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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
I know this is a touch late, but I loved Agatha Raisin on the radio with Penelope Keith - never seen the TV version and probably never will!
ReplyDeleteI had an amazing time in the Cairngorms. The weather was just how you imagine it to be at this time of the year, but with added Brendan - the noise of the wind whistling through the forest was crazy but most of the days we were out walking and driving were brilliant sunshine thank goodness. The peacocks (and hens) were on fine form, especially as we brought them bags of seeds to scoff! There were deer, rabbits and red squirrels galore and an owl even swooped on us in the dusk one night. Got tons of reading done and mostly sat around the fire cocooned in a bubble of niceness...
How was your retreat Seasider? Recharged?
Thank you so much for the photo of MC Beaton Gary. I am delighted to know so many others loved her books too. My favourites were the Hamish Macbeth series and I am determined to visit Plockton one day, the TV stand-in for Lochdubh.
DeleteAnd, so glad you had such a wonderful stay in the Cairngorms. It sounded like a very exciting experience weather-wise, but also a real tonic for the senses with all those beautiful sunny days and so many birds and animals to enjoy.
DeleteSo pleased to hear your news, what a special place.
ReplyDeleteI second parsley’s post Gary 🤗
DeleteFriends who heard about my recent upsetting experience at Heathrow will be glad to know that I have received a very fulsome and detailed apology from the head of customer services.
ReplyDeleteThey held an internal inquiry and found that a new member of staff, whose job is to allocate helpers to each aircraft as it arrives, had not done her job properly. She is to receive more training and will be closely supervised for some time.
They also admitted that I (and the 2 other wheelchair passengers) should have been accompanied at all times and not dumped in a sterile waiting area for so long. The staff involved have been reprimanded and will also receive more training and supervision.
I think they have engaged a new company to deliver the passenger assistance service and it is falling down on the job, to Heathrow’s embarrassment.
Finally they offered me an ‘enhanced assistance service’ next time I fly from Heathrow and I just have to contact them with flight details in advance. I have no idea what an ‘enhanced service’ is, but I am hoping not to need any assistance by next Christmas, which is probably the soonest I shall be flying again!
Speedy response Archerphile so at least they got that right. As you should not need assistance service next flight maybe remind them of your Heathrow/Dubai flight experience and suggest compensation could be displayed in the form of an upgrade 🤭
DeleteYour time in the Cairngorms sounds wonderful, Gary. What sights & sounds.....no wonder it's a favourite place, never let's you down, does it .
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your news, AP., at least a full acknowledgement of their failure, but, must say , I was hoping you'd get some financial recompense for the stress, time wasted, & the taxi fare.
Tch, tch 'lets' 1st para.
DeleteGood news Archerphile, so sorry you had to go through that awful experience.
ReplyDeleteGary, your week away sounds wonderful, a perfect new year tonic.
Yes thanks my retreat was lovely although all too short - a long drive then back on the road in less than 48 hours. Wonderful place though, fantastic sunset over the countryside as I arrived, moonlit garden the first evening with a partial eclipse, sunrise from my bedroom window and the sheep wander down the hill in the morning to graze right outside. A really reflective peaceful time - amazing how excited you can get over a patch of bolted sprouts in a walled garden when there are no other distractions.
Sounds lovely Seasider. A good rest and reflection at the beginning of a new decade is a wonderful way to start this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd Gary, your stay in one of your favourite places sounds divine, especially with all the animal sightings.
I didn't say, last week, but I also remember enjoying Penelope K in the Agatha Raisin series, though have never read any of the books.
The sort of programme that one might acces on 'sounds'.
Will try.
I am so pleased that Archerphile has received such a quick response.
ReplyDeleteStill her experience should have not happened. At least others, but not her, will benefit, well hopefully.
I haven’t read any of the books so no comparison for me. I am enjoying the TV series though as Ashley Jensen is a good comedy actress and doesn’t mind looking less than glamorous! Surprisingly she is 51 and not sure how old Agatha is supposed to be. Katy Wix is also very good and has some brilliant one liners. I remember though being an avid reader of the Saint books in my teens and Roger Moore never measured up in my eyes with my imagined Simon Templar!
ReplyDeleteThe books are very different and a bit like Midsommer Murders, in the "silly" style. I did not like the TV programme, as the books were not represented properly. This also applies to both Vera + Shetland, by Anne Cleeves and Inspector Lindsey, by Elizabeth George.
DeleteDid love the PD James TV adaptations though of Inspector Dalgleish.
Also Agatha is meant to be short, and a bit "frumpy" and not that elegant.
DeleteLoved reading about your experience, Seasider, vividly evoking the joy of even a little time & space in which to be fully conscious of what's around, in nature, anything, without the distraction of fussing about the past or the future. 'Living in the moment', so healthy for all of us. Really appreciated hearing from you & Gary today.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Seasider. What a lovely way to spend some good quality time, so glad you enjoyed it. Can a non-religious person go on a retreat because it sounds like something I’d really like to do. A few days with nothing to worry about, no constant news about world problems and no thinking about everybody else for once.
DeleteGo for it Archerphile - I make sure I do exactly that a couple of times a year & it NEVER disappoints!
DeleteBlood test last week : one stab by nurse, blood flowing copiously and six little test tubes filled in the blink of an eye.
ReplyDeleteBlood test this morning: stabbed by three different nurses and two doctors in both arms and not a drop ! Had to dink 2 glasses of water, be stabbed in the back of my hand (painful) , hold arm straight down in order to finally fill one little test tube!
Mr A was getting really worried as it took over half an hour for me to have blood test.
Why?
How odd, AP. No idea why, maybe it's because it's been colder the last couple of mornings (certainly has where I am ) so your blood wanted to stay where it was - a daft guess, I suppose...
DeleteAt least the blood was finally taken and that is so very important.
DeleteMy immediate thoughts were that you had already donated that armful (as said by Tony Hancock), then re-read your post to see they tried both arms.
DeleteHope the op goes well, Archerphile, and that you will soon be fully mobile.
That's me for tonight.
ReplyDeleteEvening meal will be very interesting.
Am cooking a bolognese sauce, but using sliced cumberland sausages instead of mince. It might just be awful 😣
At least the veg. brocolli, cabbage, carrots plus the wholewheat penne pasta, will be edible.
Good Luck Archerphile 🤗
ReplyDeleteKeep updating what is happening.
My thoughts are with you.
I don't think Ian is bothered about his job security, an agreed paternity leave was arrived at, it's because he's a perfectionist & takes pride in his culinary skills & imaginative menu changes. He is bothered about maintaining standards
ReplyDeleteWhoops ! Sorry, above Belongs to the TA blog, in relation to Ian's angst over his temporary replacement at GG, Hugh.
