Yesterday (Sunday) it was our village country show. We always look forward to gping there, it is a chance to relax and see old friends.

 I asked my son if he would like to go there with me, but he didn't want to go out as it was getting too warm for him,  the heat made him feel very prickly and poorly because of his skin condition.

Hubby said he would like a walk with me, if we just take it steady and rest at regular intervals on a bench. (He is still waiting for an operation) so I was happy with that and agreed to take it carefully!

We set off late morning. I wore my old blue denim dress with white denim jacket, floppy white hat and white sandals. The weather was beautiful and very warm.

Coachloads of visitors had arrived from the  neighbouring villages and disembarked outside the park, as we passed the gate. There were  lots of  parents with children, who were  begging their parents to go on the carousel rides!

The park, was where the main events were taking place, lots of stalls, activities and food venues were easily found, although there were various other plsces too, where things happening, All within easy walking distance, nearby or on the Market Place.

The tannoy  system was announcing the upcoming programme of events for the day. Jolly Music was playing from loud speakers and people seemed cautiously optimistic, as they browsed and moved about between the stalls. We saw some people we know from our street and stopped to chat.

There was the announcement for the fun dog show, the vintage car race around the village road circuit, charity stalls selling cakes and home baking, the various traders selling their wares,  and roundabout rides for the children and a ride on a real fire engine!

After browsing the stalls I finally only bought a cream sponge cake, homemade scones from one of the stalls and we had an ice cream each. I was almost tempted to buy a hot dog but I managed to resist!

We finished walking the whole circuit of the park walking steadily around the park. From here we left the park, crossed over to cemetery lane, and onto the footpath leading out to the fields.

 The fields were full of golden wheat that would soon be ready to be harvested. Tractors were getting moving up and down in the top field. Unfortunately everything looked so dry, as there had not been any significant rainfall lately!

In one field were a flock of rare breed sheep, they looked hot,  but  I was glad to see their water trough was full of fresh clean water.
There were horses in the field, some ponies and some larger breeds. The next field had cows, mostly redish brown cows who were munching on the grass.

Many visitors were also walking, stretching their legs and strolling along the footpaths. Some were walking in the cool shelter of the lovely little woodland area,  others were sitting in the smaller park next to the cemetery, there they were having a snack or a drink.

Continuing our walk,  we passed the derelict farm building, and rested on the small broken wall for a few minutes. We had a drink of water from our water bottles, the weather was so warm and muggy, it was a little uncomfortable sitting under the sunshine.

Suddenly, as we continued walking there was a low rumbling noise, it was the sound of aeroplane engines, it was the fly past by the local RAF , of the old hurricanes and spitfire aeroplanes. The planes passed noisily right over our heads, as we waved they tilted from side to side and crissed crossed over each other before flying off, over to the big park to impress the crowds there!

When we reached the Maket place, we had unfortunately missed the end of the vintage car racing, they were just taking their last lap of honour, around the circuit of the Market place. A pity we missed it but we did see them last year, but sometimes there are some novelties! We stood and watched them all drive away back onto the main road and disappear out of the village.

We sat for a while enjoying the quietness of the empty Market place, after all the visitors had now left. Steadily we made our way home, passing the church on the corner of our street By this time we were both tired and ready for a cup of tea 🍵🍵🍰 and a slice of that home made cake we had bought earlier at the show! 

☀️🐑🐴🐎🐩🐕‍🦺🐂🚒🛩🚜🚙🎪🎠🎡👨‍🦯🚶‍♀️

As I looked out of the window of my room, the sun was rising on the horizon, casting its fiery beams across the sparkling sea.

From the open window, came the sound of the waves hitting the shore and retreating again, the sound reminds me of the breathing of the earth. It calms me.  I sit there motionless on the large window ledge, my legs dangling over,  listening and watching this sunny scene, unfolding before me just like a play.

Slowly figures start to appear walking across the sand, sandalled, suntaned,  sunglasses on, smiling. Looking happy, pleased to get away, away from it all, from all thar pollution, the politics, the propaganda, and the mundane dances, we all have to perform in life.

To be set free like caged birds being released at last,  to fly up and away into the saphire blue sky. I feel their pain and their pleasure, as if it was my very own.

I drank my cup of coffee and ate my toast with marmalade. No one can see me from up here,  far away in my ivory tower, my rented sea side appartment, where I watch the bathers as they begin racing each other, joyously towards the sea. 

I feel their joy and exhilaration as they throw themselves headlong, up against the strong, powerful, foaming waves, feeling their bodies vibrate with glee, as they close their eyes tightly against the salty sea spray.

The swimmers swim strongly against the waves,enjoying the feeling of being lifted up high then being pulled along by the changing currents, this reminded me of life, about being tossed about by difficult life circumstances we often have to face.

 We wonder if we can survive and if God will ever help us?

Their heads could barely be seen now,  bobbing about somewhere between the waves as they  disappear and reappear again.

At last they have reached the far side of the bay, where they emerge, safe wet, sandy and goose pimpled from the water. Here they race each other once more onto the beach, only to collapse exhausted onto the soft golden sand, laughing and lolling about!

