Well behind us now is what turned out to be a rather long and spread out Easter, hopefully the snow is behind us too!!!

Excitement, excitement, I have been waiting so long for the frogs to show their heads and today, lo and behold there they were in one of the ponds. No doubt over the next few days we'll have a mass of frogspawn floating, ha ha and then the updates of how they are growing!!!

We even had the ducks nestling round the garden today no doubt looking for a good place to nest following their blatant shinanigins over the weekend. Again I'm really excited, this past couple of years has seen a real decline of duck eggs and therefore not so many chicks, fingers crossed we'll get a large number this year. Keep reading and I'll keep reporting.

Judging by last week’s results Tom’s swings are not getting any better, whooped again at golf, lol!!!! Once again they were at Townley, they don’t seem to venture very far in their travels.

I was somewhat surprised last night to discover that Rossendale buses are over 100 years old and the only thoroughbred bus company left in the country. Not sure whether it is part of their centenary celebrations or just because Rawtenstall is planning a facelift but they are to get a new bus station, well let’s face it we have to look after our thoroughbreds, don’t we??

For all you bus enthusiasts (anoraks!!) take a look at: http://www.petergould.co.uk/local_transport_history/fleetlists/rawtenstall1.htm

We’re all ajitter amongst the accommodation providers in Rossendale; three have entered for the Lancashire & Blackpool 2008/09 Tourism Awards. It’s very chivalrous of us to say we are entering to raise the profile of Rossendale but come on, do many people enter for awards not really, really wanting to win???? Watch this space for the progress on our three entrants.

Last week Channel 4 were filming around the valley for their programme ‘A Place in the Sun’. Two local chaps were divided; one wanted to move to Barcelona whilst the other wanted to stay in Rossendale. That’s twice we’ve had Channel 4 in the valley, last year a couple were torn between Rossendale/Ramsbottom and France. I’m not sure though whether people are more anxious to get out of the valley or more anxious to stay, lol!!!

How beautiful it has been with the sun shining. We’re so pleased that the weather held out for our guests at weekend. The Speake family were up from Southampton for the wedding of their son in Bacup. What a lovely family and how nice to host four generations of the same family together. We wish them well.