The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Just went to see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  Not going to say much about it because I know there is a small group of people going to see it TOMORROW night and I don't want to ruin it for them!  So I shall say NOTHING!!

What are we watching tonight?  Prisoner's Wives at 9pm on BBC1.

Community of Aidan and Hilda

Today I am meeting up with Mary Rothero from my church for some lunch.  We are going to talk about the Community of Aidan and Hilda.  I went to a meeting on Saturday at the home of Revd Carol Smith in Chelmsford together with five others who are keen to start an Essex Group.  It was a really good day and we learned a lot about the Community and what they do.  We also worked out some dates for us to meet again and also for us to get speakers and arrange days for others in diocese who might be interested in Celtic spirituality.  Celtic spirituality is less fixed than Anglican religion and an important part of it is creation and nature.  You can belong to any church and still be a member of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.  The Community is based on Holy Island off the coast of Northumberland.  They have a great interest in the ancient Celtic saints who have gone before us - like Columba, Cedd, Samson and Brigid.  Many of them got into their coracles (little dug out boats) and set sail from Ireland to come to England to set up monasteries and spread the word of God.  They also take much of their learning from the Desert Fathers where simplicity and purity of life-style is crucial.

Here are some examples of Celtic knots.

Sunday afternoon

Having a restful afternoon today.  It looks lovely out there but don't really have massive amounts of energy to go walking and do any gardening.  We had a pheasant land in our back garden.  I have seen him before in the mornings strutting around making the chuck chuck sound - click here to hear  it!
http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/galliformes/son/Phasianus.colchicus.mp3.  What a magnificent beast he is!  Here is a photo.

Had a really nice time at church this morning.  Everyone is so friendly and kind.  Its like a little piece of paradise.  That sounds a bit over the top but really I can't believe my luck in finding such a nice church to be in.

Friday blues

Went for a meal last night to the Prince of Wales pub which is only two doors down from us.  They have fresh fish on Thursday to Sunday so that's what I had.  Ian had  braised steak in red wine sauce. 
This morning feeling quite lethargic after all the energy I had yesterday.  Might be dehydrated (?) - need to drink more water? But thinking about it, it might be because I eat the tartar sauce with my fish last night.  It tasted so nice I didn't think it would matter, even though it is not allowed on the SCD diet because of the milk and flour.  Makes me realise that I have to stick to this diet religiously otherwise there are consequences - I just get really tired, no energy.  Its so strange how your body can suddenly change.

Going to Helen Rolloston Trust therapy place for reflexology treatment this afternoon which is free for cancer patients.  This evening there is a quiz night at the church which should be good fun.

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Here is a photo of the Christmas rose that Susie bought me for Christmas 2 years ago - it really has come on very well.  Also a photo of the blueberry plants Ian bought this Christmas which are just beginning to green up and hopefully produce a bumper crop in the summer!

Lovely sunny day!

Feeling a lot better after my ordeal on Monday.  In fact I was OK the next day.  I think it was because they gave me the chemo too quickly.  Hopefully that won't happen again!
Anna stayed the night last night and we went into Chelmsford this morning  We sat outside Pret drinking our drinks and basking in the warm sun.  Can't believe the weather is so warm and sunny after all the cold and wet we have had recently.  She then caught the train back to London from Chelmsford.

Came home and did a bit of gardening, mainly watering tubs and weeding.  There is a raised border with herbs outside our sitting room but seems to be taken over by an onion type plant, so dug them all up.  Looks a bit better now.  Perhaps a bit bare but at least the herbs will come up again in the spring and cover the bed.  Not sure what these onion smelling plants are but they are quite invasive.

Ian is feeling a lot better too.  We went for a walk in the sunshine to get some exercise.  We are  both out on Saturday, so need to build up our energy levels before then.  Ian is going to "Who do you think you are?" day at Olympia (family tree stuff) and me to "Community of Aidan and Hilda" day in Chelmsford.

Intravenous experience

Yesterday went for my intravenous chemo at Broomfield Hospital.  All went well until it was time to go home and then YUK.  Waiting for Ian to bring the car round diarrhoea came out.  Did not have the energy to go to the loo and sort it out.  Got in car feeling like death, sweating and moaning.  Asked Ian to stop the car because I felt sick but nothing happened.  Still feeling absolutely wretched.  Then was sick, learning out of the car.  Then just slumped in the seat with my eyes closed till we got home with diarrhoea trying to come out.  Got home and went straight to the loo, and then straight to bed.  In bed I had a cotton polo-neck top on with fleece waistcoat, leggings and fluffy socks, as well as gloves and a bobble hat.  One duvet with blanket on top and then Ian got me another duvet.  Still felt cold but eventually warmed up.  I think it was the bobble hat, keeps the heat in the body!  Stayed put until this morning.  I think the problem was that they gave me the chemo too quickly.  It should always take 3 hours, but this time it only took 2 and half hours.

