Friday 13 January 2017

History, Herstory with Hilary …




Eight years down and now into the 9th … Blogversary, my Saint’s Day and Birthday collide forever onwards … I am still staggered (and honoured) at how much you appreciate the blog and its contents … so this post is for nostalgia sake …


… and gives a little more detail on my past and about how I got to this ninth year of writing – 825 posts written, but 26 (left-overs from the 2016 non participation) in the A-Z to come … let alone the lingering cobweb of posts behind the scenes.


I’m also doing a Memoir, or Epistolary type course under the auspices of the University of the Third Age … really just how we want to record our lives – mine is pretty varied, as with no children, I can go back and/or sideways – and the families are interesting … so that’s my way.


Looks like a library to me - but is actually a bookshop:
Daunt Books - various shops in London

There is another bloghop somewhere! asking why and how we got blogging etc … at the end I post a link to Karen Lange’s blog – she interviews bloggers … I appear once!  But there are many others with plenty of advice on blogging and its benefits.



I’ve been wondering where my learning comes from … most is from blogging – as I was not ‘learnéd’ at school … but I did enjoy geography and sport …



Our pink empire is now rusty brown!
… thus I learnt about those pink countries in the world (aka British Empire) … but they’ve become more ghostly as time goes by … Brexiting away as we speak …





John Lennon's stamp album


… from stamp collecting which I did for a few years in my teens, when I was at home … so I enjoy seeing Bob Scotney’s stamps over at his blog …and thus learn more.






Colour coded continents

Geography gave the outline of the continents, and via the stamp collecting and, of course, geography I could put countries into the continents, South America being the easy one.





Waterstones - one of our high street book
chains ... "The Noise of Time" - Julian Barnes;
"When Breath Becomes Air" - Paul Kalanithi;
"The Goldfish Boy" - Lisa Thompson;
"The Ashes of London" - Andrew Taylor


The one thing I do have is a fair amount of is common sense and practicality … so I guess would learn the obvious … but those extras – reading, maths, literature, grammar or languages, Latin and French, art, physics and chemistry, biology, even needlework and cooking – there was not much sticking into the brain box when I was a kid. Something stuck obviously!






Interesting - this is from the Council for the Protection
of Rural England website - and was my first job!

Practical aspects – meant I found it easy to drive and navigate my way round the English lanes, I was lucky I’ve done a little travelling – but not a lot … I enjoyed different foods and cooking … so again another learning curve …




… then work – I had some interesting jobs, not career ones … but I worked for the Farnborough Air Show … taking on board how to address VIPs (as that was my section) …


Munich posters ... I still have a set

I was lucky to work for the British Olympic team and the 1972 Munich Olympics – again an opportunity not to be missed and a 3 day trip to the Games … then spent some years working for East European organisations ... another learning curve ... 




Green: independent; Yellow: British; Blue: French;
Dark Blue: Italian; Red-Orange: Portuguese;
Orange: Spanish; and Brown: Belgian

Then I toddled off to southern Africa … so started to pick up aspects of that part of the world … and over time we glean new things that add in to the tapestry of one’s learning.


I had enjoyed learning to cook and had the fortune of growing up with parents who would do what they could to help educate and entertain us … always with gardens at our disposal …


Back here and into blogging – why because I needed to learn what was going on in the internet world and thus needed to be involved – then my mother became bedridden and needed me to be available, and my father’s brother-in-law grew frailer after his wife died …


… so, though, I didn’t need to nurse them I took on the caring role for both … and needed to have intelligent things to chat about … I quickly took on board … my mother’s ‘well go home and google it’!!!  Thus appearing the next time with interesting articles … and something to intellectually challenge her and for us to chat about …


Mediterranean foods - my mother and uncle would have
loved these sorts of meals

… when I visited my uncle – all he wanted to do was to see what I’d written on my blog … he opened the envelope and got stuck in – I made coffee/tea or lunch … and waited til he was free!  A huge compliment …





But I couldn’t and wouldn’t have started blogging if the main source of information wasn’t in English … we are lucky if we are English speakers … being a poor linguist (lazy too) … I admire everyone who learns to speak another language, especially English …


Spanokopita - spinach and cheese layer
in filo pastry ... 


