tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39372416589661775292024-03-13T15:59:43.619+00:00W1MumWhat we see and what we do and some other stuff too.westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.comBlogger599125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-37264126985365115492020-11-28T10:28:00.001+00:002020-11-28T10:28:25.689+00:00A Lump In Your Throat<p>I've got a desk, which is very lovely and probably something everyone acquired in lockdown! Going through stuff to file in my new drawers I came across these snippets of rambling in a notebook. </p><p>2016</p><p>In November 2016 a lump appeared in my jaw line, it was bonfire night and when I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I noticed a swelling on the right side of my neck.</p><p>Initially I was alarmed but talked myself around, blaming the residual lingering cold I had. However when it was still there two weeks later my friends nudged me towards the GP. </p><p>The doctor had a feel and referred me for a scan - just in case.</p><p>I had a simple jelly roll scan at the Whittington Hospital, the guy doing it got very excited: </p><p>‘I know exactly what this is, but I've never seen one in real life - it is a plunging ranula, a mucoid cyst of the sublingual gland but it needs a deformed jaw muscle to drop through which gives it the plunging bull frog effect.’</p><p>[A rare benign acquired cystic lesion usually occurring on the floor of the mouth from minor salivary gland retention.]</p><p>Ewww!</p><p>Okay then, completely harmless, just looks weird, plus the bull-frog look was playing havoc with my jumper necklines.</p><p>2017</p><p>In early May 2017 I dutifully went for an appointment at The Eastman Dental Clinic near King's Cross. The consultant told me although they were quite rare, he had recently performed surgery on one and it really needed to come out, as it might become infected.</p><p>Karlos his assistant asked all sorts of questions about allergies and whether I'd had an anaesthetic before.</p><p>I emerged to a beautiful day, the sun was beaming down and Calthorpe Community Gardens opposite was just opening up. I popped across for a coffee. The nursery plants and pots around the café looked absolutely parched, I offered to water them and trailed the water hose around after me for a joyful half an hour.</p><p>After the summer was over I went back to The Whittington for a repeat neck scan before the plunging ranula was to be removed. The young lady doing the jelly roll scan said:</p><p>‘Oh you have another little lump, have you noticed that before, I'll take a quick sample, just in case.’</p><p>I was referred this time to UCLH, I knew deep inside it was not going to be good news. TheGR asked if I wanted him to come with me, yes, I said I do.</p><p>In a different hospital, with a different surgeon:</p><p>‘We have found...’ he starts.</p><p>‘...cancer’ I finish.</p><p>‘Yes, you knew?’ the surgeon responded.</p><p>‘FUCK’ shouts TheGR.</p><p>[Post removal of my thyroid gland I need to go back to hospital for radiation therapy, to mop up any rogue bad cells.]</p><p>Monday 11th December 2017</p><div>High up in the lead-lined room on the 14th floor of the hospital I watch the cars and people below go about their daily business. A tail of red brake lights lead off into the distance towards Great Portland Street. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAby5HcdcnxLzXguReVuMZLhnUowqKfOaYm8-BDI22UqRDLvLHdMNhOTBqga2VR1MVVt-0BowYKMC1kVOOhui4s3_7wBN5Nqx8nsz21MM_iij2HtLCV-NKRE0bsmqc8gH2eKDwdATJ-UTr/s2048/Unknown-109.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAby5HcdcnxLzXguReVuMZLhnUowqKfOaYm8-BDI22UqRDLvLHdMNhOTBqga2VR1MVVt-0BowYKMC1kVOOhui4s3_7wBN5Nqx8nsz21MM_iij2HtLCV-NKRE0bsmqc8gH2eKDwdATJ-UTr/s320/Unknown-109.jpeg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Someone has left a pair of binoculars on the windowsill, I look through and make out a patch of snow still clinging to the hillside on Primrose Hill. </div><div><br /></div><div>It’s 2.30 in the afternoon, minutes ago I took a radioactive iodine pill. The pill was administered by a pharmacist, using a long glass tube from behind a lead-lined screen. It was wheeled to my room in a lead-lined suitcase cushioned within a lead-lined pot, lead is very heavy, hence the wheeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have put on a pair of disposable gloves to write this. I have been instructed not to touch anything that may leave the room with me, without protection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My mobile phone is in two disposable gloves. I don't think disposable gloves really offer much protection from radiation but I’ll do what I have been told to do.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdmVjpwmktKzzcZ-8MaWY1lQyE4fd10Wr-LjCq7G8R3IfRyBpn5NyjTZRxxNa95queB5MrWy3ZllOEyv1TrLxkJ_g8HW0JUy5GhqLtYYB3dfiyGVV33Qi6Acbk4lemODNDKF79w9MANjL/s2048/Unknown-115.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdmVjpwmktKzzcZ-8MaWY1lQyE4fd10Wr-LjCq7G8R3IfRyBpn5NyjTZRxxNa95queB5MrWy3ZllOEyv1TrLxkJ_g8HW0JUy5GhqLtYYB3dfiyGVV33Qi6Acbk4lemODNDKF79w9MANjL/s320/Unknown-115.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>There is a large flat-screen TV on the wall facing the bed, 3 remotes and a playstation. This room, it would seem, gets a lot of outside donations. I try all the remote and get Judge Jules, three piles of DVDs sit on the windowsill, I organise them in size order.</div><div><br /></div><div>The entrance to my room is a sliding door, which has now been sealed shut behind the pharmacist has a huge picture of a summer meadow, pink, yellow, green, ladies smock, dandelions and buttercups - a view I've not seen since I was 10 years old laying in the grass on Salisbury downs.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPqjGlwocOQHXWXShll6dFrmIq05T6jGRq0jkE-ju6acAYAQIAS_hKVZKCnzKbOnv3xEu5yx10fE02qM-U1RJSvNQz1CfT7LOyYxUYOOeqWBpWS5l2PaLhxqevO-McDmQZeNN3j5IReS/s1920/Unknown-107.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPqjGlwocOQHXWXShll6dFrmIq05T6jGRq0jkE-ju6acAYAQIAS_hKVZKCnzKbOnv3xEu5yx10fE02qM-U1RJSvNQz1CfT7LOyYxUYOOeqWBpWS5l2PaLhxqevO-McDmQZeNN3j5IReS/s320/Unknown-107.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />14th Floor UCLH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I’ve been instructed to drink plenty of water and given an anti-sickness tablet. I crack open a green smoothie and ration myself a cocoa and vanilla flapjack. </div><div><br /></div><div>I ponder the fact that everyone asked me if this was my first time and I don’t like it and determine it will be my first and last time for radiation therapy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I watch the sun setting over the West End of London. It is 3.40pm, a deep orange disc slipping from the sky behind wisps of violet cloud, it picks out the silhouette of cranes and gleams from the sides of mirrored tower blocks, the room fills with an orange glow. 3.45pm two planes pass on another silently on the horizon.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWthYS7Jfvqh8I_xbo1T_t6Ux5yMvkvEgYYCR7ZY5RzjKLhMig4j1kmqCpMt_8GkRTkJ7YvF4WQ7GgxefqNtMUdSwlNOjgWdeIu3PoO0qrb7cSJJrsSR5e4uDwSzGLgybIuyIeT2qfMNXg/s2048/Unknown-104.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWthYS7Jfvqh8I_xbo1T_t6Ux5yMvkvEgYYCR7ZY5RzjKLhMig4j1kmqCpMt_8GkRTkJ7YvF4WQ7GgxefqNtMUdSwlNOjgWdeIu3PoO0qrb7cSJJrsSR5e4uDwSzGLgybIuyIeT2qfMNXg/s320/Unknown-104.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />14th Floor UCLH<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>The sky is dark but the city twinkles and moves with lights.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MFevh4c0kciR6w8L9GgZrmZ2SMm_GeVFS2Hdm3z325uDi2zsQ4hw8TWCoODJxnlbpRlG-7OmSVuYMUnIQJ2yVLoeYubkqNoN0VtXJIpQDRjFaa3oH2zsFV17-i499X2tAvrDb6X77mtO/s1920/Unknown-116.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MFevh4c0kciR6w8L9GgZrmZ2SMm_GeVFS2Hdm3z325uDi2zsQ4hw8TWCoODJxnlbpRlG-7OmSVuYMUnIQJ2yVLoeYubkqNoN0VtXJIpQDRjFaa3oH2zsFV17-i499X2tAvrDb6X77mtO/s320/Unknown-116.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />WEM</span> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div>Every day has a sunrise and sunset we just choose whether we see them or not. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCKj8Sfm0fwAqcWjh4fXhOAG-cajawa5oS4pIi2BUbhcemHCl9quM9lniOr_DUq1nBn9Uqrsw5kYUvkeP-lQ-0HKUM_f8VRaLG3FNCS3ni9udjZ1-8YEECKm4tB-LYIjPxrgYnd_p6xuP/s2048/Unknown-106.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCKj8Sfm0fwAqcWjh4fXhOAG-cajawa5oS4pIi2BUbhcemHCl9quM9lniOr_DUq1nBn9Uqrsw5kYUvkeP-lQ-0HKUM_f8VRaLG3FNCS3ni9udjZ1-8YEECKm4tB-LYIjPxrgYnd_p6xuP/s320/Unknown-106.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-50957821761200073062020-11-08T08:52:00.000+00:002020-11-08T08:52:07.485+00:00Christmas Gifts Supporting Small Business & Wildlife<p> Shopping online and supporting small businesses is they way I’m doing Christmas this year!</p><p>I’ve always been a fan of Seedball, the fact their wildflower seeds are all native and beneficial to so many different types of wildlife, plus they always work. The seedballs are cleverly made using clay, compost and chilli powder, giving the tiny seeds a head start for germination and protecting them from pests. It is basically gardening for idiots and almost fail safe! I’ve had foxgloves from their Bee Mix pop up in the scrappy inch of soil in the front garden. Red clover at my allotment that has flowered and flowered and flowered bringing in pollinators, it is still blooming now and being visited by late bumblebees. I also adore Oxeye daisies and have had vases of them all summer from their oxeye daisy Seedballs. </p><p>They now have a gift section on their website supporting other like-minded small businesses, there is a super cute felting kit that I’m itching to try but will give to Erbie and the Belle Mere will definitely be getting the indoor watering can! I’m even considering using their limited edition gold tin as this years tree bauble. The festive set is a wildlife loving gardeners dream especially gifted with Dave Goulson’s book on gardening with the tiny things living all around us in mind. </p><p>The beautifully scented bee-themed handcreams will be going to my sisters and aunty and the mini-meadow pots to my social butterfly friend whose bubble can never be big enough. They are so easy to use, you don’t even need to buy soil, hopefully we will all be able to visit her in the summer when they are flowering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXmnGy3DAbNdiufqnkcLQgOLWN9CNRmIi6oNsbLpY-78u8pYnu455m6w-wZjYIHDjPQNl2HWvgpvHF8HmYPt4PNTXZlNvUEL-hWeQNMC8BiFAAtHU2RmadH3vd5JARGsf_jwrBq2nbdSZ/s680/seedball-bee_hive_felting_kit-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXmnGy3DAbNdiufqnkcLQgOLWN9CNRmIi6oNsbLpY-78u8pYnu455m6w-wZjYIHDjPQNl2HWvgpvHF8HmYPt4PNTXZlNvUEL-hWeQNMC8BiFAAtHU2RmadH3vd5JARGsf_jwrBq2nbdSZ/s320/seedball-bee_hive_felting_kit-01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/felting-kit/" style="text-align: left;">Bee Hive Felting Kit £16</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dGadTbFtB7JvwTrrp_aDnfpYobRqFbE2DNHRGePdUv-nlfcdlQjEvWYNT21jAnhsLvf8a_9l4ev8jSDIrFvMV3gyjimPaPM2Cns98O6igDE8ADAE8iXsj_nE70Ay_vv04Z5o0lRpRYcy/s1300/GRH-WCANFF-burgon-and-ball-RHS-gifts-for-gardeners-flora-and-fauna-indoor-watering-can-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dGadTbFtB7JvwTrrp_aDnfpYobRqFbE2DNHRGePdUv-nlfcdlQjEvWYNT21jAnhsLvf8a_9l4ev8jSDIrFvMV3gyjimPaPM2Cns98O6igDE8ADAE8iXsj_nE70Ay_vv04Z5o0lRpRYcy/s320/GRH-WCANFF-burgon-and-ball-RHS-gifts-for-gardeners-flora-and-fauna-indoor-watering-can-04.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/flora-and-fauna-indoor-watering-can/">Indoor Watering Can £18</a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG8aJojvhGXrJ4I-aICxYWFimEmOy1LHoJjChRYkLgf_rZiBMyu4gekJWjlQXqzid1yl3GHDClR2Y0xLfAUSmSo9nPSlPIMCOAs29eFnL2AQIlg6k3Q-_owGOf95HhcsaQz1aOb5OZfDE/s600/seedball_product-oxeyedaisy-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG8aJojvhGXrJ4I-aICxYWFimEmOy1LHoJjChRYkLgf_rZiBMyu4gekJWjlQXqzid1yl3GHDClR2Y0xLfAUSmSo9nPSlPIMCOAs29eFnL2AQIlg6k3Q-_owGOf95HhcsaQz1aOb5OZfDE/w200-h200/seedball_product-oxeyedaisy-01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/oxeye-daisy/">Oxeye Daisy Seedballs £6</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qmP2pmsPJU11Ty5x98XE6LpFlXWKwRsOgsloa_fxEEhi7XLoBePhxNgBnOtNVV1-v8tYQYOIFek9Lf6NeDxnzp4N-5zy9uL-289ippby7ps4K2Z8ToPDeXPF_-L0djiZfUzrB9TyOSCY/s666/seedball-gold-bee-mix-tin-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="666" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qmP2pmsPJU11Ty5x98XE6LpFlXWKwRsOgsloa_fxEEhi7XLoBePhxNgBnOtNVV1-v8tYQYOIFek9Lf6NeDxnzp4N-5zy9uL-289ippby7ps4K2Z8ToPDeXPF_-L0djiZfUzrB9TyOSCY/w200-h200/seedball-gold-bee-mix-tin-01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/bee-mix/">Limited Edition Gold Tin Wildflowers For Bees £6</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmrr-ZXb6kLr0qHWG68LNn2bRhG2nBx8-ka3PKdFEeTp6dQAU8MF9-MbpK-5vV2kSrq21Bt7wO9KfPZE01vYgFBqg7k4YWNXtKi-Heoo1HzUJBektVG2efKT4x0FxDIWvuUTleqRSiUx6/s1000/seedball-festive-gift-e1574942109536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmrr-ZXb6kLr0qHWG68LNn2bRhG2nBx8-ka3PKdFEeTp6dQAU8MF9-MbpK-5vV2kSrq21Bt7wO9KfPZE01vYgFBqg7k4YWNXtKi-Heoo1HzUJBektVG2efKT4x0FxDIWvuUTleqRSiUx6/w320-h240/seedball-festive-gift-e1574942109536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/festive-gift-box/">Wildflower Gift Set £20</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZJBAZAaH_EewryC5mptyUwtmuXR01dAXPWwv9CW_hJoQRCe-Jx_jx_hecl4hfeUym0pH_mCPKC6fiuSvDh3PHR13Vr3mG7p-OHmgUWDDIxI0GODeUqdNWsHaqehZBFoqUIzB7djV6nj9/s800/seedball-the-garden-jungle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZJBAZAaH_EewryC5mptyUwtmuXR01dAXPWwv9CW_hJoQRCe-Jx_jx_hecl4hfeUym0pH_mCPKC6fiuSvDh3PHR13Vr3mG7p-OHmgUWDDIxI0GODeUqdNWsHaqehZBFoqUIzB7djV6nj9/w400-h266/seedball-the-garden-jungle.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/the-garden-jungle/">The Garden Jungle £10</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCAnOjFAEO-_Pzyz1AIhSVN45ky4NGWIhHWi54IjIRJniVeRrSU7Hs8ii3WqBUMotWDBNOJ7a7p6zBqLSmYbb5lSGOIn2fmKee6vb5CMdPMlhNHbRzNQDLcz97J6O65ilshso844zuicz/s777/seedball-beefayre-orange-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="777" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCAnOjFAEO-_Pzyz1AIhSVN45ky4NGWIhHWi54IjIRJniVeRrSU7Hs8ii3WqBUMotWDBNOJ7a7p6zBqLSmYbb5lSGOIn2fmKee6vb5CMdPMlhNHbRzNQDLcz97J6O65ilshso844zuicz/w200-h200/seedball-beefayre-orange-001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/beefayre-hand-creams/">Orange and Neroli Handcream £15</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS85zRbJcWm4Lzt1YDRKIM7EF5pOIUCqfMMl7_H7W3oZzX281yOPG0EeRod12xvEhzrTqaMVddTYAJCsOQtNQ7vJYZFpQtLUgOEFyN1Vahei-vBoE5ZsyPCd2yO5Kv83yYtQI0i1N5EeRo/s888/SEEDBALL_miniMeadow-Butterfly-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS85zRbJcWm4Lzt1YDRKIM7EF5pOIUCqfMMl7_H7W3oZzX281yOPG0EeRod12xvEhzrTqaMVddTYAJCsOQtNQ7vJYZFpQtLUgOEFyN1Vahei-vBoE5ZsyPCd2yO5Kv83yYtQI0i1N5EeRo/w277-h320/SEEDBALL_miniMeadow-Butterfly-front.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://seedball.co.uk/product/mini-meadow-bamboo-pots/">3 Bamboo Pots With Wildflowers For Butterflies £20</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That’s Christmas sorted!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-55384623208222209592020-08-19T21:58:00.000+01:002020-08-19T21:58:03.566+01:00Alexa Is Listening<p>Whilst briefly away from home the other day, it occurred to me that the lengthy pains I’d been taking to keep Erbie’s upcoming birthday presents secret, were instantly nullified by the fact that Alexa had been gleefully announcing their imminent arrival.</p><p>Technology in the modern house has pitfalls and bonuses. For example Erbie, myself and TheGR all get to watch whatsoever we choose with no hurumphing or demands for the remote. The television has become the old school domain of TheGR, Erbie has a computer and Playstation in his room and I have a laptop.</p><p>This is, until the Sky television stopped receiving a satellite signal two weeks ago, causing TheGR to rage and fret for 24hrs, all to no avail as the call centre is obviously still in a country with a monsoon climate, although needless to say this could be Durham in a couple of years, the only offer was for a technician call out in 2 weeks time.</p><p>We now haven’t seen the news for 16 days, which is refreshing and probably in its own way a rebellion against the current government. TheGR is happily rewatching DVDs of Seinfeld. Erbie has just binge watched the entire new Star Wars - Mandolorian series on Disney+ and I have actually got over halfway through reading Donna Tart's, The Goldfinch - which I had previously started 3 times, never getting further than the first chapter. </p><p>Alexa, is now, or was once, an integral part of family life, why check your phone for the time when you can ask Alexa. Why press buttons when you can ask Alexa to put on a timer, why worry your partner to remind you to do something, when you can program Alexa to. </p><p>Alexa open Spotify, Alexa play murder mystery, Alexa how do you spell...? </p><p>The only thing Alexa isn’t so good for anymore is announcements: ‘time to get to school’; ‘time to do your homework’, time to have a life. Life is now on hold, crystallised in Covid, no school, no work, nowhere to go, humid days and nights of August holidays, with the strange sensation of skiving, yet actually having nothing, yet lots to get on with. A limbo lobotomy. The whole country slipping into economic destitution. </p><p>My supermarket checkout lady tells me her grown son cried the other day, forced to take a lower wage to keep his job at a travel agency, he is suffering anxiety, struggling to buy food, a new father, his take home pay is £1500 a month, his rent £1300. </p><p>The local pub can now only open from 4pm, the manager cannot afford staff for two shifts in one day. Four excellent bar-persons run around after about 6 customers, they have no time to stop and chat or take a break.</p><p>Alexa can you save the country? I’m sorry I don’t know that one. </p>westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-67252172953591099662020-05-09T11:06:00.002+01:002020-05-09T11:06:27.982+01:00Lock Downer<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
It’s no longer April<o:p></o:p></div>
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The home-schooling has taken a decisive turn for the worse, mummy is feeling trapped, neither child or parent are getting outside which is really fucking with our mental health. A vicious round of negativity circles through my head: get outside you’ll both feel better - don’t feel up to it. Get outside you’ll both feel better - can’t get the motivation, get outside you’ll both feel better - I’m basically rubbish at parenting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scream - Edvard Munch ©Tate</td></tr>