Don't  actually feel too bad this morning after all the trial of yesterday.  Just a bit weary so taking things easy.  The terrible thing is that IAN IS NOT WELL.  He has a bladder infection and is going to the doctor's this morning for antibiotics.  So it's the sick trying to help the sick at moment in this house.  Happy days.

Fairly busy day today

The last few days before the intravenous on Monday.  I will then not be able to do much so need to get as much done as possible now.  Went with my neighbour June to visit a lady called Myra in the village who has bone cancer.  She seems a lot better than when we last went.  June asked me to go to do the 'religious pastoral' bit as June doesn't go to church, although Myra does have a faith.  We had a positive morning.
After lunch went to Chelmsford to close my Santander account which I have had for probably about 20 years and it has always had £68 in it.  Seems like a bit of waste of time.  Have been meaning to do this for ages.  Then to Broomfield Hospital for blood test for Monday and then to doctors surgery in Witham to collect Ian's prescription.  Got home and felt really tired, so went and lay on the bed and slept for about an hour.  Did not feel like eating supper so Ian had TWO pork chops!!  Lucky him.

Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Exhibition

Went to Excel Exhibition Centre in Docklands yesterday to have a look at all things caravan and motorhome!  We met Susie there who is thinking about getting a motorhome for travelling around in Europe.  Think we eventually found the right company and the right motorhome in terms of value for money and comfort for her.  Its all very exciting!!  We had a nice time with Susie in between lots of cups of coffee and tea and chats. 
Today we booked a week at a caravan site in Dorset from 7th to 14th June.  I am going on a retreat nearby on the Friday to Sunday at a place called Green Pastures.  The subject is "Warrior Poets" all about different types of prayer.  Ian will stay in the caravan at Wareham and then we will have a few days after my retreat for some sightseeing.  Just managed to book in time because as soon as we had booked it, it then came up as fully booked for that week. Good timing!  Busy week because it is half term.

Happy Valentine's Day!

After a bit of a dodgy start, Ian and I exchanged Valentine cards.  The dodgy start was the Ian forgot where he put my Valentine's card but seemed to be too lazy to get out of bed to find it, instead accused me of putting it somewhere!!  I retreated to the sitting room and we did eventually get everything sorted out!! 
Had breakfast and then off to the church for Morning Prayer. (I usually go up there on a Tuesday morning to join Stuart, the vicar and Gemma for prayers.) 
Then off to Colchester to Senior Screen at the Odeon cinema.  The film was Anonymous about whether William Shakespear was in fact the person who wrote all the plays and sonnets.  They did put quite a convincing case that it was someone else.  Good film.   Then to The Bull in Great Totham for Valentine's Day lunch which was very nice.  No supper required tonight.  Thank goodness the weather is getting warmer.  I am feeling a lot better than last week back to my normal self.  Next Monday is the next intravenous - No. 6.  Which means only 2 more to go after that!!!

Sunday

Went to church and did my sermon.  It actually felt quite good sitting up at the front again in my Readers vestments.  My sermon was well received and I got lots of compliments which was nice. 
Anna and Jeremy came round for Jeremy to finish the painting job on the en-suite.  It looks really good now.  The idea was that they would leave my car here and get the train back to London but being a Sunday the trains weren't really running from Witham.  It would mean going to Shenfield (at least).  In the end we thought we would take them to Harold Wood and go and see Charlotte and Scott.  Phoned them only to be told they were just on their way out to the cinema to see The Woman in Black but would we like to go with them.  In the end Anna, Jeremy and I drove to Lakeside and met C & S at the cinema.  The film wasn't really that good.  C&S took A&J to Harold Wood station.  I went to TGI Friday and had a steak and salad then drove home.  A nice evening, all in all.

Duxford Imperial War Museum

Decided to have a day out today instead of sitting around at home trying to keep warm.  We went to Duxford Imperial War Museum Cambridgeshire - just up the M11.  It was freezing!  When we arrived it was -9 degrees. 

