Pic and Mix Kinda of few weeks. Folks and in need of a shake up of the sweetie counter.

Well folks been a tad lazy in the blog a lot slot, Claire keeps reminding me where's your blog, well here I am.

Been reading Claires blog which gives me a quite a bit of envy, because people doing the one thing I dreamed of living in the sun.

I know its not all sunshine but to be fair, as I have said before I love meeting people and always enjoy meeting new people, ok its a hobby but what a lovely hobby, beats hearing knitting needles clacking away. No don't mean that wish I had the patience to do that.

But winter is just around the corner and most of my friends will be in climates a lot warmer than here, so feeling very very jealous..............

Don't much mind the days but once in a while just to toddle down the pub in the evening or early doors, either will do. 

I have had some lovely catch ups though so I shouldn't feel so morose, because they have been really great.

Firstly had a meal round Steve's last Friday night, bit of arm twisting on there, but hey I'm not fussy I 'll take any invitation for a night of evening mixing. Then Saturday around Pam and Brian's which again was so nice to be out after dark and company was really good too so a bonus there. Chicken Stroganoff at Steves and Pams a lovely curry just right for my taste not hot. Steve always stresses about cooking but is a real good cook. As Mel said his liver n onions is the best.

It was nice catching up with Phil, he was a little worried about his elderly mum, but from what I can gather has picked up from when I last spoke to him.

I have cooked a few meals for my one time cooking club partner which helped push the boundaries in the culinary field.

Cooked a salmon and pea with lemon risotto which must have been ok cus he took some home as well, he is my biggest critic. Mossie couldn't even chuck together a decent fry up till the chemistry began of our love of food began.Plus eating it.

When people at work used to see our fb pics, they assumed he was my toy boy....lol I never denied it we have had many holidays together, and I have to say they were fab funny and miss them, with us all together, happy times

Then in the week my old friend from work who has just retired came over, we were due to meet at Bradgate park for a walk, but her plumber didn't turn up till late so she swung by mine.

We have some lovely walks close by, Bradgate park for one, it has woodland streams and Deer roaming and the rutting season as just started. It also was the home of The famous Queen for 12 days Lady Jane Gray, she was beheaded as many were. So a bit of history our little area has. 

Many more too, the first ever tourist trip by Thomas Cooke, ran for the Temperas society from Leicester to Loughborough, back in 1841, a little more history for you all.

Was nice to catch up, she also is on her own, she also shares the view, not a lot for females on their own its still a mans world to walk in a pub and sit and have a drink on your own.

SHIT hate the fact that the only thing they left out of being European in England, is venturing out at night here it just don't feel right for a woman, yet my friends who live abroad for most of the year in Spain, Turkey and Italy feel so different out there. and on their return for a couple of weeks here totally get how I feel and know they could never live the same independent life here  again not like their lives abroad.   

Well can't carp on about that so move on.  

I met up with Rachael Viv's daughter and Rebekah and Pam, Pam is an old friend of Steve's, and their friends in different ways have passed mine and my friends paths at different times.

Pam and I had met previously the week before and had such a smashing time, we felt we had known one another for ages, that happens sometimes folks it does to me any way. We just chatted laughed and both produced a bunch of Roses really similar to break the ice as flowers always does, but you know there was no ice to break we got on like a house on fire. Thanks Pam for daring to step into my world.

We got on so well that time just flew till we were asked to leave are allotted table, so off we trotted to a cafe across the way. for coffee.

Brian then picked Pam up and kindly took me home, it was such a lovely afternoon I invited her to join us at the Toby inn  for the catch up with Rachael. Again what can I say the afternoon was a loose women lunch club. We chatted ate, put the world to right drank ate again, chatted more and drank more. 

Love it when people get together and there is an instant friendship in the making between folk.

My kitchen is coming to the end of refurb and is looking fabulous for saying its on a budget. Steve has done miracles and I am forever in his debt for all the jobs he has done over the past few years. I like to think that one day can repay him.

Work was a bit of a task this week, 5hrs training online, I swear slit wrists were on the agenda and another 4hrs again this Wednesday, its a good job I love my job or it would be so hard.

When Denise my so hilarious friend popped over the other week she had got tickets for the Dualers at Nottingham, so managed to get two for me and Steve I have actually seen then perform in the street they are so good. Hopefully it wont be cancelled but who knows. Steve was here when she came and he listened to our exploits as nurses and things that happened, he is so screamish, you have no embarrassments in our job. you can't afford to you wouldn't last long.

Not much on my calendar people seem reluctant to commit to stuff because of Cov19, I aim to get the last of a fallen leaf on the 31st of Dec same as I did for the Millennium, just as a reminder of a year lost and mount it sentimental I am.

Viv's house is up for sale which saddens me no wreath making for Christmas there, or pampering nights anymore to be had but memories are locked away in my heart, so may have to host in my little abode, a bit cramped but should be ok yaah. 

The annual town fair is a casualty this year its cancelled first time since the Magna Carter folks yes we are in there. 

My friend Marion has finally booked her trip back here to stay with me over Christmas and New Year, obviously she will spend Christmas day with her daughter and grand children, but will be nice to wake up and not be on my own. Over the past possibly 10 or more years Steve was always here Christmas Eve and New Years eve on a sleep over from celebrations, he usually was a bit hung over and lived in town so no driving.

Fear Christmas is going to be a bit different and families are going to find it hard, not being able to mix, at least the weather is usually ok abroad so you can get out, but who knows here what its going to be like.

A few hardships financially too for those out of work.......blessings of a pension.....only thing that is. Have just put together a spiced beef and ale slow cooker dish for dinner, prepared it before Steve came round for the last bit of tiling so dinner will be ready later.

 Thats the most of this week took care of bit non full on but never the less a few good days of laughter and chat with friends. Where would we be without friends, keep em safe close and treasure them, its sometimes the only thing you have that is priceless along with family ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££