Author: anniesleath@hotmail.co.uk

It is John’s birthday today, but we celebrated en famille yesterday with a roast dinner. All the boys were there – including Andrew who made the special journey cross-country to wish his Dad a happy birthday. Wives and children were there, too, of course, with the exception of Catherine, who was up in Manchester/Bolton; and Lily, who was at work. So all in all, a jolly good turn out!!

There were 12 of us including the baby, whose high chair seems to take up an inordinate amount of room, and we just about managed to squeeze round the new table – although Paul was hanging off the end…..

We all agreed that twelve at the table was a bit of a push and we might have to resort to bringing the old table up from the Man Shed next time and get it set up in the lounge instead.

Freddie, bless him, wanted to be at the Head of the Table and wasn’t at all happy when Mummy and Daddy suggested that these seats were reserved for the birthday boy at one end, and me at the other. Tough life lessons, aren’t they, when you discover that someone else is a bit more important on a particular day, at a particular event? I think I was about ten when I learned that one……

Anyway, we all ate well and enjoyed the food – including the birthday cake which was ushered in by my little helpers….. and well done, Grandpa! You blew out how many candles?

With it being a party, the children were looking forward to some excitement. And, in fact, we have been waiting for the darker days/nights to draw in for one specific purpose. And there were high hopes that yesterday might be the day. But nope, nothing doing yesterday. However, there’s a promise that next Sunday we might, just might get to play……sardines!!!! Hehehe. Can’t wait for the high jinks!!! Fingers crossed.

We have had a lovely day today, too. I took John a bacon butty and cup of coffee in bed for a birthday treat before he went off to his Pulmonary Rehabilitation Class. Then this afternoon, we had the very great pleasure of spending the voucher that Rachel, one of our friends from church had given us. Afternoon Tea for Two!

It was absolutely smashing. Rachel had said to us that we needed to get out more. And she is right, of course, so this treat was spot-on. It wasn’t too busy; we were well away from the hoards, and had an attentive waitress looking after us. Really, really delightful and we so enjoyed ourselves.

Our afternoon tea was at Oakes’, the local farm shop café, which many of you have frequented. What was lovely too, was that the scenery was stunning. Gorgeous countryside; sheep slowly grazing in the fields alongside us; crows flitting across those same fields, landing and taking off again with such purpose; and the skyscape was just out of this world, with a mist lifting and the clouds parting to allow a band of gold to bathe the horizon. Glorious.

Of course, with an afternoon tea, there is always the scone question, isn’t there? And we love to play the game with the Cornish contingent in the family….. so I did fifty/fifty and put the clotted cream on first on one half of the scone and jam on first on the other, chuckling to myself about all the debates we’ve had over the years. What’s your choice, folks? Cream or jam first?

Take care everyone. God bless.

We had a very nice day today. We visited Louise and Dave whom we hadn’t seen since before lockdown. In fact, the last time we saw them was when Dave was licensed as a Reader in a ceremony in Birmingham Cathedral. Lots of of time has since flowed since then.

For a start, they’ve moved house. We hadn’t been and visited because of the lockdown, although we had been treated to a lovely video of their new home and pretty garden. It was such a delight to see them again and to see them in their own home.

We were invited for brunch which was delicious, and then we nattered and nattered. I love that. Friends you haven’t seen for such a long time but it makes no difference to the relationship. It’s as if you’d met just yesterday. Brilliant.

As the afternoon wore on, I could see John beginning to get tired so we said our goodbyes about 2.30 and wended our way home. Interestingly, I, too, was tired and so both of us just settled in the lounge for the afternoon watching the England vs Japan rugby match. Enjoyable because we won.

Agony earlier in the day though, when John watched the Women’s World Cup. One of our players was sent off early on and that was more or less the end of that. Disappointing for a team that hadn’t lost a game in the previous 33 (or was it 34?) matches.

Because we’d had a such a lovely brunch about mid-day we weren’t that hungry at tea-time so it was just sandwiches for tea and then more of the goggle-box this evening. I’m exhausted now! All that TV watching!

Take care everyone. God bless.

