2024 Diary - Page 51

15 November

Yoga to start the day. I was going to have a quick go on the treadmill before going home but noticed that one of the seams had gone on my leggings so decided I should go home instead.

I joined June's and the Friday walkers and we had a good prowl over to Hawkwood Estate. June had worked out a route that avoided the worst of the mud so it was easy walking.

Benji and Teddy had a lovely time playing together.

It was lovely to see cattle on the estate again - Sussex and Shorthorns mainly according to the National Trust information.

The owls were one of many decorations on a tree on our route.

Alan, the drive cleaner, was at our house when I got back, trying to get the oil off the drive from the recent spill.

I went to Priory Gardens for the "walk and talk" with the local police but they didn't turn up - they must have had something more urgent to deal with.

I popped into the GPO to book a table for the next quiz, checked Jo's flat and did a bit of shopping on the way home so it wasn't a wasted visit.

16 November

Changed my duvet cover to my winter one then went to the gym to get some steps done because I knew I wouldn't be walking far otherwise. Changed Jonathon's duvet cover to his winter one when I got back.

Music Group and the Worship Team met out potential new minister, Sohail, and his family at church. They all seem really nice so I hope they decide to move to Orpington.

Had a Skype catch up with Mum.

Joined Ginny, Jane and her family for a quiz, raising money for Tearfund at St. Barnabus church. Our team won, a lot of the credit goes to Jess and Michelle who knew lots of Superheroes!

17 November

Gym then church. Our potential new minister led the service and reconfirmed that he would be a good fit for St. John's so I hope he becomes our new minister.

It was "Light Up Orpington" today. Although I wouldn't get to see the actual lighting up I went to see what was was going on in the High Street and Market Square in the lead up to to.

Checked Jo's flat while I was there and pulled the curtains too because it's supposed to be turning chilly next week.

Jonathon went to the Queen Elizabeth Hall for Mark Kazuma's concert and had his own dressing room so he had somewhere to keep his bags etc. while he was in the hall.

I caught up with Christine then joined a few of the Flamingos and went to see The Drifters at The Churchill.

18 November

Having been out the last two nights I decided that 5.45 a.m. was far too early to get up today so I cancelled my space at Ela's circuits class and got up a bit later. Still went to the gym but not for long.

Met Ginny and Irene and we tested out a walk for this coming weekend - Waterloo to Victoria stations. There was some new graffiti in the tunnel to admire. The Covid Memorial Wall is very moving - so many people died in the pandemic and it really brings it home.

Met Jonathon for lunch at Aqua - very tasty. I had no room for pudding so he had mine - he says their panna cotta is as good as anywhere and better than most.

Had a call from North Yorkshire Council about Dad's financial assessment so it looks like things are moving which is a relief.

Alma came and did the cleaning - Oli really, really doesn't like the Dyson.

Went to St. John's in late afternoon for defibrillator training. There were training sessions earlier in the year but I couldn't get to any of those for various reasons so it was useful to get there finally.

19 November

It was really chilly this morning when I dragged myself to the gym but at least I went!

Work was quite mundane and choir practice was mixed. The Chinese song is really high and we have to sing quietly so it sounds really squeaky to me. Hopefully, it will get better over the next few rehearsals so it sounds good for the service.

One highlight of the day is that our Christmas cactus is now flowering and looking pretty.

20 November

It was really, really frosty this morning when I went to the gym and when I came out it looked like the sky was on fire - lovely sunrise!

Work was quiet so I went to measure the distance from Marble Arch to Bond Street ready for the walk on Saturday.

21 November

No circuits class because I had a Personal Training session with Ela at 8 a.m. I ached all over by the time she'd finished pushing my weights higher but I'll try and do what she suggested to get stronger.

I walked Mia, Tisha and Nellie - they had lovely, fleecy jackets on to keep them warm on such an icy, cold day.

Jonathon and I went to Halfords to get Christmas presents for Pauline and Paul then into Bromley town centre for lunch at Etna. Unfortunately, their computer system was down so they were closed. We got back on a bus and went to Aqua instead. When I got back to Orpington after lunch, I was pleased to see the new electric 358 bus. It was being charged and made the earlier style of bus look quite small adn square.

I sorted out the bird feeders when I got home then cleared the leaves off the front drive. It took a while but I was back inside just before sunset.

21 November

I give up! Having cleared the drive of leaves yesterday, a lot of them had been blown back on this morning but with strong winds forecast for the next few days I decided to leave them where they were and sort out early next week.

Got a call just before 7 a.m. to let me know that yoga was cancelled because Kevin wasn't very well. I went to the gym and did various other things instead.

Popped into Jo's to make sure everything was fine and admired the sunrise from her balcony.

Joined June and the others for our Friday walk. Coincidentally, Benji and Teddy both had red coats on - they looked really cute. Teddy had been to the groomers and had a lot of his hair clipped off so he looked about half the size of last week!

