Thursday, May 07, 2009
Bags are packed and ready to go
Like most mornings we woke up and Bill pottered downstairs and made a cup of tea. I sat with my tea and the cross word book (Daily Telegraph cryptic).
We showered and breakfasted and thought of the day ahead.
"What shall we do today?"
The weather looked a bit unfriendly - cloudy, windy and seemed rather chilly.
"I know" I said, "Lets go to Thailand!"
And that is what we are about to do.
But of course you knew that already.
Right up to this minute we are part of our cosy little world and all seems normal.
I am chatting with Jamie as I write.
The kettle will go on for a cup of tea when Bill comes downstairs.
Just like any ordinary day.
But it is not ordinary of course. In 45 minutes we will get our luggage to the bus stop and go to Gatwick. Shame our plane doesn't leave from there. We then get the coach to Heathrow.
We then will have to hang around for the necessary 3 hours.
Then, at last, 12 hours on the plane to Bangkok.
Change planes and just over an hour to Phuket.
Meet the family at the airport.
We will get to Jamie's house about 22 hours after leaving our house if all goes well.
I shall blog almost every day - so keep a look out for our news.
Right, time to grab my bags (all of them wee bags too of course!), my book and my crosswords and time to go.
Back late May 26th.
We showered and breakfasted and thought of the day ahead.
"What shall we do today?"
The weather looked a bit unfriendly - cloudy, windy and seemed rather chilly.
"I know" I said, "Lets go to Thailand!"
And that is what we are about to do.
But of course you knew that already.
Right up to this minute we are part of our cosy little world and all seems normal.
I am chatting with Jamie as I write.
The kettle will go on for a cup of tea when Bill comes downstairs.
Just like any ordinary day.
But it is not ordinary of course. In 45 minutes we will get our luggage to the bus stop and go to Gatwick. Shame our plane doesn't leave from there. We then get the coach to Heathrow.
We then will have to hang around for the necessary 3 hours.
Then, at last, 12 hours on the plane to Bangkok.
Change planes and just over an hour to Phuket.
Meet the family at the airport.
We will get to Jamie's house about 22 hours after leaving our house if all goes well.
I shall blog almost every day - so keep a look out for our news.
Right, time to grab my bags (all of them wee bags too of course!), my book and my crosswords and time to go.
Back late May 26th.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Wisteria Day
This time tomorrow we should perhaps be close to the time of boarding the plane.
We won’t actually leave home until about 4 o’clock. So it will be a long day of feeling like there is nothing to do – except pass the time.
I don’t really feel nervous – after all, we are merely going to visit our son and his family. Our friends do that sort of thing frequently. But 6,000 miles is a long way to travel.
And I do feel that my body is reacting to nerves perhaps – a headache and some disturbance in the gut area.
When I was a child, the journey to camp on the South Downs was a major journey. It was perhaps 30 miles. We hired a lorry for all that we would need to set up home on the side of Beddingham Hill for three weeks – we had our bikes and even had the cat with us.
If only we could take George and Harry tomorrow. I feel guilty at abandoning them.
The very first time we left a cat when we went on holiday, I cried. Jasper was booked in at a cattery for a week.
I hate goodbyes and weep very readily at partings.
That was then – and this is now…….6,000 miles to loved ones, warmth and new things to explore. It is both routine and yet I have a feeling of unreality.
It seems kind of impossible that today is a normal day here in Monkland UK (safe in our nest) and tomorrow we jet off to Monkland Thailand, where we will be cherished and safe in somebody else’s nest
Back to my childhood for a moment……. I had a stamp album (didn’t we all?) and I was fascinated by all sorts of stamps. I remember the plainish square stamps in lovely colours with the fresh faced portrait of the young king of Siam (as it was then known by us). How amazing that his head is still on stamps – old and frail he is now.
Siam seemed to be such a place of mystery – certainly not to be experienced by an ordinary girl from Sussex.
It has indeed been a normal day for us. Bill has cut the lawns for us and the neighbours.
This afternoon we walked at Nymans and we have later dealt with photos of the wisteria and other beauties – pictures below.
We then spent rather longer than we planned with Marion and Robin (no, not Robin Hood and Maid Marion!). Bill must have felt sort of out of things with no dramatic health issues. Marion and I both wear bags and Robin sat there with his stump on display. He had his leg amputated just below the knee and just now his artificial leg is causing problems.
We won’t actually leave home until about 4 o’clock. So it will be a long day of feeling like there is nothing to do – except pass the time.
I don’t really feel nervous – after all, we are merely going to visit our son and his family. Our friends do that sort of thing frequently. But 6,000 miles is a long way to travel.
And I do feel that my body is reacting to nerves perhaps – a headache and some disturbance in the gut area.
When I was a child, the journey to camp on the South Downs was a major journey. It was perhaps 30 miles. We hired a lorry for all that we would need to set up home on the side of Beddingham Hill for three weeks – we had our bikes and even had the cat with us.
If only we could take George and Harry tomorrow. I feel guilty at abandoning them.
