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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.

I had planned to go for a swim this evening. However, I was rather taken with wearing neoprene gloves and socks last week, borrowed from a fellow swimmer, so I thought I’d order my own. Unfortunately, they didn’t arrive in time. Not only that, but I was still busy sorting out my Mum’s financial affairs until nearly six o’clock this evening, so it all got to be too late. Disappointing, but there we are. Next time maybe…..

In other news, we have been busy with John’s medical appointments. On Monday, we were at the ophthalmic clinic, checking that the prisms in John’s glasses were the right ones before a referral for new bins. A good consultation and we came away happy. Well, as happy as we can be given the circumstances, anyway……..

In the afternoon, I shot over to the Kenilworth Newbies to do a spot of babysitting baby Oliver. Such a delight. He slept in his pram while we went out for a walk to drop off a parcel, and then he woke up to entertain me for the hour or so before Mummy came home again. He is such a chuckle-y little chap, with a slow grin and a twinkly eye. He’s got such character – and who knows what mischief he is going to get away with as he grows up with that smile?

Here’s a photo taken a couple of weeks ago, Oliver looking very pleased with himself because he’s sitting up! (…ish)

On the way home I called into the Kenilworth Originals to drop one or two things in and stopped for a cuppa. Nice. They are having an extension where the conservatory used to be, so there was a lot of noise outside and a pile of soil on the drive……. no parking there then! Exciting times though. Foundations are going in……

Yesterday was another day of medical stuff. A telephone consultation with the oncologist in the morning regarding John’s prostate cancer. After a bit of preamble, which I started to think wasn’t boding well, he said, “We’ve got the results of your blood test, John, and the new tablets seem to be doing the trick. Your PSA levels were 91, but this latest reading shows them at 20.” Well! I was relieved anyway. John didn’t react much, but as the news sank in and dawned on him, I think he was pleased, too.

In the afternoon, there was another telephone consultation – this time to assess John’s suitability for a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme. It transpires that he is suitable after all, and he will be trundling along to an exercise and education class, twice a week for six weeks, from the beginning of November. Fingers crossed it helps him. He could certainly do with something!!!

The physiotherapist also gave him some handy hints on breathing – helpful, eh?

I had a busy day today, with a stress management course online this morning. It is all things I have heard before but it is nice to be reminded of the tips and hints to help improve the way I look at things. Mind you, it’s hard to shake off the habits of a lifetime, isn’t it?

Mindful that I had admin on Mum’s affairs, which has been sitting glowering at me from the corner of the computer room for the last ten days, I thought I’d better get on with it. What was particularly good was that John joined me to help. And he was a real help. So lovely to have him there supporting me and making a fantastic contribution. We got it sorted in what felt like no time at all – although actually took us all afternoon! Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is a reminder of ‘latibulate’ (17th century): to find a corner somewhere and hide in it. Wonder how the Prime Minister will sleep tonight?

What a cracking weekend we had! On Saturday it was full-on with the Kenilworth Newbies’ children – babysitting them for the day; and then, on Sunday it was (almost) full-on family celebrating Michael’s birthday, only Andrew missing the fun and games.

Michael and Danielle were meeting up with their college crew on Saturday and so were not keen to have three boys in tow. We arranged for them to drop the boys at our house while they went on their trip to Rutland. “Are you sure you’ll manage?” asked Danielle, anxiously, “all three boys and the dog?” Yes, of course we’ll manage, I replied confidently.

And we did. We had the most lovely day with the children who were as happy as sandboys playing with the toys, making birthday cards, napping, icing birthday cake with Grandpa, watching a bit of TV and playing with more toys. No trouble whatsoever. Until bedtime……

Oliver had had his nighttime bottle, but didn’t fancy a lie-down in his cot. I spent the time getting the other children ready for bed with a baby hitched on my hip. Both William and Thomas were fine getting ready for bed but, when Thomas arrived in his cot, he suddenly said, “Daddy………” and burst into tears. That was it then. There was no consoling him. Grandpa did a sterling job of telling him a bedtime story and lay down on the floor alongside the cot to cajole Thomas to copy him – which he did, eventually. Poor John, he was there nearly an hour…….but he did the trick.

