Friday 28th September 2012.

Mild but again a showery day.
Blog today is putting on record where we stand with Mother. Hopefully I can get back to my 'normal' blog next week.
My Mother
**********
Putting it bluntly, this Summer has been a nightmare dealing with how Mum has become so frail and her unhelpful attitude to obtain help. Every time I made arrangements for help she cancelled.
Came to a head during August/September when we (and Jill) were getting phone calls at a rate of every ten minutes. Hard to believe but at times this week every two minutes.
Yesterday we agreed to a room at Warren Lodge Care Home with Mum able to move in on Sunday. Have also agreed Care Home Help three times a day until Sunday. This will give us time to organise the move. Have spent the day with Mum trying to reason with her and thankfully has now accepted after first of all saying she was not moving!
Have a busy weekend ahead but hopefully we soon can get our lives back and Mother will be happier with care and no responsability.
Fingers crossed!

Thursday 27th September 2012

Mild but showery day.
Spent morning at ALTW taking in Birthday Buns for the Lads. Good to catch up with news and gossip!
Afternoon viewing a Nursing Home with Jill and Lorna. More about this tomorrow.

Wednesday 26th September 2012

Mild showery day.
Meeting with Financial Advisor to cover all aspects of Mothers money in preperation for the worst.
Afternoon spent helping with the weekly food shop.

Tuesday 25th September 2012

Change in weather. A good warm Autumnal Day.
While Lorna spent day with my Mother I emptied cases and dealt with washing etc.
Came home to find the Useful Room full of tiny Moths, traced to the Bird Food storage drawers. Food now stored outside, room cleared of Moths so hopefully we can have the room back!

Monday 24th September 2012

Mild but again very wet.
Early Breakfast at Fortnum & Mason, Highland Salmon and Scrambled Egg for me. Scrummy!
After breakfast an hour window shopping at The Burlington Arcade before a further visit to F & M for a spot of food shopping.
With the celebration weekend coming to an end we finished with mid morning tea at the F & M Coffee Shop.

Back to the Hotel to pack and Taxi to Paddington. Arrived back home at 3.15pm.
Many thanks to The Girls for organising this celebration weekend. So much appreciated.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Breakfast at F & M.
       "          5 - Burlington Arcade.
       "          6 - Mid morning Tea at F & M (note the icecream cornet clipped to side of cup).

Sunday 23rd September 2012 (65th Birthday).

Mild but very wet day.
Morning spent at Buckingham Palace, lucky enough to also spend time adoring some of the Queen's Jewelery. Was unable to walk round much of the grounds due to the dreadful weather. Dissapointed as wanted to spend time at the Lake.
After a light lunch at the Hotel and an afternoon rest we called a Taxi to the Ritz where we enjoyed afternoon Tea.
Brilliant service, quality food, attention to detail 100%. Presented me with a Birthday Cake and the Piano Player played 'Happy Birthday!' What an experiance.
Back to the Hotel for bedtime drink and reflecting on the day.
Picture 1 - Lake in the grounds of the Palace.
     "     2 - Tea at the Palace.
     "     3 - Mr & Mrs.T at The Ritz.
     "     4 - Me & Nigel enjoying tea at The Ritz.
     "     5 - Birthday Cake!

Saturday 22nd September 2012

A good, warm sunny day for starting the long weekend of 65th celebrations in London with Nigel and Lyn. Nigel also celebrating his 65th.
Departed on the 9.30am train from Reading arriving at Paddington at 10am. A Taxi to the Crown Plaza in Buckingham Gate, check in and out ready to se the Changing of the Guard in beautiful late summer sunshine. Crowds were 5 deep, was amazed.
A good walk then to Regent Street for a drink and snack before our time slot of 2pm at the Ice Bar. Unbelievable venue, Bar, stools, Glasses, Walls etc all sculptured in Ice retaining a constant temp' of -5. Dressed as an Eskimo you are allowed 40 minutes to enjoy and savour the experiance. We surely did!
A stroll up Regent Street followed, calling in to Hamley's Toy Shop where we had heard some of the Royal Family were also visiting.
Back to the Hotel for a rest and change before hitting the West End where a Moroccan Meal with Belly Dancer had been booked. Girls did us proud in booking this!! A fantastic meal in a very friendly establishment.
After the meal we enjoyed an evening stroll taking in Leicester Sq, Soho, Piccadilly & China Town. Shattered, a taxi then back to the hotel.
A Great Day.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Lizz & Phil enjoying Changing of the Guard.
      "             3 - Royal Family enjoying an afternoon in Hamley's.
      "      4 & 5 - Ice Bar London.
      "             6 - Spotted in a Wine Bar in Regent Street.
      "      7 & 9 - Moroccan evening.
      "            10 - Hotel entrance.

