So, how did I do?

At the beginning of this year I wrote on my blog about trying to lose weight, and as it's nearly the end of the year I thought it was time to report on my endeavours.

This year I signed up for a free twelve week healthy eating and exercise course at my local leisure centre, which helped me to get going.  Once the course had finished I rejoined the gym and I'm happy to report that until the last few weeks, I have been a regular visitor there.

After the course ended I attempted to go it alone as I'd had a good start.  However, as usual, I found I needed more than my own internal motivation and joined (again) a weekly slimming club as I need that weigh in at the meeting to keep me on track.  It's that thought of being accountable to someone who is going to write my weight on a tangible record that helps me to keep a bit more focussed.

I haven't lost a lot of weight, but I am lighter than I was at the beginning of the year, and I feel that my muscles are remembering what they are there for.  Even my arms have toned a little.  I am certainly fitter than I was at the beginning of the year and will be back at the gym in January.

Did I do as well as I'd hoped?  No, I haven't.  Am I finishing the year in a better place than I was at the beginning?  Yes I am.  Am I taking that as a win?  You betcha I am.

Birthday Cake for Breakfast

It's becoming quite a tradition in our house to have birthday cake for breakfast due to busy schedules and fleeting visits from daughters these days.  If we didn't have it for breakfast on someone's birthday, we wouldn't have it at all, and apparently my daughters think this would not be acceptable.  Today is Kirsty's birthday, and what a good way to start a Monday morning.

Kirsty came home for a visit yesterday afternoon and spent the night so she could be at home on her birthday morning.  I'd like to think that she wanted to start her birthday with her family, but I have a suspicion that it was all about the presents really.

 As it's a Monday we all had to get up fairly early for the official business of the day in order to make sure no one was late for work/school.  Kirsty needed to get a lift back to Preston with Robert as she'd raided the loft for a few of her belongings, including her Christmas tree and decorations.  We told her she'd have to get up first so that we would all have time to get in the bathroom (yes, we are poor and only have one).  She didn't like the sound of that and announced that she would not be bathing and would just put her face on.  Well, she is a student these days, so I suppose it's only to be expected.  Bit skanky though, right?

The great unwashed on her birthday

One of the presents was at Kirsty's request.  Her favourite perfume is Madame by Jean Paul Gaultier. We thought we were in luck as everywhere we saw it, it was on sale, so we knew we could afford to get her some.  However, we found out that the reason it was on sale was because they had discontinued it.  This did not go down well with Kirsty.

Making herself smell better

 So after the presents it's always time for cake.  It's quite a long walk from our kitchen to our living room when carrying a cake with 28 lit candles and trying to make sure they don't go out.  We were concentrating so much we forgot to sing Happy Birthday.  Katy had to remind us.  It took Kirsty a few attempts to blow them all out.  Some of them were very tenacious (if a candle can be tenacious).

Tenacious candles

Time for a nice slice of cake for breakfast before rushing off to work.  Not my own handiwork I'm afraid, but I don't think it mattered.  Kirsty took the rest back to Preston with her.  Best to keep it out of my hands, or rather, belly.

Breakfast

Thought for the day

Thought for the day.

Be kind to each other, and respect each other's individuality.

I think that just about covers it.

Saying Goodbye

Neil Armstrong died on 25th August 2012.  People all around the world are remembering him and his contribution to the history of it.  Susan Taylor died on 25th August 2012 surrounded by her family.  For these people, her contribution to the history of this world is no less important.

Robert got a phone call from his dad to let him know that it was time for the family to go to the hospital and say goodbye.  From this moment on, it seemed important to me to try and remember every detail about the day.  It started raining round about the same time as the phone call, which reminded me of English lessons at school and learning about sympathetic nature background.  Robert contacted each of his brothers and sisters by telephone, and I could hear their reactions as he told them what was happening.  He stayed calm and tried to be reassuring for them as he arranged how to get everyone to the hospital as quickly as possible.  He had to do some internet searching to find Edward who was on a role playing weekend somewhere in the middle of Derbyshire.  When he managed to speak to him, he heard Eddie's reaction and just said "I'm coming to get you".

Robert set off for Derby to bring back Edward, and I drove into town with Katy to fill the car up with petrol ready for the trip to Blackpool where Sue was.  We hadn't spoken much on the three mile journey, but driving down Centenary Way we saw two late teenage girls, one in a wheelchair, and the other one trying to push her up the steep hill, in the rain, with no coats or umbrellas.  They looked odd. Katy and I noticed them at the same time, and looked at each other and had a little giggle.  Then on the other side of the road we saw a thin man with a blue umbrella.  The umbrella was inside out but he was still using it as though it wasn't broken at all and was keeping him dry.  We couldn't help laughing.  I said that maybe he was collecting the rain.  Katy remarked that that's Burnley for you.

