I should perhaps explain straight away that the Zumba and the gravestone injury were two separate incidents. Firstly, rain and other activities having stopped play for the last couple of months, the photographing and recording of the Buckland Brewer gravestones has resumed. Some of these were moved to the hedge some years ago and have been stacked more than one deep. Could I ignore the ones that were at the back and were now embedded in stinging nettles, ivy and other undergrowth? Having had a nasty encounter with stinging nettles when seeking a ‘comfort’ spot as a child, I enlisted help. Here I need to point out that the hedge against which the stones were resting drops some ten feet on to the road on the other side. My trusty companion clung to the top of the hedge on the road side, risking life and limb in an attempt to unearth enough of the concealed stones for them to be read. Then there was the stone that had slipped down from its original position and was only prevented from crashing on to the road below by the brambles. I had spotted this one from the road in the spring when it was less precarious and less overgrown. Knowing it referred to a smallpox victim, I was particularly interested. Lacking abseling ropes, retrieving this stone from its and probably an innocent passer-by’s, fate was not easy. Manfully Chris managed not to plummet backward whilst lifting the stone over the row against the hedge. Unfortunately, I somehow got my leg in the way as he did so. Good job it isn’t the weather for shorts. So RIP Mary Walter, we now know how you died.

Spurred on by the ‘benefits’ of my 5km ‘race’ for life – I decided I’d try Zumba classes, which have just begun in the village. Trying to ignore the lack of movement occasioned by the run and the growing egg shaped lump on my leg, off I set. It was actually quite fun and I managed to keep going for the full hour. I wasn’t even the oldest person there. It is a little akin to trying to pat your head and rub your stomach simultaneously but fortunately all the other participants were too busy with what their own arms and legs were or were not doing to worry about mine.

I’ve found some lovely photos for Clovelly Archive Association to display at the upcoming Woolsery Show. It also looks like we have found a way of digitising some unique Clovelly records – more on this soon – now all we need is the funding. If anyone can recognise any of these Clovelly school children from 1912 please let me know.

Today was ‘race’ day. Thankfully the rain held off but it was incredibly humid. I don’t mind being overtaken by lycra clad 20 somethings with stop watches but it is a little humiliating to be left standing by three year olds hampered by scooters, those in their late eighties and anyone weighing more than 30 stone. I certainly did better than last year when I inadvertantly ended up taking part on the much hillier Plymouth course. Thanks to a burst of speed at the end, which I am now regretting, I made it in 39 minutes but I do have to confess that the course was 200-300 metres short of the 5k it should have been owing to a puddle induced official diversion. Could I have done that extra 200-300 metres and still arrived back in 40 minutes, which is my goal – who knows? My last minute sprint also fooled my official photographer who was still waiting for me to trot past some ten minutes after I actually finished, so no action shots this year – probably as well – not a pretty sight. I promise you I did actually run the course! Many thanks to my sponsors/supporters. I would also like to thank my physiotherapist, my trainer, my sports psychologist – oh just remembered I don’t have any of those – been watching too much Wimbledon!

Ok, so I am Racing for Life on Sunday. The weather forecast is for 2 weeks’ worth of rain to fall on that day. Have I done any training? No. In fact the job I mustn’t mention has meant that I have barely moved from my computer for the last few weeks. The good news is that a friend who does hundred mile runs for ‘fun’ says the procedure is to bulk up on carbs pre running. Where’s the chocolate? Please sponsor me in aid of Cancer Research.  http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/janetfew775

Just cheered myself up by spending the wages from the job I mustn’t mention. A new edition of Family Tree Maker is on its way – my old edition was on floppies – yes really – edition 3! Also invested in Ronald Hutton’s The Ritual Year.

It really does look as if I have found gg grandad in the 1851 census – now all I need is a trip to Northumberland archives.

This is the only picture I have of great grandad John Hogg – together with my grandmother Bessie. My daughters and I are their only living descendants; so descendants of elusive gg grandad would be my closest relatives on this side of my family.