The very first time we left a cat when we went on holiday, I cried. Jasper was booked in at a cattery for a week.
I hate goodbyes and weep very readily at partings.
That was then – and this is now…….6,000 miles to loved ones, warmth and new things to explore. It is both routine and yet I have a feeling of unreality.
It seems kind of impossible that today is a normal day here in Monkland UK (safe in our nest) and tomorrow we jet off to Monkland Thailand, where we will be cherished and safe in somebody else’s nest
Back to my childhood for a moment……. I had a stamp album (didn’t we all?) and I was fascinated by all sorts of stamps. I remember the plainish square stamps in lovely colours with the fresh faced portrait of the young king of Siam (as it was then known by us). How amazing that his head is still on stamps – old and frail he is now.
Siam seemed to be such a place of mystery – certainly not to be experienced by an ordinary girl from Sussex.
It has indeed been a normal day for us. Bill has cut the lawns for us and the neighbours.
This afternoon we walked at Nymans and we have later dealt with photos of the wisteria and other beauties – pictures below.
We then spent rather longer than we planned with Marion and Robin (no, not Robin Hood and Maid Marion!). Bill must have felt sort of out of things with no dramatic health issues. Marion and I both wear bags and Robin sat there with his stump on display. He had his leg amputated just below the knee and just now his artificial leg is causing problems.
But it wasn't just a health convention - there was lots of other chat too.
We got home with just enough time to cook a roast dinner as I planned – chicken breasts wrapped in bacon and lovely roast potatoes. I would not want to boast about anything really – but I do make exceedingly good roast potatoes!
Well, I think The Apprentice is on tonight so I will go and watch the silly young upstarts trying to impress.
I will write a brief blog tomorrow during the day – there will be little to say except to report that time is passing!
And now for the wisteria.......
We got home with just enough time to cook a roast dinner as I planned – chicken breasts wrapped in bacon and lovely roast potatoes. I would not want to boast about anything really – but I do make exceedingly good roast potatoes!
Well, I think The Apprentice is on tonight so I will go and watch the silly young upstarts trying to impress.
I will write a brief blog tomorrow during the day – there will be little to say except to report that time is passing!
And now for the wisteria.......
This picture shows the pathway to the woods in the valley beyond Nymans Garden. Next time we visit we will explore.
This next picture is, I believe, a work of art from Bill. He called is Screen of Many Colours. Enlarge it and see it in all its glory!
This next picture is, I believe, a work of art from Bill. He called is Screen of Many Colours. Enlarge it and see it in all its glory!
Slender branch of the "handkerchief" tree.
Close up we can see the flowers but from a distance the tree seems to be filled with white handkerchiefs hung out to dry.
And now three pictures from a garden very close to home - ours.
Bill took them whilst out mowing lawns this morning.
When I first saw this one I wondered why Bill hadn't cropped off the top bit of the picture.
But we need all the reminders we can get of "our" field and "our" trees.
The peonies are just starting to open. Good - we feared we might miss seeing them this year.
The peonies are just starting to open. Good - we feared we might miss seeing them this year.
The peonies are important flowers because these plants had been Bill's mother's and Bill dug them up after his father died and the Monks would leave that house forever.
I have some lily of the valley in the back garden that had been in my Granny and Grandad's garden in Bexhill.
These are more than just flowers - they bloom with the spirit of their previous owners.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Keeping busy
For a short while before departure life can suddenly stand still and one wonders how to fill the hours.
I guess it might feel like that on Thursday morning, but today life seems normal and busy.
We have pretty well packed everything now. Luggage bags have been weighed and are within the required limits.
This morning I had my hair cut - it looks just a little different now; it is shorter at the back than I have had for ages and at last I think I have the style I want. Perhaps Bill can take a picture tomorrow.
After lunch we went to Dorking to pay the rent, tidy up and collect some takings.
Stephen and Judy were on duty. We stayed and had a cup of tea with them. Judy seems to like us and asked us to call in more often on Tuesdays. Her comments show just how much she can dislike some people and I am wary of such things. She was quite vehement in her dislike of Hilary.
On the way home we called in on Jenny to leave a house key with her. I just wanted some back up to the 2 octogenarians (Frieda and Rose) we are leaving in charge of the cats and the house.
We have taken written instructions to Frieda - bless her she told us she still has the notes about how to lock the back door! Thank goodness Rose is more knowing. She used to have cats and she knows that George and Harry will survive very well even if things are not done quite the same as usual.
Tomorrow Bill will cut the lawns outside the 3 houses of our block.
I have some other little chores to do - mostly communicating with people.
After lunch we will go to Nymans to enjoy the fabulous wisteria blooming, framed by the ruined mock Gothic stone window frames. So, I am sure there will be photographs.
After that we will call in on Marion - a colleague of mine from years ago. She and her husband live in one of Nymans cottages.
And so to relax now. Its the last part of All the Small Things, a serial which I have really enjoyed.
Goodnight.
I guess it might feel like that on Thursday morning, but today life seems normal and busy.
