The Boog-Matts!

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum 140, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Last Sunday we spent an gorgeous Autumnal afternoon with my cousins Olla and Dominic and Auntie Jacqui - who were up visiting from Devon for a long weekend. The boy loved running around the Museum exploring each and every historic building and running around the stunning fields and woodland. I must have been nearer to their age when my Mum first brought me to visit the museum and it's been a firm favourite ever since - to be able to see historic rural buildings restored and lovingly cared for here is a treat!

The bright autumn colours were a treat too - and by this weekend the leaves had just about been blown away so I'm glad we got to enjoy it while it lasted!

Going Potty!

Street Arts Visit to Grayshott Pottery 119, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Earlier this week, I spent the evening at a local pottery together with our Street Arts group. Over the summer we've been involved in a pottery project and folks have made everything from tiles to plates, pots and sculpture. We thought we'd show everyone how a commercial pottery is run as well as have a go at throwing pots on the wheel.

Think it's fair to say that the visit was an instant hit and everyone would love to return to the pottery again one day soon! They had a fantastic time throwing and glazing as well as learning how a pottery is able to cast so many pieces in one day. A good time was had by all! Thanks to Chris, Anna and Adrienne for a fab night!

Spandau Ballet = Gold!

spandau ballet, originally uploaded by Emzy&Rick.

Last night Matt and I fulfilled a long held dream to see Spandau Ballet live. I was SO excited when they reformed earlier this year after a 20 year hiatus. The gig at the O2 Arena didn't disappoint - they've still got that Gold magic after all these years! Tony Hadley's voice is still as powerful as ever. Even though our seats were high up and the band looked like matchsticks, the sound was brilliant. It was also interesting to be amongst some 20,000 fans - of the more mature variety. No teeny boppers here! Just us oldies bopping away!

King Hunter graces us with his presence!

October 2009 147, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

My great college buddie Hunter and I have kept in touch over the years. He's been building a great career in film-making over in the USA. Finally after all these years we had a flying visit with him this weekend! It was SOOOOO great to see him!

We paid a quick visit to Hampton Court Palace where Hunter was able to indulge in being King for a moment! It was all too short a visit but I'm sure it won't be the last! Good times!

Fundraising concert SUCCESS!

Last Saturday I was involved in putting on a concert to raise much needed funds for MiH - the charity I work for. We lined up some of our own musicians together with members of ACM Gospel Choir who you may remember from the Beeb's 'Last Choir Standing' in 2008. Well they were fabulous, and practically raised the church roof. Everyone was dancing and clapping along to the choir. We also met alot of people who were new to the charity and keen to learn more about us. People dug deep into their pockets and made very generous donations at the end of the evening - which will hugely benefit people in healthcare.

Donk's!

Jackie and Nig's Donkeys!, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

On Sunday we paid an impromptu visit to see my Uncle Nig and Jackie...and to meet the Donkey's...or Donks as we call them. They were gorgeous and it really brought me back to my childhood for a few moments! I learnt to ride on my Granny's donk's so they've always held a special spot in my heart! Such gentle beautiful animals!

Relax and breathe!

I think everything happens for a reason. This weekend we were supposed to have 3 friends staying for a few days while we all attended our annual association meeting. And yet, in the last couple of days folks were unable to make it for one reason or another. In the end, I made my way to the meeting on my own, and actually it felt the right thing to do. I sat next to a friend I've not spoken to so much over the last few years and it was lovely to reconnect. The meeting offered so much food for thought as usual and I'm now fully charged for the year!

Typically a bunch of us get together for dinner at the end of the day. But this year, for the first time, I felt the need to come home and spend the evening with Matt. We went out for dinner on our own for the first time in...well, I can't remember the last time we went out for dinner as just the two of us. It was lovely.

Today I've been digging over part of the veg patch and planted some rhubarb as well as heeling in the roses for the winter. The kitchen has been a hive of activity - stock pot is boiling down and then I'll make some soup for the week. I've just made a shepherd's pie out of the leftover lamb from a roast we had a couple of days ago. For the first time in ages, our meals for the week are planned!

Now off to Stockbridge for a family dinner and to meet the new donkeys on my uncle's farm. Perhaps a relaxing weekend was just what we were meant to do after all!

Last of Grannie-Mum's Roses...rescued

Last of Grannie-Mum's Roses...rescued, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

I carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

 

- EE Cummings

Visit to see Nanna

Matt with Nanna on a visit to Whitby, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

We had a great weekend in Yorkshire. The wedding was beautiful - the Gods must have been happy because the sun shone all day! We spent valuable moments with our good friend Kim, saw a movie and made a very brief sojourn to Whitby to see Nanna Ash who was in a fine mood! It's always a treat to see her!

Just Married!

Just Married!, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Pic from Tash & Ian's Wedding at Fountain's Abbey in North Yorkshire

Wedding weekend

Fountains Abbey Ripon Yorkshire May 2009 (33), originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

We're heading up to Yorkshire tonight. My cousin Tash is getting married to Ian at Fountains Abbey tomorrow. The last wedding of the year...phew! Don't get me wrong - we've loved travelling to and attending each wedding but we feel like we've been living out of a suitcase for sometime! No more big travels for this year now which means that we'll be spending some quieter weekends at home cleaning, putting the garden to bed for the winter and most of all...quality time together!

Anyway, we're looking forward to seeing a few of the family tomorrow and celebrating Tash and Ian's marriage in true Wolstenholme style.
While we're up in Yorkshire we're going to squeeze in a quick visit to see Nanna in Whitby as well as spending time with our dear friend Kim who is probably being shipped back to the USA shortly which will mean no more Betty's visits :((!