Meanwhile, I thought I couldn’t read William a nighttime story with a baby clamped to me so I had an inspiration and popped him in the pram, in which I rocked him to sleep. Ah…….and breathe……. William and I did the bedtime story and a bit of patting. “Sing me a lullaby?” he wheedled. Favourite was The Animals went into the Arc, 2 by 2 (twice).

It was all quiet then, on the western front, when Michael and Danielle got back! We greeted them, wearing our halos.

On Sunday, it was Michael’s birthday. The cards the boys had made were presented to Daddy in bed, where all the glitter sprinkles were shed. Naturally, Daddy loved the cards, but wasn’t so keen on sharing his bed with the glitter.

A Sunday brunch was in order, with a full English and croissants to follow. Fabulous. Oooh, we do love a brunch! It was delicious.

Meanwhile, John was feeling the effects of Saturday’s excitement and the effort he’d put in to entertaining the children. He was tired, and struggling to catch his breath. Getting the Sunday Roast ready, he valiantly peeled the potatoes, but really couldn’t manage anything more. “Mind if I go and have a lie-down?” he said. Of course we didn’t mind.

Just before four o’clock the Kenilworth Originals tumbled in through the front door and everyone congregated in the kitchen. I wove in and out between them as I prepped the meal and set the table. It was lovely. Everyone chattering away, imbibing an aperitif – in Michael’s case, some kind of cocktail he’d concocted…….until I found I could not work out how many plates I needed, how many small knives and forks were required, where to sit the children at the table. In the end, I abdicated the responsibility. I called out over the hubbub: “Can someone tell me how many people there are, please? Can someone set the table? Can someone tell me how many children’s plates etc I need, please?”

Everyone mucked in and dinner was served. We went to wake John up and, with a sigh of relief, we all sat to the table to tuck in. Lush, eh?

Family. Just the best!

Take care everyone. God bless.

John has had a busy day. Not only did he take himself to B&Q all by himself, but he trundled down to the GP surgery this afternoon and then went across to Solihull Hospital – all unaccompanied.

Ha! The boy done good.

We are having a little break away shortly and one of John’s appointments came through for that week. “No worries,” we said, “it’s a telephone appointment so that’ll be OK.” The medics thought otherwise and have brought the appointment forward by a week and made it face-to-face. “Ah….” said John, ” that means I’ll need to do my blood test this week.” So off he went, after a little bit of searching for the right paperwork, and voluntarily got himself sorted.

That suited me, I have to confess. I was at yoga this morning and a trip to B&Q didn’t appeal. I was having a clean-up of the house this afternoon and medical appointments didn’t appeal either. But I needn’t have worried ‘cos the boy was on it!

And in other, totally unrelated news, the Co-op has had a make-over. I vowed I wouldn’t bother going to shop there now because it seems not to have (what I would call) stock cupboard items any more.

However, I mention it because, this afternoon, I thought I’d nip across to buy a joint ready for the Sunday Roast. Having failed to order such a thing with the massive shop we did online earlier in the week, it seemed such a normal thing to toddle up there to buy.

Well, what do you know? The Co-op no longer stocks joints of beef. Nor does it have King Edward potatoes – an essential variety for a proper roast potato, in my opinion. And, greatest sacrilege of all, it no longer stocks Apple Strudel!!! Pah! I knew I shouldn’t bother going to shop there any more!

As it happens, I had already made representations to the manager of the store that if we couldn’t get John’s hazelnut milk there any more, we’d be likely to naturally do all our shopping in a store where we could get it. He had shrugged and said “If it’s not on the plan, we don’t get it in.” Well, how about if I ask the manager to get it in for us? You know, like you used to? Nah. He repeated the mantra that if it wasn’t on the plan we couldn’t have it. I wonder, do they think that this is progress?

Oh, gawd…… I’m feeling very old. This is just the sort of thing my grandparents and parents used to do! You know? The older generation? Always moaning about the modern way of doing things? Ah, well….. just got to accept it, I suppose……. but I ain’t keen on giving up my Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding on a Sunday!

Take care everyone. God bless.

We were both mindful this morning of our planned trip across to Draycote Water to meet up with the Halls and Waterfalls. So mindful, in fact, that we both tried hard to get ready in optimum health.

John took his time to take his medication; I took my time to do my meditation.

John’s plan worked quite well and he was ready to go well before me. My plan didn’t work quite so well and I lounged in bed until the last minute before leaping out of it into the shower. And of course, hair drying takes a while…..

