We too have been very busy since Christmas. Sadly we can't produce lovely photos to show off all we've done, but you'll have to make do with the descriptions.
Our Father gave himself a few time limits for the outstanding jobs......
End of march 2008 Greenhouse
End of march 2008 All internal cupboard doors
End of summer 2008 Music room upper part completed and integrated into lower part.
So at March 4th 2008 what have we achieved?
Base of greenhouse and back and side block walls set. Front and back frame built. Old windows sorted into what will go where.
Foundations for most of the raised flower beds dug and some have concrete base in them. Mum of all is going to learn to be a brickie and will be building these herself. Hope they will be strong enough to survive the weight of soil inside them.
Internally, we rebuilt the cupboard to left of sink and made a space for microwave and put our Finnish bought drainers in the next bit for the new crockery to be stored in. However, there are no more cupboard doors, because the cathedral asked our father to build a wooden screen for their entrance barrier. This has involved a lot of designing and re-designing and is really very clever. If the router hadn't given up the ghost the other morning, the job would be nearly finished. This time round, Our Father will get paid for his work.
Hopefully, the two weeks at Easter will allow large achievements.
BBil and Big little Sis have had their share of excitement, having installed a Wind Turbine, which has sadly managed to burn out its inverter. So they are hoping this is only teething troubles as the electric Aga is coming soon.
Its wonderful to watch spring coming and to see the birds starting to nest in the new nesting boxes. I spend hours watching their antics.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Our Parents aren't in Cork Part 2
Well actually we're now back in Cork, but we had a second week away, in Norway.
Had very good instructions from VL to get train from Oslo Airport to Skoppum, where VL met us at 8p.m. on 27th.
Were delighted to be back at No 86 and to see Mrs VL (plus tiny lump) peg and the 5 cats.
It was not snowy, and only just freezing, so we were able to enjoy the outdoors. Spent a good while helping to stock up the woodpiles. Had the satisfaction of disposing of a huge pile of large logs and planks which are now neatly stacked ready for next year or the year after. Actually, we got the job done just as the snow started, so were delighted with oursleves. Also one more garage door was hung, but time and the light ran out on the second. Maybe, by now it is done.
Other smaller jobs on the famous blackboard were also completed, so great satisfaction all round.
We had a lovely day in Sofiemyer with Mrs VL's Mum and Dad. The highlight was the playing of Christmas music on the piano accordian accompanied by the piano. Also walking around the subburb and looking at all the decorations. The Norwegians really do Christmas in style.
Needless to say, every meal was a an adventure, and we tried our hand too at a little bit of cordonbleu. The chocolate mousse was delicious, but very sinful.
New Year's Evening we had special food, played a Scrabbled based game and then went outside to let off four little fireworks, ten sparklers and to enjoy all the displays around us. Auld Lang Syne was not up to its usual standard, but we did our best. It was all very atmospheric (and cold)!
By the end of our days at No 86, we were planning the summer and a family holiday. Hopefully, this will happen and we will yet again be in the land of the midnight sun, and able to go outside without having to get dressed up for the cold.
We spent our last day in Norway in Sandefjord and saw the shops and the train station and the fjord. All too soon it was time to return to Cork and to normality. We have very happy memories of our lovely time over the Christmas/New year and thank our lovely dils for making us so welcome and at home.
Had very good instructions from VL to get train from Oslo Airport to Skoppum, where VL met us at 8p.m. on 27th.
Were delighted to be back at No 86 and to see Mrs VL (plus tiny lump) peg and the 5 cats.
It was not snowy, and only just freezing, so we were able to enjoy the outdoors. Spent a good while helping to stock up the woodpiles. Had the satisfaction of disposing of a huge pile of large logs and planks which are now neatly stacked ready for next year or the year after. Actually, we got the job done just as the snow started, so were delighted with oursleves. Also one more garage door was hung, but time and the light ran out on the second. Maybe, by now it is done.
Other smaller jobs on the famous blackboard were also completed, so great satisfaction all round.
We had a lovely day in Sofiemyer with Mrs VL's Mum and Dad. The highlight was the playing of Christmas music on the piano accordian accompanied by the piano. Also walking around the subburb and looking at all the decorations. The Norwegians really do Christmas in style.
Needless to say, every meal was a an adventure, and we tried our hand too at a little bit of cordonbleu. The chocolate mousse was delicious, but very sinful.
