Holidays

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us here. 

August was our main holiday time in this small corner, and hubby, D, and I spent two very, very hot weeks cruising around parts of the Greek and Turkish coastlines and some of the islands. 

We joined the ship at Marmaris in Turkey, and after a day at sea, we arrived at the port of Piraeus in Greece. Hubby and I took a boat trip along the Corinth Canal.

This is a man-made canal that links the Aegean and Ionian seas. These photos were taken from the bridge that spans the canal, followed by a few we took while on a small boat sailing through this quite narrow gap.The bridge in the photos is also a favourite spot for bungy jumping. We did see someone doing this while we were there, but it was not an activity any of us fancied joining in with!

                                

D and her friend went on a different trip to the Greek capital, Athens. They visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

Next port of call was Souda, Crete. We visited the beautiful Monastery Of Agia Triada. It is also famous for extensive and well cared for crops of grapes and olive trees.  

Our visit also included a little wine tasting which was most enjoyable! 😀

A few more views as we were driven back to the cruise ship.

We have visited Santorini several times, and it really is a beautiful and picturesque place. The bluest of seas and white-painted buildings scatter the coastline.

Next stop was Kusadasi, Turkey. D and her friend visited Ephesus to see the ancient ruins of the Library of Celsus. 

Hubby and I wandered around a Turkish shopping area, which was quite an experience. Unfortunately, we couldn't fit a beautiful Turkish rug in our suitcases. We did, however, sample the delights of Turkish coffee. It was lovely.

Another place we visited was Istanbul, Turkey. While the girls took a leisurely boat trip, hubby visited the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. He ended the day with a walk in a spice market, Turkish style.

This large ancient amphitheatre is in Bodrum, Turkey and is still used today for concerts and shows.

The remains of these windmills, high on the hillside of Bodrum, are a reminder of their use in the past to grind grain.

Rhodes was our last port of call on this holiday. Such a beautiful place to visit.

We were very glad of the shade here. The steps led up to the remains of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

A view from the top of the hill at the monastery

A beautiful avenue leading up to the monastery

An inner courtyard at the monastery

And we met some of the local wildlife.

Lastly, a view over Rhodes harbour. 

We saw some unforgettable sunsets on board the ship every evening and have many memories to treasure of this year's summer holiday.

The newlyweds are also back from a three-and-a-half-week honeymoon, having visited Borneo, Bali, Singapore, and a few other places. We look forward to sharing the wedding and some places they visited next week.

Until then, have a good week.

B and D x 

A Very Special August

Hello and welcome back to 'Our small corner'.

Thank you for all your lovely messages while we were away. We enjoyed reading all of them. 

Now we are back after a very whirlwind month of events during August—back to reality with many happy memories of weddings, birthdays, and holidays in the sun to share with you. 

This last week, the washing machine has been working nonstop to sort out all the returning washing. Fortunately, it has been beautifully dry weather, and the washing lines have been full.

We are still sorting out photos of the wedding and eagerly awaiting the newlyweds' return from their Honeymoon in Borneo, Bali, and Singapore. What adventures will they have to tell us?

While they were away on a very exotic trip, we enjoyed cruising around parts of the Greek and Turkish coastlines and islands—there was plenty of sun, sea, and sites for us to see.

There will be lots of photos over the next few weeks.

August is always a busy month here, with three close family members celebrating their special day. This year, Hubby turned 65, and D had her birthday during the cruise. Our son was also celebrating his birthday while on Honeymoon. From next year, we will be adding an anniversary to the August celebrations!

We hope you have all had a good month while we have been away. We are looking forward to catching up on all your news. 

Have a lovely week, everyone.

Beverley and D.

XX

Wedding and Summer Holiday

Hello everyone. 

D and I will take a break for the rest of August with the family wedding in a few days, followed by our summer holiday abroad. 

We will return in September with many photos and ready to share this special time with you.

Whether you are going away yourselves or having a staycation, have fun.

Thinking of you

B and D xx

First Week of the School Holidays

Hello everyone. 

D and I have had a busy and fun-filled first week of the school holidays. 

Last weekend, we went to a local garden centre and enjoyed a lovely cream tea. Hubby and I prefer a fruit scone, and D had a plain one. 

Early in the week, D and I went into Birmingham City Centre for a little retail therapy and girlie day. We both had a great time and came home with several bags of goodies. We must do this more often together. 

On Wednesday, D spent some time with a friend. They went bowling, which was followed shortly afterwards by a lovely meal. 

Of course, no holiday would be complete without at least one of D's amazing cakes.

