Ramblings from Luton to London

 Here we are again!

Blackthorn blossom taken on my Wednesday morning walk...

I had a great catch up with Ann on Tuesday evening 14th March. We met at a local pub for a meal. There was a pub quiz the same evening and although we didn't join in officially; we had fun guessing some of the answers. We've agreed the next time we'll meet at the same venue and enter the pub quiz. Just have to think up a name  for our team of 2. The Golden Girls?  The Besties? Suggestions welcome please!

I started Wednesday with a 5 mile walk. I walked to Clapham; then across the Bedford and County Golf Course; along the perimeter of Clapham Park Woods; across the fields then along a (very muddy) footpath between Brickhill allotments and where the food bank is; then home. Walking across the fields I met a small group of mixed Ivel Valley and North Beds walkers. During lock down when the rule of 6 was introduced; it seems lots of people from the two main walking groups formed their own small groups and walked regularly. That's certainly how my 'unofficial Friday bus walk' group began but I only joined them last year. The group I met on Wednesday's walk advised me the footpath ahead was very muddy but I braved it anyway. 

I changed into this outfit when I got home; everything pre-loved. Skirt by New Look; polo neck by Uniqlo; top by Mandolin; boots as before. I went to do the errands I needed to do in the afternoon; topping up bird food supplies at Home Bargains; Aldi shopping and I stopped at the Daycare Hospice shop near my hairdressers for a quick look. I found an animal print short sleeved top in the 1.00 sale and a wicker cutlery tray; which I repurposed for my make up and hair stuff storage in the bathroom. Home then to catch up with blog land and blogging; sort out the fire and make dinner. It was eldest grandson's birthday on Wednesday; he's 28 and has just had a promotion at work. I saw him being born...

Thursday was as manic as always. I went for a swim and was very pleased to see they had restarted the Sunday morning lane swimming session but at the earlier time of 8.30 am. I booked for this Sunday and this will become the replacement for my Tuesday afternoon swimming slot.  I used to swim on Sunday and Thursday mornings until they stopped the Sunday morning slot some months ago. As you know I volunteer at the food bank on Tuesday and when I finish there I come home and clean off my make up ready to swim at 2 pm. It will be great to have Tuesday afternoon's free again! After my swim where I managed 45 lengths; I came home for breakfast; got ready and went to do the Lidl weekly shop and to the farm shop for kindling and logs.

I rescued this tunic from the ragbag at Barnardo's for a donation (no tag and no care label); trousers by Laura Ashley; polo neck and boots as before. Everything pre-loved including the jewellery.

Youngest grandson wasn't at school because of the teacher's strike so I collected him from his house to have dinner with us along with the middle grandson. I nearly always make the same dinner every Thursday by popular request and once we've eaten it's off to basket ball practice. Only then do I collapse onto the sofa and chill out; there just isn't any time during the day. We continued watching 'Blood Pact' and very gripping it's proving to be.

I forgot to take an outfit photo on Friday but I wore this striped knitted dress by Apricot (it has pockets - yay!) over a navy H&M polo neck and Next jeans (all pre-loved) and these 'new to me' shoe boot type things picked up at Emmaus a couple of weeks ago. The truest colour of the boots can be seen on the left along with my bright blue walking socks! I wore my orthotics in the boots and they were very comfortable for walking.

I took the photos when I got home from Friday's adventure; which wasn't a trip to Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire with my brother Tony as planned. Tony wasn't feeling well and cancelled, so I went on the 'unofficial Friday bus walk' with a small group of 4; and this time we did catch a bus - to Luton! The weather was pants; it rained for most of the walk and we all got thoroughly wet. Luckily, I wore my Seasalt coat which was shower proof and had a hood. The walk was only 5 miles in total around Luton but we visited New Town; a Bailey Hill Water Tower; the Mossman Carriage Collection at Stockwood Country Park and Luton General cemetery.

Spotted at the start of the walk:

Camels in Luton!

Beautifully decorated building; possibly Arts and Crafts. The date of the building was given as 1912 but the business it housed originally was established in 1878; as can be seen on the left hand side at the very top.