Nevertheless, we were ready with a few things packed into the car in good time. “I’ve just got to find the key to the scooter!” yelled John from the garage. Yikes! I wasn’t sure he’d ever find anything in there!!

Anyhow, it turned out OK. He was able to lay his hand on the key fairly quickly, so we loaded the scooter and we were off! Not only that, but we arrived on time. Now there’s a first.

The weather was lovely and we had a great walk around the lake, watching the great variety of birds that were there, and nattering away to our hearts content. Naturally, the boys played on their scooters, zooming here and there and generally having fun. Loved it, as usual. We had a bite to eat in the café at lunchtime and stayed there until almost four o’clock. We put the world to rights. Just as we should!!!

Here we all are, grinning and gawping at the camera!! Hehehe. John looks stern and I look like a cheeky schoolgirl!!

Just as we were about to leave, we could see a hot air balloon in the neighbouring field, just firing up and lifting into the air, so we walked along the other side of the lake to watch. Stayed there for another hour…… Eeeh, but it’s good to be among such dear friends, isn’t it??

Home again and we prepped some food before I was off to Zoom chat with more dear friends!! This evening it was the college crew and what a delight to see everyone. It feels like months since we last chatted together! What an eventful summer some of our number have had. Hair-raising stories of lost children; exotic tales of family holidays; accounts of a fabulous wedding; hospital stays and, of course, COVID…… oh, but it was good to be back sharing our stories and strong friendship. Lucky, lucky us.

Take care everyone. God bless.

It’s been one of those days! You know, where all sorts of things have gone on and, crikey, whatever next?

John had to take himself across to Heartlands Hospital today for his immunoglobulin treatment, ‘cos I was glued to the ‘puter screen for my Stress Management Course.

“How have you all got on with your homework this week?” the facilitator asked. I texted into the Chat Room: ‘I didn’t do anything’. And it was true. I hadn’t really found a trigger to get me going at all last week, despite the great advice on offer.

“OK, so how do we break the cycle?” she asked next. I felt like those vultures in The Jungle Book, sitting on a branch: ‘Dunno’ I thought to my self, and inwardly shrugged my shoulders – but I said nothing this time. In the end, although the advice was none I hadn’t heard before, there was a repeated Mantra of to just do something. Even for five minutes. Hmmm. OK.

I’ll try.

John arrived home at lunchtime after a successful infusion, declaring that he wasn’t going to have a nap this afternoon. “Neither am I!” I also declared.

After lunch, we watched a spot of TV, each keeping an eye on the other in case the Sandman came. Just after two o’clock, John leapt up and said he was going to get on. I nodded. “Me, too.” He went to his computer to do more fiddling with figures on our utility bills. I went to my computer to sort out why some of the orders I’d made hadn’t actually arrived.

It transpired that my credit card had been rejecting my orders. I phoned the bank. It only took just over half an hour to establish that one transaction I’d made for abroad had triggered a fraud alert. Well, that was OK, but why didn’t they tell me? It was only after three more transactions had been rejected that I was actually made aware, by Amazon, who kept telling me that my card had been declined. Anyway, all sorted now and, to be fair, I am rather pleased that the bank is making the effort to keep our money safe, despite the inconvenience.

Meanwhile, John had finished tinkering with his spreadsheet and said he was going up to the shops to get some spark plugs for the Lotus and, while he was there, he’d call in at the pharmacy to see if we could book in for flu shots.

My phone rang. “Come now,” he said, “they can fit us in. And bring our NHS numbers.” I scrambled myself together and looked out the NHS numbers, carefully writing them on a piece of paper. Left the room to get something and promptly set off for the pharmacy without them.

Ah, well, never mind, the pharmacist wasn’t in the least bothered. He grabbed the pieces of paper we were supposed to be filling in and said, “I can do that for you,” before ushering us into the little room they have there. He rapidly got the vaccination kit together, we dropped our sleeves, and it was jab, jab and away you go. Boom!

We tottered home.

John said, “When we get home, I’m going for a nap…..”

John went to bed and I went back to the computer to carry on faffing about with purchases. Gosh, it’s an expensive time of year. Birthdays, birthdays, and more birthdays!

About four o’clock, I started getting my kit bag ready. I had decided to do something. I was going for an open water swim at Dosthill Quarry.

