Life!

Amanda's birthday. Woke up before the alarm and got up at 7 and had shower. Breakfast done and dusted by 8.30. Updated blog before washing up and taking suki for a walk. Feeling better and more energetic.  Did ironing while watching Inspector Lynley episode. Emma picked Suki up at 2 and we went out at 2.45 to King's College Hospital for Spinal Research event.  Very interesting as usual - especially the spanish guy we talked to last time.  All the scientists seem so young!  But they are all very enthusiastic.  The lab tour was very similar to last time, with the usual footage of rats walking over ladders - although this time a petri dish was circulated containing rat brain with spinal cord attached (ugh!). Then had a presentation by top bods Mark Bacon and Lawrence Moon. I had an interesting chat with Robert Sheldon, another wheelchair user, who had an accident 12 years ago.  He was intrigued by the fact that Mike could descend a flight of stairs.  He seemed just as zany though

Got up late and never really got going today. Messed around playing games. The only thing I achieved was to order the food from Waitrose. Also bought a couple more audible books in the sale. Rested on my laurels a bit as Christmas shopping nearly finished too. A somewhat unsatisfactory day. In the evening went to Messiah rehearsal and had a good sing which bucked me up. Watched some tv when we got in and then read my book for a bit. Set my alarm to get up earlier and kick start life again.

Got up early to see Mike off to work. Lorraine went over to Carolyn's so had the day to myself. Culled my Christmas card list and prepared the labels.  Went to Westfield and got several Christmas presents. Went in to Waitrose to recce their party food for the Cantanti lunch and found they did food to order. Picked up a brochure. Perfect! Spent the afternoon wrapping presents. Pleased with progress. Went to meet mike for Chinese before choir and found it had closed down - shame as the food was good and it had been there for over 30 years. Shared cod and chips instead which was probably not a good idea as I smelt of fish and chips all night and the grease lay rather heavy on my stomach for singing. James announced that the new MD would be Hilary Cambell. Went straight home afterwards and took koppaberg too bed and watched Have I Got A Bit More News For You on iPlayer.

Went for lunch with Joyce, Derek and Liz at the Palm Court Brasserie in Covent Garden.  Joyce and Derek picked me up and we drove to East Acton station and then got central line to Tottenham Court Road then Northern to Leicester Square.  I then navigated us to the restaurant with my phone map.  We were early, and Liz was going to be late, so Joyce and Derek looked round the stalls and I took the opportunity to pop into Jo Malone shop and get some stuff.  Had lovely lunch of fillet steak followed by banoffee pie.  Derek insisted on paying for the lot.  I took a lot of his chicken home for Suki. Took Suki out when I got back, in the dark by then, and then had a catnap to try and get energy for ringing (which worked). I made them up to 6 for quite a long time so had to ring quite a lot.  Remembered to take my wrist supports which helped.  Monica wore her new boots!  I didn't have anything to eat in the pub - just some of the communal chips - and drank diet coke.

Got up at 6.30 ok - no after effects of copious amounts of wine probably because I also drank copious amounts of water.  Took Suki for a walk then went to 8 am with Mike.  Did the ringing circuit. Monica liked my boots and decided to get some herself.  I should have been on commissison! Heavy rain all day.  Went to Steve's in the afternoon and rang successful peal of 6xspliced S Minor - lots of footnotes for Steve and Mike.  Emma walked Suki.  In the evening dropped the others off at Richmond to ring a QP (which failed) and parked car in Paradise Road car park then took tube home and finished off preparation of tower forms.  Had pakora for supper with a beer. Then watched HIGNFY on iplayer on TV and had an early night.

Mike went out ringing QPs.  I went to Acton market with Suki, after going round the park, to get a rucksack.  The rucksack stall wasn't there, but the Indian Veg man was so I got lots of pakora and aloo cakes.  Then went home with Suki before turning round and going back out to Oaklands centre.  Rucksack shop had closed down!  However there was a closing down sale at Sport Direct so I went in there and came out with 3 rucksacks and a pair of walking boots for everyday wear.  When I got them home Lorraine liked the boots so much we went straight back out again to Sport Direct and I bought her a pair of boots and a sleeveless padded jacket for Christmas - and took the opportunity to buy myself a neck scuff, some socks and some headphones with tangle free cable.  Had the aloo things for lunch when we got back. In the evening went to the UL dinner.  Cab came at 5.07 and finally dropped us off at 6.20!  We kept diving off trying to avoid the traffic but it didn't really work and in

Went with Mike to Barnes in the evening, although neither of us was in the QP.  They failed to get PB Major which was a shame as we could have dedicated it to Patricia.  Went to the pub and shared nachos - Mike managed to knock the bowl of sour cream off the table over the floor and Tony's jacket.