DeleteDisagree Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteHe is scared that Hugh is going to be proved better than he is.
Hugh has a much nicer nature anyway.
Ian got touchy when Hugh said the meal was on the house.
He found fault with the menu.
Hugh possibly checked with Oliver anyway about the free meal.
Had standards dropped ,Freddie the Spy would have been round like a shot a lot sooner and he would now be gloating.
Archerphile just think we could have met up with Natasha today for a coffee 😂 after your (hard work) blood 💉 test of course!
ReplyDeleteMr R has had the same situation during some of his stays in Basingstoke Hospital over the years someone would have just one go and bingo ✔️ at other times nurses and Dr’s would battle it out even at The HC. Some just seem to have the knack - was it a different person to last time?
(So no waltzing with Mr R post knee op 😂 not that he will have time even to learn with all that ironing - done the shirt training yet 😱 and cooking to do 🤭)
Hope the sausage bolognese was lovely, Miriam! I had an experiment tonight. An old winter favourite is chilly bean casserole which is a spicy veg and tomato stew with bulgar wheat. The latter is not gluten free for Katy so I substituted quinoa. To my surprise it worked! Quinoa is quite nice if well flavoured like many of these kinky foods!
ReplyDeleteI think Neil would enjoy your casserole Ev, it sounds delicious.
DeletePerhaps you could send the recipe to Susan? 😋😂
Recipe winging its way!!😁👩🍳
DeleteArcherphil, sometimes it's the phlebotomist or the nurse, doctors rarely take blood in my experience, sometimes it's the patients veins.
ReplyDeleteAnd some people are very good at getting it right most of the time.
I think I have mentioned in the past, that I now elect to have my frequent blood tests taken from my hand, which I don't find painful. But then since I have had blood taken frequently since being a tiny child I never do find it painful.
If you relax and know that it's happening for a good reason it really is only a tiny prick.
But as Miriam says, they got the blood in the end, and after your operation you will be pleased that your samples were taken.
Personally I always feel rather sorry for the nurse who fails to get the vein, in my case usually because they have gone through and out the other side. I put a lot of effort into reassuring them because there is great embarrassment for them as nurses to have failed. It is often a hit and miss affair, and it seems unkind to me to make that person feel any worse.
Yes, you are right Mrs P. I felt very sorry for the first nurse and kept reassuring her not to worry. And the second one. But by the time 5 different people had had a go, with no results, I was beginning to get a bit worried as it’s very unusual for me. I don’t mind blood tests at all normally but do find the back of the hand route a bit painful. I offered the vein in my wrist but the doctor wouldn’t use that as he said that would be even more painful.
DeleteI think Carolyn had it right, it was very cold yesterday morning and the room was chilly. In fact they brought a heater in half way through to warm me up and gave me a hot drink.
Anyway, they got their sample in the end, so all was well. 😊
Archerphile, hope you are not too sore today after your “blood letting” experience.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your retreat question, as Gary says, absolutely yes. I go to all sorts of places and sometimes the retreat is an organised themed affair and other times I just book for a few days of rest and quiet. The retreat I was on last weekend was a led retreat but as the facilitator said, you have paid to come and what you join in is entirely up to you. I have also stayed at this place a couple of times just to break my journey as it’s about half way between North Yorkshire and London. Better than a B and B, great food and more like a country house hotel.
There used to be a lovely place in West Sussex I went to for many years but it sadly closed. Latterly the local Roman Catholic diocese ran it. I am not a Catholic but I didn’t feel out of place there. There was a silent dining room and a talking one. The food was served to you from a central buffet (all freshly cooked) and then you took it to whichever room you fancied sitting in, or into the garden, overlooking a lake with ducks and herons. These places have kept me sane over the years, particularly when I was working.
These places sound wonderful Seasider. I particularly like the idea of a quiet or talking dining room. I would not want to go on an ‘organised’ retreat with any religious content as I would find it very difficult talking about such matters with Christian folk as I regard myself as a Jewish Aethiest (yes, you can be such, It was confirmed by a Rabbi in today’s edition of ‘Doctors’ on BBC1, something that greatly pleased and reassured me!). Is there some sort of guide to finding a suitable place? I really wouldn’t know how to find one.
DeleteLoved Valerie + the Rabbi in Doctors today, as not relegious based.
DeleteTo me, it was just a fun episode.
I so apologise to others, who have Faith and Beliefs in any way that sorts. Sadly, I don't now.😭
No need whatsoever to apologise for not having any religious faith Miriam!
DeleteThis is a very silly question.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best way to clean my glasses, both reading + driving?
I have been using a glass clean spray + cloth, but they still end up very smeary.
Does anyone have a foolproof solution?
Miriam, get yourself a microfibre cloth or duster..best thing I ever had for cleaning glasses 😎😎
DeleteE - cloth (for glasses) which we purchased recently is doing a good job! As all their products do 👏🏻
DeleteMiriam
ReplyDeleteApologies to others..... Totally off TA topic.
I've been meaning to ask you this for some weeks now, knowing you too watch Doctors.
Who do you think has framed Jimmi? Up until today I thought Bear but now the Dad has been introduced I am wondering if it was his own Dad?
No idea. It is an intriguing story. What I don't understand is how someone was able to get that amount of heroin + then plant it, losing so much money. I keep thinking about when Jimmi's burgar alarm, constantly went off.
DeleteSorry, fellow Archers Addicts - but this is just as addictive + intriguing. It's my other "fix", when eating lunch.
Promise not to mention again. 😀😀
DeleteExcept - was Jimmi actually framed or is he guilty as charged?
DeleteThat would not surprise me, sadly. 😣
Oh no, no, no, Miriam! Not lovely Jimmy. I reckon it is his Dad after all. 😟
DeleteMiriam- to clean glasses you need a lint free cloth.
ReplyDeleteThat means a piece of old sheeting as far as I am concerned.
Breath on the glass and rub both sides of the lens with thumb and forefinger on either side of the lens. Repeat on the second lens.
A good old fashioned method.
Archerphile- google Retreats.
You can break down your search into religious and non religious, led and personal and by county as well as Catholic, Anglican and ' other'.
I would have thought that there are Jewish retreat centres as well.
And as far as talking about your Jewish atheism is concerned, you would not be upsetting anyone by talking about it. Most people who go on retreats are pretty open minded in my experience.
I am not a Buddhist but once went on a Buddhist retreat in Lancashire.
The retreat house that I have most often been to is in Oxfordshire.
There is also a publication which lists retreat houses but I'm afraid I can't remember it's name, if it's still published.
