Sunday evening, 07-04-24

Evening, everyone.  The weekend is over now, pretty much, and I hope it was a good one for you.

My third 'word' for 2024 was Enjoyment. I don't think I need to elaborate on this very much, do I? I said 
then that I wanted . . .
to look for the many good things in my life, to live in the present and - well - to enjoy it!
. . . and I think I'm doing that without having to work too hard at it.

In the next couple of months I have two short holidays, lunches out with friends, all my exercise classes, my birthday, Alex's birthday (and being taken out for a joint meal celebration, probably) as well as all those small but very important pleasures that build into a big old happy life, despite the inevitable blips that everyone experiences occasionally.
This goal is going fine too.

It's been a blowy weekend round here.  Never anything too bad but it kept the bushes moving, and it was nice to have a bit of relief from rainy weather too.  I think I've already said that, because there's no fitness classes this coming week, I'd like to spend a good old time out in the garden to get it into better order.  It's not bad, just not good either.  That's my big plan for the coming week.  The other is to get things ready for Center Parcs although I pretty much know what I'm going to take with me really.

Today has been another gentle day.  I did just a little bit of weeding, not as much as I should have but that's OK.  I sorted out the kitchen a bit and generally just chilled.  It has been quite nice and sunny but pretty windy so it didn't feel as warm as it was, if that makes sense.  

Tomorrow, Chris is coming over for coffee.  She can't do this Thursday, I can't do the following Thursday and we're having lunch out the following Thursday so we decided to slot a chat in tomorrow morning.  There's no exercise/fitness classes this week as Lindsey is away so it works out fine.

How has your Sunday been?  I think we've been quite lucky with the weather here today, the whole weekend, in fact.  I hope you've had a lovely day anyway.
Wishing you a good night's sleep with pleasant dreams.  xx

Saturday evening, 06-04-24

Hello, everyone.   

On the coach into London yesterday, I was sat next to a lady around my age, maybe a little older, called Pamela.  She was very pleasant and the more we talked, the more we realised that we had a number of mutual friends.   My friend, Val, for a start, and an ex colleague who also happened to be on the same trip.  And her grandchildren went to my' school although after my time.

We spent the morning at the Battersea Power Station.  

By the time we got there just before ten, the rain had stopped and she sun was shining.My ticket for lift 109 was at 10:50 so I had a good wander around beforehand.  

Here's the Wiki page for the station.  Worth a read; it has an interesting history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battersea_Power_Station

As well as the lift experience and the shops, there are apartments and, I believe, a hotel.  With all the surrounding developments, it's a pretty posh place to live - must cost an absolute fortune!
I'd have loved to stroll around the area a bit but there was no time.

There were three levels of shops (I think it was three) and the basic 'shell' of the power station had been retained so it was all very massive in feel.

The shops were pretty posh.  Clothes, jewellery, all sorts of 'nick-nack stuff, not a Poundland or Primark in sight.  It was fun to look in the windows but there were very few shoppers and I wasn't tempted in the least bit.

There were several info-boards scattered around which were interesting and some 'experience' rooms that needed booking and paying for so I didn't.

There were various games, climby things and activity rooms for children, some of which looked really good.

They kept a lot of the original structure showing, unadorned.  It was all very industrial and sort of steampunk-ish.

When it was time for the lift experience, we had to go through security before waiting in an area for the previous group to come back down. 

There were more info boards and displays to look at and read while we were waiting and even a little bar in one corner.

Of course, there were 'photo opportunities' - in other words, have one taken and pay for it.  I didn't!

Then we went into a room for a sort of sound and light experience with music - an 'interactive multimedia experience.  It was really impressive but quite short.

This was taken while we were going up to the top.  it was all very smooth and slick and exciting as the light at the top got bigger and brighter.

And then we were there.  The lift was the top as well, we didn't have to step out onto any kind of 'balcony' and it all felt very safe and secure.  

The next photos were taken through the glass sides so apologies for shadows, reflections and marks.

Spot the famous landmarks.

And just look at the roof gardens in this one.  Trees, swimming pools, gardens . . . it looked absolutely fantastic!

Then we set off for the Royal Albert Hall.

Our guide, Maria.  She was very, very good and extremely proud of the place.  The hour passed in a flash.  Again, here's a link to some history.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hall

It's a very lavish and luxurious place, absolutely huge, and it's been home to many different events - ice skating, water garden for opera (they flooded the centre of the hall), tennis competitions, a marathon (they just went round and round) and concerts of all sorts including the world famous Promenade Concerts.  

