13th June
As I shall be going into the NHH later this week for a small operation, I thought it would be a good opportunity to sort out which handicrafts I will be entering in the Village Show this year, so that I can keep myself busy whilst I am laid up for a few days. If any of you readers would also like to enter, then listen up, as I have an advance copy of the Show schedule here to hand. Traditionally the handicraft section does not seem to attract many entrants, and I am firmly of the belief that this is because many people who are eminently capable of entering do not leave themselves enough time to get things finished. So with just under three months to go, I urge you to get your needles and paintbrushes out, or at least finish off that article that you started a few years ago. This year there are two painting classes – 1 in watercolours and 1 in oils or acrylics. Your paintings can be of any size and can be framed or unframed. There is a class for patchwork and/or quilting, a crocheted article and an unframed exhibit of embroidery or tapestry. There is also a class for any other exhibit of handicraft , and this has included in the past, woodwork, marquetry, glass engraving and mosaic items. There is also a very popular photographic class, which is open to all age groups. This year the title is “A Bird”. This should be quite a popular class and always seems to attract a lot of interest on the day. Photos should be unframed and unmounted and no larger than 7”x 5”.
14th June
Sorted out some prizes to offer up for the tombola at the Village Show stall at the Carnival on Saturday. Regular readers will remember that I was asked by Jeff Owen, no less, if I would consider donating a prize, and also some plants from the Manor’s greenhouses. I have selected some choice items for the Manor to donate and then spent most of the day in the potting shed getting all the plants ready. I think that I will have to rely on Spencer to take them up to the Recreation Ground on Saturday, as I might still be a little indisposed. I am still hoping to be there on the stall for some time during the day though, so will see you all there hopefully.
15th June
Spent most of the morning making some nutritious meals to put in the freezer for Spencer to eat whilst I am in hospital. He is not renowned for his culinary skills and quite frankly I think that it is easier for him to defrost something and put it in the microwave, when he has to think about his Job of National Importance, as well as managing the Manor Estate, and all the staff. I also made up four days worth of sandwiches, so that should keep him going for his lunches as well. It will save him having to think about going shopping, when he will be so busy running the Manor.
16th June
Today was a very sad day at the Manor, as we have had to have our beautiful and much loved cat Mozart put to sleep. All the staff at the Barn Animal Hospital, and especially Mr Krazno, were exceptional as usual, and we would like to thank them all very much.