First journal entries

 21st February 2025

As our route was taking us through my family area of Northamptonshire (mum's Battams side of the family hailed from there),we visited Shutlanger and Stoke Bruerne. Shutlanger is tiny - one pub (the Plough) and a tiny High Street set back from the main road.  The equally tiny church is now the village hall- no burials that I could see.

Down the lane, we reached Stoke Bruerne, set along the canal - would have loved to explore that properly if we had more time.  The church was locked and only one Battams burial, on the War Memorial - Sergt. A C Battams, 6th Northants Regiment.  

On to the Premier Inn near St Albans.  Comfy bed, but couldn't eat there (restaurant shut)and the Harvester next door was fully booked.  We went 3 miles up the road to the Spotted Dog at Flamstead, and I had Scampi and Chips, and Gabs chose the Game Stew and chips, and we shared a bottle of Pino Grigio (taking half of it back to our room).  I spotted a "Beware Toads" sign on the verge as we went to the pub. Gabby didn't believe me, but on the way back there were people in high viz jackets with yellow plastic buckets, helping the little chaps across! 

Sunday 23rd February 2025

We had be up early to the airport, but not on plane that early as it took ages to get everyone to their seats  - very haphazard planning there.  The airport was very busy and Cosmopolitan - we were next to a queue of Very Orthodox Jews with HUGE amounts of luggage.

We had breakfast there, but I was amazed to see chaps and partners downing a full English breakfast washed down with a pint of lager!!

It was a 5 hour flight - I was more than ready to run up and down the plane after just an hour!  Gabs had booked a window seat for me - downside of that is view nearly clouds all the way and the person on the aisle seat had to move if we wanted the loo, so I didn't drink much. No real views beneath us until we reached Greece.

The hotel in Amman . . . looked like they hadn't been ready for us as there were no towels, and when Gabby did chase some up, we were given some the size of small hand towels ...  The queensize bed (Gabby had booked a double room as no option for twin) had inadequate covers - a long thin duvet that would either cover your feet (but not your top half) or your top half with your feet sticking out the end! We had to use coats on the bed and Gabby wrapped her top half in her big woollen scarf.  The walls were paper thin and there was a loud couple with a noisy baby in the next room.  Sleep was at a premium.  Evening meal had lovely salads, rice and some nice meat stews.

And so it begins.

This was the Dr's house, opposite our hotel.  Obviously in private practice . . .

Juggling photos

 Well, I have been struggling today with the photos.  I need to move lots across to the new external hard drive, which arrived this afternoon (along with a copy of the Lawrence of Arabia DVD I treated myself to).  Nothing, absolutely NOTHING is in order and although I've deleted about 150, the same ones still seem to appear amongst the photos I'm going through.  You will have to be patient.

I am glad that I kept a journal whilst we were away, or I will be even more puzzled as to what is where in the photographs.  

Anyway, we even did a little family history research on the way, as our route took us through Northamptonshire, so we drove round the tiny village of Shutlanger, where many of my mum's Battams ancestors lived and died.  The little church was now a Village Hall and no obvious burials.  We walked around Stoke Bruerne churchyard, and only found one Battams burial, from the 2nd World War. Will have to do some research to find out where they were "planted."

We had a good flight out but after 2 hours I just wanted to run up and down the plane - I'm not good at sitting still for long periods, and am usually active.  The hotel seemed a little unprepared when we got there, as there were no towels in our room and when we asked for them, we were given small hand-towel sized towels!  We had to share the bed (no option to upgrade to twin then) and the duvet was long and thin - either our feet could be covered, or our top halves, but not both!  We put my coat across and Gabby used her broad woollen scarf over her top half!

Next morning we went to Madaba and walked through the town to St George's Church, which had an ancient mosaic, many parts were defaced though, due to Iconoclasts deliberately damaging anything they found offensive (certain animals for example, like lions).  This is the original St George of St George and the Dragon and I took a photo of the big painting of him slaughtering it, but that hasn't turned up yet!

The landscape looked rather bleak, but then it IS desert.  We were surprised to return to Amman after a couple of days at Petra and Wadi Rum and find grass had grown.