John had said he was going to come with me to satisfy his curiosity and get a picture in his head of what open water swimming is all about. He was still snoozing. Should I wake him? I pondered. I wasn’t sure. And then, I decided I would wake him. If he didn’t want to to come, that would be his choice rather than mine. Groggily, he said ‘yes’ he was coming.

I planned to meet up with a group of swimmers called ‘The Blue Tits’. Hehehe!

Anna, the leader, said she’d lend me some neoprene gloves and shoes as mine had been held back by Amazon. What a difference they made! Gonna get meself some!

John was on Chief Photographer duty, plotting my progress round the lake, and here I am, looking chirpy as I puffed my way to the steps to get out after a circuit. My new-found friend, Elaine, who is alongside me here, opted to do two more circuits…… phew!

I am not at all sure what temperature the water was. However, suffice to say, that the air temperature, at 14°, and the water temperature weren’t very different, which made it much easier to actually get into the lake!!

Here I am, grinning like a Cheshire Cat, as I hauled myself back onto land…..

“You know what to do when you get out, don’t you?” Elaine asked, as we swam. “You’ve heard about The Drop?” Erm…. I wasn’t sure I remembered that from the lesson we’d had at Cliff Lakes. “Your body temperature continues to drop for 15 minutes after you’ve got out. So you need to get dressed quickly and wear warm clothes.”

What good advice. As it happened, I had thought about the cold before we’d set off so I was fully prepared. And you betcha, I certainly put everything I’d got on to keep me warm, including bobble hat and woolly gloves. Looked a bit of a sight when I got to the fish and chip shop though……

And tonight was Quiz Night. Great, great fun – as always – with lovely friends. And it was good to see Nigel looking pretty well and recovering nicely from his operation. He and Hazel were Quiz Masters and did a super job. Nigel, apparently, had had painkillers before he sat in hot seat to ask the questions and so was on top form. I bet he’s exhausted now though.

What a day!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Anything much happen on a Tuesday? Not a lot really. I woke up late and realised I was supposed to be at yoga, so shook off my dreams, leapt into my leotard, waved goodbye to John, who was still in bed, and set off.

We had a good session and, when I got back, John was up. He’d not been up long however, and was just about to have some breakfast, so we ate toast together. He hadn’t his medication though, so after he’d eaten he popped upstairs to do that. Late start for him, too!

Meanwhile, Steve, our milkman, was pottering in our front garden, hedge shears in hand and having a go at our very overgrown hedge and working his way round to the back garden.. Bless him – it’ll take another go at it before it’s finished!!

After a while, I could see him wandering about. Was he looking for me? Yes. He was. How far back did we want the hedge cutting? I checked with ol’ man. “You know it’ll have no leaves on it if we cut it back to give us more room on the patio?” I said. John nodded. Yes, he knew. I knew it, too, but we anticipated that they’d grow back. So we’ve given it a go, in the hope that next year we are not fighting the taste of privet with our barbecued burgers!!

John was still upstairs having his medication so I said I’d charge over to Heartlands to get his second prescription for the Tobramycin – you know, that Bobitoff stuff….. On my way back, I thought I’d drop into Marks and Spencer’s to see if I could get some trousers.

Harriet and I had been talking last week about my failure to buy new clothes. It struck home when she said that her Mum hadn’t been a great one for buying new clothes – “…….but not as bad as you,” she said, “she did buy some!” It made me laugh. Honestly, I’m a terror. If something hasn’t worn out, or isn’t at least twenty years old, then I won’t throw it out and will keep on wearing it!

I remember, many years ago, I actually knitted a cardigan. I was so proud of it that I wore it and wore it. Trainees I worked with came and went and, on one occasion years later, I met one of them in town. “Oh, my God!,” he exclaimed, “are you still wearing that old thing?” I was mortified. It didn’t change my behaviour though…… hehehe. Yep, still wearing that old thing.

But I did buy some trousers today.

John had been busy while I was out. He’d been glued to the computer, inputting figures to show the last four years’ worth of spend on our gas and electric bills. It’ll be interesting to see how they will compare to this year, won’t it?

I sat down with a cuppa and started to watch the last of the daytime TV before setting on to cook the evening meal. John sat down in his chair too, to join me. Erm….. afternoon nap, anyone?

Then it was a bit Bake Off this evening. Nothing better than a gentle programme to take you through the evening, is there? Lovely.

Take care everyone. God bless.