Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

Had such a great weekend!  We travelled up country to attend the TTP 25th Anniversary Conference and decided to make a proper weekend of it. TTP was first recognised as a condition in 1924 and back then the outcomes weren't good.  Now, thankfully, there is treatment and research is finding new and better methods. The TTPNetwork, giving support to Patients and their families,  began 25 years ago.  A whole lot has been achieved in that time. Friday 19th May We decided to stop off at Baddesley Clinton, so much nicer than a motorway service station.  Wisteria in the courtyard.  Space to stretch your legs and enjoy the view. I just love these old wooden studded doors. Kitchen paraphernalia.  Somehow I always feel at home in an old kitchen.  Plenty of rhubarb in this kitchen garden.  And the shed is really something 😊. There are stew ponds and duck ponds. ...

Have spent most of this week in our garden, tidying, sorting, and planting some pots.  It’s still early and we haven’t put any bedding plants in the ground, but I’m hoping pots next to the house in a sheltered position will be safe. It’s really therapeutic to spend time with plants.  Also, to go to the recycling centre with all those bits and pieces you should have taken months ago but didn’t.  It’s been a therapeutic sort of week. Standing back and admiring our work at the end of the day, I wanted to bring a little bit of the garden into the house.  The obvious choice at this time of year is Lilac 😊.  Our Lilac is adopted from a neighbour.  Years ago, an elderly neighbour had the most beautiful White Lilac and it’s roots were so strong they grew under the fence and sent a shoot up in our garden.   We nurtured it, cut it to have more branches, and generally watched it thrive.  Elderly neighbour moves out, new neighbour moves in and cuts the tree ...

When we were invited to a Coronation Party we said yes immediately.  It meant travelling, driving, but with the chance to spend time with family and have a celebration after all the doom and gloom, of course we jumped at the opportunity.  I know some people shared my sentiments, I wonder that more didn’t.   We didn’t get to the actual coronation but we did get into London the day before, and a couple of days after, just to check out the atmosphere and to see what was going on. I’m neither a monarchist or a republican, I think the main players work hard and I wouldn’t want to change places with them.  The thought of some politicians living in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle fills me with horror, I don’t think they would do a better job.  Charles III has waited a long time for the crown, let’s give him a chance and see what he can do.  At his age, I think he deserves that.  I’m very happy to be retired and spend my days doing my own thing. Anyway, he...

Today I persuaded my husband to stop at Stonehenge again 😊 The place fascinates me, ever since my first visit in the 1950s as a very small child.  I have an old family photo with my sister, parents, an uncle, and grandparents plus the family dog, Chips.  Goodness knows how we got there from the town we lived in back then.   Now I am the only one left from that group, its a sobering,  but timeless, thought.  It is positively spiritual.  We've passed the stones on many occasions,  travelling along the A303.  The traffic often slows down on that stretch as drivers easy off the accelerator to take a look.  There are often accidents and a solution is needed, although I'm not sure what it is. Anyway,  today, we visited again.  We had allowed time and my son and I were able to walk from the Visitor Centre to the stones.  Its an easy walk of about 30 minutes,  and an excellent chance to stretch your legs after being cooped u...

 It’s May Day, 1st day of May, and traditionally the 1st day of Summer.  Let’s hope so, we have had so much wind and rain, cold and wet.  May Day falls half way between the spring equinox and summer solstice.   It’s always been a time for celebration.  It seems there are no emojis for May Day, what a shame, maybe next year 🤷‍♀️ In the seaside town where I live , we celebrate with an old tradition of the Hobby Horse.  It apparently begins at 5.30 am, although I’ve never been up that early to see the start.  It does, however, parade around the town for most of the day.  In fact there are two Hobby Horses.    More info on the Hobby Horse can be found here May Day is a Bank Holiday in England, many people have a day of off work, although many shops and entertainment venues are open.  Perhaps only banks, schools and offices are closed nowadays.  Thankfully I’m retired.  Anyway, with three of us at home today we decided it was ...