2024 Diary (Page 52)

2024 Diary - Page 52

10 December

Retirement day today after 46+ years of banking.

First stop the gym then Marks and Spencer on the way to the office to get some farewell treats for my colleagues.

The card on the left is full of lovely comments; the one on the right is from Liba. Apparently I was supposed to get some flowers but they didn't arrive. I'm sure someone else will enjoy them when they turn up.

Had a chat with Stephanie who tells me she is already working on a plan to get me back to work!

11 December

Badminton to start today - made for a nice change. After a cup of tea and croissants at Jo's I went to check out the gym at Crofton Halls - much smaller than the Walnuts but it wasn't busy so I could use the machines that I wanted.

I had a very welcome phone call from Isabel at North Yorkshire Council to confirm that they will pick up Dad's care costs from 29th December (phew!). Dad will obviously have to pay a contribution but I was so relieved to get the confirmation.

My yellow rose photo was chosen for the local paper so a good morning all in all.

We went to The Orpington for lunch (well, pudding really). I had apple crumble and Jonathon had bread and butter pudding - both yummy.

Liba sent me some lovely retirement flowers so I definitely don't need a Freddie's delivery on Monday.

Joined Margaret, Swati, Jane and Gilda for the GPO Quiz. We really missed Ginny but she wasn't well enough to join us. 2nd to last - never mind, we still scored more than 50%!

12 December

Ela's class to start the day then a quick stint in the gym.

Despite the damp weather the dogs were available for a walk so I went and did that. Carol was very chatty today so I stayed for a while afterwards.

Jonathon and I went to the Orpington GPO for Christmas dinner - very tasty it was too.

Met up with Gilda, Irene, Jo M, Jo B, Nigel, Rona and Mark to see Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake - brilliant as always. The swans seemed particuarly vicious at the end of the ballet this time.

13 December

I cancelled my place at yoga because I was so late home last night. I went to the gym once I'd woken up (wasn't very late!).

I joined June's Friday walk - the dogs were full of mischief today and it was lovely to see them playing so well together.

The walk was followed by lunch at Lamira (Michael and Gerd just joined the lunch).

Ginny wasn't well (flu) so didn't join the walk. I picked up some fruit and collected a prescription for her - she really wasn't well enough to venture out.

Gilda and I went to see A Sherlock Carol at Marylebone Theatre - highly amusing and well worth seeing.

14 December

A much quieter, less busy day today (thank goodness!).

Caught up with most of the ironing before I went to choir practice (J finished it while I was there) then went to the gym to get my steps done so I didn't need to go anywhere else.

Sorted out my flowers - I had some still OK from about 6 weeks ago, quite a few from about 3 weeks ago and the ones I received from Liba earlier this week. A bit of culling of those past their best and mix and match of the rest and we now have two vases full of prettiness!

Had a Skype call with Mum - she wasn't feeling too well today (usual tummy problems).

Christine sent me a "Happy Retirement" rose bush for the garden so I'll need to find somewhere for that in the next couple of days.

Tonight's concert was cancelled but, having seen the awful reviews, I think Gilda and I had a lucky escape. Just need our money back now - fingers crossed.

15 December

Back to busyness today with gym to start then I took the Knoll Active walkers to Victoria, Belgravia, Chelsea and Battersea. There weren't many of us but we had a lovely walk, made even better by coming across a few Chihuly glass sculptures.

June and Benji left us after Battersea Park because Benji doesn't cope with tubes very well so they walked back to Victoria while Jo, Irene and I walked through Nine Elms to the Northern Line and went home.

The Candlelight Carol Service was in the evening so I went to the warm up for 6 p.m. and the service started at 7 p.m. It went pretty well but I still don't like the Chinese lullaby we had to sing!

16 December

Today was the last Monday Circuits class at The Walnuts - it will move to Crofton Halls from next week.

Gilda came over and we went to Bromley so we could find out where the URC is because she's going to be running some classes from there in January. Gilda also had some bits to do at HSBC and I went to the Yorkshire Building Society to transfer some funds for Dad. Unfortunately, they'd changed their process so I had to ask Carole to post down Dad's passbook and then I can try again.

Our walk today was from Bromley to Petts Wood., almost a straight line. We came across a few weird and wonderful sights, the oddest probably a post box topper.

Alma came and did the cleaning. She brought us some homemade burek so we'll have that for lunch tomorrow.

