STOP! Hospital Visit, Normal Life Will Resume A.S.A.P.

STOP. HOSPITAL VISIT. NORMAL LIFE WILL RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

You couldn't call it an adventure, it was more of an experience!

This is a photo of the Princess Royal Hospital at Lochs Bottom, Orpington, where David and I spent the day last Friday, while our daughter had a small operation.

All went well, and she is recovering nicely, feet up and lots of love over the weekend.

Anyway, although there was an hour or two of waiting in the reception area of the hospital, David and I did take a walk out to investigate the surroundings. We walked the High Street of Lochs Bottom, had a coffee and cake in a lovely coffee shop, did the tour of the charity shop, and, well, that was about it really. There was a pub on the corner, but we didn't fancy a pint, and there was a big Sainsburys near the hospital, but apart from that, not a lot else.

You can imagine concern during the day, so neither of us felt like whooping it up very much, and after a sobering sit in at the hospital, we got Jo home and tucked up in bed, put our feet up and watched 'Skyfall,' the James Bond film.

Things are not quite back to normal, but I dare say I shall rally myself for choir practice tonight, and a good sing should shake away the negativity. So, forgive my not as chirpy as usual self, it's nothing that a good night's sleep won't cure.

Hey Ho! It's all part of life's rich pattern!
Love and hugs,
Jane x

Want a good book to read? Check out this one, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey it is based on my adventures in Crete. Available now from Amazon.

Good Hair Day!

Meet Jonny, my favorite hairdresser. Credit where credit is due, Jonny transformed my very bad hair day, into a very good hair day. 

I managed to find a spare hour at the end of a very busy day, decided on the spur of the moment to get my hair cut, and popped into the Headmasters' salon in the center of Bromley. Sometimes it is good to give yourself a treat. And a treat it surely was. Thanks, Jonny, loved the head massage!

I suppose I should have taken a picture of my new hairdo, but I'm sure you would rather look at the lovely hairdresser.

And in a state of very bad hair day, I spent the afternoon together with my poet friends, at the Ripley Arts Center. It was the first time I have read one of my own poems to the group. The readers section and the writers section, joined together to listen to each other's work. I did enjoy being able to show that I could turn out a decent, well crafted poem. I also enjoyed listening to some splendid renditions. 

Tomorrow I shall visit the gym again, (oh dear) it is not my favorite thing to do, but I do want to be fit for my adventures.

Time for my beauty sleep now,

Night, night,

Love and hugs,

Jane x

Country Crafts Market Beckenham 0ctober 2013

Ah, shopping as it used to be! We were on our way to the supermarket, but couldn't resist the goodies at this special market which was being held on the green behind St George's Church, Beckenham.

It was all so jolly, especially with the music and the fair ground. I'm looking forward to the next craft market, especially as Christmas is just around the corner.

Not to rush things though, we have Halloween and Bonfire Night to celebrate before we start thinking about Christmas. I have to say that it is impossible to forget these two events as the shops are full of pumpkins, and spooky stuff to decorate the house with, and there are lots of firework displays being advertised, as well as fireworks being sold.

I hadn't realized until I read the info at the market on Saturday, that all of that green area behind the Parish Church, was bombed during the war. It apparently used to be full of banks and shops etc. After the war the area was cleared, and left as a park for the town.

I hope you all had a good weekend. I am gearing up for choir practice tonight, so I will go now and do a bit of tonsil flapping. Have a mighty melodious Monday!

Love and hugs,
Jane x

Bromley Market in October

Bromley Market, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Ah! Chocolate!

Well, the pictures say it all really!

 David and I picked up some lovely local veggies, and a little carved robin from the young man who was surrounded by wood carvings of some very exotic animals. I rather fancied a giraffe, but where would I have put it in our little flat.

 We resisted the Paella!

 I asked the young man if he had a web site, but he said that because every item was hand carved, and because no two items were exactly alike, he could not photograph them, and promise that the delivered item would look just like the photo. I saw his point, but I am sure with a little disclaimer that explained that each item was unique, and may differ slightly from the photo, he could increase his sales.

And think of all that packing and unpacking for the stall. If he sold on line, he could take orders over the internet, and post stuff out.

But I'm just an old granny with crazy ideas!

Anyway, all the best to this very pleasant young man who runs G&G Global Gift Collection Ltd.

You can contact Richard at:
Email: Richardgiles622@btinternet.com






And today I had yet another adventure. Yes, my life is full of adventure! But it's late now, so I'll save this one until next time.

Sleep well, dear reader, I send you happy vibes.
Love and hugs,
Jane x

Jane's Vrahassi: 6.3 Earthquake Rocks Crete

Jane's Vrahassi: 6.3 Earthquake Rocks Crete: Crete was certainly rocking at the weekend, and was even felt as far away as Israel. Crete rocked by 6.3 magnitude earthquake An earthq...

Beckenham Ladies Choir Perform at Penge Congregational Church

It was indeed a grand night for singing, last night, at the Penge Congregational Church, where I joined the other ladies of the Beckenham Ladies Choir, to perform an Autumn Charity Concert.

