Sunday, November 07, 2010
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday, November 03, 2008
Sunday, December 10, 2006
And 2006 and how it was...
And another fascinating year was enjoyed in a myriad of ways. Retirement is a good thing and "the gift of time" is wonderful. My love of independent travelling takes me into the lives of people around the world. My love of hospitality brings people into my life in my caring sharing house. I had over 50 different visitors this year, staying over 160 nights. Lots of day visitors too. In January I went to Valencia to see Rafael and Julia. It is a delightful city and I soon found my way around on buses and on the subway. In February I went to Bydgoszcz in Poland to meet Krystyna, a friend from http://www.hospitalityclub.org/ I became a media tart there with interviews with two newspapers and on Radio Poland for 3 weeks. We went to Warsaw one day on a train. To think that this city was raised to the ground in Hitler's last bitter act of brutality after the Ghetto uprising and the Polish Army resistance. The Palace of Culture and Science built as some kind of appeasement by the Stalin after the war, is just a multi screen cinema now. We went to the top which was high enough to see around the city on an icy cold day. We met people creating Ice Sculptures with chisels and electric saws. An exciting art form but in a freezing location. The Jews didn't return.
I went to Krakow in March which is a beautiful city. There are 100 Roman Catholic churches and a small Jewish quarter and I went into the Synagogue. I visited Auschwitz which remains open as a living testimony of the misery created there, and throughout Poland and other parts of Europe, concentration camps remain open. Birds don't fly over it.
I saw Dachau years ago on my travels. Can't help shivering at the horror of it all, before I was born.
I went to the amazing Salt Mines which were fascinating and the acoustics are excellent so people organise concerts there. I live in a Garden City so I went to see Novy Hutte, the New Town. Stalin had invited architects and town planners from many countries to create this. It was still tall apartment buildings, and communal gardens. He refused to allow a Catholic Church, but religion has been greatly comforting to a tortured race. There is one now with beautiful stained glass windows. I stayed with Eva and her family of 2 daughters in Krakow in a tiny flat with great human warmth. Just two rooms and each was both a living room and a bedroom. I took books of England, an international plug converter, home made bread and Cadbury's chocolate for them. They put me on a bus to Novy Sacz in the Tatras to stay with Jane, another hospitalityclub member. Poor Jane had a bad cold and hardly any English ( I speak French and German and understand some Italian and Spanish) So I got on a bus back to Krakow and stayed in the Youth Hostel there, which was what I wanted to do all the time. It us in the main square, the biggest in Europe, so even I, who gets lost everywhere, could find my way back there. I played card games with the young travelers from five other countries. I got a bus to the air port. Found myself somewhere to sleep. Found a security guard for an early morning call, and settled down to sleep.I was rudely shaken awake by a man with no soul, shouting at me to take my boots off. I work with the homeless in London, and if you take your boots off, you lose them. So my early call happened and I caught my early flight and arrived home, from my sixth trip this winter.
We all grew up going to Saturday morning pictures and I have always loved films since I was 4 and made my brothers take me. The first time they took me they had drilled into me that I must say I was six. But when the very big commissionaire in a red coat with gold buttons looked down at me from his great height and asked "And how old are you little girl?" I answered "I am 4" . My brothers insisted "She is 6!!". I insisted "I am 4 and I am going to be 5 on 16 th of February". He believed me and we all had to go home and they were furious with me. I was SIX the next week. I became a full fledged junior criminal by letting people in through the girls toilet doors. My brothers let the boys in. We didn't charge for this service. I am sure Richard Branson would have done!!
I have lots of DVDs posted here from http://www.lovefilm.com/ and I have a long list of films to see. Sometimes I have 8 a week. Best films this year were... so many I can't choose. I saw 158 films so far. Today I had a big fix of Hollywood Musicals from the 50s. I cut my teeth on those. Then Kenneth Branagh's creative "Loves Labours Lost" in which he introduced dance and Gershwin, and La Dolce Vita later.
I love theatre too and this year have seen many local plays at The Barn Theatre. I enjoyed two Drama Festivals. One was The Youth One. 24 plays in a week. Such raw energy was impressive. Minimal props. I love being seduced by the performance into suspended belief that this is real. Hobbits, Some Like it Hot, Henry V, Sam I am, and lots more as befits a Leisure Professional. I finally got to the Battersea Arts Centre in Lavender Hill to see good theatre.
