2025 Diary - Page 65

We went to see the "Pirates" exhibition at the National Maritime Museum - it was excellent.

As we had a bit of time to spare, we then went to see the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition. We didn't agree with the overall winner but there were some lovely photos to admire.

It was dark by the time we left the museum. We went to Zizzi's for tea - very tasty - then to the Old Royal Naval College for the "TIME" light show by Luxmuralis. It was amazing and the tour included all the main areas (Painted Hall, Chapel, Courtyard) so we got to see those as well.

21 November

No gym this morning but I went for a short walk and collected my newspaper. I'm sure the crosswords are getting harder - perhaps a different setter - I've struggled with them this week.

I joined June, Benji and others for the Friday walk. Some of the shops in Petts Wood have already started with their Christmas decorations.

It was lovely and sunny but very chilly - good weather for a walk.

Jonathon and I went to Cyprianis for a light lunch.

Admin catch up was the main task for this afternoon but I think it's done for now.

Went to Simona's Thera Dance Fit class in the evening.

22 November

I've had a Tesco based day today. I went to Tesco first thing to get a load of shopping before meeting Kerry and Allison in Tesco's foyer for today's damp walk. We walked to the end of the world, seeing all sorts of strange and wonderful sights along the way. There was a complete array of different house types from mansions to tiny cottages and everything in between so it made for an interesting walk. Rather than catch the bus back from Green Street Green, we walked and I popped into Tesco to get snacks for this evening and check the turkey situation. Thankfully, the poultry freezer had been restocked so we now have a turkey breast in our freezer ready for Christmas.

Mum and I caught up on FaceTime and had a good chat.

I passed Christ Church on the walk this morning and I went back there this evening to join Martin, Dawn and others for a quiz to raise funds for Christians Against Poverty. The tree of life is on the outside church wall.

Our team only scored 51/100 but at least we didn't come last!

23 November

Went to the gym then church. The new microphones have arrived so the music group singers (all three of us!) were at the front of the church after many, many months. It was good to be back even though my voice isn't quite fully back yet.

I went to the Christmas "Light Up" in the High Street and Market Place after dinner. There were quite a few stalls and rides, mainly for children. There was even a Santa Post Box so the children could write their Santa letters and post them to make sure they reached him.

The only thing I bought at the fair was rose Turkish delight - really yummy.

I caught up with Christine. As normal, we chatted for ages about not much at all.

We watched the "Light Up" fireworks from the comfort of our living room (there are advantages to living on the top of a hill). They were really pretty.

24 November

I did my exercises at home this morning then got my paper.

Gilda, Mark and I were supposed to be going to wander along another part of the Wandle but Gilda cancelled (not well) so Mark and I decided to do the Snoopy trail in Midtown instead. It started at St. Paul's and included Fleet Street, Chancery Lane, St. Brides etc.

The Apex Temple Court Hotel were hosting a Snoopy and offering a free hot chocolate to anyone following the Snoopy trail on production of the map. As I don't have hot chocolate, they let me have a camomile tea instead. We would have had lunch there as well but we were too early for the kitchen.

The golden kennel was outside The Old Bailey and was definitely the poshest.

We had lunch at The Real Greek opposite St. Paul's then made our way home.

I popped down to the High Street to pay for tomorrow's flowers and checked Jo's flat while Alma beavered away cleaning the house and Jonathon continued to work on loads of photos.

St. John's Centenary meeting was in the evening so I represented The Knoll.

25 November

I didn't get a space in Matt's class so I decided to walk over to Marks and Spencer and test the walk for Sunday. I dropped the Snoopy map into Ginny's on the way so she could do the walk.

We have (yet) another bakery / cafe in the High Street so I went to deliver an On the High Street flyer and get some cake from them. The portions were far too big but my carrot cake was pretty nice.

I also went to the local jewellers for some of her special Christmas cards for close family.

