Joy in July

Life has changed dramatically for me now.i have meet a wonderful guy at the Bowles club and we a great relationship going. Les is also a widow and we have decided to enjoy every minute of every day, to live life to the full as we both know from experience there are no certainty in life.

So our first date was to walk in The Peaks staying in a beautiful stone B & B tithe weather was good and it was great to get the walking boots on again..

When the weather changed as it has done so much this last month we have been 10pin bowling, I can't even beat him at that. Pictures and various lovely meals out.

Enjoying the evening performances at Trentham Gardens, the Motown night was great even if we did get soaked in the last 10 mins.

14th July saw me off on a Rhine cruise with my dear friend Sue. We had a truly wonderful time cruising on The MS Swiss Tiara the crew, food ,excursions and all the new friends, made it a truly fab experience. I have posted some pics on FB but here are some of the best.

We boarded the boat in Basel, visiting Lucerne,then onto a rail journey in the Bernese Oberland. Onto the Black Forest. Shopping in Titisee and Breisachthen onto Strasbourg. Stunning buildings in the French quarters. The cathedral was awesome and we climb the 330 steps to have views from the top.

Onto Mannheim then Rudesheim, where we had a fun night dancing in one of the bars.

A wonderful day cruising through the famous Rhine Gorge,then a night life in Koblenz. Our final destination was in Cologne. Our final night on boat we encouraged the resident pianist to upbeat the music he played and true to form Sue and I encouraged other guests to dance the night away.

Coming home on Eurostar was just fine until we got to Victoria station Uk the train was simply rammed. Thank god our loved ones where waiting at Worthing to greet us.

Thanks Sue for your company,you where just great and we are looking to book a holiday for next year.

Moscow and St Petersburg here we come.

I then had 4 glorious days in The Travel Lodge at Worthing. Strange to spend time as a tourist in your home town. Even managed a swim in the sea. Les enjoyed the time there and was impressed with the beach and pubs which I always took for granted. Thanks Pete and Dizzy for you company in the Hare and Hounds, Desperate Dan was as good as ever.

Sunday 24th was a Big Family Day for Mum and Dad as they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anversary over at The Arun View in Littlehampton.

Company and food was good, always great to see all the family. Thanks to Anne for organising the day.

Monday 25th 

Back on boat.  Have had my central heating repaired,dead headed my lovel flowers which have been amazing this year- all the bloody rain!- polishing brass,washing and ironing. Front of house starts on 13th August at The Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford.

Playing Bowles,along with having Gill and Mick visit in their Campervan for 4 days,then My friend Kay came to visit for 3 days for some TLC. So lots of walking,talking,drinking and eating.

Les has been on a family holiday to Canada, back on Monday 8th August, and I have really missed his company. Lots planned for the next few months, may even get out on the boat.

Cambridge

June 16th set off for Cambridge in the morning. Arrived at Premier inn just on the outskirts of the town. Although it looked in the middle of a new housing estate, which it was, but ideally located to a Bus stop straight into town. - Love my Bus Pass! 

We went into town for a wander and evening meal, after watching the football in the hotel bar. England scored in the last few mins.  Found a nice pub in town and had our evening meal.

Friday 17th decided to have breakie in town,lovely French cafe for a Danish and coffee. Onto the Tourist info centre.

Punting on the Cam in the morning, lucky with the tickets, brought a bargain from a nice lady who had a voucher!

 

After punting, went for Lunch at The Eagle one the oldest Pubs and supported by many airman in the 2nd World War who would keep tally of flying conquests burnt in the rafters.

After lunch had a wander and afternoon tea before going to  The Cambridge Graduate Orchestre in the Concert Hall. This was just fantastic. Playing Mussorgsky, Stravinsky and Brahms ,conducted by a brilliant young conductor Alan Bowman and a Piano soloist Emiko Edwards.

Something I had never experienced and truly wonderful. Bit of FUN getting back to hotel,just missed bus (another story) got a Taxi! 

Sat 18th had a walking tour booked for 11am so again went into town for breaki. The tour was great our guide was very knowledgable and funny. We saw and learnt so much about this wonderful old town. Kings was possibly the highlight,although there was work being done on the organ.

We had booked a table for lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian so busy busy!

The meal was lovely and the waiters made it a great experience.

Decided to walk our lunch off, so went along The Cam, many narrowboats moored up just outside the centre. Did go back to Kings for another visit, it's just so breath taking. Another tea stop before going to the ADC Theatre to see The Footlights International Tour. . Made us laugh but a little silly.

