Archive for January, 2008
Snotty, ferns and wind.
January 10th, 2008 | 
Author: Woke up this morning with a stinker of a cold. Turned over after some sharp words to Steve and fell back asleep. Asha came up to see me at nearly 11.30.
We eventually went to Bangor, though I seem to have a leak in the van, so my seat was soaking wet.. oh well another reason to get rid of her…sniffle sniffle.
After doing the Cash and Carry, and taking Asha to macdonalds – for good behaviour (needed something easy and fast for lunch) and a trip around Argos.. for next door, and Tescos for a pint of milk and a loaf of bread, we decided to go and have a look at Glynllifon.
bbc
It was good to go when it is quiet as i was able to ask questions without an audience, and actually look around the shop properly, they have some great art work and kids clothes, amongst the many items in there. Asha enjoyed playing on the swings and we looked at the Ferns growing by the play areas as well.
I think we may well go and do the “tree trail” soon, as it wouldnt be too expensive to do, and should be quite interesting for us all.
We had another go at Toad in the Hole tonight with gluten free flour, nearly there.
Popularity: 9% [?]
A Fresh Start
For a long time I used Textpattern as a CMS and for some blogging. After spending a couple of days messing about with Textpattern for this blog and not getting it to behave itself, I gave up and installed WP. I had used WP in the past, but had never got on with PHP and so found it very frustrating. So it was with some misgivings I installed it.
I still don’t like the layout of the Admin, I still don’t like the PHP or how complicated it is to change the style/theme. But, it has taken me 2 hours with WP to do what it had taken 2 days with TP and the TP site still didn’t work properly. I admit that the problems with TP are more to do with me than TP itself.
Perhaps in time me and WP will become friends.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Lost Wildlife
I have recently realised how little I know about my enviroment. I have no plans on becoming an enviromentalist, but I aim to increase my knowledge of the world around me. Its far more interesting than politics!
A rare Kemp’s ridley turtle was washed up alive near Abersoch in Gwynedd. http://www.esasuccess.org/reports/profile_pages/KempsRidleySeaTurtle.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7176944.stm
Loggerhead Turtle
http://www.mcsuk.org/marineworld/turtles/loggerhead+turtle
Oh well that is two new reptiles in my knowledge bank.
I never even realised we had turtles wild in the uk.
I have heard of wildlife and fungi since we moved here. Which I never knew existed. How do I feel about this? Sad I think. I am also very glad, I have a great chance now to fill this hole in my knowledge… ohh more study!
Squamanita pearsonii
“John Harold had to consult an expert to find out it was “Squamanita pearsonii,” commonly known as Strathy Strangler.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7023989.stm
So that is some of this weeks wildlife education, can my brain continue at this pace?
Popularity: 7% [?]
Bath Science
During Asha’s bath-time tonight we wondered why some thing make a big splash when dropped into the water and some things don’t.
We discovered that a small doll dropped from quite high up makes a bigger splash than a small foam letter dropped from very high up. We couldn’t work out why this was. We can, however, confirm that rubbing soap on the foam letter doesn’t give it a bigger splash and that wrapping the same letter in a wet face-cloth does make a bigger splash.
I can confirm that without being dropped, Asha can make a bigger splash than a small doll dropped from quite high up.
Popularity: 7% [?]
A Changing Day
I kept on changing what day it is today. One minute I thought its was a Wednesday, Next a Friday!… The reality, a Tuesday!
Had a slow start to the day, as I was tired, and achy. My left arm is hurting a lot at the moment. After Pancakes in bed, and an extended lie in, Asha arrived at my bed. Jumped on me and said.. “mummy squirrels are endangered, what does it mean?”
After rubbing my eyes, I then asked her to repete the question, and wished I could get hold of her childs dictionary which is on the third shelf in the play room, but hey hum.
She then after a long cuddle got sent on a message to Daddy, to give him and kiss and make me a coffee.. job completed I got up.
We had a fun day today, made a spiders web, with a big green spider on it. Asha loves it. I read some good books with Asha, and tried to find the music for Noddy.
Asha also posted her first post online. Her letter recognition is really coming on!
I also finally rung EP&NBC about our cheque, for our money, which they owe us. They cant send us a cashable giro, and they need us to provide documentation we dont have.. IE a passport, or Driving licence, to prove its us.. Good hey!
Anyway, I am sure it will all work out!
Popularity: 9% [?]
