In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. Didn't start out well as some joker put their washing in first, maddeningly they just left it there. So Kev put it in the dryer when it was done and washed ours. Still the other load hadn't been collected from the dryer, so Kev hung ours out. Luckily the weather although overcast stayed dry so ours dried eventually. People are in general these days, thoughtless. 

While Kev was dealing with all that I cleaned the bathroom, Kev helped by refreshing the paint above the window after I'd scrubbed it as it was looking a bit grotty. He also did the wall where the wheelchair had caught it. At least it looks good again now. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went to Sainsbury's in Arnold, I had gift vouchers to spend and we had ten pounds each free to use at Starbucks so we thought we may as well head there. 

Of course, as I prophesied, it rained. But never mind we didn't let it impact our day. And by the time we had coffee etc it had started to dry up. So we headed back into town, after my sister told us about Savers doing vitamins we went in there to pick up my glucosamine supplement. We then headed to the bus stop and home. 

I began a couple of projects on my "new" table, it is much easier to clean down after a messy craft session and gives me more incentive to tidy everything away once I'm done. 

In Between Days

Monday. Bank Holiday 

We were going to go out being as we weren't at work on Sunday but then remembered the buses were only on Sunday service. No point struggling, so we didn't bother. Kev decided to tile my craft table with the left over floor tiles. He's made a cracking job of it and it looks amazing. No more grubby looking wood and no more channels for glitter and other rubbish to get trapped. Plus it matches the rest of the decor and my Tim Holtz collection of machines look fabulous. That only took him a couple of hours and by lunchtime we'd put everything back we had to move so he could get to it. The new silicone messy mats I bought should help too, be easier to clean as they just wipe over with a damp cloth or can be soaked in hot water if they are beyond wiping. I got a few projects planned and can't wait to try it out! 

Other than that typical Monday, although it did look rather nice out there. You watch it rain tomorrow when we venture out. Oh well, its only watter... 

In Between Days.

Sunday.

Again waking up without an alarm was wonderful. I could get used to it on a permanent basis, and maybe after the Florida holiday I might give it some thought. 

My leg was much better today, which was a blessing. 

Kev did a fabulous meal, steak with peppercorn sauce, home made chips and mushrooms. We haven't had that in an age, and I enjoyed every mouthful. Good steak from M&S, worth every extra penny. 

I made a couple of cards, did my pages and then settled down to read. I'm reading the Thursday Murder Club. I've had it on my kindle a while now, so I thought it was about time I gave it a go. It's entertaining I'll give it that, a little far fetched in a few places, but then what crime fiction isn't, can't really knock it for that. Pretty good author Richard Osman, much better than Reverend Coles in the same genre, but miles apart in pace of story and setting a scene. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

How lovely to wake up without an alarm, I left Kev in bed and did my revitive. Normally at first with my feet on it to get the circulation going then as a tens machine with the pads attached to the back of my leg and by god that did the trick. I had a shower and then put ibuprofen gel on the same area. That did the trick, so we were able to get ready and head to Bridgeford. We grabbed a takeaway coffee and sat in the park, it was a beautiful day, and there were lots of people about. We didn't want to risk going any further than there as Take That were playing at the Football ground later. We have enough hassle with buses on our trips to and from work so, we wanted a break from that. We pushed the boat out and shopped at M&S and then came home. I prepared a few pages in my dyalog for next week, then we watched another episode of Dead Boys Detective Agency on Netflix. And the ultimate joy is we have tomorrow off in order to do whatever the hell we want then. 

In Between Days

Friday.

So glad we booked this weekend off work, today I was suffering for the excess walking yesterday and being cooped up on that bus seat for way too long. So, we had a complete rest day. I had pages to catch up on in my dyalog and stuff we missed on TV, Race Across the World and The Fortune Hotel, we watched The Chelsea Flower Show on the BBC to see the gardens we missed too, it looks deceptively big when they film it, and we have decided that they must record the interviews etc before the grounds open when the only people walking around are either part of the organisation or RHS members who are allowed in early. I think in future watching it on TV is a better option. At least its another bucket list experience ticked off! Maybe I should have another list, a PHUQ it list. Been there done that, not worth the effort.

