2023 Diary - Page 38

28 November

A lovely sunny morning after the rain last night made for pretty patterns on Jonathon's car!

Gym first then a day of jobs of one kind or another. I wrapped up Simran's Secret Santa present for next week (a book of chicken recipes and some rice because he always has chicken and rice for his lunch at work).

Harry from Raworths phoned to advise that we were finally exchanging contracts on the sale of the three-cornered field today. Hague and Dixon couldn't confirm that their accounts team would be efficient enough to move the money over the same day so we are completing tomorrow. Jonathon is on standby to check the money has come in because I'll be in Germany.

We went to Xi'an for dinner (very tasty). From there, I popped to Boots for a last few bits for packing and then cleared up the pond a bit (removing leaves, cutting back plants etc). The hydrangea heads that I cut a while ago are now dried so inside ready for Jonathon to take to Linda when they're ready for them.

A quiet night in because tomorrow will be busy.

29 November

I had a nice surprise to see that I had a photo in the local paper this week.

Went to the gym first thing because I wasn't going into the office - I was headed for Germany instead but I had plenty of time first thing.

I got a text from Marie Curie telling me I'd collected £18.59 - not much at all in two hours - I'd have been better staying at home and making a donation.

Dad's money came in from Raworths but it was late in the day so I couldn't do anything with it. It will sit in his current account until I get back from Germany on Friday.

I was booked on a Lufthansa flight to Munich for work so took the Thameslink to Farringdon and the Elizabeth Line all the way to Heathrow - it worked pretty well, despite a warning flashing up while I was on the train to say there were severe delays on the Elizabeth Line (think they must have been in the more outlying parts of the service).

Tim was on the same flight so we headed into Garching together. We went to my hotel first so I could check in then walked over to his (I couldn't get into the Dorint because it was fully booked up). We had dinner at the Dorint where Chris joined us then they both walked me back to the Soulmade.

30 November

I went for an early morning walk - there was a dusting of snow and everything looked quite pretty. There was a gym at the hotel but it was no use for me - only a bike and you had to be linked into Pelaton (I'm not).

We met at Head Office for an 11 a.m. start for our team building offsite. From there, we travelled to Schliersee and checked into the Maximilian. The view from my room was really lovely.

We had an afternoon session led by someone called Nicola who was trying to get us to list the issues we are facing as a bank and a team then come up with some potential solutions. I'm not sure whether it was useful or not!

We had dinner in a local restaurant and it was late before we got to bed.

After the tour and a German "tapas" lunch we headed back to Munich. As we had some time before our flights were due to take off, Chris, Tim and I went into Munich city centre and had gluhwein (them) and kinder punch (me) in The Residenzes Christmas market. The snow was still coming down but was quite damp and not settling in the city.

We got to the airport and everything seemed fine but it was snowing quite hard and, eventually, our flight was cancelled. Tim and I managed to get rooms at Soulmade. Chris was sitting on his plane at that time but, after quite a long wait, his flight was also cancelled because they couldn't successfully de-ice it. By then all the hotels were full so he ended up sleeping in the airport, only to be woken up by the German police at 2.30 a.m. He finally got a space in the Premier Inn and went there around breakfast time.

Tim and I got as far as Ismaning on the S-bahn then hoped to catch a bus but the buses weren't running. Thankfully, Tim managed to get an Uber and we got to the hotel, cold and wet but safe.

Lufthansa messaged to say that they'd re-booked us on a flight via Athens for tomorrow.

2 December

I woke up to a very snowy morning and it was pretty obvious that nothing much was moving. Unsurprisingly, our flight was cancelled so back to square one. We booked another night at the hotel while we waited for Lufthansa to tell us which flight they'd moved us to.

The receptionist at the hotel was lovely but clearly stressed out with all the hassle she was getting so I gave her the chocolates that Michael (new team member) had given me to cheer her up.

Lufthansa booked us on a replacement flight for tomorrow afternoon, direct to Heathrow this time so a lot better than via Athens or anywhere else!

Tim and I went to Poseiden for lunch (very tasty musaka) then I went for a nice walk in the snow. Everywhere looked really pretty. Despite my walk, I was a long way short of my usual daily steps target.

I started to keep a record of extra days worked and think about which days I'd take in lieu!