There’s the Good Retreat Guide. That has a variety of options. The retreat association is more spiritual but some places are very liberal in their approach and indicate this in the way they advertise themselves. When I just book in for a few nights somewhere, nobody asks me to give an account of myself. At the place I have just been, when booking like this I have my own table in the dining room so no obligation to talk to anyone unless I choose to and some areas of the house are designated quiet. On the other hand there’s a cafe area where folk can drop in for lunch, and a small bar, so all options are available. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteMrs P, thanks for the tip re cleaning specs. The cloths you buy don’t work after a while. I resort to washing up liquid but it can scratch. Off to opticians in the morning so I hope I am not reprimanded.
Many thanks Mrs P and Seasider for advice on retreats. I shall pursue this further, later on in the year when I am fully mobile again. It will probably just what I need. Mr A often goes off on gliding trips with his fellow pilots so I might arrange to be away at the same time instead of being stuck at home.
ReplyDeleteAP, the one in Hampshire that springs immediately to mind is Old Alresford Place. I've been on themed weekends of both art and poetry there, but as that was years ago I couldn't tell you what it's like now.
ReplyDeleteThat’s very close to where I live Sarnia! Perhaps it would be too near though, I’d quite like to visit a different area if the country, specially somewhere in the South West.
DeletePlenty of time to research.
A lot of people go to Lee Abbey - not sure where it is, North Devon coast, I think, that place that had a catastrophic flash flood years ago. Bit hilly for people with knees and things, though. I'd rather like to go to Burgh Island having seen it so often in detective series - or Lindisfarne ... ...
DeleteArcherphile I had missed that you also know the characters!
ReplyDeleteI have 'rests' from Doctors occasionally, but being housebound for most of the past eight months has meant that I have watched most days, before my afternoon nap .
Can't bear the Escape to the Country etc. I think it is just people who want to boast about the money they have at their disposal, but perhaps it is just envy!
Good luck and best wishes with your op. 💐💐💐
Hope all goes perfectly this afternoon Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Gary - have a couple of hours to hang around before going to hospital and op this afternoon. Had my last food & drink and now trying to occupy myself by surfing the net!
DeleteYou know how to keep occupied, Archerphile, good for you, because the waiting is not pleasant.
DeleteGlad to hear, after those blood tests & everything, the op. Is going ahead as planned. Will think about you this afternoon, & hope you have a peaceful, restorative sleep tonight.
Get searching for that perfect retreat!
Deletethinking of you Archerphile,
ReplyDeleteOne of the benefits of going private Archerphile- no need to be at the hospital for 7.15am regardless the time of your op (which you do not get to know until you there anyway) also it was foggy this morning so another bonus!
ReplyDeleteWill be very interested to know (in the fullness of time) your thoughts on both types of care. Although to be fair to date Basingstoke Hospital has always been great for ortho and we know you were pleased with your hip. Just the timing of the turnaround to Winchester unfortunately complicating the length of waiting time, and frankly I’m disappointed this trial is happening.
Very best wishes to you from myself and Mr R 😍
Can I just issue one very BIG thank you for all the messages and encouragement you have all been sending. I don’t want to block up the blog with loads of individual messages, you must be well and truly fed up with seeing my name by now!
ReplyDeleteAnd after all, it’s not such a big drama - only a new knee, I’m sure I’ll cope 🥴
I hope all has gone well for Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI wish her well and a speedy recovery. This is the same for all who are having health problems, at this moment in time.
🤗🤗🤗 To All
Absolutely agree 🤞😘
DeleteThanks to you all, about my cleaning glasses problem.
ReplyDeleteThis is due to:-
I have very long eye-lashes, which esp when I use mascara, on blinking, they leave a deposist on the inside of the lenses of my glasses..
Ditto Miriam 👀
DeleteWhen I first had glasses at around eight years old, I was taken to an optician in the city, 'cos that's where dad went. He was a VERY serious man.
ReplyDeleteMy eyelashes were long and were hitting the lens when I blinked.
My mother jokingly said, ' we will have to cut them off ' he took her seriously and was very upset, and replied, ' oh no mother, I don't think we can do that '.
I have tried all your wonderful suggestions, but without any real success. 😣
DeleteThink I might try washing them, with a well known wash-up liquid, beginning with an F.
Glasses care is different for me, as I now don't need contact lenses, which is still, even after 4 months, quite strange after nearly 40 years use.
I wash mine in a weak solution of my unperfumed, non-formaldehyde releasing shampoo, rinse and dry in soft towel.
DeleteThick Fog this morning, and so much so, I couldn't see across the cul-de-sac. It took a long time to disappear.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, when I needed to go out, at 9.30am, it was just starting to clear, but driving was still a bit difficult.
A quick extra only - as cooking- just a simple mince + mashed pots meal.
ReplyDeleteI now have my membership card for Chester Zoo.
I went and saw my favourite elephants...
Hi everyone!
ReplyDeleteBack in room after op
Very woozy & in lots of pain but first thought was to let you know still alive!
Surgeon said kee was right old mess inside henceall the pain. Off to seep again now. Hope to be more with it tomorrow! Night night!
Great all went well.
DeleteThanks for the very quick up-date.
Now Sleep ..🛏🛏
Thinking of you AP, rest up! ❤️
DeleteI am starting my next Agatha Raisin book tomorrow, by the now late MC Beaton 😢
ReplyDeleteI just love them, as are quite absurd, but are just a fun read.
Miss Marple springs to mind, in a much more simple way.
Ah, Thanks for the update, Archerphile ! Hope they give you some pain relief, so you can sleep, sleep, sleep zzzzzz...
ReplyDeleteWell done for managing a message AP - however woozy you might have been.
ReplyDeleteYou will probably be awake again at around eleven tonight so if you read this, just think....... it's all forward now, no more limping and soon goodbye to the stick.
Glad it is all over Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteNow enjoy a rest.
Good to hear from you Archerphile. Hope you have rested well when you read this.🍇🌷
ReplyDeleteI agree AP - well impressed with your kind message so soon after your op 🌹
DeleteKeep taking the 💊
Re cleaning glasses.
ReplyDeleteI usually just use the bottom of which ever cotton top or blouse I am wearing.
Works fine.
Bit of lateral thinking too......
If one has long eyelashes there is no need for mascara unless the eyelashes are pale in which case they can be dyed .Apparently Princess Diana had her’s dyed and she always looked great.
No deposit on glasses
Sorted.
Eyelashes are very blonde. Daren't have them dyed, due to potential allergies or sensitivities, to which I am prone.
DeleteAlso I do not want my eyes having any more potential problems. I am pre-glaucoma and have to use drops every night, to control my eye pressures.
I don't want to mess things up..while all is still OK.
Good idea though and appreciated.
