Sunday, 01-11-26

Hi, everyone.  Sorry about yesterday.  I wasn't feeling great and now, after a not very good night, I have a fully blown cold.  Just a cold but they can be miserable, can't they?  

Back to yesterday and I did manage to get into town.  Third time lucky.  Beth and I had coffee in the second floor area (very nice coffee it was too) before doing a trawl around that floor, looking at the festive gifts and decorations.  All very nice but nothing all that special so all I bought was a pack of needles from the haberdashery area.

Then we took the lift (because of Beth's wheelchair) back down and attacked the Jo Malone department where we had a great time spraying and sniffing and testing.  I now have Beth's Christmas present all bought and tucked away, a replacement for me as the old perfume has run out and a freebie which I can use as one of my Twelve Days of Christmas gifts.
On the way back, I popped into Body Shop and got some satsuma hand cream which smells gorgeous and absorbs really well.

Through the afternoon I was feeling increasingly rough and this morning - yuck.  So today is cancelled.  I was going out for lunch with Diane, Tracy and Caroline but I've pulled out of that.  I am sure my germs would not be welcome.

That's it really,  Colds don't usually go on too long so I should be feeling much more with it by tomorrow.

Hoping you are all well and enjoying the weekend.  xx

Friday, 30-10-26: being prepared

Morning!
All of us in the UK know about the latest advice from the Government's Be Ready checklist for short term survival should we be hit by severe weather (presumably they mean flooding/snow/very high winds) or cyber attack.

I'm not one to panic unduly but I've been going through things.  It feels only sensible. 

1.  See what you have already and plan for your household:   Seeing as it is just me, that's not to difficult.  I keep well ahead on my medication and, seeing as it is just blood pressure meds, going without probably isn't the end of the world.

2.  Food and water:  I have plenty of shelf stable food that could be eaten without heating first and I have some bottled water - and more is on the shopping list!  The advice is three litres for three days and I don't think I have that much.  I also have my little camping gas stove. Must work out how to get the canister in - working it out in the middle of a blackout would not be terribly helpful!

3.  Sanitiser, wipes, etc.  All ticked because we just do, don't we?

4.  Light and warmth.  I've been checking where my torches are and thinking where I can put them so I can get to them easily.  I also have a very good solar powered light, very powerful, designed for looking under cars, etc.  It has two setting, light and disco.  Maybe I could throw a party? 
I got it out today and now it's all charged up.  Even in gloomy days, there's some available charging.
As for warmth, I knew there had to be a reason for all those crocket blankets and I have the thermal stuff I bought before the Northern Lights cruise.  Miraculously, I know where it all is too.
I need to check where my flasks are, don't I?

5.  Communication and information:  I have power banks.  OK, they don't last for ever but I have three of them and use would have to be saved for real necessity.  I don't have a wind up radio so I have ordered one from Amazon.  Goodness knows how good it is or even how it works - I haven't listened to the radio for years and years - but Chris' Steve can show me if I can't work it out myself. 

6:  Money and documents:  I need to get some cash out, don't I, and not use it unless it is an emergency.  Copies of important documents is an idea - I'll get that done.

7.  Medical and health:  I've already mentioned my meds and I have a reasonable supply of pain killers.

8.  Baby products and pet products:  Not necessary as I have neither.

Let's be optimistic - if it the A bomb, I doubt any of us living close to London will be in a position to care anyway!  I refuse to worry about that eventuality.

Have you considered the Government's advice?

Thursday, 29-10-26

 Morning, everyone.  Just a quick one today as I'll be off to Personal Training in a short while.

There were no surprises yesterday.  Sharon did the necessary and now my hair feels a bit short but a lot neater.  I am four loads of washing down (great line drying day yesterday!) with one more to go.  Beth has arranged for her washing machine to be repaired (phew).  And the rest of the day passed gently.

Today I'm off shortly, thankful that they got the weather forecast wrong and it isn't foggy, and then a bit later Chris is round for our coffee and chat.  Then I need to carry on with that training I started last week.  This week is passing too quickly for comfort and, if I don't get it done, time will have run out.  And I have some paperwork to peruse carefully too.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

Wednesday, 28-10-26

 Morning, everyone.  Welcome to a very pleasant, if a bit chilly, Wednesday morning here in mid-Essex.  I don't think the sun will stay around for long but maybe it will stay dry as I have loads of washing to do!

