leukaemia-limbo-dance

Ah…… what a time I’ve been having! Landed back to base in Balsall after a fabulous time in Turkey – and immediately set off on more adventures. Lucky, lucky me!

First of all, there was some catching up to do: there were long-lost friends to entertain for lunch; a morning of helping to look after my goddaughter’s daughter; a coffee morning with one of my cousins; and a couple of days of Thames Path walking.

Lunch with my long-lost friends was entertaining – we reminisced like nobody’s business and laughed like drains. Great fun after a gap of forty-odd years!

The following day, I thoroughly enjoyed helping to look after Flo, Pete and Dawn’s granddaughter, for the first time ever. She was amazing. Such a character and so delightful. I mean, I generally like looking after children anyway, and ones’ own grandchildren are just the best, but Flo came in competing with the best! A fabulous morning.

A couple of days later, I toddled over to my cousin Janet’s for a coffee. We hadn’t seen each other in really quite a long while, so it was a blessing to have a good old catch-up. We may not belong to the same generation as such, but we get along so well, it’s lovely to enjoy each other’s company.

It had also been a while since I saw my friend Ann, with whom I walk the Thames Path. The last time we planned to walk we had to cancel, so we were both looking forward to it.

It turned out really well – despite the weather and the ‘Fawlty Towers’ hotel we stayed in!! Wonky floors; a no-shower shower; a door that you couldn’t open; and a kettle that wouldn’t boil? Erm…. yes! Rain and thunder and lightening? Also yes……. but we kept smiling.

Historically, I have resisted a long walk – the book recommends 12 miles a day, at which I have baulked. However, on our first day, we managed ten miles. We were both delighted with our progress and ploughed on for seven miles on our second day. The sun began to shine then, and although I was a little footsore, the thrill of doing a bit further than expected was great compensation. We look chuffed with ourselves, don’t we?

Following on from the walk, I filled my boots at Cheals Restaurant in Knowle with my ‘fine dining’ friends from the Bereavement Group, before trotting off on a Yoga Retreat weekend.

I loved it. I know it wasn’t entirely the case, but it felt like the weekend had been tailored to me. I mentioned this to Jaime, our Yoga Guru, and she said she had thought about my needs for the weekend, so I felt made up. How kind is that?

And here’s the class of 2026 – all chilled and grinning like Cheshire Cats!

Fresh from the Yoga weekend, I fell straight into babysitting for the Kenilworth Newbies who celebrated their 10th Wedding Anniversary in Venice. It wasn’t an arduous task at all, of course, because I love the grandchildren to bits and it was a pleasure and privilege to be able to help out for a day or two.

Michael and Danielle had a brilliant time sampling the sights, sounds, food and drink of the world’s most romantic city. And don’t they look glamourous as they relax in the sunshine?

I said goodbye to Andrew again on Sunday as he set off on another culinary experience in Cornwall. A new restaurant, Mor, is being opened in Carbis Bay and he’s there with former colleagues setting it all up. Today, they’ve had an evening with the sponsors, Rolls-Royce – and apparently, a Rolls-Royce car was driven into a cleared space in the restaurant…… blimey!! That’s making a statement, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my ‘flying high’ experience culminated in the development of a ‘fly factory’ in my kitchen. Just a few flies at first, then a few more and then…. I mean, it felt like thousands!!

I mentioned it to Pete and Dawn when I visited them yesterday – there might have been Prosecco involved – and explained that I was hunting the little devils down. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

And, not only that, I was looking for a dead body. I mean, surely, that many flies must be feeding on something nasty? Pete shook his head and said, mournfully, “You’ll never find the source.”

Of course, I have spent the day searching and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning…. and naturally, Pete was right, as he so often is, no source was found – no dead bodies, no leftover food, no rotting fruit – in fact, nothing that warranted such a volume of the dastardly things. Ah, well, maybe tomorrow there’ll be fewer of them floating about by my kitchen window. Hope so, anyway – the thwacker is worn out!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Well! What a fantastic holiday I had with Margaret and Chris. They were such brilliant hosts. For a whole fortnight, I felt like I was like settling into a nice, soft cushion – gentle, yet supportive – and boy, did I come home feeling relaxed and refreshed!!

We were in the apartment that Margaret and Chris have owned for a good many years, which meant that they knew all the cool places to go and the best sights to see. And what was particularly marvellous was that they were very happy to show me those well-frequented and much-loved points of interest. Gosh, I was excited! Can you tell?