Plagued by numerous unsolicited phone calls encouraging me to pay not to receive unsolicited phone calls. The response is – ‘as the only unsolicited calls I am receiving are from you, I think we can solve that more cheaply’. Did, I think, manage to track down my great great grandfather, John Hogg from Northumberland, in the 1851 census after 35 years of searching. A potential breakthrough on this line at last. He doesn’t help by his 3 census entries all giving different places of birth, slightly different birthdates and in one case, a different name! Oh well, it wouldn’t be fun if it was too easy.

Good news that my ‘Writing Up Your Family History’ day course for Friday 12th October already has 10 attendees and it has barely been advertised yet. Thinking of an additional date in case it is over subscribed.

I wonder if there are any Coffers, Clysters reviews in this month’s Family History magazines?

Stepped back to the C16th on Saturday to take part in Bideford Heritage Day. Great fun amidst many Morris Dancers. Paraded round the town with stewards looking somewhat incongruous in Tudor dress but sporting high-viz jackets – that’s health and safety for you! Was sad to have to miss the driving the flock of sheep across Bideford Bridge but ‘real’ work called.

The Clovelly Archives project now has its own e.mail address archive@clovelly.co.uk Now all we need is some data to share! Up at 5am every day this week for the job we mustn’t mention, so trying to stay awake for my time in the C17th. In the rainy herb garden with a large school group today, explaining how to cure the noxious wind of the belly – fennel seeds in the pottage in case you were wondering. Wednesday I was the after dinner speaker for Braunton Rotary Club, where we instructed Mistress Pam on what not to wear during the English Civil War. Yesterday evening a change of hat accompanying Master Christopher on his guided tour round Bucks Mills.

There I am, directing a group of 12-13 year olds round our version of the streets of Torrington during the English Civil War. In character as Mistress Agnes, I warn the group that there is plague in Torrington. ‘What!’, says a particularly pink and fluffy member of the group, ‘Really?’. Comforting to know I am so convincing I suppose. I had also told her there were 17,000 soldiers in the town – if she believed thet she must have wondered where they were hiding.

Emerged from the job we mustn’t mention to attend Bideford College science day. We do this every year and have to try and adapt what we have to offer in the way of C17th bits and pieces to the scientific theme of the year. Sometimes this is trickier than others – water caused no problems – fetching it (did you know that a wooden bucket full of water weighs about 4 stone?), not drinking it, not bothering to wash with it, cleaning, laundry etc. etc.. Colour though – a bit more difficult once you’ve exhausted the limits of dyeing and heraldry. This year it was energy – mmm. Energy required to fire a gun, energy needed to be a housewife. Actually it doesn’t seem to matter what we do as long as it involves urine somewhere along the line. Our list of C17th uses of urine is now up to 70. Was it coincidence that our tables were outside the toilets? Or next to a stand labelled ‘big bellies’, manned by a size zero person?

Fascinating street theatre/storytelling opposite and interesting to see the hemp spinning – could do with some hemp fabric for our shifts – pity it isn’t the most economical option.

Well, it is a good job I’ve sold a box worth of Coffers, Clysters etc. lately. I rescued an injured collared dove from cats and downpours on my way to the community shop committee meeting on Thursday. In the absence of any better ideas, it spent the night in my porch eating bird food. The next day I arranged to hand it over to Hartland Wildlife Sanctuary and the box came in very handy.

Most of this week has been spent in trying to get used to Windows 7 and transfer files, addresses, favourites, music etc. from the old computer to the new. Pretty much managed it now, thanks to a day skyping Martha for assistance. Also been preparing for the next month when I shall be doing a job to which I am not allowed to allude on social media. This preparation includes cleaning the house as it won’t get cleaned again until July!

Great news on the Clovelly Archive front – we have a system for scanning the unique records left by Christina Hamlyn and an offer of premises for the archive. The Archive Association will have a stand at Woolsery Show on 30th July.