Well, my absence this time was not really my fault. I have tried several times to start a new post and the blooming computer wouldn't let me! I have no idea why, but I was barred from my own Blog and as I'm not the sharpest on tech stuff, I just didn't know what to do. Anyway, I'm back now and just hope it will be ok.
I have had a pretty horrible time, healthwise, to be honest, with an abcess or two (one on my chest and one on a tooth) a chest infection and a continuing snuffly cold, so it's no wonder I'm a bit fed up with it. I have also decided to deal with my dodgy ears, eyes and teeth before I disappear off to Spain, and while I'm at it, I'm going to ask for an MOT at my GP so that I can feel better about everything. It all sounds a bit depressing, all part of growing older I know, but a good plan to deal with it I think.
On a more cheerful note, things are going pretty well in Barcelona, as they have finally found an apartment in Sitges, which looks really lovely: it's in a modern development, with amazing views to the sea, three bedrooms, and a communal pool. It's also very near the school for Jasper. Let's hope it works out for them - and they have invited me over for Christmas, what larks!
I don't think I told you about my visit to Sitges in October: it was lovely weather and I stayed the first 6 days in a hotel on the seafront, the Platjador. I had an ensuite room on the third floor, with a balcony overlooking the pool at the back. I can't praise the hotel enough; I had the biggest bed I have ever seen, very comfortable, a super shower room and it was immaculate. The staff were lovely too, and couldn't have been more helpful. A fabulous breakfast was included in the price, as was tea with pastries, served at 5 o'clock in the roof terrace bar. Altogether it was perfect and I also looked at four rental flats while I was there. I met some lovely people too; the owner of one of the flats, and her Mother, and a really nice young woman Estate Agent (I know that's normally a contradiction in terms, but she was extremely nice). Anyway, it was altogether a really good experience and a chance to see what might be available in Sitges for a long-term rental.
The family turned up to collect me in Sitges on Saturday, and combined this with looking at flats that might suit them. We had delayed this for a day as the Catalan demonstrations were in full swing in Barcelona that week - In fact I had been very lucky not to be affected by them. I had watched the news avidly in my room as it had been full on all week - though not in Sitges! I must say that it did help my understanding of Spanish, though not my ability to speak it. And I can sympathize with the Catalan cause, though not the violence involved - I hated seeing cars on fire in the streets.
Amazingly there was no sign of protesters, marches or demonstrations when we drove back to Barcelona.They had all melted away and Barcelona was back to its elegant self. Rather strange.
Anyway, I then had five days with my lovely Son and his family before coming back, and though they hadn't then found an apartment, I'm happy to say that they have now, so it's all change again.
More updates to follow - it really feels much colder now, so I guess it's "Winter drawers on"!!
;
Monday, November 18, 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Big School
I forgot to mention in my last post that my little Granddaughter has just started Big School and is perfectly happy with it. She is Daughter's youngest and a very easy child, she doesn't make demands, or not unreasonable ones. She is currently spending half the week with her Father, so he is taking her to school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As I said before, it wouldn't be my cup of tea, but she seems happy enough with it. So that's my third grandchild off to school, with little Grandson now at school in Barcelona. The Barcelona crew were here for a week at the end of August, and we were lucky enough to have glorious weather while they were here. Somehow we all fitted in comfortably, with Grandson sleeping on a very comfy blow-up bed in with his Mum and Dad, but it emphasised to me that I have actually down-sized and I don't much like it! I really want another bedroom so that I can earn a bit of money and have more people to stay and something more to do with my time! Let me tell you (if you don't already know) retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Anyway, I'd better stop moaning and do something about it.
I went to the movies this week, to see Downton Abbey, and of course I loved it. I could quite happily watch episodes of it every day, I suppose because it transports me into a world that is quite out of my comprehension. And it is so far removed from my life that I can slide gently into period bliss for an hour or so :))
It's Autumn, officially, so we can expect "mists and mellow fruitfulness". I've started well by making some crab apple jelly (with rose hips and rose petals thrown in), which is a glorious colour and tastes divine, and I've optimistically taken pounds of pears from Daughter's garden and am planning to make pear and apple chutney too. I'm a bit short of jars to put it in, so will have to beg the neighbours for jars in return for some chutney.
Before I forget, Son was 40 on 16th of this month. They had a wonderful celebration, at their apartment, with a Hawaian Barbeque in the garden, forty-odd guests and three cakes!! Sad that I couldn't be there, but they had squeezed in as many friends as they could to stay for the occasion, and anyway I'm planning to go for a visit next month.
