#barsuraube
Text
Greetings from a cloudy Bar sur Aube, where it’s 7c at the moment. We are due a maximum of 10c so it’s not going to be that much warmer. It has rained a lot but we have had some high ish temperatures along with a weak sun but it’s the rain you remember especially when it’s a very heavy downpour and you are soaked!
I did smile when I saw the Drappier Champagne van at the Gendarmerie, the Drappier driver wasn’t delivering so I wonder if he had been speeding or worse still “drunk in charge of the champagne van”.
Anie messaged on Sunday afternoon to say could she come visit me, of course, I produced mince pies and coffee cake along with one of the new teas Monique had bought me for Xmas. She stayed for about an hour, it was enough really, I am finding it hard to concentrate on hearing French for longer than that. She always brings some gift and this time it was a small jar of the herb sariette and a jar of marmalade. I baked a batch of cheese scones yesterday, I added some sariette and herbes de Provence, they were really lovely.
Monique has been in touch keeping me up to date with her blood tests, appointments etc.
My fortnightly blood test was due and the nurse arrived promptly. The results are not coming back as quickly as previously but perhaps it’s the tests requested that make the results arrive later.
The plumber came to install the new boiler, amazing all finished in 3.5 hours! Oh the luxury have having lovely hot water “on tap”. You don’t miss something until it is taken away from you.
My grandchildren are with “The Photographer” this weekend and then it’s “the big adventure”, they are going to London from Monday to Thursday to go to the Zoo and the Natural History museum.
“The Ex-Graduate” will be starting her final week at the bar, where she worked part-time while studying and full time since her studying finished. She starts her new job in a couple of weeks so she will be given a new title on here too 😊.
“The Trainee Solicitor” is working his socks off and will be looking forward to a little break away from home for a few days. Next week will be busy at work as two staff members are on holiday but you can only do as much as you can do in the hours you are at work so just keep that in mind!
So let’s have a look at my music choices this week. I don’t know how I hadn’t thought of this one before now. I have no idea what makes a good guitarist I just know that some music just gets to you. Here is one of the guitar greats doing what he does best! The song was released in 1999 😳, it is “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas. Well if that doesn’t get you moving I am not sure what will!
The second song is one that always makes me “feel good”, I want to get up and leap around. We go way back to 1970 for this hit from George Harrison, the song is “What is Life”. Enjoy listening to these tracks today.
So today was the day I had been looking forward to, the day of the visit to the gorgeous “La Belvedere” restaurant for lunch. I was disappointed when Maud messaged to say she had had bronchitis and was still coughing so thought it best to cancel the restaurant. Oh well until the next time 😉. I am going to make myself something “tasty” for lunch 🤞and if I get out of bed now, I may be able to prepare a super dessert too.
It was the knitting group on Friday and I must say we were a little depleted! The 92/93 year old lady is suffering with her back so was unable to attend. The newest member of the group had previously been into hospital for an operation and therefore didn’t arrive until about 4pm. Helene, a lady who suffers from some neurological problem couldn’t come as she was unwell and her husband (who brings her) was also unwell. It was just as well I had decided to go! I was only going to stay for a couple of hours and forego the cake and drink, however, I brought the “tarte” home with me and enjoyed it after my evening meal. We were discussing the best things to make to sell at the markets. It was suggested that we tried key fobs, I produced a pattern for some pendants and earrings and will photocopy the pattern to take back in a fortnight. The ladies were impressed with my little cardigan . It has been decided that from now on a receipt needs to be produced to show the cost of materials, I guess that puts paid to a refund for me, as the wool I have had for years, so no longer have the receipt. Oh well does it matter, it gets the wool used up 😊.
Now I am going to “put my best foot forward” (wish I knew which one it was 😂) .
I think this photo should be called “house on the hill”.
I wish you all a good week until next week.
5 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Repas récupération randonnée #hiking #hikinggirl #hikingadventures #hikingculture #hikinglife #cabane #landscape #coucherdesoleil #cotedeboeuf #pareil #fauxlocs #tribu #satanique #mauvais pour la #santé comme côtoyer certaines #personne #caillou #barsuraube #trekking #instarando #instahiking #montagne_my_life #alsace #lorraine #moselle #meurtheetmoselle #repastraditionnel #tradition #bivouac #hike (à Le Val-De-Guéblange, Lorraine, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd2wzsXD63z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
#hiking#hikinggirl#hikingadventures#hikingculture#hikinglife#cabane#landscape#coucherdesoleil#cotedeboeuf#pareil#fauxlocs#tribu#satanique#mauvais#santé#personne#caillou#barsuraube#trekking#instarando#instahiking#montagne_my_life#alsace#lorraine#moselle#meurtheetmoselle#repastraditionnel#tradition#bivouac#hike
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
PROGRAMME DE NOVEMBRE & DECEMBRE
MAYENNE (53) - Le Vox
ven 15 nov. 20:00
projection suivie d’un débat avec la réalisatrice, avec les associations Atmosphères 53 et Fraternité-Amafisoa
BAR-SUR-AUBE (10) - Le Vagabond
sam 23 nov. 18:30
ANGERS (49) - Les 400 Coups
lun 25 nov. 20:00
en présence de la réalisatrice, avec les associations LDH Maine et Loire, Survie 49, Celapousse, Cinémas d'Afrique et Anjou-Madagascar
SAINT-HERBLAIN (44) - Le Lutetia
mer 27 nov. 20:30
en présence de la réalisatrice, avec l’association Solidev 44
LE HAVRE (76) - Le Sirius
jeu 28 nov. 20:30
avec Artisans du Monde et ASEA.
