2023 Diary - Page 30

4 March

No gym today because I did a bit of cardio yesterday so I decided today could be my cardio-free day. I went to Tesco to restock the freezer (meat) then Sainsbury's to get milk and juice for Jo and lunch for us.

Sindhu posted a message on the Knoll Active WhatsApp group to see if anyone was organising a walk. Nobody was but I said I would so agreed to meet her. Carol and Denise joined us as well and we had a good walk round Orpington's woodlands and alleyways. Carol even had an app to map our route!

After a quick lunch, I went to Morrisons in Petts Wood to collect for Marie Curie. People were really generous today so my tin was heavy and even had a few £5 notes in it. Very pleasing.

Mum and Pauline went to see Dad. He was very disorientated but it's only his first day at Larchfield so, hopefully, he'll settle down in a few days.

I met Jonathon when I was on my way home and he was on his way to the station for his photo shoot.

5 March

Not much to report today because I had a quiet day. I did my steps in the gym so I didn't need to go out again.

The foxes have destroyed the netting around the fruit cage so Jonathon and I measured it and I've ordered some more netting. I think the old stuff was quite brittle so hopefully this new stuff will be more successful.

Mum couldn't get Skype to work today so phoned me instead. We'll have to have a look when we're next up North unless Carole or Pauline have time to investigate. She seems to be keeping herself occupied but is disappointed that her "pet" taxi driver is giving up because of the increased cost of licence, fuel etc.

Had the usual phone call with Christine. Her last farm cat died last night so now she has no cats and no dogs. She says there are plenty of cats around but she's working on Gordon re getting another dog.

My 60+ Oyster Card has to be renewed once a year at a princely cost of £10. As I save more than that on one return trip to London it's well worth the money so I've filled in my forms and sent my money (what a terrible photo!).

6 March

Early Circuits class at the gym. The sunrise on the way there was amazing. The road works in our street less so but at least they gave us advanced warning. We're expecting them to be here about a week - something to do with drains and sewers.

Gilda came over and we had a nice walk alongside the River Cray and round a field or two. Jonathon met us at A Mano for lunch.

Jonathon went off to Shepherds Bush for his photo shoot this evening so we worked out a route for him from Charing Cross.

We had a response from Alice at Stephenson Rural re Dad's field. It might be worth more than we thought but the notice we need to give Dean (farmer tenant) to go will only become effective in October 2024. I had a good chat with Dean who says he won't insist on the notice period. The field is currently grass so he's OK to give it up once the silage has been taken off. I've reported back to Alice (and Mum, C & P) and agreed to go back to Dean after the site meeting with Alice, scheduled for the 16th of March.

7 March

Gym then work. It was a miserable morning but Bromley Council have planted hundreds of pretty yellow primulas in the town this year to brighten everything up.

Ulrike offered to treat Chris, Shane and me to lunch so we went to Cento Alla Torre. I hadn't realised it was her birthday but it was kind of her to buy our lunch, especially as she didn't join us.

Jonathon was going out but changed his mind so we had a quiet night in. I finished my latest blanket for Jonathon to take to the YMCA.

8 March

I got up to find it was snowing and had been settling overnight so the garden looked like a winter wonderland. It was very slippy going to the gym and I decided to go the longer way round to the station to avoid steep downward hills.

Carole went to see Dad - he's sleeping a lot and is struggling to stand and move so the home are having to use a hoist to move him. Carole said he seemed cheerful enough in himself and enjoyed the cup of tea the staff had made for her!

The train company were warning of disruption so I used that as an excuse to leave work early and get home. I arrived to find a young lady frantically trying to work out how to pay for parking in our street but the sign with the location code on it seems to have disappeared so I let her park on our drive.

Tonight was pub quiz night to raise money for two defibrillators in our local area so a really good cause. I started today with a team of 5 but 2 dropped out (Sharon's back is playing up and Judy was always doubtful because she's going away tomorrow).

Ginny, a lady who'd come on her own, joined us and, amazingly, we won!