3 December

Lufthansa cancelled our flights again so we booked into the hotel for another night.

We phoned Egencia, the travel agent pbb uses, to try and sort out some flights for tomorrow. They booked us on flights via Frankfurt tomorrow afternoon - separate flights.

We tried to get to Munich for the day. The U-bahn was shut so we went on a bus to Ismaning only to find that the S-bahn was suspended so we ended up back at Garching.

We had lunch at Gasthof Neuwirt (very fancy leather menus and lovely food (we both had Zander)) then I went for a lovely, snowy walk and watched the sun go down.

Lufthansa cancelled the Frankfurt to London part of my flight but still seemed to think I'd go to Frankfurt and wait there until the found a connecting flight to London (no thanks). We booked another night at the hotel.

4 December

I finished my book so chose another from the vast selection available in the hotel.

Tim and I took the exective decision to book a flight for tomorrow night on EasyJet and give up completely with Lufthansa. I emailed the team in London and asked them to cancel the Lufthansa flights and we booked ourselves into the hotel for yet another night.

Jonathon took my secret Santa present into the office for the staff party tomorrow because it was pretty clear I wasn't going to get there!

We were at work longer than anticipated and had a very late lunch / early dinner at Augustiner when we got back to the village.

By the time we'd finished that it was dark and there was no time for a walk.

Alarmingly, Munich airport announced that it would not open until 12 noon tomorrow. We were grateful that the morning flight had been full so we hadn't been able to book it but whether the night flight would go remains to be seen.

5 December

Head office again today and Stephanie (boss) had even put meetings in our diary so we couldn't skive off. It was about 30 minutes to walk to the office and, all thoughout the trip, I've been really pleased with how my boots have coped. They are from Clarks rather than anywhere fancy but have been brilliant and really comfy.

The views from HO are pretty good, you can see all the way to Munich from the 5th floor canteen.

At the end of the day, Tim sorted out an Uber and we headed off to the airport (having checked that our flight was still planned).

We kept a close eye on the EasyJet coming from London because that would be the plane to take us home. We were relieved when it took off from London but didn't cancel the hotel booking at this stage, just in case!

In the end, EasyJet used a large-ish plane so they could accommodate everyone that was booked on our flight plus a whole load of people from the morning flight to try and get as many of us home as possible.

The taxi was waiting for me when we landed at Gatwick and I was home just before midnight, exhausted but very happy to be home.

6 December

Oli and I didn't wake up until almost 8.30 a.m. this morning - the longest I've slept in for ages. I felt a lot better for it but spent the morning in my pyjamas, drinking tea and doing Saturday's jumbo crossword (but still catching up with laundry etc). I was really pleased to see a damp, English morning with no snow!

By 12 noon I was starting to feel a bit more normal so headed to the gym to get my steps done and burn a few calories off. After lunch, I did a whole load of admin catch-up - still more to do but I made really good inroads into it.

The committee of the Knoll Residents' Association invited all the newsletter deliverers, advertisers and general supporting volunteers to The Cricketers for mince pies and mulled wine so I popped there for a little while. Carol had arranged for some hummus and crudites for those of us who didn't eat pies - very tasty. I brought a mince pie home for Jonathon.

I did some Sainsbury's shopping, went to Tesco to get the turkey breast for Christmas and went to The Entertainer to get some toys for the toy service on Sunday at church. There was far too much to choose from but I got quite a nice selection.

I phoned Yorkshire Building Society about a new ISA for Dad but they told me that I have to go into a branch so I'll go into Bromley tomorrow. I think / hope I've got all the information and bits of paper that I'll need.

Hilary's Blinds (Enoch) was supposed to come and fit our new blinds today but his friend hadn't returned his ladder so he's coming tomorrow instead.

Peitra phoned re the problems at Priory Gardens and the thugs with catapults. Apparently the remaining white goose is going to be rescued soon because it's deemed to be too dangerous for him to stay there (thanks to Alicia for the photo).

Dad's independent care assessor, Nicky, phoned to ask what I thought about the level of care Dad is getting at Larchfield. Needless to say, I told her he was in the best place under the circumstances.

After doing yet more admin stuff, it was time to head to The Orpington for their Christmas special lunch. Jonathon had mini sausage wellington followed by turkey dinner, I had soup followed by sea bream, tomatoes and broccoli - really tasty. For pudding we had trifle (J) and apple crumble (me). It was all delicious!

