Short & Sweet

 Whalley Abbey Ruins

Clitheroe Castle

6th March 2013


Oh dear I am so behind in my Blogs, as you will have noticed by the date of the last one.
February was just one of those months that flew by and was over before I realised . Sorry.
My Birthday was all I expected, I  enjoyed spending time with  my friends and being spoiled it  is the high point of birthdays.  Unfortunately I injured my hip in December  and was somewhat incapacitated by the  increasing pain especially getting upstairs .  I saw the Doctor who sent me for an X Ray and found there are signs of some arthritis in my right hip. This was good news, as I was imagining so many other more debilitating condition like you do when you have a back ground in nursing..  The medication is working I do feel improvement and the inflammation  is reducing, hopefully all  will be better when the weather gets warmer.
On saying that my hip was painful, I did go walking around the ancient towns of  Clitheroe and Whalley one weekend , when the sun was shining it was impossible to sit indoors. Climbed too many steps up to Clitheroe  Castle only to find it was just a museum and a ruin. Stopped off to see Whalley Abbey and peruse the shops,anyone who is anyone shops in Whalley!
I will be glad when Spring arrives and everything  is green again, there are a few brave snowdrops around and many green shoots showing themselves due to the warmer weather. I have so many bulbs in the garden, every year I am  always surprised by the numbers that come up, they seem to multiply every year.
Been out  on the garden this last week tidying up, cleared another mountain of dead leaves and twigs from the many trees that surround me. I love the trees and would  not be without them but in Autumn and Spring they do require some backbreaking work. Lots of  little birds around too, which add to the joy of working outside.
I presented my B9 Audience Rapport at Speakers Club but let myself down by running over the 8 minutes allocated for the speech, which is fatal… I will repeat it no worries.

Just a note on my wonderful ceramic kitchen knife by ‘taylor eye witness’ its brilliant will cut through anything, like a knife in butter, love it.
A short and sweet report this time, to keep in touch with you all.
Byeeee  XXX

Snow Snow, Quick Quick, Snow

From my kitchen window 

9th February

Well we certainly got more snow, eight inches fell overnight on  Saturday 26th January, it was  winter wonderland when I opened my curtains that morning.  But within twenty four hours, after the rain it was  gone, what an amazing weekend.  The previous Monday it  had  snowed and that was deep too, stopped all traffic and our Speakers Club was cancelled then it rained and everywhere was normal again..

To every ones surprise this week we enjoyed two wonderfully sunny days. It was a treat to get out with out being wrapped up like Eskimos. But hovering in the background is this ever presence of snow . Canada and the  US eastern coast is suffering from the worst snow fall in decades and it could be heading this way.  I am not surprised as it always snow on Valentines Day, my birthday.

I have had a fairly uninteresting month all in all with the weather putting paid to getting out and about . Caught up with some reading “Game of Thrones by  George R.R.Martin  a Fantasy  Trilogy. It had a slow start at first before it became interesting, now I can’t put it down.  Thought I would fill the day organizing last years paperwork, before storing them away. Sorting the `Wheat from the Chaff ` reducing the junk that may have been filed in with the bills and receipts.  Its been my habit to  keep receipts and bills some dating back to 1960's, all filed and stored in the loft,  it has proved interesting and  useful sometimes.  

The refund on my rail ticket of  £17-50 was £3-60 after paying £10 admin fee and £2 recorded delivery to return the tickets. So  I enjoyed a special delicious coffee after my lunch with the girls.

For few weeks now I felt rather down when I look into the mirror and this stranger looks back at me.  It's so annoying that my hair soon looks like an old brush, it grows so fast. Unfortunately my hairdresser was unavailable due to  knee surgery so I decided on D.I.Y cutting the fringe back and sides.When I looked at the pile of hair in the sink  I was horrified,but  after a shampoo and set I  looked quite  reasonable. When I eventually did get to the hairdresser he never said a word and believe me he would have had he noticed the cut.

 Last year there was a campaign on fire safety in the home, so  I signed up for a visit. This month  two very efficient Firemen  came to check on my home. I was pleased that I was doing all I should and knew the safety drill, they replaced my smoke alarms with ones that will last 10 years.  Won't have to worry about batteries for many years..   Also provided by the NHS because I live alone, there is a small container displaying a red cross  in my fridge door, with a record of  my medical history , in case of any emergency. Hope I never need either services coming to the house….