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Both mine and Erbies physical demeanour is noticeably degenerating, along with our posture, as our middles expand and our shoulders slouch, we move from bed to desk. One day we spend over an hour just trying to log onto a virtual exercise book for a lesson. It is frustrating beyond words with no reward. For one lesson, Erbie concludes, apparently wrongly, that <i>The Metamorphosis</i> by Kafka is about mental health not being recognised in 1915 as Gregor Samsa had a nervous breakdown. This he is told is incorrect, it is an essay on communism. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka</td></tr>
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By the end of the week, I am starting to lose water from my eyes, not something I’m prone to do. Hot, salty tears creep out every time I get a moment of solitude. I snap at Erbie to make more of an effort. I start sleeping, a lot, at lunchtime, in the afternoon, as soon as I get into bed at night. I wake at 5am. The 3 year old packet of Prozac in the medicine cabinet is winking at me. I swerve Zoom meet-ups, silence phone calls and socially distance myself from texts. I fill in the online government forms incorrectly and panic. </div>
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TheBelleMere sends another shopping list for gin, coffee, wine, tonic and loo roll.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I swear a lot in my head and quite a lot outside of it. The kettle blows up, I flick the switch off at the socket as sparks fly and a tiny flame flickers from its base. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thankfully TheGR steps in and starts taking Erbie out for a morning walk/run around the local wood, (yes there is a wood literally over the road and we still hadn’t made it out). Erbie charts his daily PE and the morning walk has gone from a 2 to a 5, on the point system of enjoyment, 5 being 'great fun'. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We go for a family walk. Plants are delivered for the garden I maintain. I go to my allotment and re-pot stuff, I make a card as a favour for Annie and she pays me in Booja Bouja truffles and Whispering Angel. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whispering Angel rosé</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booja Booja dairy-free chocolate truffles<br /><a href="https://www.boojabooja.com/chocolate-truffles/collections/new-the-wonderbox/" target="_blank">https://www.boojabooja.com/chocolate-truffles/collections/new-the-wonderbox/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Erbie had an online audition. My lily of the valley blooms. The sun comes out. Debs invites me for a socially distanced glass of wine and I accept. They have tadpoles. </span></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-48956285325353106882020-04-22T09:13:00.002+01:002020-04-22T09:13:28.533+01:00Home Schooling In The Flat<div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Hi love,</div>
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I have been quarantined at home this week, not with the virus but with the secondary virus which is 'home-schooling' Erbie, having done a sterling job of it before the Easter holidays, has gone into fully blown head in the hands - 'I can't take it' crisis mode, which I am gently trying to coax him from. The only way he will do anything school related is if I sit beside him - all day. </div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">Yesterday, I learnt the historical beginnings of the Muslim religion, the word for 'snow shoes' in French - (raquettes de neige) at least I hope that's what the translation is! I also spent a painful hour hindering the multiplication of negative numbers. As I mentioned before, me and numbers do not fit together well. Science involved learning about salts, this was interesting, did you know that a metal and an acid make a salt? Sodium chloride being table salt, although how anyone is supposed to learn the spelling of </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">phenolphthalein and a simpler </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">explanation</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"> of tritiation might need a little more time. The day ended with Dickens.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">His bigotry surrounding the Jewish faith and his usage of slang in his work 'Oliver'. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">By 4pm Erbie and I were done, figuratively, mentally and physically. Obviously we didn't go out for a long walk to stretch our legs and stare longingly at other peoples gardens, which would have been sensible, good </span>parenting<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> and self-care, </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">oh no, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I had a large glass of wine and Erbie got on. the PS4 with his </span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">friends</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It's times like these that really bring home the insecurities around parenting. at least if they are at school for some of the time, someone else is responsible for their learning, you don't have to take all the flak. In lockdown I imagine thousands, if not millions of parents everywhere are rapidly becoming reliant on their alcohol fix at 6pm and trying to scream louder than the voices in their heads shouting: 'your'e no good at this.' </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">All hail the teaching professionals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The truth is none of us know what we're doing, we were just better at covering it up with our busy ness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Things I thought I'd miss but haven't: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">1.) Clothes shopping, probably because there is nowhere to wear them, and the ever expanding waistline.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Yup, that's it, I miss everything else.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Things I thought I'd get done but haven't:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">That list is way </span>too<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> long. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The kids are all desperate to go back to school and that's something none of us thought we'd hear. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40);">Anyway time to start another day, the school bell would have gone half and hour ago, must have more coffee.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdK-8DZqWktXTv6I3uM33jIk1aVWqNoqHVEm20m14DcoHBdQHnhClZ4Qn2rXCnSs8MRiqomWWJ__agZfB6gtmNGZI8237Jl6iR90hZzs2mh4iMwhgN0G2zHn5v8GGUtt2Ltlj9e0M62go/s1600/51EIv3DGKLL._AC_UL600_SR600%252C600_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdK-8DZqWktXTv6I3uM33jIk1aVWqNoqHVEm20m14DcoHBdQHnhClZ4Qn2rXCnSs8MRiqomWWJ__agZfB6gtmNGZI8237Jl6iR90hZzs2mh4iMwhgN0G2zHn5v8GGUtt2Ltlj9e0M62go/s320/51EIv3DGKLL._AC_UL600_SR600%252C600_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake Butterfly In A Jar</td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-29757508744802059272020-04-20T19:06:00.001+01:002020-04-20T19:06:02.201+01:00Shopping For The VulnerableHey babes,<br />
<br />
It's Monday which means, I will be talking to my ladies who lunch on Zoom this evening - it’s Bingo tonight. I’ve not played Bingo before -there’s no way I’d choose to go out and spend a night with numbers. Me and numbers have never really got on.<br />
<br />
I’ve just received the latest shopping list from the Belle Mere:<br />
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Top of the list is</b></div>
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<b>GIN (large bottle) I like Dry Gin so Bombay (London) Dry Gin. (if they have it). If not, anything except that Green Bottle that I think is Sainsbury's own)</b></div>
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<b>Tonic x 2 large bottles if they have it).</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Milk x 2 green top semi each 2x2 lites 4 pints)</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>cheese ( only Lancashire will do!) It's in a special packet usually on the top shelf)</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>pan scrubs (packet of 4, six or 8?)</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Pasta (tortellone with spinach & cheese).</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Bread- more Vogel if they have it.</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>2 x tins of tomatoes.</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>2 x bottles of dry white wine (can be Sainsbury's).</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>VEG</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Carrots</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Onions </b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b>Celery</b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;">How the hell am I supposed to carry all of that! </span>Seriously, my arms are going to be on the floor by the time I get to her house! We have stopped using public transport and I don’t drive.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
Erbie had his first day back to home-schooling today after the Easter break. He was not his usual cheery self, in fact the only way I could parent that situation was by literally sitting beside him for most of the day. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
I now have serious lockdown loco fever. An hour a day does not keep the head doctor away especially as my only trip out today was to queue briefly (not even a long queue when I really needed it to be) for Sainsbury just up the road. </div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
I actually look pregnant, my wine belly is so big, today I was going to start the exercise regime, healthy eating, getting out, time management thing - yeah we’ve all heard it before. It started badly with left over Easter egg for breakfast and went consistently downhill from there.</div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
Perhaps I should just embrace the wine baby.</div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6515848699gmail_default">
How the hell are you doing?</div>
westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-10954572511717862232020-04-17T17:20:00.000+01:002020-04-17T17:20:36.411+01:00Lockdown Recipe - Stifado - Week 4As with everyone in lockdown, mood levels vary from day to day.<br />
<br />
I am able to measure mine by bra wearing, there are bra-days and no-bra-days. A no-bra-day is not so good, clothes have probably not been put on, hair not washed, sensible food surpassed for chocolate and way too much coffee. Exercise has almost definitely not been taken. No-bra-days are especially bad if they consist of actually leaving the house ‘sans brassiere’, much like today, which involved queuing at the local supermarket to buy wine with the sole purpose of returning home to drink it.<br />
<br />
This is throwing in the towel (or bra) not as it once was seen, as a caution to the wind type thing, but more as a ‘fuck it I cannot go on with out alcohol’ type way. My online health guru, Kris Carr, would call this: ‘numbing’ the senses with wine rather than ‘self care’ chillin’ with a nice glass and something to eat.<br />
<br />
I have also decided to make the hearty flavoursome dish: Beef Stifado. I loosely follow Tonia Buxton’s (The Greek Kitchen) recipe. Tonia’s recipes are really authentic and I also have a slight girl crush, check out: ‘<a href="https://www.toniabuxton.co.uk/2015/04/eat-greek-for-a-week/" target="_blank">Eat Greek For A Week</a>’, yup, okay, not a problem.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKN7JLHdvdcmFUDOzZvlkaeAaaWIsyY3YLFu2j_cC7haQ7FcEsxfFL8RpCZI1p9X14NibU-8ck3ePUnZAJmTGSNOXcja1GW9JZGYl_bpAWkWPiTva681Ell1ui1gV0yDbxX6-oqBWAeAw/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-17+at+16.04.36.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="477" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKN7JLHdvdcmFUDOzZvlkaeAaaWIsyY3YLFu2j_cC7haQ7FcEsxfFL8RpCZI1p9X14NibU-8ck3ePUnZAJmTGSNOXcja1GW9JZGYl_bpAWkWPiTva681Ell1ui1gV0yDbxX6-oqBWAeAw/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-17+at+16.04.36.png" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonia Buxton - all woman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stifado, according to Tonia, means ‘stuffed’ as in ‘stuffed full of flavour’.<br />
<br />
A ladleful of the unctuous broth, full with Greek flavours of fennel, bay and cinnamon is enough to transport me to a tiny harbour taverna, a cold bright sunny afternoon, the blue Aegean lapping at the shore with brightly painted fishing boats bobbing on its surface. Ah...<br />
<br />
For a properly authentic recipe, search up Tonia Buxton’s - Beef Stifado.<br />
<br />
Here is mine:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
W1MUM LOCKDOWN STIFADO</div>
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
400g shin beef diced<br />
2 red onions chopped<br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
2 cloves garlic crushed<br />
3 tbsp red wine vinegar<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 piece of cinnamon bark<br />
1 tsp cloves<br />
1.5 tsp fennel seeds<br />
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes<br />
1 tbsp tomato paste<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
<u>Method</u><br />
I use a heavy based cast iron casserole dish, it’s not <i>Le Creuset</i>, but it works perfectly well. Put on hob and turn up high. Brown the meat in olive oil and add the onions, gently cook until caramelised.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJoyr7yCXECYDD5FOImAgmBn4nGpsPC2TDMashACr3y4nUXBhlma3cRi78tj-YmiC9FW-MI9PdRB4hjqq_acRFKVP3zumNy2HdC2Pc1ddiGCdMAufIpMEkvpWPGfGt9vaefWjBuD1nBBb/s1600/IMG_7725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJoyr7yCXECYDD5FOImAgmBn4nGpsPC2TDMashACr3y4nUXBhlma3cRi78tj-YmiC9FW-MI9PdRB4hjqq_acRFKVP3zumNy2HdC2Pc1ddiGCdMAufIpMEkvpWPGfGt9vaefWjBuD1nBBb/s320/IMG_7725.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown the beef with onions in olive oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Add the crushed garlic, I like to use a microplane grater.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYbpB2oI987XKGIfrUAZsEpLYSJtrjhC9K4GH9Etv_ySt4RWyrJUfbQ3keQwN5RD0XFov9Mdqw8kBq4KWM5sJScPyvQ6th6dpqMjnbcJeKBJ7g0_9vyqpQlhg398K19Slq6Jowb8x4TUE/s1600/IMG_7726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYbpB2oI987XKGIfrUAZsEpLYSJtrjhC9K4GH9Etv_ySt4RWyrJUfbQ3keQwN5RD0XFov9Mdqw8kBq4KWM5sJScPyvQ6th6dpqMjnbcJeKBJ7g0_9vyqpQlhg398K19Slq6Jowb8x4TUE/s320/IMG_7726.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add crushed 2 cloves crushed garlic</td></tr>
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Followed by the red wine vinegar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6RqX0QXprhQOFOE-XWEF9QZ68ufrPiSAVx40rBST_QzBiSWkinIzcEUPrd5_Vr3-zbuPsddq_Wgyht_9WI-zvw5bB5TEU7oioXnTuQCVFGg7L6d0v81vqgmFSZXCT0o3aezOetImQ4dY/s1600/IMG_7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6RqX0QXprhQOFOE-XWEF9QZ68ufrPiSAVx40rBST_QzBiSWkinIzcEUPrd5_Vr3-zbuPsddq_Wgyht_9WI-zvw5bB5TEU7oioXnTuQCVFGg7L6d0v81vqgmFSZXCT0o3aezOetImQ4dY/s320/IMG_7727.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add 3 tbsps red wine vinegar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stir and add the cans of chopped tomatoes, plus one can of water. Rinse the empty cans and recycle!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sXfkcNtBc-qjfaqyF-6pNTdLr2XqHhhB_DwthJW4Z0nijc5f_yo0IwvATbA_NwQ_FG9c0wB3gLuOEReh1_taBNNtulj-GyQ12gJIdF3pZv9gJti0eLU0oPjipB6ahZwwoFWjH5j_KldP/s1600/IMG_7729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sXfkcNtBc-qjfaqyF-6pNTdLr2XqHhhB_DwthJW4Z0nijc5f_yo0IwvATbA_NwQ_FG9c0wB3gLuOEReh1_taBNNtulj-GyQ12gJIdF3pZv9gJti0eLU0oPjipB6ahZwwoFWjH5j_KldP/s320/IMG_7729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add I tsp cloves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Add cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon bark, fennel seeds, tommy paste and season with salt and pepper.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNYyUBY4snm0IIEcmqOuwbjdoqOXhzDWqgMiH_1zZ9VS1PfzhOZasADlmfRaoujJ8zM-bFJx02eXgLWVG_mEGbdAQ8Uh3MbqLoG6EDO4we4Nw5f0EIkDctWMRGNowuJCOFI-nJ4p35yhJ/s1600/IMG_7730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNYyUBY4snm0IIEcmqOuwbjdoqOXhzDWqgMiH_1zZ9VS1PfzhOZasADlmfRaoujJ8zM-bFJx02eXgLWVG_mEGbdAQ8Uh3MbqLoG6EDO4we4Nw5f0EIkDctWMRGNowuJCOFI-nJ4p35yhJ/s320/IMG_7730.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add 1 tsp fennel seeds, bay leaves and cinnamon bark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA63ImdQxK_6KJwFxh5QoCf3dZFZJ2w_T8XLQlgv9vqo07zvlH6TkvNwx2TwZ6QJ6oJRa8Dn8_KRBmQKoxZ5g9Doeywy95NLyWj3sgKV78C9MaCnePV740FIj5_7ZxA80trv0Wcnh4DWAE/s1600/IMG_7733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA63ImdQxK_6KJwFxh5QoCf3dZFZJ2w_T8XLQlgv9vqo07zvlH6TkvNwx2TwZ6QJ6oJRa8Dn8_KRBmQKoxZ5g9Doeywy95NLyWj3sgKV78C9MaCnePV740FIj5_7ZxA80trv0Wcnh4DWAE/s320/IMG_7733.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add 1 tbsp tomato paste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Turn down heat and simmer with a tightly fitting lid for at least 1 hour this is not a dish to rush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyvU8G6DO5Fh-mDjGjGJd1e-5KB0zym_UvGsGtAdU1NaZ_Y0B0NpiRNY-aWFfJI10vk-udzNBasDdwWxOtaULasMDB2Svz0PaoU2X47kVTAJP1Zxn85zdwph3SUFp-QKOUkzFxUfezasu/s1600/IMG_7747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyvU8G6DO5Fh-mDjGjGJd1e-5KB0zym_UvGsGtAdU1NaZ_Y0B0NpiRNY-aWFfJI10vk-udzNBasDdwWxOtaULasMDB2Svz0PaoU2X47kVTAJP1Zxn85zdwph3SUFp-QKOUkzFxUfezasu/s320/IMG_7747.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simmer for at least 1 hour with the lid on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">It is the kind of dish you can happily leave bubbling away in the kitchen, while you have your lockdown-text-off with friends, and it won’t spoil if you drink an extra glass of wine before you bring it to the table. </span><br />
<br />
Serve with a green salad and toasted pitta bread or mashed potatoes and steamed kale... whatever you fancy really.<br />
<br />
Red wine and ouzo optional.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
Stay safe. Stay home.<br />
xxx<br />
<br />
<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-33221639341837598382020-04-15T18:51:00.003+01:002020-04-15T18:51:27.225+01:00Lockdown Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">TheGR apologises for being an arse and decides drinking lager is not the way forward. Having the favourite pub shut means real ale is now only available in cans, we all have to make sacrifices!</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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Maybe his whole family dynamic ran on ‘fight or flight’. Why do we tap in to that when the stress trigger is activated rather than zen calm. I guess Buddhist monks spend years teaching themselves how to tune in to inner calm when triggered rather than the ‘fight or flight’ response, so I shouldn’t be too surprised.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 23 of lockdown, we are all feeling the pinch, the kids really want to go swimming, the joggers don’t want to be puffing past, they want to be on a treadmill at the gym, which was once part of their morning routine, on the way to work., now they’re working from home. Everyone knows the acronym WFH.<o:p></o:p></div>