HEROUVILLE-SAINT-CLAIR (14) - Café des Images
jeu 5 déc. 20:00
en présence de la réalisatrice, projection précédée à 18h30 d’une rencontre-dédicace avec l’écrivain Johary Ravaloson, avec l’association Amitiés Madagascar Normandie 14
***
LE KEF (TUNISIE) - complexe culturel El Sahbi El Mosrati
ven 22 nov 14:00
https://cairowomenfilmfest.com/cpages/caravan/tunisia/films/
toutes les projections à venir https://fahavalo-film.com/projections
0 notes
Photo
Quand tu vas chez Maromod' à Bar-sur-aube chercher une valise et que tu ressors avec 2 pour le prix d'une et... des pinces à cheveux 🛍👌 J'adore les soldes !!! Merci Caroline 👍 Chéri, comment te dire? 🤔 Cette année on va pouvoir prendre "beaucoup" de vacances 😂 #soldes #maromod #barsuraube #eastpak #bagage #partenairecarte #associationconsommeraubois https://www.instagram.com/p/Bti-VmqH0cj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12lhaj4b1u701
0 notes
Photo
LE 16 MARS 2019 se déroulera " LE CARNAVAL DE BAR SUR AUBE " dans L'AUBE. Pour vos hébergements consultez http://www.trouverunechambredhote.com/rechercher.php?dep=10&type=0&localisation=0&budget=&go=Rechercher
0 notes
Photo
Soon time for show! God damn I’m nervous!!! 😄❤️🙌 . . . . #lemac #piano #paris #pianist #music #gunhildcarling #fernholm #franch #ontour #jazz @gunhildcarling #barsuraube (på/i Champagne-Ardenne, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/BngnIzXlVBz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8n8vohtm6ce4
0 notes
Photo
Love the shadows / reflection in this one #barsuraube #france #champagne #ardennes #reflections #river #autumn🍁 #automne #seasons #fall #nature #photography #medievaltown (at Bar-sur-Aube)
#photography#river#seasons#fall#ardennes#automne#reflections#medievaltown#champagne#nature#france#autumn🍁#barsuraube
0 notes
Text
Bonjour à tous 👋. This morning I am in Troyes, in the all-inclusive hotel which serves atrocious food - THE HOSPITAL ! Don’t be fooled by the photos ! News of those photos will appear further down. This is certainly the place for a crash diet. However I am not here for the food (no way) I am here for the fantastic medical care I have received and am continuing to receive.
The weather here is currently five Celsius and drizzle which looks to continue until early afternoon when it should be eight Celsius.
So why is she complaining about food, I hear you ask? This was the restaurant I went to last Sunday with my friend Maud. I had filet de bœuf with pepper sauce, gratin dauphinois and mache (lambs lettuce). Followed by tartine des fruits, glace and meringue croustillant. Having not eaten so much before I was surprised that my stomach could take what was a surprisingly big meal but it did! It showed its appreciation by rumbling again at 4:30pm 🤔, I think it wanted more of the same.
It’s a beautiful restaurant overlooking the lake and even on a grey day it is wonderful.
The start of the week I was chilled then at 2:30pm that calmness was thrown into chaos when a call from the hospital said arrive at 9:00 not 15:00 as originally told. No reason was given but I calmed myself by thinking chemo was starting early?
I was ready when the taxi arrived at 7:45 for the hours journey to Troyes. I was put into the family room while my room was prepared. An older French gentleman appeared who looked to be leaving (think it was his room I was given). He was polite, recognised I was “a stranger” and told me I spoke good French, what a compliment.
After being installed in my room the day involved being fitted with a catheter into my JUGULAR, yes you read that right. Apparently it gets the chemo into the blood stream quicker than with the normal PICC line. It was painless until I started feeling pain in my shoulder, the PICC line was put in on Friday and the jugular catheter removed yesterday. I still have the pain even with pain medication and as I had had it a little time before I came into hospital I have asked if a doctor will approve an X-Ray. So that is all the complaining done. I have lost Friday to treatment and Saturday to pain but hey such is life!
Now we turn to my family, where we find that “The Trainee Solicitor” has some news to give me which he confirmed is not “bad news”. He also took “mothers’ advice” and visited the “drop in” centre about his ear problem. I hope thé drops are having an effect and no side effects (look at the paper inside the box). I am hoping you feel better soon.
This week “The Ex-Graduate” changes title and becomes “The Reconnect Navigator”. She has had a couple of boring days in the job but has also had a few very interesting days. That’s the first week over and let’s hope you had your walk yesterday as I know you desperately needed the exercise. These poor nurses don’t need exercise,they must walk miles in a day on this unit, it is huge!
“The Photographer” had been working his day job, with a day off on Wednesday, always welcome when you work a weekend.
Yesterday, he travelled to Buxton in Derbyshire, to photograph for Scarborough AFC. There had been snow but the match was played. It ended up even, 0-0, but not a loss, which should give the players a little boost. These players work all week in amazing jobs and give up Saturdays and Tuesday evenings to play matches as well as the training they need to put in too. As you can imagine, they are tired but morale keeps them going.
Our newest member to the “clan” is “The Jetsetter”, who I think may either be back home now or still cruising in Norway (rather you than me, I get nauseous in my bed 😂 I don’t the action of a boat😂). Welcome and if you are still in Norway, “God morgen 👋.
I apologise in advance if my choices in music range from years you have only read about in history books 😂 but this is the music I love and the first track is “Long Train Runnin’” by The Doobie Brothers. This is back to 1973 😱.
The second song is Yah Mo B There by James Ingram and Michael McDonald. Oh, this is a bit more recent 😂 1988.
The picture below is of my dessert last week.
Jusqu’à la semaine prochaine.
#barsuraube#troyes#norway#photography#trees#livethelifeyoulove#70’s music#80’s music#travel#mygarden
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
21/04/24. Another day in Paris. It was an early start, I was out of bed at 5:30am and by the time we got back in the evening it was after 7pm. Boy was I tired! However, I am going to Paris for the next part of the CAR-T cell therapy on Thursday April 25. I should be staying in the hospital in Paris for 3-4 weeks. I am just praying that the food is good.
Now it’s time to do my tax return as it has to be completed by May 23 and I don’t want to send an email saying I am in hospital again! I have all of the information it is just a case of finding where to put it on the forms.
Had a catch up chat with Rosie who lives In Poitou-Charentes. Anie messaged to see if she could visit, she brought me a delightful bunch of muguet. While I was checking on a crumble I was cooking, there was a knock on the door. I opened the front door to find a huge bunch of muguet tucked into the door handle and Marlene was disappearing down the drive. I dashed out to speak to her and her husband before they left. I was so happy to receive these lovely gifts.
I had to have a platelet transfusion in Troyes on Monday and before they would let me leave the hospital in Paris on Tuesday I had to have another platelet transfusion. Can you believe I was booked in for another in Troyes on Friday afternoon. Well I got to the hospital on time, then after a blood test I was told I couldn’t have the transfusion on Friday I have to return on Monday morning. I was so angry but as I have found no amount of anger changes the stance of these people. Coming back in the taxi, I had to sit in the back, by the time we got home I was feeling travel sick! So Monday at 8:45am it is, what’s the betting that it will be more than one transfusion and I will be there all day 😩. I think I will need my case packing this afternoon!