A great highlight of the year was Rachel Rob and Jaz coming over. We had such a good time in that wonderful weather. Rachel came with Jaz and Rob came a week later, after a week in Paris with his sister Deanna. Jaz couldn't step on the grass at first, as they have decking at home. But she soon got used to that and everything else and had a wonderful time. She loved the pond as we all do. The little girls next door are 4 and 6 and loved her. We all did. Barry and his son Leofric have been here since March, while their house is being rebuilt from subsidence, and Barry was living in the dining room, of this elastic house. Jaz always knew where to find him early in the morning. Rachel said to her to be quiet and a shrill voice called "Barry". He is 74 and very responsive. His grandchildren are in New Zealand. We had a great family party here, as we always do when some of us get together. My family lives in 9 countries. England, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Luxembourg and Afghanistan.
I am one of six children. We had 19 children. They have 23 children. Some of us keep in touch on line.
Another great experience was a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with The Queen. I was invited in recognition of my "Services to the public". I invited my wonderful friend Margaret, and Jackie and an Australian visitor, Suzanne, staying here came too. We parked in The Mall and I borrowed a posh and expensive hat. My mum would have been so proud. She never did approve of me changing careers. I was a nurse, a midwife then worked with the local government as "Community Activity for over 50s" and changed thousands of lives.
I belong to http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/ and to http://www.couchsurfing.com/ so lots of people come here and I can find a welcoming place in very many countries in the world. If Rachel didn't live in America, I would have gone to many other countries, but I usually go and see her, so will go for a month in February. By the time I return here, it will be spring. My brother Kevin and his wife Ann will come down from Calgary when I am there. And my brother Roger and I are going to Dublin for New Year to see our beloved niece Karen and her dad, our brother Mike, from Ontario. That will be fun.
It was great at my reunions this year. The Midwives from Plymouth all met up at Avril's house in Teesside. We had so much to catch up on. The Hammersmith Hospital nurses met up in a delightful cottage in Worcester. We all share good pasts together, living in flats in London and caring and keeping in touch.
I still organise evening dances. 20 next year. The Bank Holiday big ones bail out the Friday small ones.
50 visitors have stayed over 160 nights here this year. I have a fascinating pond and a summer house at the bottom of the garden and sometimes people stay there. It is warm and cosy in summer. Everybody brings me interest. About a quarter are bed and breakfast guests. The others come free. I like it better when the lodgers pay. What a shame I was duped by Tulin and her family staying here and paying nothing. Very manipulating. Dishonest too.
And I am sad not to have seen my younger daughter, Elizabeth who lives in Milton Keynes. Rachel saw her twice when she was over. She cannot remember any happy incidents of her childhood. She must be very damaged. How very sad. I had a much tougher childhood. (read my early years)
We have seven for Christmas day lunch. And two more friends staying. I like having an open house. On risk assessment we only had police here three times this year and no ambulances. I had a gallon of water thrown over me in bed one morning so that lodger left here. That was very sad. A man with a brilliant brain whom I have known for years, and the son of old friends. We had had such good times together too. He liked my photos and my early years. Barry and Leofric have been here since March and will probably return to their rebuilt house in January. They have had a much extended social life since living here. I will interview new people to live here then. I am better at living with people than I am at being broke. Life is never dull.
I photographed 3 weddings and a golden wedding. I gave everyone website access. Many of my photos are on www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyVal
Special people who came to stay this year, are, of course Rachel Jaz and Rob. Louise Nyomi and Carmel stayed happily in the summer house.Senthall, from India stayed a month and cooked rice and dahl in his room and everything was mouldy. Martin rescued it. His other personality would welcome me to India where I keep saying I will go. And never manage it. Lots of things happen here. Mireil is 84 and my South African friend Elise's mum, came for a week for Drama festival. Gave her my bed. Suzanne from Australia came for a week and loved staying in the summer house. She was fun. Robyn returned from Oz now she has retired and is a very impressive traveller yet was scared in the summer house. I would enjoy travelling with her. Don and Nancy came from Alaska. They learned about couchsurfing and found me and other welcoming people in Spain and Italy on line and we all had a great time together. They are Republican and I think, victims of propaganda. But I have travelled East and West and seen the results of propaganda in Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria in the 60s,The Czech republic, Bohemia, and in America etc I hate this war in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of my Canadian nephews is there.
Ales from Slovenia came to stay for a week. A very charming idealistic young man. Really into healthy living. Eating very little. I took him to the Sunday Jazz which he enjoyed.
Simon came home for his 50th birthday. We were both on The Tall Ships Race in 1983 when we were involved in a collision at sea. He was the Navigator. We all stayed in The Naval Club in Mayfair which was an ideal location. Next to Berkely Square. It was a great party. The Navy knows how to entertain. I used to love Tall Ship sailing. I did 12 trips. I love London so went walk about to enjoy exhibitions at the National Gallery.