The victorious Flamingoes!

9 March

A wet morning - I got damp going to get my paper and very wet on the way back. I dried off and got drenched on the way to the gym for Tabata, treadmill and Pilates and drenched again on the way home. At least the cherry blossom in our front garden looks lovely and brightens things up.

Jacob of Larchfield's finance team called me because he has some documents he needs to send me. He said he would be sending invoices for "extras" on monthly basis, even if the invoice is for £Nil, so I'll wait to see waht arrives.

Jonathon and I went to Orpington GPO for lunch and were pleased to see it had stopped raining by the time we'd finished. We popped into YMCA to get some books for me then to Sainsbury's for some bits and bobs.

Teresa was already busy cleaning when we got back and we caught up with "The Gold", a TV serial we've been watching before I went to the Community Choir with Jo. Sharon still wasn't well enough to join us so Jonathon gave us a lift there and back (he decided not to go out with his cameras).

10 March

Another morning of getting very wet on a regular basis! Went to Tai Chi / (Qigong) to start the day, home for breakfast, then back to the gym for Yoga. The Yoga seemed really hard today - good to tell Sally (teacher) has been on holiday!

The rain stopped about lunchtime so Jo and I went for a very chilly walk - the photos make it look warmer than it was but the wind was bitterly cold. We initially stuck to streets rather than public footpaths to avoid some of the mud but it wasn't as bad as we thought so we came back across the fields. The "No Trespassing" sign amused us. We popped into Lopeto for cake and a drink while we enjoyed watching the geese and other birds.

Had a chat with Mum. She seems to have had a day sorting bits and pieces out, cleaning out another cupboard etc. under Pauline's supervision. There's a pile of stuff for us to bring home and she'd like to get rid of her printer so no doubt Jonathon will be asked for his advice on that. Carole messaged later to say that Laura, manager of Larchfield, had called her to tell her that the part of the home that Dad's not in has got four people testing positive for Covid. Nobody so far in Dad's side has tested positive but visitor restrictions are in place until everyone is testing negative so we'll have to play it by ear next week.

Jonathon went to Toulouse Lautrec to do a photo shoot for the evening so I treated myself to a lovely, hot lavender bath and relaxed.

11 March

Had a quick visit to the gym to get some calories under my belt before meeting up with Jo, Carol and Sindhu for a sunny walk.

We went through Goddington Park and into Lilly's Wood. Sindhu and Carol are not used to the kind of walking Jo and I do and they asked that we return a different way with less mud! We still got our steps done and saw some pretty cherry blossom that we'd have missed had we gone back through the park so all was not lost!

My main task for the afternoon was putting a second skin of netting around my fruit cage to try and protect it from the foxes. Jonathon helped me get it into place and I then pegged the base and zip-tied the top to make it as fox-proof as possible. Time will tell.

Pauline phoned to discuss logistics for next week so I could put a timetable together for Jonathon and me. There's a lot for us to do but we'll come back home on Sunday for a rest.

12 March

It's my birthday! We celebrated by going to Deal for the day. Neither of us had been there before so thought we'd give it a try. We drove to Ebbsfleet International station and took the train from there.

We went to Deal Pier Cafe for drinkings but decided to have brunch instead. The cheese and ham Ballotine was really yummy. I walked along the sea front as far as Sandown golf course, past Sandown Castle Community Garden and then back to the pier. I then walked a little way in the other direction. While I did that, Jonathon prowled round the charity shops that were open and had a shorter walk.

Jonathon hadn't seen any cafes that took his fancy for afternoon drinkings so we went back to the Pier Cafe for coffee and cake - yummy again!

The train journey worked really well and it was good to jump into the car when we got back to Ebbsfleet and miss the rain.

I opened lots of cards and presents from Carole (treasure hunt and garden voucher) and Pauline (framed photo of 3 sisters and Marie and garden voucher).

What a lovely day!

13 March

Not a normal Monday today because I went to work. I swapped my days because we're heading up North on Wednesday and I didn't want to use up a day's holiday.