John's birthday.  Got up later than I intended, at 7.40 so it was 10 o'clock again before I took Suki out.  Practised 4xspliced on Abel nearly all day till my head was swimming.  Went to Goldsmiths in the evening for first rehearsal of Messiah, picking up a goats cheese baguette from Paul's on the way.  A really good sing.  Found friend from last year to sit next to which was nice.  Went home by tube and were in by 9 - I had my baguette and then took glass of wine to bed and read my book for a while before having a nice early night.

Got up early to get Mike off to work and then got ready leisurely and washed up and practised a bit on Abel.  I had arranged for Emma to take Suki out so that I was not under any pressure before going off to Twickenham to attempt peal of 4 x spliced on 3-4 with Steve, Hamish and Margaret.  Got there in time for coffee and croissant. Peal failed in the Rutland at the end of the fourth part (out of five!) which was a shame but it was very good practice and very enjoyable.  Went to lunch with them at the usual Italian - which seemed to have suffered from regime change.  Very slow service. The portions of pasta were much smaller and the arrabiata sauce had changed and was not as thick and tasty nor anywhere near as spicy as it used to be.  Got home just before 3 and had a cup of tea - then took Suki out for a short walk. Went to Guys and rang a peal of Turramurra on the trebles with James Chris O'Mahony and Caroline. Toyed with the idea of salad wrap but bus due so went for that instea

Found it difficult to get going today.  Messed around on the computer and spent too much time playing games.  Tried practising on Abel but once again it just sent me to sleep. Cooked Linda McCartney cheese pasties for lunch which were dry and tasteless, coupled it with cheese sauce from a packet which tasted mouldy.  Not one of my culinary successes then.  Had pasta for supper which Lorraine had made - which was delicious.  Had it at 6 pm as I was restless, then got fired up and did ironing before going to choir practice.  Two conductors auditioning tonight - both very good.  I didn't participate in form filling as I am leaving next year. Went straight home and had nice chat with Lorraine, then went to bed with glass of wine and a hot drink and ready my book for a bit.  I need to finish it so that I can get started on the two Wilbur Smith ones I have waiting.

Had a good night's sleep and found it difficult to get up.  Mike had doctor's appointment at 11.  I took Suki out at 10 once Svetla had arrived.  Then went to Tesco with Lorraine.  Busy all day making DVDs from recorded TV programmes for Jayne - finished off my letter to her and posted the parcel.  Very exciting.  Tried to practice on Abel but head so woolly it just sent me to sleep. Went to Guy's without much expectation but we actually rang two thirds of a good peal.  Caroline dished out caffeine tablets she had purchased over the internet which certainly seemed to help me.  Too late when we had finished to go for a drink so went straight home and had glass of wine and salad wrap from Lara and watched some tv before going to bed.

Leanne's birthday.  Got up very early and had shower then put bedclothes in the washing and made up the bed with fresh sheets etc.  Took Suki to Parke for 40 mins and then went to bellringing, having put the towels etc in to the washing machine.  After ringing went back and put all the washing on the radiators, bleach down the drainholes and fixed the smoke alarm to the fitting on the door.  At least that had stuck successfully.  The shower pole had collapsed away from the ceiling when I put stuff on the shelves - the paint had come off!  Left it for next time.  Packed car and drove to Horsington and had superb carvery lunch with Jay.  Treated myself to a chocolate marscapone cheesecake for pudding although Jay was very good and didn't have one.  Suki yapped a lot and then pee'd on the carpet so presumably she was asking to go out - poor thing.  Got back to London at 4.30 - Mike out at committee meeting and Lorraine over at Carolyn's, so place to myself for a bit.  Got

Slept badly.  Got up at 3 and made a cup of tea and watched Morse on ipad.  Very heavy rain and strong winds during the night - lovely lying snug under the duvet listening to it.  Stayed awake until 5.50 and thought I would get up at 6 but  then fell asleep until 7.30.    Lovely sunny day so went up on the moor.  Did a new route - up over Saddle Tor from the car park then straight on towards Hay Tor.  At the bottom contoured round to the right and kept contouring right round the tor.  Brought me out at the top of the quarry and then took the path to the tramway and walked back along it to the end.  The cut across on a path which took me over a tor and round the back of Saddle Tor to pick up the public footpath back to the car park.  Really lovely walk.  Then went to see Mary until lunchtime. In the afternoon I thoroughly cleaned the porch and the utility room.  Looking much better.  Went for a walk in the plantation by which time it was raining again.  Went to Wolborough in the evenin

