Eternal Refuge

Two days ago was the 90th birthday of The Spitfire ... the iconic fighter plane of the British during WWII. Although The Hurricane was used more, the Spitfire, with it's iconic shape is the plane that is remembered ... the plane that people recognise, even to this day.

Back during the war Dad was living, and working, in the East End of London, and drew a few images of sights he saw ... this is one of them



Sadly, after the war he never really drew again. I really should have asked him why - but maybe it was his release of the horror he lived in, and then with peace, he didn't need that escape.

The weather has certainly turned colder, again ... but I have to remind myself that we are in March, still. Very grey, but at least it's dry.

Work was very odd yesterday ... so un-busy. I really don't know why, but some days are like that.

Had a good morning so far ... shopping, chatted to Brenda ... and collected a parcel that Tim & Claire left for me. I actually watched them put it in my recycling bin ... but obviously didn't have time to say Hello (I suppose that had other plans ... or better things to do with their day!)

Well on that "positive" note I must get on ... so ...






6. Have you ever seen a dinosaur skeleton?
I have been to the Natural History Museum loads of times.
When I was a pre-teen friends of my parents were having one of their fields dug to remove the sand when that production came to a halt, as bones were found. The Police were informed, as is law ... but it turned out to be a dinosaur, instead. It took 2 years to remove it!

7. Do you embrace technology or prefer things the way they used to be (or a bit of both)?
I much prefer life as it was ... although I do love my computer and being able to keep in touch with you all

8. It’s International Women’s Day – can you name any famous female artists, musicians, scientists or authors?
I was taught about Madam Marie Curie when I was about 9 ... and obviously we have had some amazing Queens in our history ... not forgetting people like Florence Nightingale, etc
So yes, the list goes on!




Right, I will catch up with you all later, but for me, until Monday ... see you then x

It would have been Dad's 100th birthday, so in a short while I am walking to Tim & Claire's and then we are walking into the city to have a meal out.  He used to like going out for a nice meal occasionally, so it seems fitting that we celebrate in such a way.

So, just thought I would share some photos of him again -












These 2 were taken 10 years ago -



I love this one, although you can see that Mum wasn't all that well - but lovely to see that after over 60years of marriage they are holding hands.


he was one really special person, and I still miss him, but know I will see him again in eternity.

And, seeing as it's dad's birthday I also need to wish deborahw37 a happy birthday, as well.  I know she has had a tough year, but I do hope that she has a lovely day today.

Work went OK this morning - really enjoyed being back in the clinic over the last couple of days.

So before I head out -






27. Are there songs that remind you of times in your life? Care to share the title of one and why?
I will admit sometimes hearing a song on the radio immediately takes me to a time & place.
One sone that really resonated at the time was "If tomorrow never comes" by Ronan Keating ... it was released a few months before I lost Jaykub. It now brings Mum & Dad to mind.
( Lyrics, if you don't know it )


Right ... I am going to have a lazy time, and look at some photos - will catch up with you tomorrow x

Worked this morning ... but trying to catch up now.

Had a really productive day in the end yesterday ... doing housework as well as writing up another day of my holiday journal. As ever I made notes while we were travelling around in France/Belgium, so I am transcribing them into a journal.

I then made the most of the lovely weather we had by walking a long way round to collect my regular prescription. Then later in the day I did another walk before getting my booster jab at my doctors. It was funny but, when I started work at the hospital, I had so many jabs that I thought I would never need anything further. However, I was advised to check before my Egypt trip and although I was OK for most of them I was missing one, and they said my tetanus booster was due anyway. So back in January I had the 2 jabs, and last night the booster one for Hepatitis A.

Actually I also was able to sit outside while I had a good chat with Auntie Mary, as well.

So, as I said, all in all a really good and productive day.







19. It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day! Have you read Robert Louis Stephenson’s Treasure Island?
No – although Dad loved it, and re-read it a few times.

20. Let’s talk pillows: soft/medium or hard? Synthetic/hypoallergenic, memory foam or feather (duck or goose)? How many are comfortable for you to sleep on?
Feather pillows.