We brought the big table umbrella in after dinner. I think we have it sorted as it takes hardly any time at all now rather than the stress it used to cause us. It's partly because we're used to it and partly because we changed the bolt at the top for a longer one so the nut doesn't fly off as soon as you look at it.

Gilda and I went to see "Murder at Midnight" in Bromley. It was OK but I think we should have left our brains at home.

26 November

I went to the gym then Jonathon and I went into London. Our main reason for going into town was to visit the newly refurbished Banqueting House. We were met by a load of very noisy tractors when we came out of Charing Cross station. It was Budget Day so there was a farming protest against the inheritance tax that was introduced at the last budget.

Back to our visit, as members of the Historic Royal Palaces charity we enjoyed a members only preview. The Rubens ceiling was amazing. HRP provided mirrors that we could use to magnify the artwork and have a better view. Such a good idea.

I popped down to the High Street to deliver a Knoll flyer to TUI and buy some Christmas cards.

Nicola and I went to Thai Square in Minories in the evening. She is a lot better nowadays and can walk pretty well without needing crutches.

27 November

Gym first then dog walking. Carol has already put her Christmas decorations including a new wreath on her front door. It lights up at night along with the lights in her bay trees so her front garden becomes very purple when it gets dark.

I went to have my shingles jab but the doctor wasn't there this afternoon so I now have an appointment for 9 December.

Jonathon and I went to TUI to book a holiday for September 2026 while the Black Friday deals were available.

I went to choir practice in the evening.

Amazingly, it was mild enough to eat our dinner outside.

I cut a load of greenery for Perry Hall school before the daylight disappeared. Carol B will collect it in the next few days.

I went to Thera Dance Fit in the evening and had a lovely time bopping around.

29 November

Amazingly I didn't take a single photo today (can't remember the last time that happened) so I "borrowed" one of the greenery from yesterday. It's still sitting in our porch awaiting collection so I think that's fair enough!

Gym first then my main job for today was collecting money for Marie Curie at Morrisons in Sidcup. People were really generous so I'm hopeful that we raised a good amount.

I collected some Christmas decorations from a lady round the corner to use on the Knoll tree. There were some really pretty items that should be usable on the tree but there were other things that can't be used on the tree (candles, tinsel, lights etc.). We kept a couple of bits and Jonathon took the rest to YMCA.

Caught up with Mum on FaceTime - not much news but she seemed in good form.

Quiet night in.

30 November

Gym then church this morning.

I led the Knoll Active Group on a local walk today because we needed to meet other Knoll folk on Broxbourne Gardens by 4 p.m.

It was lovely weather for an autumn walk and the sunset was beautiful.

When we arrived at the tree, Steve and others were busy decorating it and we joined in. Steve made a short speech and Simon, one of our local councillors, did the countdown for the lights to be switched on. It looks very pretty and it's certainly "community". I'm sure there won't be another tree like it in the Tree Festival at the Methodist Church.

Caught up with Christine. She's been very busy at the village hall this week as she's had decorators in. I think she's glad they've gone.

1 December

Had a quick visit to the gym then met up with Ginny, Jane and Gilda for a day trip to St. Albans. We arrived at the cathedral in time for a guided tour - Jon Easter, our guide, was brilliant.

The cathedral is stunning. We had a cuppa in the cafe then headed off to St. Michael's.

It was wet!

St. Alban's Shrine

We had lunch at The Six Bells along the way (very tasty) and admired the church. By that time, the rain was coming down harder and it was starting to be dusk so we decided to check what time the museum closed (4 p.m.). We didn't have enough time to do that justice so we walked through the park back to the station.

There were a few problems with the trains on the way home but we got back safely. It was good to be somewhere dry again!

2 December

It's Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary today (67 years). Pauline took Mum to see Dad but he was asleep for the whole visit. Carole and Pauline then took her out for lunch to make the day a bit special.

