Breast Cancer Care

A very long and rewarding day helping out with a friends 'Open House' day for Breast Cancer care.  Herself a breast cancer suffer, she has worked tirelessly to make this event successful and she has succeeded.  I have just had a message to say she has raised £300.

If you read this, very well done my friend, you are an inspiration.

Superdragon Auction.



 

Goldie Lookin Dragon

 What a fun night last night was!  I found myself at the Superdragon auctions at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport. The atmosphere was one of excitement, and I certainly don't think either of the two charities were expecting to raise the amount of money that was actually raised last night - almost £100,000!

The two benefiting charities were Tenovus and Born Free. I was thrilled to bits when I found myself sitting next to the founder member of the Born Free charity -  Virginia Mckenna!  What a smartly dressed lady, and an intelligent one at that! That wasn't my only surprise of the night by a long way.  As a huge fan of Eastenders, I was thrilled to pieces when John Altman (Nasty Nick Cotton) came on to introduce the Superdragons to the bidders. What a nice man he is, so totally different from his character in Eastenders. He was genuinely interested in what was going on and took the time to really look at the dragons. You can always tell when someone is genuinely interested.  He has been a patron of the Born free trust for many years we were told.

The dragon pictured above 'Goldie Lookin Dragon' went for £1,900.  There were two absolutely beautifully dragons, that I had not see on my trail earlier in the year, because they had been I the Celtic Manor. They went for £4,900 and £8,000 respectively.

When 'Elvis' came up for sale, the curtain went back and we were treated to an Elvis Presley impersonator act, which as really good.  The Newport rock band 'Goldie Lookin Chain' were on stage at one point, but only in a supporting role, not performing.

I have had enough to say in the past about Newport City Council and their inefficiencies, but through this summer, with the 2010 Summer Festival, they have come up trumps!.

Bleak, hard, lonely place...

Forgotten in the mists of time.

Lying under mossy mounds, where no one remembers them.

A return to the cholera cemetery in Tredegar today proved to be one of the better visits I have made there.  The day was wet and misty when I arrived and bitterly cold, like a January day.  The temperature was 4 degrees lower than when I left Newport, and as I pulled up on the moors I wondered at the wisdom of trudging across to the burial ground.  But I had made a promise to a friend that I would take her, and she had refused the opportunity to cancel our trip, so I felt honour bound to try.  The paths were wet, and very muddy which meant that they were slippery. When we reached the cemetery, the mist and rain just added to the evocative feel of the place and outlined more clearly to me than previous visits, the banishment of these poor people, cast out from society for no other reason than they were ill.  Cholera is still a dreaded disease today, back then it was terrifying and the non-infected did not know what to do with the dead for fear of them still being contagious.  I understand all that, but such an example of man's inhumanity to man tugs at the heart strings.  Thank God we know now that this treatment of the sick and the dead was all metered out due to ignorance.

Cardiff Coffee Concerts

I listened whileYuri Paterson-Olenich played Rachmaninov at the Cardiff Coffee concert this morning.  It was magnificent.  Even for someone who knows very little about classical music, I knew this was a wonderful talent.  This young man was born in Brighton and had piano lessons there, just an ordinary boy in every way, except he could play the piano! He went on to the Royal Academy of Music and did a post graduate course in Moscow.  Exceptional.  I was very privileged to hear this and see him perform. I can't recommend listening to one of his performances highly enough.

The winds of change ...



Hundreds of people have been marching through Newport this week protesting about the closure of the passport office.

Protesters marching in Newport City Centre this week.