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7 of us got together last night online, it was daylight when we went on and dark when we got offl. We did a quiz, I had a cup of tea, some had wine, one an Easter egg, another a beer. The quiz was light-hearted, it was lovely to see everyone. We all found the filter button, backgrounds were changed, suddenly the Easter egg eater was in the jungle, my Spanish friend didn’t really say much at all, thinking back, I should call her. Katherine, the GP said there were no babies in her surgery, which isn’t good as it means no one is coming in for vaccinations.</div>
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The Easter holidays are over. The sun is out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cherry blossom 2020</td></tr>
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Erbie and I walk down the railway path, cow parsley, dock, hawthorn buds about to burst, bee-flies and honeybees buzz past. The pink cherry blossom is already fading and clumps of it litter the gutters. No bunches of lilac from the florist this year. I wonder where Kate Moss is? Highgate or the Cotswolds.. Where is Mick Jagger, where are all the famous people? I heard Marianne Faithfull went into hospital with coronavirus but that was 2 weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have lockdown belly. My shoulders ache with stress, yet I’m not really under any stress, I’m obviously under stress, we are all under stress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I called my auntie yesterday, it would have been mums birthday, she was on a ladder in the garden talking to the neighbours saying: ‘it would have been my sister’s birthday today’. They haven’t been out for 4 weeks. My cousin shops for them and drops it off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve been shopping for the Belle Mere, the shopping lists are obtuse. TheGR was instructed and duly got a pineapple and green and blacks organic cocoa powder, plus 4 pints of semi skimmed milk. I did the next round, 4 pints of semi skimmed milk , 2 bottles of tonic water, a double pack of Lavazza coffee and a melon. We don’t question it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It transpires, of course, the BelleMere hasn’t been obeying lockdown rules. She’s been popping out daily for her paper and fags and probably got a few trips to the supermarket in as well, judging by her insider knowledge on the queues and shelf stock situation. We’ve just been getting the heavy stuff for her! She goes very quiet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The BelleMere is convinced she has ‘the virus’, ‘I know I have it’, she calls 3 times in the middle of the night, my phone is on silent. I email to say I will call at 11.30am, I know she’ll be asleep before and I will panic if she doesn’t answer the phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I call at 11.30, she has the poorly voice, I tell her there is nothing to do but stay in, look after yourself, stay hydrated, take paracetamol, eat well, watch telly, sleep, don’t go out to get the paper or fags. Call 111 if you can’t breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She calls the next day to apologise, she’s fine, false alarm, the threat of no paper was too much. Actually that’s unfair, we are all ‘the worried well’ and slightly hysterical, have I got it, what’s this cough?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m doing a 1000 piece jigsaw swap with friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-53123208881521592902020-04-13T07:23:00.000+01:002020-04-13T07:23:02.636+01:00Lockdown Fever<span style="font-family: Cambria;">TheGR shouts at the top of his voice, at the television, but not really at the television. The ticker tape at the bottom of the news bulletin reads, daily exercise may be removed if people continue to flout social distancing rules.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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The downstairs neighbours never did move out, their sale got shunted at the last minute for all sorts of reasons, mainly them. The lovely Spanish couple that were due to move in and expecting a baby bought a flat around the corner. <o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR is besides himself with rage, but also drunk having not had alcohol for 10 days due to illness, have we all been sick with coronavirus, we don’t know, we didn’t lose our sense of taste or smell, but we did have aches, temperatures and coughs and extreme fatigue and weird chest and back pains. Today is the first day we’ve both felt well enough to eat and drink and be merry, it’s obviously gone straight to his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>'I feel like smashing something, why don't I get any thanks, how can they not understand the terms and conditions of the lease, he stares out of the window at the offending downstairs neighbour, yeah that's right... he says menacingly, I'm talking to you.'</o:p></div>
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He’s passed out on the sofa now, I’m at my makeshift desk, especially for lockdown, half of mum’s antique table top balanced on the piano stand, a jigsaw of butterflies 3/4s finished underneath my laptop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I took Erbie out for a walk around the block at 7.30am this morning, it was sunny, the first time he’s been outside for 20 days. The skin at the parting on the top of his head looks blue like a polar bears, from lack of sunlight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A family three doors down are all doing Thai Chi in their back garden and have put up a swing. They’ve been hanging their bedlinen out on the washing line, I’ve not seen any washing hung out on a line since we’ve lived here, now it’s daily occurrence in clement weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR wakes up stomps through to the bathroom and pulls the bedroom door shut, I take it he’s angry with me too then. Why do I stay? Why do I stay? Bathroom door closes, front room door shuts with a loud click. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The downstairs neighbours have been in their garden all day in the Spring sunshine, he has turned pink, he’s talking at his mobile in Dutch. They are drinking champagne from flutes and wearing flip-flops. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The beautiful lady renting the house adjacent to ours, I’ve not seen in the street with a single hair out of place – obviously very high maintenance, hasn’t been dressed for over a week. She’s been in the garden in slippers, a fluffy dressing gown, all kinds of leisurewear in fact, hair pulled back in a pony or sort of non-descript fuzzy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s the first week of April 2020, everyone has been shut in at home for three weeks, some people are coping better than others. We are stressed, having bad dreams, drinking too much, eating too much, not exercising enough if at all. We’ve been sick and our energy levels are low. We’ve got lockdown fever.<o:p></o:p></div>
westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-26148811823544550032020-03-23T20:14:00.001+00:002020-03-23T20:14:04.236+00:00It is with a heavy heart we regret to inform you…<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Monday 23</span><sup style="font-family: Cambria;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> March 2020. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">This was supposed to be a good year, this was going to be the roaring ’<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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20s, things were going to go well, money was going to be made, goals achieved, limits smashed.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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WTF happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today was the first day of home-schooling. Erbie’s school is providing an amazing service, lessons were as his regular timetable and came through online with a teacher offering feedback to questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First thing, Erbie looked up a Hama bead tutorial and proceeded to make a cartoon skeleton called Sans from Underworld in tiny plastic beads which I ironed into a solid image for him whilst he cleaned his teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Alexa’s timer told him: ‘Time to get to school’, instead of reaching for his coat and running out of the door he ran up and down the stairs twenty times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent a stressful hour checking finances, should we take a mortgage holiday, is it a possibility we might be able to freeze credit card payments, how much left to come in. The GR has literally had all of his work in the creative industry cancelled for the unforeseeable future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had good intentions, yoga, meditation, make my own toasted granola, soda bread, carrot soup, set the table up for a jigsaw, get crafty, many, many good plans. The reality was sitting in my inside out jumper braless without a comb through my hair, top lip peeling from dehydration – strange how drinking copious amounts of wine doesn’t hydrate one. Wine belly too snug in my PJs. STRESSSSSSSSSED.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I went to bed to work, I post cheery things on social media about the natural world, it was not flowing. Sometimes finding an image first helps, baby birds, hedgehogs, bees, we’ve been slowly killing them and now we are dying too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR starts drinking at 10am, the day may end well, or it may not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Chaffinches, hedgehogs, bees, flowers, nests, brambles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My thoughts wander to the allotment. Will I be able to vist? Will it be total lockdown soon? Why did someone strim the whole bramble hedge that abutted one side of the entrance, what were they thinking - a mass of wildlife habitat wiped out in one fell swoop, nesting birds, visiting bees, hungry foxes, sheltering hedgehogs, to look neater? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I should have been on my gardening course at Capel Manor in Regent’s Park, the course I signed up for as a sanity treat. Just as Spring hits and the weather soil warms up, things begin to flourish and grow. Who will water all of our seedlings carefully pricked out and potted on in the poly tunnel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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3.30pm Erbie’s home school day ends, there have only been a few tears, none from the grown ups. I go to my allotment with a flask of tea. The usually bustling high street is as empty as a month of Sunday in the 1970s. I social distance every time someone comes past in the opposite direction, sometimes walking in the road to do this, it’s okay there is hardly any traffic. A solitary bus goes past with a driver and one passenger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Debbie’s sister cancelled her wedding in April and had a quick registry one at the weekend instead, 5 people max, no family went! They tried to live stream it but couldn’t get it to work. Debbie is a nurse, she’s just gone back to work, we joke about timing and how her old ICU training will come in handy. I have learnt that ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit very recently. Katherine, a doctor, jokes that as she doesn’t have ICU training she will be on palliative home care – only neither of them is really joking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday was Mother’s Day, it could be lots of mums last one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Several WhatsApp groups are sending the same memes, jokes, videos of people trying to laugh through the pain, some of them are funny, they get shared everywhere, I’ve seen the same guy voting to self isolate without his family shared on 8 different groups.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2020 is cancelled, loo roll is worth it’s weight in gold, dogs are exhausted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Watching the news is stressful, none of my friends are sleeping properly, everyone is drinking too much tea, wine, gin, anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I sit in the sunshine at the allotment and drink tea. I water my seedlings. </div>
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Hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I walk back past the closed up shops, the bike shop, travel agent, pub, shoe shop, coffee shop, ‘It is with a heavy heart’, I read again and again handwritten or typed, on every shop door, a lump rises in my throat.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-55217081076175287642020-01-07T10:47:00.001+00:002020-01-07T11:38:20.072+00:00First Day Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria";">I have to put on the clodhoppers, enormous steel toe capped boots which were part of the required kit. No one on the gardening course enjoys putting on their boots, mine are particularly ungainly, gurt, great, black, moon-shaped things, suitably caked in mud.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> </span></div>
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The boots do not compliment my outfit, skinny black jeans, and a smart black coat with a lapel full of diamante beetle and poppy brooches. I pull on a woolly hat and get out of the door. It’s commuter time, so there is no point trying to get on a bus, they are all steamed-up and standing-room only, whizzing past all the bus stops to deposit everyone at the tube station.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I set off, my bunioned toes screaming at me, pick up the pace girl, if you’re going to walk it, you might as well walk it. An efficient looking lady with a purple rucksack in one hand and purple bag in the other, wearing trainers is coming up on my left. I stop to contemplate crossing over to walk through the woods, but decide against it. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I pick up my pace again, catching up wit the purple lady.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘How dare you be faster than me.’ She says, as I pass her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I was contemplating walking through the woods but decided not to.’ I offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I could tell you were a walker by the boots.’ She says.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I’m gardening today!’ I say<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Oh lovely, have a good day’, she responds<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘You too!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now I have to keep up my pace! I consider slowing down and actually walking with the purple lady. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The tube is crowded, no seats, I feel safe in my boots, no block –heel or man foot is getting anywhere near my toes in these.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I squeeze out of the train at Camden and walk again, straight up Parkway, through Regent’s Park, squelch, squish, squelch, squish, through the muddy grass besides the new children’s playground still being constructed. A sign informs that it will be opening in Autumn 2019. It’s January 2020 now, it will probably be open in time for the Summer…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Everyone on my course is lovely, we all greet and ask how various different Christmas and New Years were, the tutor arrives and the lesson begins.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo3fi_PESJ_PyxBphOliRb2qTm3SX8udqR_a7jwTz0_4n7bhcA9Ad4Mcz7zAU2SRBq7WXFy1-8shIwETOFgm1VjvHqPsJiQpDHj1mgN_RK2VpgfzgyLBLhATcjvK0IbwUmAJtFJZ472Bn/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo3fi_PESJ_PyxBphOliRb2qTm3SX8udqR_a7jwTz0_4n7bhcA9Ad4Mcz7zAU2SRBq7WXFy1-8shIwETOFgm1VjvHqPsJiQpDHj1mgN_RK2VpgfzgyLBLhATcjvK0IbwUmAJtFJZ472Bn/s320/IMG_5829.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himalayan Poppy Seedlings in the poly tunnel</td></tr>
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</div>
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We all started out as individuals, each having applied for our own reasons, nobody knowing anyone else, (apart from the two sisters). Now, after a term we have become a cohesive group. There are 21 of us. Some complain about the disorganisation, some about the facilities but we are unanimous in our respect and affection for our tutor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At lunchtime a group of us go to the café near the open air theatre in the Park. Someone has brought banoffee pie from home to share. We get student discount for our coffees. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I leave early to get to my annual check-up at UCH Macmillan Centre, which entails walking to the other side of the park, the side we used to live next to, it all feels beautifully familiar, I spot a patch of snowdrops and yellow aconite under the great plane tree by the railings. Ah, there’s the wiggly hazel and the two fountains - still not working!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQej8K-6igUJDf_3ZuWVOZ9mh63-mUlryTjZokl0UQT4yZvqSNl31m71CNsrbNvpv2keu6oPV_j1LAIdIQ0NtMHrxskra51b1EbM1iYW01ouM7LTcrqD8-PIsEvSozw0stfBCo8tQpJTx1/s1600/IMG_5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQej8K-6igUJDf_3ZuWVOZ9mh63-mUlryTjZokl0UQT4yZvqSNl31m71CNsrbNvpv2keu6oPV_j1LAIdIQ0NtMHrxskra51b1EbM1iYW01ouM7LTcrqD8-PIsEvSozw0stfBCo8tQpJTx1/s320/IMG_5831.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Aconite - Regent's Park</td></tr>
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I go out of my way slightly to buy The Belle Mere a cake. She is 80 today, after my appointment, I am to go straight there and meet Erbie and TheGR. </div>
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I text TheGR to remind him to take the candles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Four Candles‘ he responds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fork Handles’ I reply<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Macmillan Centre</div>
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Rotating door.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reception.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stairs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lift.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fourth floor waiting room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm handed a survey. How was your doctor?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I haven’t seen the doctor yet, so give back the pen and say I’ll fill it on my way out. </div>
