September 1st
A favourite day for me , and John, we always played September Morn by Neil Diamond on Sept 1st and danced ( smooched ) round the house.
I played it this morning, beautiful and a bit sad too.
I got a real burst of energy this morning which I always do come autumn. I sent of lots of work emails did some Comparsa stuff including seeing that Matthew went in to Castlenel today.
I had a zoom with Sandra ...a long one..
I went in to The Phil to book tickets for 17th September The Season Launch. Browsed in some shops on Bold Street bought a few gifts then had coffee in Fact Cafe.
I was going to see Bitter Christmas but after listening to Mark Kermode's review I changed my mind.
I watched The Resident Season 3 episode 17 in honour of Dolly.
A good start to my favourite month.
2nd
I had coffee with Tony at Nomad We have not met since June .I enjoying catching up hearing his news and sharing mine. He has had sciatica, horrible so painful . It was disconcerting to see him with a walking stick.I gave him a book and a ( bought cake ) a belated birthday gift.
I went to Fact in the evening to see Pressure followed by Q&A .I loved the film especially Andrew Scott but it was all good and I learned about James Stagg an unsung Scottish hero from history specifically D Day landings.
3rd
I saw a very distressed client in the morning .Some folk have so much to bear. I hope I can help her.
I saw a new client ,a delightful ,if a little troubled young man, he was very sceptical about coming for therapy. I said it won't help if you don't want to be here " no matter how good I am" we both have to want to be here. He relaxed and started to tell me what brought him here. At the end of the session I asked if we could have a little extra time as I wanted to finish what we had started. He agreed, when he came to pay me he paid me an extra £20 in cash ,very unusual to get cash. I said you have given me too much . He would not take the money back ,he insisted on paying for his extra time. I found that very touching I accepted gracefully. I hope I can help him , I have a feeling between us we will get to where he wants to be.
4th
Happy anniversary Johnny and Ellie.
I saw one client today , my second client postponed due to illness. I was quite relieved as I am quite tired today I did not sleep well last night. I love my work my life makes sense when I work, as I get older I need more recovery time.
I took a deliver of six bottles of Muscadet wine today. A happy sight.
I have been playing Music from the Mores and Christians today ; I love the music and I wish I was in Castlenel today...Malesh...next year.
I am trying to make heads and tails of Caixabank with Andrew's help and I need help with Schengen.
I went on today to see when I can go to Castalla again and I feel scared I have booked to go too long in October.I will see A&L before they go off Sailing, hopefully they can reassure me.
These apps make me feel a bit useless, which is unsettling as I am so brilliant in all other areas of my life :)
I am listening to Caridad Guardiola as I type this and it lifts my spirits- takes me right back to Castalla with the beautiful people in beautiful costumes and the gorgeous sunshine ;sometimes being amongst it other times sitting on the balcony listing to it.
Remembering our first time there in September , Philip and I running after the band then ,following them to their Comparsa, being welcomed in and drinking some wine with them....happy happy days
I have a quiet weekend ahead.....LA Comparsa AGM...Rich my electrician is coming to repair or replace the shave socket. Making the Christmas cake.
6th
We had a successful meeting about Castlenel. Next years running costs is very do able , I have already sent 50 euro.
We have achieved so much in that dear old house in our 20 years. We have a good few painting jobs still to do next .I will get a quote for the Jack and Jill bathroom off La Galleria. It is a wonderful thing for me that Andrew, Philip and Lucy (hopefully Teresa would like to be involved.).. are part of all of this project...not just a project ,our Spanish Home.
Philip joined the call after seeing the Giants in Taipei
Giant Elephant - Philip
I am sad not to being going back over winter, but until we have better heating in LA and Kitchen I will wait.
Day'll come.
I need to get Andrew to check out Schengen for me. I look at it but cannot understand how to read and understand it.
Rich came today and replaced the Shaver socket in the bathroom. I use it for my toothbrush; it stopped working properly a while back then every now and then it came on. It cost £70 for Rich's work, buying the unit, and fitting it. Very good.
Sadly my toothbrush still did not light up, it had died too. I have had it for decades so no worries. I ordered a new one on amazon and it arrived on the same day and that amazed me.
I made the 2027 Cake on Saturday evening ,always a pleasure . The house smells like Christmas, still today.