To add. My eyes are very sensitive so have to use preservative-free drops. Each night I use a plastic vial, but these are not able to be recycled, as have contained a medication. I don't like that these are destined for the "landfill" site.
DeleteHave checked, and this is the truth.
Feel guilty discarding plastics in this way.
It against my thoughts + ideals, as am a avid recycle person.
I'm in the same position as you Miriam. I have at least two forms of medication with a container that I cannot recycle.
DeleteAlthough I have heard that the soap shop Lush does recycle some plastic containers but I haven't been able to test this yet.
It grieves me too.
K Day + 1
ReplyDeletesorry to report I had a really bad night. Literally did not sleep at all due to severe pain which even three doses of liquid morphine couldn’t alleviate and these wretched anti-DVT boots I have to wear. Every 10 seconds (I counted) they inflate with a whooshing sound and squeeze your feet quite hard. I know they are doing a good job but they don’t allow you to sleep! Spent night reading and playing computer games when not being attended to by nurse.
About to be brought breakfast, then will be got up, washed and dressed and made to take as many steps as possible by one of the physiotherapists. Any movement of my left leg at all is excruciating at moment so not much looking forward today.
Oh, and the consultant saw me very briefly in the recovery room yesterday and said my knee had been ‘a real mess’ when he opened it up. That explains a lot!
More tomorrow I expect.
This is tough, Archerphile. Given the state of your knee, I suppose healing will take longer than average, whatever that is ?
DeleteDo hope, at least, despite the 'walk' which you are understandably not looking forward to, that the pain relief is a bit more effective today, AND that you get some sleep !
Sorry to hear you are in considerable pain Archerphile. Think positive, soon you will be pain free and skipping about like a spring lamb, it will all be worth it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Archerphile....hopefully in a couple of weeks the pain will all be behind you and you’ll be able to make big strides into your recovery.... literally. 😊 💐
ReplyDeleteGood luck for this morning.
Archerphile sorry you are in such pain ☹️ knee ops are major surgery of course (all that black and decker and hammering work) and because your knee had deteriorated so much meaning extra work no doubt that has heightened your pain. It will be a hard road at first and the exercises which are so so important (says Mr R who knows 🤗) will take a lot of stamina so be sure to rest in between when you get home.
ReplyDeleteKeep thinking of your Golden Wedding to come as an incentive to drive forward. Sending lots of 🥰 and encouragement.
Sending positive waves AP 💐
ReplyDeleteAnother big thank you to all my lovely friends here
ReplyDeleteP.S they tried to get me on both feet this morning but I passed out - blood pressure (normally high) had dropped like a stone. Will try again later.
Keep at it AP - those physios will be back later and hopefully you will be able to make it onto both feet, with legs holding you up.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of us on here have had 'new knees' so know how you feel and MrAP will be there to remind you as well.
All best wishes for a steady recovery.
Archerphile, hopefully your blood pressure will be back to normal tomorrow. It happened to me when I had my knee done, they wouldn't let me out of bed! but it was ok next day.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile ,the worst is over.
ReplyDeleteYou are now on the road to recovery.
Things are going to get a lot better.
Much,much better.
You have done well so far
Your knee was a real mess.
Now it isn’t .
I sympathise with you regards to the pain but that too will subside .
I remember when Carolyn had shingles ,I decided to have a shingles jab and the nurse said that shingles pain could be absolutely excruciating.
I believe she was in terrible pain but I.think and hope that she is not at that level of pain now.
Honestly,I do feel for you but know that soon you will be feeling much better.
Chin up.
(Shingles pain just a distant memory now !)
ReplyDeleteI think what you are going through is very acute, Archerphile, if not a surprise to either you or the surgeon. It does seem hard to me that you're forced to get on your feet somehow, when you're still affected by the anaesthetic of yesterday, but I suppose it is important to use your muscles as soon as possible - nurses & doctors know what they're doing ! As, indeed, course, you know too, having had the hip operation fairly recently, & being well informed about this one.
Still, not much comfort today, eh.
I do hope that the next attempt to get on your feet is successful, even if just for 2 halting steps.
It can only get better, as everyone says. Meantime, I hope you've got absorbing reading matter + i pad, of course !
I hope Archerphile perseveres. The sooner she can get moving again, the sooner she can return home.
ReplyDelete🌷💐 🌻 soon be 🚶♀️and then 🏃♀️ and 💃
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you again Janice.
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing, after your awful health problem last year?
I hope all going well with you. 😁
Thanks Miriam, am making progress but have had a couple of times (one recently) when I have felt that I was getting better and promptly ended up overdoing it, and then the pulse rate drops and I end up in bed for a few days! I have learnt from it though, just got to be patient and pace myself. Someone has told me that her mother when in a similar position used to break tasks down into small pieces and do them one at a time with rests inbetween. Also, when she was building herself up again by walking she took a camera with her and made a point of stopping every now and again to take a photo which meant she had a rest.
DeleteI know you like cooking and wondered if you had tried the Tilapia fish that Grey Gables chef Ian mentioned. I was introduced to it for the first time recently by my daughter in law (they sell it in Morrisons) and it has a lovely delicate flavour. Apparently it is a fresh water fish which is kept in lakes/streams in the Philippines, although I think most of the fish eaten there is from the sea.
I am about to start reading the next Agatha Raisin book, in my series read.
ReplyDeleteThey are easy to do so, are silly but, at the same time, enjoyable...
An easy read in bed - when no need to think nor concentrate!
DeleteYes I persevered! They let me have a rest on the bed then just before lunch my blood pressure had risen enough to try again. So into the en-suite, learn how to use the loo , had a little wash, got dressed in day clothes and a little walk around the room. In a lot of pain but glad I managed.
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon a post op X-ray which my consultant saw and said was Ok. Then a walk right down corridor and up and down a flight of 4 (shallow) using crutch
The physiotherapist said ‘right, you have achieved all your goals, you can go home tomorrow!!’
Not very happy about this because I have done these things once, with plenty of help and special equipment which I won’t have at home. I feel I need at least another day in here (especially having had to use a very big chunk of my savings to pay for 2 nights in hospital!
We’ll see what happens tomorrow. Talk of a session in the hydrotherapy pool in a borrowed swimsuit as I don’t have one. Then decision time.
I’ll discuss this when Mr A comes in tonight. I really don’t feel confident about going home so quickly though the staff seem to think it will be the best thing for me
Go with what you feel and talk to Mr A.
DeleteYou will decide between you.
There is the cost to think about, but also just weigh up all the Pros + Cons - which is something I always do, and list them! 😥
At least you have savings to help with your decision.
DeleteYou are so very lucky to be in that situation, which many others aren't.
