Beltane Blessings!!

And so the sap rises. The Crone turns to stone and the maiden is reborn. Fire cleanses and warms the soil to be fertile and ready for the sowing of seed.

Tree and I took time to Spring clean throughout and set our goals for the coming Summer. Sadly, ill health and pouring rain meant we were unable to do the Tiddesley Wood Spring Open Day this year but I more than made up for it by selling all of the old junk, we had sorted out, on Ebay. I am well on target with the bike fund and went as far as booking my test the other day. It is amazing what people will buy. I even sold a book for double what I paid for it!! We now have an almost empty shed again as most of the stock has been sold as well. It is good to tie up all the loose ends and look ahead to new horizons.

So get planting those seeds, light a fire and make plans.

Bye Bye Tammy. Hello Yammy.

Bye Bye Tammy


Hello Yammy

Gonna buy someday!

A while ago I blogged about my dream to reclaim the bike I used to have and get back on two wheels. To refresh your memory I used to own a Yamaha 750 SE Special (later becoming the Virago) and I had it heavily customised. Click here for a reminder. Sadly, they don't make those anymore and the Dragstar XVS took its place. So my dream has been to ride an XVS 1100. Unfortunately, I have to wait two years to get the full qualification, post bike test, to ride her. In the meantime I will settle for its little sister, smaller, but just as good a ride.

Today that dream took one step further forward as someone I work with bought Tammy from me. This means I can now afford to get the XVS I need to get on the 1100 ladder. All I need to do now is raise a couple more grand and that dream becomes reality. Seeing as we have shed loads of stock from the shop to shift, Tree and I are merrily Ebaying it, to great effect. The running total so far has already gone over one grand and the future looks promising. Turns out that Tree is eager to get on the back of an XVS as well. Can't be bad.

In addition, Keith (the guy buying Tammy) says he will wait until I have the XVS before he takes Tammy off me...excellent!!

Oh.. and I just need to have a licence this time!!!!

Cough it up ..you know you're wrong!!!

Back in December I had a bit of a slide on my scoot , Tammy, and slid my ar*e 65 feet down the Newtown Road. Now, as it happens, Severn Trent were 100% in the wrong but as you might expect would not admit liability. The law stands that if someone does not admit liability in 3 months then you sue them and take them to court to fleece them. Well what do you know? Severn Trent, 3 months to the dot, paid up without a quibble. None of the "reducing your estimate for damages" was heard, they just paid up. Of course they also didn't admit liability but why pay up if they're innocent ? I should have claimed way more, now I think about it but I am happy to see an end to it and get Tammy repaired so I can sell her.
XVS here I come!

Dangerous driving moves up a gear.

On our way down to Cornwall recently, Tree and I couldn't believe our eyes when we saw this coach undertaking the traffic. Not only is undertaking illegal but the coach was leaning over at an alarming angle. How it stayed upright is anyones guess but I had to take a photo just to prove it. As it is the photograph doesn't show half as much how bad the lean really was. Luckily he pulled off shortly after and we hope it was to get towed for repair!

A short break away.

In need of a break away, Tree and I snatched a few days down in Cornwall at the Bay Hotel by Fistral beach. We had a lovely room with a view overlooking Fistral Bay and woke up to the sound of the waves breaking on the shoreline. The Bay Hotel is primarily a spa hotel and we indulged in some therapies along with using their steamrooms, pool, jacuzzi, etc. I had what must be the best full swedish massage I have ever had and recommend anyone to try and better it. Sadly, we only had four days away and I could have stayed a lot longer.

We met up with Joy and Nige to catch up and Nige was telling us he has got into promoting events for some big names now. He is putting on a gig with Alpha and Omega in May and, s*ds law, Tree and I are away in Ibiza. I would have given my eye teeth to have gone. Anyway, Nige is hooking up with the Marleys soon, so something good should come along right enough!!

84 an I've got all me own teeth!

For a bit of a birthday bash, Tree's mum sorted me a small party and made a rather lovely, creamy cake. Being unable to fit the numbers on one cake she made two (she trying to say something?). Of course this led to the inevitable switcheroo gag when bringing out my cake to blow out the candles.

Oh well, I pretended to be amused... you gotta really.

As a bit of a trip out we went to Warwick for the day as well. Whilst there we popped into the castle. A bit of one old ruin visiting another.

Oh well, I pretended to be amused..you gotta really.

Merry Imbolc

A merry Imbolc to one and all.