What a thought though, I have a Son who is 40! I had sent a little package for his Birthday, but although I sent it tracked and carefully wrapped, it was over a week late and had been opened. By whom I don't know, but half the contents were missing and presumably stolen by whoever opened it. Why? I didn't send anything valuable, just nice little stuff for his Birthday: a little book about the Spurs, some candles for his cake and a bar of chocolate. Two birthday cards, two bookmarks and two tiny little unbirthday presents...how mean that anyone would think it worth stealing..They could at least have put everything back and delivered it! Boo, shame on you.
I went to the movies this week, to see Downton Abbey, and of course I loved it. I could quite happily watch episodes of it every day, I suppose because it transports me into a world that is quite out of my comprehension. And it is so far removed from my life that I can slide gently into period bliss for an hour or so :))
It's Autumn, officially, so we can expect "mists and mellow fruitfulness". I've started well by making some crab apple jelly (with rose hips and rose petals thrown in), which is a glorious colour and tastes divine, and I've optimistically taken pounds of pears from Daughter's garden and am planning to make pear and apple chutney too. I'm a bit short of jars to put it in, so will have to beg the neighbours for jars in return for some chutney.
Before I forget, Son was 40 on 16th of this month. They had a wonderful celebration, at their apartment, with a Hawaian Barbeque in the garden, forty-odd guests and three cakes!! Sad that I couldn't be there, but they had squeezed in as many friends as they could to stay for the occasion, and anyway I'm planning to go for a visit next month.
What a thought though, I have a Son who is 40! I had sent a little package for his Birthday, but although I sent it tracked and carefully wrapped, it was over a week late and had been opened. By whom I don't know, but half the contents were missing and presumably stolen by whoever opened it. Why? I didn't send anything valuable, just nice little stuff for his Birthday: a little book about the Spurs, some candles for his cake and a bar of chocolate. Two birthday cards, two bookmarks and two tiny little unbirthday presents...how mean that anyone would think it worth stealing..They could at least have put everything back and delivered it! Boo, shame on you.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Any way the wind blows..doesn't really matter.. to me.
Oh dear! I'm totally bewildered..where am I going? , I can't believe I'm still in Shoreham, but I am and I think that most of my friends and family are both fed up and frustrated that I seem unable to make a move, or even a decision.
On the face of it, it shouldn't be difficult: I don't want to stay here, I want to live somewhere warm and I would like a house near the sea, with a garden, a pool and enough room to do bed and breakfast so that I can keep my head above water, financially. Surely that's not a huge ask, and I should have enough money to do that either in Spain, near Barcelona or in France, near the border.
It sounds very simple doesn't it, so why am I making such a meal of it?
When I said to Son that I needed a plan, he said "Well make a plan Mum" and of course that's where I fall down, because I would really like some help with making the plan, and they are all too busy with their own lives to sort me out! Naturally enough. Daughter would help if she had the time too, but she doesn't really want me to move to warmer climes, so that is not really helpful.
Yesterday I had what I thought was a brilliant idea, which was to put a message out into the Universe to see if anyone would care to "Share a Chateau"... sounds like a brilliant idea to me, if I could only think how to do it. I would love a small Chateau where I could live and do my B and B, but I would need a partner who could do the DIY or whatever was needed. We could share the costs and the living accommodation, and divide the labour according to our skills. I'm really good at the design bits and making it look lovely, And I'm not bad at the cooking and welcoming guests (I've done a bit of that in the past), My partner would have to be up for the practical stuff like cutting logs and grass and taking care of general repairs. I think it could work. What do you think?
Of course, there would have to be a 50/50 investment and all the legalities would have to be sewn up tight. Perhaps it's too much to hope for a like-minded soul, but just maybe there is someone out there. I need to give it some more thought, so I'm airing it here as a possibility. Who knows, it might work.
On a different note, Big Grandson went on a school trip this week to the Large Hadron Collider at Cern in Switzerland. It was a (very long) day trip. They left at 4 am for Gatwick, flew to Geneva and then went on to Cern in a coach. It was apparently the most wonderful experience, and Grandson was hugely impressed by both its vast size and the complex physics of the thing. It is apparently the biggest machine in the World!! They went underground to see where the particles are whizzed around in a 17 mile circular tunnel at great speeds until they collide and produce yet more particles or atoms. I don't pretend to comprehend it, but it is rather wonderful and is helping us (or rather them) to understand our Universe better. Anyway Grandson loved it and came home with a Large Hadron Collider orange hardhat (cost 8 Swiss Francs) and some postcards to remember it by. They arrived safely back at midnight, absolutely shattered.
