Friday, 20-10-23

 Morning, everyone.
I'm starting with an apology.  Yesterday evening, the internet connection kept crashing and it was taking so long to get my photos uploaded, in the end I gave up.  I got the food photos done and decided the evening wasn't long enough for the rest
So today's blog is words and later on today I will work on the photos for tomorrow's post.  Fortunately, my connections seems to be back to normal today.

We were so lucky with the weather.  It was drizzling a bit when we set off but we obviously moved out of the rain and Ely was dry and even sunny occasionally with just one downpour.

We started at the cathedral where we had a guided tour from a gentleman who looked and sounded worryingly like Gyles Brandreth.  Unfortunately, he wasn't as interested as Gyles although he did give us plenty of information about the history of the place.  It was quite stunning both inside and out.  Very Norman (big and bossy!!) but with such a sense of space and airiness.
The stained glass museum was absolutely fascinating.  After an introductory talk from a lady who, oddly, reminded me rather of Sue Perkins.  She certainly knew her onions as far as stained glass was concerned.  Then she took us round, going into more depth now and then.  It was good.

I had a little wander round that part of town (lovely buildings and lots of charity shops!) before having lunch in the Cathedral Almonry restaurant (delicious) and then heading back to the coach.  As I left the Almonry, it was obvious that there had been a very heavy shower of rain that I had been completely oblivious to!  Lucky me!

Here's what I had and it was delicious for such a simple lunch.

I had some nice chats to people on the coach.  One lady was, almost inevitably, a mum of a pupil from decades ago - I recognised her and we had a little chat.  Another lady, catching my name, asked me about a Christmas song I wrote, again, decades ago, for the kids at school which a local musician had mentioned (how on earth and why???) and wanted to use in something.  I said 'tell her I'm on Facebook!'  Interesting but probably nothing will come of it.
And another lady gave me contact info for another coach company that's doing a trip to Ely for the craft and gift fair which she says is always very good.  I'll look that up later today.

We then visited two village churches that feature Rosemary Rutherford inspired/designed stained glass but I will talk more about that when I have the photos.  Suffice it to say it was stunning.

Finally, on the way home, there's always a raffle.  A seat number is drawn and the prize is a £10 voucher towards another coach trip.  You know what's coming next, don't you.  Yes, I won it.  Very nice!

As we entered Chelmsford, the drizzle started again!

Again, apologies for no photos, but I have to be out for Slimming World group.  I'll definitely post them tomorrow (assuming the connection remains up and running).
In the meanwhile, have a lovely day, everyone.  I hope the weather hasn't been too bad for you.  xx

Thursday, 19-10-23

 Morning, everyone.  After a soggy wet afternoon yesterday, it's dry here right now but isn't expected to stay that way all eday.  Ditto for Ely.  I'm going to take a spare pair of socks and shoes, just in case they're needed.  They can stay in the coach while we are 'doing' Ely and I can change into them, if needed, in the afternoon.  
I can be sensible - occasionally!

Thanks again for all your helpful comments yesterday regarding thermal underwear, waterproof trousers, etc - we do cover some exciting stuff in here, don't we?  I'm taking a few weeks before making a decision, doing a bit of research in the meanwhile and borrowing from friends may be in the picture too.

After a chat with Chris where we chatted non stop and could have carried on another hour or so, I drove over to Sainsbury's.  Oh, dear - they had the first of their Christmas selection in and I might possibly have sorted out my posh evening clothes thingy now.  I tried taking photos but they really haven't come out well at all.  Maybe I'll try again in daylight and see.

So this is a quick one because I have to be off in a little while.  Ely calleth!  Will the coach have to swim?  I have no idea but I'm glad I'm not driving.  We did have such a shedload of rain yesterday!

I have the camera, I have apples for breakfast and my evening meal is in the fridge, ready to heat up.  I have umbrella, raincoat and one of those fold up macs to go over if it's really wet.  And boots. And a change of shoes and socks.
I'm sure we will have a really good time.

See you Friday, complete with photos.  xx

Wednesday, 18-10-23

 Good morning, one and all.  Wasn't yesterday gorgeous - at least, I hope it was for you.  Round here it was sunny and reasonably mild and designed to lift the spirits!  Ad for today - well, it looks OK until mid afternoon and then the heavens are predicted to open and it will pour.  

Thank you all so very much for your lovely, helpful advice.  It gives me plenty to think about and look out for.  I obviously need to do my research but I have one more question for now - I get that jeans are not a good idea - assuming long johns of some kind, how about jogging bottoms and over-trousers?  or do I need to consider ski trousers - are they wind and waterproof?

There isn't a Cotswold Outdoors anywhere near here.  The nearest seems to be either London or Bury.  Ditto for Blacks, funnily enough.  However, there is a shop called Rohan, fairly close to the centre of town.  I thought we had a Millets but it must have closed, as have a number or other small outdoorsy shops.  Sign of the times.

Anyway, I feel a trip to Rohan's coming on - if it's worth its salt, they will advise and show me stuff.  I can also look online but it will be good to actually see what stuff looks like.