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The floor in this building is amazing. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpotCL3xMc5DPp6rh3_kDZoy8ztH_taSa8m2NsL_Iv0j4oSzbsFVxoL6pSrcgYNC8T3n_a_HThSMPzTNWcfZQiPJsvG2IbSFT3Y4QxyXa62iQAnmFGVvTOta3HTpo7OFpBTvkO-rlVbqoZ/s1600/IMG_5844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpotCL3xMc5DPp6rh3_kDZoy8ztH_taSa8m2NsL_Iv0j4oSzbsFVxoL6pSrcgYNC8T3n_a_HThSMPzTNWcfZQiPJsvG2IbSFT3Y4QxyXa62iQAnmFGVvTOta3HTpo7OFpBTvkO-rlVbqoZ/s320/IMG_5844.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting Room Floor - Macmillan Centre, London</td></tr>
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The suspended mobile type, sculpture type, thing above the reception desk in the entrance foyer is also amazing. The staff are all amazing. It is the one place I really don’t mind feeling imposter syndrome. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m seen by my doctor remarkably quickly, which is unusual, as previously I’ve had to wait an hour or more. The survey perhaps – box ticked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I sit in a room with my young lady doctor, she has an unpronounceable name, which my grasp of is improving with each visit. I express my fears, I am reassured, she suggests blood tests anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Survey. Tick boxes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Basement for bloods.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Take a ticket – number 31. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Number 22 flashes up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I try not to take in the other people seated around me. To my right, An elderly gentleman is being spoken to by a young lady, about a clinical trial. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A mother and son sit to my left. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They go in, she exchanges politeness with the elderly gentleman, whom is Irish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Nice cup of tea‘… she says<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘More like a nice pint of Guinness.’ he says. They laugh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A dad and daughter come out and walk up the stairs, she is really thin and has very short haircut. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Number 31.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Do you have your letter? <o:p></o:p></div>
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You will always need your hospital number’. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Put it in your phone’. The phlebotomist says as she hands me a piece of paper with it on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I’m going to look away, because I’m squeamish’ I say.<o:p></o:p></div>
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’Don’t worry‘ <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘We are all squeamish when it comes to it. It’s fine doing it to other people but if it’s yourself it’s a different story.’ she says.<o:p></o:p></div>
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People taking blood tend to say ‘sharp prick’ or ‘small scratch’ when they are about to take blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My phlebotomist says neither. I count to 10, and again; and again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Hold this here for me,’ <o:p></o:p></div>
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I place a finger on the cotton-wool over the puncture in my arm as she adds tape to keep it in place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Thank-you very much’ I say, <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure why I’m thanking her, but that’s okay, it’s good to be polite, even if it is to someone whose just stuck a needle in you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I didn’t feel a thing, thank you very much, good bye’. I say over my shoulder<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back walking in the big, heavy boots, they weigh a lot, I consider jumping on a tube to get me to The Belle Mere’s faster, but choose the bus which takes me more or less all the way there - much less walking .<o:p></o:p></div>
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I text TheGR<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘All hunky-dory, see you soon’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Party!’ he replies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I arrive to an atmosphere that could be cut with a knife, the plan to have take-away curry seems to have changed. The Belle Mere is wandering around with a plate with 3 trout on it. TheGR and Erbie are sat on the sofa facing forward concentrating very hard on the television. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I go into the kitchen with The Belle Mere and listen as she describes her day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I go to say hello to the boys and give them kisses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR and I make a joke about the huge bag of ice we have leftover from Christmas Day. TheBelleMere shouts at TheGR thinking, mistakenly we are laughing about the fish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR leaves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I explain that we were not talking about the fish to The Belle Mere.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I take my hat and coat off and pour myself a glass, then get on with cooking supper, it will be trout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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TheGR calls, I placate him. TheGR returns, TheBelleMere apologises, we eat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We light the candles on the cake, sing Happy Birthday and presents are opened. We have a game of Charades, it is a little like pulling teeth. Everyone smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I really need to get Erbie home for a bath and bed, as it’s his first day back to school tomorrow’. I proffer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s good to be polite.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eventually we arrive at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I take off the boots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank fuck!<o:p></o:p></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-32916391591762126592020-01-02T14:05:00.000+00:002020-01-02T14:15:35.026+00:00Olafur Eliasson : In Real Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tate Modern</td></tr>
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It could be our thing, I consider saying to Erbie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Erbie could say: ‘My mother and I go to an exhibition once a month and then have an apple juice afterwards’. </div>
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When he grows up, he could say : ‘I am going to meet my mother at the Royal Academy or the Tate or the National’. </div>
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I could tell him: ‘Did you know the National is where Stubb’s picture of <i>Whistlejacket </i>is – the horse painting, where you said your first word?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have these thoughts but the reality never quite pans out - in real life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love lock, Millennium Bridge </td></tr>
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In real life, the only way I got Erbie to the exhibition at the Tate today was by offering to pay him an hourly rate - the first and last time I will do this. The only slot I could book was the 10am one, as the show is coming to an end this week and it’s fully booked. I only wanted to take Erbie as I’d heard it was quite fun for kids. There is a fog tunnel and several light installations, plus I’d booked a ticket for myself already. Erbie, as a child was free. Only it meant we needed to leave at 9am. 9am to an 11 year old boy, on Christmas holiday is too early, hence the bribe.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Pauls, London</td></tr>
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We sped walked across the millennium bridge, me dragging Erbie, because, of course we were already late for our 10am slot. I couldn’t find where to enter the actual exhibition. We started on the correct level but on the wrong side of the bridge. Words were said. ‘Help me’ being some of them, and I got to explain the meaning of the phrase ‘blood from a stone’.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olafur Eliasson, Tate Modern</td></tr>
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We went through the foggy tunnel, it changes colour whilst you are inside, from bright white, to yellow to pink, you really can't see anything and it is dream like, the colours surrounding you evoke different emotions. </div>
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There was also a really cool blacked-out room that only revealed it's contents when an ultra-violet light flashed on then off, freezing splashes of water in a fountain, so that it looked like a solid sculptured object that changed shape with each reveal. </div>
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One room had a mirrored ceiling and a semi circular tube in black that became round in the reflection. Erbie suggested we lay on the floor. ‘I won’t be able to get back up again’, I only half joked.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olafur Eliasson, Tate Modern</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interactive Olafur Eliasson, Tate Modern</td></tr>
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We look at books in the gift shop and buy TheGR a pencil. </div>
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I can feel myself getting annoyed, Erbie is trying to eek out time, yet I had to drag him out in the first place. We get the tube back. I see a poster for a dating app. with interests hashtags. The models look like children to me. At least it is hopefully a move in the right direction from Tinder. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New dating app</td></tr>
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On the way home I say to Erbie: ‘I was going to say, going to exhibitions together once a month could be our thing, when you’re older and have left home we could meet up...’ </div>
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but I cannot finish. His HSP won’t allow him to go there. </div>
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‘Stop, stop, I don’t like it. I don’t want to talk about the future. ’ he blurts out</div>
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I tentatively ask why he doesn't like to talk about the future. ‘Because it makes me think.’ he says and burrows himself deep within his coat pulling his hood so that his face is hidden. </div>
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When we get home I let it be known that the next time I visit the Tate it will be alone.</div>
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I take myself off to another room to write this and feel my equilibrium return. After about 40 minutes Erbie asks me to give him a hug. I go and give him a hug and he apologises, I apologise too, for many things, although neither of us are really sure exactly what for, in real life. </div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-52595296885512061532019-12-30T19:26:00.002+00:002019-12-30T19:26:53.200+00:00Christmas Time, Too Much WineI am Christmas toxic. Utterly stuffed with meat, dairy, sugar and gluten.<br />
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Turkey<br />
There have been turkey curries, turkey wraps, turkey pitta pockets, turkey sandwiches. All delicious, and as I haven't eaten turkey for 5 years, a novelty.<br />
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Chocolate<br />
There have been two chocolate oranges, each before noon. The only fruit I’ve eaten was with nut, coated in chocolate and labelled Dairy Milk. Maltezers, Raffello, Lindt, Ferrero Rocher of course. Usually I'm a one square of 80% cocoa girl. Not this Christmas. Those ones are languishing in the back of the larder.<br />
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Bread and Cheese<br />
So much bread and cheese, gooey gorgonzola with toasted sour dough and a beautiful antique glass full of port, a whole baked camembert dribbled in honey with sage, an unctuous taste temptation devoured in one sitting with crispy baguette and a nice Sablet from the Rhone.<br />
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Coca-cola cooked ham, pickled onions, chutneys and pork pies. Crisps, many crisps. Pavlovas and chocolate Yule logs - all delightful.<br />
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Bar Christmas dinner (roast turkey, spouts and roast potatoes cooked in goose fat, red cabbage and apple, bread sauce), the only vegetables I've eaten were fried in butter and presented as bubble and squeak. I resorted to juicing the carrots lining the vegetable drawer yesterday with a thumb of ginger but I couldn't feel any semblance of detoxification. To be fair, I did follow it with a tumbler full of Baileys.<br />
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I’ve even been drinking coca-cola which would never normally pass my lips. My waistline has seriously expanded, my chin has erupted and my bones ache when I get out of bed in the morning. All this and yet I persist and I’m enjoying it. Is this masochism by food?<br />
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Of course I have plans to change everything back to goodness in 2020. Go plant-based, practice yoga, start swimming, exercise some self-care, all the usual malarkey.<br />
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I am worried. I can feel a small lump on the right side of my throat. Having had my thyroid removed in 2017 I'm still going for check ups. Why would there be a lump there? Where would it manifest from? Could it be a rogue lymph node. How does the disease even get in your lymph nodes. Ironically, I know drinking alcohol and eating sugar, stressing out and not taking any me-time are exactly the opposite of what I should be doing.<br />
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I had a mini epiphany yesterday while taking the time to ask myself why I felt a certain way when people said untoward things to me. It was that ‘I deserve to be here too’. I hope it's not too late.<br />
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And seriously woman, get a hold of yourself, there are people starving out there, as well as seahorses holding onto cotton buds in our polluted oceans.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Photographer Justin Hofman's image of a </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">seahorse</b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> swimming with a discarded </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">cotton swab</b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> illustrates the issues of pollution in our oceans. ... </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Seahorses</b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> ride the ocean currents by grasping floating objects with their tails.</span></td></tr>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-6101491555151223862019-12-05T21:06:00.000+00:002019-12-05T21:06:38.174+00:00Christmas Baubles 2019Well it wouldn’t be a W1mum Christmas without posting my annual bauble finds.<br />
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I have my eye on this beauty from the <a href="http://www.rhsshop.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?id=10000408&itemno=RJBSLINXM084" target="_blank">RHS</a> (that’s the Royal Horticultural Society) darling.<br />
A greenhouse for the tree. Love it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RHS Greehouse Decoration £13.00</td></tr>
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Erbie, however has made his choice for this year. A blue glass hammerhead shark wearing a Santa hat. I cannot argue, it is his choice, who knows what goes on in a child’s head! From <a href="https://www.paperchase.com/en_gb/christmas/decorations/christmas-tree-decorations/glass-hammerhead-shark-christmas-tree-decoration.html" target="_blank">Paperchase</a> where tree decs range from turtles to fortune cookies, so just had to share a couple of others which we might get.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-h47rL1DxyTvI4jO0YwUrG0XlFKEn-siBxxiBuwmBrw81Zoiy9Quhqh0-mEDX-LfL7zZ32i-G_E23P3NLvTUS_1j3wvE6IJ3jVGxCpvXVymDscAuOYWixO9Jx6YRY8nFh-0bGbvjodlR/s1600/00600779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-h47rL1DxyTvI4jO0YwUrG0XlFKEn-siBxxiBuwmBrw81Zoiy9Quhqh0-mEDX-LfL7zZ32i-G_E23P3NLvTUS_1j3wvE6IJ3jVGxCpvXVymDscAuOYWixO9Jx6YRY8nFh-0bGbvjodlR/s400/00600779.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammerhead Shark Tree Decoration - Paperchase - £8 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCC57nRIxy8ceWW2FpND-UaWe3Q1PZUhedE3mc3SYl_CatqCPSSl-TpLnufqTDIMJJFTn2EddIzoNTTYkSlWOiYWaA4l0orqKE8-rS505oPrkmIo9Ro00dXsiEiy4f9xW8LLlYQSt1zs4/s1600/Screenshot+2019-12-05+at+20.57.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCC57nRIxy8ceWW2FpND-UaWe3Q1PZUhedE3mc3SYl_CatqCPSSl-TpLnufqTDIMJJFTn2EddIzoNTTYkSlWOiYWaA4l0orqKE8-rS505oPrkmIo9Ro00dXsiEiy4f9xW8LLlYQSt1zs4/s200/Screenshot+2019-12-05+at+20.57.19.png" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game controller tree decoration - Paperchase<img height="16" id="s3044r3479o5" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhEAAQAOUdAOvr69HR0cHBwby8vOzs7PHx8ff397W1tbOzs+Xl5ebm5vDw8PPz88PDw7e3t+3t7dvb2+7u7vX19eTk5OPj4+rq6tbW1unp6bu7u+fn5+jo6N/f3+/v7/7+/ra2ttXV1f39/fz8/Li4uMXFxfb29vLy8vr6+sLCwtPT0/j4+PT09MDAwL+/v7m5ubS0tM7OzsrKytra2tTU1MfHx+Li4tDQ0M/Pz9nZ2b6+vgAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACH/C05FVFNDQVBFMi4wAwEAAAAh+QQFMAA5ACwAAAAAEAAQAAAGg8CcMAcICAY5QsEwHBYPCMQhl6guGM5GNOqgVhMPbA6y5Xq/kZwkN3Fsu98EJcdYKCo5i7kKwCorVRd4GAg5GVgAfBpxaRtsZwkaiwpfD0NxkYl8QngARF8AdhmeDwl4pngUCQsVHDl2m2iveDkXcZ6YTgS3kAS0RKWxVQ+/TqydrE1BACH5BAkwADkALAAAAAAQABAAAAZ+wJwwJ1kQIgNBgDMcdh6KRILgQSAOn46TIJVSrdZGSMjpeqtgREAoYWi6BFF6xCAJS6ZyYhEIUwxNQgYkFxwBByh2gU0kKRVHi4sgOQuRTRJtJgwSBJElihwMQioqGmw5gEMLKk2AEkSBq4ElQmNNoYG2OVpDuE6Lrzmfp0NBACH5BAUwADkALAAAAAAQABAAAAaFwJwwJ1kQCDlCwTAcMh6KhDQnVSwYTkJ1un1gc5wtdxsh5iqaLbVKyVEWigq4ugZgTyiA9CK/JHIZWCsICCxpVWV/EzkHhAgth1UPQ4OOLXpScmebFA6ELHAZclBycXIULi8VZXCZawplFG05flWlakIVWravCgSaZ1CuksBDFQsAcsfFQQAh+QQJMAA5ACwAAAAAEAAQAAAGQcCccEgsGo/IpHLJzDGaOcKCCUgkAEuFNaFRbq1dJCxX2WKRCFdMmJiiEQjRp1BJwu8y5R3RWNsRBx9+SSsxgzlBACH5BAkwADkALAAAAAAQABAAAAaJwJwwJ1kQCDlCwTAcMh6KhDQnVSwYTkJ1un1gc5wtdxsh5iqaLbVKyTEWigq4ugZglRXpRX5J5DJYAFIAaVVlfhNrURqFVQ9DYhqCgzkzCGdnVQBwGRU0LQiXCRUAORQJCwAcOTChoYplBXIKLq6vUXRCCQ22olUEcroJB66KD8FNCjUrlxWpTUEAIfkEBTAAOQAsAAAAABAAEAAABobAnDAnWRAIOULBMBwyHoqENCdVLBhOQnW6fWBznC13G8nZchXNllql5Bg2xA1cZQOwShwCMdDkLgk5GVgAUgAie3syVDkTbFIaiIkIJ0NiGnp7HiNonRVVAHEuFjlQFVQVAI0JCzYjrKCPZQWnf1unYkMVWrFbBLVoUIaPD8C6CwCnAMhNQQA7" width="16" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YeMyXlFLR4nWK3Kzmf-1KicGjwnzuj3PzlzMxTmGbGFxddG3phEPKMMk6f4pnM6rRyFyfEFS6MZ0QiUt4s0J3XHtZi6UUzzidNw7fZRd_is0jp8keA-KcvalRT6GBoSF0dOqE__RD4kx/s1600/00600773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YeMyXlFLR4nWK3Kzmf-1KicGjwnzuj3PzlzMxTmGbGFxddG3phEPKMMk6f4pnM6rRyFyfEFS6MZ0QiUt4s0J3XHtZi6UUzzidNw7fZRd_is0jp8keA-KcvalRT6GBoSF0dOqE__RD4kx/s400/00600773.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paperchase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Are you feeling Christmassy yet?</div>
