty free area, as they haven’t been keeping an eye on the information boards. Thankfully, we found seats directly facing the board, so we were able to keep an eye on things, and make sure that we were ready to make a move when the flight was ready.

So Mum and I headed to the boarding gate, and got onto the aircraft. Now as we were sitting by the emergency exit, we had to put our flight bags in the overhead locker… I wasn’t happy about that, as it meant that I had to hold onto my book and MP3 player / headphones as there was no seat pocket I could put them into. Then, we got the passengers from hell behind us.

Now normally, I’m quite tolerant when I fly – I just plug my headphones in, and ignore the world. Not this time. The prat behind me seemed to have ants in his pants, and every time he moved, he grabbed the back of my seat which seemed to pull it back to a point where it would almost twang back, and clout me on the back of my head.

In previous flights, I’ve had a nut free meal, because of my allergy. Not this time. I got given a vegetarian meal, and about 15 min after I’d eaten, I started to get the dreaded tingle in my mouth, meaning my allergic capability had started to kick in. Now where were my antihistamines? That’s right. In my flight bag, which was in the overhead locker.

But that wasn’t the worst part. The selfish prat who kept twanging the back of my seat had pushed his crap into the locker, putting my flight bag well out of my reach! All I can say is thank God for the gentleman who helped me. He helped me remove the selfish prat’s flight bag (who glared at me – I was just waiting for him to say something, and he would have been told in no uncertain terms what I thought of him) and got both mine and Mum’s flight bags from the locker.

The cart tarts were doing the pre-landing checks (seat backs upright, tray tables stowed, and hand luggage in the right places) when they spotted our flight bags. The one started to get a bit snotty – we’d stowed them underneath the seats directly in front of us – and I doubt anything short of a small nuclear explosion could have shifted mine.

Or she did until I said that I’d had and allergic reaction, and needed to get my medication. Nothing like the risk of a medical emergency to shut them up… But, it was back in the overhead lockers with them, and this time, it was our flight bags that were at the front, and the prat had to wait for his. Poetic justice in a way I guess...

Then it was into the terminal, through passport control and down to the luggage reclaim area. Now Funchal airport has a wonderful system, where the cases slide down on to the luggage carousel. Good idea in theory… In practise, not so good, as there is this chest that advertises the Madeira Story Centre, and I’ve seen cases get stuck behind there on a regular basis! Thankfully, the two cases weren’t one that were affected, meaning that all I had to do was grab them and get them off the carousel.

Once grabbed, it was a case of seeing what the transfer arrangements were (mini bus as normal) and getting across to where it was parked. As Mum managed to get the last seat in the normal bit, I had the delight of sitting in the passenger seat.

This didn’t actually bother me, as it meant that I could have a good look around, and see if there were any obvious signs of damage from February’s devastating floods. There was no obvious damage that I could see en-route to the hotel, but I wasn’t sure how the rest of the island was recovering…

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’ve go stuff to finish off before I head into the playpen tomorrow.

Back when I get the chance…


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

UCLA STUDY (very interesting and short)

I make no apologies for posting this – it made me laugh when all other jokes are about the blasted football.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A study worth sharing with friends both male and female:

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. For example: if she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features. However, if she is menstruating or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest with a bat up his ass while he is on fire.

Justice has been served? I wonder.

A man convicted of murder from the American state of Utah has been executed by firing squad.

Ok – this in itself is unusual, because most states that have the death penalty opt for lethal injection.

But what makes this case unique (in my opinion) is the attitude of the Attorney General. He used the micro-blogging site twitter to announce the developments in this case.

Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against twitter (ok – it’s just not my choice to put my view on the world into cyberspace) but I find the method of self promotion to be distasteful to say the least.

Aside from the issue of the twitter posts, things like this do make you reassess your own ideas about capitol punishment. I was always of the opinion that killing someone who was proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt was right, just even.

Now I'm beginning to wonder. What purpose does this penalty serve? It certainly doesn’t serve as a deterrent, and the people who are in favour of what amounts to state sanctioned murder in America are the same people who are quick enough to cry foul when other countries enforce the death penalty.

Ok – I know that the death penalty in the USA is only imposed after years of appeals and counter appeals, but what happens when the appeal process runs out – the condemned man (or woman, but it’s more usually a man) dies.