Groove was great.
When Chris and I got to the hall, the car park was full which was odd.  Yes, the group was big but usually there's plenty of spaces until the very last moment.  However, as we danced and bounced away, we realised that the school ('my' school) was arriving for their Harvest Festival and that was why.  I guess everyone else arriving for it parked on the road (which is allowable, it's a wide road and doesn't really go anywhere).

It was nice to feel a bit warmer as I worked my way through the day and the heating is definitely staying off for now as temperatures are not predicted to be than low really.  I might possibly put it on when I have visitors, just in case, but I think it should be OK.

I can share some lovely news about Beth - not the news I mentioned the other week and then said I couldn't say yet (sorry about that) but something else.  A few of you who are facebook 'friends' with her will know already but she had a new job - well, not totally new, still in the same area of work and with the NHS but a different area with more responsibilities and two grades up from where she is now.  It's on secondment but could become a longer appointment, depending on funding and she is absolutely delighted.
As she said, her salary is now 'average' and after struggling on benefits for so long (carer parents of SEND children have a very rough time all round), it is all a great relief.
(I promise I will tell you the other news when I can)

As I'm out all day tomorrow, Chris is coming over for our coffee and chat today.  After that and breakfast, I want to make the most of the predicted dry weather to get some more shed shifting done and then I want to go to Sainsbury's, partly to look at the clothes and partly to get a few bits and bobs I can only get there.
There's no personal training this week or next.

The forecast for tomorrow is dire here, but not so terrible for Ely.  All the same, I will make sure I have appropriate outerwear out and ready.  Fingers crossed.

What a rambling post today - sorry, everyone.  I hope the weather isn't going to be too bad round your way and that you have a good day anyway.  All the best.  xx

Tuesday, 17-10-23

 Morning, everyone.  Winter seems to have retreated again - it is much milder this morning and we might very well get some sunshine.  Bring it on!

The trip on Thursday looks really good although rain is predicted.  When we arrive there, we will be met by cathedral staff, split into two groups and one group will visit the Stained Glass Museum while the other group has a guided tour of the Cathedral.  Then we swap over.
That will leave time to have lunch and visit the market (which looks worth a visit) or do something else before we set off for shorter visits to two churches and home by around six/six thirty.  It sounds great to me.

Now I've started looking for things I need to get for the Christmas jaunt, there's things I have never ever considered buying before and I have questions.
For instance, while I am fine with thermal underwear, when it says waterproof and windproof trousers, which are best, over trousers that I can wear over jeans and long johns (goodness, it makes me feel old just writing that) or would the proper trousers be better?  Does anyone know anything about this - if so, please do post in comments with your advice.
Also, if over-trousers are the way to go, do I need a size larger?
Thank you in advance.

Circuits was brilliant yesterday - there were seven of us, full group, so it was lively and chatty and, personally, I felt pretty strong.  It varies, you know; sometimes I don't and go for the lower impact options.

Today starts with Groove.  Chris is coming as well today.  It's very nice to have someone to go with.  Next week is half term (how can it be half term already) so no classes which gives me totally free days to get other things done - especially the shed as work will start the following Monday.

And talking of that, after Groove and breakfast, I will be looking at kitchen units in B&Q and I think Homebase and Wickes also have them.  I just want nice and clean looking, I don't want up-market and posh - that would be a total waste.  I also want to look at fake plants.  I don't want real plants out there - I would never remember to water  them enough but fake would do.

So it looks as if I will be out and about a fair bit today.  Nice.  I hope you have a productive day too.  xx

Monday, 16-10-23

Morning, everyone.  It's the half way point of October and we have out first frost of the season this morning.  I've just braved outside to check the garden thermometer and it's -0.6.  I guess I really do have to consider putting the heating on although my fluffy boot slippers, pjs and oodie are doing a good job right now.  

I'll think about it!

I'm finding it hard to remember exactly what I did yesterday - which means not very much really.  I really must get my act together.
I remember one thing.- I booked another coach trip!  I know it sounds like I'm being very spendthrift with these trips but they are spread all over next year and if you don't book a seat when they come out, you might miss the opportunity.  This one is for Norwich at the end of March.

Beth and I had plans to spend some time in Norwich.  Alex went to UEA which is based there and it's a lovely, historical place.  However, lockdown intervened and then Beth got her full time job once she stopped needing to be Alex's carer and we never went.  So when I saw that on the newsletter, I jumped at the opportunity.  The thing is, I could drive there or I could take the train but by the time you have considered petrol, fares, parking costs, not to mention the sheer convenience of letting the coach driver do it all, it's a no brainer really.  Unlike the Ely trip on Thursday, there's nothing organised so, like Windsor, I am free to organise the day as I wish and there seems to be plenty to see and do.
I've just checked my mailbox and I have confirmation that I have a place and also there's the final details of the Ely trip.  Excellent!

Today, the diary is blank apart from small group circuits.  If it warms up, I must harvest the rest of the mini courgettes and get Heir into the brown bin - he is looking very sad this morning but he has done a great job this year and I may very well repeat it next year.  

