Reflecting on my week #117

We spent the latter half of last week in Lyon, and a large amount of that time was spent eating. Or at least it feels like that anyway. We did of course see the sights, on foot and making use of the Metro, and with all the tasty food it was just as well that we topped 13,000 steps each day we were there. February it turns out seems to be the time of year when we head off for a pamper-break, and our hotel in Lyon had a spa and a very fancy restaurant. Our room was pretty fancy too, and the loo will be featuring in a future Loo Series post.

We saw cathedrals, the view from Fourviere, markets and a restaurant or two too. We walked alongside the river, up and down hills and relaxed in the jacuzzi. We drank wine, ate the local dishes and never made it to breakfast at the hotel because we just didn’t need any more food. We only just made the flight home though, which was a bit more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be. We made it to the gate from entering the airport in about 25 minutes, and thankfully there was still a queue so there was none of that “last call” business. What’s more surprising (or to us anyway) is that another five people sauntered along after us, at least we had the decency to run. We won’t be doing it again I can tell you.

I’ve still to edit my photos, but I couldn’t share this post without at least one. The Valentines bouquets outside florists and in markets were great to look at - and aren’t markets a great way to see how locals live? - and there were bunches of mimosa and eucalyptus for sale. It made me wonder, why we don’t have the same, or maybe we do, and I’m just not seeing them. Anyway, it’s on my list (along with editing lots of photos) to find out.

We agreed in advance to mark Valentines Day when we were back, and so what with one thing and another have been treating ourselves most of the weekend. A nice meal and a nice bottle of wine on Saturday night and gin fizz cocktails, complete with rosebuds, yesterday.

We finally swapped cards on Sunday too - I’d fessed up on our trip that I hadn’t made mine (or his) yet. He’d bought his, but hadn’t written it, so we were kind of equal there. It wasn’t until Sunday lunchtime though that I disappeared upstairs to return with this.

You’ll know I like simple card designs, and I’m quite pleased with this one too. i was about to say I’d make more, but realistically I don’t need to make more than one! It was nice to get back crafting though and I need to make more time for making cards, and crochet too as I’ve not picked up any of those projects up in the last few weeks. I have of course, added new projects to my list!

I’ve also subscribed to a new-to-me magazine, and Sunday afternoon I sat down and enjoyed my first edition of Simply Lettering. The quotes below seemed to talk to me, and follow on nicely from the coaching that I’ve recently completed with Nicky Kentisbeer, which encouraged me to ‘get out of my own way’ and was just what I needed.

Like many people I was shocked and saddened to read of Caroline Flack’s death. I’ve never watched Love Island and wouldn’t claim to be a huge follower of hers (or any celebrity) but I do watch Strictly and was rooting for her to win. Any death is sad, however it comes about, but for someone to feel that taking their own life is the best, or only, option open to them, that really is very sad and reflects badly on our culture and society. I can’t profess to understand, but I do wonder if only she, and sadly the many that take their own lives, knew how much they were loved, if it would make a difference.

I really wish it had, and can going forward. In her words, be kind.

Reflecting on my week #116

Compared to last weekend, this weekend has been positively chilled. Some of that was down to weather with Storm Ciara arriving and staying for most of Sunday. It was wet and windy here, but nothing like some of the devastation we’ve seen on the news.

My faux topiary ball by the front door has been swinging all over the place, and in the back garden I popped out to save my pool sign. I timed my visit much better than MOH, who decided to clean his bike just as some heavy rain arrived. Undeterred he donned a waterproof and carried on until it drove him indoors.

My trip to the garden was much more successful and there was even some time for some photos. Thankfully our neighbour’s trampoline had stayed in its own garden (and hopefully that’s continued).

The other reason for a quiet weekend is that it comes on the back of another busy, and long week. Combine that with a few days off next week and the work preparations needed means that taking some time off can be quite stressful. I can’t wait though, it’ll be nice to explore a new city and I’m looking forward to seeing just how quirky our hotel is. I’m expecting pretty quirky, and yes, I’ll let you know.

The other good news is that next door’s scaffolding is mostly down. It’s been up a while, I had to check, and it was the end of October. They’ve had some awful weather during the work, but even so I bet they weren’t expecting the job to last quite so long.

The glass balustrade is in and on a sunnier day I had a peek out of our top floor window.

