Eternal Refuge

At least the viral bugs are easing ... and the pain from the salivary gland infection is almost gone ... so am feeling more positive.  So much so I made some lemon biscuits today (which are rapidly disappearing!!)

I haven't gone to Auntie Joyce's today - both with me not feeling like pushing it, and having to do the drive; but also she is not feeling great.  When I spoke to her earlier this week we agreed that I would go up there in another months time.

I don't know if others in England have been watching the Michael Portillo American train show, well I have really enjoyed the last few days as he has been travelling to Boston, Salem, etc ... So bringing back great good memories of the last week of the holiday last July.  As most of you didn't see my blog, I thought I would share a couple of photos -

Salem -

Plymouth Rock (it is inside the building)

Plimouth Plantation

Boston (Tea Party)

Boston ... and, yes, that is gold!

Well, as I said when I posted my icons life has been hectic. I actually managed to work for a couple of weeks this last month, but tried struggling to get fully organised. I am still struggling to stop coughing, but am managing to manage it (most of the time).

I had to cancel going to Tim's on Saturday evening as I had a really bad day. Mine had been an after-thought invite, but it would have been good to all be together, as well as with Claire's family.

On Sunday I managed to get to the Carol service in the evening .. and the rehearsal during the afternoon. With sleep and Ventolin I was able to cope.

Then last Monday I went to Longleat with Brenda. It's near where they live and I had never been. They go often, as there are lots of various things to do. We had organised to meet up so we could go to their Christmas Light festival ... but started by going through the safari. I told Brenda that the last time I had gone on a Safari was when I was 9 ... we went to Woborn, and in the on car was Mum, Dad, Grandma & Granddad, Nick and Tim (at 4 & 3). 1970 was the year!

( Off to foreign countries )

So, as promised .... here is my London Post #4

In England we keep the 2nd Sunday of November as Remembrance Sunday, as well as actually on the 11th, as well.  This year was the first year that The Queen would not be laying a wreath.  Prince Philip had pulled out, but at the age of 95 and wearing full dress uniform complete with sword, it can't be easy to walk backwards off the steps.  The Queen opted to stay with him, but again it's not the easiest manouver.

Therefore the security was greater this year ... complete with face recognition photography, scans and extra police .... as well as bag searches.  However, as you will see, the Queen was much more visible than she had been in the past.

Still, as well as seeing her, it was lovely to be part of our national memorial.


( Two minutes silence )

As I said yesterday, my meander around Tower Hill was because I was on my way to HMS Belfast. I have been a couple of times in the past, the last time was when I visited with Annemarie back in 1986!!

Wikepedia -
HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a light cruiser built for the Royal Navy, currently permanently moored on the River Thames in London, England, and operated by the Imperial War Museum.

Construction of Belfast, the first ship in the Royal Navy to be named after the capital city of Northern Ireland and one of ten Town-class cruisers, began in December 1936. She was launched on St Patrick's Day 1938. Commissioned in early August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany. In November 1939, Belfast struck a German mine and spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Belfast returned to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment, and armour. Belfast saw action escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union during 1943 and in December 1943 played an important role in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944, Belfast took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings. In June 1945, Belfast was redeployed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet, arriving shortly before the end of the Second World War. Belfast saw further combat action in 1950–52 during the Korean War and underwent an extensive modernisation between 1956 and 1959. A number of further overseas commissions followed before Belfast entered reserve in 1963.

During WWII, Dad volunteered for the Navy, and with his job, he would have ended up in the engine room. However because of his job he was actually in a reserved occupation (working on The Thames, although further along the Essex coast).

( Permission to be piped aboard )

... or is it "Tie Spike to a chair, and make a bear" Day

Anyway, whichever one, I hope that those who celebrate have a lovely day with family and friends .... and here is a picture of Plymouth Rock, to remind us where this all started from.

..... of what, you ask!

