Eternal Refuge

The one sporting event of the year that I never miss, yet some of you will never have heard of it, occured yesterday - The Oxford Cambridge Boat Race and although Oxford was expected to win (I only watch the men's main race, not the other 3), it was a clear win for Cambridge again ... so I am a happy girl.

In the end Cambridge won all 4 of the races ... Well done, the Light Blues


And, as it's Monday it's time for the A to Z photo ... I was stumped for a time.
Week 17 – Apr 20 Q is for QUAY ... our city has a Quay, but I am at hoe a couple of miles away and have to go to work soon. So after a walk round the house, I am sharing a set of 4 prints that a friend gave me years ago, and with a close up of 1. They are of Venice, and as you cam see there are people waiting by the steps to get into the boats ... a quay!




Right well there's no news really here, so I had better get on as I am off to work soon ... so ...







14. What’s your geography knowledge like? If you were given a world map, how many countries could you confidently identify?
I hated geography at school - but love visiting countries, and finding my geography that way. I am pretty good with most of Europe, although some of the eastern countires, & the Baltic, I get back to front ... I could even work out what about half the US states are. So better than some people, I suppose, but nowhere near great.




Right, see you tomorrow.

It's a fairly overcast morning, but as there's a breeze I did put my washing on the line. I will be getting it back in again at lunchtime as I am working this afternoon. But at least everything gets a bit of a blow, which I do love.

And, seeing as it's Monday, I am doing the A to Z ... Week 12 – Mar 16 L is for LOST

This doll was second hand when Mum had it in the mid 1920's. When I was younger I remember she was wearing leather shoes ... but somehow with all the house moves in between they now appear to be LOST!

Having had a lazy Sunday I don't really have any news, so will close this here, with -






17. Do you add things to your ‘to-do’ list just so you can cross them out immediately to say you’ve done them?
No - I think I would be too depressed if I actually listed all the things I needed to do, let alone the other things I would like to do.
Mum used to keep a list though, so know exactly what it's like.





Right, I have icons to post, so they will be up soon.

Hope you have a fun Monday x

Yes, washing is on the line.  My bedroom is cleaned ... and hall, stairs & landing all hoovered ... and about half of it is dusted ... so I am gradually making my way downstairs.  Mind you, Mum would also be confused, as Mondays is the day you do the washing, and Thursdays was the day that housework was done!

I did manage to get out for a short walk yesterday, and aim to do the same this afternoon.  It's another bright day, but looking ay the forecast, rain is heading in for the weekend!

Mind you, I also realised I have failed ... I forgot to take the photo yesterday.  The A to Z prompt is Jade, and despite my numerous ornaments, jewellery, and general junk, I don't think I have any Jade.  So the nearest I have is this green pot, which is Japenese ... some jades are green, and most come from, and are used a lot, in Japenese and Chinese cultures.  So not a true image, but with bending the rules, it sort of works!!!


So, having said Mum would be pleased, I don't know if she would be pleased to see me cheating!!!!

Yesterday, as well as my short walk I made these icons for Your_Favourites over on DW ... with a theme of "Oscar Winners"

The first 2 are Clark Gable in "It Happened One Night", and the last two of Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady" (so maybe I am back in Mum's good books, as she liked both films!!)

Right I need to get on.








4. In 1882, Britain’s first electric trams ran in East London. Do trams still operate in your area? If not, have you ever been on one somewhere else?
No
The only time I have ever been on a tram was when I was in san Francisco back in 2017!






Right, the resy of the day is calling.

Yes, I shall be making pancakes later.  After all it's "Pancake Day" ... or Shrove Tuesday ... or Mardi Gras!

Will catch up with you later.

I suppose like most people I have been horrified by the images from around LA - having a close friend living there made it all the more personal, even though I am thousands of miles away.

So much destruction - so much loss.

Some years ago I has a burst pipe in my loft and had quiet a bit of damage, but was so thankful that I didn't lose any personal items.

All I can think of are things like Mum & Dad's wedding photos, my Granddad's medals, etc. etc ... Those things are irreplaceable. A TV is not. So yes, a lot of loss, that can never be replaced!