Friday 21st September 2012

A warm day spoilt by showers late afternoon.
Back into Town again to purchase a White Shirt, on packing I noticed all my white shirts were pretty worn!
By evening all ready for the 'off' tomorrow. On the agenda:

• Afternoon session at the Ice Bar.
• Tea at The Ritz.
• Breakfast at F & M.
• A Show.
• Moroccan Evening Dinner with Belly Dancer.
• Visit to Buckingham Palace.

All this a contrast to the Yorkshire Holiday!

Thursday 20th September 2012

Another warm and sunny day.
Much of the day spent at the Audiology Dpt at the RBH before walking into Town to spend money on Clothes for the impending Celebrations in London.

Wednesday 19th September 2012

A warm, sunny day. Day spent unpacking, reflecting and downloading pictures.
Enjoyed an evening meal at The Heron On The Lake with Lulu and Clive celebrating Birthdays.
Picture 1 - Robin on Post.
     "     2 - Robin taking advantage of me re-filling the Bird Food Storage Drawers!
     "     3 - Young Dove resting in the afternoon Sun.
     "     4 - Doog and three legged Snarfy, they love each other to bits (Snarfy is one of three Cats Lulu and Clive own on top of the Cats they look after on behalf of the CPS).

Tuesday 18th September 2012

Another warm, sunny day. Ideal driving conditions for the trip home.
Mixed up in a rather nasty M1 accident so nearly a six hour trip. Stopped at the Narrowboat Inn at Weeden for a rest and Dinner.
Picture taken at the Narrowboat Inn.

Monday 17th September 2012

A good warm day spent at Aysgarth Falls. Despite little rain recently the Falls were pretty impressive. I remember visiting these Falls in 1976 and walking across tuther side. Not today!
The Falls consist of Upper, Middle and Lower, all very impresive.
All pictures are of the Falls.
In the evening treated Paul and Margaret to an Italian Meal as a thank you for a brilliant few days.

Sunday 16th September 2012

A very warm but windy day.
Day spent at Staveley Nature Reserve. This reserve is managed by The Wildlife Association having recently aquired further fields surrounding the reserve. Ongoing work is in progress in expanding the reserve with a new very large Hide (just opened), further lakes and creating Wildlife Meadows. Despite the wind the warmth brought out many Dragonflies and Butterflies.
After a Pub Lunch in the Village we felt the urge to explore more of this reserve so a full day was enjoyed walking round this wonderful reserve.
With all the current unwelcome news of the Badger Cull in Gloucester it was good to see a very large Badger Set within this reserve, safe from any cull.
Pictures 1 - 6 - All pictures taken at the Staveley Nature Reserve.
       "          7 - View from the Dining Room early evening. No rain but came over very dark with a Rainbow just seen in the Red of the Sunset.

Saturday 15th September 2012

Another warm and sunny day.
Enjoyed the 2 hour drive through Wharfedale to Malham and Malham Cove. After a good Pub Lunch in the Village Paul and Myself managed the 600 steps to the top of the Cove and the Famous Limestone Paving. An incredible site/sight. The walk is not for the faint hearted but well worth it if fit!
After a cuppa and a rest we were ready for the long drive home. Many thanks Paul for offering to drive, much appreciated.
Picture 1 - Wedding Party (seen yesterday in York).
     "     2 - Malham Cove.
     "     3 - Limestone Pavement.
     "     4 - View from the top of Malham Cove.
     "     5 - About to ascend the 600 steps.
     "     6 - Village Pub.

Friday 14th September 2012

A good warm, sunny day.
Train from Horseforth to York with Lizz, Will, Margaret and Paul.
A good day spent in York, Pub Lunch at the Roman Bath Pub. So called because many years ago a Roman Villa was found under the Pub. Steps from the Bar lead you to the Villa (now classed as a Museum). Well worth a look if  visiting York.
Interesting walk round the City, the Park and Museum area. Arrived in the Park just as a Wedding was due to start. Bride & Groom arrived together in two VW Campervans. Wicked!
                 During the evening Tanya & Peter joined us to drink a toast to Margaret and Paul's 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Pictures 1 - 3 - York City.
      "           4 - Lizz & William.
      "    5 & 6 - Toast to 50 Years.