This one was a Red Velvet cake made using our new kitchen mixer. D is still thrilled with the new gadget, so we will be looking forward to even more baked goodies in the future!

It is only a few more weeks until our son's wedding, and while the happy couple is making their final preparations, I have been working on another cross-stitch. Although I am taking my time with it, I plan to have it finished and framed when they return from their honeymoon.

The weather forecast for the week ahead is likely warm and sunny in this small corner, so D and I may relax outside with a drink or two.

Wishing you all a good weather week!

B and D x

Flower Sunshine

Hello, everyone, and welcome to this small corner.

This week marks the start of the Summer holidays for schools in England, and D is very much looking forward to the next six weeks. We have some lovely things planned for the holiday, including a family wedding and other holidays.

Also, the sun has been out this week. It was very hot for two days, but it was enjoyable all the same. The forecast suggests that there will be more dry and sunny days ahead, so D and I are sharing some flower sunshine with you all. 

I finished the little scissor-keeper this week. It was hard work on the eyes at times, and a magnifying glass will be on my next present list. However, I was pleased with the result and now my embroidery scissors should be easier to find :-)

Both D and I hope the weather is kind to you wherever you are in the world and you have a good week. 

Take care

B and D xx

Days Of One Week

Hello everyone!

Moments after we posted last week's blog (Sunday, July 7th), D stumbled upon the fact that day was also National Chocolate Day. Needless to say, we were both slightly disappointed that we missed it this year.

However, upon further investigation, we discovered two websites that encouraged us to disappear down a year-long celebratory rabbit hole of international, national, and special days and months. We have had a fun week with some of these events.

MONDAY

After missing out on yesterday's chocolate indulgence, D and I were pleased to see that there was also National Chocolate with Almonds Day! Unfortunately, we couldn't find chocolate with almonds on our shopping trip, so we satisfied ourselves with some that had other nuts.

A late contender for the day was National Raspberry Day. Although my raspberries could be doing better in the garden this year, some ice cream with a homemade raspberry sauce was very delicious.

Finally, something that took me a little out of my comfort zone was National Video Games Day. I do have a few simple games on my phone, but D encouraged me to try her Nintendo Switch and play one of her games under instruction. It was great fun, and we had a happy time together.

TUESDAY

This was a more relaxed day as we celebrated National Sugar Cookie Day. It was a simple recipe, and D added a little decoration. She bought the cookie cutter last year and it was her first time using it. We all enjoyed eating the cookies when they had been baked.

WEDNESDAY

We had a lot of fun on Wednesday bringing out our old teddies for a picnic. It was Teddy Bear Picnic Day! All the bears have special meanings for us, so it was nice to share the day with them.

After we had put the tired bears to bed, it was drink time for the adults. Pina Colada day, anyone? Unfortunately, we didn't quite have this beverage in the cupboard, but we did have some Malibu, which was a good substitute. We're loving this week.

It was also National Kitten Day. I asked my son for a few photos of his young furry friends and added more of the kittens they have fostered this year. I have posted about fostering kittens and cats before, so it is good to have a day to remember the work that cat sanctuaries and foster homes do to find forever homes for these lovely animals. 

 

THURSDAY

As the weekend approached, D celebrated National Swimming Pool Day by taking a dip at her local pool. She came home feeling relaxed and ready to join in another fun celebration. This time, it was to share Blueberry muffins on their day of recognition. 

FRIDAY

Anyone for jelly and ice cream?

It was National Jello/Jelly Day on Friday. I haven't made jelly since the children were school-age, and we all enjoyed the wibbly, wobbly delights of this treat. Happy memories. 

Along with jelly, it was also the turn of the humble French fries to take centre stage—fish and fries for tea.

SATURDAY

This was more of a crafting day for International Rock Day. We wandered around the garden, picked a few large pebbles, and bought them inside. We then decorated them with flowers, and they will make good paperweights now. 

           

AND FINALLY, IT'S SUNDAY

D made her own mac 'n' cheese for lunch. It was very filling but so delicious: A national day we will celebrate again soon.

Finally, just for a bit of fun, did you know today is National Tape Measure Day?!  Neither did we. So, in honour of this little-known day, we looked for a variety of measuring equipment. Some are traditional measures, old and new, a wooden folding one that belonged to my dad, and a very long measure for use outside.

We have had so much fun this week and will certainly join in with more of these events in the future. Here is the address of the rabbit hole we tumbled down this week: Days of the Year

Have a great week everyone. I shall try and get that cross-stitch finished this week and avoid any new rabbit holes 😂