My latest creations

	Die cut decoupage – I have one more to mount.
This was made at the last Derby Dabblers meeting on April 6th 2009
	This was made from a kit whilst away in my tourer at Chapel Lane Caravan Club site

A Day Out at Twycross Zoo

	We couldn’t have wished for a nicer day, the weather was lovely.  My daughter with my grandson
Cameron loved the animals but he adored these penguins who started to play with him, as he moved his hand this one followed it!!
	Samantha, Ash and Cameron. Cameron just loved all the ‘Monkeys’, elephant, well just everything
	Twycross Zoo had changed quite a bit since I last went which was when Matt and Samantha were small.
He loved it when Uncle Ash carried him on his shoulders

Saturday’s workshop at Ilkeston Arena

	My creations from the workshop.
I went along with Pam who was great company.  During lunch,  we visited Dragonflies on Station Road – a most friendly craft shop.  As soon as we walked through the door we were both offered a cup of coffee.  I will definitely be returning there.

Daisy and Dandelion

	My first piece of non die cut decoupage

My Best Friend Elaine who moved to OZ

Elaine and Mick moved to Oz from Derby just over 12 months ago and I miss Elaine loads.  We first met back in 1975 in the QARNNS when we were both students.  We got married on the same date in August same year too but to different blokes (which is just as well) but both in the RN – Elaine married Mick & I married Joe. We then went in different directions for a few years but then met up again in Derby in 1980/1 & have been friends ever since. Over the Years we have had much fun together.	Before they moved to Oz we spent some good holidays and weekends away Joe & I in our caravan and they in their camper van. In our younger days we spent many a wicked weekend in Blackpool camping – our main focus the Pleasure Beach as this was a time before place like Alton Towers existed!!!
	I thought I would post some recent pics Elaine sent to me via the internet   Elaine on her recent holiday to NZ with Mick at a Glacier at Milford Sound
Mick and Elaine at Timara NZ
	Mick and Elaine at Franz Josef Glacier NZ (there are some ant like structure in the background which Elaine says are actually people!!!
Waterfall at Milford Sound NZ

Chapel Lane CC Site at Wythall, Birmingham

	Our plot at Chapel Lane CC site – the weather was variable whilst we were there.
The start of our day trip into Birmingham. Joe on Earlswood Station the start of our journey.  Our trip was to visit the NT Back to Back Houses & Gas Street Basin
	Outside the Lock  Keepers Cottage Gas Street Basin
Gas Street Basin - Birmingham
	Inside the Lock Keepers Cottage for a cup of coffee
Inside the Lock Keepers Cottage for a beer!!
	Looking towards Brindley’s Place.  Were we had a great meal in the Home Made Burger place

Grandad

	Grandad and Emily
The Farm Markeaton  Park Cameron and Grandad       Photo’s taken March 2009

Eden Day Spa

Morning bloggers! Well Samantha and I spent a fantastic day at Eden Day Spa near Newark yesterday and what a fantastic day we had.  Joe bought me the day for my 2007 Christmas present. (It takes me a while to book these things) and Joe and I bought the day for Samantha’s  birthday2009.  We were originally going at the end of January but we had to re book it for yesterday.

We arrived at the crack of dawn – 08:20 hrs and stood in a queue with other keen like minded people until it opened at 08:30 hrs and were one of the last to leave!!!.  On arrival we had hot herbal tea and then breakfasted in a high ceilinged room that might have been a Chapel in a previous life.  There was a grand selection of fruits, croissants, warm rolls, cereal, yoghurts, nuts and berries cold meats, cheeses and copious amount of coffee and tea. 

We ‘spa’d’, swam, relaxed, hot tubbed.  The hot tubs were on a terrace outside (new since my last visit)

We had a three course lunch at 12 (well we were a little late as we lost track of time as I was relaxing and same was having her pedicure)  followed by coffee on the patio. 

Our therapies were booked for 14:00hrs so off we went and  had  Thalo facials and back massages, after treatment we went and relaxed in the ‘after treatment conservatory’.   The sun was blazing in and a gentle breeze kept  the temperature pleasant.   My facial was a birthday present from Samantha and Ash.   Ash bought Samantha her treatments for her 2009 birthday.

We then went off to do more ‘spa-ing’, swimming, relaxing and hot tubbing. 

At the end of the day we relaxing in the large conservatory with a flute of Champagne and handmade truffles.

We cannot wait to go again!!!!