tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75051410472795820402024-03-13T04:51:29.370+00:00The Great EscapeMaking the most of time with family and friends while living with the Huntington's Gene.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-91153167919444443012018-02-27T15:08:00.003+00:002018-02-27T15:08:54.537+00:00The Latest From Chilly Worcester...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hullo... It's another post from Ella</div>
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Female servant says that she's got 'blogger's block' at the moment so it's left to me to reassure the world that things are fine in Worcester. Can you see the cobwebs on my face in this photo? I got a bit carried away on a 'cupboard safari' last week. I ended up squeezed behind a drawer, under the work-surface in the darkest corner of the deepest kitchen cupboard. I can report that female servant has never dusted here. It made me sneeze!!</div>
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Life has got a bit complicated since my last post. Some of the local young male cats think that they can just peer at me through the hall window. I think that's SO RUDE so I've started to glare at them from the lounge window. This is my irritated face....</div>
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And here's the 'swishy' tail that goes with it!</div>
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At the moment I'm just protecting my indoor territory. If the servants open the front door when I'm anywhere near, I run away. Then I prepare to jump on any invaders from a position of strength - such the kitchen doorway. Female servant has told the neighbours that she thinks I might be a 'swipe first, ask questions later' sort of cat. She knows me so well!!!</div>
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The servants had a few days off last week. </div>
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It was nice to have both of them around for fussing AND it was good to see male servant look at bit less tired and stressed. They went for a few walks and enjoyed the sun.</div>
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Since January, female servant has been going to the local quilters club meetings. She started working on a cushion for the 'Chairman's Challenge' while they were on holiday. She finished it this afternoon. I think it will look fine once it's got a few cat hairs attached but she's hidden away until the meeting in April....</div>
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She's used the 'quilt as you go', strip quilting technique. There's a lot more top stitching than she'd normally do and it seems - from the pleased human squeaks - that she's pleased with herself.</div>
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I still think it needs 'furring in'!!!</div>
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Sending hugs and purrs to everyone.</div>
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Stay warm during this cold spell.</div>
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Ella (and Jx)</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-57267793176251415602018-02-06T09:17:00.000+00:002018-02-06T09:17:46.731+00:00I was left!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello... it's Ella again.</div>
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Do you realise that I've been with my new servants for six and half weeks??</div>
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Female servant hasn't blogged much recently. I've kept her busy with lots of games and fuss AND she keeps going out to do things.</div>
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Even my cutest 'play with me' expression didn't keep them at home two weeks ago.</div>
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This - apparently - was the view from their hotel window in Bristol....</div>
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They explored the harbour and Clifton Gorge... even though it was raining really badly</div>
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(should have stayed at home with me!!)</div>
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Male servant indulged in a very luxurious hot chocolate in a café in Clifton..</div>
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Then they explored some of the interesting Victorian side streets...</div>
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And then they ended up drinking 'Pawn star Martinis' in a bar on Saturday night!!!</div>
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I didn't enjoy being left alone. </div>
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The lady who fed me lives across the road and she has three cats. Obviously they could smell me on her clothes.. so they started to stare at me through the window by the front door. Fortunately Male servant ordered a large parcel and this useful box/vantage point appeared.</div>
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I gave everyone a VERY HARD STARE </div>
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which roughly translates as "Don't even think about going out again!!!"</div>
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But the following weekend they went to a fancy Sunday lunch at the Worcester Cricket Club..</div>
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And female servant has been walking masses in a bid to get fitter..</div>
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I'm just rolling around on the pipes....</div>
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..And practising my cuddling skills!</div>
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Female servant says to wish everyone a good week.</div>
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She hopes to get her blog back soon!!</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-6183160690246135262018-01-18T15:56:00.003+00:002018-01-18T15:56:35.238+00:00"You Can't Get the Quality of Servants..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello... it's Ella again.</div>
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Did you realise that I've been in my new home for almost four weeks? I'm definitely finding my paws now. Female servant and I chat away all the time. I'm starting to understand more human words. I came to Jan's house only understanding 'Cat, fish, food and Dreamie'. Now I also know that 'Ella',' biscuit and 'come on' generally mean something good is going to happen. I'm pretending that I've never heard 'No' in my life! Jan has also started to recognise my meows.... particularly the little one that I do in my throat just before I do something cheeky!!</div>
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Here I am helping female servant tidy the 'back bedroom of doom'. You can see from my expression that I was appalled by the chaos in this room. No wonder she keeps the door closed....</div>
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I love playing in cupboards. Here I am in the bottom of the wardrobe in the back bedroom. I found a sparkly dress behind this long blue coat and couldn't resist patting it in the darkness...</div>
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On Tuesday - while I took a morning nap in the sun on the servants bed - Jan went to Tewksbury Abbey. 'Purrsonally' I can't see why any sane person would want to visit an ancient building like that in freezing temperatures, but even I can see that some of the photos came out quite well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhCLLCR5696FdKJtm7yCMbTG3wQUfONhKMUbnBYb67YO0mVrR_WQMJyK3NnPBuiRt2WBc7MskpV8h4uGClDuPjqIzTIrT-fvHXmZqAwU9BnddID9O3U_xNAh6irxDOWPp8wWBgXiH1UE/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhCLLCR5696FdKJtm7yCMbTG3wQUfONhKMUbnBYb67YO0mVrR_WQMJyK3NnPBuiRt2WBc7MskpV8h4uGClDuPjqIzTIrT-fvHXmZqAwU9BnddID9O3U_xNAh6irxDOWPp8wWBgXiH1UE/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She met up with long term friends (also ex-teachers) and had a really good natter about everything. There's also been quite a few people pop round for coffee this week. I still get quite anxious when I see new faces. I worry that they might be trying to take me away from my new home and I start to do 'alarmed cat' stuff (like going under furniture or getting a claw stuck in the curtains when I'm trying to create a hiding place). However I'm completely happy with all Jan's pupils... and I LOVE one set of parents who spend the whole lesson playing with me and feeing me Dreamies!</div>
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Jan says that she thinks I'm doing very well. On the whole I think she's doing ok too!</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-30226850934196952812018-01-14T15:22:00.006+00:002018-01-14T15:22:57.793+00:00Everything's fine, I think......<div align="center">
<strong>What a week....</strong></div>
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<strong>In the diary for Monday - walk on Malvern Hills with friend K.</strong></div>
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At 8.15, just as I was about to leave for my friends house, Mum rang in a total panic. Dad had collapsed and she couldn't get him up again. We called for an ambulance and they checked him out. His heart is fine.... it was just a combination of fatigue, a virus and dehydration. A lot of water, sleep and some antibiotics have worked their magic over the rest of the week.</div>
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Unfortunately he knocked Mum quite badly on the way down so she was bruised (not great for an elderly HD sufferer).</div>
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I spent the day round at their house, generally looking after things and getting Dad to his own Docs later in the afternoon.</div>
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<strong>In the diary for Tuesday - coffee and catch up with fellow 'escapee Music Teacher' S.</strong></div>
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Fortunately she texted to say that she had one of the bugs that's going round. I used the day to sort out a few more things for Mum and Dad. I also did my own food shop for the week while I was in Droitwich. I found that I was a bit 'wiped out and emotional' after the unexpected stress of the previous day.</div>
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In the evening we went to the Marcos Motoring Club monthly meal at a pub near Pershore. I wasn't really in the mood to be sociable... and a couple of people in the club really pushed my buttons during the meal. I know I was just over-tired so I'm not going to hold it against them!</div>
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<strong>In the diary for Wednesday Evening - Saltway Quilters Meeting with friend and next door neighbour J.</strong></div>
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My first ever visit to a Quilters Meeting. The group are really friendly and welcoming. We'll definitely go again.</div>
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<strong>In the diary for Thursday - coffee and catch up lovely ex-colleague C.</strong></div>
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C. texted me while I was at the Quilters meeting to say that she was swamped by work/planning and marking and would prefer to re-schedule our catch up to next week. I made the most of the unexpected free time to do several loads of washing .... and several happy hours of quilting!!!</div>
