It's Summer - Beano Summer Special 2025

We're into June which means we are officially into summer  that for most of us means mentally at least the whole off school summer holiday period and the memories of going away with your family year on year with all the rituals that involved such as getting new summer cloths for playing on the beach or camp to take with you.

 Back then comics as distinct from magazines often of a commercially exploitative nature ruled the roost so when we landed we made a beeline to the newsagent for some reading matter in case of rain and back then most comics also had summer specials in colour with more stories.

Today that's different so really it's the Beano summer special most go for in in 2025 we run very much the notion of everybody going on their holiday in Beanotown in much the same way that industrial areas the town shut down for a fixed period.

Thus the adventures feature all our comic heroes and heroines often working together to get out of situations in one big adventure and we love adventure don't we?

This year's is up to the usual high standard.

Gathering things to do during the rain

When this is being typed out, the hype around Euro 2024, the soccer competition, continues in the newspapers, streets and of course television.

Personally I've been enjoying the tennis, rain permitting, quite a bit this year as much as sports like hockey and baseball tend to be more my thing.
 

Other rain based things given just how wet much of last week, getting drenched going out the bins and that have included reading some stories by Enid Blyton such as a few recently acquired Noddy ones with all the adventures in Toytown and a couple of Brownies annuals.

 Now that's rather fun!

Other things being considering what to take with me when I go away with friends at the end of the month which may be more last minute given just how variable the weather has been so far this summer although a waterproof coat will be a must plus  kit for games.

Picnic time!

Despite the odds including the re-routing of a train that took it away from my nearest stations I did get away last week for the first event that although I'd looked forward to it on the past has not for various reasons not been held since around 2017.

Because of the train situation for me the day started the day before with getting a taxi from a company just a couple of miles away to the bigger of the two local rail stations which was going smoothly until a delayed train to Manchester resulted in platform change with just a minute and a half before it was due in!

From that point things were more straight forward as I arrived to meet a couple of people before we stopped enroute to pick up some food  - a mini fish and chips for me - to eat on arrival as it was evening and in any event I hadn't eaten since twelve o clock.

After music and chat it was time to curl up to bed.

Morning started with a bacon sandwich and getting things like windbreaks and food into the car as we set off to the location and having arrived found the others and moved to our fairly secluded spot.

The views were breathtaking especially for catgirls!

The grass was quite tall and ideal for a whole host of insect life so part from being on a plaid picnic blanket I did have my certified Mozzy proof insect repellent on and anti histamine tablets at hand to prevent any biting issues as for me the reactions are severe and require medical treatment. 

There was a central point where all food was pooled and shared as everyone was to bring something or other to share although there were mobile units selling tea and ice cream.

Games were played like bury the Sammy in plushies  in addition to flying kites and airplanes which was something other groups did do too.

By just after five it was time for people to make their separate ways so after goodbyes we drove off dropping one person off at their flat while they offered us tea and the chance to use the bathroom before arriving back.

We had a sausage roll and a cup of tea before it was time for bed.

I was up and had some cereals before being taken into town as they had some other business to do their to catch my train home which also had a last minute platform change after two people at two different stations decided standing on the track was a good idea!

The weekend had been enjoyable for seeing some people I hadn't seen for  a very long time - pre covid era - and thanks to Miss Green and everyone else including Katie for a pleasant weekend.

Survived Saturday edition

Monday soon enough comes around although in truth this was started on late Saturday after watching a Barry Manilow concert where he performed Could It Be Magic.

Inspired by melody & chord progressions from the 20th (#20 in C Minor) out of 24 Preludes via Chopin's Prelude in C Minor Op. 28 upon re-release in late 1978 some three years later than its initial one, this was a massive hit in the UK and I did at the time buy it.

A good chunk of the reason I started work on this that late on is that it's been very hot around 29 degrees c which really knocks the stuffing out of me and all you end up doing is sipping soft drinks in a thin gingham dress as anything else is just too much.

Popping upstairs to play a record that just arrived after some forty minutes left me feeling drained to be honest but as it was a bit warm upon being picked up by the Royal Meow person in the van I did need to know it was reasonably flat.