Met Irene at the opticians because she wanted an honest opinion on the glasses frames she was choosing. She tried quite a few pairs on and now has a shortlist of three designs for her appointment next week (she is limited in her choice because of her prescription).

I had my hair cut by Sarah so it's nice and tidy again.

Started to complete Dad's Financial Assessment application and hope to finish that this weekend.

Practised the songs for the Christmas service - I'm struggling with the Chinese one - I feel I'm squeaking through it - perhaps I'll get better at it with more practice.

22 November

Gym for a little while then Tesco to do some collecting for Marie Curie. I only had an hour today and don't think I collected much money but it was better than nothing,

Main job for today was a two part walk with the Knoll Active group. The first part was from Waterloo to Victoria via the Graffiti Tunnel and Lambeth Bridge.

The wind had blown a whole load of leaves into our porch area (Oli's cat den looked more like a hedgehog house!) so I cleared all those (2 large pop up bags worth). Within an hour it looked like I'd not done any tidying up at all but it can wait now until the winds die down.

I caught up with Mum on Skype then completed Dad's Financial Assessment for North Yorkshire Council and sent that off with a covering email. Fingers crossed it all gets approved quickly.

Had a chat with Christine.

25 November

Ela's class then a quick burst on my new favourite machine - the Sparc.

Gilda's still in Australia so no walk today. I did gardening instead so it looks a lot tidier. The strong winds yesterday had damaged the net round the wallflowers but they've had enough time to get their roots down so I took it all away and put it back in the shed.

The leaves are gone from the front porch (again and for now!) and some more pruning has been done, all under the watchful eye of Shadow.

We went to The Orpington for lunch because Jonathon wanted to try their new bangers and mash - apparently very good.

Alma came and did the cleaning.

26 November

It was dark when I went to work and dark when I came home today. I had to be at work and ready for a training session by 8 a.m. so no time for the gym. I got to the station for an early train to find most of them were cancelled, including the two I thought I was going to catch. Thankfully, I was there early enough to catch the one before the one I expected so I got into town on time.

I walked along South Bank to work - it looks different in the dark and I'd not seen this alleyway all lit up before.

The training wasn't very exciting but it was quite useful and I made sure I had a good walk at lunchtime to help my head get back to normal having focused on the screen for a few hours.

I meet Mark at Cafe Rouge for dinner - he'd had a good holiday in America. I walked back to the station along South Bank and admired the colours reflected in The Thames.

27 November

There were similarities between the lights on the Thames last night and the lights in our Market Square this morning but the main difference was the Thames is supposed to be wet whereas the Market Square is not supposed to look like a pond! I got very wet going to the gym.

I joined the first work call this morning from home - I couldn't face going into work early two days in a row.

As expected, Pete told me that pbb are not going to extend my contract at the end of the year so I'll be retiring at the end of December. No doubt HR will get round to sending me the official notification before much longer.

28 November

Lovely sunrise this morning but it was cold - the frost looked pretty and I got well wrapped up to go to the gym.

Took Mia, Tisha and Nellie for their walks - they had pretty jumpers on this week to keep them snug.

I got my redundancy letter. Disappointed that pbb is only planning to pay me statutory redundancy but it's not the end of the world.

Went to The Drawing Room for lunch then Dobbies to buy some gardening gloves for Carole for Christmas. All the Yorkshire presents that need to go north are now bought (the others will either be delivered direct or on line).

The sunset was just as spectacular as the sunrise so very pretty at both ends of the day.

We met Derek, Maureen and Mark at the Gillian Lynne Theatre to see The Lehman Trilogy. It was the fouth time I'd seen it and it was just as good as the first - such an excellent play.

29 November

We were very late home last night from the theatre so I cancelled my space at yoga, switched my alarm off and had a bit of a sleep in.

I dropped some old newspapers and other bits round to Orpington Cat Rescue then walked through Priory Gardens to the gym.

I spent quite a lot of time on financial stuff today, preparing for a call with Alex, our financial adviser, and then having the call itself. I think we now have a plan of action for my retirement without having to cut back on our spending!

30 November

I popped into Jo's on the way to the gym. Decided to do little bits of all sorts of exercise today - made a nice change.

I met with a few Knoll walkers for a stroll through woodland and alleyways. It was really misty looking over to Well Hill but it stayed dry.

Vixie came for food in the afternoon and we managed to get the second dose of medicine into her which was a great relief because it's supposed to be 7 days after the first dose to be most effective.

We brought the big umbrella in from outside for the winter. We are a bit later than I like to be but at least it's inside now.

1 December

I didn't wake up until after 8 a.m. this morning but, thankfully, I had very little in my diary so there was no harm done.

Went to the gym. While I was there, Jonathon went to do a big shop at Sainsbury's so we're all stocked up for a while.

I put the Christmas tree up after dinner but didn't have time to put any other decorations up today.

The reason for the lack of time was the creation of our Number 8 for the Advent trail.