We have pretty well packed everything now. Luggage bags have been weighed and are within the required limits.
This morning I had my hair cut - it looks just a little different now; it is shorter at the back than I have had for ages and at last I think I have the style I want. Perhaps Bill can take a picture tomorrow.
After lunch we went to Dorking to pay the rent, tidy up and collect some takings.
Stephen and Judy were on duty. We stayed and had a cup of tea with them. Judy seems to like us and asked us to call in more often on Tuesdays. Her comments show just how much she can dislike some people and I am wary of such things. She was quite vehement in her dislike of Hilary.
On the way home we called in on Jenny to leave a house key with her. I just wanted some back up to the 2 octogenarians (Frieda and Rose) we are leaving in charge of the cats and the house.
We have taken written instructions to Frieda - bless her she told us she still has the notes about how to lock the back door! Thank goodness Rose is more knowing. She used to have cats and she knows that George and Harry will survive very well even if things are not done quite the same as usual.
Tomorrow Bill will cut the lawns outside the 3 houses of our block.
I have some other little chores to do - mostly communicating with people.
After lunch we will go to Nymans to enjoy the fabulous wisteria blooming, framed by the ruined mock Gothic stone window frames. So, I am sure there will be photographs.
After that we will call in on Marion - a colleague of mine from years ago. She and her husband live in one of Nymans cottages.
And so to relax now. Its the last part of All the Small Things, a serial which I have really enjoyed.
Goodnight.
Monday, May 04, 2009
May Bank Holiday.
http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/Angry-residents-blast-39ludicrous39-development.5216222.jp
I begin with this web site. I forgot to paste it in last week.
I put it in facebook and in an email to Roger and then forgot about the blog.
I wonder if there will be more about this matter in this week's paper - Ashley says he has written to the Crawley Observer.
And he posted some wonderful comments on the council planning site for the proposed development.
This morning, feeling weary, we were glad to have opted for a local boot sale which started at half past nine - except this one had started earlier than that.
It was huge.
The field must be a quarter of a mile long and there were so many aisles of stalls across the field.
We must have walked a good distance - but slowly and over sloping uneven ground.
We were out for 3 hours.
Oh my aching legs!
We didn't buy as much as yesterday.
I have a couple of books that might do well. One is a book about Edinburgh by Robert Louis Stevenson from very early 20th century - but not a first edition.
I also bought some trousers - 3/4 length.
We bought bread and a few bits in Sainsbury's. I bought some cheap leggings there which are great to wear under a skirt.
I have them in mind to be at the top of my luggage for our journey back from Thailand. We get back to Gatwick late in the evening - it could be chilly or raining. I don't want to shiver in summer clothes at the bus stop.
This afternoon I sat on the sofa writing up all the items bought today and some from yesterday.
And as I worked I watched Your 100 Best Musicals. The first part was yesterday afternoon.
The top 5 were pretty much mine - and yet I am sad to leave a few others out of my top 5 list.
These were Grease, Sound of Music, West Side Story (my all time favourite), Mary Poppins and Oliver.
I could have also included Evita, Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair lady etc etc - I think they were all in the top 20.
Well, that was today - told briefly.
Tomorrow I will have my hair cut and then we will go to Dorking to collect any takings, pay the rent for May and leave things tidy and interesting.
Time to put the kettle on.
I begin with this web site. I forgot to paste it in last week.
I put it in facebook and in an email to Roger and then forgot about the blog.
I wonder if there will be more about this matter in this week's paper - Ashley says he has written to the Crawley Observer.
And he posted some wonderful comments on the council planning site for the proposed development.
This morning, feeling weary, we were glad to have opted for a local boot sale which started at half past nine - except this one had started earlier than that.
It was huge.
The field must be a quarter of a mile long and there were so many aisles of stalls across the field.
We must have walked a good distance - but slowly and over sloping uneven ground.
We were out for 3 hours.
Oh my aching legs!
We didn't buy as much as yesterday.
I have a couple of books that might do well. One is a book about Edinburgh by Robert Louis Stevenson from very early 20th century - but not a first edition.
I also bought some trousers - 3/4 length.
We bought bread and a few bits in Sainsbury's. I bought some cheap leggings there which are great to wear under a skirt.
I have them in mind to be at the top of my luggage for our journey back from Thailand. We get back to Gatwick late in the evening - it could be chilly or raining. I don't want to shiver in summer clothes at the bus stop.
This afternoon I sat on the sofa writing up all the items bought today and some from yesterday.
And as I worked I watched Your 100 Best Musicals. The first part was yesterday afternoon.
The top 5 were pretty much mine - and yet I am sad to leave a few others out of my top 5 list.
These were Grease, Sound of Music, West Side Story (my all time favourite), Mary Poppins and Oliver.
I could have also included Evita, Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair lady etc etc - I think they were all in the top 20.
Well, that was today - told briefly.
Tomorrow I will have my hair cut and then we will go to Dorking to collect any takings, pay the rent for May and leave things tidy and interesting.
Time to put the kettle on.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Sunday - day of rest for some
People look forward to their weekends.