Katy and I drove to Blackpool and parked at the hospital.  I didn't have enough change to buy a pay and display ticket, but a very nice young receptionist took my car details so that she could tell security not to ticket my car.  I had spoken to the receptionist because I couldn't see any signs to the department I needed. She directed me down a corridor and when we reached the ITU there was a poster on the door directing us to somewhere else.  A nurse came along and could see we were a little lost.  She asked us where we were going and when I told her, she asked us who we were looking for.  I said "Sue Taylor", and a look came across her face, and then she did a strange little smile.  I could tell that she knew why we were there.  She told us that she was looking after Sue and she would take us there.

Richard, Kim, Eleanor, Sarah and Chris were already there, along with Ron.  Eleanor and Sarah were talking to Sue and holding her hands.  I hadn't seen Sue for a while, and although I had been told she was on oxygen I wasn't quite prepared for how much she was struggling to breath.  Sue called Katy over to her and spoke to her.  It was very difficult for her to say anything as each word had to be whispered after struggling to get enough breath.  Katy told me afterwards that she had said she was to take special care of Anna.

Robert and Eddie were still on their way and Russell, who had been in London with Beth and his boys, was driving back up the country as quickly as he could but was still a few hours away.  We chatted together and to Sue for a while and then one of the nurses asked us to let her have a rest so that she had enough strength to wait for the boys to get there.  Sue had spoken to me, and told me to take care of her boy.  She said other things too, but I couldn't hear her as her voice was very quiet and the machines were making so much noise.  It was such a struggle for her that I couldn't ask her to repeat it, so I just said "ok"  I didn't know what else to say, I just kept saying "it's ok". I held her hand.  I've never held her hand before, but I just did it sort of instinctively.  She occasionally gave instructions, like reminding Ron that he had an appointment to get his hair cut on Tuesday morning, and that the £15 for Ethan's birthday was in a separate account.  "No more medicine", she sounded strongly relieved when she said this.

Sarah started to tell her about the birthday card that she had sent to Robert for his 40th birthday.  Sarah had bought this card when she was working as a nanny in Houston Texas eleven years ago.  She had seen it and thought that it would be perfect for Robert's 40th birthday.  It came back to England with her and had survived several house moves. When she started to tell her I thought to myself that this was a little inappropriate due to the nature of the joke on the card, but she told the story anyway, and Sue laughed.  Remember the film the sixth sense?  Well the card was a picture of a man walking with a young boy, and the boy was saying "I see dead people", and the man said "no, they are just 40 year olds".  Behind all the machines and wires she was still there.  She proved this again later after Robert had arrived.  He had asked me a question and I was bending over him to quietly give him an answer and I was told off for whispering because it was rude.  I replied "why can't I?  She is", and I got the look of amused wide eyed scolding I always got whenever I was being cheeky.

Some of us went out for fresh air occasionally and spent some time in the relative's room talking to each other. Eddie told me how amazing everyone was when he was told that Robert had rung.  His friends packed up all his camping things and someone drove him halfway home to meet Robert so that he could get to Blackpool sooner.  Russell was still on his way, and we were keeping in contact with him so that we would know what time he would get there.  Ron had asked us all to think about if we wanted to be there at the end with Sue.  She didn't want anyone to be there with her unless they wanted to be.  Katy and Eddie didn't want to be in the room so I said I would stay with them.

Sarah and Eleanor sung Primary songs to her for a while. There was just Ron, myself and Richard in the room with her at one point.  Ron asked her if she wanted him to wipe her forehead.  She nodded, so he got a cleansing wipe and started to very gently wipe her head, and then her cheeks and her remaining hair.  She had her eyes closed with her head turned towards him.  He was paying so much attention to what he was doing and was being so gentle.  She opened her eyes to look at him briefly and then closed them again.  She looked relaxed for a few minutes.  Richard was holding her hand and  trying not to show that he was crying a little.  Sue noticed and gestured to Ron to give him a tissue.  Still looking after everyone.  Richard said he had been trying to hide it, but she told him that she would be upset if he wasn't upset.

Russell arrived just after six pm. We went outside to give them some time alone as we had been there with her for several hours.  Once Sue had spoken to everyone she was going to be sedated and made comfortable.  Then they would remove the oxygen mask.  We were told it wouldn't be long after that. Just before this happened, we were all together with her and she said that there should be a family prayer.  We all held hands and Ron said the prayer.  I don't remember what he said.  Katy hugged her grandma and then we left the room.

 I was in the relative's room with Katy.  Eddie had gone outside for air.  Robert came to tell us that they had started the sedation.  We sat there quietly for a while. I thought Katy would be alright on her own for a minute so I went down to be with Robert round his mum's bedside with the others.  Everyone was sitting quietly, some of them holding hands.  Sue was sedated.  I stood behind Robert, just watching Sue like everyone else.  I didn't want to leave but I knew Katy was on her own.  I was about to go back when Katy appeared.  I asked her if she was sure she wanted to be in there. She told me that she had just felt an urge that she should come. Katy was so mature. I worried about her being there with us, but I think she coped so well.

Sue's breathing slowed down and some of us caught each others eyes as we knew how close it was.  Ron was cupping her face in his hands and looking into her eyes the whole time.  Suddenly and quietly he said that he wanted to be alone with her.  We got up and left them.  She slipped away within minutes.

