2025 Diary - Page 63

25 September

Had a sleep in (two nights out in a row had tired me out!). I popped to the shops for my paper then went to take the dogs out. Tisha really likes sitting on my feet when we get back from our walk - possibly to make sure I don't go anywhere without her.

The flowers I got on Tuesday have come out beautifully and were catching the lovely sunshine we enjoyed today.

Spent the afternoon gardening - more cutting back so that's one of the bags refilled already.

Nice, quiet night in for me (J was out with his cameras). We finally succumbed and put the heating on (the house went down to 17C so it was definitely time).

26 September

Went to the gym first of all then Jonathon gave me a lift to Margaret's. She was in pretty good form and we had a lovely chat. I went from there to the dentist for some x-rays (all OK) and a small filling.

As I couldn't eat or drink for an hour after the filling, I took a walking detour home, through South Norwood Country Park to Kent House. I was definitely ready for dinner when I got home.

27 September

Gym first then home to cook lunch.

Main job for today was a Knoll walk to Hollows Wood, Chelsfield. We waited ages for an R7 bus but everyone enjoyed the walk once we got there. They've asked to do it again at some point but this wood gets very muddy so we can only do it when it's dry underfoot. We didn't quite follow the route I intended so we will try again another day!

Nice quiet night in.

28 September

Sunrise was lovely this morning on the way to the gym.

Went to church - pleased I had learnt the three new songs because there weren't many in the congregation today.

Did a bit of gardening after dinner then caught up with Mum and Christine.

29 September

It was really misty this morning when I went to get my newspaper. There were a lot of lovely cobwebs to admire on my way to the High Street.

Jonathon and I went to Dobbies Garden Centre to get some compost and bulbs (crocus and tete-a-tete daffodils). The compost is to plant the wallflowers out when they've grown a bit. I'll try and naturalise the bulbs in the grass.

I treated the front fence so it looks a bit tidier then tackled planting bulbs and seeds in the grass - it's so dry it's like trying to dig into cement.

I played tennis with Matthew and Daniel. Matthew won 6-0 against Daniel and me but we did get to deuce on a couple of the games and it was good fun.

30 September

Went to pick up my newspaper then did a full run through of the BHF Challenge exercises before meeting Mark at Highgate tube station for a wander round that area.

We went along the Parkland Walk as far as Crouch End then stopped off for brunch at Brunch on the Hill. The contrast between the green walk and the busy town centre was interesting.

We walked back to Archway tube via Waterlow park - a really pretty park that adjoins Highgate Cemetery but we didn't venture into there today due to lack of time.

The reason I needed to get home at a reasonable time was to go to see Fawlty Towers at Bromley with Gilda. It was excellent.

1 October

Pleased to see that my spider web photo is in our local paper - it's a while since I had one published.

Did my BHF Challenge (squats) then went to the gym for the treadmill and Ela's HiiT class.

Met Michael for a knock about on the tennis court then did a few deliveries and other catch up jobs - quite a productive day!

2 October

A quick trip to the gym, admiring the sunrise on the way, then took the dogs out for a walk.

Terry and Tony came to do more work on the water supply to the end of the garden and soakaway etc.

Jonathon and I went into Bromley for some trainers for each of us then called into Petts Wood on the way home to go to Aqua for lunch, only to find it was shut so we went to Cypriano's instead. Yummy.

Marcia and Kirsty called to pick up a fold-up table they are borrowing for a couple of days.

Gilda and I went to Sadlers Wells in the evening to enjoy English National Ballet's R:Evolution - it was excellent.

3 October

A very different weather day today - very damp. That didn't stop the Knoll walk and it wasn't too muddy / slippy despite the rain which was a relief. As usual, I left the others when they went to have coffee and came a different way home.

Terry and Tony have now finished the soakaway - looks very neat and tidy.

I checked on Jo's flat and left her birthday card on her table. I called in to the GPO and The Cricketers to book tables for this month's quizzes.

My final activity for today was Thera Dance Fit in the village hall. It was really good fun with more dancing today.

