My shift at work passed pleasantly enough today and I was very glad when it was 2pm and the working week was over!
At home I pootled about doing jobs and at about 4.30pm decided to have a walk for half an hour. As usual, Monty refused to come with me but stayed on the drive, miaowing at me as I passed him on my second lap! The weather was grey and horrible and I can't wait to be walking around estate in the Spring sunshine!
I drove Keith down to the pub this evening and as soon as I was back it was time to open a bottle of wine and nibble on a few crisps while we relaxed and watched Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound". I managed to spot the director coming out of a hotel lift! The film was very good, especially the facial expressions of Gregory Peck and we both enjoyed watching it.
Dinner tonight was quiche and potato wedges and Keith suggested staying up until 11pm to see the Brexit celebrations. I agreed but by 10pm I was flagging! I fell asleep in bed so missed out on the moment when the clock counted down the minutes. Well, that's it! We've left and I just hope we made the right decision!
Friday, 31 January 2020
Thursday, 30 January 2020
Grey and miserable!
Keith took me to work this morning and I have to say it does feel a little bit lighter in the mornings! I can't wait for it to be sunny when Sophie leaves at about 6am!
There was a possibility I would be working late today as people were coming down with colds and the two women that work in the afternoon were both affected. However, they came in so I was able to leave at my usual time of 3pm.
At home I felt cold and weary and had a much needed cup of tea and a couple of biscuits. It was that kind of day as outside was grey and miserable! I did sort out the recycling in the garage and took a bag of snack and crisp wrappers and some loaf bags up to Lynn's bin. She arrived home just as I got to her house so we had a chat about all the things she's doing for the village at the moment. It's a good job she's retired!
When Sophie arrived home she was a bit low as well so I suggested a walk around the estate. After twenty minutes of brisk exercise we both felt better! Although it's milder at the moment, the wind was still cold!
Dinner tonight was another healthy choice - baked chicken with asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots served with yesterday's leftover potatoes, which we pan fried in a small amount of olive oil. Delicious!
There was a possibility I would be working late today as people were coming down with colds and the two women that work in the afternoon were both affected. However, they came in so I was able to leave at my usual time of 3pm.
At home I felt cold and weary and had a much needed cup of tea and a couple of biscuits. It was that kind of day as outside was grey and miserable! I did sort out the recycling in the garage and took a bag of snack and crisp wrappers and some loaf bags up to Lynn's bin. She arrived home just as I got to her house so we had a chat about all the things she's doing for the village at the moment. It's a good job she's retired!
When Sophie arrived home she was a bit low as well so I suggested a walk around the estate. After twenty minutes of brisk exercise we both felt better! Although it's milder at the moment, the wind was still cold!
Dinner tonight was another healthy choice - baked chicken with asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots served with yesterday's leftover potatoes, which we pan fried in a small amount of olive oil. Delicious!
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Pottering about!
After seeing Sophie off to the gym this morning I went back to bed for an hour as I felt shattered! I slept soundly until about 8.30am and then woke up for coffee and breakfast.
Before going to Tesco Keith and I went to see Mum and Dad and talk about their finances and whether it was feasible for them to live in The Hawthorns. I suggested they move in for a trial period of a month, but I still don't think that my Dad is convinced. I think they would be very happy there, but understand that going from a four bedroom house to an apartment might take some adjusting to!
We did a very quick shop in Tesco and then drove to the garage in Kettering where we booked Sophie's car in for a service. One of the dashboard lights is still showing so that needs sorting out.
Back home it was lunchtime and afterwards I cleaned upstairs and hoovered the house. I spent the rest of the afternoon transferring my blog onto a word document ready for the next book!
Dinner tonight was something different - we bought some haddock fillets in Tesco and baked them in the oven with some olive oil. They were delicious served with new potatoes, vegetables and a cheese sauce!
Before going to Tesco Keith and I went to see Mum and Dad and talk about their finances and whether it was feasible for them to live in The Hawthorns. I suggested they move in for a trial period of a month, but I still don't think that my Dad is convinced. I think they would be very happy there, but understand that going from a four bedroom house to an apartment might take some adjusting to!
We did a very quick shop in Tesco and then drove to the garage in Kettering where we booked Sophie's car in for a service. One of the dashboard lights is still showing so that needs sorting out.
Back home it was lunchtime and afterwards I cleaned upstairs and hoovered the house. I spent the rest of the afternoon transferring my blog onto a word document ready for the next book!
