2023 Diary - Page 32

15 May

Gym seemed hard this morning and I've only been away 4 days! Gilda was busy so didn't come for a walk so I did my steps on the treadmill and spent time catching up at home and then gardening. Oli was with me for quite a bit of the time and I don't thiknk the vixens were very far away.

16 May

A quick trip to the gym before work. The Thames was really sparkly this morning and it turned into a lovely day - not a day to be in the office!

Shane and Chris were both in the office and told me that Shane's replacement starts next week so Shane can show him the ropes before he disappears.

I spent quite a lot of time sorting out Mum and Dad's finances as we have been asked to split their money because of Dad's care fees. Now done up to close of business last night but I'll need to update about once a month until Mum moves house when we can put the new household direct debits onto her sole account.

Jonathon had some conflicting calls with the electric providers. I'm sure he'll get it sorted out in the end but it seems to be a real trial. He'd gone out to a photo shoot before I got home so I didn't see him.

Carole messaged to say Dad had moved back to Larchfield so hope he settles back in very soon.

17 May

Gym then into work for an early meeting. As we were discussing 2026 I'm not sure why I was there but it was quite interesting.

I went for a walk to the Tower of London at lunchtime. There were four of these thrones, all decorated by schools. I guess there must have been a competition. They were all good but this one was my favourite.

The wild flowers at the Tower are really starting to put on a good show, albeit that there are some sizeable gaps.

Put a whole load of bird food away when I got home from work then watch TV.

18 May

I went to the gym for Tabata and then did most of today's steps on the treadmill. It was a beautiful morning and I decided to cancel my space at Pilates and enjoy the sunny weather instead.

Oli also liked the sunshine and took no time at all in jumping into Jonathon's seat as soon as it was available.

Teresa came this morning to do the cleaning - she had other things to do this afternoon and evening.

Our main job for today was finishing the patio power washing. It's now done for this year but we'll probably have to give the bit where the bird feeders are another blast just before we open on the 11th.

Jonathon was at home this evening for a change so we caught up with the quizzes we've missed this week so far and watched TV.

19 May

Tai chi this morning and sadly Luis told us that he is not going to be available to lead the class after next week because his regular job with the hospital is moving to 5 days per week so he has to work there on Fridays. He's offered us some alternative times so let's see what happens.

I spoke to Windsor Court Properties in Knaresborough on Mum's behalf and put an offer in on Flat 20 Vale Court at £70k. The vendors have declined and asked us to meet them half way (£75k) but we aren't keen. I promised to go back to Windsor on Monday once I'd spoken to C, P and Mum.

I gardened in the drizzle in the morning and got a bit damp but at least I got some tidying up done.

20 May

A much quieter day today. Gym for my steps then gardening for most of the rest of the day. The garden has loads of colour at the moment with two stars being the Ceanothus and the Clematis.

I tried to call the estate agents that are selling the flat that Mum wants to buy in Knaresborough but they were shut! Apparently they are only open Monday to Friday - a complete surprise to me as the estate agents where we are do most of the their business at the weekends.

All too soon, it was time to get ready to go out. Marcia, Gilda and I were scheduled to go to Tunbridge Wells on the train to see The Illegal Eagles but there were replacement buses so Gilda said she would drive. Marcia wasn't well so she couldn't join us so we had a seat for bags and coats. One of the people sitting close to us siad he wasn't enjoying the show because the band were too good - I gave up trying to understand his logic at that point!

21 May

Shreena's class seemed even harder than normal - I asked her if was her revenge for me giving Amelie a sugar lolly but she assured me it wasn't.

Church was strange because I didn't know the first two hymns -we'd had the order of service so I taught myself them before I went. Apparently the first one had been sung in St John's sometime in the 1980s so the preacher hoped we'd remembered it!

The baby starlings continue to make a racket but some of them have already worked out how to feed themselves on the fat candles etc. so they are growing up fast.

Did some gardening - the star of ths show today was the California Poppies (until the sun went behind the clouds then the closed up again!)