Willow has been so loving since we got back, following me round like a little shadow. She's such a sweetheart, curling up on my legs purring, almost like she knows that they hurt me. As I write this I have my feet on my revitive, and she is sat beside me, purring away and giving me the occasional kiss. Sometimes angels don't come with wings, they come with paws and fur. And when humans let me down ( which still happens now and then) she makes up for it. She is a constant joy in a world that tries to rob you of it.

In Between Days

Thursday.

Another 5.30 am alarm call. Up and ready we had breakfast at 6.30 am. Then the coach was picking us up at 8.30am. 

I don't know what I expected but I thought it was Chelsea in name only. So when we arrived in Chelsea at 10ish, and I saw the size of the place I was shocked. I was still excited though. Some hours later I wouldn't be. It was so packed you struggled to move independently from the crowd, the queues for the gardens was horrendous. It was all very pretty, and some of the younger set were there to be seen rather than see the displays. But each to their own. After a couple of hours and laps round the block, all four of us were done, We needed something to eat and drink. So we left. We set off eventually to opposite the place to where the bus dropped us. It was the Chelsea Barracks apparently, now all apartments and very swanky too. There was a spring fair going on in the centre of the place with little beach huts dotted about and tables and chairs with a wood fired pizza stand and wine. So we chilled out there in the sun, as luckily the weather was good, drinking and chatting with Sue, disappointed but, as always making the best of it. Later after a good rest we went to the gardens there and sat people watching.

We got back on the bus at 4.30pm. We didn't get back to Nottingham until 10.45ish, the traffic was awful. I think that's killed us for going to London. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Up at 5.30 am to get the 6.30 am bus into the city, It was pouring with rain. Wonderful. Anyway, we met Sue by the casino pick up point and bang on 7.30 am the coach picked us up. 

We drove through varying degrees of rain, from drizzle to torrential. We arrived in London around 1.30 pm. Driver dropped us in Oxford Street and not Covent Garden. Any complaints we were told were to be addressed in the forms handed out at the end of the trip. Again. Wonderful. 

We wandered down a few streets and found a pub called The Three Tuns. Apparently its been there since 1841. 

That's the thing with London, you have beautiful buildings side-by-side with ugly, affluent houses and apartments crammed in with run down areas that probably cost the earth as it is. Garret rooms where 18th and 19th century artists probably starved, and probably still do, only now they get charged thousands for the privilege. 

I personally love all the pillared mews houses. I can't imagine how much they cost, and I bet most of them are flats now, to maximise the rents.

The coach picked us back up at 4.30pm. We were ready to get to the hotel. Trouble was we picked the wrong time to leave London. Rush hour! Stuck in traffic we got to hotel late for food, and we eventually sat down to eat at 7.15pm. The food was good, but Sue had gone past eating so when we were done we went to our rooms. I showered once we were unpacked and settled down to chill out. We have another early start in the morning breakfast at 6.30 am ready to leave for Chelsea Flower Show at 8... Let's hope tomorrow runs smoother than today. Don't get me wrong I had a blast in the pub. Just the long drag to the hotel put a damper on it... I think this will be our last trip to London, and we will look elsewhere for something to visit... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Sue and Pete picked us up for lunch, and we went to Shepherds for a carvery. We sat laughing and plotting our next adventure, which for Sue, Kev and I is tomorrow, we us three amigos head for that there London and the Chelsea Flower Show... As it always is its a pleasure to spend time in their company. 

In Between Days.

Sunday. 

A gorgeous day, a tad chilly at the bus stop, but I'd not taken a coat. Later on I was glad I hadn't. 

A busy day with more chiefs than Indians but we got by, and all in it was pleasant, all my usual early regulars, including my Eeyore man, I told him I was on on holiday next week, so he said he'd leave his shopping till the weekend after. Bless. Sounds like his dog is doing better. It was heartwarming to find out he has read Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, as I made a quip and he got it straight off. He said he'd done some impossible things that morning and I came back with did you round it off with breakfast at Milliways. Lol...