I went to the gym but couldn't join the class because I would have had to leave part way through. The wind almost blew me over on the way into work - the tall buildings create wind tunnels and with a strong wind to start with they can be really fierce.

I managed to get out for a walk at dinner time and found these beautiful shire horses at the Tower of London. They were in full harness and I imagine they were there to do some sort of drilling, harrowing etc. but were on their lunch break when I saw them.

Did packing ready for Wednesday as my main activity for the evening!

14 March

It's hard to believe that Pauline and Paul have been married for 40 years but today is their Ruby Wedding Anniversary.

Gym and work for me - nomal Tuesday activities.

I had a bit earlier walk today and was delighted to see the horses working at the Tower of London, getting the wild flower beds ready for the summer.

Marie Curie contacted me to tell me I'd raised £82.60 in my collection box so that was good.

Christine messaged to say that her brother-in-law, Nigel, had died last night. He's been struggling with alcohol for a while but whether that's what killed him or not we'll find out tomorrow when we meet Christine and Gordon.

Gareth arranged for an estate agent to meet him at Mum's bungalow. Very positive meeting but we'll still get a second agent round next week to compare.

I met Nicola for dinner and catch up - as usual, we went to Cento Alla Torre. They must be getting used to us there by now!

15 March

Lots to do this morning before we headed up North but managed to have a quick trip to the gym once I'd finished the jobs. My treadmill workout was cut short by the fire alarm going off (it wasn't a test apparently) so I grabbed all my kit, stuffed it into my rucksack and went home (having put my outside gear on in the quad outside the gym!I

The drive to York was uneventful and the hotel staff were lovely, especially Frank who seems to be the man who deals with most things, including the valet parking for the car, carrying of luggage etc. The room is very nice - plenty of space and a lovely view across to York Minster.

I had a quick walk about to get some steps done and was pleased to be able to walk in the Museum Gardens - they were closed when I was walking about in the dark last time we were here.

We went to see Christine and Gordon and spent the evening eating cheese and biscuits and chatting. Jonathon had been to one of his favourite cheese shops to get a few different kinds of cheese to take with us and they seemed to go down well.

16 March

Today was manic! I managed to get a quick walk in before breakfast. The River Ouse had clearly been outside its banks because the riverside path was really silty so I came back covered in mud. The daffodils round Clifford's Tower were replanted last year and looked lovely as I walked past.

We headed over the Knaresborough after breakfast. Pauline met us there and she and I went to see Dad in Larchfield Manor. He is really very frail now and very frustrated because his body is letting him down. We feel so hopeless because there is nothing we can do to make his life better for him.

Pauline and I then went to see a flat in Vale Court (where Mum wants to move to). It was really nice and I could see her living in that property but the bungalow isn't on the market yet. We met with Carole for a light lunch and had a good discussion about next steps for Mum and Dad. The main priority is now getting the bungalow sold and Mum moved.

I caught up with the filing and did some finance stuff with Mum before Carole, Gareth and I went to Whixley to meet with Alice Hood to talk about the three-cornered field. The meeting was helpful but I think we might need to wait until 2024 before we sell the field. Dad doesn't want to sell and, if the bungalow sells quickly, we won't need to sell immediately. Decision still to be made so let's see.

Jonathon and I went to Vivido for dinner - delicious as always. While we were there we got a couple of messages of additional jobs to be done so we popped a copy of Dad's Financial POA into Larchfield Manor and returned the printer to Mum's because Paul has decided they might like it. We finally got back to York, sorted out some foreign currency that Mum had found and got ready for tomorrow!

17 March

Today was no less busy than yesterday! I got up early for my walk and enjoyed watching the sunrise over the Rover Ouse. Once the sun was up, the sky turned a beautiful blue colour and we were set for a lovely day (to start with at least). The City Walls aren't open for walking on until too late for me but I walked around the outside of them, admired the daffodils and the occasional piece of pretty graffiti.

