Tragic News

We`ve just had some shocking news that Tony`s young nephew
has committed suicide this evening. Although he has suffered mentally for years it is still a terrible shock and so upsetting as he was only 22. What a tragic thing to happen to a young man.
The poor boy had mental health problems and had ended up in Walton prison as Tonys sister and her husband couldnt keep him out of trouble. While in jail he was being bullied by other inmates and had scaulding water poured in his face and was threatening to kill himself as he couldnt stand it. His mum was trying desparetely to get him transferred to somewhere more appropriate where he could get treatment for his schizophrenia or severe depressive illness - he was never properly diagnosed. Obviously, it was too much for him to cope with because he hung himself yesterday afternoon.
We went to pay our respects this afternoon to his family and it was heartbreaking to see them as they are so devastated. Dont know what I`d do if it was one of my kids. I dont think I`d ever get over it.
The funeral is this Friday. It will be a sad day.

Back from St. Ives - But the A30 !!!!

A few holiday snaps from Cornwall

Ellie and Evie at Lands End - August 2006

Phil, Ellie and Evie playing in the sea - St Ives

Me, Tony, Phil and Evie in Penzance

Our little holiday cabin

Got back from Cornwall last week. We had a good holiday althought the weather wasnt aqs good as we`d hoped. Still - it was wasnt too bad all considering. Pretty warm most days - we even got on the beach a few times, and went in the site pool most days which the twins loved. We also managed to get to St. Ives, Newquay, Lands End and Penzance all places I havent been to for over 25 years ago when I used to work in St. Ives. St Ives was still beautiful but the amount of traffic going into it was horrendous - far too much for a small villages and it was very difficult to park. Lands End was lovely and had changed beyond recognition. There is a complex there now with loads of exhibitions and things to do for kids. I`ll try to pop some photos up later on.

But the worst thing was the traffic on the motorway. We were stuck in terrible jams both ways - it took 8 and a half hours there and back. The A30 which goes from the M5 right down to Lands End was a nightmare it was so congested. The M5 wasnt much better and it took us 3 and a half hours just getting from St Ives to the M5 - this is only just over a hundred miles. It took another few hours getting to Bristol. After we lost the London traffic past Bristol things got easier and we started moving properly. But in future, I`d think twice about going so far south in August..........................
Some Photos. above....................

Summer Holidays in St Ives

Well -we`re off for our summer hols tomorrow - to St. Ives, Cornwall, a place I love very much. Not looking forward to the journey very much, but we`re quite relieved we`re not flying anywhere. what with the extra airport security at the moment. It really is quite horrific that terrorists planned to blow up several aircraft carrying families, obviously including children - and the security checks are vital. I feel sorry for the people stuck in horrendous queues in the airports but I`m sure most people probably understand the severity of the situation. Oh, well. I expect we`ll have to brave the terrible traffic jams were the M5 meet the M6 instead, plus whatever other jams there may be. But it`ll be worth it to see beautiful St. Ives again............

My New Competiton Blog - Take a look

I`ve recently took up an old hobby of mine again. Comping. I`ve decided to record my efforts at competition winning in a separate blog dedicated to just this. If you`d like to read about my comping and whether I`m having any luck, take a peek at this blog. I`m determined to win!


http://carolthewinner.blogspot.com/

Holiday to St Ives

what to do for a holiday this summer? Going abroad in August just doesn`t appeal to me at all - its often too hot for the kids and everywhere is so crowded. But when you have kids you`ve often got no ther option than to go in July or August. But on the other hand - if you stay in Britain, the weather is just so unreliable. Memories of last summer come flooding back - trudging round Scarborough and Bridlington (both lovely places however) in our macs and huddled under umbrellas. Not good with small kids in tow, I can tell you!
But looking at the weather forecast for August, it seems the weather may well be good, so I`m taking a chance on a holiday in beautiful Cornwall. Having spent three glorious summers working in St, Ives when I was young, it`ll be good to revisit the place with my family. So its all booked now and I`m keeping everything crossed this old British weather aint going to let me down.

Still nothing doing on the house front. We`ve had no perspective viewers for ages. Somethings not right and our estate agents are rubbish. When we come back from hols, its time to review the situation. I think we need a new plan of acion.