I often buy a few extras in the supermarket, and put these into the food-bank collection bin, on the way out, not that I have a lot of spare cash!
Only buy tins of peas/carrots pots, spag bol. tuna or chicken cass. in a can. I never spend more than £3 but feel I am helping those families with children, who are in dire need.
DeleteI believe the food banks are short of "puddings" so my next contribution will be - tinned sponge puddings + tinned custard.
DeleteHope this will help.
Didn't Emma in TA go to a food bank?
DeleteYes Miriam, I am aware of my good fortune in being able fund this operation, though it has taken most of my Post Office savings.
DeleteWe had to take many things into consideration and I didn’t take it lightly for I was very happy with the hip operation by the same surgeon at our local NHS hospital.
Unfortunately they have stopped doing joint replacements at that hospital and I should have go on a double waiting list at a different hospital. Considering the state of my knee when I was ‘opened up’ I am very glad I was just about able to pay for faster treatment
And yes, I do feel guilty that others are waiting longer and longer, but you could say that by taking my name off the NHS list, another patient will take my place and get their operation a little bit sooner.
Sounds as though you did very well later today, AP, though I can understand your misgivings about being bundled off early tomorrow. I hope a manageable solution is arrived at.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile- pleased you made it through the first day with all the actions required of you.
ReplyDeleteDespite knowing what is desired and has, so far, proved to be the best, having the patient up and about and doing is the best policy, ones confidence and self knowledge IMO are just as important.
Because of my health complications I was allowed two extra days, but they were 'negotiated'.
I hope that after discussion with Mr AP and further conversation with your surgeon or houseman, if you still feel unsure, that they listen and respond appropriately.
Archerphile, well done for persevering. It’s good to hear you are feeling better than this morning, but I can imagine your apprehension about going home. I hope you can rest well this evening and hopefully you will be feeling even stronger by tomorrow. As I am sure you know, they will have to check again in the morning that you are alright and will be able to cope at home, before you leave the hospital.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and wishing you all the best for your recovery.
Many thanks once again to you all, for your understanding and good advice.
DeleteArcherphile I am still about and thinking of you and your dilemma (but hoping you are getting some much needed sleep) I hope you and Mr A were able to talk things through yesterday. I understand your apprehension going home so soon - how long did Mr Stranks budget your stay for in his quote? The positive side to going home is that you have Mr A in good physical form to help you, for me that would be an issue. Whatever is decided be sure you are happy with it.
ReplyDeleteTake care 😌
The estimate was for three nights Lady R, which would mean going home on Saturday as we expected. I don’t think Mr A Is too keen on me being let out today, he knows that I am going to need more help than after the hip but we’ll decide this morning when he comes to visit. I did have a much better night, slept quite a lot, but had to visit the bathroom 3 times after all the water they made me keep drinking yesterday!. Generally feeling more optimistic today. 😊
DeleteArcherphile, that’s good news that you are feeling more rested and optimistic. At least visiting the bathroom gave you the opportunity to gauge how you would cope with this at home. Good to know you could stay another day if you need it. Hospitals have a tendency to think that telling you of an early date to go home is good news and don’t seem to realise it can actually be quite daunting.
DeleteThinking of you this morning whilst you make the decision that is the right timing for you, your knee and for Mr A.
Seasider has said it all Archerphile -keep us posted. (If only 2 nights a refund of one ?)
DeleteArcherphile.....if they budgeted you for 3 nights I’d make sure I stayed 3 nights. Get your moneys worth!! You can tell I’m a Yorkshire woman can’t you 😉
ReplyDeleteI was told 1 or maybe 2 nights when I had my thyroid out. They said I could go home after 1 but I asked to stay, even if I had to pay extra, to be sure all was well. Then after that 2nd night, at breakfast time, complications set in with low calcium levels and I had to go on a drip for 24 hours and so stayed a third night. I wasn’t charged extra. I was so pleased I pushed to stay that extra night. Don’t know what I’d have done if I’d been at home and complications had started there.
You make the most of your stay. Are you in a private hospital (ie Nuffield type) or just a normal one?
I was in a private room, en suite, Nuffield one. It was lovely. I classed it as a holiday!
For the second time this morningI find myself in agreement with P tbY.
ReplyDeleteI am really pleased you are getting better ,Archerphile but you have budgeted for three nights and you should definitely stay there for that length of time in my opinion.
When my Dr son was about 6years old he had to go into hospital for a minor operation.
On the Friday he was told he might be able to go home on the Saturday or maybe Monday.
He replied that he would prefer the Monday!
I was very embarrassed.
He got his wish.
Years later he was working in that Department under the same Consultant.as a student and found his Case notes.
It referred to him as a “giggly little boy”
He sounds like the ideal child patient ! Better than the howling kind, hard for the nurses to calm down...
DeleteMust say I admire your resilience, PtbY ! You had to wait quite a long time for that thyroid op , didn't you, & there were set backs as you just described, but you were still able to bask in the luxurious accommodation, making the most of the experience !
Feeling very much better today after really good nights sleep. Managed to negotiate a flight of steep stairs like we have at home and improving with the exercises. This is a BMI hospital PtbY, it was a bit cheaper than the nearby Nuffield one and I learned today that I get to keep all the special equipment (Electrically operated ice pack machine, crutches, high loo seat etc etc as part of the package + as many returns for physio, hydrotherapy etc as I need. The other places charged extra for such things.
ReplyDeleteWell that’s good then, keeping stuff and the physio. Make the most of it. 💐
DeleteHey, much better news today, AP, glad to hear it ! Knowing you are going to have all those aids at home must be reassuring, I think.
DeleteCarolyn.....glad to read yesterday that the shingle pain is a distant memory. Was wondering about that. A friend had it the same time as you and he seems to be better too. Must have a certain time span maybe for the pain.
ReplyDeleteHey Miriam.....what’s for tea?
Mr PtbY driving me mad today so I’ve told him we are having jacket potatoes for tea. He hates em! 😆
I’ll teach him a lesson. Lol.
P tbY ,I love jacket potatoes with cheese and home made coleslaw.
ReplyDeleteThat was me on Wednesday.
Tuesday was sea bass .
However as it is a Friday it is “award winning sausage “ night .
Don’t like cooking so it is easier for me to know more or less what we are eating each day.
Always have a pudding
Have any of you tried pomelos ?
You can get them from Lidl’s.
Lovely.
Just got 2 pomelos this morning from Lidl. Reduced to 69p each this week. Love em. Apparently they are quite a low GI food and low calorie. Very refreshing.
DeleteThank goodness for a change of subject -there has been far too much ‘knee’ recently.
ReplyDeleteI’m interested to hear about pomelos , are they some sort of citrus fruit?
