Is blogging going out of style?

I thought that it has been some time since I last blogged, but when I think about it I realise that it is a long time since I read anyone else’s blog.

While we were in New Zealand it seemed right to blog regularly. There was more reason to blog and more time to do so. At times it seems that we have never really got back to ‘normal’ since returning from our antipodean trip. A lot could be said about the definition of ‘normal’ when, in retirement, there is little by way of work schedule structure. Even regular ‘hall opening and closing’ duties are subject to the whim of others and can be ignored when we have a reason to do so. In fact everything that we do can be subjected to change at a moments notice.

Two of our regular weekly events have gone on with little interruption. Friday night has been our sequence dance time and Sunday is church attendance.

Two things have impacted our ‘normal’. First, the weather has not been conducive to regular walks. It would be instructive to compare the list of summer UK visits this year with those of last. Second, the decision to rebuild our kitchen units has really taken over. 

My last blog covered the period from 23^rd May until 15^th July and was a marathon effort. This one may get really boring as it will cover the period since then.

 Doing the usual ‘follow the photos’ we take up the story at 25^th July. This is a very significant date. Not only was it our oldest son's birthday, it was the date on which we went into ‘B and Q’ to order the components for our kitchen. It began as one of our ‘regular’ Wednesdays off. (While in New Zealand we made this decision which means I do not do any hall duties on this day of the week.) The day started quite well. We collected our friend Margaret Cornish OBE from her care home (Stanton Hall) and took her for coffee at the village cafe. 

This was in the old school house where we had a delicious but expensive piece of cake with our beverages. ‘Beverages’ is going to be shorthand for tea or coffee or any combination of the two for the remainder of the blog and probably for other blogs unless there is a significant reason to break from the convention.

The reason that I remember that this is the day that we purchased our B and Q kitchen is not by looking back at our receipts, but from looking at the photographic records. No, there will be no photographs of ‘B and Q’. The clue is in the photographs taken at our picnic by the River Trent. This is not the first time that a visit to the DIY store has been followed by a picnic by the river.

The embankment has seen a significant change since my years of travelling along it to work. The road has been narrowed by flood defences and the play area has been much improved, as have the parking areas along the road up through the centre of the recreation area. I was keen to see if anyone was in the Kings School building. However, the place looked very deserted and sad. This was heightened when I tried the intercom from the gate and received a melancholy dialling tone. Looking over the site and seeing the work that I had been part of abandoned in this way was a chastening experience. I wonder how the last members of staff must have felt when they closed the gates for the last time. I think that I am glad that I was spared this event. Although I worked on the site for only two years, it was only five and a half years earlier that I returned from a New Zealand trip to join my colleagues for a few frenetic weeks of setting up the building to receive its first Kings School intake.

While waiting for the flat packs to arrive and on a sunny Wednesday we went off into Derbyshire. There was an ulterior, kitchen related motive; namely to purchase 25 door handles in Ilkeston. As we had left early I thought it would be nice to go on further for morning coffee. Coffee time today would be in Rowsley mill, to the north of Matlock. The cafe is in a lovely, peaceful setting, disturbed only by a very loud gentleman on his mobile phone telling his wife where he was. It seems that some people have not discovered that you don’t have to shout into the microphone to be heard.

We still had time left and so we drove onwards through Baslow and on to our beloved Curbar Edge to walk and sit down for our picnic before going home.

Saturday 11^th turned out to be another sunny day and it was a good opportunity to take Nan for a walk in the garden at High Clere. She can’t really see that well now, but she enjoys touching and smelling the flowers.

By the 22^nd work on the kitchen was well underway, but we had a visitor. Irene called me to see a bird sitting on the fence. Speedily I went upstairs to find the camera, change the lens and then go back to replace the batteries. The result of this exertion was well rewarded by a lovely image of a sparrow hawk.

On the 24^th it was our anniversary. We had booked a cruise on the River Trent. The cruise included a pleasant roast dinner. Having told the cruise office that it was our anniversary, we were presented with a framed annotated painting of the boat.

At the beginning of September our routine was interrupted. Tim and Isla were back to work, but the girls were still at home. So, on Sunday 2^nd we travelled down to Milton Keynes to do our child minding. My Monday morning started with taking Iona off to IKEA so she could buy some storage units and lights for her room.

In the afternoon we went off with both girls to Willen Lake. The first part of the session consisted of Izzy and me going off for a master class in photography. I am sure that will you agree that she is very talented. In the meantime Irene and Iona sat sketching. We all then went on to complete a walk around the north part of the lake.

On Tuesday we went off to Salcey Forest. After delicious ice cream and a walk above the tree tops we had our picnic, before returning to the play area. It was fascinating to watch the girls wheedle their way to having a play on the hammock with a girl who showed no intention of surrendering it to anyone else.

On the 14^th the new camera arrived and I was disappointed to find the autofocus function did not work. Further research showed that the lenses I had were not compatible with the new camera so I took a decision to buy a new lens.

