A Bird in My Chimney

31st January
Last Saturday I had a terrible day . A bird had fallen down my chimney and was trapped behind a steel shutter that we had placed in there when we took out the fireplace 20/30 ? years ago. We had lined the space with green slate and fitted a fancy electric fire inside the hole. It looked very nice indeed.
On coming downstairs that morning I heard frantic scratching coming from the front room, I could see there was dirt on the carpet in front of the fire and the noise was coming from inside the fireplace. I was terrified I thought it was a rat because we have been told, we are never more that a few feet from a rat at any one time!! Whoo Woo I was so scared this scratching was very loud. I knew my chimney was capped so I was convinced that nothing could have fallen down the chimney this “Thing” must have come out of the wall cavity. I rang for help but every one was out and no one responded to my calls. So running into the street I tried my neighbours and fortunately David from across the road came to my rescue. But we couldn’t shift the steel plate because it appeared to be bolted . I was also unsure whether I wanted the Thing to be set free in my lounge covered in soot and dirt, there was so much debris coming into the room from down the sides of the shutter, and we were choking from the dust. I was convinced the Thing would eventually burrow through into my house. Well, it went quiet and after a short spell of listening intently we realised that it had probably died or gone back where it had come from. Sweeping up the mess and checking the shutter again with a torch I found a tiny feather poking through the gap down the side. What a relief, but oh that poor bird I was so sorry we couldn’t get it out. Later in the day Andrew came in response to my calls, the shutter requires an Allen Key so he is going to return later in the week to remove the bird.
I could taste soot for day it was everywhere. I hope it never happens again. The chimney is capped but there are openings on two sides it must have gone in out of the rain poor thing.
After that the week was a breeze. I started a Philosophy Course at the U3A this week and really enjoyed the discussion on “What is Self” I am looking forward to next months session on "God". Attended three poetry gigs this week and went out to lunch twice; all very pleasant.. Today Saturday I drove up to Harrogate to catch up with Stuart and Sam. It was sunny and bright too, after all the dire weather warnings we have had, so we had a nice visit. Enjoyed the drive up there, as I can now open up the Punto and see what she can do, I wasn`t dissapointed kept within the speed limit like a good girl should.
Bye

Spring is on its way

January 23rd
What have I been doing this week apart from getting to grips with my new computer`s format . I know I will have to buy a wireless printer soon, as transfering work to the other PC to print out is getting fiddlie. Sunday evening was the Gig at WriteOutLoud. It was well attended 30+ poets shared their poetry, quite a diverse selection which adds to the enjoyment and the atmosphere was great I always come away with a buzz. It’s the Middleton Gig next Sunday, the atmosphere there is rather different, should I say quieter, refined, middleclass well more people wear ties! The Club Topics Contest at Speakers went smoothly I was timekeeping with Chris . A surprising outcome was that three of out newish members where given the opportunity to go forward to the ASC Area Contest in November as Winner, Runner Up and Reserve. They had to talk “off the cuff” for three minutes about Energy. We learned so much at the end of the evening about various forms of energy it turned out to be a very interesting evening. I have had very good news from Australia this week. Amy my granddaughter has been accepted at University and starts this February. I am so pleased for her she is an intelligent and smart young lady with the world at her feet, I am sure she will enjoy the challenges that University will bring and be successful in her studies.
Two of my good friends left the UK to spend the rest of the winter with family in the sun . Its true what they say “You never truly miss someone until their gone“ but they will be back in May.
We have had a heavy fall of snow and for a few hours on Monday and it looked as though it was here to stay. Then it rained the usual scenario slush and ice, then the sun came out and the snow was gone. I had a lovely day yesterday, out to lunch with my friends and afterwards shopping although I didn`t get anything. Once a month I meet up with girls who went to my secondary school Derby Street School for Girls(I the building was demolished last year) a regular date for the past 7 years. We have made contact with many who have left the Northwest or live abroad and I enjoy being in with this lively group. I am pleased to say there is evidence that Spring is on its way, the bulbs tips are showing and in some areas the snowdrops are out.

I hope you are all well and looking forward to getting out more. I know I am feeling somwhat housebound and would love a walk by the sea.