My daughter gave me some excellent news yesterday.
The old Argos and Dreams stores opposite our Sainsburys (where Argos moved into) have been sold and are to opened as a lovely big new Lidl. So I shall be able to almost ditch Sainsburys and shop in Lidl instead. Another one is at the far side of our town so I never go there but now I will be able to buy lovely steaks at a reasonable price and try a pomelo!
Pomelo .....like an enormous grapefruit but not sour. Feel kind of dry but quite juicy when you eat them.
DeleteGlad to have this info'; think I've seen pomelos before, the whopping big grapefruit lookalikes, but never tried one.
DeleteMr C. bought some sharons ( not sure how you spell them, perhaps NOT like the EastEnders character...), looks like a cross between a peach/apple/orange, but smooth skinned. Tastes rather nice.
Whether you stay for a third night or go home with all your equipment Archerphile, you sound as though you are making very good progress, and far better than I was able to achieve on my second day.
ReplyDeleteA steep flight of stairs is amazing. I had just the usual two to three steps to practice going up and down, and as far as I remember I only did it once and was the told your OK now, and you can go home.
So, well done you !
I wish Archerphile the best!.
ReplyDeleteDo, as I always say, and that is what your body dictates!
Take Care.
On a very different topic - I am a frustrated knitter!
ReplyDeleteLast Friday, I badly burnt a finger on an oven tray, whilst getting meal out of oven. Even after 20mins in cold water, it blistered badly. Now a week on, it is still sore/swollen, so much so, I cannot knit. It is the fore-finger on my right hand, around the nail - any other knitter, will appreciate my lack of ability to do so.
Soak it in cold tea. My daughter was a harpist and had to deal with blisters on her fingers ..that was the solution from her teacher..who was principal harpist with the Washington Opera
DeleteI have just watched "Doctors" on i-player, as I was out for lunch today.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting episode.
Sorry to mention this again 😭
..but I enjoy it, far better than many other TV programmes, shown at peak evening times.
That's my choice only.
Am recording both the series of Dreadwater Fell + White House Farm, both to be viewed in their entirities, at a later date. This way I can skip the "advert" breaks and so get the continuity in the S/Ls.
This is why, I also re-listen, to TA omnibus on a Sunday, as it often makes much more sense (if that's possible 😁).
I am watching White House Farm Miriam, with of course the adverts which I mentally switch off. I warn you, it is very slow, but then I remember the investigation as being very slow.
ReplyDeleteI particularly remember the event as it took place in the village that my ancestors hail from, Tolleshunt D'arcy in Essex.
And I am sorry to hear of your badly blistered finger Miriam, and of course your frustration at being unable to knit.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that if the blister is not drying up after so many days you will seek medical attention, although of course your professional training means that you do know what needs to be done.
It is very minor, in comparison to others problems.
DeleteJust very annoying and is improving, but not as quickly as hoped.
Archerphile well done today 👏🏻 and so pleased you had some sleep last night. Are you still in the HC tonight I wonder 🤔
ReplyDeleteGreat all the necessary equipment needed at home part of your package and certainly as much ongoing follow up as you feel you need - a comfort indeed.
Miriam - surgical spirit..?
ReplyDeletehardens up the skin a treat.
DeleteAh, bliss!
ReplyDeleteBack home, listening to Archers catch up in bed, as usual ☺️
Not own bed, too high to get in and out of, but in spare bed which is easier.
Mr A has been wonderful, cooking dinner, doing everything for me including climbing upstairs behind me to give me confidence - those bl..dy stairs were like climbing Kilimanjaro!
Came home with so many tablets, exercise routines, equipment instructions etc etc that I’ll have to study it all tomorrow.
Night night everyone - I love you all for your support & good wishes.
🥁 yay Archerphile you made it 🤗
DeleteNow for the round of exercise - ice-rest etc but guess it’s the old adage “no pain no gain”🙄
P.S . Miriam
ReplyDeleteI do sympathise with your kitting problem - there is nothing so frustrating as a sore finger when you want to knit. Hope it improves very soon 🧶
Well done Archerphile !
ReplyDeleteNo doubt you are both happy to be home...... together.
Sweet dreams Archerphile....😴
ReplyDeleteBravo AP ! Personally I can't bear someone following me up the stairs, but absolutely essential & reassuring in your case - Bravo Mr AP !
ReplyDeleteYour relief is palpable in these last messages, AP !
ReplyDeleteNow you have all those exercises, as Lady R says, 'no pain, no gain', though it would be nice to rub out the 'no pain' bit ☺️😉 Still, I suppose a) the gradual improvement will be very encouraging . b) you won't get bored, figuring out what to do next, how you do it, when.....!!
And, I have to go back to the hospital physio dept next week for them to check progress - they will be able to tell if I have been shirking and I’ll get a telling off!
DeleteNow I just have to work out how to use this electric ice therapy thingy to get the swelling down, write myself a daily timetable for drugs & exercises and I’ll be sorted!
Good morning AP 😁
DeleteMr R says you are spot on with physios (and Consultant) knowing immediately if you are doing the exercises - by measuring your bend and your quad muscles for starters.
Electric ice machine that’s posh, large bag of peas for Mr R but as I recall they were Birdseye 😂😂 of course you’re goodies all in the package you paid for but handy all the same. Keep us up to date and sending Mr AP 🎖very best wishes too he will play a large part in your physiological recovery I’m sure.
Have been into the garden this morning pruning the roses and have discovered six hellebores all in flower.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that ,there is one flower and lots of buds on the quince bush .
Spring is on the way.
LanJan that’s lovely. I have a lot of buds on my hellebore beside the gate and, I have just checked, one bud is much bigger than the others so will be out very soon. I also have snowdrops in a pot which are flowering. They are called Mrs ... with the same surname as mine so quite special to me, and haven’t done so well in the past.
ReplyDeleteGood news Archerphile. Keep going steadily.
I've noticed on my walks this week, a number of snowdrops now in flower and one or two primroses poking their yellow heads in the grassy banks.
ReplyDeleteAround here and in some parts of my garden the hellebores seem to flower throughout the winter.
ReplyDeleteI have just been to put the teabags ,potato peelings and fruit peel and skin into the compost bin.
It is absolutely full of tiny worms.
In 6months time it will have become excellent compost.
Now isn’t that magic?
Message to Archerphile.....
Have been watching a football match on TV and one of the players had a knee operation only 13weeks ago!
So in early May ,you could be turning out for your local team.
Good Luck with your progress.
I
He's probably got youth on his side, though.
DeleteIndeed.
DeleteHope all is going well today, Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good'un you have in Mr.A..
Do Exactly what you have been told to - no more and no less.