Yesterday was busy but lovely.

Lindsey's cheese and onion sourdough came out fine after such a long slow process.
She sent me this photo and said it was absolutely delicious which was a huge relief and gives me confidence to try other flavours too.
What next, I wonder.  Any ideas?
Sausage and baked bean?  😐

Yesterday morning was teeming with rain again so Beth and I cancelled.  Of course, it dried up later and the sun came out but by then I was stuck into housework so we've rescheduled for Saturday.  Fingers crossed.

Groove was brilliant.  It's a new block which means new sequences and a new playlist and, now my knee is so much better, I was able to get stuck in and really go for it. 
Bet you're glad there's no photos of that!!

Housework done, I got changed and the lovely Julia picked me up for our Girls' Meal at the Harvester.  It was a really good evening, packed with chatter, laughter and friendship.  I feel very blessed.

I don't usually post food photos here, they go on my other blog, but I said I would send the girls the link so here's what I had.

One of the things we really like about the Harvester is that if you have a mains, you get unlimited salad from the very extensive salad bar.  So that was my starter.

Mains was the Simply Chicken with salad instead of the potato and veg.  It was delicious!

And I had a Berry Best sundae for dessert - basically ice cream with some fruit on top - and it was scrummy!  I forgot to take a photo though.

Goodness, I was stuffed afterwards!

The best bit was the company, of course.

We've sorted out the Christmas meal - places get booked up so quickly - and it will be very close to Christmas which is lovely.  I've chosen what I want so now I will just have to wait.

Today is an easier day - I have housework stuff, of course, and the lovely Sharon is coming to sort out the bird's nest I call my hair.  It will feel great afterwards!
I forgot to mention that my toaster ceased to be a couple of days ago so I ordered a new one and it should arrive today.  There's always something, isn't there?

Better stop rambling and start the day.  Have a great Wednesday, everyone, and stay nice and warm.  xx

Tuesday, 27-10-26

Morning, everyone!  Tuesday has landed and its a busy one!

Yesterday didn't go at all according to plan.  No loaves for Lindsey, for a start, because Bubbles was on go slow!!  
Circuits was very good though.  As it was half term, there were some youngsters there and they do liven things up.  However, it absolutely poured so no coffee in town or Jo Malone.  Instead, Beth invited me round to hers and we had cuppa, crafting and cake (birthday cake, of course) which was lovely!

We made beaded snowflakes.  They're so very pretty and later, unfortunately, I fell down a Temu rabbit hole and various supplies might now be heading my way.  Ho hum!

We have vague plans to go into town today but it's just started to rain so it probably won't come off.  we will see.

In the evening today it's our monthly girls' get-together at the Harvester so I am very much looking forward to that.  We always have a great time.  

In between, I MUST do some housework.

So that is today.  Tomorrow should be less crowded!!  :-)  xx

Monday, 26-10-26 - Happy Birthday.

Morning, everyone!

Forty eight years ago I was cradling my first-born, a little girl we called Elisabeth Joy Fiona, in the London Hospital.  It was love at first sight and today I am so glad to be meeting her in town for a birthday coffee and a good nosey around the Jo Malone department in John Lewis!  She is the most amazing, funniest, caring, kind and understanding person and I am so, so proud of her.

Last week, Beth went into London for an evening do, as she and her team had been nominated for an award - and they only went and won it.  How brilliant is that!

This is what they were presented with.

(not the best photo in the world but you get the idea.)

Well done, Beth and team!

It was filmed and there's some video on their Facebook Page.  Can you guess which bit is Beth and her team?  xx
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1109557731480629

(hoping the link works)

Sunday, 25-10-26

Morning, everyone.  After a very bleak and wild couple of days, the sun is shining round here.  It's a really welcome sight indeed although I'm not complaining about the heavy rain yesterday.  Goodness knows, we need it and lots more.  I really hope you and yours are well and damage free this morning.  

It's a very quiet weekend here.  I have precious few plans apart from making bread.  I can make Beth's but Bubbles isn't cooperating so Lindsey's might have to wait.  That is sourdough for you.
I might pop to Morrisons for a few things but they're not absolutely necessary so maybe I won't.

So this is very short and sweet.

See you tomorrow.  Take care and stay safe.  xx