The University of the Third Age, other organisations, museum and historic places that interest me … have added to the layers of knowledge that I’ve acquired over the years … my uncle and mother would have loved these …




It’s interesting how the layers stack up quietly … and each episode of life adds to its glory … I never thought I’d be that interested in politics, but I do find the Brexit scenario very interesting – complicated, historically interwoven …


Art work in St Hilary's Church, St Hilary in Cornwall
it is by Joan Manning Sanders (early 20th C) - she was a
ten year old child.  (postcard copy)
"Flight into Egypt" from a series of Nativity scenes.
I wonder where we’re going … the thing that frustrates me as another year passes – yes Friday 13th … it was also the day of the week I became 13 … and I’ve lived in a number of # 13s …


… is that I will still be around for a while – but I doubt I’ll see it out … or where we get to … I hope those heavenly clouds up there will allow me to glimpse out and see how life pans out …


Here’s to a glorious life ahead for us all … and let 2017 be kind and generous to one and all …


Karen Lange’s blog – this is to my guest post … but the tabs at the top will lead you to others …

Bob Scotney and his stamps … his post on a Royal Mail stamp set of stamps - which Sir Edmund Hillary described as the 'Greatest Survival Story of All Time'


I have been evaluating how best to tell my stories … yes the A-Z, and the different sections (herbs and spices), bran tub eclectics, blog sandwich updates … and then my own history Herstory … the Her of She Who wouldbe Mary Wollstonecraft … and so it goes on –


-        but I’d better stop as you’ll all be thinking – Golly Gosh does the woman ever stop.  My mother loved my ‘Golly Gosh’ exclamations … one day I missed out Golly … she didn’t miss it – where is he, she asked!  He was by the seaside ... I replied!

to me and my blog ... 
So forgive the excess … it does happen only once a year and that ageing comes around far too quickly … 2017 hasn’t started too well, nor did half of 2016 .. but by 2018 – life will be renewed!


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

61 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

A very happy birthday oh fellow Capricorn.
I am awed and grateful for the warmth and wonder I have found in the blogosphere. I have laughed with other bloggers, I have wept with and for other bloggers. And my education continues. Each and every day.
I hope your year(s) to come are wonderful.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Happy Birthday and Blogversary, Hilary! That's quite an accomplishment to stick with blogging as long as you have. Sounds like you have had a really interesting life so far. I just found your blog not too long ago and am enjoying learning more about you.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I really enjoyed this post. You have lived a very interesting and kind life. Happy Birthday and congratulations on blogging for eight years.

Out on the prairie said...

A refreshing start of another year for you. Celebrate life and have a wonderful birthday. I always look forward to your posts and have fun sharing some of your information.I enjoy all my blogging friends, we share a wealth of ideas and persona that is fun to partake in. I tried to explain blogging to a friend and she was baffled how one can open up to someone they have never met personally.I told her we become personable through time and know quite a bit about each other.An electronic friendship!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ EC - thanks so much ... it is a good sign, though this old goat is having to do a lot of clinging on. It is extraordinary the blogging world - one finds it so difficult to explain to others ... I sincerely hope my years to come are full of the joys of Spring and blogging happiness!

@ Natalie - yes I'd spotted you around, but hadn't really connected til recently. Somehow I found a niche and having my mother confined to a nursing centre for over 5 years and with my uncle for a couple of years before that - it's easy to garner in the blogging years and birthdays?! So glad you're happy to be here ...

@ Arleen - thanks so much ... I try to help where I can and have had some fun jobs that is for sure ... now it's my time ...

