Saturday

Good morning, everyone.   It looks pretty clear outside as far as I can tell and I gather today is supposed to be a really nice day (which makes up for tomorrow which is supposed to be horrible, says the Beeb). 

Yesterday morning was pretty straight forward, thanks to the work I put in on Thursday.  I went out into the garden and cut down as many of the remaining tomato trusses as I could see and they are now all laid out on trays in the living room.  I wonder how many will ripen.  I think I can see green tomato chutney on the list of things to do at some point soon.
Also, looking at the cucumbers (which really are a bit sad now with browning leaves and stems), it's not given up yet.  There's one more lengthening although not as quickly as they did in the summer and there's another baby just starting.  I wonder if they will come to anything;  it's getting colder and there's less light so I wouldn't be surprised if  neither of them reach maturity.  I'll definitely be growing cucumbers again; they've been brilliant.

I drove up through sunshine and showers yesterday.  A really easy journey although I got my sat nav totally confused as it kept trying to send me in other directions although, to be fair, it's not an easy address to enter and I just went with the post code.  For about half the journey it seemed to be trying to get me onto the M11 and after that somewhere else (not sure where).  I must check the map and see if I can work it out.
So I was very glad that I worked the route out so thoroughly. 
When I come again (and I will, it's almost a tradition now), I will come the same way.  Even the bit I had been dreading - into Bury St Edmunds, join the A14 for a short stretch and then off again) was a doddle.

I won't tell you how many bags of stuff I had to unload from the car but suffice it to say I will be very comfortable this week!

Here's the view from my balcony.

The light isn't the best (it was drizzling) and actually I'm not so sure higher up means better views after all.  It's nice though, really peaceful.

Well, it was really peaceful once the machines had stopped.  If you look at the bottom, you can see a pile of bricks.  That's because they are doing something to one of the pathways and yesterday afternoon (during changeover which is sensible), machines were levelling and flattening the underlying stones and making a terrific din.

This means that my favourite scenic route pathway to the shops via the beach is not accessible so I will have to look at the map and find another way.  I could go straight there but that's not the point, it's all about the early morning walk before most people are out and about and those who are all smile and say 'good morning'.

After I had unpacked and had coffee and lunch, I set off to the village centre, strolled around the shops, looked at the Christmas decorations (might get one as a momento), went into the sports hall and watched a group playing badminton, then walked back again to my apartment.

Here's a few photos of my home for the week.

The kitchen, nicely set up with (from left to right) bottle cooler, fridge and dishwasher.  Yes, that's Thermione at the back and, if you look carefully elsewhere, you will see my waffle maker.  I intend to eat well!

The washing area with a shower going off to the right at the back.

And two views of the main living area.

(apologies for the poor photos - it really was quite gloomy at that point)

Today (and every day) my routine will be . . .
An early morning walk to the shop a long way round to pick up a paper and get anything I need for the day.  Today's biggie is toothpaste.  There's always something!
Then home for breakfast, to read the paper, prep lunch and to get sorted.
At ten the swimming dome opens and I'll there, metaphorically hammering on the door.  I usually stay there two plus hours, swimming, reading and people watching.
Then home for lunch before setting out on a much longer walk.  I might go outside the village a few times as there's plenty to do in this area but maybe I won't.  I'll see how I feel!
In the evening, I make and have dinner and then stay in and watch telly, read, compute or whatever.  I may eat out once this week but it's not top of my agenda - I can make meals I like just as much as the eating out meals and I enjoy the activity of cooking!

I won't be lonely.  There's almost always people to chat to and, anyway, I'm used to being solo, it's a non-issue.

It's going to be a good day and a good week!
xx

Friday

Good morning, everyone.  Friday again - it comes around so quickly, doesn't it?  It's dry at the moment but we have had overnight rain and, according to the BBC, there is likely to be more, starting more or less as I get into the car and drive off.  Great timing!!!

It was a fairly busy day yesterday but not as bust as it might have been because the windows quote thing was changed and will now happen after the holiday.  A bit of a pain but there you go.  I'll take some time to set up a few more visits and quotes while I'm away.  I'd cancelled aqua so couldn't go to that instead but I was grateful for the extra time and got all but the very last minute things done and dusted which was nice.  I fitted in a bit of salsacise so that was my 'daily dozen' done!

At SW I was delighted to lose two pounds.  I'm in new weight territory again now and with just nine pounds to go.  I can see the finishing tape ahead!  Exciting!

Today will be a day of three halves (!).

I have some last minute stuff to do, including changing my sheets so I come home to nice clean bedding.  I can get them washed and dried and my house sitter has said she will iron them.  There's also loading of the car which is always a bit of a juggling act although I know how it all fits in.  It's not a question of space, it's ensuring everything is secure and won't move around too much.

Then it's the journey. 

Finally it's the unpacking and getting settled in for the week.  Once everything is unpacked and away, I might go for a swim or I might go for a walk; I'll decide that when I get there.

Exciting.
I hope you have a lovely day too.  xx

Thursday

Good morning!  Despite predictions, the weather could have been much worse yesterday - we had a lot of sun although it was chilly and there were some good gusts of wind from time to time.  It wasn't a day for keeping the French windows open, that's for sure!