Sunday 19th went to The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Had breakie at the hotel as out all day. The weather was just perfect and the display of aircraft was wast. Went on The Concord and dressed up in Americam gear - look like something out of Dads Army!. 

Went back to Cambridge for dinner, then onto St Johns College Chapel where we listened to Stanford Chamber Chorale. A touring  Chorale Ensemble  from Pennsylvania. A very emotional  performance the setting was just perfect. A wonderful end to a wonderful  four days. Thanks again Eddie for your company.

Back to normal on Monday. It was pouring with rain, I'd left my car window open, so wet bum to drive back home. 

The alternator on my boat had burnt out so engineer coming Tuesday to fix it. RCR had ordered the wrong size so back on Friday to sort out. All done. Ready now to take boat out.

The girls are enjoying feeding my regular visitors to the boat!

Got my walking boots out this week and did a fab walk in The Peaks.  Also went to see Othello at Stafford Castle. So lucky with the weather it was perfect even had a full moon. Off to Trentham tonight to see Queen Tribute Band, let's hope we have good weather again.

Festivals and Carnavals

Mid May a quieter week, having Connie on Mondays is always fun. I'm encouraging her to be a keen gardener by popping her on top of my boat,watering! Bowling and gardening for me, and an unexpected wonderful concert at Sandown Hall. 

Molly also helping planting and watering all new bedding plants!

Friday 20th an early start to go down to Worthing to my lovely friend, Dizzy, 60 th birthday bash at The Fox. Lunch on the seafront with her family, fab evening. Met friends I hadn't seen in years, how do we get this old!

Then over to Eastbourne to see lovely daughter, Faye, and the family for the weekend. Good walk on the Cuckoo trail then a meal out. Spent Sunday in their garden having fun and helping sort out boarders. Helped out on Monday with the school run. Chayse is a delieght and I love spending time with her. 

Spent Monday with my sister Hilary catching up with gossip. Then stayed at Eddies for the rest of the week. Again gardening and sitting around in his lovely garden. Not sure who did all the work! See front for coffee as weather was glorious. Topping up the tan!

 

 Went over to see Dianne (another sister) on Thursday. Mum and Dad for a meal on Friday. Saturday meet up with all my old friends from Guild care and went to North Star dancing the night away to Big Yellow Taxi. A great day Sunday we went to Sheffield Park then onto Crowbrough to The Wheatsheaf 's beer festival. Meeting up with my brother and family was great too. So bands, beer, brother and boyfriend  (Molly's words) where excellent. Bit hungover Monday meet up with Gill and Brian for coffee. Home for a rest, but did pop over to see Kay as not seen her for a while. Always so much fun meeting up with friends.

So back on boat for June. My first Festival at Uttoxeter Race Course 3/4 and 5th what a fab weekend. Kate and the girls came on Friday,we where all glittered out with wings and wands! Saturday just Kate and I went, I brought the compulsory festival hat! And we danced the night away, headliners - The Blockheads. Sunday went back with the girls beautiful hot day idilic to listen to Beautiful South. Girls just Loved T Rex tribute band. So all in all an exhausting weekend but so enjoyable.

This week I've been to an Induction Eve to become a Volunteer Front of House for Staffords Gatehouse Theatre. Think it's something I will really enjoy so had my interview on Saturday and have been invited to join The Team. Yeah

Saturday also saw Molly become a Princess to the Queen in Stones Festival. And Connie was Tinkerbell on the Peter Pan Float. Both won 2nd prize in their catorgies. Lovely afternoon and the rain stayed well away until 6pm when it fell down.

Looking forward, this week, to visits from friends, Ken and Andrea, Gill and Brian then off to Cambridge for a few days. Why Cambridge? Because I've never been!

May time

21st to 24th April

Just had the best time ever in Thornbury,a small village just outside Bristol. Our hotel room overlooked the village cricket green, so no prizes as to where Eddie was sitting with tea and hot buttered crumpets on Saturday afternoon after a day of strolling around Bristol Harbour.

On our arrival on Thursday eve explored the village taking in the lovely church and castle before having our evening meal in The White Swan. 

Friday we went to Tyntesfield National House  in the morning as the weather was showery. Then in the eve we went into Bristol harbour to find the venue I'd found on line The Thekla is a boat moored up in Mud dock. After a smashing meal at The Hole in The Wall pub the group Molitof Jukebox where just fab,a mixture of Cuban and Salsa music and we weren't quite the oldest there!

