2026 Diary - Page 70

15 May

I collected a couple of cat beds from a neighbour (they'll go to Peitra for Orpington Cat Rescue) then joined June and co for a walk round Brockwell Park to check on the cygnets (there are 8 of them).

Jonathon met me in Bromley to try out a new restaurant - Da Raffaele Bistro. It was delicious and I've now booked a table there for our next Mud Appreciation Society dinner.

Carol cancelled dog walking because of the forecast (again) so I got off the bus part way home and walked back through the woods to do a few steps.

I went to Tai Chi in the evening.

After I'd had something to eat, I took the fleece off the potatoes and runner beans and put the veg tubs back outside. No frost forecast so fingers are crossed.

Caught up with Mum on Facetime - she seemed really fed up today - no enthusiasm for anything.

I joined June and few others for her tennis club quiz in the evening. We came 4th (our of 8 teams) and got a score of 102 out of about 130 - they didn't tell us what the maximum possible score was! As usual, it was the music rounds that let us down.

17 May

Gym then church as usual for a Sunday morning.

Our weekend walk was a visit to three open gardens in Blackheath this afternoon.

The first garden was pretty but not very big and didn't take long.

The second one was amazing. It was huge with sweeping lawns and lots of benches in "alcoves" along both sides of the main area. The vegetable garden was lovely, the silver birch and other trees incredibly tall and the tree house fun.

We stayed there for a drink and cake, to admire the garden for longer.

The third garden was quite tiny in comparison. Again, it was pretty but it only took a few minutes to walk around.

We saw some interesting buildings and wall art as we walked from one garden to another and didn't have to wait long for a train home.

Christine and I had our weekly catch up chat.

18 May

Jonathon went down to Devon today so Oli and I are in charge for a few days.

I went for a walk after he'd left to try out a route for the weekend. I popped to the shops on my way back to get lunch, greetings cards etc. Thankfully I didn't get wet but it started raining as I walked through our front door.

19 May

Went to circuits then played tennis with Sharon. The rain continues to save me from having to water either our pots or Peter and Jenny's. It's not very warm either so the greenhouse plants don't need much water - easy job.

After doing some tidying up in the front garden, I went to watch Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum. I travelled up to London a bit early so I could prowl around Trafalgar and Leicester Squares before the performance. Johannes Radebe (Jojo) was brilliant as Lola, as was Matt Cardle as Charlie. A really great show.

20 May

A more "at home" day today. Went to the gym then did some supermarket shopping before dinner.

I did some more work in the front garden then moved to the back when I was happy with the front. Today and yesterday's work means another couple of bags for Jonathon to take to the tip when he gets home.

Went to Knit and Natter then stayed home in the evening.

21 May

Up early and a busy morning. Got my paper, checked Jenny's greenhouse and walked the dogs.

Mark and I had tickets for "Sherlock" at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. It was completely weird (and very hot with the sun on our backs) so we left at half time and had a lovely walk around the park and along the canal. Granary Square Brasserie let us bring our reservation forward so we were leaving the restaurant about the time we would have originally been sitting down . That meant I was home nice and early so I could pump some water into the pond (the hot weather had caused quite a bit of evaporation).

22 May

Did a bit of food shopping then joined June and Co for our Friday walk. It was a warm, sunny day so we spent quite a bit of time in the woods to keep cool.

I spent most of the afternoon in the garden, mainly watering and then weeding the path because it was in the shade.

I was quite excited to see that some of the big daisies have started to flower in one of the wild grassy areas after a couple of years.

I went to Tai Chi then went round to Peter and Jenny's to water their pots. Their hose attachment was pathetic - if I'd had to water the plants every day while they've been away I'd have taken our hose squirter with me instead!

23 May

I didn't sleep well last night because there was no sign of Oli when I went to bed (and still no sign around 3 a.m.). He eventually came home about 4.30 a.m. so my mind could rest.

Gym first then I led the Knoll walkers (there were only 3 of us today) along alleyways and streets then through the lovely, cool Darrick and Newstead Woods and Tubbenden Meadows.

Our destination for the walk was St. Christopher's Caritas (local hospice) because they had their open garden today. They were also selling refreshments and the inevitable raffle tickets (we didn't win anything). The garden was lovely and well worth a visit.

It was about 2.30 p.m. by the time I'd got home, been to Sainsbury's and had my dinner so no time for gardening (it was too hot anyway).

Caught up with Mum on Facetime - she seemed in much better spirits today.

Gilda and I went to see Northern Ballet's "Gentleman Jack" at Sadlers Wells in the evening. The choreography was amazing and the dancing mesmerising - an excellent show.

24 May

I woke up feeling like I had a nasty summer cold this morning so have been snuffly and cough-y all day. Yuck!