And this is the season of parties with the groups I belong to. The photographic club. The Mid Herts Footpath Society. The Barn Theatre. Welwyn Garden City Women Luncheon Club. My "Top Girls" group. The Thursday women's group. The Badminton club. I finally gave up LETS. Local Exchange Trading System, in which I have believed for years. We just couldn't get enough other interested people to join us. Yet there is a huge and vibrant group in Hemel Hempstead, 10 miles away. So many people have skills and we could all manage non financial agreements with services given. I could run lots of people to airports and someone/some people can maintain this house, for example.
I am enjoying badminton at the local sports centre which is how my job in Leisure started.
And the end of another year with interesting things happening. People first. And are welcome here. I love having visitors. The house is self entertaining.
With bad luck I have pleurisy on 16th December so have 10 days on antibiotics and no alcohol. Barry is ill too. We both went to the impressively effective weekend doctor service. He was moribund for 2 days but is talking now. And back to the land of the living. I don't have any social commitments for a few days.
Hope you are all well and happy.
And another fascinating year was enjoyed in a myriad of ways. Retirement is a good thing and "the gift of time" is wonderful. My love of independent travelling takes me into the lives of people around the world. My love of hospitality brings people into my life in my caring sharing house. I had over 50 different visitors this year, staying over 160 nights. Lots of day visitors too. In January I went to Valencia to see Rafael and Julia. It is a delightful city and I soon found my way around on buses and on the subway. In February I went to Bydgoszcz in Poland to meet Krystyna, a friend from http://www.hospitalityclub.org/ I became a media tart there with interviews with two newspapers and on Radio Poland for 3 weeks. We went to Warsaw one day on a train. To think that this city was raised to the ground in Hitler's last bitter act of brutality after the Ghetto uprising and the Polish Army resistance. The Palace of Culture and Science built as some kind of appeasement by the Stalin after the war, is just a multi screen cinema now. We went to the top which was high enough to see around the city on an icy cold day. We met people creating Ice Sculptures with chisels and electric saws. An exciting art form but in a freezing location. The Jews didn't return.
I went to Krakow in March which is a beautiful city. There are 100 Roman Catholic churches and a small Jewish quarter and I went into the Synagogue. I visited Auschwitz which remains open as a living testimony of the misery created there, and throughout Poland and other parts of Europe, concentration camps remain open. Birds don't fly over it.
I saw Dachau years ago on my travels. Can't help shivering at the horror of it all, before I was born.
I went to the amazing Salt Mines which were fascinating and the acoustics are excellent so people organise concerts there. I live in a Garden City so I went to see Novy Hutte, the New Town. Stalin had invited architects and town planners from many countries to create this. It was still tall apartment buildings, and communal gardens. He refused to allow a Catholic Church, but religion has been greatly comforting to a tortured race. There is one now with beautiful stained glass windows. I stayed with Eva and her family of 2 daughters in Krakow in a tiny flat with great human warmth. Just two rooms and each was both a living room and a bedroom. I took books of England, an international plug converter, home made bread and Cadbury's chocolate for them. They put me on a bus to Novy Sacz in the Tatras to stay with Jane, another hospitalityclub member. Poor Jane had a bad cold and hardly any English ( I speak French and German and understand some Italian and Spanish) So I got on a bus back to Krakow and stayed in the Youth Hostel there, which was what I wanted to do all the time. It us in the main square, the biggest in Europe, so even I, who gets lost everywhere, could find my way back there. I played card games with the young travelers from five other countries. I got a bus to the air port. Found myself somewhere to sleep. Found a security guard for an early morning call, and settled down to sleep.I was rudely shaken awake by a man with no soul, shouting at me to take my boots off. I work with the homeless in London, and if you take your boots off, you lose them. So my early call happened and I caught my early flight and arrived home, from my sixth trip this winter.
We all grew up going to Saturday morning pictures and I have always loved films since I was 4 and made my brothers take me. The first time they took me they had drilled into me that I must say I was six. But when the very big commissionaire in a red coat with gold buttons looked down at me from his great height and asked "And how old are you little girl?" I answered "I am 4" . My brothers insisted "She is 6!!". I insisted "I am 4 and I am going to be 5 on 16 th of February". He believed me and we all had to go home and they were furious with me. I was SIX the next week. I became a full fledged junior criminal by letting people in through the girls toilet doors. My brothers let the boys in. We didn't charge for this service. I am sure Richard Branson would have done!!
