Stream running through Astley Park
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