New Year's Evening we had special food, played a Scrabbled based game and then went outside to let off four little fireworks, ten sparklers and to enjoy all the displays around us. Auld Lang Syne was not up to its usual standard, but we did our best. It was all very atmospheric (and cold)!
By the end of our days at No 86, we were planning the summer and a family holiday. Hopefully, this will happen and we will yet again be in the land of the midnight sun, and able to go outside without having to get dressed up for the cold.
We spent our last day in Norway in Sandefjord and saw the shops and the train station and the fjord. All too soon it was time to return to Cork and to normality. We have very happy memories of our lovely time over the Christmas/New year and thank our lovely dils for making us so welcome and at home.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Our Parents Aren't in Cork at present. Part 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS.
Our Parents have been globetrotting AGAIN! On December 20th, we left Cork and flew to Helsinki via Dublin. Spent very short night in Cumulus Hotel getting up at 3.30a.m. irish time to fly on to Kuopio and see for ourselves how life in a northern land is.
Had a wonderful time thanks to the care that toco and Mrs toco took of us.
Highlights were:-
Surprise visit from Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. Came by Honda Civic. Reindeers and sleighs being in short supply this year.
(Pilot on airplane had announced that there was an exclusion zone within 500 miles of artic circle- Santa had flying rights).
Spending lots if time with our granddaughters, visiting the Christmas show at the Byvvakotti(Nursery school), playing all sorts of games, making gingerbread biscuits, going for walks on ice (our father did a lot of involuntary skating) helping them at the local playground, talking to No. 2 in English and being delighted when she replied.
For our Father, the chance to play 5 organs in 11/2 hours in the Sibelius Academy.
The visit to Jyvaskyla and meeting his summer recital organ in a WARM church. He nearly got locked in when toco went to get a pizza for their lunch.
The wonderful and very different Christmas fare. Mrs toco and toco went to a lot of trouble for us.
We enjoyed the traditional saturday night sauna, followed by the even more traditional bottle of beer.....
Just seeing their lovely house and garden with the special features, baking oven that heated the whole house, the workshop, all toco's shelving, views of the woods from the windows.
Me shopping with Mrs toco and getting disorientated in the supermarket. Had two goes at finding her!
Going on Sunday to the Cathedral service and then seeing the 'Potato Masher' at the top of the hill and the ski slope and ski jump in use from the bottom.
Going to the family service on Christmas Eve and singing hymns in Finnish. Talking to another Finnish girl who had an English mil who refused to go to church because she wouldn't understand what was going on. I said that part of the interest for me was to try and follow and recognise bits of the service.
Our Father went to Church with toco on Stephen's Day and sang 17 hymns in Finnish. toco was in the choir.
Our six days in Finland flew by and we reluctantly left on 27th early in the morning. Flew to Helsinki and had the day reminding ourselves of our trip there in 1997. Did a little shopping, walked to the Winter Garden via the Rock Church, went back and had lunch in Stockman and then caught the bus back to the airport and flew late afternoon to Oslo.
Our Parents have been globetrotting AGAIN! On December 20th, we left Cork and flew to Helsinki via Dublin. Spent very short night in Cumulus Hotel getting up at 3.30a.m. irish time to fly on to Kuopio and see for ourselves how life in a northern land is.
Had a wonderful time thanks to the care that toco and Mrs toco took of us.
Highlights were:-
Surprise visit from Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. Came by Honda Civic. Reindeers and sleighs being in short supply this year.
(Pilot on airplane had announced that there was an exclusion zone within 500 miles of artic circle- Santa had flying rights).
Spending lots if time with our granddaughters, visiting the Christmas show at the Byvvakotti(Nursery school), playing all sorts of games, making gingerbread biscuits, going for walks on ice (our father did a lot of involuntary skating) helping them at the local playground, talking to No. 2 in English and being delighted when she replied.
For our Father, the chance to play 5 organs in 11/2 hours in the Sibelius Academy.
The visit to Jyvaskyla and meeting his summer recital organ in a WARM church. He nearly got locked in when toco went to get a pizza for their lunch.
The wonderful and very different Christmas fare. Mrs toco and toco went to a lot of trouble for us.
We enjoyed the traditional saturday night sauna, followed by the even more traditional bottle of beer.....
Just seeing their lovely house and garden with the special features, baking oven that heated the whole house, the workshop, all toco's shelving, views of the woods from the windows.