Spoke to Mum and reassured her that we would get Gary in to the flat to sort out bits and pieces before she moves in. As it was, C, P and I had already decided Mum should move into a hotel for a day or two so she wouldn't have to deal with all the to-ing and fro-ing (with me as I'll be in a hotel anyway). Hopefully, that's put her mind at rest until the next concern comes along.

Caught up with Christine for a long chat. Her bee stings have finally cleared up.

22 May

Our yellow rose is looking stunning.

HIIT with Ela and co this morning - seemed easier today than Shreena's class yesterday but i'm sure it wasn't! No treadmill needed because I was confident I'd get my steps done today without it and I had loads of other stuff to do.

Booked the next batch of Sadlers Wells tickets and sent the "invoices" round; spoke to Prudential about the document that was missing in the pack they returned to me; spoke to Standard Life re me acting as Attorney for Dad (took ages to get through).

Big news for today was that the vendors of 20 Vale Court (the flat Mum wants to buy) accepted our offer. I was delegated to do the negotiation and I was pleased with the result because we didn't budge from our initial offer price.

No time for gardening before Gilda arrived and we went for a walk. We got as far as Richmal Crompton Fields, a bit further than we originally intended to go but Gilda hadn't been there before and I really like it there. Everything was very lush and green but one of the paths was a bit overgrown, mainly with cow parsley!

We met Jonathon at The Maxwell for lunch, Gilda then went home and I went to the High Street to collect an order from Holland and Barrett.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden (main job planting out leeks) before going to the Worship Group meeting at church - not sure how I was talked into being the minute secretary!

I had a few spare courgette and leek plants so took those for Brendan (Jenny, his wife, is a member of the group) and came home with a handful of asparagus, freshly picked from their allotment.

23 May

The hawthorn is amazing this year. It seems to thrive on neglect!

Gym for a quick treadmill then work. My new colleague, Tim, started. He seems nice and should settle in well. At least having him there gave me plenty to do (he's not worked for a German bank before so lots of explaining needed!).

Pauline got a load of documents and requests through from Raworths (Mum and Dad's solicitors) so I've had a look and sent her the information she asked for.

I met Mark for dinner at Cote - very nice.

24 May

I could join flamingos at the gym today because I wasn't at work in the morning. It was Ela's birthday and Sharon had set up an area in the gym in a beach theme with all of us wearing hula hula skirts (we looked a right sight!). Jo had organised a present for her and we all have a really fun time.

Work was work, same as normal but only for half a day. Pauline sent more documents through for the sale of the bungalow so I went through those and added comments where requested.

I went down to my shed when I got home and noticed that my potato plants had become top heavy and looked like they were going to topple over so a quick rescue job was needed before I had my tea.

My broad beans, courgettes and peas are all doing OK (Jonathon got the watering system linked up to the water butt pump last night).

I think we've just about caught up with the paper work for the purchase / sale of the bungalow and flat, at least for now!

26 May

Today was the last Tai Chi class unless a different time can be found that suits both Luis and the gym (not to mention those of us who go). It's been nice while it lasted.

I spent the rest of the day in the garden, admiring the red roses that are now flowering alongside the yellow one in the front garden.

The pond is lovely and clear and the fish very active. I noticed a few babies swimming around as well.

Jonathon and I went to see Gretchen Peters' final UK concert at Cadogan Hall. As we were close by, we had dinner at Manicomio beforehand (scummy). Just around the corner, outside the Saatchi Gallery, there was a Lion King exhibition, including this lovely rhino.

The concert was first rate and it's such a shame that we won't get to see her perform again.

27 May

A quick trip to the gym then another day in the garden - trying to get it as ready as possible for when we open on the 11th June.

The foxes were full of beans today - behaving like cubs rather than the 3 year old foxes that they are. The baby starling seem more prolific than ever and they are really noisy! They tend to stay together and all like to be in the same place at the same time.

The Charlotte potatoes are ready so I emptied the first bag and will cook some for lunch tomorrow.

I was supposed to be leading a walk for the Knoll Walkers but there was nobody available so I postponed it until tomorrow. To finish my steps I popped to Tesco for a bit of shopping. On the way back, I bumped into Javid (lives in the next street) who asked for some gardening advice so I popped round there with him. His fuchsias are in dire need of pruning but I didn't offer to do them for him, just showed him what's needed.