The Philharmonic Hall has changed its policy for booking seats. I normally go to the upper circle where the seats are under £30. Now they have random cheaper seats through the hall.Which takes away choice. I like where I usually sit,
I tried to book some seats for some concerts over winter and the Christmas concerts. I find it all very disappointing. I will go to the Season Opening but after that I will go to Tung Auditorium and some things at The Music Room,.I don't like it quite as much but the tickets are more with in my price range.
8th
I will be having a busy week this week , school is back and Kings people are back here for Supervision.
I went to Chandlers to get some new wine and pint glasses they did not have any pint glasses. I have one decent one left, the rest I put out along with some bowls for any neighbours who might use them . the boys in the top flat took them. I really only need one pint glass for Lucy.
I had a call with amazon today because one of my cards was declining my orders...I tried so many time to right the problem that Amazon has frozen my account for 24 hours. I will try again tomorrow.
Woolton September 13th.
I have now discovered that the Bank of Ireland froze my card because of suspicious activity on it. I spoke to a very helpful patient man from Tipperary . How clever are they, someone tried to book a car and they realised this was unlikely to be me. I had to destroy my card and wait for a new one which will be here with in 10 days.The knock on effect has been a trial; some many things being declined because that is the card I use for everything; Amazon; Uber ; Paypal Ryanair and on and on.
As the declines come up I change the card details on each one and they were quite quickly is restored.
I have had issues with Monzo and Bank of Ireland in the last few months and it is wearying. My new Monza card has now arrived.I had to change that because of Uber taking a payment for something did not recognise.
Modern times can be a blessing and a curse.
This week was very busy till Thursday. It was lovely to see some Kings clients I have not seen since June.
One client is going through so much ;when I am finished holding that space for her...I feel pretty tired and a bit drained my self. It is of course all part of my work; being very close to another persons pain, grief and distress is shattering at times. I am of course prepared to deal with those consequences and always have been. I notice as I get old the recovery time takes a bit longer.
I hear actors saying they need time too get out of role especially if it has been a tough role, they don't want take it home with them. It is a bit like that for me and many folk in the caring professions.
John always understood what it costs to counsel people and I miss that understanding, that interest in my work.
On Thursday Lucy picked me up on her way home and we went to The Village Cat in Woolton when we met Andrew.
The Village Cat
It is of course always a delight to see them both and spend time with them. I really liked the Village Cat and will go there this week while I am in Woolton.
On Friday I was going to go to see Pressure again, but it was a lovely day and I had to wait in for a delivery.
My yellow kettle and toaster are here...by Christmas I will change all my appliance to yellow.
I brought my old blue kettle to Woolton for A&L
It is looking very autumnal my favourite time of year. John's too.
Sunflowers such a delightful sight -uplifting
Arriving in Woolton and finding wee gifts :)
I unpacked, played with Jasper who was a little aloof. I found my link on A&L TV and watched a few episodes of The Pitt.
Ocado came , I liked this delivery, I will uses them again in 83.
I made supper , tuna sauce with couscous( which I brought with me) and had the chocolate with tablet for dessert , just half it is delicious.
More The Pitt. I think for me the jury is out on The Pitt I need time to get to know the people and obviously it is very updated with computers mobile phones , and quite brutal at times. I am not sure about Dr Robbie and why would Heather Collins ( lovely name ) go straight back to work after a possible
miscarriage or at least the shock and grief of not being pregnant.
Having said all that. I may well change my mind, as we did not know the ER people 25 years ago it probably took time to get to know them.
I notice Hamnet on this TV. I loved the book. I might watch that today after my walk.
Today I have had a chill morning and delightfully Jasper has sat under my chair or by his food or at the garden window keeping an eye on me. Very touching.
I have to read my book about climate change for my Read Aloud on 24th.I want to find a reading but to be honest Dear Blog....I find it very distressing and keep putting it down.
My other book The Safekeep is a bit mysterious it has a strange atmosphere , not exactly a light hearted Poiroit, but it is good.
September 15th
The last few days I have enjoyed enjoyed Reynolds Park and Camphill Woods in beautiful sunshine.
Autumn in the sunshine is so beautiful.
Teresa sent a picture of their new lounge suite...it looks great they have transformed the Mountain House since I was there. Just beautiful. Bedroom Kitchen now Lounge.
Gorgeous couch handsome man :)
I have been going out into the front garden to see if the filming is taking place that A&L told me about.
So far not too much happening except the first night these yellow cones arrived some teenagers came and rearranged them, just some larks for the young folk.
I took some night time picture because 22 look so beautiful at dusk.
This saltire on this car made me very happy.