I went to the gym (no space in Matt's class) then it was time to run errands. Newspapers to Orpington Cat Rescue, collect orders for Gilda and me from Hobbycraft, Pets at Home for Oli, Pret for lunch today and M&S for lunch later in the week then home. I decided the bus was a better option than walking with all my shopping. Had a nice chat with a lady on the bus and showed her the photos from St. Albans cathedral.

Carol B needed more greenery for her wreath workshop so I filled up the bags and boxes she'd provided and wheeled them round so they weren't hanging about.

While I was doing all that, Jonathon popped into London to collect some Rohan stuff then created our Advent 8 for this year (all I did was add the pretty beads).

Part of the Rohan order was for Pauline so I wrapped up the Foxes' presents and got Mum's Christmas present ready to post. I wrote all the paper cards we send so that's another job done.

Gill came round with a log to add to our stumpery. She has three more but they are too heavy for her to lift so I've said I'll pop round to her house and help her load them into her car then wheelbarrow them into our garden when we can get our diaries to match up.

Our tree decorating isn't quite finished but has enough on it to justify lighting it up - Christmas has started at 8 Lucerne Road!

3 December

Gym first including Ela's class then home for a little while before heading off to the Knoll Chit Chat Gathering at Masala Dabbas. Four of us stayed for lunch which was yummy. It's the first time for Irene, Veronica and Gerd and they all enjoyed the food so, hopefully, they'll go back at some point.

The weather was lovely today (sunrise was spectacular) so I walked the dogs because rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Choir practice in the evening finished off the day.

4 December

Ticked a few more things off my jobs list today. Went to Jo's, delivered the next batch of hearts to Francis Chappell and checked on Jo's flat.

John let me know that I'd collected £109.26 for Marie Curie at the weekend.

I can't go to dance fit tomorrow so I went to line dancing today instead. It was fun but, as usual, Karen seemed to get bored giving us directions towards the end so it was a bit hit and miss.

Carole phoned to let me know that Dad had been taken into hospital but was expected to be sent back to Larchfield tomorrow.

I met up with a few friends and went to Sadlers Wells East to see the brilliant ZooNation perform Ebony Scrooge.

5 December

Had a tiny bit of a sleep in this morning with being late home last night then popped to the shops to get my paper and something for dinner.

Joined June and co for our Friday walk - it wasn't as muddy as expected and my new "non-pretty" boots lived up to the adverts and my feet stayed dry and warm.

I joined a webinar - invite from the MET. It was quite interesting but I don't think I learnt much.

I finally got the Christmas decorations put up so another job ticked off.

Pauline went to see Dad, who was later sent home to Larchfield having been given some blood and stabilised. He's too poorly to cope with any treatment so no point in him staying in hospital.

Janet called to sign Lorraine's birthday card ready for next week.

Ginny and I went to see "Just Voices" at St. Andrew's Church in the evening.

6 December

I had a lot of things to do today while it was still light so up quite early and a quick pound on the treadmill before heading to Bromley to map and measure the walk for tomorrow.

I got my favourite salad from M&S (they don't sell it in the Nugent store) and a wrap for Jonathon so we could have a quick lunch before we both headed out in different directions.

I went round to Gill's to collect two very large logs (part of a tree trunk that she'd had cut down). She was very grateful and gave me some lovely roses. The logs are now in our garden "stumpery" near the bird feeders.

Carole phoned to update on Dad. He's been referred to the End of Life care team. The consultant doesn't think Dad will die within the next few weeks but that team will be best placed to support Larchfield rather him having to go to and fro to hospital.

Had a FaceTime catch up with Mum - she seemed to be in good spirits.

I went to the new Indian restuarant to deliver an "On the High Street" flyer but there was quite a long queue of people waiting to eat there so I did some Boots shopping and came home to try another day when they might be quieter.

7 December

A quick run round the gym, a few household jobs and it was time to meet up with a few others for the Bromley walk (4 parks). It was damp most of the time we were walking round but not too bad.

Interesting that, despite having lived here for many years, a couple of the walkers hadn't visited a couple of the parks before.