Tree and I have taken to the customary Spring clean and taken time to sort out all the excess that we have accumulated over the last year.

I cut the reeds we had growing in the garden and made a cross for the Goddess Brigid and gave it to Tree. Now adopted by the Christian church, the origins of this cross come from far more Pagan roots. The cross is made using green reeds, with each arm having seven reeds, symbolising the four weeks of February and the 28 days. The centre is a labyrinth and represents the womb, giving the connection between Imbolc and fertility. Placed by a doorway or window for protection, the reeds slowly dry and turn a straw colour. It was believed that this occurs when Spring has arrived and therefore makes the cross a calendar as well.

May your dreams and wishes germinate to fulfill your wants and desires. Plant the seeds of your future and watch them grow !!!

Lister, the listing snowman, lists no more.

Well, as predicted, the snow came and come it did with a vengeance. As per usual, for a country unable to cope with even the slightest flurry, everything came to a halt. I found walking to work quite relaxing and watching the sun come up over snow covered fields very beautiful. Considering we are entering the embrace of impending Imbolc, I thought it fitting that Mother should clothe the countryside in white and make everyone stop and become aware of her power and presence.

Kate, Tree and I went for a walk in the dark one night down onto Pitchcroft Racecourse and were amused at how many snowmen had been created. They all seemed to face the same way and appeared to be following you with their eyes. I took time to make a smal lone in the back garden and we named him Lister, due to the slant he adopted right from the start. As days went on he listed further and further, his nose nearing the ground inch by inch. Eventually gravity got the better of him and he took a graceful nosedive into the ground and was seen no more.

And so it was and so it remains.

Undecided as to how to celebrate the New Year, Tree, Katie and I set off for a visit to The Rollrights to ground ourselves. The weather was lovely and bright with a cool crisp westerly breeze and as we drove over Snowshill, so aptly named, we couldn't feel more a part of the elements if we tried. The small hut that was destroyed last year has not been rebuilt and whilst this leaves the stones unprotected it also means that one gains more privacy. I always find a walk around the stones a great leveller as it reminds me how brief a time we have on Mother Earth when compared to the age of the circle, for instance. This makes me even more determined to act on the instant rather than drift in indecision.

I hear that snow is forecast for later in the next week and that promises a wonderful walk in natures blanket while all about dims into a soft silence.

New Years Day moonlight.

Just a quick one, to wish those celebrating it, a Happy New Year ! I was awake at 4 O'clock this morning and was stunned at how bright it was. As this photo shows, it was actually moonlight that was lighting up the garden. I have never seen it so bright in my life. Surely a record or something !!

Three is NOT a crowd!

Katie, our niece, has recently moved in and brought a breath of fresh air and exuberance to the Fresh/Buffo household. We are enjoying every minute and trying our hardest to make her feel at home. We have taken this to also include domestication and today was marked by the first, independent, cleaning of her room. By the time she leaves we will have converted her to an obsessive compulsive , at the very least !!! : ) (We will have to work on getting the bag of rubbish put IN the bin. Currently it is believed to walk there by itself !! :)

But, seriously, we are loving having her here and looking forward to spending Yuletide together.

Solstice greetings and a Merry Yule

Up and out, before a Robin's twitter, Tree and I headed to the Malvern Hills to celebrate the return of the sun. Taking a small lamp and a seat (an essential item) we walked up from The Wyche cutting to midway between the Beacon and British Camp. Snow had fallen overnight and the top of the hills was cast in a subtle blue light as the first rays of sunlight came over the horizon. It seems that this year was a little too cold for others as we remained alone for the whole time we were up there. At one point we did begin to feel the cold creeping into our bones and decided to dance to get the blood moving again. This worked well but would have presented quite a sight to anyone walking by. This Solstice will be most remembered for the fact that we were able to share it together and uninterrupted.

A very Merry Solstice Blessing to one and all and a Happy Yule.

A well earned rest.

Following on from the prang on my bike, I couldn't wait for this week and a long awaited break away at Ragdale Hall. Tree and I treated ourselves to a few days at this 5 Star Hotel and Spa to recharge the old batteries after working so hard for the recent craft shows. Every day has consisted of doing nothing apart from chilling out and using the Saunas, Pools, Steam Rooms, Thought lounges and having all-over body massages and getting my feet massaged as well!! Heaven. My favourite had to be the Candle Pool. Built like catacombs underground with podlike areas under the water, a rich, deep blue in colour, that you lie on while watching the lights in the ceiling twinkle in complete silence. Not a child in sight as well!!!!

