As we approach the last month of 2022, we crammed in a lot to November. A trip to Twickenham was up first with an average game of Rugby from England. View and weather though was good.
We’ve spent time with River visiting parks, Christmas displays and Southend.
I’ve seen Will Young, we’ve dined with family and friends culminating in Georgina and I’s annual London jaunt.
There’s been a fair bit of baking, Christmas prep and planning. A few walks and plans made for 2023, with a trip home for Andrew to look forward to. I’ve completed a small diy project in our bedroom too.
November was supposed to be a quiet month, but I just take things as they come and enjoy. We had news of a family engagement last week, so a wedding to look forward to next year.
I’ve made and posted the majority of my Christmas cards, so now just to put boxes together to send to the antipodes. Christmas tree, decorating and food planning are today’s task in hand.
Thursday will be River’s 2nd birthday which I can’t believe, but I’m sure there will be much fun to be had, with the prospect of so much more.
Tuesday was busy with a trip to Surrey to visit special people, we arrived home and not long after Joe arrived with River and we enjoyed dinner together. Wednesday and it looks like we’ve got a new car, but have to wait until the 24th March… we had some fun in the garden with River, after picking up Nina.
I wish ❤️
River was picked up by his Nan-Nan and Grandad on Thursday morning, and I drove Nina’s car to get my nails done. After that we watched an interesting play about the flood in 1953 on Canvey Island-it’s plot meandered but it was enjoyable nonetheless
The set of The FloodPrince River
Friday was very busy with Nina packing for her trip to Dubai, us for a trip to Crawley, a visit to the osteopath for me and picking up our hire car. The girls were dropped off at Gatwick and through security etc before we got to Crawley. It was a heart stopping moment to pass the place where we had the accident only a week earlier, but it was good to get that out the way. We enjoyed a convivial evening with a wonderful meal: antipasti, tagine and crumble and trifle. Some bubbles to wash it all down too.
Saturday was a day of rugby and writing. Over the course of the day the six nations concluded with Ireland worthy winners. Jo and I joined a creative writing workshop, which was entertaining and surprising what can be achieved using a random object and a few pertinent questions to then put a short story together. Watch out to see if I use a technique in any future blogs. I will certainly be looking into whether there is anything like this near me. We dined out at the Fox Revived and looked at the itinerary for the cruise later this year, looking at trips and other magical places to frequent.
Dubai view
Sunday morning and a dip in the hot tub was both welcome and restorative, with the warmth and the jets providing relief for my back and side. Jo and I had a lovely chinwag about our mums, memories and motherhood. A scrumptious breakfast followed and I received messages and photos from all three of my children from far and wide.
On our return home Kevin gave me a bag full of goodies from them, put together with thought; a delightful surprise and a card that made me shed a tear or three.
So proud of all the children, doing different things that they enjoy and I can’t wait for us to be together again very soon. It’s certainly been a busy one, and we even booked a little trip away later in the summer to visit somewhere I’ve always wanted to go………
Friday, an early start to catch Eurostar. The journey was good to St Pancras where we met Elaine and Jane. The weather was clement though chilly. We arrived at Gare du Nord and walked the 25 minutes to our hotel in Montmartre
The staff were wonderful, very friendly and we settled ourselves in our rooms. Armed with a map we walked up to Sacre Coeur taking in some sights a long the way and back.
I’d booked restaurants in advance and first up was Chez Pitou. We had a fabulous meal there, onion soup, steaks ( I had Royan pasta) and delightful desserts, washed down with a bottle of red. We were all stuffed.
Saturday was an early alarm call to walk to Place de Clichy to catch the metro to Invalides. Carnet tickets bought we navigated the tunnels and met Kenneth. From Invalides we made the journey to Versailles and met Humberto our tour guide. It didn’t disappoint at any level. The opulence, the sheer size and the gardens were all a delight to behold. The history of the palace, its occupants and their demise, interesting told from a French perspective.
We walked back to Versailles train station, but I couldn’t resist a picture of a taxidermist shop, looks like the rats were suspended in time. Once back at Place de Clichy we spent an hour or so watching Ireland v Italy, surrounded by convivial company and alcohol. We stopped at a boulangerie to buy some goodies ( they didn’t last long)
Dinner was at La Boite Aux Lettres along Rue Lepic and we had another fantastic meal.
Orange carpaccio
Sunday, and the ‘raison’ for our trip – France v Scotland. A breakfast at Le Pain, and a purchase of sweet treats to take home was a good start. The journey was relatively easy and not too uncomfortable! The sun was shining and we were in the middle tier, with mainly French fans. The match didn’t get off to the best start, but improved, although it wasn’t Scotland’s day. We returned to the hotel for a bath to warm up and to prepare for the short walk to dinner. It was in a quaint pub, but neither food or service matched our two previous evenings.
