A Continuation of Reflections

Hi blog, I had a lovely birthday with an unexpected day off work  due to bad weather stopping trains. It was a real bonus as I was very tired after the weekend,. It was a good thing too, because I relived last year at this time, being with dad and all the emotions that went with that. I drank a toast to my parents ,had a wee greet, then opened my lovely gifts. John was great, kept everything going at let me chill, it has been a while since he was able to do that and it was lovely. Our fab new beds came on the eve of my birthday , they are huge and dominate the little bedroom, but boy are they comfortable. I had a lovely long siesta on my birthday.  I feel quite overwhelmed by all the calls, emails,  gifts and good wishes that came my way. I felt a tinge of sadness, wondering how many more birthdays John and I will share, but heyho, no-one knows the answer to those questions. Carpe Diem and trust that all shall be well. Live each day as if it was your las...

Hi blog we had a wonderful celebration for Phil's 70th  birthday . JO's was a lovely unusual venue, the service and the food was great. A&L and John and I rented a serviced apartment in Manchester "Light apartments"  It was a stunning apartment with stunning views.We arrived early and put in some food ,wine, flowers candles and lovely fairy lights. The gifts were on a low table with the flowers and lights beside them, the effect was simple and festive. The views over night time Manchester was fantastic, A&P&L's gift was the most beautiful oil painting of Lost in France. I do not think I have seen Phil so moved, ( apart for sad things) He loved it, and he loved all the other smaller gifts, from the other folk who were there. Maggie and Rolly left after the meal , it was so amazing to see them after about 20 years. Maggie was the first woman I came across who drank pints, smoked cigarettes and was a vegeterian.She also had a mane of curly l...

What a sad few days Pa. I have shed a good few tears for you. I have been reliving last year at this time ,when you were still here on earth with us. I was getting ready to come visit you and be with you on my birthday. I can not stand that I will never see you again, still trying to figure out how I can make it happen, bargain with a god I don't believe in.  My crazy side I know pa. I am glad that you shared with me your sadness about your "auld man" I know you will understand my disbelief. John's nephew died the other day, he was only 48 , had been an alcoholic for years,so this is hardly a surprise. Still very sad for all his siblings though. Between you and I pa, I am fed up with all the other folk dying , it makes me feel your are getting pushed out of my heart, or that I should care more than I do about anonymous nephews and second cousins. I am all out of compassion right now,I just want to tell everyone to SHUT UP and leave me in peace to think ab...

Hi blog, such a lovely day here in Castalla! Last day for us till April. I have put the M&C posters into the framers and they will be collected by Phil in November. 60 euro for both. Good price. John and I went for a coffee at the Argentina cafe ,best coffee and tostada in town.We bought some treats for the 5 O'clock as it is our last day. Phil and John have done 90% of the cooking since everyone left, some really nice food being served up :-) I have had a good rest and now just doing last minute things before we leave. I have to make sure nothing is left in the fridges,as the Shannon development course on being a holiday letter,gave me some good tips, clean tea towels each year, clean towels, newly painted kitchen and bathrooms/toilets and empty clean fridges. Don't leave things you think that folk might use,there is nothing worse than other people's left overs,half empty packets of this and that.I agree the first thing we do is chuck other people stu...

Slept most of yesterday  only had a plate of cereal all day,then slept all night till 9 am.this morning. Phil continued with A&L 's laundry which is still drying on the balcony . I just lost all my energy in the middle of doing it yesterday and went back to bed. John doing a bit more cooking,and Phil doing the shopping. John had a bad night and I worry, because if am not well, who will take care of him. He feels a bit better today,I think we are all too old for these marathon events. I am the only one admitting it and I am the youngest of the three. I listened to spem in alium-thomas tallis So beautiful , I was lying on top of the bed  and the sun was streaming in the windows. Made me think of Inveraray and inevitablely of you pa! more tears.I miss you so much sometimes it is too painful to even talk about it. Your Stained Glass Panel is up in the glass door of Sophie's terrace now. The Matt Collins window is not only  functional, which you would a...