Gym and church in the morning.

I had to deliver some bits and pieces and collect some stuff from Marks and Spencer after dinner. I really wasn't too keen on heading out because the temperature had done as forecast and hit 30C. It was quite cool by the river which was very welcome. I came home by bus to save my legs.

We put the big umbrella up outside when it cooled down a bit so, hopefully, we will be able to make us of it in the next few days.

I caught up with Christine then did loads of watering (at least it's only our own now).

25 May

Another really hot day but Gilda and I still went for our Monday walk. We spent a lot of time in woodland and parks to take advantage of the shade.

We met Jonathon at Da Raffaele Bistro - it was just as good as last time so I think it will become a regular venue for us.

As our walk was a bit longer than usual and we had to get home from Bromley after dinner, there wasn't much time to do anything before going to tennis. I snuck in a short nap because I couldn't keep my eyes open.

There were four of us at tennis so Angela and John played together and George played against me. It was too hot really so we packed up after an hour.

26 May

It was even hotter today - unbearable. It makes my chest / cough worse so not a fun day,.

Sharon and I managed to survive for about 40 minutes of tennis before we accepted defeat due to being overheated and went home.

My main task today was a trip to Queen Mary's Hospital for a CT scan of my chest. It was all very straightforward and quick so we were in an out in no time.

Jonathon dropped me off at M&S to collect Paul's birthday present then I walked back from there to try and finish my steps. I called into the GP surgery and booked my second shingles jab for 10th June on the way home.

Yet more watering was needed (my poor veg bed looks completely flopped - it seems it likes the heat as much as me!)

Great excitement late evening when this lovely hedgehog came to visit. I stood interference to keep the foxes away so he could have a good feed.

27 May

Thank goodness, it's been a bit cooler today. Even though I don't like the heat much, a lot of the plants in the garden are thriving. The Golden Globe Buddleia is the best it's ever been and the Sisyrinchium are a couple of weeksweeks earlier than normal and looking lovely.

The broad beans in the tubs are doing well with lots of flowers - hope they all turn into beans! I topped them out to try and reduce a potential blackfly attack.

With the cooler weather, I decided to walk from Hayes to home - to test out a route for a future Knoll walk (possibly Sunday). Jonathon came to Hayes with me for a little wander around then he came back home on a bus.

Arty (Jonathon's car) sailed through its MOT so that's done for another year.

Nicola and I went to The Oval to watch Surrey Ladies vs Durham Ladies in a T20 match. Durham only scored 102 runs before they were all out. I thought Surrey would knock the runs off quite easily and they started well but, with the cut off time at 21.11 and Surrey at 102 at 21.10, it was a closer finish than expected (and, therefore, more exciting). A great evening.

28 May

A quieter day today. I caught up with watering - veg, fruit and pond then dropped a book round to Diane, went to get my paper, took the latest batch of knitted hearts to Francis Chappell and a couple of bags of old newspapers to Andersons Vets. Other than that, I stayed home! I was intending to go to the gym but didn't find the energy to get there.

I noticed that the downpipe / drain near the big water butts was blocked so took out what rubbish I could then Jonathon and I had a proper go at it this afternoon. Hopefully, it's now sorted - we'll find out when it next rains.

I made good use of the big umbrella (it was hot again today) and had a few wanders around the garden to make sure I did my steps. The Escallonia (Redclaw) and Japanese Cheesewood tree are both flowering very nicely at the moment.

29 May

I watered the veg, got my paper then joined June and co for our Friday walk. The dogs (Benji and Teddy) had a lovely time in the stream, got very muddy and promptly proceeded to shake their wet mud all over the place. Thankfully, I wasn't that close to them at the time so I escaped the muddy shower.

30 May

I joined George and a few of his friends at tennis first thing (before it got too hot).

Soon after I got home, Jonathon set off to the tip with all the green waste bags (three trips) so I have lots of bags to fill up again now.

I did loads of gardening in the afternoon but was limited as to where I could work as I wanted to stay in the shade. I cut the grass so the cross looks tidy again and did a couple of the beds.

Caught up with Christine in the evening and talked with her until the sun went down!

31 May

Usual Sunday morning - gym then church. There was a lot of "audience participation" at church - I represented a mountain in the creation scene.

I worked in the garden for about an hour between dinner and FaceTime with Mum. She's been suffering with the heat this week but didn't seem too bad today.

I took the Knoll walkers to Hayes and walked back to Orpington this evening. They all seemed to enjoy it and it was a new route to them all.

1 June

I went for a nice long solo walk this morning. I came across a few quirky things, some beautiful garden flowers, lots of lovely scenery and a whole two fields of wild flowers - a fantastic walk. I was home before the time I nomally set off with Gilda.