Bailey Hill Water Tower - now a private dwelling. Built in 1901 to supply water to Stopsley (an area of Luton) after the drought of 1898. Built in the Arts and Crafts style with Luton grey brick with stone dressings.

The Mossman Carriage collection is one of the largest collections of horse drawn vehicles before the invention of the motor car. Having said that; this is what greeted you as you entered the building:

A 1948 Vauxhall Wyvern. 

Luton is the home of Vauxhall car manufacturers. I'm not a petrol head but I would love, love, love to have this car! The Vauxhall badge on the front of the car was rather beautiful too, and I took a photo of it. I don't know what happened but I ended up with a photo of my neck instead...

A Brougham

A Landau

Not sure what this one was called. Google lens called it a landau but I understood a landeau to have a covered box...

Hearses. One grand and one not so grand.

A Post Chaise.

An early type of omnibus

Luton has a significant population of  people of Asian descent; mainly Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

A later type of omnibus.

A Mail Coach.

It was an interesting walk and we enjoyed tea with walnut and coffee cake at the cafe in Stockwood Park Discovery Centre where the Mossman collection was housed. The cemetery was a typical Victorian cemetery with lots of interesting grave stones; however it was raining heavily and the trees were dripping so it was both wet and gloomy and not good for photos...

Saturday was wet and miserable although the sun came out after 4 pm for a while.  The days are getting longer; it didn't get dark until after 6. My daughter, middle grandson and I went to see my son; it's about an hour and a half drive each way. We left at 11 and were home soon after 6. Everything pre-loved; polo neck as before; skirt by New Look; top bought recently reduced to 1.00; boots as before; jacket by New Look.

Earrings bought in Sainsbury's years ago; all other jewellery pre-loved.

I went for swim on Sunday morning doing 45 laps. I came home and made breakfast and then felt so inextricably tired I went and laid down in the spare room and slept for 3 hours! I was absolutely fine when I got up and did the usual weekly house cleaning with OH. Then around the time we normally sit down to eat dinner on a Sunday; my daughter took me to the Swan Hotel for Mother's Day Afternoon Tea.

It was delicious and I tried Masala Chai tea for the first time which was lovely. I shall be looking to see if any the supermarkets I use sell it.

Flowers and home made flapjacks for Mother's Day presents and two beautiful cards from my son and daughter. That's my Victorian jug (1878) which I bought at the Keech charity shop for 1.25 about four years ago.

Everything pre-loved. Trousers by M&S; top by Wallis; jacket by Betty Jackson bought at the MS Centre Everything 1.00 sale. Boots as before; all jewellery pre-loved.

Despite my 3 hour siesta I still managed to sleep as usual on Sunday evening and woke up to a dry day on Monday morning. I worked with the manager at Barnardo's on Monday; starting the shift by going to Bromham post office and doing the banking. I then processed donations and decoded the children's section. The big inspection at our shop was on Tuesday and everything was spick and span in readiness! I found a summer skirt and a summer pair of trousers; both of which were put away when I got in. Hopefully it wouldn't be too long before I got to wear them...

Everything pre-loved. Skirt by Evie, vintage blouse has a German label; top by Amaranto; boots as before. All jewellery pre-loved.

After Barnardo's I stopped at Sainsbury's on the way home to pick up some bits and pieces. I forgot to see if they had Masala Chai teabags. Once home I put a wash on and then walked into town to pick my reservation from the library of number 4 in the series by Elly Griffiths. Once home again I caught up with blogging and blog land before cleaning out the fire; lighting it and cooking dinner.

When I add photos to my blog I always have them side by where I can but I notice they don't end up that way in the published version; making the blog seem very long. How annoying...

I wore this outfit to the food bank on Tuesday. All pre-loved except the boots by New Look retail. Pinafore dress also by New Look; Top by Next; all jewellery pre-loved except earrings bought in a Donegal gift shop and made by a local artisan. 