On Wednesday a change in plans for the weekend presented themselves and I was busy arranging accommodation in Rome ( over a 6N weekend). No mean feat, but I did secure some in a religious community near to where my cousin and her husband were staying. This was a huge departure for me staying somewhere on my own during the night: something I haven’t done since 1987, when I was sent to Düsseldorf for a month with work.
The drive early Friday morning was easy until we were almost at my cousin’s house when our car was hit on the driver’s side by another car. Front and side air bags were deployed as, what felt like, everything happened in slow motion. Both Kevin and I were fine, although Kevin has bruising and light lacerations to his hands, and I had a bump to my nose.
The BMW emergency assistance contacted us directly, and all services required. I called my cousin to tell her what had happened. Kevin insisted that I still go to Rome and I was picked up and we travelled to Gatwick by taxi.
Kevin was his usual calm and reassuring self and dealt with the services, the insurance company and was kindly driven home by my cousin’s daughter later in the evening.
We arrived in stone after a slight delay and I’ll let the photos speak for themselves as we travelled around Rome to the Stadio Olympico, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and the Vatican. The weather was superb, company great and the food better than 7 years ago.
Casa S Giuseppe di Cluny
After four days, 75k steps and beautiful weather, with a bit of rugger thrown in, it’s been fantastic. Rome is a fabulous place to visit: the history, the sense of being comfortable there. I am now safely home, great to see everyone again, and the search for a car now begins – wish us luck!
Friday, an early start to catch Eurostar. The journey was good to St Pancras where we met Elaine and Jane. The weather was clement though chilly. We arrived at Gare du Nord and walked the 25 minutes to our hotel in Montmartre
The staff were wonderful, very friendly and we settled ourselves in our rooms. Armed with a map we walked up to Sacre Coeur taking in some sights a long the way and back.
I’d booked restaurants in advance and first up was Chez Pitou. We had a fabulous meal there, onion soup, steaks ( I had Royan pasta) and delightful desserts, washed down with a bottle of red. We were all stuffed.
Saturday was an early alarm call to walk to Place de Clichy to catch the metro to Invalides. Carnet tickets bought we navigated the tunnels and met Kenneth. From Invalides we made the journey to Versailles and met Humberto our tour guide. It didn’t disappoint at any level. The opulence, the sheer size and the gardens were all a delight to behold. The history of the palace, its occupants and their demise, interesting told from a French perspective.
We walked back to Versailles train station, but I couldn’t resist a picture of a taxidermist shop, looks like the rats were suspended in time. Once back at Place de Clichy we spent an hour or so watching Ireland v Italy, surrounded by convivial company and alcohol. We stopped at a boulangerie to buy some goodies ( they didn’t last long)
Dinner was at La Boite Aux Lettres along Rue Lepic and we had another fantastic meal.
Orange carpaccio
Sunday, and the ‘raison’ for our trip – France v Scotland. A breakfast at Le Pain, and a purchase of sweet treats to take home was a good start. The journey was relatively easy and not too uncomfortable! The sun was shining and we were in the middle tier, with mainly French fans. The match didn’t get off to the best start, but improved, although it wasn’t Scotland’s day. We returned to the hotel for a bath to warm up and to prepare for the short walk to dinner. It was in a quaint pub, but neither food or service matched our two previous evenings.
I started this blog originally to be a chronological edict, but it soon became a written commentary of what I was doing. In part it is so that when I’m no longer here there is something written down for my family to revisit, the other reason is it’s cathartic to write things, especially when times have been tough. The pictorial ride is also a joy to go through, to see what we’ve done, with who, and where.
So please, if you stumble upon my humble account, give it a read, a like, a comment. There’s a lot more to come and enjoy!
I can’t believe it’s been eight weeks since my last blog. We’ve been busy with birthdays, trips to London, seeing family, friends, cooking, eating, planning trips: one which is far flung. Exciting times!
January seems to be so much longer than 31 days in some ways, but seeing bulbs popping up in the garden reminds me that spring is around the corner. Lighter mornings and nights also.
It’s been full on these last few weeks. We have visited Barnsley, Leeds, London, Newcastle, a boat, a castle, theatre four times, eaten out, spent time with loved ones, caught up with dear friends and a work reunion. My cousin, Jo, also reached the dizzy heights of Kilimanjaro- what a fantastic achievement!
It’s been fun and culminated in fireworks at our local park, where we are fortunate to be able to enjoy from our bedroom. Warm and with a glass of wine!