Monique came to visit, she brought me lilac from her trees and three delicious cakes, bought at the most expensive cake shop in town! I cannot believe how well we get along and how we can sit and talk for hours when Monique only speaks French and German 🤔. She stayed for about 3 hours by which time we had put the world to rights.
I spoke to a cousin in London, who is terrified that WW3 is about to break out. To be honest if it does there is not much you or I can do about it and if someone pushes the button we may not even have time to worry. Just one thing I would like to know, in case this should happen, was Andrew Hillier from France 24, born in the North East of England? 😂
Anie called to see me again, bearing more gifts. This time it was pain d’épicés and a jar of homemade soup. The pain d’épicés contained walnuts too, it was absolutely delicious.
I needed some pj’s to wear in the hospital so I popped to Gemo in town and got a couple of pairs of pj bottoms and four t shirt tops as I need tops with short sleeves. I was given the sheet advising what I can eat on the protected feeding plan. Now I will be on this diet while I am in hospital but was told there is a washing machine available to wash my nightclothes. As I will be expected to remain in my room, being so far from home that I won’t have any visitors, I wonder how my pj’s will manage to get washed? Answers on a postcard please 😂😂.
The doctor from Paris phoned me just to say he had all the scan results and providing I don’t have Covid, he will see me on Thursday. Oh gosh it’s exciting and terrifying at the same time! I am hoping that I will be able to do my blogs but as some of the risk factors are neurological and I may lose the ability to write (temporarily) I will have to wait and see.
I have had two deliveries this week, the first was four books from another cousin in the UK and the second was a card and two magazines from a friend in the UK. I finally managed to package up, again, the gift I sent her last year which was refused by UK customs and returned to me.
“The Trainee Solicitor” has been stressed again this week! Having to keep one eye on training the new recruit and the other on dealing with his cases I guess he is looking a bit like Marty Feldman! Anyway it’s the weekend and a time to clear your head ready for the forthcoming week.
“The Reconnect Navigator” is going to be doing a new role at work until such time as a replacement is found. All experience and I think it will be rather interesting too. Her new Dr Marten boots have rubbed her feet and made them very sore. She went out on Friday evening with friends, I do hope she didn’t have to go barefoot!
“The Photographer” has his children this weekend. On Friday evening he had prepared a cottage pie with red wine jus and cheesy mash. Apparently the children really enjoyed it and my grandson had second helpings! On Saturday they met up with “The Trainee Solicitor” and “The Reconnect Navigator” for lunch, so I imagine that was a great experience too, as both children adore them! I was sent photos on Friday evening, of both children playing with large cardboard boxes. I love imaginary play where the box can be your home, a car, boat or plane it’s just wonderful to see children playing this way. Of course I love to see them as they are growing up so quickly, apparently my grandson can count to ten in French.
“The Jetsetter”, has been continuing with the day job until she goes away again. Not long now girl, I will be thinking of you on the day you fly but don’t you be thinking of me 😂.
The music this week starts with a song from a married couple. It was released in 1988, it’s Teardrops by Womack and Womack.
The second song is from 1997 (that was a good year😉) it’s by Savage Garden and it’s “To The Moon And Back”.
On my travels I have noticed that lilac, laburnum and the candles on the horse chestnut trees are all in evidence. I think they are probably a few weeks early. My cherry tree has lots of cherries starting to appear. Let’s hope that no heavy frost comes and kills them off.
So I will do my best to get a blog out to you next week. I am staying in the Saint-Antoine hospital in Paris. The nurse who was doing the transfusion said “ oh you are going to be staying on the floor”, I replied “Well I am hoping for a bed actually” to which we both had a laugh. The hospital is older than the one in Troyes, the room is probably going to be smaller and the “salle de douche”, in the room I was in on the day unit, was tiny, I could have taken a shower while sitting on the toilet! Maybe that’s how my pj’s will get washed 🤔.
The photo at the top of the blog Is the barrière du trône and this final photo is somewhere in the 12th arrondissement.
Jusqu’à la semaine prochaine.
#barsuraube#troyes#Paris#france#nature#trees#photography#cooking#80’s music#90’s music#architecture#andrewhillierjournalist
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
14/04/24 I AM HOME, I came back on Thursday after my MRI scan and a transfusion of platelets. Was I pleased? I guess you could say that, Anie called with my shopping, I had a wander around my garden, got the car out of the garage and went to do more shopping, saw my friend Liisa and had a little chat then came home and prepared chorizo pasta bake and garlic bread.
My neighbour sent me the above photo showing the blossom on the cherry tree. I was so pleased to see my garden.
On Friday I had to go back to the hospital for what turned out to be two transfusions. I thought I would have been home by lunchtime but it was 16:30 when I got home.
So I am hoping against hope that I will be home until April 25th when I will be going up to Paris for a long stay, while the next round of treatment is carried out.
Monique had been in touch, she wanted to come down on Thursday but I needed some time to just chill. So she said she would come on Friday. However by the time she could get away it was too late. She did say that one of her twin granddaughters had got scarlet fever so you just know it won’t be long before the other one gets it.
I messaged my cleaner with the dates I am available to have her clean my home before the next hospital visit. She replied that she wasn’t available. That’s ok, hopefully we will get back to normal once all my treatment is completed.
The cough that I was starting with when I went into hospital, has now developed! My nose streams and then I start coughing, it is worse if I have been talking. The medicine they gave me in hospital contained codeine and it said not to use it for too many days. Well in my book, my wariness of medication, meant that I took it for three days then stopped. I didn’t want to become addicted!
The music this week, is really from my youth! I begin with “Love Hurts” by Jim Capaldi from 1975. Going even further back than that it’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” from 1965. The video shows Alan Price on keyboard, he will be celebrating his 82nd birthday at the end of next week, Eric Burdon, vocals, who will be 83 years old on a date in May which is the birthday of someone dear to me. Plus Chas Chandler, bassist, who later managed Jimi Hendrix and Slade. Unfortunately Chas passed away in 1996.
“The Trainee Solicitor” has met up with a few Uni friends this week and is going to see another couples new house today. He has been training the new guy at work and although he would prefer to get on with his own work, ensuring someone gets the training they need is the best way to moving onto your own work. Making sure they understand ensures less disruptions to your day.
“The Reconnect Navigator” has had to go out and buy a pair of Dr Marten boots for work. The boots she had bought previously have only lasted 5 weeks. I guess she is getting those “steps” in. It is great that they both have the weekend off as it allows them two days to do things together.