4 October

I went to the gym for a bit longer today because I didn't have a walk planned. There were quite a few puddles and leaves down as a result of Storm Amy. It was still very windy all day so I used extra pegs when I put the washing out. It dried very quickly.

I took a load of old newspapers to Orpington Cat Rescue then home via M&S to get pies for tomorrow. The weather turned damp early afternoon so I stayed in for the rest of the day after that.

Caught up with Mum on Facetime - she was in much better fettle today.

5 October

Gym for a while and Day 5 of the Strong Woman Challenge done. I decided to repeat Days 1 to 4 as well for good measure.

I joined a few others for a Knoll walk and took them through a local wood, round a green and alongside the Cray on the way back into Orpington via Priory Gardens. There was an alternative market in PG so four of the walkers went there (I came home).

I spent most of the afternoon tidying up the end of the garden. Terry and Tony had unearthed a lot of hard core (old broken bricks and parts of paving slabs) and generally left things down there in a mess. It looks a lot better now.

I also cut down the Echinops becasue they were looking very tatty after the storm in the last couple of days.

Caught up with Christine. She had to call me back because a heifer had got its head stuck through a gate when I called her. Thankfully, they got her out safely without having to take the angle grinder to the gate.

6 October

Went to the gym for a while then home for a shower, hair wash and pot of green tea before going to Smokey Kitchen for dinner with Jonathon.

Alma came to do the cleaning and I starting planting bulbs. Oli was scheduled to go to the vets for his annual injection and check up today but 15 minutes before he was due there he was nowhere to be found. I wandered round a couple of local streets, found him hiding under a bush, brought him home and Jonathon took him - only a couple of minutes late so quite good for a cat. He behaved well and got a clean bill of health then ran back into his basket ready to go home. I went back to bulb planting - all done now.

Tennis was just Matthew, Daniel and me again. Again, Matthew beat us two 6-0 but we do get to deuce occasionally.

7 October

Pounded on the treadmill for a while then joined Matt's HiiT class. The class didn't include any glute bridges (BHF Challenge exercise today) so I added those to the end of the session.

Rachel Sutton, one of Jonathon's musician friends, came for a photo shoot. I left them working out where in the garden would be suitable while I went and took the dogs out.

Jonathon and Rachel left just before Ben arrived in the afternoon to help with some weeding.

Ginny, Gilda and I went to the Churchill Theatre to see Inspector Morse : House of Ghosts. A busy day and an enjoyable evening.

8 October

Another busy day, completely different to yesterday!

First off was a Flamingos breakfast at Janet's to celebrate Janet and Jo's birthdays. It was great fun, their presents went down well and the cake Judy made much admired.

I had to leave the others still eating cake because I was meeting Michael in a lovely, autumnal Poverest Park for a knockabout on the tennis court. When I got there, someone was on our court so I asked her to move. She went to court 2 until the person who had booked that one arrived then had to go altogether. She should have booked but she didn't speak English so it was hard to explain to her.

In the evening, Jonathon and I met up with six others to make up the Flamingos Quiz Team at the GPO monthly quiz. We came third with 52/70 - we got 10/10 in a couple of the rounds so quite pleased with ourselves.

9 October

Yesterday was a rest day in the Strong Woman Challenge so back to it today - planks today so I built those in to a broader workout and finished with a pound on the treadmill.

I met Mark at Highgate and we walked along the Parkland Walk as far as Finsbury Park. Lunch at the cafe there was followed by a stoll round the park, via a second cafe. I'm happy that this walk will be suitable for the Knoll walkers so that's what we'll be doing on Saturday (without the second cafe!)

By the time I got home, Jonathon had been to the GP Surgery for his flu jab and was packing his camera gear ready to go out this evening.

After a much needed pot of tea, I went into the garden to try and repair some of the damage the foxes and other wildlife had done, digging up the recently planted bulbs. I've put some stakes in but whether that weill be enough to deter them reamins to be seen.