@ Steve - many thanks .. and I'm delighted you enjoy sharing the info imparted rather leisurely here. It is strange that some of us get the blogging educative fun ... while it remains a complete mystery to others ... yet has so much to offer everyone. We sort of 'blend' into each other's persona and know the way the other person thinks ... I'm not sure we exactly open up - though some do ... but I certainly would be very happy to meet most blogging friends and I'm certain we'd be on the same wave length ... and thus enjoy each other's friendships even more ...

@ Karen - many thanks ... just happy to be here and sharing my eclectic posts ...

Cheers to you - and I'll be thinking of you as we eat a pizza and watch LA LA Land ... a happy film on my birthday for a change! Take care from a cold and somewhat snow dusted Eastbourne ... Hilary

Joanne said...

Happy Birthday and Golly Gosh indeed on your Herstory - quite a path uphill and down dale seeking knowledge and demonstrating your curiosity for life. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I wish you the best on this continued journey. Let's improve 2017. Take care!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Happy birthday to you and your blog! You've certainly covered a lot of topics over the years. Something did indeed stick.

bazza said...

A bit of personal history always adds something to a Blog. I tend not to do that because I don't think it would be interesting but your story is absorbing! I am going to be contacting our local U3A this year (Redbridge).
I tried to lose 10lbs in 2016 - only another 15lbs to go!
Congratulations on all of your anniversaries!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s interesting Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

H. R. Sinclair said...

Happy Birthday and Blogversary, Hilary! What a wonderful journey!

Hey, common sense is the best thing to have. It's what helps keep us alive.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to you and your blog!
You have done so much over your journey.

And those small inside moments with family are priceless.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Joanne - yes 'Golly Gosh' became 'a thing' for my Ma and I .. and we laughed about them. Just so happy you're enjoying the blog and we can share our way through our blogging life ... I definitely want 2017 to improve and then life to keep on improving ... please, pretty please ...

@ Alex - I have covered a mass of topics ... I think the blog posts are probably unclassifiable: I might ask someone sometime ... and yes I think something stuck and has been added to ...

@ Bazza - well it sort of got written rather off the cuff - but here it is. I know I've had some interesting periods in my life and they've just been different ... I'm sure you have too: I'd love to know more about your art and that story ...

The U3A is a great organisation - I hope you can join some good classes - we seem to be lucky here with some good group leaders.

Well done on your weight loss - that's one of my goals ... if I stop imbibing that'll help! Thanks re the anniversaries - rather a lot!

@ Holly - so glad you enjoyed the journey ... such as popped its typed way out! But common sense - yes thank goodness I do have that .. and of course the positivity ...

@ DK - many thanks for coming over to the blog ... I appreciate your look ins ...

Thanks so much to you all ... better gird my loins now and get myself organised to go down town .. have lovely weekends one and all .. cheers Hilary

beste barki said...

Happy Birthday Hilary! It's a great feeling to have a 'cloud' friend that I enjoy communicating with so much.

Fil said...

A very happy birthday Hilary - I hope you've had a lovely day.
gosh, you've had very interesting things in your life and no doubt you will continue to have - I look forward to what you produce this year.
Best wishes
Fil

Lenny Lee said...

dear grandblogmom...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...HAPPY ST HILARYS DAY...HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY...HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!

thanks for all the fantastic and interesting posts and pics. i've learned soooo much from you.

love you bunches!!



Mark said...

Who needs the empire when you've got bookshops like that and can import all the food you want? ;) Looks goo to me:) Great pics!

Juliet said...

How interesting Hilary to hear about your life & your blogging. Stamp collecting - I'd forgotten about that as a source of learning about other countries. How fantastic that you are writing a memoir. I wish you well with it, and many more happy blogging years to come!

D.G. Hudson said...

Hope your birthday is great! As long as the mind is alert and curious, age doesn't matter. I didn't know there was St. Hilary! I love hearing about the food you have on your travels, and the way you weave the history in with other interesting facts. Please do continue blogging!

