August 25th – RNLI

We took the 4 legged children down to Cornwall for a few days, to see their Cornish cousins and owner. A trip in Dizzy (our motorhome) wouldn’t be normal unless we had some wild weather, and today was no exception thanks to storm Francis.

This mean’t the furry friends needed to stay out of the sea despite trying to sweet talk the lifeguard on duty, but they did manage a splash about in the river leading down to the beach at Holywell bay.

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards are busier than ever, rescuing thousands of people and saving hundreds of lives around the coasts of the UK and Ireland every year. In 2019 alone, they saved 374 lives and helped over 38,700 people. Their lifesavers will always be there to help those in danger in the water. But too many lives are still being lost. Around 150 people* die accidentally in UK and Irish waters every year. Globally, there are 320,000 drowning deaths each year**. It’s a huge problem, but one the RNLI is determined to tackle. Their vision is to save every one, which you can read more
about in ‘Our Watch‘, the RNLI’s strategic intent document.

The RNLI works with communities and partners in the UK, Ireland and worldwide to prevent people from getting into danger before they need their help. They do this by creating greater awareness of drowning and promoting safer behaviour around water. As a modern emergency service, and a charity, they depend on trained and committed volunteer lifesavers. As they strive to save every one, they also depend on thousands of dedicated volunteer fundraisers. The funds they raise, together with supporter donations, powers the RNLI lifesaving.

August 22nd – Water Lily

Our new water lily produced it’s first flower today, so I thought i’d share it with you. As normal I tried to find a weird and wacky fact …..

The bulb and root are used to make medicine. People take American white water lily by mouth for diarrhoea and apply it to the body for vaginal conditions, diseases of the throat and mouth, and for burns and boils, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don’t try at home ….

August 21st – Nosey neighbours….

Obviously not our lovely human neighbours, but our bovine friends in the back field.

They are very inquisitive, watching me move various items from the cabin into Eric, the new workshop.

The cabin is nearly empty now, and almost ready for a good clean and maybe a coat of paint.

It’s been an emotional experience, sorting through my late father’s tools. He had so many (for example 3 routers), and enough chisels to supply Screwfix. I’ve needed to be brutal, but have saved a few old tools that I will attempt to restore.

August 19th – Artwork

We decided to change a picture in the lounge with a nice Steven Brown canvas of Effilumps

It’s probably not everyone’s taste but we like it.

That’s the thing with art, it is subjective. No rights or wrongs. Many aspects of our lives are subjective, and I think it’s interesting to hear other people’s opinion without needing to criticise. We are all different.

August 4th – Pretty impostor…

We have a weed in our lawn, but it’s pretty so we’re leaving it in. Not quite sure what it is, but plantsnap suggests that it maybe a common / dwarf mallow (Malva neglacta).

If it is this, then the plant is considered a weed, but is often consumed as food, especially the seeds which contain 21% protein and 15.2% fat.

August 14th – Snack time

I love this time of year because mother nature provides snacks for me whilst walking the 4 legged children, however, I need to be quick before they grab them before me….

The Flatties in particular are very fond of blackberries, and we always laugh at them sniffing the berries before carefully picking the ripe ones amongst the unripe.

There doesn’t seem quite so many this year yet, but they are still yummy.

August 13th – Goodbye old friend

A sad day, as we empty the truck ready for a trade in tomorrow. Having had this vehicle for the last 16 years, we have very fond memories of adventures in it.

Probably, the most memorable was the time (many years ago) that we took the 4 kids to Northern France in it. Following the Sat Nav, we almost ended up driving through a field, via a farmyard. I can still picture the look of amazement on the farmers face.

Anyway, although the engine and transmission is fine, the bodywork has some major issues, which will cost a lot to resolve and we no longer need an 8 seat, 3 litre vehicle, but we will certainly miss it. It drives so well, and was brilliant when towing our caravan. I even towed a 3.5 ton motorhome out of a muddy field with it.

Bye-bye old friend – We’ll miss you x