We waited in the relative's room while they washed her and removed all the equipment so that we could say another goodbye.  I suppose they expect people to stay as they had set out chairs round the bed.  We went back in.  Ron walked over to her and didn't pause there for long before he said "that's not Sue".  He didn't need to stay, he knew she wasn't there anymore.  I remember saying to him and Katy that everything she has worked for, she now knows.

I didn't manage to remember every detail. I am sure there are things I have missed that were important to others that were there, but I felt I needed to write this down so that we could remember.  I have tried to put into words to Robert about how I felt, but nothing I say seems adequate to describe my experience.

Ben's Barbecue Bash

I love a good road trip, so when we got a Facebook invite to Ben's going away barbecue in Bournemouth, we decided to hit the road.  Thanks to Rebekah's employment with Holiday Inn, a very nice cheap hotel was quickly sorted.  Unfortunately Kirsty and Kim weren't able to go with us but at least that meant we only had to take one car.  Also a little fortunate as due to Katy's accident earlier in the week (that's another story) we had a bit of room in the car for her to try and get comfortable.

Once again as we left Lancashire, the weather just kept getting better, and by the time we reached Bournemouth, it was glorious.

There were a lot of people at the barbecue and Ben was clearly having a good time.  The only people I knew were family, and I loved spending time with them.  Jim and Liz had also made the trip down and my big brother Len spent the evening getting very nostalgic for Burnley.  We kept telling him he shouldn't come back and visit because he would just be disappointed, but he's getting old and these kind of things start becoming important to old people don't they?  I'm thinking of going around and taking pictures of all the places he mentioned and sending them to him so he can see just why he shouldn't come back to see them.

Me with big brother Len and daughter number three

There was a whole Jamaican theme to the barbecue with decorations and reggae music.....and a volley ball tournament.  Not sure how Jamaican volley ball is, but Ben and Mark certainly got into the spirit of it. There were enough Hathaways there for us to have a team of our own and Mark tried to get one together, without success.

Ben and Mark enjoying the volleyball

Phil spent the whole night at the barbecue doing his best cheffing, which was much appreciated by everyone.

Head Chef

Two big brothers and my nephew probably talking about something nerdy

Sister in law Mary with her grandson (my great nephew) Oscar

Amelia, Oscar's sister, taking a break from chasing him around the carpet

The sun went down and the lights came on and the flying insects came out.  We were all standing outside chatting and increasingly scratching and flailing our arms around to fend off the insects, and were finally sensible and headed inside away from them after realising we weren't going to win the battle and had better just give up and retreat.

Those Bournemouth mozzies got me good and I now have a poorly infected foot, but it was well worth it.

Hadrian's Wall

I have had reason to visit Carlisle several times over the last few years, and every time I got off the M6 at junction 43 I saw the little brown road sign pointing right to Hadrian's wall, but I never had time to turn right, until two weeks ago.  Katy was away with friends so Robert and I escaped the torrential rain in Lancashire and headed north. 

I love the drive up to Carlisle, even though it's only a motorway, you pass some beautiful scenery as you go through the lake district.  However, I have never yet captured a decent photograph of my favourite part, so I can't show it to you.  I'll do better next time.  On the drive this time we drove through a flock of birds. Literally.  There's a part with a large grass verge separating the north and south bound carriageways and a flock of birds lifted off from the verge right in front of our car and we drove through them.  Didn't hit a single one, it was amazing.

When we got off at junction 43 I was so excited to be turning right instead of left.  A little sad maybe, but I had wanted to do this for years, and now I finally could.  We were heading for Housesteads which I had read were the biggest and most well preserved Roman ruins.  We passed through a tiny village called Twice Brewed on the way there.  You've gotta love some of these remote English place names.

When we arrived at Housesteads there was quite a walk up the hill from the car park, but I had been assured by trip advisor that it was worth it, and it wasn't wrong.  The ruins were mostly just foundations but I love the sense of history you get when you stand in a place like that.  And the views were incredible.

Himself sitting on the ruins

Part of the ruins and the view

Actual Hadrian's Wall

Roman Barracks

After Housestead, we decided to head back towards Carlisle and visit another sight called Birdoswald, which were much smaller ruins.  The guide in the shop told us there was an excellent view down the valley from the south gate of the ruins, so we headed in that direction, walking around the ruins and through the sheep.  There was a convenient large slab of stone, just right for sitting on.  I'm not sure how long we sat there, but it was so peaceful and calming we didn't want to leave.  I go back there in my head sometimes and can remember the feeling of tranquility we both experienced.

Birdoswald

Enjoying the peace and quiet

After our visit to the wall we went back to Carlisle where we were staying for the night.  We booked into a cheap Travelodge, which turned out to be the worst hotel I have ever stayed in.  It was an old 1950's office building that had been converted into a hotel, and when we walked into our room it really did feel like someone had just left a double bed in the middle of an office.  The ceiling was about 20 feet high and the window was so far up that I could barely see out of it.  No curtains, just a roller blind, and grubby white walls.  Still, it was cheap and we were only sleeping there one night.