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I might crack open the Baileys later...</div>
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<br /><br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-59003115014659079622019-11-13T12:01:00.002+00:002019-11-13T12:04:02.886+00:00Skiathos Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many moons ago, long before Erbie was even a chink of an idea in our hedonistic minds, TheGR and I used to fly off, out-of-season, last-minute, to places we had not been before. We had a penchant or the Greek islands and one of which was Skiathos. One of the Sporades chain of islands nestled in the turquoise Aegean. </div>
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Twenty years ago, Skiathos was an undiscovered gem, tired around the edges with half-built hotels, tumble down houses and dirt tracks leading from it’s one main artery road to empty beaches. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnzv0nhTtl1gO86dhH3sNmdasx0E6Fz8IerHz4c91oQHdLi4OGpemiXHsvZmNYSi24xPXEeWWi5mdOC7mNwUAQMlfXIw6YZZaZta1mI0eQRYMAKYvdmsPBcPToufWUW8lqe_RHakNZRoa/s1600/P1270512.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnzv0nhTtl1gO86dhH3sNmdasx0E6Fz8IerHz4c91oQHdLi4OGpemiXHsvZmNYSi24xPXEeWWi5mdOC7mNwUAQMlfXIw6YZZaZta1mI0eQRYMAKYvdmsPBcPToufWUW8lqe_RHakNZRoa/s400/P1270512.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine forest backed beaches edge Skiathos</td></tr>
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We discovered hidden places such as the Kastro monastery, only reachable on foot. Most of the island was easy to navigate with a bus link from top to bottom - quieter Koukanaries to Skiathos Town next to the airport.<br />
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We walked through pine forests to find beautiful vistas of the twinkling sea. I encountered my first Praying Mantis and Swallowtail butterfly and discovered clumps of bee orchid growing in the spring, I easily fell in love with Skiathos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBkVKpzEmjyN0sB11wPh2i_xkifFMduj9k8aIwqan661T5ckzEuQVDZUhTCKNRwvKM4BcctNGebReFRuvnXmNgaTsyPuLzgmV3UqD8SzPtEaz-jFfy-SaPXkIBKAM2zWEExbSwmIRqMS/s1600/P1260989.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBkVKpzEmjyN0sB11wPh2i_xkifFMduj9k8aIwqan661T5ckzEuQVDZUhTCKNRwvKM4BcctNGebReFRuvnXmNgaTsyPuLzgmV3UqD8SzPtEaz-jFfy-SaPXkIBKAM2zWEExbSwmIRqMS/s320/P1260989.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beach or that beach?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz0b1Tag4OoGVUroFYiG7N7O8lZk1haofvyTjIULj6R4JqRBPcQmUo-_DqhI9Bu4v1jr1TvNB_Q6_iuv0-jX1UfrdcWJRVx_RzarkVMSPynEJOzusKGfMk6wOAE4kJQfdUnPPJ4yj26F9/s1600/IMG_0119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz0b1Tag4OoGVUroFYiG7N7O8lZk1haofvyTjIULj6R4JqRBPcQmUo-_DqhI9Bu4v1jr1TvNB_Q6_iuv0-jX1UfrdcWJRVx_RzarkVMSPynEJOzusKGfMk6wOAE4kJQfdUnPPJ4yj26F9/s320/IMG_0119.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small Greek roadside shrine next to a camping sign</td></tr>
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Koukanaries itself has beautiful beaches backed by pine and olive groves, clear, clear Aegean blue waters and soft sand, with plenty of interesting bits of driftwood and tiny shells.<br />
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Above the beach was a derelict hotel, rooms facing out over a beautiful view to Alonnisos. We’d walk past the empty rooms and giant pots of overgrown geraniums to stand to admire the views.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBwXZqXXhXVm_ReUmhZAKR6Ty8M5JUYd515Gd7tUZwsHxKG7qed2MIUXVQfXKqSDGtUIRX7mMxb8gA-oHHZGvKYJXGluMn35j9q8KULMqit0Wo1TP2jvqHx0tKOr-xWcQgDDTgkJRWnZD/s1600/P1270460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBwXZqXXhXVm_ReUmhZAKR6Ty8M5JUYd515Gd7tUZwsHxKG7qed2MIUXVQfXKqSDGtUIRX7mMxb8gA-oHHZGvKYJXGluMn35j9q8KULMqit0Wo1TP2jvqHx0tKOr-xWcQgDDTgkJRWnZD/s400/P1270460.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aegean glimpsed through the olive trees in Koukanaries </td></tr>
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One day, we said, we will come back and make it into our film studio. At that time there were plenty of unused half built hotels, owned by the Greek government these had sprung up in the 70s tourist influx and then found themselves derelict in the 90s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDiipji0vNsh9FjZ64yMMO8QD4owuk5JzGs7LGcPFTWX1901kB1HPuuKSBEIapCgi4bUfHJ_K7MGbYS5Mnfk29Cymtf3SwBSkBQTQnn0gV_0IoNpM9oiAgdCg-xJHDTj_dOEpgWUyDXd3/s1600/P1270550.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDiipji0vNsh9FjZ64yMMO8QD4owuk5JzGs7LGcPFTWX1901kB1HPuuKSBEIapCgi4bUfHJ_K7MGbYS5Mnfk29Cymtf3SwBSkBQTQnn0gV_0IoNpM9oiAgdCg-xJHDTj_dOEpgWUyDXd3/s320/P1270550.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Skiathos Town</td></tr>
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The narrow cobbled paths in the town led to pastry shops, the laundry, an open air cinema, and traditional Greek clubs such as Kentavros. Skiathos boasts a famous Greek writer called Alexandros Papadiamantis, I read his short stories and visited the museum and art shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCibHXa8fphl5LVjYDaAicwQFBusJ6RP3QVXy3M01vgs-41awwKHBYDVr1A2yfHpi3QXiyTVwlnaFIZtchvQHfR0rqOd8n2EWhdpGyhCbFjbvYK9JZ_RcC8Z_5RNgqvcQVO3BhlUmVn2V0/s1600/P1270063.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCibHXa8fphl5LVjYDaAicwQFBusJ6RP3QVXy3M01vgs-41awwKHBYDVr1A2yfHpi3QXiyTVwlnaFIZtchvQHfR0rqOd8n2EWhdpGyhCbFjbvYK9JZ_RcC8Z_5RNgqvcQVO3BhlUmVn2V0/s320/P1270063.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue House in town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ayobAEhl5m7xa7o-Hngra1h-ee9sP9KboJrDO-y8MFtNsLRfiyYNwmzE_eJpKwgMI-1IBH_Wy6VONEfBs9IVWRcnEPsS18hY_lRo-LgPMt-E8DlErSRV-UZT1KIf0Pvg4c2dS60K9I9K/s1600/P1270080.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ayobAEhl5m7xa7o-Hngra1h-ee9sP9KboJrDO-y8MFtNsLRfiyYNwmzE_eJpKwgMI-1IBH_Wy6VONEfBs9IVWRcnEPsS18hY_lRo-LgPMt-E8DlErSRV-UZT1KIf0Pvg4c2dS60K9I9K/s320/P1270080.jpeg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The open air cinema is still there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69pfjOBq6Vo4I_V-cZ4qrkWWOmObomjp-i42Yf3ugINfG7-TMDFIoXzN94MtOEKhyphenhyphenS9HWXnNLmz1-hRfn4ihXyFsKB09B4JQZyqpy4mVyIVeVLjTu2voiS1hinotWo_naLsXV6hS1t5sP/s1600/P1270078.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69pfjOBq6Vo4I_V-cZ4qrkWWOmObomjp-i42Yf3ugINfG7-TMDFIoXzN94MtOEKhyphenhyphenS9HWXnNLmz1-hRfn4ihXyFsKB09B4JQZyqpy4mVyIVeVLjTu2voiS1hinotWo_naLsXV6hS1t5sP/s320/P1270078.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As is Kentavros!</td></tr>
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We made friends on the island, ‘come back in July or August,’ they said - ‘this is not the real Skiathos’, but funds mainly, made us only visit off-season. But visit we did, year after year, exploring the nearby islands of Tsougria, Skopelos and Alonnisos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfJkSm-LOq3M962xYFydyybNjhxn_hzXEnPY6H0FEO7oxzJm51QQTKQpebDAGJDHrHEQEdM57fzGg6L33CggBt1S_Xk49vh1jc5Fip6Gznzj3fgo0XsIhiuSt29QECfBtuAKnF7mmbRvy/s1600/P1270041.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfJkSm-LOq3M962xYFydyybNjhxn_hzXEnPY6H0FEO7oxzJm51QQTKQpebDAGJDHrHEQEdM57fzGg6L33CggBt1S_Xk49vh1jc5Fip6Gznzj3fgo0XsIhiuSt29QECfBtuAKnF7mmbRvy/s320/P1270041.jpeg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek basil matching the shutters in Skiathos Town</td></tr>
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When we got older and started earning a bit more money, we splashed out and went in July. Oh my! Another Skiathos opened up to us, a whole street, in-fact. Club street, down by the airport a gyrating, pulsing, booming throng of pretty young things dancing and drinking the night away. One evening a minor earthquake struck, everyone ran outside briefly and then returned to the dance floor as soon as it had passed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGb0rWrNp3ESEVZdFTAatJ-gJq4Z_pFQQPE9dlDGOnsuxoQxy0DaS-eKMDU7ZT_8a40QBftxM0X94BP53qMxxY8ihX6CjtRcLH-srJCgqjw16ctDtgM-1jVnfLA9-Acs5uMkhfm2aqdqg/s1600/P1270109.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGb0rWrNp3ESEVZdFTAatJ-gJq4Z_pFQQPE9dlDGOnsuxoQxy0DaS-eKMDU7ZT_8a40QBftxM0X94BP53qMxxY8ihX6CjtRcLH-srJCgqjw16ctDtgM-1jVnfLA9-Acs5uMkhfm2aqdqg/s320/P1270109.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the hillside bars in Skiathos Town</td></tr>
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Bars on the hill overlooking the Bourtzi, and the harbour were open late into the night. Locals didn’t seem to need sleep, going from clubs at night to bar jobs in the morning, sobering up on Greek coffee and iced water. No one ate breakfast. A constant stream of tourists came and went, July and August were relentless. We loved it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vvuFNsXYRApP-QxmV2ViNFjKMFt6RtTHrrFoxmOK3lluR3Fbuw1rs41YTZLiYUxkYNviVS12txhK50qpAVMLvLBIHxKkp9GNQEiWxwICibYkgENGf2EghnpPkmuYZPCs0k0nGuuUvyp/s1600/P1270047.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1101" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vvuFNsXYRApP-QxmV2ViNFjKMFt6RtTHrrFoxmOK3lluR3Fbuw1rs41YTZLiYUxkYNviVS12txhK50qpAVMLvLBIHxKkp9GNQEiWxwICibYkgENGf2EghnpPkmuYZPCs0k0nGuuUvyp/s320/P1270047.jpeg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiathos Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the day we would walk to the end of the Bourtzi and dive into the sea, or laze on the beaches at the end of a stunning walk through the pines, swimming every day, getting freckles and tan lines with the energy of youth on our side to shower and go out all night again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvLlsq9TPMZeDp4BXPxkCzmN56Cj1ZoewA1M-8OyQG6JnCREO98Bc81r1WvoCRgn6Mj_FlCXYQ947Wjjuwwr_z80HqbY1BzWz2ugK-8j5VDXhka51SiQHsayyckIVhn07pcFRnZ10OmoR/s1600/IMG_0124.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvLlsq9TPMZeDp4BXPxkCzmN56Cj1ZoewA1M-8OyQG6JnCREO98Bc81r1WvoCRgn6Mj_FlCXYQ947Wjjuwwr_z80HqbY1BzWz2ugK-8j5VDXhka51SiQHsayyckIVhn07pcFRnZ10OmoR/s320/IMG_0124.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Pine forest walk to Mandraki beach</td></tr>
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In October, the tiny tavernas on the beach front were filled with old men playing backgammon and drinking tiny cups of thick dark coffee, the windows ran with condensation, shut up to the cold, clear blue skies outside.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQycRsaSuOcTXwcPAYGQkFB3AVIUM5oV7J4D77DYsc6aHvJnOAPrFXwpCGtJwR_dEiLZsOm-G4NzzJmmxGItCW21ejKvBRBUI3aXIhVFnj6Xvwq5gF7Fkp25EYE23421RgrTe5bVF8JgPY/s1600/P1270046.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1155" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQycRsaSuOcTXwcPAYGQkFB3AVIUM5oV7J4D77DYsc6aHvJnOAPrFXwpCGtJwR_dEiLZsOm-G4NzzJmmxGItCW21ejKvBRBUI3aXIhVFnj6Xvwq5gF7Fkp25EYE23421RgrTe5bVF8JgPY/s320/P1270046.jpeg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Siesta time in town, everyone is home for lunch.</td></tr>
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<div>
It rains, a lot, in the winter, once you know this, you can spot the drainage channels running down the centre of all the pathways in town. The rain waters gush down the hill to join the sea.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc85SLp-civCmMw-r-T2DaWjRrqeh7AfkrfS_2NkSmBvWCifEe_oU9FRZ5Gvep6_B45YnVAGp_0oXWsi_x5ZLcG24-ErQjciolm1ikitOHKeCADBfUlci9oesewGDoY4O_DzLkMV3Kn0Q/s1600/P1270049.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc85SLp-civCmMw-r-T2DaWjRrqeh7AfkrfS_2NkSmBvWCifEe_oU9FRZ5Gvep6_B45YnVAGp_0oXWsi_x5ZLcG24-ErQjciolm1ikitOHKeCADBfUlci9oesewGDoY4O_DzLkMV3Kn0Q/s320/P1270049.jpeg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gullies in the paths for heavy off-season rains.</td></tr>
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Most of the bar staff on the island came from elsewhere in Greece to work the Summer season, the Greek guy who took the money on the bus was from Camden in London. ‘Number 53, Skiathos Town’ he’d sing out in a his authentic accent, and we would jump off for a night on the tiles.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazOzO8RdUFa2A8t5h0bcKWwfje3TUkH7LANSyCeVb07IagDxi_ZctLtQD_UzclI7_LLE4Px4t8xO_wA22PUSS9B-EWXYlbKq5eFVOdS3PVreGqcJYlAfwCflmIr7_suAZbMukLTmx7a7m/s1600/P1270454.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazOzO8RdUFa2A8t5h0bcKWwfje3TUkH7LANSyCeVb07IagDxi_ZctLtQD_UzclI7_LLE4Px4t8xO_wA22PUSS9B-EWXYlbKq5eFVOdS3PVreGqcJYlAfwCflmIr7_suAZbMukLTmx7a7m/s320/P1270454.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path through the trees to our disused hotel is now paved.</td></tr>
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The beach below the hotel was our secret place, or so we believed, not a sunbed in sight, although we did once see a naked old man wandering past whilst we sunbathed.<br />
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Our friend Fortis would come drinking with us after his shift, we’d drink shots of of tequila gold with slices of cinnamon sprinkled orange (‘the Greek way’), and smoke Marlboro Red as if they were going out of fashion. Each new year we went back Fortis would joke about how many years TheGR and I had been together, putting up his fingers he'd chant: ‘5 miserable years’, ‘6 miserable years’...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO8LZECtt03TlzFVLcp1zWHNmHeRQ7AGkAexCZEDxR56jyf9WdaTxPTIhbvaMXi90nWEdQ8EBdB8PviQtMoAu76BJKffH54aL5BMTyzdoJRDpw8R9AeJLMZBhvbv_DTtzIoBO-s95dwKW/s1600/P1270028.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO8LZECtt03TlzFVLcp1zWHNmHeRQ7AGkAexCZEDxR56jyf9WdaTxPTIhbvaMXi90nWEdQ8EBdB8PviQtMoAu76BJKffH54aL5BMTyzdoJRDpw8R9AeJLMZBhvbv_DTtzIoBO-s95dwKW/s320/P1270028.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">The Greek flag proudly flying on a townhouse</td></tr>
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And now, with Erbie ‘22 miserable years’ later, we decided to go back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq4Xu5aUUFW6xmTiOtvVF2eBsgnoJGClPJB1Jl7AzoOeToRrcoYpb3b_3KVe0rvNOfijZ6OQpY35CnSxSvTm1U8uKCxDsPDM7MeDpBouhmJb6JWRhYEcwnm2Cc-6j1GfpzaU6QPkORo4y/s1600/P1270040.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq4Xu5aUUFW6xmTiOtvVF2eBsgnoJGClPJB1Jl7AzoOeToRrcoYpb3b_3KVe0rvNOfijZ6OQpY35CnSxSvTm1U8uKCxDsPDM7MeDpBouhmJb6JWRhYEcwnm2Cc-6j1GfpzaU6QPkORo4y/s320/P1270040.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erbie and TheGR exploring the back streets in town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Boy, some money has been poured into that little gem. Our disused and derelict ‘film studio’ is now a five-star hotel, the scrappy bits of land in front of each room turned into individual suites with plunge pools.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_lhAEtQ1LKpdORg3qiyqmsiwunM6BrpoQN3VpiV2jHjzvmTZh2OqEnrXr2pzVG4BDf_w7UxyCPHnMYYxGWJlmYiu5sds07SmHvRE2X6k8RVYnQ5GvCGSzvbrWYYnTwsW5emVNi4c4_ZU/s1600/P1270412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_lhAEtQ1LKpdORg3qiyqmsiwunM6BrpoQN3VpiV2jHjzvmTZh2OqEnrXr2pzVG4BDf_w7UxyCPHnMYYxGWJlmYiu5sds07SmHvRE2X6k8RVYnQ5GvCGSzvbrWYYnTwsW5emVNi4c4_ZU/s320/P1270412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The derelict spaces once inhabited by rough sleepers are now bijou hotel rooms.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtapbGryhY62o4LxWT2dQ5FrM8KKFvW9ckWpop-5FAHJczC5eEikv1nhsWZ9oEwrolqWejgzqnjGUiyIGiQwPBwczQCxQmzlE4MeMx6dHTAex4QO0kb9C5WGmrDzpOrpP_N8T1L3X-4q5x/s1600/P1270553.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtapbGryhY62o4LxWT2dQ5FrM8KKFvW9ckWpop-5FAHJczC5eEikv1nhsWZ9oEwrolqWejgzqnjGUiyIGiQwPBwczQCxQmzlE4MeMx6dHTAex4QO0kb9C5WGmrDzpOrpP_N8T1L3X-4q5x/s320/P1270553.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Plunge pools in front of the hotel suites.</td></tr>
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No need to meander through the pines to the beach now, there is a beach buggy to take you, oh and it's gated, probably soon to be only for the paying guests. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGDrSpccjyRjKZgzv-VwSF07CTQ-2qS_cl6r_I72_4JIc3bYbJhcS5QsqPnQEYm8TgaQkzPBvrCQeeoh4yZVY4WOVRHDIc8woaO6CdglttxY1VrFJ7mugH8U4GKx5BtlZdLf0h_8lAM8b/s1600/IMG_0239.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGDrSpccjyRjKZgzv-VwSF07CTQ-2qS_cl6r_I72_4JIc3bYbJhcS5QsqPnQEYm8TgaQkzPBvrCQeeoh4yZVY4WOVRHDIc8woaO6CdglttxY1VrFJ7mugH8U4GKx5BtlZdLf0h_8lAM8b/s320/IMG_0239.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Personalised airport transfer anyone?</td></tr>
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A swathe of land had been cleared and private villas with pools plopped into the landscape, new pines and olive trees have been planted, probably at huge cost, some of the pines already dying, their evergreen needles turning copper. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwzvGXDtYBpmZcRRXUoTzCP_Kc4AUwCjlanA6-TcHC-w_FfjepU5Z1-I5NAaYHgZ4I1xlNZV9IpG_nCwRqPu69EMo-PoUAfht1uzQPCGWsVeb5Fmc-ClJoxSBbpvxpUskxn3IagIPSFxm/s1600/P1270468.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwzvGXDtYBpmZcRRXUoTzCP_Kc4AUwCjlanA6-TcHC-w_FfjepU5Z1-I5NAaYHgZ4I1xlNZV9IpG_nCwRqPu69EMo-PoUAfht1uzQPCGWsVeb5Fmc-ClJoxSBbpvxpUskxn3IagIPSFxm/s320/P1270468.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private villas with pools overlooking the Aegean.</td></tr>
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<div>
Our ‘secret’ beach is now covered to it’s last inch in the thickest, plushest cushioned sunbeds I’ve seen.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRUjEmVYuf5_QnN5RJg-rVDGll1pjAOxckrjf1Etxpc46KrjrQtTDl2W5B_WvOSB3QIyG3MPcRfTOycnRvc8F0tulvep70_4hksQyR6krGJkAwko5ZFvtdlGFFz0PewbmyVE4z5tR1H1t/s1600/P1270493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRUjEmVYuf5_QnN5RJg-rVDGll1pjAOxckrjf1Etxpc46KrjrQtTDl2W5B_WvOSB3QIyG3MPcRfTOycnRvc8F0tulvep70_4hksQyR6krGJkAwko5ZFvtdlGFFz0PewbmyVE4z5tR1H1t/s320/P1270493.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could a humble sunbed be plusher?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHVWPtt0MgEPAq2AMWiAfMxI5ixDw9XyKbOIYzX9k6T3yORNB4_ALuJnKCuTgleV4BN3pMLnpEPRQGXeUAjOTS9Vgbx1mGPNC12GwhsWYSLsG3PAF5FsNW6LIxCRtlxNL0rSYazpLo9FZ/s1600/P1270554.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHVWPtt0MgEPAq2AMWiAfMxI5ixDw9XyKbOIYzX9k6T3yORNB4_ALuJnKCuTgleV4BN3pMLnpEPRQGXeUAjOTS9Vgbx1mGPNC12GwhsWYSLsG3PAF5FsNW6LIxCRtlxNL0rSYazpLo9FZ/s320/P1270554.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashtray and beach cocktail menu darling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Twenty years ago the only salad available was Greek, now there is plenty of choice.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi4KKnNjDI2t0AdhrdqsKGW1eVXXq0YLkAcV7n7RorjDgBcxb1ZTO8oQMPC5Gj6uhPjba1va3i9eHBmsXhDCW7a5yltLBiOSsTsNANG9IXBUMNgZrg1aEKX0GobmfYhUGojA7x7h6NhAh/s1600/P1270563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi4KKnNjDI2t0AdhrdqsKGW1eVXXq0YLkAcV7n7RorjDgBcxb1ZTO8oQMPC5Gj6uhPjba1va3i9eHBmsXhDCW7a5yltLBiOSsTsNANG9IXBUMNgZrg1aEKX0GobmfYhUGojA7x7h6NhAh/s320/P1270563.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad menu...</td></tr>