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<strong>In the diary for Saturday Evening - '90 Years of Romance' meal out with Mum and Dad</strong></div>
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This weekend is the 67th anniversary of Mum and Dad's first date AND the 33rd anniversary of mine and Mark's first date, making 90 years of romance in total! Sadly we took the decision on Friday to postpone this meal because Mum and Dad aren't really well enough at the moment for a big meal in the evening. We hope that we'll have a meal out together in a couple of weeks time.</div>
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In the meanwhile I made a curry from scratch for the two of us and we enjoyed a nice bottle of wine.</div>
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I hope that this week is going to be a little bit more like the schedule I can see in the diary...... </div>
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No surprises please!!!!!</div>
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Jx</div>
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Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-26865197188303285562018-01-07T17:27:00.000+00:002018-01-07T17:27:18.134+00:00Belated New Year's Resolutions.. In Verse<div style="text-align: center;">
Extract from "To An English Friend in Africa"</div>
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by Ben Okri</div>
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"Time is now a gift for you<br />
A gift of freedom<br />
To think and remember and understand<br />
The ever perplexing past<br />
And to re-create yourself anew<br />
In order to transform time.</div>
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Live while you are alive.<br />
Learn the ways of silence and wisdom<br />
Learn to act, learn a new speech<br />
Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit<br />
Learn to free yourself from all things that have moulded you<br />
And which limit your secret and undiscovered road.</div>
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Remember that all things which happen<br />
To you are raw materials<br />
Endlessly fertile</div>
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Endlessly yielding of thoughts that could change<br />
Your life and go on doing for ever.</div>
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Never forget to pray and be thankful<br />
For all the things good or bad on the rich road;<br />
For everything is changeable<br />
So long as you <strong>live</strong> while you are <strong>alive."</strong></div>
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I heard the whole of this rather wonderful poem for the first time this afternoon.<br />
If I had the gift of being able to write poetry, then I think my hopes and aspirations for 2018 might have shaped something a little like this.<br />
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It's hard to put my finger on the feeling exactly....I just feel as if it's taken two years to completely disentangle myself from the stresses of my old job. I also spent a lot of 2017 very pre-occupied with worries about Thomas; family concerns; major house maintenance projects and HD stuff. I was happy enough on a day-to day basis but very reluctant to make any major commitments beyond my private teaching, walking dates and regular 'coffee and catch ups' with my oldest/closest friends.<br />
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I've moved into 2018 with far more energy - physical, emotional and intellectual. I think it can by partly attributed to the fact that we've moved back into 'worry-free' cat ownership. It must also be a result of the life-changing news about HD just before Christmas. I actually feel like I want to get my teeth into a proper project again. One that might exhaust me a little, or take me out of my comfort zone. I haven't got a clue what it might be... but this year I'm open to the potential.<br />
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"Watch this space..." as they say!<br />
Jx</div>
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Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-30602666322695568792018-01-02T15:50:00.003+00:002018-01-02T15:50:49.080+00:00When Ella was Asleep...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a very 'gentle' Christmas break this year - not too much rushing around, eating and drinking, and staying up late, but lots of quality time with family and friends. </div>
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On Boxing Day we went to Worcester Cathedral Cloisters to see the annual display of charity trees. The low winter sun was shining through the glass and it gave an extra 'glow' to the whole event.</div>
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Mum managed very well with her walker - she's at the front in the photo below.</div>
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(Standing and reading is incredibly difficult for people with HD.. but my Mum is always super-determined in these sorts of situations.)</div>
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I'm always in awe of the creativity in these displays. This tree was provided by a vintage clothing shop in the town. It's been inspired by a fairy from a 1950s tree. The neckline is made of baubles and the sash is made of tinsel and beads. So pretty!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLUMUoEdYFNFaANh750vdloBrWo8tPz1TOfhsbXz6SSR4QrvfuFapZOtZ3Laa77PlXvtZbdppEh01dtbB7aTO-atF79A0bmUQOOBHrnuw3iVWQQhCg9ANEA1Asmy4wnwYtknKRQvHJvo/s1600/Christmas+and+New+Year+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLUMUoEdYFNFaANh750vdloBrWo8tPz1TOfhsbXz6SSR4QrvfuFapZOtZ3Laa77PlXvtZbdppEh01dtbB7aTO-atF79A0bmUQOOBHrnuw3iVWQQhCg9ANEA1Asmy4wnwYtknKRQvHJvo/s320/Christmas+and+New+Year+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I totally fell for the romance of this tree. It was created by the local Operatic Society and has a 'Marriage of Figaro' theme.</div>
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Close up it's even more gorgeous. I'd have a tree like this in my living room if I could.</div>
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Wouldn't it look amazing at a winter wedding?</div>
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I saw these 'parcel's at the bottom of the tree created by a local mental health charity.</div>
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They'd worked with a snow-flake theme ... "Everyone's different and equally beautiful".</div>
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On 27th December me plodded across the snow-fields of the East Midlands to see Mark's Mum. She lives in Sleaford (south of Lincoln) which is an awkward return journey for us to do in one day from Worcester. Nevertheless, with her health problems, it's easier to devote one day of the holiday to a lot of driving rather than trying to deal with both Mums at this end (I hope that doesn't sound harsh..)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkRI_BEw70umMleuWcue_GnohReHjdF6szBQg6_f648LQ1Cu3yDIumErlqGjeAxYK0Ri5ROslB5WoV4ic0CSeyaR9c-aQGWgX4nh1CL6wRI2gP6vhh83X8uuSRKpPoL56KjMkfPbOWTA/s1600/Christmas+and+New+Year+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkRI_BEw70umMleuWcue_GnohReHjdF6szBQg6_f648LQ1Cu3yDIumErlqGjeAxYK0Ri5ROslB5WoV4ic0CSeyaR9c-aQGWgX4nh1CL6wRI2gP6vhh83X8uuSRKpPoL56KjMkfPbOWTA/s320/Christmas+and+New+Year+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then... for a couple of days I was laid low with the nasty bug that's going round. Mark was delighted because it gave him chance to do some jobs in the garage on his current project.</div>
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Yesterday we joined some friends at the local model engineering club for their members New Year's Day event. Here's Mark (in the hat) learning how to drive the track...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJtrkoKh21ou-ic8fu1H-v4_TCzwANkr0qJLKT4AP_FGJJcDDDqZ_6an-wbNSoRScFzEDBXOuh9c-cx_6N4D-6SCb1joD4RCCBnbxzTKgF9xF56Rm3xxC9p3RYgeHoWr738Kow8z45AQ/s1600/Christmas+and+New+Year+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJtrkoKh21ou-ic8fu1H-v4_TCzwANkr0qJLKT4AP_FGJJcDDDqZ_6an-wbNSoRScFzEDBXOuh9c-cx_6N4D-6SCb1joD4RCCBnbxzTKgF9xF56Rm3xxC9p3RYgeHoWr738Kow8z45AQ/s320/Christmas+and+New+Year+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was still feeling pretty rough but I still drove a bit and rode behind my friend...</div>
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(No pictures of me - I looked seriously ''full of a cold'!)</div>
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And younger niece I. joined us for a few circuits in the afternoon...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh7tW2KBcJzw28QsL8mtn72pzanotNbNMXD3iRj7d9Sxhxch2wlbgxGNIY6qfEpqd6Jcn5vReKENsBreOiLJvSrbzcE0ciAs_U34tCOrPkMXj8XB9gxrtKC1hRhNZLg4B5Hl2XFOrIjA/s1600/Christmas+and+New+Year+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh7tW2KBcJzw28QsL8mtn72pzanotNbNMXD3iRj7d9Sxhxch2wlbgxGNIY6qfEpqd6Jcn5vReKENsBreOiLJvSrbzcE0ciAs_U34tCOrPkMXj8XB9gxrtKC1hRhNZLg4B5Hl2XFOrIjA/s320/Christmas+and+New+Year+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today Mark went back to work. Ella was unimpressed by the early alarm clock. I don't think Mark was that pleased about it either. I managed to sleep through the whole thing.... which didn't impress either of them!!!!!!</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-87347722003789568622017-12-29T17:41:00.000+00:002017-12-29T17:41:14.320+00:00Situation Report from Ella<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello... It's Ella here!</div>
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I've been with my new humans for six days and it's all going extremely well.</div>
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I love watching the world from my 'safe spot'... Jan's piano stool.</div>
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I enjoyed joining in with the Christmas meals and celebrations.</div>
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I know that I mustn't get on the table and start nibbling the cheese!</div>
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(Anyway, I'm a very well-behaved cat... and I want Jan and Mark to love me and keep me forever)</div>
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Jan has guessed lots of things about me by the way that I've settled in....</div>
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She's worked out that my previous home was pretty chaotic, with at least one dog and small children. When I first arrived I used to gobble all my food up as quickly as possible. Now I know that I can leave it and it will still be there when I get back. I also know that I've got regular meal-times, which is a lot less stressful. I was very upset on Christmas morning when I heard some small children's voices in a dark room. I now know it was something called a 'radio'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlqOv_s-nSk6EpjN2ioLhyphenhyphen6kNlaYQjkV6huXcWWlnrWV3VycexLN-Kp8fYFp-mW9i-UvHHfvUBCGsROG6NniWe4CVFIY40fIqX7_UG0q5xxAukIIwFRK9BFotqBPNc44yiJ8eQIINfGg/s1600/Christmas+Eve+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlqOv_s-nSk6EpjN2ioLhyphenhyphen6kNlaYQjkV6huXcWWlnrWV3VycexLN-Kp8fYFp-mW9i-UvHHfvUBCGsROG6NniWe4CVFIY40fIqX7_UG0q5xxAukIIwFRK9BFotqBPNc44yiJ8eQIINfGg/s320/Christmas+Eve+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She's also worked out that I was often left with the dog/dogs. I can spend hours lying quite still and watching the world. When people want to be with me I can take an unlimited amount of fuss. I haven't scratched Jan or Mark at all since I met them. I'm very proud of this.</div>
