Hi Syl,

Well, all change with the weather and much more like how March should be!  Wet here overnight and dull and grey now with it being only 8degs and frost promised for tomorrow!  As my Mum always used to say  'Ner cast a clout till May is out'.  So pleased was able to make the most of the good weather whilst it was here though.  Was up in London again  with  a friend I used to work with last Friday.  We began in Paddington to watch the weekly opening of a 'landmark  footbridge' over the canal (has been there since 2017 but neither of us had ever seen it).  The rest of the day was spent walking the canals, finally ending up in Regents Park before catching the underground home (15miles walked in all).

Weekend and Mother's Day plans had to be scrapped as my son and daughter in law were still testing positive (only symptoms were heavy cold/cough).  My grandchildren were negative by the Monday but they are still waiting!  Still will catch up with them when we can fit it in.  As I said to my son I am a Mum every day not just on one day a year ha ha.  Instead on the Sunday I went walking at  the local woods and nature reserve and although cloudy really enjoyed the  fresh air. Also visited a garden centre and have now put the new plants into the garden, mowed the lawn(again!) and sown some more sunflower seeds.

I have three gym sessions booked for this week (including later today before I meet up for a coffee). Booked a walk with another friend for 9 am tomorrow and then at the crem on Friday as it would have been hubby's birthday on the 2nd.  I am visiting my daughter and familty on the actual day hence going a day early.

Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day with your children; Sounds as though you were looking forward to a good meal out.  Did you get anything nice at Dobbies?   I have been to several of their different  centres when out and about but more expensive than my local garden centre but their cafes are usually good.  All being well I have my builder coming back next week to replace the temporary fence with a nice new one and then can plan some pots or troughs at the end of the garden with a couple of climbers in to brighten the view for the summer. 

Take care of yourself and hope the hearing and eye tests went okay.  Best regards.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, the weather has changed here as well it's gone cold again which is about right for this time of year, sounds as if you have had some nice walks in and around London with your friend it is nice to get out and about especially in the country side Even a walk in the local park can lift your spirits.hope the rest of the family have got over COVID and you can see them soon ,the meal I had with the kids was lovely they don't do a Sunday lunch as it's a steak house , really enjoyed it we had coffee and desert as well. I didn't get anything from dobbies my daughter got a few plants and some compost ,but we had a coffee and a slice of cake in the cafe which was very nice.have been in my friends this afternoon for coffee Friday later on I'm going to Manchester arena with the kids to hear the music of war of the world's it's a film about alians invading the earth my hubby me and my son went a good few years ago it was really good my son bought the tickets 2 years ago but we couldn't go because of the pandemic it's all back on now so we're going tonight .my hearing test was ok when I had my eye test she noticed a small blood vessel had burst at the back of my left eye she is going to inform the doctor just to check my blood pressure isn't high not sure when I will hear off them hopefully next week.hope you get your fence sorted it has forecast rain for us next week my lawns won't mowing again so will see what the weather is like next week before I get my mower out .have a lovely week  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you are doing okay.  Had a busy week or so here as weather has been so good (though rain expected later today/tomorrow).  Spent a weekend with my daughter and family and enjoyed a lunch out as well as seeing the work they had done insulating their conservatory.  Also a shopping trip with my daughter and some time spent at her allotment on Sunday before coming  back home.  Had a review at the gym and a new programme sorted for a few weeks and still managing to go 3/4 time a week which is a great social outlet too. Finally got my back fence properly replaced last weekend and really pleased with it so can now plan a couple of climbing plants in containers in front of it.  Had a friend here for the day last Wednesday and we arrange a couple more outings to look forward to. Still walking when the weather allows and it is helping with the weight loss. Had my hair done last week and went to the cinema on Friday.  Had a charity event at the gym on Saturday which I participated in and a total of  nearly £300 raised to be split between two charities.  Today has been spent mainly in the garden, Lawn mowed again and a few edges tidied.  Have a lovely display of tulips at the moment  though all the daffs are now finished.  Tomorrow I am going on a visit to the British Wildlife Centre Nr Lingfield again and meeting half a dozen friends there with lunch afterwards and on Thursday going to local theatre with a friend. No plans over the Easter but could probably do with a bit of R&R ha ha.  Take care of yourself and hope you heard back from the docs regarding your blood pressure referral.  Best regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules, sounds as if you had a busy week I'm surprised you don't meet your self coming back lol with all the outings you have . glad your fence is finished now and you can put some plants in the weather not that bad here at the moment but we have had some rain today I have made a appointment to have my ear checked as it's cracking  rang the doctor he wants to see me on Thursday to have a look at it I'm a bit worried I'm a born worrier which doesn't help , went to my friendship group Monday we have decided to call it a day as all were doing is talking the to ladies that died did all the arrangements and booking speakers it's sad as I have been there from the beginning so we have decided to go for a meal on the 24 of April  for one last time ,I'm sure we will meet up now and again for a meal .I'm at my dementia group Wednesday were having a party we have all donated food and some one is coming in to sing were having a raffle as well so it should be a nice afternoon bill who runs it is retiring one of the helpers is going to buy him something  and were all going to chip in.hope you enjoy your trip to the theatre with your friend  not sure what I'm doing over Easter think I'm going the garden centre good Friday with my daughter and maybe for a meal on Easter Sunday,it has forecast a nice weekend so there  will be a lot of traffic on the roads listening to the news it might be best staying local  have a lovely Easter hope you get some nice Easter eggs  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