Liz A. said...

Happy Birthday. You've had a varied life thus far. Hopefully it will continue to be as interesting.

Paula said...

Happy Birthday to both you and your blog. I am so glad that I found you through the A-Z. You have educated me on many varied things. Looking forward to many more!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Beste - lovely to see you ... and yes isn't it interesting how we can connect 'so easily' - finding mutual ideas and friends ... I love hearing about Turkey ...

@ Fil - yes ... luckily it didn't snow - just cold! It's been an eclectic life that is for sure ... but I hope to be around and communicating for a while yet ...

@ Lenny - it's been a delight having you around the blogosphere and being a special friend to my mother and I ... she certainly enjoyed hearing from you ... and now so do I. Just delighted to know that you learn something from my posts and photos ... I too love you bunches! xoxo

@ Mark - we needed the empire to provide those foods for us to try in the first place ... now we're so lucky - we're reaping the rewards. Britian certainly has many advantages ...

@ Juliet - thanks so much ... the notes just wandered out - but I always remember my stamp collecting as a way of learning about places and about trade and industry ... The memoir won't be a true memoir ... but chapters of life within others - but it'll provide a 'look around' at my life and others' lives ...

@ DG - yes it was a fairly quiet day - I think cold January does that to those of us born at this time of year .. though my South African birthdays made a change! I enjoy food and it's easy to be enthusiastic about the different ranges available ... while the history adds the extra snippets to bring it into existence in this the 21st century ... I don't think my blogging is going anywhere ... as long as I have wonderful commenters - thank you!

@ Liz - I have had a varied life ... and I'm sure it'll be a fascinating time ahead ...

@ Paula - delighted you enjoy coming over here ... the A-Z has been so beneficial to so many. Thank you - I'm just glad you enjoy the varied topics! And thanks for the thumbs up ...

Thanks everyone - it's so rewarding to have commenters who are happy to be here and to leave salient information adding to the post ...

Have happy weekends - cheers Hilary

Gattina said...

I wish you a very happy birthday (belayed)! I am in my 10th year of blogging non stop ! You are so right ! I also learned a lot and would say far more than at school. The fact to be in contact with people from all over the world is just so enriching ! I know how other people live, what they eat and how they feel. We may have all different lifestyles but our feelings are all the same all over the world !

Rhodesia said...

Interesting getting to know you better this is a great post to celebrate you blogversary. Well dime Hilary. Keep up the good work as I have learnt to much from You Diane

DMS said...

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday. I am hoping that 2017 starts looking up and that the world will become a little kinder every day. Here is to a happy and healthy year. :)

I enjoyed learning even more about you and your blogging. I think it is wonderful that your uncle loved reading what you have written on your blog. What a compliment! I am so glad you started blogging and that I cam across you years ago in the blogosphere. I always enjoy our visits. :)

~Jess

Guilie Castillo said...

"[...] but by 2018—life will be renewed" — LOVED that, Hilary. Yes, this, too, shall pass... But, as you say, it's fascinating (if in a somewhat morbid way) to see it happening. Who knows what the world will be like this time next year... but I do hope there is renewal of a positive nature :)

Happy, happy birthday!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

Anabel Marsh said...

Happy birthday to you and your blog! An eclectic post from a lady of eclectic knowledge.

Vallypee said...

Happy birthday from me too! I always wish I had more time to read and absorb your posts because they are so full and so interesting. You are one very knowledgeable soul and I love how you have gathered your information. I too was brought up with 'go and look it up' parents, and it is still what drives me these days. Wishing you a great 2017, Hilary!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Gattina - many thanks .. yes there's quite a few of us who have been blogging a long time. We do learn from each other and blogging is definitely enriching.

@ Diane - thanks so much I appreciate the thumbs up ...