On Saturday I had just settled down to watch ‘Doctor Who’ when the door chime sounded. My friend Alan had come to tell me that the mayor had arrived at the community centre, and ‘could I come to take photographs’. Normally notice is given but on this occasion communications had gone awry. The purpose of the visit was to present the centre with a cheque for £4000 which would be used to give back to the council to pay our rent.

On the 18^th the new lens arrived. However, this failed to function. I was very disappointed. It had taken weeks for the exam board to pay me for the marking that I had done in June and I really wanted the camera to take special photos when Sally arrived from New Zealand at the end of the week. Not being sure about what was wrong, I took the camera into Jessops. I would even have considered the possibility of buying a lens if they sold one at anywhere near the price that Amazon was charging. I tried a lens and found that the autofocus did work and so I could conclude that I had been sold a faulty one. I was amazed by how easy it is to send a faulty product back and get a replacement. However, the lens would not be with me on time.

The 22^nd was a historic day and I had it recorded that I was placing piece 3000 into the jigsaw. The only problem is that I did not record when I started*. But, be assured that it was many weeks before and it was a major challenge.

The 23^rd was an even more historic day. All the UK children and grandchildren and us met up with our New Zealand daughter at Nan’s home in High Clere. Having spent some time with Nan, Isla and Iona and Izzy went off to orchestra rehearsal in Cambridge. The rest of us went back to Tim’s house for lunch and then played a game called ‘Settlers of Catan’. The girls and Isla returned in time for a wonderful dinner together. This was followed by good conversation and ended with family photos before Sally drove us back home, Joni and Fiona drove home and Joe and Julie stayed in a hotel before returning the following day.

Did I say that the rain started about lunch time on Sunday and continued for the rest of the time that Sally was with us? Fortunately, Saturday was a sunny day for Sally to enjoy at her friend’s wedding.

On Monday Sally and Irene went shopping leaving me to run the Monday cafes. I don’t think that I have mentioned that for some weeks now we have been running cafes. The Monday morning one started because I noticed that the mums would hang about talking and I thought that it would be nicer if they sat inside to enjoy a chat and refreshments. A voluntary contribution is asked and is generously supported. While we have the equipment ready we move on to provide a cafe at Leicester House sheltered housing.

In the evening Joni and Fiona joined Irene, Sally and me at our favourite Thai restaurant. Sally could not get over the fact that it was at the back of a normal English public house. From there we went back to Joni and Fiona’s place for coffee and to let Sally see their home and, of course, Tay the cat.

On Tuesday we drove off to MacArthur Glen (http://www.mcarthurglen.com/en) which is a collection of factory outlets at junction 28 of the M1. In the evening Joni and Fiona joined us for a meal and stayed as long as they could.

By the morning Sally’s bags were packed, but there was still time for one more shopping trip. This time the ladies set off for Sainsburys at Pride Park, Derby and returned with 5.5 kg of shoes and clothes. I know that this was the weight because we had to ship them off to New Zealand after Sally left us that day. She returned home safe and well and the package caught up with her on the morning of her birthday.

Our next event was Lawrence's birthday. We thought that we could buy a meal rather than a present. The event turned into a meal and the cinema. Irene and I have never been to the Corner House in Nottingham. Jan drove us and we went to the Flaming Dragon Restaurant. (http://www.flaming-dragon.co.uk/nottingham.php)

This was an amazing place. It had a good atmosphere as well as an ‘all you can eat’ Chinese buffet. As pensioners this cost a staggering £6 each. The film which followed was called ‘Looper’. The film had just been released and was a science fiction story involving time travel. It would seem that most Sci-Fi writers have a very jaundiced view of the future. Perhaps they are right.

From the third to the tenth there is little to report apart from the gradual progress in the kitchen. Tim invited us to join them for lunch on Saturday following our visit to Nan. Lunch involved the presentation of a birthday cake and then we had a walk before returning home.

A retirement village and a lot of water

On the 21^st I finally had an opportunity to get to the allotment. Irene has worked really hard to clear it and I have built the bonfire.

On the 25^th it was Irene’s birthday. We had a wonderful present opening time and then, despite the cold, damp weather we went off on our travels. The first stop was Bardill’s Garden Centre. First we had a pot of tea for two and lovely cream and jam doughnuts. Then Irene spent her birthday tokens on a number of plants for her garden.

The next port of call was Shardlow and a meal at the Clock Warehouse pub. (http://www.clockwarehousepub.co.uk/) It lived up to the recommendation that we had been given. The main meal (two for £10) and the ‘Crabbies’ ginger beer was tasty and so filling that neither of us had room for pudding. The setting is great. The pub is a warehouse on an arm of the Trent-Mersey canal. It was too cold to have more than a brief look around. But, I am sure that next summer we will be back.

Our road home took us through Long Eaton where we investigated the possibility of new floor covering for the breakfast room to finish off the extensive work that we have been doing. From there we went on to the ‘Cheese Cake’ shop and purchased half a cake of ‘Continental Caramello’. Not being far from Trowel Garden Centre our final call was to spend some more of Irene’s birthday money.