Had a good night's sleep thank goodness, and was ready to get up at 7.15.  Very foggy but it was starting to lift as I got in the car at 9.15 so decided to go up to the moor.  Still foggy up there but lifting.  Had some nice rain to start with - quite heavy but I had all my waterproofs on.  Then it stopped and the sun came out.  Nice rainbow over Hound Tor.  Did the usual circuit from the small car park in reverse - ie up the big track and back by the contour from Black Hill.   Had spectacular views on the way back of the valley below and the low lying fog still to clear - especially towards Teignmouth.  Went to Bell with Suki at lunchtime and met up with Barry Bob Tony Karen(?) and Paul. Had pint of shandy and a cheese and onion roll. Went to Arnolds afterwards and bought a new and smaller smoke alarm plus some no nails. Did the hoovering and also glued smoke alarm holder to cupboard door and erected shower shelves (gluing top to ceiling). Very pleased with achievements. Put all c

Had a really good night's sleep - thank goodness.  Got up at 7.30 and had breakfast.  It was wet and windy outside - with very strong gusts.  Put on the waterproofs and had fun walking in the plantation in the rain and marching through all the puddles in my wellies.  Went on the perimeter path from the car park this time and then round the bottom and down the Templar Way, cutting across along the dissecting path just before the junction, which came out very close to the main path at the top so a really good route.  Got back and ordered a couple of things for Ollie and Leanne for their birthdays then went to post office and got some birthday cards.  Greengrocers had fresh supply of bakewell tarts so I stocked up!  Did computer stuff in the afternoon - uploading videos and photos etc and converting the recordings I did at the handbell rally from video to mp3. Took Suki out at 3 - it had stopped raining by then - and walked to Parke via the post office to post Ollie's card.  Havin

Slept really badly so struggled to get up at 6.30.  Took Suki to Parke for an hour then went to Exeter for handbell peal attempt of 6xspliced.  Came to grief after an hour and forty minutes, but I rang ok and they seemed to trust me more to be in the right place.  Had soup and crumpets for lunch, then went to Bovey Valley Woods and did Walk 2 from Book 2 again.  It has been raining a lot over the last few days and nights, and it rained heavily as I drove to the car park.  But it was not windy and not cold and with all my waterproofs on it was great walking in the rain.  It stopped for about an hour in the middle of the walk.  I thought the rapids would be impressive with all the rain we had been having - and I was right.  They were amazing and thunderous, and easily equalled Becky Falls.  I was very glad I was wearing wellies as often had to wade through shin deep water. Suki got a thorn in her foot ploughing through the brambles to avoid some belted galloway cows on the path, but I m

At last a whole day to myself including the evening.  Got up early as alarm engineer coming at 11.  Walked Suki on the moor and was back by 10.30.  Engineer diagnosed spiders behind the sensor in the utility room, and blocked the hole with kitchen roll!  Walked Suki in plantation in the afternoon.  Man from Moorlands came to remove Jayne's battery.  Actually did some cross stitch. Watched all episodes of Grantchester on Catch Up. Rustled up a chicken stir fry for supper. Had a very early night but found it difficult to go to sleep.

Went to Exeter to attempt QP of Yorkshire Royal.  Could hardly manage a course, but we were all better than before and it was enjoyable again.  Went for a walk in the plantation in the afternoon and then went to see Mary.  She was up at supper time so must have been feeling better.  No news otherwise.  Rain and wind got up while I was there.  Went to PPT ringing in the evening - well attended.  Went to pub for a pint afterwards.

Ollie stayed over in London and went to watch the ringing at Chiswick - Mike and Lorraine rang - and then wanted to stay to the service.  Apparently he was a star during the peace walking up and down the aisle shaking hands. I got up early to walk Suki and then go to 8 am service.  Took my book as I had an hour to wait between end of service and ringing. After ringing went back and watched Cenotaph service etc. Turned out all the food cupboards in the afternoon to see what was there and start eating up the tinned food.  Moved things around the kitchenette but ended up putting everything back in its original place.

Handbell rally at Whitestone.  Drove to Joyce's house then Ann took us all from there.  Lots of floods from heavy rains.  Hairy journey there up narrow lanes.  Rally went well.  We did 4 solo pieces and all of them went well.  Tried recording them on iPad.  Handbells were interspersed with poems and "turns" which were all good.  Very enjoyable afternoon.  Rowena walked Suki ok and left flowers.  Had early night and actually read book for a while.