But surely there has to be an alternative? It’s been stated that the death penalty is the most expensive option, but state prosecutors still go for it. Why? Because of the publicity that a successful case can bring them.

But does the death penalty bring closure to the victim’s family? I don’t honestly know, but I do know that in the Utah case (which started me thinking about this matter) the relatives of one of the victims pleaded for clemency, whereas the relatives of the other victim were against this.

Is this the right way to go? I don’t know. I get the impression that the idea was to use this as the ultimate deterrent, as in “you kill someone, and we (the state) will kill you”.

But times and attitudes have changed, so may be it’s time to do away with this barbaric option in what is supposed to be a civilised society.

Time to call this quits – it’s nearly time to escape, and I’ve got some travelling to do.

Back when I get the chance…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

The Gyneacologist who became a mechanic

I make no apologies for posting this – it’s made me laugh out loud in the office this morning, on a day when not much else has managed to bring a smile to my face.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

******************************************

A gynaecologist had become fed up with malpractice insurance and paperwork, and was burned out. Hoping to try another career where skilful hands would be beneficial, he decided to become a mechanic. He went to the local technical college, signed up for evening classes, attended diligently, and learned all he could.

When the time of the practical exam approached, the gynaecologist prepared carefully for weeks, and completed the exam with tremendous skill. When the results came back, he was surprised to find that he had obtained a score of 150%. Fearing an error, he called the Instructor, saying, "I don't want to appear ungrateful for such an outstanding result, but I wonder if there is an error in the grade?"

"The instructor said, "During the exam, you took the engine apart perfectly, which was worth 50% of the total mark. You put the engine back together again perfectly, which is also worth 50% of the mark."

After a pause, the instructor added, "I gave you an extra 50% because you did it all through the exhaust, which I've never seen done in my entire career.”

Breaking news

I’ve just received the following message from my beloved:

Hi just to let you know I’ve seen Mum, she is shaken and battered and bruised but she is in better shape that the car – that is f****d. Any more info I’ll let you know.

Phew. It could have been a hell of a lot worse, and I am more than willing to admit that I am relived – if only for my beloved as I know the stress that this sort of thing can cause.

Guess I should think about doing some more w*rk, but it’s Friday, and I have TNFI…

Back later.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Worrying times

I’ve not heard anything from my beloved, so I am praying that everything is ok. But I know from past painful experience that a car accident leave an awful lot for the relatives to cope with, as the police and other emergency services get involved and you just get swept along for the ride.

It’s a scary time for all involved, as my beloved’s Mum is no youngster and already has a heart condition, so I just hope that she’s ok. I work on the principal that bits of metal can be repaired or replaced, but flesh and blood is infinitely more precious.

I’m not going to call him – as much as I would like to, as I don’t know what’s going on, and the last thing I want to do is cause extra stress to him at an already stressful time.

Back later, as I am supposed to be working – or at least that’s the theory.


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Smeg.

I think this title is very appropriate. I’ve just had the following text from my beloved:

Call me please

So me being me, I called his office, only to be told that he’d gone home. Ok – now I admit I was starting to worry.

I broke every rule in the book and called his mobile… He was heading for home, as his Mum had been involved in an accident. He didn’t know how bad she was, but said that the car was a write off, and promised to call me as soon as he got any more details.

Having been through a similar experience, it’s quite scary, and I can imagine the emotions that are whirling through him at the moment – fear of the unknown being the predominant one – as in “how badly hurt is my Mum?”

So, at the moment, all I can do is wait for his phone call, and pray that things are ok.

Back when I have more information.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Cloth caps and clogs

I make no apologies for posting this – it was sent to me by a colleague and really made me giggle.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

******************************************

A London lawyer and a Yorkshireman are sitting next to each other on a long flight to Leeds .

The lawyer is thinking that Yorkshire men are all 'cloth cap and clogs' and that he can fool them easily...

So the lawyer asks if the Yorkshireman would like to play a fun game.

The Yorkshireman is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists and says that the game is a lot of fun.

'I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only £5; you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you £500.'

As may be expected, this catches the Yorkshireman's attention and to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.

The lawyer asks the first question. 'What's the distance from the Earth to the moon?'

The Yorkshireman doesn't say a word, reaches in his pocket, pulls out a five-pound note, and hands it to the lawyer.

Now, it's the Yorkshireman's turn.