We had it all: great company and conversation; good weather; fascinating shops; culture galore; great accommodation; and all-inclusive food and drink – including Margaritas…….

We swam in the pool and the sea and, naturally, sunbathed by the pool and the sea, too. Oh, it was glorious! I had the best time.

What was particularly interesting though, was that the area around Kusadasi, where we were staying, has history. Kusadasi is not far from Ephesus, which was second-only to Rome in importance during the Roman Empire.

Ephesus was such an important town that not only did Anthony and Cleopatra visit, but both St Paul and St John, of Bible fame, lived there for a short while.

In fact, it transpires that, after Jesus was crucified, John protected Mary, Jesus’s Mum, as they fled from the Roman rule in Israel; and there is evidence that they set up house – now known as Mary’s House – about 5 miles from Ephesus. It’s a fascinating story.

Ephesus is now a ruin – the inhabitants all long gone, having abandoned the town following a series of devastating earthquakes during the 1st Century AD. Despite that, the sense of history was to be marvelled at when we visited, and I came away with my imagination, and a thirst for knowledge about that civilisation, all fired up.

Kusadasi itself was lovely to visit, with a lovely walk all along the coastline, out towards ‘Bird Island’ at the end of the town.

There’s a harbour where the very large cruise ships come in to port, and every time we went by, we’d gee each other on to see how many ships we could spot in dock. Margaret was thrilled to see the ships – she loves a cruise – and would have loved to have gone on board for a look around. I wasn’t so sure. I mean, the ships are absolutely huge…

We also enjoyed rummaging around among the labyrinthine alley ways of the town, all packed with small individual shops and stalls, selling both quality items such as carpets and leather goods, but also plenty of ‘genuine fakes’ – of which the sellers are very proud.

In nearby Syrince, we admired the exclusive-to-Turkey jewel, Zultanite – a rare, naturally colour-changing gemstone, which shifts between vivid greens, pastel pinks, and rich champagnes depending on the light – and afterwards, we just had to sample some Turkish coffee, didn’t we?

In Selcuk, having left Margaret at home in bed nursing a tummy bug, Chris and I dined on Sac Kavurma – a classic Turkish sautéed meat dish cooked in its own juices over high heat – before taking in the town’s festival atmosphere, as the residents celebrated their young people and sport. We then took time out to admire the storks and their nests atop the high pillars of this ancient town. Can you spot them? They’re there somewhere!

Apart from the tummy bug that both Margaret and I succumbed to half-way through the holiday – everything was just perfect.

Take care everyone. God bless.

I am not giving up. But I am packing things in!!

Let me explain….

Thursday was another busy day. Up early to open the gate for Viktoriia, my delightful gardener, who arrives at 7.30; then kept my fingers crossed for the ‘Tracker Man’ to come ‘first thing’ and fit the tracker to the car. Ay up. My luck was in and he arrived at about 8.15. Good, eh?

A lot of pottering about in the morning ensued, with the laying out of clothes on the bed in the spare room, and the ticking off of items on my holiday list. Oooh….. I’m having a holiday!! Exciting!!!

I’m off to Turkey with my lovely friends, Margaret and Chris. They have a flat and, as they started to plan their holiday, they had the kind idea of inviting me along. What a wonderful treat.

On Thursday afternoon, I toddled across to Kenilworth for a haircut, and then continued on to Paul’s to discuss a bit of business. Funnily enough, I enjoyed the business chat and the company. Oh, and by the way, Paul, can I borrow a suitcase, please!? I need to pack!

After a swift bite to eat, it was Centre Stage for my last shift as The Prompt. Midsummer Night’s Dream Cast: you’re on your own now!!! I’m packing it in for a bit of a holibob!!

Naturally, on Friday morning, the borrowed suitcase was opened and filled. This was followed by a visit to the Bureau de Change to buy the country’s currency. Oooh….. All set.

The day was also filled with a visit to Pete and Dawn’s in the morning for a natter and a bit of furniture-shifting, with which Paul and Andrew ably assisted. And then in the afternoon, Andrew and I went to Michael and Danielle’s for tea. Nice.

See? I’ve been packing things in, maximising every minute of every day!

I think I’m going to need that holiday!!

Take care everyone.

Aiming for a bit of a wind-down after the ‘busyness’ of the last week or so, I had nothing planned on Monday other than a chat to Anita in the evening. Interestingly, I hardly knew what to do with myself, with all that time on my hands!!

