14/2/2017 0 Comments St. Valentine's Day catchup ...
More workflow issues (or lack of it) mean, my Lucky Reader that you are privy to another bloggy update this month.
My Mum was 84 on Sunday.
I went up to visit The Duchess and we had a celebratory gin and tonic with the inevitable Egg and Chips lunch.
I had a nice day at the RHS Gardens at Wisley on Sunday 4 February.
I can't recall when or if I had been previously, but it turned out to be a really good day. Breakfast at Morrisons and then a nice stroll with friends and their family around the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens. <photos here>
I visited the local Baptist Church a few days before to make my donation of the red stuff.
This time I managed to get through in an hour and a quarter. It should be less, as the registration takes about 2 minutes and the initial form filling and test another 6 or 7. In my own experience the donation part is normally less than 15 minutes. At my previous appointment, I did not get to the chair and left disgruntled after 1 hour 40 minutes, as time was pressing. The donor sessions are apparently booked to 120% capacity to ensure a good turn out. If everyone turns up, the system grinds to a halt and leaves regular donors frustrated. That said, I think it is a good thing to do if you are able to and I would like to see more people do it. I think that a poster campaign said that 96% of the population rely on the 4% who give blood.
Last Tuesday, I went for "farewell" drinks and a meal with my old Scouting buddies.
I expected a few comments and pleadings to stay or to do just one last camp, but it was a little intense at times: "You just have to come to camp and cook" "What about the poor cubs that haven't had an Eggybread breakfast ?". "Who will use the oval pans now ?" "My wife doesn't want to come and help if you aren't there" "Pete promised me a free evening if I got you to come" I am stepping away from Scouting - I feel it is the right thing for me to do now. The 24 years I have done Scouting has in the main been very enjoyable, and given me great and happy memories. But everything has it's season. That really just about sums up why I am stepping aside.
There has been a definite flow of Valentine's Day gifts through the Postroom today.
Not as many cards as I have seen previously, but many many couriers have brought flowers for lucky recipients. All of which is fine, but why people feel the need to gush their undying love on this one day of the year, I just don't understand. What about the other 364 days of the year? That is all I am saying.
That is about it for now, Dear Reader.
Let's be careful out there. Pip, pip...
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3/2/2017 0 Comments 33 days in and counting
There seems to be a bit of a post-New Year lull in the workflows at the office, so it is opportune to let my reader know if anything has happened in the Ratters Universe or is about to kick off.
To finish off 2016 antics, here is a quick run down.
Since my last diary update, I have been pretty busy in a small time way.
On 17 December, I was ridiculously excited to make a flying visit to Eastbourne to take a look at the Festive Coca-Cola truck which was touring the UK.
I have loved the TV adverts since I first became aware of the "Holidays are coming... Holidays are coming" broadcast in the UK since the 1980s, so it was nice to see this sparkly beast. <see more photos here> After the "traditional" two hour argument as to whether or not she would get into my car to come down for a few days over Christmas, my Mum was installed at mine on Christmas Eve. We had a quiet time, but enjoyable. Christmas lunch was very relaxing with Chris and Charlotte, but was strange as I wasn't cooking. On 30 December we ventured out to the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill to see this season's pantomime, Cinderella. It was very enjoyable and actually full of laughs. The cast put on a really good show. I took my Mum back up to London the following morning, and in the afternoon met up with a good friend and went off to the RHS gardens at Wisley to see the Christmas Glow event.
This was a trail around part of the grounds which had been illuminated as was really beautiful and a lovely way to spend New Year's Eve.
<see more photos here> On New Years Day, we spent the day and had a leisurely walk around Virginia Water. After a breakfast roll and coffee, it was a nice wake up! <more photos here>
During early January, I got around to making up the Lego Yellow Submarine that James, Chris, Tara and Charlotte gave me for Christmas.
It is just so cool ! <more photos here>
22 January saw a very cold and crisp trip to walk in Bushy Park with friends and their families.
Thermoses of Hot Chocolate warded off the worst of the cold and my scootering skills were confirmed too ! <more photos here>
On 28 January, my good friend and I went on a day trip to Hastings. She has similar memories of family trips as me, and and it was good to see the Old Town with it's fishing history.
<more photos here>
On Sunday 29 January, my good friend and I decided to take an impromptu visit to Woburn Safari Park.
The weather was wet, but it did not dampen the fun. Close up encounters with Monkeys too. Lions, Tigers and Bears - Oh My!! A fabulous day <more photos here>
I think that that is about enough for now.
Lunch is calling! Pip pip and all that. Until next time. |
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