New Computer

January 14th

Well all my decorations are back in their boxes and up in the loft for another year. I am seriously thinking about taking a cruise next Christmas to a warmer clime, it has been so cold these past weeks.
I have just spent an interesting few days researching a new computer. I have been concerned about my Computer for some time now. It kept freezing and the pixels would dance around the screen, until I rebooted. I downloaded a new Graphics Driver and it is now more stable but it was getting me down. Also knowing I am constantly downloading Microsoft security patches, upgrades and service packs and a multitude of Norton`s Virus upgrades. It was no wander my loyal friend of five years was giving up the ghost, it was just too much for its little memory to cope with. I knew it was not going to get better and could die at any moment. So I finally got my head around buying a more powerful Machine. (500gig hard drive 4gig RAM) also bought a 500Gig external hard drive to help me transfer my work to the new computer and for backup . I now have the challenge of Microsoft Vista . For those who don’t know much about PC`s all my Windows XP peripherals are incompatible with my new machine, printers scanners modems etc. I decided too that I would go online via a wireless router I thought it would be exciting to have a complete new experience. After a few false starts, I have the system up and running the PC is brilliant and I love the wireless connection. I can use my laptop anywhere in the house and even in the garden. I Find Windows Vista interface isn`t a problem and once I find where things are I feel sure I will enjoy using it.
Last Sunday with three friends from Speakers Club we took a tour of Manchester Art Gallery. The Tour Guide was Chris one of our members, so it was a special treat for us all. They had an Exhibition of Holman Hunt`s paintings, he played a central role in the radical Pre-Raphaelite art movement in the 19thcentury. I love the Pre Raphaelite style, each painting tells a story and the colours are so vivid The gallery was quite crowded but it was fun, I really enjoyed the afternoon.
www.manchestergalleries.org/whats-on/exhibitions/index.php

Go see his paintings at
www.abcgallery.com/H/huntwh/html

January 8th.
Happy New Year

may 2009 prove

to be your best ever.

Health and happiness to you and yours.

The big freeze has arrived minus 20 degrees in areas of the UK. Fortunately we live in a valley surrounded by moors and don’t get extreme weather but it still can be bad especially on the motorways and rural roads. I try to avoid going out or at least waiting until after midday when hopefully the gritters have cleared the main roads and the sun has defrosted most of the pavements.
The freezing fog is the worst, visibility is a whiteout from only a few yards When I worked in the community as a Midwife we had to go out to calls no matter what and I have experienced some hair raising moments often having to abandon the car and walk.

Check out this video its real scary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npTRXr4Sgxg&eurl=http://www.asylum.co.uk/&feature=player_embedded

Stuart came to stay overnight last week, he and Andrew had a night on the town. It was good to see my two sons together a rare sight as Andrew spent seven years from the age of 16 in the Royal Navy. Stuart being 5year his junior never had the opportunity to hang out with big brother during his teenage years. But now age is not a problem and it is good to know they have reached a point where age is not a barrier to friendship. Couldn`t cope with it for too long though as I have got use to my space and having two huge fellows sleeping over, as much as I love them, is…..! Went to see the Epic movie “Australia” I loved it but my friend thought it too long at 2 hours.45mins . I loved it and was choked up and dewy eyed a few times and I jumped with surprise more than once too, I like that. The film is a compilation of many stories and just as you think this is the end another crisis looms. I am not going to divulge the ending that would be unfair, go and see it.

Post Christmas

Bridgewater Hall Manchester

Well Stuart came down as promised and Andrew brought Ryan around to see his Granma. It was like old times putting up with the boys banter and teasing once again. Don’t think I could have coped with it for long though it would wear me out, as much as I love them. Managed to get to see most of my friends on my Christmas Visiting List. As we all are getting older the list gets longer,but it is good to see them and catch up, if only once a year. Our WOL Christmas Party was very successful after a few unfortunate hitches and some regulars down with flue. Thanks to Gemma for the Buffet, Katie for helping, Julian standing in as Compére and Sean who attended in spite of his injury to cover the Quiz. I always enjoy every evening at WOL, as everyone always makes such a effort.
The weather this week has been exceptional , bright clear blue skies and sunshine every day. Its been quiet mild really and in the sun very pleasant. Frosty and cold some mornings but on the whole a lovely week. The sales are on everywhere. I have avoided temptation as there is nothing I really want and often I buy things on impulse that I regret afterwards. Plus there are far too many cars on the roads and too many people out there in the shops. Altogether a manic experience. Been There ! Done That! No More!
Christmas day was quiet, Andrew finished work at 4pm and joined me for Dinner. It felt good cooking the Festive Meal once again with all the trimmings. The turkey was perfect and everything ran like clockwork. I have spent many Christmas Day in Australia and believe me nothing quite beats being at home in the cold fresh stimulating atmosphere of England at Christmas. Eating your own weight in food and drink in a cosy warm loving environment enjoying some great TV/video entertainment. As much as I love and miss Cathi Amy and Ben in Australia, home is where the heart is and at Christmas time one needs to be with family and friends.
Yesterday Dorothy and I went into Manchester to attend a performance of "The best of Gilbert and Sullivan`s Music and Songs" at the Bridgewater Hall. My Parents loved G & S operettas , Dad could sing most of the Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and many more. They are firm favourites of mine too, so it took my back to my childhood hearing the familiar words and music. Afterwards we had dinner at a Turkish Restaurant in the City. A special treat for Dorothy who spent many years stationed in R.A.F Cyprus with her husband. It was good I enjoyed what I had, something wrapped in vine leaves, then Sea Bass and vegetables followed by a authentic honey based dessert, very sweet.
I hope you all had a great Christmas break and in a few a days it will be the New Year. Resolutions at the ready !