Me shopping with Mrs toco and getting disorientated in the supermarket. Had two goes at finding her!
Going on Sunday to the Cathedral service and then seeing the 'Potato Masher' at the top of the hill and the ski slope and ski jump in use from the bottom.
Going to the family service on Christmas Eve and singing hymns in Finnish. Talking to another Finnish girl who had an English mil who refused to go to church because she wouldn't understand what was going on. I said that part of the interest for me was to try and follow and recognise bits of the service.
Our Father went to Church with toco on Stephen's Day and sang 17 hymns in Finnish. toco was in the choir.
Our six days in Finland flew by and we reluctantly left on 27th early in the morning. Flew to Helsinki and had the day reminding ourselves of our trip there in 1997. Did a little shopping, walked to the Winter Garden via the Rock Church, went back and had lunch in Stockman and then caught the bus back to the airport and flew late afternoon to Oslo.
Friday, November 30, 2007
LIFE AFTER THE CATHEDRAL
It is 3 full months since I even saw this page on the computer. Life without the internet is hard work. But apart from that we are very, very happy in our new life in Beeston. It all seems to be working out grand.
The neighbours do their own thing and we do ours, mostly being away from home as our Father has still got a lot of work teaching the organ at the brand new very beautiful School of Music.
What a change for him - a warm room and all comforts on site.
You will be glad to know that gradually I am getting cupboard doors and other outstanding jobs in the house, but much more importantly, the music room upper part is being worked on now.
Also the garden. The aim is to have the green house up and running by March, so that we can start planting there-in. The front garden is totally set up. I even have a bird-bath to add to the bird-table and washing up takes for ever as I try not to move too quickly behind the window and disturb the birds. What joy!
Sunday mornings are amazing. Instead of being woken by the phone (So and so isn't able to come to service - got a cold, birthday party, granny visiting) we are woken by heavy footsteps on the stairs. Murphy has had enough of waiting patiently for his breakfast and a run.
So you now have a picture of our new life and how glad we are to be semi-retired.
The neighbours do their own thing and we do ours, mostly being away from home as our Father has still got a lot of work teaching the organ at the brand new very beautiful School of Music.
What a change for him - a warm room and all comforts on site.
You will be glad to know that gradually I am getting cupboard doors and other outstanding jobs in the house, but much more importantly, the music room upper part is being worked on now.
Also the garden. The aim is to have the green house up and running by March, so that we can start planting there-in. The front garden is totally set up. I even have a bird-bath to add to the bird-table and washing up takes for ever as I try not to move too quickly behind the window and disturb the birds. What joy!
Sunday mornings are amazing. Instead of being woken by the phone (So and so isn't able to come to service - got a cold, birthday party, granny visiting) we are woken by heavy footsteps on the stairs. Murphy has had enough of waiting patiently for his breakfast and a run.
So you now have a picture of our new life and how glad we are to be semi-retired.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
STILL MOVING
COUNTDOWN IS NOW ON. Today was Our Father's last Eucharist at the organ in Cathedral. Next weekend is the choir holiday in Kilkenny wuth the last Dean taking the service.- Magic.
Last Sunday lunch in house. All the beeston crowd plus bbil's mum came and then we did another fill of the trailer.
Big decision today. Get Skip On Wednesday.......
Thankfully new occupant of our house is not proud and will be glad of any furniture and appliances we don't need.
Most stuff has been assimilated in the new house. Music room is now full and Our Father plans to start the other half asap the dust has settled on the move.
Will be closing front door for the last time on Aug.31st.
Our Father and I feel positive about the move. Looking forward to living a less stressful life.
BTW. Right hand lawn is nearly weedfree and looking good. Original lawn is quite a mess and needs more attention.
Last Sunday lunch in house. All the beeston crowd plus bbil's mum came and then we did another fill of the trailer.
Big decision today. Get Skip On Wednesday.......
Thankfully new occupant of our house is not proud and will be glad of any furniture and appliances we don't need.
Most stuff has been assimilated in the new house. Music room is now full and Our Father plans to start the other half asap the dust has settled on the move.
Will be closing front door for the last time on Aug.31st.
Our Father and I feel positive about the move. Looking forward to living a less stressful life.
BTW. Right hand lawn is nearly weedfree and looking good. Original lawn is quite a mess and needs more attention.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
All Change
This weekend, the family has moved around the continent. Big Little sis has gone to Finland with No 2 and No 4. Hope they has a good time with TOCO, the Psycologist, the budding violinist and No 2. Already, there has been more discussion about saunas at Beeston.