Gabby taking a photo of the fabulous view - the Canaan of Biblical Times.

The views were incredible.

Inside the rebuilt church were fabulous mosaics, and indeed this area is still famed for its mosaic work today.

This one amazingly survived because it was buried before the Iconoclasts got there.

One of the carvings from the original church.

Right, all for today.  Tired now and need a bath and some rest.  I treated myself to the DVD of Lawrence of Arabia - part of that (towards the end) was filmed at Wadi Rum.

I hope to sort the photos out tomorrow anyway.

Back, but exhausted

I will post properly tomorrow,  I have been in a panic as I thought I lost my debit card whilst away, how I don't know as Gabs had my purse in her bag all the time and I didn't use it.  We didn't get home until 12.30 a.m. this morning and I only managed 4 hours sleep . . . and then another half an hour later.  Beyond tired, as I have been Rosie wrangling all day too. Anyway, in tears on phone to Gabs, went back upstairs one final time, and it had fallen on the floor, under the bed . . . RELIEF.

I have taken SO MANY photos that  I am having to buy another external hard drive but am waiting on Tam's partner's recommendation first. 

Just a couple of photos today, but I have to say it was the most AMAZING holiday, and even threw in extra fulfilled dreams along the way!  All will be explained.

The new header, btw, is Mount Nebo, where Moses died - in sight of Canaan, the Land of Milk and Honey, which he was never able to reach.  The modern white-roofed building by the trees (an oasis) was where a good friend of Moses lived . . . according to our guide.

Our Itinerary

Petra . . . carved out of the rock. Photo taken from Tourist Jordan.

 Amman - staying there a half the week in a nice looking hotel.

Madaba, Mount Nebo, and Shoback castle - on the coldest day (when it's going to snow).

PETRA!

Little Petra; Wadi Rum visit;  Wadi Rum Hasan Zawaideh Camp (look THAT one up. Goodness!)

Wadi Rum Hasan Zawaydah Camp- then back to our Hotel in Amman

Amman panoramic tour; Jerash; Ajloun Castle.

Desert Castles; Dead Sea - back to Amman

Please look these up where I've given links. . .

Then home .. .

I knew that somewhere in a bookcase were two bound books with hand-made flower-freckled paper.  I have packed one as a Jordan journal.  

Currently doing my jigsaw puzzle - having had to stop Pippi digging it all up (it's on a felt puzzle mat).  I will have to cover it well before I leave.

Candlenight. . .

A photo of Lulu for a change

. . . Is the name of the book I'm taking to read on holiday.  One of Phil Rickman's.  I'm looking forward to revisiting it.

Anyway, I have repacked and will probably do so again tomorrow, as I am finding it hard to strike the right balance.  Anyway, only one skirt is going (a deep pink linen one) and I may see if I have a pair of tights lurking at the back of the knicker drawer, to keep my undercarriage warm.  I saved myself a trip into Brecon as I found a small back-pack in the camping cupboard, which will double as hand luggage (all carefully measured). I've put medications, heavy trainers, novel, camera etc in there.  

I have been for a walk in the rain, and written some more Family History details down on my dad's quarter of the big Family History chart, until my eyes got tired. 

I've made a phone call to the Land Registry, as I had a communication from them that needed dealing with before I went on holiday.  Form all filled in now and ready to post.  Not as bad as it first appeared.

On tv, I've just discovered an old crime drama called Unforgotten, which is keeping me quiet in the evenings.  There are 6 Series of it.

Anyway, it IS warmer now - wonderful to get a Southerly wind instead of a pure Easterly one.  I will at least be a week nearer spring (and in MARCH) when I come back from holiday.  That is a positive.  This has seemed such a long winter.

I didn't know it snowed in Jordan! . . . and Medieval Killer Bunnies!!

 Gabby and I synchronized today and both of us looked up the forecast for our holiday at the same moment! Cold when we arrive, and SNOW the next day.  Cold but sunny the rest of the week . . .  Pretty long sleeved tops being put back on hangers and more warm woollies replacing them . . .