We hardly spent any time there as we went out for dinner and then  a movie before crashing into bed around midnight. Excellent day.

Himself Turns 40

Turning 40 is a big deal, so I wanted to do something special for Robert to mark the occasion.  I thought about throwing a surprise party, but changed my mind when my plans started getting too complicated.  Next on my list was an evening out but I couldn't find anything on locally that fit the bill.  We had looked at going to Paris for our wedding anniversary this year which was in February, very close to Valentine's day, but the prices were ridiculous, and we just couldn't afford it.  I have never been and really had it set in my mind that I wanted to go this year.  I checked online just to see if it was still as expensive, and found that it was much more affordable now, so I just went for it and booked a very short two day break for us.

We were flying very early on 1st August which is his birthday.  Having got to the airport with time to spare we had a look round the duty free shops (like you do), and Robert was treating himself to some Jean Paul Gaultier.  He had gone to the cash desk to pay and the ladies were talking about how it was the first of the month so they should be saying "white rabbits".  Robert mentioned that it was also his birthday and they proceeded to make a fuss of him and gave him a large chocolate gold medal to wear round his neck.

The flight was uneventful, nothing much to say about it really.  When we got to the other end we caught the RER train into Paris.  About 10 minutes into the trip a rather scruffy looking man entered the carriage with an accordion strapped to his chest and started to play.  I can't remember everything he played but it wasn't typical French stuff, I seem to remember there were a couple of  old Beatles tunes in there and some film themes.  He came round the carriage with his cap afterwards, but I took some good advice from a friend at work and had already resolved that I would be avoiding all eye contact with these sorts of people while in Paris.

Thanks to Google maps we found our hotel quite easily.  Although we were too early to check in, we left our bags there and went off for a few hours.  First stop was Notre Dame cathedral which was just round the corner from where we were staying.  It was about 10:30 in the morning and already very hot. We didn't do an official tour as the line was way too long to stand and wait in that heat, so we went inside and soaked up the atmosphere.  I've seen more impressive cathedrals but it was just good to be there.

Me and himself outside Notre Dame

Have you ever watched Friends? Remember the episode with Phoebe's paintings that come out of the frame at you?  Well this painting in the cathedral reminded me of Phoebe's artwork because the crown was sticking out.

Phoebe was not original

After Notre Dame we decided to take a walk to The Louvre because although we weren't planning to go inside that day, I couldn't wait to see the glass pyramid.  We walked along the road by the Seine and seemed to find ourselves in the florist and pet shop district.  There were about two blocks where it felt like every other shop was either a pet shop or a florist.  Couldn't resist taking a look in one of the pet shops.  There were some beautiful kittens, but lots of them, and not kept in the best conditions unfortunately.  The glass cases they were in looked clean, but rather cramped.

We got to the Louvre (thanks to my excellent sense of direction and map reading, which I will say no more about), and walked across one courtyard, through an arch and saw the pyramid. The square was filled with visitors and a long queue to get in.  We were just about to step out from the archway, when suddenly out of nowhere there was a rather heavy downpour. All you could hear were screams and everyone ran for the nearest cover.  The square just completely emptied within seconds.  It lasted less than a minute but it took a while for people to be brave enough to move back out into the open.

Just after the downpour

The obligatory "make it look like I'm touching the top of the pyramid" photo

After the Louvre it was time to go back to the hotel for an afternoon nap before the evening activities.  The hotel room was beautifully air conditioned which was very much appreciated by the time we had walked back.

Time to venture out again for something to eat and then go to the Eiffel Tower.  We had pre booked tickets online and our allotted time slot was 11pm.  I am so glad we did this because when we got to the tower the queue to buy tickets was very long and would have taken hours to get it.  All we had to do was turn up 5 minutes before our time and walk straight in.  But before that we went in search of somewhere to eat.  Down a side street just past the tower were some bars and restaurants.  We stopped to look at one of the menus and the waiter very efficiently showed us to a table.  We saw him do this with several people while we were eating, he was very good at it.  He was a nice waiter, very friendly with a wonderful curly moustache.  I wish I had taken a photo of him.  The food was delicious, and it was lovely to be able to sit outside in the evening to eat.  It had cooled down a little by now but was still nice and warm.

Back at the tower we milled around with all the other people in the Champs de Mars while waiting for our time slot.  There were hundreds of people having picnics and enjoying themselves.  It was a really nice atmosphere.  We took loads of photos of the tower, but here is a simple one.

The Eiffel Tower

Going up the tower was an amazing experience.  We took the lift to the second floor and then paid to go up the rest of the way to the very top.  The second floor felt very high and I got quite nervous as we made our way to top.  The lift was crowded and we were standing near an Australian couple who were also looking nervous.  We all decided we weren't quite sure why we were doing this because the thought of going up so high was quite scary.

Once we got to the top, we felt very safe as everything was well enclosed and very solid under foot.  The view of Paris at night was of course amazing but very windy.

The Arc de Triomphe

This photo of the Arc de Triomphe from the top of the tower really doesn't convey just how high it was.

