Sunday, 07-05-23

 Good moring, everyone.

Well, it's all over now.  I really can't say it is the only coronation I will ever see because the King is a few years older than I and, to be honest, he seems to have aged considerably since last Autumn.  Did anyone else think he looked rather frail at times?  That could, of course, have just been the weight of crown, robes and the occasion though.

I really enjoyed the whole thing, despite the pouring rain.  There's that story of Elizabeth's coronation (I think) when the organiser was asked what would happen if it rained and he said, very succinctly 'We get wet!'.  Well, it certainly rained on the parade yesterday but it didn't seem to dampen the mood very much at all.

I won't go on about the occasion except to say I found a few things veru moving.  The private part with the sacred anointing behind the screen while Zadok the Priest was sung was a bit spine tingling for me as was the moment when William kissed his dad and Charles looked close to tears for a brief moment.

The music was amazing, the choir fantastic and it was exciting to see seven girls from my old school (the one I went to, I mean - Methodist College, Belfast) in the choir.  Those girls who were wearing a navy uniform, three on one side and four on the other - that was them.  What an absolute honour.

A shame they cancelled most of the fly past but safety must come first.  As Suze said in her comment yesterday, the Red Arrows could be heard but the clouds were very low and I couldn't see anything although maybe I wasn't looking in the right direction.  Who knows?

So, moving on, it's been raining but seems to be brightening up.  I'm quite behind time this morning, having slept until nearly seven (three cheers) but that's OK, I have no specific plans.

I am sad of heart though.  One of Beth's beloved cats, Lucy, has been missing since Thursday evening.  I will just reproduce what she put on Facebook, just in case anyone local to her reads and can go out and check.  Thank you.  

Have a good day, everyone.  xx

Lucy is missing. Last seen Thurs evening. She is a distinctive looking siamese-type cat with cream body and chocolate points, neutered and chipped, 10 years old. Lucy is a nervous cat who doesn't go outside that often so is probably quite scared and hiding, local residents please check sheds, garages and outbuildings. Upper Bridge Road/ Old Moulsham area.

Saturday, 06-05-23: Coronation Day

 Morning, everyone.  I was so tired yesterday evening, I went to bd rather early which meant, of course, I was up very early today.  Not to worry, I have a pleasant and very 'gentle' day planned.

Yesterday, the weather was up and down like a yoyo.  First sunshine, then rain, then back to sunshine, with a few claps of thunder thrown in for good measure.
I got home from SW and decided breakfast came before hanging out the washing and I am so glad because a few minutes later it was absolutely chucking it down!  Washing line hokey cokey is not my idea of fun.
Out came the drying rack and the clothes are still there this morning, waiting to be ironed.

Apart from that bit of 'excitement', it was just an ordinary day - if any day can truly be called ordinary.   It was lovely and warm when the sun was shining but I didn't get much garden work done as it kept raining (that's my excuse).

Today isn't an ordinary day, of course.  It's a most extraordinary day.  I'm neither pro nor anti monarchy but today is an historical occasion, it will be very interesting (whether I agree or not) and I want to be a small part of it as a viewer/observer.  I do enjoy a bit of colour and spectacle, pomp and ceremony.   And Zadok the Priest is my favourite of the Coronation Anthems.
Also, any excuse for a bit of a feast!

There are the usual things to do.  There's that ironing, of course, and the 'feast' won't prepare itself, nor will the bed get made and the dishwasher loaded without a small amount of effort.  The telly will be on, however, and I have knitting to do to make me feel I am not being totally idle.

Will you be watching or taking the opportunity to do something else in hopes that the crowds will all be inside? 
Whatever you do, I hope it's a good'un!  xx

Friday, 05-05-23

A very good morning to you all!  It is Friday, nearly the end of the week and I am very, very glad I'm not in any way, shape, or form involved in the coronation.  It must be manic at the palace today!!

It's not a sunny start to the day and showers are predicted for both today and tomorrow but fingers crossed!

For once, yesterday went according to (revised) plan.  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Chris as she told me about her holiday.  She and Steve had a fantastic time.
When she had gone, I drove over to B&Q, returned the wrong light fitting and bought some bulbs.  Then I walked along to Longacres and there bought two lupin plants, three daisies of some kind (the label wasn't that helpful but they are pretty) and a few bits and bobs.  It's Alex's birthday on Monday and my gift to him is lunch in town and some shopping.  He needs a few items of clothing and I said I'd treat him to them.  We can fix a date on Monday.  However, I didn't want to turn up on Monday empty handed so I got a few little bits to give.