He asks the lawyer, 'What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?'

The lawyer uses his laptop, searches all the references he knows. He uses the air-phone; he searches the Net and even the British Library.

He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows, all to no avail. After over an hour of searching, he finally gives up.

He wakes up the Yorkshireman and hands him £500. The Yorkshireman pockets the £500 and goes straight back to sleep.

The lawyer is going crazy not knowing the answer.

He wakes the Yorkshireman up and asks, 'Well! What goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?'

The Yorkshireman says "Buggered if I know!” reaches in his pocket, hands the lawyer £5 and goes back to sleep.

Don't mess with Yorkshiremen; we only talk different.

Football Blues

I’ve just realised that the blasted World Cup football starts in 11 days, and I loathe football.

Already the media is whipping up the hysteria about this, and I am starting to get bored even before the tournament starts. If it was rugby –that would be a different matter as I am a rugby fan, but football leaves me cold.

I know that there are people who will be watching every single match, and some people who will just watch the England matches. I, however am not one of them, so I have a stash of films that I have been saving for this four week period of rotten TV.

However, I guess that I am going to have to put up with the hysteria that will become almost the norm (and cope with the strange looks when I say that I won’t be watching any of the football.

Ah well, I guess I should do some w*rk, but as I'm only in the office (or playpen) for three days this week, I'm really struggling to find the enthusiasm to do anything today…

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Chilling out, and missing someone…

Well, it’s back to the playpen tomorrow, and I have to admit I’m not really looking forward to it. I’ve enjoyed the peace and quiet of this bank holiday (not to mention seeing my beloved on Saturday), and am supposed to be preparing to get my stuff ready for the morning. However, at the moment, I have a severe case of TNFI…

Today has been quite good though – I went back to Milton Keynes with Mum. Now I know that I was there on Saturday, and only managed to get a couple of bits… I don’t think my mind was really on my shopping somehow!

If I’m honest, I was really looking forward to seeing my beloved, as it had been about five weeks since we’d seen each other. Yes, I know that we talk on the phone practically every day, but a phone call can’t give you a hug when you’re feeling really flat, or pull a silly face to make me smile.

But I digress. Milton Keynes was really good. Again, it was a real mixture of opening times, with some stores opening at 09:30 and others opening with their Sunday trading hours.

So, it was into McDonald’s for a Mcbreakfast (this was one of the few places that was open – aside from Dickens & Jones – which has serious delusions of grandeur, but is just overpriced).

After breakfast, Mum and I headed to Marks & Spencer, to have a look around. To be honest, I wasn’t too impressed with what I saw, and privately began to despair of finding anything that I wanted for my impending holiday.

However, things changed when Mum suggested that we headed back to a shop that had been closed when we walked past, on the way to BHS. As I’d given up on the idea of finding a swimsuit, I wasn’t really looking. Murphy’s Law seems to dictate that when you’re not looking, you will find precisely what you are looking for. This happened with my swimsuit.

It’s not anything really magical – it’s plain black with a coloured band decorating the top, but it was the fit that was the real delight. Since I tore my shoulder muscles about six years ago, I’ve had problems with the straps on my swimsuits cutting into it when the shoulder decides to swell up. This one however, has enough stretch in it to be secure when I swim (or move my arms) and still provide a comfortable fit.

Then it was trying to find a travel pack for my contact lens solution. My usual solution comes in a 360ml pack – which is too large to take in my hand luggage (you’re restricted to a maximum of 100ml for liquids) and also rather heavy to put in the case. Again, I’d given up on the idea of trying to get something suitable, but headed into Dolland & Atchison as a last resort…

And came up trumps. They had exactly what I wanted – a preservative free 3% peroxide solution, suitable for soft contact lenses. But I should have guessed that there would be a snag…

It wasn’t listed on the computer system so the poor lady who was dealing with me had to do a hand written receipt, as the head office wasn’t open today, meaning that she couldn’t get the code for the product to go into the computer. But, we overcame this difficulty by using the hand written receipt and a note of what I bought and the quantity.