I had had popped out for a walk about eight o clock in morning having gotten up early to try to avoid sunstroke and sunburn given how the forecasts were although I don't know what happened to our thundery showers and read some of my old summer comics specials with the fan running and windows open.

Summer starts edition

 

It's summer in the world of the Pan Cultural Nekomini so you might well be about seeing places and things you've not seen before or engaging with people, buying little souvenirs  for people or engaging in your passion for post cards which is something I did from an early age.

I find the messages on those sent most interesting.

Ahead of it's time like so many of the classic stories from the likes of Jinty which were equal of the very best boys comics, The Best of Cat Girl is a classic tail (or should that be tale?) from the late 1960's  reprinted superhero series originally in the Sally comic just for catgirls like me, getting on the case.

You see Cathy Carter is not your average teen. She can jump further, fight longer and climb higher than anyone she knows - with the aid of a magic suit, she is Cat Girl! Facing off in glamorous, globetrotting adventures against supervillains and master criminals, Cathy often finds the hardest fight comes from her bumbling detective father, who doesn't believe Cathy can fend for herself.

It was rebooted for the 2020 Jinty&Misty Summer special in modern full colour for one whole strip and that's reprinted in here although yes I did buy that summer special.

I just have different take on girl than some but it's still a take just the same.

It's the uncoolest thing to admit, worse than saying you loved Abba in the mid 80's but I grew up listening to country music (Britishers habitually add the & Western bit) an Hank Williams was on those artists I listened to.

This recent set has all the major songs enhanced by the wonders of modern technology and made into highly convincing stereo versions rather than those reverb heavy where not redubbed after the event attempts to modernize the sound.

It just sounds fine with the enhancements in regular cd playing here.

A Saturday in June

It's a bright bit of a morning as get on with writing up this weeks blog when I have a bit less time to devote to it.

A fair chunk of that is really down to it being an Aunt's Birthday, well actually it was Thursday but they were away during that time so this occasion is going to be very much a party laid on in their honour.

That's down to it being their eightieth birthday which is significant and as they needed a lot of support with Covid as they got in the early days of the pandemic, it's a miracle we are here and of course many people couldn't have such a party in twenty twenty and twenty twenty-o ne.

It's going to be a sandwiches, salad and cake affair at cousins so we'll be going on foot as it's not far and at least the weather while windy, is warm and sunny which helps.

Just have to remember to leave space for my evening meal when we get back.

Summer 2021

 Rather a warm start to the week even if it is cooler than the middle of last weeks.

While the groan ups are still arguing about how summer is going to be and there are things I certainly want to be doing by a months time, I'd sooner think about what it is I loved from past summers.

Things that past summers meant with me  were things like the various 'wakes weeks' where the fun fair would roll into town using taking a portion of the common where candyfloss sellers, games and funfairs would be running and you'd enjoy yourself playing, maybe riding the horse.

Here we'd have and are thank goodness getting some visitors to our canal, getting off for a period exploring the countryside and using the local shops.

In better times we'd of had a picnic but I suspect we may be a bit too late for that where we'd play openly together having fun, flying kites and climbing trees cos we still feel that urge, that compulsion to as our child-like selves.

Those are things that interest me and paws crossed we may get to be able to do them soon. 

Summer Fun is on hold indefinate

Phew! It's a red hot weekend here as I type this entry up, indeed redder than my sweater actually!

 Normally I'm away around mid to late July which usually means a few things such as checking through the wardrobe for dresses, that any school girl socks haven't got holes in the toes and sweaters haven't been attacked by hordes of ravenous moths.

It's also a time of year where I would be putting my thinking cap on working on a quiz, preparing the answer sheets, getting prizes organized and writing out a cheque too but I'm not at the moment.

That is because our Summer Littles get together will not be going ahead this year around the many complications of the infamous Covid-19 virus which would of been held in rented house with a good number of us under one roof.

One issue would be travelling which in England is not presently for stopping overnight and non essential travel is not being allowed on trains and buses which is enforced vigorously in my district with bus users asked where and why they are going and prevented from any non essential travelling and the same goes with trains.

The other is a number of us are or have vulnerable partners or even other household members who would be at grave risk if we were to catch it and there's no way of knowing without medical tests if you have it. 

