September


September 1st

Age UK. What a day,  last weeks new rules were still in place. The kitchen manger was behind the counter. I started to fill up the coffee machine and fridge, checking everything. Jenny started to get busy and I could not take the orders with her, one of the new rules. So a big queue started to form.
Wendy started to take the orders as well, something I was doing till last week.

I turned round and realised the filter coffee machine was not working nor was the cappuccino machine either. We further investigated and found out the soup urn, fridge and till were not working.
I was pleased that the kitchen manger was there so she could see how we coped in a crisis. The power came back on only to go off again taking the lights this time.

Things later were sort of working, with the soup going into the kitchen and the filter coffee also--- No cappuccino of any kind. The fridge and till worked too. The manger said I could take orders if we got busy. I said back to the way we were then. An electrician will be coming in as soon as possible to sort out the wring as it's a joke, it's a wonder it has not gone and blown up by now let alone work as its so overloaded. What a day.

3rd


Not a good night so a bit later up only got about two hours sleep. Very heavy air so it's like I have someone sat on my head and shoulders. A bad head also I think we will get a storm very soon or at least I hope so.

Out for dinner with Paul's IA lot- the dinner was very nice I had steak, and  enjoyed it, I also won a raffle prize too, soap in a tin
Took some steak for Summer so she was very pleased.. We went back to a friends house for a cup of tea and chat.

5th

Went into town to get a bit of shopping and exchange a pair of walking shoes I got last week. Called in on the man opposite us, as he was last seen in a ambulance. I asked him what happened, he said his hip came out of place. Painful I said, mine only moves a bit and that hurts. I said do you want anything from town, tablets he said paracetamol. OK I said I will get them for you. Got Jay-Jay a new School tie as his last term one looked a bit worn.

Also got myself another puzzle another challenging one, I'm not starting it yet as doing knitting and this other puzzle that's double sided and cross cut, very hard as each piece is duplicated. So you are not sure which side it is meant to be on. I am putting the two same pieces together and trying the pieces to see wish one is better fit, then putting the other one the right way up for this side. Everyone who has seen it thinks I am mad for trying it. Well that's me.

Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee back at School today.

Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee ready for school.
6th

Pilate's, very windy going as on bike again. The session for me was very painful, shoulders and pain shooting to fingers, knees also hurt. Very windy coming home and head on too I am so pleased I have an electric bike. I know I would not be able to go very far without it.

Jay Jay is back at School today. I hope he keeps out of trouble this term as last term he seemed to be in it most days.

 Jay-Jay raring to go or not.


7th

Cleaning up downstairs I feel quite tired but at least my heaviness has gone now as it has turned quite chilly here.  Different to the last few days.

Poor Wayne is going on Holiday to New York and then on to Florida but there is a hurricane level five, the highest and most disruptive of them all--- heading to Florida. His flight has bean cancelled from New York. Hopefully it will die down before then but it caused a lot of death's and devastation on its path. Poor Wayne he needs this Holiday, but he said he feels guilty when people have died and lost everything. Nothing seems to go right just lately.

Jay-Jay is at his Mums tonight not too sure how long he will be staying there or if he will be coming back here. I will miss him even though it has bean quite hard work at the same time. Him (25th June) and Andrew (8th July) more or less arrived at the same time so the house went from two to four. 

8th

Happy Birthday to Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee, five and Tommy eleven.

Age UK no difference to last week still no electrics to a lot of things. I had to go into the kitchen to get the coffee everytime. No fridge either. A lot of extra walking as well. I went back to taking orders too, if it wrong, hard luck, it works better for everyone this way, not all change is good.

Went to see Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee gave them the presents. I am taking Tommy-Lee into town to get him clothes at a later date.

Wayne is in New York hopefully he will get to Disney World but as yet no flights.

9th

A lot of pain today everywhere from toes to head shooting, drilling and just horrible.

Paul is away tomorrow cat sitting at Wayne's I go in two weeks time.

Wayne has bean to see Lion King on Broadway, he said it was brilliant.

12th

Doing the bedrooms today so quite busy. My pain is still complaining but not as bad at the moment.
Moving around for me helps, sitting does not.

I picked a big dish of tomatoes, a good crop this year and so sweet as well.

Wayne has managed to fly to Disney World. He said there is not too much damage around the resort.
Hope he has a good holiday, as he has bean so stressed about things. Then there was the uncertainty about the flight, he was so on edge. Now relax Wayne and enjoy.