I made a big decision yesterday.  It seems the damp is caused by the window so, seeing as there's a problem of some kind with every upstairs window, I will replace the lot.  There are other things too that have been on my 'need to do' list for quite a while - replace the garage doors, replace the front door and get the guttering and soffits dealt with.  All fairly expensive stuff but increasingly necessary.
The windows are the priority and, while I may not get it all done at once, I will do some of it.  So, today, someone is coming round to take a look, show me the options and give a quote.

Personal training with Lindsey was exhausting but good.  I don't really like the warm up on the bike but the rest of it works for me!  I talked to her about the walking/running and she said she can build a bit of impact stuff into my programme.  That might be quite helpful.

And then there was the packing.  Oh, that packing.  You would think that, by now, I would be used to packing for Center Parcs but I still dither, umm and ah over everything but I think I'm pretty much there with the clothes and I've got to that point where I tell myself if I forget anything, it's not likely to be the end of the world.  Just as long as I have the charger for my hearing aids! 

On to today and there's plenty to do!  First of all, I have to get that box of kitchen 'don't wants' to the hospice shop.  Yes, it's been sitting in a corner of the living room for a couple of weeks now!  However, I need the trolley it is all in, so they have to go!

I have some last bits of washing to deal with and I need to go through the fridge, sorting out all the perishables to take with me.  I shouldn't need to shop at the Parc Market for a few days apart from minor items.

And I need to discuss last minute things with the lovely house sitter.

The window appointment is at twelve and I have tuition at three thirty by which time I am hoping I have more or less finished everything and can relax until Slimming World in the evening.

So that's my day.  Mostly little things but busy enough to keep me out of trouble!  I hope your day is good as well.  xx

(If I don't post tomorrow, don't worry, I will be back!)

Wednesday

Good morning, everyone.  Yesterday wasn't as bad as the weather people had predicted the day before but late afternoon we did get some flashes and rumbles and some very heavy rain.  However, today is expected to be more chilly but lovely and sunny!  I'll take that!

Yesterday was busy in the morning and great fun after the girls arrived.  Just about all the food I provided was eaten with obvious enjoyment and it was lovely to catch up again.  We sorted out dates and places for November and December.  November is going to he at mine again and have a bonfire theme while December will be out having a 'Christmas Fayre' meal with pressies.  Both will be lunch dates.

The storm arrived in the middle of tuition but, thankfully, my student is sensible and wasn't at all scared.

Today has started early with an early awakening, darn it.  Jeff arrives at half seven and then the day is free until personal training at midday.  Then I have to wait in until someone comes around to look at a suspiciuous patch of damp.

Today's big task will be packing and getting all necessary documents together for Friday, sorting out last minute arrangements with my lovely and obliging house sitter, writing out the route and generally getting ready.  Not long now!

An early start is good really - I'll get loads ready today.  You have a good one too!  xx

Tuesday

Good morning.  Yes, more rain overnight.  It is supposed to be fine for a while this morning but then more rain and maybe some 'thundery showers'.  Nice!

Well, yesterday turned out very pleasant.  The morning was pretty sunny and the afternoon stayed dry until around three thirty before the predicted rain started and even then it was light and intermittent until later.

I got the bus into town for the walk but only just arrived in time - when I do the walk again, I will take the earlier bus to avoid the rush.  It was very pleasant walking alongside the river and then back through the university campus before joining the river again, a total of 45 minutes.  There were about fifteen or so in the group, one of whom was an ex colleague of mine so it was nice to see a familiar face.

S knows me from the past although I haven't seen her much since we both retired at the same time.  Because of that, she recommended that I walk near the back with the slowest 'sub-group' - and fair enough, given how terribly unfit I was.  Now, I'm not a competitive person when it comes to others although maybe a bit more so with myself, but I knew I could walk better than that and during the fist part of the walk I caught up so I was just behind her in the first group.  I didn't say, just enjoyed the walk while S kept looking back to see where I was (and not seeing me - I have changed quite a lot since work).
So, at the end of the walk, we had quite a laugh when she realised I was just behind her!

There's a local walk on Thursdays starting at the Melbourne Sports Centre - I beg its pardon, I mean the Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre - on slightly less smooth terrain.  It's a longer walk that yesterday's so I may take the bus there and then see if I feel like walking home again.  But not until after next week by which time the new shoes should be well walked in!

And next time I will take my camera and snap a few views.

As I planned, on the way back to the bus, I popped into the running shop and popped out again well over half an hour later with some well fitting shoes and some bone conduction headphones.  Not cheap but - as I keep saying, what's the lump sum for, eh?  And that's more or less what Dave and Beth said to me yesterday too.
I've charged up the headphones and need to get them connected to the phone - I'll do that when I'm feeling brave enough!  I might do a session of C-5K this evening so I'll give it a whirl then and if I can't, I'll take them back to the shop and let the man in there do it for me - he'll know!

When I got home, the first load of washing on the line had dried and the second load was ready to peg out.  The third load then went in and they dried inside.  I did most of the ironing in the evening so it was all most satisfactory!

