Catching up with Family and Friends.

9.7.16: Family

Jill came over to say "hello" to Rosie and  "goodbye"  to me but we didn't get much time as she ended up sorting Mum out who'd decided to try and get in the bath. By bad luck or rather by not supple enough legs, Mum ended up knocking herself and bleeding profusely. She's such a brick, my sister, able to cope where I'd be a headless chicken. Some serious discussion followed about the wisdom of this bathing business which hopefully, Mum's taken heed of. No sooner was that sorted than Jill had to go off to rendez-vous with the family for a day out to celebrate one of  her grandchildren's birthday. Rosie and I wandered down to the café as she'd not been before. Sam, my nephew came over with his girlfriend to introduce her to me and to catch up with his Mum and Nan. So 2 out of three's not bad. It was lovely to see them and hear about their trip downunder, work and future plans.
In the evening we drove up to Loughborough for Maureen's party. She was 93 this year and wanted to get as many of the family together as possible. 21 came from Dublin, others from Scotland and London. If you've followed the blog, you'll know that she often comes with Mum to stay here and is as lively as a cricket. This evening was no exception. The group photos (not this one) were taken by the photographer to the royals (for the Sun) who's a family friend so they should be good.
As Rosie had an hour and a half's drive back after dropping me off at Margaret's where I was staying the night and the noise was getting too much for Mum's hearing aid to cope with, we didn't stay too late.
Margaret and I swapped news of the village (she has a holiday home here), her family and our respective doings over an obligatory glass of wine before turning in.
Weather:
21°, sun, heavier cloud later

8.7.16: Supporting the local Hostelry.

Jill was my chauffeur over to Mum's today and we managed to get her to walk down with us to the café. A first! Next it was lunch out at one of the village pubs. http://howardarms.com/  My treat to Christine, Mum's neighbour, who is very good about keeping an eye on her. Good food is served well in pleasant, traditional surroundings. While Mum and Christine drove home, I stayed to check emails and walk back to help fight the kgs that are trying to take hold after all the food, biscuits and cake that have been too hard to resist.
Rosie arrived from Wales and it was good to see her and catch up other than by email. Sadly, Chris didn't make it......
Before having a bite to eat Mum wanted to go for a walk to see the houses that had been built on the orchard that was once ours. There had been a lot of NIMBY fuss about them but they're in keeping and by the look of the cars parked outside, the neighbours can't complain about the "wrong sort" coming in!
After food, Rosie and I took a walk down to the pub to stretch our legs and  enjoy a glass of wine.
Weather:
20°, sun and cloud

7.7.16: All change!

Managed to get up at the right time to make it up to Alison's for a hair restyle. It's short and has completely changed my look! Never had it so short but it will be great in the hot weather at home. Just hope that passport control let me through looking so different!
Took myself off to Stratford, this time on a more direct bus route to meet up with Karen who I first met while working in Birmingham. Afternoon tea was scheduled and we found a place with a garden and comfy seats. Just the thing. But there's a but coming ... too good to be true we were only 15mins into the array of goodies  which had taken a while to come) when they started packing up parasols and cushions from the seats around us. It was only 3.30pm and Karen was furious and refused to stay to finish all that was left. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186399-d7720878-Reviews-Garden_Cafe-Stratford_upon_Avon_Warwickshire_England.html#re Looking at Tripadvisor we're not the only ones to have been disappointed.
We went next door to the "Fourteas" on a 40's theme. The menu came like an old ration book for those of you old enough to remember them. It was fun and the service so much better than the other one even though it was much busier. Pity we didn't have time to stay for more than a cuppa and cake.
In the evening, Mel and Paul called by and there was early birthday cake and more fizz.
Weather:
19°, sun and cloud

6.7.16: Maybe Will ate here

What a numpty! Went to get the bus to go to Stratford and waited until I cottoned on that I'd not set my alarm to British time and was at the stop at 8am rather than 9am! Anyway, eventually made it;  Mum got on the same bus as it wound its way around numerous villages. Met up with Mary in the M and S café and after a leisurely coffee and chat, went to lunch at the "White Swan", a 16th century inn, which wasn't very busy.
Then there was a bit of shopping, on the way to have coffee and cake. Before you raise your eyebrows, we hadn't had a dessert expressly so felt thoroughly guilt free in going for something laden with calories. Mary kindly dropped us off; Mum at hers, me at Jill's where she stayed for a quick cuppa. An evening of telly and chat.
Weather:
20°, sun and cloud

5.7.16: On the Stork's Flight Path!