I was acting Chairman at Speakers this week really enjoyed the role, it wasn’t as complicated as I expected. We had a busy evening, with three excellent Speakers and  interesting Topics Session.. Working on my B9  because I have changed  direction,as I do and Laughing Yoga has been relegated to the Archives File.

2013 is going to be an exciting time for my daughter and family in Australia. She has sold her house and  is starting a New Life in a different town, miles and miles away from the old one. I'm excited too for them  and hope all goes well in this move....  really looking forward to seeing them  happy and settled in their new home.

Love and Happiness winging your way.
Bye  for now. .




 

Post Christmas Joy.

The snow has arrived

18th  January 2013

I'ts been quiet since New Year, I guess its because we all have to recharge the batteries. Most are talking about holidays  but I can't get my head around them just yet. Took  down the decorations and Christmas tree as you should on the 12th night  and the house  now looks so bare!   This month I spent some time with my youngest Grandson.  Due to my being away over Christmas and then sickness  in the family I wasn’t able to see him until last week.  He is a darling child, 10years old, bright intelligent, tall and good looking like his Dad.

 I treated myself to a post Christmas treat, Super Fast Fibre Broadband . The engineer who installed the router to my surprise was a young woman, she was super efficient and soon had it up and running, I love it. 

Speakers Club this month was different we played Call My Bluff a team word game..  Each member of the team had to find a really obscure word in the dictionary. Then  in turns, one member would give the true definition of the word and the other team members would provide false ones. The other team had to guess the true definition to gain points.  We had such a laugh  I really enjoyed  the evening even though our team lost 8-10

I have been looking for inspiration for my next 8minute speech B9 Audience Rapport . After much deliberation I have chosen Laughing Yoga !! If you have never heard of Laughing Yoga than  Google it, yes it is a science. It’s believed to improve your life, reduces stress,  blood pressure and regulates blood sugar  in diabetics it  is also reported to help  to stop the progress of condition.
I have tried it and at first you feel so foolish but  believe me you do feel good afterwards.

Watch Laughing Yoga

It was my eldest son’s birthday this month. My how fast they come around, its only when you realise their age that you begin to think of your own mortality, not  a happy thought at times. But it's only a number I tell everyone I don’t do numbers, I refuse to be defined as a number. Its my birthday in four weeks, I will be celebrating with my friends as usual, I will be 21 again.   

Went to see the movie “ Les Miserable’s” with three  of my friends. Loved the cast, their acting, the scenery and the music but the singing, sung live by the leading actors was unexpected. When you have heard the score sung by professionals singers it leaves a lot to be desired, but I did enjoy it much more than the stage show I saw in 90’s and I  just love the score.

Alfie Boe was in the stage production he has a brilliant voice 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkQXbmTpXkE

Well the snow  has arrived and once again we are at the mercy of the Gritters.  We never seem to have enough salt grit, for the past few years there is has always been a deficit and we are gridlocked for days . The trains don’t run and the roads are closed, we have been reassured  that this will not happen this year but time will tell.  I feel for the people who are elderly, unemployed or disabled, as the price of electricity and gas and good wholesome food is off the scale for them. Heating their homes and eating well is not an option these days, many will die. But I won’t go on, we all know  the country is in a financial mess  and its  too painful to contemplate.  

I hope you are all sufficiently refreshed after the holiday. We now face another year, a year in which we could realise our wildest dreams,what a thought.
 Love you all XXXX 



    

Christmas & New Year 2013

                                      

                                                   A Very Sincere Belated Greeting to You All

                    

As you can see I have been so busy in the run up to Christmas this year I haven’t posted since November. In fact I have hardly been home most days. Eight Christmas Dinner/Parties are more than I am use too but I felt a needed to go and see people, I must say I enjoyed every one. Speakers Club was a  Costumed Murder Mystery, set in the 1930s.  I was Esmeralda a popular leading lady in the Theatre, a suspect throughout but totally innocent, everyone joined in the spirit of the evening and we had a great time.
In between a hectic few weeks visiting friends who I don’t get to see very often and Christmas shopping a nightmare in itself, I managed to get my  Christmas Tree up.   Nearly bought another one,  but at the last minute decided against it as I was spending Christmas with my son.  When I finally got the tree out of the loft……… I remembered, silly me I  replaced it last year. Then I had to search for the timer plugs for the lights.   I thought I had a system,  to put things back where they came from, but then sometimes I forget where they came from and put them somewhere else. Bought two new timers and then found the missing ones!! 