We were one volunteer short this week and had to work very hard to pack the increasing number of food parcels required. For the first time in a long time I didn't have to go swimming on Tuesday afternoon and had a free afternoon. I continued to catch up with blogs and finished my reserved library book. I reserved the 5th in the Elly Griffiths series and hoped to read it this week, too. I walked into town to the cash machine just so I got some fresh air then came home and made dinner. We were still watching the first series of 'The Blood Pact' in the evenings. The plan for the rest of the week was to walk with the group on Wednesday in Biggleswade; a meal and quiz night thank you event on Friday evening for the food bank volunteers; and on Saturday there was a London walk from Thamesmead to Kent with the North Beds Ramblers group. I have never been bored once since I retired 9 years ago; there's always something to do or something that needs doing...

Wednesday's outfit - all pre-loved. Suede jacket by F&F bought in a Castle Rd junk shop for 3.00. Jeans by M&S; polo neck by F&F; tunic by Anthology. No label on the green boots and I can't remember where I got them from. All jewellery also pe-loved except the earrings which were an old Sainsbury's buy.

I woke up too late to go on the group walk; well, I could have made it if I rushed but I hate rushing and refuse to do it anymore. The weather was beautiful; both warm and sunny. I opened all the windows and the back door to let the warmth and sunshine in. If I could have been bothered anymore it was the sort of the day to do spring cleaning! I used to spring clean religiously for years. I'd wash windows and paint work; take down curtains and wash them and clean the blinds. The only thing I did on Wednesday was take the cushion covers off the sofas in the living room; wash them and hang them out in the sun. I did venture into the garden and planted some cyclamen and fritillary bulbs. I think the cyclamens will be fine as they seem very hardy plants; not sure about the fritillaries as it's a bit late in the year but nothing ventured, nothing gained...

I decided to go to Rushden for a rummage as it'd been a while since I was last there. Once again even more shops had closed down; this seemed to be the situation on every high street in every town I'd visited in the last year. I'm guessing it's because of on line shopping; plus the increased costs of renting or leasing commercials premises has driven more businesses out to retail parks. Rushden had 5 charity shops but now has 4. I was looking for Elly Griffiths books as usual; found one but I already had it. I bought a few other books; an Etam blouse (almost vintage!) and a necklace. The weather became overcast and quite blustery whilst I was out but it was 15 degrees outside. I stopped at Aldi for the weekly shop; then it was home to hang out more washing and pray it wouldn't rain. It didn't I'm glad to say at least not  until much later than evening when the washing had been taken in. There was no cooking to be done; I'd made a casserole for OH on Tuesday and made enough for it last for 2 days. I had fish and chips from the chippy round the corner. We finally finished watching the last of series 1 of 'The Blood Pact' and look forward to watching series 2 next.

Thursday came round again... I went swimming and swam 45 laps. After eating breakfast and getting ready it was off to the farm shop for logs and kindling; onto Lidl for the weekly shop. Once home and the shopping was unpacked and put away; I just had time to nip into to town and pick up a library book reservation for my daughter before I was off again to pick youngest grandson up from school. It was 16 degrees according to the car temperature gauge. Once home again washing was hung up; fire sorted and dinner cooked. Dropped grandson to basket ball practice and then caught up with blogging.

Thursday's outfit was all pre-loved. Skirt by M&S (Per Una); top by F&F; jacket by Betty Jackson; boots as before. All jewellery also pre-loved. I should have gone to the hairdressers today but put it back to next week as we'll be off to Ireland very shortly and at least my hair will look okay whilst I'm there! I also need to find time next week to get my eyebrows done...

I didn't intend to walk on Friday as I was doing a long walk in London on Saturday but the sunshine and warmth enticed me on the unofficial bus walk on Friday. We started at Ampthill and walked to Maulden and back. It was a lovely bright day but quite windy at times. We walked 6.5 miles which included me having a quick look at the charity shops. I bought a couple of things from the 1.00 rail in the RSPCA (a summer jacket and pink top - I don't have much pink in my wardrobe) and in the Willen Hospice shop I found a short pleated skirt from Next BNWT reduced to 2.00.

We passed lots of thatched cottages on the walk; the row above was in Ampthill.

