2025 Diary - Page 61

30 July

Busy day today!

Went to the gym then met Mark for a walk round Beckenham Place Park. It had been a while since I'd been there but it was still as lovely as ever although I'm not convinced by the red and white mass bedding in the formal part.

We ended up eating at Em's Kitchen in Beckenham because the cafes in the park didn't appear to be serving food other than sandwiches and pizza.

I watered Chris and Hilary's garden. Their former pond is now full of lovely, bright flowers including some stunning dahlias.

31 July

We were on a yellow weather warning for thunder storms today and I got quite damp on my way to the gym. The rain had stopped when I left so Carol and I agreed I should go round and deliver the runner beans I'd cut for her. If still not raining when I got there, the dogs could have a walk. The timing was spot on because it started raining on my way back home and then it poured down.

I spent the rest of the day doing paper work. The words are now ready for the VJ80 walk talkie bits and I've sent an email to Louise at Copestone about the final document needed for cashing in the HSBC AVC pension - such a faff! At least I felt that I'd achieved something by the end of the afternoon.

It dried up again (after a very loud thunderstorm) and I popped round to various neighbours with details of Bob's funeral. It was a mixed reception and, unfortunately, I don't think very many people from our street will be there (we will be on holiday).

1 August

This month's stretch challenge is to walk a minimum of 14.5k km per day for 14 days so off I went to the gym to get some steps done before our usual Friday walk.

The Chicory is looking lovely in Jubilee Country Park - it seems the recent rain has helped things along nicely.

Jonathon was shooting a "Wonder of Stevie" gig at Fulham Palace in the evening so I went along as well. It was really good but I think they sound better at an indoor venue.

The sunset over the Thames was beautiful as I walked back to Putney Bridge tibe station.

2 August

Gym again then I went round to Carol's to give the dogs an extra walk. I also took some wool and knitting needles for her to knit some hearts for Francis Chappell.

I spent the afternoon working in the garden, generally tidying things up and then picking food for dinner tomorrow.

3 August

A quick trip to the gym before meeting up with the walking group for our visit to Beckenham Place Park. There were loads of dogs there and Benji had a good time playing with some of them. Lunch was pretty late by the time I'd got home and cooked it.

Caught up with Mum on Facetime and Christine by phone so all up to date with Yorkshire news such as it is.

Jonathon used one of his half price tickets for the cinema and went to see The Fantastic Four while I enjoyed a TV night.

4 August

A quick visit to the gym in case tennis was cancelled for the forecast rain (it wasn't).

Loretta was here taking care of Jonathon's feet when I got back.

Gilda came over and we went to Scadbury Park for our Monday walk - Gilda is always pleased to see the carved, wooden bears. We met up with Jonathon for lunch at Smokey Kitchen.

I had an NHS appointment for a mammogram in the afternoon but it wasn't at the normal clinic so Jonathon gave me a lift. It was all very quick if a bit uncomfortable and I'm glad it's behind me for another few years. I'll get the results in about 3 weeks' time.

I went to tennis and was pleased to see we had a couple of newbies with us today. The weather wasn't too bad but, at one point, the drizzle was quite heavy and it was hard to see out of my specs. By the time the drizzle and wind had finished with my hair it looked like I had had my fingers in an electric socket!

5 August

Gym, including Matt's class, to start the day then cleaning (thank goodness Alma is back next week!)

The sunshine was lighting up these lovely yellow daisies beautifully this morning.

Met up with the Chit Chat gang at Fiesta Mexicana and enjoyed an Exotic Fruit Punch. Nice surprise that it was half price on Tuesdays - I had no idea when I booked the table.

I did a bit of gardening after tea - tidying up some of the bushes I can see from the outside table.

I phoned Margaret to make sure she was OK - it would have been John's birthday today.

6 August

Gym first but my main job for today was a Health Check via Vitality, our health insurance provider. I caught a train to Ravensbourne and was pleasantly surprised how green it was between there and the Bromley Court Hotel where I had to go for my appointment. The tests took less than 10 minutes but they seemed to take quite a bit of blood from me - I should get the results in about 8 days time.

