Evening from Almondbury

Good evening everyone, I hope this finds you all well. I apologise for not blogging for a week or so, been here and there, doing this and that.
Must spend some time catching up on everyone’s blogs, its funny, when you don’t read them daily, you miss that snippet and find yourself wondering what friends are up to. I have been telling everyone about this virtual garden party, and all you lovely peeps.
Last week I had my first ‘date’ with a new friend, a very beautiful woman in many ways, whom I am sure will be someone that shares my tea and biccies as often as we can. I met her through a business link advisory service, she being a centre manager, and after our initial meeting, the formalities, we realised that we had more than just a few things in common. As some of you might remember my initial blog on CL was a sort of plea, for friends, as I had moved here last Autumn, but working from home meant my social circle was kind of small, and although Keith has loads of lovely friends, its not the same as meeting people yourself, who share the same interests. Needless to say, making many friends online has kept me happy and busy.
My new friend and I actually grew up just a few miles from each other and she has been in Yorkshire for many years, though still calls our home county ‘home’ and visits often. After picking my new friend up from here gorgeous cottagey home, we toured a nearby town, chatting, getting to know each other, scouring charity shops, haberdashers and visiting the tea rooms for the obligatory tea and cake. Back to hers for a tour of her pretty, inspiring garden, more tea and loads more chat, it was just heaven. Needless to say the day went toooo quickly, and I drove home with the hugest of smiles and a warm feeling inside.
The weekend brought a trip to Warwickshire, family visiting. Mums first thing Saturday for some serious wedding cake making, me, Mum and Keith all crammed in her tiny kitchen, with several hundred weight of ingredients, far too much brandy and more than one washing up bowl for the mixing. Once it was in the oven, we left mum to keep her expert eye on the three tiers and flew off on a whistle stop tour of friends and family.
The evening was spent at my uncle Daves 60th birthday party, cant believe he is 60, looks about 45 and acts about 20. Sunday was more visiting, and took in a reclaimation yard, where we purchased two old rusty train wheels to put in the garden, and back to mums to collect the perfectly cooked cake. Of course, the top tier was a little domed, so we had to shave a bit off, and try it of course, quality control. Hmmmm.
After 48 hours of tearing around, tea, chat, kisses and partying, we set off back to Yorkshire, and I have to admit, I had a few tears in the car. Its hard to drive away from everything you knew and everyone you love. Keith wasn’t immediately aware that I was blubbering, as I had sunglasses on but trying to wipe away my snotty nose while I was driving gave the game away. I love the life I have here, with my husband to be, new horizons, and I keep in touch with everyone big time, however on Sunday evening I shed several fluid ounces between junctions 21 and 28 of the M1.
My eldest two children are in Warwickshire, and they have busy lives. They come up to ‘ours’ often and ring daily, but at times I miss the ‘Waltons’ style house we had.
Monday was brighter mood wise, and the mist eventually cleared, leaving me with a glorious view over the fields at the back of ‘ours’. The garden is really coming on now, just 6 months and its been transformed from a bare patch to a colourful display, still in its infancy, but prettier by the day.
Keith spent the morning phoning me with words of lurve to keep me grinning, the sun shone and my new friend texted to say she was looking forward to our next get together.