We will remember them.

I am not sure what John has done all day but I do know that he has been fiddling on the computer. Really concentrating hard. In between times, he has slept a bit, watch TV a bit and sorted out the open fire.

Meanwhile, I have had a lovely day with a little bit of luxury. Paul invited us to go to his gym/swimming pool/spa/golf course today – he was allowed take a guest with him. “Any takers?” he asked. Me? Maybe? Hehehe.

“What are you thinking Paul? Golf/swimming/an exercise class?” His thoughts had turned to just slobbing in the spa. Suited me down to the ground.

I motored over to his house after I’d finished yoga about eleven and we set off. Paul showed me round and then we had a swim (he did 10 lengths; I did eight – just because I took longer in the changing room…..). Naturally, it was the steam room next and then the jacuzzi. Loved it. We nattered away in the jacuzzi for ever – well, I did anyway. Really, really enjoyed myself.

Once I was home, I put together a spot of lunch for John and me and then promptly fell asleep on the sofa. Who did I say slept a bit? Conveniently forgot that I did, too.

When I woke up I had zero energy. I could not get going at all. All sorts of things to do but I just stayed on the sofa wrapped in a blanket in front of the fire and watched a bit of TV. Who did I say watched a bit of TV? Oh, that would be me as well, then.

I was keen to watch yesterday’s cricket match, having studiously avoided hearing the score in the last 24 hours. John wasn’t keen to watch – he’d found out the result earlier. “Don’t tell me!!” I exclaimed.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to put John through the agony of watching the match. He fell asleep. Given that he wasn’t bothered about watching it, I thought the worst and expected a loss. But no. A massive great win and we’re through to the final. Whoo-hoo! Fingers crossed we play well again on Sunday.

I took a lovely phone call from Carol this evening, too, which cheered me up. We chatted for a while and then I mistakenly pressed the video call button, so there we were, looking at each other. Nice – even though I say it myself. I do like to see my friends!!

So, all in all, it’s been a very relaxing day. We haven’t stressed; we haven’t bothered about tidying up too much and we have just taken it all very easy. Still a bit tired though, so maybe an early night? I always say so, but rarely do it. Let’s see if I can get into bed and switch the light off before midnight, shall we?

Take care everyone. God bless.

And sorry…… couldn’t resist this (last) one from the holiday…………..

I thought I’d take a look at the goodies in Costco with a view to ordering in some trays of party food. I texted Paul: ‘Will you take me to Costco, please?’ Of course he would. So we arranged it for this morning. ‘Meet you there 9-ish’ I said. Hahahahaha…… of course they don’t open at nine, do they? 10 o’clock is their opening time. I phoned Paul to tell him to turn round and go back home….. Ah, well, never mind, another time, maybe. Honestly, the best laid plans…. as Robbie Burns said: ‘The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.‘ Yup!

Instead, I took myself off to Tesco and splurged some money there in revenge. Meanwhile, John was off to his Pulmonary Rehabilitation Class, so we were like ships in the night when I got back. A quick hello/goodbye and see you later.

I thought twice about going over to the Kenilworth Newbies this afternoon. Danielle was still working on her project so I had promised to look after Oliver. She texted to say he has a cold. However, I didn’t think too long. I had promised after all, and if I didn’t do much close up work or kissing of the baby, I’d be alright wouldn’t I?

As it happened, Oliver slept for a fair bit so the temptation of snuggling up to him was reduced. Despite a snuffly nose, he was still a delight. He chuckled a lot as usual and was hardly out of sorts. Had a lovely afternoon.

John also had a good experience at his class but came home feeling very muscle-weary. I am not at all surprised. It’s been a while since there has been a significant demand on all his body in exercise terms, so it is bound to be a bit rusty. But he was pleased with himself. He did it all. Mind you, he is limping a bit…. apparently, he lay funny on his hip last night so woke up with it sore and wonky. Nothing that an Epsom Salt bath won’t sort out, I’m sure. Fingers crossed, anyway.

