Well the last couple of weeks have been hectic to say the least. The first week was brilliant weather but my mother and God mother were visiting. They stayed in a nearby hotel as we haven’t room to put them both up here – although we might see about getting a cheap caravan for guests one day.
They came to the house as well, of course, where the cats demonstrated their usefulness as rodent control officers much to Mum’s delight. Incidentally, it isn’t a good thing to explain to a somewhat panicked mother that it isn’t a mouse the cat has got, it’s a young rat. My big mouth!
It seems they not only brought the good weather, they took it with them as they left. The rain came in large bucketfuls and the temperature plummeted to the point where we both had our thermal vests and cardies on. At that point I switched the heating on. In July, it seems sinful.
So much catching up with work after they’d gone. The number of emails I get now are wearing to say the least. I sometimes think people forget that it might only take 5 minutes to answer a question but a dozen such eat up an hour. I actually like the few bits of spam that get through as they’re easy to handle! You might hear a violin playing a lament in the background, LOL
Goodbye to an online friend
One a serious and very sad note, we unexpectedly lost one of our forum members, Yabba, on Wednesday. He was a great asset to us, freely giving advice on everything from dahlias to chilli peppers. I still can’t quite believe it. He’ll be missed to say the least. Later in the year we intend to run a photo competition in his memory. Godspeed Yabba.
Thursday was London. It’s about four and a half hours to get to my publishers office. Just over half an hour to Bangor to get the train, three and a half on the train and then a twenty minute walk to their office from Euston. Left home about 8.30am and got back after 11pm. That’s a long day.
The publishers are helping with the web site now and we went over the preliminary results from the survey.
It’s already showing that our visitors are fairly evenly split between the sexes and most of my readers are younger than me. Which is a bit scary, I am the old boy on the plot who rabbits on! Although a lot of people are happy with the web site as it is (phew), the survey is pointing out areas where we can make it a lot better. It’s a big job and probably won’t happen until October but I think everyone will be pleased in the end.
Friday we had a visit from forum stalwart Digger Dave and Mrs Digger. It was, sadly, only a fleeting visit and the weather wasn’t exactly brilliant but it was great to meet them. We’re hoping to see more online friends in the flesh. I think it helps living in a holiday area.
Saturday was a nice day but it was spent in Preston at the NVS committee meeting. This was a special and sad one as it’s the last with Medwyn Williams taking the chair. He’s done an excellent 13 years in the job but now he feels it’s time for new blood. His last official day as Chairman will be the th August when he chairs the AGM at Llangollen and a new chairman is elected.
Tomorrow is showing some promise for a nice day so I’ll be outside come what may.
John I see it is not only N.Ireland gets rain