Me and himself at the top of the Eiffel Tower

We caught the lift back down to the second floor and then decided to walk down the steps the rest of the way.  I'm glad we did this, but my leg muscles are still complaining about it now.  674 steps in total.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at The Louvre again to get a photo of the pyramid lit up at night.

The Louvre at night

After a good night's sleep and a decent lie in we made our way out for the second day. First stop was breakfast in a little cafe (omelette for me and crepes for himself). Then on to the Pont des Arts via a road side stall to buy a padlock.  There are a few places like this around the world now where couples put locks with their names on as a symbol of their love.  There are hundreds of locks on both sides of the bridge, it was quite a sight.  This has to be one of the most romantic things we have ever done.  We wrote our names and the date on the lock, then chose a spot to place it.  Once it was secured we each threw one of the keys into the Seine.  A part of us will forever be in Paris now.  The lock actually came with three keys and I said that we should bring the third one home as a reminder that the lock is there.  Actually, I figure as himself is now 40 and can no longer be described as a toy boy he's living on borrowed time, so I need that key just in case.

A part of us forever in Paris

Next stop was The Louvre to go inside this time.  This is an impressive building on its own, never mind what is housed in there.  Of course we saw the big stuff like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and although you know what they look like, it's quite an experience to stand in front of them and look at them for real.  There was so much to see that we didn't have time for everything.  I was glad that we got chance to see the apartments of Napoleon.  Very impressive.

Our time was up and we had to come home.  We had to catch the RER back to the airport, and I saw a sign pointing to it that was a different way to the way we had come, but it looked like a closer route so we followed it.  French sign posts are not great, and we got a little lost.  Time was running and we were both getting rather anxious that we wouldn't get to the airport in time.  Robert asked some locals who were very helpful, but the station entrance that they sent us to was closed.  Fortunately I saw another sign across the road so we headed for it.  Down a tiny side street was a lift.  That was all, just a lift down to the RER.  It was very odd but we got in and went down to the platform.  There was a ticket machine at the bottom that was out of order so we couldn't buy a ticket.  The train was arriving and we didn't have time to go and find another machine, so despite my reservations about getting on a train without a ticket, we got on.  At the other end there would be a barrier where you would have to put your ticket in to get through, but Robert just said that we would explain when we got to the other end so I trusted him.

Well, we got to the airport and the barrier, and there was no one about to help.  After a few minutes we saw a security guard and called him over. He didn't speak much English so we couldn't really explain what had happened.  He directed us to a help point that just had a button and a speaker/microphone, and disappeared.  No one answered when we pressed the button and still there was no one else around to ask for help. Eventually an old man in a scruffy airport uniform and a high vis jacket saw us and asked if we needed to get through the barrier.  We said yes and he just used his pass and let us through.  Thank you whoever you were, your help was much appreciated.

So that was our trip to France.  It's surprising how much French you remember from school. Not enough to form full sentences but enough to get a good idea of what signs are saying, although it was nice to get home and read English signs again.  It was all wonderful, and we want to go back to see all the things we didn't have time for.

Happy Birthday Mr Taylor.

 

Potfest

Yesterday I did something that I've never done before.  I went to Potfest 2012.  The name of this event may sound a little dodgy, but I assure you it was not in any way suspect.  Robert met a lady whose partner is a potter and she told him about this event that is held each year where potters from all over the country and abroad come to exhibit and sell their creations, so we decided to go and have a look.

I dressed in my best bohemian outfit to try and fit in with all the creative types and we set off for Penrith.  I love the drive up to Penrith because you go past some wonderful countryside and the best service station in the UK at Tebay with its wonderful farm shop.  My enthusiasm was dampened however as on the journey it kept raining, and I didn't have a coat with me.  Robert assured me that everything was in marquees so it would be alright even if it rained for the rest of the day.

The event is held in the grounds of a country house just above Penrith in Cumbria which was a lovely setting. There were four main marquees and then a few smaller tents, all filled with potters selling their goods.  There was a diverse range of styles.  Some were very traditional and some were quite bizarre, and there was even one piece that was very rude, but I won't talk about that.

Some of the less traditional work

I am so glad I had a brolly as the weather just couldn't make up its mind.  One minute it was lovely and warm with blue skies and then not long after there would be a massive downpour.  Most people were dressed in fleeces and sensible cold weather clothes, and my summery dress was a little chilly.  The ground was getting a rather muddy with all the rain and visitors, but at least I had sensible shoes on, unlike a couple of middle aged ladies I overheard who were wishing they hadn't worn their sandals.

Each year the potters are invited to enter a competition and the visitors get to vote on their favourite piece.  The theme for this year's competition was journeys and pilgramages.  Here is a photo of the piece that Robert and I voted for to win.

Pilgrim's Progress

We had some lunch in the tea rooms of the house; a lovely fresh made tuna salad roll and a hot chocolate, and then went for a walk round the gardens.  The smell of roses in the walled garden was wonderful, and I wished that photos could have smelly vision so that I could share it with you.