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In town we found an old Italian friend, now a grandad, running a restaurant with his Greek wife’s family. The food was amazing and the views are still to die for.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVmjya-gr2VKy-qkDAGW0PYMMsaqYoJM78C-ct1o96-TnpeucR5fw8CsaLiY9G5rlwQHJ_xRaEhn0bV8fW5s8ab5ux_DnThJAT3zqnvPngeZZ9pzIHP1FLiqCJhxWG7y1fs62RQAhUFRt/s1600/P1270056.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVmjya-gr2VKy-qkDAGW0PYMMsaqYoJM78C-ct1o96-TnpeucR5fw8CsaLiY9G5rlwQHJ_xRaEhn0bV8fW5s8ab5ux_DnThJAT3zqnvPngeZZ9pzIHP1FLiqCJhxWG7y1fs62RQAhUFRt/s320/P1270056.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Our friend Lorenzo’s new restaurant overlooking The Bourtzi.</td></tr>
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Skiathos is now a luxury destination and well-know after the filming of <i>Mamma Mia</i> (I’ve still not seen it - and didn’t realise) The prices have sky-rocketed, no longer a cheap getaway this hidden gem will always have a place in our hearts and is still if not more beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKql6QgR_mykozjLL5QqIHtTjA6o0ShvdeeGZkoyPYyQ9MOKVMTYyspBmD9T2-tZmdMITjd7zdJ63hyphenhyphenLOZCSkU9kRSh0OHlNLDd9IPx1AFYWzENRg0dANoDTAMfEWVlEka413KeRahkTz/s1600/P1270420.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKql6QgR_mykozjLL5QqIHtTjA6o0ShvdeeGZkoyPYyQ9MOKVMTYyspBmD9T2-tZmdMITjd7zdJ63hyphenhyphenLOZCSkU9kRSh0OHlNLDd9IPx1AFYWzENRg0dANoDTAMfEWVlEka413KeRahkTz/s320/P1270420.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">View through the trees in Skiathos Town</td></tr>
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Here is Erbie sitting on the steps of the pathway we climbed twenty years ago, before he was born. Once just a track to a derelict building this is now a paved walkway to a luxury hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another life.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtapbGryhY62o4LxWT2dQ5FrM8KKFvW9ckWpop-5FAHJczC5eEikv1nhsWZ9oEwrolqWejgzqnjGUiyIGiQwPBwczQCxQmzlE4MeMx6dHTAex4QO0kb9C5WGmrDzpOrpP_N8T1L3X-4q5x/s1600/P1270553.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>I’ve had my head in the sand for a few years and sadly not the soft Greek sand of Skiathos.</div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-69339461802435903322019-09-02T12:58:00.000+01:002019-09-02T12:58:18.968+01:00Columbia Road Flower Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-42584573483580418422019-07-31T10:13:00.000+01:002019-07-31T10:13:01.281+01:00Oh my God it’s good to get away. <div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
The calmness has arrived today, it is day 5 of Erbie and my annual visitation to Whitstable, a pretty seaside village on the Kent coast, famous for its oyster beds, great little shops, good restaurants and nice pubs. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitstable in the sunshine 2019</td></tr>
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Depending on who you speak to it’s referred to as North (or South) London-on-Sea. We house-sit for someone who moved here after starting a family. The price of their North London flat afforded them a large 4 bedroom house with vast garden in Whitstable, which has since seen their 3 children grow and blossom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Earbie and I rose at 8am this morning, straight to the huge trampoline in the garden for a bounce, and here I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The weather has been pretty meh, but are we bothered? No we are not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We took a bus to the <a href="https://wildwoodtrust.org/" target="_blank">Wildwood Trust</a>, in Herne Bay, on Monday, to see the wolves. Erbie was a wolf in his end of primary production, ‘Into The Woods’ and he wanted to meet his brethren – I’d say he was a method actor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTub8Rjv9N_F11UjTk5uu0tMg5WvCFNRJbyt_LgZCLGOK2krZQSZTBzabkZzjpy__ypqHjJSJp0msOTHz-VPstcJDT5inGkPK_Pjmv5f-KioUhg7s957_kHTzWqfq6owspUq-KiE05ActS/s1600/IMG_3650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTub8Rjv9N_F11UjTk5uu0tMg5WvCFNRJbyt_LgZCLGOK2krZQSZTBzabkZzjpy__ypqHjJSJp0msOTHz-VPstcJDT5inGkPK_Pjmv5f-KioUhg7s957_kHTzWqfq6owspUq-KiE05ActS/s400/IMG_3650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Wildwood Trust is set in ancient woodland and keeps its animals in as natural a habitat as possible, there are wild horses, red squirrels, owls, pine martins, deer, otters, wild boar, a huge bison, a wonderful pair of bears which can be viewed from a giant treetop walkway. It is definitely worth a visit, especially as they are a charity and work on conservation of British mammals, they helped to save the water vole, Britain’s most endangered animal. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuIGfVJuo7Srt_5z4OfoGSu8p6xYLDm4UW7_xs0ELgeQ8kEan9mshnU6gWnhmT2vfkEJxFqEM2ylTCDmj6sVKDbYQoaMzOGTV9cgW93T17jNq5P47X7tFpQxgGzqYMhCUxlNciM7h_rO2/s1600/IMG_3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuIGfVJuo7Srt_5z4OfoGSu8p6xYLDm4UW7_xs0ELgeQ8kEan9mshnU6gWnhmT2vfkEJxFqEM2ylTCDmj6sVKDbYQoaMzOGTV9cgW93T17jNq5P47X7tFpQxgGzqYMhCUxlNciM7h_rO2/s320/IMG_3452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello deers. Red deer at Wildwood Trust.</td></tr>
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Bonus added - as we got the bus, on showing our ticket, our entry was half price making it even more reasonable than it already was. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou165iLUwg_OH8RJ1fL0RcjdmE5ICdZboavhfizP7aC_iokOv-GQ3IrRN_8ym4OWD_PCM5_m1MQZsdKtfFDniulI6L9AnFPx8HwJ028gm978iayHg1Dt_pjDuRbZQ2l-ycKCcnXP5st5E/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou165iLUwg_OH8RJ1fL0RcjdmE5ICdZboavhfizP7aC_iokOv-GQ3IrRN_8ym4OWD_PCM5_m1MQZsdKtfFDniulI6L9AnFPx8HwJ028gm978iayHg1Dt_pjDuRbZQ2l-ycKCcnXP5st5E/s320/IMG_3462.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red deer stag, Wildwood Trust</td></tr>
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The red squirrels were hiding but we saw a pole cat and her brood of playful kittens and I glimpsed a pine martin. The larger animals were easier to see. There was an elk, and a bear, deer and horses.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CkjWb5LlSgXzloA2-T1DeRyLUvCBjByL-2EHzloQP_zDINDikCaLhGBxMVzrGoYkC0a1K2hEXPdPMFKCjadugSFnz2u9p4q_SGZMIpe0rzVbV2PmlBLox2zhafviS7clzd5bZW65jCXe/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CkjWb5LlSgXzloA2-T1DeRyLUvCBjByL-2EHzloQP_zDINDikCaLhGBxMVzrGoYkC0a1K2hEXPdPMFKCjadugSFnz2u9p4q_SGZMIpe0rzVbV2PmlBLox2zhafviS7clzd5bZW65jCXe/s320/IMG_3469.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear viewed from the walkway at Wildwood Trust</td></tr>
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We saw the otters swimming and playing which was lovely.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0LSVsoYDD_cxEZ3xEcCY1d5APLOE7hpW17OmBkVi6tyNkcr7yaq99B0Dgtts0rd0McfL3xhOibyyszU6pOpPHXRGGtMMEsP0v3bATdc5a694cSZchCd0aeI5-BRC0UUVfK25ioeWBMYo/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1210" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0LSVsoYDD_cxEZ3xEcCY1d5APLOE7hpW17OmBkVi6tyNkcr7yaq99B0Dgtts0rd0McfL3xhOibyyszU6pOpPHXRGGtMMEsP0v3bATdc5a694cSZchCd0aeI5-BRC0UUVfK25ioeWBMYo/s320/IMG_3494.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up to the bear walkway.</td></tr>
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There are plenty of friendly informative staff around to point out animals and offer information. We saw an adder and a very large grass snake, the adder being the UK’s only venomous snake.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkyHnlejhPU7SSLnJq2ytgEjJGuZJA3ObZyXJz2Gn_AmO9y_cFCiAHXYbB5EsmN5IHBMlWMpIYstIPqVadamRaYOgA2J7eg3wedENM5gXHbN6hnuKhsO_L2Mc-jhbEqRkFEb-5GmpCIqg/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkyHnlejhPU7SSLnJq2ytgEjJGuZJA3ObZyXJz2Gn_AmO9y_cFCiAHXYbB5EsmN5IHBMlWMpIYstIPqVadamRaYOgA2J7eg3wedENM5gXHbN6hnuKhsO_L2Mc-jhbEqRkFEb-5GmpCIqg/s320/IMG_3479.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walkway above the bears at Wildwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E5iTITRYB10ldTktS0ZyaQ2P_LUJMG8Wv9-T7A2h3OHfaEcZ6TEXHdJm9308Rd4kWAQSB04CDGQf-onR1S9jaPCZ-zyL3vDHuuIk3vRqPtNzWKIrAdl4MRNkkGtFUvXxLBSdeHYTo2ht/s1600/IMG_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E5iTITRYB10ldTktS0ZyaQ2P_LUJMG8Wv9-T7A2h3OHfaEcZ6TEXHdJm9308Rd4kWAQSB04CDGQf-onR1S9jaPCZ-zyL3vDHuuIk3vRqPtNzWKIrAdl4MRNkkGtFUvXxLBSdeHYTo2ht/s320/IMG_3453.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erbie saying hello to a red deer.</td></tr>
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The adventure playground is excellent. Lots of climbing towers ans slides plus a drop slide whatever that may be. Erbie found out, it’s a high drop onto a polished surface that curves to catch you and turn your fall into a slide. You literally have to throw yourself off the edge, which Erbie did. Very ‘<i>feel the fear and do it anyway’</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are some rather bad pics of the rather fabulous playground.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd4leB-BwiEGy2eD1xWodwWyHdJhHV2PSQphpJeBYp7IZH8ZICAMq-LOGrPT0ebobI0OH8SeCfp6LIEiFlRHSIKEWzZkseF96r9rs2pI60JZli5jPJTiVsPVbSuEqVzgbR6nFnhMb9Cej/s1600/IMG_3516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1161" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd4leB-BwiEGy2eD1xWodwWyHdJhHV2PSQphpJeBYp7IZH8ZICAMq-LOGrPT0ebobI0OH8SeCfp6LIEiFlRHSIKEWzZkseF96r9rs2pI60JZli5jPJTiVsPVbSuEqVzgbR6nFnhMb9Cej/s320/IMG_3516.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent climbing towers and slides</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTTlWnhACHLhQuJ_AgVViAzvepOCBu6xr9ZCDYmKotSDFIUJKJRBWXmmhVQTfwyngQSy3pRnNxTXXDkTuNZWB08jfepVRaCo0rvGk6VYc7Bzj9N267NegIQY2mt3Vp90bVqgKk-p9y1jO/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTTlWnhACHLhQuJ_AgVViAzvepOCBu6xr9ZCDYmKotSDFIUJKJRBWXmmhVQTfwyngQSy3pRnNxTXXDkTuNZWB08jfepVRaCo0rvGk6VYc7Bzj9N267NegIQY2mt3Vp90bVqgKk-p9y1jO/s320/IMG_3517.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildwood Trust playground</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8pfK9aQDZ_TmCav9OeYJhrKshcqk1AbuGZwxtmOpWNcQEb5F4InRj_qMPK-SqMAaDBn0Y2s5o2Omsq8HtyN9EGVA7uhE0Wg5IkE90v05YxiLTdEJ2IGPJpgBvhaZ7BvX0w996jIkR-Om/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8pfK9aQDZ_TmCav9OeYJhrKshcqk1AbuGZwxtmOpWNcQEb5F4InRj_qMPK-SqMAaDBn0Y2s5o2Omsq8HtyN9EGVA7uhE0Wg5IkE90v05YxiLTdEJ2IGPJpgBvhaZ7BvX0w996jIkR-Om/s320/IMG_3518.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing wall at Wildwood</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtAYHvDPC_e4v1v_Qco82_s9PpZZwPrdGxtOghBRFRGgdPblTsP-AEVTtXrcOE-XpiP6TXyPdTRtOgtKGeK1xeTPItlPDIF3zLEawcsBa_PQ7rFkUlIFQEhm5Rm5UdTrVn9tEI0XUGKX0/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtAYHvDPC_e4v1v_Qco82_s9PpZZwPrdGxtOghBRFRGgdPblTsP-AEVTtXrcOE-XpiP6TXyPdTRtOgtKGeK1xeTPItlPDIF3zLEawcsBa_PQ7rFkUlIFQEhm5Rm5UdTrVn9tEI0XUGKX0/s320/IMG_3521.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildwood playground interlinking towers and slides.</td></tr>
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Erbie enjoying the playground.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6bTIWrl46FoX31Nzk052uQWPEmcDg2LSRu_b25Pm-Mma4p2Abez3_sApccxSrLAxVMiaBpkjWbKqgcMiPiXerJjRVb7zr0WnYtetTrYxzT7bfnkw5SQAFNFRvgFoYtWHGDr38TYj0Sm1/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6bTIWrl46FoX31Nzk052uQWPEmcDg2LSRu_b25Pm-Mma4p2Abez3_sApccxSrLAxVMiaBpkjWbKqgcMiPiXerJjRVb7zr0WnYtetTrYxzT7bfnkw5SQAFNFRvgFoYtWHGDr38TYj0Sm1/s320/IMG_3524.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not too old to slide yet...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflRz1So4g5mct5lYVcrlc3Kg4Q1ikl509pr84jF8i2miMznZPgvWd89VFt1Pm-zOwB-3IyaVvd8raSlt8Ne5cOr20YsEiHBdfvQO8VuUi4CDS9YEjOnH6nIpfVkG9QDfYgjtk6i9RqXvP/s1600/IMG_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflRz1So4g5mct5lYVcrlc3Kg4Q1ikl509pr84jF8i2miMznZPgvWd89VFt1Pm-zOwB-3IyaVvd8raSlt8Ne5cOr20YsEiHBdfvQO8VuUi4CDS9YEjOnH6nIpfVkG9QDfYgjtk6i9RqXvP/s320/IMG_3530.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wildwood fort</td></tr>
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Also for smaller children.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k2HC1f6zNlDi3RfFmPj-nEsTgSuyO5j7ke1xszo2uWvRcyY4dVhdQVybp-jGjB18wSZmwfcdB0_iyscfST8wU0H0xe9G5PbG5vnzgNPSwofrL0q_YYLsAIbg-I7AayZQ0m3Bt9Vn4kX0/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1175" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k2HC1f6zNlDi3RfFmPj-nEsTgSuyO5j7ke1xszo2uWvRcyY4dVhdQVybp-jGjB18wSZmwfcdB0_iyscfST8wU0H0xe9G5PbG5vnzgNPSwofrL0q_YYLsAIbg-I7AayZQ0m3Bt9Vn4kX0/s320/IMG_3515.JPG" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The very hungry slide at Wildwood</td></tr>
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All in all it was a rather fantastic day out. There is also a nice cafe and a gift shop, plus you can book unique animal experiences on their <a href="https://wildwoodtrust.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. </div>
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Meanwhile as I type, here in the kitchen, there is a ginger cat, that Erbie named Smoky on a previous visit. He doesn’t belong to the house but is often in the garden. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwoqX-QxjjdV0dESWHXhIixtBOWncm_J_o2SF8iHBj6AQvXK9Z2Ba5nkzvxFh7cOpsVmUbmYX1vD5BGpkq9CuOn7ZIL2eC5yLLIxxKI04vVAWWaYxclRdoU1eAjBhQlT7gN39nm_iOBGH/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwoqX-QxjjdV0dESWHXhIixtBOWncm_J_o2SF8iHBj6AQvXK9Z2Ba5nkzvxFh7cOpsVmUbmYX1vD5BGpkq9CuOn7ZIL2eC5yLLIxxKI04vVAWWaYxclRdoU1eAjBhQlT7gN39nm_iOBGH/s320/IMG_3649.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erbie with Smoky in the garden</td></tr>
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Smoky has just come in, walking over my laptop and turning Siri on - as is a cat’s want. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XD77SQDgi1liEiw6YxSFEaFHrguK0cgPPYVUk0noyBtmVCViiHJ_5l0LDiZT4gkEwXA5vcYuXUXcRnoLyU1u66KSGVIGjSu6-rULLaIn_hLquk1bdGvxriDaxsGRvidYfp1bYaWZua82/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XD77SQDgi1liEiw6YxSFEaFHrguK0cgPPYVUk0noyBtmVCViiHJ_5l0LDiZT4gkEwXA5vcYuXUXcRnoLyU1u66KSGVIGjSu6-rULLaIn_hLquk1bdGvxriDaxsGRvidYfp1bYaWZua82/s320/IMG_3643.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Smoky sits, I hear violins</td></tr>
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<o:p>Actually this was his want!</o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimro0_hGSpm9o-kKAh74PtfJh_yR1_3SeLO5C7XbL7bn9JmG6FVbni0A7rX1GqrfWiNwK07JEIU6MMb707mM8SKRvsn9waytkXNLXkepClGiC2KhTOSynKNXVNMCjcvayFByo9qTcXtAd/s1600/IMG_3645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimro0_hGSpm9o-kKAh74PtfJh_yR1_3SeLO5C7XbL7bn9JmG6FVbni0A7rX1GqrfWiNwK07JEIU6MMb707mM8SKRvsn9waytkXNLXkepClGiC2KhTOSynKNXVNMCjcvayFByo9qTcXtAd/s320/IMG_3645.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirsty cat.</td></tr>
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Smoky was looking in an empty vase on the windowsill, so I determined he may be thirsty. He turned his nose up at the bowl of water I offered him, as some cats instinctively know running water is more likely to be fresh…I turned the tap on.</div>
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<o:p>Today looks like being cloudy again, we might check out the local pool later.</o:p></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0Whitstable, UK51.361047 1.024256000000036751.321379 0.94357500000003669 51.400715 1.1049370000000367tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-69385631731816654802019-01-12T15:50:00.000+00:002019-01-12T15:50:13.822+00:00The Menopause. Periods. Mummy’s hormones. <span style="font-family: Cambria;">I’m menopausal – there I’ve said it. </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been menopausal for about 4 years (I think) and probably peri-menopausal for a lot longer than I realised. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<h4>
The wrong side of 40</h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m 50. </div>
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When people found out I was going to be fifty they said things like: ‘<i>welcome to the dark side</i>’ or ‘<i>the wrong side of 40</i>’. I don’t think I look 50. People say I don’t look my age but what does looking your age mean? Why do lots of women worry so much about looking over 50? Hell it’s 50 not 90. I know quite a few 90 year olds leading an active life, taking exercise classes and with brains as bright as tacks. Only yesterday I was reading about Anna del Conte - who is still publishing, cooking and agile at 94.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My 47-year-old friend is training for her first IRONMAN triathlon after a back operation 10 years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I took my first yoga class at 49 and have only now decided to change my career from mouse-monkey to gardener. I’m applying for the training course next month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m thinking about coming off of HRT. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been on Hormone Replacement Therapy for two years. I'm perfectly happy with it . <o:p></o:p></div>