“The Photographer” and “The Jetsetter” spent a nice night in York on Friday evening. The platter they had with the wine looked exceptionally tasty. Then it was time for the “The Photographer” to head off to Boston, to photograph the match with Scarborough AFC. Although it was a 0-0 draw it was a good match (apparently). Plus he was the only photographer, for Scarborough, at the match and the photos have been in the local newspaper. That’s a feather in his cap, for sure.
“The Jetsetter” is busy preparing for her next jaunt (can’t remember where that is to). She does however spend the week in York which is a “getaway place” for a lot of people.
I have had a message from a friend in the UK, her grandson was born on the 17th February at around 26 weeks! Bless him he is still fighting and getting bigger which is such wonderful news.
Nadine (a friend here in town) has messaged to say that she will try to get down to visit at the weekend.
My neighbours have just popped in bringing a piece of flan. They always ask about my sons and grandchildren, I have shown them recent photos this morning and they think my grandson looks like his Daddy.
Now I am going to start getting food prepared. I am hoping that I will enjoy my roast chicken dinner. Then as we are due 22c today I would like to go out into the garden and clear a few weeds.
However you intend to spend your day, have a good one.
I am hoping that the hydrangea paniculata (pictured below) will have a growth spurt and put out some lovely flowers this year.
Bon dimanche!
#trees#nature#barsuraube#Troyes#photography#cooking#60’s music#70’s music#mygarden#france#champagne#livingthedream
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
My goodness, how has the last day of March come round so quickly? It is Easter Sunday too, the traditional day for giving Easter eggs, all those children running around “hyper” from too much chocolate!
I was hospitalised on Monday, had a catheter fitted in my femoral artery and had an early night as I was to wake up at 4am, washed breakfasted and be ready for the taxi to pick me up at 5am to take me to the hospital in Paris. Once again I was having cells collected, not stem cells this time but cells which will be engineered to fight the cancer cells in my body. Oh well will find out more as the procedure rolls along.
It was a grey day for the journey, which was a shame as the chauffeur drove me alongside the Seine, there were some gorgeous houses.
We went through the commune of Vincennes, where I spotted the Hippodrome de Vincennes (the Racecourse) recognised by the white railings as seen at Redcar, The Knavesmire etc. We then passed the Château de Vincennes, it was difficult to photograph through a rain spattered window. Then in the distance I saw the Barriere du trône we drove right past them too. I love these trips into Paris where the chauffeur always wants to highlight some of the lesser known sights.
When I arrived, on foot, at the hospital the nurse tutted! I should have been on a trolley (I knew this from before) but was pleased that my taxi company had sent a car. However, as he was unsure where I wanted to be, we parked up, walked to one place then had a longer walk to where I needed to be. She asked if I had had breakfast, said yes at 4am, so she brought me another breakfast which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My blood was collected, the nurse kept asking if I wanted the tv on, don’t know why as I slept almost all day. I was concerned about the chauffeur, how was he filling his day? How tired would he be for the journey back? I needn’t have worried, they cater for this at the hospital, he too had slept and was refreshed for the journey back. There were more sights to see on the way back through Paris, no good trying to get photos, but I did see “Eglise du Saint-Esprit de Paris” and the “Fontaines aux Lions” which is very impressive albeit being used as a roundabout. Our homeward journey was in torrential rain, you couldn’t see tail lights until you were almost on the vehicle! However he kept the speedo on 141 k/hr in the 130 zone and we made good progress 😂😂.
The chemo they had given at the end of February had done what was asked of it, so the Doctor in Paris said another session of chemo would be given. This was done over three days and I gave up pestering to be allowed home as I realise that by keeping me here any transfusions or injections that need to be given can be administered promptly and they are just safeguarding me. Although I had an injection to boost white blood cells yesterday, I was surprised when the doctor said this morning that it had risen from 2,000/? to 20,000 in one day. I told her I had had pain in my bones, shoulders, back etc and she said that was as a result of the white cells, not that I am a doctor, but it may have something to do with bone marrow. She said I should have asked for pain relief, I said it wasn’t that bad, I managed to sleep, but I know in future. The nurses are always checking with me for pain but I think I am on enough flipping meds so will only request it if it becomes too severe.
The catheter came out about three days after it was put in, certainly comes out easier than going in! I have had to have a test on my brain functions, it was ok, painless and listening to music at one point I was trying to think of the English words to a song and almost missed the commands to open and close my eyes. I have the date for an MRI scan and another PET scan, all of which are needed by Paris before the reintroduction of the cells.
I feel a little like Lyndsay Wagner in “The Bionic Woman” or maybe I will do when they put these engineered cells back into me!
I have had platelet and red cell transfusions this week and all I can say is “thank you” to the people who donate these.
Friday the food was abysmal, I hardly ate anything! Monique messaged, she would buy foodstuff and bring it to the hospital. I asked for cheese and ham baguette and a tuna salad sandwich, unfortunately she couldn’t get the tuna sandwich so brought three quiche, tuna and tomato, goats cheese and spinach and a leek one. I ate thé goats cheese one, ate half of the tuna and tomato and have the leek one to have at lunchtime if I fancy it. She also brought me a gorgeous cake, sponge with patisserie cream and fresh raspberries it was delicious! Plus, apples, pears, bananas, oranges and mandarins I certainly have plenty of fruit to keep me going!
The music choices this week start with Elton John, my personal favourite is “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” but as a family we loved to sing along to a track first released in 1979 then made Number 1 in 2003, it is “Are You Ready For Love”.
I really hope that I haven’t had this Fleetwood Mac track before as it was a toss up between “Big Love” and this track “Go Your Own Way”, which is from the “Rumours” album of 1977.
So the long Easter holiday break in the UK usually sees people spending their time sorting out the garden, doing DIY etc and for “The Trainee Solicitor” and “The Reconnect Navigator” they have really taken this on board. One of the hedges has been successfully trimmed back, there has been a massive clear out, floors washed and everywhere given a big spring clean. It could be the turn of the partially blocked drain today (weather permitting) I am also wondering if the hydrangeas from last year are putting out leafy buds? There was a friends birthday to celebrate yesterday, so hope there are no sore heads this morning.
“The Photographer” and “The Jetsetter” snapped a photo of one of my old homes. Memories flooded back and I was surprised I could remember so many names of school friends and other friends from the mid to late sixties. Some of these friends I even remembered their addresses! Just goes to show I don’t have a lot to tax my brain at the moment 😂😂.