This evening, I had the pleasure of a Zoom chat with Michelle. It was lovely to have a five-minute catch up. “Let’s do this more often,” we said. So plans are afoot for a more regular chit-chat, which will be good. In the absence of face-to-face get-togethers this is definitely the next best thing.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Another holiday snap for you – last one, I promise!! (Maybe)

Although I went to bed early last night, aiming to pace myself, I found I couldn’t sleep. And then, when I did sleep I found I woke up early this morning!! All in all, it wasn’t quite the rest I anticipated.

I could hear John coughing during the night and was bothered that he might not be well. However, he said he slept OK and hadn’t been aware of his coughing, so I was clearly worrying unnecessarily – as always……ah, well.

Despite waking early, I actually didn’t winkle myself out of bed early enough to arrive at yoga on time and had to scurry in late. Rather embarrassingly, once I was inside and setting up my kit, the car alarm kept going off just outside and I had to scurry out again – twice! Oh, dear……. and….breathe…….

I had left John in bed, pretty sound asleep, and put a coffee by his bedside before I left. It looked to me like it might go cold. He was, however, up when I got back. Not sure if the coffee had been consumed, but he was up and at ’em, so that was good. We had half an hour or so together before it was time for me to shoot off across to the Kenilworth Newbies. Woo-hoo! Babysitting Oliver!! *Does a little dance*

Danielle has a project to finish and there’s never time away from the children – and, of course, in the evenings there’s fatigue to battle, so all in all, it’s a bit of a slower project than she, or her client, would like!! I could offer her a couple of hours of respite today, so I did. Hehehe – what a hardship!!

I had a lovely afternoon. Little Oliver was a delight. When he wasn’t sleeping, he chuckled and smiled at me all afternoon long. Of course, I was so busy playing with him and dandling him that I took no photos at all.

But boy! That child is fast! His little hands are after anything within his reach and within the blink of an eye he’s grabbed everything he can! Today’s excitement was a cold cup of tea under the sofa. We were just changing his nappy when….yep! Cup of cold tea all over his clothes. And I thought the cup had been out of his reach – but no! Just a little stretch…..and a bit more…. and, yeah! Made it!! Little monkey!

John had had a good afternoon while I was out – first of all, working on the Lotus for a while and then reminiscing as he looked through the photo pile. “Haven’t we done a lot over the years?” he said, when I got home. Yes, we certainly have filled our lives with all sorts! And, you know, no regrets. Boom! Although, unlike John, I may not look at old photos for while just yet. So many memories and the sting of times gone by, never to be re-lived.

After our busy day, we slobbed in front of the TV this evening, watching mindless stuff like Bake Off and I’m a Celebrity. Ha! Not sure if I’m going to carry on watching the latter; will I be able to stomach it?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Here’s another holiday snap…..

After a lovely day yesterday, we had an equally lovely day today but much less hectic – well, for me anyway!

We were up and at ’em fairly early this morning and leisurely breakfasting together with our overnight guests. It’s amazing that even early in the morning for a few hours, we found loads to talk about. So good to be among friends who are so easy to be with.

John had to cut his enjoyment short however, as he was scheduled to be at Solihull Hospital for his first Pulmonary Rehabilitation Class. He hugged his goodbyes and set off just before half past ten. Our guests stayed awhile and had another coffee before hitting the road to either ends of the country – one couple to Hampshire and one to Lancashire.

After they had left, I treated myself to another slice of the cake I’d made yesterday and settled into the settee. John came home about three-quarters’ of an hour later. He’d had a good time, but had worked hard. “Can you do three reps of these steps?” they’d asked him. “Yes,” he’d confidently replied, and set on doing them. After the first set, he was puffed out and a rest was in order. “But did you manage to do them?” I asked. Yes, he had. He was pleased. I was pleased.

We both thought we’d nod off this afternoon as we sat snuggled into our chairs. John did, but I wrestled the Sandman and won. With bleary eyes, however, I did a spot of faffing about on the computer, checking my accounts and so on. I was wishing I’d had that sleep. Ah, well, I thought, I’ll get an early night instead. I’m pacing myself.