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Periods</h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had a baby a week before my 40<sup>th </sup>followed by a year of no periods (whilst I breast-fed) then a couple of normal years period wise, then things started to get heavier. A lot heavier. I ended up bleeding more often than not, I stopped wearing trousers, I never ever wore white and I used tampons and pads at the same time, which was costing me a small fortune. I had to get up and change in the night. The bed sheets were permanently stained. My underwear was always black. I took to wearing leather skirts all the time. I always sat on the edge of chairs. Sex was embarrassing and messy, more so that normal. I was always tired. I became anaemic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I researched the Mirena and eventually succumbed. After a 6 month settling in, which included headaches and weird mood swings my periods eventually stopped all together. After the constant bleeding and anaemia I couldn’t have been happier. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Peri-Menopause</h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I started waking in the night in hot sweats and I noticed I was being a bit, shall we say, snappy sometimes at home and occasionally out of the home, which made me feel ashamed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I suppose it really came to my attention when one of the playground mums commented on the fact I was wearing Birkenstocks in the Winter, (my feet were SO BLOODY HOT ALL THE TIME). I enquired about HRT and my local GP surgery and was readily informed that I could quite easily start using oestrogen only patches straight away as I already had progesterone from the Mirena. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also started taking anti-depressants. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I put on weight and I really slowed down physically, it became an effort to walk anywhere and whereas before I had been a marcher I now started to dawdle. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Bonfire Night a lump under my jawbone popped up. I considered a full on detox. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A year later a second scan of the lump under my jaw revealed another much smaller lump on my thyroid, which was cancerous and removed along with my thyroid.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That was October 2017. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2018 my 65-year-old sister who had been on HRT from her 40s for nearly 20 years found a lump in her breast. She is having her last dose of radiotherapy this month after a course of chemo and a mastectomy. Her fingernails have started to fall off and she has no hair left on her body. She drinks – who wouldn’t. The nurses mentioned the drinking, not the fact that she’d been on HRT but then I guess that makes her responsible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m thinking of stopping the HRT. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m thinking me in a bad mood and sweaty but being around until I’m 90 might be better for my 10year old than me in a good mood for the next 9 years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have 6 patches left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m also thinking of doing a survey on The Menopause and why it is still a dirty word.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you have any questions you think would be good to ask?<o:p></o:p></div>
westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-86049628509799971612019-01-05T10:47:00.000+00:002019-01-05T10:47:19.053+00:00Bathtime Blues and London Zoo<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
I promised myself I would write this year – so write, write, write I will. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve just got out of an evening bath after a chilly day at London Zoo with Erbie and friends. </div>
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Bored gorillas, sleeping tigers, lions nowhere to be seen, the aquarium half closed and looking tired and old - much like me. Lovely llamas, a donkey, camels, macaws, the highlight was a beautiful troupe of squirrel monkeys, jumping and playing with one another, grooming, climbing and holding hands, miniature evolutionary bits of ourselves distilled in time. </div>
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The kids asked them questions and watched in anticipation to see whether they nod or shake their tiny heads. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘<i>Are you adorable?’</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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A ripple of awed laughter bubbles from the children as the monkey nods emphatically behind the glass.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The day ends with the obligatory exit through the gift shop, herding the children past shelves crammed with animal shaped pens, keychains and cuddly toys ranging from a lifelike Emperor penguin with chick to attachable tails. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphRs-iDMTJ28Byo264B04SBemBpwBVzG0CLIYI9P32kQ9rtlrD8SqHEjXRXzt3kpVCOhqFY87IP67hH673X0lfmyrBsVtmBEpzdloq7YOojBRBifqrMiopyPy6SgFxAvNDA6KIoAafLQ2/s1600/%25C2%25A330_emperor_penguin_with_chick_soft_toy_35cm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphRs-iDMTJ28Byo264B04SBemBpwBVzG0CLIYI9P32kQ9rtlrD8SqHEjXRXzt3kpVCOhqFY87IP67hH673X0lfmyrBsVtmBEpzdloq7YOojBRBifqrMiopyPy6SgFxAvNDA6KIoAafLQ2/s320/%25C2%25A330_emperor_penguin_with_chick_soft_toy_35cm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuddly Emperor penguin with chick - £30.00 <a href="https://shop.zsl.org/" target="_blank">London Zoo</a> Shop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQPwq5NvsLMrencex6P_Z9PAPTW6JMkDzgkrnYzsjB7IJTMbWd-Mr9xaKNzdcPjxkd86ddIx4dATwANko7b9Ydgq2bdB0DlAeuA4yysbpgitcrvAStUqhnzGZUBuK46an7oJvx4T8Zoz5/s1600/%25C2%25A35_giraffe_tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQPwq5NvsLMrencex6P_Z9PAPTW6JMkDzgkrnYzsjB7IJTMbWd-Mr9xaKNzdcPjxkd86ddIx4dATwANko7b9Ydgq2bdB0DlAeuA4yysbpgitcrvAStUqhnzGZUBuK46an7oJvx4T8Zoz5/s320/%25C2%25A35_giraffe_tail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attachable Giraffe Tail - £5 <a href="https://shop.zsl.org/" target="_blank">London Zoo Shop</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HekZg0Q8iEFF6uy-Ao4PIinDx4qo_uwHmBlsMuJGISiPNIBS1qTNjkd56TAfNIM1a30axsW3dRQ7j9PkPOB2kRvOQzdg01VKiR1SVJiURbkZrgrMXzw1aJkVjGYjRiH7P4mJ72-MYonV/s1600/%25C2%25A35_lion_tail_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HekZg0Q8iEFF6uy-Ao4PIinDx4qo_uwHmBlsMuJGISiPNIBS1qTNjkd56TAfNIM1a30axsW3dRQ7j9PkPOB2kRvOQzdg01VKiR1SVJiURbkZrgrMXzw1aJkVjGYjRiH7P4mJ72-MYonV/s320/%25C2%25A35_lion_tail_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Attachable Lion Tail - £5 <a href="https://shop.zsl.org/" target="_blank">London Zoo Shop</a></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy575pRZ87Gcf1uwvZzznb3fcYd_h6r56ZV7h1wbi4rM36LHk6GskEFlrc-DhXFQPEIkDXfYo3GVQD5ArMIs4zzT92CAOBuOziPjBll-0QRLM6BgkMlG3JkPe-D298d9EBRu0SiD4h6LC/s1600/%25C2%25A35_tiger_tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy575pRZ87Gcf1uwvZzznb3fcYd_h6r56ZV7h1wbi4rM36LHk6GskEFlrc-DhXFQPEIkDXfYo3GVQD5ArMIs4zzT92CAOBuOziPjBll-0QRLM6BgkMlG3JkPe-D298d9EBRu0SiD4h6LC/s320/%25C2%25A35_tiger_tail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Attachable Tiger Tail - £5 <a href="https://shop.zsl.org/" target="_blank">London Zoo Shop</a></td></tr>
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From my bath I can hear my boys playing zombies with nerf guns, fighting with the lights off. I can hear screeches of laughter and ‘<i>I got you, I got you’</i>.</div>
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Meanwhile I lay here thinking what if this was it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What if my life was nearly over. What would I recall as the most defining moments from zero to 50. It can’t all be tragedy. In fact, I used to have a pretty positive mindset. I used to proudly say I could not afford the luxury of a negative thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe I’m just hungover in the aftermath of Christmas. I feel fear, fear of dying, not the joy of living. I keep feeling imaginary or real lumps in my neck, knotty lymph nodes that I try and talk myself out of believing are the cancer returning. </div>
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Geez get a grip woman. They do say most tube jumpers occur around February, and I'm not talking about chunky knits here, rather the poor souls who leap to their deaths under oncoming trains, leaving the splatter crew to clear up and find their shoes afterwards. </div>
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The shoes always come off. </div>
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I guess the general psyche of humans is brought lower with the light levels in Winter, hence the pagan festival that involves lighting up a tree, or am I confusing pagans with Moonins. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Presents, lights and a feast with family just after the shortest day on 21st December to chide us through the coldest months, magical. </div>
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Just keep something wonderful in mind to look forward to when the days get longer. Or comfort yourself with ridiculously cute things like this cuddly Emperor Penguin chick from the London Zoo Shop. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMeac8r2OqVg2MXh34QLKyLeHlnD5BSEs1vN8SQcR2NEgdf75X-NY8Hn9R0RLerSBorEPK-qiMHmDwlkKto2Dm-KIqNe_CNJv7rheYmHQgvagvImBPHezNEjKIVcHg5OjYjQ_OUtoYsQ6/s1600/%25C2%25A38+emperor_penguin_chick_soft_toy_20cm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMeac8r2OqVg2MXh34QLKyLeHlnD5BSEs1vN8SQcR2NEgdf75X-NY8Hn9R0RLerSBorEPK-qiMHmDwlkKto2Dm-KIqNe_CNJv7rheYmHQgvagvImBPHezNEjKIVcHg5OjYjQ_OUtoYsQ6/s320/%25C2%25A38+emperor_penguin_chick_soft_toy_20cm.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Cuddly Emperor Penguin Chick - <a href="https://shop.zsl.org/product/emperor-penguin-chick-soft-toy-20cm" target="_blank">London Zoo Shop £8.00</a></td></tr>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-6245093490124040072018-11-20T11:13:00.005+00:002018-11-20T11:13:57.736+00:00Lego Superstore, Leicester Square, London and BuildToGive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Erbie, likes his Lego, mainly mini-figures which he uses in various epic battles and for making stop-motion animations. In fact TheGR recently announced that if we added up the value of all the Lego Erbie has in various containers, it would probably amount to thousands of pounds. This being the case we thought we had better take him to the (not so), new Lego store in Leicester Square for a visit. </div>
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Strangely you need to queue before entering, although it was only for 5 minutes, and they employ cheery bowler-hatted staff to talk to you while you wait, it seemed a little unnecessary to me. </div>
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Just inside the entrance was a great Lego construction of Big Ben, who seems to be popping up as our Christmas icon this year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkHmbKDTc00zy55qSxINfyvW7g9KXMXPlMn0ks6yuMThMgrzCUSls-GHgHtbfYVkJsYYXqgei2lWHQcoOBo50Yl2IZZqjq4VSaHxi09GklGOYOrtvhnJshkqWaGYYQkmDDpNTIJbwNkdf/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkHmbKDTc00zy55qSxINfyvW7g9KXMXPlMn0ks6yuMThMgrzCUSls-GHgHtbfYVkJsYYXqgei2lWHQcoOBo50Yl2IZZqjq4VSaHxi09GklGOYOrtvhnJshkqWaGYYQkmDDpNTIJbwNkdf/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego Big Ben, Leicester Square, London</td></tr>
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The stairwell has marvellous Lego murals of London landmarks along the Thames, such as the London Eye, the Chard and the Gherkin.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFzmE4_UVz1Jm3vExZttr8pARp1eihC95HsdejA0K8yp2YXjY8V16D74Tj8mwAbxecBcbGWaEPs8b-Ajh0N80V6zus6DoLIL9tlGcW3dq5m5YA6Ob3-B0dSjV0OIjLvH-FA4BBh9atv9Y/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFzmE4_UVz1Jm3vExZttr8pARp1eihC95HsdejA0K8yp2YXjY8V16D74Tj8mwAbxecBcbGWaEPs8b-Ajh0N80V6zus6DoLIL9tlGcW3dq5m5YA6Ob3-B0dSjV0OIjLvH-FA4BBh9atv9Y/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" title="w1mum" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London mural in © Lego, Leicester Square</td></tr>
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As well as Tower Bridge. The Houses of Parliment and Westminster Abbey.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvyqkBDNbTIb6EHTsXYygnNmsO0TuEQK-nk1oBrfBcroPn3xhyrZw3qRqdYFeRzZ8BXWAWfUyCUGfs9Cv45EtkTYQAwI0WLudDpnyUFmZBo0MasVjDGsKcjHvD0QjMZzl2IY8tyv-z9m/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvyqkBDNbTIb6EHTsXYygnNmsO0TuEQK-nk1oBrfBcroPn3xhyrZw3qRqdYFeRzZ8BXWAWfUyCUGfs9Cv45EtkTYQAwI0WLudDpnyUFmZBo0MasVjDGsKcjHvD0QjMZzl2IY8tyv-z9m/s320/IMG_0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego London mural, Leicester Square store, London</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuqT3AC9PQSdV-DK828qvNPk3DkhRZ1SqL4ivslcBVEyS7YDJ58iACBS4yxtYVUUZn7HikE798kWwrYmgOC9UDTtXQa4YTYRMygbRTVIAy7SB5NefeWhaBfEwfMmlIJxuuCjl559j_KvK/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuqT3AC9PQSdV-DK828qvNPk3DkhRZ1SqL4ivslcBVEyS7YDJ58iACBS4yxtYVUUZn7HikE798kWwrYmgOC9UDTtXQa4YTYRMygbRTVIAy7SB5NefeWhaBfEwfMmlIJxuuCjl559j_KvK/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Lego London Underground Map<br /></td></tr>
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What Erbie loves about visiting a Lego store is getting to build his own minifigures. It is a great way to get pieces you want, such as different hairstyles or accessories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc3NpKi3hHPRfZSJyJDQzGu12aBGWL3xctGcMYhTRo_-5kQLegUEUoNFe-CfR6LWWOO0kySk9xYiz2PCIVtkkDv14MKn5sT7OY9Hz_GU0iOlkC0YuyRH8lUc02TQMpE2l_3li2aJfsSG6/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc3NpKi3hHPRfZSJyJDQzGu12aBGWL3xctGcMYhTRo_-5kQLegUEUoNFe-CfR6LWWOO0kySk9xYiz2PCIVtkkDv14MKn5sT7OY9Hz_GU0iOlkC0YuyRH8lUc02TQMpE2l_3li2aJfsSG6/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Build your own ©Lego minifigure</td></tr>
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There were some fun models to interact with, such as the Harry Potter sorting hat, Erbie declined the wand offered by a staff member for photo opportunities.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BWw4dRhhYOTYnCTM__SItxfnZ664NU5zkYcdKwW7ARkA02-QHjH6Nz3fJj05mOpNz6wftsyS_fW4OQ2TvgsuIH0Ew_pyqTixbynWobQQUWucFBj7wQ30sjZ5Lp8QbB2yW1bsjJcoog9l/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BWw4dRhhYOTYnCTM__SItxfnZ664NU5zkYcdKwW7ARkA02-QHjH6Nz3fJj05mOpNz6wftsyS_fW4OQ2TvgsuIH0Ew_pyqTixbynWobQQUWucFBj7wQ30sjZ5Lp8QbB2yW1bsjJcoog9l/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego Harry Potter Sorting hat</td></tr>
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There were also festive baubles for sale containing a make-your-own Lego reindeer, penguin or snowman.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVj5Sd7HJ26q1ypPHJf8uE_CW-CWbF439NpuyrAP_VRyDhjhBJX_0cK6dMjpR3gdlOQfpJVL8q8VlGPgSO29dXKqXyQD33TF4bi7Xpf1n67T-Ak2lDKsNTZojhIq_RNfe0waLaPOyxlW-/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVj5Sd7HJ26q1ypPHJf8uE_CW-CWbF439NpuyrAP_VRyDhjhBJX_0cK6dMjpR3gdlOQfpJVL8q8VlGPgSO29dXKqXyQD33TF4bi7Xpf1n67T-Ak2lDKsNTZojhIq_RNfe0waLaPOyxlW-/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego Snowball mini figure ornaments</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJIRvjh1vsvVFyChV33y1hkyoXROXE3cJYUxF9emphMqb7G1PXSnfjZCc8ntqmwE-wiCCLOk4SA7vqC0t_OVeHqTN98D3xm8O7JCuHHYYHgDGyfcj6UT-MNesB8ArNLJCh-0Tsv6MrJRo/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJIRvjh1vsvVFyChV33y1hkyoXROXE3cJYUxF9emphMqb7G1PXSnfjZCc8ntqmwE-wiCCLOk4SA7vqC0t_OVeHqTN98D3xm8O7JCuHHYYHgDGyfcj6UT-MNesB8ArNLJCh-0Tsv6MrJRo/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego penguin holiday bauble £6.99<br /></td></tr>
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It being the time for giving - LEGO also have an awesome project RIGHT NOW. <div>
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Build your own Lego Christmas ornament and take it to a Lego store between now and 9th December 2018 or simply share an image of it online with the hashtag #<a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/campaigns/build-to-give" target="_blank">BuildToGive</a> and Lego will donate a Lego playset to a child in need for every ornament but and shared.</div>
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To find out more visit the LEGO website: <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/campaigns/build-to-give">www.lego.com/en-gb/campaigns/build-to-give</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All images W1mum, not affiliated with Lego at all.</span></div>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-8808682477137358202018-11-19T16:43:00.005+00:002018-11-19T16:43:49.756+00:00Mood Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Erbie is off school today with a nasty cough and sore throat. He’s pale and quiet. Which more or less sums up how I feel too. </div>
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Fancy a different way to chart how you are doing, how about a tree? Each day is represented with a leaf that you can colour in. For example a ‘mood’ tree could have lovely green leaves for <b>good</b> mood days with a few orange ones for <b>neutral</b> and black for <b>bad</b>... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDRYgrpycn3Gyed9UxPkaOdTcI9O-UUJWD8oveKqJEFXFPFM30F7xUN9jCcUE0BWuKwKUSN3hmfFpwMimPfZxUwiOwP5RKhVFz7GVLr0WBAto7oLgWXIkZ42fyMIow5iGY3NBNBj5kQou/s1600/TreeW1mum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDRYgrpycn3Gyed9UxPkaOdTcI9O-UUJWD8oveKqJEFXFPFM30F7xUN9jCcUE0BWuKwKUSN3hmfFpwMimPfZxUwiOwP5RKhVFz7GVLr0WBAto7oLgWXIkZ42fyMIow5iGY3NBNBj5kQou/s640/TreeW1mum.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mood tree © W1mum</td></tr>
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<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-22283567015961057492018-11-06T17:52:00.000+00:002018-11-06T17:52:15.967+00:00I see dead people.<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
I’m on a train back to my hometown, Salisbury (now infamous for Novichok) to see an old friend and more expressly to talk to dead people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My mum and dad are both buried in Salisbury, as are several generations on either side. My mum’s ashes are under a tree in Elizabeth Gardens, (recently reopened after the latest Novichok scare). I bet she enjoyed the peace and quiet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My dad’s ashes are in a local churchyard in Harnham, he died in a car crash when I was three, meaning I more or less grew up with a single parent. My siblings are all at least ten years older, I guess I always felt slightly isolated without knowing it at the time, that all comes with counselling…<br />
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My emotional wheels fell off about three years ago and I’ve been trying to put them back on gradually. <i>Prozac </i>helped and <i>Headspace </i>and eventually weekly visits to my ’talky lady’ (thank-you Erbie).<br />
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I’m going to be 50 in a couple of week’s time and it feels like a major transition. Hence the journey homeward to see a lady that can commune with the other side. I have a lot of people on the other side. What if someone I don’t want to hear about turns up? What if no one turns up? Which would be worse, I wonder. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m seeking closure I guess. It would be nice not to carry everything around inside, stuff I have pushed down so deeply that etching away the layers has been consistently hard work. I know there are still a couple more places I need to get to. One is making peace with my dear friend, Fiona, whom I lost too soon. I need to say goodbye, so that I may carry my memories of her fondly, she deserves that. </div>