Tuition was fun.  My student likes a challenge and the year group work wasn't particularly challenging so, with mum's agreement, I started them on some of my 11+ material (they're not taking the 11+), including some non-verbal reasoning which they don't do in school.  They really enjoyed that.

Then it was home for dinner and to do that ironing while watching some TV rubbish.  I was so tired that I went to bed before half past eight, fell asleep more or less straight away and finally woke after six this morning.  Maybe I should do more walks - or maybe it was the shock of spending so much money that caused the tiredness!

Today is pretty busy.
At about eleven thirty, Beth, Linda and Julia are turning up for a girls' lunch at mine rather than eating out as we often do.  I'm not doing anything special but even so it will take a fair amount of work and I want to make it all inclusive, for me on SW and for Beth as a vegetarian, so I'm doing some macaroni cheese, some actifry chips (yummeroo) and a salad with a fruit platter afterwards.  I make a cheese sauce that has no butter, working better with SW.
The idea is that everyone can have everything (if they want).

Because of this, the morning will be busy, what with cooking and clearing and getting things ready.  The afternoon will be fun with loads of chat and catching up.  We try to meet up once a month but it doesn't always happen.

Then it's tuition followed by the ironing I didn't manage to get done yesterday.  And at some point I want to start laying out stuff for packing on Thursday/Friday.

Should be a good day, don't you think?  I hope yours is too.  xx

Monday

Good morning, everyone.  After a rather damp day yesterday, it's now a clear and chilly morning (almost morning, anyway).  BBC weather tells me that it's going to be a bright, dry morning but we'll get some heavy rain late afternoon and through the night.

It was a quiet, pleasant day yesterday.  Dad relaxed and read while I was busy in the kitchen and, when Beth and Dave arrived, we chatted and caught up with our news and generally had a nice family time over dinner and afterwards.

Dad left in time to catch the shop at his end before it closed and Beth and Dave stayed on for more chat.  We talked about my running ideas and Dave recommended a running specialist shop that I go past every time I head off the the gym but had never noticed before which sounds just the ticket for advice and equipment.  He said that I might be able to get some sort of headphones that would work with my phone and my hearing aids and they would know what is available.  Very useful to hear, that was, and, depending on what they say, it might open up my world a little bit to music, spoken books and the like.  All very interesting.

In the evening, I watched the Strictly update and, without spoilers, thought the correct decision was made.  I thought it was obviously one of two couples but I don't usually get it right.

This morning is a different morning.  I've woken at a more reasonable time - for me, anyway.  I shall bustle around getting everything done, including some washing, and then I'm off into town to meet up with a group outside the Riverside Centre for my first Heart and Sole walk and I'm looking forward to it very much.  Then, on the way back to the bus, I pass that running shop and I think I will pop in and have a chat.  I'm getting very brave!

In the afternoon, I have a shopping list to make for tomorrow and an hour of tuition before settling down for the evening with a book, the ironing board and the telly (not all three at the same time though).
I hope you have a good day too.  xx

Sunday

Good morning!  The rain started yesterday evening and, as far as I can tell, it's been chucking it down most or all of the night.  It's still raining now and looks set for the rest of the day, according to the Beeb, so that'll be another blight warning pinging into my mailbox at some point.  Ho hum!

Yesterday turned out to be a lovely day.  I did a walk/jog to Morrisons early to pick up the paper for Dad and do my daily exercise at the same time and then, after breakfast, we set off for Oaklands Park and the museum.
There are some very interesting displays of the work of Marconi and Crompton (both based in Chelmsford) and, because Dad's degree is in engineering (mechanical and aeronautic) and because he had dealing with Marconi's in his job with British Aerospace (BAC then) well before I moved there, he really enjoyed them and told me a lot about his earlier days as a student and young adult as we looked round.
Then we went upstairs and looked at the bees after which Dad spotted the Essex Regiment museum part of the building so we had a good look around there too.
Finally, we looks around the first 'room', the one about Chelmsford (or the area, anyway) in prehistoric times.
By then, Dad was getting tired and a bit wobbly so we stopped, promising ourselves at least one return visit in the future.

The afternoon was spend in indoorsy things - difficult things like reading the paper and pottering in the kitchen!

Them in the evening, we watched Strictly.  I never realised Dad was a closet fan; they never watched it when I was around each fortnight over the last however many years and I used to have it on my laptop on my knee while they watched something recorded.  However, it looks as if it was Mum who didn't like it much, not Dad.  You learn something new every day, don't you?

It's another early start for me today - it's getting a bit boring really, all this waking early, but I know it goes in cycles so I just go with the flow!  Dad is as deaf as I, so I know I don't disturb him in the slightest!

We won't be going out again.  Apart from anything else, the weather looks like being bad, but I will be a bit busy as Beth and Dave are coming around for lunch with me and Dad.  I also want to get all the planning sorted for the week and get Tuesday planned - tell you about that when the time comes.  It's going to be a busy week all round as there are a few things organised and I'm off on holiday on Friday so have to be ready for that as well.  It should keep me out of trouble anyway!

Have a lovely day, everyone, and I hope the weather is better where you are.
xx