28th November 2022

 Well I needed a bit of a catch up on LEJOG (Lands End to John O Groats) blog. Not been on many walks. Found 5 boxes of 2 brass door handles with locks and hinges in the "Vintage Shop" for £2 each - bargain until Colin realised what a big job that is going to be! Over 2 days he had replaced all downstairs handles and replaced the hinges by taking the doors off - they were a bit heavier than he thought and most of the handles upstairs but ended up with a bad back for a few days. Ooops, but the door handles look good.

Took Charlotte and Thomas to Beacon Fell for a little walk that ended up 3 miles but was lovely. 

Lots of remembrance services on, went to the one in the village on November 11th and watched the London one on Sunday. Such respect. I look after many soldiers memorials on the website 'Find A Grave' ensuring there is as much information on each one that I can find, and eventually transferring them onto families who request them.

Still visiting Dad and Stuart as much as we can. There was a man from the falls team talking to Dad when we got there because since moving into Longton Nursing Home in April, Dad has had 15 falls! The worrying thing is he isn't afraid of falling and could do some serious damage if he isn't careful. Dad's answer to this was 'well you could also fall'. Elaine and Stuart visited Dad for an afternoon tea.

Our Grandson Alfie had his 12th birthday. All 3 of them (Archie, Violet and Alfie) have been visiting us on their bikes and playing Wii games with their Uncle George. 

Reverend Mike called round to see me to see if I am feeling better from Vertigo. Think I troubled him with all the stresses we are going through with family, trying to keep Dad happy and for him to settle in his care home and the worry of finding Stuart somewhere to live that will care for his needs. George and his eye problems. Debbie being so ill. The kids!

I have returned back to being the Verger at St Lawrence Church for Funerals, jumping in with 2 in one day - exhausted. 

World Cup started in Qatar - good 1st England match against Iran 6 - 2.

Friday 25th November 2022 - at last a much awaited night to see 'Strictly Ballroom The Musical' starring Kevin Clifton - WOW fab-u-lous amazing show. Went with Elaine, Tina, Janet and Gina, and we all danced out of the theatre to the song 'Love is in the air'. Then a trip back home through Blackpool Illuminations. Another one ticked off my 60 things to do in a year.

Saturday morning with all the Grandchildren we went to the Church Christmas Fair, the two youngest visiting Father Christmas. All of them given £5 to spend on anything they like, the teddy bear stall seemed to be the best. 

                                                    Pops managed to get into the photo!

Total 28 miles. Completed 495 miles so we are now in Mwnt, Wales ( a good name for hangman).

Photo by Janet Baxter Photography. 

Birthday Couple of Weeks

 A bit of a disappointing couple of weeks, not got out for walks - dreary weather and a bit lazy.

Busy 2nd part of October Birthdays with Colin's Sister Pam and his niece Gail and then my Dad (Donald) who turned 87 years old. Me and Colin arranged to meet Janet and Terry who were bringing Stuart to visit Dad at Longton Care Home.  They arranged for us to use the top lounge which we set up and they brought Dad in to see us, he looked quite bewildered but realised it was his birthday. We put some music on to sing along with 1 of the songs was 'Morning Town Ride' by The Seekers and Stuart played his tambourine right next to Colin's ear!!  This song was a throw back in time to when we used to visit Doreen and Frank in Goosnargh for Sunday dinner (8 of us and 2 of them) and then Doreen played the piano and we sang along. Dad was dressed up and he opened lots of pressies. 

Later that day he had visits from Nigel, Tina, Becky, Rob and baby James who met his Great Grandfather for the first time.

The next day Deborah, Andrew, Jennifer, Ralph and Stephanie visited making it a bumper week of visitors.

 

At the weekend we were looking after Charlotte and Thomas (in Halloween costumes) as Mark was refereeing, but his game got called off due to the amount of rain we had. Halloween pumpkin carving with Charlottes design didn't go too bad.

George's eye op on Tuesday 1st Nov, 7:30am set off, mega traffic problems and didn't hear my phone in my bag with Mark warning about all the delays - Colin might have mentioned it once or twice again on the way there as we flew down the motorway managing to get to Chorley Hospital at 8:29am. I hate being late and this just stressed me out so much I had palpitations!! (Blood pressure tablets better be working). George texted us to say there was a backlog and it might get to lunchtime. 

We went to visit Dad and talked about all his visitors he had last week for his birthday but sadly he couldn't remember, but he did remember that his new cardigan he was wearing was off Nigel. George sent him a hello photo from the hospital.

Also managed to visit Stuart before we got the message that George was finished and we could pick him up.

We then had another birthday celebration for Mark turning 42, we managed to get (nearly) all the Green's together - Me (Nanny), Colin (Pops) and Uncle George, Uncle Mark, Christine (Grandma Green), Uncle David, and cousins Charlotte and Thomas, Archie, Violet and Alfie but sadly no Aunty Debbie - still unable to visit through ill health. Get well soon Deb. x

We had a Chinese buffet tea and toffee/chocolate apples and then an hour outside watching fireworks with all the kids cheering and jumping around, then birthday cake. We then had a funny round of charades, the winner has to be Thomas who asked Uncle George's help to roll him and then he ran off and the answer was Sonic the Hedgehog. It was lovely to be back together again.

Managed to do 20 miles making the Total Completed 467 miles. We are now in Trefasser, near Goodwick.