You may have heard me going on about the Hedgehog visitors to my garden. I’ve kind of built the garden around them with wilder areas and Hedgehog highways and ramps all over the place.
Tonight I was upstairs in the bathroom and I could hear a hell of a racket out the window, a really loud crunching sound. I sneaked on the security lights and grabbed a quick photo out of the bathroom.
Not one but two. How beautiful
There wasn’t one but two. I suspect they are from the same family as they are not known to comfortably share their dinner with another. I loved this it’s really made my day, as it shows just by making a few changes to your garden, leaving out a suitable food and fresh water, you can keep these rare animals safe and give them a foot up.
The fact we are bordering a large city with busy roads all around is another problem.
I’m just so glad I’m doing my little bit to try and preserve them. They are gorgeous 🦔
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?
Pyjamas. No competition.
I know some people already seem to wear them whilst out shopping or taking the car to the garage, but I’m not agreeing with that. For me Pyjamas are for around the house and in my mind it’s pure laziness and slovenly to physically “go out” in them.
As some would say, “Chavtastic “
However, given the choice I’d happily slob around the house all day in them. For some that would be unacceptable, so I apologise, sort of.
Probably the most comfortable and light clothes I have.
Roll on retirement and maybe i can fulfil that dream of lulling about in night wear.
It’s a very personal thing for me, it’s not enforced or preached to anyone it’s just me. I spent the first 16 years of my life going to Sunday school, and then my parents left me to choose to continue or drop it. I dropped it but maintained a faith of sorts.
Spirituality is a comfort blanket for me. In times of stress and doubt I resort to my spirituality to find comfort.
I also use nature as a spiritual comfort. If I disappear out into the wilds for a good long walk it’s usually to clear my mind. And it works for me.
I probably waste too much of my day worrying about others and how they are fairing. I don’t know why I do it as to be honest most of the people I’m thinking of wouldn’t give me a second thought. There’s only so many times you can be asked for advice, and when you see those people do the complete polar opposite to what you advised you often wonder why do I bother?
I care that’s why, I don’t like to see anyone struggling, and that’s where I waste the most time every day.
One day someone may thank me, I don’t know. I seem to overlook my own well being for others. Maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there wasting time thinking about me, that would be nice.
My wife’s best friend is getting married this weekend, so we have ventured away from our place in the East Midlands, down to the smoke on the outskirts of north London.
For 54 years of my life I lived in this area so I know it very well both man and child. Most of my formative years were spent in and around here just doing what kids growing up used to do. But today I’m back here as an adult and things today look so different from when I was younger. However one place looks as serene and beautiful as ever.
And that is Mr. Gilbert’s place.
When I was at my junior school we put on a show called, “The pirates of Penzance”. I remember dressing up and singing many jaunty songs but at the time I never made the connection.
Then one day, playing with my friends we ventured up to Old Redding on the borders of Harrow, Stanmore and Oxhey, where there were woods and cycle tracks and people walking dogs, in avenues of what I now know are rhododendron bushes. There was a small lake, and then when you wandered through the beautiful display of flowers you came upon this beautiful sight.
Grims dyke manor
Speaking with my parents it now became clear that we had stumbled across the former home of the dramatist W.S Gilbert, him of Gilbert and Sullivan fame who’d written that show I was in at school, it all now fell into place.
The manor is now a hotel and that is why my wife and I are here this weekend. The Manor House is steeped in history and is still the HQ of the W.S Gilbert society who regularly stage his shows in the environment in which they were written.
The main lawn and Manor HouseGorgeous views
Now Mr.Gilbert unfortunately saw his demise here at the lake in the grounds. In 1911 he was giving a swimming lesson to two ladies when one of them got into trouble whilst attempting to swim, he dived in to save her but unfortunately had a heart attack and his life ended there.
The lake areaAnother gardenOne of the gardens
The manor went through changes of ownership throughout the years before being taken over by Best Western a few years ago.
The grounds are some of the best maintained that you will ever see in a hotel environment, there is wildlife freely roaming and as we were having a drink just last evening we had the company of some small deer not far from us.
A nice fruit cider in the sunThe view from our roomBees busy at work
It’s hard to believe we are just a few hundred yards from busy main roads, it’s just so quiet. You are guaranteed a peaceful stay here at Mr.Gilberts, it our go to place whenever we are in this part of the world.
If you’re ever in this part of the world just walk through or stay for a while. There are excellent travel links to central London and not many better places than this to have a base. It’s a touch of total tranquility on the outskirts of one of the world’s most manic city environments.
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
My mum bless her heart wasn’t the best cook in the world but she kept us fed and happy.
Bread pudding
On the day she decided that we were going to have bread pudding the excitement level throughout the house hit the roof. She was a master at cooking bread pudding, I haven’t tasted one that could hold a candle to hers in all my years of life. She was unrivalled when cooking this.
The smell as the cooking wafted through the house, and the impatience of everyone awaiting the oven door opening was intense to say the least.
And then there it was sitting on the kitchen table in its golden crispy glory. Rarely did it last that long to even venture into getting cold. Mum had done it again, created a culinary masterpiece.
Boy do I miss that, and every time I see bread pudding I get transported back to my childhood. But as of yet I’ve never tasted one as good as mums.
Lord Horatio Nelson is my favourite historical figure. My favourite teacher in my junior years at school was responsible for this. He himself was a sailor and taught us to sail as well, as a result we learned knot tying skills, were regularly tested on our skills and generally fell head first into the whole nautical thing.
We learned of the battle of Trafalgar and many other naval operations, and Lord Nelson was our superman of the day. His whole history, what he achieved and his dalliances outside of the navy all became the topic of conversation in many a history lesson.
And then the message he displayed to rally his men, all by using flags/semaphore just blew my mind. I do honestly believe this was what got me into amateur radio communications in later life especially learning Morse code.
Still interests me to this day, a few years ago we were fortunate enough to have a tour of Windsor castle and there in a display is a musket ball pulled from Nelson’s body. I stood transfixed to that item for ages.
Probably my only true historical hero. Nothing has changed. He’s the man in my eyes.
Probably the first and only person to give you love and security unconditionally. Your Mother.
Well, not your Mother but I’m talking about my Mother. That wonderful person who sacrificed so much in her life to ensure I had a good life. Right up to the day she drew her last breath she declared her everlasting love for me. No one has ever done that and I doubt very much you will ever find such a love as that maternal instinct only mothers possess.
My first crush definitely. Never to be experienced again.
To be honest I’m a creature of habit, i will continue to go to that little quiet part of Cyprus that we love as the people are lovely souls and the life is good. If we had the chance I’d up roots and move there lock stock and barrel. Iceland is another one I will continue to frequent as I absolutely love everything about the place. Two crazy totally different environments.
Akamas peninsula Reykjavik Iceland
There is only one other country that I’d love to visit, and that’s Canada. I’d love to do one of those Rocky Mountain explorer train trips, the sheer wilderness and beauty would really appeal to me.
Other than that there is no other country I wish to travel to. To be honest there are still too many places in my home country I still yet have to see.
I’ve got a few things I don’t like but that’s not what the question asks.
The over riding thing I do like about myself is that I’m not totally reliant on others. I quite like my own company and can quite happily just get on with things without having to have a large contingent of hangers on, or fake friends.
I know who I like and what I like and I’m happy with that.
Foxes Den 
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