Stephen came in still moaning about being in charge of his Mother-in-laws (now deceased) estate and trying to get it all done before he buggers off to Spain in a fortnight. I think he secretly enjoys it all, it's just he does like to have something to moan about. 

So the day passed quickly enough, which is unusual when you're breaking up for a week. We had a bit of hassle going to the bus stop as they'd shut the one opposite work, and we had to walk to the one further up. But we made it in plenty of time as the half past was running late (again) but we timed it well for the tram down the hill and the Cotgrave was 5 minutes late, and therin lies another tale, as the driver must of thought he was Lewis Hamilton and when we got off we were there at ten to six as we should've been had he not been late in the first place. I've not be that relieved to get off a bus for ages, I'm sure I got air time out of my seat when he hit the potholes on Stragglethorpe Road... 

In Between Days.

Saturday.

The fog was heavy over the woods at the back of the bungalow obscuring the tree line. I love mist and fog, real vampire weather. 

I thought it would clear to be sunny and bright, it did, but not until late afternoon.

The shop was busy in fits and starts. I saw quite a few of my regulars, and remembered to tell them I'm off next week so they don't have to ask where I am. 

We managed to get the 33 so was home for 5.30 pm. Early night as we were both shattered. I did get up around 4am for a quick drink and take some ibuprofen as my  left ankle was quite painful and swollen. I was soon back in bed and fast on until the alarm went off at 6.45 am 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We slept in until nearly nine, quite late for us, we had breakfast then headed to Bridgeford to shop for food for the weekend. We were going to have coffee out, but as it was raining everywhere was packed. We gave up and came home after we'd shopped to have coffee at home. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Obviously being our chosen day to go out, it rained, after all that glorious sunshine. But it was still humid enough for linen trousers, t shirt and denim jacket. We got the food we wanted from Waitrose, as they have a couple of bits and bobs we prefer to anyone else's, including English plums a bit pricy but worth every penny, and cinnamon rolls that will keep us going until we can have them in Florida. As we left the young lad overseeing the self checkouts offered us some free flowers ( everyone who bought something naturally) my favourite avalanche roses and sweet williams, with babies breath. Lovely. 

We also nipped into Lush as I have a mind to try their toothpaste tablets and mouthwash tabs. They do annoy me in there, with their constant insisting on "helping you". Actually I know what I fecking want, just let me be. If I want help I'll ask, I might use a stick now, but that doesn't mean I am of feeble mind. I know they treat everyone the same, but, they lose so much trade from me, because I would browse and buy more if they would  just let me get on with it. Rant over. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

A lovely day weather wise, work was good, people seemed in cheery demeanour, yes there were Sunday Zombies, but they were few, we got everyone out fairly quickly. 

Home to watch Keith and Marje do up the wreck of a Welsh Chapel they've bought. Love watching that sort of thing and I have a soft spot for the pair of them. 

Monday.

Relaxed day as our Mondays are. Pages done, streams on YouTube to catch up on, hair to deep condition. Cross stitch to crack on with. And lastly books to finish that have hung in the ether on kindle the same way that bricks don't  ( don't panic, you'll only get that reference if you've read Douglas Adams) 

Evening came around and we watched the new Fortune Hotel, a Traitors style programme, after Kev had watched Liverpool play, while I watched a couple of episodes of Dark Shadows. A cheesy 40 minutes of Vampires and ghosts mingle with the living in a Crossroads Motel type soap opera. It's so bad, it's good. And I love it. 

In Between Days

Friday.

A nice relaxed sunny day. Chiller out and on, windows open. My Art from the Heart order came, four packs of collage, four packs of the elusive glue sticks. I finally managed to get my hands on some, like gold dust they are!

So after opening them all and separating them into large and small I stashed the large and set about cutting out all of those. A lovely relaxing afternoon watching the streamers from the parks and cutting collage, just what was needed before a hectic weekend at work. 

Saturday.