I collected a prescription for Ginny and delivered that - she thinks she's feeling a tiny bit better.

I'm splitting the Advent Trail into two parts this year otherwise we would be far too late getting to Steve's for the reveal of 24. I tested out the second route today because it starts near Ginny's.

17 December

Went to Matt's Circuits class at Crofton - nice work out area and a fun class.

My main job for today was assisiting Greenwich Wildlife in a rescue of a Greylag with a broken wing. Chris went onto the ponds in his kayak and Paige got very scratched by brambles when the bird fled into the thickest bush it could find.

All was well in the end in that the bird was rescued and taken to the Swan Sanctuary where it, unfortunately, will have its wing amputated but then it will have a nice life there.

I planted the rose that Christine sent me for Christmas / Retirement. thankfully, the foxes had bug a very large hole in one of our beds that was just about big enough so that saved me a lot of time.

We had half of the burek for lunch - very tasty and we'll have the other half tomorrow.

I mapped out the first Advent route today so I can now let people know what the plans are and let Steve have the routes.

18 December

I started today with badminton with some of the Flamingos then 9 of us piled into Jo's for breakfast.

I popped back to the gym to do some steps then met the postman at the end of our drive - he gave me Dad's YBS passbook (phew) so I could go to Bromley and get the transfer sorted out. Jonathon came with me so we had to visit a couple of charity shops on the way back to the bus stop. We caught a new style 358 but changed en route because that service goes round the villages before heading back to Orpington and we wanted to get home a bit faster.

Gilda and I went to see A Christmas Carol(ish) at Soho Place in the evening but we left at half time because it was too daft for my liking and Gilda found the Santa character too irritating!

19 December

It was the last Circuits class before the Walnuts gym closes so it had a bit of a festive feel today, not least because Ela was wearing a cracker fancy dress outfit.

Terry came to do a few jobs round the house - new security light, cleaning the pond etc.

I finally planted the bulbs that the team in Germany had given me for my retirement. I put the Crocuses and Snowdrops in the grass in the hope that they will naturalise. The Hyacinths have gone into a flower bed. I was closely supervised by Shadow to make sure I was doing it right.

The whole day was bright and crisp and the dogs seemed to enjoy their sunny walk today.

We went to Xi'an for lunch then finalised terms for our private health and dental cover with Sol - just waiting for the confirmation to come through.

I filled in Mum's application for Pension Credit but won't hold my breath for the outcome because there is, apparently, quite a back log of cases.

The sunset was lovely but had disappeared by the time I went to Tesco to do some carol singing with St. John's. I spotted this knitted reindeer sleigh on the way home.

20 December

No gym today because I went to Orpington Cat Rescue with a load of old newspapers so I had to choose between a pot of green tea or the gym after that and the tea won!

We went through Crofton Woods to Tugmutton Common today - a nice walk but relatively short. We had an Arthur, Teddy and Benji with us - they had a lovely time playing and racing around.

I popped into Debra (charity shop) to see if there were any second hand desks that would work for me but there weren't then I came home on the bus.

I tidied the front garden a bit in the afternoon before going on a recce to make sure Number 16 on the Advent trail was lit up. Thankfully, it was so we can tick that one.

21 December

Didn't do a lot today. Woke up to rain but it had eased up a bit before I went to Crofton gym. It wasn't too busy but it will be interesting to see if that's still the case when we get to January.

I mended a bird feeder that had broken - let's hope it lasts.

We now have the Christmas table cloths out so we'll have to be careful not to mess them up before Christmas Day.

22 December

Woke up early enough to go to Shreena's Body Pump class. It's ages since I did Body Pump and it felt quite tough but I managed most of it.

Went to see Sarah at Supercuts and got my hair cut.

Had a Skype call with Mum - she seemed to be on good form today.

Checked and photographed the Advent Windows from 17 to 22. I was lucky with the R11 bus and it saved a lot of time going to and from one of the outlying windows.

Caught up with Christine but not for long because visitors arrived at her house so she went to deal with them.

23 December

The gym classes are all at Crofton Halls now and it was Ela's first Circuits class there this morning. There weren't many of us but I think that might be down to the closeness to Christtmas.

Gilda came and we checked out both Advent Trails before meeting Jonathon at Masala Dabbas for lunch.

I led the Knoll Group for the first part of the Advent Trail. It went well and we ended up at our house, having admired quite a few of the windows and other Christmas decorations as we walked round.

