Tuesday evening, 30-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  
As the last day in April passes, it's been a busy old day with a couple of unpleasant surprises, one expected and one not, neither of which I can or want to talk about because it is not for me to say.

This made me happy.  Potential yumminess . . .

As it has been the last of the month today, there were a few bits and bobs to do.

I read the gas meter and sent off the reading.

I finished off the finance stuff for the month and, despite it being a heavy month with the increased costs but using March's income (I work a month behind as various income streams arrive through the month, not on the first of the month). I was really happy to be able to move a bit over into savings; not loads but every little helps and it all mounts up over time.

And I needed to organise the payment for the next block of personal training so that's done now.

Lindsey confirmed that there will be another Fun and Fitness weekend at Five Lakes next March - plenty of time to save up for that!  I paid my deposit, as did Diane - we exchanged gleeful texts about it.

I remembered that there's a governors' meeting tomorrow evening so I downloaded all the documentation and emailed it to myself so I can access it all on my laptop.  I've read through everything but need to give it another read through tomorrow.  There's always quite a lot to get through and get to grips with.

Groove and the walk there and back were very pleasant.  Chris and I never lack anything to talk about and the time passes very quickly!  Groove was, as always, great!

I worked out the meal plans for a week and used it to make my next shopping list which I might get Saturday morning.  I'll see how it goes.

And, finally, I changed my sheets as it was another good drying day so that's off the list for this week.

So - lots of bits and bobs and plenty crossed off my list which is always nice.

Has your day been busy too?  
I'll stop now and get this live.  Sleep well, sweet dreams and have a great day tomorrow. xx

Monday evening, 29-04-24

Good evening, everyone.   Home from Five Lakes and all settled in again.  
First of all, let's go back to yesterday . . .

Sunday was such a lovely day.  It started off with a Groove class in the Mersea Room where most of the classes were held (obviously the gym class was in the gym and would you believe the aqua class was in the pool).

It's a nice room and they provided a fridge with bottled water as you can see.  That's Lindsey to the left, getting set up for the live link to people who were accessing the classes from home.

After breakfast, we chilled for a while over coffee before the second of the two classes I did, a SET class.

This was our dining doom.  There are three, all next to each other, and they obviously knew us because it was the one where the bar was sited.  :-)

After lunch, I went to the Glade Theatre for a guided tour behind the scenes.  Now, the Potters shows are known for their excellent quality and, as the theatre is pretty new, it's all shiny state of the art technology.

 

I give you one guess . . . 

They took us backstage and talked through a typical show, how it all happens, the quick fire changes, etc.  The stage manager talked about her role and all the organisation that happens  behind the scenes that we, the audience, never see and which makes it all run as smoothly as possible.

Extremely impressive.

Then we went to the back to some serious technology.  They talked through the various technological bits and pieces - and that's an understatement as it is very complex and totally essential to the quality of what we see and hear.

There was such a lot to take in and I hope it is still on the timetable next time I go as I'd like to do it again.

Then, somewhat reluctantly, I started packing and got as much into the car as possible before going to the Lake View Lounge for a drink and a quiet read.  

Even the car park is attractive.

I also took a few photos from the Lake View Lounge which is on the first floor.  It's just very scenic.

After a delicious dinner, we headed off to the Glade Theatre for some excellent evening entertainment and it was nearly midnight before my head finally hit the pillow.  No, I wasn't the worse for wear, I was very moderate.  😇😇

On to this morning and I went to the early Aqua class - the pool isn't usually open at that time but they opened it for Lindsey to do a class.  I really enjoyed it - the sun was shining through the windows, the water was sparklingly inviting  and a comfortable temperature and it was just great!

Then we all dashed back to our rooms for a shower, got dressed, finished packing, loaded up the cars and went for our last breakfast.  We had to be out of our rooms by ten but could stay around until twelve so we did hover a bit before saying goodbye and driving home.
A very easy journey later, I was home, unpacked, one load of washing in and setting off to :Lindsey's for Circuits class.  I thought that might be a step too far but it wasn't, it was good.