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I need to be able to mourn. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harnham churchyard ©WEM</td></tr>
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westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-67242841059167380422018-11-04T10:42:00.000+00:002018-11-04T10:42:36.715+00:00A Selection of Christmas Baubles - 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year since his birth, I have bought a Christmas tree decoration with Erbie. This year we went to Liberty in London’s west end to get Big Ben (as the real one is currently shrouded for refurbishment).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpvyuQpGA_FD3hJimYaoUzSpFFuQcsCp7FCuD7AEWYV7uBL4XUDQlGX5Ebdnew6uzUBELKz0HOjkkBCOTswwg7wjsNLPMR-KR6nxVPfYeE7SsFB9tgjHPotOlpK8NmmY-5fytLrtNq4Xe/s1600/000582686-R202238006-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpvyuQpGA_FD3hJimYaoUzSpFFuQcsCp7FCuD7AEWYV7uBL4XUDQlGX5Ebdnew6uzUBELKz0HOjkkBCOTswwg7wjsNLPMR-KR6nxVPfYeE7SsFB9tgjHPotOlpK8NmmY-5fytLrtNq4Xe/s320/000582686-R202238006-1.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a></div>
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Big Ben Glass Tree Decoration - Liberty £6.95</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ61XuG6gvJUCtaQfrs6KNTcE2EMy5QJHSwvNqcOKvZwujZmBjHP3ehYp5Gj0klE04CZsghCCfOw_-5qMN77ahGYHyUuY_t-_jdkMBJ9BRWV7bTIRPf6VyLf12Ru5EATv13pyyvKytro2/s1600/000583992-R203782006-1-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ61XuG6gvJUCtaQfrs6KNTcE2EMy5QJHSwvNqcOKvZwujZmBjHP3ehYp5Gj0klE04CZsghCCfOw_-5qMN77ahGYHyUuY_t-_jdkMBJ9BRWV7bTIRPf6VyLf12Ru5EATv13pyyvKytro2/s320/000583992-R203782006-1-1.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Regent Street Tree Decoration Liberty £7.95<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Peace Hand Decoration Liberty £24.95</td></tr>
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All of the big London department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges have a section dedicated to Christmas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GuSNz0zj9lVUZRG64BXs4fldoTp7pwwfl0Lxy4SzIc2xLrCpLH5J3YN2-qcyF2KWLLL9ngxc_UmqhSw3acsZWV0kHJV2MngsvvjvGMdg_xz-lrYZorQnM6fB9M_R_prPVm2Ka9hTK55S/s1600/landrover-christmas-decoration_000000000006025970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GuSNz0zj9lVUZRG64BXs4fldoTp7pwwfl0Lxy4SzIc2xLrCpLH5J3YN2-qcyF2KWLLL9ngxc_UmqhSw3acsZWV0kHJV2MngsvvjvGMdg_xz-lrYZorQnM6fB9M_R_prPVm2Ka9hTK55S/s1600/landrover-christmas-decoration_000000000006025970.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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Landrover Glass Decoration <a href="https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/harrods/dated-christmas-bauble-2018-p000000000005914853?bcid=1502363833637" target="_blank">Harrods</a> £25.00</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir20X7FtqlOkUcFyLmtq5XESbkk2oMKlu1BGPIUH4QhpEInMhgXwyHIucv2ftRCRK1K9GvH4A2LhGMMyCM7bUpSTInYbFSXRNxU_NpVdKJw7MhjMXE-5IfReAOem7cZLuOuEH5SIG-I-eF/s1600/soft-boiled-egg-christmas-decoration_000000000006042269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir20X7FtqlOkUcFyLmtq5XESbkk2oMKlu1BGPIUH4QhpEInMhgXwyHIucv2ftRCRK1K9GvH4A2LhGMMyCM7bUpSTInYbFSXRNxU_NpVdKJw7MhjMXE-5IfReAOem7cZLuOuEH5SIG-I-eF/s1600/soft-boiled-egg-christmas-decoration_000000000006042269.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Soft boiled egg glass tree decoration <a href="https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/harrods/dated-christmas-bauble-2018-p000000000005914853?bcid=1502363833637" target="_blank">Harrods</a> £18.00<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rKR8agcHV0-VouUz1-v7_xSlb8XiXUARblp7DfHsIUIKbUCD8MZu2kcVdiF3WboiJgsYKO8nPLR5SwqOzYVemCefNFxq08Lkim3_n6NLEQntS2fA-CvqkpOTk5tt9EvY21gMteW2FaAx/s1600/mexican-skull-christmas-decoration_000000000006042295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rKR8agcHV0-VouUz1-v7_xSlb8XiXUARblp7DfHsIUIKbUCD8MZu2kcVdiF3WboiJgsYKO8nPLR5SwqOzYVemCefNFxq08Lkim3_n6NLEQntS2fA-CvqkpOTk5tt9EvY21gMteW2FaAx/s1600/mexican-skull-christmas-decoration_000000000006042295.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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Mexican Skull Christmas Decoration £26.00 <a href="https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/harrods/dated-christmas-bauble-2018-p000000000005914853?bcid=1502363833637" target="_blank">Harrods</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Selfridges is rocking Christmas this year with glass decorations of his purple highness, Prince and David Bowie for your tree plus stars and thunderbolts a plenty. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR3es5_9KKqvb-mDnh0zLkjlmgDDhB12mRqo7zMsLVM-94Fcrn_hq0uSj2OkUQHm-QDjh19wNlfrI4h9tV2w2JmvMzAV2U6OtOJPme_QfpKv8aHaCpardvK74Ru3Xr0kGQDmLpuGd7V_U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-25+at+15.42.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR3es5_9KKqvb-mDnh0zLkjlmgDDhB12mRqo7zMsLVM-94Fcrn_hq0uSj2OkUQHm-QDjh19wNlfrI4h9tV2w2JmvMzAV2U6OtOJPme_QfpKv8aHaCpardvK74Ru3Xr0kGQDmLpuGd7V_U/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-10-25+at+15.42.32.png" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Prince - Glass Tree Ornament <a href="http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/home-tech/christmas-shop/christmas-decorations/?cm_sp=MegaMenu-_-Christmas-_-christmasDecorations" target="_blank">Selfridges</a> £26.00<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZZT-ojiSsYkJwK9Z65_XuJSlbEFN3tlmnmIGxiz4UFx56sqcleZ1vl9w2EH8EIwVEHdpFE7fbEX8ePu9N4_PWv67YC3_O_RMGSrhz2gyofqOHIq7EmjnGiQk4dvMHom83ZqbURgtsLlm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-25+at+15.56.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="182" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZZT-ojiSsYkJwK9Z65_XuJSlbEFN3tlmnmIGxiz4UFx56sqcleZ1vl9w2EH8EIwVEHdpFE7fbEX8ePu9N4_PWv67YC3_O_RMGSrhz2gyofqOHIq7EmjnGiQk4dvMHom83ZqbURgtsLlm/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-10-25+at+15.56.32.png" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Thunderbolt Tree Decoration <a href="http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/home-tech/christmas-shop/christmas-decorations/?cm_sp=MegaMenu-_-Christmas-_-christmasDecorations" target="_blank">Selfridges</a> £13.00<br />
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Sadly Selfridges David Bowie was sold out before Halloween, I found one online at Trouva, if you’re quick you may still be able to get your hands on him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuv6bNWA4jmFlAAU0mM9hyphenhyphen4OZz3AxnCDDsBomLDleqY0P-RaB_urOWIYnUACa95K98h6_Pm5yVm3KKf909s1TM0HdCvLkXQBSgiHP10Vj1j0Y3qFTxkLMxECb_HcN1Y1WhJu9KsSYTEZ8/s1600/200-3002220-GO1065_M.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuv6bNWA4jmFlAAU0mM9hyphenhyphen4OZz3AxnCDDsBomLDleqY0P-RaB_urOWIYnUACa95K98h6_Pm5yVm3KKf909s1TM0HdCvLkXQBSgiHP10Vj1j0Y3qFTxkLMxECb_HcN1Y1WhJu9KsSYTEZ8/s1600/200-3002220-GO1065_M.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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David Bowie Glass Tree Decoration </div>
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<a href="https://www.trouva.com/products/david-bowie-christmas-tree-ornament" target="_blank">Trouva</a>: £14.99</div>
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I also love museum and gallery shops in London for Christmas baubles, such as the British Museum, Tate Britain and the Natural History museum:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6I3XfuBTEemg9VF6lWroqTBdXIOTu6lmUc4PSBW7_57R9IS8JxWMux-UaxGeVOZ0wn7BdePMPQseiObNEvgi9SmQz0YVchyphenhyphendSd14o0n7co5znK7MPjDYl_iJxEGBbX8ZLKuSRZc81fgZ/s1600/tmpWedgwood-angel-decoration-CMCN507900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6I3XfuBTEemg9VF6lWroqTBdXIOTu6lmUc4PSBW7_57R9IS8JxWMux-UaxGeVOZ0wn7BdePMPQseiObNEvgi9SmQz0YVchyphenhyphendSd14o0n7co5znK7MPjDYl_iJxEGBbX8ZLKuSRZc81fgZ/s320/tmpWedgwood-angel-decoration-CMCN507900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Wedgewood China Angel Tree Ornament - <a href="https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/christmas-gifts.html" target="_blank">The British Museum</a> £25.00</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveilg19xiDm9A2I9goYTdZJs-H8GIvzvvTq44ddI2VmhlZ-to5GV_OKve0Gd7nv0ewoTCZ537UDaz0rvXc6jfDf1k8KhxsFHkA6x73BCZNiYL5V1rKEyN2czdFcJ7yGajfGNiar6C8GQU/s1600/21883-frida-kahlo-bauble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveilg19xiDm9A2I9goYTdZJs-H8GIvzvvTq44ddI2VmhlZ-to5GV_OKve0Gd7nv0ewoTCZ537UDaz0rvXc6jfDf1k8KhxsFHkA6x73BCZNiYL5V1rKEyN2czdFcJ7yGajfGNiar6C8GQU/s320/21883-frida-kahlo-bauble.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Frida bauble £15.00</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/homeware/view-all-homeware" target="_blank">The Tate Shop</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3Gh61Qu-ql_Xx0rtoQNV4OgEf9yuG1xm2oquTSnHKPjWysrrX147zfh7XmmmywdWQrrkfyssWQ3e0e5SWwDQHQMum0iMKo2QsRxtoqUHyEpttM9WaZIW6QrwxFD9kBUqSWK-_7pqeHww/s1600/a15501-charles-darwin-embroided-decoration-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3Gh61Qu-ql_Xx0rtoQNV4OgEf9yuG1xm2oquTSnHKPjWysrrX147zfh7XmmmywdWQrrkfyssWQ3e0e5SWwDQHQMum0iMKo2QsRxtoqUHyEpttM9WaZIW6QrwxFD9kBUqSWK-_7pqeHww/s1600/a15501-charles-darwin-embroided-decoration-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Darwin embroidered tree decoration £18.00 <a href="http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/for-the-home/homeware.html#2" target="_blank">The Natural History Museum</a> Shop</td></tr>
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The Royal Palaces also have great shops for gifts and decorations which you can also find online - click on the links in the captions for each one How about the infamous white tower complete with raven or you could award your tree with <span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">the order of the Garter. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The order of the Garter is the oldest </span><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">and most prestigious order to receive,</span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> first established in 1348.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnIbYM6gehgB-xmhZJywZim5Z9d8x46Z9_6msJXT5__WLZ8BKn-mQJsSqWPqiyuDPFDXAy_BVQgRcNJjS0Zu_5EHZRQHNPoNkcb9fx2FXLHenrLIrV4emYQ_43TNm1Ihx4bsMnhMGZ1sY/s1600/whitetower-hangingdecoration-30169565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnIbYM6gehgB-xmhZJywZim5Z9d8x46Z9_6msJXT5__WLZ8BKn-mQJsSqWPqiyuDPFDXAy_BVQgRcNJjS0Zu_5EHZRQHNPoNkcb9fx2FXLHenrLIrV4emYQ_43TNm1Ihx4bsMnhMGZ1sY/s320/whitetower-hangingdecoration-30169565.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Tower embroidered decoration - <a href="https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/giftcollections/historicroyalpalaces/towerlondon.html" target="_blank">Tower of London</a> £10.99</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeFQOSUSz65xqaKIgoZaEfeQLisUG8t75gjqSK7ovX3GLNJKs3vB8_AAyz_Hw1wZgamgbVnGN30hYyds60uXulJ-F03jfqepK8hyhZur-5FhaK6pTTGjf9KSDQafFiGrTITh6ljT293Zk/s1600/garterstar-hangingdecoration-30169853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeFQOSUSz65xqaKIgoZaEfeQLisUG8t75gjqSK7ovX3GLNJKs3vB8_AAyz_Hw1wZgamgbVnGN30hYyds60uXulJ-F03jfqepK8hyhZur-5FhaK6pTTGjf9KSDQafFiGrTITh6ljT293Zk/s320/garterstar-hangingdecoration-30169853.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Order of The Garter Embroidered Tree Decoration <a href="https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/giftcollections/historicroyalpalaces/towerlondon.html" target="_blank">Royal Palaces Shop</a> £12.99</td></tr>
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<h3 class="body-text" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 79, 79); color: #4f4f4f; font-family: "Gotham SSm A", "Gotham SSm B", Arial; font-size: 13px !important; font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px;">
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<h3 class="body-text" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 79, 79); font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px;">
How about miniature replicas of Kew’s famous Victorian glasshouses to adorn your tree.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrRY1tFNNunZPJFl8CK3HplqxL4FhKCpBsLGL0I4tcw97_xYK75Zr50p3N_eQpOza6mFRSL1ggP1lGScLnYOJ_-HNuFd6uwNAc7ckM8mFkDYOf1WIQ0RqCg4ivCGDDwkMv0MF5-HF7pIA/s1600/kew_18_09_05_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrRY1tFNNunZPJFl8CK3HplqxL4FhKCpBsLGL0I4tcw97_xYK75Zr50p3N_eQpOza6mFRSL1ggP1lGScLnYOJ_-HNuFd6uwNAc7ckM8mFkDYOf1WIQ0RqCg4ivCGDDwkMv0MF5-HF7pIA/s1600/kew_18_09_05_31.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palm House at <a href="http://shop.kew.org/catalogsearch/result/index/?p=5&q=Decoration+tree" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Kew</a> Glass Decoration £7.50</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZL5LXeNslLuvbTdsQf9K1YXnccbEOlwG-t3MZpXRT8GOCq4eMZjJMYU-82ZXHZjnMMYvo0ivSS4H9LTbJviMQ5LTrfOhhxew4o5eV6Hhj-P7arxttDO_UiFCVGISfOsO7G3z42RhgOaZ/s1600/kew_18_09_05_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZL5LXeNslLuvbTdsQf9K1YXnccbEOlwG-t3MZpXRT8GOCq4eMZjJMYU-82ZXHZjnMMYvo0ivSS4H9LTbJviMQ5LTrfOhhxew4o5eV6Hhj-P7arxttDO_UiFCVGISfOsO7G3z42RhgOaZ/s1600/kew_18_09_05_37.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temperate House at <a href="http://shop.kew.org/catalogsearch/result/index/?p=5&q=Decoration+tree" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Kew</a> Glass Decoration £7.50</td></tr>
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This is a very small selection of what is on offer, from avocados, glass bees, bananas and rainbows to reindeer, you can choose any theme for Christmas this year.<br />
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<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-87520111214652263412018-10-28T14:54:00.000+00:002018-10-28T14:54:06.222+00:00Perfect top<div>
I spotted this tiny top, which is perfect, as I was contemplating the latest faux-pas from Belle Mere. When I mentioned TheGR had an <i>editing</i> job, she offered to help, saying: ‘you know I write, I can give him all sorts of advice’. The penny didn't really drop until TheGR told me she'd been bumbling on about <i>writing</i> and how much she could help him. Aha, so the fact your son has been working in film for the past 10 years had passed you by. <i>Editing film not editing words</i>. I feel slightly mean posting that, but perhaps it is better to share. </div>
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Here, I share this find: a mustard yellow sweatshirt by <a href="https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350112977.aspx#searchkeyword=la-redoute-collections" target="_blank">La Redoute</a> available in ages 3 to 12 at £11.00 plus postage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr4QxpoNegWgSArEgRtkWnIqyEhJR8EYnJ9ii9Y1khN18PaunNq-L5i65u__yYDb4l5bvUdWf9OrdhsoopxnQZx1siBWq99GHzdURiQcrzpS1tv-kZncH_CJUPHvkxPrUQhYges3v5mfW/s1600/90a343b69808550407943a134fa7c5f9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr4QxpoNegWgSArEgRtkWnIqyEhJR8EYnJ9ii9Y1khN18PaunNq-L5i65u__yYDb4l5bvUdWf9OrdhsoopxnQZx1siBWq99GHzdURiQcrzpS1tv-kZncH_CJUPHvkxPrUQhYges3v5mfW/s320/90a343b69808550407943a134fa7c5f9-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect cotton sweatshirt by © La<a href="https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350112977.aspx#searchkeyword=la-redoute-collections" target="_blank">Redoute</a> £11.00 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ba3ZjavD6gX47zDJx5Is3YdRK6Jz57usZe7e6EAr8iDVIeKv7ePjbgP7Uuuxz0DathZOfwpaehXz_-_nKse3MQH44eNaKMte2Veq0FKyY9kq1PoLGt5tFDQ1kNcdADWhZW6RcgVu1gqC/s1600/17d6e3161e37fd4c4c814bd4e7826d04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ba3ZjavD6gX47zDJx5Is3YdRK6Jz57usZe7e6EAr8iDVIeKv7ePjbgP7Uuuxz0DathZOfwpaehXz_-_nKse3MQH44eNaKMte2Veq0FKyY9kq1PoLGt5tFDQ1kNcdADWhZW6RcgVu1gqC/s320/17d6e3161e37fd4c4c814bd4e7826d04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© La<a href="https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350112977.aspx#searchkeyword=la-redoute-collections" target="_blank">Redoute</a> </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlSz5YaC4sQlSxn7zXC5ItX5rOfhaiU0PIZdB8KIseCR6d4SSIfHjr0DMhX3yJjNeErlqYOXYKcGCaRPCjW0fM5tKRvi39nn4usgLJT_NoYin1qrGSpI3pFXDMi5Toh6CbTdZe3bg9NN2/s1600/75ca9df25e6630696a9b2598536042f8-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="641" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlSz5YaC4sQlSxn7zXC5ItX5rOfhaiU0PIZdB8KIseCR6d4SSIfHjr0DMhX3yJjNeErlqYOXYKcGCaRPCjW0fM5tKRvi39nn4usgLJT_NoYin1qrGSpI3pFXDMi5Toh6CbTdZe3bg9NN2/s320/75ca9df25e6630696a9b2598536042f8-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© La<a href="https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350112977.aspx#searchkeyword=la-redoute-collections" target="_blank">Redoute</a> </td></tr>
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<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937241658966177529.post-2205731155695871502018-10-23T11:00:00.004+01:002018-10-23T11:00:59.614+01:00Captain America Marvel X Trainers by ClarksI spotted these rather cool Captain America, Marvel X shoes for kids at <a href="https://www.clarks.co.uk/c/City-Hero-Lo/p/26137650" target="_blank">Clarks</a>. I do like a Clark’s shoe for primary school age children, call me old fashioned ’cause I am. Available in infant and full sizes, although sadly only in a wide fitting, which is a shame as Erbie has narrow feet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRtOh6xDieCks3b0w82L0MmhNi1Vfuw8R9wJCyzvX5pXkzs7H2a7NKQtqi9eQhRUPa0u2aFKa5x7-OcDliN_RXNmUOUUCr0LiZ1Sf_6joiqjBSCA8xqepNW12aVbH53wJ2k-3EZK2rJf-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-23+at+10.49.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="775" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRtOh6xDieCks3b0w82L0MmhNi1Vfuw8R9wJCyzvX5pXkzs7H2a7NKQtqi9eQhRUPa0u2aFKa5x7-OcDliN_RXNmUOUUCr0LiZ1Sf_6joiqjBSCA8xqepNW12aVbH53wJ2k-3EZK2rJf-/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-10-23+at+10.49.11.png" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain America Trainers by © Clarks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxPcby5i7v1Hb1jwluU1lebQKOp1EayG7Go3zK3w1BqOeHrYjGAlLePV5s8psqqPDfbkRDOT0Pm32GQZ5_MzJG9m_lmQIdXxUz9bMOkhtw67GMnYluUsLBdaT8L85L_lXCkP6bX0fG6P/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-23+at+10.49.23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxPcby5i7v1Hb1jwluU1lebQKOp1EayG7Go3zK3w1BqOeHrYjGAlLePV5s8psqqPDfbkRDOT0Pm32GQZ5_MzJG9m_lmQIdXxUz9bMOkhtw67GMnYluUsLBdaT8L85L_lXCkP6bX0fG6P/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-10-23+at+10.49.23.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain America Trainers by © Clarks</td></tr>
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<br />westendmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15502717564872941113noreply@blogger.com0