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The only things I'm struggling with at the moment is working out how to 'play' with Jan and Mark. My previous home didn't really give me the chance to play and I get in a muddle with it. I also find it difficult to work out when I can get on laps and have a cuddle. Each day I try to sit on some-ones lap for a little more time... it's nice but it just feels a bit weird.</div>
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Today Jan has played the harp and the piano AND used something called a sewing machine. </div>
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She was pleased that I didn't get upset with all these noises. I told her that they were nothing compared to my previous home!! </div>
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She tells me that I should wish everyone Happy New Year at the end of this post.</div>
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So.... hugs and purrs from Ella</div>
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(and Jan!)</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-84446795352073429092017-12-23T14:38:00.001+00:002017-12-23T14:38:55.183+00:00Our new lodger....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look who moved in this morning.....The lovely Ella!</div>
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This gorgeous lady came from the Worcestershire Animal Sanctuary, near Malvern.</div>
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She's calm, kind and super-friendly, perfect for a house where pupils and their families come and go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZef2lDde861TFF2vgtuJ4wwdgq8Y8yPPXkPUnn4duIvohMyO02cXuHGjwyzWCv7-pqtcpsOO8z3CAu9QNJKbTqlNgQ_aEHVQTLJmqxsj23bekHvjfTBy9981-NSy3-rKAtS4hJ6ZVAF8/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZef2lDde861TFF2vgtuJ4wwdgq8Y8yPPXkPUnn4duIvohMyO02cXuHGjwyzWCv7-pqtcpsOO8z3CAu9QNJKbTqlNgQ_aEHVQTLJmqxsj23bekHvjfTBy9981-NSy3-rKAtS4hJ6ZVAF8/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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She was taken to the Sanctuary as an un-micro-chipped stray.</div>
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I think a family lost a much-loved pet because she's really humanised and totally un-phased by the trappings of Christmas. The vet thinks she could be about three years old. Mark and I think she's probably a bit older (more like five or six). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lsyrXi27phgXl-OqM_FPmiKK59JLUvx24LdwGmFdMIyvX6wm-StkzOzY5DULmRXPw5EjhOp46TGj0clWQEt-fuuxvfQ40B-ILlKB82KnKhr5FJsmcujnctUjq4BHhM8jC7i5m9txFsc/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lsyrXi27phgXl-OqM_FPmiKK59JLUvx24LdwGmFdMIyvX6wm-StkzOzY5DULmRXPw5EjhOp46TGj0clWQEt-fuuxvfQ40B-ILlKB82KnKhr5FJsmcujnctUjq4BHhM8jC7i5m9txFsc/s320/DSC_0352.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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She's nervous this afternoon because she thinks that Thomas is about to come home.</div>
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Currently she's hiding by my feet in the darkest corner of the study.</div>
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Of course I'd still give anything to have Thomas amble through the cat flap... but I have a feeling that Ella and I are going to become good friends.</div>
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Further photos to follow!</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-24242852050036459362017-12-20T09:37:00.003+00:002017-12-20T09:37:52.809+00:00Christmas Stuff....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday Mark sent me a couple of photos from his department's festive breakfast.</div>
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The first one's taken in the pub near the factory where they meet up first thing.</div>
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(Mark's right at the top of the table next to his long time colleague and friend Ian. They've shared the craziness of the same department and manager for 26 years!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVAnIY2_Jx61AEeAWICuy-wQcwB9dH2Owly9Ur4LscdUw_FI9YcdXWal9fHDPgJq6mCkbUGT3MTW94MLBK4VCQs8bGSz5iLZBJgYbdcq9gXmrnKGOcwjsJmXFYsT7brvNGKGMIpwVakY/s1600/DSC_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVAnIY2_Jx61AEeAWICuy-wQcwB9dH2Owly9Ur4LscdUw_FI9YcdXWal9fHDPgJq6mCkbUGT3MTW94MLBK4VCQs8bGSz5iLZBJgYbdcq9gXmrnKGOcwjsJmXFYsT7brvNGKGMIpwVakY/s320/DSC_1080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second one is taken in a meeting room next to their 'section' in the office.</div>
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They get back to work at around 9.30, then it's business as usual for the rest of the day.</div>
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Mark received a vote for his outfit... but the guy wearing all the fairy lights was the clear winner!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvGTGBmGpz9zdTCNdDqsQuPWEKhJkhH72nt4EEl2mj7zuSzHfyez_-wRFIZdAJbquf2kCUoMCHLg64zKz4-7oAJ1BBy_Kv5BkATI05ULNwwZ3iNzs1XByIEaEbulb7-x76qIOH3eJAOI/s1600/DSC_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvGTGBmGpz9zdTCNdDqsQuPWEKhJkhH72nt4EEl2mj7zuSzHfyez_-wRFIZdAJbquf2kCUoMCHLg64zKz4-7oAJ1BBy_Kv5BkATI05ULNwwZ3iNzs1XByIEaEbulb7-x76qIOH3eJAOI/s320/DSC_1086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've been quite low key with the decorations this year... just a tree and cards.</div>
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Since Mark does 95% of the tree, I let him 'get away with' something larger than I would probably chose. This year it's been a particularly good one, with plenty of space to show off the 'special' decorations that we've collected over 27 Christmases of marriage..</div>
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We've also used most of the gold and silver charity shop baubles that I picked up for a couple of pounds in Evesham a few years ago....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeFKwtdv0Xb6f0-lSDVSVcd3VoAShtwGhm9_cAfZ6dAfRT9GcRQmaxemN6AX-6ia4wKSvVPMN7qbROdZnCa3FRmyz7QFLXKbDb1C3CQo6jHlo25jzqKEoNJj4gKBvGreZNSvcer3BBXA/s1600/snow+and+stuff+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeFKwtdv0Xb6f0-lSDVSVcd3VoAShtwGhm9_cAfZ6dAfRT9GcRQmaxemN6AX-6ia4wKSvVPMN7qbROdZnCa3FRmyz7QFLXKbDb1C3CQo6jHlo25jzqKEoNJj4gKBvGreZNSvcer3BBXA/s320/snow+and+stuff+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The photo is a bit blurry but you get the general idea....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2rnMZMBBRYiQ_1dAPkRagOTB-YhFmAW8fPLbdWpIbQiU467Ds6ibDUmhY0GC6zS32sHnDVHrpCucyXIga70FtZWgLsXbBwGzCROT5r1wLLrlXZfSO0Mb0A_xMBdLX2inNF5A80CkL9I/s1600/snow+and+stuff+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2rnMZMBBRYiQ_1dAPkRagOTB-YhFmAW8fPLbdWpIbQiU467Ds6ibDUmhY0GC6zS32sHnDVHrpCucyXIga70FtZWgLsXbBwGzCROT5r1wLLrlXZfSO0Mb0A_xMBdLX2inNF5A80CkL9I/s320/snow+and+stuff+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This morning it's harp practice and housework until my parents call round at about 11-30. This afternoon I've lots of teaching (two hours of harp and an hour and a half of piano). Once I've finished I'm off to 'kitten sit' for a friend whose worried about leaving her teenage cat for the first time. When I finally get home for supper I've got to wrap some presents for delivery tomorrow.</div>
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I can't believe it's less than a week until Christmas.!!!!</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-45278723782908453432017-12-18T16:25:00.003+00:002017-12-18T16:25:50.340+00:00Doing the Right Thing?<div align="center">
I really don't know...</div>
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Yesterday Mark and I went to see a couple of cats at a local Animal Rescue Centre.</div>
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We're going to go back and meet them again properly on Friday.</div>
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If one of them seems like the right sort of character to fit in with the way things roll in our house, then we'll bring them home after Christmas.</div>
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I found that I've been sinking into quite a low mood since Thomas died.</div>
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I hid it with my 'professional face' for a few weeks but everything just erupted on Friday night.</div>
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I've cried.... not just for Thomas, but for lots of other stuff as well.</div>
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Mark's been worried about me.</div>
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So I feel that it's the right time to settle and work with another younger cat...</div>
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My sister (who thought that she'd give herself at least six months between cats but actually lasted three weeks) is positive and supportive. Some friends and teaching Mums, who thought I was doing suspiciously well, have made all the right noises of support too.</div>
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I was a upset by a text from a neighbour/friend this afternoon though.. "What about all the nice weekends away you were going to plan? And what will Thomas (his spirit!!) think of it all?"</div>
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Not helpful really..... when I'm feeling totally wobbly.</div>
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To be honest, this is probably the first time when I've thought that it would be easier to deal with stuff if I was working. It's hard to be based at home without the emotional checks, balances and distractions of the workplace.</div>
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Anyway, watch this space for further details... </div>
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I may just completely fail to bond with either of the cats and then we'll be 'back at square one'!</div>
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Jx</div>
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Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-51085200618003009482017-12-13T15:49:00.001+00:002017-12-13T15:49:12.025+00:00A Bit of Christmas Fun....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every year Mark's Boss stands everyone a 'full English' breakfast in the week before Christmas. The dress code is Christmas jumpers, silly hats and any other festive accessories. There's a competition for the best outfit, which is voted on by the engineers at the breakfast, and the prize is a nice bottle of fizzy wine. </div>
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In the past Mark hasn't really bothered with the whole thing (he HATES Christmas jumpers and refuses to buy one just for the event). This year he had a complete change of heart and 'commissioned' me to make him an outfit. We made the patterns together, mashing up the size and shape of a body-warmer with an old waistcoat, and copying a bow tie into a cardboard pattern. I started the waistcoat before Thomas died.. then crafting stalled a bit due to circumstances and motivation. The recent snow days (and the fact that the breakfast is next week) gave me the time and impetus to get the job finished.</div>