My first appointment was at the National Farmers Union to register Dad's Power of Attorney, ask them to close one of his accounts and cancel his membership. They were really helpful but everything has to go to Head office to be checked.

From there to Mum's to open her a couple of sole accounts with Virgin Money and sort out the house insurance to make sure Dad's personal possessions are covered at Larchfield. After fish and chips for dinner Jonathon and I went to Harrogate.

Next stop, Yorkshire Building Society to register Dad's POA and ask them to close one of his accounts. Again, theu were really helpful but the papers have to go to Head Office etc.

Final stop was Virgin Money to register the POA. The lady was very helpful but needed a couple more bits of paper that I didn't have so we'll need to sort those out.

After all that, we were in need of sustenance so went to Vivido for apple pie and custard before driving back to the hotel for a rest.

Unfortunately, Pauline then called to let me know that Larchfield have, effectively, blocked Dad from going to the wedding tomorrow because of the Covid in the home. Very upsetting for all of us, especially Dad. We will go and see him on Sunday morning before we head back down south and Pauline will go in the afternoon to make sure he doesn't feel too alone.

18 March

Went for a shorter walk before breakfast then a second walk after breakfast because we didn't need to leave York until 1 p.m. today.

The second walk was after the Museum Gardens had opened so I took advantage of that and had a wander round.

Jonathon prowled round the charity shops.

Anna (Graeme's girlfriend), Marie (the lovely bride) and Jess (maid of honour)

Mum

19 March

I slept really well last night and was up and out early for a good walk before breakfast.

We checked out of the hotel and went to see Dad. While obviously not well, he was in better form than Thursday. He gets really upset when he talks about Mum and I'm not sure he understands why she can't go and see him. Hopefully, the Covid restrictions will be lifted soon and she can go and visit.

Jonathon had created a little slide show of the wedding for me to show Dad. He enjoyed it so much and asked to see it again later in the visit.

From Larchfield it was the long drive home, via the OK Diner for lunch. The A1 was closed near Peterborough but the diversion wasn't too long so it didn't add too much time to our journey.

Oli was pleased to see us and did lots of exploring round the house to make sure everything was as it should be.

20 March

Back to normal routine, at least in part. Went to circuits at the gym then did most of my steps on the treadmill so I didn't need to go out for a walk later.

Had my hair cut - yet another different hairdresser but she seems to have done a reasonable job.

It was good to see our first tulips in flower - these ones are always earlier than all the others.

I received a pack of information from Larchfield - all the admission documents - so I'll need to go through those.

Alix's next theme for her craft sessions is recycling so she put out a request for all sorts of bits and pieces. She collected a box of stuff from us today.

I booked my next trip to Harrogate for May having agreed the dates with Mum, Carole & Pauline.

I started knitting the next knee blanket.

21 March

Oli showed me the way to the gym (or part way before he got bored). It was lovely to see hyacinths have joined the primula - they make the High Street really bright and cheerful.

Work was busy so the time flew by. Shane told me he's resigned so I'm waiting to be asked to "bridge" the gap between him leaving (June) and another person starting. The bank might have someone lined up in which case I won't be needed.

Mum went to see Dad. Carole had agreed with Larchfield to let them meet in the airy reception space so Mum didn't have to go into the home itself. It seemed to go well and, hopefully, cheered them both up.

Alice emailed to say terms were agreed with Dean for the transfer of Dad's entitlements so that's to be finalised (Alice will handle it) and it's one job off the list.

22 March

Another busy day at work so the time didn't drag.

I went to the gym first thing but couldn't stay quite as long as I normally do because we were presenting at Credit Committee. We were second on the agenda so I thought I'd still be OK going in at normal time only to find Chris had already gone into the room when I got to the office. He was in the "waiting chair" so I didn't miss anything.

I went for a walk at lunch time. The Euphorbias on the river side of 10 Lower Thames Street are in full blom and looking lovely. I make sure not to touch them because I don't want a skin rash!

6 of us went to see Bat out of Hell at the Peacock Theatre in the evening. Mark and I had seen it a few years ago and it was just as bonkers this time around but quite fun.