But even as I was walking around Milton Keynes, all I could think about was my beloved. He seemed so tired when I saw him on Saturday, and I will admit to worrying about him overdoing things. But as I walked past a store (think it was Dorothy Perkins or somewhere like that) I heard Cindi Lauper’s song True Colours playing…

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realise
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colours
Shining through
I see your true colours
And that’s why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
True colours are beautiful,
Like a Rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I’ll be there

And I see your true colours
Shining through
I see your true colours
And that’s why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colours
True colours are beautiful,
Like a Rainbow

This song always reminds me of my beloved, as he’s like me in so many ways – hiding the pain that he feels behind a cold-hearted façade, and rarely letting anyone get close to him. But to me, he’ll always be like a rainbow – something rare and precious, just like his smile.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’m supposed to be getting my stuff ready for the playpen tomorrow…

Back tomorrow if I get the chance…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Behind Blue Eyes

It’s funny how talking about music that you love can start you thinking about things. It happened to me last night as I was driving home having seen my beloved. We’d been talking about music that we both liked, and I said that one of my favourite songs was by The Who – Behind Blue Eyes

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes

No one knows what it's like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling only lies

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what it's like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you

No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool

If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes

In some respects, this reminds me of my beloved. I know he has trust issues (who doesn’t?) but it seems to take an awful lot to get him to trust anyone, if they ever manage to gain his trust at all.

Don’t get me wrong, as a person, he’s a lovely warm guy, but it’s only the very select few that ever get beyond the barriers that he puts in place. I guess this is done to keep him from being hurt. How the hell I have managed to get him to trust me is something that I have no clue how I achieved – only that I have done so.

As well as reminding me of my beloved, it also made me think about my own life. I’m the first to admit that I’m not exactly the easiest person to get on with – most people think that I’m a cold-hearted bitch.

And yes, I will admit to doing very little to dispel that notion with most people. But some how, my beloved seems to have blown open the very defences that keep most people away from me, and I don’t mind admitting that this scares me.

He has admitted that he wants me in his life, and has said that whatever happens, he will be there for me. If I’m honest, I’d given up on the idea of finding someone like this, who would be there for me, and come flying up to see me if I asked.

I once thought I’d been luck enough to find someone like that, but the minute I refused to play ball with his plans (i.e. leave my job & family and move south with him) then that all changed, because of my refusal and he dropped me faster than a plummeting lemming.

So, I learnt my lesson (the painful way as per normal) and learnt to hide behind the façade of an ice bitch, and didn’t really reveal anything of the real me to the people that were brave enough (or should that be stupid enough) to ask me out.

But something about my beloved managed to change my outlook on love & romance – or at least it has done where he is concerned. I’m never going to be one of those simpering fools that flutters their eyelashes to get something resolved (that sort of behaviour annoys the hell out of me, and my late father would be slinging lightening bolts at me if I even tried to do such a thing!)

But I will admit to trying to be a little more well, feminine when we are together and the circumstances allow it. I mean, it’s pointless turning up to a date at somewhere in heels and a skirt when I'm going to be climbing all over things to get photographs!

So I guess the meaning of the song is to show that the initial view of a person may well be wrong – just take a little time to try and get to know someone before you make a judgement. And I know that I may well have found someone who is like the person towards the end of the song – someone who will do anything to help in whatever shape or form that is required.

I guess I should call this entry quits – my dratted PC is telling me that it needs to re-start in order to complete an update from Microsucks…

Back when I get the chance..

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Preparing for another Bank Holiday…

Well, it’s the last day in the playpen for a few days, and I can’t say that I'm going to miss this place.

To say that I am getting to the stage where I need a break is an understatement. I'm heartily sick of the office politics and back stabbing that goes on, and the sooner it gets to 17:00, the better I'm going to feel.

Aside from the stupidity that seems to have become embedded, I'm looking forward to the bank holiday for another reason. I'm seeing my beloved tomorrow (he’s working in the morning, so that means I get to go shopping on my own – more on that in a minute) and am spending some time with Mum.

Tomorrow promises to be great fun, as it will be just about four weeks since I have seen my beloved, and to be honest, I have really missed him. Yes, I know I talk to him on the ‘phone everyday, but to me, that’s not the same as seeing him.

So, because I'm not seeing him until the afternoon, I'm making the most of the time on my own, and am going into Milton Keynes shopping. I’m after a few bits and pieces. Meaning that it’s a trip to La Senza (the bone in my favourite underwired bra broke yesterday, so I’m not happy about that) and I want to go and get a few other bits and pieces whilst I’m down there.

