| Our Miniature plum tree has begun to blossom. |
Is There Any More Tea In That Pot?
Everyday events in the life of a tea lover.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
March 28th 2012. 5.20pm. 21C outside. Another glorious day!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Tuesday 27th March 2012. 7.08pm. 16C!
| 5.00pm Tuesday 27th March. |
Here's a quote from one of my favourite poems
April Rise. by Laurie Lee
Blown bubble-film of blue, the sky wraps round
Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance,
If ever world were blessed, now it is.
Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.
If ever I heard blessing it is there
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.
| Early evening light. |
| Spring is springing! |
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance,
If ever world were blessed, now it is.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Spring is officially here. The clocks have been moved forward one hour. March 25th 2012
Well it really feels like spring this past few days. Yesterday, the 24th March, we were at the home of one of our friend's in the afternoon. There is this magnificent magnolia tree in full bloom.
As it was around 19C we all sat outside in the garden. Our friend's daughter was having a fund-raising event, and as people came and went, eating the lovely cakes and downing tea, coffee and various assortments of soft drinks, it was more like a summer Garden Party. We all sat outside.
The forsythia next door to our house, is a glorious bright yellow, and as we have not had much rain lately, it has not been spoiled by having it's blooms battered about! In fact it still feels like early summer today. Makes everyone more relaxed and shed the winter layers of clothing, to don the lighter weight attire of warmer days and longer evenings.As I write this the clock is striking seven, and the sun is still shining outdoors. British Summer Time officially began when the whole nation altered it's clocks last night.
To quote the old saying: "Spring forward
Fall back."..........
to help us remember to put them on one hour in Spring and back an hour in the Autumn.
Priceless!
Good day all round.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
March 1st 2012
| 7.30am. Morning mist clearing after frost. |
| Promise of a spring like day as the sun climbs the sky! |
Averaging around 27C - 28C was comfortable.
The evenings, although cooler, meant we could eat dinner outside on the patio. A welcome change from the cold of February.
A relative, who had been out there to visit over Christmas, described Dubai as rather like Las Vegas on steroids!
Not a bad description! Having been dubious about what to expect, it not being our usual type of destination, I found it really interesting.
So, now we are back home, and the birds are singing their spring songs, and busy nest building, I must confess,
East, West, home's best!
| Fountain display. Mall of the Emirates 29C |
Time to go out there and enjoy the novelty of a sunny day!
Monday, 6 February 2012
Today marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. 60 years on the throne.
A special day today.
It marks the 60th Anniversary of our present Queen's Accession to the throne, on the death of her father, George VI, in 1952.
60 photos, one for each year of her reign, are now on display in Windsor Castle.
Click the link to see a sample.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-16859661
And here are just a few more......................................
I quote from the BBC News website then this morning:
"The Queen, 85, usually spends Accession Day - the day her father, George VI, died in 1952 - privately but this year has two engagements in Norfolk.This year's anniversary will be marked by visits to King's Lynn Town Hall and the nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School.Crowds are expected to gather to greet the Queen, despite the cold weather.Two official photographs were released, and a 41-gun salute will be held in Hyde Park, London, followed by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.In a message, she also said she felt "deeply moved" by the support shown for her Diamond Jubilee.It will be marked by several events, with the main celebrations in June.
God Save the Queen!! Salve Regina!!!
It marks the 60th Anniversary of our present Queen's Accession to the throne, on the death of her father, George VI, in 1952.
60 photos, one for each year of her reign, are now on display in Windsor Castle.
Click the link to see a sample.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-16859661
And here are just a few more......................................
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| Golden Jubilee. |
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| The State opening of Parliament. |
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| Inspecting flowers after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales |
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| Returning home from Kenya on the death of her father, George VI. |
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| Coronation Day. 1953 |
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| The two Queen Elizabeth's. |
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| Wedding day. |
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| Her engagement to Prince Philip. |
"The Queen, 85, usually spends Accession Day - the day her father, George VI, died in 1952 - privately but this year has two engagements in Norfolk.This year's anniversary will be marked by visits to King's Lynn Town Hall and the nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School.Crowds are expected to gather to greet the Queen, despite the cold weather.Two official photographs were released, and a 41-gun salute will be held in Hyde Park, London, followed by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.In a message, she also said she felt "deeply moved" by the support shown for her Diamond Jubilee.It will be marked by several events, with the main celebrations in June.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has seen 11 UK prime ministers come and go, with David Cameron her 12th.Mr Cameron praised the "magnificent service" given by the Queen and called her a "source of wisdom and continuity"."With experience, dignity and quiet authority she has guided and united our nation and the Commonwealth over six varied decades," he said.
One former Prime Minister, John Major, reflected on the counsel of the Queen and the many private meetings he had with her during his premiership during an interview on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. He said: "Most of the present cabinet weren't born when the Queen became monarch. So there's very little she hasn't seen, very little she doesn't understand. And anyone who doesn't listen to her view and consult her when necessary is missing a huge opportunity."
Meanwhile, Sir John has formally launched the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to help those in need across the Commonwealth.He will chair the grant-making body, which will focus on areas such as fighting curable diseases and the promotion of education and culture.
A set of six 1st class definitive stamps, all of which feature official portraits of the Queen, are also being issued to mark the monarch's milestone.Moya Greene, Royal Mail's chief executive, said: "The Queen's image is one of the most recognisable in the world and we are delighted to bring these iconic images together to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession."
The Diamond Jubilee Miniature Sheet marks the first occasion on which official images of the monarch, sourced from stamps, coins and banknotes, have been brought together for a stamp issue.
Events planned to take place during the summer include the Queen leading a flotilla of a thousand boats along the Thames and a chain of beacons being lit across the country.The Queen's 60 years as monarch are set to be marked by a series of regional, national and international events during 2012, culminating in a four-day long UK Bank Holiday weekend in June.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also intend to travel as widely as possible across the UK.
Other members of the Royal Family will visit the 15 other countries where the Queen is head of state, as well as some other Commonwealth countries.
In her message to mark the anniversary, the Queen said: "I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.
"In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth."
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Saturday, 4 February 2012
They were right! It is snowing. 5.30pm 4th February 2012
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