They work through the week dreaming of rising later, relaxing, pottering in the garden etc.
I look forward to weekends to indulge in work - well, it seems like work; though of course it is only a game - a hobby.
We left home at quarter to seven this morning and drove to Fontwell, the other side of Arundel.
It was a big boot sale - so big, I sensed the organisers were a bit fraught to start with.
But we merely browsed and bought.
I even bought something for me - an Olympic souvenir. We had seen it last week at Ford . It is a boxed presentation huge metal ashtray in the shape of the Olympic stadium in Seoul (1988). Last week he wanted £20 for it - this week it was £15 with an Olympic spoon and a piece of crested china which I can sell.
I bought quite a lot.
Then we went to Bognor for breakfast - another family run cafe.
We enjoyed our food and drinks and a read of the Sunday papers - well, The News of the World was available.
There are so many things I didn't know and that The News of the World thinks I might want to know.
We drove on to Chichester; we parked in the car park - noting all the stalls waiting for the hooter, which is the signal to set up stalls.
We walked into the town centre, where I bought some long pressure socks to wear on our journey. I hope they might ease the swollen ankles which I am prone to after long flights.
Then we battled round the boot sale stalls. It can be a bit of a struggle because everybody can be there at half past eleven - all the hoi polloy! We prefer the early start ones so that we can be there before the more casual hunters.
At one point, we seemed to be surrounded by 4 older women with huge tall, square trolleys. The women didn't really know what they were looking for and just idly stood there, in the way, dithering. Bill was trapped! There are push chairs and dogs on leads, all keeping us away from the stalls.
I have often said to Bill that a trolley on wheels would be useful to me - but he hates them because they do make life difficult for everybody else.
I bought lots more. Lots of china and glass and interesting bits.
We bought some chutneys and jams too. I am looking forward to the mandarin and lemon grass chutney and also the Thai sweet chilli chutney. I sampled both those at the stall. The jams we bought were plum and ginger and fig.
We bought a few things at one stall from a middle aged looking man - turned out he is the same age as Jamie! A few months younger in fact. They had 1950s and 1960s things. We bought a 60s Habitat lampshade in plastic; I commented that it was a pity it wasn't the orange one that we used to have. Our man said if it had been orange it would have been in his house.
So, it was a very successful day of buying.
This afternoon I began the task of writing things up - honestly, we must have about 50 items to write up today.
I have done quite a lot - the remainder will have to wait until tomorrow and hopefully that pile will be joined by more.
We had talked of going to Epsom tomorrow, but we really are very tired. So we think we will go to one a little closer to home and which doesn't start too early.
But right now it is time to make another cup of tea and think about bed.
Goodnight.
They work through the week dreaming of rising later, relaxing, pottering in the garden etc.
I look forward to weekends to indulge in work - well, it seems like work; though of course it is only a game - a hobby.
We left home at quarter to seven this morning and drove to Fontwell, the other side of Arundel.
It was a big boot sale - so big, I sensed the organisers were a bit fraught to start with.
But we merely browsed and bought.
I even bought something for me - an Olympic souvenir. We had seen it last week at Ford . It is a boxed presentation huge metal ashtray in the shape of the Olympic stadium in Seoul (1988). Last week he wanted £20 for it - this week it was £15 with an Olympic spoon and a piece of crested china which I can sell.
I bought quite a lot.
Then we went to Bognor for breakfast - another family run cafe.
We enjoyed our food and drinks and a read of the Sunday papers - well, The News of the World was available.
There are so many things I didn't know and that The News of the World thinks I might want to know.
We drove on to Chichester; we parked in the car park - noting all the stalls waiting for the hooter, which is the signal to set up stalls.
We walked into the town centre, where I bought some long pressure socks to wear on our journey. I hope they might ease the swollen ankles which I am prone to after long flights.
Then we battled round the boot sale stalls. It can be a bit of a struggle because everybody can be there at half past eleven - all the hoi polloy! We prefer the early start ones so that we can be there before the more casual hunters.
At one point, we seemed to be surrounded by 4 older women with huge tall, square trolleys. The women didn't really know what they were looking for and just idly stood there, in the way, dithering. Bill was trapped! There are push chairs and dogs on leads, all keeping us away from the stalls.
I have often said to Bill that a trolley on wheels would be useful to me - but he hates them because they do make life difficult for everybody else.
I bought lots more. Lots of china and glass and interesting bits.
We bought some chutneys and jams too. I am looking forward to the mandarin and lemon grass chutney and also the Thai sweet chilli chutney. I sampled both those at the stall. The jams we bought were plum and ginger and fig.
We bought a few things at one stall from a middle aged looking man - turned out he is the same age as Jamie! A few months younger in fact. They had 1950s and 1960s things. We bought a 60s Habitat lampshade in plastic; I commented that it was a pity it wasn't the orange one that we used to have. Our man said if it had been orange it would have been in his house.
So, it was a very successful day of buying.
This afternoon I began the task of writing things up - honestly, we must have about 50 items to write up today.