The Bridgewater Hall
Manchester

This architecturally-stunning building hosts over 250 performances a year and boasts an award-winning restaurant and café bar. Its waterfront location in the heart of the city makes it an ideal conference and event venue.
Manchester's prestigious international concert hall opened in September 1996 and since its opening has continued to receive plaudits from artists and audiences alike. In March 1998, The Bridgewater Hall was named winner of a Civic Trust Special Award, given for the new building which has done the most to enhance the appearance of a city centre, as well as an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects in November of that year.
The Bridgewater Hall auditorium is surprisingly warm and intimate for a hall seating nearly 2,400 people. Rows of slender columns supporting a flat, coffered ceiling create the marvellous acoustic, while the seating is carefully tiered to draw the audience as closely as possible around and into the performance. The visual impact of the auditorium climaxes in the spectacular façade of the remarkable £1.2 million pipe organ, designed and built by Marcussen of Denmark.

Merry Christmas, Good Health and Happiness to You All.
Click ,watch and listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktCc9QPbU7w

Pre-Christmas Days

Full of Festive Good Cheer.

The snow lingered for about two days and then slowly disappeared. It has been extremely cold and frosty all this week and slippy underfoot. I haven`t ventured out until after midday when I hoped the pavement have been defrosted by the sun and the roads clear and safe. Unfortunately our Stuart has fallen on black ice and broken his elbow which means he is grounded for many weeks unable to drive or do much.
Enjoyed our Women Institute Dinner at the local Golf Club, our table was very noisy we had the giggles and blamed the port and lemon most where on.Speakers Party was rather a sedate affair though it was good to see everyone relaxed and not under pressure with assignments. Went to Bolton Little Theatre to see “Fawlty Towers” it was a very successful TV comedy sitcom in the sixties, with Monty Python`s John Clease and Connie Booth. It was excellent they had all the characters off to a T. I was disappointed I couldn’t get to the Wigan Poetry Night as the weather was really bad hailstones and windy. I am really adverse to going far a field in winter, its not the going it’s the coming back as the weather changes so suddenly. I am busy next week three Christmas lunches so I hope the weather is better. I will be glad to stop all this eating. Ha Ha ! did I really say that ? No, but it is always good to get back to a normal pattern of eating
Finally decided not to get another dishwasher but a condensing clothes dryer instead. It is coming next week and they will take the old dishwasher away. I have a rather noisy vented tumble dryer in the garage that can be scrapped or given away.
17th Finally gave in and went into the attic and rescued the Christmas Decorations. Each year I vow not to bother and then I weaken. Andrew will be with me for Christmas Day and Stuart is coming down New Year for a few days so I have to get with the Christmas Spirit. It just seems so much trouble putting the tree up and taking it down again. I must be getting old!

It`s Write Out Loud`s Christmas Party Sunday so I am practising my piece. I will put my others on my poetry page later. This one is current to this time.

The Festive Season

3am I awake alert disturbed and anxious
Is it a dog barking, a car backfiring
No it’s thoughts dropping into my mind
Like a stone into water the ripples spreading to become a flood of fear.
Its all this Christmas hype,
Each year I vow to be ready .
I never am.

Last minute panic, cards and letters to write.
Presents, parties, clothes and dates to fix
Why is it such a headache.
Every year it arrives earlier
And I am never ready.

When I was working.
With a family of five.
I was organised on time well prepared
Now I have retired its just bedlam
Running around at the last minute .
Places to go, people to see, parcels to post.
Presents to chose, extra food and drink
Always buying far to much
As though we face a famine
Will I ever get it right.
Don’t think I don’t enjoy the festivities
Drinks with friends, dinner dancing.
A time to let you hair down.
No ! It’s the hullabaloo in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

I have thought about getting away
Leaving it all behind
Taking a Turkey and Tinsel Tour
A Cruise round the Caribbean
But its just a day dream .
How could I face the family ,
How could I not be there for my friends.
No its not Christmas
Without a festive tree
Eating too much, getting tipsy and watching Tele.
Knowing that the pressure evaporates
On the morning of the 25th

It is over
Yes Over
For another year.

Val Cook 2008