I don’t know about you, but the hour we changed last week has been messing with my head. I can’t work out whether I should get up when I wake up at 6 o’clock or not. Because, after all, 6 o’clock is really 7 o’clock, isn’t it? So I dither about – sometimes getting up early and sometimes sticking in bed. No wonder I’m tired….. hoping I’ll get the hang of it soon!!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

And, just because I’ve got them, here’s another pic of the family on our holiday to Budleigh Salterton. Ice cream anyone?

It all started with Lizzie, earlier on in the year. She kicked off our 70th birthday celebrations among us College Crew. Next, it will be me. But today, it was the turn of dear Sue D. Only she didn’t actually know it.

Sue thought she had done with her celebrations. Her birthday was on Tuesday and she had had cards and gifts galore on her birthday. We called in and toasted her health. Others called in, too. She had had her family party, taking them down into depths of Sussex (or was it Kent?) for a few days away. So for her, her celebrations were over.

Until today that is, when several of her friends, including the College Crew, all piled into the Dog Inn in Whittington for a surprise party. ‘We’ve just parked at the pub’ texted Janet. ‘We’re nearly there’ I texted back. ‘Just come through Bassets Pole, see you in the pub’ was the message from Helen, Sue’s daughter, followed by: Can someone have the camera ready? We’ve just arrived.

Sue walked in to a crowd of people all applauding her arrival. Bless her. As you can imagine, it was overwhelming. She had thought she was coming for a nice quiet meal en famille. Not with a raucous crowd like us lot. But boy, did it work out well. It seemed to me that everyone had a really lovely time. And we all left with very full bellies and very large smiles on our faces.

Afterwards we hugged each other and waved our goodbyes. “See you a week on Tuesday!” was the chorus as we set off.

Once we were home, we welcomed in Sue and Chris and Janet and Trevor who were staying overnight before their long journeys home.

We had a lovely relaxing evening together, full of good-natured natter; cheese and biscuits, cake and some rather nice wine. What a wonderful end to a very lovely day. Celebrating being 70? You betcha!

Take care everyone. God bless.

We both have expansive plans. At different times of the day, when our body clocks tick to ‘just right‘ we think we can do anything. My expansiveness is fed very late at night and very early in the morning. By mid-morning, it’s all gone to pot.

John’s expansiveness flirts with him in flashes throughout the day and the night but within an hour of getting up he’s eying his chair for a rest. We’re putting it down to the post-holiday slump.

Today was a classic example. Neither of us got up early, but I did do a spot of yoga to start my day and felt ready for it all. John was galvanised by the T20 cricket and thoroughly enjoyed watching the match. However, the imaginary bowling, batting and fielding took it out of him, and he had to have a bit of a sit down afterwards. Meanwhile, I managed to do a bit of tiddling about with some washing (the tail-end of the holiday wash) before I, too, had to have a sit down.

By the time I was ready to run some errands this afternoon, John was fast asleep. He had been planning to come with me for part of the trip, but his grunted agreement that I’d go straight there instead of calling back home for him seemed to indicate he was rather enjoying his snooze.

I did my errands and then thought I’d drop into Waitrose for a few bits and bobs. Ha! My purse was over £150 lighter when I came out and the bits and bobs filled a whole trolley and thus six bags. By the time I got home, all the expansive plans I had had first thing this morning had gone out of the window and I was ready for a rest.

This evening we watched the box. Well, Strictly was on wasn’t it? Couldn’t be fulfilling expansive plans when there’s that to watch!!

And so another day passes without the plans fulfilled. Hey-ho. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow……. and tomorrow……

Perhaps we’re fulfilling Susie Dent’s Word of the (other) Day where we sit out the winter and wait for sunnier days. ‘Hibernacle’ (18th century) is a retreat or refuge – a bit like chez nous which is a perfect place to hunker down in.

Take care everyone. God bless.

As we walked home this evening from an afternoon’s natter at Pete and Dawn’s we noticed a nearly-full Moon and a sparklingly white star nearby. Of course, we knew what it was! “Erm… is that the North Star?” I wondered. “Nah, don’t be daft,” said John. “North is the other way.” Oh yes! Silly me! “Maybe Venus? Or Sirius?” Well, it was none of those, was it? It was Jupiter. And gosh, isn’t it splendid? Clear sky; luminous Moon; and a glistening Jupiter. Made our walk home something very special.