I started pulling a "Mum's Moving To Do" list together and sent the first draft to Carole and Pauline to add anything they could think of.

28 May

Gym and church this morning. Church was a bit different because we had the service in the Moreton Hall rather than the church itself. There were 51 people there and the sound was much better in the hall than when there are 51 in the church.

We got the umbrella up while the chicken was cooking for dinner. Our new potatoes were yummy!

I spent the rest of the afternoon gardening before it was time for Skype. Mum didn't have any particular news - she's still working hard at sorting her stuff out ready for her move.

29 May

No gym class today because it's a bank holiday. I went to the gym and did my stuff then home for Gilda's arrival.

We walked through Covet Wood, Poverest Park, alongside the River Cray, round St. Mary Cray Recreation Ground and the adjoining field then back to Orpington High Street for lunch with Jonathon at Masala Dabbas.

I spent the afternoon in the garden, focussing on the border between us and Peter and Mary but I had to wait until my huge lunch had settled before I dared to start bending over!

Caught up with Christine in the evening. She'd been to a fancy party at one of her neighbour's since we'd last spoken.

30 May

I went to the gym before work to do my usual treadmill steps.

Working today and Thursday this week to accommodate the train strikes. It was a bit chilly this morning but at least we didn't have frost like Christine did.

Everything was tootling along quite calmly when I got a call from larchfield to say Dad's left arm was very swollen and they couldn't get an ambulance for at least 6 hours. The GP also wasn't available so please could the family help.

I got hold of Carole and Pauline and Carole managed to get a wheelchair taxi to get Dad to A&E. Carole messaged later to say Dad was hooked up to IV Antibiotics but they think they've caught it early so no immediate panic.

In the meantime, Dr. Olusoga from the Memoty Clinic phoned to say Dad had been uncooperative this morning. He wasn't belligerent but he was not interested in being diagnosed and was adamant he didn't want any medication to help slow down his Vascular Dementia / Alzheimer's. He asked if we. as Attorneys, could give it some thought and let him know if we wanted to override Dad and decide the tablets should be prescribed in any case. Something to be decided by the end of the week and after the immediate crisis of Dad's arm is addressed.

I met Mark for dinner at Comptoir Libonais - the food was lovely, the service awful. There was a Stop Oil protest on Tower Bridge when I wslked over so the traffic was in total chaos.

31 May

I had a lovely surprise this morning when I found out that one of my photos had made this week's selection in the Camera Club in the Newshopper (local paper). It's the first time I've had a photo in so very exciting.

Less exciting was trying to get any sense out of the credit card team at HSBC. They'd messed up the direct debit so Jonathon had sorted out the immediate problem and made a direct payment yesterday so we wouldn't incur any interest for late payment but when I looked at the account this morning the direct debit was showing for tomorrow. We definitely don't want to pay it twice! HSBC Premier were lovely and helpful but the credit card person was anything but. I'll keep a close eye on it for the next few months.

I joined the flamingos in the gym because I couldn't go to work - train strike day. I also got my steps done so I didn't need to go out again.

I did loads of gardening today, despite feeling full of cold (thanks Jonathon). I was very achy by the end of the day.

Alicia and Lizzie popped round to get the remaining rhubarb. I prefer it to be a bit more "fattened up" but Alicia seemed happy with it and took it home happily.

Lizzie brought her camera and Whitelegs obliged by hanging around for a little while so she could take some lovely photos (the one on the right is one of hers).

I did a Covid test to make sure it was only a cold that I'd caught - it was negative so I guess that's it.

1 June

I felt a bit better when I got up so went to the gym before work.

Work was OK - I kept myself busy for most of the day, including clearing out a cupboard I didn't even know the team had!

The trains were chaotic because there'd been a trespasser on the line but they were moving again by the time I got to London Bridge so it wasn't too bad. I bumped into Caroline and Pebby on the way from the station. Pebby came running up to me and we had a lovely cuddle.