Sunday? Well that’s a day spent with Mum doing various bits & pieces to get ready for our escape at the end of June, and Monday? Well, I’m aiming to head to Leicester with Mum for a look around..

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’m supposed to be working, not blogging!

Back when I get chance (most likely Tuesday)

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A miracle on Downing Street

Who said that miracles don’t occur? Just look at the one that has happened in UK politics this morning. The Conservatives & the Liberal Democrats have formed a coalition government – the first time since 1930 that such a thing has occurred.

David Cameron becomes the new PM, with Nick Clegg (the Liberal Democrat leader) becoming the deputy PM, with the various cabinet posts and other government jobs being shared by the two parties.

All I can do now, is just sit back and watch what happens, but if I’m honest, I doubt very much that it can be worse for me than the last 13 years have been.

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Things that make you go awwww

It's the silly little things that my beloved does that makes the day fly past - and this was one of them.

He sent me this picture:

With the message:

Thought I'd send this to you

It's the daft things that he does that makes me smile - and this is a good example of it.

Ah well, I guess I should be getting on with some w*rk, but I have got severe TNFI…

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

After the election, now the real politics come into view

Well, the country has voted, and declared a hung parliament. Not the sort of hanging that I would have liked (I doubt if there are enough lampposts in Whitehall for that) but one that means no party go enough votes to form a government.

So, it looks like Labour is going to cling on, in the vain hope that they can form a so-called rainbow coalition of the small parties in an attempt to keep the Conservatives out. On the other side, you have the Conservatives talking to the Liberal Democrats in an attempt to form a coalition to remove Labour.

I know that Gordon Brown, as the incumbent Prime Minster has the right to try and get some form of government sorted out, and if that falls flat on its’ face, then the leader of the opposition (David Cameron) gets to have a go.

It’s enough to make your head spin, and people are wondering why they bothered to vote, if the current government is determined to cling onto power by any means possible, and the other parties are looking to link up with each other.

Politics makes for strange bedfellows, and to be honest the sooner they get this sorted out, the sooner life can return to normal!

Ah well, time to call this quits – I want to get some peace and quiet!

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Zen Teachings

This got sent to me by a colleague, and I make no apologies for posting it.

Enjoy.


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

****************************************************

Zen Teachings

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me for the path is narrow. In fact, just piss off and leave me alone.


2. Sex is like air. It's not that important unless you aren't getting any.


3. No-one is listening until you fart.


4. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else..


5. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.


6. If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.


7. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.


8. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.


9. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.


10. If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably well worth it.


11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.


12. Some days you are the fly; some days you are the windscreen


13. Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.


14. Good judgment comes from bad experience ..... And most of that comes from bad judgment.


15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.


16. There are two excellent theories for arguing with women. Neither one works.


17. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.


18. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.


19. We are born naked, wet and hungry, and get slapped on our arse ... Then things just keep getting worse.


20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Bank holiday blues

This is the first May bank holiday for about four years that I have spent at home. Normally, I’m with my beloved, visiting Brooklands for Auto Italia, but this year… Well circumstances have conspired to keep me in Warwickshire for once.

Not that I’m objecting – too much anyway, as it means that I avoid the birch pollen that always seems to make me so dratted ill every time I go down there. Ok – this year I would have known what the problem was (my asthma) and how to control it – in theory.

So, to make up for this, I decided to take Mum out. Or should that be we decided that we would go up to the Peak Shopping Village. Yes – this was for my own selfish motives (I’m looking for a new pair of black leather clogs, as I’ve kicked the living daylights out of my black nubuck ones!) Plus, it was a chance to get out of the area, and try to chill out.

We arrived ok (even though one part of the route was closed – thank god for Mum being able to read a map) and got parked with relative ease.

The first stop was a small bag store, which stocked a few pieces of Kipling. And that was where I found the bag that I had been considering. It was exactly what I had been looking for – the only problem was that the store didn’t have the colour I wanted (Wild Blue). Sod's law that – and I guess I should have realised that would set part of the tone for the day.

Ok – that’s a tad unfair. I struck out on the search for the perfect clog (plenty of nubuck, but no leather ones that I liked) but I was successful in Cotton Traders.