Remembering the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This sketch was actually drawn at the time by Dad, who was living and working in East London, on the docks in that area.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few". Winston Churchill

... Yes, Dad would have been 99 today.  He thoroughly enjoyed his 90th birthday, which was the last one he celebrated at home with Mum ... so special memories for all of us -


For our family we never started Christmas until his birthday had been and gone However we now have reason to delay it further as my brother's boys have birthdays coming up (3 of the 4 anyway) .... so we really delay Christmas even further. However as I posted their pressies this morning, maybe as from tomorrow I need to get serious about my Christmas plans.

And, speaking of birthdays - I really want to wish deborahw37 a happy birthday, with love

I don't have any shifts this half of the week which is not great for the bank balance ... but is doing my health good. My Chronic Fatigue flared slightly, so doing a lazy week will be for the best for me.

So, I need to finish my last set of icons for November ... and even try and get my photos from London finished. You never know, I might actually get organised one day, although I doubt it! But, whatever I do -



27 – Pins and Needles Day: Can you sew, either by hand or by machine? What was the last thing you sewed?
Yes, and yes.
I haven't made much recently, but am aiming to get sewing again come the New Year.



Right, let's get on x

Giro was a German shepherd that belonged to the German ambassador to the United Kingdom, Leopold von Hoesch. As, by this time, the German government was under Adolf Hitler, it has been described as Britain's only Nazi memorial. Flowers are put on Giro's tombstone every February

"Giro"
Ein Treuer Begleiter
London Im Februar 1934
Hoesch.

EN: "Giro"
A faithful companion!
London in February 1934.
Hoesch.






It isn't far from St James park ... which brings back great memories as while at college we usually had our lunch there, so 4 years of good memories.





Memorial to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth


Back in 1979 we were evacuated from the building that we were using for our college due to a Bomb Scare from theI IRA.  I walked to Westminster Abbey, and in the ground between that and St Margaret's the Field of Remembrance was set up by the Royal British Legion.  Afetr that I went every year I lived in Essex (used to meet up with a couple of WWII veterans).  And, every November I have been to London I have been back -








Granddad C (and my 2 veteran friends) served in the Northamptonshire Regt

Granddad W served in the Coldstream Guards between the 2 wars

Dad served in the Home Guard durung much of the war.

Well shopping is done, and a cake is in the oven .... here for a short time before I get lunch and then head off to work (sadly I will miss tonights Strictly). Then tomorrow morning I will be heading out, but not to Church as a normal Sunday, but over to Essex to Auntie Joyce. She seems fairly positive she will move into the Care Home she has chosen. I have mixed feelings as I know she is not going to be happy, as she is too independant. However she is also feeling her age, and is aware that she tiries very easily. She also has no friends locally now ... so I suppose whichever choice she finally decides on, there is going to be stress!!!

So I am back there, and on Tuesday she has a rep from the home coming to assess her mobility etc. I don't know that we have a date yet, again up to Auntie Joyce, but I shall spend some time sorting, and maybe packing, clothes etc. She has so few ornaments/books/pictures that, unlike me, those decisions are easy for her to make.

One thing she did suprise me was actually asking me to travel tomorrow, as it was Dad's birthday. Sadly (from my point of view) that is literally the first time she has mentioned him since he died ... she even doesn't reply if I mention him (or mum) in passing. Still, it means I can use my daddy icon.

So I hope to be back next Friday ... but it may be earlier, or later that that ... but I am up to the end of the week with the meme, as you can see.



25. What makes you feel terrible while you’re doing it but great when you’re done?
Having a lazy morning, then not getting round to reading my Bible

26. How's your sleep been this week?
As ever, very good (I must have a nice clear conscience!!)

27. What is the purpose of art in society? You can define "art" as broadly as you like.
I love all the galleries etc
I do like street-art, such as Banksie, as they often brighten up a dark corner. There are some great memorials to remind us of people and events.
Whether inside, or out, I will admit I don't understand "modern" styles ... I like to see something I can actually recognise, in whatever form

28. November 28 is "Red Planet Day". Do you think humans will ever get to Mars? Is this an endeavour that we should be devoting resources toward or would the money be better spent here on earth?
I love sci fi ... a huge Star Trek, and Stargate fan. However as I look around money needs to be spent on improving this green planet, before we going looking at the red