More than 300 jobs will be lost if this closure goes ahead.  The announcement comes hot on the heels of Marks and Spencer announcing they are pulling out of the city centre to relocate on the outskirts of Newport; likewise NEXT and Monsoon

The city is undergoing many changes, with many parts being re-developed.  The erection of a new university and halls of residence along the river front have been a welcome addition to the city, but people are wondering what there will be to attract potential students into Newport if there is no lively city centre and shopping facilities within walking distance.  It's a funny set up here in this small city, on one hand we are having superb additions like the university and campus, new bridges, multi million pound redeveloped railway station and the mass attention that the Ryder Cup brought.  On the other hand we have shops  pulling out and now the passport office closure (which must have supported the retail outlets with its fluidity of customers) We are overrun with £1 shops & charity shops, which irritates me.  I agree there are small galleries and cafes, but little retail to sustain anything. It seems as if its all one huge contradiction of plans.  I for one don't understand it all.

Wednesday Pottery

Done on the wheel this morning.  I am quite pleased for week 2.



Everyone has a different way of working.  This new pottery tutor suits me, at least he tutors, unlike the previous one, who never showed me a thing! But people are funny.  Some of the 'old school' who are quite set in their ways, will not accept that this guy is different, the he does things in a different way.  At least he gets around us all, and shows us what to do. But because he is young and structures his class differently he is criticised by some. It must be hard for him.

The past is the past I say.  We can't regain it, so lets look forward, move on and make the best of what we  have now.  I have had to apply that to life, so I am sure, with a little effort, it can be achieved in a pottery classroom!

Made in Dagenham



Two of the cast in 'Made in Dagenham'.

The reviews of this film may be off putting, as it celebrates radical feminists and militant upholstery seamstresses at a Ford's plant in 1968.  They were striking for equal pay to the men at the same plant.  This is a tale of ordinary people and it lifted my heart!


I won't spoil the story line, in case anyone reading this blog hasn't seen it, but this film has pertinent things to say to the modern generation, about standing up for your principles in a dignified way.


'Made in Dagenham' will not rate among the great films of our time, but it's a timely entertaining one, with it's principles firmly in the right place.  Well worth watching.


P.S  Some of the scenes were shot at the old Hoover factory at Merthyr.  Such an easily recognisable landmark, some people obviously knew it was coming up in this film and started to applaud when it came on screen!

Colds and coughs!



The bronze pendant necklace I made this morning.



Coughing, sneezing, sweating and freezing...  that's been life for the past week!  However, I recovered enough to go to jewellery making this morning and managed to make this rather attractive pendant. I hope to goodness I can sell some of these things.  I need to recoup some of my outlay!!!

Necklace and earring set made by me!

I enjoy doing this sort of thing, but am finding it expensive.  To buy the beads costs a fortune and to recoup any money I would have to sell a lot of items.  I am amazed that such a hobby can cost such a lot!  Personal satisfaction is great, but the reality is, as I am now finding, that unless I sell some stuff, make it a self funding hobby if you like, I can't afford to do it!!! I wonder how others with this hobby survive?  They can afford it I suppose, or have a client base and make things to order.  The money that was being spent at the Cardiff bead fair yesterday was phenomenal! Good luck I say...  as for me I shall have to find a cheaper hobby I think!

National Poetry Day

Carol Anne Duffy - Poet Laureate

                                                        
Yesterday - October 7th - was National Poetry Day, in fact the whole week is National Poetry Week.  Radio 2 has been reading peoples favourite poems all the week from 1pm - 2 pm.  Well done BBC radio 2 it's been excellent.

Last night I went up the valley to Blackwood to hear amateur poetry being read by the authors.  A classmate of mine from college had entered this competition, and been selected for the top ten, so I went along to support.  He read his poem and it was beautiful, about the anniversary of the death of his wife.  However, he didn't win, not even the public vote, but it's participating in these events that gives you the pride, not the winning.  There can be no winner or losers in poetry in my opinion, as they are all beautiful in their way, and all written from a personal perspective. I think it takes courage to write something and then get up on stage and read it to an audience when you are an amateur, unsure of yourself and the genre. Well done to all who participated and well done to the organisers.  I saw nothing advertising an event like this in Newport city!

A Mixed day.