I set up the payments for Christmas and sorted out the last couple of presents and cards so they are all done now. I'll set up the payments from Mum and Dad tomorrow.

Jonathon went off to Walthamstow for a photo shoot. Oli came in from outside but without his collar / airtag so we will have to try and find it tomorrow.

9 December

I went to bed early last night, dosed up with Lemsip because I started feeling a bit grotty. I slept reasonably well but felt quite poorly when I got up. I'm sure it's just a cold and it's hardly surprising after all the shenanigans earlier this week and temperasture variance from -13C in Germany to +10C here yesterday. My covid test was negative so it's not that.

I went to the gym and hid myself in a corner on a treadmill to get my steps done (didn't fancy going for a cold, wet walk today). I was supposed to join the rest of the gym girls for coffee to celebrate Lorraine's birthday but thought I shouldn't spread my germs so apologised and came home instead. I was also supposed to be carol singing in the High Street with Churches Together in Orpington but when I came out of the gym the local brass band was playing so not sure where the singing was going to be but there's no way I could have joined in anyway.

I popped to Julian Charles because I'd seen a duvet cover in the window that I thought Jonathon might like. That one wasn't suitable but I found one with Christmas dogs on so he got that one and it's now on his bed.

Had another go at baked potatoes in the air fryer and this time they worked. On Thursday, we followed the instructions in the book that came with the fryer but they were still hard / raw in the middle and inedible. Christine said she'd been advised to buzz them in the microwave for 5 minutes first - good plan!

This afternoon's main job was putting up the decorations in the hall. Jonathon put the carousel together as well so we're all ready for Christmas now.

Had a Skype call with Mum. She seemed OK (apart from usual tummy troubles) and had been to keep fit yesterday.

10 December

No church today - no point going and coughing over everyone else. Jonathon took the toys I'd bought so they didn't miss out.

I went to the gym and did some treamill but the main activity for today was leading a Knoll Active walk to look for some coal posts. This morning I thought there would only be Ginny, Jane and me but there were nine of us in the end so a good number (and we found the coal posts we were searching for).

11 December

It was chaos here this morning. I got up and looked out of the window to find James and his crew here already. They were here to prune the pyracantha but I wasn't expecting them before 8 a.m. so I met them at the door in my dressing gown.

I didn't feel I could leave them to get on with it while I went to the gym so did a few jobs while I waited for them to finish. Leaves all swept up, breakfast eaten, washing up done, birds fed to name but a few. In the middle of it all, a delivery of bird food arrived so I dealt with that as well.

I cheekily asked James if he could take our garden rubbish with him in his truck to save us making a few journeys to the tip. Happily, he agreed so that will save Jonathon a few hours of driving to and fro (and save us the ULEZ charge).

One important thing I needed to do today was ring HMRC to find out why they'd not responded to my letter from July and/or authorised my tax refund. It took ages and, other than telling me they were realy busy and this enquiry hadn't been picked up, they couldn't really help. My query has now been referred up the line and I should hear back by 11 January so it's in the diary for then. By the time, I'd finished with that it was too late to go to the gym because Gilda and Mark were due here for lunch and a walk so I got changed and they arrived almost at once!

We (and Jonathon) had lunch at A Mano (very nice) then the three of us went for a walk through Priory Gardens, alongside the River Cray, round St. Mary Cray Recreation Ground and through Poverest Park. All good other than Gilda slipping in the mud and ending up covered in it. She seems to have been tripping quite a bit recently so hope it's nothing serious, just her not concentrating - something to keep an eye on.

Alma came to do the cleaning in the afternoon - she is a lot more thorough than Teresa used to be - our home has never been so clean!

Had a catch up with Christine - there are floods in her area so she'll have a long drive to get to her customers this week. It's far too wet for her to leave the Dairy calendars with people's milk so who knows when she'll be able to deliver those.

I finally got to the gym about 7 p.m. There were no treadmills available and everyone seemed very focused on what they were doing with, seemingly, very little chat at all - very different to mornings!

There are some lovely decorations on the way to the gym and our Christmas cacti are in full flower and looking lovely - they seem to thrive on neglect!