This is the fifth viral infection that has floored me this year .... twice since I got back from The States.  All my doctor notes is that I am unlucky.  At least this time I didn't get stuck in bed for a month.

I was taken ill suddenly on Sunday, having had a normal Saturday, I saw my doctor the following day, and he said it was a viral sinus infection that had totally screwed my asthma.  Anyway I am certainly a lot better, although not 100%, however I am still going to London, as planned, tomorrow.

I took Jiffy to Moira this afternoon, and I was pleased that he pulled towards her when we got there, so was pleased he was obviously happy.  She did ask about my past questions and worries, but I assured her that if I had been truly concerned then I wouldn't have re-booked him.  So I was also impressed that she raised the matter, I wasn't going to.

So he is on holiday, and I go tomorrow.  So having been MIA this week with the bugs, I will be missing until next week.  I will be taking photos (of course), but am not keeping a blog on this trip, and will post a few photos next week.  I will try to get caught up with comments before I go, however I haven't thought about packing, and need an early night.

So, see you all on the flip-side ... and hopefully see deborahw37 sooner than that!!

I posted some photos of Wells Cathedral here and am now adding a few photos from outside, and around the city.

( Enjoy a stroll )

And a final photo found in the toilets of the Bishops Palace tea-shop



The Bishops Palace photos are still to come.

Well over the last couple of weeks I have popped in & out, but realise that I actually haven't done a proper update - just the icons that I made.  So decided I would do a quick points update ... and as ever try to be better in the coming days ;)

• I am back at work now.  Luckily I had booked a couple of random days off over the last couple of weeks, so this way I can catch up.  After a day at work I still feel pretty tired, but am not having problems with working the full 8 hours, so that is good.


• I went back to the gym this week, and although I only managed 3/4 of a class I still was pleased to be there.  I did 20mins core training yesterday, and boy do I ache!!


• On Friday my friend Christine & I went to Wells for the day (photos to follow).  Again it was great that I was able to cope with the driving ... as well as the sight-seeing.


• Poor Jiffy got attacked by a dog from across the road.  We were walking along and it just escaped from it's house and attacked ... luckily Jiffy was un-hurt, although a bit bruised.  I was nervous about taking him out the following day, and I will admit he looks warily at other dogs, but so far has been the same as ever


• I did take Jiffy for a check-up with Marni and she said he was OK, but has put him on steroids as she is worried that his nerves will increase his itching .... something I certainly don't want him to have to cope with.  Especially with Firework day coming up, and a break for me.


• Yes, Thursday week I am off to London for a break, and to go to the Cenotaph service ... be prepaired to be photo-spammed!


• The following weekend to that I shall be going to Clacton again.  My Aunt is not doing well (I had a day trip there 3 weeks ago).  She has never been the easiest of people to deal with ... so being "low", and 90, has made that even worse I am sorry to say.


• I have actually started a bit of Christmas shopping - but I need to be more organised.  I need to tidy space in my spare room (yes, that project is still hardly started), and then I can know where I am, and what I have, or don't have.

Well, that's about all, I think.  I do hope those whose posts I have missed are doing OK.

I joined photo_scavenger when it started and in her latest post, curiouswombat pointed out that a lot of people have drifted away.  I will admit I am one of them, despite my best intentions.  I wonder how many on my f-list are members ... and if so if they ever have a go.  All it is, is one photo-challenge per week.

Anyway, as I'm off sick with flu, I have gone through this years holiday photos to post the last 6 colour challenges.  All were in America, July 2017.

Colourful, brown, orange, grey white, blue

( This way to the colours )

So, pop over and have a go!

Well my last 2 posts have both been from Salisbury, which was half of the coach trip I went on with Christine.  The other half was Stonehenge, which I should imagine everyone has heard of.

I had been before ... age 3, so didn't remember much!!!!!

There is a new visitor centre, which is well laid out, but don't bother stopping at the coffee shop ... the cake I had was dry, and then I got stung on the foot by a bee!

( A step back in time )