13th

Pilate's so windy even with electrics on I had to work hard to get up to any speed. I still hurt so the session was not one of the best but I tried. Half way though the session I looked up, and noticed it was raining I asked Jo if I could bring my bike in. Yes she said, so I did I did not want a wet bum going home. The sun came out soon after. As it was I needed to put on my waterproofs for going home, as it started to rain again. Stronger wind going back. Very warm and red faced when I got home. Five miles though so not just a little ride, well not for me any way. I know my fried Marcus can cycle fifty or more in a day I think even a hundred at times.

Got Jamie-Lee in the afternoon. We played with a new toy she got for her Birthday. Making a picture out of little tiny hoop like beads. I kept dropping them as my fingers were not good today, very tingly and painful at times. Jamie-Lee thought it was funny when I kept dropping them. Nanny, she said and laughed I think at times with RSD that's all you can do, is laugh or at times cry. I try to laugh more because I think it helps.
Quite a busy day for me. Andrew cooked tea tonight spicy burgers hash browns and roasted vegetables. Very nice not very often I have someone cook for me.

14th

Andrew cooked tea tonight Spaghetti with a tomato sauce very nice it was too I had two plate fulls well stuffed. I would have had more but I think that would have bean pushing it a bit. Twice this week now I could get used to this. With Paul being away I have not done a lot of meal cooking so I have had a break this week.

15th

Age UK again-- Thank goodness they have sorted out most of the electrics no cappuccino machine but the rest is all working and back in the right places. Very busy too today took over £500.00.

I am not there for two weeks so a good rest I hope. Paul and I are going to Southern Ireland on Monday for a few days, so hopefully it will be good. After a busy tiring day I arrived home to find I could not get in. Andrew had left his key in the door so mine would not fit. His room is at the top a loft room, so he did not hear the door bell. After a wait I manged to get in the back way though next doors. We have a gate between us that has bean most useful in a lot of other door lock outs for us and our neighbours.

16th

Quite a chilly start to the day on the common. Soon my gloves will be on.

Went into town with Tommy-Lee to get him a present, Jay-Jay joined us later. Tommy-Lee picked out a pair of nice trainers that I got him for his Birthday. He spent his other money on clothes and more trainers, he got some very nice things. Jay-Jay got a Fred Perry shirt, he bought himself in the sale. We got wet a few times as well. Weird weather for the last weak a lot of rain. The common is a bit slippery too. I need to be careful as I don't want my foot hurt again as it still swells up at night and still can be painful.

17th

A nippy start again  foggy too. Getting ready for holiday and just normal things. We are being picked up at 6.30am tomorrow so not sure how I will do the bedtime thing. I might just lay on the settee and rest, not much point going to bed at five to get up very soon after is there. For those of you that don't know, I have very acute INSOMNIA. I can always rest on the bus or ferry. We are going on a PC Coaches trip, a tour of Southern Ireland .

18th

Early start getting the PC Coach at six thirty. Tracy kindly took us to Unity Square. We were well on time another couple arrived soon after us. The coach arrived and we climbed aboard. We were the last pick up so the bus was about full. Four people did not turn up though. The driver is called Dave and seems very nice.

One stop then on to Hollyhead Wales to get the Ferry. Showers and windy going. Dave told us that the Mersey river starts here in Wales with just a small trickle.

Paul on the coach.


Me. 
After a very pretty ride we arrived at Hollyhead. 
The Ferry we traveled on.



The ferry crossing was very smooth just like being on a train, I was talking to a couple and they said it was not always like this in fact sometimes you can hardly walk down the decks.
The crossing takes around three hours so plenty of time to rest. We looked around the shops and even went on to the top deck but it was a bit chilly.

Brr.

Land in sight. Hope its Southern Island.
Yes its Ireland.

We left the Ferry and headed for the Hotel. Not too far away, we are here for one night.

The first hotel we are going to be in tonight.

The hotel was very nice and had a king size bed and a large single. Dinner was very tasty. The room we have over looks a busy road so its a bit noisy.


19th

After little sleep and a good full Irish breakfast we set off for Bunratty Castle.

This is a 19th century castle and a folk village. Looking forward to strolling round.
After a cup of tea we set off to see what this castle had in store for us.

The delightful tea room.
 




Anyone for a wee? 