Jonathon and I went to the Orpington for a snack lunch then Gilda and I booked the next batch of Sadlers Wells tickets (on the phone as she wasn't here today).

2 June

I had an active morning with circuits to start with then tennis with Sharon. The opposite of last ween when we got baked by the hot sun, this week we got rained on!

Anne, Gilda and I went to The Peacock Theatre in the evening to watch 360 All Stars. It was very loud (OK) but the lighting was atrocious so we couldn't see the break dancers. A real shame because they were both world champions and, the bit we could see, was really good. The basketball man, BMX rider and big hoop man were all excellent. One of the MCs was also a drummer and the other was a rap artist. If only, the lighting had been better ...

I didn't take any photos so took a selfie instead!

3 June

A busy day of a different kind today.

First up, Tesco then dog walking because it's going to be too wet tomorrow.

My next activity was to host the Knoll Chit Chat gathering at A Mano in the High Street. We had a great turnout of 13 - the largest group for a while.

I did some weights at home to make sure I hit my daily calories target.

Knit and Natter at church went ahead despite the fact that the Squirrels had an off-site adventure so it was very quiet.

Final job for the day was as secretary for St. John's worship team. It didn't finish until just before 10 p.m. so I was tired when I got home.

Time for bed!

4 June

Main news for today is Oli isn't too well. Jonathon took him to the vets because his eye was looking a bit weird. He now has three kinds of medication and is due to go back next week to see if he's any better. It seems he'll need at least one tooth taken out - the vet will assess if anything else is needed next week.

In other news ... We had a lot more rain overnight so everything is looking lovely and fresh in the garden, if a bit soggy in parts. I even managed to plant some daisies in the grassy areas this afternoon - the ground has been too hard until now.

I went to the gym for a while this morning then was supposed to go to Peitra's but she had a sore throat / cold and I've been advised to avoid anyone with those ailments so we've rescheduled.

Our hedgehog feeding station arrived. I'd cleared part of the garden near the big hedge a few days ago so we had somewhere to put it. It's quite substantial so, hopefully, it will work fine and hedgie will have be able to eat in peace away from the foxes.

I pulled the Worship Team minutes together and sent them round for comments so at least that's done. I also collected some litter pickers from Alison ready for Sunday. We've agreed they can live here and they'll let me know if / when they need them.

Nickety Nick decided he'd climb the big fir tree today - no idea why!

5 June

This week seems to be really busy!

Joined June and co for our Friday walk - thankfully, it stayed dry and wasn't as muddy as expected.

Had my hair cut (shorn) in the afternoon then did some gardening before it was time to meet Jane and Ginny at The Churchill for "Murder Trial Tonight - Death of a Landlord". Good performance but we found the man not guilty when he actually was (I blame a poor prosecution case!)

6 June

Tennis was rained off this morning but we still went for our walk. Thankfully, it faired up part way round so we didn't get too wet.

I finished edging the grass just before it started raining heavily again so at least that'd done for now but I didn't get any more gardening done.

Had a FaceTime with Mum - she seemed on reasonable form and was pleased with the way the meeting with the Whixley vicar had gone to discuss the interment of Dad's ashes service on the 17th. Carole sent a draft copy of the service sheet through so I can get used to it before the event.

I caught up with quite a lot of admin type stuff while it was wet so made good use of the time.

7 June

Gym then litter picking (first Sunday of the month). I couldn't stay long for litter picking because Derek and Maureen came over and we went to Chapter One for lunch.

I went to Peitra's to collect her keys so I can water her garden while she's away next week. Apparently all her cats will be going away for their holidays (she has a cattery / rescue and four house cats). She has a lot of pots so it will take a while to water them all.

I caught up with Christine - she's as busy as usual.

In garden news - we have our first courgette flower, our first pea flower and we ate our first strawberries. They aren't as good as last year and quite small but, at least, we have had some!

8 June

I wandered round Orpington, delivering some stuff from Knoll Sharing then collecting my paper.

Gilda came and we went for a walk - Petts Wood to Hayes. We got quite damp but it was good to visit a new park, walk on some different streets and see an amazingly painted garage door.

We met Jonathon at Masala Dabbas for lunch.

I played tennis with Ravi for a while. About 10 minutes before we were due to finish, Sylvia and Rev (dog) came into the park so we played ball with Rev and chatted to Sylvia. The tennis balls are now drying before playing again tomorrow.

9 June

Busy morning: I did Justice's circuits class at the gym then played tennis with Sharon. We only got a tiny bit damp today and soon dried off again so it wasn't too bad.

I tidied up the roses and the quince bush in the front garden after dinner so that area looks a lot tidier now. There's still plenty of weeding to do when I find the time to do it.

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