We do seem to have a cracked paving slab which we’ll need to sort out, and there’s still quite a bit of clean up that needs to take place, however I’m currently not too concerned as throughout our neighbour has been considerate. They have offered to put the pots back, which were moved to accommodate the scaffolding, and while that’s nice I’m going to decline the offer as it will only make it much harder for MOH to get them exactly where they should go.

I’m talking more than in the right order, I’m talking exactly where they should go - equal distances between them, and so we can get to the tap too. I’m pretty sure they don’t realise the precision I need here! MOH is used to it now, it frustrates him I’m sure but he also knows I won’t settle until I’m happy.

While I was in the garden I looked up to check out the new addition from the ground. I think it’ll take some getting used to seeing it there, a bit like when you have a drastic haircut and shock yourself everytime you look in the mirror to start with.

MOH has also managed to get a viewing, I don’t know how he does it. He’s been in several of our neighbour’s houses and yet I don’t think I’ve been past the doorstep of any. I’m not quite sure how to take that, I’m sure there’s nothing in it…

Anyway, I’m hoping for a less quiet week on the blog as I’ve plenty of topics to cover, on top of the plenty of topics I already had, and of course I’ve plenty of photos to edit and blogs to read too. I’d better get cracking, thanks for bearing with me.

Reflecting on my week 115

Often when weeks are busy everything merges into one and it could be any week. This week though it’s been a little different, as usual the weekend has been loaded with more than during the week, but the week got off to quite a civilised start. It was MOH’s first day back at work, or rather back online, and I also worked at home. So we found ourselves set up either end of the dining room table working away in companionable silence. It was nice and something I’m sure will happen again, though not sure it’ll become that regular an occurrence, even though addressing my work-life balance is something I’m working on.

The week started and ended with trips to the hospital for MOH though. Monday evening saw the repeat blood test with thankfully none of the repeat drama of the previous time, which I think everyone involved was very pleased about, not least MOH. Saturday we were back there again, and this was my view, along with the Saturday papers.

For a change we were up and out on Saturday at a respectable time, and as a reward we headed on to RHS Wisley, where I’d booked an entry time slot into their latest exhibition in the hot houses. I love a Wisley visit in the winter, whether it’s for the butterflies or the houseplants that are taking over, the hot houses are always a good place to visit.

So this weekend we notched up our third garden visit in three weekends, which we may struggle to keep up for much longer, but we can give it a good go! I’d not been to Wisley since their work moving the entrance completed - the work is fab by the way. But it does bring you into the garden in a different place (obviously) and that meant our focus was on a different part of the garden too.

We were drawn to the colour of the dogwoods as we headed towards the hot houses, and then along the winter walk where the irises were already out and we discovered a new-to-us plant, Edgworthia, which was also in the garden section of the Sunday papers too. Must be the time of year for it, but more on that another day.

We were here for the RHS’ latest exhibition, and if you can go, definitely go. There’s so much to see, and luckily for us, it was fairly quiet. There weren’t any queues but you can book timed entry slots so you can avoid any queues there might be - I suspect it’ll be busier in half-term week.

There’s six rooms: the hallway, living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room and bathroom and each is overrun with houseplants. I’ve loads of photos, and will share more here, but it’s safe to say I loved it.

Saturday also gave me the opportunity to see how work is progressing next door. The glass surround is due to be going in this week, and the scaffolding will be down soon after that. It’s been up a while, and longer than expected, but it’s kinda needed for the job to be done safely. I’ll not be sorry to see it go though and once it has there’s a fair bit of clean up work to take place, but our neighbour has said he’ll pay for this, so we can’t ask for more than that.

We headed into town Saturday night, which made a change. We had dinner at Gunpowder at Tower Bridge and the food was great. it’s been a while since I’ve seen this view, and couldn’t help but be the tourist.

The food was good, and as usual there’s no pictures of that as it didn’t hang around for long. It’s the first time though that we’ve had cocktails garnished with dried chillies. That was clearly a theme as Sunday night I added some dried chilli to the impromptu pasta sauce I made, and also my eye - ouch!

This week I’ve some planning to do, working out how to get everything for a couple of nights away into hand luggage. That wouldn’t be so bad, but MOH has booked a bit of a swanky restaurant, and the outfit I want to wear needs heels. I’m sure I’ll manage it, somehow…