Having driven home after a family funeral in my home town yesterday and feeling very nostalgic, I had a phone call from friend Anne asking if I would like to go to the cinema last night.  I thought I would, I needed to be shaken out of the mood that hangs over you after a funeral.
 
We went to see Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts. The book of the same title was written by Elizabeth Gilbert, a sort of travelogue of her travels to Rome, India and Indonesia and it's true story.

It's about emotional growth essentially.  A woman realises that she is not getting what she wants from life, and, after a painful divorce sets out on a journey of self discovery that takes her around the world.

 Elizabeth Gilbert walks out on her marriage when she realises that it is no longer what she wants. It is a kind of travelogue of her travels really. Even though millions of us can empathise with her need to get away from a marriage that isn't working, how many of us can take a unpaid 'year out' travelling the world to 'find ourselves', and for such a protracted period of time? However, it was a pleasant few hours, and even if some people were green with envy of her financial ability to do such a thing, it was well worth watching for the scenery!  For me it was just the kind of escapism I needed after a mournful day...

It's a win for Europe!

It's ours!

Europe have triumphed over the U.S.A in the 2010 Ryder Cup!  With five Europeans in the world top ten we were always going to give America a tough match, but to win this historic trophy on a course that was especially designed for this tournament is terrific for European golf and just marvellous for Wales itself.  It will certainly put the Celtic Manor Resort on the map, and deservedly so.  I have visited this venue twice, once on my birthday with my son and family.  He drove/walked me around the resort and it really is a spectacular place.

Congratulation and well done to the European team!

A Beady Afternoon!

Friend Anne working at our cottage industry!



A productive afternoon passed very pleasantly. I have spent so much money on this project I hope that I sell some of my wares to recoup some of that money, if I don't,  it's bye bye beading!!!  We were both very pleased at what we achieved this afternoon, and are looking forward to going to a Bead Fayre next weekend, there should be an amazing selection available.

While we were working ... the weather improved and the 'competition down the road' was surging ahead with Europe in the lead!  Lets hope they can sustain that lead tomorrow, as the competition has been extended.  This is the first time that this has happened in Ryder Cup history, but as I said previously, the weather is unpredictable, particularly in the U.K.  It promises to be an exciting day!

What a difference a day makes!

Sunshine ... at last!

Saturday was fine and sunny, just what the doctor ordered for all of us after all the rain this week, particularly for the Ryder Cup team and it's organisers. People locally have been saying why did the organisers choose the month of October when it is traditionally a rainy month?  Well, I don't know, but is October traditionally rainy?  I was married in mid October (some year ago) and it was glorious. I don't think that necessarily follows. So, what happens when this match is played in Scotland in four years time?  I am sure the weather there will give a few problems as they usually have tougher seasons than us in the South!


However, that was yesterday.  Today rain stopped play - as they say. I went out to get a paper earlier and I have to admit there were some severe water laying on the roads, but I didn't hear this downpour during the night! I really hope it clears for later. This is a huge disappointment for all concerned.


Anyway, was I bothered about all this yesterday - No!  I went to Cardiff with my friend Anne and we went to this glorious bead shop that she had located on-line.   Crystal and Ice Bead Shop was, for us, like being in a sweet shop!  I spent far too much money, but the choice there is amazing.  They are online:

http://www.crystals-and-ice.co.uk/

Any beadaholics out there... this place has a fabulous range. Anne is coming to lunch today and then this afternoon we are have a bean-feast of our own.  We are going to make some stuff to sell and some for Christmas gifts - hopefully.  More about that later...

P.S I have just read that Gleneagles, where the Ryder Cup is to be held in 2014, (and incidentally bid against the Celtic Resort for this year) was also underwater this weekend! It's not just South Wales that is having bad weather!!!

A wet start!

Ryder cup rain!

As I write it is still absolutely tipping down!  The golf kicked off this morning, on time, and the European team made a good start.  However, after just two hours, play was suspended due to the rain and so far there has been no time given for play to resume.  It seems today is a washout with the Welsh weather being the only winner on this wet Friday!