I drifted about, checking my list of ‘things to do’, and then drifted about some more. Purpose. That’s the thing. We have to have purpose. And I must confess, that even my ‘to do’ list didn’t fulfil that particular need. Instead, I went into Solihull and did a bit of retail therapy. I relaxed, and tried to look at life from a different perspective.

The chat with Anita was fabulous of course and, between us, we nudged each other on to embrace the life we’ve been offered and to be glad in it.

Even more interestingly, (well, for me, anyway) is that I had little to do on Tuesday as well. My plan was to go to yoga class, but a doctor’s appointment cut across that intention; and the afternoon plan of coffee and cake with the neighbours, became a chat for an hour with one neighbour instead.

The afternoon was an enforced stay at home. I was waiting, all afternoon, for someone to come and fit a tracker to my new car. As the wait for my doctor’s appointment stretched on and on from 10.50 to 11.45, I was anxious about getting home on time for the promised ‘someone will be with you from between 1200hrs and 1800hrs’, and even texted my neighbour to keep an eye out for anyone arriving, with a request for them to wait.

Of course, they never turned up, did they? Ha! Call me a cynic but I am not sure I believed that the ‘van broke down.’ This, after I’d phoned them to chivvy them along – ‘They’re on their way and I’ll let you know if there’s a problem.’ Bah! Humbug…..

However, the ‘stay-at-home’ time was a good follow-on from Monday’s drifting about, and I got a few things done.

A Wednesday is usually a Freddie Day, but not today. Thus, I had more time at home – and I made the most of it this time! I pottered about – a spot of housework here (gosh, where did all that dust come from?); a few phone calls there; a tinker in the garden and a bit of grocery shopping. For a change, it all felt good – and the day was topped off with tea at Paul’s, then Quiz Night. Hmm…. I think the balance has been about right this week!

And on another note, a tradesman actually did fulfil his word and arrive at the agreed time today. I now have blinds in my family bathroom. Gosh, it’ll be usable soon….. who knew that 2026 would be the year, eh?

Take care everyone.

The days are whizzing past. That’s usually because there is so much going on!!! It might also be as a result of me slowing down maybe……?

Anyway, last week was another full diary of seeing friends and family, intertwined with a teeny bit of exercise; a spot of gardening; a couple of hours of child-minding and some prompting of the local drama rehearsals – a Midsummer Night’s Dream, courtesy of our AmDram group, Centre Stage.

A-week-last-Sunday, I had the pleasure of offering a cup of coffee/prosecco/beer to Margaret and Chris, to discuss our planned holiday together. Had a really lovely afternoon and we were actually able to sit out in the garden. For once, the sun was shining and warming the air up a bit. The time went so fast with all our nattering that no sooner had they arrived than, it seemed, they had to leave.

I already regaled you with my marvellous trip to Malvern for my visit to Richard and Jill on the following Monday. But what I didn’t say was that no sooner had I got home than it was time to go out again.

One of our ‘Exploring Faith’ Group has been unwell recently, so she’s now ensconced in Harper’s Fields Care Home where she seems to be having a lovely time! We were there to celebrate her 80th birthday. Glass of champagne, Pat? “Oooh, yes please!” came the very prompt reply. Bit of lemon drizzle cake? “Ooh, yes please!! It’s my favourite!” She knows how to live, that girl!! (As do we, who all said ‘yes please’ to prosecco and cake!)

Tuesday was a relatively quiet day, with my lovely gardener arriving at the crack of dawn to dig a big hole for my newly-acquired lilac tree. A spot of gardening was in order, and then an hour of gentle yoga. Not sure I did a lot after that…. might have had an afternoon snooze! Who? Me?

Wednesday beckons with the exciting anticipation of a ‘Freddie Day’. We have a little routine to encourage him into school, whereby Paul drops him off at mine and then we play a bit before I take him in. It’s always lovely and I’m learning Minecraft folks! And 99 Nights in the Forest. And quite a few other games whose names elude me right now.

At mid-day, Linda, she of college-crew fame, arrived for a cuppa. She’d been visiting her sister-in-law ‘oop north’ and broke her journey home on the way to Somerset. It was so lovely to see her and have a good old natter for an hour so. It does you good to see your friends even for a short time doesn’t it? It certainly did me good!

Thursday and Friday also galloped by with a natter at the French Conversation Group; a natter to another Anne who came for coffee and another sit in the garden; having my work cut out prompting the cast at Centre Stage; and meeting up in Banbury with a new acquaintance gained from the Silent Retreat I went on last year.

