Back refreshed and serene from my hols I am now ready for a nice rant.  I only do so when I feel there is something to moan about and today I am raring to go. Like thousands of watchers in and out of Wimbledon I was glued to the Nadal-Rosol match last night.  Watched a…

OK a book review at last.  About time I hear you cry.  I sometimes wonder whether it is worth going away there is so much to catch up on when you get home and I have been watching Wimbers and I now have hay fever and have been up half the night….enough I read this…

This collage thingy on Picasa is wonderful.  When I came back from hols I found my rose bed, planted lat year, had blossomed and I have been taking pics of them all.   They are simply glorious and could not resist sharing another picture with you all.

Quick report on the week and some pics and then book reviews to come – they are piling up and so much reading to do.  Came back to ten parcels awaiting my attention and another six have arrived since my return so… OK – loved Madeira.  Beautiful island, lots of up, no beaches as it…

Have made a collage of photos of all the gorgeous flowers I saw on holiday and thought you might like to see it

Seven whole days in which to read non stop should you so desire.  Wonderful – and I did desire.   Though visits were made to other parts of the island, and fun was had, much of the time in Funchal was spent lying poolside with book in hand, sleeping every now and then, waking up and…

Day in London today with Florence.   Took her to the park in the afternoon and for two hours she went on swings, slides, paddled, climbed and generally wiped me out so am very glad to be home.  Just received a text from Helen saying that Florence had crashed out and was totally exhausted and I…

I am back and when I drove home this morning the sun was actually shining which was lovely.  Had an excellent week, feel rested and relaxed and the white flab is a pale golden tan flab now which I always think looks better!  Photos in due course. Not sure when I will be posting about…

Am off with a friend to Madeira for a week. Never been there, know nothing about it but as I intend to do nothing but rest and relax, it does not really matter.   I used to think that if one was retired holidays are not necessary, but have come to the conclusion that they are. …

So the BBC has dismissed all the criticism of its ludicrous coverage of the Diamond Jubilee. What's new? The BBC, as its critics really ought to know by now, is Never Wrong. The babyish, ignorant, patronising tone of its broadcasting during the Jubilee celebrations was perfect for the occasion, according to the Corporation's official spokesman…

It’s the job description of Queen: Self-Sacrifice R Us. In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury commended her dedication, and here we were, witnessing it in action. Dr Rowan Williams tried to sum up what the Queen has meant to her people these six decades in his well-intentioned, woolly, Aran-knit prose. He failed. via www.telegraph.co.uk…

I need to post about the Jubilee as I would hate anybody logging onto Random, whether by accident or design, to think that I have not enjoyed it.  I have.  I had my rant about the BBC and was delighted to see in the papers the next day that I was not alone, but that…

 Home made scones with whipped cream and jam.  This is one I tested to make sure it tasted OK….   A selection of cup fairy cakes – I used a Mary Berry recipe from the Great British Bake off cook book. I then checked my very old and tatty Mary Berry cook book and found…

OK am starting this off by saying that I adore the Queen, I am a staunch royalist and think she does a superb job and would quite happily march anybody who says otherwise off to the Tower via Traitor's Gate.    So hope that is quite clear.   Great tea party yesterday and will be posting about…

I make no bones about it – I love Royal events and celebrations.  They are always so well organised, timed to the last millisecond, you kow nothing will go wrong, they are full of pageantry and beauty, music etc and I enjoy every moment. I was glued to my TV all day for the Royal…