The light was so beautiful around the lake at Trentham yesterday.
It's been a week for reflections as we entered the second week of January. We started the New Year with a funeral and now there will be another. Our neighbour who had suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for many years had been bed bound for the last year and in and out of hospital. She lost her partner of many years to Motor Neurone Disease in February 2020, just before the first lock down. On Christmas Eve she was taken into hospital with Flu and another infection I think they said Sepsis. Anyway, she lived through all that until last Thursday evening. Her brother rang us on Friday morning with the news. We had been looking after her cat and dog whilst she was in hospital. Both animals have now found homes, not with us as we didn't want to take on any more animals at our age. The cat is just a few houses down the road so we will see her around. The little dog has gone to a young couple who already have a pomeranian, I'm sure he will be happy in his new home.
We will have to wait and see what new neighbours will move in when the house is sold. We have been so lucky to have wonderful neighbours on both sides over the last twenty eight years, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it may continue.
I've also been delving into the 1921 census now it is free on Ancestry. I've been looking for siblings of my grandparents and found quite a few of them. I later followed up on a link and found two very sad stories in the Hodgetts family. My paternal great grandmother was a Hodgetts. I found her brother's death due to a pit roof collapsing and the marriage of his daughter followed a year later by her death, probably in childbirth and the deaths of the twin boys within days of each other.
Oh dear this post has got a bit maudlin.
Here is a photo of a female pheasant taken as we walked around the lake yesterday. There are three of them and they can usually be spotted in the trees between the lakeside walk and the monkey park.
I have registered to participate in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch again this year. Goodness knows how many years we have been doing this but it always something to look forward to. We've had some different bird visitors to the garden during the cold and icy weather including Siskins and Long-Tailed Tits. There have also been Starlings about again.
All for now. Take care.
I shall do the bird watch, but now we've moved and live in a new build there aren't many birds around. I think all the trees and shrubs haven't grown enough for hiding places. But we have a very cheeky robin coming in and a couple of rooks, hoping to entice more in when I've got the garden planted up. Hugs Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Gill. I'm sure the birds will visit when your trees and shrubs grow. We are lucky to have hedges on two sides of the garden and several trees too so plenty of hiding places. Great to have a Robin visit they are always cheery at this time of year. It will be interesting to compare the results of the bird watch from your first year onwards as your garden matures:)
DeleteSad news to start your year. I too will sign up for the bird watch. Can’t believe it’s that time again. Lovely reflection photo. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you B. Yes a sad start to the new year. The bird watch comes around quickly doesn't it? The reflections were wonderful and the light was just right, it was so beautiful around the lake on Monday:)
DeleteI am so sorry to hear the sad news about your neighbour and distressing information you found out about ancestors. One of these days I will have to join Ancestry or Find My Past - I just never seem to have the time to do as much family history research as I would like so always hesitate to join.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful photo of the reflections on the lake. I shall do the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch too - it does come round quickly!
Take care.
Thank you Caroline. It is sad about our neighbour. I guess when you do family history you do find some sad stories along the way, in some ways it makes you grateful for the way we live now. Looking forward to the Birdwatch, I always enjoy it. I don't mind looking in the 1921 census for you, just let me know:)
DeleteYou had a difficult start to your year, Rosie. I hope your new neighbors are nice people, and good neighbors to you.
ReplyDeleteI have never participated in a bird count! Maybe we should look into it this year.
Thank you Granny Sue. I hope so too, we've been so lucky to have good neighbours over many years. The bird count here is fun and helps the RSPB learn which birds are doing well and which are declining in numbers and where in the country this is happening:)
DeleteI'm sorry about your friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you William:)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about the recent funerals and illnesses, January is a dreadful time of year for older people when it comes to illness. It's interesting to hear about the Census being free now, well done on your researches, a few more details added from the past. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK, yes, January can be difficult what with weather and illnesses that are going around. Yes, the census is free to view if you have a subscription to Ancesty. I've been spreading sideways and picking up siblings of direct line ancestors and finding out where they lived and what their work was:)
DeleteSad news about your neighbour, Rosie. I'm glad her pets will have new homes with people who will love and care for them now. It will be interesting to see the 1921 census even if it does reveal some sad family stories. Good luck with the bird watch this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley, we've seen photos of both cat and dog in their new homes and both look happy so I think all will be well for them. I've found all four grandparent's siblings except two so I'm still looking for those. We are getting lots of birds at the moment, will they be there for the birdwatch? I hope so:)
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