Sunday a Emergency Plumber was sent for when  I found the toilet floor flooded and the water pipe that fills the tank leaking, in fact squirting up the wall. Thankfully the damage was minimal as the carpet tiles dried easily and the wall was ok.  He fitting a completely different new system that is very quiet and efficient, minus ball cock!!.

This year I had decided to travel up to my sons in Harrogate on the train, as the weather forecast was threatening heavy rain and snow. It would be different, I could relax, read a book and in 2hours he would collect me at the station.     At Christmas I usually choose to give money instead of presents but this year I went shopping, bulking stuff, so I had more luggage to take up to Harrogate. The train then seemed a problem, plus there where changes to the timetable..  so I  decided to drive there, the weather was fine, in fact better than it was at home. ….I have requested a refund of my fare, minus £10 admin fee!  will see how much I get back.
We  did manage a walk with Bob on Boxing Day and amazingly the sun shone, but it was very boggy underfoot. I had a wonderful Christmas with my son and family, far to much to eat but  I am not complaining the food was excellent, he just loves to cook.

My  New Year will be quiet as I am still getting over Christmas. Lots of  recordings to watch on  TV   good movies and shows. I feel very satisfied ,Christmas was a great success but  I will soon be back to basics, with less rich pickings,  no more cream, cakes and chocolate. But for the time being there is too much temptation so I will go with the flow and enjoy the moment.
Hope you all have had a great time over the holidays and   looking forward to what the New Year has to offer .  I do hope and pray we get a decent summer and less rain. 
Byeeee
Luv you XX
 

Good Health & Happiness to my Family & Friends 

 

      

Autumn Colours

                                                                              
                                                       Stream  running through Astley Park
                                                                          

                                                 A Golden Carpet of Autumn Leaves 

26th November

OK Christmas is in the high street, it started  almost as soon as the clocks went back an hour and the darkness became a reality from 5pm. I was informed by the Post Office information that the last posting for overseas surface mail (much cheaper) was in the last week of October . Having missed it last year I was on the ball and posted my overseas Christmas Cards and parcels. Much to my surprise some arrived at their destination within four days.!!!  Hope you don’t think I am losing it those of you who received these greetings.

 I have been to a couple of Christmas Dinners !!  in October, only because its cheaper and easier to get a table at certain places .  Enjoyed a Speakers Conference and outings in October, hectic but good times. Enjoyed meeting up with friends and retired colleagues who I haven’t seen for ages.

Over the past few months I have been  plagued with daily unsolicited phone calls about  free loft insulation and   help with cavity wall  insulation, its a government directive that insulation has to be enhanced due to greenhouse gases and all that EEC jazz . The (cold call ) phone calls are so persistent and  had become a real problem even though I had  barred the calls, they still got through. Worn down I requested a Survey from British Gas who where offering this free top up insulation. I explained that the loft was ¾ boarded and my Cavity Walls had been foam filled in 1965  they still wanted to come and look for themselves. What a farce, I was asked  to rearrange the loft so he could  have easy access, this I did and soon found myself deep into all the clutter that needed throwing away Thankfully I had started the week before the visit as it was taking longer than I thought . Any way the surveyor  came and quickly agreed that I didn’t need any help as it was OK.  Hopefully the phone calls will stop now my box has been ticked!       

My new bed arrived and I love it, even though it is higher now the bedding is in place than I anticipated, its great . I have to climb up onto it and I can’t just sit on the edge, my feet dangle almost a foot of the floor which is a little annoying but I can live with that, I may  get a foot stool…….

My friends have left for the Antipodes once again escaping this  gloomy cold wet weather that every years seems to stay on well into the Spring.  On saying that, we had a beautiful sunny Sunday  I went for a walk around Astley Park in  Chorley, wonderful trees in sunshine and colour, a good mix. Since then its rained constantly and once again floods are causing so much anguish in certain areas of the country.

Astley Park Chorley Lancashire UK

Remembrance Sunday was cold and wet and I was not up to standing outside for two  or more hours, so  I watch the coverage  of the London Service on TV. Remembrance Day always inspires excellent coverage on the BBC. This year I watched a feature on the War Horses role in the First World War. Incredible that so many returned home  after the carnage that was trench warfare, the whole feature was very emotional.  The first assault was the Cavalry but their swords and tactics where found to be useless against the fire power of the German enemy,it was the Infantry and the horses that won the war after far too many young men lost their lives.  Without these sterling mounts that tirelessly  clomped through the deep mud and  persistent cannon fire to deliver ammunition, food and men to the front lines we would have lost the war.