Just trying to run an event with social distancing through it would be extremely difficult because rather like with bio-kids, we're close and sometimes all over each other, touching sharing each others things and so on.

So it won't be on this year which as unfortunate as it is does happen to be a relief as quite simply if any of us got it in our household then it may well be terminal and nothing is worth risking that.

As and when we are able to hold another event then we can do so and perhaps mark the fact we'd all be living  able to tell the tale.

July weekend edition

Golly gosh, it's been a bright warm week here where I've been out of doors visiting the woodlands nearby, seeing quite a lot of bees, birds, the odd butterfly and dogs while about with plenty of summer meadowland too.
Quite a few people have been working on their gardens as we have too putting in new features like our ducks, putting compost down for the new plants and pulling up the weeds not just in the garden itself  but also at the edges and between the paving slabs with the literary cat putting in an appearance
I've been on my swing in the front corner side garden a good number of times too with just a top and shorts on going whee through the air which just so relaxing apart from spinning the odd record like this one.

Actually I first bought that in August 1995 and it is quite valuable as it was available for a very short period of time.
I've been using my Chromebook quite a bit as it save the time, especially the heat generated from the main laptop for chat and talking with my BFF although the new one will need to be set up in few days, just as soon as the hand book comes  then gradually adding the various programs and that I need before I can phase the old one out, confident by that point I know how to do things on it.
Things I have got arranged are my tickets to catch a train so I can get a lift to camp and back at the end of the month and printing the quiz questions with answer sheet off.

Letter writing weekend

A scene from the past? Well I'd be in some very serious trouble for cheating like that and I recall well at boarding school a classmate too who wasn't the popular kid in class for bragging and being somewhat priggish did try the concealed note trick for an exam and got caught out.
It brought a smile upon my face!
Another great story was the kid aged 14 who was in an electrified wheelchair who writing his Geography homework about Japan wrote of his extensive trips and personal knowledge that he sure couldn't of had although Ronnie was a gas to be with. He'd been clearly caught out plagiarizing a book from the library as there was no way he'd of gotten the bottom of the seabed!!!
As my Papa knows whatever my failings are I'm never that dishonest as hard going as studying can be for me like this weekend where I was working on understanding the types of writing, the typical format and structure of each and the style and tone doing exercises in rewriting from supplied information letters and articles in all  five of them.
That's to develop competence and confidence in using them in everyday settings to help me do more for myself and my BFF, Lucy, support each other in our studying in addition to generally getting our lives together.
After that I listened to some music to relax and chatted cos too much studying and no fun isn't any good for me as much as having to settle down and do some structured activity is.

Summer LG Camp

If you were expecting a post on Friday, well you didn't miss anything cos with getting back here later on Thursday writing something  for then really wasn't going to happen not least feeling a bit stiff and tired.
For six days I was a long away from home on something of an adventure for littles and middles in Southern England that for me started with visiting two friends by train where I changed into my green pleated skirt and had to help out by doing things like popping pea pods which wasn't something with my co-ordination I was exactly good at, being more mediocre at best.
We had pork chops and vegetables followed by home grown rhubarb  and ice cream between talking among ourselves and listening to some music.
On the Saturday when the event proper was to start, after breakfast we collected some of the food we were taking with us as well as other things like games equipment, a chalk board and our own cases to travel for a good number of hours starting out from South Staffordshire but because of traffic and Spaghetti Junction (J 6) on the M6 motorway was closed we took a different route through Tipton that left Susan convinced for a period we weren't going in the right direction although we could see Wednesbury parish church and Wednesbury is directly connected to the motorway.
I travelled down in my black pinafore dress (tunic) with "Junior Prefect" badge on, white blouse, tie and grey socks.
The journey down was fairly smooth apart from some delays and diversions  around of Huntingdon (Hunts) and Cambridge that did delay us a bit before one of our group needed to talk with the venue owner before we unloaded the car.
As quite some time had elapsed since we ate after taking stuff to our rooms and the equipment to where it was needed we had a pork pie and some salad as everyone else arrived some twenty-one people in total, introduced themselves.
Soon it was time for our first evening meal and while most people ordered Indian cuisine, Susan and Jennifer prepped the vegetables cooking  together with the pie for ours although I did scrape the potatoes and kept an eye on the vegetables.  
As it was very warm we ate outside on an outdoor wooden table facing the garden.
This time my assigned duty on the chore list was to set everything for breakfast in the morning although I did help out with a few other things too.
One thing did quite a bit of between other activities was colouring my Frozen colouring book as I could start and resume working a page  with my Staetdler pencils in addition to having fun playing with Sylvanian Families.
The theme of our get together was The Sea so many of the activities related to it.
On the Sunday I tried using a tricycle which was fun as I haven't the balance to use a bicycle but found I needed assistance as I couldn't get it started by myself  lacking the strength to turn the peddles  around. It was a enjoyable experience to go around the field in it though.
In the morning we worked as a team on making a Pirate Ship from cardboard pinned with plastic pins (Makedo) and other bits decorated and cut out to make sails, steering wheel and big branches for oars and so on which came together well give there wasn't a formal blue print or similar to go by, pretty much deciding as went along how it was to look.
We even had a message in a bottle!
I think it did help get people to co-operate apart from being fun.
In the afternoon, Jennifer had a painting class with people painting things that reminded them about the Sea and what it means to them.
I painted a picture "Jo at the Beach" showing a child Jo looking on admiring her sand castle and bucket and spade in the summer, having done the outlines in pencil.