A plea appeared on Knoll Sharing for some logs so I brought some up from the end of the garden and Lance came to collect what he wanted for his fire pit this evening. I told him if there were any complaints from his neighbours, the logs didn't come from me!

10 October

I did today's BHF Challenge Exercise (and a bit extra) then went to get some bits from Sainsbury's.

I joined June and Co to go on a Knoll walk through Crofton Woods, Darrick Wood and Tubbenden Meadows. The Autumn colours are really showing now. The cat and spider were two of a few bollard toppers that we saw on the way.

Joshua from Tesco brought our on-line grocery order (we'd had an offer we couldn't refuse so we'd ordered a load of heavy stuff so save us carrying it).

Met a few others for a police meet up at Priory Gardens. Unfortunately, yet again, the police didn't turn up. So annoying.

Went to Simona's Friday Thera Dance Fit class. It's definitely getting more familiar even though we do different things each week. Very enjoyable tonight.

11 October

Did exercises at home today, including the dreaded reverse lunges for the BHF challenge.

Went to the GP Surgery to get my flu jab then on to Sainsbury's to get the "breakfast food" donations for tomorrow's Harvest Service.

Met the Knoll Active Walkers at Orpington station and did the walk that Mark and I had tested on Thursday (Highgate and Finsbury Park). It went down really well.

We had a snack dinner in the Finsbury Park cafe. The food was good but the service was really, really slow.

From there, we had a walk around the park, admiring hte autumn colours then headed to Finsbury Park station and caught the Thameslink to London Bridge and train home.

I started feeling the effects of the flu jab on the way home and was quite achy and shivery for the rest of the day.

Having enjoyed the autumn colours on our walk, the afternoon sun caught the acer in our back garden and made it glow a beautiful red.

The sunset was lovely as well - a fine Autumn day.

12 October

I woke up feeling full of cold (flu jab effects) and still a bit achy. The problems started to ease about 24 hours after they began so I was feeling OK by evening.

I didn't feel well enough to go to church but went before the service to hand over the breakfast stuff I'd bought for the Food Hub and the sleeping bags for the street pastors.

Our red rose is having a second (or third?) flush and is looking lovely at the front of the house.

I caught up with Mum on Facetime and Christine on the phone then got changed into my snuggle suit and settled in to watch TV for the evening.

13 October

My symptoms are now like a nasty cold so easier to manage.

Gym for a while then Gilda came and we went to Elmstead Woods and Chislehurst to look for Cleo, the new snake dragon (we didn't find her) and a few bears (we found them but we knew where they were so it was easy!). The autumn colours are really starting to show and the walk was very pretty.

I collected my regular flower order from Sue - very pretty.

Jonathon picked Shaun up from the garage (it was his MOT test and annual service today). He's only gone 45 miles since this time last year so I guess the average mileage will be looking good!

We were supposed to go see Simon and Linda today but didn't want to risk passing my cold to them as they are coming into their busy season so have rescheduled.

Met Gilda, Julie, Jane and Wendy-Jo at The Ivy, Tower Bridge for a Girls' Night Out. Lovely to catch up with them all.

15 October

Gym rather than a walk this morning because I didn't have a lot of time. Did the final exercise for this week for the BHF Strong Woman Challenge - rest day tomorrow.

Met up with some of the Knoll Chit Chat group at Indiya. I think the damp weather put people off because there were only six of us but Hem and his team looked after us very well.

Rachel was here when I got back, going through the photos from last week. She seemed very happy with them.

Mark, Gilda and I went to Ephesus for dinner then joined Ginny for the pub quiz at The Cricketers. We came 4th with 46/65 so quite respectable.

16 October

Gym for a short while (just treadmill) then down to Tesco to get a wrap that Jonathon wanted for lunch.

Dog walking was my next job - it was lovely seeing the Autumn colours as we walked around and encouraged me to go into the garden with my camera. The "red corner" is looking beautiful.

This one isn't from our garden, I spotted it while dog walking.

