Sunday, 9thMarch, 2025
Gorgeous, warm and sunny morning. How lovely for little Catherine to celebrate her 70th birthday. It astonishes me to even say that. Catherine is 70!
Still, it comes to us all. I’ve made her a home-made card. As I was always told, they are so much more meaningful. As she lives just down the road from me, I know she is enjoying the same, lovely weather and will be able to enjoy a glass of wine in the garden today to celebrate her achievements.
Catherine was born in 1955. It was a different world as some of these photos suggest. Actually, she has just sent me a photo of her own Memory Board with many photos I haven’t seen before.
Funnily enough, I was looking through the 1911 and 1921 Census records yesterday. I love that sort of thing. Found out some fascinating stuff that I didn’t know.
Mum was born a Coghlan. Her Dad, my Grandad was James Jeremiah Coghlan (Irish extract Roman Catholic) who was born in 1894 in Brighton. I even have a photo of the house and street where he was born although it was redeveloped long ago.
When I first knew my Grandad in any cognisant state, he was living in Croydon and managed the furniture department of a store in central London. When he retired, he moved up to the Midlands near us, opened an Antiques Shop and did his own re-upholstering of old furniture. He was proud of his skills.
I didn’t know and never met any of his siblings – my Aunts and Uncles. I certainly didn’t know of his father, Daniel (Born 1851) – my Great Grandfather – or his Mother, Mary Coghlan (Born 1856) or his Grandmother, Mary Fielding (Born 1828) – my Great Great Grandmother – at all.
I’m going out to tidy up the garden and enjoy the sunshine before I do my Gym routine. I’m listening to Elgar today. We are seriously on the edge of World War 3. I honestly believe that these are the conditions that crept up on the world unnoticed before the Second World War and the foundations are forming again. The Elgar I’m listening to is the Nimrod Variation. Nimrod the warrior is all around us now. The Tory government scrapped a new fleet of Nimrod submarine hunters which cost almost £4bn to develop, just before they were due to enter service as part of drastic defence cuts four years ago
Monday, 10th March, 2025
A grey, warm morning. Missing yesterday’s blue sky and sunshine already. We have been experiencing lovely, warm and sunny Spring days recently. The world (locally) is turning back to life. Now we are told it will flip back momentarily to colder times. Daffodils and crocuses will survive the blip but tree blossom may not. We haven’t gone quite that far yet with just nascent buds appearing so all will be well. The shorts and tee shirt can stay in the wardrobe for a few more days.
I used to be a climate change denier. There, I’ve said it. I am no longer, although I harbour a residual suspicion that historical world climate events don’t suggest man-made change is entirely the explanation. However, not to be churlish, my sister, JaneBG has shamed me into accepting the inevitable. I thought I would preface today’s Blog post with that admission.
I used to live on the edge of the Pennines in West Yorkshire for many years and a recurring story of the moors being on fire came each year. They are ritually set on fire as a part of land management, burning off the old growth to encourage new shoots to emerge and blossom over the Summer. It would also happen as tinder dry heather was sparked into fire by careless recreation of a thrown away cigarette or barbecue. I don’t remember hearing of fires in early March … until this year.
Moor fires above Huddersfield on Holmfirth Road and Diggle in Oldham over the last few days.
I am not a Geographer or a Scientist and I do not have a proper understanding of Climate Science. I rely on others. Recently the concept of Global Warming has been qualified by the possibility of Europe actually cooling. This scenario is unlikely to affect my Generation although warming is already something I am addressing. Installing Air Conditioning in the house and preparing to use less water in the garden are both becoming necessities now. I must admit, I would rather deal with warming than have to heat for cooling but it will neither be in my gift or, probably, my lifetime.
My expected lifespan – as an average for those born in 1951 – is 87 years which means just 13 more. A woman born in 1951 can expect to live to 89 years. That is my challenge – to beat the 87 ceiling. That should be all our challenges, Dear Reader. World War 3 could put that under serious strain even if I am not called upon to fight.
I so enjoyed the Elgar yesterday that I couldn’t wait to play more this morning. Today I am focussing on Enigma Variations: Variation VI. Ysobel – Andantino. Ysobel is a Hebrew name which means to struggle with god and led to the naming of Israel. Not many people know that.
Tuesday, 11th March, 2025
A bit overcast this morning but warm and humid. I am putting myself through another test this morning. I’ve volunteered for Our Future Health a collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors to build the UK’s largest health research programme – bringing people together to develop new ways to prevent, detect and treat disease. Of course, I’m only doing it because they are going to pay me £10.00 for my services. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sample are all taken and recorded. There is no hiding place.