Terry was here today - re-varnished the front door, put a clock up and a installed a new security camera near the front door.

Dad's still in hospital and very sleepy but going on to oral antibiotics which is a step in the right direction.

2 June

No tai chi so we decided to do our own group exercise this morning. I thought it would start at 7.30 a.m. (same as tai chi) but the others brought it forward half an hour.

I did some grocery shopping on the way home, had a chat with Gregg (Jonathon's friend on the record stall), had a chat with one of our neighbours and finally got home.

I went back to the High Street later to get my hair cut. I went back to Marble. The hairdresser couldn't speak much English but she seemed very nice and took a lot of care with my hair.

I decided to take it a bit steady today because my cold seems to be affecting my ears so I read the paper and did the puzzles before embarking on any gardening.

I still got quite a bit of tidying up done, including cutting hte grass - so much quicker now it's just the paths rather then the whole lot.

Pauline and Mum went to Raworths to go through the questionnaires for the sale of the bungalow and purchase of the flat. The solicitors were very impressed with Pauline's completion of the forms (hardly surprising).

Jonathon's photo shoot was in Bromley tonight - good job as there was yet another train strike today. Thank goodness for buses.

3 June

I had nothing in my diary for today (other than a reminder that there was a train strike!). I woke up coughing and sniffling (I do hope this cold goes away soon) so got up and went out for a walk. As I have promised the walkers rhodedrons tomorrow I thought I should check them out and make sure they were in flower. They were, so photos tomorrow!

The alstromaerias in our front garden are just starting to bloom so they should be in full flower ready for next weeked.

I popped into the gym for 30 minutes of weights. Fay was in the gym so is clearly feeling a lot better (just hope she's not overdoing it).

The bags of garden rubbish have been building up soI mentioned to Jonathon that the temporary tip at Green Street Green had reopened so he whizzed down there and got straight in with no queue. As a result, he did three trips and cleared a whole load of bags.

Dad is now back in Larchfield Manor, eating and drinking but very tired.

We had dinner outside then I gardened for the rest of the afternoon - mostly pruning with just a bit of weeding today.

4 June

A quick visit to the gym but no class for me today - head colds and Shreena's class don't mix as there's a lot of downward facing activity!

I did a tiny bit of gardening and was pleasantly surprised to see how many white flowering plants we have at the moment so took a few to share on Facebook.

Had a Skype call with Mum. She's busy sorting stuff out ready for her move so we had a chat about which pieces of furniture she'd like to take with her and which she intends to get rid of. Graph paper will be fully employed when I'm up there on the 15th.

Led a Knoll Active Walkers walk in the evening. As promised, we went to see the rhodedendrons in The National Trust Petts Wood. A lot of them were in flower so it was a good show and there were quite a few local gardens with various colours rhodies as well so it make for a pretty walk.

Whilst on the walk I had a very welcome message from Derek to say they'd found Maureen's bracelet in the car - it had slipped down the side of her seat and could only be seen with the seat moved to an extreme position. Phew!

5 June

Despite Ela being on holiday we still did circuits - just made it up for ourselves. Unfortunately I had a bit of an accident - I fell backwards of the balance hemisphere (clearly I wasn't balancing!) and bumped my head on the frame that holds the sandbags. Everyone was very solicitous, making sure I was OK etc. I was fine - it was more the shock than anything but the crown of my head is a bit tender where I bumped it. I'll have to keep an eye on things for the next couple of days.

We went to Jo's for coffee / tea and croissants before going home so I had an hour or so sitting down and didn't feel like I had any ill effects.

Gilda came for our usual Monday walk. We went to Darrick and Newstead Woods and Tubbenden Meadows today. The wildflowers were starting to show their true colours with a few red clover flowers open and lots of buttercups.

Jonathon joined us at The Queen's Head in Green Street Green for lunch. It was never going to be great after Chapter One yesterday but it was certainly a lot cheaper!

I spent the rest of the day ironing then working in the garden. The garden is just about ready now - some final touches will be needed at the end of this week but nothing major (unless something goes wrong!)

Had a chat with Christine - she thinks she might have a dining table that Mum can borrow so that will save us trying to buy one before she moves in.

