Month: July 2022

We were invited to Kelv and Ren’s for the weekend and what a wonderful time we had. The purpose of the weekend was to invite all of John’s Uni friends for a get-together to celebrate our birthdays. Most of the group were born in 1952, and we are all now 70, or going-to-be-70, this year.

What was especially exciting was that almost everyone was there – even the divorcés, who managed to chat to each other without any difficulty. We were delighted to see those who’d flown in from the USA; driven up from Cornwall; or travelled down from Scotland, as well as all those who mill about the London area, of course.

Who was there? Well, there was John and me, and Kelv and Ren, of course; Pete and Fran; George and Val; Nev and Jane; Ann and Nigel; Dave and Alison; Mike and Heather; Rick and Caroline; Andy and his wife (whose name escapes me) and Rob, who came on his own.

We spent a wonderful evening in everyone’s company, chatting over old times and reminiscing about student days. Kelv and Ren were brilliant hosts, with excellent food and drink over the whole weekend. We had an absolutely cracking time and a photo will follow shortly!

The weather was balmy, so we were able to sit outside all evening, only coming indoors for a whisky-sampling competition. We were all agreed that the English whisky was best…..

Today, we went out for a Roast Beef Dinner at a local pub which was also good. For a good long while, we were the only people in our part of the pub, so we were able to relax. Smashing.

Ah, yes…. old friends. Such a blessing.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Every day is filled with something isn’t it? Amid the excitement and the fascinated horror of watching government ministers depart one by one and Boris lying to his back teeth, we get on with every day stuff.

I was struck by Susie Dent’s Word of the Day, though, which is ‘filipendulous’ (19th century): hanging by a thread. Love it.

So, yesterday morning was like many other and we pottered about at home. We were so engrossed in our jobs though – John tinkering with his car and me faffing about with washing – that John had to rush his lunch so that we could get to the dental hospital in Birmingham in time in the afternoon.

Typical, of course, we had left with just enough time to get there at the appointed time – what we hadn’t catered for were hold-ups on the M6. Doggone it!! We were sat in the middle of a traffic jam, stationary, with no obvious reason for the stoppage.

I suggested to John that he phone ahead to let the clinic know we’d be late. “How long are you going to be?” asked the girl on the other end of the phone. John shrugged. Who knew? We didn’t. “About half an hour?” he offered, hopefully. “That’ll be too late,” she said. “Shall I re-book your appointment?” Yes, OK then, re-book……

As soon as the words were out of John’s mouth, the traffic started moving. And moving….. and then flowing beautifully. No sign of what had caused us all to stop at all. “Do you want to phone her back, John? To let her know we’re actually on our way will be only ten minutes late?” He shook his head. It wouldn’t matter, we’d be there.

Hahahahaha……… the efficiency of the NHS, eh? When we arrived, there was no record of John’s appointment. “Which clinic are you going to?” the receptionist wondered. Well, it should be dentistry – John has got a wonky tooth. The receptionist looked some more and there was clearly a problem. “Sorry, you’ve been discharged.”

‘Scuse me? I explained that I’d emailed to flag up the issue John had. Perhaps they could find the email? No. I paced up and down for a bit and was invited to sit down while they tried to sort it out.

In fact, they were very good. There had been a mix-up. John had been booked into the oral medicine clinic, not dentistry. And it was true, he had been discharged from that specific clinic. However, they had a doctor who would see him and then we could take it from there.

A jolly good inspection of John’s tooth suggested a root canal filling or extraction would be needed, and a promise on offer that it would be dealt with one way or another next week. So all’s well that ends well. Except that we were a lot longer than we expected and came away with things to follow up, like asking John’s own dentist to send the x-rays they’d done and contact the GP for blood test results. But we’re on our way.

We went straight over to Michael’s for tea afterwards which was lovely. We were both tired, so to have our tea cooked for us was a real treat. I played with the children of course, and helped put them to bed, which always fills my heart.

Today, being a Friday, I was due to go to yoga. However, my addled brain can’t quite cope with following instructions at the moment, so I decided to stay at home. I pottered into the garden to water some of the plants – and that was it then. I was there for the rest of the morning, dead-heading, pruning, weeding and generally enjoying the lovely flowers I’ve got growing in the garden at the moment. Picked a few:

For some reason, I popped back indoors….where I could hear something very exciting. I made my way into the garage and yes, I could believe my ears! John had got the Lotus running. “Sorry about the exhaust fumes,” he said. “I don’t care!” I replied. “I am just so excited that you’ve got the car going!” Did a little dance.

This afternoon we went to visit Pete and Dawn, which was a welcome respite. We had a smashing time, chatting away in the garden for a couple of hours. Pete, mind you, wasn’t best. He is suffering from a bad back, having put it out earlier in the week. Eeeeh, we didn’t all half feel like we were crocks, with all our aches and pains.

In other news, Covid is now infecting 1 in 25 people. The news suggests this isn’t too bad because all those hospitalised are generally suffering with other conditions…….. well, that’s OK then.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is ‘whifflery’ – a 19th century word, meaning evasive talk or action to avoid ever getting to the point.

A very apt description of current affairs – not only in public life but also chez nous. That is what I am currently doing: not getting to the point.

We used to be amused when some acquaintances of ours responded to our question of ‘How’s it going?’ with ‘We’re getting there’. We were never sure where ‘there’ was or how their journey was going, and it feels a bit like that at our house at the moment. Admittedly, we have some major projects going on and we are working towards finishing them but, every so often, we step back and wonder what the heck we’re doing it for. What’s the point, eh? Answers, on a postcard, please……..