I volunteered immediately my surgery suggested me and I am happy to offer my unique body for the country’s amusement. I assume they have only invited gods and other people of true beauty. Even the organisation can’t really believe my willingness to take part. They have emailed and texted me to confirm my appointment constantly since.
I am going for a 9.00 am appointment at a clinic opposite the beach. I’m not sure how often this will happen but it will have to fit in with my travel plans this Summer.
I weigh myself every morning first thing and I am still well on course. Down again today. I have definitely got the right balance of calories in and calories out at the moment. Over Breakfast, I tested my INR (2.9) and checked my Blood Pressure. Both were good. I think my Blood Pressure is excellent at the moment.
However, that turned out to be the high point. Out at 8.30 am and straight in to rush hour traffic. The drive took me 3 times as long as normal. Parked up by the beach (£3.40) and rushed down the promenade to the testing centre to find a small paper notice pinned to the window – CANCELLED – Testees will have been notified by Text. I hadn’t received a text at all, Dear Reader. You can only imagine how disappointed I was.
Across the road, down at the beach, the sun was just starting to break through the clouds but the area was almost deserted. I’m not sure why but a number of stone pillars have been installed covered in photographs of all the seaside opportunities available for visitors to explore.
The drive home was much quieter and, over coffee, I phoned the Future Health Head Office to receive a bland apology and request to book again. I will give them one more chance but that’s all.
After coffee and a walk, I am going to finish tidying up the back garden this afternoon while my Decorator complretes the re-painting of the groundfloor of the house. It’s a hive of industry here at the moment. I like a good handyman (woman). Very cheap!
Hey, baby, I’m your handy man
I’m not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I’m handy with the love and I’m no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I truly can
So, you’ll understand my musical choice of the day is James Taylor: Handy Man. Always liked James Taylor and I don’t really know why. I think it is the cool thoughtfulness of the lyrics that appeals to me although I’m not sure it holds up with this song.
I don’t know if this happens to you but it is increasingly happening to me, Dear Reader. Over coffee this morning, I watched a rolling news presentation by Manchester United of proposals to spend £Billions on the building of a new stadium complex which will help regenerate the North of England. It all sounded good and was said to be aimed to open in 5 years time. Wonderful and quite quick …. until I realise by the time this stadium is opened, I will be 79 years old. It is all so unfair and explains why I am so urgent to do things I want to do before my hair falls out and/or I fall off my perch.
Wednesday, 12th March, 2025
A mild but grey morning. My Carer is out. She is moonlighting as a Cat Carer this morning. She tries to fit this in to her portfolio of careers as a Carer, Housekeeper, Chef and Painter & Decorator. It is an unpaid service that she offers to the neighbours when they are away. This morning she is next door feeding two cats Duck in Sauce at 7.30 am. Can you imagine it?
Taking the car in for work this morning. They’ll only need it for a couple of hours so I’ll walk home and then back to collect it. Meanwhile, the Cat Carer will don another cape and become Chef to make a batch of Hot Cross Buns before swapping capes and continuing the Painting & Decorating. It’s exhausting, isn’t it, Dear Reader.
I’ve booked an alternative trip to the Medical Research Clinic for early next month and I have found a scanning service which I’m interested in following up. I read about it in The Times. Neko Health offers a comprehensive body scan which really covers a full amount of data.
There is only one UK site at the moment and that is in Marylebone, Westminster so that is where I will go but it looks as if the principle could be the future for NHS processes although I may not see much of it in my lifetime.
The sun has come out in time for my walk and the world looks lovely. My friend in North Yorkshire had his car stolen just after Christmas and still has no car. I’ve been without mine for less than an hour and I feel very uncomfortable. I’m soothing myself with a song from Bocelli: Lo Ci Sarò – I’ll Be There. Kevin is sunning himself in Spain. It is certainly sunnier and warmer than here but no so distinctly as it will be in another month.
Here, tree buds have broken, daffodils and hyacinths are in full bloom and gardeners are on their starting blocks for the new season. You can feel change is in the air. I’m looking forward with optimism, Dear Reader. New beginnings.
Thursday, 13th March, 2025
Glorious morning. Blue sky and sunshine. Early walk this morning before driving up to Surrey to see smarty-M from Florida. All night the aroma of freshly-baked, hot cross buns has wafted through the house and now they are packaged up for transport in the car. I am hard into my diet. Chef is taunting me with her cooking.
I must admit that they do look good. I hope, M, P&C enjoy them when I’m not there. Actually, I am so far into the diet that the sweet, fruit bread doesn’t really tempt me for long.