I have done quite a lot - the remainder will have to wait until tomorrow and hopefully that pile will be joined by more.
We had talked of going to Epsom tomorrow, but we really are very tired. So we think we will go to one a little closer to home and which doesn't start too early.
But right now it is time to make another cup of tea and think about bed.
Goodnight.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Me chief!
This is your chief speaking!
Well, not exactly your chief of course..... but I was chief to 4 men this afternoon.
This was at a men's southern league athletics match held at our home track.
Crawley fielded a strong team and we ended the afternoon as winners. I could see very strong performances on the track; my one regret about being a timekeeper is that I am so busy and have no time to pay much attention to the field events.
The team is managed by Tim Kimber - one of the stalwarts, many years ago, of the young athlete's team with Jamie and Ashley. Tim still runs well as a club athlete - he did the 5,000 metres today and the steeplechase.
My performance was good too. The afternoon went very smoothly and I enjoyed the happy band of timekeepers, some who I have not met before and Cecil - who we did meet at top meetings many years ago. I wonder how old he is now - he told me today that he qualified as a timekeeper in 1955. His timekeeping his still good - but not so his ability to find his mouth! His shirts have always been bedecked with stains and items of previous meals.
I came home to turn the computer on to see if there had been another Sussex win today. If Brighton could win (football) then they definitely would not be relegated - and they did win. It was touch and go - they could have lost and all the other results go against them.
But hooray - our local club stays in the division they are in. They are in Division 1, which might lead you to think they were in the top league. But no, Division 1 means they are in the 3rd league!
So, a pleasant day. There has been sunshine - but also a bit of a chilly wind.
Tomorrow we will have a day out. We will start at Fontwell early and then go to Bognor for our breakfast and then into Chichester. Where shall we take photos tomorrow I wonder?
Goodnight.
Well, not exactly your chief of course..... but I was chief to 4 men this afternoon.
This was at a men's southern league athletics match held at our home track.
Crawley fielded a strong team and we ended the afternoon as winners. I could see very strong performances on the track; my one regret about being a timekeeper is that I am so busy and have no time to pay much attention to the field events.
The team is managed by Tim Kimber - one of the stalwarts, many years ago, of the young athlete's team with Jamie and Ashley. Tim still runs well as a club athlete - he did the 5,000 metres today and the steeplechase.
My performance was good too. The afternoon went very smoothly and I enjoyed the happy band of timekeepers, some who I have not met before and Cecil - who we did meet at top meetings many years ago. I wonder how old he is now - he told me today that he qualified as a timekeeper in 1955. His timekeeping his still good - but not so his ability to find his mouth! His shirts have always been bedecked with stains and items of previous meals.
I came home to turn the computer on to see if there had been another Sussex win today. If Brighton could win (football) then they definitely would not be relegated - and they did win. It was touch and go - they could have lost and all the other results go against them.
But hooray - our local club stays in the division they are in. They are in Division 1, which might lead you to think they were in the top league. But no, Division 1 means they are in the 3rd league!
So, a pleasant day. There has been sunshine - but also a bit of a chilly wind.
Tomorrow we will have a day out. We will start at Fontwell early and then go to Bognor for our breakfast and then into Chichester. Where shall we take photos tomorrow I wonder?
Goodnight.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Happy chance meetings and chat
Today has been delightfully sunny.
London bound train passing the level crossing at the end of Brighton Road and the old signal box.
Looking down the line towards Ifield. There are 4 crossing points in view - the Brighton Road/High Street crossing. the Horsham Road crossing, the footbridge linking Goffs Park to Goffs Lane and the dual carriageway of the A23.
We passed the Catholic Church and I remembered that my old friend Frank had asked for a picture of a grave.
Then on into town - holidays are the time for new underwear! Bill got his in Lidl, but I wanted to go to TJ Hughes.
This afternoon we have fiddled around. I have almost filled my hand luggage case. I needed to feel more secure that I could get everything that was really important in. Medication and equipment for wee bags etc is now sorted. I must relax now - and hope for the best that there will be no problems.
I shall stop soon and watch a bit of TV and get an early night - didn't sleep so well last night.
After breakfast we set off towards the town, via the post office. It was not meant to be a day of surprises - but life's rich pattern does often provide surprises.
That's OK when they are full of pleasure - this time last year we had been more than surprised by being in a road traffic accident. I can still sense how that very nasty surprise hurt.
The first pleasant surprise was to stop and have a chat with Ron Ford. He was the ace cyclist of a rival club to Bill's Southern Wheelers. The blond fit young man has now become a man in his mid to late 70s. He still cycles with a group of retired people a couple of times a week.
Perceptive man - he could see I had had health problems; but thought Bill hadn't changed a bit! There is just a bit more of him these days!
We walked from the Post office into Malthouse Road, where we had walked with Roger and Sue last Sunday to try to find the home of our great aunt Mercy and Uncle Ern.
Roger has since used the census to decide which number they lived at.
We found number 48 and I began to wonder if it was the right house.