I didn't get the new plants into their forever soil so that's on today's list alongside weeding and dead-heading plus the load of washing I didn't get done yesterday.  

Finally, I went to vote and now await the outcome around here.

Today, there's Slimming World first thing, I have washing and gardening as mentioned above and the lovely cleaners come this afternoon but apart from that, it's a gentle day and I'm looking forward to it.  I want to sort out next week's meal plans and tomorrows 'special' Coronation food (any excuse!) but I find that relaxing and nothing like 'work'.

What are your plans for today?  xx

Thursday, 04-05-23

Good morning, everyone.  The sun is shining and the forecast is good.  Fingers crossed that it's warmer than yesterday; what with having to have the doors open, the sun going in and a wind getting up, I was flippin' cold most of the day and the heating kept clicking on until I turned the thermostat down.

There were a few hiccups but Ray has now finished the work and, apart from one thing, it's all looking good and working well.  I no longer have yucky or wonkly light fittings or hanging bulbs, the back garden slabs are clean and so much lighter, you wouldn't believe the difference, the stone circle is now concreted in properly and my bathroom has a working bolt again.  That last is a relief; my guests have been very good about the 'if it's closed, it's in use' thing but, even so . . .

After looking at the finances, I will probably have Ray back at some point to do some interior painting, making good, etc.  It's about time and there's no way I can do an even half decent job of it.

The hiccups were down to me getting the wrong things!  I'm no electrician!!

I did a horrendously expensive (for what I got) first-of-the-month food shop but now I'm well set up for a good fortnight, maybe longer, apart from things like fresh milk.  I almost always go to M&S for my fruit and veg and across to the other side to Aldi for nearly everything else.  M&S is costly but their fruit and veg last so much better than anywhere else's so I reckon it all balances out over time.  And I hate throwing out bits of stuff that's gone over too quickly.

(Talking of going off, have you seen the latest about keeping strawberries in a glass storage jar - still in the fridge - they say they don't go off.  I wonder if I have a glass jar; I could use a kilner jar, couldn't I?)

As soon as I realised that the work was taking longer than expected, I contacted Lindsey to cancel P T and, as always, she was understanding.  My ankle is still playing silly sausages so I'm not going to do the two remaining SETs this week - this morning and Saturday morning.  Circuits on monday is cancelled because of bank holiday so I can rest up more until; Tuesday and, hopefully, that will sort things out.  Now, where did I put my ankle support bandage?

Finally, governors' meeting was fine and dandy.  Actions were agreed and biscuits were enjoyed.

Today is a Day of Disappointments.  <chuckle>
I'm not doing SET as mentioned above and, later on, I was going round to Val's but, bless her, she had totally forgotten and had made other arrangements.  So I'm going next week instead.
Chris will be over for our coffee and chat though - I'm really looking forward to hearing about her cruise along the Rhine last week.
The I must do my civic duty and vote and I need to go over to B&Q to return a light fitting that was 'the wrong kind' (doh) and get some more bulbs (candle, 60w, 240v, thin Edison screw) - I have it all written down so fingers crossed!  I also need to look for 'the right kind' of light fittings for my bedroom.  
And then, to calm my nerves, I will look for lupin plants.
I'd like to do a bit of gardening too - some dead-heading, weeding, white bell removal and, fingers crossed, getting a lupin or two into the middle bed.  Nice.
Finally, get the house cleaner-ready, which shouldn't take all that long at all.

Now, I need to do my Facebook duties, hunt out my old support bandage, have my second coffee, have a bath, get dressed and start the day.  And the sun is still shining.  Good old sun!

Wednesday, 03-05-23

 Good morning, everyone.  It is such a lovely, sunny start to the day and my newly cleaned back paving (pretty much the whole garden) looks great.  Thanks you, Ray!

Another lovely start to today - I've just checked my Premium Bonds as the draw is announced on the 3rd of every month and I've won again!  Woo hoo.  Not a fortune but a useful little amount that, as always, has been reinvested (for now).

I've just been out and taken a few photos.  The strawberries are looking better than they ever did last year and, while the middle bed is look scruffy because of the bulbs dying back, one of the planters is looking attractive.  There are buds on the clematis (didn't take a photo) but I think I've lost the lupin that started coming up early in January and then got cut back in the cold spell.  Maybe I will spend some of my ill gotten gains on another plant to replace it.  The fuchsias don't seem to be doing anything either.  Shame.