For a number of years, I have been disciplining myself to save and invest the maximum ISA amount for both of us each year. The maximum currently is £20,000 x 2. We are just about to do that again on April 6th, my 74th birthday and the start of the new Tax Year. Our tax -free investment allowance each year is just £1,000.00 x 2 so we are facing increasingly punishing tax bills and ISAs are the only way to shelter our cash from tax.
That is what I’ve been researching recently. I think a fixed rate for a couple of years is the best way to go. Despite the financial instability engendered by the Trump administration, I have reasonable confidence that inflation won’t soar out of hand and that a fixed rate can be relied on to make positive profits over a 24-month period if I’m not paying any tax on it.
They may be positive but they’re not very big. The maximum ISA for two people – £40,000.00 will only earn £3,605.80 over two years. Even if inflation comes back to the Bank of England norm of 2%, that would be worth just £1,879.00 in inflation adjusted value. If I move our ISAs of the last few years in as well, it is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick but not a great deal.
Even if I invest it outside the ISA, tax-free wrapper, I can only get a marginal increase so it’s not a difficult decision …. unless the ISA route is limited by a future Budget which has been rumoured.
Te voglio bene assai
Ma tanto tanto bene, sai
È una catena ormai
Che scioglie il sangue dint’e vene, sai
One of the joys of driving up to Surrey is that I have time to listen to a political podcast from The Newsagents. It will probably be a series of discussions about Trump, Canada and Mark Carney. It is my sort of thing and it will speed the journey up. Befre that, I am listening to one of the most emotional songs I’ve ever heard. It makes my cry every time I hear it. Andrea Bocelli’s, Caruso.
What should make us all cry and then stand up and fight is scarily spelled out in this French Senator’s speech to the French Senate yesterday. It takes 8 minutes and you have translation subtitles to follow but it is well worth it. Truly spellbinding.
Friday, 14th March, 2025
Lovely, sunny morning after a crystal clear night. The garden was floodlit with moonlight and looked magical. As I drove back from Surrey yesterday, the skies opened and heavy rain hit cold air which turned it into hail. We are on that unpredictable edge of winter into warmer times.
Back home, the sun came out and I did an hour’s walk in brilliant sunshine but was faced with this ominous cloud on my way back. Just made it before the skies opened.
I have plants out in the cold frames and they need to be at the moment. Last night, we went down to 0C/32F at low point. Some bulbs we were given at Christmas are ready to be lifted out and given the open air now. We have been tidying up the garden in readiness. People all around us have been cutting lawns really short. I have held off and I won’t do anything until next week and warm weather returns. It is easy to harm grass by cutting it too soon.
Ten years ago, we were still in Surrey but preparing to drive up to West Yorkshire. I recorded the differing conditions on the that day and they were stark in contrast. I, for one, can’t wait for warmer times to be confirmed and stable.
Pauline received a thankyou of flowers from our lovely, next door neighbours for looking after their cats. They are beautiful – the flowers not the cats. I love cut flowers. All donations welcome.
Por mi que estoy ahora aqui
Y sueo cosas cosas que no s de ti
Dnde estaras?
Qu calle andaras?
En tu retorno
Sueo
Just about to go out for a walk now at 1.00 pm and the rain starts right on queue. It isn’t forecast to be around for long. I’m going to listen to a lovely Bocelli song – Sogno (Dream). Love these words. The Italian is so beautiful. I won’t do any more, I promise.
Saturday, 15th March, 2025
The garden was flooded in the most beautiful moonlight last night – magical and compelling. I woke thinking about it and all the other human beings looking at the same light in the sky. While I write this Blog today, I am listening to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and dreaming of the silver light now gone.
An early walk in lovely sunshine which was deceptively cold as the breeze held a raw edge. Still, it was good to get that done. Chatted to Kevin in Spain and Peter in Dubai and then got on with a task I have set myself. I love cut flowers in the house but they have to be replaced so often that we have a few Faux Flower arrangements around the place. This one in the Hall has been there for over 12 months and I am beginning to not notice it other than it is too tall and blocks the mirror when I want to admire my figure. And we can’t have that. I am looking to replace them.
There are lots of sites on the web that sell them but you have to pay for quality. I have selected a few for my Housekeeper to comment on. I’m not completely convinced by any of them yet. They average around £150.00 for an arrangement in a vase but they will be replacing fresh cu flowers for twelve months plus so that is a reasonable price to pay.
I want them to look as natural as possible while not dominating everything else. I don’t know what you think of these choices, Dear Reader. You could always let me know although your voice will be ignored just as much as mine, ultimately, as the Housekeeper decides.
I’m going in the Gym to bury myself in the absorbing fiction of Homelands. I need it right now because the post has just arrived with two more, huge tax demands. I’m thinking of emigrating!