As it's Monday, I have my A to Z photo(s) ... I missed last week - so -


Week 2 – Jan 5 B is for BOWL
Over 40 years ago, on my 21st, friends from college bought me this bowl, and a few years later when I got my house it was put in use ... and has been ever since -


Week 3 – Jan 12 C is for CALM
Back in 1981 I went, with the family, to Italy for the first time, and we spent about 10 days in Sorrento. I bought this marquetry image of the bay of Naples, showing a very calm image ... and a calm Vesuvius in the background -



On top of these photos, I have also taken last week's image for photo_scavenger, with a prompt of "chair" ....
This rocking chair has always been in my life. Dad stripped the wood, and varnished it 40ish year ago (I know historians would not be happy) ... Mum re-caned the back of it, and made a tapestry seat. And, Primrose was Mum's ... and is now 100+ years old, as it was second hand when she received it as a young child. The dress she is wearing was actually one of Mum's when she was a baby.




I worked on Saturday, again.

Yesterday I had a nice lazy day ... although an early start as I went to a diffenert Church to normal (for a few reasons), and it was early. But it was a nice day overall ... just reading, chatting to a friend on the phoe, and generally being lazy!

I worked again this morning, and now here this afternoon ... so ...







11. How good are you at creating routines for housework? Do you have specific days for doing household tasks?
No
Mum used to have specific days for specific tasks, and even over Christmas it was only the 25th itself that lost its scheduled job. (Well, and if New Year's Day was a Monday Mum wouldn't do the washing!!)

12. In 1966 Adam West debuted in TV’s Batman. Do you have a favourite actor who has taken on the Batman role on TV or in film?
Sad to say, I love that series.

But, there again, Val Kilmer made a lovely Batman, in Batman Forever!

13. What’s the weather like where you live today? Is it typical for your area at this time of year?
Cold and greay ... overcast. But, at least it's dry.







Right, let's get this posted x

.

I worked on reception for 7 hours, and by the time I left I was actually wearing a coat ... on top of the 2 jumpers I had with me.  Wow - I think the wind was blowing straight from the North Pole, and nothing had stopped it on the way to me!

So I cam home and even put heating on, as well as more layers, but the thought of going to my study even to say Hello was just too much.

However the day wasn't a loss ... my neighbour called round to invite me to their birthday gathering.  I thanked him very much but said that I was too chilled etc, etc ... anyway, 1/2 an hour later he returned ...

Yes, he brought me dinner (soup & a main) so that I would both warm up, and wouldn't have the stress of doing the job of cooking.  That was one very special visit.


The previous day, I had finished the jigsaw a friend had lent me -


The, yesterday, I went out for the day with Christine, just loved this water-bowl in the entrance area -


I was in clinic today which was lovely, but just a one-off.  Now home for a few hours before heading back to do the evening on the reception desk.

Right, I want to get this posted, and hopefully some photos posted, but until then -




25. In Sweden it's Waffle Day - are you a fan of waffles and do you own a waffle maker? Have you a favourite recipe?
They are OK served with syrup ... Mum used to do them occasionally.

26. In 1881 Guccio Gucci, the Italian founder of the Gucci fashion house was born on this day. Do you own any designer items (or is there something you'd love to have from a fashion house if money were no object?)
No - I can't see spending money on clothes like that

27. World Theatre Day - have you ever seen a live play at a theatre? What would be your favourite play to see on stage?
Yes ... I have seen a few when I was in London. but the last was "Fiddler on the Roof" with Topol in 1983




Right, see you tomorrow x

Yes, today was their wedding day ... apparently very windy, but dry. Today is not really the same, as it is damp and still, oh well, maybe it will brighten up later.

I have been to get a couple of items at the shops and spotted the plants for sale. I did buy a geranium as the one by my front door didn't survive the winter. I haven't yet put it in, but aim to do a bit tomorrow.


Today I am trying to do some computer stuff before heading into work. I am on the main welcome desk today (and tomorrow).

As ever, before I post this -



World Water Day - a day to remember that not everyone has access to clean, safe water. Has the water to your home ever been cut off?
I drink quite a lot of water
A couple of years ago I went to fill a glass of ... brown sludge! Yes there had been some overnight work done and the filters hadn't worked. So that was a reminder that water is available, and how lucky we are in the UK.



Right, I am going to post some photos and then try and catch up with you all

... yes, it's scary how the days disappear so rapidly (and, no, it doesn't mean I am getting old!!)