The weather here is grey, damp and cold, it looks as if the North East of England has had blue skies and some sunshine even if it has been cool too. I have had messages from the US, one from my friend who has had treatment for breast cancer, she is thrilled that her PET scan is clear, I am thrilled for her too! Hopefully, she will return soon to her beautiful home in Bar-sur-Aube. The other friend had been to see Billy Joel in New York, his special guest was Gordon Sumner better known as Sting! This was a lovely surprise as my friend is from North East England so a “local lad” on stage was a bonus.
I am going to finish reading my second book today (only brought two with me) then no doubt I will just read social media and news on-line although that just seems to be full of doom and gloom. I can also listen to some music although don’t think I will be jigging about as I am getting plenty of exercise visiting the bathroom regularly!
So I wish you all a Happy Easter Day, don’t eat too many chocolate eggs, have a good day tomorrow too before the start of another four day week.
Until next week!
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Good morning from a cloudy Bar-sur-Aube where it’s currently 9c. I wouldn’t care if there was 6 feet of snow, I am home, with my son, just being in my own home has put a smile on my face.
I had settled myself at the hospital and was managing to eat a bit more than I had (not as much as I am eating at home). I was told I could eat a normal diet and so today we are booked to have lunch at the lovely restaurant. I am on three protein drinks a day, it’s good because sometimes I feel hungry just a couple of hours after a meal and these protein drinks are timed to have then.
So it’s “The Photographer” who has come to visit me and I was following his flight getting more and more excited at the prospect of seeing him. He hired a car at the airport and drove down first to see me in the hospital then onto my home. He thought the car was going to be a Mazda but no he is in a big Lexus 😳, it’s nice to sit in and he likes it to drive.
My friend Anie invited him for a small repas on Wednesday evening and although he had never met her before he enjoyed her company for a couple of hours. He said by the time he was leaving, his brain was frazzled and he could hardly string English words into a sentence never mind French!
I had to have an echocardiogram and electrocardiography but was told that my heart is strong and so the cardiologist confirmed I can have the treatment. It’s small steps but in the right direction.
Anyone who is a blood donor, I salute you! The platelet transfusions I have needed have been on an almost daily basis and without those I would have been in a pretty poor state.
The food at hospital seemed to improve (think it was just me feeling hungry). I was eating a big breakfast, sometimes lunch was the best meal or it was dinner but I also asked for yoghurts etc to eat at night.
The sport coach returned, he had had a weeks holiday, we did the exercises, I managed all repetitions and he was pleased. Not so when I cried off on Wednesday but it had been a busy day and I was exhausted.
Having unloaded a lot of the anxieties that had been with me about getting my affairs in order, I really feel lightened. Still got some things to do, and I will, but a lot of the mundane has gone.
So Friday I was released, oh wow did it feel good to walk into my house again and to gaze out at my flowers in the garden. Simple pleasures but they mean so much! I go back to the day unit on Monday afternoon for a transfusion and on Wednesday morning it is my PET scan but other than that, I am home, for the short term.
My neighbours asked if they could come to see me, of course they could, they were so happy. They said again that I don’t look ill and never have done. I said I am hungry all the time which they see as a good sign.
So what has been happening in the lives of my other members of the “clan”.
“The Trainee Solicitor” has been stressed with staff absences at work, they really need another couple of secretaries, then, he can move onto his training plan in earnest. Well he went to the boss with a plan, as far as I know that has been implemented and one interview has taken place with 🤞another couple due this coming week. It won’t make his job that much easier but he won’t have to be “firefighting” and can get on with his own caseload.
“The Reconnect Navigator” had a wonderful birthday. She said she had been totally spoilt! Well that’s what birthdays are about aren’t they? She is settling in at work and is looking forward to dealing with her own cases soon. The best day of the month is rapidly approaching, “pay day.” I still look forward to mine and it’s my pension 😂😂.
Now “The Jetsetter”, took off for Italy, she flew into Bologna, had a day in Venice and a day in Florence. How amazing! I know “apérol” has been consumed (I have seen the photos) but I imagine that there may well have been some “gelato” along with lasagne, mortadella and perhaps even Tigelle.
My gorgeous grandchildren are with their Mum and on Tuesday evening there was a video call in the hospital, it was good to see them as it was an added bonus.
I think “The Photographer” has enjoyed his stay in my house. He has been out and about, practising his French, at the Bar-sur-Aube football match yesterday taking photos. My house is so quiet too, it means that he can get a good sleep. He said the other night was amazing with such fantastic visibility that the constellations were on full view.
Oh don’t worry I hadn’t forgotten the music section. My first piece of music is by Stevie Wonder, so many to choose from but I like this from 1973 it’s “Higher Ground”. Second song is from 1990 it’s “In Private” by Dusty Springfield. Again this lady has such a catalogue of hits and I must say I am a big fan.
Wishing you all a great day, on this 17th March, St Patrick’s Day.
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
Greetings from a cloudy Troyes in the Aube département of France. It’s 7c, raining and I think we are due 11c and a drier day. Not that it matters to me I am still ensconced in my hospital room 13 days after arriving.
The arrival of my eldest son may well give them the impetus to send me home, as there will be someone with me 24/7, for a few days.
When I came into hospital I brought my usual notebook, pen in bag etc, well the pen only ran out the first Thursday I was here (wish I could have joined it 😂). Now, a week later I asked for a pen and was given a whole brand new one to keep ……. the notebook is filling up nicely now with diary notes, questions etc.
Today is Mother’s Day in the UK, a big greeting to all of the mothers being feted by sons and daughters throughout the Kingdom.
I am going to introduce the music section, this was prompted by a telephone call before I was admitted to hospital. I was talking to a friend in North East England about “back in the day”, as they say, and talking of artists, she recalled going to see the amazing Sylvester in a night club in MIDDLESBROUGH! Yes they brought Soul artists from the States and they performed amongst the Steel workers, dockers etc of the grimy north east. So with this in mind here are two records I love . The first is back to 1974, ( I remember it well 😂) it’s the Isley Brothers with “Summer Breeze”. The second one is from three years earlier 🙈, 1971, and it’s The Four Tops with “Simple Game”. Enjoy, oldies but classics.
Now let’s concentrate on me! I was so “out of it” a couple of days last week, I remembered dreaming of speaking French and then there I was telling myself the phrase isn’t correct! Well I must admit that dream really did do something because I am now speaking more French to the nurses, taxi driver, Uncle Tom Cobley and all. I have even been (dare I utter it) reading the booklet on the next stage of treatment which is all in French, wow, I understand so very much, there are jottings in the margins now in case I lose this new talent!