29. If everything else about your life stayed the same, how well could you get by living homeless for a year?
Seeing as I love reading, would have to swap my Kindle and just read books (so can I have a library ticket, please)

30. What in your residence is approaching its last days?
My Hoover

1. Who was the president/prime minister/leader of your country when you were born?
Queen Elizabwth II
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC, FRS, was Prime Minister (had to look that up)

2. What is the best way to spiffy-up french fries?
Chips - salt & malt vinegar
French fries - just salt


Right so as I said, I am off now and will be back the end of next week.

Hope you all have a good week ... try not to have too much fun, without me xx

These are for Challenge 175 at moviefilmstills  and the prompt os a "free for all".  It's hard to decide what to do!

So I have made 5 icons from the film "Some Like It Hot" ... it was my Dad's favourite film, and one I love.  When I was in California I went to the Coronado Hotel (and used the loo!!)  So lots of fun memories as I made these

                     

Enjoy!

And, I thought I would start with a few "random" pictures ... starting with the reminder that Christmas is truly on it's way ... well, according to London!!!



Regent Street

Oxford Street



Outside the Kensington Museums (and no, I didn't have a go)

And so to Hyde Park Corner

Apsley House which has the address of 1, London.  It is the home of Lord Wellington, and yes I did visit, but no photography permitted.


Wellington Arch, and again, I did visit, but nothing much to photograph.

Part of the Royal Artillery War Memorial

And, I did see some areas of Hyde Park in general.

This is the one memorial that is truly moving, and yes I did actually cry.  As the logo says, "Animals have no choice"

As you can see lots of animals are etched on the image, with 2 heavily laden mules ... walking through to ....

... sheer peace on the horse & dog.




Maybe another year I will get organised to have a ride.  This is Rotton Row, which if you have ever read any stories set in Regency London you would have heard about it ... so yes an historical route.

One of the many reasons I went to London was to go to the Field of Remembrance at St Margaret's.





Yes, I planted a cross for Dad in the Home Guard section ... as well as both my Grandfather's in The Northamptonshire Regiment, and The Coldstream Guards.  I also planted a cross for my 2 friends from The Northamptonshire Regt, as well.

As I walked along the Embankment I looked at The Battle of Britain memorial, which is well worth a visit if you haven't seen it yet


One of my pet moans of modern life, and most people is that they are so busy looking at their phones, they never see the amazing things around them, such as -



So, there we are, a few images of my trip to London ... loads more to post ... beware!

Where do the days go?

Dad was called Home 5 years ago, and in so many ways it seems like yesterday.



I love these photos with him ... we were meant to be getting a nice photo of the 2 of us, but to get him to smile we started teasing him, and then he and I got the giggles. I am so glad the photos were captured.

I miss him (and Mum) very much, however over the last 18 months I have actually said that I am glad they have died as they would never have coped with Covid at their ages.


Today's clinic went well ... and again they were nice men. So, all in all, a really nice week. I have gone to the cemetery this afternoon as well, so all in all a good day, so far!

Now I really need to start thinking about the clothes I need to pack for my trip. I leave on Sunday, adn so far the weather forecast is not great ... as I am actually flying it means I need to be able to pack sensibly, rather than my last few trips where I have taken the car and can throw in whatever I want, as well as the actual packed case!

But, as ever -


2. Have you ever had any teeth pulled?
Yes - quite a few. The last was a couple of years ago I had a Wisdom Tooth removed. Just after Dad died I lost a front tooth (stress!) ... and did wonder if I was going to lose another tooth earlier in the year after losing Jiffy. (And 4 or 5 others)

This morning they had the anniversay service at Westminster Abbey for the Battle of Britain.  So thought I would share this picture that Dad drew at the time.  It is one of a dozen that I have that he did - mostly of WWII sights ...



Dad lived in the East of London, and worked on the docks in Barking ... so for him The Battle of Britain was something he lived in.


Well as I am here, I cam meme, as well -

20 What’s your favorite kind of bread?
Sorry, but I just like white, or wholemeal, bread ... boring, but yummy