It was less fun trying to get home with most of the trains cancelled but we got here eventually.

23 March

I'm sure our darker coloured vixen is in cub so perhaps we'll have the pitter patter of tiny paws before too long. I think we've got everything securely netted that needs to be so hopefully they, and out fruit and veg, will be as safe as possible.

Went to Tabata (Sarah instead of Ela but I don't know why). As it wasn't a particularly nice day I decided to do my steps on the cross trainer (hard work!). There was a fire alarm (problems with the oven in the cafe area) so we all had to pile outside until it was cleared and then go back in. Thankfully, we missed the worst of the rain while we were shivering in our gym clothes. Pilates finished my time at the gym.

Just as I was leaving, I got a voice mail from Angie so I called her back to be told that Uncle Dave died peacefully last night. We have been expecting that news for a while but it's still sad. I let Carole and Pauline know, Carole went to tell Mum and I then phoned Uncle Jeff so all our side of the family now know. I ordered some flowers for both Angie and Jo so they should be delivered tomorrow.

Teresa came to do the cleaning in the afternoon. I cleaned the bird feeders and got them all topped up. I spotted these anemones in the woodland bed - very pretty little flowers.

Carole phoned to say Larchfield had sent the wrong pack of documents. There will be a lot of overlap but please stop working on the first batch until the second batch are received.

Enjoyed a quiet night in.

24 March

Gym session comprised Tai Chi, treadmill and swimming. It was the first time I'd been swimming since July 2021 and I didn't do too bad.

Jonathon and I got poshed up then went into London to meet Derek and Maureen for lunch at Manicomio. It was yummy!

Back home, got changed and Gilda arrived to go back into London to go to The Old Vic to see Sylvia. Jo met us there. It was a fabulous show about suffragettes and equal voting rights by all.

25 March

A quick trip to the gym then Jo and I went to Lewisham, walked over Blackheath Common and through Greenwich Park. It was a lovely, sunny but windy day and we had a great walk. We popped into the cafe at the National Maritime Museum for tea and cake.

Jonathon was out at a gig by the time I got back. He had two to go to today but the second one was sold out so he came back early.

I spent the afternoon in the garden. Our quince (near the front door) is in full bloom and looking amazing. I picked the first rhubarb of the year so we'll have that with our dinner tomorrow. I cut the pampas back - horrible job and I'm really pleased it's been done!

26 March

After such a lovely sunny day yesterday, the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was pouring down when I got up so definitely no gardening today.

I ran around in the gym for a bit then went to church. It's the first time in quite a while that I've felt I could sing so that was good.

Did a bit of essential shopping in the High Street after dinner (the rhubarb was lovely) then had a Zoom call with Mum, Carole and Pauline about the bungalow. I think we've decided to use Stephenson as the selling agent so Pauline will speak with them tomorrow.

The vixen we thought was pregnant has either had her cubs or lost them because she doesn't look as "round" today as she was. She had disappeared for a few days so hopefully, we should have a couple of cubs running around in a few weeks.

Had a chat with Christine. Nigel's body should be released for a funeral early this week with the inquest opened and adjourned. Sam (Nigel's son) is really struggling so Christine and Gordon are hoping to keep an eye on him when they can.

27 March

Oli was in a very strange mood when I got back from circuits this morning. When he'd had enough he posed nicely on the bottom step and looked the picture of innocence.

Gilda came over and we went for a nice, sunny walk. After the rain yesterday, everywhere was quite muddy so we stuck to footpaths and roadways.

We went to Masala Dabbas for dinner (Jonathon joined us). After dinner, J and I went to Dobbies to get some compost and then to Sainsbury's to stock up a bit.

I planted my Charlotte potatoes while Jonathon took a load of garden rubbish to the tip.

Pauline contacted Stephensons to tell them we'd like to sell the bungalow through them and let Raworths (solicitors) know what's happening.

