Month: July 2023

Goodness me, the day has come and gone and we feel like we’ve blinked and missed it! Doesn’t time just fly?

This morning was a funny morning because Michael texted John to say that their ferry to Jersey on Wednesday has been cancelled, due to the expected high winds. Well, naturally, we’d rather they were safe and not capsized in a boat, but it’s disappointing nonetheless – especially as the next available crossing isn’t until a week later!

It put us in a dither. What should we do? We had planned to join them for their first week of their holiday and now we would be missing them for every bit of that first week, bar one day. John spent most of the morning, and the first half of the afternoon, on the phone to Booking.com to see what we could salvage. Difficult, because the operators all had accents which he found awkward to understand.

Anyway, he’s managed to add some days on to our trip and change the return flight – at a cost, of course – and so we should be with them for a few of the days when they finally arrive. However, it’s put us both on edge today. Our little safety net of knowing that the family were going to be around to help us, if need be, has been withdrawn for the first part of the holiday, and it’s made us nervous.

Meantime, we tried to put it to the back of our minds and settled to the breakfast table to enjoy pancakes, fruit, nuts and maple syrup as a Monday morning treat. Andrew joined us too, which made it a lovely family time.

Graham and Gail took the car and went to their friends, Maureen and Martin, for the middle part of the day and, while they were out, John had a chat to a volunteer from MacMillan for an hour. I spent the time rummaging through all the information I could find on applying for probate for Mum’s estate. Still undecided whether to do it ourselves or whether to ask the solicitor to do it….. must bite the bullet!

This afternoon, John and I had a lazy time watching a bit of TV and sinking into the sofa, only nodding off occasionally!

Before long, G & G were home and we spent some more time nestling on the sofa and watching a very exciting cricket match before tea. Andrew was still around, so he cooked up a storm with some of yesterday’s leftovers and it was, as you’d expect, delicious.

The cricket was so exciting that we put the telly on in the kitchen and kept our eye on it as we ate our evening meal. We, the English contingent, were delighted with the result, but the Australian contingent less so. Can’t think why?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Sunday morning brunch followed by a Sunday afternoon barbecue en famille today. Smashing – despite the weather!

We had planned, at one time, to go down to John’s brother’s for a barbecue today, to celebrate David’s birthday. However, after the week we’ve had, we thought we were better off staying in. That way, the comfy chair was available, an afternoon nap was an option and familiar habits on tea-making were to hand.

Paul, Harriet, Freddie and Andrew made the trip, while Michael, Danielle and family stayed with us to keep us company, along with Graham and Gail.

The Kenilworth Originals and Andrew were no sooner waved off the premises than the Kenilworth Newbies sailed in, bearing all types of brunch-related food. Michael cooked while we set the table, played with the children and made cups of tea and coffee.

The brunch was lovely – great food that everyone tucked into with gusto – including the children. We were soon tottering to the lounge to take our bloated tummies to the sofa for a digestive rest!

Disappointingly, the weather changed mid-morning and the sunshine was gone, replaced by an overcast sky. Ah, well, not to worry, “I don’t mind barbecuing even if it’s not sunny,” said Michael. Good – that was a relief.

After we’d eased our bellies from the brunch and watched a bit of the cricket (Australia scoring far too many runs), it was early afternoon. “We’re walking up to Oakes’,” said Michael, “to buy barbecue food.” I was keen for a walk for the second day running, so set off with them. Luckily for me, I had taken my waterproof. Ha! It started to drizzle on the way home and it was a damp party of people and a soggy doggy that arrived home.

Towards the latter part of the afternoon, Michael set up the barbecue. Danielle had been beavering away in the kitchen much of the afternoon, prepping all the salads and accompaniments; and Gail had been busy picking the last rhubarb of the season from the garden and making a crumble, as well as a sherry trifle in memory of Mum.

By the time the barbecue was ready, Michael was sheltering under the parasol from the rain. John went out to supervise the last bits of meat cooking and then we were off. Brilliant. The Kenilworth Originals and Andrew had arrived back from Dunstable and were up for more barbecue food. And, truth be told, the sherry trifle and the rhubarb crumble went down a treat.

