There Was An Old Poet Who Went to Posh Pinge

Well, what a busy week I had last week. We hired a car to travel south to Penge, and stayed with our lovely daughter Jo, and grandson, Jack. David did a bit of decorating while I met Christine for lunch and to put the final touches to our performance. I had time for a good look around Bromley, and a bit of a pre-Christmas shop, and we met up with a group of friends at the Moon and Stars in Penge, for a Friday night get together. Then it was Saturday, and on with various hats for our Poetry and Prosecco afternoon reading. Well, of course we had lots of laughs, and it wasn't just because of the bubbly. Mission accomplished, I only had one more duty to perform, and that was to play the organ for church service at Clock House, after which, we set off back to Yorkshire. The car had been such a joy, and an added bonus was that we managed to call and see our lovely friends for a Yorkshire dinner on Monday night. Not only that but we were able to bring back a dressing table that Jo was throwing out. What a successful trip.

So, here are a few photo's to give you a flavour of our Saturday entertainment act. To all who attended, a big thank you for being such an appreciative audience. And to all who couldn't make it, Christine and I will be putting new work together for the Spring.

Carol Singing (with a twist)!!!!!!!

It was on a day like this that I flipped a penny piece...

There was an old poet who went to Posh Pinge, the way she was dressed made everyone cringe...

Definitely unhinged!!!!!!

My lovely talented friend, Christine Pope. We make a good team.

And now it is back to the drawing board, in between getting ready for Christmas, and one or two dates in my diary such as 'flu jab,' 'reunion lunch with old school friends,' a trip to play carols for the Alzheimer's' Group in Barnsley, a little Christmas party where I do a bit of voluntary work, and our son's birthday. It's going to be a fun December.

I hope you are having as much fun as me, dear reader. Watch this space for more crazy days. Keep warm and healthy.

Lots of love and a big hug,

Jane x

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

This is it! The beginning of another year, whoopee! of we go again!

I'm happily unemployed, free to create, free to use my days as I wish, and free to eat my meals at the time of day I want.

So, with my poet's head on I have spent the day revising some of my more silly poems ready for a public airing on the 7th February, when I shall be part of the entertainment at Beckenham Methodist Church. (More about that later) Suffice it to say that Aunt Martha is to come out of hiding.

And, what have I cooked today. Well, so far nothing. David made the porridge this morning, we had lunch at withering spoons in Bromley (extremely good value) and now it's 6.30 p.m so I think a snack is about to appear. I dare say I could rustle up a couple of pieces of toast.

Actually, watching the news has put me off my food. The emotional gatherings of people all over the world, solidarity against the outrage of the cold blooded murder by terrorists of writers and cartoonists in their offices in Paris. I feel so sorry for all those people of the Islamic faith, who are decent, respectable citizens. 

Oops! What? It's not burnt, it's just caught. It'll scrape off!

There was an old lady from Penge,

Who went on a trip to Stone Henge,

She put on her mac

And went there and back

In her brand new Mercedes Benz 

Love and hugs

Jane x

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