6 June

Gym and work today. It was the last day I'll work with Shane because he's not in tomorrow and leaves on Wednesday. Hopefully Tim will be a bit more "teamie" rather than keeping everything to himself. Time will tell.

I went for a walk at lunchtime despite it being quite dull and grey, more to get some fresh air than anything else.

Watered the pots and food beds when I got home and topped up the bird feeders, under the close supervision of Oli. I'm not sure he should sit on the ASHP kit in the garage so I lifted him off and made sure he was out of the garage before I shut the door.

Mum went to see Dad who was in reasonable form and up to playing dominoes so definitely better than he was.

7 June

Gym and work again today.

One of my main jobs today was to pack up my desk so nothing gets lost when the builders move in on Friday. It's surprising how little I had in my desk (I brought my English / German dictionaries home yesterday knowing we would only get small crates).

My cold isn't much better so, once my desk was cleared, I left and walked up to the West End.

I met Gilda and Mark for dinner at Sarastro's in Drury Lane. It's a very old, ornately decorated, restaurant that's full of theatre memorabilia with opera music to entertain diners (mainly recorded but occasionally live).

We were supposed to go to The Rocky Horror Show after dinner but I decided it would be too noisy for my poorly ears so I left them to it.

The benefit of coming home earlier was that I caught a lovely sunrise in the back garden and I had time to spend with Oli.

8 June

I decided to go for a walk this morning rather than do my steps in the gym - far more enjoyable but it takes a lot longer. I strolled through Priory Gardens towards the end of the walk - lots of lovely youngsters and the birds were enjoying the sunny day.

I popped into the gym to finish my steps and do some weights then home via Sainsbury's and Boots. The pharmacist at Boots has suggested Beconase to help with my ears so I'll try that and see how it goes.

By the time I got home, Will was just finishing up cleaning the windows so they are all sparkly for opening on Sunday.

Teresa came and did the cleaning. Anike popped round with the tickets, float and a bit of blurb re the causes we are raising money for (KRA Defibrillator Fund and SiMBA). I gave her a tour of the garden - she seemed to particularly like the veg beds.

I decided to clear up around the pond after dinner. The potatoes at the side of the pond are starting to flower but they are quite bushy and I managed to lose my balance and fall into the pond as I tried to walk past them. Thankfully, the frame holding the net in place saved me from going all the way in and I didn't tear the net but it needed to be fastened up again. All good again now and I don't think I'm too bruised.

Jonathon decided to get cracking on the final clean of the patio for Sunday. The birds are lovely but they make a real mess so it takes a bit of cleaning. I helped by moving stuff around so he didn't have to keep stopping and restarting.

The bird feeders are now all cleaned. It was very tempting not to fill them up until after Sunday but I couldn't do that to the poor birds!

My main job for today was trying to clean some of the bird poo off the hydrangeas. Luke warm water and a gentle cloth seems to have done the trick and they look a lot better.

9 June

Another day, another walk but I didn't even make it to the gym after my walk today. I dropped a bottle off at Alix's (her latest project), walked to Chelsfield Recreation Ground, Goddington Park then back via Sainsbury's and Boots. There were so many beautiful flowers to admire on the way it took a while!

I was a bit sore today after my foray into the pond yesterday so didn't do a lot of gardening. Good job I'd got everything ready early. I still moved a bit of stuff around, put the "No Entry" and "Care Water" signs up, all while Oli relaxed under the parasol!

Jonathon spent a lot of time getting a whole load of CDs together ready for Gregg to collect tomorrow.

10 June

Gym first then gardening. I'm not sure why, today of all days, the power washer decided not to work properly but we got done what we needed to do with the patio and I dare say the birds didn't get the memo about no more poo until after we've opened!

It was really hot all day but I had to go to M&S to get treats for our lovely gatekeeper volunteers for tomorrow. I walked there but got the bus back then walked up from the High Street.

Had a Skype call with Mum - we won't have time tomorrow. No real news other than continuing to get ready for the house move.

I took a load of photos of the garden and put them on an Open Garden page (it's a long time since our last one!)