The highlight of the evening, for me, and I am sure for most people, was the absolutely stunning performance of Chloe Meade, a seventeen year old violinist who played Slavonic Dance No2 in E minor - Dvorak in the first half of the programme, and treated us to It Ain't Necessarily So - Gerswin, in the second half.

Our conductor, Dorothy Webster Thomas, brought out the best in us, and Pam Robertson and Christian Strover were our accompanists on the piano.

All the profits from the concert will go to Beckenham Rotary chosen charities: Young Carers of Bromley, CASPA, Demeiza, Petts Wood Play Group, Phoenix, BAT, Maypole.

The next charity concert will be on Friday 13 December 2013 at 12.30 in St George's Church, High Street, Beckenham, and will be in aid of a local children't charity.

If you would like to join the Beckenham Ladies Choir, you will get further information by visiting this site:

www.beckenhamladieschoir.org 

And following that up, this morning, I played cello during the service at church. There was also a christening, so afterwards there was lots of cake and goodies. That lined our tums for a lunchtime pint in the Jolly Woodman, and then it was back to the luxury of central heating and a relaxing 'feet up' hour in front of the TV before both David and I buckled down to our writing again.

All in all, it has been a very pleasant weekend.

Now, I did promise a hint of what I got up to in Crete, so I hope this little video will give you a taster. I will put more photos up in the next few days.




Oh, I almost forgot, I went to Bromley market last Thursday and want to share some pictures that I took there. That's a job for tomorrow.

Have a good week readers, bye for now,
Love and Hugs,
Jane x

Adventures of a Pensioner in Britain: Wedding Bells to ring in Beckenham

Adventures of a Pensioner in Britain: Wedding Bells to ring in Beckenham: Congratulations to James and Rachel, who surprised the congregation of the Methodist Church, on Sunday, when they announced their engagemen...

Just to let you know what I am up to in England.

Love Jane x

Wedding Bells to ring in Beckenham

Congratulations to James and Rachel, who surprised the congregation of the Methodist Church, on Sunday, when they announced their engagement. The wedding is planned for 31st May 2014, an event I am so looking forward to.

Now, I know I still haven't got round to telling you about my adventures in Crete, but I have to tell you about more recent happenings, first.

Well, no sooner was I back from Crete, than my friend, Mary, came to visit so that we could practice our music for this coming Sunday. We are going to play together, piano and cello, at a Christening service which is to be held at the Clock House Methodist church. We spent a lovely afternoon going through our pieces. 

Next came choir product on Monday evening. Only one more practice now before our concert on Saturday. Don't miss this Autumn Charity Concert of the Beckenham Ladies Choir. We are performing at Penge Congregational Church, High Street, Penge. Tickets are £7.50 on the door. All profits from this concert will go to charities supported by Beckenham Rotary Club: Young Carers of Bromley, CASPA, Demelza, Petts Wood Play Group, Phoenix, BAT, Maypole. So get out of that armchair and come and support us!

On Tuesday afternoon I hopped on a bus to Bromley, changed buses there, and got myself to the Ripley Arts Center for 2.30 p.m. It was the fortnightly meeting of the Shortlands Poetry Circle, of which, I am a member. This week we grouped together to read excerpts from long poems. I read from Omeros, by Derek Walcott, some people read T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland, and from the Four Quartets, there was a touch of Alice Oswald, The Dart, and other long poems. I must confess, I much prefer shorter poems, but I certainly admire and respect the work and artistry that goes into writing a long poem.

On my way home from the poetry group, I stopped off in Bromley to pick up a flip chart and an easel. It is all part of my upcoming talk that I am preparing to give (exciting stuff) in Greece, AND in Greek (Yikes!).

Anyway, more of that later. While I was in the Glades, I was stopped by a couple of customer support personnel, one of whom offered me a chocolate, and the other took my picture, they were Darren and Dee. We had a little chat, and I went on my merry way. A nice little interlude!

Now, it is Thursday, and David and I are going to take a little trip into town to buy our fruit and veggies. So, be patient with me, I promise to tell you about Crete, and what I am going to talk Greek about on my next trip. 

Take care dear reader, remember to do a good deed whenever you can, let love be your watchword, and we'll get together again soon.

Love and hugs,

Jane x

And don't forget, if you haven't read my book, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey, now is the time to get your copy from Amazon. 

(Click on the above title)

Harvest Festival at Clock House Methodist Church

 Now, before I tell you about my great adventure in Greece recently, I thought I would work backwards to it, and report on this weekend's activities. David and I went up to London on Saturday, where we met lots of friends who are in Empower Network, an organisation which we belong to. It was a very jolly day, and interesting to meet people from all walks of life.

 We started Sunday well by attending the Harvest Festival service at the Methodist Church, in Beckenham. Following the service, David and I stayed on to enjoy a lovely lunch of soup and a roll, and a buffet table full of goodies which had been provided by members of the church. It was a great opportunity to chat and relax for an hour or so.

 

 There are lots of things going on at Bromley Road Methodist Church - check out the event on the 1st December.

Ooh! Exciting! I've just had a mention on the radio, Neil Long on Radio Jackie 107.8 how crazy is that!

Excuse me while I go and stir my porridge!

Love Jane x