The sofa beckoned again for more digestive resting…… and, at one point, we were all on, behind or in front of the sofa with Grandpa having the most popular lap in the land!! Grand, eh?

Take care everyone. God bless.

I can’t think why, but we were all feeling tired today. So much so that unusually, we thought we’d just chill at home and not go rushing about anywhere when we were invited!

So this was us this morning: a very leisurely breakfast (we finally got those bacon butties we were promising ourselves yesterday!), the TV was switched on and we settled down to watch the cricket.

As we watched, Gail and I sifted gently through Mum’s jewellery. All bar a couple of bits, it was costume jewellery and my, did she have a lot of beads!! And earrings. And brooches. Not many rings or bracelets mind you. Graham sifted through some old pennies and French Francs to see if any of them had any value but I don’t think they did – but the farthing looked cute with its little robin on it. I might start a campaign for another coin to depict the robin, I liked it that much……

This afternoon was equally leisurely. We had a spot of lunch and then went back to watching the cricket! It’s certainly interesting to watch when the English contingent are rooting for England, and the Australian contingent are rooting for Australia. We say, ‘Phew! That was a close one!’ as the ball whizzes past the bat and the cricketer is nearly caught out. They say ‘Oh…….bother!’ (or words to that effect) when the video replay shows the ball didn’t actually hit the bat. Hehe.

I was keen for a walk this afternoon, so I left everyone, except Andrew who came with me, on the sofa still cheering on their respective teams.

Andrew and I took the path across the fields over to Moira and Mark’s to return the teapot they’d lent us, and to drop in a memory stick so that Mark can download a copy of the funeral service. I am not quite sure why I’d like a personal copy of the service, but I just do.

We had a really lovely walk. The weather was warm, as was the breeze that helped us on our way. Andrew was very lovely company and I was glad he’d come too.

We had a cuppa at Moira and Mark’s and then set off home again. They are such an amazing couple and made us really welcome, even though they were still planning tomorrow’s café church service!!

Home again and we had ourselves an afternoon tea with cream cakes as we watched the last overs of the day in the cricket. Ah…….and breathe…..

Take care everyone. God bless.

……. John has got the bumper for his Lotus!! Whoopee-doop! Great excitement in our household, I can tell you!

Having been up and about for a while this morning, Graham and I decided we’d go into Kenilworth for some banking transactions before catching up with the Kenilworth Originals this afternoon. It was all arranged with Paul, and so we were just enjoying some desultory conversation in the lounge while we waited for John to come downstairs for the bacon butties that we’d planned, when he hot-footed into the room and said, excitedly, “Chris has just phoned. My bumper is ready. Need to collect it before 4 o’clock as he’s on holiday next week…..” Oh, right! Change of plan then??

As it turned out Paul and Harriet were happy to change the plans, promising to get-together another day when things have calmed down in their household. They are in that state of waiting for the plumber to plumb, the electrician to electrify, the kitchen fitters to fit, and the painters to paint. They are nearly there with their kitchen/dining room extension, but I think the last bit is proving painful.

Graham and Gail sorted out their banking situation in Kenilworth this morning and, after lunch, we all set off into Birmingham for the excitement of collecting the bumper.

The journey was very slow on the way there and we made the same navigation mistake that we’d made the last time we’d been! That added ten minutes to the journey time that we could have done without….. But we made it. Got to the electroplating company, winkled the bumper from their tenacious grasp and came home triumphant. Just got to fit it on now!! Ooooh, who knows, the ol’ man might get the car finished some time soon?? Fingers crossed.

Take care everyone. God bless.

27 July 2023

Mum was always dying. There were the middle-of-the-night dashes; the phone calls to work, mid-morning or mid-afternoon, mid-project or mid-speech even. And yet, despite the emergencies, she made it to the ripe old age of 97, having lived a fulfilled life – and there was nothing middling about her.

She was a force and a big presence in our lives – strong and insistent; proud and particular; forthright but thoughtful; creative yet meticulous – and a lady.