24 December

Gym then Justice's Circuits class - that's the third class in three days and my arms are definitely feeling it.

I went to Carol's and took the dogs for a walk because I won't be able to go on Thursday.

I prepped everything for Christmas dinner and set the table to save time tomorrow then let Ginny know what the menu is so there are no surprises for her!

My main job for today was to lead the second Advent Trail walk - there were loads of people with me today and we all ended up at Steve and Anne-Marie's for mulled wine, fudge, mince pies, the reveal of number 24 and a light laser show.

It wasa lovely evening and the second evening I'd had a chance to catch up with Amelie which made it extra special.

25 December

I went for an early morning walk but, as soon as I arrived at Goddington, an SOS went out on our Sharing WhatsApp Group asking if anyone had any onions. We had some shallots and I said I'd take them round so I cut my walk short, came home then popped round to Phil with all the shallots we had!

Church was fun with a quiz and Merry Christmas in a variety of languages. It was lovely to see a new knitted nativity scene - apparently an unknown person had left it on the steps.

Ginny came over for lunch and brought enough cauliflower cheese to feed an army. We went for a short walk after lunch via her house so she didn't have to walk home on her own.

We opened all our presents and watched TV for the rest of the day.

26 December

Got up early and went for a walk through Priory Gardens and Goddington Park. It was very strange to see a rose out in full bloom at this time of year. Also, strange to see the waterfall moving so swiftly when the river was so low yesterday.

Mark came over and we went to Chapter One for lunch - very nice as always,. My smoked salmon starter was particularly lovely.

Mark scooted off straight after lunch because the traffic was starting to build up across the river.

I went for another walk to finish off my steps for the day.

27 December

It was very misty on the way to yoga this morning. Kevin was on good form but there weren't many at his class. The gym was really quiet as well - perhaps everyone is still celebrating instead of exercising.

I joined June's Friday walk through Petts Wood and Hawkwood Estate. There was a lovely postbox topper on the way.

I did very little for the rest of the day!

28 December

Gym then lead the Knoll Active group on a muddy-ish walk through Goddington and Lilly's Wood.

Betsy (dog) has had a poorly leg but seems to be fully recovered now and enjoyed running around.

Had a Skype call with Mum who seemed on pretty good form.

29 December

Yesterday was supposed to be the last Knoll Group walk but I was asked if I'd do one today and, as I was walking up to Derry Downs to deliver some old newspapers to Orpington Cat Rescue, I planned a walk around that. I created a sheet of things for the kids to look for - we found all of them. They also enjoyed playing in a couple of the play areas (especially a zip wire) in the parks we visited.

Before all that, I went to the gym and to church.

30 December

I didn't do all my steps today but had a session on the treadmill before I went to Ela's 9.30 a.m. circuits class.

We went to see Simon and (briefly) Linda and dropped off the hydrangea heads. They've been having a hard time recently with Simon's Dad dying this month and Linda's Step-Mum very poorly. It was also lovely to see Maple and Rooster who were as friendly as ever.

We then went to see Nicola and her Mum in Sissinghurst. They had invited us for coffee and cake and put on a good spread so we were well fed.

Caught up with Christine who is busy getting stuff together for her party later in January.

31 December

I decided the best way to make sure I did my steps today was to walk before the gym so I went a long way round to get there!

I did some pruning when I got back but the weather turned quite windy so I didn't stay outside too long. There's another storm forecast for tomorrow so it's a case of battening everything down.

Jonathon and I went to A Mano for lunch then I checked Jo's flat - all was OK.

1 January 2025

I woke up to strong winds and rain - yuck!

The gym didn't open until 10 a.m. but it was very quiet so I had no problem getting on to the machines I wanted.

We were supposed to go into London for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition but we decided there was too much of a risk in getting home so we stayed home.

We were also thinking of going into the High Street for lunch but I made shepherds pie instead so we didn't have to go out again.

I spring cleaned the fridge and defrosted the freezer so the day wasn't wasted.

2 January

Did a few jobs at home, admired the sunrise and went to the gym for a little while.

When I walked Mia, Tisha and Nellie I came across a travel card so popped it on a nearby wall and posted it on our local ChitChat group. Within minutes someone posted to say they knew the girl's mum and soon after the mum let me know that she'd picked it up - a good use of social media!

