Its a new dawn, a new day, it's a new life, and I'm feeling good.

Well not sure this,  Nina Simone song sums up the way I feel at the moment listening to her right now,. Got Alexa playing late 60's songs oh it was a good time then, but hey ho maybe feeling good will come my way and not too soon, say's she who is cringing in pain with backache.........Blinking TIN PAN ALLEY you won you baitch..... But glad its all done, Garden at front looks a little better now too.

No more projects for a while, just want to sit back but there is something to be said for a balcony and a window box that must be heaven especially like my friends villa's and apartments abroad that I stay, and instead of looking at weeds growing looking at rolling waves.......mmmmm need a bit of dipping my toes in the sea of life right now, swim in the deep blue sea, even with the Turtles that pop up their heads just to take a look at whats invading their space.

Back to day to day reports, not done much walking this week, done the Saturday Dans Bingo, Steve wanted 1 number Viv 2, think our pot of money we won earlier has slightly diminished, but its kept us going. Will be doing it Live tomorrow for Bank Hol Monday, This street is up for anything to break the madness that's consuming us, apart from Steve he loves it, I swear he could be a Robinson Crusoe with man Friday showing up from time to time bless. 

Been catching up with telephone calls with Rebekah, she went to Snenton food market stall yesterday, and had some Ethiopian   curry which she said was lovely, think they were a few pop up stalls. Rebekah has been Vegetarian since she was 10yrs I thought it was a fad but no its stayed with her for 30 years, she is practically Vegan which makes it difficult when eating out sometimes. I remember going to Bordeaux to visit friends it was a nightmare, they just don't do the Vegi thing pompus lot.

The funniest thing though we hired a mini bus for a week and Davide who is french drove us around all week, boy we had fun. But we had been out of Bordeaux to the Dune of Pilat, at the Arcachon Bay, trust me peeps if you have never been its magic, surfing and belly boarding was great.

 We had to trudge through a forest though to get to the beach which was deserted. It was hot and fab, when we left we just donned beach wraps headed back and were dropped off at our hotel. But it was chucking it down we looked like absolutely crazy English folk, dressed in bathing gear surf stuff, flip flops, in the middle of Bordeaux which is just like Piccadilly Circus. Rebekah, Davide Marion and Helen drove off at speed leaving Viv Cathy Margaret and myself standing there outside a posh restaurant, the French as they do stuck their noses up and just tutted. Well its not Benidorm is it it was a laugh though good memory.

Cooking Shepherds pie today, not Sunday lunch it was supposed to be outside street do, but its tomorrow now cus weather hopefully will be better. Viv coming round later will fetch her in the wheel chair a bit of a break for her at least...... will be her last radiotherapy next week so looking forward to making our plans come to fruition. It will be the best and the most awaited plans that have been on hold....Plz god not much longer.

Listening  to these songs is quite nostalgic, and will listen later to some Soul that Pam has shared a link to. Spoke to Claire as well yesterday she is struggling like most, everyone just wants this bloody Virus that is a plague of our time, do we except blame mankind for the desolation it has caused jury is out on that for me.

Listening to Dusty Springfield singing going back and feel a bit weepy, oh bugger don't you just hate it when that happens, memories stir up so many emotions, some good and bad, had my share of both but always think I have weathered them and come through not bitter but wiser, that's my take on it not sure my friends would agree, they just think half the time I am a strong person but not really, it is my habit of disguising what I feel, no one wants people to think you are a wailing wimp do they we do it by shutting the door close the blinds and put Coronation street on and think I want a Mary in my life...LOL

Wanted by Bob Dylon now playing think I better get on, wonder all the rapping songs of today will the kids have that same ring to their music as we do, we are so lucky. All the different era's of music I grew up with from my sisters stuff, Buddy Holly, Elvis,  The ones I saw live like Roy Orbison, Walker Brothers Beatles  Stones, Rod Stewart, The Free, Small Faces and not forgetting Tamla Motown still my favourite along with the man of Soul Otis Redding my he could chill your bones and still does. Don't think they will be whistling their music. Oh by the way, you don't hear many folk whistle nowadays is that a thing of the past ..umm 

Had a lovely afternoon Viv came round and we had dinner, made a nice change for her. We were able to sit out for a while in the sun and have a cuppa, nice listening to music a bit of Soul, and Alexa songs from 60's, remembering what and where we would have been at each song, Twisted Wheel Manchester, Beach Comer and Boat club at Nottingham, Clouds at Derby. In early days even the Palle or was it Palais in Leicester or Notts, later Ill Rondo, then Top Rank later to become Baileys. Oh how you can travel back in time.

Shared with Claire a conversation that I had with my friend in Rome Carla, her and her friends had sent one another photo's of past holidays and shared every day a holiday experience, their lock down has been brutal compared to ours.

