Ramblings in Retirement

April 2008

April has been a good month with the weather and apart from a few isolated showers and a persistent westerly wind (not a persistent ROB WESTLANDS wind!) the temperature has been in the low 20s. The swimming pool however seems reluctant to get warm and is currently at only 18 degrees, too cold for me! By the end of the month it reached 22 degrees and will soon be warm enough for a swim.

With the good weather it has been a time for garden work. I have clad one wall with a stone facing which has not only made a feature but saves painting in the future. Not a bad job if I say so myself.
Penny has been a great help with weeding and general garden maintenance and helps make the work less. She has cleared a large border on the top level so I can extend the lawn. I have had to check out the entire automatic watering system and ensure the jets were not clogged, as there has been no rain and little likelihood of any in the near future.

We went to a “tribute” dinner for the 75^th birthday of Ken Goodwin who was best known as one of the “comedians” on a TV show in the 70s/80s. Ken, who lives in the next village, is now suffering from Altzimers and is a sad version of his previous self.

We were surprised to learn that not only was he a comedian, but also an accomplished banjo player, and in his early days he toured the theatres with George Formby songs. His catch phrase was “settle down” and he has named his villa Settle Down also.

Penny and I visited his house last year as it is up for sale, but despite being a very nice property, its layout was not suitable for us despite it being offered at a bargain price. (It consisted of a main house with 2 bedrooms, small kitchen and smallish lounge diner plus, a second building with 2 bedrooms, lounge and bathroom and sun terrace. As if that were not enough, there was a further building with a 1 bedroom self contained apartment. Naturally there was a large swimming pool, terraces and double garage all in about 3000 sq. mtrs).

The tribute evening went very well and was hosted by Ken’s manager with a testimony by Freddy “Parrot Face” Davis. The meal was indifferent and when I mentioned this to the owner he said it was his fault for getting the chef drunk the night before!! (I’ve heard lots of excuses in the trade before but that was a new one on me)!

Back to the garden, I am showing you a few photos of some of my plants, which I think are unusual.

This one is the Cordyline Australis and despite growing it for many years this is the first occasion we have seen it flower

This next plant is called Cadburius Bournvillius (sic) and is a real treat at this time of year.

Finally, I don’t know the name of this cacti/succulent but it has a lovely display of flowers.

We visited a town some 60km from us, which we can see from our nayh called Cullera. It appears to be an island but is in fact a promontory some 20km south of Valencia. We never seem to hear of anyone visiting Cullera or in fact any information on it at all, however each time we return from Valencia we can’t but fail to see the Hollywood type letters shouting CULLERA affixed to the hillside. It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise, there was a promenade, which stretched for several kilometres, it was exceptionally clean, the beach was immaculate and there were a fine selection of bars and restaurants. I think this was one resort the Spanish have kept quiet about!

We’re getting prepared to return to Gildersome for 10 days as of 4^th May and whilst it will be great to see the grandchildren again I am not looking forward to sharing the cold and miserable weather. Once I have had my “fish & chips”, “Pork pie with mushy peas” “Indian curry” and several pints of “Yorkshire bitter” I’m ready to come home.

Anyway, that’s all for this month.