And the weekend? More lovely time with friends and family, of course! Dave and Chris came for the afternoon on Saturday and we put the world to rights. Not only that, they had sage advice for dealing with any low mood I might be feeling.

And the week was topped off with my goddaughter’s daughter’s christening (more cake!), before a Sunday Roast en famille at Paul’s. Is it any wonder that time is whizzing by? There’s never a dull moment!!!

Take care everyone.

At the end of December, just as I jetted off to Australia, Andrew jetted off to work in the British Virgin Islands. He wasn’t sure how long for, but he hoped it’d be for a while.

Four months on, and the boy is back! Thoroughly enjoyed the sun, the sand and the sea. He also enjoyed the gym, returning with rather excellent muscles…..

He didn’t enjoy the job quite so much though; the Organisation wasn’t as well organised as he’d hoped, and the rather relaxed approach to hospitality was not quite to his taste. Give him the high-octane atmosphere of a fine dining kitchen any day!! Let’s see what unfolds for him in the next chapter, eh?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I thought I’d tackle the ‘floordrobe’ that I’d created the other day. Ha! Much easier said, than done. First, I had to get that feisty furniture fitted together.

The drawer, although now glued and mended, took a little bit of effort to get back into the body of the chest. It was proving unwieldy, and my arms were seemingly not quite long enough to shuffle the dratted thing into place. Eventually, and after much huffing and puffing, I fettled a solution involving a stool and some brute force. Ta-Da!! It’s in!!

Now, to dismantle the ‘floordrobe’!!

The highs and lows of every day living, eh? From excitedly greeting the jet-setter to a spot of DIY. Yin and Yang; the light and shade of whatever the universe throws at us. Keeps me on my toes, anyway!

Take care everyone.

I expect you remember Tracey Emin’s bed. I could never quite get my head round the concept that it was hailed as ‘art’. But witness my latest installations! I mean, this has got to be art, right?

This one, I’m calling Installation Number One. Or alternatively, Anne Sleath’s Pile High:

I crafted this unique piece in preparation for my little ‘Robocop’ to vacuum the floor. The boys gifted me the fabulous little cleaner for my birthday, last November. The only thing is, I like to pile everything up off the floor so that the machine can actually get at the floor. Otherwise, it does a little dance around everything and doesn’t quite cut the mustard. But boy, I can thoroughly recommend a robot vacuum cleaner. If you haven’t got one, think about it!!

And here, ladies and gentlemen, is Installation Number Two. Or alternatively, Anne Sleath’s Pile Low:

This installation is courtesy of the top drawer of the chest of drawers collapsing on me. There was a little bit of a tussle between me and the drawer yesterday. It refused to budge. It was having none of it. I tugged and pulled – and then I cajoled. Ha! That did the trick. But I had to empty both drawers.

On inspection, the top drawer’s bottom had sadly parted company with its shell; and the piece of wood supposedly holding it all together had gone the way of the rising sun – pointing east. I’m wondering though, if you think I might have overfilled the drawer? Hmmm…. might have, might have…….

Anyway, trusty Gorilla Glue, a whack with the hammer and the job was done. Drawer mended. Regrettably, the clothes are not yet back in situ. That’s just a job too far at the moment……. I shall proudly use the ‘floordobe’ for a day or two instead.

Take care everyone.

A car!

Last week, I bought a new car. Not a new, new car, but a new-to-me car. I thought I would put it through it’s paces on Friday when I drove down to Oxford to continue on with the Thames Path Walk. However, as it turned out, we didn’t go.

Ann texted me late at night on Thursday to tell me that Nigel was on his way to hospital with suspected broken ribs. Oh, Lord! That wasn’t good news; we abandoned our plans as well as my intention to try out the new car out just then.

Instead, I spent a happy hour or two pottering in the garden – gleefully pulling up ivy that has been choking the hedge, and tinkering with the flowerbeds.

Today, however, I got to try the car out by driving down to Malvern to visit Richard and Jill. The car behaved like a car should, and my nervousness at driving a new-to-me car soon dissipated as I enjoyed the journey there and back.

It was a lovely day – the weather was particularly pleasant; the company was very good and the pub meal was excellent. I really enjoyed it all. Especially as I was able admire the décor and sofa that Richard and Jill have installed in their lounge. This included their beautiful collection of artwork.

I admired all the paintings in the lounge and the art work in every other room in the house. It was just as if I was visiting an art gallery – it was absolutely brilliant.