@ Jess - oh I so hope 2017 will start looking up ... as you say we need the world to become a little kinder each and every day, and apply that ourselves as we go about our daily life.

My uncle was very intellectual ... so his approval was a huge compliment. It's amazing who we meet across the internet ... but so many eye opening and wonderful friends ... I love it - and thanks so much for supporting me.

@ Guilie - that phrase "but by 2018 life will be renewed" - my life particularly will be changed by then. However I sincerely hope life improves for everyone ...

Happy Happy Birthday - yes I did thank you very much!

@ Anabel - yes I'm afraid it is very eclectic, but appreciate the thumbs up for that side of it ...

@ Val - yes, there's so much to learn ... and as kids we were encouraged to try things out and see what's around. I've certainly become more knowledgeable and I just garner bits and bobs that interest me along the way of life. I don't like not checking things out ... a healthy habit I'm sure, but frustrating for others as I ask so many questions!

Thanks everyone so much for coming by and commenting - so good to see you and I do hope we all have a wonderful 2017 - Hilary

Lynn said...

Happy blogoversary and Happy Birthday, Hilary! So nice that your family was interested in your blogging. My late father used to ask me to look up things, such as, "Where do hummingbirds go in the winter?" That kind of thing.

I enjoy your blog very much and am so happy to have discovered it (through Jannie, I think.)

Theresa Milstein said...

825 blog posts. Just, wow! Love that your uncle is into your blog.

I'm sorry 2017 isn't off to the best start. May it improve vastly!

Great photos, as always. Oh, that English countryside.

Suzanne Furness said...

Happy (slightly belated sorry!) birthday, Hilary. I haven't blogged for a couple of days as went on a trip to Dartmouth with friends. An enjoyable weekend. My birthday this coming week . . . another year older, hopefully wiser! I always enjoy the variety of snippets within your blog posts, I have learnt a lot through visiting. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

Bob Scotney said...

Happy Birthday, Hillary. Sorry to have been late.

Another positive post, like so many others that we all aspire to match. I feel as though I am still learning too.

Truedessa said...

Happy Birthday to you and your blog. I've enjoyed reading your many informative posts. Thank you for all you do :)

Ceil said...

Hi Hilary! Happy Birthday! Of course it only comes once a year, so go ahead and say all you'd like. I love to read about people's lives.
The biggest thing that jumped out at me was your Olympic experience. Wow! That must have been fascinating. There certainly aren't a lot of people who can say they've seen the 'non TV side' of the Games.
Congratulations on your nine years of blogging, that's a lot of writing, a lot of ideas. I wish you many more years of sharing your life and your thoughts!
Blessings,
Ceil

Gingi said...

Happy Blogoversarry!!!!! Happy to be following you for (hopefully!) many more years! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Denise Covey said...

Again, dear Hilary, happy, happy birthday! I really hope you don't have to wait til 2018 for life to be good again! It was interesting to learn how such an interesting blogger has learned so much. You are the poster child for Lifelong Learning.So, we started blogging at much the same time. I, too, have learned so much from blogging and I appreciate every comment and encouragement. Nothing replaces it for me. Facebook and Twitter etc pale into insignificance. :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lynn – yes I was fascinated that my uncle picked up on the blog – sadly he’s gone now, as too my Mama – she’d have loved this world. Delighted you enjoy visiting and yes it was via Jannie – I must contact her …

@ Theresa – with the sort of posts I write – 825 is probably enough! Sadly my uncle is no longer with us – but he loved writing too. I sincerely hope 2017 will improve – it will later in the year … and oh yes the English countryside!

@ Suzanne – no worries … just delighted to read you’ve been up at Dartmouth with friends – now I’ve skirted by I can relate: as I didn’t know that part of Devon. I’d forgotten you’re a Capricorn too … wiser – well perhaps! So pleased you enjoy the bits and bobs that appear here …

@ Bob – no worries … I keep positive and that was acquired, and thus endorsed all the time into my psyche, via blogging … we can learn so much – if we keep our minds open …

@ Truedessa – Thanks … lovely to see you and to know you enjoy your visits …

@ Ceil – good to see you – just happy you enjoyed the brief resume of life from here. Yes the Olympics was a special occasion and one with some very memorable experiences. Eight years down and into the ninth year – I’m just happy people still want to read … so thank you.