So this little diversion has helped them all wondering which friend was sharing which holiday from the past. Mexico, Brazil, Katmandu all sorts even little Loughborough, and from all decades. So Claire has enjoyed sharing hers too.

Got a message from Watsapp group for Mossie to cut grass in centre of close, well task sorted with me raking grass. Annette thinks this will again stage a dance off ... no way Jose'e it ain't gonna happen cus them there shots are not going anywhere near this mouth. It was not a pretty sight and one I hope I don't repeat, but who know's    ????? There's also a Bingo session to night, the activity's all to much how will I cope well going to try. Last time I danced on grass was at the Bare foot Festival that Rebekah helped to organise. It was good fun, Viv and I was put on car park duty, that was better than toilet cleaning though lol.

 Vivs daughter Cordelia, was making an appearance she trained as a bulesque dancer and she was amazing in the big top, and if you have ever watched the film Gypsy Rose Lee, well that was Cordelia. She now is a very successful business woman with her own company selling all over the world, with her bespoke jewelry and carvings.
A few friends used to come along with us for the weekend it really was great fun. The camping was another story, I tend to snore quite
loud, and was kicked out of the tent so spent a night in the car, best
night sleep I had that weekend. We went for a few years until Rebekah decided to call it a day, but again good memories to 

Best festival I ever went to was at Hyde park, 1969 Rolling Stones, it was a tribute free concert for Brian Jones who had died a few days before, they say if you can remember the 60s you weren't really there. Trust me we were every where.

 Talking of festivals,Rebekah then went ahead and got married, it was a pagan wedding ceremony, it was beautiful outside with a high priestess conducting. she wore a long red dress and it was just like a festival so unusual and very moving.  

 Just waiting now for Steve to come for dinner bit late but he has been busy in his man cave so late nosh for him.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands.

        This blog is over a few days so bare with me folks

Thursday night clapping and the street performed admirably, tin pans saucepans bells and rattlers, and the rattler makes appearances at the Fox's games I suspect.

Yes I remember as a child the big tents that were assembled on the big greens up Shelthorpe, yes Shelthorpe an estate council built where I grew up. The Billy Graham gospel spreaders, all came every summer and that was the song they belted out, If your happy and you know it clap your hands. Well we clap now all for different reasons, to appreciate fine women and men doing their bit for mankind in which being proud to count myself that I am doing my bit, and feel immensely proud to be part  of, be it clapping or being part of a fabulous team.

Yes getting back to Shelthorpe, it may have a reputation now, but believe me it was the best place to grow up.  Always adventures to have whether 20 or 30 kids camping out in home made tents up the fields, or competing with neighbouring streets to build the biggest bonfire on November 5th. Standing guard in case rival street kids tried to trash your bonfire stash, or set light to it before the day. Chucking big spuds into the fire to cook, eating them when the fire was just embers, they were scorched black but the best baked potato's in the world.

All the boys in our group had jobs delivering stuff like meat bread groceries on big butcher bikes, us girls would get a croggie in the front basket we thought we were so hip, we progressed on to Lamberetta's as a passenger if we were lucky enough to have a boyfriend who had one.

 Are summer holidays back then, were spent hiking up to Swithland to the chalets there and pitching tents, wonder if the chalets are still there. Going in big groups to Blue bell wood hiding in the Rhododendrons, sharing a bottle of water and jam sarnies. Yes happy days, glad I passed these adventures on to my two, as they love adventures whether its Nik following the  Tour De France, well the Spanish part with his bike all over the northern part of Spain,  and Rebekah, hiking in the lakes camping and going on retreats all over England and dragging me to Stone Henge  for Soltise to catch the sun rise at 3am in the morning, which I have to say was magical. I like to think that some of my spirit was passed on to them.

My I have digressed, today has been nice , my friend and colleague called and we sat in the garden discussing our joint patients, but then as usual the banter the laughing kicked in, laughing is so good for the soul, and  just as I need my favourite flower bloom friends to socialise, I crave laughing and conversation where there is no barriers, where between friends you can talk utter rubbish, but in tune with you, that it doesn't matter because its about the chatting and the company, that they know when you are faking it and have no need to ask you are you ok they know folks if you have that you are so lucky.

Not sure now whats on the agenda as the Tin Pan Alley came to an end, I have not got a plan as it has taken over from hum drum things like, clean out my cupboards, spring clean the house, oh decorate, well not going there again. No need something to challenge me........but with a nice ending.

