Bateman's - Home of Rudyard Kipling

This is a view of the above; one of the loveliest homes we saw during our summer holiday. We all agreed we would feel right at home there!

Yesterday we went to see some potential wedding clients. They had attended Chris & Katy's wedding in September and we were recomended. That was so kind of Chris & Katy! We really enjoyed meeting B & S again and S's parents at their beautiful farm house. Today I heard that they are booking us, which is lovely.

On the way home, we stopped the car to look at a map. Suddenly we heard a HUGE bang and looked up to see a car buried in a tree across the road! I rushed over to see if I could help the driver whilst phoning for the police and ambulance. To my huge relief the driver was ok, just very shocked and a bit sore in places. Phil was busy comforting the other driver. I have no idea who was to blame; they both seemed like really nice, genuine people and I'm just thankful no-one was seriously injured!

I've spent most of today with my mum in law. I love her SO MUCH. It hurts so much to see her frightened. I just want to "fix her", make everything go away and I know I can't.

I was lucky enough to see & hear the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, when she appeared at Wirral libraries' BookFest last Monday. I was taking the photos on the night and here is one of Carol Ann with three incredibly talented young Wirral poets. Carol Ann is not only a great poet but a very friendly and down to earth lady with a great sense of humour!

We found an old manor house on one of days out in Kent; it was very small and felt very peaceful in the heat of an August day. I liked the misty glass in the leaded windows and the glimpse of red amongst the green foliage.The summer seems so far away now but we are having a beautiful autumn so far.

WHAT a week; it was Wirral Libraries' BookFest and I worked a lot of extra hours. Every event seemed to go pretty well, though. I got to take quite a lot of photos which I haven't had a chance to process yet. The week was full of challenges but I really enjoyed most of it; it was fun! i have been very short of time: i have been visiting blogs and reading all your posts even though I may not always have commented.

Phil's mum is recovering after her big operation but prayers and positive thoughts are still needed. She is being really brave. When I see her smile I know I would not be so cheerful under the same circumstances.

Oh dear, I had a nasty shock today. There was an AWFUL photo of me in the local paper! A couple of weeks ago RDA held the world's biggest riding lessoon to celebrate its 40th anniversary and our group at Foxes took part. Well, there was a reporter there and she got a photo of me leading Candy and I look terrible; tatty hair, baggy t-shirt billowing over the coat tied round my hips, double chins, the LOT! The sort of photo that people stick on the fridge to put them off eating! I was mortified! But at least our rider, ally , looks fab. Ally could hardly sit up when she started last term and now she has great balance. It's so encouraging to see her enjoying her riding and getting better each week. RDA is one of the best parts of my week - my life! I'm so lucky to get to do it!

We have had three enquiries for weddings in the past week. It's funny how you can have nothing for ages and then three come along at once!