To Bee or not to Bee...... oh crumbs I need your help!

 First I must apologise for really bad use of the the Bard! Sorry, but I do need your help.

My Aunty Janice and I are involved with a Flower Festival at

St Martins Church www.stmartinschurchguernsey.org/latest-news/ 

Its a stunning church dating back to 1048 ( I used to ring the bells here as a child, obviously not in 1048!!!)

But this lovely lady in the for ground is even old she is called La Gran' Mere du Chimquiere,

and is a pre-historic fertility goddess, brides still leave an offering of

money or flowers on her head, in hope of lots of children!

But back to the Flower Festival.

Our theme is Bee Keepers, and so we are using some props, hives etc, and felt it would be nice to have bees on the flowers, but the only one I could find on wires were far to Disney for me.

So the challenge is to make them my self.

Have ordered some piano wire, its strong but fine, cant be bent, but has a bounce,

so the bees should gently move.

  And below is my first attempt in Fimo. With baking parchment wings. 

He is larger and brighter than reality as I want him to be clearly visible

My problem is I think he looks more like a wasp.

What do you think?

What can I change to make him more bee like?

I just don't know.

Don't really want to dull the colour as I just don't think you will see him/them then.

Any ideas would really be appreciated, thank you.

Also do you like my Devon Blue Ware, I collect any with Channel Island names on it, so far have got Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Herm but no Alderney, so if any one sees any when they are out and about, I would love to know.

Thank you for you help!

Fathers Day means Chocolate cake!

We were having Fathers Day for 3 Dads this year, and my in-laws were hosting two 11 year old boys from Chenobyl for the month who speak no English and sadly we speak no Russian,

 so I decided that I should use the universal language of friendship - chocolate cake!

 I started at 2 layers with chocolate butter cream and strawberries,

 and then thought, I want to make it more of a statement!

 so on went another layer

and another!  I think I will stop at four.

Now for some chocolate porn as the ganache icing is poured slooooowlllly over,

 and dribbles down the side.

 Feel rather pleased with it, now have to get it to the beach in one piece!

 Along with the wind breaks, Barbie, table, chairs and food, it's lucky our Ford Focus is like a tardis!

Even though the weather forecast was dire,

 it ended up being a beautiful afternoon at the Cup and Saucer (Fort Grey)

www.museums.gov.gg

Happy Fathers' Day Chris, Nicholas and James

You see all those strawberries mean it is one of our 5 fruit and veg a day, so totally healthy!

Then Chris and Max (from Chenobyl) took Hippocampus out to work off the cake.

Happy Fathers Day to you all and I think its a cake my Dad would have enjoyed too, after all he was a huge fan of Cadbury's fruit and nut.  Thinking of you Dad xxx

exotic orchids

Down on the west coast we have a treasure that appears every May/June, orchid fields!

I did want to show you these in glorious sun shine, but sadly this week it wasn't to be, sorry.

They are owned and run by La Societe Guernesiaise, who do a fantastic job of managing these wild flower meadows, when the orchids are out they cut paths round the edge of the fields,

so we can enjoy them with out damaging them,

Orchids among the profusion of buttercups

Pretty certain this is the common spotted orchid

stunning patterns on the petals arnt they?

Sorry about the rain drops, but let me introduce you to the Loose-flower orchid,

which is not found in the United Kingdom. And I am pretty certain this is the largest natural collection of orchids in the Channel Islands (please correct me if I am wrong).

The loose-flower behind a heath spotted orchid

and back to the common spotted orchid

Complimentary colours, purple and yellow, battling it out in the meadow.

I was introduced to the orchid fields by my Mum, who loved coming down to photograph them, so its a places that has strong memories of her for me, I do try to get down there every year, and I recommend you do to if you are in the island. The orchid should be around for another couple of weeks, but the yellow flag iris have already gone past there best, so I wouldn't hang around if I were you!

This little chap was watching me, so its goodbye from me and goodbye from him!

and I name you 'Hippocamus'

A few years back Chris and I had a fantastic holiday on Vancouver Island, and spend 4 days kayaking in stunning scenery around Quadra Island.  And from then on we really wanted a kayak

The problem was a garage is too small and we couldn't keep one on the car roof,

so the idea was shelved

 Then  few weeks ago we bumped in to an old friend on the cliff who had a very impressive inflatable kayak, well we were impressed! Our problem solved.

Last Friday (during high winds) ours arrived, and this evening the seas at last were calm with a light on shore breeze, perfect to take our maiden voyage.

 We name you Hippocampus
(Latin for Sea Horse - oooh get me!)

And we were off, he's horribly brown isn't he?  Its so not fair!

Looking back at Fort Grey

Picnic time, on our own private beach

Well I think we are very pleased with our new toy and I think we will be out a lot kayaking this summer

Long Live Hippocampus and all who sail in her!

G-g-g-g-gurnard!

 A beautiful evening down at Rocquaine, looking towards to Fort Grey

 and Chris took up his Barbie challenge, he takes these things very seriously

 it definitely is the best place to watch the sun set,

 and here is supper g-g-gurnard! Baked whole over the coals

 the blue Guernsey granite sea walls really hold the suns heat and

so are lovely to lean against in the evening

Barbecued red gurnard with green bean and apple salad, really yummy

 filleting the tasty chap!



There you go, see what I mean about the sun set?

Could those boats not be more perfectly placed?

Good night, love chatting to you all x