My friends have been getting emails about flights that were cancelled are available to re-book for June July...mmm spose I was lucky I did get away to Thailand, and should be grateful, but I don't want to waste time, days months years thinking should have done this or that, ahhr well not to dwell, sorry sounding a bit down don't know why, its the laughing for a few hours today made me realise how much I miss it and not realised I haven't for a long time now, not since my lovely soul mate started her struggle, yes folks I can fake it with the best.

Dan the bingo man has sent me a message asking when is the Bank Hol street party is it Monday..? so replied Sat Sun Mon I don't mind what ever the street wants, but then text back  I'm free can do all three, is that greedy..OK, so bit of luck and weather a party maybe on.

Watching a documentary about Sex trade and women who sell their bodies, its so sad people who have to do this, how they are judged. I think because working the job I do lets me invade their world sometimes, believe me they are not all poor, they were all sorts of human race, but people take different paths to deal with what ever but all for the grace of god go all of us.

I can't believe how shops are selling half price summer clothes on line, and even Tesco's. do you think they will put on hold this years fashion, and introduce this years trend next summer who Knows. All I know there will be no Bikini's on my shopping list, but am trying to get a little bit of exercise walking.

Watched an interview with Jean Claude Van Dam, he was so right if you have sports car at 30, keep it in good nik, just because you turn 50 or 60 dont think you should do the same exercises now that you could do at 30. Just like the sports car it would need a new engine new bits and bobs if you thrash it, so listen peeps when trying to keep old age at bay, walk swim, oh and the best exercise LAUGH that will keep you young in heart and mind.

  SO LAUGH LOVE AND BE HAPPY most of all just don't be serious you get wrinkles

You can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear

Yes this is true as the old saying goes, but you can make a Primark purse out of a bad job and think I'm nearly there.
Yes folks the saga of Tin Pan Alley is coming to an end pretty soon. I have toiled and heaved, cried with utter frustration of the pursuit of slate. It seems the world and his wife have been landscaping, well fair do's to them but they could have left little me a bit of slate to finish my momentous slog of Tin Pan Alley.

This as you know is consequences of the 42 year old shed being demolished and creating 1000 other jobs, was it worth it I ask myself through blistered hands knees and thankful heart, knowing these things don't get finished without the finances of paid labour, which is not in my remit of expenditure, or a strong man about the house, sadly not one of those. But am indebted to my loyal friends Sylvia and Steve, whom are always there for me which makes me feel so humbled.

So tomorrow will be another day of painting benches and organising of pots of flowers that I know will bring me pleasure in the nice weather fingers crossed.

Viv had a little wheely round yesterday, sat in the sun and I made her Sunday lunch. It was lovely her being round, Viv is another of my motivators, she organises me along with Mrs Bucket ( Sylvia ) she liked what a joint effort had a achieved and still had a few tips, can't wait for her to be up and running and by gum we are going to hit that trail running and I don't care if we never stop.

Moving on my two boy's whom I have adopted are so cute and big, I bought a harness to put on them to get them used to the garden whilst getting them used to the house. I didn't realise they were so big the harness was like a corset bless, so abandoned the exercise outings with the kitties. I think they are going to be a good comfort to me as they are already.

The kitties were  rescued from a very nice home but they couldn't settle with the new dog so hey presto they are here. It is nice to have some thing to talk too, it is lonely and feels empty on my own, perhaps wouldn't feel as bad but these times are testing us all especially peeps on their own.

I have quite a few friends who live abroad or part live overseas. They never feel isolated they do at the mo, who doesn't, but they don't feel as though they stick out like a sore thumb when going out on their own. Its easier just strolling out to the village in the sun, sitting having a couple of glasses of wine and a snack or a meal on the sea front, but here it feels strange you can't walk into a pub like a bloke rock up to the bar start chatting its a funny kind of feeling you get that everyone is staring, they feel quite exposed when they come back, so they know how I feel.

 Over the last week, walked quite a bit of a distance and am trying to eat well so hoping it may benefit the weight gain to buz off, please fairy god mother sprinkle some disappearing dust on me and SPRINKLE ME.  

Woody and Jesse are the laziest kitty's I've seen but they are adorable and will I'm sure become besty Kits to my friends too as they love fuss, but maybe when they eventually go outside they will be more active. I hope not pressies like birds bought as tokens to me like my daughters Cats do they also are adorable won't be baby sitting them no more she will have to have mine.

Cooked a scratch meal tonight got some homemade meat balls  and scramble a ragu up to go with them, just finished it and Steve message to say did I want curry,....mmm yes but too late will save me some for tomoz thank you very much.

Been watching White Line on Nexflix and Almeria features  in it and friends of mine live there, its a lovely community there and they welcomed me so much they were lovely people, my friend Claire is maybe thinking of renting that way or Malaga we hopefully doing a bit of a tour round to suss out an area who know's she may  end up neighbour to my friends.  The last time I was there we were summoned to a late night cap, we had already got ready for bed, but hey ho off we went in PJs and dressing gowns and a good time was had by all.