We like to recycle so we used an old trellis and found some old outside fairy lights that we'd not used for many years as our main "ingredients".

We added some silver foil (the only non-recycled item) and a few baubles that Jonathon had got from a charity shop.

Battered Old Trellis

Initial layout

Trellis covered in foil

Starting to fix it together

Finished item

2 December

My first job when I got back from the gym was cutting some holly, ivy and conifers for Carol's wreath making session on Thursday.

Gilda came and we booked a whole load of tickets for Sadlers Wells then went for a local walk. It was dull and grey but at least it stayed dry.

We met Jonathon for lunch at Masala Dabbas.

I spent the afternoon putting up the rest of the Christmas decorations. I took a panorama photo but it makes it look very strange!

Alma came and did the cleaning but forgot to take her Christmas present home with her so she'll having to collect it next week.

The evening was spent sorting out the payments for the tickets, balancing Mum and Dad's accounts and other admin bits and pieces.

3 December

Gym then work. I walked along the South Bank to get to work.

Work was quiet. Liba had brought Ella and Lily into the office (bring your child to the office day) so I took them on a tour of the City and told them about a few of the buildings.

I left work a bit earlier than normal and went over to the Tate Modern. I thought the exhibition in the Turbine Hall was gruesome! I have no idea where some of the artists get their ideas from. The Thames looked lovely in the night lights.

I was due to meet Mark at Dion for dinner but when I got there it was really noisy so I waited until he arrived then we left there and went to Obica instead. The food was lovely as usual.

4 December

The gym is shut for 3 days so I went for an early morning walk instead today. Orpington has a real Christmas tree for a change this year - very nice it looks too.

There's quite a bit of winter flowering cherry around which is good to see.

Work was OK. Stephanie really wants me to stay and is trying to think of a new role for me but I've asked her not to bother because the decision has already been made. She asked me to draft my year end appraisal because I still need one in case there are any bonuses mid-2025 - I should be eligible for my part! We'll talk through that on Tuesday before I leave.

Choir practice this evening - thankfully, it was better than the last one I went to other than that it was really cold because the heating wasn't working.

5 December

I joined Ela's class but the gym is still closed so I went to Priory Gardens for a short walk after class. I was surprised to see there were still some roses in flower - looked lovely with the raindrops on them.

Popped into Jo's and put some milk and juice in her fridge - she's due home today.

Carol messaged to cancel dog walking because she wasn't feeling well so I went for a walk to Crofton Woods instead. Saw a lovely Little Egret while I was there.

Jonathon and I went to the Orpington for their festive menu. My Sea Bream was delicious as was Jonathon's Beef Bourgingon. I definitely fared better in dessert though - apple and cinnamon crumble with loads of custard compared to cheese and biscuits.

Irene, Ginny, Jane and I went to see the local drama group's pantomime at the Methodist Church in the evening. It was really well attended and great fun!

6 December

Lovely sunrise this morning.

First up today was yoga. The gym is still closed so I went a bit of a longer way to get there then Tesco to get home so get a few steps done.

I joined June, Benji and others for the Friday walk. June had warned us how muddy it was in Hawkwood but it wasn't too bad.

The dogs were full of mischief and galloped around enjoying the sunshine (and the Kyd Brook!)

I called Sol, a health insurance broker, in the afternoon because we'll need to have private health and dental cover when I leave work. He will come back to me with quotes, ideas etc. in a few days' time.

I met Jo, Carol and Sindhu (aka the Mud Appreciation Society) for a catch up dinner at the Rose and Crown.

7 December

The sunrise was just teasing us today - it was wet, windy and horrible most of the day, thanks to Storm Darragh.

The gym was open again today, albeit with reduced equipment - still plenty of kit to use.

Had a Skype call with Mum but she didn't have any real news.

We were settling in for a nice quiet, TV watching night when an SOS went out on our local Chit Chat WhatsApp group because part of a local road had collapsed. I went down to help and ended up helping to construct a barrier then directing traffic for about an hour until the council and police arrived and I could go home. We were very grateful to a neighbour who brought us tea and biscuits to keep us going.

8 December

Gym then church - it was Nativity today - chaos but great fun.

The council have put 4-way traffic lights where the problem is but haven't included one of the two manhole covers in the barrier area so it's an accident waiting to happen.

Graeme messaged to say he and Anna had got engaged while they were in Northumberland this weekend.

9 December

Ela was away today so Mona led her class instead which made a nice change.

Gilda came and we went to London for our walk - Victoria, through Chelsea and into Battersea. I'd not been to Battersea Park before but I'm sure I'll go again - it's a lovely park.

We came back to Orpington for lunch. Jonathon was waiting for Spy Alarms to come and carry out the annual service so he wasn't able to join us. We went to Ephesus because Jonathon doesn't like it there much.

Alma was here when I got home so our house is lovely and clean again. She remembered to take her Christmas present home with her this week.

Choir practice in the evening - we are almost sounding like a choir which is a good because the service is on Sunday.

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