We saw an old Routemaster bus on our walk. When we reached The Glades we all went our separate ways and I caught one of the old buses as far as Bromley Bus Garage. I'd forgotten how smelly the fumes were - so pleased we don't have them any more. I eventually got home, having caught another couple of buses. As a result, dinner was later than planned but it was slow oven cooked so it didn't matter.

I checked the tunes / notes for choir, ordered some bird food and caught up with Christine. She's a bit nervous about her pre-op check for her knee replacement but she'll know by next weekend whether she can go ahead (operation scheduled for 2 January).

Jonathon secured the Advent 8 by roping it through the windows so hopefully it will cope with the strong winds we seem to be having these days.

8 December

Gym first then Gilda and Mark came and we went for a local walk. There were quite a few Christmas decorations around and Foxy now has his Christmas outfit on.

We put a couple of decorations that Gilda had made on the Knoll tree and delivered Lorraine's birthday card on route.

Gilda had to scoot off after the walk but Jonathon joined Mark and me for lunch at A Mano.

I put some juice and milk in Jo's fridge ready for her return tomorrow.

Alma came so the house is spick and span again.

As it's the 8th, we lit up our Advent number. It will light up every day between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. until New Year now.

9 December

I had a fasting blood test this morning so no food after 11.15 p.m. last night. To take my mind off missing breakfast, I went to the gym and straight from there to the surgery. All done very smoothly and back home to eat and have a pot of green tea.

I tested the walk for Saturday so I can tick that off my list. There weren't many Christmas decorations around but there was a parrot!

Jonathon and I went to the Orpington for our Christmas lunch. I had Sea Bream then aple crumble, J had beef bourginon and panna cotta. All very tasty.

I went to the surgery again, this time for my Shingles vaccination. A few of my friends have reacted quite badly to this one so I was dreading it. So far, so good!

Choir practice in the evening and that was the end of another busy day.

10 December

Unsurprisingly I felt a bit stiff and sore (left arm, neck and shoulders) and a bit heady this morning. Ifthat's as bad as it gets it won't be too bad. I decided the best thing to do would be to take things easy and not risk making it worse so I went for a walk (the very long way round to the gym). There were a few more Christmas decorations around to brighten up a dull early morning.

By the time I got to the gym, I only needed to do about 2.5 km so that was relatively easy, especially as I didn't go too fast.

A bird food order arrived but Jonathon had to carry it inside for me. Once I'd split it into its component parts I managed to move them into the garage.

Emma came to collect the "Santa's Extra Nice List" supplement from this weekend's Times. Her children are in the list but, for some reason, she forgot to buy one. Problem easily solved so she can show her children now.

By mid afternoon, I was really tired but felt much better after a hot shower and hair wash so I was able to go to the GPO monthly quiz. We came 3rd with 51/70 so not a bad effort.

11 December

I woke up feeling back to normal so all systems go.

Gym first then over to Carol's to walk the dogs. She had the decorators in so it was a bit chaotic but we managed.

Straight after dinner, I went to help with the dismantling of the Knoll tree ready for moving it to the Christmas Tree Festival at the Methodist church. Steve dealt with the greenery while Chris and I took all the decorations off. We then carried it into Steve's car so he and Ravi could carry it into the church.

Ravi managed to get the lights to work despite them being damaged in transit.

Chris, Steve and Ravi all had to leave so I put as many of the decorations back on to the tree as I could then left the rest of them (pending more clips being sourced). Steve went back in the evening to tidy all the boxes etc. away and finish it off.

12 December

A short walk and visit to Sainsbury's then I caught up with the pile of ironing before joining June, Benji and co on the Friday walk. They went out for lunch after the walk but, having already been out to eat three times this week and due to be out tomorrow evening, I decided to come home and cook risotto for Jonathon and me.

I had my hair cut in the afternoon, bought a couple of toys for the tory service on Sunday, got a few birthday cards for January and dropped some used stamps to Dalaine for RNIB.

Thera Dance Fit in the evening completed my Friday.

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