Just had a text from my neighbour to say she has secured a gardener for us yippee, I can't face tackling the front garden after this, so respite from another trudge of gardening. I shouldn't complain after all its kept me out of prison, rescued me from mountaineering and abseiling so should be more gracious. Do you think I could get a gardener like Lady Chatterley's lover now that would be some what novel, probably exciting ooh la la.

EXCITEMENT will that ever be on the agenda again, I must go back to Italy and admire the view, or should I say the manicured lovely Italians, they dress so chic for blokes, try my hardest to get Steve to change his style, at least the Beenie hat does not appear as much now so thats good, Viv and I keep telling him to dump the bomber jackets but he loves them bless. 

Think will stop now and get a cuppa, oh by the way no win on the bingo and Saturday maybe the last, its kept the weekends like weekend nights out even though only Bingo but its been fun, so goodnight you lovely people till the next time of the less mingling and meandering through life.  

Sore Feet and A New Start.

What can I say, to say I am worried is an understatement with this governments plans for starting to come out of lock-down here in the UK, all the sacrifices the front liners have made, leaving their families to serve us to save us, I hope it has not all been for nothing.

I know my colleagues, are dumb founded, I believe those that saved my life twice,  I trust them not any government so in my heart it feels wrong....enough now of political views, but not asking anyone to agree these are my views and mine alone.

I come from a strong line of women, I am proud of that and it is that gave me the strength to face awful periods in my life, it doesn't make me hard far from it, I can just disguise it better than most.

Yesterday I walked over 16,500 steps, all in the wrong shoes so feet were  very sore, so a shorter walk maybe today and weather permitting tin pan alley calls again, I have been on parole from it because it was too cold but so need to finish it.

Have now a lodger called Woody  a beautiful black cat his brother Jesse will be joining him shortly, I have wanted a cat for a while, but Mel always said no. I did have my daughters cats living with me for about 6 months, I cried when they left,  so hopefully we bond so you may see a lot of woody in future blogs is that sad..... a sign of things to come, a person who's cat becomes the focus of getting up in the morning..(.Hope not don't let me will you).

Well the walk today that was only going to be a short walk turned out to be I think 13.500 steps, My walking partner Steve has put the app on my new phone, I am not really Techi it just evades me so I am not stressed about not being savvy, but give me a chance to barter for a good deal I am your man RUTHLESS.

We walked into town along to the canal after a pit stop at Tesco's . and passed our old friends place where we have spent many a good night celebrating Weddings, funerals, birthdays, and Christmas's. There have been some good times there and maybe can have a few more again, who knows. We also spent many a happy weeks away in their Villa in Spain good memories, and perhaps a trip their again.

The  Pink building of student accommodation stands out in the Basin where the canal starts and a loan duck isolating bless. Soon the Basin restaurant may well be open again and life of meeting greeting and just enjoying this pleasure will not be taken for granted by all of us.

Viv started her Radiotherapy on Monday, its a 3 wk stint so fingers crossed will start some recovery time waiting with bated breath for our adventures to begin and I will invite you to join us on every step of the Twidow's  memory making life events and maybe we will take these walks together, and remembering that just making a decision to go any where or do anything should be treasured after these times.

Folks the walk today I took pictures of wild flowers that we never notice when in a rush, Steve yesterday found a stone perched in a tree, that maybe a child had left to find , how sweet in this oh so crazy times. We also came across a whole bed of Yellow Iris's I am sure these will look absolutely beautiful and so tempted to pull some up.....well I tried bad I know but these flowers do multiply loads when split. but no  little trow with me,...mmm next time.

Wednesday, not a lot done today, Steve laid the old slabs down, not really bought  new slabs made do with what I had, but its not much as make do, but make the best of what I had and it will look better I'm sure. 

I safe distance my friend, Lynda who had to return back from her place in Marbella, I would have probably have been there now enjoying the sun with Lynda, and Viv. It was  lovely catching up we couldn't do are usual hug and kisses which we always do, I took some plants for her so she can enjoy them whilst marooned back here, normally she would be  over in there, she is really a good dressmaker and she made me some masks they are so sweet. 

Yesterday  cooked home made chips without the frying and chicken sausages again with mushy peas, and I really enjoyed it, think afters  will be jelly and yoghurt and that's going to be sugar free. This attempt at trying to loose some pounds, stems from a video of me dancing on VE day, it was not a pretty sight and not something I can even share, it was a stark wake up call so will try peeps to engage in to some healthy eating habits that I've been ignored with the crips, crap and cake so no more, no more i say, Avanti Satan!