I had a bit of bad news in the early part of the week. I heard of four people who had passed away! One was Marie-Therese who I visited London with a couple of years ago. Her son rang me and I really had to give in to tears. However, she had had a good life, she would have been 88 years old on the 6 March! A couple were relatives of friends and my kind next door neighbour and another a man I knew from when we were all in our 20’s.
I received a telephone call giving me the date of the next PET scan, 20 March, let’s hope I am at home for a break before then 🤣. Then, I got the appointment at the hospital in Paris, for the consultation on the next steps in my treatment, that was on Friday. Fortunately the doctor spoke excellent English and I had quite pertinent questions to ask. All being well, I will go there for harvesting of leucocytes towards the end of March. After that I think I should be called “The Combined Harvester” as I will have had stem cells and leucocytes harvested 😂.
As I have said my eldest son “The Photographer” is coming to see me. If I ever get out of here, we will do a lot of the jobs I need to be done (mainly computer work) and tidy things up there.
It’s the weekend before “The Reconnect Navigator’s” birthday so celebrations are taking place. A nice evening out last evening, wonderful!
“The Trainee Solicitor” has lots on his mind as in pricing up for new items in the house. It’s not that they are just cosmetic they are actually needed. So investing now could see benefits later.
I had a video call with my gorgeous grandchildren yesterday. My grandson was a bit confused he thought I was taking a bath when in fact I was laid in the hospital bed. Well he is only a young boy so that’s fine.
Now to the newest member of the “clan”, “The Jetsetter”. I am not quite sure of the schedule of “turnarounds” she will be doing over the next few months but after arriving back from Norway, I guess washing is all done and a change of clothes for the change of temperatures. Plus am sure it is going to be warmer in Italy. Not too sure of the region but have a wonderful time indeed.
Well guess you can’t always guarantee good weather, as I had a holiday in the Alto Adige region of Italy (a long time ago). It was August and in Trafoi where I stayed it was rather pleasant weather. Friends and I caught the bus to the top of the Stelvio Pass only to find it snowing and a nice cover there was too (especially for someone wearing sandals 🙈). The bus had to put snow chains on to come back down the hairpin bends. What an adventure that was!
It looks as if we have caught up with all of my news. The beauty of the two hour drive to Paris and back is that being in the Saint-Antoine district there are wonderful sites to see. Last year it was the Gare du Lyon, this time it was “The Bastille”. I was lucky to catch the couple enjoying a stroll and looking towards the monument then further along, on the bridge over the Seine, where we were fortunate to be stuck in traffic for another view.
I wish you all a good week until next week.
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Bonjour et bienvenue on this cloudy, cool morning, it’s only 5c out there at the moment and we can expect a high of only 10c. However, I don’t care as I am going out for lunch to the restaurant by the lake.
4 years ago, to the day, I stood on the rooftop of the museum in Mahdia and took this photo. I had arrived on the 22nd for the start of a 10 day holiday in Tunisia, I felt it was a good idea to be reminded of the sun and sea.
I have decided to do the music section first this week for reasons which may become clearer as the blog progresses. The first song is dates from 1980 and is by the Average White Band, its, Let’s Go Round Again. AWB are probably better known for their hit “Pick up the Pieces. I hope you enjoy these songs. The second song also from the 80’s is “Its My Life” by Talk Talk from 1986.
My young friend Pauline celebrated her 27th birthday on Monday, she had a great day. On Sunday she had been to the beach in Barcelona enjoying some someshine. She had a cake with candles and made a wish that I would recover! What a wonderful wish 😊. She said for the first time she is loving her work, obviously working in Barcelona, where she benefits from the brighter days, has booster her morale. Not like when she lived in Dublin and the bright days were few and far between.
After an horrendous nightmare where I felt like being “The Pied Piper” and leading zillions of 🐀 🐀 🐀 to the banks of the River Aube, I decided to ask my neighbour to check out my composter. The verdict was “No rats in here Mrs” oh did that make me feel better and I went into the garden and cardboard mulched around the hellebores which made my day. I also found close to the hellebores and even in the grass signs, if not primulas, then cowslips. I plan on letting the grass grow in order for them to at least flower, as long as I don’t have long spells in hospital, I hope to not let the grass be “shorn to the ground” which is what my neighbour seems to do to his grass. It’s kind of him to mow my grass but not to have it covered in moss during the wet months.
Primulas have been messed up again in the potager by “the damned cat” and now it has found it’s way into the back garden to 💩 first of all in the grass and then into the raised bed to not “tiptoe through the tulips” (as the song goes) but to 💩 and scratch among the daffodils. Is there no end to this “Monster”.
I had hurt my back last Friday replanting the planter (think I have pulled a muscle). So plans to add more cardboard mulch to the borders are on hold. As I can’t even carry a quarter bag of compost!
The nurse came and took my bloods, I had felt rather faint (hungry) before she came so bless her she was going to get me some breakfast before she left. I just asked for a cup of milk, which she brought me, I thought that was very kind of her.
I did a lot of reading at the weekend which meant that my knitting has been neglected 😱. I did a little bit early in the week but my heart isn’t in it at the moment. I went into town on Tuesday to see Claudine and to give the photocopied pattern for the crocheted pendant and earrings to her. We are looking to make some smaller items to sell at a lower price so that people will buy them at the markets. I then walked into town to see if the jeweller would be able to look at the stone in my grandmothers engagement ring to confirm if it was real or not. When I arrived possibly about 14:50 he was out and would be another 20 minutes or so. I couldn’t hang around!
The toilet I had fitted when I first moved into this house in 2019, has for years had a temperamental flush. Occasionally it flushed and water continued running down the back of the bowl causing terrible rumbling noises in the pipes. I guessed it was due to limescale but how to solve it? I asked my new plumber the cause and he cleaned the flush but it was still doing it occasionally. Well he came and worked his magic this week I think he cleared a lot of the limescale out of the cistern, replaced the flush, which now does exactly as needed a half flush as well as a full flush and at the moment no gurgling pipes.
Oh my goodness, have I told you how wonderful my grandchildren are? I received three videos of them playing at home. They are happy to play separately but the youngest (my grandson) was playing with his ro-ro ferry near where my granddaughter was playing with her dolls, needing some help he asked so politely if she could help him, she stopped what she was doing to open one of the doors then when he wanted it closing again she did that too. It was so wonderful to see.