Ray (Hire a Hubby) turned up, started work, worked all day and will be back today to finish off.  He's starting with another outside job so I can go shopping early and not worry.

For a day with not much to do, I was annoyingly exhausted.  Recovery from an energetic weekend, I expect, combined with the stress of having someone in the house.  I slept like a long, mind you!

So, on to today.
I'm doing an early morning shop and I also have to go to B&Q as one of the lights Ray tried to fit is faulty so I need to get it replaced.  I also need a few light bulbs.

I should be able to get to personal training this afternoon and then I have a Governors' meeting this evening.  It's all go, isn't it?

Have a great day, everyone, and I hope the sun shines for you.  xx

Tuesday, 02-05-23

Good morning, everyone.  The morning sun didn't last all day but, as far as I know, we only had a few spots of rain and it was certainly dry enough for the washing!

After a very easy drive back, I arrived home, unpacked, got the washing, drying and ironing done and worked hard at staying awake until a sensible bed time.

I was pleased to see that my little front area is looking nice.

My little clump of English bluebells is looking lovely.

One of the planters is filling in nicely . . . 

. . . as is the other.  It's all going to look so pretty.

This is next door's.  It's two long planters that they have filled with stuff and, as it is right on the edge of my path to the front door (the grey paving marks the edge), I will get the benefit of it as well.

I was so inspired, I got out the mower and cut my little bit of grass so as not to let the side down!

Today, I am going to have to stay home.

This is because Ray (from Hire a Hubby) is coming to do all sorts of little jobs, repairs, etc and, I think, to clean my back garden paving so it's nice and light for the summer.

I have no idea how long it will take but I've let Lindsey know I won't be at Groove which is a shame but resting my ankle another day won't do any harm at all and also I'm feeling quite stiff after Aqua yesterday - you work a lot harder than you realise when it's in water..

I also have no idea what I'm going to do while Ray does all the stuff but I am sure I will find something!  I'm expecting him to arrive around 8:30, although it might be a bit later if the traffic is bad as he's based in Danbury.

I hope you will all have a good day; stay safe and be happy.  xx

Monday, 01-05-23

 Good morning, everyone.  There's not much longer at Five Lakes; we have to be out of the rooms by ten and clear of the whole place by twelve.  There's still a few things to do though but first, yesterday.

It was a glorious spring day again; maybe the sun was a bit more hazy but it was just as warm as Saturday and just as much fun.

I went to circuits before breakfast - it was as energetic as the previous day and about the same number attended - nine of us.  After breakfast, it was Groove and that was also as good as ever.  
Some of you have commented that I will need a rest when I get home and that's for sure.  I decided to chill for a while, had a bit of a snooze, a nice walk in the sunshine and watched a quiz before lunch.

After lunch, I started the last SET class but my ankle, which has been a bit grumbly all weekend, decided to make its presence felt.  I have had slightly dodgy ankles most of my like.  In recent years they have been loads better but I have learned not to ignore certain twinges and, as it got worse, not better, I stopped and went up to rest it for a bit.  It's fine this morning so that was evidently the right thing to do.

Before dinner, I did most of my packing and got stuff into the car so there's very little to do this morning.

The evening entertainments were so good and in bingo three of our group won full houses.  Very exciting!

So now it is May.  White Rabbits, everyone.  

Today starts with an aqua thingy before breakfast.  There's time to finish packing, get everything else in the car and then go for breakfast.  Lindsey has organised a walk but I think I will go home straight after breakfast.  I'm not sure how busy the A12 will be but it will be  worse later on when people start coming back from wherever they have been over the bank holiday and, anyway, I'm feeling weary.  Once home, I can unpack, get some washing in and then just chill.  It might even be warm enough to sit out - that would be lovely.

I said I would mention Diane.  She's around my age and I met here when we were here last year, just after Potters opened here.  We got on like a house on fire and have stayed in touch.  Anyway, she's part of this group too.  You may remember I was considering a cruise (new experience for me) and decided not to because I really didn't want to do something like that on my own.  To cut a long story short, we may do something in the cruise line together next year and, as she doesn't live too far away, we will definitely be meeting up from time to time.
We will see and, in the meanwhile, I can start saving!

Time to stop waffling on and get sorted, I think.  I'm sorry the weekend is over, it has been brilliant but I'm also looking forward to getting home again and thankful that the journey is so short.  I like my version of 'normal' very much!
Have a lovely bank holiday (if you have one) and I do hope the sun shines for you too.  xx

Edit at around 11:00 - safely home after a good journey.  Now to unpack, etc - after coffee, of course!