 
 I climbed all the steps to the top, looking down to this past part of the castle.
Goats in the grounds.
Now on to see the other things here.

This man was very good.

All the next pictures are inside the Castle grounds and Bunratty Folk Park. Inside and outside the houses. Some very grand houses, belonging to rich land owners Some very poor places belonging to poorer workers


 Bed in a cupboard.


 
A sack bed filled with straw...
 
Lady making apple pies to be sold in the tea room.
 
Two pictures of the school- note its says Boys and Girls have separate entrances signs on the building..1


McNamara's Pub
  
 
 We went in this pub for dinner, soup and brown home made bread. Paul had a Guinness.
 
 Very smooth.
 All gone very tasty he said, I had a sip, it does not taste like English Guinness.
 
  
 
Onto the Fairy village.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

After a tiring, long day, we headed back to the Coach and to our second Hotel of the trip.

The Hotel is very nice two beds again. The dinner/tea was lovely. Afterwards a man sang and played an electric guitar. He was very good and soon most were singing and clapping along..
We went for a walk later And I got some Radox hopefully this will help soothe my aching body.   

20th

Rain all night and still a down pour going on. After we had a good breakfast we set off for another very full day. We are going on a Jaunting carriage ride in National Park. Thousands of acres of grass land hills and paths though beautiful scenery.
This will be under cover. Later a cruise on the Lough Leanne. Hopefully it will stop raining soon as visibly it's not good.

    After a short coach journey to Killarney we got on to the ride. 
 
 

Our knees covered with blankets. One lady said there was a lot of hair on them. I said maybe its the horses. The man was very funny and apologised about the weather. He said we get a lot of rain here. In fact the rain stayed away for two days and the County called it a drought. He was very funny and told stories all the way round. We thanked him and went on our way.
Even though the rain did not stop it was a very enjoyable ride but a bit painful for me but not as bad as I thought it would be. 


We headed to the cruise, still rain and very misty. 
 
 
 

 This place is a favourite with the eagles that have bred here for the last two years. We did not see them but the cruise Captain said he had on a number of occasions. The rain still comes down, no wonder it so green here.
 
 This boat heading to go down a mini water fall through the bridge. 

After we got back on to land the rain slowed down a bit. We went to look around Killarney.
Me by the coach about to go back to the Hotel.
After a very filling meal we headed back to the room. 

21st

Today is the day most have looked forward to--The Ring of Kerry. We waited in the coach for the guide to come but it did not happen, despite numerous call from Dave the driver. He did get a call and a lady guide came, well we met in the next village. She was very good and knew a lot about this area. She lived not far away in a place called Inch. Off we go to see a view of a life time, or so we have bean told.
 
We stopped at a place called the Bog village when a lot of turf is dug for fires.
Paul had a proper Irish Coffee.
 

We carried onward to a place called Waterville. This is where Charlie Chaplin used to live. His granddaughter still has a house there and its up for sale as she no longer lives here.

 
 Just in case you have a heart attack.

 
 
 The man himself.
 
 
  Back to the coach and the views.
 
 Where next?
 
 
A pretty little church.
Are you lost?
 Ladies view.
This was named Ladies View after Queen Victoria visited with her ladies in waiting in 1861.

The afternoon was very warm not like yesterday.!!!

 
 The  rain came down-- and then, the most lovely rainbow.


The Ring of Kerry is indeed a beautiful sight to see.  



Not doing too good today I had to take a lot of OXYNORM, a lot of pain everywhere. I am shaking a lot as well. Just hope this does not go any further and turn into seizures. 
The Hotel put on some games as it was our last night here. A lot of fun but very much aware of the pain.  

22nd

Leaving the hotel today to head to the last hotel of the tour The Wilton in Bray. Dave took us to Adare, renowned to be one of the prettiest towns in Ireland, but the electric was off so most of shops shut. a very pretty place.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Goat and man we saw in the car park. Both got the same beads and hair.



Now for the last day here we are heading to The Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Our guide for the Stud Tour,
 
 
 
All the horses here, named below.

 

All horses no matter when they are born are given a Birthday of January 1st.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 STUD HORSE!!
 
 
 
What a beautiful place and a very informative guide.

Back to the hotel for evening meal very good as well as all the hotel meals have bean.

Well we are nearly at the end of this short Irish break. Tomorrow we have an early ferry ride back to Hollyhead. We have to be at the coach for 6am. 