Another glorious day. I thought it would be heaving, but it was just normal, busy but not hectic, but by the afternoon it was dead, everyone out having bbqs and the like I guess. Plus Forest were at home and we watched the droves of supporters heading to the ground. At least this time they were walking on the pavements and not spilling out onto the roads like last time.

Home and time to chill before both of us gave up the ghost and went to bed. I did get up around 11.30 for a quick drink, glanced out the front to see the northern lights, nothing to been seen so I poddled back to bed. 

 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day, nice enough to dry everything outdoors. Everything smells so fresh, it's always clean, but you can't beat line dried stuff. 

It's a week since the floor was done and already feels like it's always been there. The ease in which I can clean it at the same time as the bathroom floor is a game changer for me. The air ram can sweep floors as well as carpets so there is no need to adjust that either. Willow loves running on it, money well spent. 

Thursday.

We went with Charlotte to Castle Marina to shop and had lunch. We went to the Beefeater at the back of the Holiday Inn. It might not be there much longer as Beefeater on the whole are pulling the plug on their remaining restaurants. We had an Uber home after shopping at Sainsbury's. It was too hot, and they have half the toe path up for repair at the moment. 

Kev has bought me a neck fan ( he has one too) and I must admit they are very good. I shall certainly use mine! 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We could finally meet up with Sue and Pete. Sue had Physio first, So we headed to meet Pete at Lloyd's no.1 first, but Sue was right behind us anyway. It was lovely to see them both again. I miss our meet ups, we always have a good laugh, and always have a lot to catch up on. Obviously last week we were having the floor done and they had their guttering cleaned... We went long enough during lockdown without seeing them, until we were allowed to sit outside, which wasn't ideal here as back then the nosy gits would come outside to eavesdrop on our conversation...So now both Kev and I enjoy our fortnightly get together, along with our trips out that we have planned. The first of which is at the end of the month to Chelsea Flower Show. Pete isn't coming to that, not his jam, but I'm looking at other trips that he will enjoy I'm sure. 

It started off as a dull drizzly day but by the time we left the pub the sun had broken through and it turned in to a glorious afternoon. As I mentioned before, it would be lovely to sit outside, but we wouldn't get any peace, so it's not worth having a table and chairs outside. If only we had a lean-to or conservatory of sorts!

In Between Days

Sunday.

Started out a decent day, warm enough to carry my jacket and bright enough to wear sunglasses. So I expected it to be busy, which it was in spurts, as people bought stuff for BBQs, picnics etc. 

It was a decent enough day, a few Sunday Zombies, but I didn't let them bother me. The day passed quickly and we were soon on the first bus home. The Cotgrave was 10 minutes late, but instead of getting wound up by it, we sat at the bus stop chatting to Charlotte. I am really trying to stop letting things I can't control get to me. It's not always so easy, but each time I manage to not get wound up or stressed about people being fuckwits or buses not showing up when they should, I consider a little win. 

Monday.

Our relaxing day. I got up around 8am and set to and did my dyalog bringing it up to date. 

As it was quite warm Kev opened the window to the latch for Willow, she does like to have a breather when it's a decent day. However, today a wasp flew in almost immediately as it was opened. As a wasp sting can kill or make cats seriously ill, Kev quickly dispatched said wasp, he tried to catch it at first to let it go, but the bloody thing wasn't having it so he had to resort to spray to kill it. We daren't just leave it to fly round in the hopes it went back out, because Willow would chase it and might have got stung. 

In Between Days

Friday.

Hair day. I was there for 10 am. Struggled a bit walking down there if I'm honest, but walking back was a bit easier. 

Just some days my leg muscles are so tight they feel like elastic bands stretched to the limit before breaking. Even though I exercise every single morning to loosen them. 

Anyway, as always Amanda did a fab job and it's nice and glossy once more. 

Saturday.

A lovely day in the end, started out gloomy but brighter by mid morning and glorious at tra time... We got home at a decent time having made all bus and tram connections.

If we had a conservatory it would have been perfect to sit with a glass of wine in, but alas we don't, so we had a diet pop near the window, instead.

Went to bed early as I was dropping off watching TV, but then we have another early start tomorrow.

Pictures are of my new journal cover...