I have lots of DVDs posted here from http://www.lovefilm.com/ and I have a long list of films to see. Sometimes I have 8 a week. Best films this year were... so many I can't choose. I saw 158 films so far. Today I had a big fix of Hollywood Musicals from the 50s. I cut my teeth on those. Then Kenneth Branagh's creative "Loves Labours Lost" in which he introduced dance and Gershwin, and La Dolce Vita later.
I love theatre too and this year have seen many local plays at The Barn Theatre. I enjoyed two Drama Festivals. One was The Youth One. 24 plays in a week. Such raw energy was impressive. Minimal props. I love being seduced by the performance into suspended belief that this is real. Hobbits, Some Like it Hot, Henry V, Sam I am, and lots more as befits a Leisure Professional. I finally got to the Battersea Arts Centre in Lavender Hill to see good theatre.
A great highlight of the year was Rachel Rob and Jaz coming over. We had such a good time in that wonderful weather. Rachel came with Jaz and Rob came a week later, after a week in Paris with his sister Deanna. Jaz couldn't step on the grass at first, as they have decking at home. But she soon got used to that and everything else and had a wonderful time. She loved the pond as we all do. The little girls next door are 4 and 6 and loved her. We all did. Barry and his son Leofric have been here since March, while their house is being rebuilt from subsidence, and Barry was living in the dining room, of this elastic house. Jaz always knew where to find him early in the morning. Rachel said to her to be quiet and a shrill voice called "Barry". He is 74 and very responsive. His grandchildren are in New Zealand. We had a great family party here, as we always do when some of us get together. My family lives in 9 countries. England, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Luxembourg and Afghanistan.
I am one of six children. We had 19 children. They have 23 children. Some of us keep in touch on line.
Another great experience was a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with The Queen. I was invited in recognition of my "Services to the public". I invited my wonderful friend Margaret, and Jackie and an Australian visitor, Suzanne, staying here came too. We parked in The Mall and I borrowed a posh and expensive hat. My mum would have been so proud. She never did approve of me changing careers. I was a nurse, a midwife then worked with the local government as "Community Activity for over 50s" and changed thousands of lives.
I belong to http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/ and to http://www.couchsurfing.com/ so lots of people come here and I can find a welcoming place in very many countries in the world. If Rachel didn't live in America, I would have gone to many other countries, but I usually go and see her, so will go for a month in February. By the time I return here, it will be spring. My brother Kevin and his wife Ann will come down from Calgary when I am there. And my brother Roger and I are going to Dublin for New Year to see our beloved niece Karen and her dad, our brother Mike, from Ontario. That will be fun.
It was great at my reunions this year. The Midwives from Plymouth all met up at Avril's house in Teesside. We had so much to catch up on. The Hammersmith Hospital nurses met up in a delightful cottage in Worcester. We all share good pasts together, living in flats in London and caring and keeping in touch.
I still organise evening dances. 20 next year. The Bank Holiday big ones bail out the Friday small ones.
50 visitors have stayed over 160 nights here this year. I have a fascinating pond and a summer house at the bottom of the garden and sometimes people stay there. It is warm and cosy in summer. Everybody brings me interest. About a quarter are bed and breakfast guests. The others come free. I like it better when the lodgers pay. What a shame I was duped by Tulin and her family staying here and paying nothing. Very manipulating. Dishonest too.
And I am sad not to have seen my younger daughter, Elizabeth who lives in Milton Keynes. Rachel saw her twice when she was over. She cannot remember any happy incidents of her childhood. She must be very damaged. How very sad. I had a much tougher childhood. (read my early years)
We have seven for Christmas day lunch. And two more friends staying. I like having an open house. On risk assessment we only had police here three times this year and no ambulances. I had a gallon of water thrown over me in bed one morning so that lodger left here. That was very sad. A man with a brilliant brain whom I have known for years, and the son of old friends. We had had such good times together too. He liked my photos and my early years. Barry and Leofric have been here since March and will probably return to their rebuilt house in January. They have had a much extended social life since living here. I will interview new people to live here then. I am better at living with people than I am at being broke. Life is never dull.