On the face of it, it shouldn't be difficult: I don't want to stay here, I want to live somewhere warm and I would like a house near the sea, with a garden, a pool and enough room to do bed and breakfast so that I can keep my head above water, financially. Surely that's not a huge ask, and I should have enough money to do that either in Spain, near Barcelona or in France, near the border.
It sounds very simple doesn't it, so why am I making such a meal of it?
When I said to Son that I needed a plan, he said "Well make a plan Mum" and of course that's where I fall down, because I would really like some help with making the plan, and they are all too busy with their own lives to sort me out! Naturally enough. Daughter would help if she had the time too, but she doesn't really want me to move to warmer climes, so that is not really helpful.
Yesterday I had what I thought was a brilliant idea, which was to put a message out into the Universe to see if anyone would care to "Share a Chateau"... sounds like a brilliant idea to me, if I could only think how to do it. I would love a small Chateau where I could live and do my B and B, but I would need a partner who could do the DIY or whatever was needed. We could share the costs and the living accommodation, and divide the labour according to our skills. I'm really good at the design bits and making it look lovely, And I'm not bad at the cooking and welcoming guests (I've done a bit of that in the past), My partner would have to be up for the practical stuff like cutting logs and grass and taking care of general repairs. I think it could work. What do you think?
Of course, there would have to be a 50/50 investment and all the legalities would have to be sewn up tight. Perhaps it's too much to hope for a like-minded soul, but just maybe there is someone out there. I need to give it some more thought, so I'm airing it here as a possibility. Who knows, it might work.
On a different note, Big Grandson went on a school trip this week to the Large Hadron Collider at Cern in Switzerland. It was a (very long) day trip. They left at 4 am for Gatwick, flew to Geneva and then went on to Cern in a coach. It was apparently the most wonderful experience, and Grandson was hugely impressed by both its vast size and the complex physics of the thing. It is apparently the biggest machine in the World!! They went underground to see where the particles are whizzed around in a 17 mile circular tunnel at great speeds until they collide and produce yet more particles or atoms. I don't pretend to comprehend it, but it is rather wonderful and is helping us (or rather them) to understand our Universe better. Anyway Grandson loved it and came home with a Large Hadron Collider orange hardhat (cost 8 Swiss Francs) and some postcards to remember it by. They arrived safely back at midnight, absolutely shattered.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Stronger Together
Another long gap in communication, and I'm all out of excuses. I'm not moving after all - at least not yet - and still searching around for some certainty! I had sold my house (to the busy woman and her husband), but after two whole months of looking far and near with nothing even remotely nice appearing, I had to change my mind and stop the sale. I could picture myself standing outside with a couple of suitcases, waving gooodbye to the furniture van and having nowhere to go. It was a very scary prospect. Having had a couple of weeks to think about it since, I believe it was because I have always had a clear vision of where I was moving to in the past, and I don't have that now.
So now I'm considering renting in Sitges (half an hour from Barcelona by car or train), possibly followed by buying in Sitges, and trying to decide what to do with this house in the meantime. There are many options: renting this house out furnished, or unfurnished, or not renting it! Or even doing an Air BnB with it..( Actually I'd happily do nothing with it until I'm sure what I want.) Ideally I will go out to Spain for a short recce first, in September, to see how I might feel about living there. And then I could get a Winter rental there so that I could keep warm and learn more about the place. Son and his family are also considering a move, either in Barcelona or possibly to Sitges, so we might even join together - or not! See what I mean? I must say that the prospect of packing up everything in this house and stashing it in the garage is extremely daunting. Sensible, but daunting. Anyway, because of various happenings, nothing is happening right now! Son and family have left Barcelona for the summer (much too hot to stay) and are in Warsaw (with her Mother and friends), followed by the Polish Lake District, followed by a few days together at a lovely Spa, followed by London, followed by here in sunny Shoreham for the last week in August. That leaves me in an uneasy situation where I feel rather isolated, as if I should be doing something positive, and yet I know there's nothing to be done until the beginning of September! Heigh Ho!