Our lovely acer

Our fiery cotinus

I had a quiet afternoon catching up with various bits and pieces. Although it was a rest day from the BHF challenge, by the time I'd moved the big box of fat balls and the 12.75 kg sack of bird food to the garage, I felt like I'd done a workout anyway.

Jonathon and I went to see Miss Kiddy and the Cads in the evening at the Phoenix Arts Centre in London. I was in the audience while J was working with his cameras.

17 October

Did some "Strong Woman" stuff at home, went to get my paper then joined June and co for the Friday walk. It was a really good turnout with 13 humans and two dogs. I left the rest of the group at Chislehurst station so I could get home before Ben got here.

Back home and the Nerine is flowering prettily. Ben did some more weeding while I planted out the wallflowers (using some old hanging baskets without their chains) and did a bit of tidying up.

I caught up with Mum on Facetime (she's too busy tomorrow and Sunday to talk to me!)

18 October

A quick trip to the gym then waved Jonathon off on his way to Devon to stay with Mervyn and Anne for a few days.

I popped to Texco to get food for the next couple of days - lots of things that Jonathon isn't keen on - caulifliower, salmon, sprouts etc.

I led the Knoll walkers on a "Totem Poles and Bears" walk today. The Halloween decorations at Elmstead Woods station were a bonus.

Ginny had her grandchildren (2 years and 10 years old) with her. They were really well behaved and Harper (10) was a great spotter. She even found what we think was a geo-cache thingy in the shape of a snail with a list of people who'd found it hidden in a tube in its tummy.

19 October

Did my BHF challenge and a load of extra exercises at home before going to get my paper.

Next job was walking to Nugent for M&S (pie for Tuesday), various card shops and Pets at Home (new bowl for Oli).

Had a nice, quiet afternoon. Salmon for lunch was very tasty, I changed the way I update the Activities diary for The Knoll and circulated the new version.

Went to the hairdressers for a trim - my hair doesn't seem to have grown much since the last cut which is surprising.

Pleased to see I'd completed the stretch target on my fitness app so I can take it easy (in that respect at least) for the rest of the month.

20 October

I did my strength training at home, went to get my paper then met Ginny and Jane at Orpington station and Gilda at Waterloo for a day trip to Windsor.

One arm of Ginny's glasses came off at Orpington so our first stop in Windsor was Specsavers to get them fixed. That done, it was cup of tea time - we went to Enzo's. The waiter was great fun.

We got to the castle in plenty of time for our 12.30 p.m. booking. It was a shame about the weather but we had our waterproofs so not too bad.

The castle provided an audio guide which was very helpful as we went round. We went to the cafe in the castle for lunch then into St. George's Chapel. Photos weren't allowed in either the castle or the chapel.

I'd found a heritage walk from Windsor to Eton so we did that then visited the swans before returning back to Orpington. It was a lovely day but I was quite tired when we got back.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle

Eton Chapel

Eton College

21 October

My main job for today was going to hospital for a lung function test. It's about one hour to walk there so a good way to get most of my steps done. I walked there along the main road so I didn't get waylaid.

The medic who I saw was very kind but it was a struggle for me to blow into the tube in the way she needed. Apparently the pattern was consistent but it seems it was not "normal" to the extent that the boss was asked to come and see me as well.

The medic gave me four doses of Salbutamol and I reacted quite strongly - racing pulse, shaky, dizzy etc. It wore off eventually but, to help, I went to The Drawing Room for a pot of tea and a scone. They'd run out of scones so carrot and walnut cake instead.

The results will be sent to my GP in due course so I'll have to wait and see if I have asthma, COPD or something else.

I walked home via parks and woods - all familiar to me and helped in calming me down.

I collected my newspaper on the way home and went to Sainsbury's for a couple of bits and that completed my steps for today.

While I was doing all that, Oli was soaking up the sunshine on the spare bed. He soon ran downstairs for his dinner when I got home.

The latest flowers are still doing well two weeks after I got them - they look lovely in the afternoon sun.

I finally did my BHF Challenge in the evening so I could tick that box!

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