Anyway, we continue to plough on every day and we usually get something done. John is still working on his car and fitting radiators, for which I am ever grateful. He is an amazing man. Never gives up. And I am sure that the car is going to be finished soon.

Meanwhile, I have sought to try and unpick my addled brain. Watched a fair bit of tennis, of course, and had a lovely walk with my friend, Kaye, yesterday. We took ourselves over the fields and stopped off for refreshments at the Saracen’s Head before continuing on our way. I did feel a bit better for the walk and the chat.

I am not sure whether that’s what it’s all for, but family and friendship are the two things that make our lives all worthwhile. We were blessed to see George and Sue on Sunday, and then, on Monday, our dear friends, Sue and Rod, called in on their way home from Warwick, travelling up to the Lake District.

We had a lovely day, just sitting chatting and sharing our stories of what is currently going on in our lives. Relaxed, talking about anything and everything, the time just zipped by.

Today was a hospital day. A monitoring check-up on John’s lungs. The chap we saw was very nice, explained things well and offered a follow-up test, but John felt that it was a bit of a non-event. The drugs that John is on is as much as they can do, so nothing new there. But yes, advised the consultant, you can take the nebuliser up to four times a day if that will help. Oh, and we’ll check on your oxygen levels to see if you need oxygen at home…… again, nothing new there.

This evening we had our Quiz Night, which was very nice. It’s a while since we quizzed, what with different couples having holidays, or other commitments and unable to join in. I was amazed that we actually knew some of the answers….. there’s always a buzz when you get something right, isn’t there?

We had some sad news though this morning, with Christiana telling us that her Grandad had died. He was a fabulous man, Cornish through and through, and with as big a heart as you could want. Our thoughts, naturally, are with Gloria and Christiana and all the family as they mourn his passing.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We pottered about yesterday, dealing with dining room-related things. John cut holes in the floorboards to investigate where the pipes went for the newly-sited radiator, while I nipped off to the carpet shop and to B & Q to see what I could find.

We have decided on the wallpaper and possibly the paint colour but, when I brought the paint samples home, none of them seemed right. I took all bar one back again and brought more samples home. I have yet to splash any of them on the wall though to see whether we like them. Maybe tomorrow.

Today has been a very lovely day with George and Sue. They came for lunch and to watch the Grand Prix with us. We did have a good time. It was a very exciting race one way and another. And, after all these years of knowing George, I found out something new: he likes to watch tennis. Well, that went down well with me!! So, we watched a bit of Wimbledon, too – that is, until our conversation took over and we switched the TV off. We do like a bit of a debate……

The weather has been brooding all day and the sun has played hide and seek. Plans for a barbecue were shelved and we stayed indoors to keep warm to eat our roast chicken but, with the windows open, it was a bit breezy, even indoors!

It was great to have company today. Ever grateful for such good friends.

Take care everyone. God bless.

1 in 24 people are catching COVID now, I hear – it’s still on the up. Mask up when you can.

Yesterday was a ‘nothing-very-much’ day for me. John was in fine fettle however, feeling the relief from having got through the biopsy on Wednesday with no trauma. So, John got his skates on and started the heavy job of fitting a new radiator in the dining room.

I have been dragging my feet a bit on the dining room, unable to make any decisions about anything. But, spurred on by John sorting out the radiator, I toddled off to B & Q to see if there was any wallpaper or paint I fancied.

I am awfully old-fashioned, of course, and expected to see wallpaper books to browse through. Hahahaha. Not a chance. A few rolls of wallpaper to choose from on the stands and that was it. As it happened, I did find one or two I quite liked, so brought them home for John’s opinion.

This morning I felt lousy – it was difficult to get going on anything much and I was fighting my demons all morning. I couldn’t get myself suited and booted for yoga, so texted Jaime at the last minute to say I wasn’t going to class.

John, meanwhile, was having a bit of a snooze in bed. I wafted about a bit and then, in the end, I decided to do that ‘displacement activity’ exercise whereby you are so busy you haven’t any time or space to acknowledge the demons, let alone fight them.

I ploughed through the lounge vacuuming and floor-mopping, before tackling the same again in the hall and then the kitchen. John was busy trying to find where the pipes went in the dining room ready to plumb the radiator in, before giving his attention to the Lotus again, bending a piece of metal for a window-fitting. That job initially went well – until he welded something to wrong side and had to start all over again.

Tomorrow, I aim to actually start painting the dining room. Get ready for the huffs and puffs as I bemoan all the prep required, folks……..

At tea-time, we had the unexpected pleasure of the Kenilworth Newbies descending on us. They have bought a new car and we were keen to see it, so they brought it round. The children were high with excitement, showing us the inside of the car and chattering away the whole time about all the nooks and crannies there were to see. Delightful.

Thomas, mind you, is obsessed with cars and would spend all his living moments in them at the moment. He hates having to leave the car and wails loudly, imploring to get back in. I mean, he couldn’t walk past the Lotus without exploring it…….. Bless him.

I had cooked our tea, so Michael nipped up to the shops to buy pizza for the family and we had a chaotic, but enjoyable tea together. The boys and I sat up at the breakfast bar, while the grown-ups sat at the table. The breakfast bar holds a particular allure for the boys as the bar stools swivel round… and round…. and round….. great fun.

All too soon it was time for them to go. We waved and waved and waved them goodbye, blowing kisses to the boys as Danielle drove off the drive. Lovely. Their visit had cheered me up no end. Fingers crossed that my cheered-up mood lasts, and the demons take a back seat tomorrow.

Take care everyone. God bless.