So another week has flashed by and I do like to keep as busy as possible when the weather allows me to be out and about.  Not a fan of being indoors staring at four walls lol.    Weather here has been great for the most part during the week just gone.  On the 12th I met up with a group of friends and we visited the British Wildlife Centre again and went for a pub lunch afterwards which was very nice indeed.  Theatre trip on the 14th again very good and afterwards I made it back in time to go to the gym's slim club (need to try harder lol).  Easter weekend was mainly local walks and the gym as usual.  On Easter Sunday my son and two grandchildren took me out to lunch (my daughter in law was away on a Hen weekend) and then we had a lovely afternoon at Bekonscot Model Village in Beaconsfield (I first went there when I was 7yrs old and now my children and all the grandchildren have also visited.  No Easter Eggs for me (by request)  but treated myself to a lovely large ice cream. On Easter Monday after the gym session I helped deliver nearly 400 leaflets along with staff and another member to help spread the word in a different area.  Today was the gym's 12th Birthday so after my walk I dropped in to take some photos and help them celebrate before coming back home for a beautiful afternoon in a sunny garden and feeding a pair of robins.

Hope your were able to see the doctor as planned  on Thursday and sort out your ear problem..  Such a shame about your Friendship Group and do hope you have a lovely meal on the 24th and hopefully some catch ups in the future.  Also hope the Dementia Group party went well.  Take care and hope your week goes smoothly. Best regards,  Jules x

Hi Syl, I am so so sorry for your loss ️ How are you and your children now? It still can't be easy, I know how hard it can be losing someone so close to you.

I hope you're doing well and are having a lovely day ^-^ sun is out here at the moment. Hope it's lovely where you are as well.

Take care, sending you big hugs,

Love Jess xx

Hi Syl

Goodness not sure where the time is going at the moment.  Have been busy out and about and honestly thought I had replied to this mail. So sorry.  

Raining here at the moment and the first time in ages so the ground/garden really needed it. I bought some plants last weekend so got them in this morning so will now get a second watering which hopefully will settle them in nicely.  

I went to Hastings last Friday to meet a group of friends and really enjoyed our fish and chip lunch followed by a lovely walk along the beach in the afternoon.  Got the train back to Victoria and then the underground home (a fourteen hour day out but good fun).  On Saturday I was over at my son and family for most of the day and then he ran me home.  Daughter and family were due down for Sunday/Monday but unfortunately she picked up a tummy bug so they had to cancel.  Instead I went to the gym on Sunday and then spent Monday doing a 9 mile walk around local lakes/river and canal.  Great wander with the camera and grabbed a mid-day cuppa at the Lock cafe.  

Yesterday met friends and we went to the cinema (Saw Duke with Helen Mirren/Jim Broadbent and it was very good)..  Several films we want to see so will  keep an eye on the Senior Cinema showings as only £3.50 which included cuppa and a biscuit.  Well worth it!

No plans yet for this weekend but the weather looks good so maybe some time in the garden with a good book.  Foxes are still visiting at night but no sign of this year's cubs yet.

Hope you are keeping okay and still taking George out.  Take care and best regards. Jules x

Hi Jules, I was wondering where you had got to lol sound as if you had a lovely day out in Hastings think I have been there but it was a long time ago ,sorry your daughter had to cancel her trip to see you it can't be helped if she wasn't well .bet it was lovely walking along the canal and lakes it does you good to get out in the fresh air  I didn't go out all over Easter had a argument with my daughter I was glad to go my dementia group just to get out of the house for a couple of hours .been to a garden centre today Thursday with my friend had a nice walk round we didn't buy anything but we had a coffee in the cafe before we headed back home.the weather quite nice today had George out this morning he hasn't been at home much this week as his owners have been away so he has been staying at Emma's  mums there back today so everything back to normal from today ,my son is away on Sunday him and afriend are going to Scotland for the week there traveling about so there not staying in one place it will be a nice break for  them, it has forecast rain for tomorrow then it's supposed to be nice for a couple of days are there any parties near you for the queen's  platinum next month ? thought we might have had one as there is only 30 houses in the Cresent but nothing happening miserable lot lol .glad your foxes are still coming in your garden, I'm still feeding the hedgehog I'm hoping it is the hedgehog that is eating the food and not anything else I have seen the magpies eating the left overs in a morning .hope you have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Syl, 

Oh dear how sad that you had a disagreement with your daughter. Do hope it is all sorted out now as they are good as best friends.  I do love catching up with the children when time allows.  I have re-scheduled with my daughter for a couple of weeks time so will do an overnight with the family before getting the train back so that I can go to my son's on the Sunday as we celebrate my grand-daughter's 6th birthday (a week early as they are at a wedding on her actual birthday).

Usual walks for me last weekend and so far every day this week.  We had a beautiful day on Monday so myself and a good friend (who I used to work with) set off at 10.30 and I finally got home around 4pm. She had a map and so after we had visited the planned area we then walked on further and also went to an Arts Centre to view a photography exhibition.  On Tuesday we met up again in the afternoon to go to the cinema and saw House of Gucci.  Today I walked alone with the camera and most completed before finally we had some rain.  So much needed for the garden. Then out of the blue had a phone call from a friend who wanted to visit for a catch up so had company for four hours this afternoon.  Gym is shut tomorrow for staff training so am meeting another friend for a walk instead. No plans yet for the weekend but lots of parks round here I can walk in if  nothing else transpires.

Hope you have had a good week.  Take care.  Jules x