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I'm really quite pleased with the whole effect....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4_Oaol3DS_cmj9T96NoDtFgvfGTEpJspOOfx5lkvnhHslnT90xrCZ9cZ_5JiPcdIEri5KJcSQebkbu4px4jTtotDZN4R_6uGyEu9lkud-hLg8EFIxz97q4HP6JWYWnKXdwKkNTDPKv4/s1600/snow+and+stuff+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4_Oaol3DS_cmj9T96NoDtFgvfGTEpJspOOfx5lkvnhHslnT90xrCZ9cZ_5JiPcdIEri5KJcSQebkbu4px4jTtotDZN4R_6uGyEu9lkud-hLg8EFIxz97q4HP6JWYWnKXdwKkNTDPKv4/s320/snow+and+stuff+017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used 'Quilters Dream' batting (which I use for all my quilt-as-you-go projects) to shape the waistcoat. It meant that I could do a nice striped lining and it's given the garment some stability (as well as warmth). The bow tie and the back of the waistcoat are made out of the star design. The reverse of the bow tie is a sparkly orange, which looks great when Mark's wearing it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaur9oW_aNdmTnB_vTJxEuyedFRsKErDSaRmETGUe2EtRFCeZOr5wJ1zda714jE30KTiOduHGrxPdaGMJBR7c5iTuySfTE3Wyc6FaMRRekYykmgZFO3c6YfvB7-H6KwOWw2EjE8y6ZGsM/s1600/snow+and+stuff+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaur9oW_aNdmTnB_vTJxEuyedFRsKErDSaRmETGUe2EtRFCeZOr5wJ1zda714jE30KTiOduHGrxPdaGMJBR7c5iTuySfTE3Wyc6FaMRRekYykmgZFO3c6YfvB7-H6KwOWw2EjE8y6ZGsM/s320/snow+and+stuff+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I've made him a sack to fill with 'presents' and sling over his shoulder as he walks into the breakfast... He's also got a red furry 'Santa Hat' to complete the look!</div>
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Mark's really pleased with it and plans to wear everything again on Christmas Day. I'm just delighted that it all relatively tidy (because I'm still sewing on my old 1960s Singer). It will be interesting to see what the other engineers think of our efforts.</div>
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Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post.</div>
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(When I've got a little bit more time over Christmas I'll update the HD pages so I can keep you posted on any other developments that come out through the HD community.)</div>
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It's starting to feel a bit like Christmas!</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-89187522559249182202017-12-12T10:36:00.001+00:002017-12-12T10:36:41.390+00:00Have you seen the news?<div style="text-align: center;">
Did you see the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42308341" target="_blank">BBC news</a> yesterday?</div>
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For me and my sister this is life changing.</div>
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I am SO excited.</div>
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Coincidently, Mark went on a pension planning course last Thursday and we were just starting to consider how we would deal with the 50/50 chance of me having HD that starts to show at 60. Mark is only three months older than me so we would both take a large hit if we pulled pensions down early. However, if we can make it to 67, we'll be masses better off than we are now. Crazy. However, seven years of HD does a lot of damage, so Mark would have wanted to take the hit and spend the time doing nice stuff with me.</div>
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Now we the prospect of choices. Treatment's not the nicest of procedures but it keeps a lot of much more horrible stuff at bay. I can see a future where I can manage my HD (if it develops) and we can still do the walking breaks and motor sport stuff that we love. I hope that I'll be able to continue playing and teaching for as long as people enjoy learning from me.</div>
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This is an immense moment.........</div>
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Jx</div>
Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-42522916470325424892017-12-06T14:56:00.001+00:002017-12-06T14:56:51.742+00:00Beating the Blues..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This morning I was missing Thomas badly....</div>
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I tried to distract myself by doing some piano practice (I've got a accompaniment job coming up in 10 days time at the Birmingham Hippodrome) but my heart wasn't really in it. So eventually I took myself off on my favourite walk by Worcester Racecourse and the River Severn.</div>
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While I was walking I made myself count my blessings.</div>
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At first it wasn't much more than "It's dry and mild.. and I'm not stuck in a classroom".</div>
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That was the best I could do for about half a mile.</div>
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Then.. "I'm so lucky to have this lovely space on my doorstep"</div>
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"I live in a city with a green heart...."</div>
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"I'm lucky that people constantly maintain the racecourse area and that it's open to everyone."</div>
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"Breaks in the clouds" </div>
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(a mile or so into the walk on the Sabrina footbridge)</div>
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"Even the old railway bridge is attractive as it crosses the river"</div>
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"I live in a really nice part of the world...."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkgyY4YUND8rEiveWA-lY-N5XPxYdfMIH3DabsrnbKxNdngMwEm8FTyy9TVzL6BbUiAJQU-xeo_qSwptyhsuxeYDHuXSHXfU4BNC1233S4SxBTkvd-mJDge2HWpkMYD0lUFfza9tt1uY/s1600/December+in+Worcester+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkgyY4YUND8rEiveWA-lY-N5XPxYdfMIH3DabsrnbKxNdngMwEm8FTyy9TVzL6BbUiAJQU-xeo_qSwptyhsuxeYDHuXSHXfU4BNC1233S4SxBTkvd-mJDge2HWpkMYD0lUFfza9tt1uY/s320/December+in+Worcester+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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"A river full of swans"</div>
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(the Worcester Swan sanctuary is home to many old swans who have lost their partners, and quite a few juveniles at this time of the year too)</div>
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Then I retraced my steps at speed to give myself some 'proper exercise'.</div>
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I'm still feeling a bit weepy but some fresh air definitely helped.</div>
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This afternoon I've got the distraction of several pupils, then I'm off to a Christmas concert at a local school this evening. Tomorrow I'm going to do some serious tidying up in 'the back bedroom of shame'. Then I'll be able to start organising Christmas gifts and maybe we'll both start to feel a bit more festive....</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-55565023405629853862017-12-04T16:52:00.001+00:002017-12-04T16:52:17.024+00:00On New Ground Again... And We Turn Down a Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For as long as I can remember, my Mum and Dad have had a pre-Christmas lunch at the beginning of December with members of the Manchester 'clan'. (My Grandma was the youngest of eleven so there are masses of second cousins etc.) They've always enjoyed the chance to catch up with family news and hand over Christmas presents.</div>
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This year there was a clash of dates for everyone, so Mark and I stepped up to represent the Worcester branch of the family. We met up with my lovely 'cousin' M. (he's actually a second cousin, twice removed...we share the same Great Grand-parents!) and his wife G.</div>
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They suggested that we meet at Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Café, which is roughly half-way between Worcester and the north east side of Manchester. It's an area of the country that we really don't know at all so we really enjoyed the drive through the Staffordshire country-side</div>
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We ate from the Sunday lunch menu (£13 for two courses) and I can honestly say it was one of the nicest meals out that I've eaten for some time. If you're in the area, then I'd definitely recommend it (but you need to book because it's incredibly popular). M. thinks that he'd like to meet there again for a 50th Birthday celebration in the Spring. The plan is that we'd drive up from Worcester with my parents and he'd drive down with his Mum. A nice plan.</div>
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After we finished our meal, we explored the food hall and 'Christmas Barn'. To be honest the shop wasn't as good value as the café but the barn had some attractive ideas and made me feel really 'festive'..</div>
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(All the photos in this post are taken from the internet... I wasn't organised enough yesterday!)</div>
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And then we turned down a cat......</div>
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A 'friend of a friend' rang me out of the blue on Saturday afternoon and explained that her cat needed a new home urgently. She's moving this week into a property that doesn't allow animals. I wasn't really prepared for this and I agreed to go over and see her today (Monday). When I put down the phone I realised that I'd made a mistake.... we're not ready in any way and I couldn't face the stress of settling in a new animal into our home. So I contacted her again and she's fine about it. I think people understand the grieving process that comes with losing a pet, but I need to recognise my own feelings and allow myself the emotional space.</div>
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One thing that is definitely clearer............ </div>
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We won't be making space for another cat anytime soon.</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-68379485787228825092017-12-01T09:50:00.000+00:002017-12-01T09:50:00.594+00:00Exploring the South Downs on my Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the 'perks' of being a self-employed instrumental teacher, married to an engineer at Land Rover, is that we're no longer tied to school holidays. This means that we can celebrate my end of November birthday with short breaks in areas that are completely new to us.</div>
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This year we decided to explore the area where the South Downs meet the sea.. the gorgeous Seven Sisters National Park and Beachy Head Estate. We stayed at the lovely Tiger Inn in East Dean. (Our bedroom was the window at the right hand corner of the building). It's a 'walker's pub' rather than 'boutique' style and we enjoyed every minute.</div>
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We walked for miles along the coast... towards Beachy Head..</div>
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Then back to the National Trust Tea-rooms at Birling Gap.... and on over the Seven Sisters..</div>
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The views in-land were equally lovely...</div>
