Bobbing along…

I seem to be very busy. I have filled my days with all sorts of goings on, including the open water swimming that I talked about in the last Blog. I wasn’t sure how long I’d keep it up for – but I’m still going!!!

I’ve found new venues – Kington Grange near Claverdon, and Lake Windermere, where I swam for a whole ten minutes in blustery conditions with my dear friend, Sue Wakeford; and I’ve been back to Lavender Hall a couple of times, as well as Cliff Lakes, and also to Saxon Mill. Here I am, looking pretty smug in front of Guys Cliffe in the River Avon yesterday….. at eight o’clock in the morning!!!

And here we are, Sue and me, getting ready for our swim in Windermere, cheesy grins to the fore!

I spent a few days in the Lake District with Sue and Rod over the Bank Holiday weekend, and golly, they don’t half know how to look after me! Such exquisite hosts. I had the best time eating all the best food that Sue prepared as well as dining out on fish and chips. We walked along the Ulverston Canal – the shortest and deepest canal in the UK, I understand; and visited the birthplace of the Quaker movement, Swarthmoor Hall. Loved that – really interesting. Another cheesy grin photo!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ve been looking after the grandchildren, one way and another; chatting ten-to-the-dozen at the French Conversation group; playing table tennis and still loving that; and helping out at the Mums ‘n Tots little playgroup at church.

We’ve had family times too, with meals and get-togethers whenever the mood has taken us, which has been lovely. Paul and I took the two oldest grandsons to see Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Hippodrome on Wednesday afternoon, which was fantastic. We all enjoyed it very much. I mean, just look at those boys! All as excited as excited as can be!

These are not the only things I’ve been up to in recent weeks – there’s been a visit to Oxford with Ann Flintham; a trip out for lunch with Alison and Sally; visits from Pete and Fran, Michelle and Tim and, of course, George and Sue, who stayed for a whole weekend. All marvellous and wonderful things which have uplifted me no end.

So, all in all, things are going on okay. I am thankful for the continued support of wonderful friends and family, and wonder whatever state I’d be in now if it wasn’t for the amazing thoughtfulness of all those brilliant people.

I hope I’ve given a little bit back along the way though, being there for Pete and Dawn while Pete recovered from an operation. That was all very exciting, if a little (understatement) stressful, with carer shenanigans for Dawn, and a rush back to the hospital for Pete to check all was in order. Fortunately, that episode is well on the way to being behind them and ‘normal service is now being resumed’. Phew.

I say ‘phew’ because Peter is now back to his cooking best and I was invited round for an evening meal last week. An incredible beef in wine sauce, with all the trimmings. Excellent.

And there was nothing Dawn and I could do but lend a listening ear to Carol, as she and John closed the sale on their apartment in Spain and vacated it for one last time, a couple of weeks ago. The end of an era but what happy, happy times John and I had there with them. So grateful for all of that.

And there we are, folks! Still not back to blogging regularly, but I am starting to read, so things must be looking up. I’ve read three or four books recently, and have now accumulated a very large ‘TBR’ pile…… that’s going to keep me busy, if nothing else does!!

Take care everyone. God bless.