I am not feeling as bad as I was. Less pain but very Hypersensitive everywhere. Hope its a smooth ferry ride home.

23rd

Up 4.30am very short night raring to go now back to Summer and Andrew. The Hotel had done us , what they call a grab bag. So good of them to get up early to see to us. The bag had an apple, banana and cake in it and also a bottle of water. Also a cup of tea or coffee before we left. We thanked them very much and headed to the coach.

All on the coach, Dave had to stop suddenly and I shot forward and hit my head on the seat in front. Just a graze so OK. I was putting my bag on the floor. We had just pulled out the hotel car park. The car we nearly hit, as usual with a lot of cars was in too much of a rush.

Beautiful sun rise.
 Our Ferry
 
    
  

 Bye bye Ireland thank you for having us we have enjoyed it a lot. Thank you all.

We had a full Irish breakfast on the ferry very nice too. I thought at one point I was concussed as I had problems walking. The sea was a bit choppy so it was not me at all. Very misty too, not like when we came and we could see for miles, not today. I learnt how to walk with the waves so I felt better. After around three hours we were in Hollyhead.  

We had a stop for dinner at services at  Haywood. With having a big breakfast I only wanted a sandwich. On again to home, usually it seems quicker going home but not this time. Paul usually goes to sleep so its a case of look out the window. At last after dropping off people at their pick up points we were back in Lincoln and a short taxi ride and we were home. I could hear Summer crying and getting excited. Andrew made us a welcome cup of tea. The trip was very good but its a lot of miles to do in a short time. Summer sat with me most of the night she had missed me a lot. Andrew had looked after her well. Thank you Andrew.

25th

Hopefully get some of the blog done, but windows 10 had other ideas. The computer kept crashing
Lost most of my pictures over three hours work for nothing. Hope to do a lot of my Blog while
I am at Wayne's. Spent a few hours putting things right. 

26th

Happy Birthday Paul. Going to Wayne's today till Sunday. Started to do my blog but did not seem compatible with Paul's laptop. I tried for a while then just gave up as I was loosing too much information. I can do it when I get back.

27th

Walked to Sowerby Bridge got some toothpaste as I forgot mine. Looked in the shops there got some chips for dinner and ate them on the way home, very tasty too. Had a cup of tea then got started in Wayne's garden. A nice sunny day, I will need to get more bags. The gardening went well got a lot done. I do like to be outside more than anything else. I need to be careful though as I am still exhausted from Ireland. With not sleeping much this does not help. While in the garden I thought I saw Timmy in the garden (he is a house cat so does not go out) I got a bit worried. As I got closer I saw it was not him. Finished up in the garden then gave Timmy his tea and sat down and did my cat little rug for Ben for his Birthday. Finished it all so just need to edge it and put a piece of dowel to hang it up. Good pleased with it and it does look a bit like Tabby cat (Ben's cat)


 
 Timmy cat not that impressed.

28th

Got more bags in the morning a bit wet today, bean raining most of night heavy at times. By the afternoon the sun came out and it was quite warm. Finished off the garden. Bags at the end of garden ready for Paul on Sunday to take to the skip.

29th

Rain again, rains here more than Lincoln. Going into Halifax to have a look round. By bus this time a bit far to walk. Would have at one time but that was before RSD. A nice day and met some of the ladies on the bus. Chatting to me all the time. Timmy was pleased to see me back as well gave him a lot of fuss. Knitting tonight, a pair of gloves, things went wrong with them so I had to pull a bit down.
All sorted now. 

Wayne phoned up, he is back in UK now, London for an over night stop then home on Saturday night late.

 
Timmy in the sunshine.
30th

A bit of a clean up today so it's tidy for Wayne. Night time Wayne phoned up and said a car had gone into the railway bridge near Grantham and no trains were going that way, Had to be checked before anything moved again. Half an hour later he was able to carry on with his journey. He got home around 10.30pm. Timmy was so excited and his face was a picture. He looked like he had a tear in his eye. Lots of cuddles from a very tired Wayne, Timmy purred all the time.

Halifax also has the views, not quite as good as Ireland, but still stunning in places. These were on the walk back from Sowerby Bridge.

 
 
 

Well I hope you like this blog it took a lot of doing and things did not go to plan a lot of time.
I enjoyed our trip but is was a lot in a short time. I think too much for me. All the best to you all and I hope things are well with you all. Love Gill.




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