Yesterday, it was set up for a blues/jazz/rock thing.

We saw the Royal Box and went into the room where royalty goes in the intervals for drinks and a chance to relax.  Not as posh as you might think but we weren't allowed to sit in the chairs.    Shame!

One of the original gas lights, now electric, of course.

I had to take a photo of the Albert Memorial, didn't I.

There was one hiccup.  The day before, the Hall contacted Ray and Jan to say they could no longer provide us with an afternoon tea.  Very short notice and we were not impressed.

After phoning around, they found a place that they have used before, Kennedy's, who were happy to accommodate a group of 52 for fish and chips with one day's notice.

https://www.kennedyslondon.co.uk/about/

It was lovely.  Such friendly staff, not at all fazed by so many people descending on them and filling the place, the food was fresh cooked and delicious, not huge portions so absolutely prefect.  They were licenced so some of the group shared bottles (we didn't!!).
They gave us fish and chips or chicken and chips, cheesecake or apple pie and a very nice mug of coffee or tea.  I reckon it was better, much better, than an afternoon tea.

And then we set off home and were back at the community centre just after six o'clock.  
I was shattered and I've been sleepy today too.   Not too sleepy to enjoy a walk with some Slimming World friends this morning, mind you.

Tomorrow is a quiet day with nothing in the diary.  I'll probably go out for a walk, weather permitting, and I want to devote time each day in the coming week to sorting out the garden so the weather had better play ball.

Oh, and the mystery of the gas credit has been solved.  As I knew, I was in no way that much in credit.  It is all as it should be, I have a smaller buffer of credit than in January but the heavy use time is over now so that should build up again over the summer.
I am relieved, to be honest.  I'd have really worried if I'd been that much in credit - worried about why!

Yesterday was lovely and now I have about nine days before the next jolly, to Center Parcs.  I'm looking forward to that very much indeed.

Good night, everyone.  Have a great evening and sleepwell.  xx

Saturday morning - quick post

Morning.  Just like the olden days, this!

When I got home yesterday, I was just too weary to put anything together to post, let alone do anything with the photos.
I'll work on getting some of the photos into a post for this evening.

Lovely day - it started like this . . .

But by the time we got to London, it was like this . . .

More later.  Have a great day.  xx

Thursday evening, 04-04-24

Evening, everyone.  

 I set my three goals/aims/words for the year/whatever you want to call them but, please, not targets - I had enough of targets when teaching to last me several centuries - with the aim of lightly revisiting them from time to time and, as we are a quarter of the way through 2024, here I am - revisiting them.  Lightly!

The second word was Energy.  Quite broad based but it seemed like a good idea at the time!
Have I been energetic?  Yes, I think I probably have.

I've tried to keep my mind active with Sudoku and other thinking quizzes, I've knitted and crocheted (which is supposed to be very good for the brain), I've kept up my exercise classes and I've been involved in Beat the Street; I do think my physical energy levels are pretty reasonable for a person of my age who had never been an energetic adult until after retirement.  I have two breaks this month, both will be activity based to a certain degree and I'm really looking forward to them both, genuinely anticipating them with pleasure.  A big mental shift in my 'old age'!

And I think I'm better at accepting when resting would be a good idea without feeling I have let myself down, recognising when/if an ache or mental listlessness needs rest or working through.  

So I think I am happy with how this one is going.

Today  I enjoyed online SET (ankle behaved itself), had a great chat with Chris and managed to dry a load of washing outside between downpours.  Happy day!!

I'm excited for tomorrow as it's into London to the Battersea Power Station (including the Chimney Lift) in the morning and the Royal Albert Hall behind the scenes tour and afternoon tea in the afternoon.  It's all inside, pretty much, so the weather can do its worst.  I've looked up what to do in the morning - there are shops (yay), the lift, exhibitions and we don't have all that long really.  
So it's an early night for me, remember to set the alarm and fingers crossed for a good night's sleep. 

Night, everyone, sleep well and pleasant dreams.  xx

Wednesday evening, 03-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  How has your day gone?  It's been another damp old day today, on and off, although with short spells of glorious sunshine, more inside drying and nothing done in the garden.

I was thinking back to the beginning of the year because, ridiculous as it sounds, we are now a quarter of the way through 2024 -  how?????

Anyway, time for a bit of a review, I thought, having seen several other bloggers/vloggers doing a mini review of their aims for the year.  It's not such a bad idea, thought I, it makes me sound and feel more organised and on top of things than I really am.