Tree and I needed this break and with the Winter Solstice coming up soon there was nothing finer than watching the sun come up from the comfort of our bedroom each day. An experience I would recommend to anyone.

Overbury Craft Fayre

I finally made it, literally, to this craft event at Overbury, with the last mirror finished only the night before. This village is completely owned by one estate and therefore has managed to survive all the usual ravages of time. To visit there is to take a step back in time. The whole place is like a chocolate box picture. The hall we were in was a beautiful example of joinery skills from days gone by! Well worth a visit, I say!

Slip sliding away.....

Well it had to happen at some point I guess and happen it did in style. I am talking about an accident I had this morning at the top of Newtown Road. I set off for work as usual at about 5.30'ish in the morning, taking extra care because of the hard frost the night before and made my way up to the top of Ronkswood Bank. What I didn't know was that a water leak, left unattended ALL weekend, had turned into an ice rink on the other side of the brow of the hill. Yep, you guessed it, as I hit the ice I crashed the bike and proceeded to slide on my ass for 65.2 feet ( as calculated by the insurance company on Google Earth) coming to a halt some way down the road. I was helped up by a passer by who remarked on the prang as "spectacular". A Police car soon arrived, having been notified by a motorist who nearly crashed, and I chose, at this point, to phone Tree. As I was on the phone, another bike came over the hill and slid past me, missing me and the Policeman by inches. Tree was going crazy by this time as all she heard was me shout "Noooooo" very loudly and then the sound of the crash as his bike disintegrated.

I went on to work and got checked out as okay, apart from bruising, but, in hindsight, I should have taken the rest of the day off. It was a good job I wear an armoured jacket as I certainly would have broken my arm without it. The elbow plate is cracked and the arm torn.

Tammy, however, took the brunt of the crash and looks in a very sorry state. I am still riding her but she needs a full makeover. My insurers are taking a case against the local water authority for negligence in doing nothing about the leak, knowing there was a frost due, so I should get her fully repaired. I, meanwhile, feel more than a bit stiff and achey now the adrenaline is wearing off !!!

Oh I almost forgot, I also got a mention on Radio Wyvern as the "White bike man". There is now traffic lights and one way traffic, a frost sign, a slow sign, a police slow sign and a slippery road sign out at the scene. Smacks of too little, too late !!!!!!

Men CAN multi-task.

Whoever said men can't multitask obviously hasn't seen what I've been up to lately. Things are going smoothly for Clayton at the factory and prospects look promising. Otherwise, I have been painting like a mad fool to try and get the front room decorated in time for Yule.

I am feeling a lot fitter now, particularly as Tree has me swimming 50 lengths of the pool every day!! The pounds are dropping off, so I can't complain.Oh well onwards and upwards.

Samhain Blessings.

We are here again, at that magical time of year, when everything old is passing and we look forward to the New Year ahead.

Tree and I celebrated in the usual way and Tree made pumpkin soup while I carved the pumpkin shell. This year I moved away from the theme of bats and wise women and chose to carve a wolf hound calling to the moon goddess.Using a new method of carving, I was able to create 4 layers of colour and I was pleased with the result.

Samhain Blessings and don't forget to make those resolutions.

Who's a buzzy boy?

I finally had the chance of a spot of good weather and decided to get the porch roof stripped and repaired at last. The whole job took two days to complete but it was worth it to replace the roof with felt under the slates and insulation as well. Every little bit for the environment an' all that. While I was taking the old roof off, I came across a beautiful wasp nest that had been from a few summers ago. The walls were so delicate and made of thousands of strands of paper mache. One touch and it crumbled to dust. Amazing!

Yeah Baby!!

As it is 40 years of slimming world this year, Clayton decided to do a theme for the anniversary night at club, with ruby (being the colour for 40) and the 1960's as the theme. While we got evrything ready, Clayt got changed.How a gladiator has anything to do with either of those beats me. He said it was all they had left at the fancy dress shop but I think he got it from his wardrobe. Could be a secret L.A.R.P'er on the quiet !?! Anyway, it raised a laugh or two. Top marks to Lorraine on the Revue Bar dancer.

Oh and me......I just went dressed as a tw*t!!

Bye Bye Mikey the Hippy Van.