The walled garden

Loved these steps covered in moss and wild flowers

Me and him with the house in the background

I don't know this dog and I don't know these people, I just thought he was beautiful

It was a great day and I even bought myself a little something to add to my collection.  On the way home we stopped in at the previously mentioned service station and bought ourselves a few goodies to eat in the evening, which went down very nicely, thank you.

My little present to myself

Fine Art

Kirsty has just finished her foundation year for her fine art degree.  Last night we went to her end of year exhibition at UCLAN.  This was a chance for everyone to see the final pieces for those on the foundation year and also for those who have just finished their third year.  The exhibition started at 6pm and we had to get there early doors because Robert and I had a choir practice back in Burnley at 7:30 that evening.

We walked into the university building and my first impression was that they were doing their best to make it look like a proper exhibition.  There was a table with wine and nibbles in the entrance and some of the students had made an effort to dress up for the occasion.  Kirsty and I were fairly dressed down - although her version of dressed down was a little more dressed up than mine, but then she is much younger and has nicer legs.

We found the rooms where the foundation year students' work was being exhibited and started to look round.  I'll be honest, some of it was clearly art, and some of it was less so.  There were some pieces I liked and some that I thought were badly put together and lacking in attention to detail.

While we were there we bumped into one of the tutors who was asking Kirsty if she had made her mind up what to do next year.  Her original intention was to do the foundation year in art and design and then go on to do her degree in photography.  After talking to some of her tutors she is now seriously thinking about doing fine art next year, and this particular tutor was one of those encouraging her to do so.  He seemed genuinely interested in Kirsty's work which is encouraging for her.

Kirsty with her final piece.  Just a little shame that she only found out about non reflective glass after she'd put it together.

After looking at the foundation year's work we went on to look at the third year's work.  As soon as you walked in you could see the difference in standard.  Some of the pieces were impressive and showed a lot of talent.  However, some of them had clearly wasted the last three years if they thought what they were exhibiting as a final piece was fine art.  Now, I'm not being a traditionalist here in anyway.  I can appreciate contemporary and modern art if it's done well, but some of these pieces were not done well.

On the whole I enjoyed it and it was nice to see Kirsty in the environment where she will be spending the next three years.  She certainly seems to have enjoyed it and it has been nice to see her enthusiasm and growth over the last year.

Bank Holiday Weekend

I love a good bank holiday weekend, and this one was pretty good.  A few weeks ago I got the idea into my head that I wanted to go and see Singin' in the Rain in London. Originally this was going to be a trip just for me and Robert, but due to various reasons, it ended up being a trip for Katy too.

About a week after booking the show, hotel and train tickets, I realised it was FA cup day on the Saturday we were going to be there and I got worried that this might be a problem especially on the train.  As it happens the only football fans we saw were a few Chelsea supporters being a bit vocal on the underground late on Saturday night.  As they had won, it was all very happy and good natured.

I had booked the train tickets in the quiet carriage in first class as I am turning into a grumpy old woman and don't like being disturbed by other peoples' noisy conversations on public transport.  Unfortunately, travelling in the same carriage was a family with young children who played games, talked loudly and laughed all the way to London.  Now I understand that children need to learn how to behave in public, but why would you book seats in the quiet carriage when you were with children who would  need entertaining which would inevitably result in noise?  There were at least two other first class carriages that were more than half empty where you weren't required to be as considerate noise wise.  Even the adults made no attempt to speak a little more quietly.

Anyway, we made it to London without me being violent towards anyone which was a plus.

We had caught a train that arrived quite late in the afternoon, and by the time we got to the hotel it was almost time to go out to the theatre.  We decided to save a few pennies and walk to Shaftsbury Avenue which really wasn't very far.  We passed the London Eye on the way there and Katy kept taking her phone out of her pocket to take photos.  At some point this also resulted in her losing the Oyster card we had just topped up with £10 on it.  Needless to say I was not best pleased and she was informed that she would have to pay this back with the money she had just got from selling her DSi on ebay.

Singin' in the Rain was a wonderful wonderful show.  Katy was watching the tap dancing very closely as it's her favourite type of dance.  She kept sitting forward in her seat so that she could get a better look at the dancers' feet.  A lot of the dance routines were energetic and I was in awe of the voice control as they sang the numbers too. As the music for the actual Singin' in the Rain number started you could feel the whole atmosphere in the theatre lift as they knew they were going to see the rain.  It was an amazing number to watch, and it seemed that the actor was playing "how much of the audience can I get wet" while he was dancing.  The first three rows of the stalls got quite a bit of it.  The staging was very clever as it was raised around the outside which looked like a pavement and then there was a large inner section that looked like very long floorboards.  There were gaps between the boards where the water drained away during the interval and the stage hands (all dressed in the correct period costume) spent the entire time using squeegies and mops to make sure the stage was completely dry ready for the second act.  At the end of the show there was a reprise of Singin' in the Rain with the whole cast, and the first three rows got even more wet as there were more feet kicking the water towards them.

After the show

After the show we visited the Cinnabon shop in Picadilly Circus for a late night snack.  We caught the tube back to the hotel as it had started raining.