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On the second day part of our walk took us through Friston Forest and down the even more gorgeous village of West Dean..</div>
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Before heading out to the coast again at Cuckmere Haven,..</div>
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The 51st (GRRR!) birthday shot!!!</div>
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It's an awkward journey from Worcester to this part of the south coast. It took us almost five hours on Friday afternoon. Nevertheless it's definitely somewhere that we'd re-visit. The walking was fabulous and the pub (which was a lucky internet find) was just what we wanted.</div>
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On the way home we picked up Thomas's ashes from the vets. For those of you who believe in such things... you won't be surprised to read that he's a very active spirit at the moment. I've heard him eating biscuits in the kitchen and 'agitating' a metal handle on the cabinet in the dining room. He still shares the sofa with us (there's a cold patch) and pinches Mark's spot when he stands up. (The first time it happened, we laughed because Mark sat down, looked slightly puzzled, then said "I think I've sat on Thomas"). This morning I heard him meowing and felt him jump on the bed. To be honest, it feels like we still have a cat at the moment. I'm sure that it will calm down eventually....</div>
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I can't believe that it's the 1st December.</div>
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Where has 2017 gone??????</div>
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Jx</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-20215811041841731562017-11-24T09:51:00.003+00:002017-11-24T09:51:34.836+00:00As the dust settles.....and a bad idea.<div style="text-align: left;">
This is another 'I don't want to be downstairs without him' post...... Although I've got to admit that the feeling of being punched in the stomach isn't quite so ghastly today. I know Mark also found getting up and going to work without small feline company a little easier the second time round. We're getting there...</div>
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Last night we talked masses about the whole situation. The most unexpected part of the day was that we were contacted through Facebook by a very ex-colleague from my school in Solihull. She left way before me to work in the Bristol area. In her message she explained that her current partner is just about to move in. He has a lovely-looking black cat called Harry. Sadly Harry is looking for a new home because my ex-colleague is allergic to cats. She tells me that he's friendly, laid-back and really good with children, so in many respects he could be an excellent 'third' in our little family. However he's 12 years old. That's a bit of a sticking point for us. I don't think I could take on a new cat who could start to face 'older cat problems' in the relatively near future.</div>
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Yesterday morning my lovely ex-colleague from Music took me for a distracting 'coffee and cake' and a little bit of light Christmas shopping at the huge new out of town M+S on the south side of Birmingham. Over the years I've been there for her through some really nasty stuff so I could see that she was keen to 'be there for me' this week. She's very sweet.</div>
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Unfortunately, as we parted at the end of the morning, I gave into a very bad idea.....</div>
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There's a bit of a back story to this bad idea, so please bear with me as I explain. Our first cat, Gulliver, came to us in 1993 as a mature silver grey tabby. As his name suggests, he was a stray who came to us on his travels. He was a lovely character and we were absolutely devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer in March 2003. All three of us fought a very difficult battle for four weeks then he had to be put to sleep on the Monday before Easter 2003. This was the first day of my Easter holiday that year. Against all common sense I decided to start looking for another cat immediately. (This was based on the fact that I knew that I could either settle a new cat by the end of the two weeks or I'd have to wait until the summer holidays to start the whole process. It was made worse by the fact that we were going through some bad 'life stuff' at the time too and I felt that we needed the support of a cat in the house.) You can see where this is going...</div>
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I found Thomas at Bromsgrove Blue Cross the Tuesday after we'd said goodbye to Gulliver on the Monday. On Wednesday I went back up to see Thomas again and arranged all the adoption stuff. On Good Friday he moved in. We've had loads of amazing years with Thomas, but it has to be said that the first few months were awful and it wasn't his fault. I remember being so upset with Thomas at times because he wasn't Gulliver in different fur. It was so silly because Gulliver was reserved but deeply loving... while Thomas was a super-social extrovert over an equally loving core. It took a lot of time to sort out the general emotional mess.</div>
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However the net result in November 2017 is that Mark and I have only had three days without a cat in the house since July 1993. This house (which we moved into when it was newly built in January 1995) has never been left 'alone' because we've always got family/friends in to look after the cat when we've been away. I'm struggling with this one.............</div>
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So yesterday afternoon, having said goodbye to my friend in <u>Bromsgrove</u> I drove back up the hill to the Blue Cross centre. Bearing in mind that the last time I drove the lanes I'd been grieving deeply for Gulliver, this wasn't the best idea on the planet. It was just as upsetting as you'd imagine but I learnt some useful things about the way cat adoption seems to have changed since 2003.</div>
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In 2003 I just walked into the centre and through to the cat pens. I walked up and down, reading about the cats and generally getting a feel for being with a cat who wasn't elderly and ill. Thomas chose me. He bounced through the cat flap at the back of the pen and started a complete 'fuss the human and get me out of here' routine. I didn't want a long-furred mess of a cat with a damaged eye but I was distracted by his crazy personality. When I went back the next day he sealed the deal with a 'you're back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' routine that cut through all the hurt I was feeling for Gulliver.</div>
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In 2017 you can't get anywhere near the cats. Basically you look at mug shots on the computer (even in the waiting room); fill in a 'what kind of cat I'd like' form to help the staff match you to an animal; go into a room with a member of staff and talk about the 'chosen' cat's character etc; THEN you get to meet the one cat that seems to best fit. I completely understand that this is to minimise stress for the cats but it cuts out the one vital aspect of learning about a new animal.... how they approach you.</div>
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I left the centre a sadder and wiser woman.</div>
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Mark spent the afternoon at work (his boss was out of the office!) looking at websites for various different animal sanctuaries across the West Midlands. It's nice to know that there are still some more traditional places. However we've also agreed that we need a bit of time and mental space to recover from this week. Now that I'm based at home we don't have to fit another adoption into the school holidays structure so we can move forward when it feels really right.</div>
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This weekend we're starting my birthday celebrations. I'll post about that next week.</div>
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Jx</div>
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Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-85244842587044557982017-11-23T08:58:00.002+00:002017-11-23T08:58:19.722+00:00Losing a Loved One...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday morning we had to make the horrible decision to say 'goodbye' to our beloved 'cat-child' Thomas. He was over 20 years old, with an immense interest in life and settled in his ways. Until the end of last week we believed that he might be the cat that lived for ever BUT he had terrible arthritis through his legs and back. We managed this with pain killers and it became clear that we couldn't keep on top of his pain with the dosages that we could give him.</div>
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On Monday the vet gave him a opiate pain killer through injection and gave us four further doses to administer over the next 36 hours. She told us that this should make him very sleepy and give him some relief. Sadly he responded badly to the drug and started to move round the house even more. His eyes were dilating and it was clear that he was hallucinating. After a phone consultation with the vet, we popped him in a safe place and waited for the drug to clear his system.</div>
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By Tuesday lunchtime I had to find the objectivity to say that the kindest thing would be one more trip to the vets.... We kept him as comfortable as possible with as much standard pain killer as seemed appropriate so I know that he wasn't stressed or hurting.</div>
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For anyone else who's been in this situation, you'll know that WE'RE stressed and hurting a lot though. In the last 24 hours I've become a 'domestic demon' and the house is starting to sparkle. There's something about routine actions that really helps. I went on FB yesterday afternoon to let people know. This morning I couldn't bear the absence of a little sleeping cat in the lounge so I decided to come up to the study and post this...... So here's Thomas's time with us in a few pictures.</div>
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Spring 2003..he came to us from Blue Cross as a youngish cat. </div>
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He's always been tiny (about 3.5kg) so we thought he was a teenager.</div>
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We found out subsequently that he was about 5!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hySBKLOFJFynKH-TkkulDtSRzfAA_mNGDTnME-Xz81HqTt1aJUEP0clM-8ff17ui-RJ4Emqtz99_X6vetswpppXlpQTiEAFca8rboEf-8L9oNcMAU12H4GnkI-72UEX5lNjnaqClOZ0/s1600/Mark+%2526+Jan%2527s+Cat+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1133" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hySBKLOFJFynKH-TkkulDtSRzfAA_mNGDTnME-Xz81HqTt1aJUEP0clM-8ff17ui-RJ4Emqtz99_X6vetswpppXlpQTiEAFca8rboEf-8L9oNcMAU12H4GnkI-72UEX5lNjnaqClOZ0/s320/Mark+%2526+Jan%2527s+Cat+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas 2005 - my all time favourite photo of Thomas.</div>
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He never jumped into the tree but he loved watching the sparkling lights.</div>