Not only that, but the ‘art gallery’ had ‘grounds’. After we got back from the pub, we had a wander through their very beautiful garden, which has been so well-designed and tended that it’s a pleasure to spend time in it.

Jill was generous, as ever, with plants that she’d extracted from her garden to give to me. I have come home with some orange Day Lilies, some Michaelmas Daisies and some Golden Rod. Not new, new plants, but new-to-me plants. Cool, eh?

What a lovely, lovely day. Still counting my blessings.

Take care everyone.

At the beginning of February, I called up memories of my visit to Graham and Gail in Australia with the promise of writing a bit more about my trip ‘later’. So here we are.

Graham is a big fan of lawn bowling. It’s a big thing in Australia with loads of people playing the game. They have clubs galore across the country, which cater for the game of bowls as well as offering food and drink. The meals are exceptionally well prepared and, of course, you can buy a pint or a glass of wine to go with your meal, all at very reasonable prices.

I don’t know how Graham manages to play the game in the height of summer though. I mean, I was luxuriating in the 33-degree heat when I was by the swimming pool with a glass of bubbly, but to play in 36-degree heat with sun beating down on you? Not for me or Gail!!! We sat and watched and nattered in the shade!!

I do think Graham’s team is aptly named though……. tee-hee!!

(Just to clarify: the team are so-named because the club is located in a key cultivation area for macadamia nuts……)

Towards the end of my holiday, we went to Ballina. This has very fond memories for us because John and I ate in the clubhouse at that time, and we all had our photo taken with the river as a backdrop. Many years later, Paul and his family also visited the same venue and had their photo taken in the same place. And in 2026? Yep! You guessed it – we were drawn to the very same spot…..

I never did quite get the sea-swim in that I was after though because, do you know what? The sea was too dangerous every time we went down to it! Red flags or ‘beach is closed’ signs greeted us each time we thought it’d be ace to get in. The best I managed was a fabulous swim in the river estuary flowing out to sea. But I did enjoy a good sea-paddle whenever I could….

It wasn’t all sun, sea and sand though. We visited ‘The Crystal Castle’ one day. Wow! That took my breath away! There were massive rocks/geodes with absolutely gorgeous crystals inside, all set in a beautifully laid out garden for us to wander around. Gail said, “I thought you’d like it.” No, I didn’t like it…..I loved it! She knows me too well, that girl!

Not the best photo but this is a huge geode into which you could climb, all filled with twinkling amethysts. Glorious.

Alongside the crystals there were some amazing fossils too, as well as a labyrinth, which I enjoyed (apart from the loudly chattering family nearby…..) and a bamboo walk. Can you spot Graham anywhere?

Eeeh, it were a lovely holiday!! The Chapmans did me proud. It was hard to say goodbye to them and big, squeezy hugs were given and received at the airport before I quickly went on my way before the tears could flow. Great, great memories.

Here’s to next year?

Take care everyone.

Mostly, since I came back from Australia, I have enjoyed the comfort of my bed or the sofa – although there have been some exciting times in between.

Clinging to my bed or sofa has been enforced by a variety of respiratory viruses and UTIs – and I have thought, on occasion, that I would never be well again. However, the sun has been shining for a couple of days; the air temperature is warming up a little; and I have been well enough to potter about in the garden. So things are looking up.

I had thought that the trip to Oz heralded the omen of a good year ahead. As it has turned out, it’s been sluggish, despite some great moments along the way such as the week away at Ragdale with the College Girls. Much to my relief, I managed not to pass my cold on to Anita, who is immunocompromised, and we all had a very nice time together. It transpires that we have known each other a very long time – it will be 55 years in September – so we plan an Emerald Anniversary Celebration. Who’d a-thunk it, eh? Friends all these years. Wow!

And then there was the get-together with my old school friends at my house. What a weekend that was. So very lovely. It was fantastic to be together again and to remember how much we enjoy each others’ company. And that’s another milestone – we have known each other since I was twelve. Crumbs! That’s over 60 years….. who’d a-thunk that?

I often say that my amazing friendships are like a comfy, well-worn slipper. We just slip into easy conversation and feel so easy in each other’s company that it’s like a warm hug. Marvellous. Lucky me.

Maybe the year hasn’t been so bad after all? Kicked off with sibling loveliness, followed by a couple of get-togethers with much-loved friends. And then of course, there’s the family who are always there….. Yep, need to count my very many blessings.

Take care everyone.