Category: Uncategorized

Goodness me, but a month (more or less) has flown by and here we are nearly into September! Such a lot of life has sailed by in these last weeks, too – particularly arrivals and departures.

We made it to Jersey for our holiday. We had assistance at either end of the journey and in both airports, and were pleased to have it. Graham and Gail dropped us off and collected us, and we were very pleased to have that support, too. Mad, I know, but I cried when I said goodbye to them (crikey, and we were only going away for a few days) and I cried when I saw them again when we got back. I am an emotional wreck, folks.

Anyway, the holiday was lovely. We spent the first week pottering about under our own steam (John hired a trusty scooter and I used Shanks’s Pony) or being ferried about by Danielle’s parents, who were the perfect Jersey hosts. First stop on our first day? The pub of course!! Cheers!!

We had a great hotel, with a great view, three doors down from Bernie and Marie’s house, so that worked really well particularly once the Kenilworth Newbies arrived a week later. We found and frequented the beach, the gardens, the cafés, pubs and restaurants – and we even had to get our sunglasses out more than once! What more could we ask for? Marvellous.

We opened our curtains each morning to this…….oooh, it was smashing!

And we found some sunshine down in the bay. We were very happy holiday-makers.

Once Michael and Danielle arrived, we were very excited to spend time with them and the in-laws on the beach, eating out, and feasting on Bernie’s renowned barbecue food or paella dish. Gosh, we didn’t half live like royalty.

Home again, and we got into the business of sorting Mum’s affairs a little bit. Bank accounts to set up (now that’s another story); ashes to scatter; house valuation to arrange; and trinkets to share.

We had a mahoosive family dinner on Sunday 20th, with Andrew reprising his world-famous Beef Wellington to perfection, with all the trimmings, and Graham making his signature dish of apple and blackberry (all locally picked) crumble. Gosh, the meal was lush. Very worthy of our ‘last supper’ together before G & G had to go back to Oz. It may be the last time we are all together of course…….

The immediate family (me, John, G and G, Paul, Michael and Andrew) all gathered at the crem on Monday last, where a very nice chap said a few prayers and read a poem before Paul and I sprinkled Mum’s few ashes on the same patch where Dad had been scattered almost 35 years ago. It was a sad time, but memorable with the family bond – physical, mental and spiritual – and all being there together.

On the very same day, we said goodbye to Graham and Gail, whose plane departed about nine o’clock in the evening. Graham, taking after Mum, was highly anxious all day and refused his dinner. Couldn’t eat a thing as his tummy wouldn’t let him. Unlike the previous Friday, mind you, when we’d been out for a very posh meal at The Cross in Kenilworth as our first ‘last supper’ together – he’d managed an excellent meal then. Hehe.

Meanwhile, we heard that Gloria’s Mum was very unwell and there were empathetic phone calls to and fro with Christiana and Glo, fearing and then realising the worst a few days later. Oh, dear – it’s been a horrible year for them and my heart goes out to them.

Rolling on from the feasting at The Cross and at home, we entertained the Halls, Waterfalls and Wainwrights to a barbecue on Tuesday this week and that was really good fun. Everyone was on top form (mentally, at least) and good company. Richard was struggling with pain in his back and John was struggling with pain in his hip. Manfully, they kept up with the banter though and we shared love and laughter throughout. Naturally, Chris brought cake.

The Bank Holiday Weekend loomed and Paul invited everyone round to stay over. Everyone, bar us, did. John has been sleeping a fair bit in between his car repair capers, and really didn’t feel like socialising on Saturday. “We’ll come on Sunday for the roast/barbecue,” we said. Well, there was a Beer Festival in Kenilworth, wasn’t there? “We’re running late,” came the report from the Kenilworth contingent, “we’re imbibing beer….” Hehe. So good to know that they were having a good time.

We trundled round for about six o’clock and passed them walking back, dogs and children in tow, looking very merry. While we waited for the meal to be finalised and served, John and I had a game of chess. He beat me the first time, and I cheated to win on the second game…. much to Andrew’s amusement!

All good fun in Paul and Harriet’s nearly finished kitchen/family room, with the children milling around in the sandpit and splashing water at each other in the garden, while the adults downed more beer. Ahhh……family.

As we were enjoying our time together en famille, I took a WhatsApp message from Anita, announcing the birth of her beautiful baby granddaughter, Myla Florence. Well, that was a rather good note on which to end the weekend, wasn’t it? New life – fabulous. Hope abounds.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Graham and Gail went over to Paul and Harriet’s today and we stopped at home to try and get some packing done for our holiday. I am all of a dither and, although I have a list, I can’t say I’m organised at all.

John spent an hour pottering about in the garage and manged to get his bumper on the car, which was marvellous. “It’s only temporary,” he said. Oh… ah….. it’s got to come off again then? Maybe! There are more nuts and bolts to be applied, apparently. “At least it gets it up off the floor,” grinned John.

I did a bit of washing and a bit of packing and panicked because I can’t find my driving licence. Any ideas where it will be, St Anthony? Ah well, if I haven’t got it, no worries, we’ll not be going far anyway.

We went over to Paul and Harriet’s later on in the afternoon and had a lovely, gentle time with them. We met Maia, a Labrador that they are looking after, and I immediately fell in love with her. Such a gorgeous dog. Big and hefty though! But Labradors are, aren’t they?

Home again and it was a bite to eat before we enjoyed an evening together with a glass of Baileys and a film – the original Italian Job – great fun.

At the last minute, as were are coming up to bed, John had a look at my packing efforts. Hmmmm……. he’s not keen on the suitcase. It’s a bit big. That’ll be a trip to Sainsbury’s tomorrow morning to buy a new one then!!

Aaand……. breathe……

Take care everyone. God bless.

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.