The completed pictures were displayed and the best one chosen.
After a scrumptious chicken evening meal, we had a mainly 80's music quiz where you had to guess from twenty fifteen second  the artist (or group) and the track from each with people in teams.
The team I was with, the "Radioactive Cats" comprising of Fudge, Kelly and I scored thirty-five out of a possible forty-two and so  won it comfortably.
Because the weather looked a bit poor for later on we decided to move the Girl Olympics to the Monday morning.
We had a variety of events such as a relay race, filling the water bucket event, archery which I was rubbish at and an Egg and aSpoon race except golf balls substituted for hard boiled eggs.

 

Get set to go, Jo!

With my disabilities anything like this is very hard going from following instructions to actually having the strength to take part and most of my childhood school games were wheelchair based but I enjoyed it and probably learnt something about the importance of taking an active part having the support of your team rather than just deeking out of it.
After a salad lunch, we had a 60th birthday anniversary party for Linda's dolly, Sally, where we had cake and tea feeding our dolls which was something I quite enjoyed not least for being in something very much in little headspace.
I and an other snucked out to a deserted recreational ground where I went on a slide with help cos I couldn't climb on to it with the physical side of my disabilities, swung from a swing feeling the breeze caressing me in my pink gingham dress and played on a see-saw feeling very much middle/little..
Upon our return it was time for the arts and crafts  session so being a bit exhausted but as high as kite, I did a load of colouring in felt tip pen which is different cos I usually colour in pencil  from the colouring in sheets provided although you could do oil painting, bead work and chain making if you wanted and others did.

 

The classroom is never far from my thoughts as a middle.

We ordered fish and chips with a few exceptions and Samantha and Becky drove down to pay and collect our order which was very yummy.
In the evening we had a disco where the resident Cat Girl danced to The Cure's Love Cats and M's Pop Music with Sammy  as well as Auntie C a bit as this was the one night I was in bed a bit later than normal. I grew up, allegedly, dancing in a wheelchair which is much easier for me but it was very enjoyable to sway about with friends who understand how hard it it can be.
Tuesday saw Sammy take on the persona of Miss Take delivering a fun but effective lesson about Sea Monsters different ones and their characteristics ending with drawing a Sea Monster of your own so I drew a Kelpie in Northern Scotland.
After lunch, Alice did a Sea based Treasure Hunt with a twist, the twist being a making three minute scripted video of "Little Pirates of the Carribean and the Curse of the Plastic  Pearls", a adventure on the high seas involving plastic pearls with several of us having acting and spoken parts around our home made Pirate Ship of which one was with a Scottish accent, one Canadian and one American which was hilarious.
Perhaps it was near Greenland?
Jennifer and Susan cooked a Meat Pie and vegetable tea with help in scraping potatoes which was followed by cheese cake.
In the evening Daisy played guitar and sang Streets of London, Romeo and Juliet, The Boxer plus Donovan's Universal Soldier pretty well and we presented a birthday card and shared cake for a friend whose birthday was in a few days time.
Jennifer read a Tale from the Farmyard out about Scarecrows and why they help farmers in her strong Black Country accent with Southern English translation provided by Susan.
Having lived in the Midlands now for over fifteen years I didn't need it!
The Wednesday  was more a last minute play, hug and leave half day as people needed to leave at different times with one having to travel to the United States too with a group of us having a buffet lunch of left overs before setting off to South Staffordshire where I had a much appreciated overnight stay before catching my train home here in the North-west Midlands and taking a taxi straight home.
I would like to thank Jennifer and Susan for organizing a dead kewl camp, putting together the program and bringing quite a bit of the sports equipment  together with the food plus Alice, Daisy, Debbie, Linda, Mr Paul, Sammy and Suzy for their activities

