Galloping through Winter 2018/19

We seem to be galloping our way through these winter months and cannot believe we are securely planted in 2019 and celebrating our Bronze Wedding Anniversary, 32^nd!! Blimey!! Celebrating at a local Spa enjoying ‘togetherness’. 

It’s been all change at work as the Kettering Hospital contract ended, achieving process improvements, with the next contract at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG ‘falling into my lap’ as the previous contractor put my name forward to take over from her! The delight in my success extended to being ‘overjoyed’ when I realised Angie was also being taken on independently to me for the same role in different hospitals. This meant we are back working together again, good for us both especially as I was soon moved from Addenbrookes to Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon to work together with the remit stronger together to divide and conquer to achieve improvements. It was meant to be - Karma! So home every night and sleeping in my own bed, down side being a bit of a lengthy travel through ongoing roadworks on the A14.

Before I left Kettering I had a couple of trips out and about by myself. Enjoyed the theatre one evening watching a Carpenters tribute band a really captivating show so much fun hearing all those old tunes again took me back to my childhood and Sunday mornings. I also found the cinema and revelled in the fabulous movie about Freddy Mercury – Bohemian Rhapsody – such an emotional roller-coaster story, then a long stride back in the dark very uplifting. Out of the blue I had an email from an old colleague from my days in Operating Theatres in Norwich also working at Kettering Hospital, being really pleasurable to catch up over dinner a couple of times, how we had changed but sounded the same really lovely evenings. 

We caught up with quite a few people before Christmas started with more Aussie relatives, Aunty Pam and Cousin Kristy from Perth who enjoyed a wander around Hingham and some of the quaint builds. Enjoyed a Fishy Friday with my endearing Aunty Pen and Uncle John, Posh Sunday Lunch at The Gull with our charming friends Libby and Maz, a good paced stride along Frinton promenade with our dearest friends Val and Matthew, a trip through WW1 family history at Nicks beguiling exhibition ‘Vanishing Points’ a thrilling experience where personal history became more visual. 

Taking Dylan and his two school buds (from his previous school), Ed and Jordan, to the theatre to watch David Wallams ‘Awful Auntie’ was an exceptional treat. It was a great show and created with a fabulous approach whilst watching three 8 year old boys together, particularly for Jordan watching him in awe of the theatre as he had not been before. These three boys really enjoy each other’s company so always a pleasure when they come together when haven’t seen each other for a while.

Milo has had an interesting time with his music course, he is doing very well and enjoying some impressive assignment results to date. The tingling highlight was when an old student came to visit to deliver inspirational conversation to students across the country who attend Access to Music College. Milo manipulated himself a place in the audience when Ed Sheeran came to visit, see him as an onlooker right in the middle.

We enjoyed Milo’s birthday in December when he left his teenage years, delighted in him stepping into his twenties. A night at a local spa with all the luxury hotel room trimmings was enjoyed, we joined Milo and Rebecca for Sunday lunch. The celebrations didn’t end there as an Indian meal was squeezed into Monday evening as well, topped with a rocket loaded birthday cake, hilarious!

Our Christmas started with an exceptional evening out with old friends (my sister and hubby) a scrumptious Thai meal followed by a fabulous rendition of ‘The Full Monty’ live, ‘laugh’ we laughed and laughed, great fun together. Later in the month Dylan played the lead singing role in his band ‘The Rocking Flossers’ in front of the whole school and parents, from the back of the hall we could see the terror in the poor boys’ body. He was the only singer in the band and had to cope with a microphone singing ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Personally, I thought he was amazing marvelling at his strength of character and bravery, he told me never to share the video and he would not sing again! I’ve been told :) 
Just dropped in a rather beautiful rendition of Silent Night in Spanish, we didin't know Dylan was learning this until he came out the finished version - not to be missed. Enjoy. 

We started our New Year with really good intentions particularly around getting Jerry back on track weight wise, then promptly was booked up for two Afternoon Tea’s. One at The Ivy, a thoughtful Christmas gift (to be repeated please!!) then the following weekend at The Assembly Rooms with adorable friends celebrating birthdays. Delectable treat both times and the boy still lost weight, bewildering! During this time Milo took himself off to Paris with his charming lady. They did all the sights of Paris embracing Disney whilst incorporating business time too with Thomas the owner of ‘Electro-Pose’, ideas and futures were mused, a space to watch!

Finally the winter brought two wonderful additions to the wider family. A new Mrs Stone as my brother married his handsome lady in Sheffield, their home, celebrating in style over a number of days of wedding and party, by all accounts a joyous time. Then in February we welcomed baby Ada, an absolute delight to Hannah and Callum, a beautiful, contented, sleepy bundle of joy. Looking forward to seeing how she takes her place in the world.

Spring on its way, stunning display of snowdrops . Feb19