Mum caught the bus into Jill's (pretty good for a nearly 87 year old) for coffee and then it was up to Alison's to meet John to go out for lunch. Off we went to the "Cherington Arms" and this time Mum insisted on paying. Good pub fare with a little plus. Some customers had pre-ordered snails and were very pointed in making it known to the rest of us.
Took Mum home and spent a bit of time with her before leaving to go to the solicitors. Business done, back to Jill's and had the pleasure of seeing more of the family. Two nephews and their families. Chat was plentiful, funny and about the two new arrivals; one due in a couple of weeks, the other, at the end of the year.
Weather:
19°, sun and cloud
 
4.7.13: Big Sis and Little Sis

Down to the village café for a coffee before John arrived to drive us into the surgery for Mum's injection. While she was there as well as the tetanus, she had a blood test done ready for an appointment later on and had a good check over by the nurse. Who says that the NHS isn't working? Stayed with her in the afternoon and good old John came back later to take me over to theirs and a proper bed. But before it was wooden hill time there was some long awaited sister time and  a bottle of fizz to get to grips with
Weather:
20°, sunshine and cloud

3.7.16:Such a Quaint Village

A lovely Sunday morning dawned with the birds singing and church bells pealing out. The sun was shining and there were sheep out on the hills; all in all, everyone's stereotypical image of the Cotswold countryside. Sorry, there's no sound to go with the photo.
Once Jill arrived, we took a trip down to the recently opened village community shop and café in what used to be the Catholic church.  Newspapers, groceries (think Waitrose), wine and lots more besides. The café in the new extension is airy and light with small wooden games on the tables, a book and dvd exchange and wifi to come. Jill spotted a book by her favourite author of the moment so I'll be back tomorrow with one in ecxchange to get it for her.Outside is a large patio with benches and tables.What a great addition to village life. If I lived there, I'd certainly be involved on a voluntary basis.
Jill and John treated Mum and I to a cavery lunch near Stratford after which we came back to the garden centre where Mum bought shoes! It's called diversification!
My goodness, it was hot; not at all what I was expecting. Came back home via Alison's to see the children and ended up taking Mum to the hospital as the cat gave her a really nasty scratch that bled a lot. A nurse dressed it but was unable to give her a tetanus injection as there wasn't a doctor available to write the perscription. That's for the GP to do.
Finally made it home and then after a cuppa and wanting to make the most of the sunshine, I went for a good walk around the village taking in the windy lanes, back paths, nooks and cranies. Called in to one of the village's two pubs to check my emails and have a shandy out in the garden.
Weather:
28°, sunshine and white cloud. 

2.7.16: Leafy Warwickshire
Coffee this morning with Yasmin then a leisurely get-ready for my lift to the airport with Nicole S. The flight I'd been booked on last Tuesday had been cancelled due to an air traffic controllers strike so I was counting myself lucky to get on this one. The nothing out of the ordinary Ryanair flight taking me into Birmingham was on time. Jean and John were there to meet me and drive me down to Mum's. We first stopped off in Stratford to try and get a bite to eat but everywhere was full due to the annual "Water Festival". Appropriately the skies opened bringing a heavy downpour. By the time we reached "the Bell", the rain was off. Had a really good meal there with excellent service. Have to say, that the countryside was really lovely; rolling green hills, leafy trees and traditional villages with cottage gardens full of flowers.
Anyone know who first called Warwickshire leafy?