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(In fact he loved bling of any type and would even wear my most sparkly necklaces!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzCcwfQ1ECf1SD1_62bSuRAB8ZuKYd6gkT7VRu4ARvyYAH_cjUiXFyYz3hYWYqGd4_iSrnMXwNslTQQjAK2wGia6RIWE6TEe9wTUzYb2C053t1VGV9ht_xDzueCdR4TxwQwZpKQqSS0A/s1600/Nov+and+Dec+05+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzCcwfQ1ECf1SD1_62bSuRAB8ZuKYd6gkT7VRu4ARvyYAH_cjUiXFyYz3hYWYqGd4_iSrnMXwNslTQQjAK2wGia6RIWE6TEe9wTUzYb2C053t1VGV9ht_xDzueCdR4TxwQwZpKQqSS0A/s320/Nov+and+Dec+05+018.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On neighbourhood watch in our bedroom window.</div>
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He spent SO much time doing this. He was desperately territorial and this was the perfect vantage point to watch the cats across the road...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KupIlj1bpOADITk6EbdKK-O3LkV_mLu5GuZJhw1Ml6aTdgWL1-hHi2Vorxpi17-E5NN8mu2Cvf8yCt5k82O9k6ZIebycNTojjIga7H7aPxtRcWqh8W5ZucaPMGxuzNFZeUtA3Wejcmw/s1600/Old+camera+pics+2012+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KupIlj1bpOADITk6EbdKK-O3LkV_mLu5GuZJhw1Ml6aTdgWL1-hHi2Vorxpi17-E5NN8mu2Cvf8yCt5k82O9k6ZIebycNTojjIga7H7aPxtRcWqh8W5ZucaPMGxuzNFZeUtA3Wejcmw/s320/Old+camera+pics+2012+067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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2011 - Crashed out in his cat bed.</div>
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By this stage he was about 14 years old and his default setting was a good sleep in a warm place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2153lt8VbdAaA7aKSPER02BDBvzx6m6Mf7TtlLg3ucYFE1GtBAvzTkbKju7m2Q00Y2P6CVTW8iJ3NouinfJCEffHM6QrIoMFs5u2zs3eBHmdqDUqR6EtFehXBvbMoKnz4rD4yu3svWw/s1600/Benthall+Woods+etc+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2153lt8VbdAaA7aKSPER02BDBvzx6m6Mf7TtlLg3ucYFE1GtBAvzTkbKju7m2Q00Y2P6CVTW8iJ3NouinfJCEffHM6QrIoMFs5u2zs3eBHmdqDUqR6EtFehXBvbMoKnz4rD4yu3svWw/s320/Benthall+Woods+etc+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2012 - Helping with paperwork....</div>
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A few weeks ago... </div>
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He spent the whole of summer 2017 soaking up the heat in the conservatory.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4A-_rWk8zDsYZH6knwedXyVdrkpm7DzZhnJO5Y6qgsnGsoKf11HwuiJZ7qgvqrbY7C8xvjyXjhQkk80y4_LCc0XcQeSGQm9G4x3kIPEhJD-vVIGbfTAll4ZL7p9iAZYhbY2SbxZRojA/s1600/Leo%2527s+arrival+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4A-_rWk8zDsYZH6knwedXyVdrkpm7DzZhnJO5Y6qgsnGsoKf11HwuiJZ7qgvqrbY7C8xvjyXjhQkk80y4_LCc0XcQeSGQm9G4x3kIPEhJD-vVIGbfTAll4ZL7p9iAZYhbY2SbxZRojA/s320/Leo%2527s+arrival+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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God I miss him.</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-75179387331211440592017-06-27T13:37:00.002+01:002017-06-27T13:38:52.398+01:00TWO YEARS... REALLY??!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As I watch my friends who are still 'at the chalk face' staggering towards the end of another academic year, I find it hard to believe that I'm actually almost two years into my life 'post teaching'. There are elements of the job that I do miss.. especially the fun that I used to have when I was lucky enough to have time with super-motivated musicians... BUT I wouldn't go back for anything.</div>
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Nowadays I'm what can best be described as 'steadily busy'. My days are always full of music, family, friends ..and keeping on top of house-related jobs. I love the fact that I'm master of my own ship. I rarely have that horrible, stress-inducing feeling of sinking under the weight of commitments. I enjoy the fact that I can always re-schedule my day if some-one needs my time, or help in anyway.</div>
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I'm starting to enjoy myself as a musician too. In the last three years of my teaching career I didn't touch my harp at all and I lost a lot of technique as a consequence. Since I stopped work I've put HOURS of practice into my harp and I'm finally starting to sound confident and competent again. On Sunday afternoon, Ness and I played a set in a concert in the local church. For the first time I wasn't paralysed by nerves... Look, I'm even smiling in this photo!!!</div>
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I've got very little money but, as I'm time rich, I make things for people. Last week I made this patchwork bag for my sister's birthday. I love having the 'head space' to be creative.</div>
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It's funny... I read somewhere that it takes a month to recover from every year of stress that you've lived through. I'd agree with this. I worked for 26 years on adrenaline and it's taken the best part of 24 months to get it out of my system. I felt better last summer - I feel immensely better this summer. The only thing that suffered from this has been my waist-line... but that's the content of another post!!!!</div>
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Jx </div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-23473697488884235682017-06-21T19:50:00.001+01:002017-06-21T19:50:24.363+01:00Pictures From a Heat Wave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We managed to get two complimentary tickets for Friday at the Three Counties Show this year.</div>
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Mark finishes work at 1.00 so we popped over to Malvern for a few hours in the afternoon.</div>
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It was lovely to see all the care and attention that went into the displays..</div>
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We were just in time to see the final stages of the first phase of judging.</div>
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(Although we missed the 'parade of champions', where the best of each breed walks round the ring)</div>
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There were dark clouds over the Malvern Hills and it had already started to turn incredibly hot and stuffy. However we were lucky that the rain didn't come our way..</div>
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I always take lots of photos of the vintage caravans. Secretly, I'd love to have one and use it for quirky holidays. Sadly Mark doesn't share my romantic vision (He can see all of the limitations and none of the 'bygone luxury'!!!!)</div>
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We've pretty much moved outside for the last five days. We even got a new (larger) umbrella to keep some of the sun off the patio. I spotted it in the Sale at the local garden centre on Saturday. It was perfect for our Father's Day lunch on Sunday...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVxSt5gmABRiiTSwRQWFhSN0eHKsOw42ceoGNxsvUGvtAssBT-xzgn2VRF2NCOpr-kDihkNjl3QOIUoNnDqEj83wP_xoNPnVw9o-Qco2jKlfePgzmHNKy9IGRrS8-q8cCDFqjIuKq6ms/s1600/Heat+Wave+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVxSt5gmABRiiTSwRQWFhSN0eHKsOw42ceoGNxsvUGvtAssBT-xzgn2VRF2NCOpr-kDihkNjl3QOIUoNnDqEj83wP_xoNPnVw9o-Qco2jKlfePgzmHNKy9IGRrS8-q8cCDFqjIuKq6ms/s320/Heat+Wave+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the evenings Mark and I just move the chairs and table from the conservatory to the patio.</div>
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While I love my new conservatory, it's thermal efficiencies make it WAY too hot for these temperatures...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tcbcUIuBbp8DERmvnJ4J_KZPJaSOgglPLMb5kBampyEaAE_pRmTR1IsSnB4RnQG9at5DCDAaLATCnaOUj5uB9qOLdVVNhVeMwGSKj1L97ooB8jhOdtStJ4_DFb3l2SJGN6S1oi3bC18/s1600/Heat+Wave+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tcbcUIuBbp8DERmvnJ4J_KZPJaSOgglPLMb5kBampyEaAE_pRmTR1IsSnB4RnQG9at5DCDAaLATCnaOUj5uB9qOLdVVNhVeMwGSKj1L97ooB8jhOdtStJ4_DFb3l2SJGN6S1oi3bC18/s320/Heat+Wave+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I keep moving my hanging baskets around so that they don't get too burnt up and dried out.</div>
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I've made far more of an effort with the planters this year because I know that we're going to be around all summer to enjoy them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNw5INdILr3q3vx5VOzOw9t_hxkq5aBNXtSWBKXI-C51iuDoC6O23qWNyRGQ-dZN6_u-ceyaHhncyapCUaGW30MzL9hE-lmWjkfmQozvwSlK_eoDw4Ncf3S7lVmeXq7PlT6570OwzLjk4/s1600/Heat+Wave+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNw5INdILr3q3vx5VOzOw9t_hxkq5aBNXtSWBKXI-C51iuDoC6O23qWNyRGQ-dZN6_u-ceyaHhncyapCUaGW30MzL9hE-lmWjkfmQozvwSlK_eoDw4Ncf3S7lVmeXq7PlT6570OwzLjk4/s320/Heat+Wave+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Monday I went up to Cannock to collect two new fuel tanks for Mark's projects. </div>
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Here's Mark checking them out on the decking. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae2XtcLiRdz09FVPWJ7JsBw7-jVbkRSyRsIcBpa5Bzj_t5RCpOoVNEStPDl1rDmPAjuCJ9BVvn0n-XUz-MXCwj2HNUFrRWr5QVgH-U6GjHBx08gRObmsbmJnbIGYGeG496MEJJXVsIfs/s1600/Heat+Wave+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae2XtcLiRdz09FVPWJ7JsBw7-jVbkRSyRsIcBpa5Bzj_t5RCpOoVNEStPDl1rDmPAjuCJ9BVvn0n-XUz-MXCwj2HNUFrRWr5QVgH-U6GjHBx08gRObmsbmJnbIGYGeG496MEJJXVsIfs/s320/Heat+Wave+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...And everyone's been making the most of the calm evening weather.</div>
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These flew over last night..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7blORG75ThRDXNcihlQ7AcSVqsnxDj_zF_aFOfmPBh2SYltXSJc0bOUCpUzLgDkEyDncfqWDzQnSB8clp-p0uz95lsktT6qIhWr0EmMzaQQGdo8UyoG5QbSMa2R4nQbWYwwtHh0xujtw/s1600/Heat+Wave+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7blORG75ThRDXNcihlQ7AcSVqsnxDj_zF_aFOfmPBh2SYltXSJc0bOUCpUzLgDkEyDncfqWDzQnSB8clp-p0uz95lsktT6qIhWr0EmMzaQQGdo8UyoG5QbSMa2R4nQbWYwwtHh0xujtw/s320/Heat+Wave+031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thomas is way too hot...but I can see that he's not in pain at the moment.</div>
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He likes to start the day on his favourite chair in the conservatory.</div>
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Eventually it becomes way too hot (for anyone - not just those with a fur coat!)</div>
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...Then he sprawls anywhere that he thinks he can feel a draught.</div>
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Much as I love this hot weather, I think I'm ready for the cooler, damper couple of days that are forecast for the end of the week. Ness and I are doing some flute and harp stuff for the local church on Sunday. My harp has been extremely irritable in all the heat and actually broke two strings this afternoon. I need some less extreme weather to 'calm it down' before the performance!</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-25297654799134315532017-06-19T18:48:00.001+01:002017-06-19T18:48:02.886+01:00My Brave Mum.. and a Thomas Update.Over the last few years my Mum has taken part in several research studies aiming to improve future management and care of Huntington's. She knows that she's unlikely to see the benefits of these herself.. but she's keen to do everything that she can. Generally these have been talking or co-ordination tests, with some monitoring of brain patterns etc. Nothing too invasive or painful, just time-consuming.<br />