We went to Masala Dabbas for dinner then back home to do a bit of gardening (and admire Patch, the fox) before heading off to Southwark for Brixton Calling. I enjoyed it so much last week I took Jonathon we me and went to see it again. It was just as good second time around.

7 August

Gym then "Workout of the Day". Vicky was covering for Ela so lots of focus on abs and core which made a nice change.

I walked the dogs. Mia had some teeth out yesterday but seemed fine - more energetic than I'd seen her for a long time. She was only allowed a very short walk so the other two got extra.

I did a bit of tidying in the garden - mainly around the pond and filter area. Bob's grapevine is encroaching on our garden a lot but I don't want to bother Jane and Paul because they have enough to do clearing the house so I'll just keep cutting it back.

Evening entertainment was "Peaky Blinders" at Sadlers Wells. I got to Islington quite early so had a wander along Upper Street and admired the street flowers - very pretty and they go on for quite a way.

The show itself was OK. I wasn't keen on the music and didn't quite understand what was happening for most of the second half. The choreography of the fighting was quite incredible.

8 August

A quick visit to the gym then I met up with June and the gang for our Friday walk. Benji was a mischief today so I kept having to round him up (I act as back marker on June's walks!).

J went for a dental hygienist appointment and ended up having a dentist's appointment as well which he wasn't expecting.

I had my haircut so it's nice and short again now.

We had dinner when we both got back then I spent a bit of time in the garden.

9 August

I had a sleep in then went to the gym for a while having brought all the garden rubbish sacks to the front drive so Jonathon could take them to the green tip.

Other than Facetime with Mum, I spent the rest of the day in the garden pruning. Jonathon mended my pruning slicer so I tested that on a couple of branches - worked a treat.

I was surprised to see the big acer starting to change into its Autumn colours - it seems earlier than normal but everything is a bit strange this year.

10 August

Gym then church as normal for a Sunday morning.

I tookthe Knoll Active group to Scadbury for our walk this weekend. A couple of them hadn't been there before and they were quite taken by the bears.

11 August

I decided to go for a walk before the gym today. Went via the Post Office so I could send the papers to Equiniti to cash in my AVC pension. Hopefully, I've sent everything they need and we can finalise this.

I spent most of the rest of the day enjoying the warm weather under the shade of our garden umbrella, closely monitored by my guard cat. He eventually got bored and moved on.

12 August

Gym but no class today because Mark and I set off on our walk before it got too hot. We checked the answers for the picture quiz for Sunday - all there. It was good to see some people using the boating lake with their little motorised boats.

We met Jonathon at A Mano for lunch - the food was lovely but the portion sizes were huge so we were a bit too full afterwards.

I got loads of washing done to take advantage of the warm sunshine. I did a lot of watering around the garden, picked some runner beans and potatoes. This tree in our garden (can't remember what kind it is) is in full autumn colours - very early.

I readvertised the walk for Sunday - just hope some people turn up because nobody has said they're coming yet.

13 August

No gym today because I went to walk the dogs early before it got too hot.

Having done that, I delivered a batch of hearts to Francis Chappell calling in to see the visiting dinosaurs on the way.

I cut a few hydrangeas for Linda and admired the petunias in one of our neighbour's gardens - so pretty.

Jonathon and I had a chat with Ben from Audley about a trip to Kenya next March. We've had the itinerary through and gone back with a couple of comments so let's see what he comes back with.

James came round to do the annual tree check and will send a fee quote in the next few days.

We went back to the Cricketers for this month's pub quiz. Jonathon was out with his cameras so didn't join the team. We got 45/70 which we thought was OK but we were still 4th from last.

14 August

Gym, including Workout of the Day, then caught up with the ironing after learning that the hot water problem is more of a problem than we thought. We might need a new hot water tank apparently so are now waiting for quotes for that.

I've walked past a lump of wood that reminded me of a Komodo Dragon for a few days so I brought it home today and popped it in the garden.

Had my pneumonia vaccination this afternoon so didn't do much to give it time to settle.

Nickety Nick came to visit. Patch, our resident female, was not impressed at all!