I messed things up a few years ago, by being too cocky, so over did my physio exercises, resulting in causing a different problem - a strained muscle.
It was only a minor problem being treated (shoulder tendonitis), but my gung-ho attitude, resulted in going backwards, for 2 weeks.
What is Mr.A cooking tonight?
I am having a simple chicken casserole, with red cabbage, green beans and a baked potatoe.
DeleteThis is to be eaten watching either The Greatest Dancer or The Masked Singer. I am not sure which yet.
It's what I call- Simple Saturday Night viewing, as it is giving the brain cells a rest. 🤣
How I Iong for a Scruff + T.
ReplyDeleteI just have opened a Christmas Present, a violet Gin with a hibiscus tonic water to go with it - all I can say is it is very different 😣
After sampling various gins in my advent calendar we settled on Parma violet and blackberry as two favourites. Take note, Toby!! Agree the flavoured gins are very different but make a change!
ReplyDeleteYes Miriam and Lady R, my old man is being a very supportive treasure at the mo. He did posh sausages with broccoli, peas and noodles tonight. Only had to ask about timings. Tomorrow he’ll tackle Roast Chicken which is quite easy really, just knowing when to put things i
ReplyDeleten oven,
The electric ice machine is excellent. You fill it with cold water + some ice cubes. Fasten the cuff around the knee and switch on. It automatically pumps the icy cold water into and out of the cuff, providing cold and compression at the same time. I use it for half an hour, 4 times a day, followed by my exercise routine.
You can get different cuffs for whichever joint or part of the body needs treatment.
My daughter + family visited today and she has torn a tendon in her upper arm which is extremely painful & she is off work at the moment. She loved the ice machine so I shall give it to her when I no longer need it and she can use it to treat the many injuries she seems to get from her running activities and half marathons!
Thanks for update AP. Ice machine sounds a great step forward and will be going to a good home later on (and Mr R very interested) Well done to the chef 😇today. Sleep well 🥱
DeleteOh please... classic gin & & tonic +lemon & lime, nothing to beat it..! Must say, the ice machine sounds super - efficient, bon courage AP xx
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops & hellebores out, beautiful last couple of days, good bit of gardening done, local rugby club at home tomorrow 🏉🏉
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops just opening here too. I have been promised some on my breakfast tray this morning.
ReplyDeleteAbout gin.
I dont actually like the drink very much at all, apart from when used to make a ´Gimlet’ which my Dad said was the traditional cocktail when he was in the Royal Navy.
It’s just gin + lime over ice with a dash of Angostura bitters.
Whenever I have had more than one gin in an evening it has made me incredibly depressed the next day, feeling not hung-over but in a very low mood.
Hence I find it difficult to understand the current obsession with the drink and all these new artisanal brands and flavours.
Much rather have a single Malt!
I was just about to add Angostura bitters ,Archerphile when I saw what you had written.
ReplyDeleteI was given a cocktail shaker,some Edinburgh gin and some raspberry liqueur for Christmas.
It is still untouched.
I am waiting until I next meet an expert of my acquaintance to try it first before I have a go!
As for whisky.
Islay ,Jura or Arran malts for me.
Mr LJ says it is like drinking liquid germolene.
😳🙄😂
DeleteThanks to the talk here + Mr C, I now know what a hellebore is ! No doubt most of you will find such ignorance startling.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to have these plants blooming away happily, so asked Mr C if we had any, apparently yes, so I took a look. He says there are 3, but I only spotted 2, one purple, one white, both covered with buds, close to flowering. I will check their progress over the next few days, & thanks for the education ! 😊
My Camellia has lovely buds at the moment but as they open very often the flowers are browned by the frost so hoping for the best this year! Out at the front the Magnolias I planted are budding. The Stellata generally looks lovely when the flowers open and the other one will eventually be a full grown tree. I was inspired by the trees I saw in many front gardens on the island but progress is slow and having achieved my three score and ten already I just hope to live long enough to see it in it's full glory!
ReplyDeleteA friend got me 3 little hellebores for Christmas. I will plant them sometime soon. 🤭 Do find as they get bigger they look a bit scruffy though.
ReplyDeleteAs for gin.....I must be dead common cos I just like good old Gordon’s. I get quite jarred off when you can’t get this but there are loads of “artisan” gins instead. That saying, I don’t drink it very often. In fact for my Christmas season cocktails at home I bought a bottle of cheapest Lidl’s and it was fine.
Oh dear, I’m not going to be popular here, but I really don’t like hellebores at all , or what my Mum used to call Christmas roses. She had loads in our garden but they always seemed miserably dark, crumpled up little flowers with not much colouring and looking a bit depressing.
ReplyDeleteMr A would quite like to have one or two here but I have banned them! Much rather wait for the spring bulbs to come through with their bright colours.
Christmas roses are low growing and have pretty white flowers, but they hang their heads so are suitable for raised containers. The leaves follow the flowers at which point they can be hidden away.
ReplyDeleteThe darker pink and purple ones are known as Lenten roses & are notoriously promiscuous, ending up a dull muddy colour..
DeleteI think those must be the ones my Mum had Parsley. As you say, muddy colours and not very inspiring.
DeleteWe have a similar problem in our garden where the thousands (and I mean thousands) of wild primroses that emerge every spring are being contaminated by other types of primulas in the garden . Our purple and red Primula Wandas have turned many of the natural primroses from pale yellow to many sides of pink, coral and apricot. Quite pretty but some are only ‘muddy’ like those wretched hellebores
Lots of snowdrops coming up here, but have never tried growing hellebores. I have been doing the annual bird watch which is this weekend and have noticed a female and a beautifully brightly coloured male bullfinch on the bird feeders. Hope they stick to the seed and don't start eating the fruit tree buds.
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops on your breakfast tray Archerphile - how caring and romantic ❤️ 🤗
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon to all on this wonderful friendly and supportive blog.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for being absent and not sending my best wishes to you Archerphile on the knee operation. I’m glad your hospital ordeal is now over and you are at home heading for recovery. I’m sending a virtual bunch of flowers 💐 to brighten up the day.
I’ve been running around like a headless chicken 🐓 researching a house move on a fantasy trip of finding utopia in another part of the country. I thought the grass would be greener on the other side.
I hope all are well and coping with the awful weather.
🥰🥰
How intriguing stasia! Where are you investigating? I often play fantasy house move in my head!
DeleteGary. Scotland initially, then Kings Lynn then nowhere. Staying put, but I was amazed at the valuations of the house. We actually went though all the palaver and then reality set in. Think I must have had a temporary mental blip. I had to ‘reflect’ and say To myself physician heal thyself.