I photographed 3 weddings and a golden wedding. I gave everyone website access. Many of my photos are on www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyVal
Special people who came to stay this year, are, of course Rachel Jaz and Rob. Louise Nyomi and Carmel stayed happily in the summer house.Senthall, from India stayed a month and cooked rice and dahl in his room and everything was mouldy. Martin rescued it. His other personality would welcome me to India where I keep saying I will go. And never manage it. Lots of things happen here. Mireil is 84 and my South African friend Elise's mum, came for a week for Drama festival. Gave her my bed. Suzanne from Australia came for a week and loved staying in the summer house. She was fun. Robyn returned from Oz now she has retired and is a very impressive traveller yet was scared in the summer house. I would enjoy travelling with her. Don and Nancy came from Alaska. They learned about couchsurfing and found me and other welcoming people in Spain and Italy on line and we all had a great time together. They are Republican and I think, victims of propaganda. But I have travelled East and West and seen the results of propaganda in Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria in the 60s,The Czech republic, Bohemia, and in America etc I hate this war in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of my Canadian nephews is there.
Ales from Slovenia came to stay for a week. A very charming idealistic young man. Really into healthy living. Eating very little. I took him to the Sunday Jazz which he enjoyed.
Simon came home for his 50th birthday. We were both on The Tall Ships Race in 1983 when we were involved in a collision at sea. He was the Navigator. We all stayed in The Naval Club in Mayfair which was an ideal location. Next to Berkely Square. It was a great party. The Navy knows how to entertain. I used to love Tall Ship sailing. I did 12 trips. I love London so went walk about to enjoy exhibitions at the National Gallery.
And this is the season of parties with the groups I belong to. The photographic club. The Mid Herts Footpath Society. The Barn Theatre. Welwyn Garden City Women Luncheon Club. My "Top Girls" group. The Thursday women's group. The Badminton club. I finally gave up LETS. Local Exchange Trading System, in which I have believed for years. We just couldn't get enough other interested people to join us. Yet there is a huge and vibrant group in Hemel Hempstead, 10 miles away. So many people have skills and we could all manage non financial agreements with services given. I could run lots of people to airports and someone/some people can maintain this house, for example.
I am enjoying badminton at the local sports centre which is how my job in Leisure started.
And the end of another year with interesting things happening. People first. And are welcome here. I love having visitors. The house is self entertaining.
With bad luck I have pleurisy on 16th December so have 10 days on antibiotics and no alcohol. Barry is ill too. We both went to the impressively effective weekend doctor service. He was moribund for 2 days but is talking now. And back to the land of the living. I don't have any social commitments for a few days.
Hope you are all well and happy.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
2006 Highlights and lowlights
And at the end of another interesting year,it is always good for me to reflect on all that happened. If I was a better writer, I could write a "Sitcom" about my life and this house!!Being retired is a good thing and gives me time to enjoy many things I didn't have time to do when working. My "open house" continues to be interesting and sometimes challenging. Creating a "little house with BIG IDEAS" in a "caring sharing environment" is a "Good Thing". And very socially useful.As well as financing my interests and funding the house being warm in winter.Like NOW! With snow outside. I grew up in such a cold house.There have been 104 overnight people bed stays this year. These are relations, friends, bed and breakfast guests, and some from www.hospitalityclub.com and www.couchsurfing.org and www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk (5Ws) All of whom bring something into my life.
Good things were lots of cinema which I love, having grown up watching Saturday morning pictures with my brothers from the age of four. Local theatre has provided some interesting evenings. I have enjoyed playing badminton again. Days in fascinating London with friends have been fun.Exhibitions and South Bank, and Docklands light railway etc.
My friend Elise's mum stayed here for a week in June and we shared the excitement of Drama Festival together. Two plays every evening and a very articulate adjudicator.
My 60th birthday celebrations were many and fun and involved lots of people.Two Sundays with lots of family and friends and my little brother Kevin came over as a surprise to join us. I did a tea dance for the Tsunami victims because we have a 5W member working in Sri Lanka who is spending our money wisely there. And a 5W who visited me, died in it.I abseiled down Twickenham Rugby Stadium to be part of the world record to raise money for Cancer research. Niki and Martin filled the house with purple balloons which was fun. And 14 of us went to the Barn Theatre to see "Humble Boy". A delightful play I first saw at The National Theatre.
And my divine right to travel with my purple backpack has been fun. A month in America in summer (another entry on my blog) to see my beautiful granddaughter Jaz who is now 17 months, and Rachel Rob and Jaz are happily settled into a house in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.I was there for her first birthday. She is very cute, fun and fascinating. Rachel takes her to work with her and looks after two small boys too.I met beautiful people all over America in a trip which was planned by email to see 5Ws members which is a very good idea and one of the 18 organisations I belong to. And other friends there.I went to Minnesota, San Francisco, Los Angeles,Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Philadelpia and Vermont. It was a magic trip.I even met my Autralian nephew Nick and his partner Maggie in LA where they had ridden Route 66 (Chicago to LA) on a Harley Davidson motor bike. I have a powerful sense of "belonging" to my big family and am a useful member. I love it when we have gatherings here. We live in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America. And this house is a good one to meet up in.