I had an image in my mind of a photograph of Dad and cousins in a side alley and Number 48 is a mid terrace house.
But the picture of the children - which is on Roger's Days Out part of his website - was taken at the same spot as this one of my Great Aunt Mercy. This is about 1922 0r 23.
I felt confused........Perhaps it was number 46?
And then I wondered if it could have been number 49.
We walked back a little way to a larger semi detached house on the other side of the road.
Seeing somebody in the garden, I explained what we were doing.
"Come in and meet Mavis" he said.
We learned that this elderly couple had recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
They were so old, I thought they must know Aunt Mercy.
Then I remembered that time had moved on - this couple married in 1948, comparatively recently. Mercy and Ern must have married about 45 years before that.
I just forget how old I have become!
Anyway Mavis was a Freeman and had been born in the house next door. Freemans had owned land and houses there since the 1900s.
I asked if this was the same Freemans who owned a plumbing and building business and it was. So I could tell our new friend that I went to school with Michael (Micky) Freeman and had been to parties in the bungalow opposite them.
We shared memories of other old Crawley folk - she knew of Bill's Uncle Bill and knew that there were Edwards (cousins of Dad's) in Ifield Road.
I think we might have been there all morning, but the chiropodist arrived to interrupt the flow.
It is such chance episodes that make life more meaningful, I think.
And so on to the town - over the footbridge over the railway.
London bound train passing the level crossing at the end of Brighton Road and the old signal box.
Train passing the remains of the platforms at the old station.
At the new station.
Looking down the line towards Ifield. There are 4 crossing points in view - the Brighton Road/High Street crossing. the Horsham Road crossing, the footbridge linking Goffs Park to Goffs Lane and the dual carriageway of the A23.
We passed the Catholic Church and I remembered that my old friend Frank had asked for a picture of a grave.
It was for somebody who died when I was going out with Frank, the mother of a school friend of his. I was moved and shocked by this death - one of the first I was really aware of. The lady was killed whilst riding her bike down the old Pease Pottage Hill. Later Frank was teaching with the daughter and he told me recently that she had died of cancer and was also in that grave.
Bill took some pictures and saw that close by there was the grave of Frank's old head master - so that grave was photographed too.
Then on into town - holidays are the time for new underwear! Bill got his in Lidl, but I wanted to go to TJ Hughes.
We got a few more bits and then caught the bus home.
This afternoon we have fiddled around. I have almost filled my hand luggage case. I needed to feel more secure that I could get everything that was really important in. Medication and equipment for wee bags etc is now sorted. I must relax now - and hope for the best that there will be no problems.
I shall stop soon and watch a bit of TV and get an early night - didn't sleep so well last night.
Tomorrow will be a relaxing Saturday morning - no trips to Ford and Littlehampton this week.
We have a men's southern league athletics match in the afternoon.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Busy day with glass
Gosh I am tired this evening!
It has not been an extraordinarily busy day in the shop - though the figures tell a different story.
I spent quite a while this morning with my stock book. I went through everything except china, glass and books. I made new tickets for anything I had had for at least 2 years - that would have been in Rocking Horse days. All I want from these items now is to get my money back and maybe a pound or so more.
I also seem to have been busy making a succession of cups of tea for the busy folk at the main desk. That was mostly Bill and Jill.
Jill has had a tremendous day - but most of her success was a follow up to a glass fair she was selling at on Sunday.
She had a customer there who wanted to buy but didn't have his cheque book.
This man is a dealer or collector of high quality old glass.
I say I know very little about glass - but as I came down from the back of the shop to see it all out on the desk, I gasped with pleasure, for it looked so good. Seems I do know quality when I see it, even if I don't know maker's names.
So Jill sold a lot of glass (£785 worth of it) - but this was not really a success for Pilgrims.
I sold some glass today too - to Jill!
And Bill's sale was also glass - a pair of glass Vikings.
Jill's husband, Tony has been in today too - not all day. He took himself off by bus to Guildford and then by train to Ash and from there did some walking by the Basingstoke Canal. Tony is a character - he has the air of an aging rocker. But rock music is not his thing - he is an avid Radio 3 listener and is a devoted fan of Vaughan Williams (born in Dorking).
This was the last duty day until the first Monday in June. I left with a slightly wistful feeling, bidding my things a safe journey onwards to their new homes in my absence.
In fact we plan to pop in for a while next Tuesday to pay the rent, tidy up and collect any takings.
Well, I need an early night. I will have a quick cuppa and enjoy crawling into my bed.
There will be no bed at all this time next week - just an airplane seat.
It has not been an extraordinarily busy day in the shop - though the figures tell a different story.
I spent quite a while this morning with my stock book. I went through everything except china, glass and books. I made new tickets for anything I had had for at least 2 years - that would have been in Rocking Horse days. All I want from these items now is to get my money back and maybe a pound or so more.
I also seem to have been busy making a succession of cups of tea for the busy folk at the main desk. That was mostly Bill and Jill.
Jill has had a tremendous day - but most of her success was a follow up to a glass fair she was selling at on Sunday.