These were more than likely in Maulden. Did you spot the Thatcher's signature on the roof? A duck and two ducklings...

St. Mary the Virgin church and churchyard with the Ailesbury family mausoleum. Part of the north wall and the bottom part of the tower date from the 14th century, the doorway is 15th century and the top part of the tower dates from the 16th century.

Views across the Bedfordshire countryside.

After the walk we stopped at a cafe in Ampthill where I had tea and the most delicious slice of chocolate cake.  I got home and got ready as in the early evening we were off to the Food Bank Quiz Night and dinner. We had great fun and our table came 6th out of 10 in the quiz. I wore this outfit but the camera did something weird so forgive the peculiar colouring.

Everything pre-loved and seen before on the blog. Jacket by Zara; blouse by F&F and skirt bought at a charity shop price but at QD.

I was up very early on Saturday morning for more walking adventures. I met 8 of the North Beds Ramblers group at Bedford station where we made our way to Farringdon and met John the walk leader; onto the Elizabeth line to Abbey Wood (South-east London) then a bus to Thamesmead; where we began a 9 mile walk along the River Thames. This group had walked most of the Thames path and this walk was their final one. It's taken them about 2 years to do and they are about to start at the beginning again, so I hope to be joining them. I have walked some of the Thames paths routes but not in any particular order.

From left to right; Margaret; Joy; John; Sandra; me; Stephanie and behind us; Janet and Rose. Rose is the friend I met in Ireland in Co. Offaly when we were there last October - such a lovely surprise! Janet's husband Bob took the photo. This photo was taken at the end of the walk when we were waiting for the train back to London Bridge.

Thamesmead. We stopped at a cafe here for coffee before starting our 9 mile trek. The part of the Thames we walked was from Thamesmead to Erith (Kent). It was not a pretty walk; mostly industrial landscapes and a lot of derelict riverside structures but it was fascinating. I was sorry I hadn't brought my binoculars as there was a lot of wild fowl on the river.

We had to leave the river at this point and walk through an industrial estate...

Thanks to Sandra for the following photos:

Mudflats.

Thames Estuary.
This is the river Darent which flows in the Thames. In the distance is QEII bridge which has two bored tunnels at either end and is known as the Dartford Crossing; it's the busiest estuarial crossing in the UK; crossing from Dartford, Kent to Thurrock in Essex.

The Crossness Pumping Station which pumped water from London sewers; processed it and pumped it back into the Thames from 1865 (the Great Stink of 1858 triggered its construction; see here for more info HERE) until the 1950s.

It has a beautifully ornate Gothic interior and is open to the public on special open days.

Shelducks

Egyptian geese. We also saw Dunlin and a huge variety of gulls; as well as 3 magpies mobbing a crow...

16th century Tithe barn near Erith.

This moated property once housed a manor house which  belonged to Bishop Odo; William the Conqueror's half brother...

At London Bridge station the rest of the group headed for Bedford but I headed for Harlesden via the underground where OH picked me up and we went to his mum's house and congratulated her on her 99th birthday!

Happy birthday, Mum!

I was still tired from Saturday's walk and didn't bother with swimming on Sunday. I booked for Tuesday afternoon instead. I spent the day doing the house cleaning with OH and cooking dinner for the grandsons. We continued watching 'The Blood Pact' series 2 in the evening and will catch up with the new BBC series of Dicken's 'Great Expectations' on Monday evening. Monday itself was a different one for me. I didn't volunteer at Barnardo's charity shop as usual, but sat for over 2 hours in our local walk-in clinic waiting to see a doctor about a week long stomach ache. Excess acid was the verdict and and by the time I'd picked up the anti-acid medication prescribed it was too late to do anything except return home and chill out. I did two washes and sorted out the fire before making a sausage casserole for dinner.  I caught up with blog land and my own blog. I also began packing some stuff for Ireland. We're off to Liverpool on Saturday and sail for Belfast on Sunday morning; I can't wait!

I dressed in the expectation of volunteering. Everything except the boots pre-loved/thrifted. Skirt by Next; picked up in Ampthill on Friday; polo neck by Oasis; jacket by Liz Claiborne. 