Kevin and Anne came over in October to see their new beautiful granddaughter Olivia, and we had a big table lunch here, which was the day before my niece Sharon and family emigrated to Australia. And I went to Olivia's christening in Dorset, meeting up with an old friend Wendy down there.
In November I had a great time in Dublin seeing my niece Karen and Hughie and the girls, taking my friend Jill with me. We went to the races at Punchestown and one of my horses won.We enjoyed he public transport system there and went to the seaside twice. I used to go to Bray as a child when we spent our summers in Dublin.We dropped in to see Jo, my friend Barry's cousin. He is 80 and was so pleased to see us, although we were unexpected, and shared his lunch and opened another bottle of red wine. Just as I would do here. I went to the Abbey Theatre there and enjoyed "Drama at Innish" although I was disappointed to find no loop or infra red system to help people with hearing deficiencies. I am quite pleased with my NHS digital hearing aids. Then fuelled by enthusiasm and cheap flights to Europe I went to see my niece Beverly and her lovely family in Switzerland. I taught them how to play Rummicup which I bought them 2 years ago. And I went sledging with Mike and the children in the fresh snow.We went to Geneva to see the Red Cross museum which was a salutary experience. I bought a new digital camera there as my other one broke. Some of my photos are on www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyVal I did a lovely movie of great nephew James doing a back flip at his swimming class. I like belonging to the local photograhy club and our annual exhibition is at Campus West and had four of my photos in. We had the Camera Club party this year in my garden on a really hot day. Losing our apple trees gives us no shade.Our pond is interesting and we loved seeing the frogs disporting themselves this spring.And my summer house has seen happy gatherings too. It is good to sleep in in summer too. This spring we will see lots of tulips Martin planted.
In December I went to Budapest and Bucharest. I love Eastern Europe. My first time was to Bulgaria in 1967. More Christmas festivals there, and it is lovely city. I was there in 1999 and also did the overnight train trip then and now to Bucharest to see Gabriel Anda and their lovely family. Oanne, Matthew and new baby Mihai. I love trains. I went to Romania after the revolution at 3 hours notice and flew in Caesecue's plane, flown by the Romanian air force.I am a railway child. It was a great legacy, travelling as children.We all can travel.
Next trip is Valencia in January and try TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and stay with my friends Rafael and Julia who are staying with me between Christmas and New Year, and came earlier this year too.Then in February to Poland to meet a penfriend from Hospitalityclub there. And if I get it together, I want to go to India in March. I have been meaning to go for years but I keep turning up in America because Rachel and now Jaz are there.
So lots and lots of good things happened. Lots of beautiful people cared about me. You all know who you are.Thank you all.
Sad and bad things that happened..not a word from my daughter Elizabeth, now for 3 years,living only 40 miles away. And she doesn't keep in touch with the family, except one cousin living near her. My sister Deirdre has dementia and doesn't know anybody. She is 70. The man who built my new Pc wiped all my photos and writing from my old one. (boys with their toys!!)despite me emphasing how important these were to me, and all put on one hard drive. Denied it of course. A schitzophrenic bed and breakfast guest turned peculiar.Kevin and Jackie threw him out into the night. Tulin never did pay a penny of the huge debt she acrued while living here with her mother and sister. I was wrong about her. My friends were right. Some outbreaks of violence between Niki and Martin so the police were called. I was in America at the time. Niki moved out and Martin spent two week in jail. Jenna, a Social Services referral bed and breakfast guest took an overdose of speed and I found her unconscious on the bathroom floor. Called an ambulance. Good thing she had gone to the bathroom to be sick. I did a house dinner the evening I returned from Eastern Europe and Niki got drunk and called Ibe a "fucking bastard" which caused really bad ripples over Christmas. I knocked myself out falling backwards playing badminton, but recovered witn an ice pack to play again.
I didn't work with the homeless this year. I had a quiet and normal Christmas lunch with Barry and his son Leofric. I have seen a lot of them this year which has been fun. We all did a bike ride along the river and canal from Hertford meaning to get to London but were untrained!! Had a great day though.We are all good friends.
Our new next door neighbours are a lovely family. They use our shared drive and my front garden can now park four cars.The children Anna, 5 and Sophie, 3 are really great. We don't want them to fall into our pond. We both need new garages built further back. Mine is only a bike and freezer shed.