@ Gingi – it looks like I’ll be around for a while yet! Thanks for coming by and commenting …

@ Denise – gosh ‘poster-child for Life Long Learning’ that’s some accolade … I feel my brain is definitely one that is growing – with a curiosity that can be attached to various (numerous) subjects. It’s amazing that we started blogging and appreciate this incredible opportunity … the comments, and encouragement we get are just wonderful. I definitely prefer it to the short aspects of FB and Twitter … here’s to blogging …

Thanks so much for your comments and thoughts – and I’m ‘chuffed’ that you all enjoy coming by and reading – encouraging me onwards … Have good week’s in what will be an interesting time for us all … cheers -Hilary

Nick Wilford said...

Happy Birthday and Blogiversary! Nine years is a fantastic achievement and I hope there'll be many more. Very interesting to read about your learning journey here and I agree that a lot of the knowledge we pick up comes after school. I'm impressed by how you've managed to pack so many nuggets of info into each of your 800+ posts, too.

Karen Lange said...

Happy Birthday and Blogoversary to you, dear friend! Hope the weekend rounded out in a lovely way just for you. Thanks so much for the hearty shout out - you're a gem! It was a pure pleasure to have you visit my blog. You are a wonderful guest! We'll have to do it again sometime.

It's fun to hear more about you. What an interesting history you have thus far. Wishing you many more happy, fun, and amazing years, living, blogging, and otherwise! :)

Bish Denham said...

Happy Birthday and Bloggaversary! I love learning and traveling with you and am so glad to "met" you through this medium. Have fun learning about writing a memoir!

Chrys Fey said...

Happy Blogversary! I started my 6th year on the 1st of this month. :) And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! You have much to celebrate.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Happy belated birthday to you AND your blog. I think one of the greatest assets you have to help you in writing such interesting blog posts is your curiosity. With curiosity and a willingness to "google it", our education never has to end.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Nick - thank you and I expect there will be many more, I hope so anyway. I just wasn't an academic and so this 'learning' thing bemuses me - still I enjoy it and those nuggets help to pad the blog posts out ...

@ Karen - pleasure for your shout out ... your guest bloggers give us something to think about, as do your posts ... I guess I haven't got stuck in one area of work ... which has given me a general feel for things ...

@ Bish - wonderful to read you enjoy the learning and travelling with me - it is amazing how we meet blogging friends ... Ah! the Memoir will be different to others and definitely not in the expected format ...

@ Chrys - oh well done - six years is massive isn't it ... just incredible how the time flyeth!

@ Susan - thanks so much ... I should have added in about Wiki - I don't think I could do the blog without it ... I don't re-rattle the articles out but the links help, and as you say the need to know more and I can easily look to add information to some of my posts ...

Thanks so much everyone ... I'm just glad you're happy reading ... cheers Hilary

Nilanjana Bose said...

Happy belated Hilary! 13 years - gosh, that's some serious blogging mojo!

Your posts are always varied and interesting and educational, have learned much from my visits here. Wish you good times in 2017 and happy blogging and living for many years to come.

Amanda said...

Happy belated birthday and blogversary, Hilary. Congratulations on being such an interesting and successful blogger! Amanda.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Sorry I'm a little late, Hilary, but happy anniversary and MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Love your blog - always interesting - and you research it so well. I agree with you about Brexit - nice to see someone trying to be objective about it for a change! All the best!

likeschocolate said...

Happy Blog Anniversary! I am almost at year 9 come March! It is always fun to look back and see where one has been and the friends we have made along the way sharing ones journey. Wishing you a fantastic 2017!