Mum was complex and full of contrast, such as offering great hospitality to Graham, me and my friends growing up. The front room at Kendal Rise on a Saturday or Sunday evening was a permanent invitation to us, and a fixture in our calendars – a welcome space for us to grow, develop and bond as young adults. And yet, if you called in on her unexpectedly, she was frequently busy and could shoo you away fairly smartish.

Mum loved family though. It was very important to her. She kept in touch with family and friends, up and down the country – and abroad. From Yorkshire to Dorset, Wales to Cambridgeshire; Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, she corresponded regularly, penning lovely, descriptive letters. This was her forte and she loved to write. So much so that she wrote poetry that ran to four or five volumes.

As a lady, Mum rather liked to be pampered, petted and courted. I mean, we didn’t call her ‘Your Majesty’ for nothing, did we?

Her idea of pleasure was to invite you round for tea. It was you, however, who often had to put the kettle on and fish the cakes out from the cupboard! But afternoon tea, on her terms, was an easy, peaceful space – especially if the conversation allowed her to reminisce and talk about her life.

And that is how we remember her. Living life on her terms. No, she wasn’t going to walk round the block every day just because she’d had a heart attack. Yes, she was going to eat cake – a proper, full-sized cake, not the single slice that Paul had thoughtfully offered, thinking of her post-heart-attack health.

She was going to paper-clip her curtains together to stop them gaping and store her shop-bought cakes and biscuits in the oven instead of baking such items in it.  She fully intended to come with us to the pub on Christmas Day but wanted Michael to persuade her. She was going to put her hanky up her sleeve, but still have a dew-drop on the end of her nose. And, in the last weeks of her life, she was going to tell Andrew that he was handsome, but fat.

Despite suffering with her nerves all her life, it was Mum’s resilience that impressed me the most. When we all thought she’d sink under pressure, she surprised us. Money worries? I’ll go out to work. Dad’s stroke? I’ll roll my sleeves up and get on with it. Dad’s death? I’ll use my experience to benefit others. Move house? I’ll settle into my new flat nicely.

And just when I needed it the most, in the latter part of her life, Mum stopped running a critical eye over me and was happy and grateful for whatever I did for her; we giggled together; and she simply loved me.

Farwell to an amazing lady, whose legacy is an equally amazing and loving family. God bless Mum – Hazel Florence Chapman.

We had quite a relaxing day today, with guests arriving this morning for a couple of hours and then another guest this afternoon for another couple of hours.

We started the morning with a full English Breakfast and were just fit to bursting, and popping the last morsel into our mouths, when Paul and Harriet called in to catch up with Graham and Gail. Great, generous hugs all round and back-slapping from the men, before we settled to chatting as if it were only yesterday that we had all been together. The morning flashed past as we tucked into a familiar routine of natter backwards and forwards, sharing stories of our lives over the past few years.

Paul and Harriet were en route to Birmingham so, as they set off at lunchtime, so did Graham and I – we were popping out to buy one or two things from Tesco in Cannon Park, where Graham was also on the hunt for a Sim card for his phone. He was lucky and managed to get a free one!! Fingers crossed it works well.

Not long after we arrived home, the doorbell rang, and there was a large box on the doorstep – a stunning Calla Lily in a pot from George and Val. Absolutely gorgeous and the sight of it has lifted our spirits no end. I mean, look at that!! Superb.

Back at home, we were thrilled to greet Philomena, whom we’d arranged to see for an afternoon catch-up. Rather wonderfully, she brought the most beautiful bunch of rainbow roses for us. Gosh, aren’t we lucky?? Such a magnificent bouquet – a rose is a favourite flower of mine – and such exquisite colours. Going to admire them for a long while!

We had a great time with Philomena – a really good laugh together. It’s been a while since we last met – I think I went over to her flat last year (or was it the year before?) and since then, we have corresponded a little but not seen each other. It was lovely to see her face-to-face. It’ll be twice in one week when she comes to Mum’s funeral on Thursday!

After Phil left, I nipped across to Linda and Brendan’s to collect teapots. We had a few minutes together, which I enjoyed, and then I shot back home to cook some tea.