“The Photographer” was unable to take photos at Scarborough AFC on Tuesday as he was working a 1-9 shift. He had been to an hotel near to Skipton for a night which included a meal at the Michelin Star restaurant. It was a 7 course taster menu, it all looked really delicious.
“The Trainee Solicitor” and “The Ex-Graduate” had four nights away in a “lodge” in Wensleydale. It had beautiful views but on their last night they were so cold and rain was coming in through a skylight. They were also disappointed with the siting of the hot tub. They did manage a decent walk to Hardraw Falls before returning soaked through. They took a trip to Aysgarth Falls it’s an area of renowned movie locations and of course Wensleydale cheese is known from the Wallace and Gromit film series.
My appointment with the oncologist was on Friday and as I had perused my blood test results I knew that all was not well. However, telling myself I am no doctor, I waited to hear what he had to say. Yes, cancer is back! So there I am not struck dumb at all and my first question was “is there treatment available?” The reply was “yes” my next question “when do we start chemotherapy, next week?” Yes I go into hospital on Tuesday. That’s all I needed to know. Poor Monique when I messaged her…. She replied did I want her to ring me or call to see me the next day. I said for her to come and visit me the following day. Apparently she had cried, she rang her daughter and cried again. My friends are rallying again, hence the restaurant lunch today. Anie who is still suffering with shingles pain without the postules, made me laugh when she said the postules can’t get through her fat, she isn’t fat at all! She too provided moral support. Pauline hadn’t answered my message yet and I know she will be upset. However, I am here and obviously fit enough to go through more treatment. It has made me think that perhaps the nine years I had when I thought I was a cancer survivor, I was actually just living with cancer. Who cares, I have had some great times and if I have any say in the matter I will have a lot more to come!
Monique came yesterday and we had a really good chat (about two hours worth) 😳. She always amazes me, she has a lovely garden at home but she looked out at mine, at the hyacinths just starting to flower, the tulips, daffodils, iris and the hellebores and declared it a wonderful garden. She loves the potager full of violas whose seed blew on the wind and filled the potager with yellow and green brightness. Then she noticed the violas tulips and iris I had transplanted to there location near the composter and was full of admiration. I felt very proud. I think I had better check the seeds I have to plant this year as I really do want the garden to be a riot of colour!
I had my book delivery on Thursday, whew what a relief! I have plenty of reading material to take into hospital with me.
Now I really must leave my bed and start to get ready for my lunchtime rendezvous.
Oh I would just like to add a special “God morgen” to anyone reading this in Norway.
Until next time…..
#barsuraube#mahdia#photography#80’s music#friends#family#knitting#keeping positive#nature#trees#living your best life
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Bonjour tout le monde it’s 5c at the moment brrr! Hopefully it will warm up by this afternoon.
Do you ever get to Sunday and wonder where the week has gone and more importantly what you have done with the week? This is one of the reasons why I do this blog, it’s because I often think I have done nothing but when I look back I realise that you may have done a great deal.
I was happy to receive my “convocation” for my appointment with the oncologist, it is for Friday 23rd. Although I am pleased to have the appointment it coincides with my knitting group which is a little sad. I have my taxi booked and fingers crossed I am not there for hours and hours.
Yet another little “hitch” with regard to water and this time it wasn’t just hot water it was a lack of any water! Anyway I asked the plumber to call and it was found that the tap was full of limescale. We got it all sorted, a new tap and waste for the bathroom and I am a happy bunny again.
It’s coming around to the renewal of my house insurance, which is currently held with a company in Poitou-Charentes. I have been very happy with the insurer I chose in town for my other policies so I have asked them to give me a quote. It was promptly done and so I should soon be insured in a “one stop shop” in town.
My American friend rang me from the states, where she is currently having treatment. She asked if I could go to her home and photograph her garden. Imagine my surprise when there were two men at her home (one a workman) they said come in and look at the rear garden too. Then the workman took me round the ground floor asking me to take photos of the work he is doing in the kitchen. What a pleasant surprise that was not only for me but also for my friend.
Yesterday, a friend in the UK messaged to tell me that her grandson had put in an appearance early that morning. He was not full term, actually only 26 weeks, so here is hoping that his mum and him get through these days and weeks. Quite a surprise and a worry I would imagine too.
Let’s have a look at my choice of songs for this week. They go quite a way back, the first song taken from an album which my sister had long before we even had our first Dansette record player. It’s music I remember hearing, even though my age hadn’t attained double figures, I still love the tracks today as much as at that time. So taken from the album “Aftermath” by the Rolling Stones released in 1966 is the track “Under My Thumb”.
The second song is from 1971, the first single for this band. The band featured the super talented Roy Wood, along with Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan who had been part of the group “The Move”. The song was so totally different to anything else at that time it was “10538 Overture”. Both groups have had some amazing songs and it can be hard to choose a favourite but these songs have always had a place in my heart.
I sometimes feel I am a little boring about my garden, ok so it’s not everyone’s idea of a beautiful place but believe me I do the best I can do to have some colour out there. Two years ago I planted up a planter and I loved that so much. I decided to change the compost, remove any dead plants and replant any others. I had bought a pack which turned out to be 10 primulas not 8 as I first thought. They had been in the supermarket too long, were dry as a bone and a lot of them looked dead! However, looks can be deceptive and a quick “snip” to remove brown and broken leaves found that they were pot bound and in need of a very big drink. I rejuvenated the planter and put the remaining primulas into the “potager” hoping to help them improve. I want to lay cardboard in the rear garden and “re-home” the primulas and the violas that self seeded last year. This morning I was so upset as I saw that “something”, possibly a cat, had dug up three of the primulas in order to use the potager as a toilet. It has also been using the high planter as a toilet, last year I grew beetroot, lettuce, radish and spring onions in that planter. It’s very disappointing and I even felt “what is the point” in growing stuff if some animal is going to keep messing in the earth. However, it does give me a lot of pleasure seeing my plants growing so should I fight back?
I really must send another email to my friends in Bristol. I haven’t heard from them since the beginning of the year and it’s not like them to be in touch.
Monique is still not well and will be seeing the oncologist on Monday 26th. It’s a couple of weeks since I have seen Anie too, time flies!
“The Photographer” had a weeks holiday from work last week as it was his daughters “half term” from school. On Monday he took his two children (aged 5.5 and 2.5 years) on the train to London. He stayed with his Aunt and Uncle and had planned visits with the children to the zoo and the Natural History Museum. The children had a wonderful time, so did “The Photographer” but he was exhausted by the time he got home on Thursday. The children returned to their Mum on Friday and we excited about going, obviously they had a lot to tell her. Yesterday, he was at Scarborough AFC taking photos of their game.
