Hi Syl, sorry for slow reply but for some reason no notifications dropping into my e-mail box.  I am not a fan on swimming at the b est of times but a cold water dip definitely no fun!!  Perhaps they are trying you to exercise quicker brrrr.

Easter weather not been great so far but I went to the gym on Good Friday and yesterday.As I needed to get navy shoes/evening bag for mynext weekend away I spent yesterday up in London so was able to dodge the showers pretty well. Purchases made with the bonus being the bag was in a sale at Dune.  I rately buy named brand but this was too cheap to turn away from a bargain. Lunch in M&S cafe and also enjoyed some street entertainment. Today has dawned brighter so once I have been to the crem early I will go for a walk followed by the Farmer's Market.  They have an Easter Egg Hunt so expect it will be busy as usual. Donations are to the Limbless Association (something my Dad would have approved off as he lost a leg in WW2) so will go along,make my donation  and no doubt have lunch there too as everything freshly cooked and mainly locally sourced.

No chocolate for me today.  We decided as a family this year just to buy small one for the children.  As my grand-daughter does not have chocolate I have a yellow top to give her tomorrow when we all meet up.  Saw my daughter and the boys last Tuesday so gave their Easter gift to them to take home ready for today.  Both my daughter and son in law did DECHOCS for the BHF last month so donated to that cause instead of buying more chocolate to eat!

Pleased to say the bathroom is almost finished.  Decorator came in Good Friday and painted the ceiling and re-hung the door (with new tiling on the floor there was a little bit to take off the bottom). Everything else done and working.  Last bit to do will be the vanity unit doors which are on order and plumber will pop them in asap.......then I will get the bill ha ha.

Hope you have a peaceful Easter Day and that the nasal spray helps with your hearing.Must be very frustrating alongside the tinnitus.  Take care.  Jules

Hi Jules, it sounds as if you have had a very busy  few weeks   with your family hope you all had a nice Easter  ,my son came good Friday for hot x buns ,then I went my daughters for Sunday dinner which was very nice,on the Sunday  we went to a garden centre  it's quite a big centre  we had a good walk round then into the cafe for coffee and cake .I had to stop my nasal spray as I came out in a rash, back to the  doctors again , she has given me  some  tablets  in case I was allergic to the spray  I  have to go back in 2 weeks she might try them again or give me something  different to be honest Jules it doesn't seem as bad now  will have to see what happens  when I go back. been to my swimming aerobics this morning the water was nice and warm for a change none next week as the kids are off  came home then took George out, the sun shining here for now.when is your  weekend away ? don't know what I'm doing over the weekend havnt even looked at the weather  yet .have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

A quick reply as my first weekend away starts tomorrow.  Spending it in Oxford with friends at a hotel we have been to before so really looking forward to it.  Last shift at work today for 12 days is an added bonus haha.  The following weekend I have my coach trip to the Netherlands (based in Rotterdam but with planned visits to the bulbfields as well as clog makers and cheese factory).  It would be great if the sun shines like it has been here today but will pack waterproofs just in case.

Had a nice day with the family on Easter Monday and following a lovely pub lunch we spent a good couple of hours walking around part of the Rushmere Country Park.  Quite boggy underfoot but we all had our wellingtons and think my hubby would have appreciated having his birthday memories filled with the sound of childrens' laughter.  We had coffee at the cafe overlooking the main nesting area and the shot below made my day!!  Glad you were able to spend some time with your children too.

My daughter had her heart check up today and thankfully all is good and they do not need to see her for two years which is great news.

Well, best wish you a nice weekend and go and sort out my clothes ready for packing. Take care and hope the new tablets help.  At least there is an alternative to the nasal spray and your doctor is trying to keep on top of things for you.    Jules xx

Hi Jules ,lovely picture of the herons my sister is mad on herons  she has pictures of them hung up in the home as well as a necklace with on them on as well ,hope you had a nice e few days in Oxford  with your friends  ,and you enjoy your trip to the Netherlands  we went to Amsterdam  years ago as my son lived there  for two years  with his job  it's a lovely city. glad everything ok with your daughter it's a worry  when  they  have to have tests  for there health. I have still got my rash haven't took my allergy  tablets yet as I am trying to eliminate different things first I have even swooped  beds   in case it was my bed sheets ,but I'm still getting the rash ,everybody it puzzled as to what it can be, I'm going to start taking the tablets  to see if it disappears ,the weather here is dry at the moment  but it's quite cold  managed to take George out  I'm debating wether  to go my friends later ,not got anything planned for the  weekend ,might be going  out with my daughter at the weekend  it not sure yet .enjoy your stay in the Netherlands  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Got back from Rotterdam based holiday yesterday and it was a great tour with good weather and nice company on the coach. Visited Keukenhof for the bulb fields(a picture below which cannot do the area justice of course), Volendam, Amsterdam and Bruges  I was very nervous setting off but amazed to see a lady who goes to the same gym on the tour with her husband.  I did most of the sightseeing on my own as this meant we could all do what we wanted to but we got together on and off during our stay and had our last evening meal out together with was lovely.  I was also lucky with the lady sitting next to me on the coach (came from Banbury) as we were able to chat during the journey and the others on the coach all a happy bunch.