She had a customer there who wanted to buy but didn't have his cheque book.
This man is a dealer or collector of high quality old glass.
I say I know very little about glass - but as I came down from the back of the shop to see it all out on the desk, I gasped with pleasure, for it looked so good. Seems I do know quality when I see it, even if I don't know maker's names.
So Jill sold a lot of glass (£785 worth of it) - but this was not really a success for Pilgrims.
I sold some glass today too - to Jill!
And Bill's sale was also glass - a pair of glass Vikings.
Jill's husband, Tony has been in today too - not all day. He took himself off by bus to Guildford and then by train to Ash and from there did some walking by the Basingstoke Canal. Tony is a character - he has the air of an aging rocker. But rock music is not his thing - he is an avid Radio 3 listener and is a devoted fan of Vaughan Williams (born in Dorking).
This was the last duty day until the first Monday in June. I left with a slightly wistful feeling, bidding my things a safe journey onwards to their new homes in my absence.
In fact we plan to pop in for a while next Tuesday to pay the rent, tidy up and collect any takings.
Well, I need an early night. I will have a quick cuppa and enjoy crawling into my bed.
There will be no bed at all this time next week - just an airplane seat.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Picture of me or a woodpecker?
The Crawley Observer, in their wisdom, opted for a picture of a greater spotted woodpecker instead of one showing us.
Pity they called the bird a great speckled woodpecker, but we all know not to expect accuracy from a newspaper.
I think I was quoted fairly accurately - but wish I hadn't sounded so pleasant and fair. I had said that I accepted a need for a medical centre and that is true - but it won't be what other protesters would want to hear from me.
Anyway my grievance is now in the public domain.
And with the sunshine on "our" field today I do feel aggrieved.
The sunshine was pleasant for a walk to the post office.
I don't seem to have crossed enough off my Things to Do list today. But we were out this afternoon for much longer than expected.
We arrived at the hospital in plenty of time for the appointment with Julie, the stoma nurse.
She was scurrying about back and forth - apologising as she passed us. She had a patient tucked away and was to-ing and fro-ing for equipment to remove a clip. And then she put out a call for the help of a doctor and of course that took time.
My own appointment was quick and easy.
I just wonder why when Julie seems almost to throw a new wee bag on it stays dry and when I tried on Monday afternoon at the shop there were problems.
Julie had been on a course recently and found out more about my blue skin. She had not seen it before seeing mine, but had heard about it. It seems that it is a recognised and acceptable thing that happens - purple bag syndrome!
So with a few other reassurances we were on our way. We walked out of the room straight into Bill's sister Jane and Geoff.
They had been at the hospital all day. Jane has a long list of things that should be sorted if possible. Hopefully her breast cancer is sorted. She will have a rigid cystoscopy on Friday - I had a few of those. It involves a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay. I don't think Jane has what I had.
Today she was there for other problems.
We called in at the big pet store on the way home and have bought about 2 months supply of food for the cats. I must write out instructions for Frieda who will be feeding the cats for nearly 3 weeks. Rose will be on hand to help if necessary.
Bill is doing the ironing right now - so I feel guilty.
Somehow we will get done all that needs doing before next Thursday.
Tomorrow we will be at the shop all day - rain is expected again, so maybe it will feel a bit like Monday.
Goodnight.
Pity they called the bird a great speckled woodpecker, but we all know not to expect accuracy from a newspaper.
I think I was quoted fairly accurately - but wish I hadn't sounded so pleasant and fair. I had said that I accepted a need for a medical centre and that is true - but it won't be what other protesters would want to hear from me.
Anyway my grievance is now in the public domain.
And with the sunshine on "our" field today I do feel aggrieved.
The sunshine was pleasant for a walk to the post office.
I don't seem to have crossed enough off my Things to Do list today. But we were out this afternoon for much longer than expected.
We arrived at the hospital in plenty of time for the appointment with Julie, the stoma nurse.
She was scurrying about back and forth - apologising as she passed us. She had a patient tucked away and was to-ing and fro-ing for equipment to remove a clip. And then she put out a call for the help of a doctor and of course that took time.
My own appointment was quick and easy.
I just wonder why when Julie seems almost to throw a new wee bag on it stays dry and when I tried on Monday afternoon at the shop there were problems.
Julie had been on a course recently and found out more about my blue skin. She had not seen it before seeing mine, but had heard about it. It seems that it is a recognised and acceptable thing that happens - purple bag syndrome!
So with a few other reassurances we were on our way. We walked out of the room straight into Bill's sister Jane and Geoff.
They had been at the hospital all day. Jane has a long list of things that should be sorted if possible. Hopefully her breast cancer is sorted. She will have a rigid cystoscopy on Friday - I had a few of those. It involves a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay. I don't think Jane has what I had.
Today she was there for other problems.
We called in at the big pet store on the way home and have bought about 2 months supply of food for the cats. I must write out instructions for Frieda who will be feeding the cats for nearly 3 weeks. Rose will be on hand to help if necessary.