The weather had changed on Sunday turning colder at 7 degrees on both Sunday and Monday; it also rained for most of the day on Sunday with the sun making an appearance after 4 pm. We had moved to British Summer Time so I was somewhat confused when I went to collect grandson from his house to take him to yet more basket ball practice; as I thought I was an hour too early! For some reason, despite my car having several fancy doodahs; the time still has to be adjusted manually...

The rain and cold continued on Tuesday. I went to the food bank and spent the morning unpacking deliveries and sorting out the toiletries and cleaning products. My boots and tank top were bought online; the tank top with the some of my birthday money. I  bought some M&S knickers with the remainder of the money. They last for years. When I was student nurse between 1972 and 1976; most of the people I trained with were from Malaysia or Mauritius with a few coming from the Caribbean and West Africa. Everyone who went back home on holiday bought M&S underwear to take back to their families and large blocks of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. Anyway, I digress. The shirt was from Etam and picked up in the Sally Army in Rushden last week, The skirt was from Barnardo's. All jewellery charity shopped.

As I'd be in Ireland on Sunday I went swimming in the afternoon and swam 45 laps. I also learned something new; hoop earrings don't come off in the water or at least mine didn't!

That's all for now folks. We don't have WiFi at the mobile home in Ireland so I'll be missing in action for a fortnight but hope to post as usual on 18th April.  I probably won't get to read and comment on your blogs for that fortnight, but will catch up when I get back. Grandson is house sitting and feeding the birds and watering the plants 'but all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things will be well'.

See you on the other side!

.............

Lost earrings, birthday and some sad news.

Hello! 

This was me in my walking outfit on Wednesday; plus waterproof coat, scarf and gloves. It was both a wet and cold day.  I'd put my walking boots on when I got to the start point - well, at least that was the plan for Wednesday 1st March. The start point for the group walk was the village of Silsoe. I set off in good time but as I travelled along the A6 the rain came down quite heavily which was very off putting. Then, in the village of Clophill; the village before Silsoe, there was a long tail back of traffic. That was unusual for the time of the day but ten minutes later I discovered why; roadworks and temporary traffic lights. The ten minute delay meant that when I got the Silsoe turn off it was already ten o clock and as I've said before the Ramblers are nothing if not punctual; starting off at ten on the dot. I wasn't too bothered as I had planned to go to Luton after the walk to pick something up for my son - and have a rummage. I did it in the morning instead!

I was saddened to see how very run down the town centre in Luton looked. When I was based at the university there; I was forever popping out in my lunch break to have a rummage in the charity shops. There are now only four left; three national charities and one independent shop. I found a book and a knitted dress in the Sally Army which was marked down in the sale items. After collecting my son's item; I stopped at Aldi in Luton on the way back and picked up Earl Grey teabags and some night cream; neither of which I'd been able to get in my local Aldi. A successful trip I'd say. Once home I had to go out into to town to pick up a parcel for OH at the sorting office; I'd left the card to claim the parcel at home in my handbag and only took my rucksack with me in the morning...

The dress hangs very nicely but the photos don't show it very well.

Swimming on Thursday was very busy in contrast to Tuesday. I did have the pool to myself for the last 10 minutes and in total manged to swim 48 laps - 1 mile. I used to strive to swim 48 laps every time, but I was often absolutely knackered when I got out, now I just swim what I can in the 60 minute slot. It usually works out at about 45 to 46 laps. I changed into this outfit when I got home and had something to eat before embarking on a trip to the farm shop and to Lidl. Everything pre-loved except the boots. The dress which had the label removed was the one I picked up on Wednesday's trip to Luton. Polo neck underneath by M&S; tights made of bamboo were so warm and bought in Brixton charity shop; jacket by Moto and all jewellery pre-loved, too. The polo neck is off to the donations bag; the neck is floppy. I like a polo neck to fit me snugly around the neck and this one doesn't.

