Squelchy Wellie Time!

If you live in Britain, you don't need me to tell you that it's been a bit rainy of late. I feel so sorry for all those people who have had their houses flooded due to swollen rivers. The wellies I bought in the summer have well come in to their own. But you know, there is something very gratifying about splashing about in puddles. It is something that I used to do as a child, though then my wellies were thick, black rubbery ones, not the latest leopard skin pattern that now adorn my feet in the rain. And that sound, squelch, squelch, squelch, it's great, thick socks, no wet feet, lovely, who can resist a stomp in a deep puddle? Of course, there are no floods in Beckenham, or Penge, and Higgs Bottom is one floor in the air, so no fear of having to swill out torrents of unwanted water, it's a very comforting thought.

Higgs Bottom, it is the name of my new home in Beckenham, well, the name I have given it anyway. Higgs Bottom is also the working title of my new novel. Got to keep the old pen moving swiftly on, as they say. I'm very close to finishing it, though I know that is a dangerous thing to say.

Today I sent some of my work of to be considered for publication, ten poems written in Crete. If you're not in it, you can't win it, eh?

And now I'm about to paint my nails in readiness for a day out with my lovely daughter, tomorrow. My big move is on Friday, so we are going shopping for a few essentials: a kettle, an iron, an electric blanket... With Jack's birthday being next Monday, we have an action packed weekend coming up. On Friday I move into Higgs Bottom, on Saturday we shall have a family birthday tea, and on Sunday we are going into London to visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I also have a ticket to see my favorite cellist at the Wigmore Hall, Steven Isserliss.

So, my friends, life for me is wonderful, even in the rain. And if it is not so wonderful for you, I do hope your suffering will be short lived. Take care all, bye for now,

Jane x

Hand Knitting in Penge

Well, I set out to make a big baggy jumper, and that's what I got, but at least it keeps me warm and cozy now that winter is upon us.
Those lovely verdant trees of summer are just about stripped bare of their leaves now, the sky is grey, and the roads are full of puddles, but I have a pair of wellies and a raincoat. And I needed both for my trip to Bromley this morning.
I took the bus from Penge high street after dropping Jack off at school. My main mission was to trawl the shops for possible Christmas presents, and I spent the morning doing just that, Superdrug, Boots, Debenhams, Marks and Spencers, River Island, Monsoon, Toys are Us, gadget shops, shoe shops, accessory shops... there are a lot of shops in Bromley.
Even though it was a damp and drizzly day, there were musicians in the pedestrianized shopping area, about every 100 meters or so - trumpet players, accordionists, the odd tambourine, it was quite uplifting, in fact at one point the music was such that I had an urge to dance. You will be pleased to know that I did resist that urge, still it brought a smile to my face. There were a few people rattling collecting tins for charity, but not too many.
Before heading home I treated myself to a glass of coca cola and a piece of carrot cake, well, I had walked around for a couple of hours, so had used up a few calories. Then it was on the bus and back to Penge with the first of my Christmas shopping. I didn't see Father Christmas but his Grotto is in the Glades shopping center so I know he has at least reached Bromley.
I didn't wear my unique hand knit today, it wasn't quite cold enough outside, but I did buy a pair of brown boots to match it, now all I need is a hat. I might just have to trip off again before the week is out.

Bye for now, Jane x

Cheap Furniture from Hays

This coming Friday I will move into my new flat in Beckenham. It is an exciting time. Reliant on the state pension plus credits, I am obviously on a low budget, but hey ho, what is new there. Jo and I went along to Hays, just outside Beckenham, where there is a second hand furniture shop. I managed to get a bed, a settee, 4 dining chairs and a big desk for under £200. And the mattress is a brand new one. It is a start. I already have a few bits that I have collected over the weeks: pillows, bedding, crockery,cutlery, champagne flutes. Oh yes, I have to have champagne flutes. And I have bought a china teapot. It really is a new beginning.

All I need now (and I say need as opposed to want) is an electric kettle, and iron, and most important of all, curtains. I shall be trawling the charity shops in the next few days. Oh, and I will treat myself to a cheap printer so that I can print off my poems to submit to magazines. Now I am living in Britain, that will be so much easier.

For those of you who are new to my blogs, I do spent a lot of my time writing. In fact, I have written and published a book, Tears from the Sun - a Cretan Journey. It is based on experiences of a past life, I lived in Crete for 18 years. And my next novel is almost finished. As for poetry, I have always loved reading and writing poetry. I don't think it will be long before I am knocking on the door of the Beckenham poets, to ask if I can join their circle. I have discovered the Beckenham Book Shop, what a joy! And I have joined the library.

But for now, it is the run up to Christmas and all things festive. The lights are on in Beckenham, and there is lots of tinsel in the shop windows. Father Christmas is on his way, turkey, food and fun!

So, that's me for now, I wish you all a very happy Sunday wherever you are.
Love Jane x

Freedom Pass - Free Specs!

This is my new blog. I have relocated to Beckenham, Kent, which is really in the London Borough of Bromley, and I am loving it.

I am going to call this blog 'Freedom' because today I used my senior citizen's 'Freedom Pass' for the first time. What a fantastic feeling it was to swipe the yellow button on the bus, hear the ping, and know that it was not going to cost me a bean. It worked on the way back too. I will be able to travel on the bus or the train anywhere in the London area, for free.

I also went to have my eyes tested at Boots the Chemist, where I was offered a free eye test, and the option of free glasses, or a discount off more expensive ones. I will go back on Monday to chose because the kind lady in the shop advised me that they were having a refit over the weekend, and there will be a bigger choice on Monday.

I am happy to take advantage of all the concessions that are available now that I am a pensioner, but it won't stop me singing. I have joined the Rock Choir in Bromley, and it's a great evening out.

Writing, poetry, music, family life - it's a vision that is turning into reality.

Today has been a fantastic start to the rest of my life. The start of a new adventure as A Pensioner in Britain.