It's been a while since the last one, and the time has just flown by.
We hit the ground running, back from Spain and I was out the next day on a walk with John and Brian, this wasn't a usual walk as it was the memorial walk from a different group, so there were three other men there, who coped very well with me being there.
The first pub was meant to be a one pinter but turned into three, and we were only halfway round. We finally set off before John and I lost the other four. We knew where we were, and Brian knew where we were as he was getting the train to meet us after an appointment at the hospital. We met him on the canal towpath so he turned round and walked back. We were well into our pint when the others finally turned up having got a little lost!
Three more walks, one with John, one with Brian and this week's with John joining me, Brian and Brian in Tamworth in the car after an appointment. Very handy, he poured us all in and took us home! Somewhere between eight and ten miles per walk goes someway to countering the bacon sandwich, beer and cheese cob!
There were a three extra walks too. Brian and I decided to get the train to Longbridge and walk back, only to find that particular train was cancelled, so we walked to Longbridge instead. 8 miles, and up hill this way. Popped into Mountain Warehouse, as is our norm, only to come out and bump into Alex and Rob also doing some shopping. A lovely impromptu lunch in M&S followed. What are the chances of that?
The following weekend was John's birthday so we suggested a short walk and or a light lunch. We ended up doing the long version of the Longbridge walk over the Lickey Hills. We were joined by Brian and Hazel and had a lovely time. An early pint before trying out the new cafe at the Lickey Hills visitor centre for coffee and cake. Back to the Weighbridge for another pint or two before walking back down Latimer Road, centre of Trick or Treating in the village. It was lovely to see the kids and the houses that had all made an effort.
Last weekend we started towards Barnt Green but diverted along the new path just to see where it went, made a change anyway. I could feel Brian twitching today to get out as it was clear and bright, but was extremely cold and we had lots to do.
Having dithered about our Christmas plans, we finally have one! A housesit in Cape Town before taking ourselves on a little road trip. This is followed by a train journey to Johannesburg, three days and two nights of luxury on the Blue Train. From here we go to Madikwe Nature Reserve for 4 nights on safari. We could have booked it all ourselves and I'd managed to get a small discount on the train. I hadn't had much joy with the bookings people at Madikwe though so I'd contacted the African Safari Group who we used the last time we went to South Africa six years ago. I don't know how they make any money as she managed to get a bit more off the train than I had and found a newly refurbished lodge with amazing introductory pricing. Add in a night before and after the train, a couple of nights at the Cradle of Humanity afterwards and two hire cars for a total of 16 days and her price is about the same as the train and the original 4 night safari, with transfer I was quoted from the reserve! Before all this happened, since getting the housesit a week ago we had decided to have a city break in Vienna, somewhere Brian has always wanted to go. So we go there on Monday!
The first week after the walk, we had Bev and Iain up for the Friday night. After they had a very stressful journey up the M5 we did manage to get on the train I'd planned. We all ate in the Chinese Quarter, without Crystal to order for us. Then Bev and I went to see The Carman, a Matthew Bourne ballet. I've not seen one of his before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The boys went to the pub where we joined them afterwards.
A relaxed morning before waving them goodbye as we were due at Steph and Sam's, Brian's niece, husband and two kids, Rory and Ivy. It was our first opportunity to meet Mila, Nick (Steph's brother) and Jessica's new baby. I'm glad we got there to meet them before Denise and Paul, and then Fiona and James, with Becky, Jenny and James turned up. But what a lovely afternoon.
We've been to dinner with Alex and Rob, had lunch (but no walk) with Denise and Paul, and dinner at Fiona and James. Had Sunday Tea club, Sunday Club, and Monday Club. Apart from all this enjoying ourselves we've finally filled in our Power of Attorneys, I finished my Life in a Book and got it printed, Brian having done his last month. We've been to see the Financial advisor, the dentist and the physio. There has also been blood tests and a gastroscopy, flu jabs and haircuts. It's been very very busy!
Before he had chance to post we had to go out. Kurzi Lamb in Solihull with Jo and Mike and Alex and Rob. It was absolutely delicious, we all ate stupid amounts and we came home with leftovers for tonight. I think Jo was a little deflated that our Indian does it too and we keep introducing it to other people, but it was just as good. A lovely evening.