Summer day out

Saturday was a little different for me in that rather than studying, I went out for the day not least to get away from all that political stuff that has been all over the news for the last ten days or so which I think has had something to do  me feeling generally flat.
We started out from our local pub parking lot at Nine o clock quickly travelling through Sandbach to join the M6, then the M53  Wirral motorway, travelling around the outskirts of Chester before  getting on the A55 which is the main road for coastal North Wales arriving for just past Eleven o clock.
We were not sure what to make of the weather as it had started to rain near Knutsford and again over the Halkyn Mountains near Ruthin but as we got toward St Asaph, the sun came out really bright. It's kinda funny how much the weather can differ within a few miles.
We arrived by Eleven o clock so I went for a cup of tea as I was feeling a bit thirsty even though having felt a migraine coming on I had gotten through a carton of apple juice  with my tablets I take to control it.
I wandered around a few shops afterward before meeting up with Grumpy to go to Tribelles for a Haddock and chips lunch which was very tasty. I opted for the 8oz fish as that was plenty big enough for me.
I've know this place for years and while a few years back it went through a period of stocking so-so fish, its current owners really have brought it back as a premier fish and chip restaurant getting fresh fish in and cooking to order.

In the afternoon I wandered around taking pictures, watching Codmore's traditional non pc  Punch and Judy show, shouting with the mainly young audience at naughty Mr Punch and playing on the beach. Grumpy went to groan up places and read a book.
I went into the HMV record store and bought a couple of cd's, had they of had a lp I'd wanted I would of bought it from them and actually they had a reasonable lp selection in stock which is testimony to it's increased popularity. They had no blank tapes or micro sd cards in though.
We did have one brief heavy shower around a quarter past Three so I went into a small shopping arcade and looked at some paintings and prints for sale while  sheltering from the rain but it didn't last long so I was able to outside and have a mint chocolate chip home made ice cream avoiding the "flying rats" aka seagulls.
I like ice cream heaps.
We all assembled at Five PM to get back on our coach greeted in by the driver with a very strong North Staffordshire accent while next to us was a Hill's coach from Wolverhampton whose driver it has to be said would be better understood by me!
We went back a slightly different way via Tarvin, Barr Bridge and Crewe before being dropped off by our pub just a few hundred yards from home tired but very happy from being away from stuff that takes me out littlespace.

Think Pink!

Sometimes  you come back with things you didn't expect and I don't mean colds and the like but in the best traditions of Littles and Middles people do bring things with them that they either no long want or perhaps bought and found didn't fit or something.
Well at Camp there was a full rail of things from various people with their own stories to tell and in the best tradition anything is between you and the girl (or their Caregiver/Groan up) including paying up for things you want not Camp organizers and the like.

Way back in late June last year I did get a dark blue gingham school summer dress that I quite liked not least for how Junior it made me feel, which as far as I'm concerned is quite a good  thing and I had been thinking about something in a more classic pink.
Coming in with a few things on Sunday last was this one with two pleats at the front I like - I'm big on pleats - that caught my eye from Jillian which having put it against me, seemed to be just perfect so I paid her for it in notes of the Bank of Purrland.
That was the one modelled on Monday with a long sleeve t shirt underneath cos it was cold out of doors otherwise being Winter.