11 June

I got up quite early and got everything set up in good time. Oli made a point of inspecting the entrance to make sure it passed muster. Lisa arrived to do the first stint on the gate with Jonathon and we didn't have to wait long before our first visitors arrived. From then on, we had a steady inflow of visitors throughout the opening times (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a rota of lovely volunteers arriving as planned or their allocated hour.

Netta arrived with Kyron to do her stint with Denise. Kyron, as expected, didn't want to sit at the entrance with her so I supervised him for the hour, mainly trying to make sure he didn't fall into the pond. Apparently, he'd never seen fish in a pond before so he was fascinated. We gave them a bit of food which both Kyron and the fish enjoyed!

We expected Oli to disappear for the day but he was remarkably sociable (from time to time!).

At the end of the afternoon, with everything put back inside in case the threatened storm arrived (it didn't), I popped round to Anika's with the day's takings. In total, we raised £942.55 across the four gardens and including the refreshments. Everybody was very happy with this result and they are already talking about doing another one next year.

I was definitely ready to put my feet up when I got back home!

12 June

Today was a lot quieter than yesterday! It was very hot early on. I did my steps at the gym so I could stay home and relax, enjoying the peace and quiet of my garden.

We had lunch outside, watching the rain and listening to the rolls of thunder from under the umbrella. It didn't last long but it was more than welcome. I was so happy it rained today instead of yesterday and that I didn't have to water the garden this evening.

Oli also enjoyed relaxing and spent most of the day with me in the garden.

Jonathon went to Camden. Within a couple of minutes of him setting off, the heavens opened and a very wet and bedraggled human appeared at the door to get changed. I gave him a lift to the station so he didn't get wet again.

I managed to catch up with the ironing, have a chat with Christine, do a Covid test (negative) and sort out my paperwork / to do list for Yorkshire so it wasn't a totally lazy day.

13 June

Another relaxing day. The builders are in so nobody is allowed in the office. Rather than argue my case, I took today as holiday to relax and tomorrow to head north.

Went to the gym and did various bits in there. I was delighted to see a Green Woodpecker enjoying the longer grass on the verges in Oatfield Road on the way to the gym.

Jonathon took the power washer to the Trafalgar in Haywards Heath so they could work out what is wrong with it. We bought it in 2008 so it's lasted pretty well! They did their initial diagnosis and phoned to ask Jonathon what kind of feed-in hose / connector he was using - could be something as simple as that. He will check tomorrow (he was already in London when they contacted him).

Gilda and I went to Bromley to see The Verdict. Neither of us was gripped by it (perhaps too formulaic / American for me with a Jewish man, an Irish man, a man of colour and a flirty blonde) so we left at half time.

14 June

Got a load of jobs done (2 loads of washing, all the watering) before heading to the gym for half an hour's treadmill.

All the trains ran to time on my way to Harrogate. I swapped seats with a young lady so she and her friend could sit together. They spent most of their time sharing stories on their phones but seemed happy enough.

I popped into Raworths with Dad's POA so we can tick that off the list.

I'm staying at the Arc B&B and they let me check in early which was kind of them. The room is tiny but has everything that I need. It's also quite noisy, fronting King's Road, but I don't think it will stop me sleeping.

Because all the timing had worked well, I had time to walk to RHS Garden Harlow Carr and have a good mooch round. It was looking spectacular with beautiful, blue sky and sunshine to make everything sparkle. Some of the planting was just "wow"!

Final stop for today was M&S to get some snacks and drinks for tea then back to the Arc to put my feet up.

15 June

I started today with a walk through Valley Gardens and Pinewood. I walked as far as the Pinewood Panorama to admire the view then back through the gardens to home via Pret a Manger. The selection of food was a bit disappointing compared to what we get in London but I found enough variety for breakfast.

I went to see Dad late morning. He was in a pretty bad way and hadn't even got up. He seems to have given up the will to live and I don't think the hot weather is helping at all. I left when Debra, one of the carers, came to try and persuade him to get up.