Mum and Carole went to look at a couple of flats. One was OK and one less so. Carole has registered Mum's interest but said it's too early to put a bid in yet because the bungalow isn't on the market.

I called Dean to let him know that we're not ready to sell the field and he agreed to rent it from us for another year.

Becci (our cousin, Uncle Jeff's daughter) phoned re Uncle Dave's funeral. I've not seen her since the mid 1990s so we'll have a lot to catch up on.

28 March

I can't remember the last time a whole day went by without me taking a single photo but that's what's happened today.

I went to the gym then work and that was about it for today!

29 March

Gym and work again today but work was a bit different (and therefore more interesting). We are changing our office format in a couple of months' time and had a workshop about it all morning. I'm not sure we achieved much but it made a nice change.

Jonathon went to Piano Smithfield but it was really busy when he got there so he turned round and came home again.

30 March

A quick trip to Tesco then Tabata, treadmill and Pilates (usual Thursday routine).

I took a few photos around the garden (there's lots of colour just now) but then it started to rain!

I delivered a load of magazines and cardboard to Alix for her craft sessions, met Jonathon at the Oprington for a drink then gardened for the rest of the day (came in at 6.20 p.m.). The first edging of the grass and weeding of the front of the grass facing beds is now done. Delighted to see some frog spawn in the pond. Not sure how long it will survive with hungry fish and bubble pumps so let's see.

Jonathon went out in the evening and I stayed home to rest my achy knees!

31 March

Tai Chi is a lovely way to start a Friday. My usual Yoga class was full so I'd booked an alternative one in Crofton Halls instead. It was a bit more gentle than Sally's class so I might decide to use that as my regular one instead. With next Friday being Good Friday there won't be a class so I'll have to wait an extra week.

Jo, Coco and I went for a walk, fully water-proofed up because the weather wasn't great. We had lunch at the cafe in Crystal Palace then had a good walk around. Coco did lots of running around and got very muddy then decided to sit on Jo's knee and have a sleep on the train on the way home.

Jonathon went to Greenwich to photograph a choir in the evening while Oli and I stayed in and kept dry.

1 April

A quick visit to the gym then Jo, Coco and I met up for a walk. The other "Knoll Actvie" walkers dropped out because it wasn't a nice enough day (wimps!).

As it was just us, we went a lot further than we would have done had the others been with us: Keston Common, Keston Ponds, Wilberforce Oak, High Elms and Farnborough then we caught the bus home. It was extremely muddy in parts!

I did nothing for the rest of the day while Jonathon went to Toulouse Lautrec for a photo shoot.

2 April

No church today so spent a bit longer in the gym and got my steps done so I could spend time in my sunny garden this afternon. I got the grass cut and some pruning done. A lovely ladybird was sunbathing on the False Divinity so I moved him very carefully to make sure he wasn't disturbed. My other job for today was planting name cards from Marie's wedding. They were impregnated with wild flower seeds so Jonathon and I checked our table to make sure nobody had left theirs behind. Those that were still on the table went into my bag so I had a good few to plant today.

Had a Skype call with Mum. She's got the photographer from the estate agent coming tomorrow morning so a lot of stuff has been hidden to make the bungalow look as tidy as possible.

I got a load of vegetable seeds planted after Skype so they can start while we're up north next week.

Had a chat with Christine. The children's disco in her village went well yesterday with plenty of attendees.

4 April

I got up and went for an early morning walk before breakfast. Sunrise was lovely and Harrogate is full of spring flowers and looking really pretty.

Breakfast wasn't very good at all - very poor choice of fruit salad and cereal and I'm really not sure what they'd done to the croissants but they were yuck.

I went to Larchfield Manor to complete the paperwork and see Dad after breakfast. He was OK but not particularly happy. He's understandably frustrated that he can't get anywhere under his own steam now that his legs have given up.

Christine had asked me whether there were any daffodils in the Stray (it's famous from crocuses but not daffs). There were quite a few so I took a photo for her on the way back from Dad's.