Dinner tonight was something different - we bought some haddock fillets in Tesco and baked them in the oven with some olive oil. They were delicious served with new potatoes, vegetables and a cheese sauce!
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
A sunny walk
Thankfully, work was much quieter this morning and I had a pleasant shift with Joanne. Mum and Dad came to see the film 1917 at about 10am and when I went out to see them, they'd bought some chocolates in for the girls in the office to say thanks for helping them out the other week with a query.
At 2pm I decided to take my car through the car wash at the garage as it is absolutely filthy and every time we get in or out we get dirty ourselves! It looked lovely and shiny afterwards but I still need to hoover out the inside.
Back home Keith was all ready for our daily walk around the estate so we went off and chatted to several neighbours - good exercise and good socially! The weather has been beautiful today with cloudless blue skies and sunshine but there's been a bitterly cold wind blowing.
Back home I caught up with little chores that needed doing and awaited Sophie's return from work. "Cut-throat alley" had been closed in Holcot for roadworks so I warned her not to go through the village - the crossroads that we avoid by using the narrow alley is horrendous in the rush hour traffic so she went through Hannington instead.
No drink again tonight - it does get easier every day!
Monday, 27 January 2020
Daylight robbery!
Keith drove me to work this morning and I had a busy and noisy shift. Three of us were manning the phones and at times, with all three of us on a call, the noise was overwhelming. One of my colleagues had a coughing fit just before the shift ended and it caused pandemonium, with another member of staff going out to help and getting first aid treatment! I just stayed in the background and answered the phones!
Mike had a docs appointment at 2pm so I walked over to the Weston Favell Centre and queued in the bank to pay a cheque into his account. I also bought a lovely birthday cake in Tesco and went down to Costa to wait for them, having asked that Mike text me when they were five minutes away. Just as my coffee was being prepared they arrived so I was not amused! However, Keith said that Mike wanted something to eat so they disappeared up to Tesco while I enjoyed my coffee in peace! As we were walking back to the car Keith took out a letter that had arrived at home this morning - a Penalty Charge Notice to say we had somehow strayed into the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London on the 16 January while we were taking Mike to Abbie's flat in Greenwich. I was furious but there was nothing we could do about it, unfortunately. The fine was £80 and I hadn't even realised that we had gone anywhere near the zone!
We had arranged to go over and see Mum and Dad so they could wish Mike a happy birthday and we all arrived at the same time. We sat and had a chat over the delicious gooey chocolate cake and a cup of tea and then it was time to return home and pay the dratted fine online.
Michelle sent me a text asking if she could come over and she brought two bottles of wine and a thank you card for when we fed the cats. Richard has had to have major heart surgery and he came out of hospital a few days ago, so she was very grateful we'd kept the cats fed while she was visiting him.
We had a very lovely chat over a cup of tea and then it was time for Sophie to return but no alcohol was served this evening. We are giving our livers a rest!
Mike had a docs appointment at 2pm so I walked over to the Weston Favell Centre and queued in the bank to pay a cheque into his account. I also bought a lovely birthday cake in Tesco and went down to Costa to wait for them, having asked that Mike text me when they were five minutes away. Just as my coffee was being prepared they arrived so I was not amused! However, Keith said that Mike wanted something to eat so they disappeared up to Tesco while I enjoyed my coffee in peace! As we were walking back to the car Keith took out a letter that had arrived at home this morning - a Penalty Charge Notice to say we had somehow strayed into the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London on the 16 January while we were taking Mike to Abbie's flat in Greenwich. I was furious but there was nothing we could do about it, unfortunately. The fine was £80 and I hadn't even realised that we had gone anywhere near the zone!
We had arranged to go over and see Mum and Dad so they could wish Mike a happy birthday and we all arrived at the same time. We sat and had a chat over the delicious gooey chocolate cake and a cup of tea and then it was time to return home and pay the dratted fine online.
Michelle sent me a text asking if she could come over and she brought two bottles of wine and a thank you card for when we fed the cats. Richard has had to have major heart surgery and he came out of hospital a few days ago, so she was very grateful we'd kept the cats fed while she was visiting him.
We had a very lovely chat over a cup of tea and then it was time for Sophie to return but no alcohol was served this evening. We are giving our livers a rest!
Sunday, 26 January 2020
Birthday celebrations!
We were off down to London today but on our way we dropped off a bootful of recycling in Milton Keynes.
I felt very pleased that we'd managed to divert all of this waste from landfill to Terracycle, who will make new garden or playground equipment from it!