I managed to get pretty much all of the washing done and, as it was a lovely drying day, everything dried on the line and I even got it all ironed.  I thought I'd crash after circuits but I didn't, so that was really good.

Hot off the press, I've just seen a message from Lindsey to say there will be another one next March.  Cheers!!

I am feeling quite weary now so will stop waffling on and get this live.  I really hope you have had a lovely weekend too, whatever you have done.
Sleep well amd all the best for tomorrow.  xx

Sunday evening, 28-04-24

Good very late evening indeed especially for me.  
It's been a really lovely day but I'm only just up from the evening's entertainments and need to get to bed in order to be up in time for early morning aqua.

I'll do a catch up tomorrow evening.  In the meanwhile, I do hope your day has been as great as mine has been in its own way.  Most of you are probably asleep as I type this so continue to sleep well and all the best for tomorrow.  xx

Saturday evening, 27-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  I'm posting this evening because I'm planning to go to a semi-early Groove class tomorrow morning! 

Despite the weather, it has been a brilliant day with plenty of activity, another amazing show this evening and not too many proseccos!
Both the step class and the gym circuits were - um - challenging, but I did them and felt great afterwards.  

We went for a slightly damp walk this morning and came across this broody duck who was totally unfazed by four females taking photos and ooohing and ahing over her.  I guess she is used to it!     

I may not be the worse for wear this evening but I am totally shattered and looking forward to my cosy bed so I will say goodnight, all, sweet dreams and stay safe.  xx

Saturday morning, 27-04-24

Good morning, everyone.  It simply wasn't possible to white anything yesterday evening - you wouldn't have appreciated anything from me by the time I got back to my room after the show!  Judging by the state of my head this morning, it was a case of one too many proseccos.  But it was all lovely!

I dropped in to SW group yesterday morning to help with the weighing as usual (not good news but I knew it wouldn't be) and then finished packing, sorting out the house as you have to - emptying the bins and so on - and made my leisurely way over to Five Lakes.  I decided to go a different way, via Maldon rather than take the A12.  The A12 routs is a bit shorter but it's quite an unpredictable road at the moment with repairs and blockages popping up all over.  Actually, the Maldon way was lovely. mostly countryside and Maldon itself wasn't difficult as long as you know which way to go at each roundabout, which I did.

I grabbed a few random photos yesterday.

The fitness stuff plus a bag of scarves to donate (now gone!)

My room - very comfortable and the bed is perfect for me.

I did Lindsey's welcome SET class and then we all congregated in the lounge for a natter and pre dinner drinks.

Waiting for the show to start after enjoying and audience participation quiz.

Potters shows are brilliant and this one was no exception - Songs from the Shows (London and Broadway) and most enjoyable.

On to today and I need to have my bath quickly before Diane knocks for me and we go down to breakfast.

I'd like to do Lindsey's step class this morning and circuits in the gym this afternoon and there's plenty pf other activities organised by Potters so I guess I will be shattered again this evening and it will be a morning post tomorrow again.

Have a great day, everyone.  Stay safe and I hope the rain (if you have it) doesn't stop you doing too much.  xx

Thursday evening, 25-04-24

Evening, everyone.  Just a quick one to say today has been lovely and I will do my best to post regularly over the weekend but, if I don't appear, don't worry, I will definitely be properly back on Monday.

All the best and, as always, sleep well.  xx

Wednesday evening, 24-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  It's been quite a quiet day but a very pleasant one.  Thankfully, the sinuses are behaving themselves so no problems in that direction.  I've had some really lovely birthday greetings from far and wide which has made me very happy.

And personal training with Lindsey was great.

Tomorrow, I need to get everything sorted for my weekend at Five Lakes.  It really is a lovely place and Lindsey has put together a schedule of fitness classes as well as all the usual activities that Potters puts on anyway.

https://www.pottersresorts.com/five-lakes/

I'm going to need a holiday to recover!!

Tomorrow, I'm out with Chris for lunch to celebrate both our birthdays and I need to get everything together for the weekend so I will have plenty to do.

I hope your day has been really good.
Wishing you a pleasant evening and a great night's rest.  xx