15 August

No gym today because our Friday walk had an earlier start. So ... a quick trip to Tesco to get my paper then I joined June and Co and we had a lovely, shady, woodland walk.

I came home via the Market Place to see the VJ80 exhibition - there was a lot of information, much of which was borrowed from Biggin Hill as far as I could tell. There was a sonic boom while I was on my way home. I wondered if it was something to do with VJ80 but it was apparently a Tornado Jet that had been scrambled to intercept a private jet that hadn't landed at Stansted as scheduled. All was well in the end.

Had a catch up with Mum - she doesn't like this warm weather because it makes her feel tired.

I picked a load of runner beans. There were more than I expected so I put some up on the local sharing site and they were snapped up really quickly.

16 August

A quick visit to the gym via Judith's to deliver the runner beans then I checked Jo's flat and popped to Tesco.

I joined Jonathon at Priory Live (delivering the quiz for tomorrow to Ginny). The video stream had a few cat photos and I think Jonathon has serious competition now.

My two favourite acts were Skabratts and Natalie Shay but none of the others were bad.

Shreena, Mike, Amelie and her friend, Lily, were there and we joined in Fay's line dancing class. Great fun but I'm not sure the girls would agree. Mike took photos rather than join in the dancing.

Alicia and Lizzie came in to check on the birds and spotted the same three trouble makers that I'd already seen. Security had already turfed them out three times so it seems they were treating it as a challenge!

17 August

No time for the gym this morning - I had too many jobs to do.

Went to church - baptism so a really joyful service.

Main job for today was leading the VJ80 Commemoration Walk - a joint walk between The Knoll and Royal British Legion. We only raised £45 but everyone seemed to enjoy it and find it interesting.

Sue, from RBL, laid a wreath at St. Mary Cray Cemetery, the furthest point on our walk.

Had the weekly catch up with Christine.

18 August

A quick visit to the gym to do some work on my arms. My legs have worked more than hard enough over the past few days so no treadmill.

Gilda came over and we tested out a route to visit Hollows Wood using public transport (Bus Route R7). It worked really well and the wood was looking lovely, albeit a bit damper underfoot than we were expecting. I was very happy to see some alpacas along the way.

We met up with Jonathon at The Orpington for lunch - very tasty but the service is still qite slow.

Alma came and cleaned the house, I did a tiny bit of gardening then went to tennis. I wasn't expecting anyone else to turn up because the regulars are all away so I practiced serving for half an hour and had a chat with one or two onlookers before making my way home again.

Jonathon did a Zoom presentation to a group of woodturners (I stayed out of the way).

19 August

A nice, easy day today. Gym for a while then ran a few errands - delivering, collecting, checking etc.

Met with Vinay, the boss of Talli Kitchen, to discuss the arrangements for the next Chit Chat gathering. We decided to have a takeaway rice box with butter chicken - very tasty.

Gilda and I went to see "Death Comes to Pemberley" at the Churchill Theatre - really enjoyed it.

20 August

Gym then dog walking today. I walked them today because I'll be too busy tomorrow.

I had a notification from Vitality that we've reached gold status by collecting plenty of points for exercising, health check etc. That should help keep the renewal premium reasonable.

I spent the afternoon in the garden, pruning and generally tidying up. Good to see the tomatoes looking more like tomatoes now after the poor showing earlier in the season. The grapes are also ripening up so the stalings and blackbirds will be soon be swarming the vine and having a happy time.

21 August

I had a space on the Workout of the Day class at 9 a.m. so did a few errands beforehand, including checking Jo's flat. Vicky covered Ela's class again and it was extra hard today - thank goodness Ela will be back soon.

I met Shreeana and Amelie at the station and we went to the Duchess Theatre where we met up with Mike and enjoyed "The Play That Goes Wrong". It doesn't matter how many times I see it, I always find it hilariously funny.

I walked up to Sadlers Wells, via Santore where I had dinner.

Eight of us watched "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe". It was press night so the lion came for a walk about in the foyer before the show which was a real treat - glad I was there early. The show itself was as spectacular as ever and we all enjoyed it.

A very cultural, if tiring, day.

22 August

There were quite a few of us and three dogs on June's walk this morning. We went through Crofton Woods to the Crooked Billet where Ginny and I left to others and came back to Orpington.