DeleteWe had a long chat about the stresses of it all. Special consideration had to be given to the fur persons and the trauma it would have on them. Just getting them to the cattery is an ordeal.
If moving could be made simple then I would go, but.........never mind.
Really glad to be hearing from you again, Stasia, you've been missed !
ReplyDeleteMoving house is a big deal, indeed. From the way you write, I gather you haven't come across Utopia yet ? I know looking can be so frustrating ( some aspects are good, others make the locality/house itself/whatever a no-no)
All the best in your search ! 🙂
Thank you carolyn. In the end it was a lot of effort for some insight.
DeleteI can recommend the island. Have been here nearly 5 years and love it. Of course have my daughter here and I know some folk can’t settle but we have lovely countryside and beaches, places of great interest and although crime exists it is lower than most places so you feel safer. We do have more than our fair share of traffic accidents as roads are sometimes narrow and blind junctions etc. The only dual carriageway is about 2 miles long and with the bottlenecks at peak times progress can be slow. Property is a bit cheaper than on the mainland. Ferries are expensive but there are concessions for islanders and if you don’t need to go to the mainland much most of what you need is here. I’m sure other bloggers are equally eager to recommend their area, Stasia! For us we had moved around so much during our married life but I imagine if you have lived in a place for years and years it must be far more difficult to move away. It does need a lot of careful thought.
ReplyDeleteFascinating posts Stasia.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Is it a case of the grass does seem greener ....?
As a Northerner (by adoption having moved to Lancashire when I was six years of age from Oxford ) I never wanted to live anywhere else and when I first met Mr LJ I said how sorry I felt for him living in the south of England .
However it was easier for me to move south than the other way round and almost 20 years later I would not want to return to the north.
Home is where the heart is.
Good to hear from you again, Stasia and pleased to hear your absence wasn’t through illness. Hope it’s given you a lot of food for thought.
ReplyDeleteLanJan I think that makes me a two timing so and so. As some of you know I have been living in two places for the last year or more and I am not ready to choose between them. I hate the long journey but love the privilege of reconnecting with the place I grew up whilst maintaining contact with the place I have made my home for the last 32 years. I expect when I am exhausted by the journey I will settle but for now I feel very lucky to have a city and a country life.
Oh yes I agree you are fortunate, Seasider
DeleteYou have worked hard on your northern property
You have time to decide when/ if to give up one of the properties
Good luck to you Seasider.
You will know what to do when the time is right.
When the journey gets too tiring you can stay overnight at the B in Ambridge or at Grey Gables or some similar establishment maybe in Leicestershire .
I don't recommend "violet" gin - it was OK, as a once off and it was appreciated as a gift.
ReplyDeleteMy choice of gin is Bombay Sapphire or S/burys own - Blackfriars Gin, depending on any special offers.
I am treating myself tonight, as yesterday, I bought some lovely Welsh Hill Lamb chops from a farm shop. I love lamb, but rarely buy it as I will only buy UK bred lamb, which often can be costly.
I will enjoy.
PS The farm shop, which I often go to, was in N. Wales. Although not home produced, the chops came from a farm not too far away, so classed as local.
DeleteWe found the violet gin was a bit of a strong taste but the Parma violet is more subtle. We generally have Bombay Sapphire as we have been able to buy it on the return journey from Tenerife at £30 for two litre bottles. This has just about lasted between visits and we are off again in April. I like Plymouth Gin as it is drier but can be expensive as the distillery is quite small. We visited it when we lived in Cornwall but of course by now it might have expanded! I find tonics don’t matter as much but won’t have low calorie ones as the artificial sweeteners do leave an aftertaste!
DeleteI have tried Plymouth Gin, but much prefer Bombay..
DeleteThank you Lanjan and Seasider. I certainly have had a lot of food for thought. And am now feeling quite full.
ReplyDeleteI wish that I, like Stasia, could be content with staying put.
ReplyDeleteI fluctuate between wanting to move, ( but where to ? ) and telling myself to learn to be content with what I have.
So for me the grass is still greener somewhere else. I waste many hours looking at property on line.
I wish that I had chosen the Island Ev, when I moved from London five years ago.
My daughter put me off by saying they would not be there forever and they weren't, but by the time they left I would have been settled. And it's been a favourite place since the age of eight.
Welcome back Stasia.
I have often got "itchy feet" re moving.
ReplyDeleteAfter writing pro + cons lists, which always include agents, moving/soliciters costs, what I now have and what will I gain.
the answer is the same - why move? My home is all mine (although small), it is warm + cosy, and I have up-graded it to suit me. Could I start again - that's doubtful.
I have lived here for 33 years now, and have easy access to a major supermarket, the hospital, my GP + Dentist. It is also easy to get to Liverpool + Manchester for theatre trips plus airports.
As a single home-owner, why should I change my location, and as my age increases I do not want to make more problems.
Also, where is the nearest pharmacy, to not only pick up prescriptions but where can get help and advice.
DeleteMy moving "cons" list is getting even longer 😂
PS My welsh lamb chops were delicious. They were meaty, very tasty + "sweet". Off to buy more, to go into the freezer (special treat only).
ReplyDeleteStasia, thank you for your thoughts, and also for your fasc8nating post @bout moving.
ReplyDeleteWe we were a lot younger my other half and I discovered Shropshire on holiday and were really smitten with it.
I seemed to us like the English countryside of 50 years ago, all small fields with lots of hedgerows, pretty little towns and villages, a much slower way of life.
Several National Trust properties to visit and, for Mr A, a great Gliding club on top of Long Mynd with spectacular views over mid Wales.
We quite made up our minds to retire to this beautiful part of England and have visited often over the years. I want to go now but sadly my dear husband has become a complete stick in the mud and (I know we have discussed this ) refuses to move.
I know such a big upheaval in later life can be traumatic but you have to look at your situation very clearly and ask yourself if you are truly happy to stay where you are permanently....or whether a new start in a different area would provide the excitement and contentment you are seeking.
Apologies for typos, the thing published before I had checked through!
DeleteI was simmering some chicken bones for stock but got so engrossed with “Dr Who” that it nearly boiled dry but just rescued it in time! Added some water so it should be OK! I didn’t think I’d like a female doctor but she is very good in the role. I remember the original doctor, William Hartnell so with a few exceptions when I didn’t get along with the current actors have followed it nearly as long as TA!
ReplyDeleteArcherfile, Shropshire is one of the poorest counties economically but is so rich in sheer beauty. Have lived next door to the county in Herefordshire and it wasn’t far from Crewe where I was brought up. I visited the Long Mynd when at primary school on a school trip and was thrilled as I was an avid reader of the Malcolm Saville books set there in wartime. Happy memories!
ReplyDelete