After Camphill I had a coffee at The Elephant £4.60 I think that is too much even for a good cup of coffee.It was a lovely day ,most people were outside so I did have my expensive coffee in peace.
Thank goodness I can have a coffee every day in Castalla, still under 2 euro and delicious.
Today 15th, I received some beautiful picture from Andrew and Lucy of their gorgeous sailing boat and friends in Greece. Hearing from them and indeed any of the children lifts my spirits.
My favourite picture.
Jasper sat on the yard wall watching the birds.
Last night he came into my bedroom meowing loudly ( 4.45 am to be precise ).This is very usual, since he was allowed out he never meows in the night. I got up to stroke him and make sure he was ok. He was soaked through. I came down stairs and gave him some extra food. He is drinking a lot of water this visit. I made sure his bowl was topped up and went back to bed and had a crazy dream
I went to get some things at Sainsbury and saw this notice when I came back and photographed some stunning Rowan Tree berries.
This evening ,my last Summer top up creative cluster ends. Our topic is JOY and I have just finished my preparations for that. I will go back to 83 later in time to collect handouts on JOY from Zac I sent them last night...and decorate the chocolate I made before I left with raspberries and cream.
I love this quite by Charles Dickens
September 18th Happy Birthday Teresa and Happy Birthday Sofia
On Wednesday I had a very quiet day I felt so very tired. Micky came to the door he is part of the filming crew on Church Road at the moment. He said the filming starts tomorrow and gave me a pass to come and go. I asked what they were filming, he said he was not supposed to say, then he said "it's about the Beatles" Not for TV, a film. He said that after all this filming , they may not show any of it in the end.
I said I often thought it would be fun to be an extra in films, but now I am probably too old. He said " no not necessary they might be filming in an Old Folk's Home "he made me laugh.
I was so tired I went to bed at 7.30 ( as my mother used to say " I thought I was sent for" Happily I slept for 12 hours and wakened feeling so much better and refreshed.
I got he bus over to Ullet Road to see a client. Later I went to the opening of the Phil, the overture was fabulous and festive. The Cello piece Shostakovich cello concerto was not for me. It was inspired in 1962 by the cuban crisis. He was a pacifist and was distraught about those trouble and he distress comes out in this music.I of course could admire the cellist but not the music. His encore was not much easier on the ear.
Because of he new seating system I was in the stalls which I don't like I like the gods and an end row. I was in the middle of a row, which meant I could not leave in the middle of this awful music with out disturbing other folk.
It went on for 40 minutes, I felt trapped, it reminded me of how I felt in Pasadena , trapped and having to some how get through it till the end.
I left at the interval, went back to Ullet Road to collect my stuff then on to Church Road . I did not want to leave Jasper on his own in case it was another wet night.
I am going back to Ullet later today for my last client of the week.
I left my phone charger at Ullet .The chargers here don't fit my phone. I will get another on at Sainsbury or is it Argos.
Jackie and Sandra have both send me gifts for my birthday Sandra's came to Woolton . I got a message from Royal Mail to say a parcel from Susan is on its way .I really appreciate that people think of me and remember my birthday.
Saturday 19
Happy Birthday Phil
It was lashing rain all day on 18th I went to Ullet Road to see my last client of the week in the terrible weather. I took a cab. Normally I can get a bus from here to Ullet Road free with my bus pass.
I had a feeling this client was not coming because he usually transfers the money on the morning of his session and he did not reply to my confirmation text.
My gut feeling was right. I waited 15 minutes then knew he was not coming. I was about to email him when he sent me a message to say he had only just remembered our session and was not too well, happily he had sent the payment for his session and booked his next monthly session for after I come back form Castalla.
I reverted to my jeans and headed out to face the still torrential rain. I waited for a bus this time as I had my Hunter with its big hood on. I met my new neighbour at the bus stop Nikita, she is yet another young neighbour in Flat one from Norn Iron. She was on her way to the airport to get a flight over to Belfast to visit her folks. She is a delightful ,and a maths teacher in Birkenhead.
I got back to Woolton and nipped into Sainsbury's for something for supper. I was going to go out but the weather put me off.
Just walking from Sainsbury's to 22 I got drooket again.
I was so grateful to be home. I changed into my warm jammies poured a G&T ( from A&Ls Bar) and watched Remarkably Bright Creatures......which is a wonderful film, Sally Field is a great actor I have seen her in so many films over the years. The Octopus is pretty amazing too.
Teresa opening her birthday gift from me; she is 48 today and looks about 18.