Nicole and Vince's Wedding

Nicole and Vince Wedding 300809 226, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

The highlight of our trip to Canada was attending Nicole and Vince's beautiful wedding in Collingwood, Ontario. Nicole and I were roommates in college and have been good friends for some 15 years! She travelled to sing in both my weddings and has the voice of an angel. We were so honoured to be invited to participate in her beautiful wedding to Vince. My good friend Dawn and I were ushers and also made a speech at the reception.

The whole weekend was a barrel of laughs from start to finish from the pig roast on Friday night, wedding rehearsal and BBQ to the amazing wedding day. It was also great to catch up with friends we had not seen for years.

We awoke to torrential rain on the wedding day and as the ceremony was to be outside we were understandably concerned. Dawn and I were supposed to decorate the wedding arbour with lots of tulle. The ceremony was due to take place in a little cove by the lake and surrounded by lots of flowers and a lane of willow trees. However, we had to make the decision to hold the ceremony indoors when the rain didn't stop. But it didn't dampen our spirits in the slightest and it was a beautiful ceremony performed by a fantastic minister - one of the most moving I've been to.

Then we got down to the partay! Great fun was had by all and I also enjoyed following the pro photographer around and taking pics - the new camera is a hit! I'm a firm Nikon convert now. It was especially lovely to feel a part of two lovely families with a real sense of warmth and love.

The next day we began our long journey home and really didn't want to leave it all behind. Our visit to Canada was all too short and I hope we will be back again one day. It's a great country with a total appreciation of diversity in all forms. Folks are so very friendly!

Canada Trip

Niagara Falls, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

It seems ages since we blogged but we've been busy! Towards the end of August we headed over to Canada for 8 days in the Toronto region. It was a trip combining visits with family and friends and taking part in the wedding of Miranda's dear college friend..Nicole. We had a fantastic time seeing abit of Toronto and doing the touristy CN Tower - my that was high! Matt even spotted the Aon Toronto office from the top - never too far away from work!

We also spent two special nights in Niagara on the Lake where we visited Wolsteholme cousins Ning and Nick and also met Sarah and the latest addition to the Canadian Wolstenholme clan...little Kai. He was such a cutie! It was particularly nice to be able to spend some time with Ning and Nick and we were so grateful for all their help with the trip. Niagara on the Lake is a simply gorgeous old town which was the staging post for the 1812 war and Fort George (The British side of the river) can still be explored today with the Union Jack flag flying high above. The area is surrounded by over 100 vineyards, and also lots of farms producing delicious peaches, pears, cherries and other fruit and veg. It's a gorgeous area. Winston Churchill called the road leading from Niagara on the Lake to the Falls, the most beautiful drive in the world.

Before leaving the area we did the obligatory boat under Niagara Falls which was hilarous as we all got soaked to the skin despite the blue covers! The Falls are magnificent though and well worth viewing from the Canadian side where you can see more.

The final part of our trip was a long weekend in the Collingwood (on Georgian Bay) area which was a packed few days with the wedding and various events.

The Jeans!

_MG_5807, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Three years ago I purchased a pair of really lovely blue jeans but have never been able to get into them comfortably...until now! Feel's great! Last week I lost half a stone and this week I maintained. That's always the way with my weight loss journey - I'll have a big loss and then little or nothing the following week. That said, maintaining the weight after not really behaving all weekend was pretty good!

We went down to Dorset on Sunday for a brief visit with Granny Tarver who is in hospital after a fall. At 98 she's a tough old thing and holding up okay! On our way back we made a brief stop in the New Forest to look at some of the wild ponies and check out the famous Rufus Stone.

Busy week at the moment. We have our last few days with the Paver girls staying with us and then we're off to Canada on Sunday for just over a week. We'll be visiting family, friends and taking part in the wedding of my dear college friend Nicole! Can't wait!

Fudge

Fudge, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Wonder Woman!

Wonder Woman...aka, my mother, has just returned from nearly a month galavanting around the Canadian and Montana wilderness! What a woman! Look at what she got up to....

Traditional Breton dancing!

Traditional Breton dancing!, originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

Demonstrated by Alice and her relatives at the wedding!

All the Prin gang at the wedding!

Alice & Vincent's Wedding weekend

_MG_4362,
originally uploaded by Miranda Ash2006.

After a few days in the Dordogne we headed up to the Brittany coast to a little town called Lamor-Plage to attend the wedding of our good friends Alice and Vincent. Alice and Miranda went to university together in the USA and have kept in touch ever since. Now that they live in Dunquerque we have no excuse not to visit each other with abit of channel hopping!

It was great to catch up with so many university friends and spend a few days together partying and exploring the magnificent beaches. Alice's family were just wonderful - so hospitable and loving and they really went out of their way to make sure all the out of town guests were well cared for.

The wedding was beautiful, charming and understated. The reception was amazing! We had a delicious 7 course meal with entertainment and dancing in between each course. Family and friends got up to perform and extend their congratulations to the happy couple. LOTs of traditional dancing mixed with abit of disco and even more laughing. We had a great evening and partied well into the early hours. I think we made it to bed just before 4am. We were up again the next morning ready to party again over a long lingering lunch, more dancing followed by a trip to the beach and a beach party with chinese lanterns and fireworks after dark. It was sad to say goodbye after such a fantastic time.

Hope to return to the area again one day to explore more of the stunning coastline!