Life!

The end of November was a challenge for Mike's voice with the Chiswick Choir concert on the Saturday, Messiah Part 1 with St Nicholas Church Choir on Advent Sunday, and Berlioz Grande Messes des Morts at the Royal Albert Hall with Goldsmith's Choral Union on Monday. On the Saturday Mike was persuaded (pressured) into going and judging the Oxford DG striking competition in the morning - going straight to the rehearsal at St M&AA for 2.30.  He only came in from the rehearsal at 5.50 pm - I'm glad I wasn't in the choir as I would have felt very pressured being that late.  What with the extra long rehearsal, and a number of panicky emails to the choir email list during the week from the chairman about everyone doing more homework, I thought the concert might be rather hit and miss but actually it was very good and the choir made a really good sound and were certainly watching the conductor much more than they used to do.  It was a programme of French music, most of wh

Got back to London about 4 pm - having avoided a 70 minute delay on the M4, which was showing on the gantries and on my satnav, by going round the M25 to the M40.  Unpacked the car and immediately took Suki out for a short walk as it was getting dark.  Lorraine was in and she told me that my computer had packed up when she tried to use it - stuck in a "startup repair was unable to repair this computer" loop. Mike came in from ringing QPs about 6 pm and told me that the Dice clock had gone haywire and had become extremely temperamental.  Seemed like gremlins had moved in while I had been away!! Then the next morning the heating failed to come on - tried all the usual things but it sounded like the pump had stopped working.  Weather was freezing  and Cantanti people coming to lunch!  We managed to keep the living room reasonably warm with the gas fire in the front bit and the electric heater in the back bit, and having the oven on from 11 am also helped.  The lunch went wel

Realised that this trip I will have to order Christmas turkey etc as next time it will be Christmas.  Can't believe it - where does the time go? 12th - Saw Mike off to work, took suki for a short walk, had a shower and set off just after 9.30 - arriving at 1 pm.  I had fruit medley, banana and sandwiches with me which kept me going and off the sweets.  Spent a couple of hours doing the post whilst having a cup of tea.  Opened my birthday present from Jayne and promptly burst into tears.  Another beautiful horse, a brilliant picture which looked just like suki, and another fleece. Such thoughtful presents - and I was already feeling a bit sad that she was not here.  Had to put all the clocks back.  Then went up to the moor for a shortish walk from the small car park, and called in to see Mary afterwards - so felt I had achieved a lot! Expected Bill King in the evening to do the cupboards but he didn't turn up.  After text communications we rescheduled for the next morn

I was so enthused with the handbell successes last month that I decided to be uber keen and told Tim I was available any lunchtime, any evening except Mondays and Thursdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.  In response I was put down for Fri evening and Sunday evening, neither of which were to attempt a peal!  It felt a bit like a slap in the face, but at least it left me free to fix up the other stuff I wanted to do such as visit Lee and Emma, go to Exeter, meet up with Jackie, get Bill King in to do cupboards etc etc. 1st - Mike walked Suki in the afternoon which allowed me to get right up to date with this blog.  I decided not to go and sing in the choir at the All Souls Service in the evening as I had a cold but I went along to the service and lit a candle when Dad's name was read out.  The sermon by Andrew was very moving.  We had a handbell practice afterwards in the hall.  Then home and to bed for a nice early night. 2nd - tried out the Zumba today.  Certainly a whole lo

21st - had another go at minor on handbells with Caroline.  Not terribly successful but a good practice for another attempt the following week.  Went for a meal at Azzuro and I actually enjoyed it - had Penne Arrabiata.  I don't think they have done that before. 22nd - Mike and I rang in QP of Yorkshire Major at St Giles in the Fields to mark Dennis' 25th Anniversary of his first QP.  Many of the band had been in both!  Had a pint in the Angel afterwards and shared some nachos.  In the evening went to Kristen's for dinner with other Barnes ringers to say farewell.  Food was excellent and all recipes came from the Tonight at 7.30 cook book. 23rd - was down to ring in QP at Barnes but luckily Hugo dropped out at the last minute and there was no replacement so it went down to Doubles with Michael and I was let off! Have continued with fitness classes on Tuesdays and Fridays wherever I can, and swimming on Tuesday evenings.  I try to do at least 40 lengths and something t

25-26th October 2015.  We stayed at the Victoria Hotel again.  Leanne was a late addition - she only came to the station to have breakfast with us but ended up coming with us.  She had no luggage and had to go and buy a toothbrush and a T-shirt.  Amanda & Sam met us at Manchester station, having been to his sister's wedding the previous day in Stoke. There was a hiccup in the booking (only one room instead of 4 but they sorted out more rooms for us) and the food in the restaurant was disappointing (only Sunday lunch menu available with limited choice, meat was tough, yorkshire pudding rock hard, all served at tepid temperature) but despite this we had a wonderful time and a good laugh. John took the day off on the Monday and treated us to breakfast at TGI Fridays at the station. He had given us all goodie bags, which included the Butlins DVD.  Mike and I watched the DVD in the evening before going ringing. Mike had been to Rita's funeral that day and had

6th - 18th October.  Had a lovely time with Jayne again, although tinged somewhat with sadness that this would be the last time for a while.  There was only last minute bits and bobs to be done - including the dreaded visa.  As before we did lots of walking - again the weather was really good for the time of year and the moor was wonderful.  On the day before I arrived Mike and I had received a phone call from Tracey House saying they had called an ambulance for Mary as she was vomiting but she had refused to go to hospital.  I went to see her on the Wednesday and she had recovered and was collecting the cups etc even though Jeanette had suggested she should take things easy.  She had also been preparing apples in the kitchen.  However a couple of days later she had spent all day in her room as she had not felt well - but again was ok when I went to visit her on the Friday. Jayne and I went on the bus to Exeter - my Freedom Pass worked so it was free for me.  We sat on the top deck a