Sick Again

I seem to be plagued by illness. I spent last Thursday with Rosie who had a streaming cold. I find it impossible not to pick her up and be close so, of course, I came down with same streaming cold. I can cope with a cold and this was fortunate because I had booked myself into an open day at Harris Manchester on Friday. I snuffled through the event and then drove to Brighton to spend the weekend with Alison and Harry. As luck would have it, Harry had diarrhea and vomiting. Once again, couldn't resist holding and cuddling. We were afraid I would give him the cold but instead, he gave me what he had. I woke up on Monday morning (back in Oxford) with all three complaints in full force. It would appear that my immune system is not at its best. I know I blogged recently about joining the gym and I did feel good. Oh well. Nowhere to go but up.

The Gym

Here is a perfect example of how lazy I am. I joined a gym at the beginning of the month and promised myself that I would go at least every other day, aiming for four times a week. Today was meant to be a gym day and there is even a class that I like on Sunday evening. Am I there stretching and puffing? Of course not. I'm sitting in front of my computer pretending to be doing something worthwhile. My gym interactions have been interesting. You have to be induced (induction) by one of the little gym rats before you are allowed loose on the machines. My little chap is called Dave and he wanted me to list my problem areas. Where to begin? How honest should I be? I decide to be truthful so I write down things like, "pain in my legs, pain in my joints, shortness of breath on walking upstairs, dizziness, headaches." He looks at the list and says, "Have you seen your GP lately?" I assure him that it is just age and inactivity and nothing to worry about. He's not having it so I have to promise to go and bore my GP for ten minutes. I do this and GP does his thing and declares me fit and well. He says that the only help for my symptoms is exercise!! So there, Dave! I go back to the gym and Dave shows me things to do. Very simple, very elementary. I've done a lot of gym stuff in the past so, the next time I go, I ignore Dave's mamby pamby routine and really go for it. This followed a two mile walk with Rosie so I was feeling pretty chuffed and pleased with myself until I woke up the next morning. Oh dear. I'm telling myself that that is why I didn't go today but the real reason is that I went to a lunchtime party and had a couple of glasses of wine so exercise was off the agenda. I spoke later to my allotment partner who had also been at the lunch. She had just come back from a run down to the allotment to check on the beans, etc. She was running, I was napping. We each do what the Lord put us on earth for.

Because I'm such a lazy sod, I seem to have to start every blog with an apology for not keeping up. In future take my apologies as a given.

Yesterday morning I went to Nigel's for an extra special soiree. He was reading a lead-in poem for his epic and the first chapter of same. It was excellent; especially the poem. I've read his stuff before and sometimes it's hard going - replete with lots of gods and goddesses and I can't even put a function or talent to the well known ones, my classical Greek education being nonexistent. We were the usual group with a few omissions but, instead of just coffee and biscuits, he had laid on wine, bread and cheese, tomatoes and chutneys. It was not only a feast for the ears and stomach but also for the eyes. Nigel was dressed in a floral patterned, silk brocade jacket with a similar waistcoat underneath plus a floppy scarf which figured in the procuction. He carried a sword as well and waved it about from time to time to make a point. The epic is based on goings on in Whitehall so lots of in jokes. Hunting figured in it as well. The thing I regret was not taking my camera. It would have made a wonderful picture. Maybe I can get him to dress up again for a photoshoot.

Thank God for Grandsons

Charlie and Adam have provided me with two wonderful cinematic experiences. Charlie and I went to see "Indiana Jones" yesterday. It was a full on date with dinner after the film. I let him choose the restaurant and he picked Cafe Noir because it is French and trendy and suitable for a sophisticated 11 year old. We spent the rest of our evening watching Medieval shows on telly and then he had a sleep over.

Today was Adam's turn. We went to see "Speed Racer" followed by luncheon out. Again, it was his choice. I assumed it would be MacDonald's but he threw me a curve by suggesting Burger King. I went from smoked salmon with Charlie to chicken bites and fries with Adam. It is nice to have eclectic taste. Both films were excellent, especially "Indiana Jones". I was afraid Harrison Ford might look very old and very face-lifted but not a bit of it. In fact he was so hot that I rushed out today and joined an upscale gym for six months. The boy who showed me around the gym expressed surprise when I told him I am 66. So I said, "You don't have to flatter me; I'm going to join." And he said, "No, really, you look good. My mother is only 61 and she looks like she's just about to fall off her perch." I shall have my induction session tomorrow and then set to work on the flab ab and crummy tummy.

Allotment Goddess

I think I mentioned before that I have an allotment with my friend, Zoe. Here she is being wonderful with weeds. She did 90% of the ground preparation and most of the planting of our potatoes, courgettes and parsnips. Another friend has extra runner beans which we will put in after he has started them in his green house. I like runner beans because you can have those cute wig wammy looking things made from bamboo poles. We haven't yet set a date for our harvest festival supper. Probably better wait until we get a shed where we can store the wine. Someone on one of our allotments is growing hops so we will definitely invite him to the festival and he can bring the beer.

Rosie and her Grandad

Rosie thought she might have to call the fire department when Grandad proceeded to blow out his 73 candles.

The caption for the top picture is: "My Dad grows the best asparagus in Oxford."

My Spring Garden

My garden is at its best in spring. I have a profusion of bluebells, Queen Anne's Lace, cowslips, forget-me-nots, alkanet, tulips, comfrey and stinging nettles. The leaves have begun to come on the trees which means more shade but they are beautiful trees.

After Pictures

We were right to plaster. Colin did a wonderful job. The room is very light. I've started sleeping in it even though the new carpet won't arrive for a couple of weeks.

Before - New Bedroom Pictures

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the bedroom when the ceiling had been removed. The original plan was to keep the beams and to make it "olde worlde". When we discovered that everything was mismatched including the bark on the trees, it seemed a good idea to plaster over.

A Week Later

I'm still nursing the last stages of flu which is a bloody nuisance. I was better last week for a few days while Rachel had her turn at being sick and bedridden. I took Rosie on walks into town. She and I have a favourite coffee shop on Walton Street. I have a croissant and a cappacino and she has the froth on the top of the cup. It works well for us. Also she encouraged me to buy a digital SLR camera during one of our trips. It was pouring rain on Wed. so I put her in her pram and covered it with a big plastic wrap and I in a hooded raincoat. We dripped into the photo shop where I announced that I was in need of a camera. He took one look at us and made his way toward the point and shoots. I said, "I don't think this is what I'm looking for. I want one of the ones that has lenses." "Oh, well they're over here." "I think I want a Canon" I said. "Oh well, they're on the top shelf." Over we go. They're quite expensive" he says. "Are you sure that's what you want?" "Couldn't be surer," says I. "I'm old and I'm rich and I want a Canon DSLR." Message received. It is not pure self indulgence that I have this camera. I have signed up for a four week course on how to use it and I think I will have a great time with it. I love taking pictures and this will be just the thing especially with spring in full bloom. When Sian got hers, it was so obvious that her pictures were better than mine and I have to keep up with Sian otherwise they won't let me take pictures of Harry and that would be a tragedy.

This stupid flu has rendered me useless on the allotment. Poor Zoe has been doing all the heavy lifting. I'm planning to be well for our first harvest supper. She has been so kind assuring me that she doesn't mind being the labour force but I'll bet she is grinding her teeth as I slink out the door blowing my nose. I spoke to JF last evening who requests pictures of the new bedroom. I shall oblige in the next post.