I had three areas  that I wanted to focus on a bit more.  They were Economy, Energy and Enjoyment (definitely with capital letters!).

So I started thinking about the first one, economy.
To be honest, that's not going too badly.  I wanted to keep a very close eye on where the money was going, I wanted to be less mindlessly spendy and, as a consequence, build up my shorter term savings which took a fair old battering last year, one way and another.

I'm now in the habit of checking my bank account almost every morning, to see what's been taken out and getting it recorded on my spreadsheet.  I'm finding that very useful and it is comforting to know that if my financial adviser (that sounds posher than it really is) ever wants a more up-to-date view, I have it at the click of a mouse, unlike the first time which was highly embarrassing because I had not a clue.

As a result of a general aim to be less spendy, I've been able to move across amounts from current account to savings account at the end of every month except for March when I was able to cover my car insurance without taking anything out of savings.  
That's the sort of thing my short term savings are for.  Some people call them sinking funds and have specific labels for various funds.  I just bung it all in together and take it out when necessary, if the usual monthly income doesn't quite cover it or if there's something more unexpected - which there usually is at some point.

I've been tempted to spend on 'stuff' - but it's been OK.  I'm not ever going to be a super-frugal person.  I enjoy being able to buy nice food, eat out with friends now and again, going on coach trips, etc.  I'm trying to aim for making the best of what I have to give me a happy, generous and productive life, however much there is left of it, and to have something to leave my family.

Enough for now - I'll waffle about the other areas tomorrow.

It's been a productive day today.  It started when I realised I was out of bread in the freezer so I made a couple of loaves which I have now sliced and frozen.
I did some of the housework I should have done yesterday but didn't. I did some washing, drying and ironing.  And I had personal training with Lindsey.  All in all, a satisfying day.

As for tomorrow, it starts with SET online and then that's it for a couple of weeks.  Then I'm off to Chris' for coffee and chat and then I must get ready for Friday's jolly to London as well as finishing off the housework.

Next week, Lindsey is away and the week after that I am away. 
I think I need to make the best of the extra time I will have next week by blocking in some garden time.  I really do need to spend more than the odd half an hour here and there to get it summer-ready and next week is an ideal time - providing the weather plays ball.

Right, better stop waffling.  I hope your day has been lovely and that you enjoy a great night's sleep. Sweet dreams.  xx

Tuesday evening, 02-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  

The weather has been so variable today.  It rained early morning but by the time Chris and I set off for Groove it had stopped and looked hopeful.  We got that very wrong though.  The heavens opened and we arrived at the hall feeling and, probably, looking a bit like drowned rats.
Then the sun came out so we had a dry walk home, apart from feeling very damp.
And that set the pattern for the rest of the day really.  We had some lovely sunshine and we had some heavy rain and - well, I never got round to hanging out my washing.

Never mind.

I chilled in the afternoon which was very lazy of me but my ankle was giving me a bit of trouble after the walks and class so it was sensible to rest it really (trying to convince myself here!!).  It's fine, just a bit vulnerable.

Tomorrow is Gas Bill Day.  It's also Premium Bond day.  Well - I can wish, can't I?  :-)
Rather more realistically, I have washing, drying, ironing, plenty of housework and a personal training class so that's enough to keep me busy and active, isn't it?  Just normal, everyday life.  The next coach trip is Friday so I need to get things done tomorrow and Thursday.

OK, time to stop and send.  Have you had a good day and was the weather better for you than it was here?
Goodnight, everyone, and sleep well.  xx

Monday evening, 01-04-24

Good evening, everyone.  Have you had a lovely first day of April?  It's been a right mix of weather here - sunny, windy, a bit of rain, sun again . . . and I've been thinking it is Sunday all day.  Weird.

There's not much to say about today.  I stayed at home and I have just chilled.  I've done a lot of knitting, I got a load in the washing machine and washed but no further so I will freshen it up tomorrow and hang it out, hopefully.
And the gas bill still says I am in credit.  More weird.

Tomorrow is back to normal.  It starts with a walk down to Groove with Chris and then back again, tapping boxes for the last time as Beat the Street finishes this week.  I have housework, washing - all that usual stuff.  Nothing unusual and nothing too difficult or strenuous (apart from Groove and that's different).

Later on, I have an online chat with some friends which should be a lot of fun and keep me awake until bedtime.  I'll say 'Goodnight' to you all now and get this sent.    I do hope you have enjoyed your Bank Holiday and have another pleasant day planned tomorrow.
Sleep well.  xx