And next year I am meeting up with my Hammersmith Hospital friends in Malvern, and my midwifery friends at Avril's house in Yorkshire.
It has been lovely hearing from everybody and the house is filled with cards.
Wishing you all a very healthy and exciting 2006.
And at the end of another interesting year,it is always good for me to reflect on all that happened. If I was a better writer, I could write a "Sitcom" about my life and this house!!Being retired is a good thing and gives me time to enjoy many things I didn't have time to do when working. My "open house" continues to be interesting and sometimes challenging. Creating a "little house with BIG IDEAS" in a "caring sharing environment" is a "Good Thing". And very socially useful.As well as financing my interests and funding the house being warm in winter.Like NOW! With snow outside. I grew up in such a cold house.There have been 104 overnight people bed stays this year. These are relations, friends, bed and breakfast guests, and some from www.hospitalityclub.com and www.couchsurfing.org and www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk (5Ws) All of whom bring something into my life.
Good things were lots of cinema which I love, having grown up watching Saturday morning pictures with my brothers from the age of four. Local theatre has provided some interesting evenings. I have enjoyed playing badminton again. Days in fascinating London with friends have been fun.Exhibitions and South Bank, and Docklands light railway etc.
My friend Elise's mum stayed here for a week in June and we shared the excitement of Drama Festival together. Two plays every evening and a very articulate adjudicator.
My 60th birthday celebrations were many and fun and involved lots of people.Two Sundays with lots of family and friends and my little brother Kevin came over as a surprise to join us. I did a tea dance for the Tsunami victims because we have a 5W member working in Sri Lanka who is spending our money wisely there. And a 5W who visited me, died in it.I abseiled down Twickenham Rugby Stadium to be part of the world record to raise money for Cancer research. Niki and Martin filled the house with purple balloons which was fun. And 14 of us went to the Barn Theatre to see "Humble Boy". A delightful play I first saw at The National Theatre.
And my divine right to travel with my purple backpack has been fun. A month in America in summer (another entry on my blog) to see my beautiful granddaughter Jaz who is now 17 months, and Rachel Rob and Jaz are happily settled into a house in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.I was there for her first birthday. She is very cute, fun and fascinating. Rachel takes her to work with her and looks after two small boys too.I met beautiful people all over America in a trip which was planned by email to see 5Ws members which is a very good idea and one of the 18 organisations I belong to. And other friends there.I went to Minnesota, San Francisco, Los Angeles,Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Philadelpia and Vermont. It was a magic trip.I even met my Autralian nephew Nick and his partner Maggie in LA where they had ridden Route 66 (Chicago to LA) on a Harley Davidson motor bike. I have a powerful sense of "belonging" to my big family and am a useful member. I love it when we have gatherings here. We live in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America. And this house is a good one to meet up in.
Kevin and Anne came over in October to see their new beautiful granddaughter Olivia, and we had a big table lunch here, which was the day before my niece Sharon and family emigrated to Australia. And I went to Olivia's christening in Dorset, meeting up with an old friend Wendy down there.
In November I had a great time in Dublin seeing my niece Karen and Hughie and the girls, taking my friend Jill with me. We went to the races at Punchestown and one of my horses won.We enjoyed he public transport system there and went to the seaside twice. I used to go to Bray as a child when we spent our summers in Dublin.We dropped in to see Jo, my friend Barry's cousin. He is 80 and was so pleased to see us, although we were unexpected, and shared his lunch and opened another bottle of red wine. Just as I would do here. I went to the Abbey Theatre there and enjoyed "Drama at Innish" although I was disappointed to find no loop or infra red system to help people with hearing deficiencies. I am quite pleased with my NHS digital hearing aids. Then fuelled by enthusiasm and cheap flights to Europe I went to see my niece Beverly and her lovely family in Switzerland. I taught them how to play Rummicup which I bought them 2 years ago. And I went sledging with Mike and the children in the fresh snow.We went to Geneva to see the Red Cross museum which was a salutary experience. I bought a new digital camera there as my other one broke. Some of my photos are on www.photoboxgallery.com/photosbyVal I did a lovely movie of great nephew James doing a back flip at his swimming class. I like belonging to the local photograhy club and our annual exhibition is at Campus West and had four of my photos in. We had the Camera Club party this year in my garden on a really hot day. Losing our apple trees gives us no shade.Our pond is interesting and we loved seeing the frogs disporting themselves this spring.And my summer house has seen happy gatherings too. It is good to sleep in in summer too. This spring we will see lots of tulips Martin planted.
