Month: April 2026

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.

I love a bit of poetry. One of the Book Club members asked if I’d like to join the Poetry Group? I said ‘Yes’. It turns out the group consists of the organiser, she who invited me to join, one of the local vicars and me. Just the three of us.

Actually, it’s quite nice because, although I didn’t know it beforehand, you take one of the poems ‘wot you have written’ and offer it up for critique. Hmm, that bit is scary.

Anyway, the upshot is that, because it’s 2026 and one hundred years after me Mum and the Queen were born, I thought I’d share the recently critiqued, but not recently written poem. As you will see, it was written in hope and expectation……

Keeping Going

Here's a letter for you. 
It's a good one, I can tell.
The envelope is cream vellum,
The address is hand-written, 
And there's a proper, 
Queen Elizabeth postage stamp.
And see, a proper post-mark too.

A smile of pleasure on her face,
Then curiosity.
Who can it be from?
I don't recognise the hand-writing.

She takes the treasured letter.
She holds it reverently.
And, lifting her glasses to see,
She asks, "Is it really for me?"

It is. It is. Look, see.

She peers at the postmark - 
It's London - that's strange -
I don't know anyone in London.
The friends I knew there
Are all dead, you see.
I wonder who it can from?
And who would be writing to me?

She turns it over
And sniffs it.
She turns it again and shakes it.
She bends it,
And peers again at the post mark.
London? Can it really be for me?

It is. It is. Look, see.

There's your name, your address.
Look, look, see?

Oh, yes! It's my address!
Oh yes! It's my name!
But I don't know anyone in London.
The friends I knew there 
Are all dead, you see.
Open it, Mum - gently said -
Let's look, let's see.

A rustle behind her,
And the carer passes a knife.
To open it, Mum - so gently said,
Let's look, let's see.
But it's not my birthday!
It is, Mum, it is.
Look, see.

But who's it from? 
I don't know anyone in London
Except the Queen, 
Who's the same age as me.

She's sent you a card, Mum. 
Look, look, see.
It's from the Queen,
To wish you a happy birthday.
Oh, how nice! The poor old duck,
She's getting on a bit isn't she?

Yes, Mum - smilingly said,
She's 100 - just like thee.