I will share my "sketching practice" with you.  Well, all I can say is perhaps I shan't be sketching architecture and castles when I get there.  Weeds more like, I can do plants.  Oh and horses.

Say no more!  It IS still a work in progress as the end heads are awful.  Middle one a tad less so!  Stick to horses Jen!

Hackney

Aquilegia

The cats know the best place to be of an evening.

I have done some more painting in the guest bedroom.  Two walls done bar for the very top and a bit of touching up. Now I'm started on the last wall (plank top one again) as the bit around the window is staying white. Reaching up high makes my shoulders ache and my neck arthritis start to think about complaining, so having a rest now (and from gardening) until I get back from holiday.

I managed a short - but cold - walk this afternoon.  I parked up by Rob's (2nd hand house clearance stuff) and walked up to St Matthew's Church at Llanelwedd.  It was locked again - should have taken a tip from Billy Blue Eyes and gone there when there is a service.  Still, a wander round the graveyard reading names and dates got me out of the house and in the mood to bother a few more churches in Powys* and beyond. 

I assume this may well be the original font, sat atop the base of a preaching cross? The tower is 14th C, so the font probably dates from that early period.  The church was restored in late Victorian times.

Name at top broken off, but he was a Wheelright and married to Ann.  Sadly their daughters died so young - Elizabeth aged 6 in 1801 and Mary, aged 1 yr & 9 mths, in the same year.  Yet others made it to their late 80s and 90s . . .

* At the top of my church bucket list is St Melangell's, a Grade 1 listed church which has been on this site some 1200 years.  It holds the shrine of St Melangell, patron saint of Hares and Rabbits. 

"Saint Melangell was a female saint of the 7th century. According to tradition she came here from Ireland and lived as a hermit in the valley. One day Brochwel, Prince of Powys, was hunting and pursued a hare which took refuge under Melangell’s cloak. The Prince’s hounds fled, and he was moved by her courage and sanctity. He gave her the valley as a place of sanctuary, and Melangell became Abbess of a small religious community. After her death her memory continued to be honoured, and Pennant Melangell has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Melangell remains the patron saint of hares."  Taken from HERE.

She was mentioned in the talk I went to last Friday, and we were also shown some pictures of Medieval Killer Rabbits!!!  to show that the Huntsmen didn't always have it their way :)  Those did make us laugh.

Packed

 

Powis Castle - I must visit again this summer.

I chose what to wear on holiday today, ironed it, and packed it.  Turned out to be mostly my "best" clothes that rarely get worn. I'm getting there.  Still cold today but meant to be warming as the wind heads round to the South - instead of EAST!  

Here we had a little sunshine, and I forced myself out into the garden for an hour or so.  I began to clear the moss from the stone chippings of the yard, and the moss, weeds and grass from the cobbles.  I've not got very far yet - my back began to complain about all the bending double - but it's a start.   

I also went up on the bank and began to clear dried stalks, moss, grass and wild strawberries from there.  However much I clear the wild strawberries, they always return!

My new neighbour's friend returned today for the summer, and popped up to see me.  It was good to chat, and quite made my day.  He has been to Jordan, to the places we're going, and was very reassuring, bless him.  I've given him my spare house key in case he needs it. When I wasn't sleeping well, I always worried so much if I was away all day, just in case - perish the thought - there should ever be a fire.  Now I'm sleeping better it is less of a worry, but a relief to know if he needs access for safety measures, he's got a key.   He is going to come and feed the cats for me if I am ever away overnight (though I doubt the boys will come indoors, but he can at least leave them food).  I feel reassured that the cottages have occupants again as they have been empty for weeks and weeks - next door neighbour comes and goes according to work.

I've done a bit more of my family tree scroll - back to the 1750s apart from on my main family name line, where I cannot know for certain which of two William and Mary's are mine - one were more local, but I don't get a feel about them, and the others link back to Cheriton Bishop, which is where the next generation married from .. .

Chicken curry from the freezer tonight (and tomorrow night).  I cooked a double portion of rice so tomorrow night's meal is all set up.

Gosh, 7 p.m. already.  Better do the washing up!