We made good progress down to London and took the M25 and then the M11 as we had booked a parking space in Greenwich. Mike has been staying with Abbie since after the Aries concert on the 16th January, but will be coming home with us today.
We found our parking space very easily and then looked on Google maps for the nearest coffee shop, which was a short walk away. Avocado and Coffee was a busy place serving brunch and coffee and there were lots of families and couples enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning.
Keith and I had a Flat White while Sophie enjoyed a Mocha and after enjoying our drinks we carried on towards Greenwich. The road was filled with lots of shops and ethnic restaurants at first and then we came to some very grand buildings indeed. Up on the hill was the Royal Observatory and we also spotted the National Maritime Museum and The Queen's House.
Mike had texted us to say he was at the Gate Clock pub where he and Abbie were having breakfast so we arranged to meet them there. We wished him Happy Birthday and after they'd finished their drinks we strolled down to the river and had a look at The Cutty Sark.
There were stunning views over the river to Canary Wharf and we could see The Shard further up.
Thankfully, it wasn't raining but it was grey and damp. We walked along the river for a little while and then went into the Naval College's Chapel which was beautiful.
As the sky looked ominous, we decided to visit the Greenwich Market which was right next door to The Admiral Hardy, our lunch venue! The market was bustling and was crammed with stalls selling arts and crafts, jewellery, paintings and lots of food! The smells were divine!
Sophie spotted a silver cat ring that took her fancy but it was £75 so she said she would think about it over lunch! Keith had disappeared to the pub to have a beer and after a good look around the stalls we joined him. Our table was booked for 2pm and we were shown to the restaurant part of the pub where a table for five awaited. The menu was short but had some delicious choices. I chose a Scotch Egg to start while Keith, Sophie and Mike opted for the fried chicken and Abbie went for the Calamari.
For our mains, I chose the pork belly, Keith and Mike enjoyed the roast beef while Sophie and Abbie opted for fish and chips. The food was delicious but the roasts were a little on the cold side. The gravy was gorgeous, though!
We were all stuffed after the meal and couldn't find room for pudding! We had another walk around the market and I bought Mike three slabs of fudge from one of his favourite shops. Sophie decided ti ring was a little too big for her so we noted the name of the people running the stall and I said I would look online.
By now it was pouring with rain so we arranged to go back to our car in an Uber while Abbie and Mike returned to her flat. We would then pop to get Mike and his bags and open the presents we had taken down with us.
The Uber took us back to the parking space very efficiently and very soon we were heading back towards Greenwich to Abbie's flat. Unfortunately, there was no parking near where she lived as it was for permit holders only so we had to cut short our visit. Mike went to get his bags and we made our way home via the Blackwall Tunnel, the M11 and the A14. I had wanted to see the new road layout around Huntingdon and it was completely different to how it used to be! It was very smooth and fast!
Back home we relaxed with a drink and Mike opened his presents - he was very pleased with his new jacket!
 |
| Mostly pet food pouches! |
We made good progress down to London and took the M25 and then the M11 as we had booked a parking space in Greenwich. Mike has been staying with Abbie since after the Aries concert on the 16th January, but will be coming home with us today.
We found our parking space very easily and then looked on Google maps for the nearest coffee shop, which was a short walk away. Avocado and Coffee was a busy place serving brunch and coffee and there were lots of families and couples enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning.
Keith and I had a Flat White while Sophie enjoyed a Mocha and after enjoying our drinks we carried on towards Greenwich. The road was filled with lots of shops and ethnic restaurants at first and then we came to some very grand buildings indeed. Up on the hill was the Royal Observatory and we also spotted the National Maritime Museum and The Queen's House.
Mike had texted us to say he was at the Gate Clock pub where he and Abbie were having breakfast so we arranged to meet them there. We wished him Happy Birthday and after they'd finished their drinks we strolled down to the river and had a look at The Cutty Sark.
There were stunning views over the river to Canary Wharf and we could see The Shard further up.
Thankfully, it wasn't raining but it was grey and damp. We walked along the river for a little while and then went into the Naval College's Chapel which was beautiful.
As the sky looked ominous, we decided to visit the Greenwich Market which was right next door to The Admiral Hardy, our lunch venue! The market was bustling and was crammed with stalls selling arts and crafts, jewellery, paintings and lots of food! The smells were divine!