Today we received the notice from DVLA confirming the transfer of sale for the festie van. Goodbye dear friend, you served us well. From Hampshire to Devon, from Cornwall to Wales, you carried your weighty load and never broke down. From Blissfields to Beautiful Days, from Forest Fayre to The Green Man and from Clun to Nozstock, you saw them all. Blasting out Dub Reggae at 60 watts per channel, every trip became an adventure. Who could forget the numerous extras like the homemade shower at the back - priceless at a festie!!

You are gone but not forgotten, especially if you check Google Earth which still shows it outside our house - a ghost of it's former glory!!

WOMAD

We have just got back from a rather wet WOMAD and are enjoying the simple pleasures of a hot shower and flushable toilets. Overall we were quite disappointed with this years festival. Gone were the impromptu entertainers and general crazy people and in were the boring wellie brigade with their 4 X 4's and waxed coats. Tree and I feel that this festival has lost it's hippy vibe and become a haven for the pseudo middle classes.

Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves despite the rain, especially seeing Mad Professor, The Ghoad Gypsies of Rhajasthan and an amazing set by DJ M3. This year might be where we say goodbye to WOMAD and find another more chilled festie to replace it. We will see!

Camping it up in Cornwall.

We decided to grab a few days in Cornwall camping but, as we went to Tony Ballard's funeral on Monday, we didn't get away until Tuesday. The weather was good to us in that it stopped briefly when we got there so we could get the tent up and then started again, promptly, straight after. Out of the whole trip we managed one fine day and made use of every second of it. We also found a restaurant that serves children ON the menu. Someone wasn't paying attention at advertising school, weren't they? We also made friends with a baby Starling that sat with us, waiting patiently until we were finished, to grab the crumbs leftover - cute. By Friday the rain had set well in so we decamped and went to see Joy in her new shop. She is doing really well and has no regrets in moving at all. I think a trip to sunny India is on the cards if the weather doesn't get better here!!!

In memory of Tony Ballard

It is with a heavy heart that I must report the death of Tony Ballard who drowned whilst swimming in the Severn. Our thoughts go out to Ellie and Duncan, his parents, at this desperate time. For those who came to our handfasting, Duncan was the minister who came and said a few words for us. Tony will be remembered fondly.

Having a jolly BAD time

Blimey, a sunny day and what better than to get down to Tewkesbury for the Fayre. We took this chance to catch up with Brian and Donna of BAD Ceramics as we haven't seen them since the shop closed. They have now got a new tent and their work is as brilliant as ever. Brian is producing some fantastic new works and Donna's glazes are stunning. We hope to see them away from work before they head back up North. Both Tree and I felt the itch to get back to having a stall but this soon passed when the rain came down to remind of the disaster of last year. Although , I must say, once I have finished the Geodesic dome I will not be able to resist trading from it. I don't think it will be ready for WOMAD by a long shot!!

Get your motor running..........

A few good bits to report.

Firstly, Tree is back to swimming again and has been doing 75 lengths each morning (about 0.75 mile). I had to take out her stitches in the end, as they just would not dissolve and were pulling, and this has spurred her on a bit.

Secondly, I realised that I had most of my blogs in draft format and had forgotten to publish them...Doh!

Thirdly, I'm on the road. Thursday saw the delivery of my new Tamoretti scooter (Scoot). Steve, the dealer, drove up from London on a special journey to drop it off. Well done mate. The only drawback is that I have found out that Jamie Oliver rides one (can't be helped I suppose) and I will also not be able to go more than 20 miles an hour until I have run it in. Only 285 miles to go! Oh well.

Geodesic delights.

One of "the back burner jobs", I referred to in a previous blog, is to build a geodesic dome. Now for anyone unfamiliar with them, a geodesic dome is a structure like the Epcot Centre in the USA and was discovered by a man called Buckminster Fuller. The structure is lightweight, aerodynamic and requires a minimal amount of storage. The math behind them basically says that the larger the structure, the stronger it gets. I have fancied making one for years and have opted for a 12' diameter with standing room of 8'. This leaves enough room to put a wood burner in the centre with the chimney out through the middle. Once built, it will take up less ground space than a 4 berth family tent and have almost twice the height for half the weight and storage. I have already begun the build and I am photographing the whole process in order to make plans to sell on to other prospective builders. This is because the resources on the internet are, frankly, too nerdy or just not well described. My plans will be aimed at the complete novice and have adequate illustrations to make sense of the text. I am not looking to make loads of cash but just to cover the cost of my first build. Hopefully, the project will be completed within the month, in time for a testing at WOMAD. I shall keep you posted.