I was horrified to see at the farm shop in Sharnbrook the coal had increased yet again by 1.00 per bag; making the three bags (60kg) I buy on a monthly basis now 39.00; instead of the 30.00 it was when I first started buying it. Hopefully, once the warmer weather arrives we will no longer need to light the fire every evening and therefore save some money. I worked out that between buying fuel (coal; logs; kindling) for the stove and paying the gas and electric for the month; OH and I spent 390.00 in total for February 2022. Once upon a time that would have equated to a quarter's bill i.e. 3 months. I'm just lucky we can afford it but I can't bear to think of the amount of people who can't and go cold as a result. 

I collected youngest grandson from school made dinner and then dropped same grandson off to basket ball practice. In the evening we finished watching the last in the series of 'Unforgotten' which was excellent.

On Friday 8 of us met at Langford garden centre and walked 6 miles from Langford to Henlow to Clifton and back. We stopped for tea and cake at the garden centre. The weather was chilly; a bit drizzly and very cloudy.

Henlow Grange. Now a luxury spa resort and wedding venue; you can read about the original inhabitants (Edwards, Raynsfords and Addingtons) HERE.

Talk about a carpet of snow drops!

When I arrived home the postman had delivered 2 books I'd ordered online and I spent the rest of the day reading the second book in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. Now to hunt down the third in the series...

This was Saturday's outfit. OH and I went to Emmaeus to drop off a bag of donations and then onto Olney to have a quick rummage in their 3 charity shops. I bought nothing except a brooch and a ring but OH found 2 pairs of work jeans. Dress by Kaleidoscope; jacket by New Look and all jewellery pre-loved. Boots as before; present from my daughter. It was another chilly grey day. Our temperatures stayed at between 6 and 8 degrees this week but were set to drop next week; just in time for my birthday!

Olney is a quaint little town with lots of beautiful old houses; these are the front windows of one of the houses: I just had to stop and have a nose and take a photo.

Once home I chilled out for the rest of the day. OH cooked and we started watching another 'Walter Presents' series called 'The Wall; Cover Your Tracks'; set in French speaking part of Canada.

It was still chilly on Sunday at 4 degrees but bright. I went for a 4.3 mile urban walk then back home to do the weekly house cleaning and cooked roast lamb for us all. Everything I wore was pre-loved; skirt by M&S; jumper by Gap and shirt underneath by Next; boots as before. Jewellery also pre-loved; I didn't bother with beads for a change.

I had a busy week ahead of me. On the day of my birthday I had a dental hygienist appointment; brilliant planning there Veronica - not! In the evening everyone would come around for birthday cake. On Friday, I was at long last taking sister-in-law out for the day to the West End and hopefully to eat at grandson's restaurant. Priscilla flies back to the USA the week after, so Friday was best day to go and it's the only day of week where I am free from commitments. On Sunday we'd be going out for my birthday dinner with my three brothers...

I took out my black broiderie anglaise maxi dress (pre-loved) to wear on Monday with this Tu (retail) polo neck underneath and this jacket (also pre-loved). I wore the dress belted and my New Look burgundy boots but I didn't really like the outfit; unfortunately I had no time to change so I wore it to Barnardo's on Monday. I'd worn the dress with a belt which was a mistake. It's the sort of dress that looks best on its own with out anything else. I decided to hang onto it and wear it when the weather gets warmer. I'd worn it before when I went out for a Mother's Day afternoon tea with my daughter a year or so ago. At Barnardo's we weren't very busy and I processed donations all morning. It seemed our paid member of staff who works two days a week had left; having found herself a full time job. I'll miss her; she was very young and lots of fun. It'll be months before she's replaced. When I got home I changed into jeans as I had to go to the building society and the bank. It was a grey miserable day but the temperature was 9 degrees so it was warmer than it had been for days.

When I set out for the food bank on Tuesday morning it was 3 degrees but no frost or ice to be seen. Apparently it had snowed in Oxfordshire and Suffolk overnight but we had escaped it. I wore Next jeans worn yesterday after Barnardo's; H&M polo neck underneath an H&M tunic; all pre-loved and boots from Tu; a Christmas present in 2021 from my daughter. All jewellery pre-loved. I'm wearing tiny diamond studs for earrings; I don't wear stud earrings that often. On the way back from the food bank I stopped at Sainsbury's as we needed bread and milk and I needed to get some cash out. I prefer to use cash to do my weekly food and fuel shopping.