I miss Taiwan and the Mountain House.
They have changed it a lot in the apartment since my time. I am so blessed to have had my few months there last year.
Gorgeous new furniture.
My last weekend in Woolton and the weather has improved. I met Micky on my way home last night and due to the awful weather they will be filming again to day. He is such a cheerful young man.
While we have wet and windy weather here. A&L and friends..have this...
they all look like film stars
The weather has been good for the gardens, the wee yard here looks fantastic this morning,
it smells fresh and lovely.
20 th September
I had a lovely zoom call with Philip this morning and a wee chat with Teresa.
I then had a long catch up with Matthew and Marie\
And finally a zoom with Sandra..
I had a note in my diary that Brief Encounter was showing at WPH but alas I was wrong.
I did discover the festive films and dates are on the website and I booked to see Scrooged; I love that film. I let Andrew know and he said he would like to see it too,I booked another two tickets for Andrew and Lucy My festive treat, I was going to see what was on at Hope Street Hotel as my treat; but this is good too.We must have some fizz to make it as special as Hope Street.
Monday I had a lovely two hours call with Susan..then laundered all the towels and bedding and did the cleaning before I leave 22.
I wanted to get whiskey short bead from the wee farm shop to leave for A&L to welcome them home, sadly the shop was closed. I did make them a quick fruit cake bought normal short bred and got some carnations.
I have been watching Bookish with Mark Gatiss ; I have been enchanted by the whole thing. I liked it much better that The Pitt. A lot of the scenes could be from my young days I guess some fashions last a few decades.It is slow burning and not as innocent as it first seems. I hope the next season will be out in February when I am back in Woolton.
23rd
I came back to Ullet Road yesterday evening leaving everything ready for A&Ls return and all Jasper will need.
For some reason I could not sleep last night. I was very wakeful; thankfully I did not have work, just preparations for work which I can do in my jammies.
I just pottered today, made a lovely Minestrone while watching something on my laptop rather than my usual listening to R4 or an audible book, sorted my summer /autumn clothes, did a little laundry. I heard from Andrew that their flight has been delayed by 24 hours. JMJ.
I am pretty sure Jasper had all he needed for the extra day, but I would have been concerned about him, so I caught the 75 bus and went back to 22, Jasper was pleased to see me...I think ,,. I filled his water gave him some treats, has a wee play, made sure all his needs were met. The hopped on another bus and came back to 83. I really want to sleep well tonight, so I am having a glass of Muscadet , while typing and listening to my favourite playlist.
Tomorrow I have clients and my Read Aloud in the evening. I want to be well rested for that.
September 27.
I have had a very nice time since I came back to 83, lots of cards and gifts arriving and on the 25th lovely messages too.I feel very uplifted by that.
My client on 24th, the woman I was very concerned about , has made a remarkable recovery, she gave our sessions a lot of the credit I was very touched and grateful that I can help.
Read Aloud was really good our topic was Climate Change .This was not an easy evening for any of us. Sadly Tony could not be with us as he had had an operation for the pain in his back.
Ready for Read Aloud
After the evening I had mixed feelings, joy to be with really important old friends....and almost despair about the results fossil fuels on our beautiful planet.
25th
My 78th birthday. I am very grateful to have got here. So many folk I love did not got this far.
I had a cuppa and opened my cards and gifts, enjoyed all the phone messages and e cards.
I had a wonderful long zoom call with Philip and Teressa....Presence not presents :)
Jacelyn my hairdresser came and gave me a trim and blow dry.I have been growing my hair because in very warm weather in Castlenel and indeed anywhere I can put it up with hair clips.
She brought me gorgeous flowers
I decided to keep it long a little longer.
I had a lovely siesta then went to meet Andrew and Lucy in Belzan on Smithdown.
It was wonderful to see them both again and hear all about their amazing holiday sailing around Greek Islands.
We had a wonderful evening catching up, eating gorgeous food, drinking wine with me receiving amazing gifts.I am excited to be going to The Phil tomorrow evening John's birthday to see The Archers 75 Live on stage.
Today I am going to Woolton to see" O Brother where art Thou "at Woolton Picture House. I have booked to go to the Phil with Lucy in November to hear Mozart Clarinet Concerto ( a favourite of mine and Johns)
and thanks to my sisters gift voucher I am going to The Spirit of Christmas on 23 rd December.
I will publish this blog now and start again in Castlenel; September has been a very good month.
"All women are created equal, but only the best are born in September." :)
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