Jane at Levant: April 2011

Saturday 30 April 2011

Beasties in the Wood

This young sapling tree - casts its shadows across this tree of yesteryear.

Oh my what is this skulking in the woods - could it be some unidentified prehistoric monster - complete with a scaly skin?

These sahadows were caught in the woods at Corfe Castle - Herefordshire - when we were on an away day Easter weekend.

The National Trust is very good at leaving old tree stumps to rot so giving little beesties places to thrive.

We found this secret place by chance - looking for a pathway in the shade for our return walk- early in the walk we had crossed the open parkland climbing up to the woods on the hill in the hot sunshine - no way were we returning that way !!

Wednesday 27 April 2011

With Apologies to Mr Mistoffelees- and we all say Oh

His manner is vague and aloof,
You would think there was nobody shyer -
But his voice has been heard on the roof
When he was curled up by the fire.
And he's sometimes been heard by the fire
When he was about on the roof -
And we all say:OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A cat so clever
As Magical Mr Mistoffelees!

T.S.Eliot (Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats)

I could not resist this shot - taken while on holiday in Wales - seen when on a visit to Solva - a quaint little harbourside town - with tiny winding streets- hiding wonderful pottery and craft shops to die for!

This black cat was so beautiful - he just stared and stared at me through his bright green eyes.
The stunning blue bench certainly complimented his elegant form - and I am sure he knew that too!

Saturday 23 April 2011

Sun Shadows on a beach in Pembrokeshire -Wales

Wow it is Shadow Shot Sunday across at Hey Harriet http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/ a week or so back I captured this pic as we started to climb up the cliff path from Bullslaughter Beach in Pembrokeshire - Wales

The Rowan trees hanging onto the cliffs cast a myriad of shadows across the beach

Local sayso - claims that the noise of the sea in the caves gives the beach its' name - it is like bulls laughing so they say! - have you ever heard a bull laugh?

I think it would depend on whether you had visited the local hostelry - and also on how many pints you had consumed!

The beach was beautiful with white sands and towering cliffs above carpeted in Spring flowers

Sunday 17 April 2011

A Butterfly and a 'Latte'

I thought of Shadow Shot Sunday across at http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/ when I saw this peacock butterfly basking in the sun on the Pembroke Castle Walk. It was not alone - others were flitting to and fro in the bushes nearby - drinking in the warm sunshine.

The Castle Walk wanders round the dark towering castle above and the River Cleddau to the side - the coffee shop over the bridge is to be recommended - they serve a brilliant Latte!.We sat at a table by the side of the river - watching the swans and the world go by - perfect bliss!

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Dear Diary

This week has been a tale of calamities really , my computer crashed and aged father was not to sparky either!

I have been computerless for pretty much a week , and everytime I rang up anxiously for news the comment from the engineer was that it was on the bench!

Things are improving at last - my computer is back, and so I can start catching up on my blogging - father is looking up - I took him out for a spin in his car yesterday - and a combination of spring sunshine , flowers and maybe my speedy driving seemed to give him a new lease on life.

Last week B and myself had a glorious 4 days in Pembroke, which dear diary I must share with you shortly.

Header pic on blog - a beach - a dog - and moi - a sneaky shot from B!

Oh it is so good to be back on line!!

FAIRY -LED

The fairy people flouted me,
Mocked me ,shouted me
They chased me down the dreamy hill and beat me with a wand
Within the wood they found me ,put spells on me and bound me
And left me at the edge of day in John the miller's pond
Beneath the eerie starlight;
Their hair shone curd -white
Their bodies were all twisted like a lichened apple tree
Feather -light and swift they moved,
And never one they loved,
For all were full of dreams and dark designs on me.

With noise of leafy singing
And white wands swinging
They marched away amid the grass that swayed to let them through.
Between the the yellow tansies
Their eyes,like purple pansies,
Peered back on me before they passed all trackless in the dew.

Mary Webb - from the Spring of Joy

Three softly curved white sepals veined with light,

Three green-lined petals,guarding frugal gold,

And all so strong to fold or to unfold!

Snow thunders from the bending pines.How slight

This frail,sheathed stem! Yet all unbent it springs,

So swift in stoopings and recoverings.

In the pale sunshine,with frail wings unfurled,

Comes to the bending snowdrop the first bee.

She gives her winter honey prudently;

And faint with travel in a bitter world,

The bee makes music, tentative and low,

And spring awakes and laughs across the snow.

Mary Webb

Found on the Web Part One

Short Jokes of the day

Dress Code.

It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary. If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days

We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days

Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday & Sunday.

Found on the web !! Part 2

Toilet Use
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offence, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the "Chronic Offenders category". Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sanctioned under the company's mental health policy.
Lunch Break
Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.
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