John and Graham decided on a little walk up to the shops and, when they weren’t back pronto, I thought I’d give John a ring to see if he could grab some milk while he was there. “Yes, no worries,” he said, “we’re just having a little rest and we’ll be back in a bit.” Ha! A little rest? They were having a jolly in the coffee shop! I was pleased about that though, because they had good chat and came back having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Paul and Freddie dropped in about 7.30, which filled me with love. Haven’t seen Freddie for what seems like ages, but in reality is only a few days, really. While the grown-ups chatted, Freddie and I watched a Minecraft programme (as did some of the others, too, secretly) and then Freddie had a little go on Grandpa’s stairlift…..

Afterwards, we went out into the garden for a kick about with the football. Naturally, Freddie scored the most goals. I came second, and Daddy came third. I am not sure how it happened that Freddie won – any ideas? D’you think it might be my technique that let me down? Hehehe!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Today was a day of running about here and there to get a few loose ends tidied up.

Had a nice leisurely breakfast with Graham and Gail – even John joined in – and then we were off on the merry-go-round. Graham and I set off for Leamington for a visit to Mum’s solicitor, leaving Gail and John to natter to their hearts content, feet up and cups of tea in hand; and Andrew to do his washing before setting off to Wales later.

Next stop: the Building Society (BS) for Graham to try and sort out the tangle the BS has created. I think the initials BS well suited the girl who served Graham, because I never heard such a load of………*&$?*&£$?*! Anyway, it’s still not sorted so there’ll be another chapter on that I am quite sure.

We made our way back home to a spot of light lunch that Gail prepared for us, before a young lady called in to make inroads into the backlog of some bathroom grubbiness. She did well, and we can now see our faces in the taps and mirrors again.

No sooner had she left than Graham and I hot-footed it down the road to visit the florist. “Gotta get me steps up,” grinned Graham, as we set off and strode out down Needlers End hill.

Flowers sorted, Graham kept his steps up with a trip to the shops and sailed home, halo shining, having done those few more steps, and having made the purchases he’d wanted.

I perused my list and thought I’d nip up to the Funeral Directors for a last-minute check. “I’ll come with you,” said Graham, “I’ve still got a few more steps to do!” Hehe. Bless.

There was something rather comforting about having Graham’s company today. Nice, easy chats and a calmness that offset my jangled nerves. So good to have him and Gail here.

I was just thinking about tea, when we had a video-chat to Michael. There had been some to-ing and fro-ing about whether they would call in to us, or we would call in to them at tea-time. It all got complicated so, in the end, we agreed we’d pop round just for half an hour. “That’s that decision made then,” I said, “fish and chips for tea it is!” Gail nodded and laughed. “I was just thinking the same thing!” she exclaimed.

Had a good half an hour or so at Michael’s. The grandchildren were excited to see us and we were thrilled to see them. Michael and Danielle were thrilled to see Graham and Gail and there were some very big, squeezy hugs in evidence.

It was the children’s bedtime so we waved goodbye to the Kenilworth Newbies and also to Andrew who set off on his journey back to Wales. More big, squeezy hugs.

An evening of relaxing with glass of something in our hands and the day was complete. Ah…. family, eh? Don’t you just love it when everyone is drawn together with one mind?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Aaaaah………….. and breathe……..

A picture paints a thousand words, they say. Here it is, the scene I wasn’t sure would ever happen again – relaxed, happy and absolutely thrilled that the Oz contingent have made it!!

Gosh, emotional scenes were witnessed as Graham and Gail emerged from the Maglev carriage at Birmingham International Station this afternoon. Tears of happiness streamed down my face – and, I think, the others’ too. Hugs all round. “You nearly had me going then, as well,” said Andrew, as he watched us take in the reality of their arrival. We had been waiting a little while after the plane had landed, so the minute I saw them I flew across the corridor and into their arms. A balm for my soul.

We travelled home and offered refreshments and then sat back ready to share our stories. We talked non-stop until nine o’clock this evening, which was approximately six o’clock in the morning for Graham and Gail – meaning that they had effectively been up all night. They were tired though – it had been a very long journey.