With no specific plans for lunch, I thought I'd go to Harrogate Tea Rooms but they were closed for their Silver Wedding so I wandered around and found the Quirky Farm Bistro. The food was delicious - really fresh and tasty. Stella, the owner's little dog, was trotting quite happily round the cafe which was an added bonus!

I went to Mum's for the afternoon and met up with Pauline. Pauline chauffered us to Vale Court so she and Mum could chat with Gary about what needs to be done post completion while Peter (estate agent) and I measured everywhere so I could put a more detailed space plan together.

I played with graph paper, scissors, rulers and selotape back at Mum's and worked out how most of the furniture she'd like to take with her could fit.

Back to Harrogate on the bus after tea with Mum and time for a read of my paper and a rest.

16 June

Valley Gardens and Harrogate town centre for my walk today. The choice at Pret was even worse today than yesterday so I got my breakfast from Tesco (I know how to live!).

I spent the morning at Mum's dealing with emails and sorting out utility accounts. The Electricity, Gas, TV License, BT Phone and Broadband are now sorted out as much as they can be. I was pleased with the outcome of the phone and broadband call. They are now both in Mum's name and "packaged" so that should save quite a bit per month.

Carole popped in to cut the grass and very kindly gave me a lift to The Wharf so Mum and I could have yummy fish for dinner. We both decided it was too hot for chips.

I walked alongside the River Nidd (as usual) and caught the bus from High Bridge back to Harrogate. I dumped my stuff in the guest house then went to see Dad.

He was in better form than yesterday and taking notice of what was going on around him. I was with him for about 1.5 hours. The carers came to take him for his tea so I left and went back to the guest house to start packing ready the journey home for tomorrow.

I was disappointed to receive a message from Trainline to tell me that my train tomorrow had been cancelled, or at least part of it. It seems to be just the bit between Harrogate and Leeds so I checked at the station and they confirmed that I should be able to get on the train at Leeds. I got a replacement ticket for the first bit of the journey so fingers crossed for tomorrow!

17 June

This morning I went to Bilton for a walk. It wasn't too far from the guest house (same side of Harrogate). Saw lots of dog walkers and had a few strokes.

Poppies were scattered about here and there adding some lovely colour.

I walked past the end of Willow Grove on the way home (Pauline and Paul's first address).

Sadly, Pauline messaged to let us know that her friend, Pat, had died as a result of a cycling accident in Scotland yesterday - a terrible shock for her family and friends.

18 June

Back to the gym for me today to get lots of steps done so I could spend time in the garden.

As expected, the lilies came into full bloom while I was in Yorkshire and they are now lookng lovely.

I picked some strawberries from the plants that spread themselves (the squirrels have also had a few I noticed) and I picked the first lot of gooseberries. We had those stewed with ice cream for afternoon drinkings - yummy.

Oli hasn't been very far away from me for a lot of the day. I think he's pleased I'm home! He supervised me cutting the grapevine back - it has gone completely wild in the last few days. I also cut some ivy back but there's an awful lot of ivy to go yet.

No Skype today because I saw Mum a couple of days ago and we had Praise and Pastries at church at 4.30 p.m. The song / hymn choices were quite varied and it was a really good singing session.

Pauline messaged. She and Paul had been to see Dad but, as yesterday, he was sleeping most of the time.

19 June

I went to Ela's class today. It was the first time for four weeks (bank holiday, Ela holiday and recovering from open garden the last few weeks). I could definitely tell I'd not been for a while - it was so hard! The fact that the studio was really warm didn't help but I got through it and got my heart rate and breathing back to normal by walking on the treadmill.

I noticed that the courgettes have started flowering so it won't be long before they'll be ready to eat.

Gilda came over and we did the woodlands and alleyways walk with Tubbenden Meadows at the end. The meadows were in full flower and looked spectacular.

Jonathon met us at The Maxwell for lunch - seems to have become one of our favourites for a quick, reasonably priced Monday lunch.

I spent the afternoon tidying up and checking the room plans for Mum's flat. It took quite a while but I'm happy with the end result. It will be interesting to see how close the end result is when she gets moved in.

Caught up with Christine. No real news but good to have a chat with her.

To 2023 Diary (Page 33)