Had a great sports massage yesterday ... lovely to get my shoulders untangled after all the travelling, change of beds etc.

Today is a computer morning, followed by an afternoon/evening on the switchboard. I just hope that I have remembered all that I was taught a few weeks back. As it turns out I have 3 shifts this week, so that will help to settle things in my brain, and also hopefully to learn at least one of the emergency routines.

Not the best of photos today, as taken on my phone, which is only a cheepo ... but I have my washing hanging over the stairwell. It is a great place to dry/air items, especially as today is very grey & bleak so would not dry outside.



And, I must do today's question ...


Al Jarreau, the American singer, was born on this day in 1940. Known for singing the theme to Moonlighting - did you enjoy the will they/won't they of Maddie and David?
Sorry, never saw it



Right I hope to get some more Egypt photos up soon x

For those who remember, Auntie Joyce was called Home at the beginning of December ... and, at long last, we are allowed to book the funeral. For those who have known me some time know that she caused me some problems ... and even in death it continues!

As she left most of her money to charity we have to do everything through the solicitor. Then to make matters worse, the plot she was planning to be buried in had been purchased in 1975 by her mother. There was enough space, and the family all knew ... but, Grandma died without leaving a will. So I had to get the land deeded to Auntie Joyce, as in English law it was Dad's, then mine & my brothers. So that has delayed things, although land registry moved rapidly in the end.

So, next week we have her funeral ... now to sort out what details we can. Even those have to go through the solicitor, but at least we have an amazing helpful undertaker.

So, plans for this morning are now a bit changed ... for one I was late logging on here.

Still, I have had a short walk, as I had to post a birthday card to Andrew's wife, and so extended it a bit (so I could take some photos). I am working this afternoon, and all day tomorrow.

So, as I wasn't around yesterday there are 2 days of photos, and 2 days of questions (to cover tomorrow).



Here are yesterdays photos.    The hospital, like all of them, have chapels, and this is part of ours.  In actual fact where I was working yesterday this was the view I had each time I walked back down through the department

The cross is special  Some years ago a sapling was brought from the olive tree in Kos (I have seen it, it's huge), that is meant to have been the tree Hippocrates sat by when he tended people.  So, as the father of modern medicine, a few place have done this.  Sadly about 15 - 20 years ago the tree was killed in a winter storm, and this was made of the main trunk -




As I said I have had a short, but nice walk this morning ... and look at the lovely frosty "statues"






Right, so as I said, I'm not here tomorrow ...



18. Do you like Chinese food - what would your ideal meal consist of and would you eat in a restaurant, get a takeout/delivery or cook your own?
I love, love, love Chinese food ... my favourite being Chicken & Cashew Nut with Egg-Fried Rice.
Yes, I have made it, but tend to go for take-away on the rare occasions I buy food that way.
And, yes, I eat with chop-sticks

19. National Popcorn Day? What would be your favourite flavour of popcorn?
I like it salted ... but can't really eat it as it is buttered, and being allergic to butter maeans that doesn't work with me!




Right, see you Saturday

Not a great photo, but taken out of my back door earlier. Mum used to call weather like this "concrete skies" and said it used to weigh down on her. I know what she means. It has been like that all day ... very odd



Still I have a couple of other photos to post which are more cheery.  I managed to fully catch up with the prompts over at photo_scavenger with these 2 pictures I took this afternoon  (The prompts weer four & rest).  Next month it is my turn to do the prompts so wanted to start it with a "clear slate"

Yes, I am a hoarder but this helps me with this prompt. I leant to read with Ladybird books ... and here are the #4's -


And here are the rest of the books -


More housework done this morning, more of my journal completed as well as some food shopping done.  I also made up a large saucepan of mince to either have as seperate meals, or a basis for something else.  So they are in bowls and in the freezer now.  I am lucky that in my shed I keep a second small freezer so things like this can go in there, rather than the smaller one in my kitchen.

So, now I want to get on with other things, and hopefully catch up with you all.  As ever -




28 – Good Neighbo(u)r Day: Are you a good neighbour? Do you even know your neighbours? Have you ever had any really bad experiences with a neighbour?
Well, I don’t have all-night parties, so does that count.
I have never really had much to do with any of my neighbours, but if needed I would certainly help them, or ask for help.




Right still a few more photos to post ... so, hopefully that will happen later x