We’d had an emotional morning with Paul, Michael and Andrew, sorting out a bit more of the detail to Mum’s funeral, followed by an emotional afternoon, so guess what? We’re whacked now and an early night all round!!

But wow, big news today folks – my big brother and his fabulous wife are back for a little while. ❤❤❤

Take care everyone. God bless.

We never quite know what success looks like, but whatever it is, we have had a successful day.

I mostly achieved what I wanted to do, and John mostly achieved what he wanted to do. So I think that about classifies it, don’t you?

John was up early and breakfasting with the rest of us, George and Sue having stayed overnight, and then he was keen to get on. He and George started pottering about in the garage, tinkering away with the Lotus again and were chuffed to bits with what they got done.

My mission was to go with Sue into town to buy a frock. I wasn’t sure whether there would be any black, navy or grey ones at this time of the year, but we were lucky in our search and came up with three or four things to try on. The first three didn’t work, but the last one, that Sue had found, was just right, so I bought it. Well, that was easy wasn’t it?

We stopped for a coffee and then came home to find our friend Rachel on the doorstep, laden with a card, some flowers and a bottle. She was bringing her condolences and explained that her gifts were to help us celebrate Mum’s life. It wasn’t until after she’d left that I realised what she meant. The bottle was champagne! How thoughtful and so very, very kind. We shall certainly raise a glass to Mum with that.

While we’d been out, we found that, not only had the boys been tinkering in the garage but they’d been mending the shower as well. The bit that was bust had been replaced by a new one that arrived in the post today, and it looks like it’s working. Marvellous. I think everyone would should have a John and a George in their household…….

Sue and I did a bit more pottering about, running up to the shops, and generally faffing about while the men carried on with their mission. They were on a roll and wanted to get several things done before it was time to stop. And sure enough, they got them done. For once, there was an aura of satisfaction about the house. Boom!

Another day of affirmation that friends are just the best.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Look who’s here!! Dear George and Sue to the rescue!!

When we saw George and Sue on our little trip away recently, we arranged for them to come and stay overnight so that George could give John a hand on the Lotus. And here they are! Full of enthusiasm and great ideas, sorting us both out.

John and George have spent all day tinkering with the car, happy as pigs in muck the pair of them, humming over their work, tinkering to their hearts content. It’s been fabulous.

Michael called in at lunchtime, realising he wouldn’t get home in time for a Zoom meeting, to take the call at ours, and he came in grinning from ear-to-ear. “They look like they are really enjoying themselves out there,” he said. “Dad’s not effing and jeffing – it must be going well!” Yes, good vibes were positively pouring out of the garage.

Equally, positive vibes were to be had indoors, too. Sue said, “I’m all yours. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do,” Well, that was an offer and a half, so I grabbed it with both hands and we sat down to make a list.

Satisfied with the list, I rather rudely left the house to go to my last yoga class of the term. Sue said she didn’t mind at all, so I took her at her word and suggested she read her book for an hour until I was back. However, she’s not one to sit about when there’s work to be done, so I found her beavering away in the kitchen wiping down the work surfaces when I returned home. Nice. Helloooo work surfaces – long time no see!

After lunch, I had a few phone calls and a bit of admin to do regarding Mum’s affairs, so Sue sat and did some mending for me. Oh, gosh, I was so grateful. I hate sewing…..

Soon, though, it was time to crack open a bottle of wine – I mean, it’s thirsty work isn’t it? All this cleaning and mending and such.

The day was interspersed with parcels arriving on the doorstep, too. How absolutely tremendous. A beautiful and unusual orchid from Fran and Pete, which is another one too pretty not to share…… I do love an orchid.

I was very excited to receive a super box of chocolates, too! The only thing is, I wasn’t able to find a label on them, so not sure who to thank. Green & Blacks? Don’t mind if I do!

The cricket had been purring along in the background all day, too, and we all had one eye on the match as we went about the day. However, after it had finished we wondered what we might watch. Hmmm…….. “How about we just chat instead?” suggested Sue. Well, what a jolly good idea!

A really, really lovely day, supported by two wonderful friends just when we need it. Howzat?

Take care everyone. God bless.