Bye - been nice knowing you . . . And thanks for everything . .

I've been toying the with the idea of closing this blog for ages. I hardly every write anything on it nowadays. It seems a bit pointless to just add some inane post once in a blue moon merely to keep the illusion of being an active blogger.

I really enjoyed it when I began but really feel I have nothing useful to add at the moment.

If I feel moved to ever start blogging again, I think I would rather start afresh with a completely new blog, probably with different content.

I have really appreciated the support from other bloggers. I know one or two have even kindly added my blog to their blog rolls so obviously now is the time to remove the link. Thanks.

I'll still be around on Twitter @idlerambler and promise to keep checking on all the blogs of those I have always followed.

After the Derby . . .

I expect most people have seen shots of the Epsom Derby on the news recently. You don't have to be a racing enthusiast to know about the Derby, especially as this year it marked the beginning of the Celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Living fairly close to Epsom, we take these scenes for granted . . .

I always find it interesting to walk down to the racecourse a day or so after the race meeting to see how the area is being tidied up and getting back to normal.

I had a lovely walk today and took a few photos. It's not quite the tranquil scene of rolling downland that I usually see on my drive home but it's getting there . . .

Interesting too that it seems to be the porta-loos that seem to be amongst the last of the temporary buildings to be removed.

A rather forlorn-looking Tote booth and starting stalls that don't look anywhere near as impressive as when they were in use on Saturday.

By this time, the sun had come out and I began to wander home, walking along the road that runs alongside the downs and enjoying the beautiful views.

What a shame we didn't have this sort of weather for the River Pageant yesterday . . .

I was mistaken for a nun today . . . !

I often stop for a coffee in our local shopping centre after work as a way of re-charging my batteries before tackling the shopping and other chores. Being a 'regular' obviously the staff have got to know me a little.

The majority of the staff are Portuguese and are delightful; always ready to help carry someone's tray if they're elderly or disabled or are struggling with babies and toddlers. They always have a kind word and a smile for the disadvantaged folk one often finds sipping a cup of tea in these sorts of places; those from the local care-in-the-community homes etc. and . . . poor old dears like me, of course!

Coming straight from work, I'm usually dressed in what I think of as typical office wear; smart-ish (I hope) work dress or skirt and blouse and sensible court shoes.

Paying for my coffee we exchanged a few words, as usual. I was asked if I worked in the church. Some of the staff know that I do. I replied that I did. 'Are you a nun?' came the response. Resisting the urge to laugh out loud, I replied that no, I was not a nun but worked in the office.

Of course if nuns dressed like this . . .

or this . . .

or, again like this . . .

then we'd all know where we were, wouldn't we? Just a thought . . .

Excuse for a few piccies . . . !

Here's one of those brief random posts I was talking about . . .

Today is my day off and I paid a long-overdue visit to the garden centre to get some bedding plants and other bits and pieces.

Our local garden centre, like many others nowadays, is a day out in itself. It boasts 3 coffee shops, outdoor areas for garden ornaments, gardening accessories, compost etc.; a designated area for barbecues, garden furniture, hot-tubs etc.; a plethora of candles, smelly things, outdoor clothing, china and kitchen accessories; and . . . oh, yes, if you look hard enough you can also find plants!

I looked at my watch whilst having my coffee and found it was approaching midday and time for the Regina Caeli. Here's where I prayed today.

A few friends looked on with curiosity . . .

And I couldn't resist this shot. Wheelbarrows for the girlies . . .

So all I have to do now is get cracking and pot up the bedding and do a massive tidy up in the garden. I'll let you know how I get on . . .

Back again - maybe . . .

It's almost 5 months since I posted anything on this blog, and I'd more or less decided that my blogging days were over, at least for a long while but it seems that there have been several occasions recently when I've been thinking, 'Oh, I could have blogged about that'.

So, I thought I'd just make contact again with the blogosphere and see if anyone out there still remembers me . . .

I have always said that this is not a Catholic blog but rather a blog written by someone who happens to be a Catholic.

I started this blog originally as way of communicating and sharing news with friends and family, especially as we have a lot of family in far-flung parts and don't see much of them.

Looking back, I noticed that I was blogging more and more about my faith and religion-related items. I think this is probably related to the way I'm becoming increasingly 'engaged' with my faith and what is happening locally and universally in the Catholic Church.

Recently, I've joined a group of people praying the Angelus (or Regina Caeli) on Twitter. No, I haven't lost my marbles. It really does happen and is very prayerful and supportive to know that others are praying with you.

Interestingly, I looked back at some of my old posts and found that I have posted about the Angelus at least once a year for the past few years. If you click on the Angelus label underneath this post you'll see the posts in question. No great theological insights just my thoughts at that particular time.

I think I will try and post a bit more often again. This is not going to suddenly turn into a 'Catholic blog' after all but I reserve the right to post now and again on a 'Catholic' or 'Religious topic'

There will still, I hope, be room for quite random posts and of course for garden-related ones too, although the garden has been sadly neglected of late.

I think that's enough for now and I must go and get ready for the Regina Caeli . . .

In deepest Winter - signs of Spring . . .

We're hearing a lot at the moment about how mild this Winter has been so far (careful, we've a way to go yet . . . ) and I can certainly say that according to our garden, Spring is already trying to put in an appearance.

I took these few shots on a lovely sunny day - Bank Holiday Monday (2nd January). Our camellia is a mass of buds, many ready to burst as the one above which has already opened.

It looks as if these daffs by the front door will be open well in time for St David's Day . . .

I know Browning is not to everybody's taste and can be a bit sentimental but when I come home after a hard day and I see these flowers shooting ahead, it really makes me think, 'God's in His heaven - All's right with the world!'

The year's at the spring

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in His heaven -

All's right with the world!

~Robert Browning