Mike went to work. I gave Suki a quick walk.  Packed the car to the hilt with Dad's coffee tables, Jayne's stuff etc.  Then helped Lorraine pack her car with all the stuff for Convent bric a brac stall. Drove down to Devon with Suki on front seat.  Reasonable trip down with no real hold ups. Listening to Bonkers by Jennifer Saunders. Funny being on my own in the house. Had some soup for lunch. unpacked car successfully and put first load of washing on. went for walk in plantation. Suki slept happily through the fireworks while we were in the sitting room with the telly on (watching Inspector Lynley) but when i went to bed she could hear them in the distance and started scrabbling so I shut the window and put the radio on. She seemed to be ok hiding behind the rocking chair and next time i looked she was asleep on the chair. My birthday table ready for tomorrow Relaxing in the evening with my candles

Two boxes on porch when I got back from walking Suki.  Flowers + pink teddy from Jayne (as I found out later - there being no clue in the box) and the new Wilbur Smith from Malc. Went to Exeter for another attempt at a QP of 6xspliced.  Failed again but more good natured this time and definitely didn't blame me.  Walked Suki around the town in the afternoon.  Posted parcels and dropped keys off at Rowena's. Went to Wolborough in the evening with Ann.  Photo of Mike in Ringing World brought to my attention!

Birthday and wedding anniversary.  Got up and went up on the moor for an hour and a half walk - beat the rain mostly.  When it did start it was lovely walking in it because I had all my waterproofs on.  Went to see Mary on the way back.  She has been a bit lethargic in the evenings lately and not been down for supper, so they had called the doctor who was expected later today.  She seemed fine while I was there. Opened my presents in the afternoon - had lots from Jayne (all pink) and had two from Lorraine, one from Amanda and one from Maryanne to open too. Lots of cards here - several posted to this address! Went for a walk in the plantation in the afternoon.  Went to handbell practice in the evening - where they presented me with a card signed by everyone, and sang happy birthday!  Had a good practice and even mastered some of the malletting in Adeste Fideles. My pink presents from Jayne The lovely card from Beryl The new arrival My cards and flowers My lovely s

Went separately to Chiswick Choir again so that I could come home without going to the pub. Embarrassed by vote of thanks and round of applause at interval for me as outgoing secretary. James announced he was going to by me a drink later, but I preferred to go home and go to bed with a drink.

QP at Clapham was cancelled, but I had already booked Emma to walk Suki so I carried on with that arrangement and took advantage to go up in the loft again and do a bit more sorting.  Got down all the towels and sheets to take to Devon and sort and either use or ditch. Went ringing in the evening - and to the pub and had steak baguette to eat.

Treated myself to a chocolate croissant again for breakfast.  Mike had the eggs benedict.  Went to the tip with Lorraine and got rid of all the rubbish. Rachel suggested going for a walk with Suki in the afternoon, but didn't get back from Kew Gardens in time.  Mike walked her while I did computer stuff.  Went to All Souls service at Chiswick in the evening.  Jeremiah's choir sang Victoria's Requiem Mass.  They were very good and the music was very moving.  As usual the Lysons surname proved too tricky for the clergy to read out cleanly, but the thought was there.  Went for a drink afterwards - and the others actually joined us at the table (although they nearly decamped to a different table but eventually drew up extra chairs).

Mike went off on the District Outing all day.  Lorraine and I went into the loft all morning and sorted all her stuff out and repacked it in the space left by Amanda's stuff.  Got some of my rubbish down to throw away or give to Convent for bric a brac stall.  It was very satisfying to see nice large space now by the entrance hatch.

Took Suki to Burnham Beeches for a walk in the morning.  Warmest Halloween since records began.  Went at same time as Mike to Barnes in the evening to be reserve for the QP of Glasgow, but in separate cars.  Forgot to take anything with me to do so played sudoku on phone through the QP.  Rang a lot at the practice.  Went home after ringing and had nice early night.

Went to Guys to ring minor with James and Caroline.  James initial optimistic methods eventually whittle down to Cambridge 6, and we eventually scored a QP.

Went to Guys and rang a peal of Rutland on 3-4 called by Mark.  I went completely to pieces towards the end but struggled through and everyone else kept going in spite of my best efforts.

Having set the alarm for 4.45 am I was awake at 4 am so got up and had a shower etc.  Put some washing on and put the bin and recycling out.  Jayne was up early too.  We left bang on time at 5.15 and had a trouble free journey to Heathrow, although we seemed to circumnavigate the airport to get to Terminal 4.  Parked in the short stay and went with Jayne to check in and then to departure gates, where we hugged and said goodbye quickly before we both started crying!  Found the car easily - but the M4 proved trickier, and I eventually got on to it via M25.  Not too bad a queue going in to London and I was home just before 7 am.  Put the other load of washing on and made breakfast, then washed up and cleaned out the shower trap.  Hung all the washing out as another lovely sunny warm day then took Suki to Acton park. When I got back made curried lentil, squash and spinach plus a cabbage soup.  Had to pop to Tesco to get more tinned tomatoes.  We finished off the lebanese stuff for lunch.