Eternal Refuge

How did that happen?

I will admit I have spent quite a bit of the time between my last post, and this.  There have been some fascinating documentaries on the TV about Prince Philip.  Most of the events I already knew about, but it was interesting to see interviews with his staff, and colleagues.  In the evening programme his 4 children were interviewed.  So sad that at a time like that they still have to be on TV.

My thoughts and prayers continue with The Queen, his children and their families.  Royal, or not, they are still a family.  The Queen & he celebrated their 73rd Wedding Anniversary last November ... literally more than a lifetime for many people.

Today I walked to Tesco, and then after lunch had another walk (a total of just over 3 miles today).  I also walked via the hospital this afternoon - and they have a flag flying - at half mast.  They very rarely have a flag, and if it is it is normally the NHS one.  As you can see on this (poor) photo that this is the traditional Union Jack.  RIP Prince Philip






And, of course -

10. What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
I loved Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Amalfi Coast, but my favourite view is that of Bude, as you can see on this image -

(Thanks cornwall.co.uk)
I tend to enjoy seeing new places, and exploring ... so ask me next year and I may have found somewhere new.

11. Are you more sensitive to heat or the cold?
My ears don't like the cold!
I don't mind either, although if it is hot and stuffy I really find that frustrating.

I really needed this - and it made me both smile and shed a tear ... thank you so much kudagirl





And so to updates ...

Firstly The Orchestral Concert.

The concert itself went really well ... and even better, for me, is one of the "new pieces we played at this concert is one of my all-time favourite pieces. Albioni's Adagio in G Minor for strings and organ. I love it ... the first time I heard it was as the theme for the film Galipoli back in 1981, and actually had to listen to all the credits to find out which piece it was. If you don't know it, then -



We had a reasonable number in the audience (they ran out of programmes, so that's a good sign.

However the drive almost killed me, so I spent the day on pain killers, and the next day in bed. But I am still glad I did it. It took me a long time to get those clarinet skills, so I would hate to lose them for the sake of the drive to Bude.

Now, the Health Update.

As I said, I had a rough weekend.  I went back to my doctor on Wednesday and there was not much to show on the blood tests, which means it is still probably viral.

The good news is that she put me on some mild anti-depressants, which means I am no longer crying all the time, and also much of the constant intense pain is easier.  So, she upped the dose slightly.

The bad news is that my mobility and muscle ache is rapidly getting worse.

So, she is going to send me to see a rheumatologist ... the guy she wants me to see is good, and a nice person (as I have worked in his clinics).  So now I have to wait for the referral letter (which I collect Monday) and then book the appt.

I am determined to keep going though, as otherwise mentally I will be a mess, but I shall have to see what my body thinks of that plan!

As I updated this morning I was in Bude on Saturday for an orchestra concert ... and said then that the orchestra was one thing I miss about living in Exeter.  Well, another is the amazing scenery.

Although I have taken loads of photos, and shared many with you, I just had to share some more.  My friend Grace from my Bible Study group asked me recently if I had taken many photos, and I had to admit the answer was no ... so, here are loads of pics of beautiful Bude ... and so you will know what I mean about the stunning scenery.

( A stroll along a sunny cliff path )

Speaking of pictures makes me realise I am about 3 weeks late with my photo_scavenger pictures, as well.  So I must get more organised!


.

For those of you who hve known me for over 18 months you will know that there were only a couple of things I regretted about my move to Exeter and that was leaving the orchestra that I had been a member of for 25 years.  Anyway last Wednesday I had an urgent message from the conductor asking me to play on Saturday - and to say I am out of practice is an understatement.  As I play a clarinet it is hard to get the correct muscles in the mouth toned in 3 days!!!  Still I went, arriving at rehearsal, not even knowing what music we were doing!

It was great to be back, and I loved it, even though it reminded me again how much I miss the group!  The rehearsal went well, and then I had a couple of hours free, so I went to see the stunning view of the Atlantic, via the only working sea-lock gates in England!  Then met up with Toni ... which was my other reason for not wanting to leave the area - so it was great to see her (and her husband) again.

( The Atlantic )

Then back for the concert ... and good to see one or two people in the audience I knew, as well.  The concert went well - Beethoven Overture, Mozart Piano Concerto (played by a 10 year old!!), Mahler Folk Tune, New Suite of Music (written by a member of Truro Orchestra) and an Haydn Symphony.  Bizarly, at the end, the comittee asked me to do the Thank You speach, as it was something I used to do for the last 10 years!!

So, it was fun to be back, although a long day as I had started it by having the car MOT'd and serviced.S

unday was Mothering Sunday - and as ever Mum didn't want a fuss!  In the afternoon Tim and Claire came round for tea and we had a super evening - including one hour of hymn singing .... Mum got to chose hymns she knew (as she is partially sighted), Dad played the piano and we sang ... while Jiffy hid!  Mum chose all but 4, as we all had a choice - this was mine -



So, it was a special eveing - great to share time together and be able to celebrate both Mum and our faith, at the same time.

Hope that you all had such a lovely weekend.

The reason I was in Bude was that I was playing in Bude Concert Orchestra's 40th Anniversay concert.  This is the side view of the venue ... with the Millenium monument in the foreground.



I will do a full write up soon (ish) ... I promise!

Was in Bude yesterday - last rehearsal before Saturday ... and glad to say it went better than last weeks!!

Before that I had an opticians appointment -



New glasses needed!

I will try and catch up, and/or do an update later today! I've been a bad LJer recently.

Yesterday I went to Bude for a rehearsal for the orchestral concert ... it was windy as I walked to take a couple of photos to share ... but it blew the cobwebs away, after the drive!





Was late back - so didn't post the photos, but then I couldn't relax as the rehearsal was awful ... so was flicking through LJ via my phone and spotted the news that James is coming to London ... so, yes, I got up to use dad's pc to get a ticket!

Then I couldn't sleep at all!!

Went to Bude today, for a funeral. Someone from orchestra died. She had cancer about 2 years ago and had fought all the way, but sadly the disease "won".






However the way she kept positive was a lesson to us all - she never once stopped planning her uture and making sure her various music groups were getting organised for the next concert.


R.I.P. Maggie - you will be missed.

Yes, that's my house being put into storage ... they had a smallish lorry and did 2 trips ... and here's my bed being packed!



So, now I'm in Torquay, with Mum, Dad & Jiffy ... waiting for news as to when I can moveinto my place.

In Bude today, doing the last bits of packing ... well, it has to be as the removal van arrives tomorrow to put everything in storage.

However this afternoon I went out to say a Farewll to Perry (who is buried in the garden of the house that was Mum & Dad's) ... and then I parked and walked down to one of the fields that belong to the Holiday Complex I worked at. I hadn't been back since Toni and I left ... but had to go today to say a Farewell to Jaykub. There were ponies in the adjoining field, but where he had died was quiet - and I could stand with a few special memories.

This is the view of the actual house of the complex ... because a field just looks like a field!

 

btw, the picture in the icon was taken in about the place where I parked my car this afternoon!