Nicola popped into the office to exchange Christmas cards but didn't stay long because she was full of cold and definitely didn't need my cough.

I did my expenses and caught up with the emails that had come in over the past two weeks then finally got access to the system I need so was very busy (and will be again tomorrow).

Jonathon was out with his cameras when I got home so I practiced my singing, the reading I'm doing on Sunday, trimmed my nails, booked a hair appointment for Thursday and groomed Oli.

13 December

Another week, another photo in the local paper - happy days!

Went to the gym then to work. I spotted a new statue in the endangered animals exhibition on the way there.

As expected, work was pretty busy, if not particularly interesting. It got more interesting in the afternoon when someone asked me for help so we had a bit of a frantic few minutes sorting their problem out!

14 December

The sunrise was spectacular this morning and I just had to take a photo (or few) of it.

Went to the gym and was really pleased I could use some of the machines that I've not been able to recently because of my poorly wrist. Perhaps my enforced rest from the gym (in Munich) has done it some good!

The evening's treat was Matthew Bourne's "Edward Scissorhands" at Sadlers Wells - excellent!

15 December

Had a nice lie in this morning and finally crawled out of bed about 8.30 a.m. - can't even blame Oli this time because he wasn't with me.

Went to the gym to get a few steps done, made risotto for lunch then spent a lazy afternoon reading my paper and doing crosswords etc.

Met Jo and Gilda for theatre in the evening - Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theatre this time. Walked via Trafalgar Square to get there so we could see the tree and nativity scene en route.

The critics panned the play but we disagreed and thought it brilliant. Only five in the cast but all really top rate actors (incluing Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James).

17 December

Gym then I led a Knoll Active walk through Priory Gardens, alongside the Cray, round St. Mary Cray Rec and back via Poverest. It was a really good turnout today with 15 walkers (including me) and the sun shone beautifully.

I'd got the beef casserole ready last night so left it slow cooking while we were walking - lovely, warm and tasty to come home to.

We ordered a shoe rack recently from Robert Dyas. Jonathon tracked the order because it hadn't arrived to find it had been delivered to number 9 instead of number 8. Number 9 is currently a building site because new people have recently bought it and they are having a lot of work done before they move in. Needless to say, the builders weren't on site today with it being a Sunday so Jonathon went to have a chat with the shop to see what could be done. Apparently they are going to re-order it for us.

We had our big candlelit carol service in the evening. I ran out of singing voice towards the end but, thankfully, didn't cough at all when I was doing my reading about the shepherds.

18 December

Ela's class to start the day then a quick treadmill before heading home with a bit of shopping.

Jonathon seemed to be starting with a cold and cough when he got up but seemed a bit better in the afternoon.

Went for a walk after dinner - measuring the route for Saturday. No Gilda today because she's having her hair cut (only day she could get an appointment).

Alma was at our house when I got back busy doing the cleaning.

Our runner in the hall was getting very tatty so we'd ordered a new one and it arrived today. I'm not sure how long it will stay clean (especially with my muddy boots!) but it certainly brightens the hall up.

My Freddie's Flowers arrived about 7 p.m. - the latest they've ever been but at least it was before I went to bed!

19 December

Today was rainy and dull. The decorations at Hay's Galleria and Cote brightened up the Riverside walk on the way into work.

Oli had been poorly overnight and was definitely feeling sad and sorry for himself all day. We have no idea what he's eaten but it hasn't done him any good.

Work wasn't very interesting but at least it was my last day there until 9 January so I have a good long break.

20 December

Today was an emotional day. I knew it would be busy so did my steps at the gym to get them out of the way.

The good things: Marie messaged to let us know that Baby Doyle number 3 is due in June, Christine sent us some lovely flowers for Christmas and Angela sent us a pretty Christmas decoration instead of a card.

The not so good: Oli was still really poorly so Jonathon rang the vets as soon as they opened and we took him straight there. The vet examined him and found something of concern in his intestinal area so they kept him there for an ultrasound scan. That, in turn, moved into an operation to see what was what inside him and do a biopsy. Although we won't get the results until after Christmas, his lymph nodes are really swollen all along his intestines and the vet is quite sure he has lymphoma / cancer but of what kind he can't say. It's a really worrying time for us and very upsetting for Oli. He's not allowed outside and can't understand why. We've bought him a litter tray but have no idea if he's ever used one before or not so it's all very traumatic for him.