More fun times are to follow for the rest of this year so watch this space
First trainHo, ho me heartiesMy amazing cousin, Jo Afternoon teaDebbie Come from away Nails, new ring, afternoon tea, theatre and LV Kinky bootsKinky boots, ghosts, spiders, and ‘good’ foodBarnsley, Leeds, food, cocktails, fun, shopping and familyLunches, dinner, Mountfitchet castle, London, Newcastle and homeTidy cupboardChristmas cards madeNew blindsA pair again Forty years of jewellery in one ring.Macrame madnessSunbeams and rainbowsCheersFirework joy, father and son
Last Sunday Kevin and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We stayed on the Fingal at Leith in the Bellrock Lighthouse Suite. I chose this as the Bellrock is the oldest existing rock lighthouse in the British Isles that is still an active lighthouse, is the tower on the Bell, or Inchcape, rock. This is a long and treacherous reef lying in the North Sea, off Arbroath where I was born. A visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia early Monday morning was both poignant but heartwarming.
Day 1 and 2
From there we drove through amazing Scottish landscape to stay at the Torridon-just the most amazing place I have ever stayed in. Walking through the door felt like a huge hug. I cried as I entered our room, the view was so amazing. We walked, talked, ate and drank. The next day we were challenging ourselves with sea-kayaking. I was so proud of us doing this. A memory of breathtaking proportion.
Next up was the dramatic backdrop of the Isle of Skye – the misty isle and a stay at a delightful B&B. An all day trip around the island, which was full of weather, landscape changes, and information about Harry Styles, who filmed his first solo video there.
Friday and a long drive to Arbroath, time with Mum and a trip to see Arbroath play, with the Bellrock Lighthouse in the distance. So we have come full circle.
So forty years of love, laughter, tears, fears, challenge, through the good and the bad times. It’s not always been easy, but neither has it been arduous. Kevin has been by my side all the way, his support and guidance and his quiet unassuming manner has compensated for my more theatrical moments and indulgences. In many ways I have been fortunate to marry a man who is very like my beloved Dad. I wish for many more years to enjoy, to plan our next trips together and fulfil our dreams with our family and friends.
Last week we were awaiting ‘confirmation’ of our next Prime Minister. Liz Truss was duly announced last Monday as the winner, and on Tuesday she flew to Scotland to meet the Queen. Whilst frail, Her Majesty smiled and did her duty and no one thought that her death would be announced a matter of hours later.
There has been much written and reported since the announcement, so much of the content probably ready to be published. I was profoundly affected by the news, which hit me whilst we were travelling on Friday. We were listening to songs on smooth radio and so many were evocative for me of childhood memories: grandparents, Scotland, my Dad, and for, possibly, the first time I, felt the finality of his death. On more than one occasion my voice faltered and the tears came.
The carefully laid plans and protocols are in place, and whilst in the midst of their grief, the Royal Family have had to say goodbye and hand their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother over to the nation, that she served so well for 70 years, as the next Carolean age begins, and accept the responsibility of supporting the new King. How hard must that be, I for one couldn’t do that.
Today the cortège drove from Balmoral to Edinburgh as part 1 of the Queen’s final journey. I didn’t watch it as it happened, but seeing the news later and posts on Facebook, I know that I have driven most of that route over many years. It was poignant to watch and again memories bubbled to the surface. The days ahead will see the Queen return to London and I am debating whether to travel up to feel the atmosphere, love and unity, as I did after Princess Diana died.
I’m not necessarily a Monarchist, but undoubtedly the Queen was true to her vow to serve our country for the whole of her life, and she did. During her reign she had to accept change, modernise and everything wasn’t always perfect or right, but she found a way to trust her faith and return to her promise and serve as promised. How hard was it for a young wife and mother to take on the role of Monarch whilst grieving her beloved father.
Whatever the future holds now isn’t the time to do anything other than grieve for our Queen, and give ourselves time to accept change: this will be far harder for her immediate family.
Well that year flew by, although it’s not been without it’s challenges.
The relief of not getting up five days a week, to meet deadlines, smoke and mirrors, pulling rabbits from hats and spinning plates, is great. I don’t regret the decision to retire, in fact it’s one of the best I’ve made.
I, and a few others, doubted that I could survive without the problem solving, the cut and thrust of work life. I have, although adapting to it has proved a challenge for both me and Kevin, as we navigate spending more time together. I’ve realised that it’s important for us to have separate interests as well as joint ones. Another challenge is to fit these in with spending time with our grandson and our extended family and our friends.
I’ve had darker days where I’ve struggled, but these past few months have seen the light emerge and I know I have laughed more frequently which really is the best medicine.
I think I have the measure of it now, so it’s up to me/us to grab the bull by the horns and book that trip abroad, go to the theatre, visit family, friends, make those cards, recycle furniture, sell clothes I no longer need, but also be mindful of allowing some downtime if and when needed, knowing that we both may not need that at the same time.
I have high hopes for Year 2 with some fantastic travel plans and more to make a reality. There are new recipes to try, the garden to tend, and maybe even a new language to learn. I want to optimise this time where we have our health, the time and resources: a privilege to have all three.
My little life