I remembered that I used to do the same thing everyday myself once, when I was much younger, on holiday beside the sea so many moons ago!
🌊🌊🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️

This summer I have a few activities planned, but mostly resting after that last module which was french L332. Which I found very interesting, challenging and most enlightening!

Activities coming up! first of all, there is the swinging 1960s music day event on in the centre of my village, where the street will be transformed back to 1960s style. This should be lots of fun!  lots of rock n roll dancing at one end and  ' cool hippy music'  on the other end with beads and flowers, mini cars and camper vans. Everyone is welcome to dress up in 60s clothes!

Secoundly, I have put myself down as a library volunteer, for just one day a week over the holiday month. Volunteered also for local litter picking and community gardening project (if I am available? this all depends on when hubbys operation takes place)

 Thirdly,  a  planned coach trip to a nearby beach, this year all the Bus fares have been reduced. Hurray!
This is a great new initiiative to encourage people to leave the car at home and travel by bus and so reduce carbon emissions.

Then there is the usual "Country show' in the large field in our village. This has displays and activities for all the family. I only hope the entry fee is not too expensive!

Next,  A river trip on a boat  with some friends in the city. There will be river cruises  and other activities but  I hope I will be careful and not be tempted to spend too much money while I am there!
Bus fares will also be reduced.

A Free open air Music concert for the young people in the villages in the evenings. A lot of local groups so some young new musical talents. Might just pop along to see that one especially as it is free!

I must say Well done and a big  'thank you! ' to the local councils and the bus companies involved, for reducing bus fares over summer holidays!

So it  looks like it will be a very busy, fun- packed summer!

A lot of people are struggling in this country at the moment.There are a lot of people using foodbanks in my street, because many  people are now finding it difficult to pay their mortgages and feed their families, with mortgage rates going up as well as food prices increasing and energy costs becoming more expensive. Life is hard in Post Brexit Britain 2023!

It is not just the working classes,  but also the middle classes too, who are feeling the pinch.  Many people who made food bank donations are now themselves battling to make ends meet.

Food prices are rising at their fastest rate for 45 years and this has really affected donations.

Among those who need help now, include  families with working parents, even some who are working two or three jobs.

Month after month - less food is coming in to the warehouse from the public in many places.
At the same time, the number of people actually using food banks are increasing.

Food banks are having to buy groceries at higher prices because donations are falling off and cannot meet the demand from families in need.

"Soaring food costs mean prices will remain higher for longer," the Bank of England warned, as it raised interest rates for the 12th time in a row.(bbc news)

 However,  the economists say they do not think supermarkets and other grocers were charging customers more than they should. ?

Retailers were able to explain the main drivers of food inflation, including high labour costs, energy prices, and manufacturing costs," it said.

By raising rates, the Bank expects people to have less money to spend and buy fewer things, which should help stop prices rising as quickly. Let's hope this will be the case, at the moment it isn't changing quickly,  but it seems there may be a time lag first before this eventually  happens.

In the meantime this causing a great deal of anxiety and hurt ☹ for families up and down the country. I think without the foodbanks most people would be left completely destitute.

Thank God 👍 for foodbanks and for all those wonderful volunteers, and people who work for them.

Thank you to all the churches, charities, the givers and 🙏the community centres, who are working hard and providing help for the people in their communities! 

Je travaille toujours sur mon projet de jardinage mais je devrai peut-être prendre du recul. J'ai également dû solliciter l'aide d'amis et de membres de ma famille pour m'aider.

Mon mari a pris un mauvais tournant en ce qui concerne sa santé avec sa hernie (qu'il a depuis environ 7 ans) et il va maintenant être envoyé à Cambridge pour voir un consultant.

Il y a eu une série de catastrophes avec le NHS, y compris le moment où mon mari qui devait subir une opération, a été placé dans une pièce et complètement oublié. Puis ils l'ont renvoyé chez lui Sans même avoir été opéré !

Depuis lors, sa santé a décliné avec d'autres complications. NHS fait de son mieux mais il est sous-financé et le moral est bas. De plus en plus de fiducies privées doivent combler les lacunes pour soutenir le NHS.

Cette semaine, nous voyageons à Cambridge, un ami a gentiment accepté de nous y conduire pour voir un consultant, j'espère que ce sera un résultat favorable.

Le NHS a toujours été un service merveilleux, nous avons toujours été fiers de notre NHS, mais malheureusement, il a été négligé par ceux qui étaient au pouvoir. Ce gouvernement doit prendre le NHS au sérieux et améliorer les conditions dans le NHS pour le personnel et les patients

After no mow May, I now look around in my back garden, and I realise it is time to do something with it, but where to begin?

There is strimming of the grass to do now of course,  but first removing all the dead wood,  fallen branches that have landed on the lawn. I can't remember where the grass strimmer actually is! It is possibly in the downstairs store cupboard hidden away behind all the old plant pots disused furniture and other junk!

Somewhere In the garden the bench has completely disappeared under some forget-me-nots, a crop of yellow flowers( not sure what they are!) and nettles galore!

