Knowle Fun Run

Trevor and I ran in the 5-mile (8 Km) Knowle Fun Run today.

There were approximately 1800 participants and we completed the course looking liked drowned rats - it absolutely BUCKETED with rain!

Bank Holiday in Birmingham

In England, we come to expect grey skies and rain on Bank Holiday Monday and yesterday was no exception. Happily though, in Birmingham, our rainfall wasn't much more than a spit.

We're the adventurous type, travelling as far afield as the city of Birmingham. Gosh, it's at least 7 miles from our home in Solihull!

Here's me in Victoria Square, with the immortialised Queen Victoria watching the hustle and bustle of this great city. The building behind is the newly restored Town Hall. A few years ago, it was a crumbling danger-zone.

This photo of the Town Hall was taken from Birmingham's Central Library in Chamberlain Square. It's magnificent don't you think? I can't help thinking that the huge TV screen doesn't quite match the architecture!

Just a short walk away is Brindley Place - this is the heart of Birmingham. Did you know that there are more canals here than in Venice? Here is Trevor, eager to get to the Handmade Burger Co. on the other side of the canal. DON'T STEP BACK TREVOR!

Here he is again, in the burger restaurant. Oh look, he wants to tell you his age....

Back in Victoria Square on our way home, quite a crowd has gathered. Birmingham City football fans are celebrating their team's promotion to the Premier Division next season. WELL DONE BLUES!

A Day Trip to London

My 16-year-old daughter, with her dance school, performed at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End last night. Trevor and I were part of a coach load of supporters and we spent the day in London before seeing the evening show.

Here's me hanging around outside Buckingham Palace. We had hoped that the Queen would invite us in for tea and cucumber sandwiches, but she was out with her corgis. The weather was glorious - phew! - that guard must have sweated buckets.

Later we sat and watched a Sikh festival in Trafalgar Square. Note the statue of Alison Lapper in the distance.

Alisan Lapper was born without arms and shortened legs. Click here to enter her website. She is my ex-husband's girlfriend's sister, though I've never met Alison.

Hey, what perfect timing!!! This London bus drove past just as Trevor and I were having our pic taken.

We met up with an old friend of mine, Dee, who is a professional, very talented actress and wonderful singer. We worked together once in a production of 'Aladdin' a hundred years ago. She was the Slave of the Ring and I was So Shy, handmaiden to the Princess Jasmine. Those were the days ......

Note the poster of Dame Maggie Smith in the background - it is an advert for 'The Lady From Dubuque'

My daughter's show was fantastic and I left London a very proud mum.....

Hungry Trees

I took this photo in Dublin about 18 months ago. Fascinating don't you think, how the tree has lifted the metal bench? Such strength.

This was taken about 6 months ago, a little closer to home in Shirley Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham. It's just amazing how the gate has become embedded into the tree!

More Fun in Lincolnshire

I couldn't resist publishing these photos of Trevor, taken during our weekend in Lincolnshire....

Ready to roll......

Wahay... this is fun ......

Oh heck.... that hasn't done my hernia any good.

Wedding in Lincolnshire

Trevor and I attended his nephew's wedding on Sunday at the Petwood Hotel a beautiful period house in Lincolnshire. The weather was glorious and whilst the other guests were roasting outside, we decided to take a good look inside. As much as we tried, we couldn't behave sensibly. Ah well........

"Ooooh, is this the nutcracker suite?"

"I feel quite faint, but I'll smile for the photo - cheese"

"When I'm calling you-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo...."

Butterfly

I took this photo on Sunday in Lincolnshire.

Can someone please confirm that this is a Red Admiral? The colour indicates that it is but I'm not sure about the markings.

Friday 20th April: It is a PEACOCK butterfly... see comments. Thanks Andrew!