The next day we had decided we would go and visit the British Museum.  Firstly because I have been to London several times and had not gone there, and secondly because entry is free.  I loved it here and was mostly interested in all the large antiquities in the ancient Greek and Egyptian sections.  I wasn't as impressed with the pottery and jewellery quite so much as you tend to see these sorts of things in most museums.  It was amazing to see the hieroglyphics in so much detail.  I think it was a little morbid that the section with the mummies was the most crowded.

After a couple of hours I started getting artefact fatigue so we didn't make it round all the exhibits.  As always I had to visit the gift shop before we left.  When we were looking around we came across a whole section of gifts devoted to the Rosetta Stone.  We had totally missed this exhibit, but luckily it was right opposite the gift shop so we went to have a look.  I had managed to get to the front of the crowd and was taking a closer look with my glasses on.  When I turned round to move away I was completely surrounded by quite a large group who all had their cameras pointed at the stone, trying to take photos.  I was quite hemmed in and they were very reluctant to let me out.  Didn't seem to occur to anyone that if they just let me through then I wouldn't be obstructing their view anymore and they would be able to take better photos (grumpy old woman again).

Quote I liked in the British Museum

The plan for the rest of the day was supposed to include having a nice dinner and then going to the cinema to see a film.  However, before we left the hotel in the morning I had been checking my emails and there was one from a ticket website telling me of their latest ticket sale prices.  A couple of hours later and Robert had hot footed it down to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and purchased half price tickets for another show that evening.  Rock of Ages, it has to be said, is a very different kind of show from the previous night.  Yes it involved singing and dancing but the story is about a bar on the sunset strip that a property developer is trying to demolish, and the people who work there.  It's basically one of those shows that takes a whole bunch of unrelated rock songs from the 80s and makes up a story around them.  It was very funny and the music made you want to dance in your seat.  Lots of hand clapping and some singing along.

Current sculpture on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square

Attempted arty shot of the London Eye at night

Monday was a little more cultural with a walk along the Southbank to the Millenium bridge which I had never walked across (with a brief stop for Robert and Katy to have a go at a laser maze), and then hoofing it across town to Westminster Cathedral.  I wanted to go here because I had passed it several times on my way to Westminster City Hall for work meetings and wanted to see inside.  Interestingly the usual ornate gold decoration stopped about two thirds of the way up and the whole ceiling is made up entirely of plain black brick as they had run out of money to finish it.

Katy inside the laser maze

Westminster Cathedral

Then the culture stopped as we visited M&M's world in Leicester Square. I really wanted to buy some M&M related gift, but everything was so expensive, so we settled for buying a selection of coloured M&Ms that you don't get in regular packets.  There was an absolute rainbow of colours to choose from and Robert got a few of each.

Rainbow of M&M colours

The journey home was much quieter and more relaxing.  It really was a great weekend, and we're already planning the next trip.

Yoga/Pilates

In my attempt to finish this year noticeably lighter than when it started, I am doing all sorts of new things.  One of these is yoga/pilates.  I had seen posters around Padiham for a new class starting on 17th April just across the road at Katy's school.  I decided that this was something I ought to try as I am already doing more aerobic exercise and felt I ought to balance this out with some controlled strengthening exercise.  Yesterday was the first class.

I had mentioned this in conversation to my sister in law Liz, and she thought she'd give it a try too. So last night we trotted off, not quite knowing what to expect.  We got to the school and there were a few ladies waiting already.  The previous Zumba class hadn't quite finished which left us with a few minutes to sit and chat.  The receptionist took us up to the room when it was ready.

At this point I would like you to close your eyes and just imagine what you think a yoga/pilates teacher looks like.  Have you got it in your mind's eye?  Well, we were greeted by a very red face, sweaty lady who looked to be in her early thirties with scrapped back brown hair and wobbly belly bits, in very typical chav exercise gear and saying in a strong Lancashire accent "welcome ladies, I'm very sweaty, I've got to go and change my top" (she had taken the previously mentioned Zumba class).  The room itself was very warm from the sweaty bodies that had been in there before it.  Liz suggested that we were starting off with a sauna.

When we were ready to start the class she explained what it was going to be, as it wasn't just yoga or pilates it was going to be a new fusion of the two as she had wanted to teach something more up to date and different so had taken a course to learn how to do this.  She advised us to work in bare feet and kept saying that she liked to be in bare feet to feel the wood against her skin as it was a natural element and made her feel more connected and grounded (remember, this is all in a Lancashire accent).

The class started and it was very soon apparent that this was going to be quite strenuous. It wasn't long before I was "glowing" like a lady had never "glowed" before. Our trainers favourite word was "ladies".  She must have said it over a hundred times in the hour we were there.  "Now ladies, what we're going to do next ladies is....", for every movement we did for a whole hour!

We did one movement that involved having our arms pressed together from palms to elbows in front of us and then raising them up and lifting our chests.  I think our arms might have been intertwined in some way also.  Now, I'm a very short person and the distance between my neck and my ample chest is very short, and well, to be honest I almost strangled myself with this move.