In December I went to Budapest and Bucharest. I love Eastern Europe. My first time was to Bulgaria in 1967. More Christmas festivals there, and it is lovely city. I was there in 1999 and also did the overnight train trip then and now to Bucharest to see Gabriel Anda and their lovely family. Oanne, Matthew and new baby Mihai. I love trains. I went to Romania after the revolution at 3 hours notice and flew in Caesecue's plane, flown by the Romanian air force.I am a railway child. It was a great legacy, travelling as children.We all can travel.
Next trip is Valencia in January and try TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and stay with my friends Rafael and Julia who are staying with me between Christmas and New Year, and came earlier this year too.Then in February to Poland to meet a penfriend from Hospitalityclub there. And if I get it together, I want to go to India in March. I have been meaning to go for years but I keep turning up in America because Rachel and now Jaz are there.
So lots and lots of good things happened. Lots of beautiful people cared about me. You all know who you are.Thank you all.
Sad and bad things that happened..not a word from my daughter Elizabeth, now for 3 years,living only 40 miles away. And she doesn't keep in touch with the family, except one cousin living near her. My sister Deirdre has dementia and doesn't know anybody. She is 70. The man who built my new Pc wiped all my photos and writing from my old one. (boys with their toys!!)despite me emphasing how important these were to me, and all put on one hard drive. Denied it of course. A schitzophrenic bed and breakfast guest turned peculiar.Kevin and Jackie threw him out into the night. Tulin never did pay a penny of the huge debt she acrued while living here with her mother and sister. I was wrong about her. My friends were right. Some outbreaks of violence between Niki and Martin so the police were called. I was in America at the time. Niki moved out and Martin spent two week in jail. Jenna, a Social Services referral bed and breakfast guest took an overdose of speed and I found her unconscious on the bathroom floor. Called an ambulance. Good thing she had gone to the bathroom to be sick. I did a house dinner the evening I returned from Eastern Europe and Niki got drunk and called Ibe a "fucking bastard" which caused really bad ripples over Christmas. I knocked myself out falling backwards playing badminton, but recovered witn an ice pack to play again.
I didn't work with the homeless this year. I had a quiet and normal Christmas lunch with Barry and his son Leofric. I have seen a lot of them this year which has been fun. We all did a bike ride along the river and canal from Hertford meaning to get to London but were untrained!! Had a great day though.We are all good friends.
Our new next door neighbours are a lovely family. They use our shared drive and my front garden can now park four cars.The children Anna, 5 and Sophie, 3 are really great. We don't want them to fall into our pond. We both need new garages built further back. Mine is only a bike and freezer shed.
And next year I am meeting up with my Hammersmith Hospital friends in Malvern, and my midwifery friends at Avril's house in Yorkshire.
It has been lovely hearing from everybody and the house is filled with cards.
Wishing you all a very healthy and exciting 2006.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Val'srambles
"Paddy's Market"
Sometimes when lots of people were in our house, as a child, my mum called it "Paddy's Market". Sometimes it seems like "Paddy's Market" here with all the comings and goings of very many people.
It isn't a problem for me, and those residents who can't manage it, can go to their rooms, which all have televisions and comfort. This week was like this but no police this time. And no ambulance this week. Just an "Open House" with a well earned reputation for hospitality. One morning the four residents were up for breakfast, the two overnight visitors, the plumber, Jackie, Sheila and Barry coming. Now we are just Ibe Martin and me. Jenna went to a special place for young people with two residential Social workers there at all times. She is in court today. And her 15 year old boyfriend is out of jail today. It was like a "Romeo and Juliet" scenario, especially with the street gangs and court cases and alleged crimes.
Lots of good news. We will have a beautiful spring garden in the front as Martin planted lots of daffodils and tulips there yesterday.
"Paddy's Market"
Sometimes when lots of people were in our house, as a child, my mum called it "Paddy's Market". Sometimes it seems like "Paddy's Market" here with all the comings and goings of very many people.
It isn't a problem for me, and those residents who can't manage it, can go to their rooms, which all have televisions and comfort. This week was like this but no police this time. And no ambulance this week. Just an "Open House" with a well earned reputation for hospitality. One morning the four residents were up for breakfast, the two overnight visitors, the plumber, Jackie, Sheila and Barry coming. Now we are just Ibe Martin and me. Jenna went to a special place for young people with two residential Social workers there at all times. She is in court today. And her 15 year old boyfriend is out of jail today. It was like a "Romeo and Juliet" scenario, especially with the street gangs and court cases and alleged crimes.
Lots of good news. We will have a beautiful spring garden in the front as Martin planted lots of daffodils and tulips there yesterday.
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