And in the meantime, Daughter and family are still in Hove, with Big Grandson having celebrated his 15th Birthday (he's now 6ft. tall), and have settled in with New Bloke and two of his children and the dog. It's been two years now, so they are more settled. Big Grandson and Little Granddaughter are supposed to be dividing their time between Daughter and their Dad, who also lives in Hove. It's sort of working, but isn't exactly ideal. I know I couldn't have done that kind of time division with my children, but then it was a long time ago and I'm an old fashioned old fart.
Actually, the reason for naming this post "Stronger Together" was mainly to do with the political situation and the dreaded Brexit! I'm a strong Remainer, mainly because I'm old enough to remember what it was really like before we joined the EU. And I have no wish to go back there - what I'd like to see is a strong alliance of all the parties who are in favour of us being in the EU - and all pulling together. I just don't believe that anything other than disaster will come out of Brexit. I love being European, and separating ourselves on this little island, with the likes of Boris Johnson, Slimy Gove and Rees-Mogg to look after our welfare seems a really stupid thing to do. And as for the wavering, havering Jeremy (I'm not in opposition) Corbyn, well my patience has long been exhausted. I'd tie them all together and launch them off the white cliffs into the sea - and good riddance. I'm not alone when I say that this whole debacle has convinced me never to vote either Labour or Tory ever again. So there!
So now I'm considering renting in Sitges (half an hour from Barcelona by car or train), possibly followed by buying in Sitges, and trying to decide what to do with this house in the meantime. There are many options: renting this house out furnished, or unfurnished, or not renting it! Or even doing an Air BnB with it..( Actually I'd happily do nothing with it until I'm sure what I want.) Ideally I will go out to Spain for a short recce first, in September, to see how I might feel about living there. And then I could get a Winter rental there so that I could keep warm and learn more about the place. Son and his family are also considering a move, either in Barcelona or possibly to Sitges, so we might even join together - or not! See what I mean? I must say that the prospect of packing up everything in this house and stashing it in the garage is extremely daunting. Sensible, but daunting. Anyway, because of various happenings, nothing is happening right now! Son and family have left Barcelona for the summer (much too hot to stay) and are in Warsaw (with her Mother and friends), followed by the Polish Lake District, followed by a few days together at a lovely Spa, followed by London, followed by here in sunny Shoreham for the last week in August. That leaves me in an uneasy situation where I feel rather isolated, as if I should be doing something positive, and yet I know there's nothing to be done until the beginning of September! Heigh Ho!
And in the meantime, Daughter and family are still in Hove, with Big Grandson having celebrated his 15th Birthday (he's now 6ft. tall), and have settled in with New Bloke and two of his children and the dog. It's been two years now, so they are more settled. Big Grandson and Little Granddaughter are supposed to be dividing their time between Daughter and their Dad, who also lives in Hove. It's sort of working, but isn't exactly ideal. I know I couldn't have done that kind of time division with my children, but then it was a long time ago and I'm an old fashioned old fart.
Actually, the reason for naming this post "Stronger Together" was mainly to do with the political situation and the dreaded Brexit! I'm a strong Remainer, mainly because I'm old enough to remember what it was really like before we joined the EU. And I have no wish to go back there - what I'd like to see is a strong alliance of all the parties who are in favour of us being in the EU - and all pulling together. I just don't believe that anything other than disaster will come out of Brexit. I love being European, and separating ourselves on this little island, with the likes of Boris Johnson, Slimy Gove and Rees-Mogg to look after our welfare seems a really stupid thing to do. And as for the wavering, havering Jeremy (I'm not in opposition) Corbyn, well my patience has long been exhausted. I'd tie them all together and launch them off the white cliffs into the sea - and good riddance. I'm not alone when I say that this whole debacle has convinced me never to vote either Labour or Tory ever again. So there!
Monday, February 18, 2019
Multiple Choice Anxiety....
It's Valentine's Day and I'm cardless again - not that I expected anything really. And I did make sure that Big Grandson had something to give his Mum, a card and a little presie, but I'm sure she will have had plenty of love tokens from the new bloke, who is very good at that kind of thing,
I've had someone looking at my house again today, and it just made me feel worse. She was a busy woman, full of energy and undoubtedly looking for a bargain! I felt like saying that I didn't put heart and soul into doing this house to just sell it off cheaply - I didn't say it, but if she wants a bargain there are plenty of crap houses out there that need a lot of money spending on them to bring them up to this standard. So there.
Anyway, the encounter has left me feeling like running off into the sunset (or at least as far as Barcelona), and I think I've got to get out into the sun while it lasts. I'll finish this later when I hope
I'll be in a better frame of mind.