Photo'd Duck

Hi Hi folks, no idea what the weather is going to be like but like as from now I have my homework to do so I've made a start on this Monday's entry in advance

Ducks and Swans have been a favourite thing of mine to just sit out and watch, be they in a parkside lake or like in this picture I took recently, swimming on our local canal.
As with every film sourced picture I take that sharp eye on the duck to the right, was done by hand on my Zuiko 135mm moderate telephoto lens, this time on the OM20 camera using Fuji's Superia 200 film.

 A few days ago a box arrived at my door and it contains this, a Olympus Zuiko 75-150mm F4 telephoto zoom lens I managed to get 'dirt cheap' tm.
Generally the fixed length lenses tend to be better however there are times, and pictures like the above are one, when being able to make quick, precise decisions on framing the subject using the lens can help as well as saving you changing lenses frequently with the potential loss of opportunity as you switch them apart from physically having to carry two or more.
I find it is rare I need bigger telephoto's such as the  200 and 300mm ones on an everyday basis so this and say the small   35mm wide angle and 50mm  is often all I need out with me.
I've yet to take a few pictures with it but what I'm seeing through the viewfinder looks very sharp indeed.

Fun at the Picnic!

As mentioned on Friday's blog we went to a well known nature spot in Buckinghamshire for the Ikklespace Littles/furries picnic organized by Sammy on Saturday.
For me as ever this involved a bit of a trip as it's over 200 miles each way so having gotten my things sorted and packed a few days before the first thing was to get to Jennifer's on the south side of the County immediately below me.
Because the weekend buses are run by different people who aren't so reliable I got a taxi to take me to the local rail hub at Crewe which was booked entirely by me. A first in my life too!
Seeing I'd have to off early, I got up about 6 AM Saturday, sorted out Marmalade before getting on with fixing breakfast and dealing with early morning chores and quickly checking for any changes of plan.
To travel down in I decided to stick with unisex shorts red sweater, blouse (and tie on!), hello kitty socks and my girlish shoes which also fitted in well with being in a public open space dress means we don't wear stuff that would cause heaps of negative attention.
My Taxi arrived at eight so the two Hello Kitty  tote bags which my overnight attire and next  as mornings clothes plus a bag of goodies were in and a dark green folding seat and child's HK hand luggage pack went with me arriving at the station in good time.
I sorted out which platform I was meant to be on only to find 12 minutes from departure the platform had changed unannounced and I had to run up the stairs to platform 6 before it was due in. Grrr!
The train arrived at the allocated time and by time I arrived  at GHS Central station, Staffs I was starting to feel a bit anxious which I'm prone to when I encounter the Head Girl emerging from behind a column  when I got out.
Pet moan Dept: It would be nice if people let you out before trying to board a train especially if you're physically disabled!
We drive back to GHS for a quick rest - I had a sausage roll as it was a while since I'd eaten - before setting off the picnic venue near London.