The afternoon (and the reason we were back in Yorkshire) was Uncle Dave's funeral at York crematorium. It was a remembrance of life service and quite upbeat (just like him) with plenty of music and some humour. There was a good turnout with family, friends, neighbours and former colleagues.

We went back to the hotel via Knaresborough to do some filing and collect both paperwork and garden equipment so we can go straight down home tomorrow morning.

5 April

Another early start but I didn't go far today - just round Valley Gardens. The sunrise was pretty but was just teasing because it was raining by breakfast time. We got a bit damp going up to get Peter and Jenny's thank you cheese.

Breakfast was even worse today so I cancelled my booking at The Crown for May and booked to try out another hotel - The Franklin - instead. We walked back from the cheese shop that way. It looked fine from the outside (more a guest house than a hotel I think) but there's no parking so it won't work if both of us are there with the car.

The roads were quite busy on the long journey south but not as bad as I'd feared for Easter week and we got home about quarter to three. Oli went with Jonathon to deliver the cheese to P&M then explored all the corners of our house he's not been able to access while we've been away.

I checked out a walk for Friday (and finished my steps for the day). They're a fussy lot - not too long, not too far away and no mud! I think this one meets all the requirements. By the time I got back, Jonathon had set off for town to shoot a gig so I started working through all the documents from Mum and Dad that Pauline had sent me home with.

6 April

Normality restored here but it was too damp to do any gardening. I spent the morning in the gym having done a load of shopping. Tabata, treadmill and Pilates - a normal Thursday.

Teresa came to do the cleaning and we decamped to the front room to keep out of her way. Oli made the most of us being back home, lots of grooming from me and even more sleeping on Jonathon.

Carole got the letter from the GP so delivered it to the bank and building society and I sent a copy to the NFU so they should all be done now - just need to wait for them to process the information.

We were both out in different places in the evening. I went to The Peacock Theatre to see Johannes Radebe's brilliant new show and Jonathon went back to The Pheasantry for a photo shoot.

7 April

Luis ran a Tai Chi class even though it wasn't on the official timetable - there were quite a few of us there so word had got around. I did a quick tramp on the treadmill before going home and getting ready to lead the Knoll Active walk. It was a lovely sunny day and relatively mud-free despite the rain yesterday. We met Meera in Priory Gardens and persuaded her to join us for a little while. I think she might come with us again if she's free.

We ended the walk at the Market Place so I could join in the Good Friday service (from the congregation only!).

I spent the afternoon in the garden with my main jobs being planting the rest of the potatoes, planting 3 new hydrangeas, sowing the forget-me-not seeds from Uncle Dave's funeral and replanting the seeded name cards that the birds had pulled out of the grass.

Pauline sent the bungalow sales (pdf) brochure through - it looks really good so hopefully will help towards a quick sale.

Jonathon went off to shoot a gig at The 100 Club while I stayed home.

8 April

Went via Alix's on the way to the gym to deliver some cardboard and magazines . I arrived home to receive a lovely Easter card from Tim and Di, designed by Di - I particularly liked the E-bunny. The post also brough the contract for selling the Entitlements so I'll need to go through that within the next couple of days.

Popped to Dobbies after dinner to get more compost, strawberry plants, tomato plants etc. Spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden sorting out the strawberries, setting up the tomatoes in the greenhouse and planting broad beans. It was a lovely day and the bees and butterflies were out in good numbers.

Jonathon had two photo sessions today so set off early afternoon - I saw him for about 5 minutes when I got back from the garden centre.

Collected the latest edition of the Knoll newsletter and delivered those to my allotted addresses. Took my surplus seeds to Liz for the Mind allotments and collected yet more magazines for Alix from Carol so I'll need to deliver those at some point.

Pauline phoned to discuss where Mum should move to - Vale Court or an extra care facility. Pauline and Mum will go look at an extra care complex in Starbeck on Thursday and Carole will check out what's available in Knaresborough. Mum hasn't decided what she wants yet so a visit will, hopefully, help her decide.

That's it for this page so on to the next ....

 

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