Saturday we went on the bus into Bristol walked the harbour and found where I moored up with my boat nearly two years ago with Smile and Wave, had to ring Heather yo say 'guess where I am'. 

Back to Thornbury had a superb Indian meal before going to see Seth Lakeman. A fantastic folk singer and guitarist, Eddies choice, it was wonderful. It would have been a 20 min walk up hill home but we just managed to just catch the last bus back to the hotel at 11.15.

Sunday we spent on the Avon Valley Steam Train. 

Then again into Bristol for an evening gig at The Exchange, The Moulettes, they where different from the two gigs but very good.

So all in all a fantastic four days. Thanks Eddie.

Back to normality Tuesday 26th had my first league game of Crown Green Bowles. I was playing at home -Tissensor - with Brian as my partner and we won. So pleased. Then in the eve I helped Kate run her first mixed Netball Tournament in Stone, well supported so Kate was more than pleased.

Connives 4th birthday on 29th and they all came to the boat for dinner on the Saturday.

1st May meet up with a lovely lady - Carol James - for lunch, we meet at a holiday singles presentation in Stone we chatted for ages and had a lovely day.

Had my second game of Bowles on Tuesday played away in the pairs again with Brian and won 21/20. Great game and if it hadn't been for bumping into Les on the bridge here at Marina, he was taking photos, I wouldn't have even known I was playing.!  Didn't know the format.

Had my first attempt at painting the boat,just done the grab rail ,done all the preparation right and I think made an ok job. I'm sure it's not up to Barrys or Mick's standard but looks much better.

Working back at Trentham on Wednesdays which I really enjoy. We have planted a whole swath of blues, yellows and pinks up in the top meadows and it looks just great. Back weeding the Italian boarders this week.

7th May  - Molly and Connie came to the boat for a Sleepover which they both enjoy. We have lots of fun  playing games, making dens lots of story time. 

Then a surprise phone call, Eddie was going to  Wales visiting relatives could he call in for a sleepover on Monday. He also had tickets for a concert in Staffords Gatehouse Met to see Ben Walker and  Josienne Clarke they won folk duo in 2016. Lovely eve. 

Bowles again on  Tuesday 10th,  this time my first singles match. It poured with rain and I got totally thumped 21/2 so back to the drawing board.

May 12th. Looking forward to seeing Sam, a lovely lady I meet at Ayres Rock in Australia. She was coming to the boat, but plans changed and I went down to Winchurch, just outside Cheltenham.

How great I stayed in this idilic Cotswold cottage and for the two days acted as tour guide, visiting Burton on the Water, Stow on the Wold, The Slaughters and Broadway. We had just the best time.

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Ended with a fantastic Cream Tea in the Broadway Hotel.

Spring -nearly

 March started well with a visit from my lovely old work mate - Jonny Cash himself the very own Alan. Coming up to re-paint my life pictures on the side doors. Also had Kate, Molly and Connie for dinner after school as their house is being replastered. So full complement. Good few days. 

Mothers Day we went to watch Jon at a Great Heyward complete a 41 mile run to Burton. Back on boat for a nice dinner.

Babysat for Kate and Jon as they went out for dinner and pictures for Kate's 42nd birthday. Where have all those years gone.

Boaters nb Cockney Sparrow - Sue and Dave came round for a meal and borrowed all the River Thames books,how I envy them that trip. Dave enjoys his food!!!

A proud Nanny moment, Molly won a certificate in a National literacy competition for a poem called 

             Autumn Sences 

I can hear people talking and whistling wind

I can smell the tasty burgers and the fresh wind

I can see people walking in the leaves

I can touch the crunchy leaves

I can taste healthy food

Molly Woods. age 5  Manor Hill First School

Off up to Dave and Celia's in Northallerton on 15th another good trip 'Up North' getting used to the A1 although I managed to miss the M18 coming back. Although every cloud has a silver lining I stopped off for a cuppa at Ken and Andrea ended up staying the night having a great time meeting friends Pete and Diane who I had heard so much about over the years.

Time with Dave and Celia was fab. Going to Whitby for the day having the traditional fish and chips for lunch. Popped up to Stoksley to see Julie, most sexy butcher in Yorkshire! And met up with Tony my hopefully newest crew mate for August. Dave advised me on a Blue tooth speaker for my music, have since brought one its magic, thanks Dave.