I went for the usual Tuesday afternoon swim;  managing to lose my stud earrings at the pool; I think they fell out of my swimming goggles case when I put them back in after my swim. I then came home and cooked dinner. The daily routine of cleaning out the fire continued and of course the inevitable washing. I have hardly used the heated clothes airer since Christmas but it may yet come into its own; if nothing else it will get used as an airer in the summer months when the washing line is full. The afternoon was cold at 5 degrees but sunny. Now the trees here are blossoming and on Friday's walk we saw lots of blackthorn in bloom; frothy white blossom and later there will be sloes...

The snow got to us eventually. I woke up to snow falling on Wednesday morning. Light but persistent. The ground was wet so it wouldn't settle but that scuttled my group walk plan. Instead I decided to have a lazy day. A lazy day is one where I don't have to be somewhere by a certain time and I love a lazy day! After having breakfast and getting ready I went into town to return a library book. Someone else had reserved it and the library had sent me a reminder to return it on time. I then had a quick mooch around picking up some essential items; then home again to do the weekly Aldi shop. From Aldi I had planned to go to a different farm shop as we had run out of coal and the Sharnbrook farm shop didn't open on Wednesdays. Would you believe the road to Pell's Farm Shop and Nursery was closed for road repairs (bloody potholes everywhere) however, so I asked OH to pick up a small bag on his way home from work. By the time OH got in from work the snow had settled on roof tops, walls and trees.

I wore M&S wool trousers; H&M polo neck and M&S kimono with red boots as before; all pre-loved as was all jewellery. The series we had been watching (The Wall: Cover Your Tracks) had stopped at episode 5 and would resume on Friday. It was very frustrating to find this out but I'd look forward to seeing what happened next on Friday evening...there were 8 episodes in total to watch so it maybe another 3 weeks before we get to find out whodunnit!

I woke up to heavy snow on my birthday and temperatures of 1 degree. In 1954 the year I was born in London; the temperature was 10 degrees with wind and rain...

By the time I'd walked to the swimming pool my umbrella was caked in snow. Once I'd had my swim and left the pool to walk home the rain came down and before too long it was if it had never snowed. I had a dental hygienist appointment at 12 and came home to have something to eat first before walking to the dentist. Then it was off again to the farm shop and to do the weekly Lidl shopping. Whilst I was in Lidl; my cousin Susan rang to say that my Aunty Rosie had passed away at 12 noon. It was quite a shock as I knew she hadn't  been well for a while but she was still in the nursing home where she lived with my other aunt and not in hospital. Susan was with her when she died holding her hand. In a way she's the last of my mother's family as my other aunt has dementia and doesn't know us anymore. It's all very sad and I'll miss her. She had a mischievous sense of humour. RIP Auntie Rosie. The funeral would be held on Saturday. I tried to find flights but they were very expensive plus I would have needed to hire a car and find accommodation so I made the decision not to go to the funeral. I would be able to watch the funeral mass online on Saturday and when we go to Ireland in April we'd be able to visit her grave.

I wore this outfit on Thursday. Kilt skirt by M&S; top by Tu; boots as before and everything including the jewellery was pre-loved. I lost one of my earrings on the way to the dentist and this pair were the replacement.

 My beautiful birthday cake. I was thoroughly spoiled with lots of lovely presents and cards. OH bought me new summer walking boots; perfume; a bottle of Canadian Club (my favourite tipple) and some African print earrings. My son bought me a gift card for a world wide retail outlet; my daughter bought me some perfume; some chocolates and a scented candle. My middle grandson bought me an Oodie (a very warm indoors hooded top - it will be perfect for the caravan); his little brother bought me a Stegosauras pot (!) containing a succulent and my daughter in law bought me some tulips and a bar of Ferrero Rocher chocolate which at the time of writing had been scoffed. OH started on it on Thursday night...