Well, I was in a bad mood, and just as well that I didn't hang around to depress everyone else. I'm feeling a lot better, it's sunny again, and I had a lovely lot of celebrations for my Birthday last week.
Last Sunday I had a champagne tea, courtesy of my friend Mary in Eastbourne, and Saturday was my Birthday lunch at Cote in Brighton, which was lovely too. So I shouldn't really be feeling as adrift
as I do. Perhaps because it was a "big birthday" it's inevitable. It takes a while to settle into one's new age and just get on with life. In my case, I really must jog on with the Memoir; leaving it unloved and unfinished is not an option. It's all part of general moving on, in life and in location. I'm faced with multiple choice anxiety and, where I have always been a decisive person with a firm set of choices in place, this time I have far too much to consider. If only I knew what I really want to do and where I really want to go. Simple? If only...
Thursday, January 31, 2019
In the bleak Midwinter
We really are in the grip of a bleak Midwinter right now - or it is threatened hourly if you turn on the radio or the TV. Actually it's not too bad here, if you don't mind zero temperatures and wearing extra layers. But here I still am, blocked from moving in any direction until my house is actually sold. I say actually because firm offers are no good without a sale to back them up. Two very nice ladies are each keen to buy this house, but still have houses to sell. Stalemate. And meanwhile I haver and twist and turn, changing my mind in every possible direction while waiting for the dreaded Brexit to strike us all down.
God knows what we will all be doing in a couple of months time. Running out of everything if some people are to be believed, and stockpiling cans of beans. Heaven knows I don't want to go back 40 years, which is what Brexiteers apparently find so attractive.I can actually remember what it was like; there were strikes and shortages and power cuts galore, and we hadn't long been free of War and Rationing. Oh yes, we still had our Empire, and all the ill-gotten gains that went with it, but surely we have come far enough to see that it was generally awful? I won't be one of the people gaily jumping off the white cliffs in a couple of months time. I'm just hoping we come to our collective senses before then and chuck Teresa May, Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage, Michael Gove and the horrible Jacob Rees Mogg over the edge instead - oh and let's include Mr. Ghastly May too and may he take his Hedge Fund profits with him. I'd also chuck Jeremy Corbyn over with them - let them fight it out as they fall. Corbyn has missed his moment and his chance, all of us who want a say in our futures now that some of the facts are known, have been royally stuffed by the lot of them. In fact, let's tie them all together so that they go down with a proper thump. And good riddance.
I'd have David Lammy for PM (I know he's MP for Tottenham, but that's just a coincidence), or Caroline Lucas - at least they each have an honest approach to politics. But my best candidate would be Gareth Southgate, England Football Manager and a man of Integrity with a capital I. As far as I can see, he would be our best hope: he thinks before he speaks, tells the truth in tricky situations and loves this country while appreciating the contributions made by people from around the world. The fact that he is not a Politician is, as far as I can see, a real advantage. That means he's not greedy, corrupt or dishonest. Bring him on..
God knows what we will all be doing in a couple of months time. Running out of everything if some people are to be believed, and stockpiling cans of beans. Heaven knows I don't want to go back 40 years, which is what Brexiteers apparently find so attractive.I can actually remember what it was like; there were strikes and shortages and power cuts galore, and we hadn't long been free of War and Rationing. Oh yes, we still had our Empire, and all the ill-gotten gains that went with it, but surely we have come far enough to see that it was generally awful? I won't be one of the people gaily jumping off the white cliffs in a couple of months time. I'm just hoping we come to our collective senses before then and chuck Teresa May, Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage, Michael Gove and the horrible Jacob Rees Mogg over the edge instead - oh and let's include Mr. Ghastly May too and may he take his Hedge Fund profits with him. I'd also chuck Jeremy Corbyn over with them - let them fight it out as they fall. Corbyn has missed his moment and his chance, all of us who want a say in our futures now that some of the facts are known, have been royally stuffed by the lot of them. In fact, let's tie them all together so that they go down with a proper thump. And good riddance.
I'd have David Lammy for PM (I know he's MP for Tottenham, but that's just a coincidence), or Caroline Lucas - at least they each have an honest approach to politics. But my best candidate would be Gareth Southgate, England Football Manager and a man of Integrity with a capital I. As far as I can see, he would be our best hope: he thinks before he speaks, tells the truth in tricky situations and loves this country while appreciating the contributions made by people from around the world. The fact that he is not a Politician is, as far as I can see, a real advantage. That means he's not greedy, corrupt or dishonest. Bring him on..
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