“The Trainee Solicitor” and “Ex-Graduate” have finished work now for a well earned week of rest and relaxation. They are heading to the Yorkshire Dales for some good country air, a little walking and perhaps a lot of reading!
Sorry just had a little break, it was time for tea and cornflakes 😉.
Yes the cat has been back and turned the earth in the potager, so I have put more pepper down, plus today, I will put stakes into the earth and let’s see it try to “squat” there!
I tell myself every morning that I will have a walk and do I? Not everyday and actually the days I do go out for that walk are getting fewer and fewer. I had a good walk one day and was spurred on for more of the same but after a shorter walk the following day it has tailed off again! I really must “programme” myself to a walk.
So now I am going to send a message or two to friends, read my book for a short time. Do the normal household jobs, bed making, washing up etc. Start the “walking programme” and generally find something to tell you about next week 😂.
Bon dimanche!
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Bonjour à tous, another week over and we are into a new month 😳 . It is going to be another cloudy day, we have 6c now and can only expect a high of 10c, however, that is fine by me as I think I will have a walk and I would like to do a little bit of work in the garden. Yes I know it’s a good Sunday and laws here dictate the use of noisy garden items, lawnmowers, hedge cutters etc can only be used between 10 and 12 but I would say that the only noise I would hope to produce would be a little cursing if things don’t go as I want them to.
I have had two visits to the hospital, the first, my monthly appointment with the oncologist, was on Monday. Monique was there she was due to see a doctor too. Both of our appointments were at 14:30. At 15.15 I saw the doctors arrive to start their appointments. The oncologist came for me about 15:30 then he was interrupted and I was told he wouldn’t be long. About 16:15 Monique was called into her appointment and around 16:30 I was “summoned” again. The oncologist finally sat down with me just around 16:45. Not much to report except still concerns over high readings from liver. I said I still hadn’t received the appointment for the PET scan and he immediately completed a form and took it to his secretary to get that ball rolling. I left the hospital just after 17:00 for the hours journey home. The next morning I was surprised to receive a call from the hospital, could I attend for a PET scan at 9:20 the following day! Got the taxi sorted and off I went on Wednesday for the scan. I am due a blood test in the morning so hopefully if oncologist needs to see me before appointment at the end of the month, he will call me.
The cleaner was due on Thursday and on Wednesday evening I had to put the jigsaw (unfinished) back into its box. I was so sad as I had done such a lot. I decided to buy one of those puzzle mats, well I was a bit surprised as it said to make the puzzle up onto the non slip side 🤔 so how do you slide pieces into place when they need to be moved slightly 🤔 (answers on a postcard please 😂😂). I was not a happy bunny when the cleaner messaged saying “she had a problem” but would come in the afternoon. This wasn’t particularly convenient for me but as I had been up early and everywhere was just ready for her I agreed. Just before she was due to arrive, she rang up, sounding quite incoherent and saying she felt “not well”. I was particularly angry I can tell you. It had really messed up my day. She piped up with “see you Monday” I just cut off the phone. I think thin ice is what she is skating on at the moment.
So after all of that excitement what more could there be to my week? Of course, I have big plans for my garden this year and after the success of “rehoming plants” last week I wanted to give the roses a helping hand to bigger and better blooms. I had read that applying cardboard around the base of the roses then mulching was a sure fire way of helping them. It did say for it to be done by 31 January, but not sure whether roses use the Gregorian calendar, I do think that the 2nd February was close enough to the last day of January and so I laid the cardboard and my mulch was the spent compost from the tomato plants. Adding a few leaves to the mix would add some nutrients as they rot down. I also applied the same around the hydrangea paniculata after I had removed huge amounts of grass which were choking the poor thing. Most of the weeds in that border tend to come through from my neighbours garden. She has some dead and almost dead leylandi and the earth around the bottom is just full of grass, nettles, creeping buttercup (you get the idea) which then proceed to creep either under or above ground into my garden. No matter how much I pull up they still come back. I feel that the Christmas roses may benefit from some cardboard and some compost to help them flourish and that could be a little job for this afternoon. As well as applying cardboard to smother the weeds on the other side of the garden. I am also going to ask my gardener if he has a scarifier, as the amount of moss in the grass is horrendous! If he could remove it and I can overseed the grass then I may have a better garden this coming year. Of course it is too soon to be scarifying and overseeding but at least he can fit me into his diary.
The plumber is coming on Tuesday to fit the new boiler! I cannot wait, I am so looking forward to lovely hot water and who knows it may make a difference to the heating too.
I finally got my head together where the knitting is concerned, I have almost finished the second front (hopefully this afternoon), then I have to fathom out the increasing for the sleeves and finally get those started.
Thursday saw the arrival of the cars taking part in the rallye Monte Carlo historique. Unfortunately I read that their arrival would be between 23:00 and something like 04:00. Well I would have liked to have gone into town to see them but not during those hours!
So to the music part of the blog and just to confirm that a lot of thought goes into this blog (even though you may not have noticed). So continuing with the gardening theme I have chosen two songs with flowers in them. Of course there could have been “Build me up Buttercup” or “Tiptoe through the Tulips” but as usual it’s the words or music that “speak” to me so my choices are firstly “Good Year For The Roses” by Elvis Costello and The Attractions back in 1981 and the second is “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal back to 1994. If you are hearing these for the first time, enjoy.
My grandchildren did FaceTime me last Sunday which was really lovely. I was hoping that I would be able to visit the UK in April, however, it is all dependent on the blood tests and the PET scan. I am praying it is a possibility but I must be guided by the medical professionals.
I have had an extra boost of energy this week, I do believe, as I made soup, chilli, baked cake and would like to bake some scones today. Let’s see if I have time with all the other things I want to do.
It was “La Chandeleur” on Friday 2 February, and the French would be enjoying crepes. I didn’t follow the tradition as I really have to fancy crepes or pancakes as I know them.
I took the photos yesterday while having a lovely walk. It really did me a power of good and I slept a lot better last night too. The day was pretty cloudy, misty and it was mizzling but it wasn’t cold and it gave me the opportunity to really stretch my legs.
Jusqu’à la semaine prochaine.
3 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
futurama-in-color
Futurama Gifs!
sovereignjojoz
Bizzare?
philmydaffodil
Meggie
prginjersey-blog
Untitled
nawoja
Nawoja