The drive up there was absolutely stunning though.  Miles and miles of white fields and the trees were all white frozen in ice, all this against a light and bright blue sky with sun shining.  Plenty of exhibitions of aeroplanes from all eras.  I like the exhibition about WW2 and the blitz, it was really brought to life that you can start to imagine what it must have been like.  It made me think that our lives now in comparison are very much easier.  I bought a post card of one of the posters which read "Your courage, your cheerfulness, your resolution will bring us victory."  Not a bad thing to aim for.  I shall put it on my fridge.

Had a Skype call from John in Zim to wish me all the best for my first sermon tomorrow.  I am feeling slightly nervous but i am sure it will be OK.  Not sure if Anna and Jeremy are coming over tomorrow or not.  Jeremy still has some finishing off in the en-suite to do.
 

Thursday 9th February 2012

Oh dear!  Up at 7.15am and then Anna and I to Chelmsford as Anna had an appointment there at 9.00am.  Afterwards a wander round the market and then into Chelmsford Library to find out about IT courses.  In the meantime Jeremy had done the finishing touches to our en-suite.  Only problem its being a bugger trying to dry the paint, especially the woodwork paint due to cold damp weather lingering outside.  Still all seems be done and dusted now and what an improvement compared to how it was looking before!  Well done Jeremy.... good job! 
Ian has lit the fire which is burning brightly - just what we need.  He is on his laptop and I am on mine - our default positions!  Still there are plenty of things to look forward to.  Got my first preaching assignment this Sunday.  Hope it goes OK and I don't frighten them all away from church!   That's going to be a bit strange after all this time of doing nothing in church except sitting in the pews.  I really like our new church, its just what I think I have always wanted from a church.  Perhaps its just fitting the bill at this time of our lives, too.

Anniversary of Mark's death - 12 years ago

Met with Anna and Charlotte at Mark's grave today.  Charlotte had managed to get a half day off work.  The grave was covered in snow so could not do any gardening work on it, although there are signs of life with the daffodils bulbs beginning to sprout through the snow.  We then had a lovely lunch afterwards at the Woodman Pub in High Ongar, then down into Ongar town and a bit of trip down memory lane.  Went into a bakery to buy some cakes, only to be greeted by a large picture of Ponders End Mill.  We could not believe it but realised the connection when we realised the shop belonged to Andersons, a bakery that uses G R Wright's flour.  This was a bakery that Mark used to  call on when he was a salesman at the Mill.  The weather was freezing today, let's hope things get warmer soon.  Got home and had a Skype call from Paul and Bella in South Africa.  Lovely to hear all their news and they are baking in the heat at 30 degrees!  Anna and Jeremy are here tonight so they were able to have a chat with them too.

Winter scene from our front door

Sunday 5th February

Still feeling yuk.  When am I going to get better??  Ian went to church this morning after removing snow from car, driveway, back garden.  He had to do a reading in church.  Apparently not many people there.... not surprisingly!  I am glad I didn't have to go.  The cold would have been too much.  Confined to the house again.  Ian off to Tunbridge Wells tomorrow, so guess where I'll be hanging out??

Saturday

Nothing in the diary today, so sitting next to the fire in the sitting room and keeping warm is the 'Order of the Day'.  Ian has just taken Charlie out for a walk, although they probably won't be that long!  Too cold.  Have just had a Skype call from Uncle John in Zimbabwe.  He had received some of the information from Ian about the Rees family tree and he had quite a bit to add, things that he could remember about Auntie Vi.  Apparently she was married twice, and he had the name of her children.  Auntie Viv was Meredydd's daughter.  Took lots of notes down.  He wanted to get onto my blogspot but didn't know how to do it.  We went through it with him but didn't manage to get him on it, and together with his cursor freezing that didn't help.  I have sent an email with a link with instructions - hopefully he will be able to read it at a later stage.

Etta James

I just love this song!

Lunch at Monkhams Hall

Had a lovely day at Lindy & Chris's show-case house with great lunch and good conversations.  What another beautiful day!  So sunny - and the views from their conservatory were magnificent.  The only trouble is the cold which seems to be affecting me badly and I keep getting pins and needles in my hands, nose, mouth etc, despite Ian's excellent fire-building skills!  In fact as I am typing this, I am beginning to feel a bit warmer with three layers, two pairs of socks, slippers, warm scarf.  When I got back from Lindy and Chris I lay on the sofa for an hour under a duvet with my coat and boots still on!  Not that it was cold at Monkhams Hall - it was lovely and warm there - Lindy even gave me a blanket to put over my legs!  Such service!!  Oh my goodness, what's going on?  But now I feel OK.  Will always bounce back eventually.