It was a really bright fairly warm day which something that was a relief given the wet conditions we had experienced for a few days and the ground was quite dry as we found Sammy, Mr Paul and a good number of others in a field where there was huge food pile people helped themselves to as provided ourselves.
I dutifully placed my bananas in the pile ("Yes we have no bananas") and Jennifer added her contribution and then proceeded to erect the windbreaks with my assistance as Junior Prefect and First former helping her out which is the least I can do for a Head Girl.
Going on was a great game of Rounders, my first love of school  team sports played with simple plastic games set with ball just for the fun of it, with much roaring from me cheering the  runs on.
I had loads of fun with a tube of soapy bubble mixture and a shaped wand putting in the direction of the wind as loads of bubble of different sizes came flying in the wind from the wand with people chasing after them. Such simple fun,eh?
Later on several people flew kites some of which really did take off and others sadly didn't not but it was all taken in spirit of just having fun together and having fun together was what I'm sure Sammy likes to see and I don't blame her.
I did see a few unfamiliar faces  although the screen names were quite familiar like those of DeeDee ,Abigail, Jessica, Neko and Zed (aka "Zee Zee") and  group of four younger youngsters who I just loved spending some time with although I hopeless remembering their names.
I suppose with about thirty of us there it was likely to happen knowing me and names!
Just before we were off to Sammy and Paul's house a few of us stayed back for ice cream and Jennifer kindly bought me one.
After a short ride and a few delays with traffic lights we got to Sammy's, meeting her cat with the most amazing name you could give one and I changed my shorts for a plain green pleated skirt and grey long socks with bows.
TB note: This is with the sweater and blouse is a common UK girls Junior school uniform that being small I can just buy from regular suppliers, off the peg.
We stayed and chatted, with Jennifer going to see some bits connected with the London Victoria line subway and a post office Master Clock you used to set slave clocks in a facility to keep the exact same time by.
We left around 8PM after saying our goodbyes to Sammy, Mr Paul and our other friends returning back to deepest Staffordshire, by which time I was shattered as I'm prone to getting low on energy due to my disabilities and soon went to bed, sleeping soundly.
When I woke up Sunday I got dressed into my uniform, fastening my White and Grey tie, chatting about various things while Jennifer cooked some lovely back bacon on toast and helping out a bit afterward.
We set off to GHS central arriving in plenty of time for me to catch the London Midland  train at 10:00 AM and I got a taxi form the Taxi rank to come back via our Town only to find Mommy had locked me out!
I'd like to thank in order Sammy and Mr. Paul for making this super event happen and opening up their home to us plus everyone who attended for being good sports, playing nicely and the opportunity to put a name to a face.
I'd  also like to thank Jennifer for taking me to the picnic, putting me up overnight and in fullest sense looking after me during this lovely weekend without which I would not of been able to attended.
Also I'd like to thank my mentor for his help that helped me get organized to the point of making some necessary arrangements all by myself for the first time.

Seasonal habits

I was looking at a TB  related site  a couple of days back when I saw an entry that piqued  my interest.
Well it won't long before the weather starts to get warmer which overall is good thing but it means we get warmer and in our attempt to cool down we perspire especially if we'd been doing anything physical such as playing or riding your bike.
So it makes sense to have a good wash and change the clothing nearest to our skin feel fresher and -and there's no nice way of putting it - reduce the chances of stale sweat smelling near others.

 Changing may also make sense if our play has lead to us getting a bit dirty and we're going to be sitting down to eat as people don't generally like dirt and especially mud being brought back in the house.

Choo choo's Pt.2

Another place we visited a few times in the 1970's was the Vale of the Rheidol which is a steam train line running from the Welsh university town of Aberystwyth to the Devils Bridge some 12 miles downline.
I'm sure the engine we went on was called Owen Glendwr who I think was something of a hero to the Welsh fighting English occupation of their Country.

 The countryside in that part of Wales is very mountainous and really beautiful.

Summer is almost over

It's that time of the year although normally I'd of been away on my holidays first but this year Mommy decided we'd go later cos officially I'm not in school although I like to do schoolwork cos as this always a schoolgirl me I am it's what I'm more cut out for.

I associate this period with all the preparation for returning to school and it heightens the strong emotions around the mismatch of being the age I am on the inside and how people treat you by birth age.

Toss in the gender based stuff from the past and it's a heady rollercoaster of a feeling.

I enjoy now being able to dress more in school girl attire although it can be a little awkward at the door if say the Electricity  meter man or parcel person calls and you're fully dressed as you but I guess I have to learn to handle such situations if I'm to just be me.

Schoolwear as in blouses, skirts or gorgeous pinafore dresses are failry simple but smart looking things that do flatter my looks quite well and at least I look more like I really wanted to back then sat behind the desk in class, trying to keep some sort of girl's play going.

Seaside arts and crafts

One of my favourite activities as a child was collecting Seashells, you could either find them yourself  or buy ready made collections of whcih I had a number at the time.
They also when you hold them to your ear have the most calming sound.

Stockists

Souvenir

I went away this week and by way of souvenir, here is a picture of where I stayed.

 As you can tell it was very sunny indeed with all the flower in full bloom in the guesthouse gardens which is something I enjoyed waking up and rushing downstairs to sit out in in the morning. I'd always pack some short sleeved  t shirts and pull on skirts to put over my swimsuit as well as hardier clothing for walking and something more formal foe evening dinner with fellow guests.