H.R. Bennett said...

Thank you so much for sharing and happy anniversary! You're making me think about the fact I should probably arrange a bloghop sometime soon.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Nila - only the start of the 9th year ... just 13 seems to be around my life! Just very happy to see you find the information varied and thus interesting ... and thanks for the wishes ...

@ Amanda - good to see you ... and many thanks re comment

@ Mike - no worries - just very happy to read that you enjoy coming here. Brexit is interesting and I just hope it all works out for us.

@ Kelleyn - thanks for coming over - good to see you ... and so we started at much the same time ... it's a fascinating process ...

@ Robert - I don't do bloghops but someone was asking how we got started so this post sort of ! tied in ... and covering the birthday ...

Cheers and thanks for visiting to you all ... Hilary

Murees Dupè said...

I hope you enjoyed your birthday. I always admire your vast knowledge of subjects. Wishing you a brilliant 2017, Hilary and great health.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Many congratulations, Hilary! You have much to celebrate. Wow! That's a lot of posts. Your blog is always so interesting. I thought that one picture was a library, too. Happy Birthday, my dear. May 2017 be your best year yet.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Murees - many thanks ... I've just added some knowledge with each blog post as I go ... and then obviously life too - that's rather long now!!

@ Victoria - appreciate you enjoy visiting .. yes that bookshop-library is an incredible looking place isn't it ... I think I must visit sometime when I get to London ...

Thank you and here's to our year of 2017 being the best yet ... I sincerely hope it is! Cheers Hilary

diedre Knight said...

Oh my dawg! I could well have used this lovely, uplifting post in recent weeks. A very happy belated birthday to you, dear Hilary! Your blogging success comes as no surprise to me, sometimes I think it's a godsend. Love the picture of the bookshop!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diedre - many thanks ... we all need cheering up at this time of year - just delighted if I lift your spirits occasionally. I'd better find that book shop - when I next get to London town with some time to spare ...

Cheers and have a peaceful weekend ... Hilary

Keith's Ramblings said...

I wasn't around when you posted this, so please accept my belated greetings and congratulations. What an interesting and varied life you have had thus far. It's only when you begin to write it down that you realise just how much you've done. I found that to be so when I serialised My Chequered Career on my blog a couple of years ago. It went on for weeks! So, welcome to year 10 in the blogosphere or whatever they call it!


Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Keith - no worries and any birthday greetings early or late are welcomed! I don't think I've done much, but I guess my life has been varied if nothing else ... I must look up your Chequered Career soon ... It's a funny old life, but I do enjoy blogging, and thus writing and meeting people in real life or via the net ... cheers Hilary

Susan Scott said...

When o when was your birthday Hilary?? I'm so sorry to have missed it - belated birthday greetings to you and I hope you had a lovely day! I see it was Friday 13th, a good day! You must have received a zillion warm birthday greetings because you surely know how much we love you and your blogs.

May 2017 be a good year for year, 2018 even better - and I look forward to hearing herstory/yourstory soon ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Susan - yes twas the 13th ... it was very cold, but thankfully the family and I were able to go to the cinema to see La La Land and have a pizza ... and lots of FBing ... but then the other celebrations - small and cheerful .. so thank you ... I hope 2017 will be a good year. Cheers Hilary

Deniz Bevan said...

Happy belated blogiversary and birthdaY! Aww, love the idea of Golly at the seaside :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Deniz ... oh yes ... My Ma really stayed with it ... I could do Golly at the seaside ... before it was considered politically incorrect ... but I did love the Gollies on the jars of marmalade ... thank - Hilary

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! And those drop scones look suspiciously like pikelets XD

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Sarah - looks like you were looking at the Boxty post ... a muddle with English v Scottish English v American English v New Zealand English ... but drop scones are very much like pikelets ... thanks for visiting and the birthday wishes - cheers Hilary