No snow on Friday but it started out very windy and chilly. My sister-in-law had cancelled our trip to the West End as she had to wait in on Friday for a special delivery letter to do with her state pension. She flies back to the USA on Thursday. So I had a free day ahead of me - two in one week! Skirt by M&S; polo neck by Uniqlo; tank top by Mandolin; boots from Sainsbury's children's range; everything pre-loved and all jewellery also pre-loved.

After a morning of pottering about at home; I went for a rummage in the afternoon once I'd posted off a parcel to my son. I went to the Castle Road charity shops and the Cat's Protection League in Kempston. I was on a hunt for Elly Griffith's books and tank tops. I found a tank top and a ring but no Elly Griffith's books, unfortunately. The sun came out in the afternoon and it was lovely to have some brightness after 2 grey days. The temperature peaked at 5 degrees. Middle grandson stayed over night and after sorting him out some dinner I spent the rest of the evening reading.

The bright but cold weather continued on Saturday. I seem to have had a short skirt/tank top phase going on. Skirt by Laura Ashley; polo neck by Zara; tank top by Amaranto (picked up on Friday at the Cat's Protection League), boots as before. Everything and all jewellery pre-loved. First airing of this copper toned necklace.

My auntie Rosie's funeral mass was being live streamed from Ireland at 12 noon and OH and I sat down to watch it. It was a lovely service and a lot of people attended. After that I walked into town to collect a couple of reservations from the library and then walked along the river from the library to Great Denham and Biddenham to home; 5 miles in total. I chilled out for the rest of the day finishing my R.F. Delderfield book and starting the third in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series. In the evening we caught up with Episode 6 of 'The Wall'; we'd tried to watch it live on Friday evening but couldn't get it to start at the beginning as we tuned in half way through.

I went for another walk on Sunday morning in bright sunshine and it was actually warm at about 13 degrees. I was sweating when I got back home after walking 4 miles. OH and I did the usual house cleaning when I got back and then I had a leisurely day with no cooking required; we went out for my birthday meal at a Nepalese restaurant with my 3 brothers. My daughter wasn't very well so didn't come with us. The food was delicious and we all wanted to go back for a return visit soon.

Started reading this on Monday evening and until we can carry on watching 'The Wall' we started watching this Dutch crime drama:

With 3 series and 10 episodes per series it should keep us going for a while!

Before that though it was off to Barnardo's as usual. We have an inspection soon and so that everything was as it should be; me and another volunteer went through different sections ensuring all the labels were in date and had the correct size cube and price on the label. 

I also  did the shop banking in the nearby village of Bromham. It looks as if Great Denham has lost its post office along with many other places across the UK. My local post office at home was closed down about 7 years ago and to avoid the very crowded town centre one; I often drive to near where my daughter lives and use the post office there. In fact with all the retail outlets closing down; it's forcing people into their cars more and more as the retail parks are rarely in town centres anymore. The bus services aren't always very regular and sometimes you have heavy stuff to carry...

In the afternoon I should have run some errands but one of the Ivel Valley group came round to interview me for our forthcoming Summer walks programme. It's a new item in the programme and I was the third person to be interviewed in the new series of interviews. I decided to run the errands on Wednesday instead when I go to Aldi. I didn't take any outfit photos as I completely forgot as we did at my birthday meal, too.

On Tuesday, I wore this  pre-loved Next dress with a striped polo neck underneath picked up from the 1.00 basket at Barnardo's a few weeks ago. Boots had no label but were pre-loved as was all the jewellery. It was once again surprisingly warm and sunny.

We were busy at the food bank. I put away accumulated toiletries and cleaning products; then made up crates of toiletries for two of the distribution centres. After that I helped with the food parcels; weighing them out, labelling them and stacking them up. It's like a work out at the gym - not that I've ever been to the gym. I took advantage of the weather when I got home and hung the bed linen on the line; on Sunday I'd managed to get towels dry outside; that's not been possible for ages. It's another sign that Spring is upon us and thank goodness for that. I'm off for a swim now and later on I'm meeting up with my other best friend Ann, for a meal out and a long overdue catch up! I'll see you in a fortnight.