His coat is a dog coat (the cat ones weren't big enough) and is to protect his wound. The bandage is where he had his intravenous fluids and will be removed tomorrow.

21 December

Oli seems about the same as yesterday. He's found (and used) his litter tray so that's a weight off our mind (and probably his because he's quite fastidious).

I didn't make the gym class (other than the last 5 minutes) but was there for the Christmas group photo then did a load of steps on the treadmill and came home via Tesco where I stocked up on meat for the freezer.

22 December

I had a little visitor at 4.30 a.m. this morning - so lovely to have Oli with me, especially as he was purring away quite happily. He managed to eat and drink a tiny bit today so a definite improvement on yesterday but I'd be happier if he was eating, and especially drinking, more. Small steps.

Went to the gym - it was really busy. I'd hoped to use one of the recumbent bikes but they were all occupied so I did some weights then treadmill before going to Sainsbury's to get veg etc. for Christmas day. I think we've got everything we need now.

Sindhu and Carol asked if they, Jo and I could go for a walk - just the four of us so today was the day. We did the coal post walk (I'm more than familiar with that walk now having done it for the third time in realtively quick succession. There were lots of berries to see and a few Christmas decorations - I think this white animal is supposed to be a polar bear.

We came back into Orpington by bus but made the mistake of getting an R1 so went all around the houses - it would have been quicker to walk!

23 December

Gym to start the day after a night without much sleep. Oli was with me from 11.30 p.m. to about 4 a.m. and didn't settle at all. Every time I thought he'd dozed off he meowed and wanted a stroke. Needless to say, I didn't get up very early.

We had a post-op appointment at the vets. The vet was very pleased with the way his wound was healing but Oli still has to stay inside and keep his red jacket on. He seems to be much brighter in himself and has been eating and drinking more today so all relatively positive. His next appointment is Wednesday and that's when we should get the biopsy results. Needless to say we are dreading it.

Jo and I tested out the advent window walk in the evening because she'll miss it tomorrow. Some of the windows were better than others with some not even lit up (presumably the home owners were out at the time). We saw some lovely decorations on our way round.

24 December

The gym was quiet when I got there but really busy when I left and I thought I was late getting up because Oli and I were having a good snuggle time. Oli has been asking for food and eating and drinking relatively well today which is good to see. He's quite a lot brighter in himself but sleeping a lot (he sleeps quite a lot anyway but we are noticing it more because he's inside all the time just now). He really, really wants to got outside.

Jo messaged to say her daughter, Jenny, had tested positive for Covid so she could join the walk this evening after all. We invited her for Christmas dinner tomorrow but it's not her sort of thing so "thanks, but no thanks". I'll see if she wants to go for a walk tomorrow if Jen isn't up to it.

Had a Skype call with Mum. She's very busy at the moment going here and there so plenty to keep her occupied.

Lead a walk round the Knoll Advent Windows in the evening. People joined en route and left before the end but a best estimate would be that between 45 and 50 people joined me. Amelie and I had a really good chat as we walked round together.

There were a few lads with their parents who acted as brilliant spotters for the numbers in the windows - saved a lot of time and they saw the numbers Jo and couldn't find yesterday.

We ended the walk at Steve and Anne-Marie's house, having visited 19 of the 24 windows, where we were treated to mulled wine, juice and homemade fudge whilst we watched the "big reveal" of Advent Window 24, complete with dramatic music and fireworks! Nobody seemed very interested in the final 5 windows

25 December

Christmas Day!

I got up and went for a walk before church. It was amazingly peaceful with very few people around and only a handful of cars (but it was quite early for Christmas Day - and still dark).

It started to drizzle as I got back home but nothing too much.

Church was fun. Lizzie King led the service. We sang the usual carols but her talk was about Christmas traditions in other countries - really interesting.

My Freddie's flowers (they were delivered last Monday) were in full bloom just in time for Christmas - they looked lovely.

Oli took all the excitement in his stride and slept for most of the day. He is still eating and seems to quite like his cat milk but so, so desperately wants to get outside. He still really hates his medicine so that's a bit upsetting when I have to give it to him but I think he swallows more than he spits out.