I’d been searching for a particular type of rugby shirt – it’s got a granddad style collar, and I’d not been able to find any. Well, this time I struck gold, and got two, as they are perfect for casual wear, without looking too casual – almost a smart casual I guess…

After that, we decided to head for a coffee in the little coffee shop. It’s quite depressing at times (not to mention expensive) and it wasn’t helped by some woman who’s laugh (Ok – cackle) would have put most witches to shame. But, it was a chance to sit down and talk about the next part of our travels, as Mum was (and still is) looking for a pair of shoes.

We decided to head to Masson Mill – just outside Matlock Bath. That’s a place that I really enjoy driving though, simply because the traffic is normally hell, meaning that I get the chance to have a good look at the bikes that had congregated. Normally, you get everything from little Vespa scooters to Harley Davidson motorbikes that cost more than the 207 – and have more bling on them than a US rapper.

This time, it was a real disappointment. Plenty of Vauxhall Corsas that had been modified in a vain attempt to make them look better (as you can tell, I’m not a fan of the Corsa) and a few run of the mill Japanese sports bikes, but nothing that had me wishing for heavier traffic so I could have a lingering look.

We got to Masson Mill, and pulled into the car park, only to be greeted with a sign that said that parking fees now applied. Ok – I can understand why, as it is within easy walking distance of Matlock Bath.

Mum and I paid, and I was directed to the best parking space for me (it was on the second floor). Not a problem and I parked ok, but I will admit to muttering about the placement of the steel support girders that made it a very cautious swing into the space.

We then headed into the mill, and had a wander around – which lasted all of about 15 minutes, with both Mum and myself saying that it wasn’t worth the parking fee and that we would strike this one off the list of places that we stopped at.

Getting out of the parking space was great fun. Not. Simply because of the way that I had taken the car into the space, it meant that I had very little room to swing the nose / front end of the car out, as I had a blasted great Lexus 4x4 parked beside me.

So, Mum was a real trooper, and helped me back out of the space by guiding me at the back and then carefully walking around the front end to make sure that I could start the turn without damaging my car.

Getting out was not a problem (thank god for a good throttle response in the 207) and it was time to head towards home, and think about stopping somewhere for lunch. Our usual stop, where we’re in the area, is a pub at Ambergate, called the Hurt Arms.

The food there isn’t bad at all, and it was one of the few times that I was cursing the fact that I was driving. Why? Because they had a speciality beer that was flavoured with passion fruit of all things.

Ok – I know I could have let Mum drive, but I prefer her to do the map reading for me, as that is not one of my strong points (I suspect that this may be an inherited trait from Dad, as he couldn’t read a map either – and he was a Queen’s Scout!)

So we stopped again at Belper, and yet again, that was a failure for the pair of us. But in all honesty, I wasn’t too worried, as it had given my car a good run, which is what it needed, as it tends to get short runs during the week, with me going to work.

Yesterday (Sunday), it was a case of heading to Bicester Shopping village. This place has delusions of grandeur, and to be honest, I would have thought it would have been better placed near Chester. But I digress.

The reason that we had decided to go (ok – the only reason) we decided to go was because there is a Kipling outlet shop down there. Ok – I know the stock is about a year out of date (if you’re bothered by such things) but it means that you can get some really good deals on bags down there.

I managed to get myself a new wash bag (it’s about time I had a decent one to travel with) and Mum managed to get a little handbag as well. After that, we decided to have a look around.

If you want designer labels - and I’m talking things like Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo (more on that in a minute) and Versace, then this is the place for you. However, I am not really a fan of designer labels - ok – I admit that my perfume is usually Dior, but that’s because I’ve worn their fragrances for more years that I am going to admit to.

Mum spotted the Jimmy Choo shop (yes – he of the super expensive shoes that everyone raves about) and dragged me in. Dragged being the operative word here. Simply because I loathe high heels (I can’t walk in the dratted things – give me a nice comfortable pair of loafers any day) and I honestly can’t see what all the fuss is about. From what I could see, they were extremely narrow, and overpriced. But, as I said, not my choice of shoe.

But there was further torture to come. Ugg have a shop down at Bicester as well, and again, I don’t see the appeal of the things. They look, well, ugly. As for the practicality – that was non-existent as far as I could see.

Simply because they are designed for Australian winters, which are cold and dry, not like the UK winters that are cold and bloody wet. Meaning that if you wear these bug ugly things out without waterproofing them, you have just ruined a pair of £200 plus boots.