This month at the NHS Retirement Group a lady from Hearing Dogs for the Deaf came to talk to us on the organisation.  A brilliant concept that works so well for deaf people . I am sure mother would have benefited from having a  trained hearing dog, we always had family dogs but our Judy was mothers faithful friend. A small Manchester Terrier who was  just the very best companion for her being very deaf he was her eyes and ears, they where devoted. I feel quite emotional  these days when I am reminded of past times. ….. Which isn’t a bad thing.

Hearing dogs

I passed my BSC  B8 assignment on Humour this month, but it was hard work putting it together. I must have changed direction three or four times before I was happy with the concept. So happy me, on to the next stage the  B9  Audience Report and Engagement. I already have some ideas to work on. 

Attended Chethams Music School in Manchester with my friends Betty and Astrid, to a Lunch time Recital and Tour of the 600 year old building followed by tea and cake in the refectory. Astrid's father attended Chethams before it became a Music School.  It is now a Registered  Charity who  take children who have potential and  talent for music, from the age of 8 to 18 but only from EEC countries . Overseas applicants have to pay and its very expensive boarding school .  The recital was awesome, three young musicians on Cello Flute and Piano individually played, Vivaldi Mozart Reinecke  and Saint-Saens, really complicated pieces without sheet music it was incredible. A really remarkable afternoon.

Chethams School of Music

Getting ready to do my Christmas Shopping, German Markets will be coming to town soon that's always a good day out . We saw lots of  Festive Christmas Stalls in Manchester last week  in the square near to the Chethams Shool so I  will be going there soon .
Bye for now X    

October mists

My kitchen windowsill

The Cake

Well its certainly  feeling colder this week, I am wearing my thermal socks  as my feet are so sensitive to the cold and I get terrible cramp in my legs, very odd and painful ..  Its been very misty for the past few mornings  but it  soon lifts to brilliant  sunshine.  I do hope it continues for a while as what a difference this last few weeks has been, I have never been  so busy, every day something to sort out  or somewhere to go,just how I like it.

Our WI celebrated 35th year with a wonderful lunch at Shaw Hill Country Hotel & Golf Course.We traveled there by coach and  I was the designated photographer, I really enjoyed the day.

http://www.shaw-hill.co.uk/

 The following Saturday I was invited to my friends 25th Wedding Anniversary Party at the local Conservative Club.  Oh boy ,I  soon realized how old I  was, when the disco music was deafening and there wasn’t one tune I could relate too. Plus the room was far to crowded with to many people standing  in groups  blocking all possible exits… . Yes, I feel truly past it......

Returned to Speakers Club this month, I now feel ready and wanting a challenge. It was good to be part of the group again, most are established members but there are a few new faces. I will be preparing a 8 minute speech on Humour for the  November meeting, it will be my B.8.  If I pass this  and the following two I will progress to the advanced programme some time in the New Year….  My talk  in September to the N.H.S Group was well received and I was pleased that I could include photographs of every one I mentioned in my talk  "My Mother".

Attended the Bio-bank this month it’s a voluntary service where they assess my health and well being every five years, its for research purposes, I have been three times now and I benefit a great deal from the information they provide. This time I have found my right ear has lost some levels of sound but my left ear is still good. All observations where sound and the only thing they commented on was my weight…. It was in Stockport this year so I enjoyed the day out at their expense. Hope I am still around for the next check up.

http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk

Took a drive up to Boundary Mills a  large Factory Outlet to meet up with Stu, Sara and her mother Pat to enjoy some retail therapy. It was a good day out, it felt good to spend some time with them  and we enjoyed  a fish & chip supper at Bannister’s Restaurant before we parted company. Stu & co back  up to Harrogate and me down to Bolton.

www.boundarymill.co.uk/

I went to two Book Reviews this month and  rather cheekily used the same book review at both "Writing Home." Alan Bennett  a Yorkshire writer, playrite and actor  has been a long time favourite of mine. He wrote the The History Boys` and ` The  Madness of King George` a brilliant piece about the Kings illness
Porphyria.  It was made into an excellent movie.    This book brings together excerpts from his diaries from 1980 -1995, play and book reviews and many anecdotes about his life and times, quite hilarious  in parts.  It a best seller and has been  through a few reprints.  I loved it and couldn’t put it down it's a rather large volume too, I laughed out loud on most pages. I could hear Alan’s distinctive Yorkshire vowels  all the way through the book.. Wonderful read, full of  humour, pathos, affection, honesty, happy and sad perspective on his life.