Bill is doing the ironing right now - so I feel guilty.
Somehow we will get done all that needs doing before next Thursday.
Tomorrow we will be at the shop all day - rain is expected again, so maybe it will feel a bit like Monday.
Goodnight.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Time to stand up and be counted
There was a comment today on Facebook, from our niece Emma - thinking that we are now famous!
Well, we have stuck our heads above the parapet and have joined in the neighbourhood protest about the proposed development in front of our house.
Comments on the web site are mounting.
I thought perhaps it was only us who saw this small green area as a valuable oasis of green.
But other people are feeling equally aggrieved about its proposed loss.
I loved the image of one writer who talked of this land being a place where children could play ball games and fly kites!
This morning I responded to a request from a journalist on one of the local papers. I talked with her for a while and then she asked if I would mind being in a photo to be taken of the area.
Well, yes, I mind just a little - but of course was prepared to stand up and be counted and have the picture of me in the paper.
This is why Emma commented that I would be famous.
There was a time when I didn't just have my name in the paper for doing things, but I wrote for it and submitted photographs.
I wrote athletic reports - which the editor found hard to cut and change.
I took photos of athletes which one paper used regularly to accompany the things written.
So I don't really feel this picture is anything very special - it will probably look awful.
Anyway, I wasn't alone.
I spent a little while this morning calling on neighbours to invite them to join me.
And at the same Lil was calling on them with a petition.
Lil..... for 43 years she has been Mrs Stag Motors and we had no real name for her until now. She and Mr Stag Motors (Len) live in the house next to the flat we lived in until Jamie was born. Len used to drive a van for Stag Motors.
We see them regularly at car boot sales and no words have passed between us - I guess we thought they didn't recognise us and presumably they thought we didn't know them.
So, if nothing else, this proposed development is creating a bit more community spirit.
At midday the photographer called and in the end there were 5 of us. There was Bill and me - Frieda, Rose and Brenda (one of the sisters I mentioned a couple of days ago).
The photographer had us holding the notice that had been placed for all the world to see about the plans. Except that nobody could see it because it had been ripped from the string tying it to a lamp post. We found it later in the long grass. I complained to the council about this.
The photographer wanted us to look grim - how I hate being on camera looking grim!
Finally he asked us to raise clenched fists at the notice.
What an embarrassment!
The rest of the day has been more normal - wrapping, invoicing and dealing with payments.
These are the last EBay things I shall deal with now until June - although I would like to get some more things described in the next week.
We have been shopping - apart from bread and milk we need no more food now until the end of May.
We had better buy cat food though!
So that has been the day - mostly quite a sunny day.
Time for a cuppa and to watch and listen to the music on the Jules Holland show. Goodnight.
Well, we have stuck our heads above the parapet and have joined in the neighbourhood protest about the proposed development in front of our house.
Comments on the web site are mounting.
I thought perhaps it was only us who saw this small green area as a valuable oasis of green.
But other people are feeling equally aggrieved about its proposed loss.
I loved the image of one writer who talked of this land being a place where children could play ball games and fly kites!
This morning I responded to a request from a journalist on one of the local papers. I talked with her for a while and then she asked if I would mind being in a photo to be taken of the area.
Well, yes, I mind just a little - but of course was prepared to stand up and be counted and have the picture of me in the paper.
This is why Emma commented that I would be famous.
There was a time when I didn't just have my name in the paper for doing things, but I wrote for it and submitted photographs.
I wrote athletic reports - which the editor found hard to cut and change.
I took photos of athletes which one paper used regularly to accompany the things written.
So I don't really feel this picture is anything very special - it will probably look awful.
Anyway, I wasn't alone.
I spent a little while this morning calling on neighbours to invite them to join me.
And at the same Lil was calling on them with a petition.
Lil..... for 43 years she has been Mrs Stag Motors and we had no real name for her until now. She and Mr Stag Motors (Len) live in the house next to the flat we lived in until Jamie was born. Len used to drive a van for Stag Motors.
We see them regularly at car boot sales and no words have passed between us - I guess we thought they didn't recognise us and presumably they thought we didn't know them.
So, if nothing else, this proposed development is creating a bit more community spirit.
At midday the photographer called and in the end there were 5 of us. There was Bill and me - Frieda, Rose and Brenda (one of the sisters I mentioned a couple of days ago).
The photographer had us holding the notice that had been placed for all the world to see about the plans. Except that nobody could see it because it had been ripped from the string tying it to a lamp post. We found it later in the long grass. I complained to the council about this.
The photographer wanted us to look grim - how I hate being on camera looking grim!
Finally he asked us to raise clenched fists at the notice.
What an embarrassment!
The rest of the day has been more normal - wrapping, invoicing and dealing with payments.
These are the last EBay things I shall deal with now until June - although I would like to get some more things described in the next week.
We have been shopping - apart from bread and milk we need no more food now until the end of May.
We had better buy cat food though!
So that has been the day - mostly quite a sunny day.
Time for a cuppa and to watch and listen to the music on the Jules Holland show. Goodnight.