So after we left (and thanked our lucky stars that we had gotten down there for opening time, as the queues for the car park were back to the A41) we stopped at the Bicester garden centre.

Now I’ve passed this numerous times on my travels, and have never thought to stop there. Ok, it’s a Wyevale garden centre, but there are quite a few shops there as well – including Lakeland and Cotton Traders.

This was far more to my liking than the blasted designer outlet (even if there was a Laura Ashley shop – not somewhat I had any intention of going near), and Mum and I were quite impressed. However, the garden centre wasn’t brilliant, and we both agreed that the only time that it would be worth going to would be if we had gone to the shopping village just up the road. So read for that, we won’t be back for about another six months at least.

Now onto today. Mum and I were at a loss to think of somewhere to go, and as we were linking up with Carole and her daughters, we decided that we would meet them down at Milton Keynes. The original idea had been to go to Worcester, but as the weather wasn’t good, we opted for Milton Keynes (at least that’s under cover!)

Mum and I got down there for about 10:30, only to see all the spaces at the front (nearest the shopping centre) all parked up. We were wondering if we would get a space to park, when I spotted Amber waving her arms, standing in a space that was just perfect for us.

So, Mum parked, and we got out, and were promptly cuddled by both girls, who seemed delighted to see both Mum and myself. I asked Carole what time the centre opening times were (they’re stuck on the entrance doors) and she told us that it was 11:00. All I could think was that I would be really miffed if I’d been paying £1.20 per hour only to discover that most of the shops didn’t open until 11am.

We headed to Burger King as our usual breakfast stop is in BHS – which wasn’t open and Amber and Elian were almost chewing Mum’s walking stick, as they’d not had breakfast according to Carole, as they wanted to have a bacon roll.

That wasn’t too bad, and we had a wander around various shops with Amber and Elian running interference for Mum (by making sure that people had to walk around them and Mum) instead of the other way around.

As per normal, we stopped in Waterstones (ok – Costa coffee) for a while, and I left Mum and Carole talking whilst I headed to my favourite shop – Lush. Simply because I’d run out of a couple of bits (and wanted a lump of conditioner to take on holiday) and the girls weren’t going to miss out on a trip to Lush without their Mum. Little monsters, the pair of them.

I got my Vanishing Cream (it’s a really good moisturiser that suits my weird skin) as well as my lump of conditioner. The girls got a few bits (think it was bath stuff – bath bombs and bubble bars) – mostly for Carole as a present, and I think it was a thank you gift for bringing them to Milton Keynes for once.

So it was back to Waterstones. I’d spotted a couple of books that I wanted – they were on a three for two offer, and as I knew that Mum had picked one up on the same offer, I thought it would be perfect. Only for Amber and Elian to disappear into the children’s’ section.

This was somewhat daunting for me, as I never venture into that area under normal circumstances. But I needn’t have worried. They’d spotted three books that they wanted – on the same offer as mine, and had gone to get them.

So we rejoined the rest of our party, and we finished off our drinks. Mine was a large vanilla latte, which Amber had designs on. I had to threaten to make her walk home before she would leave my coffee alone, and that only worked until she pointed out that Carole wouldn’t be so unkind to her. But, she did leave my coffee alone – I think it was the threat from her mother that she wouldn’t buy the books that the two of them had picked out.

It was then time to move and we headed to Debenhams. Now normally I avoid this store like the plague, as the cosmetic department stinks with the mixture of perfumes that seem to be squirted into the air.

This time, I was actually looking for a price of a perfume – Dior’s Dolce Vita. That was fine, until some pushy sales assistant started recommending the latest perfume from Dior – think it was Miss Dior Cherie (or something like that). She finally got the message that I wasn’t interested, when Amber asked if that was the one that smelt like toilet cleaner on me. Nice child, but it had the desired effect!

We then headed back to the car, where both Mum and I were treated to another cuddle from the girls, and we headed for home.

As I type this I am quietly mulling over this bank holiday. Ok – I haven’t seen my beloved, so I am a bit flat (ok – very flat) but spending time with Mum has been really nice – as we don’t really spend that much time together during the week, simply because I am not very sociable when I come home from work. All I want to do is chill out and ignore the world.

Ah well, I guess I should call this quits – I need to do some ironing so that I’ve got something to wear for the playpen tomorrow.

Back when I get chance…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most