I have a picture in my mind's eye of how I would like the garden to look like. Such as, the well trimmed tall trees surrounding  a well manicured  green elegant lawn, a few colourful flowers in pots dotted here and there. 

A bright green bench overlooking the lawn, french window and the patio area with picnic table and chairs, and a few well chosen tropical looking plants around. 

Then there is the shed area with my hideaway in the shade all tidied up with the paddling pool filled. Two white chairs under the overhanging trees at the far corner,  the little green flowing fountain, that badly needs cleaning, that is full of dead slimy leaves. Yuk! That is the reality!

Oh well with my EMA finished I now have no excuses!
So off I go! Lovely summer garden, here we come! But first maybe a glass of fizzy lemonade to get me started!

🌞🌳🌲🌼⚘🦋🐞⛲🏡

I was very pleased to see that "No Mow May" was being put into practise in my neighbourhood last month and It was a big success! Well done to our local councils!  and to everyone in our local communities who remembered to leave their grass to grow long! 

 It was well needed after a cold start to the spring, it gives the insect population a chance to grow, to thrive and so to provide a well balanced regeneration of the ecosystem.  I know it is tempting to cut the grass and keep the garden tidy,  but I just think of the environment and how much it will benefit from being allowed to regenerate and thrive for a month!  

I hope every year people will remember to observe this very important month and leave their grass to grow for the sake of the environments in which we are living.

Already nature is benefitting from this important action, as we see more butterflies and other insects,  also more birds are appearing in the neighbourhoods and the nearby parks. Please lets keep up the good work!

🦋🦋🕷🦗🐛

I have submitted my final EMA assignment earlier than I had intended to because I really felt on the edge of a nervous breakdown!

I should have really checked it again one more time but I had a panic attack and sent it off.
I hope I did everything right that I should have done.
Well it is too late now I have submitted it! 

I have completed it and I did my best, but in the end I had to submit it as I was at my wits end with it all!

Good Luck to everyonetaking their EMAs!  👍

I am stuck on the synthese at the moment, it is so hard to think from a new angle on the subject. And write 800 words in french.

I have already put a lot into the these 800 words and anti these.800 words. Now I have to come up with another angle for the synthese. What do you write in a synthese? I will have to rack my brains for this one but this will be leading up to the conclusion.250,-300 words but I am going to be cutting it fine !
I have put on about 2 stone this year I think! 

 I also fell over after tripping up on the garden path the other day and I have a bursititis on my knee which is painful and sore. Apart from that I'm ok. Just feeling very nervous.

Looking forward to going out for a long walk after this week is over for my morale, and sanity!  maybe a trip to the beach if I am lucky!

I can't wait to finish my degree! The studies were very difficult this year (but very interesting too!) with a steep learning curve. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life! I don't know if I will ever manage to pass or not,  but feeling quietly confident, anyway I will give it my best shot!

The weather has been dull lately with only the occasional dry sunny spell. Since the weekend I have been battling away all the time at my dissertation! The EMA came so quickly after TMA4, that I hardly had time to prepare for it, and not only that,  but I changed my mind so many times about the topic!

 Anyway I chose AI, Artificial Intelligence for my final EMA because I think there is a lot to write on that subject. I have now wrote the introduction, the these and at the moment I am writing the anti- these (all in the french language of course.)

I feel so tired and overwhelmed,  but I am determined to finish
this dissertation. I just have to keep on going until the end! 🤪

J'ai toujours aimé la cuisine française! 🥐🥖
🍄🍅🧅🍆🥒 🍷🥞

J'ai décidé que j'aimerais étudier la langue française lorsque mon mari m'a dit de commander notre repas en français dans un restaurant, pendant nos vacances.🏖 ⛲🌄

Je ne connaissais qu'un peu de français à cette époque, pourtant j'ai commandé nos deux repas, desserts ainsi que les vins qui vont avec ! Après cela, j'ai été accro à la langue française.
🇨🇵 🗼
Pourquoi ne pas prendre un diplôme français? a-t-il dit.

Et voila je suis ici !

Le Cimetière

Aujourd'hui j'ai été me promener avec mon fils dans les environs. Nous avons visité le parc, Le cimetière, Les jolies ruelles bordées d'arbres et dans le petite ville avec ses petites  boutiques pittoresques. 

Nous avons remarqué que dans certains jardins, les gens n'ont pas coupé leur herbe car il est le mois  " il n'y a pas de coupe (l'herbe) en Mai,"  les gens y laissent l'herbe plus longtemps pour permettre aux insectes de prospérer et d'aider l'environnement.

Quelle merveilleuse

 idée !!

'La petite église Sainte-Marie'
Crois en Dieu et tu seras sauvé!
Obéir à la loi de Dieu  suivez le Christ.

Translation

'The little church of St Mary'

Believe in God and you will be Saved!

Obey Gods law, follow the Christ.

I was so pleased to recieve the results for my TMA 04.oral exam. Very happy with that !

I had been dreading this exam and really pushed myself hard with it. I never thought I could even do it because  I had no confidence.  Then just before, I had a moment of inspiration from listening to some of the audios and I found my 'french voice!'

Thank goodness for the audios that the Open University provides!

   🎙📼📚👩‍💻