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On Sunday she left some paperwork with me that outlines the latest research project. This requires a completely different level of involvement from the patients. Basically she will go through a screening programme - then donate some of her cerebrospinal fluid (which surrounds the brain and spinal chord) for this latest research programme. The CSF will be used to identify and evaluate biomarkers and pathways for HD (and other conditions). It will also allow the researchers to develop a greater understanding of the Huntington protein, which causes HD, and some chemicals produced by the brain that are also thought to be closely associated with HD.<br />
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I'm popping round to their house tomorrow morning to find out exactly how serious she is about taking part. Knowing my brave and determined Mum, I expect that she's pretty set on doing it. <br />
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I think I've said it before... but I'm always super-proud of my Mum!!!<br />
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There's better news on the Thomas front too. He's responded well to the increased level of pain killer and has lost the 'distant' look in his eyes. I think (hope and have EVERYTHING CROSSED) that his time on the planet may be counted in weeks again.. rather than days. He wanders round the house, cursing the heat and generally shouting at me for non-specific failures. That's Thomas 'back to his normal self' for the moment. Thank you (and purrs) to everyone who left a comment on my last post.<br />
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Hope you are all enjoying the weather!<br />
JxJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-49737616078114591902017-06-13T08:34:00.005+01:002017-06-13T08:34:42.983+01:00Sad...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems that Thomas - my beloved elderly cat child - is coming to the end of his days.</div>
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We've had several other occasions over the last fourteen months when he's been very ill and we've been able to help him with tablets/pain medication but for the last week or so, he's just been restless and unsettled. I know that. at 20 years old, we were on borrowed time with him... but you can't help hoping that you're going to squeeze another few months of time together.</div>
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I am SO upset....</div>
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For many reasons, it hasn't felt like the right thing to go on a two week holiday this year.</div>
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We had our long weekend at Spa circuit in May and there are no plans to travel until October.</div>
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However, we're very lucky to have a beautiful part of England on our doorstep....</div>
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On Friday afternoon we went for a walk on Hartlebury Common (near Stourport in Worcestershire). It was a perfect 'early June afternoon'... warm but not roasting and gorgeous skies.</div>
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We made our way down from the common to the bank of the river Severn, then followed the tow paths into the canal basin/marina. It's been restored over the last few years and is a fascinating place to explore. The combination of locks and docks makes it feel a little like a Escher painting!!</div>
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Mark always has time for a Sundae!!!</div>
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We walked up the High Street and took a quick look in one or two of the shops.</div>
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I found a lovely cotton skirt for £2.95 in a Charity Shop. </div>
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It's blue and cream and the label says that it was made in Italy.... perfect when the weather improves!</div>
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Then we retraced our steps back up to the car park on the common </div>
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(and came home to the challenges of elderly cat care....)</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-33519212161826351542017-05-27T17:48:00.001+01:002017-05-27T17:48:04.091+01:00Excuses for Being a Bad Blogger...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First of all we went on a road trip with the Marcos.</div>
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On the first night we stopped over in Kent at the lovely 'Five Bells' in Brabourne.</div>
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This was our room for the night...</div>
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..And here's the spectacular open-plan bathroom.!!!</div>
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(It's great for one night of romantic luxury but I don't think I could live with it on a permanent basis.. I like to have some privacy when I'm chilling in my bath)</div>
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Then we pottered down to the Tunnel and caught a late morning train to France.</div>
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After another four and half hours of driving we reached our base for the weekend -</div>
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A hotel near the Spa race circuit on the far side of Belgium...</div>
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On Friday morning we were up really early and started to explore the track.</div>
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We've heard masses about this circuit but never attended any racing there before.</div>
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It was so exciting....</div>
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There were only two other Marcos cars at the event. </div>
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They were racing in the Sixties Endurance Race.</div>
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We spent a bit of time chatting to their drivers in the pits.</div>
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(Sadly neither of them managed to complete the gruelling two hour race on Saturday evening but it was great to see them out on the track during the practice and qualifying sessions.)</div>
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The Spa circuit is on a significant hill-side.</div>
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On Saturday we explored all the pedestrian tracks to the furthest points of the track.</div>
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The main pits is behind Mark's shoulder in the distance...</div>
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(These track days are always something of a keep fit exercise!!)</div>
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We stayed at the circuit to watch some night racing on Saturday evening.</div>
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When we came back to our car the light was perfect for this atmospheric shot of our car..</div>
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She got lots of attention and lovely comments everywhere we went..</div>
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(Not bad for a car that Mark restored from nothing in the garage!!)</div>
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Since we got back I just seem to have been 'chasing stuff'.... the dull post holiday washing and ironing piles; filling the empty food cupboards and other similar delights! BUT I've also been catching up with family and friends; enjoying the sun at a picnic with an ex-colleague on Thursday and spent most of today on another road trip to Leicester.</div>
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The calendar for June looks slightly less crazy... so hopefully there'll be more frequent posts in the near future. I hope that you are all enjoying the Bank Holiday.</div>
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Jx</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-80435805350377473092017-05-15T17:14:00.001+01:002017-05-15T17:14:40.840+01:00A Special Evening...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's Mark and I on Saturday evening... </div>
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all dressed up for Mark's Long Service Dinner at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.</div>
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Mark started work with JLR 25 years ago this summer.</div>
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The evening celebrated 25 years, 40 years and even 50 years for employees across the whole company, so there were about 1200 people at the event. We were slightly taken aback by the size and scale of it all, but it was really well organised and great fun.</div>
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The evening started with a formal photo.</div>
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(I've taken a photo of the photo so it's a little blurry.. but you get the general idea!)</div>
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..Then there were drinks, a four course meal, a full stage show (based on music from 1966/7, 1976/7 and 1991/2) and an excellent live band. We finally got back to our room in the hotel at 1.30 in the morning!</div>
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The ladies on each table received these small bouquets.. so pretty!</div>
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Luckily for me, one of the ladies didn't want her flowers so I took a second bunch for Mum and Dad. They've helped me with a lot of things recently and it was nice to be able to give them a little surprise to say "Ta".</div>
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We got home (more than a little the worse for wear!!) by mid-morning on Sunday.</div>
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When we looked in the photo packaging more closely, we realised that the company has given us a further dinner voucher, which can be used at all the main chain restaurants.</div>
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We thought it would be nice to save it until mid-July, when Mark received his offer of employment from the company, and then we can enjoy another (slightly more low key!) celebration of his 25 Years.</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-19149471548016873282017-05-09T10:26:00.003+01:002017-05-09T10:28:11.606+01:00Projects, Plans and Other Time-Consuming Activities...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlfCgHCLrvgVx0lv1UJ_m5XiQqyE2Oue_pPx5M2Zsg0POO7RciV9IbcrR-ytY2fCeGA3DhYq1A1WLPZg8llrpE6Q-xz8iSpLnVjXdttnsWja5YWbiyzK6duMM9dR0CiyExZFkLoqrhL8/s1600/Donington+Historic+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlfCgHCLrvgVx0lv1UJ_m5XiQqyE2Oue_pPx5M2Zsg0POO7RciV9IbcrR-ytY2fCeGA3DhYq1A1WLPZg8llrpE6Q-xz8iSpLnVjXdttnsWja5YWbiyzK6duMM9dR0CiyExZFkLoqrhL8/s320/Donington+Historic+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a recent photo of Thomas. If cats could speak, he'd be saying</div>
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"Mum, please BE QUIET! Why don't you do something peaceful like a blog post??"</div>
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So here's a flavour of what I'm up to...</div>