Back on boat for a few days helping Kate to make Easter bonnets or the girls for school, before a trip to the dentist then driving down to Worhing for Easter. 

Weather was generally great although we did experience hurricane Katie on Easter Sunday. Lunch with Mum and Dad at the Fish Factory on Good Friday. Dinner at The Fox with Sue and Ken ( bit of a Dawn French moment)  but lovely. Staying so near the seafront at Eddies was just wonderful, walks along the prom, do miss the sea. 

Went over to Ropetackle to see Big Country on Saturday, short gig really but ended up in the Piste and Broke pub listening to a fab jaz and blues band.

Had lunch with Gill and Brian. Eddie is in love with Brian or is it his fantastic train set! Called into see Faye,Ryan and Chayse who is growing taller and such a sweetie.

Walks around Worthing and Arundel in the sunshine where perfect as was the company. Food at Sunnys and The Jaalfong also good. 

Back to the boat Saturday and went to Gatehouse theatre to see The Chicargo Blues Brothers with Ginny, Kate and Jon. Good start to April.

Looked after Bracken ( Jons dog) for a few days, Gill and Mick, my homeless friends! Also came up for a few days, so full house, or boat. They picked up their Mobile home now! France here they come.

Received such sad news, my wonderful brother Andy has been diagnosed with Cancer, but he is a fit  and otherwise healthy guy I have every confidence with surgery he will  conquer this horrid disease.

Had in lovely surprise call from Kathy and Martin on nb Moriarty where chugging from Middlewich into Stone so where able to have a lovely eve on my boat good grub and someone to play Rumicub and cards with Brill!

I've taken up Crown a Green Bowles up at Tittensal having coaching sessions which are going well. Thanks Gill for nagging me!!!  Also back volunteering up at Trentham busy potting up and planting out.

Molly had her 6th Birthday on 12th lots of pressys which included a new bike and clothes

Looking forward to going to Thorbury (near Bristol) folk festival next week. And as writing this on Friday 15th Brighton are playing Fulham tonight to help secure a place in the Premier League. Good Luck Seagulls.

Cold months of January and Febuary

Febuary 29th 2016.

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!

Christmas and a New a Year 2016

Only back on the Marina on boat for 6 days before heading south for Christmas.

Had a great few days catching up with all my friends here at Aston, managing to get through a fair few bottles of vino.

Had a great drive down to Eastbourne,left at 7am all roads where reasonably quiet so made it in just over 4 hours. Although it was pouring with rain down on the sunny south coast. 

Father Christmas arrived at Faye's and Chayse was awake about 7 to start opening presents. Dinner for 10 was all set for about 3 with Ryan's family and all went well.  Although have to admit fealing a little lost and lonely, first Christmas without Baz. 

Boxing Day went down to David Lloyd Health centre for swim,sauna and steam, then meet up with all my family over at Brighton Marina for a meal. Great to see everybody.

Seem to spend the next couple of weeks visiting friends and family. Eating and drinking and having some great nights out. Special thanks to Alan for taking me to see Jonny Cash tribute act in Brighton fab eve. A good New Years Eve with Gill and Brian,even though the lead singer of the band had buggered off on a cruise ship they put on a great gig. Taking Chayse to Panto didn't go quite to plan but I will try again next year!

Decided to have a few high lights put in at my best hairdresser in Worthing, it made me feel good, trying to knock a few years off! Stayed at my good friends Kay and Simon. Thanks for putting me up and organising a wonderful get together with all my old work pals from Guild Care. 

Eddie for cooking me his first Jamie Oliver dinner, booking a Folk Festival down at Bristol in April and agreeing to crew for me again this year. Gill and Mick for giving me a bed for a few nights and just being great friends. Good luck with the house sale,it will happen.

Finishing with a lovely meal with Mum, Dad, Anne and John at the Fish Factory always good grub

Now back on the boat for  a week, coal, water and diesel all stocked up and having coffee, tea and a glass of red stuff with all on the Marina. Wow price of diesel has dropped hurrah.

Already booked a holiday on The Rhine- Germany to Switzerland - in July with my lovely friend Sue. And a villa booked in Portugal for September, all girlie week!

The weather here over the last couple of days has been just beautiful I'm sitting in back of boat writing this with a cuppa. But the Marina freezes over at night. We did have a few flakes of snow last week but it did not last.

Keeping busy and planning more trips!