Apart from that, there's a bit of shed to do and a bit of general housework.  The usual stuff.  99% of our days are 'usual stuff', aren't they - those regular routines that keep life flowing and pleasant.  I just hope it stays like that.
Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

Sunday, 15-10-23

 Good morning, everyone.  The sun is just rising - I can't see it from where I am but I can see the effect.

Like this.
And in the time it's taken for me to take the photo, get it onto the PC, edit it and refresh my coffee, the sun has risen more and is now lighting up the house with the pigeon on and the first impact has gone.

We've had a cold night.  My garden thermometer tells me that it went down to 3.5C - brrrrrrr - and BBC weather says that the highest temperature will be around 10C through the day, despite some bright sunshine.  What a change!!
My warm slippers are on, my winter hand knits are ready and I have my faithful oodie plus the sunshine will be charging up my solar panel battery and keeping my living room and bedroom warm - it's pretty good really, isn't it?

As some of you commented yesterday, it was changeable weather.  I got my washing out on the line and just as I placed the last peg, it started spitting with rain.  The sky looked a bit ominous so I brought it all in again and got out my little drying rack (bought decades ago, Wilco, something like £3.99).  Of course, as soon as I had draped everything over it, out came the sun again.  Isn't that always the way!  Blow it, thought I, and left it all on the rack in front of the window to catch the sun.
That meant it wasn't all totally dry by the evening so I think that's the first thing on today's list.

After banging on about being more frugal, into my mailbox yesterday popped Ray's latest trip newsletter and I've booked a trip to Highclere Castle.  However, it's not until next July so that's really not so bad, is it?  I won't have to pay anything until next year.  I've never been there and I know it's interesting.  The ticket is for the coach, the castle, the gardens and the Egyptian exhibition so there will be plenty to see and do.

And then, just to reinforce what a gadabout I am turning into . . .

. . . this landed on the door mat.

Woo hoo.  Just what I needed.  As well as lots of details about the cruise and the various excursions (more than we are doing with our One Traveller group), there's very useful info about life on board and an even more useful checklist of specific things we will need - such as water and wind proof coat and trousers, rugged boots, crampon type thingies . . .

Oh, well.  That's one of the things savings are for, isn't it?

I skimmed through it yesterday and will devote some time today to going through it all in more detail and making a list or two.
Lists are all part of the fun, aren't they.

Another nice thing I did yesterday was try out two new recipes, both of which are going to be keepers.  Very satisfying!

On to today and there's that ironing, some reading and list making and, more than likely, some dozing after my Sunday roast.  Then, come the evening, there's the Strictly Results show.  I have to admit, I have a really soft spot for dear Angela Rippon - she may not have the ooomph of some of the younger celebrities but, my goodness, she can dance.  Supple, controlled, graceful and quite obviously having the time of her life.  I don't think she will lift the glitterball (although I would love her to) but I hope she will stay in for several weeks to come because I so enjoy watching her dance.
Do you watch Strictly?  Who do you think will go all the way and who would you like to win?

Time to go and get things started in the kitchen.  I'm far more likely to stick to my healthy meals if everything is prepped and ready.  Then it's bath, get dressed and do that ironing, I think.  
How do you start your days?

Have a Super Sunday, everyone.  xx

Saturday, 14-10-23

 Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another weekend.  We had such a wide range of weather round here yesterday - rain, sunshine and some very strong gusts of wind but at the moment the sun is starting to shine and it looks lovely outside.

I didn't get to the shops yesterday to check out kitchen cupboards.  There's a bit of time to do that.  I got the next bit of shedding done, changed my bedding, washed the sheets, got all the ironing done and dusted and generally pottered.

I had such a collection of 2024 dates at the back of my current diary, I decided it was time to get next year's one and that arrived yesterday so I spent some time transferring dates across and feeling happy about the nice things coming up.

Not quite so pleasant was getting to grips with my Excel financial monthly thingy.   This has been an expensive month so far but when I looked closely, one largish payment is for all my fitness classes in November and December and a larger one is for my Center Parcs holiday next April.  Add to that a holiday and some meals out, etc, and I suppose it's fair enough.  However, the second half of this month will be far more frugal - has to be.
Thankfully, next month is the one when I get two state pension payments (they come every four weeks) so that should compensate without me needing to move anything from savings and, of course, I won't need to pay anything more for fitness classes until January.  It will all even out over time.

I nearly forgot - after the total pig-out that was my five days and Center Parcs, I was pretty gobsmacked to find, at SW weigh-in that I had maintained.  Not sure how that happened but I'll take it with feelings of thankfulness.

Today, I have one more load of washing to do and, fingers crossed, that can dry outside.  Assuming the weather stays good, I want to move the garden chairs, etc, to the garage - not hard, just a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, I'd like to do a bit more garden clearing, seeing as next week is brown bin collection and it is Strictly day so evening will be a telly-fest!

Nothing terribly exciting today, just an ordinary day but a very nice, satisfying one.  Weekends are good!  xx