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~ There's been lots of instrumental teaching. I've picked up another harp pupil AND did some coaching for a Year 13 student (which ended last week). A number of my pupils have also asked for extra time or additional lessons for various reasons.</div>
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~ I've been asked to learn lots of material on both the harp and the piano so I've had to expand my practice regime. I'm now starting piano practice at 7.00 each morning (good thing we're detached!!). My sister and I have got a medium term plan which involves some challenging flute and piano playing, so I need to brush up my technique. I'm currently re-learning one of the late Beethoven piano sonatas which I studied at Uni. (back in the dark ages!!). It's hard to explain just how good this makes me feel... but I'm sure that you fellow musicians out there will know what I'm on about!</div>
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~ We went away for two nights over the May Bank Holiday weekend. We stayed at the lovely little 'motel style' guest house that we normally use for the Donington Historic Festival. It's a great set-up for the car and fabulous value for money. The weather was SO COLD but we still enjoyed the first racing of the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Juc42WUfTtoe8P5WIvYKAgO-q6pfPBykztY_drB7jfpUErkD-mOi_O3odbjf0HUSwDyhp-LkHJ7si9MTLy2ldNTCmawOs_ywLjxJZWY7p88bXqEw7YVQ_LxxkxYXsYX7AXh_Iu3NOWQ/s1600/Donington+Historic+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Juc42WUfTtoe8P5WIvYKAgO-q6pfPBykztY_drB7jfpUErkD-mOi_O3odbjf0HUSwDyhp-LkHJ7si9MTLy2ldNTCmawOs_ywLjxJZWY7p88bXqEw7YVQ_LxxkxYXsYX7AXh_Iu3NOWQ/s320/Donington+Historic+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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~ My Blue Discovery was finally towed away by the insurance company last week. Sadly the Silver one also has had to go back to the garage that we bought her from... She has several issues that need to be sorted while she's still under warranty. To be honest, Mark could fix her. It's just that he's so busy with work, other jobs at home AND his building/maintenance programme for the Marcos cars. Unfortunately, dealing with all of this is extremely time-consuming because the Garage where the Silver car is being fixed is over 30 minutes drive away...</div>
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~ There's been a steady stream of low-level jobs to deal with in the house - Such as the light bulb in the extractor fan popping; small things breaking and the whole boiler system developing a curious resonance in the loft!! (Which was resolved by cleaning all the lime-scale off.........!?)</div>
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~ AND the tray in the Shower has cracked... leaving a nasty stain on the lounge ceiling. Grrrr! 'Kevin the Builder' is coming at 12.00 to start the process of removing the old shower and replacing it with a nice non-leaky new one.....</div>
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Thomas is not going to be impressed by all the mess and dust from this latest disruption!!!</div>
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Jx</div>
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<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505141047279582040.post-34592638326807339382017-04-24T12:58:00.004+01:002017-04-24T12:58:59.327+01:00Yeah.... We did it!!!!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mum and Dad were super-anxious when we set off on Wednesday morning.</div>
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There were so many things that could have gone wrong... but we dealt with the challenges as they came along and had a really nice time. I think my role as 'useful third person' contributed to this, but it's also fair to say that Llandudno is a great place to go with someone who has mobility issues.</div>
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We stayed at The Grand, which is right on the sea front and has fantastic views.</div>
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It's a cheap hotel to stay in and is very popular with coach parties.</div>
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(We chose it because we didn't know if Mum was going to cope with being away from home, and we didn't want to waste too much money on expensive rooms if we were forced to leave early.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWc3_uNaMbIzvK5GZDRWx2tEdDmPXMWQBAD3cLoQ4La5nq5TaOOjyxkKfNbJreYP0L1CkEA6Kol0DTxurFAdQX-1wC7cF8NREBA-MKTwM_TEvf0ytBTSR_I05KGre0WWfZpV63RDhEB8/s1600/Llandudno+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWc3_uNaMbIzvK5GZDRWx2tEdDmPXMWQBAD3cLoQ4La5nq5TaOOjyxkKfNbJreYP0L1CkEA6Kol0DTxurFAdQX-1wC7cF8NREBA-MKTwM_TEvf0ytBTSR_I05KGre0WWfZpV63RDhEB8/s320/Llandudno+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As it happens, the views from Mum and Dad's balcony were worth millions...</div>
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This was the view to the right, over the town and towards the edge of Snowdonia..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dNmm8KxetW9hyphenhyphen8GsDqjfy4A-cvO4RXylM3JHs1gI24WQ3Y6riB2RsRfDMF1B_LEK52Wgw87yrNMXfy4X0wGLBSJ6IG5nqXOZ3Wv6PHkSl0jOnAMn4O8g4zsOeQdSpMvJn44IYS8sE5Y/s1600/Llandudno+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dNmm8KxetW9hyphenhyphen8GsDqjfy4A-cvO4RXylM3JHs1gI24WQ3Y6riB2RsRfDMF1B_LEK52Wgw87yrNMXfy4X0wGLBSJ6IG5nqXOZ3Wv6PHkSl0jOnAMn4O8g4zsOeQdSpMvJn44IYS8sE5Y/s320/Llandudno+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the view straight ahead across the bay...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVjKTZGT_29Ip0tt77fmySQQ9u5g09H8ExHZJ8vBfyrv-CzyBD8ptwGq1hfs6MVlv3U7_xcsuX0fX-MkJzbUhwIyZpWlXVISJ6fe9Z4z-4O8oxxVZpX7GNupqbZSeL232KFqk6np_zb4/s1600/Llandudno+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVjKTZGT_29Ip0tt77fmySQQ9u5g09H8ExHZJ8vBfyrv-CzyBD8ptwGq1hfs6MVlv3U7_xcsuX0fX-MkJzbUhwIyZpWlXVISJ6fe9Z4z-4O8oxxVZpX7GNupqbZSeL232KFqk6np_zb4/s320/Llandudno+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this was the view to the left, along the pier...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFPWAt_USed18m2XFYZY9gExcgrJd2FdfyhS_dZCsvJzPwTfJbQ5RPncigB7cruJd4vgnDPJRt40k35p2N0D-CwA2x4u37G44VOLEBsvC5OWconqvL1eEAwykNTaOJc1h_6nYWXfdD8/s1600/Llandudno+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFPWAt_USed18m2XFYZY9gExcgrJd2FdfyhS_dZCsvJzPwTfJbQ5RPncigB7cruJd4vgnDPJRt40k35p2N0D-CwA2x4u37G44VOLEBsvC5OWconqvL1eEAwykNTaOJc1h_6nYWXfdD8/s320/Llandudno+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were allocated a table on the edge of the dining room, with more superb views and plenty of space. A seagull became convinced that Mum's hand movements were going to result in food, so it came to watch her eat at some stage during most meals...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyhvxiRcE37cnqaXJrI-U9aYM2khNolTqAnXiyCb6BXye_YlgL7KrfsKHBeRRr6iWvamZbZEX4nSerhURlktOzzw7eDXSBxxAVy1XBhgkvlB9TiVW06atjZlcexwS_wZcc-MAYKn-rTA/s1600/Llandudno+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyhvxiRcE37cnqaXJrI-U9aYM2khNolTqAnXiyCb6BXye_YlgL7KrfsKHBeRRr6iWvamZbZEX4nSerhURlktOzzw7eDXSBxxAVy1XBhgkvlB9TiVW06atjZlcexwS_wZcc-MAYKn-rTA/s320/Llandudno+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The hotel keeps costs down by operating a buffet service for meals. This is problematic for someone with HD so I got Mum's meal first, while Dad got his own, then they started eating while I quickly got my meal and caught up. It worked ok because Mum has to eat slowly and I'm a fast eater (a teaching legacy I suspect!!)</div>
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On the first morning Mum managed to walk with her frame to the end of the pier...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydkbH8rV-x16JPfqV9h9AyuUGlr3AhZKiLWdVawbZINw_0Ut_ro2Qz5dN7n2jmbz4SQMcNMfuJAJu6K7BPHG_BtM5JdS_xVWlXDBdWDJjAFICuNiWzqD_WQcOhNb06BwqIYbQbD47ABU/s1600/Llandudno+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydkbH8rV-x16JPfqV9h9AyuUGlr3AhZKiLWdVawbZINw_0Ut_ro2Qz5dN7n2jmbz4SQMcNMfuJAJu6K7BPHG_BtM5JdS_xVWlXDBdWDJjAFICuNiWzqD_WQcOhNb06BwqIYbQbD47ABU/s320/Llandudno+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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..... then it was time for a coffee stop!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClyKZvXDcEcJU8y6cVFme2AUfI5y10EfummmNqWml6mFvKf6FqprMHryIosReLfgVVUC4HyRDR0MWi4HsVpnT4huJEx8NpYCuzehDh4HUEAWp2URE_3MWxqixnCjS8huGY-AmOGyHeZA/s1600/Llandudno+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClyKZvXDcEcJU8y6cVFme2AUfI5y10EfummmNqWml6mFvKf6FqprMHryIosReLfgVVUC4HyRDR0MWi4HsVpnT4huJEx8NpYCuzehDh4HUEAWp2URE_3MWxqixnCjS8huGY-AmOGyHeZA/s320/Llandudno+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After lunch we even made it quite a way along the Promenade...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTL5o7QD9C3cNUzcJWSODf1x1c6LrgNazCrGtqGYFiD2kM6IMX0c6QdH_PfiqV66KFkf0Bj76H_hlW_HG3t8r_-WwNsdbWcEoEFev7DMHGZBOAI7-5fD2ALym92xOUWEjBesoRv5N6q0/s1600/Llandudno+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTL5o7QD9C3cNUzcJWSODf1x1c6LrgNazCrGtqGYFiD2kM6IMX0c6QdH_PfiqV66KFkf0Bj76H_hlW_HG3t8r_-WwNsdbWcEoEFev7DMHGZBOAI7-5fD2ALym92xOUWEjBesoRv5N6q0/s320/Llandudno+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the end of the day Mum had walked further than she had done for months.</div>
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We were all a bit bothered about how she was going to feel in the morning....</div>
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....To everyone's delight the gentle movement on the flat had loosen up some of her muscular problems, so we decided that everything was ok to drive up to the car park at the top of the Great Orne (the peninsular above the town). Here's Mum with the spectacular view towards Conwy and Snowdonia...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrfdXS5EDhiOUbgZinQd3BIgTu2OIX4PIkp7WRcjgrMuY5OhZ61R3h6brmrkXV9S-gogU3jxSn0lu0fcdToE5jZcSp03pj8qhAX-l8GdA7s97hBLfdRZLAkIKtWF13hakIxI4W5AXeIs/s1600/Llandudno+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrfdXS5EDhiOUbgZinQd3BIgTu2OIX4PIkp7WRcjgrMuY5OhZ61R3h6brmrkXV9S-gogU3jxSn0lu0fcdToE5jZcSp03pj8qhAX-l8GdA7s97hBLfdRZLAkIKtWF13hakIxI4W5AXeIs/s320/Llandudno+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then Mum noticed the Tramway..... and the next thing we knew she'd decided that she was confident enough to tackle the steps (so typical of her fighting spirit when she's on form!). Mum and Dad had an interesting hour riding the tram down into town and back up again, while I had a walk between the upper stations and took a few photos.</div>
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I think the break/sea air did everyone a lot of good.</div>
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(Mum and Dad are very close, but they do drive each other a bit mad sometimes...</div>
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It was nice to be able to step in and 'head off' some situations before Dad's patience was tried and Mum got fractious - a difficult feature of the way HD affects the brain). </div>
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I hope that we can do something similar later in the year.</div>
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AND the house was mostly in one piece when I got home!!</div>
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Jx</div>
<br />Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341377291617694838noreply@blogger.com12