Hello my lovelies. At last I can open up and prepare for a wee buffet to celebrate our new refuge. 
Welcome!
When we bought our plot, we lived in a caravan at the entrance. Here is a pic of the rubble with which we built the rockery. Perched on top, is a peacock. He came out of the woods and would walk around the plot with me as I worked on creating the garden. We named him Boc. That was the sound he made as he accompanied me.
On the day we finally moved into our home to finish the interior, we went onto the beach opposite. MacSporran set the timer on his camera. Here is the result. A very happy memory.
Hello everyone. Today it's going to take too long to acknowledge individually the birthday wishes and kind remarks directed to my DH and to me about The Pie and My Hair! You are all so kind, you know who you are, and DH says to tell you how shocked and thrilled he was. Actually, he quoted the title of Kate Adie's book "The Kindness of Strangers."
My blast from the past photo I do need to explain. I was born with strawberry blonde hair. That same coppery colour has come out in some of our grandchildren. As I got older the colour faded quite a lot and in a moment of total madness and actually the evening before flying from England on a skiing holiday, I decided to go bonkers and colour my hair myself. I think about that now and what would I have done if it had been a total disaster...what on earth was I thinking of? However, it was a complete success - hence the photograph - and forever after people assumed that it was my natural colouring, especially as I have green eyes. When I became a much older lady, I felt that it was far too strong a colour for my skin/age, so I reverted to a pale coppery blonde again. There, end of explanation - no lies on this thread, eh?! 
Bit shocked at your lovely photos, soop because you look so like a couple of our friends (friends married to each other), that we did a sort of double take. You must say what your star signs are so I can try to work out whether that's what links you to our friends in choosing life partners so similar in appearance.
Dreamcatcher not at all impressed to hear how shabbily you are being treated regarding your meal service. Sounds as if the person in charge of the shambles needs to be contacted by someone forceful who will speak/write on behalf of all of you. It must be resolved or those doing the catering need to be removed and the question of costs for such inferior fare needs to be queried. (Wish I lived nearer, given the chance I'd be straight onto it.)
Galen how petty and disgraceful. They are just being bone idle and apathetic in the hope that you'll go away. Every retailer/large business will try that on if they can. I had a similar run-in with Debenhams (and look what happened to them!!!). They needed to be told many times that they were the ones with the records and no I did not have the name of the Store Manager for the branch where I bought the shorts - possibly because I wasn't the one who employed him? Eventually apologetic letter, refund of postage, money off product, voucher for further purchase etc. Not much of a victory though when you have to fight tooth and nail throughout. Please don't give up - make it your Knicker Mission in life (you probably do have the time at the moment).
I bet we've got so many buying/building/renovating/moving house adventures to tell between us, it would possibly be the busiest thread on Gransnet. Where did all the hopes, dreams, plans and sheer energy and determination come from? What achievements to look back on..... along with tales of broken nails, broken backs and broken promises too, in all probability.
Have the best Sunday kitcheners' evening doing just what you please. So, on we go with some positive thoughts - and hopefully sunshine to lighten the mood for the coming week. x
Grandmafrench I'm a Leo and MacS is Scorpio. Does that help?
Galen Did you mention to M&S that you wear pearls? If not, get right back and tell them that you are not to be messed with. Also, tell them where to stuff their knickers. Bloody cheek.
Lins Well done, your son. He's one of the good guys.
Dreamkeeper We are greatly relieved that you bit the bullet and were brave enough to move when you did. It has worked out to your advantage.
Thank you, CherryC This is the third home that we have built. In Cornwall we restored a run down warehouse-type structure.
After that, we restored a hay loft and it was an upside down house. Living room upstairs and bedrooms down. The farmer who sold the barn to us also gave us an acre of pasture. I was in charge of creating a garden area within it together with a winding pathway which led down to a brook. All happy memories.
I've dug up masses of montbretia. It is a rampant plant that, if left, chokes the garden. It was very hard work. It was also satisfying.
Until tomorrow, I am continuing to think of you ALL. Please stay safe. 
Beautiful photos ??
Annsixty I hope you are feeling better today all the first anniversaries are a milestone that we have to endure.
Well I have had a lesson on how to be a goal keeper from the 5yr old GC, apparently I am quiet good for a Grandma ?
I now have a rib of beef in the oven along with an apple pie, the smell of Sunday Roast wafting through the kitchen is very comforting.
Wishing you all a pleasant evening.
Keep safe and well ?♀️
Bellanonna - well you've really made DH's evening! He is still very dishy to me but more importantly has such a lovely nature. There, I've made him sound just like a Labrador
Soop Firstly, I can always spot them. I'm a Leo too - I'm quick to warm to fire signs. My friend, amazingly, is a Yorkshire Leo but unfortunately I will have to check on her Husband, John, because I've forgotten his birthdate! More to follow!
There's a lot of roasting beef aroma wafting around. Lovely "old fashioned comfort" smells. We're having fish this evening.... just missed your post, Lins - thanks for the good wishes and well done to Son of Lins ! Need to find out which department you are in France, Carillion before promising any sofa sitting.
Cherry forgot to say how lovely of you to post admiration of my banana creation - when you can no longer bear bananas. Isn't it awful when you eat so much of something for part of your life and then one day just couldn't consider ever eating it again! Isn't the sea (and your coastline) so wonderful, no wonder we all are drawn to it. Perhaps being an island race has something to do with it or maybe because it has so many moods and faces and an almost hypnotic effect which is like staring into firelight.
Well, 7.35pm French time and definitely time for a G&T.
Enjoy your suppers, everyone, bon appetit - and a good night's sleep to all. x
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