The weather coming back to boat after New Year was surprisingly mild, but have had many cold sunny days and freezing nights. Whilst writing this the Marina is frozen over.
Have been helping Kate and Jon out with child care on a Monday afternoon, looking after Connie who just loves coming on the boat even when we play the same games, Scardy Cat and Incy Wincy Spider, also watching Room on the Broom, which I now know word for word! We then collect Molly from school, although I'm sorry to say my time keeping has not been too hot, Naughty Nanny! Then off to Rainbows after getting tea sorted. I'm relieved at 5.30 when Kate or Jon get home, back to boat for a quiet glass of red!
The girls are wonderful, Molly's reading and writing is steadily improving, and Connie sings for England. Both go to ballet classes and I went to see their first performance at Stoke Rep Theatre on Febuary 18th as Dalmations in a Disney showcase.
Had a lovely few days up in Maltby at the end of January, with my great friends Ken and Andrea. Too cold and wet for walking so went to pictures to see The Reverant. No wonder it has since won awards it was just such a great film.
Helped one of the share boats - Kingfisher- take their boat up to Middlewich for maintanace work. Where so lucky with the weather it was just fab. And felt so good being out on 'The Cut' locking and chatting to all and sundry!
Febuary was nice and busy, after going to a Sunday lunchtime Jazz session with Rob from the marina. I have decided to try and learn the Ukulele, not going too well, do not practice enough. My lovely music teacher Jackie has introduced me to other musicians and I have been to a couple of Acustic nights in Stoke and Uttoxeter.
The highlight of the month was going down to London on the train doing a 'Show and Stay'. Eddie and I saw a just fantastic play called - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night time, after great grub in China town and a browse round Fortman and Masons. The hotel was wonderfully situated in Shaftsbury Ave. After a big cooked breakie on Friday we went to John Soane's home, the architect of the houses of parliment, which has been turned into a museum. Viewed a really interesting series of paintings by William Hogarth. After coffee and cake in Covent Garden we wandered along the South Bank watching and listening to various artists before having a meal at Cafe Rouge. We then collected our bags from hotel and I to Euston, Eddie to Victoria headed back home. Fantastic couple of days there's always something special about London and the company.
Ginny and I had a good Saturday night out at The Met comedy club in Stafford. I had a lovely day outing with a Staff and Volunteers of Trentham to Rode Hall Gardends to see many varieties of snowdrops.
The month finished with a trip 'Up North' to Jarrow to see my dear friend Maralyn and Stevie.
Stopping on the way for a cuppa and lunch with Shenna and Bob in their new home in Darlington. Friends from the Marina and it was good to see them both.
Maralyn and I had such a fab time we did not stop talking about all and everything. (Not like me to chat!) We use to play Netball together many moons ago and had so much to catch up on.
Went to South Shields on Friday, beautiful coast line. The sun was out but it was freezing. It was Joanne's 23rd birthday (their beautiful daughter) so we all went for a Thia meal.
Saturday went to visit St Pauls,in Jarrow, the oldest church in UK built in AD 685. St Bede was here in the Monastry as a boy working and worshipping, but his bones lie in Durham Cathedral. Brought us angels as a souvenir.
After coffee Maralyn and I went on the Metro to Newcastle. We got off at Gateshead and walked pass The Sage theatre house, reminded me of the Opera House in Sydney. Newcastle is a beautiful city and we spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering round. Ended with tea and cake!
Disappointed my bets Stevie had put on for me at Kempton had not produced the result I had hoped for! One finished last and the other fell just before the finish! We had a great curry in the eve. Always bigger and hotter up there!
So after a fab weekend drove the 4 hours home in the sunshine.
Thank you to you both, I will be back!
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