Dinner was ready at 1 p.m. as planned. The turkey breast came from Tesco and was very tasty but I still think turkey tastes better cold. There were very few leftovers but enough turkey for a curry on Wednesday.

26 December

I tested out the walk for Saturday - 8 km so a bith further than we normally walk but there are plenty of escape points if needed. It was a beautiful, sunny morning so a lovely walk. I'm sure Oli would have loved to come with me because he is desperate to get outside.

I was surprised to see a prunus in full blossom in Priory Gardens, especially as the tree was damaged.

Mark came over and we went to Chapter One for lunch (becoming a tradition). My smoked salmon starter was really pretty (and tasty). My roast beef wasn't as pretty but still very tasty as was my crumble.

Christine phoned for a catch up. She's been really busy but managed to get to Scarborough on her day off yesterday.

27 December

Gym then badminton first today but our main job was taking Oli to the vet for a check on his scar. We hoped to get the results of his biopsy but they hadn't come through so we'll have to wait a bit longer.

I went for a walk after dinner and got back when it was starting to rain but before it started chucking it down.

Christine is organising a community lunch for her village so I conjured up a poster for her.

I started to pull a list of all my walks together ready for Knoll Active in 2024.

28 December

Did my steps at the gym today so I didn't need to go out again in case the vet phoned with Oli's biopsy results.

The did phone and we were delighted to learn that Oli does NOT have cancer. They have no real idea what caused his lymph nodes to swell up so much but it's the best news we could have hoped for. We were both quite overwhelmed!

Oli, of course, slept through all the excitement. He eventually got up so I could make my bed!

My other jobs were cleaning the bathrooms (no Alma this week), tidying up the hostas and replacing a pot for one of them (the earlier one had broken in the frost earlier this month) and sweeping up leaves at the front of the house (goodness knows where they had come from because the trees have been empty for a while).

I took a few photos while I was in the garden - it's amazing what there is to be seen at this time of year.

29 December

Planned the Charity Clue Walk for sometime early 2024 then finished my steps in the gym.

Oli really, really wants to go outside and sat looking longingly at each door around the house today. White Legs came to say hello but I'm not sure that helped.

Jonathon and I went to Xi'an for lunch (very tasty) then it was jobs for the afternoon - I think they're all ticked off the list (for now at least).

There was a lovely sunset to end the day.

30 December

Oli spent most of last night on my bed so we had a good sleep and snuggle. He's getting more desperate by the day to get outside so I've had him outside in my arms a couple of times and we've had the patio doors open about a centimetre so he can, at least, sniff outside. We don't know whether it helps or not but it seems to calm him down for a while.

Did a little bit in the gym but I knew how long the walk was so didn't need to do too much. I had 11 people join me for the walk - some first timers and some old hands which is a good mix. We went through Priory Gardens, along the Cray, past the church of St. Mary and St. Paulinas then back through a residential area to Poverest and home. The route was about 8 km in total. I called at Crispy Cod for fish for my dinner on the way home while Jonathon had leftover beef casserole from the other day.

Had a Skype call with Mum - she's still keeping busy but hasn't heard anything from Virgin Money about the payment we were trying to make yesterday online to Dad's ISA with YBS. I suspect that the next time we might hear anything will be Tuesday with Monday being a bank holiday so I think I'll call them then and try to sort it out. They don't process payments outside normal banking hours (whatever they are these days) so no point speaking to them before that.

Jonathon went to do a photo shoot at Toulouse Lautrec, the first in a while.

31 December

It's hard to believe we've got to the end of another year but here we are.

Went to the gym then church. Found a new recipe for cooking sprouts and even Jonathon thought it was nice (he's not the biggest fan of sprouts!).

Tested out a walk around the churches of Orpington after dinner but decided that I'd need to split it in two for the weekend walkers so stopped half way round (natural place to break) and came home.

I met Caroline on the way round. Her daughter, Rachel, has taken Pebby back so Caroline is really upset, especially as it sound like Rachel is not taking good care of her. Poor Pebby, she's such a lovely dog and doesn't deserve that kind of treatment.

Phoned Christine for a catch up. She delivered milk etc. today so doesn't have to do a delivery tomorrow. She was cross about the eggs that she received recently because they were all short dated but will donate them to a local homeless charity so they won't get wasted.

To 2024 Diary (Page 39)