Jonathon gave me a lift to see Margaret after dinner. She was on OK form and seemed pleased to see me but I don't think she's short of people popping in.

I then went for a lovely walk in South Norwood Country Park, only to discover when I got to Harrington Road Tram Stop that my Mastercard had fallen out of my phone holder. I phoned Jonathon so he could freeze the card then traced my steps to the start of the park and back to the tram stop before walking the shorter route back to Tesco where I met Jonathon (without my card) and we came home. So frustrating. Needless to say, my phone and remaining cards are now in a more secure holder.

23 August

Had a quick whizz around to get everything done before heading off to Sidcup to collect at Morrisons for Marie Curie. John was there as well so we had a good catch up (I'm really pleased he didn't ask me to wear a daffodil hat, or any other come to that).

I collected £87.78 in my two hour shift so definitely worth while.

Jonathon picked me up from there and we went straight to Twinwood near Milton Keynes. The journey was longer than we expected because of accidents etc. but our Wayz satnav guided us around the problems and we saw some places we'd never been to before.

I didn't venture away from the Main Arena and enjoyed listening to the big band / swing music then dancing the night away to the Chicago Blues Brothers (the reason we were there).

It was after midnight by the time we got home - way past my bedtime!

24 August

Gym then church - a normal Sunday.

I spent the afternoon tidying up in the garden and was really pleased to see the first few autumn crocuses peeping through.

Caught up with Mum on Facetime and Christine on the phone so all up to date again.

25 August

I took the Knoll Walkers on a Bonus Bank Holiday walk today. It was hotter than we expected so 10 of us set off, 3 left at the first stop, 3 at the second and the remaining 4 of us walked the whole way. It was 7 km so not particularly long but there was quite a lot of uphill walking to start with then the heat ... too much for some of them.

When I got back, Jonathon had disappeared off to Clapham for the day for yet another festival.

26 August

An "at home" day today after the gym (including Matt's class).

Ben came and we had a good clearing session at the pond end of the garden. It looks so much better now.

I stewed half the apples from Javid and took the rest to Diane (no way I could deal with them all before we go away). We have quite a few quince this year so I delivered some to Ning and some to Kelly. Carol B has also asked for some so the next lot to ripen will go to her.

27 August

Decided to get my deliveries done first thing today so Alicia's first (rhubarb and gooseberries) then John's (Minutes from last Workship Team meeting and agenda for next one) then a quick visit to Tesco and home. I just missed Jonathon who had headed off to London to meet Derek to go see a photo exhibition and have lunch.

I spent the afternoon in the veg beds, taking out the spent broad beans, peas, courgettes and runner beans. I've left a couple of runner bean plants because they still have beans on them. We've still got a couple of grow bags of potatoes to empty out as well.

Met June, Ginny, Diane, Margaret and Clare at Fiesta Mexicana to celebrate June's 70th birthday. We bought her some flowers then had to stop her paying for dinner (our second treat for her was to pay for her dinner). The restaurant owner organised a "Happy Birthday" song then a dance - great fun and yummy food.

28 August

A quick trip to the gym before I went to take the dogs out. Broomhill Common was looking very autumnal when we walked across there.

Went to the dentist. As expected, I need a replacement filling for the one that came out. Thankfully, that's all I need so it wasn't too bad. Jonathon and I stopped off in West Wickham on the way home for coffee. I went to M&S to get tomorrow's lunch and J prowled the charity shops.

Back home, Jonathon had a visit from Simon, another plumber, about our hot water system while I dug up the rest of the potatoes and got dinner ready.

My final job for the day was the packing for Saturday. All done and ready to go (other than everything I need to do tomorrow).

29 August

It was chucking it down when I woke up this morning so I waited until it eased off a bit before I went to the gym (did a load of washing while I waited).

I did most of my steps while I was there, along with some weights etc. so I didn't have to go out again. After all that, the afternoon was quite dry - not what was forecast!

Caught up with Mum on Facetime and did the ironing but that was about it for today.

Signed up for the British Heart Foundation's Strong Woman challenge - to be done in October.

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