I did actually surprise myself a little too.  We had to balance on one leg, lift our other leg and hold onto our ankle, then we had to stretch our raised leg straight out behind us to 90 degrees and hold, and then stretch our arms straight out in front of us so that our whole body was out flat, and hold the position.  Our teacher suggested that we use the wall for balance if we wanted to, but I decided to try and be hardcore and do it properly, and the surprise was that I did it with very little wobble and didn't lose my balance at all.  Not bad eh?

So are we going back next week?  I think I'll give it another go.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was a little different this year.  My newest great niece Amelia Rose Hathaway was being blessed in Lincoln.  "A great niece?" I hear you say?  "But you don't look old enough to have a great niece". Why thank you, but it's true, and not only that but I have been a great aunt for 21 years.  All that aside, we decided that this would be a great opportunity for a family trip to meet up with everyone else who was going to be there, and thanks to Rebekah who works part time for Holiday Inn, we were able to get hotel rooms at ridiculously good prices for everyone, so we were able to travel down the night before.

As there were too many of us for one car, Robert drove down with mum, dad, Jim and Katy.  I set off later with Kirsty and Rebekah, and Kim came by train from London.  Robert's party arrived late afternoon so went over to Mark and Kate's house and spent a few hours with everyone there.  Everyone being Len, Mary, Rachel, Phil, Ben, Dan, Jake, Amy and of course Mark, Kate, Oscar and Amelia. I think the last time we were together was when Oscar was blessed three years ago.  It's amazing how quickly time goes by without you realising it.  We got there about 9:30 and a hungry Kim arrived just after 10:30 so we all had a little share of the pizza she tucked into at the hotel.

Kirsty was concerned that as the next day was Easter Sunday, and our normal family tradition was to have an Easter Egg hunt, what would happen in the morning.  She was also concerned that the Easter Bunny wouldn't know that she was in Lincoln and wouldn't know where to deliver her eggs.  We did discuss the possibility of having an egg hunt in the hotel but decided that this wouldn't go down well with the other guests on a Sunday morning, and as Rebekah worked for the company it wouldn't look good for her.  As it turned out, the Easter Bunny knows all and knew exactly which rooms to deliver eggs to in the morning.

It wasn't a great night's sleep in the hotel as the mattress was very bouncy and the pillows were all wrong. One wasn't enough and two was too many, so it was a bit difficult to get comfortable.  I don't think it's right that you wake up more tired than you were when you went to sleep, especially when you have to drive back home later in the afternoon.

Breakfast in the hotel was ok. I'd gone down before putting on my makeup so had to go back to my room to complete the finishing touches.  I was sitting with Robert, Jim and Katy and told them I was going back upstairs to make myself more beautiful.  Perfect response from my dear husband who said "is that even possible?" and from my brother "you've only got 40 minutes", thanks Jim.

We had been warned by Mark that we would have to get to church early to get a seat so we all piled into the chapel and between all the visitors that were there for the blessing, we took up three pews. We knew at some point that the people who normally sat in those seats would come in and have to find somewhere else to sit, and it was obvious from the look on their faces who they were. It wasn't a problem, but you know what it's like at church, people are creatures of habit and tend to sit in the same places every week, and sometimes there are visitors and you can't sit in your usual place and then you have a moment when you're not quite sure what to do next.

Oscar sat on Robert's lap during Sacrament meeting and had great fun playing on his iPad.  Finally all those silly little games he downloads came in useful as they kept a 3 year old amused quite nicely.  The girls and I didn't fancy going into the rest of the classes so we spent the next two hours hanging out in the corridor, but as this was also with Phil and the boys this was a very good part of the day.  Phil and my girls are so funny when they are together.  Kim put her bar skills to use by cutting up lemons and limes for the punch that was being made ready for the buffet and Rebekah helped by grating cheese (some for the bowl and some for Bekah).  The smells in the kitchen were making us all hungry.

The buffet was totally yummy as always, and it was nice to finally all be together and do some catching up.  I love all my family and it's such a shame that distance and time make it difficult to be together more often.  They make me laugh, and they make my girls laugh and that's not always easy, so when it happens and we're all together it's a very special time.  Kirsty and Rebekah admitted to being broody when they were holding Amelia, which was news to me but as I get older I am starting to accept that maybe it would be ok to be a grandma, but only maybe.

Amelia who we all came to see

Oscar the big brother

Kim had to catch her train back to London at 3 so left a little earlier than the rest of us.  We knew we had to get on our way home but were reluctant to leave.  It seems we were pretty much the last ones there.  No one had any family events coming up to create another time for us to be together so we've pretty much decided that it's down to Kirsty to get married so that we can see each other again as she's the next oldest, and let's face it, it's about time.

Kirsty, Phil and Amy and a little of grandma's hands (mum)

Mum with ear problems, Kirsty, Rebekah, Kim and someone making a point

Kirsty holding Amelia with my dad

Rebekah being a little broody with Amelia

Despite being tired, the journey home was uneventful and safe, and we made good time.  We all had a great day that meant a lot to us.