Buckland Hall

On Sunday we went on a mission of mercy. Earlier this year Beccy's friend, Mary, had been to a conference retreat here in Wales

Buckland Hall is set in the spectacular countryside of the Brecon Beacons National Park, surrounded by mountains with vistas along the Usk Valley.

The entrance to the Hall is from the car park and there is a beautiful bed of heather to welcome visitors.
As you approach the hall there are masses of daffodils along the driveway.

I can imagine that it's a wonderful place to stay. It is so quiet and peaceful and there are wonderful views from the grounds. Just look at the picture below.

We also saw quite a few lambs. So, back to why we were there. Well Mary had left her suitcase behind when she stayed there. In fact the taxi driver failed to put it in the boot of the car and no one noticed until they got to the airport by which time it was too late to do anything about it. EmBee and I agreed to go and fetch the suitcase so that Mary could fly over from Dublin for the day to collect it. This is exactly what happened today and by now Mary, together with her case, will be safely back home in Dublin.

I'll be showing you some more photos of Wales, and telling you more about today in future posts.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-61 Celebrity Crush
2007: One a penny two a penny hot cross buns + 200th Post

It's time to celebrate!

Today we celebrate Mothering Sunday here in the UK.

History

Most Sundays in the year churchgoers would worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church".

In olden times it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church at least once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church.

As the return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away from home returned. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home to work in service from ten years of age.)

The majority of historians think that it was this return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.

This special day has now become a time when people give thanks to their mothers and offers an opportunity to express both love and thanks for the work that they do.

I thought I would show you the lovely gift that Beccy sent me. You might like to guess what it is?
Thank you Beccy xx
_________________________________

Another important event to celebrate today:

Remember this well another year has galloped by.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EMBEE
As a reward for me putting up with you all these years I'll let you take me out to lunch. As you can see, he's actually in the garden as I type this, taking a little rest from weeding the borders.

Whatever you happen to be doing today have a wonderful time.

Archives:
2008: What is Today + Mission Accomplished
2007: Happy Anniversary Embee

Happy St David'd Day 2009

HAPPY ST. DAVID'S DAY

'n ddedwydd St Dafydd s Ddiwrnod

On the first of March last year I had daffodils blooming in my garden for St David's Day. Not so this year we need a little more warmth before these little buds burst into bloom.

For my Welsh friends who are celebrating today, have a really lovely day.

Archives:
2008: I'm off to the Emerald Isle + Happy St David's Day
2007: Three Songs Forever + Happy St David's Day

Short and sweet!

I don't have much time today, but over the past week a tub of daffodils have bloomed as have a few other flowers.
Oh and we have sunshine!
However on this day last year the weather was very different as you will see from my archive post!!

Archives:
2007: The weatherman got it right for once