Mission to find and answer
Clynnog Fawr
“Clynnog is strategically sited at the northern end of a pass connecting the northern and southern coasts of the Lleyn peninsula, and the area has been the site of a number of battles, including the Battle of Bron yr Erw in 1075 when Gruffudd ap Cynan’s first bid to become king of Gwynedd was defeated by Trahaearn ap Caradog and the Battle of Bryn Derwin in 1255 when Llywelyn the Last defeated his brothers Owain and Dafydd to become sole ruler of Gwynedd.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clynnog_Fawr
St Beuno
“St. Beuno Gasulsych
(Died AD 640)
(Latin: Bonus; English: Bono)St. Beuno was born around AD 545, the son of Bugi ap Gwynllyw and Princess Peren, daughter of King Lot Luwddoc of Gododdin. His paternal grandfather was a minor Prince of Powys (the son of Tegid ap Cadell Ddyrnllug) and, in this area, Beuno was raised. “
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/beuno.html
Trefor
“Trefor in Gwynedd is believed to have derived from Trevor Jones, manager of the quarry there in the 1850s. The village was formerly called Yr Hendre.
It grew as a result of the development of industry in the area and by 1880 the Welsh Granite Company had established a school there.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/whatsinaname/sites/placenames/pages/trefor.shtml
Bach Wen
“Bach Wen can be found near the village of Clynnog Fawr. Our cottages are on the site of the working farm that served the St Beuno Monastery which dates back to the 7th century.”
http://www.bachwen.co.uk/ accessed 8th Jan 08
What are they, were are they, what do they mean.. What happened here, in the past.. Will we ever find the truth?
I am on a mission, to seek.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Woolpack Yard?
http://www.visitcumbria.com/kendal/kendal-woolpack.htm
I have vague memories of my grandads birth certificate mentioning the woolpack yard in kendall.
I am sure he was a sadler. So i guess he probably worked at the yard. Or was it my fathers marrige certificate? I have little idea.
Anyway, I know this place is significant in our family tree but how, or why. I still need to discover.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Jack and Jill
Since Asha was tiny we have been reading to her selected rhymes and such things.
One nursery rhyme book has an interesting rendition of Jack and Jill in, which has lead me to look into this a little bit more.
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper;
Dame Jill had the job to plaster his knob,
With vinegar and brown paper.
Now in current english useage, the use of the term Knob, is not one I would include in a poem, for a three year old, but I guess in old english it is correct. So a trip to the online dictionary came up with very little relating to the term, other than a round shape.
This had me thinking about Old poems about The Wirral.
He who looks along the Dee,
Be he wise, will surely see-
If the far-offs clear as glass,
Rain will shortly come to pass,
But if there’s September haze,
He’ll the next day surely praise.
This refers to the season of autum, when looking towards Wales, from the Dee.
Romance of Wirral, by A.G Caton 1949 – publisher Liverpool, Philip Son & Nephew ltd
Popularity: 11% [?]
Wirral Stone
As you leave the A540 at Willaston, just before Burton turning up Damhead Lane there is a small stone at the edge of the curb.
Many locals don’t seem to even know its there, they just drive past it.
Well We can tell you this about it, and one day, we will get a photograph of it.
“The ancient stone, now stands at the point where the Willaston – Burton road, cuts the main highway….. This relic is often mistaken for a mounting block because of its position and its three tiers or steps, is a survival of the days when such stones were the meeting place of a village Moot or Parliment. They were generally placed under a tree or by a river, and at it the head of the village offered an annual sacrifice. Later the stone became the assembly place of the men not only of the village but of the Hundred. Such stones preceded the village crosses of later days.”
The Beauty and Interest of Wirral – Charles William Budden p16 printed 1921.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Why do you want a web site?
A few times I have been asked over the years, why have a web site?
I have had a few but I do feel this site is different. Why? Its a family one.
I like the idea of somewhere I can keep my ramblings as I try to put together the family tree. Where Steve and I can work on it, and as Asha grows she can find Answers, as can you!
It shall include all sorts of things.. and hopefully will become an interesting read.
First thing.
What am I currently reading?
Other than my O.U course work.. Leonardo Da Vinci, or for fun? for fun.. oh thats difficult. I am trying to find a new book, or more importantly a new author.. In the mean time, I am about to re-read the Narnia Chronicles.
Steve got me an old version of the film for Christmas on DVD, I havent watched it yet, as we did watch it over christmas anyway. But it has encouraged me to read the whole lot.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Dairy Farming
I never thought that this topic would be the first item on Family Tree House.
We are killing healthy animals due to them being the wrong sex!
This is disgusting. The supermarkets seem to be strangle-holding the British Farming Industry and we the British public aren’t supporting the farmers as we wont allow customs which are done abroad to happen in the UK, so we import from abroad instead!
Popularity: 11% [?]