By then, though, John was beginning to tire. The end of a busy day and with his afternoon nap interrupted, he felt weary as he put one foot in front of the other. Unlike his activity yesterday when he seemed to be on top form.

He has been invited to join in on a pulmonary rehabilitation course and the assessment was yesterday. Like every self-respecting physical assessment, he did a bleep test, much to his delight. And he came out of it quite well, so he’s really looking forward to settling into the course which starts next week. Fingers crossed it ups his fitness levels, and with it his breathing levels. We’d like to hear less Darth Vader and more Luke Skywalker please.

The busy day today, however, had involved John taking a trip into Solihull all by himself. I had waved him goodbye at 9 o’clock as I toddled off to yoga. “Are you sure I don’t need to come back early from yoga and take you?” I’d asked. No, he was fine. He would manage OK, thank you very much.

And he did, of course – except that he couldn’t find his disabled badge. He phoned me. And phoned me again – because naturally, being the keeper of said badge normally, I’d know where it was. Being at yoga however, I didn’t have my phone with me. Anyway, he had to set off without it. And then had to walk from the Mell Square car park to Boots Hearing Centre in Mill Lane as a result. Not far, but an effort.

Made me laugh when he got home. “Why did you phone me?” I asked. “I couldn’t find my badge,” John replied. “Oh…..” I gazed around the room. There it was, on the little table by John’s chair! Grrr…… how irritating not to have noticed it! Ah well, I am sure the exercise did him good!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Oh, and by the way, Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is: ‘huff-cap’ (1600s): a headstrong swaggerer; one who blusters into situations and frequently creates chaos. Can’t think who she might be thinking of?

Being a lover of all things detailed, I have put off doing the blog since we got back from our holiday. We had such a good time with our lovely family that there seemed to be far too much detail swilling round in my head to get it into a blog.

However, I have disciplined myself today and I will try to summarise. Hah! That’ll be first, won’t it?

So here we are: The House We Stayed In.

I thought The House deserved capital letters because it looks magnificent, doesn’t it? When I showed Mum today she said it looked a ‘very serviceable’ house. Made me smile – look it up, people. It’s certainly not how I would describe it looks!! Hehehe.

We all arrived in dribs and drabs – John and me, and all the Kenilworth contingent, arrived on the Friday; Andrew joined us on the Sunday; and Ellie and Catherine joined us on the Tuesday. At that point it was a full house……..including the ghost that Michael and others were convinced inhabited the building!!

Anyway, it was marvellous. And it’s the little things, isn’t it, that make it?

For example, the wonderful sound of children charging all along the mezzanine landing and back again, giggling and enjoying their game; practising their skills; exercising their lungs and bodies without a care in the world – ah, bliss. That sound – just so marvellous. Just makes you so happy.

Or the concentration of every adult in the house puzzling over the jigsaw, to get it finished by the end of the week – and the crazy triumph once it was done!

And the family meals – at the house, whether offered by the chef we hired in or ordered from the take away; in the pub; in the park or on a picnic bench – were brilliant ways to cement our love of being together.

We paddled in the sea; walked along the river; quad-biked; wandered round a stately home; hot-tubbed; spa-ed; girly-shopped; wine-tasted magnificent wines; sampled scrumptious cheese; played chess; went crabbing; even had a family photo-shoot and…..oh, just everything!!! We did it all.

Here’s the quad-biking crew. They had even broader smiles on their faces when they came home – they had had such a good time!!

Apparently, highlights of the holiday were: i) watching John and me play chess…… it seemed that we looked very happy! What do you think?

And ii) the children fighting over a ride or play on John’s scooter….. clearly driving John to drink!! Tee-hee.

Since we got back at the weekend, we have all fallen back into our standard routines very quickly and are all wishing we were back on holiday. Never mind, here’s to the next one!

Take care everyone.