Viking Long ship, plus 2 cats and companion, has gone to Sweden and cat show. See Norwegian wood for more...
Kid sister is no longer gone french. She returned home yesterday and is just the same. Her usual cheerful full of energy self. Our Father and I have got used to living alone and now we have to remember that she is here and can't lock the door for sure at night etc.
The walkway for the music barn is now under construction, but can't be completed until the railway is dismantled in the music room. This can't happen until the music exams have taken place next week, so its a waiting game.
Meanwhile the front garden at the East Wing is taking shape, but, very disappointingly more weeds than grass has grown on the lawn. I think VL's suggestion of turf was maybe a good one... Is this going to be another case of DIYA?
Just to report as a matter of great stupidity - The Cathedral had our Father's resignation letter, the end of Feb.. Ad has now gone into a couple of weekly papers. Deadline for entry, June 12th, Auditions week of June 26th. Takes your breath away! Apart form locals (present and ex assistants) who will have time to apply and come? TOCO told me to take no notice, but I just thought you'd be interested.
Viking Long ship, plus 2 cats and companion, has gone to Sweden and cat show. See Norwegian wood for more...
Kid sister is no longer gone french. She returned home yesterday and is just the same. Her usual cheerful full of energy self. Our Father and I have got used to living alone and now we have to remember that she is here and can't lock the door for sure at night etc.
The walkway for the music barn is now under construction, but can't be completed until the railway is dismantled in the music room. This can't happen until the music exams have taken place next week, so its a waiting game.
Meanwhile the front garden at the East Wing is taking shape, but, very disappointingly more weeds than grass has grown on the lawn. I think VL's suggestion of turf was maybe a good one... Is this going to be another case of DIYA?
Just to report as a matter of great stupidity - The Cathedral had our Father's resignation letter, the end of Feb.. Ad has now gone into a couple of weekly papers. Deadline for entry, June 12th, Auditions week of June 26th. Takes your breath away! Apart form locals (present and ex assistants) who will have time to apply and come? TOCO told me to take no notice, but I just thought you'd be interested.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
WILL HE GET BIG HEADED?
We have had a visit from London Son, right in the middle of term. It was an invitation from the old codger's choral society for a solo slot in their 'Summer Serenade' concert last night.
Our Father was persuaded to do end of year concert so that the choir didn't fizzle out. So we learnt a few part songs with great difficulty, mostly because we had a different choir each week.We also invited the chaiman's daughter to play her recorder solo to fill up the concert.
Any way, London Son (who incidentally is preparing for his final recital at Guildhall) came home on Wednesday and he and our Father looked at possible solos for the concert. The comment from Our Father after the practise was that he had been left behind. The comment from London Son was that Our Father is the only accompanist he has ever played with that can follow the solo line exactly whilst playing. So mutual admiration there.
At the concert, LS really shone. He was terrific. One is so proud of him. Can't begin to describe the variety of sounds and styles we were treated to. Like to think this will help him to give his final recital with greater confidence and polish. However, we won't tell him how good he was in case he gets a big head.
Next week kid sister will no longer be gone french. It will be strange to have her home.
As soon as the extra work load of CSM exams are over, Our Father will begin the balcony in the music shed. And then there is the GSP at the EW of BF when VL and MRS VL come at the end of June.
Our Father was persuaded to do end of year concert so that the choir didn't fizzle out. So we learnt a few part songs with great difficulty, mostly because we had a different choir each week.We also invited the chaiman's daughter to play her recorder solo to fill up the concert.
Any way, London Son (who incidentally is preparing for his final recital at Guildhall) came home on Wednesday and he and our Father looked at possible solos for the concert. The comment from Our Father after the practise was that he had been left behind. The comment from London Son was that Our Father is the only accompanist he has ever played with that can follow the solo line exactly whilst playing. So mutual admiration there.
At the concert, LS really shone. He was terrific. One is so proud of him. Can't begin to describe the variety of sounds and styles we were treated to. Like to think this will help him to give his final recital with greater confidence and polish. However, we won't tell him how good he was in case he gets a big head.
Next week kid sister will no longer be gone french. It will be strange to have her home.
As soon as the extra work load of CSM exams are over, Our Father will begin the balcony in the music shed. And then there is the GSP at the EW of BF when VL and MRS VL come at the end of June.
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