 Another joy this month has been on the BBC Television, a documentary featuring George Harrison (Beatles) life. It was wonderful to hear his music again I had quite forgotten how good he was as a solo performer and song writer. He was a good man sad he died so young.  The film produced by Martin Scorsese “ Living in the Material World” won a  double  Emmy  Award this year the film was well worth the accolade.

Looks like a quiet week ahead, I will try and get out in the Autumn sunshine and take some Photos. Might even take the train into Blackpool and get some sea breeze, but it will have to be a glorious day for that.

POSTSCRIPT

Google have moved my editorials back to this Blog ???  I cannot access the editing page so
June -July - 10th & 24th August  & September Blogs are  available at

 www.valeriesjournel.blogspot.co.uk

Take Care



     
     

My Trip to Cornwall

12th June

Keeping their eyes on me.

 Peacocks

Black Swans native of Australia

Mr Rooster looking after his Harem

"Can I come with you?" said the duck

Cornish Lane leading down to Popes Mill

I am home again after my visit to Pershore, Liskard and Tavistock catching up with my relatives who I haven’t seen in ages. Rested up for the weekend in Pershore with my brother  Bill and his wife Carol  then travelled down the motorway to see Pam and Tony in Cornwall.  We had wonderful weather all the time sunny and hot totally unexpected plus  the peace and quiet of this idyllic county .....  when I say quiet, Tony breeds poultry, waterfowl and other birds, so the Cockerels dawn chorus was at first surprising but I soon got used to it,  the Peacocks where  noisy  but it really wasn't a problem.. I fell in love with one special breed of hen I called them  my Fat Bottom girls in pantaloons.

 Tony also has a  Mine on his land  called the `Wheal Mary Ann Mine`  a mineral mine, not tin like most mines in Cornwall so he is a very busy guy. Pam and I  had  time out in Tavistock to met up with her sister Shelly who  I hadn‘t seen for years,it was great to catch up.. I enjoyed the long sustained drive on the motorway, few could contain themselves to the speed limit but we moved at a steady pace without hold up or incident which was good. Back in Pershore where I was to spend  a couple of days  before going home Carol was kind enough to arrange for me to meet up with with  my niece Emma, my nephew  Chris his wife and children it was a lovely surprise.   I came home loaded with plants, recipes and  happy memories.  Thank you  Bill, Carol, Pam & Tony for your unending hospitality you are stars. XX

http://www.minecaptain.plus.com     Go Visit Tony's Website


Arrived home to a very dry and dusty garden, never dreamed we would have such sunshine. After mowing the grass and watering for a couple of hours it was soon back in control, lost a few pot plants but they can soon be replaced.
 By Wednesday I   was really tired and had developed a persistent cough that was becoming annoying.   So I took it easy for  a few days before joining Betty and Lucy on our planned trip to the  Annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contest  taking place in the eleven villages around Oldham & Saddleworth .We set off up the M62 and with some difficulty we finally found  the villages of Uppermill & Greenfield. It was a brilliant day we really enjoyed being part of the crowd  watching Bands from Switzerland, Germany and  all over the UK as they competed throughout the day. Afterwards we drove  very carefully over the moors  through a dense white fog  to Holme Firth to call on Betty’s cousin who was kind enough to provide supper. We took the long way home down the M62, which was clear and bright, arriving home rather late but happy with our day out.

http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/Venues.html

Marching to the Competition Field

I was really rough over the long Diamond Jubilee weekend, (5days) watched some of the festivities on TV but I was to tired really to take it in. Stayed in bed until Wednesday as the cough was so dramatic I was shattered. I  slept most of the time but with adequate medication kept my cough and headache somewhat under control.  Today I am much improved and looking forward to getting out and about again.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/TheQueenandspecialanniversaries/TheQueensDiamondJubilee2012/TheQueensDiamondJubilee2012.aspx

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

Today Saturday, its cold and wet my central heating is back on and the warmer clothes  out again ! But the garden is  green and lush once more.
I am going to start looking for a new Computer chair as mine has suddenly started having a right sided list that is seriously affecting my back. Must admit it is ancient and has given excellent service, still looks good till you sit on it.!!

Post script :- I have mended the chair, with a six inch brass screw  forced in to the gap where a metal joint had given way. It now supports the right side of the seat and I am now level. Gives me time to breath before looking for a new chair.
Feeling better every day. :~)

Bye for now XX