The day ended by a visit from Joni and Fiona in the evening. They bought a delicious carrot cake which we enjoyed together.

On Saturday we woke to the first snow of the winter. We then continued with the kitchen. I wish that we could say that it was complete, but there are the finishing off bits of skirting board painting and putting trims around the electricity outlets in the kitchen and the grouting in the breakfast room. However, there was time to sweep and wash the garage floor so that the car could be housed before winter really sets in.

*Actually I did record when I started the jigsaw. If I had have been following my own blog I would have learned that I started the jigsaw on 10th July.

Since Brighton

The weather has continued in its seemingly unabated level of cold and wet. Much of the time has been indoor tasks.

The main one has been the dining room. Following the leak from the main stop cock the carpet was removed, the room repainted, a new carpet laid and the original furniture replaced with three white bookcases.

I have also worked on digitizing my slide sets, the earliest being 1964.

Our cat 'Chuppy' at Sutton-in-Ashfield

Mum and Dad after the move to Mansfield

Mum and Dad at Skegness

Dad and me at Skegness

There were times of being outside. One Saturday, (7th July) when we arrived at High Clere, Nan was waiting at the door in her wheel chair. She said that she felt warm and wanted to go out into the garden.

On Sunday we went with Joni and Fiona to the 'Hemlockstone and Dragon', Thai restaurant for the first part of my birthday celebrations.


On Monday it was my birthday proper and I was grateful for all the lovely presents and cards that I received. Jan and Lawrence joined us for a meal in the evening.


The following day I started on the 3000 piece jigsaw that Joni and Fiona bought me for Christmas. I am wondering by which Christmas it might be finished.

Then came the fun days. The first was on Wednesday 11th July. We went down to see both of our UK grand daughters in their end of year performances. At 6.00 pm we saw Izzie in her last ever production at her primary school. She was Captain Jack in a production called 'Open Up the Button Box'. She sang, acted and danced and was excellent in all that she did.


An hour later we were at Iona's school to see a performance of 'Cats'. When we entered the dimly lit auditorium we were aware of costumed cats lying sleeping all around. We almost stepped on them. It was a fabulous performance and Iona had a part which involved singing. She performed to a very high standard. The whole thing was brilliant. No photographs were permitted, but back in the house I took this one of her in wonderful cat make-up.

In the morning we had the special privilege of going to the 'Oscar' ceremony at Iona's school. Each year the 'Performing Arts' department present 'Oscars' to their exceptional students. Iona was presented one for her singing at Christmas. The head of department said that Iona was an exceptional vocalist who went about her work in a quiet unassuming way.

Last Sunday found us attending two social events. The first was in Hinckley. We tried to go to our usual, quaint cafe for lunch, but finished up walking through the cold, windy and bleak streets of the town, eventually going in to a pub for a cold cup of tea, a warm coffee and a packet of pork scratchings. The event was the Baptism of baby Nathan Adrian Monger. It was a well attended ceremony in the church, officiated by our favourite Catholic priest called 'Father Frank'.

The buffet that followed more than made up for the lunch time disaster and was a good time of catching up with my family. My sister had her great grand daughter Amelia with her.

Sid, George, Anne and Amelia

From Hinckley we made our way back, stopping first at home at 5.30 pm and arriving at Jim's and Jeanette's party for six o'clock. The party was a celebration of Jim's 80th birthday and the couple's 50th wedding anniversary.

It was well attended by friends we knew from our Friday night sequence dance time and many others who we did not know. After the first waltz the evening consisted of sequence dancing and a great buffet. There was some entertainment, so, after checking that you are over 18, here it is. A lady? who turned out to be a relative attempted to get into the swing of things. I am told that beneath her tight fitting see-through dress the minimum of other garments were worn. I took pictures of Jim and Jeanette starting the dancing off and the two of them cutting the cake.

We two swingers arrived home at about 11.00 after a great day.

Milton Keynes

Saturday 15^th October

We made our usual visit to Nan in High Clere. She seemed more settled after her last fall and was able to play a good game of Scrabble.

After this we were able to spend some time with Tim, Isla and the girls. We had a bit of spare time between visits which was enough to be able to walk around Loughton lakes in the brilliant autumn sunshine.

Fisherman

Swan Family

We had our lunch with the family and had a walk around Shenley Wood with them. The girls found their ‘Fairy’ tree and had a climb up it; giving some concern to the grown-ups. Iona is very agile and was under instructions to go so far, but no further.

Grass Throwing

That's Far Enough

Izzie Up

High-ona

The path through the woods was littered with acorns and many berries adorned the bushes.

Sloe Berries

We said our goodbyes and toddled off for our usual Saturday evening.

Before this I rang my friend Lawrence to confirm arrangements for our visit to the model railway exhibition in Wirksworth. Unfortunately, due to getting in and out of cars (this is a favourite activity which they do in a local showroom); his painful back had flared up.