Hope the rash responds to the tablets.  Allergies are a nuisance as there are so many different causes/treatments.   Fingers crossed it gets sorted without you having to resort to the full spectrum of allergy testing.  My grand-daughter went through testing at about 15 months when she suddenly reacted to something.  Nothing showed up and it has not recurred thankfully.

Better weather promised for this week and very pleasant here today so hopefully  you and George will get out and about.  Take care. Jules xx

 Hi Jules, glad you had a lovely time in Rotterdam and you met some nice people it makes a difference when you get on with the people  on the coach , the weather here is lovely at the moment, not had George out as the family have gone away for a few days. been my aerobics this morning  then did a bit of shopping ,my son has been staying at his house for a few days he is very busy  working from home and the kids are a distraction so he decided to come  to his  so he could get some work done ,which is good for me as I have seen a bit more of him. I'm afraid my rash hasn't gone away  got an appointment with the doctors Tuesday   also my tinnitus  is still here as well    think I'm turning into hypochondriac  lol .hope you have a nice weekend think it's supposed to be a bit cooler here regards Syl x

Hi Syl

How lovely to be able to see a bit more of your son for a while; always special times.

It has been a lovely week and thankfully have  been able to catch up in the garden so has lawn has been mowed (hope to do another trim later to bring the cutting level down so it really looks nice).  With the daffs finished I now have some lovely tulips standing up like soldiers  and when the sun's warmth reaches them they open out like huge saucers. 

A very frustrating day yesterday as had been advised an order I had placed (bedside cabinet for newly created double spare room) would be delivered.  As they said anytime up till 8pm I stayed in and it was a 'no show'.  Could have been out enjoying the wonderful weather so not best amused and now waiting to hear what's going on!!  In the end I could not go out in the back garden for fear of missing them but spent the morning in the front garden which is now tidy and weeded.   I will have to go out shopping today and you can bet on it that they will try and deliver.  Not an easy item for me to carry home from the sorting office if I miss them!!

Up early and a lovely sunrise so hopefully will enjoy some of the day outside.  Hope you have a good weekend.  Jules

Hi Jules, hope your delivery his at yours  now and is firmly in place, it is frustrating when you miss them, I always take in parcels for Georges mum and dad as they both work  during the day. I went to the hospital Wednesday for blood tests they have come back with a algae of some sort but they don't know what have got a phone  consultation with the doctor on Tuesday,the weather not to good at the moment raining here all day went over to my friends for coffee, no walk for George as it was raining most of the day ,have got a cream tea to go to tomorrow with my friend  at one of the local community centres  which should be nice,my son and his partner off to Jamaica tomorrow for a week without the kids her mum looking after them while there away. might be out Sunday with my daughter not sure yet .have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Unfortunately the delivery never arrived and when the seller investigated they confirmed it had gone missing with the carrier so was refunded (they never tried to deliver it!!). All sorted now though, as I found another cabinet elsewhere which I ordered and had same day delivery so my guest room is now functional and ready, hopefully, for my sister in law's stay next month.She is currently recovering at home following a lumpectomy for breast cancer on Thursday.

No plans for this weekend but doubt it will be spent in the garden which is very soggy again after the recent rain and my double tulips beaten down to the ground. What a difference a week makes!!  Still the rain will not stop me from going out today, first to get some shopping, then the gym followed by a walk no doubt with the brolly at hand for the promised showers.

Hope you enjoy your cream tea today and that your  son and his partner have a lovely holiday. Her Mum is very good having the children for that length of time. The most I do is overnight but it is rare (next one in June for my daughter and son in law who have been given a spa treat as a gift) as they rarely do anything without the children. Having said that they do not get away on holiday much.  This coming half term they are going to Disneyland Paris for a few days with friends (who get discounted entry/fares) which will be their first holiday for nearly 3 years. They also have a wedding in August (folk style) so are camping in a Welsh field for a week so they can attend. My son and daughter in law have had a couple of long weekends away with friends but with baby no.2 due in July no holiday plans this year.  I will have my week away at the end of June visiting the Isle of Man and am now trying to get in shape for that.

I currently have a pair of blackbirds nesting at the end of the garden and they are doing a good job of seeing of the magpies at present.  I have been offering ground feed (very small amount twice a day) though of course you cannot stop the other birds helping themselves!! Only time will tell if they raise young. Across the road from me they have crows nesting so activity is definitely Springlike.

If you have time with your daughter on Sunday I am sure you will enjoy it and hope the consultation with the doctor on Tuesday will throw some light on the allergy they have picked up from your recent tests. Perhaps they will try a prescription to help alleviate the symptoms for you; hope it clears up soon. Take care, Jules x