Sophie spotted a silver cat ring that took her fancy but it was £75 so she said she would think about it over lunch! Keith had disappeared to the pub to have a beer and after a good look around the stalls we joined him. Our table was booked for 2pm and we were shown to the restaurant part of the pub where a table for five awaited. The menu was short but had some delicious choices. I chose a Scotch Egg to start while Keith, Sophie and Mike opted for the fried chicken and Abbie went for the Calamari.
 |
| Yummy! |
We were all stuffed after the meal and couldn't find room for pudding! We had another walk around the market and I bought Mike three slabs of fudge from one of his favourite shops. Sophie decided ti ring was a little too big for her so we noted the name of the people running the stall and I said I would look online.
By now it was pouring with rain so we arranged to go back to our car in an Uber while Abbie and Mike returned to her flat. We would then pop to get Mike and his bags and open the presents we had taken down with us.
The Uber took us back to the parking space very efficiently and very soon we were heading back towards Greenwich to Abbie's flat. Unfortunately, there was no parking near where she lived as it was for permit holders only so we had to cut short our visit. Mike went to get his bags and we made our way home via the Blackwall Tunnel, the M11 and the A14. I had wanted to see the new road layout around Huntingdon and it was completely different to how it used to be! It was very smooth and fast!
Back home we relaxed with a drink and Mike opened his presents - he was very pleased with his new jacket!
Saturday, 25 January 2020
Retirement dreams!
I'm not going to mention the weather today because I'm fed up with it! Sophie went to have breakfast with Daisy and Laura in town this morning and I picked my Mum up at 11am to go and look at a retirement village on the outskirts of Northampton.
The Hawthorns is a beautiful community where you can rent a one or two bedroomed apartment and enjoy retirement to the full. All meals and snacks are provided - it's like living in a five star hotel. They had an Open Day and we met a very pleasant young man called Oliver at 11.30am. He served us delicious coffee and we chatted before looking around the building and admiring the fantastic facilities, which include a gym, hair salon, spa and cinema!
The building itself was immaculate and the apartments were lovely and had views over open fields. Everything is included in the weekly price but Mum and Dad need to work out whether it's affordable and whether they can rent out their house to help pay the fees. It's definitely not a Care Home as there are no medical staff on hand and the residents are encouraged to be still independent. I asked what age people could live there to be told it's 55! Rats!
I drove Mum home and had a quick chat with Dad who was being a bit resistant to the idea. It's not cheap to live there so maybe he will get his way after all!
Back home I hoovered downstairs and tidied up and as soon as Sophie returned home we went over to Beckworth for a cup of tea. We had planned on going to Market Harborough but the weather was foul and it was cold so I didn't fancy trailing around the town in the damp.
Beckworth was very busy and we queued for quite a time to get a table. I hadn't had any lunch so I treated myself to a fruit scone while Sophie had a tiny piece of cake with her tea. After a quick look around we retreated back home where it was time to relax. Keith was out watching football and we lounged about with the heating on catching up with some recorded programmes.
Dinner tonight was a delicious curry cooked by Keith. He excelled himself!
The Hawthorns is a beautiful community where you can rent a one or two bedroomed apartment and enjoy retirement to the full. All meals and snacks are provided - it's like living in a five star hotel. They had an Open Day and we met a very pleasant young man called Oliver at 11.30am. He served us delicious coffee and we chatted before looking around the building and admiring the fantastic facilities, which include a gym, hair salon, spa and cinema!
The building itself was immaculate and the apartments were lovely and had views over open fields. Everything is included in the weekly price but Mum and Dad need to work out whether it's affordable and whether they can rent out their house to help pay the fees. It's definitely not a Care Home as there are no medical staff on hand and the residents are encouraged to be still independent. I asked what age people could live there to be told it's 55! Rats!
I drove Mum home and had a quick chat with Dad who was being a bit resistant to the idea. It's not cheap to live there so maybe he will get his way after all!
Back home I hoovered downstairs and tidied up and as soon as Sophie returned home we went over to Beckworth for a cup of tea. We had planned on going to Market Harborough but the weather was foul and it was cold so I didn't fancy trailing around the town in the damp.
Beckworth was very busy and we queued for quite a time to get a table. I hadn't had any lunch so I treated myself to a fruit scone while Sophie had a tiny piece of cake with her tea. After a quick look around we retreated back home where it was time to relax. Keith was out watching football and we lounged about with the heating on catching up with some recorded programmes.
Dinner tonight was a delicious curry cooked by Keith. He excelled himself!
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