Met Mark at Lewisham station. We caught a train oer to Blackheath then walked across the heath and through Greenwich Park to the Cutty Sark. As one of the lifts from the tunnel under the Thames wasn't working, we caught the DLR to Canary Wharf. Mark had something to return to Amazon so we went into Amazon Fresh to deal with that then went to Obica for tea, by which time the sun had started to set.

3 January

It was really frosty this morning on the way to Yoga. Thankfully, the heating was on when I got there so the hall wasn't too cold. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill afterwards just to make sure I got my steps done today.

I joined June's Friday walk - it was chilly but lovely, bright and sunny. Benji was full of mischie, dashing around as much as possible. Diane, Clare and June went on the zip wire but I decided that wasn't for me so played ball with Benji to keep him occupied.

4 January

Did a load of jobs around the house before going to the gym. The gym was the busiest I've seen it since it moved to Crofton Halls.

I took the walking group to Blackheath and Greenwich today. There was a good crowd of walkers and Jane kindly agreed to back marker for me so we didn't lose anybody.

I think we tired Benji out!

5 January

There's snow in various parts of the UK today but, here in the south east, it's mild, wet and windy.

Went to Body Pump then did a few steps in the gym before heading home via Tesco.

Made chicken and apple curry for dinner. We usually have turkey and apple curry on December 27th but, this year, there was no turkey left and I didn't want us to miss out!

The rain eased off for a while so I went for a shortish local walk to finish my steps - I only got damp rather then wet. There's a good range of colour and plantlife around if you look for it.

Had my usual Skype call with Mum. She's staying at home rather than risk going out in the snow so hadn't gone to church but, other than that, seemed to be fine.

Caught up with Christine - she's hoping the weather will improve before she goes out on her milk round tomorrow morning.

6 January

It was tricky to get up early this morning - I've already got out of the habit! I went to Ela's circuits class and caught up with Jo and Irene.

Gilda came and we went for a wet walk. There's no real surprise that some of our local roads are flooded with all the recent rain.

Alma came so the house is nice and clean again.

Finalised the health cover with Sol so, hopefully, that's all done now.

7 January

It was good to be able to sleep in a bit this morning with no work to go to! Even better to wake up so such a spectacular sunrise. Went to the gym then Matt's HiiT class then walked home with jo so had a good chat about her holiday.

Met Mark at the station and we went for a walk, via John's to deliver the agenda for next week's meeting. It was good to see the Spring flowers starting to be on show. We collected Jonathon on the way back and went to Xi'an for lunch.

Jonathon managed to get the speaker working with his iPad etc. so he's all set for Christine's party.

The sunset was also very dramatic so a good show at each end of the day.

8 January

Jo had suggested that the Flamingos gather at the gym at 7 a.m. this morning. I'd told her I'd be there by 7.30 a.m. (and I was) but only Jo, Jane and I managed to get there. I think the others had decided to stay snug and warm at home on such a cold morning.

I did a detour walk on the way home. I'm still surprised when I see roses in flower at this time of year (climate change?), especially when there's frost on the ground.

Most of the Flamingos met for lunch to celebrate Lorraine's birthday (her birthday was in December but it was too difficult to get everyone in one place then). Unfortunately, Lorraine called in sick this morning so it was a bit surreal celebrating her birthday without her there.

To continue with the Flamingo theme, the Flamingo quiz team took part in the GPO monthly quiz. We came third with 56/70 (the winning team got 59) so a decent performance.

9 January

It had snowed a little bit overnight so the cars that were parked in our street had a dusting on them, as did our garden.

Went to Circuits then via Tesco on the way home. The only other thing in my diary for today was walking Carol's three dogs. They were a bit reluctant at first but enjoyed themselves when they got out into the fresh air.

The grass was still a bit snowy when I topped up all the bird feeders despite the wintery sunshine we'd had.

10 January

Yoga then a few minutes on the treadmill to start today. It was freezing on the way there and back!

Will came to clean the windows but his hoses were frozen up and, despite a lot of ideas and effort from both him and Jonathon, they didn't get unfrozen so our windows didn't get cleaned. Hopefully, he got them defrosted in his warm van before he got to the next house he was due at.

Met with June, Benji and other Friday walkers and did a short walk up to Tugmutton Common. I left the group when they went for coffee and walked home a bit faster than the speed we walked there!

White's Chimneys came to look at one of our chimneys that looks a bit like a banana. We now have a plan to deal with it - just waiting for the quote.

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